Audio - Page 51 of 104

Panasonic 4K HDR TV choices compared: JZ2000, HZ2000, HZ1500, HZ1000 OLEDs, plus HX LED TVs

(Pocket-lint) – Panasonic has announced its first new TV for 2021 – the Panasonic JZ2000 OLED TV.

However, it won’t be available until early summer, so you might want to snap up a bargain on 2020’s models instead. They are still available and often at a discount.

Here then are the Panasonic TV highlights for 2021, including some of the excellent sets already available through numerous retailers.

One thing to note on model numbering if you’re browsing Panasonic TVs: J equals 2021, H equals 2020, G equals 2019 and so on – something to watch out for when you come to buy. Also, model numbers can change depending on region, the TV tends to be the same but the number might be slightly different, so that’s also something to take into account.

Panasonic OLED TVs

Panasonic

Panasonic JZ2000

Available from summer 2021
Screen sizes: 65in, 55in
OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Atmos

The flagship OLED TV for 2021 was announced during the all-digital CES 2021, so we haven’t managed to get our hands on one yet.

However, it is confirmed to come with the same top-end Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel as 2020’s HZ2000 (below), yet with HDR10+ Adaptive added for good measure.

Like Dolby Vision IQ, this is a HDR technology that not only changes the colour signature depending on each scene, it takes into account your ambient lighting to present colours and contrast in exactly the format the director intended.

The JZ2000 also embraces gaming with more vigour than ever before, with 4K 120Hz support over HDMI 2.1 and variable refresh rate (VRR) technology on board.

Panasonic

Panasonic HZ2000

Available now
Screen sizes: 65in, 55in
OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos

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Until the JZ2000 becomes available this summer, the HZ2000 is the flagship OLED TV in Panasonic’s range.

Like the latest model, the 2020 stunner supports Filmmaker Mode to present movies as their directors intended, and Dolby Vision IQ, which adjusts the HDR picture settings automatically, depending on the viewing conditions.

The set is also built around Panasonic’s Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel. That effectively means it is capable of high peak brightness, while retaining the deep black levels OLED tech is well known for.

Audio also gets a big boost at this end of the range, with 360-degree Soundscape Pro surround built into the set itself. This includes five speaker units with two upfiring speakers at the top to give you the extra height channels for Dolby Atmos soundtracks.

Panasonic HZ2000 TV initial review

Pocket-lint

Panasonic HZ1500

Available now
Screen sizes: 65in, 55in
OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos

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One step down from the HZ2000 and you still get highly impressive specs in this 2020 set, including Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision IQ and the proprietary HCX Pro Intelligent processor.

The panel is slightly different – the Master HDR OLED rather than Pro Edition – and the audio is a little less bombastic. However, you still get upward firing speakers built into the top of the TV for Dolby Atmos height channels, plus front-firing speakers and a central subwoofer at viewer height for some incredible, immersive sound.

In all other respects, this is as near to the flagship model as you like. With Alexa and Google Assistant support thrown in for good measure.

Panasonic HZ1500 4K OLED TV review: Serious about sound

Pocket-lint

Panasonic HZ1000

Available now
Screen sizes: 65in, 55in
OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos

The HZ1000 retains the Master HDR OLED panel of the HZ1500 but drops the audio to a regular sound system.

You still get the Filmmaker Mode with a dedicated button on the remote that will put your screen into industry-selected picture settings that best suit movie content, while Dolby Vision IQ choose the best images depending on the ambience and light in your viewing room.

The base also features a swivel design, so you can move it to be face-on to multiple viewing positions. But, as its OLED it’ll also have super wide viewing angles anyway.

Panasonic LED TVs

Pocket-lint

Panasonic HX940

Available now
Screen sizes: 75in, 65in, 43in
LED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos

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The current top-end LED TV in Panasonic’s lineup is the HX940 – at least until the J-series sets are announced later this year. It comes with a 100Hz panel and HCX Pro Intelligent processing.

In addition, it supports both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, plus HLG for TV broadcasts in HDR when available, and can pass through Dolby Atmos when connected to a capable sound system.

The HX940 comes with Local Dimming Pro Intelligent tech that allows for better black levels in dark scenes, thanks to multi-zoned control over the backlight. While the Home Screen 5.0 smart TV platform gives you all the latest streaming apps and customisation options for you to put the ones you use the most front and centre.

Panasonic HX940 4K TV review: Elevated imagery

Pocket-lint

Panasonic HX800/820

Available now
Screen sizes: 65in, 58in, 50in, 40in
LED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos

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The Panasonic HX820 and HX800 are effectively the same LED TV, except the 820 is available exclusively through John Lewis in the UK. You might find it has a different stand or bezel colour.

It drops the picture processor down to the HCX (not Pro) but you won’t notice much in practice, we feel. You also get the HDR Bright Panel Plus technology and Local Dimming technologies from Panasonic, rather than advanced versions found in the 940.

