Audio - Page 77 of 104

Samsung Odyssey G5 – monitor with 34 “UWQHD 165 Hz screen

Samsung will soon launch new models of Odyssey G5 gaming monitors – we’re talking about 27 “and 32” representatives that have been equipped with VA matrices with frequency refresh rate 144 Hz and resolution 2560 x 1440 pixels. It turns out, however, that the Korean manufacturer intends to introduce another monitor from the Odyssey G5 line, and for many it may be the most interesting variant. The company confirmed the work on the advanced 34 – inch UWQHD monitor with refresh rate at the level of 165 Hz. The equipment should therefore meet the high expectations of players who care about a large ultra-wide matrix and a high refresh rate.

Samsung has announced the introduction of another monitor model from the Odyssey G5 series. This time it will be a variant equipped with 34 – inch UWQHD screen with refreshing level 165 Hz.

Samsung Odyssey G5 coded C 34 G 55 T will be equipped with a VA matte screen 34 inches , resolution 3440 x 1440 pixels and 165 Hz refresh rate, additionally supported by AMD FreeSync Premium. In terms of overall design, the new version of the Odyssey G5 will be identical to the other variants with the difference that here, instead of a panoramic screen, we will get an ultra-wide screen. The static contrast is 2500: 1, while the maximum luminance is 250 rivets. Interestingly, according to the information provided, we will not find a certificate of HDR compliance here. The response time defined by the MPRT type is 1 ms. As in the smaller models, here you will not find any RGB LED illumination.

Samsung Odyssey G5, unlike the more expensive Odyssey G7 and Odyssey G9 models, also does not use the quantum dot layer to expand the color spectrum. The base used, in turn, will only allow the screen to be tilted forward or backward. Among the ports placed we can find, among others DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0 and 3.5 mm audio-jack socket. There is also a special Low Blue Light mode, which significantly reduces the emission of blue light. Samsung Odyssey G5 Monitor C 34 G 55 T should go on sale this year, and its price is to oscillate around 520 euro (approx. zlotys).

Source: ComputerBase

The best Chromebook 2020: Our pick of the top Chrome OS laptops for school, college and more

(Pocket-lint) – Looking for a new Chromebook, eh? Chromebooks have been getting more and more successful, and are available from many big names in laptops including HP, Acer and Asus.

Education has also been a big market for the devices, but they’re also great for a simple home laptop for Gmail, Google Docs and web browsing.

Can’t decide whether to choose between a Chromebook and a standard Windows or Mac laptop? Then check out Chromebook vs laptop: Which should you buy?

Chrome OS is Google’s alternative to Windows and, essentially, is a more complex version of the Chrome browser with a desktop. It’s ridiculously simple to use, updates itself and lacks the confusion and complexity that often hobbles Windows and macOS. That said, it is less capable for professional use than the other operating systems. But for most users at home or in education it provides more than enough functionality.

Here’s our list of the best Chrome OS laptops and we’ll be adding more in as time goes on.

Our pick of the best Chromebooks to buy today

Pocket-lint

Pixelbook Go

squirrel_widget_168562

If you’re impressed by the Pixelbook line but have a tighter budget, the Pixelbook Go is a hugely impressive entry at a lower price-point (though it’s still pricey for a Chromebook). It’s a uniquely-designed machine that makes some brilliant choices, such as the ripple texture on the unit’s bottom side.

It’s got impressive power under the hood, too, to make sure that you’ll feel like you’re using a more premium machine than its price suggests, and we comfortably rate it as one of the best Chromebooks we’ve ever used.

Google Pixelbook Go review: A sublime Chromebook experience

Lenovo

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3

squirrel_widget_333717

Sitting at the lower end of Lenovo’s Chromebook range is this brand new IdeaPad Flex 3.

An 11-inch laptop with an IPS display, this great entry-level laptop is powered by an Intel Celeron processor while there’s up to 10 hours of battery life on board in addition to a plethora of ports – two USB-A, a USB-C and an audio jack.

Although it’s available with 32GB of storage, we’d recommend this 64GB option.

Pocket-lint

Asus Chromebook Flip C434

squirrel_widget_161310

A more recent entry in Asus’s line of Chromebooks, the Flip C434 is a great 2-in-1 that feels really premium while still undercutting the Pixelbook’s price nicely. It’s got the holy triumvirate for a laptop, in a solid screen, great keyboard and impressive battery life.

