We are specialists in quality batteries. We have batteries, chargers and accessories for everything you can think of. Low prices, big inventory, expert advice. Find your battery here!
Vivo has just announced three new smartphones, and the smallest of them is the Vivo X200 Pro mini. All three phones belong under the same Vivo X200 series, but only two are ‘Pro’ phones, and this is one of them. In this article, we’ll focus on that phone alone. The Vivo X200 and Vivo X200 Pro will be covered separately.
The Vivo X200 Pro mini is a compact flagship smartphone from the company Vivo’s X200 Pro mini comes as a semi-surprise. It’s not a full surprise as we’ve known about its existence for a couple of weeks now. On the other hand, it’s quite surprising as Vivo does not have a habit of releasing compact flagship smartphones.
When it comes to design, it’s very similar to its siblings. The main differentiating point is the alignment of its camera sensors on the back. They have a rhombus shape, compared to two-by-two setup on its larger sibling.
The phone is made out of metal and glass, while it has flat sides. Its front and back sides are also flat, and as part of that a ‘Quad Curved Display’ is included. That is basically a flat display that has a 90-degree curve on all of its sides. It’s also known as a micro-curved display. A centered display camera hole is included too, and the bezels around the display are very thin, and uniform.
It has the same ZEISS-backed camera setup as its larger sibling A camera oreo on the back is included, along with ZEISS optics. That camera oreo does protrude on the back, though it could make for a nice anchor for your finger. We’ll have to wait and see.
This smartphone features a 6.31-inch 1.5K display. This is an LTPO AMOLED display, by the way, and it has a resolution of 2640 x 1216 pixels. The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC fuels this phone, the company’s brand new chip.
A 50-megapixel main camera (Sony’s LYT-818 sensor, 1/1.28-inch sensor, f/1.57 aperture) sits on the back. It is backed by a 50-megapixel ultrawide unit (ISOCELL JN1 sensor, f/2.0 aperture), and a 50-megapixel periscope tele-macro camera (f/2.57 aperture, 3x optical zoom, 100x digital zoom). The Vivo V3+ imaging chip is also included here.
A 5,700mAh battery is included, along with up to 16GB of RAM A 5,700mAh battery is also included in the package. The phone supports 90W wired and 30W wireless charging. It also utilizes 12GB or 16GB of RAM (LPDDR5X Ultra Pro RAM) and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of UFS 4.0 flash storage, while it is IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.
OriginOS 5 comes pre-installed on the device in China, but if it launches globally, it will ship with Funtouch 15 OS, based on Android 15. The Vivo X200 Pro mini comes in Light Pink, Plain White, Simple Black, and Titanium Green colors. The Vivo X200 Pro measures 150.83 x 71.76 x 8.15mm, and weighs 187 grams. The 12GB RAM model of the Vivo X200 Pro mini with 256GB of storage costs CNY4,699. Its 16GB RAM model is available in both 512GB and 1TB variants, and those are priced at CNY5,299 and CNY5,799 in China. The price tags will be different globally, of course.
There was once a time when the Sony Xperia Z Compact carried the bastion of pocketable powerhouses. But as consumer priorities shifted, especially here in the East, smaller phones quickly ran out of favor. Remember how quickly the iPhone “mini” vanished to pave the way for the Plus?
One might argue functional limitations are to blame. You need a large battery. The next-gen camera stack needs space. Yet, every so often, some brand pulls a rabbit out of the proverbial hat. This time, it’s the Chinese smartphone powerhouse Vivo.
Earlier today, the company introduced its X200 series phones, and once again, cameras take center stage. But the biggest surprise of the event was a new “mini” member of the series — the Vivo X200 Pro mini. And it looks superb.
Make no mistake. Unlike your typical Galaxy or Pixel, this one doesn’t make concessions. On the contrary, this “mini” seems like an absolute beast — and one with an unbelievable price tag that puts the competition in serious jeopardy.
Like the iPhone 16 Pro, the Vivo X200 Pro mini has a 6.3-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 2640 x 1216 resolution. Yet, the peak brightness is an astounding 4,500 nits, nearly double that of the Apple flagship.
Running the show inside is MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 chip, a top-tier silicon that goes all-big on the core architecture, omitting Arm’s efficiency cores in its entirety. The results are quite impressive, and according to media presentations, they even outclass Apple’s mighty A18 Pro, at least on synthetic benchmarks. But it’s almost astounding how much tech Vivo has packed inside its phone. The X200 Pro mini is just a hair taller than the iPhone 16 Pro but narrower, thinner, and lighter than its Apple rival. But wait until you see what’s underneath that glass and metal chassis.
Somehow, Vivo managed to fit a massive 5,700mAh battery inside this phone. For comparison, regulatory filings put the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery capacity at 3,582 mAh. But let’s not merely look at the numbers.
Vivo has also delivered 90W wired charging, double that of Apple’s latest and greatest. You also get support for 30W wireless charging, which itself is quite impressive, though not as fast as OnePlus flagships.
The most impressive part, however, is the camera hardware. At the back, you get a trio of cameras, each backed by a 50-megapixel sensor. One of them is a periscope-style zoom snapper that relies on a tunnel-based folded lens system.
This telephoto camera is actually quite impressive, as it opens the doors for long-distance portrait capture and macro photography. Moreover, all three rear cameras, as well as the 32MP front camera, are backed by autofocus, which is a neat convenience.
Those might sound like figures solely directed at bragging rights. But I’ve used Vivo’s flagships over the past few years, and if there’s one aspect that these phones excel at, it’s the camera output. The video capture capabilities, in particular, are neck and neck with the iPhones and Galaxies out there.
On the software side, there are a bunch of AI tricks that mirror what the Galaxy AI or Apple Intelligence stack has to offer. To handle all that workload, the MediaTek silicon gets support from a minimum of 12GB RAM, though the higher-end version goes up to 16GB, paired with up to 1TB of storage. Unlike Apple’s stingy approach, the minimum storage capacity starts at 256GB. We are talking about the fast UFS 4.0 storage modules here, but there’s more to the picture.
The Vivo X200 Pro mini’s build is IP69-certified, a rare feat for smartphones. For comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro only comes with an IP68 clearance. The final shocker, however, is the asking price.
An impossibly alluring mini phone
All that smartphone goodness is crammed inside a package that starts at CNY 4,699, which roughly translates to around NZ $1,087based on the current conversion rates. That’s lower than the cheapest mainline iPhone this year and nearly a third of the iPhone 16 Pro’s sticker price.
So far, the phone has only been launched in China, but given Vivo’s history, the X200 Pro mini could soon appear in other markets across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Market availability aside, Vivo’s compact flagship once again proves that small phones can be mighty — and that they can go toe-to-toe against the large-screen flagships without making any compromises.
It’s just a cherry on top that while doing it, they can dramatically undercut the Pro iPhones on the price scale while surpassing them at practically meaningful parameters like battery capacity, sensor resolution, and build resilience.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra could come with the same periscope telephoto camera as the Vivo X200 Pro (Image source: Xiaomi)
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra will be one of the brand’s premium smartphones featuring the next-gen Snapdragon 8 series SoC. It’s now tipped to launch within the first quarter of 2025 and will reportedly feature an upgraded periscope telephoto sensor compared to its predecessor.
>>>>BP51 Battery for Xiaomi 14 Ultra Xiaomi will be among the first brands to launch smartphones featuring the next-gen Snapdragon 8 series SoC. The name of this 3nm mobile chipset has not been confirmed yet, but it may be called the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, Snapdragon 8 Extreme Edition, or Snapdragon 8 Elite. However, leaks around the phones that are expected to feature it are still rolling out in full force.
The latest one comes from Digital Chat Station, a prominent Weibo leaker, who shared some key information about the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. According to the tipster, the top-end phone will be launching after the Chinese New Year, which begins with the appearance of the new moon.
That suggests that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra could launch within the first quarter of 2025. This timeframe aligns with the launch timeline of its predecessor, which launched in February of this year.
Besides sharing the possible launch timeframe, Digital Chat Station has also reported on the periscope telephoto camera of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. It’s said to be the same 200 MP Samsung HP9 sensor that’s found in the Vivo X100 Ultra and the X200 Pro models. This periscope sensor is reported to offer 4.3x optical zoom.
As for the other three cameras, a previous leak suggested that the primary camera will be a Sony LYT-900 50 MP primary sensor, while the ultra-wide is said to be a 50 MP IMX858 sensor. The second telephoto will reportedly be a 50 MP IMX858 sensor. So, only the periscope telephoto camera may change in the upcoming flagship.
Samsung came out swinging for the fence with the launch of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, largely propelled by the slew of Galaxy AI features included on the device. It’s been the top contender in our best Android phones list since then, but Apple’s new flagship is the matchup we’ve been waiting for. That’s why an iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra face-off is necessary to once and for all have a definitive winner as our best phone.
