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This weekMicrosoft announceda Windows 11 update that finally lets you access your iPhone from the Start Menu, similar to the already existing Android phone access from last year.
The update lets you view your iPhone’s battery status, cellular connectivity and recent activities within Windows 11. It also allows you to access calls and messages.
Additionally, the update allows users to share files between Android and iPhone devices. You can select ‘Send Files’ when accessing your phone to begin transferring content.
The setup process is pretty straightforward.
Open up the Start menu and then select ‘iPhone’ which is found in the right side panel. Instructions will pop and you just follow those to create a connection between your iPhone and computer.
As of this writing, the feature is rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta channels. To use it, you must have one of the Windows 11 Insider Preview builds: Build 4805 or higher for Beta Insiders and Build 26120.300 or higher for Devs.
You must also have Phone Link version 1.24121.30.0 or higher, and your PC needsBluetoothLE capabilities.
It doesn’t appear that everyone will be available to access this feature. If you are running Windows 11 Pro Education or Education SKUs, you will not be able to access the update.
We’re just under a week away from the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra release day, and with that comes a choice many Android phonemakers will have to make: Will you buy the phone, or skip it and choose something else instead?
Frankly, for me at least, it’s a pretty easy decision to make.
The answer is a resounding no, and it’s all down to the fact that the Galaxy S25 Ultra is one of the blandest upgrades I’ve seen over the past couple of years. Beaten only by theiPhone 14, which was essentially aniPhone 13with some very minor upgrades.
It’s getting to the point where I’m wondering whether my money would be better spent buying aGalaxy S24 Ultrainstead.
Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn’t feel like much of an upgrade
Here’s a quick design comparison between the new Galaxy S25 Ultra (left) and last year’s Galaxy S24 Ultra (right). Notice the smaller bezels and more rounded corners on the S25U.
When you look at the Galaxy S25 Ultra specs, and compare them to last year’s model, there isn’t a whole lot of what I’d consider “new” stuff. The screen is marginally bigger at 6.9-inches, and the chipset has been upgraded to a newer and faster model. There’s alsoa version of Qi2, though it relies on a specialist case if you want the magnetic benefits.
Really the only major hardware upgrade is the 50MP ultrawide camera. That’s a useful upgrade, even if it is long overdue, and it’s going to help the Galaxy S25 Ultra claim a position on our best camera phones page. But it’s not the kind of upgrade that makes buying a whole new phone worthwhile.
In fact there are a couple of places where the Galaxy S25 Ultra is either a downgrade compared to last year or still not on par with some of its main rivals.
The S Pen is proving to be the most infamous of these, withSamsung stripping out the Bluetooth functionalityand related features from the stylus — claiming they weren’t popular enough to keep around. Samsung claims that aBluetooth enabled pen will go on sale as a standalone product, but that feels like a price hike with extra steps.
Aria also pointed outthat the loss of Air Gestures meant that the Galaxy S25’s desktop mode (DeX) isn’t nearly as useful this time around. So it’s no surprise that it hasn’t stopped apetition trying to return the decisionfrom appearing.
Other notable omissions include any meaningful rise in wireless charging speeds, which is still stuck at 15W. The maximum amount of RAM available in the U.S. is also 12GB, despite rumors that a 16GB model could make an appearance. RAM is very important for on-device AI, and we’re seeing other Android flagships like thePixel 9 Proboost its memory up to 16GB. Given how much Samsung has emphasized AI in theGalaxy S25series, it’s a massive surprise that the Ultra model now has the same amount of RAM as the standard and Plus models.
There’s more to a phone than mere hardware, and software does play a big part in what the device can do. Unfortunately it’s unclear whether the Galaxy S25 offers much that won’t also come to older phones.
Samsung has spent a great deal of time discussing how the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s software can benefit the phone and its users. AI in particular has been at the forefront of Samsung’s marketing, offering up a bunch of waysGalaxy AI is improving this year.
A big part of how Galaxy AI has changed involves the addition of AI agents, and multimodal capabilities that allow Galaxy AI to see and understand multiple kinds of input — including speech, text, images and video. All with the aim of making the process of communicating with AI more natural. It’s a big change for Samsung, even if these aren’t particularly unique capabilities.
For all the benefits Samsung has been lauding, it’s unclear whether these improvements are general upgrades to Galaxy AI — or features kept exclusively for the Galaxy S25 series. Samsung hasn’t been particularly clear on this point, and the last thing anyone wants is to pick up a new $1,300 phone only to find that all its best features are also available on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
On the one hand Samsung does have theSnapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which promises to offer greater performance and helps power more advanced on-device AI processing. But on the other hand, we’ve already seen that some features, like theNow Bar, are already available as part of theOne UI 7 beta— meaning it’s available (in some form) on the year-old Galaxy S24 Ultra as well. Likewise improvements to Circle to Search and otherGoogle-made AI features are likely to make their way to Pixels and other Android phones in the coming weeks and months.
Not knowing what the future holds for Galaxy AI, and other software flourishes, makes me even more hesitant to take the plunge and pick up a Galaxy S25 Ultra. We don’t know what One UI 7 has in store for older Galaxy phones, and if last year is anything to go by we could see a bunch of new AI features and upgrades make their way to older phones.
Heck, even theSamsung Galaxy A35supportssome Galaxy AI features— and that’s $900 cheaper than the S25 Ultra. And bearing all that in mind, it has me seriously doubting whether the Galaxy S25 Ultra is worth it.
Bottom line
If you have an older phone, or maybe even a mid-range model then perhaps the S25 Ultra will be a worthwhile upgrade. There’s a lot on offer here, and while it does cost a lot, I have no doubt that the S25 Ultra will be one of the best phones you can buy. But that doesn’t change the fact that this is a very disappointing upgrade, and it feels like Samsung hasn’t tried that hard to give us a substantial upgrade.
Whether its downgrades to the S Pen, minimal extra hardware, or software that could easily come to older phones in the near future, the Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn’t really seem to have a unique selling point. Worse still the rounded design means that it’s lost its visual distinctiveness compared to other phones.
If you’re spending $1,300 on a brand new phone, the last thing you need is either the same thing as last year, or something that doesn’t stand out against the competition. Unfortunately the Galaxy S25 Ultra seems to hit both those boxes.
Microsoft Copilot 365 marks the end of an iconic brand.