The trackpad lets the team down a little bit, but it runs really nicely and has great ports. Plus, with the option to use it like a tablet, it’s really adaptable and useful in different scenarios.

Asus Chromebook Flip C434TA review: One of the best Chromebooks money can buy

Acer

Acer 714 Chromebook

squirrel_widget_333637

Acer is a super choice for your Chromebook buy and while this 714 has a bit of a utilitarian design, there’s a powerful dual-core Intel Core i3 processor in our preferred version alongside 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM.

There’s a Full HD display, too, powered by Intel’s UHD 620 graphics.

What’s more, there’s an embedded fingerprint reader for accessing the laptop without your password.

HP Chromebook 14 G5

View offer on HP Store (sponsored link)

There’s nothing better for portable productivity than the Chromebook 14 G5. This machine deploys the secure, intuitive Chrome OS to deliver seamless compatibility with Google’s apps, and the HD webcam and noise-cancelling microphone gives you confidence when collaborating.

The Chromebook has a responsive, spill-resistant keyboard, 802.11ac wireless networking and 8GB of memory – and it’s powered by Intel’s latest generation of Celeron processor.

Pocket-lint

Acer Chromebook 11

squirrel_widget_143241

If you’re looking at the budget end of the market then a Chromebook is a savvy choice. The Chrome OS operating system has developed considerably over the course of time, with both online and offline use possible, including the option to run Play Store apps.

Sure, the Acer Chromebook 11 isn’t going to bring design excitement with its plastic finish, but it’s befitting of the price point. Besides, it’s smartly made, portable has a 360-degree hinge so the screen can be positioned as you please, and it works for many hours at a time too.

If your school or college season is incoming and you don’t have heaps of cash then this is a savvy buy to crack on with your homework.

Pocket-lint

Asus Chromebook Flip C436

squirrel_widget_176742

You want how much for a Chromebook? The Asus Chromebook Flip C436 is one of the most expensive Chromebooks we have tested to date, priced at just under a grand.

It’s a premium Chromebook with design appeal – but its high-end spec isn’t as useful in Chrome OS as a comparable Windows machine and, therefore, it’s slightly harder to recommend than the C434 above.

Asus Chromebook Flip C436 review: Flippin’ powerful, but flippin’ pricey too

Writing by Dan Grabham.

Best speaker cables 2020: budget and premium audio cables

Best speaker cables 2020 Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the best speaker wire you can buy in 2020.

A good speaker cable (speaker wire to our American friends) can’t make your system sound better than it really is, but it can and should ensure that every last drop of performance makes its way from your amplifier to your speakers.

Conversely, a poor speaker cable can definitely make your system sound a lot worse than it really is, so it’s absolutely worth budgeting for decent cabling when buying or upgrading your system. Fail to do so and you’ll end up with cheap, poorly made cables that will waste the talents of the expensive kit on which you’ve just forked out.

Do remember to budget for the lengths of speaker wire that you need (and the number of speakers you’re wiring-up if it’s a surround system) and bear in mind that the cable prices we quote usually don’t include the banana plugs that you’ll see in the pictures, largely because you don’t necessarily have to buy them.

They make connecting, unplugging and reconnecting easier, but they don’t make the sound any better. In fact, many people believe a bare wire connection to be sonically superior.

Whatever your opinion on that matter, it is undeniable that cables make a difference, and these are the best we’ve tested.

20 of the best albums of 2020

(Image credit: Future)

1. AudioQuest Rocket 11

A sensational speaker cable and 2020 What Hi-Fi? Award-winner.

Reasons to Buy

Flexible build

Clean, precise and fluid sound

Excellent compatibility

AudioQuest’s Rocket 11 – on the budget end of its Rocket range at £12.50/m – could just be the hi-fi speaker cable to give your system a new lease of life. We love it so much it’s been a What Hi-Fi? Award winner three years in a row.

AudioQuest has taken a lot of care with the configuration and quality of the conductors used inside the Rocket 11. It uses semi-solid true-concentric conductors and long-grain copper – all to improve performance and reduce any interference that might degrade the sound.

There’s a perceptible improvement in the way systems perform when the Rocket 11 is plugged in, compared with rival speaker cables. Music sounds crisp and clean, with a punchy sense of dynamism that’s a joy to listen to.