Given how things turned out in our Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max comparison, it inherently gives the newer iPhone 16 Pro Max an edge edge heading into this matchup. That’s because there’s an 8-month gap between the arrival of these two devices, giving Apple the advantage of having the newer handset.
We’ll look at all aspects surrounding the two phones, including their battery life, software, displays, AL features and much more to tell you exactly which one offers more value. These phones don’t come cheap and they’re the epitome of the ultra premium segment that come with extra features you don’t find in other phones.
In this iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra showdown, there can only be one that comes out on top. Let’s get started!
For now, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is enjoying the time it has left before sailing into the sunset at the start of 2025. Despite offering the richer software, its age is beginning to show and this comparison proves that. Unless you can find Samsung’s phone at a good discount somewhere, you might hold off and save your money on the Galaxy S25 Ultra next year. It’ll be a decent wait for it, but we anticipate bigger upgrades that will make it a more formidable challenger.
(Image credit: Future) To be fair, both phones make slight alterations with their designs, but they mostly follow the same design language as previous phones. While both phones have flat edges that let them stay upright on their own, that’s about where their similarities end.
Samsung’s design is boxier looking, evident in the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s hard angled corner. You could argue that Samsung’s design looks like the more boring of the two, but it’s much harder to comfortably use one-handed because it’s larger and heavier. While the S24’s titanium frame gives it a premium look, the overall look can’t compare to the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
(Image credit: Future) But to be fair, Apple’s design is mostly recycled too. Still, its rounded corners, lighter weight, and slimmer frame make it feel much more manageable. It’s still massive in size, but it helps that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is accompanied by a more solid construction that makes its design feel polished.
Another difference worth pointing out is that the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with the S Pen, which discreetly tucks into the lower left corner of the phone when it’s not being used. Not only does it help in giving off that paper meets pen experience, but it’s also a handy tool for other functions — such as acting as a remote control for the camera.
Meanwhile, Apple introduces the Camera Control button to give users better access to the most popular settings and tools to take better photos. It’s unique in the sense that it can sense swiping gestures in addition to pressure sensitivity, which frees up the Action Button to do other things.
(Image credit: Future) In the past, Samsung has historically featured the bigger display, but that changes with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This is a shakeup because the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a larger 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs a 6.8-inch Super AMOLED panel.
There’s a lot to like about both OLED displays because they’re perfect for just about everything, from reading an ebook with ease thanks to their high resolutions, all the way to catching up on your favorite streaming shows because of their exceptional viewing angles and rich colors. Believe us when we say you’ll be enchanted by just looking at them. They’re that good!
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Delta-E color accuracy (lower is better)
0.24
0.25
DCI-P3 color gamut coverage (%)
80.4
98.5
Peak brightness
1,553
1,363
However, today’s phones are mainly judged by how bright they get — and in our testing, it’s the iPhone 16 Pro Max that’s brighter. It reaches a peak brightness of 1,553 nits, which makes it more visible to the eyes with direct sunlight. Even though the Galaxy S24 Ultra earns a respectable mark of 1,363 nits, it doesn’t get as bright when compared to the iPhone. For this reason, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is our choice here.
Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy Ultra S24: Cameras
(Image credit: Future) Without spilling the beans on which has the better cameras, it’s worth noting that these two phones have everything for shooting photos and video with unprecedented quality. Apple fashions a familiar triple camera setup as before that consists of a 48MP main shooter, refreshed 48MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto with 5x zoom. On paper it matches the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s setup, which includes a 200MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto with 3x zoom, and a 50MP telephoto with 5x zoom.
These cameras are no doubt versatile in covering all the ranges, but each has their own charm with the experience. Take the new Camera Control button with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is a button on the phone’s side that allows you to quickly take photos much like an ordinary shutter button on a mirrorless camera. One unique way Apple makes Camera Control stand out is how it can also sense how hard your pressing; it recognizes swiping gestures, too. That makes it easier to zoom and go through all of the iPhones modes and settings.
But the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera app is more suitable to handle the needs of power users and enthusiasts. That’s because it features proper manual controls for photos and video recording, while also throwing in several others like dual recording. And while it lacks a similar shutter button, the S Pen can be leveraged to take photos as well by pressing down its button.
We’ll briefly touch up on the most important areas with their cameras, but our 2 photos with the iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra better dives into the differences.
iPhone 16 Pro Max shooting
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra shooting
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Performance
It came out to a draw between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max with their performance when we put those two phones to the test, but this time there’s a clear winner. Based on a new 3nm manufacturing process, the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s A18 Pro chip proves it has the muscle power to handle whatever we dish out to it.
In Geekbench 6, the iPhone 16 Pro Max widens the divide by posting single and multi-core scores of 3,400 and 8,341 respectively. That’s a much bigger increase from the iPhone 15 Pro Max and it certainly shows when you’re using Apple’s phone and notice the instant response and zippy feel.
(Image credit: Future)
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Galaxy S24 Ultra
Geekbench 6 (single-core/multicore)
3,400 / 8,341
2,300 / 7,249
3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited (fps)
107.53
121.81
Adobe Premiere Rush time to transcode (mins:secs)
0:21
0:42
Despite its newer hardware, the iPhone 16 Pro Max still can’t eclipse the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powered Galaxy S24 Ultra when it comes to graphics processing. In 3DMark’s Wild Life Unlimited test, the Galaxy posts an impressive average frame rate of 121.81 fps, which is smoother than the 107.53 fps rate that the iPhone averages.
And finally, there’s our Adobe Rush Premiere test that times how long it takes a phone to transcode a video. Between them, the iPhone posts a faster time of 0:21, which is nearly half the time it takes the Galaxy S24 Ultra to complete the same task.
Synthetic benchmark tests are great to objectively compare both phones, but the iPhone by and large exhibits smoother responses with normal, everyday tasks such as opening apps and scrolling.
Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Battery
(Image credit: Future) Even though Apple doesn’t list the battery capacity in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the company does say that it’s bigger than the power pack inside the iPhone 15 Pro Max. But honestly, it really doesn’t matter because the iPhone 16 Pro Max posts an unbelievable time with our battery benchmark test.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s time of 15 hours and 41 minutes was one of the best when it launched, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max exceeds that with a better 18 hours and 6 minutes time. In our best phone battery life list, it places the iPhone in the third position only bested by the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro and OnePlus 12R, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra finds itself in the sixth position.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Galaxy S24 Ultra
Battery Life (hours:minutes)
18:06
15:41
Recharge Level in 15 mins
29%
39%
Recharge Level in 30 mins
55%
79%
Over on the recharging side, the Galaxy S24 Ultra easily edges out the iPhone 16 Pro Max thanks to its faster 45W wired charging speed. The S24 Ultra is able to get up to 39% in 15 minutes, then to 79% in 30 minutes. In contrast, the iPhone gets to 29% and 55%, respectively.
Sure, the faster charging speeds of the Ultra are great, but there’s a bigger disparity between their battery life that gives this one to Apple.
Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Software and AI
Apple’s software has always been intuitive to use, and that’s no different with iOS 18 running on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. On the surface, the latest software update doesn’t shake up the experience as much as previous releases, but it’s nice to see that Apple pays more attention than ever before in giving more customization, personalization, and privacy with its software. We detail everything new and exciting about it in our iOS 18 review.
But the greatest part about the software has nothing to do with iOS 18 at all; instead, the focus is on the features that are unlocked with Apple Intelligence. We’ve been using Apple Intelligence with the iOS 18.1 beta to fully get a grip of what it’s able to do, and for the most part, it elevates the experience to the same level as Samsung’s Galaxy AI. There are handy summarizing tools that gives us oversight to our most important notifications, a new Siri that’s much more conversational, and magic of the Photo Clean Up tool — all of which exists to some degree with the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Samsung’s One UI 6.1 goes deeper by offering a slew of features that cater to power users. Not only can we access useful AI-assisted features such as Circle to Search and Google Gemini, but Galaxy AI features enhance the overall experience. Generative AI is clearly well represented in stuff like Generative Edit for removing reflections and unwanted subjects in photos, as well as how Instant Slow-Mo turns any video recording into a slow motion clip.