(Image credit: Microsoft)
It’s often a sign of a misguided rebrand when people continue to use a brand’s old name months or even years afterwards (Elon Muskmight want to take note forX). Microsoft’s suite of office apps is a prime example. For many, it will always have the utilitarian, easily comprehensible name of Microsoft Office, despite the tech giant’s strange insistence on trying to change that.
In 2022,Microsoft Office became Microsoft 365in a rebranding that did little more than confuse users. In recognition of the power of the name it was trying to kill, evenMicrosoftcontinued to call the package ‘Microsoft 365 (Office)’ in theAppleApp Store and Android Play Store until a couple of days ago. But now the iconic ‘Office’ name has been dropped completely as Microsoft 365 becomes Microsoft Copilot 365. And to make things even more confusing, the office suite now has the same logo as Microsoft’s AI chatbot.
The Copilot logo (left), and the new logo for Microsoft Copilot 365 (formerly the Microsoft 365 (Office) app)(Image credit: Microsoft)
Ostensibly, the rebrand is intended to highlight the addition of Copilot AI integration into well-known Microsoft Office apps like Word and Excel. But said integration isn’t exactly anything to shout about yet. So far, much of the feedback from users involves complaints about the price hike and people wanting to know how to turn off an AI assistant they see as a glorified resurrection of Clippy (perhaps we underestimated the AI potential of Microsoft’s anthropomorphic paperclip).
As for the logo, the icon for Microsoft Copilot 356 (formerly the Microsoft 365 (Office) app) is differentiated from the existing Copilot icon only by the addition of a ‘M365’ label. That makes it easy to open the AI bot by mistake when you want to use an Office app. Microsoft could have learned from the reaction to the array of similar-looking Google logos that users like icons to be distinguishable from each other to help them find the app they’re looking for.
“You made a nice logo for Microsoft 365 and got everything looking nice only to confuse people with another pointless rebrand that uses the same name for every product,” one user complained onTwitter– I mean X – on Friday.
The move follows the rebranding of Microsoft’s Surface line of tablets and laptops asCopilot+ PCslast year. That was a bizarre decision in itself, akin to releasing a computer in 1983 and calling it a ‘Microsoft Word PC’. Only that Microsoft Word was a fully functioning product when it was released on the world; Copilot is very much a work in progress.
I don’t believe that Microsoft can truly think that its AI chatbot is so appealing that people will run out to buy a new PC or download a software package on the back of its name. It seems more likely that the company is thinking the other way around, adding the Copilot name to everything in an attempt to get people to notice and care about a product that so far doesn’t do much that Chat GPT can’t do.
There’s a risk to this. As Jez Cordon points out over atWindows Centralthere’s a danger that the entire Microsoft ecosystem, including the more solid products, could become tarnished if people deem Copilot to be a useless gimmick.
The new name for Microsoft Office follows a string of strange and confusing naming decisions from Microsoft. After the tongue-twistingXbox Series X, the company more recently renamed Microsoft Remote Desktop as Windows App. Meanwhile, its web portal has reverted toMSNafter the spectacular failure of the rebrand to Microsoft Start. Perhaps it should start asking its AI Copilot for ideas.
I think this is as close as we’ve gotten to smartphones being able to replace digital cameras.
I spent some time in Slovenia this week with Honor, and captured some stunning landscape shots of Lake Bled (one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen) using nothing but one of thebest camera phones– the new Honor Magic 7 Pro.
It’s not a secret that I have always considered theSamsung GalaxyS24 Ultra as the ultimate camera phone, especially thanks to the latest advancements in AI imaging tools. But more recently I’ve been questioning the quality of this camera the more that I’ve gotten to use alternatives from competitors, including some of thebest iPhones for photography.
I decided to putHonor’s new Magic 7 Proto the test during my time in Slovenia, with a camera phone shootout against my current smartphone, the S24 Ultra. To keep things fair, I used the same aspect ratio when shooting these images and the same resolution wherever possible. Take a look at the 100% unedited image sliders (move the slider to see the full image) and galleries below for the results of this ultimate camera phone shootout.
The Honor Magic 7 Pro only has a 50MP main camera, compared with the 200MP main camera on my Samsung S24 Ultra. However, the Honor Magic 7 Pro benefits from a larger aperture at f/1.4, compared with Samsung’s f/1.7, meaning it can take in much more light.
Honor also seems to have the upper hand against Samsung when it comes to the telephoto camera, with a 200MP f/2.6 72mm periscope lens with the intelligent AI Super Zoom, compared with the S4 Ultra’s 50 MP f/3.4 111mm periscope lens. Both phone cameras offer 100x zoom, and I was eager to put this to the challenge.
As you can see from the image galleries above, both of these are exceptional camera phones (though the beautiful Slovenian landscapes certainly help). I found that my Samsung S24 Ultra produced the sharpest unedited results in most cases, though only by a fraction, whereas the Honor Magic 7 Pro produced the best final image with AI enhancements made for more vibrant colours and hues.
The Super Zoom on the Honor Magic 7 has amazing potential, but I don’t think it’s quite there yet. You can blatantly tell that AI has been used to fill in the gaps, and I think the result looks more like an abstract painting for now than a real image.
The verdict:I think if you’re someone who likes to edit and tweak images yourself for the best result then the S24 Ultra offers the best starting point with RAW capabilities. But if you’re looking for a shot that’sInstagram-ready from the get-go then Honor’s Magic 7 Pro takes the crown.
In the PS5 vs. Xbox Series X debate, it’s a battle of design, specs, games and price
The Sony PlayStation 5 brings a bevy of must-play exclusive titles, such as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and God of War: Ragnarok. The system features quick load times, in addition to high-resolution visuals and fluid frame rates. The DualSense controller features innovative haptics, but the console itself can be unwieldy. And even the PS5 Slim model doesn’t entirely rectify its design issues. But it does sport a larger hard drive.
For
Incredibly fast SSD
Wildly inventive DualSense controller
Gorgeous 4K visuals
Against
Massive, unwieldy design
Controller may feel too big for some
The Xbox Series X is the most powerful game console currently available, featuring detailed graphics, fluid frame rates and rapid load times. The device also sports a fantastic game library, with backwards compatibility going back to the original Xbox. With the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription service, the Series X could be the centerpiece of a robust gaming ecosystem, but first-party exclusives are a mixed bag.
