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Thanks to iOS 18.2,Apple Intelligencehas pretty much arrived on iPhones, and based on our own reportingGenmoji is proving a hit. Genmoji, a portmanteau of generative and emoji, is an artificial intelligence-powered feature that combines two emojis to make a custom one.
I’m not a fan of Genmoji. Maybe it’s the fact that the resulting emoji sport that creepy veneer of all AI-made images; maybe it’s my Android fanboyism’s natural aversion toApple… or maybe it’s the fact that I absolutely love Android’s own version of Genmoji.
Yes, Android has its own version of Genmoji, and true Android fashion, Google actually introduced it way ahead of Apple; in 2020 to be exact. This feature is called Emoji Kitchen, and far too few people have heard of it (possibly because of that strange name).
Emoji Kitchen, like Genmoji, lets you select pick two emoji and have them combine into a new one. Smiley face plus pineapple equals smiling pineapple, crying face plus cat equals crying cat, you get the picture.
As a tech reporter, I downloaded Emoji Kitchen as soon as it was made available and have been using it ever since. In fact, I absolutely love it and use it all the time, and with Genmoji potentially making Android users green with envy, it’s time to revisit this far superior alternative.
Back when Emoji Kitchen was introduced, you needed to enrol in a beta to access it. But now anyone on Android can, as long as you’re using the default keyboard option GBoard. Emoji Kitchen doesn’t work on all messaging apps but the key ones are supported includingWhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, Messenger and a few others.
To use Emoji Kitchen, open the chat log and press in the message box, where you type. Instead of typing, press the smiley-face icon to the left of the space bar, which brings up the menu that normally lets you send emoji, gifs and stickers.
Now, pick your first emoji and press it. Instantly, in the space between the keyboard and the messaging log, you’ll see a section appear for Emoji Kitchen, giving you some suggested custom emojis (I think these are based on your most-used emoji but I’m not certain).
To combine two emoji of your choice, find in the emoji list your second choice and press it. Now, the leftmost option of the Emoji Kitchen carousel will be the custom pick. Press it, and your concoction will be sent in the chat as a sticker. Unfortunately, you can’t send them in a message as with standard emoji.
My favorite part of Emoji Kitchen is just playing around with emoji combinations, but if you’d rather know what you’re sending, there’s afull list of options available here.
You can also use Emoji Kitchen on a computer, which lets you create emoji quickly and easily and copy-and-paste them into chats.
To do so simply Google search “Emoji Kitchen” and then press “Get Cooking” below the search bar.
A pop-up will appear that lets you choose from a range of emojis to combine, in a mathematical “X + X = X”. To create an emoji, select on the one you want to swap out and then press one of the ones in the list below.
Then to copy and paste your new custom emoji, press the ‘copy’ button (two rectangles, on top of each other) under the right-hand emoji to copy it. Paste it into another document or chat.
Unlocking the full potential of Emoji Kitchen
(Image credit: Google)
I love Emoji Kitchen because some of its resulting creations look silly. Silly but cute. And isn’t the big bonus of Android emoji over iOS ones that they look so much cuter? The veritable army of new cute combos is one of the reasons I keep using the feature.
My absolute favorite is the turtle emoji (some people tell me it’s a tortoise but its primary name according to emoji makers Unicode is “turtle”, take that!), with its hopeful simple smile, and about 75% of the Emoji Kitchen stickers I send nowadays are mash-ups featuring the turt. I spam my girlfriend with it so much that she baked me a gingerbread version of the turtle-alien mash-up, a Kitchen creation I was particularly taken with.
The thing is, the turtle alien emoji was sent because it was situationally relevant to what we were talking about (invasive species of turtles, not extra-terrestrial shelled reptiles), and that’s another aspect I enjoy about Emoji Kitchen. The ability to combine emoji creates so many situationally-relevant stickers to send, that there’s rarely a time I can’t find an emoji I’d like to send.
But my favorite thing about Emoji Kitchen, which is also a dig at Genmoji, is that the stickers simply look better. This is partly my preference but also partly that Genmoji are images made by an AI trying to slam two emoji together, and it tells. Emoji Kitchen, on the other hand, are hand-drawn, something thatGoogle has confirmed itself.
I’m not here to complain about AI, but you can tell that Genmoji lacks that human touch, sitting deep in that uncanny valley (alongside half of the other Apple Intelligence generative tools) while Emoji Kitchen basks in that cartoon cuteness. I need only show some of Apple’s own promotional images to prove this point:
(Image credit: Apple)
So if you’re an Android user, you shouldn’t feel jealous that you don’t have Genmoji. You should feel glad that you can use Emoji Kitchen instead.
We are approaching the next Unpacked event, and as usual, all the smartphone surprises that Samsung harbored have been spoiled by leaks. Granted, it’s a bit shaky to put all your faith in leaks. But what about some unceremonious web upload from one of the world’s top accessories brands?
Well, that just transpired on Dbrand’s website. The notoriously outspoken company haslisteddozens ofrendersdepicting the Galaxy S25 series smartphones, draped in avarietyof skins available for enthusiasts.
Of course,the design is familiar. A little too familiar, I’d say. The vanilla Galaxy S25 and its Plus trim look identical to each other. And also to their respective Galaxy S24 series counterparts. And their Galaxy S23 series iterations. Plus, a whole bunch of Galaxy A and M series phones.
One of them is the Plus. (Hint: It’s the bigger one. Thanks, Samsung!)
Theonly refinement is reserved for the Ultra version, which loses its signature sharp corners and goes with a slightly rounded approach. It’s not quite the dramatic corner radius that Apple has maintained across iPhones, iPads, and Macs over the years, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra still stands out.
What doesn’t stand out is the camera lens design, the display aesthetics, and the port-button profile. The saving grace could be a splash of new colors on the rear glass.What about the magnetically-driven Qi 2 wireless charging perk?Well, leaks are split on that convenience.
Among the new color options should be a dusty blue tone, as per leakerIceUniverse. If that turns out to be true, this is what it would look like on the Galaxy S25 series phones.
A lot can be written about Samsung’s conservative design. I am being pretty lenient here, but there are a few strong opinions in the Samsung fandom. And by fandom, I mean Reddit subs discussing Samsung Galaxy phones and Samsung’s official community forum.
“At least Samsung is not copying you know who, like everybody else.” That’s an argument rooted in factual accuracy, at least. “Why should they? Not everyone can afford or wants to pay for a flagship,” says one comment in a heated Redditdebateabout Samsung’s design approach.
But not everyone can buy into it. A healthy few also want a design that stands out and doesn’t make their thousand-dollar phone look like a $250 midranger with a near-identical design formula.
“I can’t speak for others, but I want a unique and good-looking phone, not just a powerful glass rectangle (especially for flagship prices),” claims one such Reddit argument.
I am siding with the second argument. I would rather have a flagship phone look the part than just go with slightly premium material. A case can be made about, well, cases, which are eventually going to hide all the snazz and jazz of your shiny new phone.
But that argument beats the whole purpose of spending top dollars on a high-end Galaxy S series phone. If performance is all you seek, you can get the same — and more — from a device like theRed Magic 10 Pro, which also blesses buyers with a ginormous battery.
Alternatively, if cameras are the only consideration, maybe a Google Pixel Pro series phone or the iPhone would also suffice. You are buying a premium Samsung phone, knowing all its strengths and willing to live with its weaknesses.
This phone costs half as much as a Galaxy Ultra series device. But it’s faster. And it looks terrific.