4K HDR standards are all still supported at this level, with HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG Photo – which was introduced with the 2019 range below.

Dolby Atmos is also supported, although you will need a decent, compatible sound system to get the most from it.

Panasonic HX800 4K TV review: Hitting that cinematic sweet spot

Writing by Rik Henderson and Chris Hall.

Best Beats wireless headphones 2021: Bluetooth Beats for every budget

Best Beats wireless headphones Buying Guide: welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the best Beats wireless headphones you can buy in 2021.

Beats had already established itself as the headphone make of choice for youngsters, athletes and hip-hop artists alike, but since it was bought by Apple in 2014 the brand’s profile has gone stratospheric.

Beats has a reputation of putting bass before quality, and although we felt this was the case with a few of its earlier models, there are now some excellent Beats wireless headphones around.

We’ve rounded up the best Beat wireless headphones we’ve tested, from in-ears to on-ears, including a true wireless option. Hopefully, there’ll be a pair of Beats wireless headphones sate your audio appetite.

(Image credit: Beats)

1. Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless

Eminently practical and great-sounding and arguably the best wireless Beats headphones around.

SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons to Buy

Great fit

Long-lasting battery

A fun listen

Reasons to Avoid

Overbearing bass

Could be clearer

Now Beats is owned by Apple, its headphones are seamlessly compatible with iOS devices thanks to the inclusion of Apple’s W1 chip. The Powerbeats 3s are only noise isolating, not noise cancelling (i.e. the earbud seals off your earhole from outside noise), but at this price, that’s to be expected. And the snug fit means they’re not going anywhere. The battery lasts a healthy 12 hours, while just five minutes of plug time will get you an hour’s use. Handy if you’re about to dash out the door.

The bass can be a little overwhelming at times but can be a benefit in noisy environments. And they’re a lively, fun listen.

Read the full Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless review

(Image credit: Beats)

2. Beats Solo Pro

Awesome noise-cancelling meets an even-handed and balanced wireless Beats sound.

SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons to Buy

Clear, impactful sound

Great noise-cancelling

Well built

Reasons to Avoid

Could time better

A bit snug

If you’re looking for Beats wireless headphones, the Solo Pro should be right up there on your list. They feel sturdy and well built, but classy with it, like a premium SUV rather than a tank. The battery life also impresses, standing at 22 hours, or 40 with noise-cancelling disabled.

Unlike some on-ears, the bass doesn’t overwhelm, and they make for a nicely balanced listen. They’re a little snug (though it might depend on the size of your bonce) and you’ll find better timing elsewhere, but they’re still a class act all the way.

Read the full Beats Solo Pro review

(Image credit: Beats)

3. Beats Powerbeats Pro

Sporty types will lap them up. Audiophiles, not so much…

SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons to Buy

Very consistent

Comfy

Marathon battery

Reasons to Avoid

Limited dynamic range

Need more bass

Audio lacks vim

Sporty types in the market for the best Beats wireless headphones should look no further. The Powerbeats Pro are truly wireless, so you won’t get tangled in any cables while you work out. They fit well and are extremely comfortable to wear, so they won’t hinder you as you exercise. And they perform superbly thanks to Apple’s H1 Bluetooth chip which ensures a stable wireless connection.

The 9-hour battery life is more a marathon than a sprint, and you get a further two charges from the supplied carry case. The audio lacks a little energy, which is a shame given they’re meant to power you through your runs, but they’re still a good choice to get hot and sweaty with.

Read the full Beats Powerbeats Pro review

(Image credit: Beats)

4. Beats X

These Beats wireless headphones pack a seriously punchy sound.

SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons to Buy

Excellent wireless connection

Simple yet stylish

Sound packs energy

Reasons to Avoid

Need more detail

Midrange lacks refinement

These Beats wireless headphones have a cable connecting the two earbuds – it means you won’t lose either one. They’re lightweight, and the cable not too obtrusive. They stick together with magnets when not in use too, making them easy to store.

Wireless performance is typically excellent, and the eight-hour battery life should be long enough for most people. The audio packs plenty of punch, though it could do with a tad more detail to bring out the finer elements.

Read the full Beats X review

(Image credit: Beats)

5. Beats Flex

Fun and fuss-free wireless Beats headphones.

SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons to Buy

Punchy lows

Durable build

Extra features for iOS users

Reasons to Avoid

Treble is rounded off

Fit may be an issue

The Beats Flex are a step up from Apple’s bog-standard Lightning wired buds. They’re available in some fresh hues (including the Yuzu yellow sample before you), they charge via USB-C, have a 12-hour battery life, and courtesy of one-tap audio share you can split sounds with nearby Beats or AirPod headphones (provided you have an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 14). And they’re very affordable, too.

Four ear tip options gives a good chance of finding a decent fit, and the cable is flat, like a strand of tagliatelle. Magnets keep the earbuds together when not in use.