Read the full review: AudioQuest Rocket 11

2. Chord Company RumourX

Chord Company hits the mark again, with the excellent Rumour X.

Reasons to Buy

Promotes a lively, cohesive sound

Design is easy to accommodate

Reasons to Avoid

Rivals offer more refinement

The original Rumour was introduced way back in 1996, and at the time was only Chord’s second attempt at a speaker cable. It says much for the original design that, cosmetic changes apart, this audiophile speaker cable has remained pretty much the same until now.

Chord’s development work with high-end ranges such as ChordMusic and Sarum T showed significant improvements could be made to the Teflon dielectric material used. While the subsequent high-end solution of Taylon proved too expensive to use in products such as the Rumour X, a more reasonably priced alternative XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene) was found instead.

With the Chord plumbed-in, our systems deliver a crisp, clean and dynamic presentation. We’re impressed at the musically cohesive nature of the sound and the way our systems render subtle dynamic shifts with such finesse. An easy choice for a What Hi-Fi? Award winner.

Read the full review: Chord Company Rumour X

3. Chord Company C-Screen

A brilliant budget option if your system needs an upgrade.

Reasons to Buy

Full-bodied, warm and expressive

Helps your system’s punch and drive

Reasons to Avoid

Some rivals offer more detail/space

Monetary savings are not necessarily accompanied by a reduced level of technology or care on Chord Company’s part. The C-Screen’s specifications are similar to speaker wires further up the hierarchy.

Beneath its white outer jacket, the C-Screen features what Chord Company describes as multi-stranded oxygen-free copper conductors, insulated with low-density polyethylene and arranged in a twisted-pair configuration to reduce interference. The white outer covers a PVC casing designed to reduce mechanical noise and space the conductors correctly.

So what is all of that in today’s money? Essentially it translates to recognisable Chord Company performance, favouring your system’s cohesion and musical performance over outright analysis.

Read the full review: Chord Company C-Screen

(Image credit: QED)

4. QED Reference XT40i

You’ll struggle to get your system sounding cleaner at this price.

Reasons to Buy

Offers system great clarity

Precision and accurate timing

Great price

Reasons to Avoid

Best help tie music together better

QED has always been about clarity, detail and insight, with the Reference XT40i speaker wire being no exception. It will allow any budget-to-midrange system to show off all the information at its disposal, providing it with accuracy and precision. Just what you’d expect from this Award-winning stable.

The nearly 50-year-old British company is introducing its brand new Air Gap dielectric to these 99.999% oxygen-free copper cables, a technology that increases the separation of conductors inside the cable and thus the amount of air between them. In turn, this halves the dissipation and capacitance characteristics inside the cable.

The Reference XT40i also retains QED’s X-Tube formation, where cable conductors are gathered in a tube-like shape around a hollow insulating rod to equalise current densities, delivering low inductance and presenting a consistent and even load to the amp.

Read the full review: QED Reference XT40i

5. Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018)

This nicely built speaker cable is an easy and affordable way to boost your system’s performance.

Reasons to Buy

Clean, detailed delivery

Good weight and balance

Flexible build

Reasons to Avoid

Pricier rivals offer more drive

The increase in clarity and punch when using the Atlas Equator 2.0 over budget alternatives should be lauded, especially at this relatively affordable price. If you think your budget/midrange hi-fi system could do with a sonic spring clean, but not sure what needs upgrading (and don’t want to spend too much), plug this Atlas speaker cable in. You might find it’s just what your system needs.

The cable has a multi-core construction, consisting of a pair of identically matched conductors. Atlas uses oxygen free copper (OFC) conductors in the 2018 version of these speaker cables. The purity and amount of copper used has been increased from the previous Equator version that we reviewed in 2014, too.

Atlas believes that less oxygen results in better sound quality, and while OFC conductors are claimed to improve conductivity, the increased purity of copper should result in a cleaner overall sound.

Read the full review: Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018)

6. AudioQuest Rocket 22

A flexible, well-balanced speaker cable that should work well in a wide range of systems.

Reasons to Buy

Refined and informative character

Aids an authoritative sound

Flexible configuration options

The Rocket 22 continues the fine work of its Award-winning sibling and, in a suitably talented set-up, the difference in price between the two can be justified by the improvement in scale, detail and authority.