The least it can do is give you the satisfaction of unique, top-tier engineering every time you pick it up. I am hoping that Samsung comes up with some interesting shades and doesn’t keep most of the good ones limited to its online store the way it has done for the past few years.
Wishing for a change won’t change anything, of course, as the phones have been in production for a while now. But if the leaked Dbrand assets are anything to go by, I would pay for a two-tone Galaxy S25 series phone rather than a repetitive glass-and-metal chassis with a matching frame with a luster.
You’ve done it before, Samsung. Do it again, maybe.
Do unlimited reading with Amazon’s most impressive lineup yet.
All the popular models have gotten a big makeover, along with a surprise new addition. The Kindle brand name has long been synonymous with e-readers, and it’s easy to see why Amazon dominates the category.
Amazon is finally embracing color as it adds its first-ever color Kindle to the lineup, called theKindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. For most readers though, the new Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen) is a fantastic starting point if you’re looking to get your feet wet with an e-reader.
There are plenty of other great picks available at various price points. If you’re in the market for thebest E Ink tablet, here are some of our top choices when it comes to the best e-readers that Amazon makes.
+300ppi E Ink screen +IPX8 water resistance +Thin and light, with USB-C port +20% faster than before +Audible integration +Slight larger display
Reasons to avoid
-No physical buttons
The Kindle Paperwhite set the benchmark for affordable e-readers for a long time, and the latest model adds even more compelling features to the mix. The highlights of the Paperwhite (12th Gen) model include a faster processor which is said to deliver 25% quicker page turns, and a new oxide thin-film transistor in the display for a higher contrast ratio. The screen size is also slightly larger at 7 inches, and it’s the thinnest Paperwhite device yet. What’s impressive, is the (up to) three-month long battery life.
Like the previous model, the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite has IPX8 water resistance, which lets you take your e-reader to the pool. The Paperwhite can survive up to two meters of water for an hour, giving you much more flexibility. There’s only a single storage variant now with 16GB, allowing you to store thousands of books at a time. The Paperwhite also get an adjustable warm light so you can adjust the screen’s color temperature based on the ambient lighting around you. It comes in three neat colors; Black, Raspberry, and Jade.
Just like the11th Gen Signature Edition, there’s a new Paperwhite Signature Edition (12th Gen) too which has all of the features from the standard model, but with 32GB of storage, wireless charging, and auto-adjusting light sensors for roughly $50 more.
Display:6-inch display with built-in light, 300 ppi, 16-level gray scale
Weight:158g
Dimensions:157.8 x 108.6 x 8.0 mm
Storage:16GB
Battery life:Up to six weeks
Waterproofing:No
Colors:Black, Matcha
Reasons to buy
+Great value +Front light is nifty +Audible integration +Lightweight design +Bluetooth and USB-C charging
Reasons to avoid
-No water resistance
The entry-level Amazon Kindle is the perfect stepping stone if you’ve taken up reading as a hobby. The 2024 refresh comes in a fun Matcha shade, and it’s very compact and light weighing just 158g. It shares many of the features with the new Paperwhite like a 300 ppi display, 16GB of storage, Audible audiobook playback via Bluetooth, and the same max brightness of 94 nits. It does miss out on some features like the waterproofing, adjustable warm light, and has nearly half the battery life of up to six weeks.
The 2024 Amazon Kindle features faster page turns, and a front light that’s 25% brighter at max settings. Just like before, you can get it with or without lockscreen ads.
Colors:Black Kindle with Starfish, Cyber City, or Diary of a Wimpy Kid cover
Reasons to buy
+Same great features of the standard Paperwhite +Excellent value +Two-year warranty +Cover included +USB Type-C port
Reasons to avoid
-Heavier device -Only six months of Kids+ subscription (down from 1-year)
There’s never been a better device with a screen to hand to your kids than the Kindle Paperwhite Kids. This 12th Gen 2024 model gets all the same upgrades as the standard 2024 Paperwhite, but with a bundled cover and two years of “worry-free” warranty from Amazon. The latter entitles you to a ‘no-questions-asked’ replacement of the device in case it gets damaged through regular wear and tear. There are three new themes for the covers on the 2024 kids edition, which are Cyber City, Starfish, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
One of the other advanatge of getting the Kids edition of the Paperwhite is the six month subscription to Amazon Kids+. This used to be one year on the previous model, so its a bit of a downgrade actually. With this subscription though, your child will be able to read thousands of kid-friendly books for free. You can even restrict access to certian types of books for your child via the Amazon Kids+ Parent Dashboard app for Android and iOS.
+Premium Pen included +10.2-inch 300ppi e-paper display +Improved design +Amazing battery life with USB-C port +16GB, 32GB, and 64GB memory variants
Reasons to avoid
-Not waterproof -Large size can be uncomfortable to hold for long durations -Expensive
The new Kindle Scribe (2024) comes with a redesigned display with evenly thick white borders all around it. The e-reader has the same 10.2-inch glare-free display as the firstKindle Scribe, and with the paper-like texture makes it feel like you’re writing on an actual piece of paper. The new design looks a lot more modern and the added color option is welcomed. Amazon has addressed ourbiggest complaint with the Scribe, and the 2024 model has something called Active Canvas which lets you annotate directly within the pages of the book. Not only that, your notes stay anchored to the text and adapt to the change in layout or font size. This is a fantastic new addition, which should make it easier to read your written notes.
The new Kindle Scribe lets you highlight text for the first time. There’s also an AI-driven summary feature that’ll come as an update next year, which is said to be able to summarize pages or the notes taken in the hideable side panel. The second generation Scribe has the same three storage variants, and starts at the same price too of $399.99. The e-reader ships with the Premium Pen which is weighted to feel like an actual pen and sticks magneticallly to the side of the Scribe. It even has a soft-tip eraser for erasing written notes.
Best color Kindle
(Image credit: Amazon)
5. Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition
Best color Kindle
Specifications
Display:7-inch Colorsoft display, 300 ppi B&W, 150 ppi color, 16-level gray scale
Weight:219g
Dimensions:127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8 mm
Storage:32GB
Battery life:Up to eight weeks
Waterproofing:IPX8
Colors:Metallic Black
Reasons to buy
+7-inch color display +Up to eight weeks of battery life +Same features as Paperwhite Signature Edition +Supports wireless charging
Reasons to avoid
-Only comes in one color -Pricey
This bold new addition to the Kindle family finally lets you read your graphic novels in full color. Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is essentially the Paperwhite Signature Edition but with a new color display. The screen can show black and white content at 300 ppi, but also color at 150 ppi. This version also lets you highlight text in different colors. The paper-like colors should make browsing your library more vibrant and comic books more fun to read. The new Kindle Colorsoft has dedicated child profiles too, so you can share your Kindle with your kids.
The Colorsoft has a claimed battery life of up to eight weeks, which is pretty respectable for a color display. It’s only available in a single Metallic Black though, which means you’ll have to get a case for it if you want a different look. This is Amazon’s first attempt at a color Kindle, which it hopes will keep customers looking for a color e-reader from going to the competition like Onyx Boox. The Kindle Colorsoft only comes in one storage variant, and it’s a bit on the pricey side.
How to choose
Which is the best overall?
The Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen) is the best e-reader for most people, and it is an absolute steal for what’s on offer. The superb features — in the form of water resistance, a bigger display, and a warm light setting — represent a significant step up from the base Kindle, making the Paperwhite 2024 a no-brainer if you’re in the market for a new e-reader. If you’re simply looking to upgrade from an older device, like a 11th Gen Paperwhite, then this might not be a massive upgrade for you.
What if I’m looking for some extra features?