Pairing is a doddle (even more so using an Apple device). They don’t support some iOS 14 features, including automatic switching to another device or hands-free Siri‌ support. And there’s no noise-cancelling either, but with the correct seal you’ll still enjoy good levels of passive noise isolation.

Audio quality is good, but not great. There’s just not the same impact that the best at this price manage to pull off. Still, the Flex offer a considered, smooth sound profile that’s preferable to one that is harsh or bright through the upper frequencies. A solid Beats bet at this end of the market.

Read the full Beats Flex review

(Image credit: Beats by Dre)

6. Beats Solo 3 Wireless

Great wireless tech makes these wireless Beats headphones an excellent choice.

SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons to Buy

Strong audio

Clear midrange

Healthy battery life

Reasons to Avoid

Lack detail

Tight fit

No Lightning connection

The Beats Solo 3 Wireless are long-lasters: a whopping 40 hours of battery life should see you through most of a week’s use, and if you do run out of juice, just plug them into your device using the supplied cable. The wireless connection is rock solid, making them some of the most reliable Beats wireless headphones we’ve tested.

They deliver a full-bodied sound with bags of energy, but you can get greater subtlety and refinement elsewhere. Not a bad shout for cutting through the hustle and bustle of your local gym, though.

Read the full Beats Solo 3 Wireless review

MORE:

These are the best wireless headphones for running and the gym

Check out the best Sennheiser headphones

Our definitive list: Best headphones

Oppo Find X3 Pro certified with a 4,500 mAh battery with 65W fast charging

Oppo will introduce the Find X3 series in March and a device from the lineup with the model number CPH2173 has appeared at the US FCC and the Chinese Compulsory Certification (also known as CCC or 3C). The phone will have two equally sized cells with 2,200 mAh minimal charge, meaning the whole battery capacity will hold a typical charge of around 4,500 mAh.

On top of that, the phone that we believe is the Find X3 Pro will have a 65W charger, which shouldn’t be a surprise, since the Oppo Find X2 series also had it.

Oppo CPH2173 certifications

The phone will come with Snapdragon 888 chipset, and according to FCC, it will run ColorOS 11.2, based on Android 11. The FCC has approved usage of USB-C earphones which means there’ll be no 3.5 mm audio jack, although this is hardly a surprise.

In other specs we know, the Oppo Find X3 Pro should come with a new sensor, developed by Sony for the main cam, the front panel is likely to be a 6.7” OLED with 1440p resolution and a single punch hole in the upper left corner for the selfie cam.

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Asus TUF Gaming X570-Pro Wi-Fi Review: TUF Enough for a 5950X

Our Verdict

The Asus TUF Gaming X570-Pro Wi-Fi is an inexpensive yet capable motherboard. With power delivery capable of handling an overclocked Ryzen 9 5950X, integrated 2.5 GbE and Wi-Fi 6 capabilities, plusand eight SATA ports, the $220 board is a good option to get into the X570 platform.

For

Capable 12-Phase 50A Power Delivery
Intel 2.5 GbE / Wi-Fi 6
Eight SATA ports
Reasonable price for X570

Against

Only seven rear USB ports
Appearance may not be for everyone

Go to page:

Features and Specifications

The Asus’ TUF Gaming X570-Pro WiFi we have for review is one of the cheaper X570 options available. At $219.99, the boardPro WiFi includes a capable VRM that handled our power-hungry AMD Ryzen 9 5950XAMD Ryzen 9 5950X at stock speeds and while overclocked. In our testing suite, the board performed OK, on average running slightly slower than the other boards, though there were few significant outliers on either side of average.

At the time of publishing, the matured Asus X570 lineup includes options from the TUF, Prime, Strix, WS (Workstation), and ROG lines, a total of 14 boards. Since we last checked, Asus added a Mini-ITX option, which was the only form-factor missing upon release. Today, the product stack consists of a wide variety of motherboards in varying sizes, feature sets, and price points. There is likely something for everyone in the company’s X570 lineup.

Digging down into the performance results, we saw slightly below average scores/times in long-running CPU heavy multi-threaded tests such as Cinebench, Handbrake, POV-Ray and Corona. The PCMark 10 suite was on the opposite side of things, generally running as fast or faster than most other boards we’ve tested. The TUF Gaming X570 Pro WiFi showed promising results in synthetic tests and actual games. Overall, performance isn’t a concern, though if you plan on getting a Ryzen 9 5950X and beating on all cores and threads, there are better performing (but higher-priced) options out of the box.

Outside of performance, the board sports dual PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 sockets, eight SATA ports, 2.5 GbE and integrated WiFi 6, premium Realtek audio, TUF components, and more. The board’s styling is pretty simple, with all- black PCB and parts, outside of some TUF highlighting. Some may enjoy the look, others not so much. You’ll find RGB LED lighting onboard, but only a small portion to the right of the chipset heatsink. Read on for more details about the X570-Pro WiFi, including more features and elements on performance testing.