We also can’t neglect to mention how the S Pen adds to the S24 Ultra experience. It’s a valuable tool with many purposes with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, including the ability to instantly take notes without unlocking the phone, signing PDFs, and using it as a remote shutter for the camera. If that’s not enough to convince you how the Galaxy S24 Ultra is meant for power users, the phone also packs one of the most underrated phone features you’ll find — Samsung DeX. This allows the Galaxy S24 Ultra to mimic the experience of a traditional desktop PC, which is still something you won’t get with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
All of these are reasons why the Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to have the more compelling software.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Verdict
After putting the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra through the seven categories we’re grading them in, the final tally gives a clear win to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This shouldn’t be too much of a shock given how their releases are spaced significantly apart from one another, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max getting the upper hand in many areas. Most notable, it has a brighter display, better cameras, and longer battery life.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Price (15 points)
13
11
Design (10 points)
9
9
Display (15 points)
14
12
Cameras (20 points)
20
18
Performance (15 points)
15
14
Battery and charging (10 points)
9
8
Software and special features (15 points)
14
15
Total (out of 100)
94
87
For now, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is enjoying the time it has left before sailing into the sunset at the start of 2025. Despite offering the richer software, its age is beginning to show and this comparison proves that. Unless you can find Samsung’s phone at a good discount somewhere, you might hold off and save your money on the Galaxy S25 Ultra next year. It’ll be a decent wait for it, but we anticipate bigger upgrades that will make it a more formidable challenger.
Intel faces off against Qualcomm in Dell’s XPS 13.
Verdict The Dell XPS 13 gets long battery life thanks to Intel’s Lunar Lake. While its design is attractive, the touch-based function row is difficult to use as it prioritizes form over function.
Pros +Long battery life (with LCD display) +Attractive, minimalist design Cons -Capacitive function row isn’t as good as dedicated keys -No headphone jack -Pricey
Dell’s XPS 13 is finally available with multiple CPU options. Where previously it only ever came with Intel processors, it’s now available with both Intel’s Core Ultra 2 “Lunar Lake” chips and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite. The competition to be among the best ultrabooks is on.
We tested the Snapdragon version previously, and while Dell’s design is as divisive as ever, it’s hard to argue with a mix of performance and power. That gave us high hopes for the Lunar Lake model.
What the Intel version offers is more app compatibility, and long battery life, but the performance isn’t as good as Qualcomm’s. If you want a Dell XPS 13 with an x86 processor, the XPS 13 (9350) is for you. But if you’re not worried about app compatibility, the Intel versions are challenged by Dell’s embrace of Qualcomm.
While Dell first introduced this chassis in 2022 with the XPS 13 Plus (which isn’t that long ago in the scheme of laptop designs), I feel like I’ve seen it many times before, as Dell has released multiple versions across two chip companies.
The XPS 13 is all aluminum and clean lines, with a black lid (at least on our model) and deck. Opening reveals what continues to be Dell’s series of most controversial laptop design choices: a capacitive touch row above a keyboard with no spaces between the keys (Dell calls this “zero-lattice”).
That all adds up to a svelte 11.62 x 0.60 x 0.58-inch package that weighs 2.7 pounds. The Snapdragon version, the XPS 13 (9345), has the same dimensions and weighs 2.62 pounds. Apple’s 13-inch M3 MacBook Air is 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches and 2.7 pounds, while the Asus Zenbook S14 is 12.22 x 8.45 x 0.51 inches and 2.65 pounds.
11.62 x 0.60 x 0.58 inches (295.3 x 199.1 x 15.3 mm)
Weight
2.7 pounds (1.22 kg)
Price (as configured)
$1,599.99
Keyboard and Touchpad on the Dell XPS 13 (9350) As long as Dell sticks with this XPS design, the keyboard and touchpad will continue to be controversial.
I don’t have much of a problem with the “zero-lattice” keyboard. Despite looking different from most of the market, the 1 mm of travel feels deeper than expected. On monkeytype, I needed to take some extra time to get used to it, but even at my slowest I was at 99 words per minute.
But I’ll never be able to fully accept the function row, especially for the delete and escape keys. A capable function row is just too important, and you shouldn’t have to look down to change the volume, screen brightness, or even hit escape or CTRL + ALT + Delete (the latter of which is on the function row). We’re going into our third year with this design, and it’s time for Dell to give up and add buttons. Is this system extremely pretty? Yes. But when I use this function row, it feels like Dell chose to make a sleek system rather than a usable one.
I feel a bit less strongly about the touchpad. I’m into haptics, but I still wish, even after using several models, that Dell would put a border around the touchpad, like Apple does on the MacBook Air. It’s better for usability, and while I never veered off of the touchpad, it gives me a sense of confidence to know the borders.
Upgradeability of the Dell XPS 13 (9350) To remove the bottom of the laptop, you need to remove six Torx screws from the bottom of the laptop. One of the screws on our unit stripped, but Dell’s publically available owner’s manual shows that the rest of the process is identical to what we’ve seen on other XPS 13 systems with this design. (If you do go looking for the manual, make sure you don’t find the one for the previous XPS 13 (9350) released almost a decade ago).
You can remove the base with just your fingers once the screws are out. That being said, inside, the only replaceable parts are the battery and the SSD. The RAM has never been upgradeable in the current XPS 13 design, but in this case, that’s because it’s actually on the CPU package.
Battery Life on the Dell XPS 13 (9350) Intel’s big promise with its Core Ultra Series 2 (“Lunar Lake”) chips has been making x86 more efficient than ever. But with the new XPS 13, that will also heavily depend on what kind of screen you get. Dell loaned us a second unit with identical specs, except for a 2880 x 1800 OLED panel. It showed a surprisingly wide difference in battery life. The laptop with a 1920 x 1200 LCD screen ran for 17 hours and 29 minutes (though part of that may have been held back by one outlier run in our average). The version with the higher-resolution OLED panel lasted just 8 hours and 40 minutes. Me? I’d take the lower resolution screen for the tradeoff.
The leader in this test was the Snapdragon version of the XPS 13, model 9345. That version, also with the 1920 x 1200 screen, ran for 19:31. The Asus Zenbook S14, using the same chip as this laptop, had a longer battery life with an OLED panel at 13:51.
Heat on the Dell XPS 13 (9350) We grabbed some skin temperature measurements while running our Cinebench 2024 benchmark gauntlet. The system was fairly cool considering how stressful this benchmark is. The keyboard hit 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit, while the touchpad (or at least, the part of the deck where the haptics are) reached 88.7 F. The hottest point on the bottom, in a corner near the vent, measured 101.3 F.
Webcam on the Dell XPS 13 (9350) The 1080p webcam on the Dell XPS 13 (9350) was serviceable in good light. It’s color accurate, and while it’s not the sharpest I’ve ever looked, I would use this webcam on important video calls. I never had an issue with the IR camera for Windows Hello, which was swift and reliable.
For those who want to blur backgrounds or experiment with filters, Lunar Lake can use Windows Studio Effects.
Software and Warranty on the Dell XPS 13 (9350) Dell has its fair share of software preinstalled on the system, but it’s not overwhelming.
The primary app is MyDell, which has options to see other Dell applications, customize audio and adjust your display’s color profiles. There is a link for making network changes in another app, but it didn’t have an application for that on our review unit.
Dell Digital Delivery lets you install software purchased with your system, while SupportAssist gives you easy access to your service tag, performs hardware scans, and, surprisingly, features a working section to optimize your Wi-Fi network. Huh.
There’s also a trial of McAfee (Dell also includes a bookmark in the Edge browser, which cheapens the experience a bit).
Like most Windows notebooks, there are some links in the Start menu to the Windows store, including apps like Spotify and LinkedIn. Intel includes its Intel Unison app.
Bottom Line The latest Dell XPS 13 prioritizes efficiency over performance. If you get the version with the 1920 x 1200 screen and forego OLED, you can get almost 17 and a half hours of battery life. Not bad.
But there’s still the fact that there’s another XPS 13 out there, the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite version, that lasted longer on our tests and offers stronger performance. What Intel’s Core Ultra Series 2 chips offer here are x86 compatibility. For those who do most of their work in a web browser, the XPS 13 (9345) with Snapdragon may be a better choice.
If you’re worried about software compatibility, though. That makes x86 the only game in town. That being said, other Lunar Lake laptops, like the Asus Zenbook S14, offer a more traditional design, including a headphone jack and standard function keys that are more accessible. It’s great to see Dell offer a variety of processors in its flagship laptop. Now it’s time to make it work for a greater variety of people.
Ahoy, camera button! The iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple’s largest smartphone. Its display has once again grown and this year, a dedicated camera button has found its way onto the iPhone. However, it has more to offer than just that, even if Apple Intelligence isn’t yet available in the EU.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max follows last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max. Amongst other things, the smartphone has been given a more modern SoC, which forms an important basis for the new Apple Intelligence. Unfortunately, the AI functions from Apple won’t be coming to the EU for the time being and even in the US, they will follow at a later date.