The Signature Edition of the Paperwhite (12th Gen) tablet is worth looking at if you need more storage and wireless charging, on top of the slew of features already included with the base version.
Which is the best for writing?
The new Kindle Scribe 2024 is currently the best option if you’re looking for anE Ink tabletsporting the Kindle brand. The improved note-taking abilities and upcoming AI-integration makes it a no-brainer over the first model. It is quite expensive though which means you need to make sure you’ll use all its features before making this commitment.
Why should I buy the Kids Paperwhite over the standard version?
If you have a child and you want to get them their own Kindle, you may be wondering why the Kids version of the Paperwhite is a better option than the non-Kids Paperwhite. While the ordinary Paperwhite is certainly a viable pick for a child, the Kids version comes with the Amazon Kids+ trial, along with the Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise tools. A range of cases more suitable for children makes the Kids’ edition of the Paperwhite potentially more appealing visually as well.
What if I want a color e-reader?
In the world of Kindle, you only have one choice right now and that’s the newly launched Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. It’s essentially the Paperwhite Signature Edition but with a color display and a higher price tag. If you’re reading regular books, this might not be of great value. But if you have a vast comic book or graphic novel collection, viewing them in color would be an infinitely better experience.
The Notes app has evolved into a powerhouse withiOS 18.2’s new Image Wand feature, which generates AI images from your descriptions or sketches. It’s part of Apple Intelligence’s growing toolkit, alongsideVisual Intelligencefor object and place recognition,Writing Toolsfor smarter messaging and, of course,Image Playground.
It’s a wonderful way to dress up your notes and you can choose from one of three styles: sketch, illustration and animation. It’s also possible to use the feature on an iPad. When combined with a Pencil, Image Wand really comes into its own as you’re able to hand write notes and create images based on that text.
Generated images can be moved around and resized, and there are few limitations. Beyond standard prohibited content, a notable limitation is it can’t generate images of people. Still, Image Wand is a great feature. Here’s how to get started with Image Wand.
How to replace a rough sketch with a professional image
Quickly get an image out of your head and on to the screen and then get Image Wand to produce something more stylish.
You can nowuse your finger to start drawingon the screen. It’s up to you what you draw — a castle or car, perhaps, if you want to experiment a bit.
3. Select Image Wand
When you have completed your sketch, simplytap the Image Wand icon. It’s the one which looks like a magician’s wand with a colorful tip.
4. Circle your sketches
Now,draw a circlearound your sketch and enter a description of the image you’ve created andtap Done.
5. Choose an image
You can nowswipe through the suggested imagesandtap one you’d liketo use. You canrewrite the descriptionif you wish.
6. Select a different style
Don’t like what you see?Tap the + iconandchoose a different style. You canselect Animation, Illustration or Sketch.
7. Use the image
Once you’re satisfied you like an image,b in the top right corner and you cancopy, share or save the image. When youtap Doneand go back to your note, you’ll find the chosen image has replaced your sketch.
How to edit an image you’ve created
You can make alterations to an existing image.
1. Select an image
Choose the imageyou want to edit andselect the edit buttonwhich looks like a blobby circle.
2. Make your edits
You will now see the image and any associated descriptions. You canadd a new description,tap an existing oneand modify it ortap “—”next to any element to remove it.
3. Remove backgrounds
Once an image has been placed within a note, you cantap the image,select the three-dot iconandchoose Remove Backgroundto isolate the main image.
How to use surrounding content to create an image
Image Wand can also be used to pull information from other words and pictures.
1. Tap Image Wand
Launch the Notes appandopen a note. Thentap the Sketch iconwhich looks like a pencil in a circle,select Image Wandanddraw a circle in an empty spaceclose to some words or images.
2. Draw a circle
Image Wand will be inspired by the nearby elements ans use them as the basis for your new image. You canswipe through the suggested imagesand make alterations.
It is also possible tohighlight some textandtap Create Image. Image Wand will get to work on a fresh creation.
And there you go. You now know how to use Image Wand in iOS 18.2. You can also learn How to use ChatGPT with Siri in iOS 18.2and try Apple Intelligence’s Photos Clean Up feature. You might also be interested in how to bring the volume slider back to your iPhone lock screen in iOS 18.2.
Gemini Advanced’s Deep Research feature was first announced for users early this month for English language.
The feature is now being expanded to more languages and regions.
Deep Research allows users to explore complex topics and convert them to an easy-to-read report within minutes.
Google has rolled out impressive upgrades for its Gemini, and as part of the upgrade, it also announced a new tool dubbed Deep Research for Gemini Advanced users, which is now expanding to more countries and in additional new languages.
Deep Research is a personal AI research assistant tool for Gemini AI users, and it is now available in over 45 languages and across 100 countries worldwide, the company announced for Gemini Advanced users just before the holidays. Users can try it by selecting “Gemini 1.5 Pro with Deep Research” from the Gemini Advanced drop-down menu.
Deep Research aims to save hours of time by “deeply analyzing relevant information from across the web,” making the AI assistant even more helpful than it already is.
For instance, if you raise a question, Deep Research “creates a multi-step research plan for you to either revise or approve. Once you approve, it begins deeply analyzing relevant information from across the web on your behalf.”
The new feature will try to explore complex topics and convert them to a more comprehensive and easy-to-read report, which can further be exported to your Google Docs.
The organized report will also include links with original sources, relevant websites, or businesses if users want to dive in further for more details. Since it’s an AI assistant, users can further ask follow-up questions or ask it to refine, and it will generate reports within minutes.
The search giant began the Deep Research rollout early this month for Gemini Advanced users on Desktop and mobile web. While the initial rollout was for English-speaking users, the latest announcement adds languages and more countries as aforementioned. The Gemini mobile app users, however, can expect the feature rollout as early as next year, according to the announcement blog post.
Much improved 4K video to match rivals, plus unique flip screen, but 8K is gimmicky
For
Excellent all-round video
Good low-light image quality
Impressive audio from built-in mics
Works slickly with Insta360 mobile app
Against
No built-in storage
Flip screen might not appeal to some
8K recording comes with lots of caveats
When Insta360 launched theAce Pro 2, it was clear that the series had come of age, with the new model ready to challenge theHero 13 BlackandOsmo Action 5 Pro. We now have three highly capable action cameras from three big names: GoPro,DJI, and Insta360. But which one is thebest action camera?
Truth is, each camera is better than any other model that has previously existed, and each model will serve you well capturing your adventures in stunning clarity, ably supported by image stabilization for smooth footage. However, each camera has its own take on the format and distinct advantages over the others in certain areas; so rather than address which one is best overall, which is a near-impossible task, the more useful question that we’ll aim to answer is:which one is the best for me?
This three-way versus piece highlights the key differences between these 4.5 star-rated cameras, and their common features. Hopefully, when you’ve read it you should have a better idea of which camera is best for your particular demands.
The Osmo Action 5 Pro costs the less than the Hero 13 Black and Ace Pro 2, but there are good-value bundles to be had with the other models
1. Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: price and availability
Insta360 Ace Pro 2 from $399.99
Hero 13 Black from $399.99
Osmo Action 5 Pro from $349
The GoPro Hero 13 Black came first on September 4 and hit the shelves later that month, costing $399.99 for the standard bundle. The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro followed two weeks later on September 19, and undercut GoPro with a lower asking price of $349 for a standard bundle. Then came the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 on October 22, at virtually the same price as the Hero 13 Black (unless you live in Australia where it’s pricier), costing $399.99.