For
The only Xbox you need
Lots of power
Games load very fast
Against
Few quality exclusives
Large and heavy
It’s now almost four years since the launch of the ninth console generation, and thePS5vsXbox Series Xbattle rages on with fanboys on both sides eager to declare their chosen machine the superior hardware. Each machine’s lifecycles is more than halfway done (we’ll be talkingPS6and the next Xbox soon), but the battle continues.
As our reviews explain, we were impressed with both consoles at launch, and over the last few years, things have only gotten better as both have been upgraded via system updates to iron out some of the initial kinks and add new features. Naturally, this has come alongside a slew of excellent games, with cross-platform games available on both, as well as those all-important exclusive titles that can’t be played on any other console.
If you have the luxury of buying both consoles, you’ll have everything you need for an epic gaming setup. But if you can only choose one, you’ll want to find out which one is best for you. That’s why we’re comparing the two consoles head-to-head, and without spoiling the results, even more than four years after release, it continues to be a very close contest between these two high-quality current-gen consoles.
Read on to discover how each system fares as we make our verdict on the PS5 vs. Xbox Series X debate.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Horizon: Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarök
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Halo Infinite, Starfield, Forza Horizon 5
Backwards Compatibility
Almost all PS4 games, including optimized PS4 Pro titles
All Xbox One games / Select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games
CPU
8-core 3.5 GHz AMD Zen 2
8-core, 3.8 GHz AMD Zen 2
GPU
10.3 teraflop AMD RDNA 2
12.0 teraflop AMD RDNA 2
RAM
16 GB GDDR6
16 GB GDDR6
Storage
825 GB custom SSD; 1TB (PS5 Slim)
1 TB custom NVMe SSD
Resolution
Up to 8K
Up to 8K
Frame Rate
Up to 120 fps
Up to 120 fps
Optical Disc Drive
4K UHD Blu-ray (Standard PS5 only)
4K UHD Blu-ray
While the specs are handy to know, they only tell part of the story when it comes to performance. As such, this section isn’t scored. However, we can say that the Xbox Series X has more powerful hardware, in terms of both GPU and SSD. Check out the performance section to see how this hardware performs in action.
The Xbox Series X slightly edges the PS5 in terms of raw power, but the PlayStation just got a major weapon to fight back in the form of thePS5 Pro…
During the PS4 and Xbox One generation both PlayStation and Xbox launched more powerful hardware in 2016 (PS4 Pro and Xbox One X) typically referred to as “mid-gen upgrades”. These functioned as interstitial machines to hold gamers and developers over until the PS5 and Xbox Series X generation began in 2020.
However, this time around, it looks like onlySonyhas opted to repeat strategy with its freshly launched PS5 Pro landing 2024. This suped-up PS5 packs a more powerful GPU (with 67% more Compute Units), additional RAM (an extra 2GB DDR5) and a jumbo-sized 2TB hard drive. Plus uses a new AI-upscaling tool, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). It’s not just the most powerful PlayStation hardware around, but also the most powerful console, period.
It makes tangible improvements to a whole bunch of thebest PS5 gamesfrom blockbuster exclusives likeMarvel’s Spider-Man 2andDemon’s Souls, to cross-platform releases such asStar Wars Jedi: SurvivorandDragon’s Dogma 2. The PS5 Pro now offers the best visual fidelity and performance level across many of the biggest games of this console generation.
However, all this extra horsepower comes with a steep price. The PS5 Pro costs a whopping $699 at launch, $200 more than the base PS5 or Xbox Series X and more than double the cost of theXbox Series S(though the power disparity between the two is big). Furthermore, the PS5 Pro doesn’t include a disc drive so prepare to pay an extra $79 if you want to play physical PS5 game discs as you’ll need to purchase a separate attachable disc drive.
While the MSRP of a PS5 Pro is higher than I’d like, it’s still a fantastic machine for the most dedicated gamers, and that’s why I gave it an Editor’s Choice award in myPS5 Pro reviewand would recommend it to those who aren’t constrained by a budget. So, if raw power is your determining factor when picking between PS5 and Xbox Series X, I suggest forking out for a PS5 Pro.
(Editor’s note: I’m not going to count this section in the final scorecard as the Xbox Series X doesn’t have an equivalent to the PS5 Pro so it would be an unfair comparison.)
Both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X cost $499 apiece. Since the two systems are very similar, this category would seem to be a tie at first glance. However, the standard PS5 and Xbox Series X are not the only variants available. There’s also the $399 PS5 Digital Edition and the $299 Xbox Series S.
The PS5 and the PS5 Digital Edition are identical, save for a 4K Blu-ray physical disc drive in the former. The latter has no disc drive, as the name suggests. On the other hand, theXbox Series Shas significantly different hardware from the Xbox Series X: a less powerful GPU, a smaller SSD, less RAM and so forth.
As such, both consoles have cheaper variants, and both the PS5 Digital Edition and the Xbox Series S have legitimate applications: the former for digital diehards, the latter for casual players or secondary setups. Still, since the Xbox Series S isn’t merely a variation on the Series X, but rather its own separate console, it’s a different proposition compared to the PS5 Digital Edition.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X game library are shaping up nicely. And four years post-launch, we have largely moved beyond cross-generation titles. The PS5 boasts a bevy of high-quality exclusives, some of which are available on the PS4, while the Xbox Series X is a little weaker in this area. However, the gap is closing thanks to Microsoft’s game-changing acquisitions of ZeniMax media and Activision-Blizzard this generation giving their exclusive library a huge boost. But there’s an added wrinkle thatsomeof these titles are also on PS5.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales(Image credit: Sony)
At present, it’s hard to deny that the PS5 has the more exciting game selection. In terms of first-party titles, the PS5 launched withSpider-Man: Miles Morales, Demon’s Souls, Sackboy: A Big Adventure and the surprisingly delightfulAstro’s Playroom, and things have only got stronger from there.
Over the past four years, we’ve seen the arrival ofRatchet & Clank: Rift Apart,Returnal,Gran Turismo 7,Horizon Forbidden Westand the mightyGod of War: Ragnarok. Plus, throw inMarvel’s Spider-Man 2andFinal Fantasy 16which launched only on PS5 in 2023, and 2024 started strong withThe Last of Us Part II Remasteredfollowed byHelldivers 2,Final Fantasy VII Rebirth,Stellar BladeandRise of the Ronin. Then we gotSilent Hill 2andAstro Bot, which both found their way into my personal GOTY rankings.