Aside from a new chipset, its camera has been given a new ultra-wide-angle sensor, Wi-Fi 7 is finally on board, it features an improved Ceramic Shield and has a dedicated camera button. In addition, the iPhone is said to be even more sustainable, as it is now easier to repair and is manufactured using more recycled materials.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (iPhone 16 Series) Processor:Apple A18 Pro 6 x – 4 GHz Graphics adapter:Apple A18 Pro GPU Memory:8 GB, LPDDR5 Display:6.90 inch 19.55:9, 2868 x 1320 pixel 458 PPI, Capacitive, Super Retina XDR OLED, Ceramic Shield, LTPO 1 – 120 Hz, Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, glossy: yes, HDR, 120 Hz Storage:256 GB NVMe, 256 GB , 238 GB free Weight：227 g ( = 8.01 oz / 0.5 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds) Price：NZ$2,399 Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max continues to rely on a frame made of a titanium alloy and weighing in at 227 grams, it is a little heavier. According to the manufacturer, it has a thickness of 8.25 millimeters, while we measured 8.3 millimeters. The camera hump has grown a little, now adding an additional 4.3 millimeters (15 Pro Max: 4.1 mm), resulting in a build height of 12.6 millimeters at the thickest point.
Even so, the iPhone 16 Pro Max isn’t top-heavy and feels comfortable to hold despite its size. Its build quality is great and the feel of the materials is excellent. All the gaps are tight and even. Only a slight creaking noise could be heard when trying to twist it. The SIM slot cover sits flush with the frame and even the tray for the nano-SIM is made of metal.
The Apple smartphone is IP68-certified, so it is dust and waterproof. It also complies with the IEC standard 60529, meaning it can be submerged to a depth of up to six meters for at least 30 minutes without any problems. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is available in Natural Titanium, white, black and Desert Titanium. The latter is the color of our test device.
Connectivity – The iPhone 16 series with a camera button
(Image credit: Apple) The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a fast USB 3.2 port (Gen 2), which achieved high transfer rates of 498.85 MB/s in our copying test with a connected Samsung 980 Pro (Asus ROG Strix Arion Case, USB 3.2 Gen. 2). External data carriers can be formatted with all file systems commonly used by Apple, and FAT32 and exFAT are also supported. The interface also supports wired image output in Ultra HD at up to 60 frames per second and HDR.
The action button is also on board once more and adding to this on the opposite long side of the phone is a dedicated camera button. In itself, this isn’t really anything new, as you can also find this feature in other phones, such as the Xperia 1 VI. However, Apple has come up with some new ideas, as the button is also a sensor surface that can recognize pressure and swipe gestures and is protected by sapphire glass. The camera can be launched directly using this button—a long press starts a video recording, and you can use swipe gestures to change the depth of field, for example. An upcoming update will also allow different pressure levels to be recognized in order to control the autofocus and exposure even more effectively. Whether the button represents added value probably depends on personal preference. In any case, it already works very well.
Moreover, the phone comes with a 2nd-gen ultra-wideband chip (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3 as well as NFC.
Software – The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with iOS 18 The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes delivered with iOS 18 and in our test, it ran using version 18.0.1. It will likely receive updates for at least five years. iOS 18 sees Apple having added lots of customization options and laying the foundation for Apple Intelligence.
These are AI functions that are intended to enable intelligent image and video editing, for example to remove unwanted objects or people from images. Apple’s AI can also summarize, write or correct texts. Siri should also benefit by filtering out slips of the tongue or answering follow-up questions. The first version will be rolled out in the US with iOS 18.1, with other English-speaking regions to follow by the end of the year. Only the EU has been left out in the cold so far, which Apple justifies with uncertainties in connection with the European Digital Markets Act (DMA). It will therefore probably not be available before the first quarter of 2025, but Apple wants to create the linguistic basis by then. Why Samsung and Google, among others, are already able to offer very similar and even more AI functions in Europe will probably remain the Californians’ secret.
Cameras – New ultra-wide angle and Ultra HD at 120fps
The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s front-facing camera has remained unchanged, and it comes with an autofocus once more. The photos look great and there are lots of settings options. You can record video in Ultra HD at best (60fps, Dolby Vision).
The main camera has a 48-MP sensor which uses optical image stabilization with a sensor-shift (Gen 2). A 3D sensor shift also stabilizes the zoom, which again allows 5x optical magnification and 25x digital magnification. New, however, is the 48-MP ultra-wide-angle sensor which also serves as a macro lens.
The primary camera uses pixel binning and usually takes pictures at 24 MP (12 and 48 MP are also possible). The resulting shots look good overall and can be customized individually or using predefined settings via the photography styles if required. Compared to the competition, however, its slightly lower dynamic range is noticeable in the lake scene. The iPhone also delivers a strong performance in low light. The main lens nominally shoots with a focal length of 24 mm. However, 28 and 35 mm can also be used without loss via a sensor crop. 5x optical zoom is available for longer focal lengths and can also be used digitally up to a tenfold magnification. A maximum of 25x zoom is possible, the results of which can be seen during post-processing, but they are basically still okay as long as their use doesn’t go beyond social media. The image stabilization works very well and keeps things looking stable even at longer focal lengths. However, the camera button can hardly be used in this case, as its pressure point is very firm, which can quickly lead to the camera shaking when zooming.
Videos can be recorded in Ultra HD at best, with frame rates ranging from 24 to 120fps, including PAL formats at 25, 50 and 100fps. Dolby Vision is also on board again. If required, videos can be recorded in ProRes, provided an external data carrier is connected to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. You can even do so at a high frame rate. These 10-bit HDR recordings are possible in Ultra HD at up to 120fps, but require more storage space due to their lower compression and are limited to 8 minutes. The new 120fps recordings make impressive slow-motion videos possible, including Dolby Vision. Spatial videos for Vision Pro (1,080p @ 30fps) can also be recorded.
Apple promises nothing less than studio quality for its microphones, and they actually proved to be very low-noise during our test. With the new Audio Mix tool, the sound post-processing of videos is very extensive and you can even suppress unwanted noises outside the image, which can also be graded and works wonderfully in everyday life.
Sustainability The packaging of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is completely plastic-free and, according to Apple, the smartphone is made from over 25 % recycled materials and features a high recycling rate. You can find all the details on Apple’s website, including detailed sustainability reports on most of its products.
Apple has additionally improved the iPhone’s repairability, as confirmed by our colleagues at iFixit. Many components are now easier to access and can be replaced without damaging the device. However, Apple still doesn’t sell spare parts to private individuals.
Compared to the 15 Pro Max, our 256-GB version’s CO2 footprint over its entire life cycle has only been slightly reduced from 75 to 74 kg CO2e. The 1-TB version uses 3 kg less.
Communication and GNSS – Wi-Fi 7 without 320 MHz
The iPhone comes without 320 MHz support, halving its potential data rates. At first, there was great joy: Wi-Fi 7 at last! But then a little disillusionment set in, as the iPhone 16 Pro Max only supports up to 160 MHz and is therefore just as fast as when using the Wi-Fi 6E network.
While its transmission rates to our reference router, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 (Wi-Fi 6E, 6 GHz), reached a peak of 1,435 MBit/s when transmitting, we noted 1,427 MBit/s with Wi-Fi 7 to an AVM Fritz!Box 5690 Pro (Wi-Fi 7, MLO, 6 GHz). For comparison: the Xiaomi 14 achieves 2,382 MBit/s on the same AVM router, whereby the 2.5 GBit port of the router is the bottleneck, as the Xiaomi even manages up to 3,957 MBit/s on the TP-Link Archer BE800. However, the iPhone’s transmission performance is still stable and MLO is also supported.
When it comes to mobile communications, the Apple smartphone is exemplary, as it supports a large number of frequency bands for all standards, so it should be able to establish the best possible connection worldwide.
Telephone functions and call quality When held up to your ear, the iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers natural voice sound and also does a good job of suppressing annoying ambient noise—provided it isn’t too loud. In loudspeaker mode, the iPhone also performs well, but the user then sounds somewhat muffled.
The Apple smartphone still supports a physical nano SIM card in Germany, where this test was carried out, and can also be expanded with an eSIM. Dual SIM operation is also only possible with eSIMs. In the USA, the phone no longer comes with a physical SIM card slot.
The dual SIM function can be configured extensively during setup: A primary call line must be defined, which can be individually adjusted later for each contact. Both phone numbers can be used for FaceTime if required. Mobile data can be set to one SIM, but the cell phone can optionally switch to the other line if the primary line is too weak. One small drawback is the lack of dual app support. Although this can be compensated for via apps from the App Store, there is always a charge.
Accessories and warranty – Now without a sticker Apple has further slimmed down the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s scope of delivery, but it still comes with a SIM tool and a USB-C cable. The latter is again covered in fabric. However, there is no longer an Apple sticker included.
The range of optional accessories continues to grow, not least thanks to protective covers from Beats , which are also MagSafe-compatible. If you still need a suitable power supply unit (30 watts), you will have to invest US$39 for the rather bulky original model.
Its warranty only lasts for 12 months. You can also take out an optional insurance package called Care+. This costs a one-off fee of US$199 and includes unlimited repairs in the event of accidental damage, express replacement service and priority support. Depending on the damage, additional charges may apply. Theft and loss can also be insured for US$269, which covers up to two cases per year. If you prefer, you can also pay for the service on a monthly basis (US$9.99 or US$13.49), which has a minimum term of two years, but can also run for longer.