The design of this audiophile speaker cable mirrors that of the cheaper model, but uses higher quality copper conductors with a polished outer surface that’s claimed to give a ‘sweeter’ high frequency performance. The conductors use strands arranged in concentric layers, where each layer spirals in the opposite direction to the one below it.

The cable also uses AudioQuest’s Noise Dissipation System, which is essentially specially designed layers of shielding that reduce the impact of RF (Radio Frequency) interference and EMI (Electromagnetic Interference).

Read the full review: AudioQuest Rocket 22

7. QED XT25

This budget speaker wire allows for impressive levels of clarity and detail.

Reasons to Buy

Clarity and space in abundance

Allows for loads of detail

Encourages dynamics

For the money, there isn’t much to grumble about as far as the XT25 is concerned. It allows for an extremely insightful and detailed sound, which is up there with the very best at this level. Music is encouraged to display an airy sense of openness with plenty of subtlety and sophistication. It’s the kind of cable that would be a good option for warm-sounding, less spacious set-ups.

The XT25 is another beneficiary of QED’s X-Tube technology, which first came to light in the company’s Award-winning Silver Anniversary XT cables more than a decade ago. Along with low DC resistance, low-loss dielectric and its near entirely oxygen-free copper make-up, QED says its cables measure better with audible sonic improvements when compared with other hi-fi speaker cables.

At this price, and in many areas, they are absolutely correct.

Read the full review: QED XT25

8. Van den Hul The Clearwater

This quality speaker cable displays plenty of insight and dynamic ability.

Reasons to Buy

Attractive, durable design

Power with clarity

Refined, detailed sound

If you’re looking for a speaker cable that can fit into tight spaces, then the Clearwater is definitely an option. It’s terminated in attractive dinky plugs and is covered in an almost jelly-like jacket which helps with flexibility.

We were impressed with its ability to keep music sounding balanced, involving and cohesive while it also helps deliver plenty of power and depth from low frequencies. Add natural-sounding vocals and lashings of detail into the mix and you’ve got yourself quite the speaker cable.

Read the full review: Van den Hul The Clearwater

Samsung presents the C34G55T: 1,000R curved UWQHD monitor with 165 Hz

On the latest Samsung C 34 G 55 T-Odyssey family member is a 34 – inch ultrawide display with a curvature radius of 1, which is known and characteristic of the Odyssey series. 000 R, a UWQHD resolution of 3. 440 x 1. 440 Pixels in 21: 9 format and a refresh rate (overclocked) of 165 Hz.

On the Odyssey monitor scale below the G7 and G9 series, the 34 – Zöller a contrast of 2. 500: 1, a brightness of 250 cd / m² and a response time of 1 ms offer. Since the manufacturer does not yet provide any specific information on the specified response time, it is assumed that this is only the MPRT specification (Moving Picture Response Time), which has nothing in common with the actually more important gray change value. The HDR 10 display, which is only FreeSync Premium certified because of its low brightness value of 250 cd / m², should be used in Its connectivity has a minimum of ports.

Potential buyers have to be satisfied with DisplayPort 1.4, an HDMI 2.0 port and a 3.5 mm audio out. Features such as Quantum Dot Color or the picture-by-picture function are reserved for the G7 and G9 series, and the depth of color also suffers somewhat compared to the larger models. This is 8 bits instead of 10 bits per RGB channel, but gaming features such as low input lag mode, black equalizer or low blue light mode should be added belong to the standards.

According to the manufacturer, height adjustment is not possible; with the built-in stand, the 5.2 kg heavy device can only be tilted a few degrees up and down. For everything beyond that one should use the implemented 100 x 100 mm VESA recording.

When exactly the monitor will be available on the German market is not yet known, some online retailers are already listing the device with an unknown delivery time from around 520 euros.

Ninja’s newest gamer hoodie features a ‘patent-pending’ headphone-compatible hood

Popular streamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevins has announced his next piece of branded gear — a custom $60 hoodie with a “patent-pending” system that’s designed to let customers wear a headset over the hood while still enjoying their music or games uninterrupted.

The hoodie works by featuring a “polymesh” ear hole on each side of the hood, allowing for sound from the headset to pass through instead of getting muffled by the (usually) thick material of a sweatshirt hood.