Compare and contrast with the Xbox Series X, which didn’t have any exclusive titles at launch. Instead, Microsoft released a list of 30 “optimized for Xbox Series X/S” titles, including fan favorites like Gears 5, Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Forza Horizon 4. While the Xbox Series X optimizations are indeed impressive, not all of these games are brand new, and they’re all available on Xbox One, PC or both.
(Image credit: Sega)
A handful of semi-exclusive Xbox Series X titles, such asMicrosoft Flight Simulator,Halo InfiniteandForza Horizon 5all showed off what the system is capable of, though. But things improved further in 2023 with the (underrated, in my opinion)Starfieldand Forza Motorsport 8 leading the charge.
There was alsoRedfallin the spring, but the less said about that one, the better.Senua’s Saga: Hellblade IIwas another disappointing release that felt more like a tech demo to showcase the power of the Series X than a fully fleshed game. But at least Xbox ended 2024 with a flourish in the form ofIndiana Jones and the Great Circle,one of the year’s stand-out releases. But its status as an exclusive won’t last long. It’s heading over to PS5 in Spring 2025.
Beyond that, both consoles are well-stocked with third-party titles, likeElden Ring,Assassin’s Creed Mirage,EA Sports FC 25,Star Wars Jedi Survivor,Dragon’s Dogma 2,Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty,Metaphor: ReFantzioand lots more. Strong third-party parity is likely to continue throughout the generation. Both systems also have excellent backwards compatibility features, although I’ll get to that below.
(Image credit: Xbox)
It’s also worth mentioningXbox Game Pass Ultimate, to which Sony doesn’t currently have a perfect answer. This $17-per-month subscription service lets you download more than 100 games across a variety of genres, and play them on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC and even Android.
Sony, meanwhile, has thePlayStation Plus Premiumtier, which offers hundreds of games to download and/or stream from the PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5 and PSP platforms. The functionality is not nearly as refined asGame Pass, but the raw game library is bigger, so take it for what it’s worth.
Of course, both systems will also have some interesting games coming down the line. But restricting ourselves to what we can play and review right now, the PS5 has the stronger lineup, but the Xbox Series X is quickly making up ground on this front.
Winner:PS5
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Performance
Comparing PS5 and Xbox Series X performance is difficult at present, as We does not have the specialized equipment required to measure resolution and frame rate in great depth.
Bearing that in mind, I compared two games qualitatively across both systems: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition. The former is a huge open-world title, where it’s easy to measure load times as you fast travel from one distant point of the map to another. The latter is a fast, frenetic action game, where any drop in framerate is immediately noticeable.
First: Sony’s ambitious claims about the PS5’s load times aren’t exaggerated, as far as I can tell. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla went from the main menu into the game in less than a minute; fast travel took less than 10 seconds from point to point. However, while the Xbox Series X took longer to load the game initially (almost a minute), fast travel time was exactly the same.
Gameplay-wise, if you handed me an ambiguous controller and put either the PS5 or Xbox Series X version of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on a screen in front of me, I honestly wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. Both systems ran the game at 4K at 60 frames per second (although I understand that the 4K isprobably upscaledin both cases), and neither one seemed to have any major difference in animation fluidity, lighting, etc. Texture pop-in seemed a little more noticeable on the Xbox Series X, although that may have just been the area I was in.
Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition told a similar story, although this time, I was able to discern some slight differences in the lighting. While both the PS5 and Xbox Series X offer ray tracing, the Xbox Series X’s ray tracing in this game was a little richer, offering greater contrasts between light and shadow, particularly in the game’s early, eerie red-and-purple landscapes. (Digital Foundryfound the same thing, with some stats to back it up.) The Xbox Series X also seemed a little bit smoother when I turned on the 120 fps performance mode, although again, I’d be hard-pressed to tell the two titles apart if I didn’t know which one was in front of me.
Evaluating performance with these two games is difficult, however, because they were both designed with PS4 and Xbox One in mind rather than PS5 and Xbox Series X exclusively. While I can also talk about how impressive games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Gears 5 looked, they’re not possible to compare directly.
For now, I can say that the two consoles both perform extremely well, although the PS5 has slightly shorter loading times.
Winner:PS5
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Design
For the most part, whether you like a console’s design comes down to personal preference. But my personal preference is that I cannot stand how the PS5 looks.
Not only is the system comically large; but it’s also a pain to switch from vertical to horizontal configuration, and the standard version sports an ugly, asymmetrical design. Even after sitting under my TV for three years, the PS5 still looks awkward. Adding to my frustrations, the front panel is prone to fingerprints and the “power” and “disc eject” buttons are indistinguishable, which is a minor gripe but annoying.
Last year, Sony released a redesigned version of the PS5 console that was dubbed thePS5 Slimby online commentators — although Sony has never officially given it that branding.
It shrinks the size of the console by some 30%, which at the very least makes it a slightly less cumbersome console to fit into your entertainment center. However, the overall design aesthetic is the same, so it’s just a smaller version of an already unattractive console.
(Image credit: Sony)
It also packs a few additional upgrades including a larger SSD (now 1TB instead of 825GB), and an external disc drive that is detachable. That means you can buy a Digital Edition and add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive at a later date, so long as you’re willing to pay $99 for one.
Unfortunately, the PS5 Slim also comes with afew downgrades, most noticeable is that a vertical stand is no longer included as standard. While you get a basic horizontal stand in the box, if you want to securely place your PS5 console upright you’ll need to spend an additional $25, or buy a cheaper third-party alternative, if you’re willing to risk compatibility issues.
The Xbox Series X, on the other hand, is still pretty bulky but manages its space much better. Rather than looking like an oversized router, the Xbox Series X is a sleek black box that looks, at least in its vertical form, kind of like a small tower PC. It has a clearly defined power button, as well as a pairing button to make wireless connections painless.
Microsoft has also launchedthree new models of Xboxin 2024. While one is merely a recolor of the Xbox Series S 1TB, the others are full-featured Xbox Series X consoles. The first packs a new Robot White look but lacks a disc drive, and the other is the Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition.
As the name suggests it’s the Xbox Series X console we know but with a nifty new cosmetic-themed design (Microsoft describes it as featuring a “silver, grey, and green celestial effect”) and the largest stock hard drive on Xbox console to date. With 2TB of storage, you can store literally dozens of new AAA games.