Specifications – Asus TUF Gaming X570-Pro WiFi

Socket	AM4
Chipset	X570
Form Factor	ATX
Voltage Regulator	14 Phase (12+2, 50A MOSFETs)
Video Ports	(1) HDMI 1.4b
	(1) DisplayPort 1.2
USB Ports	(3) USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type-A and Type-C (10 Gbps)
	(4) USB 3.2 Gen 1, Type-A (5 Gbps)
Network Jacks	(1) 2.5 GbE
Audio Jacks	(5) Analog + SPDIF
Legacy Ports/Jacks	PS/2
Other Ports/Jack	✗
PCIe x16	(1) v4.0 (x16)
	(1) v4.0 (x4)
PCIe x8	✗
PCIe x4	✗
PCIe x1	(2) v.4.0 (x1)
CrossFire/SLI	2-Way CrossfireX
DIMM slots	(4) DDR4 5100+(OC), 128GB Capacity
M.2 slots	(2) PCIe 4.0 x4 / PCIe + SATA (up to 110mm)
U.2 Ports	✗
SATA Ports	(8) SATA3 6 Gbps (RAID 0, 1 and 10)
USB Headers	(1) USB v3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C)
	(2) USB v3.2 Gen 1
	(2) USB v2.0
Fan/Pump Headers	(6) 4-Pin
RGB Headers	(1) aRGB (3-pin)
	(2) RGB (4-pin)
Legacy Interfaces	✗
Other Interfaces	FP-Audio, TPM
Diagnostics Panel	Yes, 4-LED Q-LED display
Internal Button/Switch	✗
SATA Controllers	ASMedia ASM1061
Ethernet Controller(s)	(1) Intel I225-V (2.5 GbE)
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth	Intel WiFi-6 AX200 (802.11ax, 2×2, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, BT 5.1)
USB Controllers	✗
HD Audio Codec	Realtek ALC1200A
DDL/DTS Connectc	✗ / Yes
Warranty	3 Years

Inside the retail packaging, you’ll find several accessories including SATA cables, a support DVD, and more. The included accessory stack isn’t big, but has most of what you need to get started. Below is a complete list of all the extras inside the box.

● I/O shield

● (2) SATA cables

● M.2 screw package

● Support DVD

● Asus dual-band WiFI Antennas

● TUF Gaming sticker

● TUF certification card(s)

● M.2 rubber package(s)

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(Image credit: Asus)

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(Image credit: Asus)

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(Image credit: Asus)

After removing the TUF Gaming X570-Pro WiFi fromout of the box, you’ll see a black/dark grey motherboard with a few yellow highlights noting the TUF branding. A stenciled pattern starts around the chipset heatsink and ending around the VRM area. All sockets and slots are also black and grey. Overall, the styling is simple and will fit in with most builds. However, it doesn’t jump out at you like a classic good- looking board, so some may not like its rugged appearance.

On the RGB side of things, Asus has a small strip to the chipset heatsink’s right that matches the grey stenciled pattern. The RGB colors are saturated, but the small strip isn’t terribly bright. If the integrated lighting isn’t enough, there are three headers for expansion. The Asus Aura application handles lighting control.

(Image credit: Asus)

Looking at the top half of the motherboard, one of the first things that jumps out to me is the large heatsinks that cover the VRM. The black heatsinks reach out to cover part of the rear IO area and other undesirable bits on the motherboard. An 8-pin EPS connector (required) and a 4-pin EPS connector (optional) deliver power to the CPU. The area around the socket is relatively busy with many capacitors close to the mounts, but this is nothing to worry about. Just to the right of the socket are four DRAM slots that support up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM with speeds listed up to a smoking- fast 5100+ MHz +(OC).

Above the DRAM slots are the first two (of six) fan/pump headers. All six of these headers support a maximum of 1A/12W. All headers except for the AIO_PUMP are Q-Fan controlled and adjustable. The CPU_FAN and CPU_OPT headers in this area automatically detect if the connected fan is DC or PWM controlled. The rest of the headers will need to be manually selected. No matter what price point, I would like to see all fan headers automatically adjust to the right control method. Additionally, there are two more fan headers on the top half of the board. These chassis fan connectors are located just below the left VRM heatsink above the top PCIe slot.

Immediately to the right of the fan headers up top is the first RGB header. In this case, it’s a 4pin RGB with the 3-pin ARGB header located to the right of the socket area. Located just above the 3-pin RGB header is the Asus Q-LED area. Q-LED consists of four LEDs on board that light up during the POST process. If the board hangs on the DRAM, CPU, VGA, or boot devices, the corresponding LED remains lit, telling you at a high -level why the board won’t POST. Without a two2-character debug LED, the Q-LED is a valuable tool for troubleshooting POST issues.