Battery life – The iPhone 16 Pro Max with over 18 Wh Power consumption The iPhone 16 Pro Max has quite a low power consumption which has been greatly improved compared to the 15 Pro Max, especially when switched off. Compared to the competition, its consumption is higher with maximum manual display brightness, but this is due to its higher luminosity.
The iPhone can be charged at 4.5 to 30 watts but it actually doesn’t work as effectively. Using a 30-watt power supply from Apple, the 4,685 mAh battery can be charged to 54 % within 30 minutes—the 80 % mark is reached after one hour and the iPhone needs a further 64 minutes for the remaining 20 %. All in all, this is a very long time, but it also saves battery power.
7.5 watts can be used wirelessly via Qi and 15 watts using Qi2. Up to 25 watts are possible with a MagSafe charger. The iPhone can charge other devices via USB-C at up to 4.5 watts.
Verdict – The bar has been raised again
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a good total package. Although it only comes with some minor improvements compared to last year’s model, the leap is still big if you’re coming from an iPhone 13 Pro or an older model. The smartphone boasts a brilliant display, great performance and a versatile camera setup.
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is clearly no bargain, but it is a true powerhouse.
From a hardware standpoint, Apple has done lots right—only its lack of the 320-MHz band for Wi-Fi 7 is a little confusing. We would also like to have seen at least one high-res codec for Bluetooth.
Its charging speeds aren’t particularly fast, but this is because Apple has placed its focus on the longevity of its energy storage units. Even so, a little more could definitely have been possible.
Why the new Apple Intelligence functions aren’t being released directly in Europe remains questionable. By the time this happens, Samsung’s Galaxy AI will have been on the market for more than a year.
Within the Apple universe, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the measure of all things; if you prefer smaller smartphones, then the iPhone 16 Pro could be a viable alternative. If you’d like to make use of AI functions immediately, then you should take a look at the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Magic6 Pro, which also has a lot going for itself.
Price and availability You can purchase the new Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max directly from Apple, as well as from most major online retailers, including Amazon.
SONY’s LinkBuds range has two main purposes. First, it gave the company a platform to launch radically different designs, such as the first generation of LinkBuds in the shape of doughnuts. It also allowed SONY to develop the LinkBuds S, a more traditional product that offers a taste of its flagship product at an inexpensive price.
Two years after the launch of LinkBuds and LinkBuds S, SONY has introduced a completely new product and improved on the original. With LinkBuds Fit, the company has developed a suite of fully functional, comfortable earbuds with impressive sound. With LinkBuds Open, SONY has tweaked its unique open wear mode by updating some of its tools. Next up is the third product in the LinkBuds trio, the LinkBuds Speaker, which is designed to seamlessly integrate with two pairs of new earbuds when you get home or to work. This is what I’ve been saying about these products since SONY launched them, so be prepared because you’re going to get three reviews for one price.
Sony’s LinkBuds S were a low-key hit in 2022. They have some of the great features from the 1000X line, with a similar overall shape, too. Small and comfy.With this year’s LinkBuds Fit, Sony has debuted the next progression in its active noise canceling (ANC) LinkBuds. This is the option for people who prefer a closed design and a secure fit. Sony completely redesigned the LinkBuds Fit, aiming for the optimum shape for most people. To get there, the company made the main housing a lot smaller, as the whole thing tucks almost entirely into your ear. There’s a so-called Air Cushion silicon support wing that’s hollow instead of solid. This allows more flexibility, and honestly it’s more comfortable since you can tuck it into the ridges of your ears however you need to. The combination of the smaller size and the Air Cushion make the LinkBuds Fit some of the most comfy in-ears I’ve tested. Even though they plug your ears closed, they never become a burden, even after hours of constant use.
One of the best things about the LinkBuds S was the impressive sound quality for the price. That continues on the LinkBuds Fit as Sony offers balanced tuning right out of the box. There’s crisp highs, ample mid range and snappy bass throughout most genres.Vol. 2. Plus, the company’s DSEE Extreme upscaling can help restore some audio quality lost over compression for Bluetooth streaming. Audio presets and a 5-band EQ are here for adjustments, but I didn’t even think about using them.
The sound capabilities of LinkBuds Fit are on full display in BONES UK’s Soft. Crunchy guitars, humming basslines and punchy kick drums provide a full, deep sound field with textured sounds floating around. Interestingly, LinkBuds Fit’s heavy rhythm has nuances, not just the rhythm of one note. All this sound improvement is partly due to the earbuds inherits the dynamic driver X and the integrated processor V2 audio chip from 1000X. The WF-1000XM5 has more surround sound, but not much, as SONY has narrowed the gap between its flagship model and the LinkBuds line – for now.
Features like Adaptive Sound Control, multipoint Bluetooth and Speak to Chat make their return on the LinkBuds Fit from the LinksBuds S. But Sony has gone well beyond those with a host of new conveniences. The company took a page from Apple’s book and now allows you to answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head. There’s also a built-in voice control that doesn’t require your phone’s assistant, something akin to what Bose offers on the new QuietComfort Earbuds. And because the earbuds are so small, there aren’t onboard touch controls. Instead, Sony employs the Wide Area Tap gestures from the original open-design LinkBuds. They work really well, but I will never be comfortable tapping my upper cheek to make adjustments.
Perhaps the only area where the LinkBuds Fit fall well short of the WF-1000XM5 is ANC performance. I’d call this active noise reduction more than cancellation. You’ll get some relief from constant sources like white noise machines or a raucous fan, but these earbuds don’t silence them. They also struggle mightily with human voices, so if you sit near a chatty coworker, you’ll have to crank up the volume to compensate.
For calls, the LinkBuds Fit will give you better-than-average voice clarity, which means you’ll sound better than if you’re on speakerphone. The earbuds also do a decent job of blocking background noise, although I noticed a slight delay in them picking up sounds that began during calls. Sony also boasts that this model has its “best ambient sound,” and while I’m not ready to bestow that honor, the audio mode does have a natural quality that makes it pleasant to use. Plus, a new Auto Ambient Sound feature can automatically adjust the level of transparency when you encounter a noisy environment.
With the LinkBuds Fit, Sony says you can expect up to five and a half hours with ANC on and 21 hours total when you factor in the case. There are a lot of advanced features at work here, and those have an impact on power consumption. With the volume at a comfortable 75-80 percent, I only managed around four hours and 45 minutes. That’s with noise-canceling active as well as Voice Control, Speak to Chat and DSEE Extreme all enabled. The good news is that Sony offers a tool called Auto Battery Save that will disable the latter three tools, as well as any EQ tweaks, to conserve power. This will extend things beyond the 5.5-hour mark, but not by a ton.
The LinkBuds Fit are a massive advancement over the LinkBuds S. In fact, they’re some of the best earbuds Sony has ever made. But they aren’t without a few significant faults. My primary gripe is ANC performance, and though it’s the only one, it’s a biggie. Like it usually does on the 1000X line, Sony has packed in a ton of features here, and for the most part they work as advertised. It’s clear the company is taking notes from the competition with the Apple-esque head gestures and automatic sound adjustments, in addition to the Bose-like built-in assistant. But, somehow, Sony managed to innovate and keep the price tag exactly the same as the LinkBuds S.
LinkBuds Open The LinkBuds Open show progression from the first-gen model, but they’re still uncomfortable.
Pros
Improved sound quality
More features than the previous version
Unique design
Cons
More expensive than their predecessor
Still uncomfortable
Good sound requires some tweaks
The original LinkBuds were wonderfully weird. After years of very normal-looking earbuds (besides the Xperia Ear Duo), Sony took a big swing in early 2022 with the donut-shaped, open design model that sought to provide all-day wear while keeping your earbuds unobstructed from your environment. They were different, but they were unique, with their own drizzle of Sony’s special sauce. However, overall comfort was a big issue, and one the company sought to remedy on the follow-up with the LinkBuds Open. To start, Sony reduced the overall size of the IPX4-rated LinkBuds Open. Like the LinkBuds Fit, this model also has the Air Cushion silicon support that’s more flexible. That’s a big improvement from the small hump meant to stabilize the first version that didn’t offer much added support. Unfortunately though, the casing for the ring-shaped driver that sits in your ear is still hard plastic. After about 45 minutes, it became uncomfortable, and after several hours it was downright unbearable. On the bright side, the cheek-based Wide Area Tap controls are back and they’re reliable, if not slightly awkward.
Sony made two key adjustments to improve the sound quality on the LinkBuds Open. First, it built a revamped ring-shaped driver and paired it with the Integrated Processor V2 chip from the 1000X line. These two changes make for louder sound and richer bass, according to Sony. And the claim holds up. You’ll only need around 65-70 percent volume, unless you suffer from some degree of hearing loss. And there is more pronounced low-end tone, though you’ll have to coax it out with an EQ tweak.