DJI wins on price outright. However, there are variations in price when you start considering the bundles on offer with additional accessories, and many people will want to consider one of these depending on what they plan to use their camera for. It’s certainly worth checking out what accessories are available, and how much they add to the cost. For example, GoPro’s ‘Accessories’ bundle costs around the same as DJI’s Adventure Combo, with the two priced at $449 and $449 respectively.
Price winner: DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
The Ace Pro 2’s screen can be flipped up for the largest selfie display of the three cameras here, plus it can be tilted up for easy waist-level viewing
2. Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: design and displays
Ace Pro 2: Flip up 2.5-inch rear touchscreen
Hero 13 Black: twin LCD screens, only the 2.27-inch main screen is touch sensitive
Osmo Action 5 Pro: twin OLED screens, both touch sensitive, 2.5-inch main screen
Insta360 takes a unique approach to screen design in that its Ace Pro 2 is the only camera here with a flip-up rear touchscreen. At 2.5 inches it’s the largest display too. There’s also a small front LCD, but that’s for menus only, and doesn’t display the image when you’re taking selfies.
GoPro and DJI, on the other hand, utilize a front and rear dual-screen arrangement, and DJI has the upper hand over GoPro here: its Osmo Action 5 Pro has cutting-edge dualOLEDtouchscreens, while the Hero 13 Black has simpler dual LCDs, and only the rear screen is touch sensitive. The Osmo Action 5 Pro’s rear screen is larger than Hero 13 Black’s too, at 2.5 inches against 2.27 inches.
Both DJI’s and GoPro’s screens offers similar brightness levels, but overall DJI’s screens are better than GoPro’s. So what about the Insta360 Ace Pro 2? Well, there are distinct advantages to the Ace Pro 2’s flip-up screen: you get the largest selfie display for easier viewing, plus the screen can rest at any angle within its 180-degree range. That means you can tilt it up 90 degrees for easier viewing at low angles – and that facility will come in handy a lot, trust us. One example is when the camera is mounted to a bike – you can easily see the screen while riding.
It’s not a one-way street though. For selfies you need to take that extra step of flipping the screen up, whereas the Osmo Action 5 Pro’s fixed selfie screen is always there, even if it is smaller. There’s also the impact on design and durability overall. Action cameras are likely to take plenty of knocks, and the additional mechanisms in the flip-up screen could prove to be a point of weakness that the GoPro and DJI models don’t have – we haven’t broken an Ace Pro-series screen yet though.
The Ace Pro 2 is also a little larger than its rivals, and that’s no doubt due in part to its screen design. Which screen is best? It depends on how you’re using your camera, but the Ace Pro 2’s is the most versatile.
Design and displays winner: Insta360 Ace Pro 2
The Hero 13 Black’s best new feature is its auto-detected lens mount system. Add one of the HB-series of lenses or ND filters and the camera will automatically optimize settings accordingly
3. Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: design and accessories
Hero 13 Black: 33ft / 10m waterproofing, HB-series of lenses and filters, three ways to mount
Osmo Action 5 Pro: 66ft / 20m waterproofing, easy Bluetooth mic connectivity, 47GB internal storage
GoPro action cameras have been around the longest and enjoy the widest range of accessories, and dedicated accessories are what you’ll likely need to secure your camera for capturing the action. The Hero 13 Black also gained a new HB-series of lenses and ND filters, which opens up some exciting possibilities.
At the Hero 13 Black launch, GoPro also announced a macro lens with focus ring, an ultrawide lens (essentially the same as the previous Max Mod for the Hero 12 Black), and a set of four ND filters, plus an anamorphic lens that’s due in 2025.
What’s best of all is that these lens mods and filters are auto-detected by the Hero 13 Black, which will automatically optimize that camera settings accordingly. The Macro lens mod is especially handy for vlogging because it gives you a 4x shorter close-focus distance – the 40cm (approx) close-focusing distance of all the cameras, Hero 13 Black included, can make vlogging a challenge.
All three cameras have removable lens protectors, magnetic mounting as well as screw-on mounting, plus a durable build quality. The Osmo Action 5 Pro boasts the best waterproofing plus a built-in depth gauge, although there are also underwater cases available to further improve the waterproofing for serious divers – GoPro offers an optional 60m-proof underwater case.
Each camera also offers Bluetooth connectivity for accessories such as wireless mics. However, if you use any of DJI’s wireless mics with the Osmo Action 5 Pro, such as the Mic 2, the experience feels a lot slicker and streamlined than connecting third-party mics, as you’ll need to do with the other two cameras.
The Osmo Action 5 Pro is the only camera to offer internal storage, to the tune of 47GB. It otherwise records onto microSD, like the other cameras.
Design winner: GoPro Hero 13 Black
4. Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: sensor and image quality
Ace Pro 2: 1/1.3-inch sensor, limited 8K video, 4K 60fps, up to 50MP photos
Hero 13 Black: 1/1.9-inch multi-aspect sensor, 27MP photos, 5.3K video
Osmo Action 5 Pro: 1/1.3-inch sensor, up to 40MP photos, 4K video
Insta360 and DJI go toe-to-toe in their sensor specs. Both are 1/1.3-inch, being larger than the GoPro’s, capable of shooting 50MP and 40MP stills respectively. We’ve shot night footage side by side with the two cameras, and you can see the results above – the quality is pretty similar, and streets ahead of the GoPro’s.
Both Insta360 and DJI also claim up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range. Presumably that’s in the optimizedHDRvideo mode – while the two cameras also offer night modes, called PureVideo (in4Kup to 60fps) and SuperNight respectively (in 4K up to 30fps).
The Ace Pro 2 is also the only camera here with8Kvideo. However, it comes with a few limitations: the field of view is smaller, it doesn’t support the camera’s best image stabilization, nor can you shoot with the new I-Log color profile. We can’t knock Insta360 for including it, especially as the other cameras don’t have it, but don’t pin your hopes on the Ace Pro 2’s 8K footage.
GoPro’s Hero 13 Black is the only camera to offer 5.3K video, together with HDR and HLG modes to eliminate blown highlights in bright clouds. Its 8:7 aspect 1/1.9-inch sensor is good for mixing up shooting horizontal, square and vertical footage, while its 27MP stills are decent.
When shooting in bright light the cameras are evenly matched, and so it comes down to taste really, with the Hero 13 Black arguably having the edge, while in low light the Ace Pro 2 and Osmo Action 5 Pro are evenly matched, with both outperforming the GoPro.
Sensor and image quality winner: Tie
The battery hub of the Osmo Action 5 Pro can recharge batteries quicker than its rivals
5. Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: battery life
Ace Pro 2: 1800mAh battery with up to 3 hours record time (Enduro mode)
Hero 13 Black: 1,900mAh battery with up to 2.5 hours record time
Osmo Action 5 Pro: 1,950mAh battery with up to 4 hours record time
Improved battery life was clearly on the agenda for all three brands, with their latest flagships all boasting significantly better performance compared to their predecessors.
According to the specs, the GoPro Hero 13 Black can record 1080p video for up to 2.5 hours and 5.3K video for up to 1.5 hours. That would put it in last place. However, we found the Ace Pro 2’s superior battery life quotes to be generous, we were only able to record around 2.25 hours of 4K 30fps footage, or 70 minutes of 4K 60fps. That’s still an excellent if similar performance to GoPro. GoPro’s battery is a higher capacity cell, but Insta360 has seemingly been able to increase efficiency in its Ace Pro 2 camera.
DJI outdoes both Insta360 and GoPro with its marginally higher-capacity 1950mAh cell and notably higher battery life – the Osmo Action 5 can supposedly last up to four hours of 1080p shooting. It’ll also recharge batteries faster too, although not by much over the Ace Pro 2.