Just below the Q-LEDs and 3-pin RGB header is the 24-pin ATX connector for sending power to the motherboard and the front panel USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C front panel header.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The Asus webpage for the TUF Gaming X570 Pro lists a 12+2 configuration for the Vcore and SOC, which at a high level, bodes well for handling our Ryzen 9 5950X. Managing power sent to the MOSFETs is the Asus Digi+ chip (ASP1106GGQW at X+Y = 6). The six-channel controller works in a 4+1 ‘teamed’ setup. This VRM configuration from Asus does away with phase doublers, sending the power to three 50A Vishay SIC639 Dr. MOS MOSFETs each. The 600A available for Vcore is plenty for our CPU at stock and ambient overclocking.

(Image credit: Asus)

Sliding down to the bottom half of the board, we’ll start with the audio section on the left side. At first look, you should see a Faraday cage with the TUF symbol on it, covering the Realtek ALC S1200A codec. Just below the codec are five premium black and yellow Nichicon audio caps. We won’t find the flagship codec or op-amps on lower- priced X570 boards, but the high-end audio codec should be sufficient for most users.

In the middle of the board you’ll find two full-length PCIe slots and two x1 size slots. The primary GPU slot (top slot) is reinforced with the Asus Safeslot said to provide additional retention and shearing resistance while the bottom is not. The top slot is fed from the CPU and offers PCIe 4.0 x16 bandwidth, with the second full-length slot fed from the chipset with four PCIe 4.0 lanes. The two short x1 size slots get their lanes from the chipset, each running at PCIe 4.0 x1 speeds.

Just above the primary video card slot is the first M.2 socket. The second socket is located towards the bottom of the board and has a heatsink. Both M.2 sockets support PCIe 4.0 x4- and SATA- based modules , offering more flexibility than some boards that only run PCIe based modules only in the second/third slot. Worth noting: is only the bottom slot includes a simple heatsink. If you’re running a PCIe 4.0 NVMe- based drive, you’ll likely want to use that socket unless your module comes with a heatsink.

Finally, to the right of the PCIe/M.2 area is the chipset heatsink and fan. The chipset fan was virtually inaudible at default settings, so there is nothing to worry about there. On the right edge, we spy four of the eight SATA ports. The SATA ports support RAID0, 1 and 10 modes.

Across the board’s bottom are several headers and even a few SATA ports. You won’t find any buttons here. Below is the full list, from left to right:

● Front panel audio

● COM port

● COM debug

● CLR CMOS

● 4-pin chassis fan header

● (2) USB 2.0 ports

● USB 3.2 Gen1 port

● 4-pin chassis fan header

● (4) SATA ports

● RGB header

● Front panel header

(Image credit: Asus)

Swinging around back to the rear IO, the TUF Gaming X570 Plus WiFi doesn’t include an integrated IO plate, so you’ll have to install it. There are seven USB ports out back, including one USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and two USB 3.2 Gen1 ports. I’d like to see a couple more USB ports out back here, as some users could struggle with seven. Outside of that is a clear CMOS button, a legacy PS/2 port, and DisplayPort/HDMI outputs for the integrated video. Last are the WiFi antenna connections and a 5-plug audio stack with SPDIF.

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Netflix surpasses 200 million subscribers thanks to a record 2020

Lockdowns led to Netflix overcoming i 200 millions of subscribers. The company expects a slowdown in growth in 2021, but relaunches on content to respond to fiercer competition than ever.

by Manolo De Agostini published 20 January 2021 , at 12: 21 in the Audio Video channel

Netflix

Netflix has exceeded the 200 millions of subscribers arriving precisely per share 203, 6 million . On the strength of incredible growth in 2020 due to national lockdowns to contain the pandemic, the streaming service gained 37 million subscribers in the 2020 thanks to a fourth quarter in which 8.5 million were added.

With a turnover of almost 25 billions of dollars and 2.7 billion in net profit for the full year , Netflix has already got its hands on, aware that in 2021 it is highly unlikely that you will see the quarterly numbers seen in 2020, also due to the arrival of new streaming services and competition from existing ones.

The company expects for the first quarter 2021 an increase in subscribers of 6 million units , while the past year the leap ne l Q1 was 15, 8 million. And while the financial world may not be taking the estimate well, executives point out that the company no longer needs to “raise outside finance” for day-to-day operations, which means Netflix no longer has to borrow, so much so that in the future it could buy back a portion of the shares on the market. the successful series stands out “ The Queen of Chess” , with over 62 millions of families who saw it in the first four weeks, while George Clooney’s The Midnight Sky emerged among the original Netflix films with 72 millions of families reached in one month. Successes that could be beaten in the future, in fact for this year the service intends to add at least one film per week to the catalog , regardless of new series (or the release of new seasons of successful series).

Apple's high-end AirPods Max headphones opened: teardown with surprises

iFixIt has carried out a first detailed teardown of Apple’s new high-end headphones. The over 600 Euro headphones AirPods Max are – as was to be expected from the iPhone manufacturer – not easy to take apart.