By default, the stock tuning is heavily reliant on treble, which means vocals tend to overpower most of the mix. However, Sony’s EQ tools actually help balance things out, and adding more mids and bass makes the LinkBuds Open’s sound profile more well-rounded. After this adjustment, the kick drum thumps under vocals and guitars, an improvement over the default sound profile for Better Lovers’ thunderous, crunching single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.”
Like it did with the LinkBuds Fit, Sony brought over a lot of the handy tools from the 1000X earbuds to the Open. Those include multipoint Bluetooth and Speak to Chat, but Adaptive Sound Control automation isn’t here. Sony did add its voice assistant, Adaptive Volume Control and head-gesture recognition for answering calls. The company also offers a fit check via your phone’s camera, something it’s done for other products to check your positioning for 360 Reality Audio. Most of these work well, though in my experience Speak to Chat is still tripped up when I coughed or cleared my throat. And it seemed to be even more sensitive on the LinkBuds Open than other models I’ve tested.
Thanks to the design, the LinkBuds Open are nice to wear during calls since, well, you can hear yourself. However, the quality of your voice on the other end isn’t as clear as what I encountered on the LinkBuds Fit. It will get the job done, but I did sound slightly muffled. And background noise, while subdued, is noticeable at times when I’m talking.
Sony says you should be able to eke out eight hours of use on the LinkBuds Open, a significant improvement over the five and a half hours on the first LinkBuds. Indeed, I had no trouble hitting that number during my tests with DSEE Auto and other power-taxing tools enabled. If you find yourself in a pinch, Sony devised a faster quick charge solution that gives you an hour of use in three minutes. What’s more, Auto Battery Save from the LinkBuds Fit is in play here, automatically disabling advanced features when you hit 20 percent battery to extend listening time.
The LinkBuds Open offer some improvements over the first-gen model, but Sony hasn’t addressed an inherent issue with the design. Simply put, they aren’t comfortable to wear for longer than a few minutes and that will be a problem for a lot of people. I understand the outer shell around the ring driver has to be robust enough to protect it, but there needs to be even the slightest bit of cushioning to relieve the pressure. If Sony fixes that, it will have a more compelling product rather than a novelty.
LinkBuds Speaker The LinkBuds Speaker is designed to be a stationary companion to Sony’s earbuds and headphones, but it doesn’t offer anything more than that.
Pros
Tiny but loud
Charging dock is included and convenient
Auto Play routines are handy
Cons
Pricey for the size
Restrained bass, absent mid range
The LinkBuds Speaker is an unexpected part of the new LinkBuds lineup. It’s a small Bluetooth speaker that’s designed to be your go-to device when you’re stationary, and is equipped with several features that sync with the LinkBuds Fit and LinkBuds Open in a bid to make your life easier – at least in terms of listening to music or podcasts. The LinkBuds Speaker won’t win any design awards, but that’s par for the course with small Bluetooth speakers. Up top are volume and playback controls which you can also use to start music from select streaming services with one tap (Amazon Music, Spotify and Endel). There’s also a microphone for calls, if you’re okay with a no-frills speakerphone option. Around back, the power button sits at the bottom just above a USB-C charging port. There’s also an attached loop here so you can hang the LinkBuds Speaker on a hook or carabiner. That USB-C port is technically the backup charging method though, since the IPX4-rated speaker comes with a charging cradle that connects via metal contacts on the bottom.
The LinkBuds Speaker works with Sony’s new Sound Connect app for access to various settings. There’s one key feature I’ll discuss since it’s unique to this device. First, the app allows you to set up routines so that your music starts at specific times during the day. There’s also an automatic switching element to this that works with the LinkBuds Fit and LinkBuds Open, along with additional support for the LinkBuds S, WF-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM5. All of this is managed in the Auto Play section of the app.
First ThinkPad with a Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite X sticks the landing.
Verdict
With 21 hours of battery life, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s will last you all day and then some while also providing strong productivity performance and great usability in a lightweight package.
Pros +Extraordinary battery life +Bright screen +Great keyboard and navigation +Solid performance Cons -Expensive -Slower SSD than competitors -Windows on Arm still not compatible with all software
With the release of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X series processors earlier this year, a new crop of laptops have focused on power efficiency and AI features. Lenovo’s ThinkPad T14s (Gen 6 with Snapdragon) is the first ThinkPad powered by the chip and it specifically runs on a 12-core, Snapdragon Elite X1E-78-100 with a powerful NPU with 45 TOPS.
Starting at $1,666 (current street price and the price of our review unit), the ThinkPad T14s is not only one of the best Snapdragon-powered laptops on the market, but one of the best ultraportable laptops you can buy with any processor. It lasted an incredible 21 hours on our battery test – one of the longest marks of any system we’ve ever tested – and yet it offers all the best features you can find on a ThinkPad. It has a world class keyboard, an accurate pointing stick, a bright and colorful screen, good performance and a sturdy, sub-3 pound chassis. So, though it’s not cheap, if you’re willing to commit to an Arm-powered laptop, the T14s is a fantastic system.
Design of the the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s (Gen 6, Snapdragon)
The ThinkPad T14s is thin, light and very consistent with Lenovo’s time-tested ThinkPad aesthetic. Like most other ThinkPads, it has a matte, raven black color with a red pointing stick in the middle of the keyboard, a red status light on the lid and some red accents on the TrackPoint buttons. The lid and deck have a luxurious soft-touch feel that’s really pleasant, particularly when I put my wrists on the palmrest. Many other ThinkPads, including the X1 Carbon (Gen 12) don’t have a finish that feels quite this soft so it’s a real plus. The lid itself is made of 50 percent recycled carbon-reinforced plastic while the deck is made from 90 percent recycled magnesium alloy. At 2.72 pounds, the T14s is really light, but some competitors are even svelter. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12) is just 2.42 pounds (1.24 kg) and the Dell XPS 13 (9345), which has a 13-inch display, is 2.62 pounds. The T14s is 12.35 x 8.64 x 0.67 inches (313.6 x 219.4 x 16.9 mm), but the X1 Carbon (Gen 12) is just a tad smaller at 12.31 x 8.45 x 0.59 inches and the HP OmniBook X (12.32 x 8.8 x 0.56 inches) and Dell XPS 13 (11.63 x 7.84 x 0.60 inches) are also quite a bit smaller.
The T14s manages to pack in all the ports you’ll need, including two Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C ports, two USB 3.2 Type-A Ports (5 Gbps), a 3.5-inch audio jack and a full-size HDMI 2.1 port.
12.35 x 8.64 x 0.67 inches (313.6 x 219.4 x 16.9 mm)
Weight
2.72 pounds (1.24 kg)
Price (as configured)
$1,666.56
Keyboard, Touchpad and Trackpoint on the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s (Gen 6, Snapdragon)
Like most other ThinkPads, the T14s has a world-class typing experience, complete snappy keys have curved keycaps that make them easier to locate by feel. There are also raised lines on the Enter, Fn, Down Arrow and F + J keys so you find these markers in the dark (or if you’re visually impaired). The F + J keys have had these marks on prior ThinkPads but the others are new additions.
Tapping away on the T14’s keyboard was a pleasure as I managed a strong 100 words-per-minute on the 10 Fast Fingers typing test, along with a 3 percent error rate. Those are both good marks for me on any laptop, and I was able to achieve them because I was comfortable typing.
Using the built-in Lenovo Commercial Vantage control panel software, you can configure the F12 key to launch any program, open a website or enter any text you want. Unfortunately, you can’t use the app to remap F12 into another key such as Print Screen, but you can do that with a third-party utility such as SharpKeys.
For navigation, the T14s has both a TrackPoint pointing stick and a 2.4 x 4.53-inch glass (non-haptic) touchpad. I always prefer the TrackPoint because it gives me the most accurate navigation around the desktop and I don’t have to lift my hands off of the home row and disrupt my typing position to use it. Double-tapping the TrackPoint brings up the TrackPoint Quick Menu, which gives you easy access to Microphone, Audio Playback and Camera settings.
If you don’t like pointing sticks – and really, you should give them a try – the touchpad has a lot to offer. In my tests, it offered smooth navigation with just the right amount of friction. It also responded flawlessly to multitouch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom and three-finger swipe.
Audio on the ThinkPad T14s (Gen 6, Snapdragon) The ThinkPad T14s’s dual speakers, located on either side of the keyboard, provide sound output that’s loud enough to fill a small conference room and is accurate, though not rich. When I played AC/DC’s “Back in Black,” there was some separation of sound between the drums on the right side and the vocals / guitar on the left. And the percussion, while not layered, was mostly free from tinniness.