I’ve always loved wearing my hood up with my headphones whether I’m traveling & listening to music or gaming. So excited to be releasing my patent pending hoodie that allows you to do either of those without changing your sound quality. TOMORROW NOON PST https://t.co/GbfYE4nQgV pic.twitter.com/xiDEI0sSo4

— Ninja (@Ninja) November 24, 2020

The idea isn’t a new one: this year has already seen an also patented gamer hoodie from Champion, albeit one that featured an oversized hood for wearing headphones inside the hood instead of over it. And the concept of using mesh hoods for wearing headphones over a sweatshirt dates back to Betabrand’s Audio Engineer’s Hoodie from 2014.

The Ninja headphone hoodie appears to only be available in a pullover style, with relatively restrained branding when compared to Blevins’ other Ninja hoodies — the headphone model seems to only feature his “Ninja” branding on the pocket and the same icon near the sleeve.

The hoodie will be available in black, pink, and gray colors, with sales set to begin on November 25th at 3PM ET / 12PM PT through Ninja’s website for $60, which is $10 more than the “standard” Ninja hoodies.

Razer Blade Stealth (Late 2020) Review: A Well-Executed Oddball

Our Verdict

The Razer Blade Stealth is confused about what it wants to be. It’s priced as a premium ultraportable and looks like one too. But as a gaming notebook, it’s quite underpowered for the price. While the OLED screen is beautiful, Razer needs to work on the keyboard.

For

Great build quality
OLED screen is gorgeous
Thunderbolt 4 on both sides

Against

Cheaper gaming laptops offer better graphics
Uncomfortable keyboard

There are a few things I can say with certainty about the Razer Blade Stealth ($1,799.99 to start, $1,999.99 as tested). For one thing, it’s built like a tank. Our option had a beautiful OLED display, and Razer doesn’t heap on bloatware.

What I can’t tell you, though, is who this laptop is for exactly. Razer calls it a “gaming ultraportable,” and prices it among the

best ultrabooks

, which are often expensive partially due to build quality. But the mix of an Intel Core i7-1165G7 and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti, while they can play eSports games or AAA games, are low-end for a laptop of this price. Competing gaming notebooks with far superior graphics performance can be found for less money. To make it more confusing, Razer has announced

the Razer Book 13

, a non-gaming ultraportable that houses Intel’s Xe integrated graphics.

Among competing ultrabooks, the

best gaming laptops

and in Razer’s own stack, the Blade Stealth feels more niche than it used to. And yet, somehow, it still gets plenty right.

Design of the Razer Blade Stealth

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

We last reviewed the Razer Blade Stealth in September with a 10th Gen Intel Ice Lake processor, and the design hasn’t changed a bit in the intervening two months. But for those who aren’t familiar with it, the Stealth is a black aluminum notebook. The lid features the Razer tri-headed snake logo, but at least the company made it black on black, so you can mostly ignore it if it doesn’t fit your style.

The no-frills aluminum build continues when you unfold the laptop. It’s all-black aluminum on the deck, with speakers flanking both sides of the keyboard. That’s the one spot with some color, as the keys are lit with single-zone Chroma RGB. The display is surrounded by a moderate, but inoffensive, bezel.

The left side of the laptop has a Thunderbolt 4 port over USB Type-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A and a headphone jack. The right side is the same, minus the headphone jack. I do appreciate that Razer has the ports evenly distributed across the laptop, and you can charge on either side via the Thunderbolt ports.

If you consider the Stealth to be a gaming notebook, it’s small at 3.1 pounds and 12 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches. The

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

, a 14-inch gaming notebook, is 3.5 pounds and 12.8 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches, and even that’s petite for a gaming notebook.

But if the Blade Stealth is an ultraportable, then it’s big. The Dell XPS 13 9310 is 2.8 pounds and 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches, though it does have fewer ports.