“Adorably Confusing” AirPods Max The process of opening the AirPods Max was “slightly confused and overcomplicated”, write the repair specialists. It is a “delightfully confusing pair of headphones”. This includes that Apple once again built in a lot of glue that has to be tackled with a heat gun. Other components are modular and have an extremely large number of screws.

The total battery capacity is 664 mAh at 2, 54 watt hours and 4, 35 volts. That is more than about Bose’s NC 700 with 2, 39 watt hours. Sony’s popular WH – 1000 XM4, thanks to 4.1 watt hours, manage a longer listening time of 30 hours. Of course, a motherboard is also built in – two in each auricle to be precise.

Hardware carousel in the auricles Here there is an ARM-based microcontroller from STMicroelectronics, Apple’s H1 chip (disguised as a Bluetooth SoC), amplifier and audio codec chips from Cirrus Logic, 256 Megabytes of Flash memory from Winbond and charging electronics from TI. In addition, the AirPods Max have several sensors from STMicroelectronics and Bosch – presumably for inertia and acceleration. Power management seems to come from Apple, other power electronics from TI. The dynamic drivers are 40 mm in size. In terms of repairability, iFixIt gives the AirPods Max a point value of 6 out of a maximum 10. The structure is very complex.

There was a surprise with the bracket. There were rumors beforehand that Apple had planned to make these interchangeable. However, due to production delays, the company decided against it and only made the magnetically held ear pads variable. However, according to iFixIt, it is now apparent internally that the “headbands” can still be flexibly designed afterwards.

Easily accessible mechanics These are only through a mechanism secured, which can be removed with a paper clip or SIM card removal tool. The small hole can be accessed by removing the ear cups. This is possible despite the complex joint structure. In the bracket connector there is a small plug for the electrical connection between the two ear cups. So Apple could definitely add interchangeable headbands. In fact, there are already references to this in the second beta of iOS 14. There is a type identifier for this area. Whether Apple will implement this remains to be seen.

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Biostar Unveils Flagship Valkyrie Z590 Motherboards

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(Image credit: Biostar)

Biostar has introduced two motherboards based on Intel’s Z590 platform that belong to its all-new Valkyrie range. The new premium family includes two new boards, the ATX Z590 Valkyrie and a Mini-ITX Z590i Valkyrie, models which are expected to address the needs of demanding gamers and enthusiasts offering them advanced features that they come to expect from high-end mainboards.

For many years Biostar focused on entry-level, midrange, and specialized motherboards leaving lucrative higher-end platforms for gamers and enthusiasts to larger players. Several years ago, the company unveiled its Racing-series platforms designed for gamers, and while they were clearly not entry-level or niche products, they still did not compete directly with enthusiast-grade hardware. With its Valkyrie, Biostar wants to finally offer motherboards designed for enthusiasts who demand advanced overclocking capabilities along with a rich set of features.

(Image credit: Biostar)

The initial Biostar Valkyrie family includes two models that support Intel’s processors in the LGA1200 packaging (Comet Lake-S, Rocket Lake-S): the Z590 Valkyrie and the Z590I Valkyrie. To maximize overclocking potential, both motherboards use 10-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs), Dr. MOS-based digital voltage regulating modules (VRMs) featuring solid-state inductors and capacitors as well as active cooling, and advanced memory circuitry. Due to different form-factors, the Mini-ITX Z590I Valkyrie uses a 10-phase VRM, whereas the ATX Z590 Valkyrie comes with a 22-phase VRM.

(Image credit: Biostar)

Additional features include a sophisticated chipset cooling, iron-enforced PCIe x16 slots, more robust power connectors, and protected I/O ports.

(Image credit: Biostar)

The smaller Biostar Z590I Valkyrie features two DDR4 memory slots that support up to 64GB of DDR4-5000 memory, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for graphics cards, four SATA connectors as well as one M.2-2280 slot for a PCIe 4.0 x4 or SATA SSD.

(Image credit: Biostar)

The bigger Biostar Z590 Valkyrie carries four DDR4 memory slots to install up to 128GB of DDR4-5000 memory, three PCIe x16 slots for graphics cards (two PCIe 4.0 x16/x8, one PCIe 3.0 x16 working in x4 mode), six SATA connectors, and three M.2-2280 for SATA or PCIe drives.

(Image credit: Biostar)

Being high-end offerings, Biostar’s Z590I Valkyrie and Z590 Valkyrie motherboards offer rather advanced set of input/output technologies that includes a 2.5GbE port, an M.2-2230 slot for an optional Wi-Fi 6 adapter, multiple USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A connectors, one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, two display outputs (DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0), and a 7.1-channel audio subsystem with 3.5-mm and optical connectors.

(Image credit: Biostar)

Traditionally for enthusiast-grade motherboards, Biostar’s Z590I Valkyrie and Z590 Valkyrie feature connectors for RGB LED strips as well as comes with software to control these LEDs.