(Image credit: Microsoft)
The only big advantage the PS5 has over the Xbox Series X is the presence of a USB-C port — which is a big deal, especially as more accessories get USB-C adapters. But even if the Xbox Series X design is much more conservative, it’s also much more sensible overall. And even the PS5 Slim cannot tip the needle in Sony’s favor here.
Winner:Xbox Series X
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Controller
Another area in which theXbox Series X plays it safe, to its credit, is in its controller. The Xbox Series X controller is nearly identical to the Xbox One model, save for textured grips and shoulder buttons, an improved D-pad and a new “share” button in the center.
It’s a smart upgrade for one of the best controllers ever made. Still, the fact that it runs on AA batteries instead of a built-in rechargeable unit feels positively archaic, and also pasts a lot of cost onto the end-user, whether they choose to buy AAs or rechargeable packs.
The PS5 DualSense, on the other hand, is a big departure from the DualShock 4, with a two-tone color scheme and much bigger grips. It also adds a variety of new features: extremely sensitive haptics and a built-in mic among them.
The haptic feedback is impressive, mimicking the feel of objects rolling around in a box, or putting up realistic resistance when you push a trigger. However, the DualSense still has a ton of wasted space (particularly in the touchpad), and the enjoyment you’ll get from the haptics is a matter of personal preference.
PS5 owners looking to level up their gaming might also want to consider investing in theDualSense Edge. It’s a highly customizable version of the standard DualSense sporting metallic back buttons, swappable sticks and a sturdier design. All these new upgrades come at the hefty price of $120, and the controller’s already weak battery life takes a hit. You can expect around five hours from a full charge of the Edge.
Winner:Tie
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Backwards compatibility
Both the PS5 and the Xbox Series X have excellent backwards compatibility features, but there’s no denying that the Xbox reaches further back into Microsoft’s library. Not only is the Xbox Series X compatible with just about every Xbox One game; it’s also compatible with many Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. While it doesn’t include every stab Microsoft’s ever taken at backwards-compatible games (the Xbox 360 still plays many original Xbox games that the Series X can’t), it’s an impressive effort with zero friction.
The PS5 can play just about every PS4 game on the market, but compatibility doesn’t go back any further than that unless you count the ability to stream a very small selection of PS3 games via PlayStation Plus Premium. Still, it’s not quite the same as playing games you already own directly on a console (and depending on the strength of your internet connection may not be viable).
Winner:Xbox Series X
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Cloud gaming
Cloud gaming isn’t a huge issue for either the PS5 or the Xbox Series X, since you can simply download games and play them natively on either platform. But as cloud gaming grows over the next few years, it’s good to know where each company stands at the outset of this console generation.
The PS5 has the PlayStation Plus revamp, which lets you stream a variety of PS3 titles, as well as some PS4 titles, to PlayStation consoles and PCs. It costs $10 per month for a tier that includes streaming capabilities.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate(Image credit: Microsoft)
The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, as discussed above, costs $15 per month, and lets you stream games to Android, iOS, non-gaming PCs and even Xbox consoles.
While the PlayStation Plus revamp has some potential, Xbox Cloud Gaming is currently a much more refined and functional service.
Winner:Xbox Series X
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Verdict
PS5
Xbox Series X
Price (10)
8
8
Games (20)
19
15
Performance (15)
13
12
Design (10)
6
8
Controller (10)
7
7
Backwards compatibility (10)
7
9
Cloud gaming (5)
3
4
Total (80)
63
63
At this point in their lifecycle, both PS5 and Xbox Series X represent an excellent investment. The Xbox Series X has a slight edge when it comes to raw power, design and backward compatibility, but the PS5 is the leader in arguably the most important category of all as it boasts a game library that Xbox simply cannot match at present.
Perhaps the key determining factor between the two comes down to whether you want access to a more comprehensive game subscription service. Xbox Game Pass simply cannot be matched for its value and the fact that flagship exclusive land on the service day one. Meanwhile, if you don’t mind buying new games ala carte, then PS5 is the clear winner as its library of exclusives is of the highest quality.
Plus, the PS5 also offers access to next-gen virtual reality tech via thePS VR2headset accessory. Currently, Microsoft does not have an equivalent VR product of its own for Xbox users.
From having used both consoles extensively over the last few years, my gut feeling is that they have more similarities than differences, and whichever one you get should be more than sufficient to power your gaming for the next few years. Of course, you could always justbuild a gaming PC— but that’s a different story.
Now that thePS5 Prois in the hands of gamers everywhere, the list of PS5 Pro enhanced games continues to grow. Around launch,Sonydetailed 50+ titles that have dedicated modes that make use of everything the upgraded console has to offer.
As Sony revealed the PS5 Pro, it was made clear that plenty of currently available PS5 games will receive updates to coincide with the launch of the PS5 Pro, and now that it’s out, we’re happy to confirm that this is indeed true. Thanks to thePS5 Pro specs, it’s no surprise that games such asMarvel’s Spider-Man 2look and feel better than ever, leveraging AI-driven upscaling and improved raytracing. Now that the dust has settled on the PS5 Pro launch, we’ve even been able to spend time with many of the upgraded games, and feel confident offering some recommendations on thePS5 Pro games to play first.
Before you seek outwhere to buy a PS5 Pro, however, you’ll want to know what games have received upgrades, which is where we come in. In this article, we’ll cover every PS5 Pro game confirmed so far, including a look at what’s set to change in each title. As more games are unveiled in the future, we’ll be sure to update this list.
PS5 Pro games list – confirmed PS5 Pro-enhanced titles
(Image credit: Sony / Guerrilla)
Given that there are now over 50 PS5 Pro enhanced games, and with each developer handling things slightly differently, the list below represents just a small slice of the headline games that have received beefy PS5 Pro updates since launch:
Alan Wake 2 –Performance Mode now offers 4K at the same fidelity as the base PS5’s Quality Mode. The PS5 Pro Quality Mode however, will target raytracing.
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows –will exhibit an enhanced ray-traced global illumination technology. Improved fidelity thanks to expanded GPU capabilities, and leveraging of PSSR. As perthe PS Blog.
Demon’s Souls –4K image-like quality at 60 frames per second.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 –benefits from the power of the PS5 Pro, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) and new ray tracing technology, allowing improved framerates.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard –The game’s Fidelity and Performance modes both see improvements on the hardware, including improved resolution in 30FPS Fidelity and 60FPS Performance modes.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth –The new Enhanced Mode* developed especially for PS5 Pro combines the characteristics of the existing Performance Mode and Graphics Mode to offer players a new visual experience.