Using the included Dolby Access app, I was able to choose among different sound output profiles for Music, Movies, Games and Dynamic. I found that Dynamic, which automatically predicts the kind of output you need, to be not only the best but the loudest choice.
Upgradeability of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s (Gen 6, Snapdragon)
While you can’t upgrade the RAM, which is soldered to the motherboard, you can change out the SSD, but you’ll pay a premium for the replacement. While most computers and laptops use 2280 length SSDs, the T14s requires a 2242 drive, which is less common and costs more. To upgrade the laptop, you need to loosen the five captive Philip’s head screws and pry open the rear panel, an easy process that takes just a couple of minutes. The SSD is located underneath a copper heatsink in the upper right corner of the motherboard.
Battery LIfe on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 6, Snapdragon) We need only one word to describe ThinkPad T14s’s battery life: wow.
On our battery test, which involves surfing the web and streaming videos with the screen set at 150 nits of brightness, the T14s endured for 21 hours and 3 minutes. That time is the longest we’ve seen on a laptop. The Dell XPS 13 (9345), which uses the same Snapdragon Elite X CPU, came close to matching this mark, hitting a time of 19 hours and 31 minutes, though that’s with a smaller display.
Heat on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 6, Snapdragon) The ThinkPad T14s stayed cool throughout our testing . It never got particularly warm, even when we pushed it to its limits.
When I ran Cinebench 2024 and took the temperatures after 15 minutes, the middle of the keyboard was a mere 92 degrees Fahrenheit and barely felt warm to the touch. The touchpad was a cool 77 F, which is barely room temperature. However, like most laptops under load, the bottom got toasty, hitting 114 F.
Software and Warranty on the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 6, Snapdragon)
The ThinkPad T14s comes blissfully free of unwanted bloatware and has just a bare minimum number of utilities. Lenovo Commercial Vantage is the company’s major control panel software and it allows you to do everything from downloading updated drivers to configuring the power settings from one place. However, for many of the settings – Camera and Display settings for example – Commercial Vantage simply links you to the appropriate part of Windows 11’s Settings app. That’s probably for the best, because in most cases, you don’t need a proprietary settings panel in lieu of the one that’s built into the operating system.
However, Vantage does provide some extra settings such as the ability to configure whether the USB ports can still charge devices even when the computer is asleep or powered off. In addition to Vantage, there’s the Dolby Access app which lets you change sound profiles, choosing among Movie, Music Game or Dynamic settings. On the Start Menu, there’s also User Guide which is nothing more than a link to an online manual for the T14s, located at Lenovo.com.
It almost goes without saying that Microsoft has some Windows 11 preloaded apps on here such as Clipchamp and Spotify.
This is a Copilot+ PC, so Windows comes with a few extra local AI features you can’t get on older PCs, but will soon come to on Ryzen AI-powered and Intel Lunar Lake-powered laptops. These include Cocreate, a feature of Windows Paint that draws AI images locally and Windows Studio Effects, which allow you to get background blur and a few other webcam special effects. There’s also Live captions with real-time translation and, in the near future, Recall, which will allow you to query all your past screen activity to remember things you’ve done.
Because the T14s has an Arm processor, there are a few Windows programs, including Adobe After Effects, Google Drive for Desktop and many games that won’t run on it. And there are many other apps such as Discord and Audacity that will run but only in emulation mode, which makes them slower. A site called windowsonarm.org tracks which apps are and are not compatible with Arm and it’s clear that most of the key productivity programs do work on Arm. So, while it’s possible you could find an app that won’t work, most knowledge workers will find that their most-used apps, including Microsoft Office, Chrome browser and Visual Studio, all run well.
Bottom Line
There’s a lot to love about the ThinkPad T14s (Snapdragon, Gen 6). It has incredible battery life, which is useful when you have a 2.72-pound system and want to spend a long time away from power outlets while you get things done. And, with this system, you will get a lot done. It has the awesome ThinkPad keyboard we’ve come to expect from Lenovo, it has all the ports you might want and a screen that’s bright enough to help you work near a window with sunlight streaming in.
The ThinkPad T14s has solid performance and the promise of even more help when local AI workloads become even more useful and pervasive than the gimmicky Copilot+ features Windows has today. Its only serious drawbacks are its relatively high price) and the unlikely possibility that you’ll want to use a program that doesn’t run or run well on Arm processors. If you’re concerned about compatibility, consider waiting for the ThinkPad T14s with AMD Ryzen AI processor that will be out in a few weeks or the ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 13) that will be out in November. However, if you’re willing to get an Arm-powered laptop, the T14s (Gen 6) is a fantastic choice.
Our Verdict The iPhone 16 Pro Max looks almost identical to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, aside from slimmer bezels and one new button. But for real change, you must look within, with excellent performance, great battery life and a slew of AI features on the way, even if most aren’t available at launch. There’s no doubt that this is one of the very best phones you can buy, though it has a price tag to match
From the outside, the iPhone 16 Pro Max only looks like a minor refinement of its predecessor – especially with the design largely unchanged.
But, with its 6.9-inch display and titanium body, it’s bigger, heavier, and ever-so-slightly more robust than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. And, of course, there’s the new Camera Control button, which yes is a physical button.
Spend some time with Apple’s latest flagship, and you’ll notice several changes (mostly on the inside) that significantly impact how you’ll use the device, especially if you’re into photography or the latest AI features.
While the A18 Pro chip makes this phone a raw performance beast, Apple has put a lot of its future into Apple Intelligence – its answer to AI. The addition of the Camera Control button and upcoming Visual Intelligence capabilities also speaks to Apple’s ambition to redefine how we interact with the world through our phones.
Titanium build is premium, durable, and aids in heat dissipation
Camera Control button is innovative but questionable
The iPhone 16 Pro Max maintains Apple’s recent design ethos, making only slight adjustments. It’s a premium-looking device, and its rounder corners and Natural Titanium colour option were clear influences on the Pixel 9 lineup.
This year’s new colour option is Desert Titanium, the goldish hue that has divided the internet. While the phone looks almost identical to the iPhone 15 Pro Max at first glance, there are some differences.
Thinner bezels around the screen make the already huge display feel even more expansive. Despite the display growing to a massive 6.9 inches, Apple has managed to keep the device almost the same size as last year’s model, making it feel like you’re holding more screen than phone.
The Super Retina XDR OLED panel now stretches further into the corners, creating a more immersive visual experience for both gaming and media consumption.
The titanium body, a grade 5 titanium frame over a graphite-clad aluminium substructure, has been further refined this time around. It gives the device a premium feel while also improving heat dissipation. The edges of the iPhone 16 Pro Max have been softened, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods despite its larger size.
At 6g heavier than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, I didn’t notice much difference in handling. However, if you’re used to regular phones, this 227g handset might come as a shock.
The larger display size is also immediately evident. For me, it strikes the perfect balance between weight and build quality – this is a phone that feels robust but not bulky.
One new addition I appreciate is the Camera Control button, which Apple insists isn’t quite a button – but it is. It sits recessed, offering gesture control and a quick launch to the camera, much like the Action button introduced last year.
For me, the iPhone 16 Pro Max strikes the perfect balance between weight and build quality I’ll talk more about the Camera Control later, but will share some early thoughts now. While I found the Camera Control useful for photography, it sometimes competes with the Action button for relevance. Apple may need to rethink the function of the older Action button in future iterations, as it feels underused compared to this newer control.
See how Apple and third-party case makers have dealt with the Camera Control in our roundup of the best cases for iPhone 16.
Screen & Speakers
6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with 120Hz
Great outdoor visibility with 2000 nits of peak brightness
Stereo speakers provide clear, loud sound with decent bass
This 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display is Apple’s largest yet, and it’s a beauty. The thinner bezels allow for more screen real estate without significantly increasing the device’s physical size.
At 460ppi, the display isn’t as pixel-dense as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (505ppi), but Apple’s colour accuracy and HDR performance make it hard to notice any shortcomings. Apple has maintained its wide-color gamut, meaning colors are incredibly vibrant, yet remain natural and true to life.
With 2000 nits peak brightness outdoors and a new 1 nit low setting for nighttime use, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best displays on the market. Whether I’m streaming Netflix or playing a game, the visuals are vibrant and smooth, thanks to ProMotion’s 120Hz refresh rate. And the new support for 1 nit of brightness comes in particularly handy when using my phone in bed at night.
This 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display is Apple’s largest yet, and it’s a beauty The 1 nit support still extends to the Always-On Display, letting you check notifications, time, or other widgets without fully unlocking the phone. It also dims intelligently to save power when not in use. While I personally don’t use the Always-On Display, it is a hit feature after being introduced a few years ago.
Then we get to the stereo speakers. While not dramatically improved from the previous model, the iPhone 16 Pro Max still offer loud, crisp sound with decent bass. For a phone this size, it’s a surprisingly capable audio device.