Biostar has been expanding its product lineups for some time now, so the introduction of higher-end motherboards is not exactly surprising. Nonetheless, Biostar’s decision to compete directly with advanced platforms from the Big Four makers may be an important milestone for the industry because ASUS, ASRock, Gigabyte, and MSI have been commanding the retail motherboard market for about a decade now after second-tier mainboard makers refocused to other products. Of course, only time will tell whether Biostar will be able to compete with its bigger rivals successfully, but at least the company decided to try.

Biostar yet has to disclose pricing of its Valkyrie-series motherboards, but it is safe to say that these platforms will be more expensive when compared to the company’s Racing family of products.

Wiko continues to make smartphones and having realized he could not fight the high end, he decided to go straight to the medium-low one. Wiko View 5 is a smartphone from 169 ?? and therefore the demands are not many. On autonomy, certainly few people beat it but otherwise it is really difficult to find peculiarities to recommend it. Here because.

by Bruno Mucciarelli published 19 January 2021 , at 12: 41 in the Telephony channel

Wiko

It is always difficult to make a smartphone that can be very successful in the low end of the market . In this case all manufacturers, some more or some less, are able to make more smartphones that can be sold at low prices. Too bad that these must really hit users for some feature or specification that makes them truly unique and attractive.

Wiko in recent years has decided to experiment with this price range and to focus more and more on medium-low range smartphones. Wiko View 5 is just one of these that is characterized first of all by its very low price of only 169 ?? but which tries to aim a little higher for the technical data sheet and for some peculiarities first of all the battery.

Unfortunately, the field test does not fully reward the company’s will to create a smartphone with a low price but also with interesting features that allow at least to use the smartphone every day and for a long time without seeing slowdowns, lag or interface blocks. On autonomy, however, as we will see you can be on the safe side because you can also forget the charger at home since you will not have to recharge your smartphone for days.

UNBOXING

Wiko View 5 is sold with a classic packaging. The endowment we received sees the presence primarily of the smartphone but also of:

a charger from 10 W , a Type-C cable, the tool for ejecting the dual SIM slot and headphones in ear.

The smartphone is positioned in such a way that the user can see it immediately as soon as he removes the lid of the sales package while the usual manuals are placed underneath it and in the recesses of the box the cable and power supply.

DESIGN

Aesthetically we cannot expect who knows what from a smartphone of this price and actually Wiko takes little personality to characterize its View 5. A classic smartphone with slightly curved lines for the back that is clearly in glossy polycarbonate that tends to create a texture of particular color with black in the center and green on the sides, typical of this version.

On the left side there are no buttons while on the right one we find the one for turning on and off, the one for the volume, which is unique, and finally a special button that is slightly knurled and is made to recall the Google assistant. For the rest in the lower part there is a USB Type C 2.0 port, then the system speaker and no 3.5 mm jack which is instead placed in the upper part.

On a constructive level we admit that we are in front of a good terminal for the price at which is sold. We are clearly talking about a low-end device and this means that we cannot expect premium materials but the polycarbonate at the rear is also rigid if perhaps it tends to scratch a little easily. For the rest, the dimensions as well as the weight are balanced and this allows you to hold it well and easily with a grip that is not excellent due to the smooth cover but in any case it will not be easy to drop it from your hands.

DISPLAY

As far as the display is concerned, we are facing a 6-inch LCD panel. 55 inches which allows you to observe the contents in a broad way especially thanks to frames that are not really like that important for size. At the top left there is the hole for the front camera which therefore guarantees the absence of a notch, perhaps more cumbersome, and allows you to have little discomfort during gaming or even entertainment. Moreover, the Wiko UI allows you to view the charge level that is consumed and reduced by changing color based on the percentage of remaining charge right around the hole of the camera.

Qualitatively we are talking about a economic panel with HD + resolution that is 1600 x 720 pixels. One can only reveal the fact that the display is average for this price with a good brightness even outdoors but with a change of color according to the viewing angle. Of course, even at this price, a switch to Full HD + resolution would be necessary because if it is true that from Full HD + to 2K the difference to the human eye is almost imperceptible, from HD + to Full HD + instead the contents and daily usability change and how. This could have been a plus for Wiko View 5.

HARDWARE

At the hardware level unfortunately comes the real sore point of the smartphone. Wiko View in this case has a processor MediaTek MTK 6762 D Helio A 25 which is basically a 1.8GHz Octa-Core which unfortunately does not stand out at all on performance. In this case we used Wiko View 5 in everyday life between calls, web browsing, social media, photos and videos but unfortunately the processor if stressed can not keep up.

There are lags and slowdowns and it is not just having to wait a few seconds for the loading of the applications more than legitimate in smartphones of this price. Here it seems that there is really a lack of RAM that allows the device to have a minimum of fluidity in scrolling applications or even simply surfing the web. It is difficult and this unfortunately, in our opinion, is certainly due to a not too advanced processor and perhaps also to a really too basic amount of RAM. Specifically we have 3GB of RAM while for the internal storage we speak of 64 GB which can still be expanded with microSD giving up the dual SIM.