Razer Blade Stealth Specifications

CPU	Intel Core i7-1165G7
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q (4GB), Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated)
Memory	16GB LPDDR4X-4266
Storage	512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Display	13.3-inch, 1920 x 1080, OLED, touch
Networking	802.11ax Intel Wi-Fi 6
Ports	2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 3.5 mm headphone/mic jack
Camera	720p IR
Battery	53.1 WHr
Power Adapter	100 W
Operating System	Windows 10 Home
Dimensions(WxDxH)	12 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches / 304.6 x 210 x 15.3 mm
Weight	3.1 pounds / 1.4 kg
Price (as configured)	$1,999.99

Gaming and Graphics on the Razer Blade Stealth

The Razer Blade Stealth comes with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti for gaming. To put it flatly, that’s not going to get you strong performance outside of some eSports titles, unless you’re willing to bring down your settings.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

I tested out the Stealth playing a few rounds of Rocket League, an eSports title that’s matches the type of game one should most expect to play on this laptop. In a round, I saw frames fluctuate between 177 and 202 frames per second (fps) on high quality mode at 1080p resolution. Since our review unit’s screen only has a 60 Hz refresh rate, it really would have made sense to limit the frames.

You may notice that our primary competitor in gaming, the Asus Zephyrus G14, has a much better GPU: an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q. This isn’t an accident — you can get that machine for $1,449, which is cheaper than the Blade Stealth we’re reviewing. What the Stealth offers is better than the integrated graphics you get in most ultraportables, but other, cheaper gaming laptops do offer more power.

On the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark, on the highest settings at 1080p, the Stealth ran the game at 26 fps, which is below our 30 fps playable threshold, while the Zephyrus G14 hit 49 fps. Red Dead Redemption 2, at medium settings and 1080p, was also unplayable at 22 fps, while the Zephyrus G14 hit 35 fps.

On Grand Theft Auto V, at very high settings at 1080p, the Stealth played at 35 fps, but the Zephyrus G14 hit 115 fps.

The Blade managed to play Far Cry New Dawn (1080p, ultra) at 47 fps, but the Zephyrus beat it again at 73 fps.

To stress-test the Blade Stealth, we ran the Metro Exodus benchmark 15 times on a loop, which simulates about half an hour of gameplay. On the high preset, the game ran at an average of 29.9 fps, suggesting that you really need to drop down to normal or lower for playable frame rates. It hit 30 fps the first two runs before dropping down to around 29.9 for the rest of the gauntlet.

During that test, the CPU measured an average clock speed of 3.5 GHz and an average temperature of 60.8 degrees Celsius (141.4 degrees Fahrenheit). The GPU ran at an average speed of 1,287.6 MHz and an average temperature of 57.2 degrees Celsius (135 degrees Fahrenheit).

Productivity Performance on the Razer Blade Stealth

We tested the Razer Blade Stealth with an Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU, 16GB of LPDDR4X RAM and a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD. The package is a formidable workhorse, though other machines in both the gaming and ultraportable space do have some advantage.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

On Geekbench 5.0, the Stealth earned a multi-core score of 4,992, falling to the XPS 13 (also with a Core i7-1165G7) and the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, a gaming machine with an AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS.

The Blade Stealth copied 4.97GB of files at a rate 946.6 MBps, beating the XPS 13 9310 but still slower than the Zephyrus.

On our Handbrake test, Razer’s laptop took 16 minutes and 19 seconds to transcode a 4K resolution video to 1080p. That’s faster than the XPS 13, but the Zephyrus smashed it in less than half that time.

Display on the Razer Blade Stealth

The 13.3-inch FHD OLED touchscreen on the Stealth sure looks nice. The trailer for Black Widow (is it ever going to come out?) looked excellent. When the titular heroine is surrounded by flames in a car chase with Taskmaster, the orange reflections really stood out on a dark road. The villain’s navy suit contrasted with Red Guardian’s, well, red, knockoff Captain America outfit. In Rocket League, the Blade Stealth’s screen made the orange and blue cars pop against green turf.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Razer’s panel covers 83.2% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, just a smidge higher than the Zephryus’ display. The XPS 13 covers 69.4%.

The Blade Stealth measured an average brightness of 343 nits, while the XPS 13 was the brightest of the bunch at 469 nits. The Zephyrus G14 was a tad behind at 323 nits.

Keyboard and Touchpad on the Razer Blade Stealth

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Earlier this year, Razer fixed a long-maligned keyboard layout that put the shift key in an awkward place. That’s a major improvement, and the next step should be to focus on key travel. The keys have soft switches, and I had a tendency to bottom out on the aluminum frame, which tired my fingers. As I got used to the keyboard, I hit 112 words per minute with my usual error rate, which isn’t bad, but I could’ve felt a bit better doing it with more travel.