F1 24 –F1 24 is upgrading its Quality mode to add new ray tracing effects that shined particularly on rain-soaked courses and made the tracks feel more realistic and immersive. As per thePS Blog.
Gran Turismo 7 –now able to support ray tracing during races, which was previously impossible. This allows not only for car surfaces to show full reflections of other cars, but also for a car to reflect its own parts, greatly enhancing realism and immersion throughout the whole game.
Hogwarts Legacy –Players are able to experience crisper, richer, higher resolution graphics, leveraging PSSR on all visual modes.
Horizon Forbidden West –you can now enjoy a visual quality that matches or surpasses the Quality mode on the regular PlayStation 5, but now at 60 FPS – double the framerate.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 –Spider-Man 2 finds a new default Performance Pro mode, which marries the crisp 4K resolution and ray tracing features of Fidelity mode with the speedy 60 frames per second of Performance mode.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 –PSSR technology allows for the trees and the lush vegetation of the game’s iconic jungle terrain to become more vivid, and enhances the sense of realism of infiltrating through a natural environment
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart –new default Performance Pro mode, which marries the crisp 4K resolution and ray tracing features of Fidelity mode with the speedy 60 frames per second of Performance mode.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered –new default Performance Pro mode, which marries the crisp 4K resolution and ray tracing features of Fidelity mode with the speedy 60 frames per second of Performance mode.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales –new default Performance Pro mode, which marries the crisp 4K resolution and ray tracing features of Fidelity mode with the speedy 60 frames per second of Performance mode.
Resident Evil 4 Remake –the game runs at a higher framerate, making the dynamic action even more intense. Resident Evil 4 also uses the power of PS5 Pro for ultra-high-resolution technology, painting vividly realistic imagery brimming with detailed environments and more natural and beautiful visual effects than ever before.
Resident Evil Village –added 120fps gameplay to provide the best possible user experience on PS5 Pro.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor –In Quality Mode, the game offers its highest-ever console resolution at 2160p. At the same time, Performance Mode continues to deliver a solid 60 fps—but now with higher resolutions and the added visual depth of ray tracing for reflections and ambient occlusion.
Stellar Blade –4K resolution at 50fps or more, with smoother gameplay, and you’ll notice an improvement in grain and detail in the game in PSSR upscale mode. Plus, the HFR (high framerate) option is supported, allowing you to enjoy a fluid gaming experience at 80 fps (120hz display support required).
The Crew Motorfest –more objects on-screen – decals, vegetation, crowds – all running at 60fps.
The First Descendant –expanding the ray tracing feature by leveraging PS5 Pro’s superior GPU performance and enhanced ray tracing architecture.
The Last of Us Part I –new PS5 Pro-specific enhanced rendering mode that takes advantage of improved graphics processing, rendering 1440p, then upscaling to 4K via PSSR super resolution. This mode maintains the 60 fps target, offering an ideal balance of framerate and resolution.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered –new PS5 Pro-specific enhanced rendering mode that takes advantage of improved graphics processing, rendering 1440p, then upscaling to 4K via PSSR super resolution. This mode maintains the 60 fps target, offering an ideal balance of framerate and resolution.
Lies of P –“Quality Mode benefits from more than a 30 percent increase in FPS, delivering smoother, more fluid gameplay. Additionally, Performance Mode now supports full native 4K resolution, allowing players to enjoy stunning visuals without sacrificing responsiveness,” – Lies of P director Jiwon Choi inan interview with Eurogamer.
Lords of the Fallen– the PS5 Pro enhanced version of the action role-playing game (RPG) allows players to experience a “40% increase in pixel density over the base PlayStation 5 console, resulting in a sharper image and finer details.
Zenless Zone Zero –native 4K resolution and 60 FPS simultaneously with the average frame rate increasing by nearly ten frames. Update arrives December 18, 2024.
And now, the full list, as previously confirmed on thePS Blogahead of the PS5 Pro launch.
Alan Wake 2
Albatroz
Apex Legends
Arma Reforger
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Baldur’s Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
EA Sports College Football 25
Dead Island 2
Demon’s Souls
Diablo IV
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Dying Light 2 Reloaded Edition
EA Sports FC 25
Enlisted
F1 24
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Fortnite
God of War Ragnarök
Hogwarts Legacy
Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
Kayak VR: Mirage
Lies of P
Lords of the Fallen
Madden NFL 25
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Naraka: Bladepoint
NBA2K 25
No Man’s Sky
Palworld
Paladin’s Passage
Planet Coaster 2
Professional Spirits Baseball 2024-2025
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil Village
Rise of the Ronin
Rogue Flight
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor
Star Wars: Outlaws
Stellar Blade
Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown
The Callisto Protocol
The Crew Motorfest
The Finals
The First Descendant
The Last of Us Part I
The Last of Us Part II Remastered
Until Dawn
War Thunder
Warframe
World of Warships: Legend
Zenless Zone Zero
The games above have received dedicated PS5 Pro versions, andare even be labeled separately to indicate as such. There’s also a whole host of PS4 and PS5 games that’ll benefit from what Sony is calling PS5 Pro Game Boost (as per thePS Blog):
“With the PS5 Pro version of the Game Boost feature, you can enjoy faster and smoother frame rates in some of the PS4 and PS5 console’s greatest games.”
This is said to apply to at least 8,500 PS4 and PS5 titles, so there are plenty of changes and upgrades on the way to the games you already own if you do choose to pick up a PS5 Pro. In addition, PS5 Pro will significantly enhance PSVR 2 games according to Mark Cerny.
As part of the initial PS5 Pro technical presentation, we saw a few games running on the new hardware, highlighting the differences relative to the base PS5 console. Each enhanced game benefits from the new specs in different ways, but they all pull from the improvements below:
Upgraded GPU with 67% more compute units and 28% faster memory; resulting in 45% faster rendering
Advanced ray-tracing
AI-driven upscaling known as PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR)
2TB SSD
PS5 Pro Game Boost
Optional disc-drive
VRR and 8K gaming support
(Image credit: PlayStation)
In ourPS5 Pro review, we came to the conclusion that the main attraction is really “the convergence of graphical fidelity and performance with games now able to tap into the PS5 Pro’s hardware and features to shine in both ways – at the same time”. This boosted graphical fidelity is, more often than not, on par with the Quality Modes of the base PS5, but with a much smoother experience thanks to 60FPS or higher. This best of both worlds approach is really going to be the key difference moving forward, though it’s likely that we’ll see developers experiment further with higher end graphical settings that focus on ray tracing, or make use of the hardware’s new AI-boosted upscaling.