There are endless battery life tests that we could perform that could turn out different results to the quoted times that are based on certain camera settings. Utilizing Wi-Fi and GPS will have an adverse impact on battery life, as will leaving the screens on. You can extend the life of the battery by sacrificing any of those features.
Battery life winner: Osmo Action 5 Pro
6. Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: shooting modes
Ace Pro 2: 4K 120fps slow-motion, 4K 60fps night and HDR modes
Hero 13 Black: 4K 120fps slow-mo, 2.7K video at 240fps, 400fps at 720p
Osmo Action 5 Pro: 4K SuperNight mode, 4K 120fps
There are shooting modes aplenty in all three cameras. Be warned, though: it’s normal for the more exotic modes – like the 8K resolution of the Ace Pro 2 or the 400fps slow-motion recording of the Hero 13 Black – to come with numerous caveats. I’ve already listed the limitations of the Ace Pro 2’s 8K, while the slow-motion recording modes of the Hero 13 Black are hampered by limited record times and prolonged buffering that delays when you can shoot again.
That said, each camera can be commended for offering the above modes that their rivals lack. For example, the Hero 13 Black’s 240fps mode can be shot in 2.7K resolution, whereas its rivals are limited to Full HD, plus it can shoot up to 400fps.
However, it’s the modes that users will typically rely on that should come under closer scrutiny. For example, HDR is extremely handy in good light for maintaining detail in bright highlights such as clouds. The Hero 13 Black can shoot HDR video at full 5.3K resolution, but only up to 30fps – you lose 60fps. Both Ace Pro 2 and Osmo Action 5 Pro can shoot 4K HDR up to 60fps. The Ace Pro 2’s night mode, called PureVideo, can record in 4K 60fps, while you lose that frame rate with the Osmo Action 5 Pro.
The best advice here is do your research. If you know that you’ll use a particular mode a lot, check out if it comes with limitations that could spoil the experience.
Modes and features winner: Tie
(Image credit: DJI / GoPro / Insta360)
Early verdict
We’ve reviewed each camera in-depth separately, and made basic comparisons between DJI and Insta360’s action cams against the GoPro Hero 13 Black. Each camera is highly capable in its own right, and which the best of the bunch depends on your needs.
GoPro has been in the game the longest, and has the widest range of accessories, which is further growing with its new HB-series of lenses and filters. The implementation of these accessories, particularly the auto-detection skills, is a standout feature. Insta360 is a relative newbie and has some way to go, although it’s active in the 360-degree camera space and has a decent set of accessories that are compatible with the Ace Pro 2, such as selfie sticks.
Of the three, GoPro is the brand that’s moving the slowest in terms of camera development. DJI and Insta360 had some catching up to do, and boy have they done that in a short time. DJI has doubled down on pro-friendly features, delivered superb build quality, battery life, waterproofing and audio recording with DJI accessories. Insta360 has the neat flip touchscreen and an excellent app editor.
Regarding image quality, if you’re shooting in good light, then the best image quality pretty much comes down to taste. We think the Insta360 Ace Pro 2’s 8K video recording is a bit of a gimmick, but its improved 4K video quality and color profiles are a match for its rivals. It’s even a close call between the Ace Pro 2 and Osmo Action 5 Pro for the best low-light performer, with GoPro otherwise lagging behind.
Whichever camera you land on, you have a winner on your hands.
Local manufacturers are once again likely to continue their dominance in 2025.
The Asian handset market is very interesting, with a significantly broader range of devices sold in the region than anywhere else. You have the usual Chinese contingent of Vivo, OPPO, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Honor dominating sales, but Samsung and Google also sell most of their products in Asian markets, and Apple is slowly building momentum with the iPhone.
I used over 70 phones over the course of 2024, and while there were devices that didn’t measure up to their asking price, I didn’t run into any bad phones as such. The one brand that stood out the most to me is Vivo. It delivered truly incredible cameras in theX100 ProandX100 Ultra, and it made heady gains in the mid-range with theV30 ProandV40 Pro, delivering much better sensors.
Clearly, I’m not the only one who liked the brand’s progress, as Vivo managed to extend its lead in both China and India considerably. Vivo is likely to continue that momentum in 2025 on the back of the X200 Pro. As much as I like the X200 Pro, I’m waiting to see what the X200 Ultra brings to the table. Vivo doesn’t actually need to change much with the device, but if it manages to retain the same set of cameras while making the phone available in at least select regions outside China, it will be a monumental achievement.
While the V series is stronger than ever, the upgrades with the V40 Pro pushed it closer to value flagships, and Vivo needs to focus on the Y series to maintain its mid-range presence. I’m excited to see what’s in store with the V50 and V50 Pro, and whether they can deliver the same caliber of photos as the X series.
Although OPPO lost ground in China, it solidified its position as the second-largest handset brand in India on the back of the Reno 12, K series, and A series devices. While I enjoyed using theFind X8 Proquite a bit, I don’t think OPPO has the cachet to steal market share from Apple and Samsung just yet, but its introduction in additional global markets should give OPPO a decent platform on which to build. The one issue I have with the X8 Pro is that it doesn’t have the best cameras the brand makes, and that will inevitably debut on the X8 Ultra sometime in Q2 2025. Just like with Vivo, the X8 Ultra needs to launch globally to make the cameras accessible by a wider audience.
OnePlus, meanwhile, is doing all the right things. Although the manufacturer lost market share in 2024, its device portfolio is stronger than ever, and the imminent global launch of theOnePlus 13should allow the brand to take on Samsung and Google. What I like is that the R series is also sold globally, and with the OnePlus 12R still one of the best mid-rangers available today, I’m intrigued to see what the 13R can deliver. I just want to see the device continue to deliver the same value-focused ethos, and with the manufacturer confirming a class-leading 6000mAh battery, it has the potential to do incredibly well.
Xiaomi continues to do well thanks to its budget-focused portfolio, but that narrative has changed in recent years as it shifted to the mid-range with devices like the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus. In doing so, Xiaomi is effectively ceding ground to its rivals, and that’s one of the reasons why it is no longer in the top position in India. The brand needs to rethink its strategy and go back to delivering budget phones with strong value — that just hasn’t been the case in the last two years. Honestly, Xiaomi needs to do an overhaul of its devices, and rethink its strategy. That’s the only way it can retain its footing against its rivals, but I don’t see the brand doing so in 2025.
I really like what Honor is doing these days; the Magic 6 Pro and Magic V3 are two of my best phones of the year — with the latter being one of the best foldables around — and the brand is taking a radically different strategy to everyone else, positioning itself as a premium player to stand out. While that may not yield market share, Honor certainly takes up a lot of mind share, and with the brand regaining its foothold in India, 2025 should be a pivotal year for its global ambitions. The Magic 7 Pro is launching shortly, and I’d like to see the device delivering better cameras; while the 6 Pro was great in its own right, it didn’t quite measure up to the X100 Pro, and Honor needs to be on the same level as Vivo.
I usually turn to a Pixel as my daily driver, and that hasn’t changed in 2024. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a worthy upgrade, and while it costs more, it has meaningful changes across the board and takes brilliant photos. The only issue with the device is that the hardware isn’t on par with its rivals, although that may change in 2025. Google is set to switch away from Samsung’s designs and go with MediaTek, which means that the Pixel 10 should be noticeably better in this regard. The biggest thing that Google needs to change with the Pixel 10 is the internal hardware; the Tensor platform may be good in mid-rangers, but it just doesn’t measure up against what Qualcomm and MediaTek are doing in the high-end category, and Google needs to do better. The latest leaks point to the brand doing just that with the Tensor G5, but I want to get my hands on the device to see how it actually holds up.