It wouldn’t be a Razer device without Chroma RGB lighting. The keyboard is single-zone backlit and can be controlled via the Synapse software.

The 4.3 x 3-inch touchpad is tall, making it more spacious than much of the Windows competition (though it’s still not as luxuriously large as what you see on Apple’s MacBooks). Windows Precision drivers ensure accurate scrolling and gestures. This is definitely one of the best touchpads on a Windows 10 laptop.

Audio on the Razer Blade Stealth

I’ll give the Blade Stealth’s audio this: It gets loud. The twin top-firing speakers immediately filled up my apartment with sound — in fact, I found it uncomfortable at maximum volume. When I listened to Blackway and Black Caviar’s “What’s Up Danger,” I got the best results with audio around 85%. The audio was clear, with vocals mixing well with sirens and synths in the background, as well as some drums. Bass, however, was lackluster. In Rocket League, car motors and bouncing balls were all clear.

Of the little software pre-installed on the system, one you might want to check out is THX Spatial Audio. Switching between stereo and spatial audio didn’t make a huge difference, but there are some presets, including games, music and voice to toggle between.

Upgradeability of the Razer Blade Stealth

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Ten Torx screws hold the bottom of the Razer Blade Stealth’s

chassis

to the rest of the system. I used a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove them, and the bottom came off without much of a fight.

The SSD is immediately accessible, and the Wi-Fi card and battery are also easily available for upgrades. The RAM, on the other hand, is soldered onto the motherboard.

Battery Life on the Razer Blade Stealth

The Razer Blade Stealth’s history with battery life has been mixed, but this iteration with Intel’s 11th Gen Core processors is decent, especially considering it has a discrete GPU. The laptop ran for 9 hours and 11 minutes on our battery test, which continuously browses the web, run OpenGL tests and streams video over a Wi-Fi connection, all at 150 nits of brightness.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

But ithe Razer was outclassed by both the Dell XPS 13 (11:07) and the Zephyrus G14, the longest-lasting gaming notebook we’ve ever seen (11:32), so there’s still room for improvement on Razer’s part.

Heat on the Razer Blade Stealth

Since Razer classifies the Blade Stealth as a “gaming ultraportable,” we took our heat measurements by pushing it to the limits on our Metro Exodus test.

During the benchmark, the keyboard between the G and H keys measured 42.7 degrees Celsius (108.9 degrees Fahrenheit), while the touchpad was cooler at 30.9 degrees Celsius (87.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The hottest point on the bottom of the laptop reached 47.3 degrees Celsius (117.1 degrees Fahrenheit).

Webcam on the Razer Blade Stealth

Above the display, the Razer Blade Stealth has a 720p resolution webcam with infrared (IR) sensors. The IR sensors let you use facial recognition to log in to Windows 10 with Windows Hello, which was quick and accurate.

The webcam is passable. It caught details about as fine as a 720p webcam can, like hairs on my head, but the picture was still a little grainy and could definitely be sharper. On a laptop that has so many of the little details right, I’m ready for an upgrade on the camera.

Software and Warranty on the Razer Blade Stealth

You won’t spend much time removing bloatware from the Stealth. The only major piece of software that Razer adds to Windows 10 is Synapse, its hub for Chroma RGB lighting, adjusting performance modes, registering products and syncing accessories.

Windows 10 comes with some bloatware of its own, including Roblox, Hulu, Hidden City: Hidden Object Adventure, Spotify and Dolby Access.

Razer sells the Blade Stealth with a one-year warranty.

Razer Blade Stealth Configurations

We reviewed the $1,999.99 top-end variant of the Stealth, with an Intel Core i7-1165G7, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and a 13.3-inch OLED FHD touchscreen.

I suspect that those who are using this system primarily for gaming will prefer the $1,799.99 base model, which has all of the same parts except for the display, which is a 120 Hz FHD screen.

Bottom Line

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The Razer Blade Stealth does a lot right, with great build quality, a lovely OLED screen and symmetrical Thunderbolt 4 ports for convenient charging on either side of the system.