Speaking on ray tracing, there have been significant advancements for many of the games now enhanced by the PS5 Pro. In our PS5 Pro review, we were impressed by the ray tracing across the board, noting that “you can now enjoy some of the best ray-tracing PS5 has to offer in a performance mode, targeting 60 frames per second, which is truly special in games likeMarvel’s Spider-Man 2.” So far, we’re looking at games that have already come out as well, so moving forward we’re excited to see what the PS5 Pro’s ray tracing capabilities can achieve as games get bigger and better looking across the board.
One thing that is immediately surprising when taking the PS5 Pro out of the box is its size and weight relative to the base model, especially the one that launched with a disc drive back in 2020. The PS5 Pro is much lighter than you’d expect, and its sleek design and black vented sides really stand out alongside the all white of the PS5’s faceplates. Under the hood, you now get 2TB of storage as standard, meaning that you can hold more games on your hard drive without having to swap things out for new releases.
While the technical upgrades and visual changes are indeed exciting, it’s also vital to point out the price jump between the base PS5 and the PS5 Pro. For $699.99, you do not get a disc drive, or even a vertical stand, something that really represents a sting in the tail for an otherwise enticing mid-generation upgrade. Our review concludes that “If you’ve a keen eye for detail, are a PlayStation fanatic who wants to be at the bleeding edge of the brand’s console and wants the most performant PlayStation console going, or you’re a graphics obsessive who wants the best experience going, or are a PS5 user with a new 120Hz-capable gaming TV or PS5 monitor, then the gaming experiences provided by the PS5 Pro are going to be very tempting indeed. For everyone else, it’s just going to be too expensive.”
PS5 Pro games: FAQs
Will new games be PS5 Pro-enhanced?
While we’ll have to wait and see what upcomingPS5 gameslikeDeath Stranding 2do with the new PS5 Pro technology, it’s highly likely that first-party games will offer some form of PS5 Pro version. This was how things worked with the PS4 Pro, so expect there to be boosts to upcoming games likeMarvel’s Wolverine, andGhost of Tsushima 2. In terms of third-party, PS5 Pro enhancements will come on a case by case basis. Some games will lean into the PS5 Pro’s features, even offering separate PS5 Pro-labelled versions, while others may focus on a more general PS5 offering.
How much does the PS5 Pro cost?
The PS5 Pro launched on November 7, 2024, and currently retails for $699.99. This is a significant step up from the base console, especially when you consider that you won’t get a disc drive or a vertical stand with it.
What games can we look forward to on PS5 Pro?
Now that the PS5 Pro is out, we’ve spent some time with the currently available list of enhanced games. Looking ahead, Monster Hunter Wilds is sure to offer a smoother experience on PS5 Pro when it launches in January. Beyond that, it’sDeath Stranding 2andGhost of Yoteithat’ll most likely show off the next level of PS5 Pro enhancements, especially the latter, which is being developed by Sony first party studio Sucker Punch.
What are the best PS5 Pro games to play on the new console?
In my opinion, the best PS5 Pro games are currently Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, andAlan Wake 2. The former introduces the new Performance Pro Mode, increasing the fidelity available while running the game at variable refresh rates. The results are extremely impressive, and immediately felt during the game’s opening fight with Sandman. Alan Wake 2 is significantly enhanced by the PS5 Pro as well, with the Performance Mode now able to match the Quality Mode on the base PS5, all while maintaining a smooth framerate.
Opinion | Mario Kart 9 could do so much more when it comes to tracks themed after the Nintendo’s most iconic series
(Image credit: Nintendo)
One of my favorite tracks in Mario Kart 8 is Hyrule Circuit. The inventive course cuts through Hyrule Castle which houses the Master Sword at its center, and instead of featuring the standard gold coin collectibles and Piranha Plant hazards, it stays on theme by swapping them out with Rupees and Deku Babas. It’s such a playful and engaging circuit that beautifully plays homage to one of Nintendo’s most iconic and enduring series, The Legend of Zelda.
Last week, that very racetrack was front of mind when I clapped eyes on the tailend of theSwitch 2first-look trailer. Because not only did Nintendo at last show off the long-awaited new console, but it also appeared to teaseMario Kart 9playing on its display. While we’re still awaiting an official announcement, I can’t help but hope the next racing game taps into what makes the likes of Hyrule Circuit so magical. With Nintendo’s extensive repertoire, there’s so much more potential to get creative and deliver more tracks that celebrate its most beloved game series.
Hyrule Circuit is by no means the only example of a themed track in Mario Kart 8. Another personal favorite is the one set in the world of Animal Crossing, which features a host of different villagers, familiar stores, and four different seasonal variations – which loads in at random each time you race through it. Mute City based on the F-Zero series is yet another example, and there’s also a neat Splatoon-themed Battle Stage, but there’s so much scope for Nintendo to deliver more themed tracks in Mario Kart 9.
With such a rich tapestry of games making up Nintendo’s storied history, there’s no shortage of series to draw. Over Christmas, my sister and I even waxed lyrical about which game characters we’d love to see as new racers in a theoretical Mario Kart 9, as well as what games would make for perfect circuit fodder. Just imagine, for example, a track based on Paper Mario that captures its playful paper-y style and sense of humor. The recent re-release of A Thousand Year Door – aka one of thebest GameCube gamesof all time – provides the perfect excuse to design a course around the classic RPG, and it would undoubtedly be a real delight to speed through. Some of the biggest upcoming Switch games we know about, such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, also beg to be paid homage to on the tarmac. I mean, a track themed around Samus and the Metroid series?Yes please.
And what about everyone’s favorite pink puffball Kirby? With so many games under his belt, there’s no end of possibilities when it comes to designing a racetrack that pays homage to one of Nintendo’s most beloved characters. So much fun could be had incorporating his signature copy abilities in the item boxes, or working in some of the famous foes in Kirby’s platforming adventures. Heck, if I had it my way, Kirby would also be a new racer, complete with a little star car modelled after his own racing game, Air Ride. I could go on and on with ideas, with everything from Pokemon to Pikmin and Starfox to Fire Emblem, which just speaks to how much fun Nintendo could and should have with its tracks in the next installment.