As for Samsung, the brand lost ground in India and other Asian markets this year, and that’sdown to its own shortcomings. While it built up an early lead in foldables, the lack of any meaningful innovation has allowed Chinese brands to eat into its market share, and Samsung is losing ground in the mid-range as well. What’s interesting is that the brand is positioning the FE devices as its value-focused models in major regions like the U.S. instead of traditional bestsellers like the Galaxy A55, and I don’t think that’s the best move. While high-end devices contribute to Samsung’s bottom line, it’s the mid-range where the brand sees a bulk of its sales, and it needs to bring its best devices to all regions.
Like much of the last decade, value-focused phones will dominate sales in 2025, but there is a growing demand for mid-range and even high-end devices, and that’s encouraging to see. With all major manufacturers introducing their products earlier than before, we don’t have to wait as long to see what’s in store with the best 2025 phones, and that’s always a good thing.
Hopefully we’ll have more than a single compatible model by this time next year.
Android phones have been the first to feature a bunch of notable standards. They were the first to support 4G, 5G, USB-C (way back in 2015 no less) and in-screen fingerprint sensors. And when it comes to wireless charging, you can trace that lineage all the way back to the Samsung Galaxy S3 from 2012 (though the webOS-poweered Palm Pre and its Touchstone charger is the true OG). Unfortunately, when it came to adding support for the Qi2 wireless charging standard to devices in 2024, it feels like Android phone makers were stuck on outdated patch notes.
The Qi2 standard was officially announced in early 2023 during CES. We even gave it an award, as the spec looked to bring 15-watt wireless charging (and possibly more in future revisions), improved safety and critically the introduction of Magnetic Power Profiles that make it a cinch to align and attach compatible charging pads. In essence, Qi2 was set to bring the simplicity and ease of use iPhone owners enjoy with MagSafe products to the Android ecosystem.
Not a single phone from any of the top three Android phone makers in the US (Samsung, Google and Motorola) offered support for Qi2 in 2024.
Even more surprising is that in a rare move for a company that likes keeping its tech siloed neatly inside the walls of its ecosystem, Apple shared core parts of the MagSafe spec with other members of theWireless Power Consortium(which is the governing body that oversees the Qi and Qi2 standards) to speed up development and interoperability. So you’d think after seeing the convenience and popularity of MagSafe accessories among iPhone users, Android phone makers would have rushed out to add Qi2 to as many devices as possible. But nearly two full years after the spec was finalized, the grand total of Android handsets that support Qi2 stands at one:the HMD Skyline.
At this point, you might be saying that product development cycles are multi-year processes that are difficult to change prior to launch. And in most cases, you’d probably be right. But let’s be honest, it’s not like Samsung, Google, Lenovo and others didn’t see this coming. Like Apple, practically all of the big Android phone makers are also members of the WPC, so they would have known about the development of Qi2 long before it was officially announced. On top of that, the first iPhone with MagSafe was the iPhone 12, which came out four years ago. So even if we assume that the first time Samsung, Google et al were presented with the idea of a magnetic wireless charging system was during Apple’s keynote in the fall of 2020, you’d imagine that’s still more than enough time to engineer similar technology for use on today’s Galaxy and Pixel handsets.
The HMD Skyline was the only Android phone to feature Qi2 this year.
For manufacturers, another concern when adopting a new standard is that there may not be enough accessories and other compatible peripherals on sale to make implementation of new tech worth it. We’ve seen this in the past with modular phones like theLG G5andMoto Z Forceline and the funky palm-reading tech on theLG G8. However, because Qi2 and MagSafe gadgets arelargely interchangeable, there’s already a huge market of options likeAnker’s MagGo lineof power banks, which are some of my current favorite portable battery packs.
Another annoyance is that some phones like theRazr PlusandPixel 9 Pro Foldwill evenstick magneticallyto some Qi2 accessories and may even suck down a tiny bit of juice. Unfortunately, this is more of a coincidence caused by the magnets used to help keep foldables open or closed, rather than an intentional use case. This means that even though these devices may appear to support Qi2 at first glance, accessories don’t maintain a firm grip and often slide off even in what appear to be ideal circumstances. Even cases that claim to add support for Qi2 are hit or miss, resulting in a poor experience for Android phone owners hoping to recreate the magic of MagSafe on their own. It’s really a shame, because it almost feels like with a few small tweaks Google, Moto and others could unlocked Qi2 support on a wider range of devices without a ton of extra effort or cost.
The lack of Qi2 support on Android phones is preventing users from enjoying a huge range of handy charging accessories.
Unfortunately, while many Chinese phone makers have avoided Qi2 up until this point, that’s sort of to be expected with manufacturers like Oppo often favoring proprietary tech like its65-watt AirVOOC wirelesscharging instead of more widely accessible industry standard. And because the Galaxy S24 family came out at the very beginning of 2024, Samsung didn’t have quite as much time to add Qi2 to its current flagship lineup as Google, which launched the Pixel 9 series just a few months ago. Regardless, this still doesn’t explain the general reluctance of OEMs to adopt what I’d argue is one of the most meaningful upgrades in accessibility and general usability you can add to a smartphone today.
But the most frustrating thing is that six months ago, our friends at batterymappondered why we hadyet to see any Qi2 Android phones. And as we’re nearing the end of the year, there’s still only a single model trying to spark hope that 2025 will be different. So kudos to HMD for doing what Samsung, Google et al. couldn’t be bothered to figure out. Now I’m just worried that if things don’t change next year, one of the most promising standards could end up in the graveyard (at least for Android phones) before ever getting a chance to thrive.
The best Amazfit smartwatch offers both value and smarts, plus comes in various styles and sizes for all budgets.
Finding an Android smartwatch that meets all your needs isn’t always easy, especially if you’re being inundated with timely deals. Fortunately, there is an Amazfit smartwatch for just about every budget and activity need imaginable.
The Amazfit smartwatch lineup may not be as massive or popular as some other big names like Fitbit and Garmin, but it’s still impressive. Additionally, these watches are among the most affordable options out there without skimping on the premium specs and features you need.
The Amazfit GTS 4 stands out as the best Amazfit smartwatch — as well as thebest budget smartwatch for students— for many reasons. It’s attractive, easy to use, reasonably priced, and packed with key features. If it’s not for you, there are some other great options from which to choose.
+Onboard dual-band GPS, mic, and speakers +Heart rate and SpO2 monitoring +150 different sports modes +Fashion-forward design +Up to 14 days of battery life
Reasons to avoid
-Proprietary bands aren’t great -Slightly expensive
The Amazfit GTR 4 is a superb choice for users who don’t want to sacrifice their love of fashion just because they’re buying a smartwatch. You get a classic yet modern design that’s perfect for daily wear, with a lightweight aluminum case and a bright 1.43-inch AMOLED display that’s easy to navigate. It has a rotating crown on the side for easy navigation.
While there are some other Amazfit smartwatches with better battery life, the GTR 4 still does a good job. It claims up to 14 days battery life, but with notifications enabled, always-on mode, and background health tracking, you’ll likely come closer to eight days of juice, which still isn’t bad at all. It boasts a 5 ATM water resistance rating and excellent fitness tracking that includes over 150 sports modes. Some other features include heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, and more.
To put it simply, if you’re seeking afitness smartwatchthat’s still very aesthetically pleasing, you’ll likely be quite happy with the Amazfit GTR 4. Much like any other Amazfit smartwatch, you can’t answer text messages as there’s no on-screen keyboard. You can, however, answer calls since the GTR 4 has speakers and a microphone.