Specs & Performance
Powered by the A18 Pro chipset – up to 20% faster than last year
Great for gaming and multitasking
8GB RAM is low compared to competitors, but performs well due to optimisation
Powering the iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple’s latest and greatest A18 Pro chipset, which is a significant step up from the A17 Pro, particularly when it comes to AI performance and graphical power.
According to Apple, it has a 15% faster CPU and 20% faster GPU than last year’s model. I can’t verify those figures but can say that it offers blisteringly fast performance across the board. That applies whether you’re editing 4K video, running the latest AAA mobile games, or simply multitasking between apps.
It also comes equipped with a 16-core Neural Engine, enabling more advanced machine learning and AI capabilities. It’s a big factor in making these devices capable of the full range of Apple Intelligence features, which I’ll explore in more detail later.
Gaming enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the iPhone 16 Pro Max supports ray tracing at double the speed of the A17 Pro, which makes for more realistic lighting and reflections in games available on iOS. During my tests, the device handled everything I threw at it, from graphically intensive games like Death Stranding to video editing on Adobe Premiere Rush.
The A18 Pro breezed through it all without a hiccup, though the device did get a bit warm after extended gaming sessions. However, it was noticeably less warm than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. For an extra test, I set both phones to record 4K videos for around 30 minutes. Then, using a laser thermometer, I recorded how warm both devices got over the area where the processor sits. The iPhone 16 Pro Max was between 3-4c cooler than the 15 Pro Max.
While competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offer up to 12GB of RAM, Apple sticks with 8GB in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, Apple’s custom optimization ensures the device runs incredibly smoothly, even when handling demanding tasks or multitasking. Storage options start at 256GB and go all the way up to 1TB, providing plenty of space for apps, games, photos, and videos.
Cameras
48Mp main camera, 48Mp ultrawide, 12Mp 5x telephoto
Camera Control button offers gesture-based camera controls
4K 120fps slow-motion video, and new AI audio features
Apple has always placed a strong emphasis on photography, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is no different. While the camera specs may seem familiar, Apple has introduced some major hardware and software upgrades that make this one of the most powerful camera systems available.
The 48Mp Fusion camera and 48Mp ultrawide camera are the stars of the show here. Apple has upgraded the sensor behind the main camera, enabling faster autofocus and improved low-light performance. Even in challenging lighting conditions, the iPhone 16 Pro Max captures impressive detail without oversaturating colours or introducing noise.
The ultrawide lens, which has been upgraded to 48Mp for the first time, offers sharper, clearer photos at wide angles. This is particularly useful for landscapes, architecture shots, or group photos. The improved macro capabilities also stand out, making it easier to capture tiny details without sacrificing quality.
The 12MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom also features so-called tetraprism technology, which helps to ensure minimal distortion, even at higher zoom levels. While this was exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year, this time around it is also available on the smaller iPhone 16 Pro.
I found the zoom performance to be excellent, especially when taking photos of distant subjects, where the image stabilisation helped keep everything crisp and steady. Compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which offers a higher zoom range, the iPhone still holds its own with superior colour accuracy and dynamic range.
Battery Life & Charging
Long-lasting battery life of 14-16 hours with typical use
Apple has stayed quiet on the mAh number
Faster MagSafe charging and Qi2 support
Apple has significantly improved the battery life in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, thanks to both hardware and software advancements. Even with the larger 6.9-inch display, the battery life is excellent, and I consistently got 14 to 16 hours of regular use on a single charge.
In fact, when trying to deplete the battery in order to test the charging speeds (see below), I actually found it difficult to run the battery down to 0. A combination of gaming, filming, and gaming managed to do the trick – but it was no easy feat.
Of course, Apple won’t tell us the exact mAh figure of the battery, though GSMArena estimates it to be 4685mAh. However, the brand does claim that this is the biggest battery ever seen in an iPhone. So far, that seems true, and my results line up with Apple’s estimates.
This all-day battery performance is primarily due to the power efficiency of the A18 Pro chip, which optimises power consumption during less demanding tasks. Whether I was streaming video, using GPS for navigation, or taking photos throughout the day, the phone easily made it to the evening with battery to spare.
Apple has also enhanced MagSafe charging, which is now faster than ever before. Apple claims the phone can charge up to 50% in 30 minutes using a 30W charger, which is impressive for a battery of this size. In my testing, it beat that, getting from 0-50% in 28 minutes. Also, this year the USB-C port has been bumped up to Thunderbolt 4, enabling faster data transfer.
It also supports Qi2 wireless charging, making it future-proof as more third-party charging pads adopt this new standard. Though USB-C is now standard for charging, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can also be used to charge other devices, like AirPods or an Apple Watch, through reverse wireless charging.
Should you buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max? The iPhone 16 Pro Max builds on what Apple does best – elegant design, powerful performance, and excellent cameras.
The introduction of Apple Intelligence and the Camera Control button makes this phone especially appealing to photographers and those interested in AI-enhanced functionality. The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen is the best Apple has ever produced, while the A18 Pro chip ensures that the phone is future-proof for years to come.
However, the full potential of Apple’s AI features is not yet available, and with many features not launching until later in the year, some users may want to wait.
The Android world was quick to turn sci-fi folding displays into tech reality. Samsung, Google, Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi… almost every brand has a flip-style or book-style foldable on their books – or is about to, looking at Stuff’s list of upcoming smartphones. So when can we expect Apple to follow suit?
iPhone fans are in the dark as to whether Apple is experimenting with folding or flipping designs, and will likely stay that way until the firm makes it official – unless the leakers and tipsters get their way before the grand reveal, that is. Here’s everything we know so far about a potential “iPhone Flip” or “iPhone Fold”.
Apple hasn’t made any significant design changes to the iPhone range for a few years now. The iPhone 16‘s vertical camera bumps and new colour options are the biggest departure, but the flat sides, flat screen and rounded corners are very similar to previous efforts. Not even the new camera control touch button breaks the iPhone’s distinctive lines.
Patents awarded to Apple related to foldable phone concepts don’t give much away, with rather generic-looking handsets shown in the diagrams filed to the US patent office. Patent number US10955880B2 describes a hinge mechanism for foldable phones, while patent number US11550369B2 describes a multi-layered construction for flip phones.
Additionally, Apple has obtained at least five US patents related to a possible iPhone Fold. Among these, patent number US10694624B2 describes a foldable smartphone with an exposed display region. Another depicts a foldable phone with a self-healing crease.
The fact Apple holds these patents doesn’t even guarantee a foldable iPhone is on the way, but does suggest the company is considering it.
In 2022, reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that a foldable iPhone would not launch until at least 2025. Another influential Apple analyst, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, said an “iPhone Fold” would eventually arrive, but “it may be quite a while.” This was seemingly backed up by industry analyst Trendforce, indicating it will now be 2027 at the earliest. This is reportedly because foldable displays don’t meet Apple’s standards for reliability, and a visible crease is deemed unacceptable.
But the latest news brings things forwards a little. A new report from Digitimes reveals that Apple has signed a contract with Samsung for display panels. Typically, this happens two years ahead of a product’s release, which would put the first foldable iPhone on the cards for 2026. This report also revealed that Apple will opt for a top-down folding design, like the Galaxy Flip. It should be around the same size as current iPhones when unfolded.
Apple likes to stay up-to-date with what’s hot in the market, and usually does so in a way the wider world quickly forgets another brand did it first. If foldable smartphones become the norm, it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple decided to keep up with the competition and offer a foldable iPhone.
Pros and cons of foldable displays Flexible OLED panels let gadget makers squeeze much larger screens into smaller devices – either letting you carry a larger screen around more easily (see every book-style foldable on sale right now), or shrinking the device down without entirely compromising on screen space (the modern take on the flip phone).
Durability and price are the biggest concerns right now, though both are improving with each new generation of panel. It has to withstand lots of repetitive flexing, and the hinge makes it very tricky to achieve the same water and dust resistance ratings as a traditional phone. The added complexity of manufacturing makes costs much higher than a regular flat OLED panel, too.
There’s also the matter of the crease. Every foldable phone we’ve tried has some form of crease; it’s more visible on some than others, but it’s always there. Whether Apple considers this acceptable, or if it wants to engineer a folding screen without a visible crease appears to be the biggest cork in the iPhone Fold bottle.
What do we want to see in an iPhone Fold?
The iPhone Fold’s most significant selling point would undoubtedly be its unique design, setting it apart from all previous iPhone models. However, attention would quickly shift beyond the design to how iOS operates on this new device.
To make the most of the larger display, it would be best for Apple to have a future version of iPadOS available when the phone is fully opened. When unfolded, the phone should look like any other iPhone. After all, iOS is one of the significant reasons why iPhones are so popular.
The bottom line: Apple needs to provide more than just the ability to fold to make it a worthwhile purchase.