Honestly, I’m still kind of reeling over the fact that Mario Kart 9 could finally speed onto consoles in the future. It’s been such a long time since we’ve had a new instalment, with Mario Kart 8 originally coming out all the way back in 2014 on the Wii U. After it got the Deluxe port over to the Switch some years later, 48 additional tracks have since been added to round out the experience, with nostalgic circuits and more recent racetracks plucked from various Mario Kart iterations across console generations. As my go-to game to play with my sister, I’ve lost count of the amount of hours I’ve sunk into the racer over the years.
But even if Mario Kart 8 continues to be one of thebest racing gamesaround, a new entry feels well overdue, and I can’t think of a better way to kick things off for the Switch 2. If that does end up happening, as the recent trailer seems to suggest, I hope we see Nintendo seize the opportunity to make the most of its history and iconic series in whatever Mario Kart 9 ends up being. If more tracks like Hyrule Circuit come our way, you better believe I’ll be revving up my engine to be the first one at the starting line of the new entry.
In a newblog post,Microsoftreports that it has reached a new phase in the gradual rollout ofWindows 1124H2. Compatible systems will be automatically updated to the latest release. Launched in October, Windows 11 24H2 has been plagued by a handful of jarring problems, includinggame-breaking bugs,persistent caches, and broken HDR. Recent patches have addressed most of these issues, and Microsoft is now confident enough to initiate automatic 24H2 updates for mainstream consumers. Note that this does not apply to managed systems.
The initial rollout began for Copilot+ PCs in June of last year. If you don’t own an “AI PC,” 24H2 launched as early as October but was marred by bugs and glitches, most of which have been fixed per Microsoft’s blog. So, if your PC wasn’t on the latest release, it will automatically be updated to 24H2. Note that this only applies to eligible devices running Windows 11 Pro/Home on the 23H2/22H2 builds, which no organization can manage.
After checking Microsoft’s bug log, we found that many problems had been resolved. However, the potential for newer bugs still exists. Users can defer the update by up to five weeks using the “Pause Updates” feature in the “Windows Update” tab in “Settings.” If you’re eager to update, select the “Check for updates” option in the same tab to see if the update is available for your device.
Microsoft is aware of issues that have not been resolved, such as the Failure to install 24H2 on specific Asus devices, the camera’s unresponsiveness on a handful of systems, unexpected behavior with wallpaper applications, etc. Note that affected devices will be put on a “safeguard hold” until these issues have been resolved.
Copilot PCs will get the most out of this update with the infamous Recall feature and other AI goodies. Sadly, these features will continue rolling out in phases for select devices under the Windows Insider Program. The good news is that Windows 11 24H2 promises faster update times and better performance for AMD’s Ryzen CPUs. Intel mandates the installation of specific Windows 11 24H2 patches for optimal performance with Arrow Lake processors, even though our testing shows little to no improvements.
I didn’t understand theXPan mode on a OnePlus phonewhen I first tried it out. In fact, I didn’t like it at all, and passed it off as a silly gimmick to promote OnePlus’s partnership with Hasselblad, which at the timewasn’t quite living up to expectations.
Recently I’ve been using theOnePlus 13, and think it has one of the best cameras on any OnePlus phone yet, so I challenged myself to give XPan another try. I soon discovered I had been completely wrong about it.
Not a history lesson
Hasselblad and Fujifilm’s XPan camera was first introduced in 1998, when it was the first dual-format 35mm camera you could buy, enabling you to take full 65:24 aspect ratio panoramic photos, in addition to standard format photos. Hasselblad promoted the XPan camera using the tagline, “For a world less square,” and you can read more about its history and impact on its website.
OnePlus entered into a partnership with Hasselblad in 2022 and the OnePlus 9 was the first phone to showcase the pair’s efforts. The XPan mode arrived on it in a software update soon after release, and it is hidden under the More menu in the camera app to this day, if you want to find it for yourself. After that, you can drag it down to the main camera option bar if you’re really keen. I wasn’t keen, but I gave it a shot.
XPan has changed a little for the OnePlus 13. You can shoot ultra-wide 15mm equivalent photos, 23mm wide photos, or 73mm zoomed in photos. It seems to shift away from the “pure” XPan experience, but in doing so it has made the mode more accessible. The interface is unique too, with a custom overlay to give it that unique XPan camera look, plus the screen flashes into a negative when you tap the shutter button, just like if you were taking a “real” photo.
I don’t take panoramic photos very often, and for a start I couldn’t get my head around using the XPan mode. I’mnot the only one, and the more I read,watched, and learnedabout the actual XPan camera, the more I not only discovered how challenging it is to get to grips with the format, but also how rewarding it can be when you experiment with it, and how dramatic photos taken with it can look.
I was getting sucked in.I love this quotefrom photographer Matthias Jambon-Puillet in a piece about XPan cameras, “Cursed to desire one, cursed to break the bank buying one, cursed to realize that you have no real-life use for it.” It’s very true. XPan’s potential is exciting, but there’s no truly obvious use case for XPan mode on the OnePlus 13, as most people will just use the wide-angle camera in the app instead of it. But XPan was calling me, and as I didn’t have to fork out for a real XPan camera to test it, I went out to take photos.
A photo taken using the XPan mode on the OnePlus 13.
Image credit: JJ Davies/ Hasselblad Xpan
I took some, then some more, andmore againas I began to fall for the vision of the world it can create. Get it right, and photos can be gloriously cinematic, serene or moody, or dramatic and exciting. I began to learn how XPan photos require different framing techniques, andlooking at your environment in a new wayto find out if an XPan photo works. It doesn’t work in all situations, just like a 1:1 aspect ratio photo isn’t always right, but when you even partially get it right the result looks very cool indeed.
Should I just use XPan, then?
Image credit: JJ Davies/ Hasselblad Xpan
Should this stop you trying XPan out? Absolutely not. Shoot photos for your own enjoyment as well as for posting on social media. Not everyone will “get” XPan anyway. I’m the first to admit I didn’t get it at all, but I’m very pleased to also say I’ve seen the error of my ways. It’s another reason to get the OnePlus 13, a phone that continues to impress me more than two months into using it every day.
It’s a smart upgrade for one of the best controllers ever made. Still, the fact that it runs on AA batteries instead of a built-in rechargeable unit feels positively archaic, and also pasts a lot of cost onto the end-user, whether they choose to buy AAs or rechargeable packs.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