+160+ sport modes +Built-in GPS +Bright and crisp AMOLED display +Extra-long battery life +Military-grade durability
Reasons to avoid
-Might be too large for some wrists -Steep price tag -No speakers
At almost 48mm in diameter, theAmazfit T-Rex Ultrais not messing around. The polycarbonate watch body is available in two unique colors, including Desert Black and Sahara. The 1.3-inch AMOLED display has a touchscreen for easy navigation. There are also four side buttons that you can use to navigate the watch if that’s your preferred method. The best thing about this design, especially for outdoor enthusiasts, is its military-grade durability. This is easily one of the toughest watches out there as it has passed 15 military-grade tests as opposed to 12 on the originalAmazfit T-Rex.
No matter where you’re headed or how long you plan to be there, this is also one of the best Amazfit smartwatches for long battery life. With typical use, you can expect this beast to last for up to 20 days. Those who will be heavily using their smartwatch can expect to average around 12 days. In continuous GPS mode, the battery will last for 28 hours, and you can get as much as 80 hours from the endurance GPS mode. You also get an incredible water resistance rating. The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra can handle a depth of up to 100 meters, also known as 10 ATM water resistance.
Speaking of tracking, most users will be happy with the health and activity features of the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra. You’ll have over 160 sports modes to choose from, including basics like outdoor cycling, treadmill, trail running, and walking. You can also record more specific activities like hiking, climbing, hunting, and more. During a workout, you’ll also be able to track your route with the built-in advanced GPS. There’s also heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and blood oxygen monitoring.
-No third-party apps -No music storage -No mic or speaker
When you’re entering the smartwatch world for the first time, you may not want to be overwhelmed by features that aren’t beneficial to you. If you want a great starter watch, consider theAmazfit GTS 4 Mini. It’s not too expensive yet it’s still loaded with features that will help you learn the ins and outs of owning a wearable. It offers an attractive design in a rectangular-shaped case that’s made of aluminum. You also get a brilliant AMOLED display and touchscreen that’s perfect for quick navigation.
Similar to the other options on this list, the battery life on the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini can vary depending on usage. It should last for up to a week with typical use. It weighs less than 20 grams, so it’s one of the lightest wearables on the market. If you’re a fitness enthusiast or you simply have a tiny wrist, this is one of the best Amazfit smartwatches you can buy. Speaking of which, you get great health and fitness features, including GPS, heart-rate monitoring, activity/sleep tracking, 120+ sport modes, and blood oxygen monitoring.
Considering the low price tag, you probably won’t be too surprised to learn about some of the drawbacks. For starters, there’s no support for third-party apps. This might not be a deal-breaker for beginners, but it’s still worth noting. You can control your smartphone’s music, but you don’t have storage on the watch for songs. If you can live without these extras, you may have just met your smartwatch match.
Best overall
(Image credit: Amazfit)
4. Amazfit GTS 4
Best overall
Specifications
Display size:1.75-inch AMOLED (390×450)
Processor:Unknown
Storage:2.3GB
Battery life:16 days (8 w/ heavy use)
Water-resistant:✔️ (5ATM)
LTE:🚫
GPS:✔️ (Dual-band)
NFC:🚫
Sensors:HRM, SpO2
Reasons to buy
+Onboard GPS +Speakers and mic +Solid fitness tracking +8-day battery life +Amazon Alexa built-in +Heart-rate and SpO2 sensors
Reasons to avoid
-No NFC payments -No third-party app support
When you’re searching for a robust lifestyle smartwatch that’s also equipped with solid fitness tracking and smart features, the Amazfit GTS 4 is the best Amazfit smartwatch you can buy. It’s easily one of thebest cheap smartwatches for Android. It looks similar to the GTS 4 Mini but it comes in a larger case. It also cuts back on the bezel, so you get a larger display area. The rotating crown allows for smooth and easy UI navigation, too.
As is the case with most smartwatches, overall battery life will vary depending on usage, but you can expect eight days with typical use. The battery-saver mode allows you to stretch the battery life up to 16 days.
There are several key features that make this watch so desirable, including built-in dual-band GPS, heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, stress monitoring, sleep tracking, and so on. There are also over 150 sports modes such as outdoor running, walking, outdoor cycling, treadmill, pool swimming, and elliptical.
It works with Alexa for voice assistance both online and offline, which can be mighty convenient at times. Whether you’re starting a workout or asking a general question, your watch will respond quickly and efficiently. Since the GTS 4 has a mic and speakers onboard, you get replies on the watch. This also means you can answer phone calls right from your wrist.
While NFC payments are popular on smartwatches these days, that feature is not available on the U.S. version of this watch. Another drawback is that other than Amazfit’s native apps, there is no third-party app support. This means you can’t access any of the cool Wear OS apps found in the Google Play Store. Further, if you want something chunkier with a little more battery life, theAmazfit GTR 4 might be betterfor you.
Best value
(Image credit: Amazfit)
5. Amazfit Bip 3
Best value
Specifications
Display size:1.69-inch AMOLED (240×280)
Processor:Unknown
Storage:🚫
Battery life:14 days (7 w/ heavy use)
Water-resistant:✔️ (5ATM)
LTE:🚫
GPS:🚫
NFC:🚫
Sensors:HRM, SpO2
Reasons to buy
+60+ sport modes +Up to 14 days of battery life +Alexa built-in +5 ATM water resistance +Super affordable
Reasons to avoid
-Notifications are a bit clunky -No music storage on the watch -No onboard GPS or Wi-Fi
When you want a solid set of smartwatch features but don’t want to break the bank in the process, take a look at the Amazfit Bip 3. It offers the lovely rectangular design that many users have come to prefer. You get a 44mm polycarbonate case that’s not too large or bulky, weighing just 33 grams. It has a 1.69-inch full-color TFT display, so it won’t be as sharp as a watch with an AMOLED display. The Bip 3 is available in Black, Blue, and Pink.
The 14-day battery life is as long as some of the more expensive Amazfit watches on this list, which is impressive. When you compare that to competitors that last for a day or two, this is a great accomplishment. There are 60+ sports modes to choose from on the Amazfit Bip 3, including outdoor running, treadmill running, and outdoor cycling. You’ll also find some rather unique sports modes like yoga, cricket, table tennis, and basketball.
There are some disadvantages to the Amazfit Bip 3, including clunky notifications that are spaced out and hard to read at times. You also won’t have music storage on the watch. When using the Alexa built-in feature, it relies on your phone’s connection, which isn’t always as seamless as it should be.
Best battery life
6. Amazfit GTR Mini
Best battery life
Specifications
Display size:1.28-inch AMOLED (416×416)
Processor:Unknown
Storage:🚫
Battery life:14 days (7 w/ heavy use)
Water-resistant:✔️ (5ATM)
LTE:🚫
GPS:✔️ (Dual-band)
NFC:🚫
Sensors:HRM, SpO2
Reasons to buy
+Extremely lightweight and comfortable +120+ sport modes +Advanced GPS tracking +Fantastic price +14 days of battery life +Alexa onboard
Reasons to avoid
-No speakers or mic -Lack of app support -Pretty big
If you need all the fitness tracking and smartwatch features you can get, you’ll love theAmazfit GTR Mini. This improved model comes in a large 43mm case, which makes it one of the bigger watches in the Amazfit lineup. It has a sturdy stainless steel body combined with reinforced plastic, which keeps it light without the strap.
The watch comes with a 20mm interchangeable silicone sports band that can handle all of your intense activities. You can use the touch-enabled 1.28-inch AMOLED display to navigate your watch or the side button if you prefer.