Connectivity side we have Bluetooth 4.2, FM radio but the absence of NFC chip for digital payments. The only interesting upgrade, fortunately, compared to the old View 4 is instead the Wi-Fi which now supports 5 GHz networks. Unlocking with the fingerprint reader is placed at the back of the smartphone, in the old way, and is not too fast but still good from a point of view of safety and recognition at the first touch. Mono audio even if quite high.

GRAPHIC INTERFACE

Regarding the interface, Wiko as always installs on its smartphones practically stock versions of Android. And here it does the same thing by deciding to insert a software with very few customizations from the graphic point of view. We have Android 10 which manages to impact very little on the battery side even if, as we have seen, it cannot keep up with the rhythm when opening applications or continuously using the smartphone.

What do we find customization from Wiko? First of all there are the navigation gestures customized by the brand, but also the battery indicator around the front camera: a nice and nice way to view the remaining charge . Then the one-handed mode and then other features like the screenshot editor. In the smartphone we also find some applications already pre-installed but which can still be deleted immediately.

Overall the software is that of Google but it is inevitable not to reiterate the disappointment on performance. The smartphone has never locked up in such a way as to have to restart it completely but in fact the overall experience is a bit penalizing due to slow navigation, as well as animations and screen transitions that too often leave the time they find. Sin.

CAMERA

Camera side , Wiko View 5, undoubtedly sees an important update compared to the previous version. Here we are faced with a photographic sector consisting of 4 photographic sensors which as always only two are really important then for the final purpose of the shot. In fact on a technical level we have a main sensor wide angle 30 MP which is accompanied by an 8MP sensor for ultra shots wide-angle with widened vision. And finally two sensors both from 2MP for macros that is close-up views and bokeh mode with blur effect.

How to take this Wiko View 5? In short. First of all, the price range at which the smartphone is sold must be considered and therefore we cannot clearly expect prestigious results. However, I admit that given the number of sensors and also given the technological development of the moment I would have expected a little more quality. Probably there is something to fix in terms of optimizations by Wiko.

In general during the day the shots if seen on the smartphone are good. This means that even on social media, always from mobile, we will be able to use the shots taken without having to resort too much to the fear of noise or little colors realistic. The shots are seen well, the colors are quite real and in short we can use them. What I like to underline from this point of view is the qualitative leap compared to the View 4 version : actually photos with good light are now less noisy and above all have fewer errors and more natural colors. There is perhaps so much contrast in some situations with the ultra wide angle that it struggles a bit in ‘straightening’ the enlarged shots.

In the dark, View 5, fatigue to eliminate the clicking noise. It also struggles to illuminate the scene with its night mode. They are in fact photos that are not very convincing in the dark and that certainly deserve a better optimization on the software side. Good selfies with the front 8MP camp.

On videos, Wiko View 5, can record at most up to Full HD. This serious flaw is because it remains a bit in step compared to other competitors in this price range that instead allow 4K. In fact, the videos are good overall with an electronic stabilization which unfortunately acts badly and often fails to eliminate the shaking of the footage.

AUTONOMY

As already mentioned by the title it is clear that the winning feature of Wiko View 5 is undoubtedly the battery or more precisely its autonomy. In fact, the device offers a battery of well 5. 00 0 mAh which, thanks to the technical characteristics not exaggerated but probably thanks also to the optimization of Android 000, allows those who use it to go even beyond two days.

Clearly the three days of autonomy are a goal for those who do not use the smartphone too much but which, however, always keeps notifications active with all messages, web browsing features and even on social networks. If you use the camera more, especially in videos, and if you are out and about using the 4G mobile network, it is clear that it will take a few hours of life from the smartphone which will almost always allow you to reach two days of autonomy. Too bad for the recharge that remains slow and therefore takes quite a while to complete a complete cycle from 0 to 55%.

CONCLUSIONS

Wiko therefore it updates its version of View and in this fifth generation it undoubtedly affects the price and autonomy . Yes, they are the things that struck us in everyday use and that reward the 169 ?? smartphone list price. In fact, however from a device of this kind these days we would also expect something more.

At a photographic level we say that the smartphone behaves well if the lighting conditions are perfect. So with a lot of brightness and also with not too uncomfortable situations of the subjects or scenes. In the dark, unfortunately, we are unable to take home a noteworthy shot as well as in the videos that are a bit too shaky.

Fortunately there is Android 10 almost stock that had deluded us to be able to have a responsive smartphone because without any customization. The reality has brought us back to a device instead a bit too slow but above all with delays also in the execution of the menus. One thing that other devices on this price range do not have and on which Wiko will have to work and think if it wants to continue to attack the market in this range.

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UNBOXING

DESIGN

DISPLAY

HARDWARE

GRAPHIC INTERFACE

CAMERA

AUTONOMY

CONCLUSIONS