The Amazfit GTR Mini gives you seven days of battery life with typical usage. You also have several different GPS modes to choose from depending on what type of activity you’re doing and how long you need your battery to last. You’ll have 5 ATM water resistance, heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and local music storage.
There’s an unprecedented number of sports modes on this watch — easily over 120. All of the basics are present, including walking, treadmill, trail running, cycling, and swimming. There are also more specific sports modes for serious athletes, like multisport, triathlon, football, rowing, tennis, climbing, and so on.
You’ll also be able to measure your fitness level, recovery time, and training load. It’s perfect for athletes who want to improve their performance. Some users might appreciate the generous size, but it may not be ideal for those with tiny wrists. Finally, the lack of speakers and a mic is a bummer on a wearable of this magnitude. The smartwatch also lacks third-party app support. You won’t find an app store, but it does offer widget options, including a stopwatch, compass, alarm, and weather.
Most powerful
7. Amazfit Falcon
Most powerful
Specifications
Display size:1.28-inch AMOLED (416×416)
Processor:Unknown
Storage:2.3GB
Battery life:14 days (7 w/ heavy use)
Water-resistant:✔️ (20ATM)
LTE:🚫
GPS:✔️ (Dual-band)
NFC:🚫
Sensors:HRM, SpO2
Reasons to buy
+Fantastic build quality with 20 ATM waterproofing +Smooth and feature-rich software +Excellent health and fitness features +Great battery life +Dual-band & 6 satellite positioning systems
Reasons to avoid
-The bezel around the display is large -Eye-wateringly expensive -No Google Play Store
Amazfit doesn’t have many ultra-premium smartwatches, but the ones it does make are superb for fitness tracking. The Amazfit Falcon is one such watch and it gives you every imaginable health and fitness feature under the sun. We wenthands-on with the Falconand were impressed with its high-grade titanium chassis and superb battery life.
The Amazfit Falcon has military-grade resistance to nature’s elements, so you can partake in any sort of rigorous outdoor activity with ease. It uses Zepp OS 3.0 which comes with a ton of advanced features for working out, over 150 sports modes, and health monitoring such as blood oxygen levels and heart rate. The smartwatch has an AI coach built-in to help you achieve your fitness goals.
Although the Amazfit Falcon is incredibly expensive, it could be the right fit for a sports professional or military personnel. It has a touch screen but you can navigate the wearable using the two side buttons as well.
Amazfit really went the extra mile with the Falcon, which is why it has theworld’s first watch face coded by ChatGPT. This doesn’t make up for the lack of third-party apps, but it’s nice to see an Amazfit smartwatch one-up the likes of theGalaxy Watch 7andPixel Watch 3. Samsung and Google’s wearables have to rely on a roundabout way toget ChatGPT on Wear OS.
How to choose
Amazfit has such a great selection of smartwatches from which to choose. Howdoyou choose the right one? As with any smartwatch, the first thing to ask yourself is why you’re getting it. Is it to keep track of steps, specific sports or activities, or get a good handle on your overall health and wellness? Then consider what else you want to do with it. Do you need access to third-party apps? Do you want to clearly read notifications and have the ability to answer calls or texts right from your wrist? Do you want to load music directly onto the watch?
Go through your checklist of desired features, including the must-haves and need-to-haves. Then run through this list and eliminate or highlight models one-by-one. Pretty soon, you’ll end up with one or two models from which to decide. From there, it might come down to price and design: which fits better both on your wrist and with your lifestyle and for your pocketbook?
The good news is that Amazfit has a smartwatch for just about everybody. Whether you’re focused on fitness, fashion, or a bit of both, you can find a model that will have everything you need. However, if you’re looking for the absolute best Amazfit smartwatch, we highly recommend the GTS 4. It has a sleek design, is packed with fitness tracking features, and you can’t beat the battery life.
To recap, the Amazfit GTS 4 is equipped with over 150 sport modes, built-in GPS, sleep tracking, heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, Amazon Alexa built-in, and a microphone and speaker so you can answer calls. It’s not the type of watch that you’ll have to charge every night, either. In fact, you’ll likely only have to charge this watch every week or so depending on how heavily you use your device and its key features.
Regardless of what your preferences are, it’s more than likely that you can find an Amazfit smartwatch to meet them. Whether you’re a professional athlete looking to track your workouts and improve endurance, a runner training for the next big 5K, or a first-time user who’s just getting started in the smartwatch world, there’s bound to be a fitness-focused wearable from Amazfit that’s perfect for you.
This extra layer of security ensures no one can tamper with your sensitive data when you’re travelling.
Google’s Pixel line of smartphones is being regularly updated with new features, and theDecember 2024 Pixel feature dropexpanded the safety and security features of Pixel phones even further. Identity Check is a new beta feature that forces you to perform a biometric authentication whenever you make any sensitive action on a Pixel phone away from your home or workplace.
This can include actions like accessing saved passkeys or app passwords, changing the PIN, and so on. It’s a super-handy feature to have when traveling as it prevents unwanted people from compromising the security of your Pixel device, making thebest Android phoneseven better.
Since Identity Check is still in beta, it’s not available in the stable version ofAndroid 15. You’ll need toregisteryour Pixel device for the Android Beta for Pixel program, after which you’ll automatically get theAndroid 15 QPR2 Betaupdate on your phone.
2. TapGoogleand then theAll Servicesbutton below your email ID.
3. Scroll a bit till you seeTheft protectionunder thePersonal & device safetysub-menu. (Alternatively, you can navigate toSecurity & privacy > Device unlockto access Theft protection.)
4. Just below the animated image, you should seeIdentity Check.
5. The setup screen gives you some basic information about how it works and even how you can disable it if you choose to later. TapNext.
6. You’ll see a checklist of some of the prerequisites that are needed in order to enable Identity Check. If you’ve not done some, like set a screen lock or biometrics, you’ll be prompted to complete those steps.
7. You’ll also need toadd a few trusted placesthat you frequent. Identity Check should not kick in if you try to change a password in one of the trusted places.
8. Once you see check marks for all the requirements, tapDone.
9. On the final Identity Check screen, enable theUse Identity checktoggle.
Note:If you don’t want to install Android beta on your daily driver Pixel device, you’ll have to wait till Identity Check is out of beta and included in the stable version of Android 15 via a future update.
Pixels now have added security for your sensitive information when you travel
With features like Identity Check, Google is really doubling down on privacy and security for its Pixel devices. You can add any number of trusted places that you frequent to avoid unnecessary authentication steps before you can perform any sensitive actions. Google specifies that Identity Check will only work on devices that support Class 3 biometrics. If you don’t see that option under Theft Protection, then your device doesn’t support it.
Google has specified all the sensitive actions that would trigger Identity Check and require additional biometric authentication. They are as follows:
Access saved passwords and passkeys using Google Password Manager.
Autofill passwords in apps from Google Password Manager (except Chrome).
Change screen lock, PIN, pattern, and password.
Change Fingerprint or Face Unlock.
If you do a Factory reset.
Turn off Find My Device.
Turn off any theft protection features.
View trusted places.
Set up a new device with your current device.
Add or remove a Google Account.
Access Developer options.
This added layer of protection should give you peace of mind if someone tries to access some of your phone’s security settings when you’re traveling. It’s not just new features that are being added with Google’s update, though. TheDecember security patch for Pixelsincluded several fixes for audio stability and performance in some situations for Pixel 6 toPixel 9series devices. Other display and camera issues were also addressed with this update.
Credit: Google