If you’re buying this as an ultraportable, it’s expensive at $1,999.99 (with the OLED screen, anyway). But if you’re buying it as a gaming notebook, you should look elsewhere to save money and get better performance. The Asus Zephyrus G14 gives you the best Ryzen mobile processor for gaming around and has an RTX 2060 Max-Q for $450 less at $1,449.99. It doesn’t have Razer’s build quality or an OLED option, but it’s a worthwhile tradeoff in performance and you still get a 120 Hz display.

Razer doesn’t offer a version of the Stealth without the GTX 1650 Ti. That’s saved for the new Razer Book 13, which we haven’t reviewed yet as of this writing. But with that notebook in the wings, and the excellent

Razer Blade 15 Advanced

on the other side of Razer’s lineup, it makes a lot of sense to either spend more for better parts for gaming or spend less for better parts for productivity.

Those who just want to mix in some casual eSports play with work will get what they need out of this laptop, but a high-priced eSports laptop is a bit of a niche. While the Stealth is still a decent laptop, it doesn’t make as much sense as it used to.

Sony Xperia 5 II, here is the best Sony smartphone of 2020. The review

If Sony Xperia 1 II were one smartphone aimed at very demanding users in terms of “creativity”, Xperia 5 II is less extreme and aims at a wider audience. Compared to the more expensive model it also has some additional features and the absence of 4K support is not felt that much. Reliability and performance remain, all enhanced by the 120 Hz that was missing on Xperia 1 II. Here is our review.

by Nino Grasso published on 24 November 2020 in the Telephony channel

Sony

We liked Sony Xperia 1 II a lot when we tried it last August. A complete smartphone, with a masterful and perfectly managed 4K display, and two “Pro” modes for taking pictures and shooting videos. All surrounded by powerful hardware and sober and essential software, but at the same time complete and very precise. Among the defects the price and the fact that it is a smartphone designed for very demanding and above all prepared users. Not everyone is able to understand its strengths. The solution could be Sony Xperia 5 II , which we would dare to call the “consumer” version of the Japanese top of the range. In this case the keyword is not only “creativity”, but also “speed”. We tried it and we tell you our impressions on this device.

Article index

Technical features
Equipment, prices and availability
Software and user experience
Technical analysis

Benchmark
Display
Autonomy

Camera
- Examples of shots
Final considerations

Technical specifications

Sony Xperia 5 II focuses on speed thanks to the Snapdragon 865 , but not only. The Japanese smartphone implements a display from 120 Hz , where the older brother stops at 60 Hz, also adopting a display from 21: 9 as aspect-ratio. The “elongated” form factor typical of Sony flagships therefore remains, a feature that allows an ergonomic and elegant design, but which not everyone might like. Up Xperia 5 II (you can also read here Mark Due) we find a 6.1 “diagonal (therefore smaller than the 6.5” of Xperia 1 II), Full HD + resolution support (2020 x 1080) and compatibility with the HDR standard.

Sony defines the integrated panel as OLED CinemaWide configurable in two modes: Standard and Creator, designed for maximum color accuracy based on to the reference standard used by the media being played. The high refresh rate is instead clearly designed for game lovers and the touch sampling rate is 240 Hz, with Sony promising a gaming experience at the highest levels with Triple A for Android.

This is also thanks to the integrated hardware: Sony Xperia 5 II uses as already mentioned it Snapdragon 865 5G (like Xperia 1 II) with support for sub-6GHz networks (no mmWave, as usual). On the memory side we also find 8GB of RAM and two expandable storage cuts: 128 is 256 GB. The battery is 4. 000 mAh and can be charged with 50% approximately 30 minutes with the supplied PD charger (21 W). This is a nice leap forward compared to the Xperia 5 (which had a 3140 mAh), especially considering that the dimensions remain almost unchanged.

Returning to gaming, we also have software optimizations, such as the Competition Mode (allows you to release the RAM used by the system at that time, hide all notifications, disable adaptive brightness and disable the smartphone keys while gaming) and the option Heat Suppression Power Control , which minimizes throttling during gameplay while the smartphone is charging, in order to always maintain high gaming performance.

The smartphone also allows you to block touches in parts of the screen that are not used i for gameplay purposes, record and share game screenshots with a burst at 20 fps, and there is also an audio mixer to record game audio and voice with different volumes . Sony can also take advantage of its presence in the gaming sector by offering full compatibility with the Sony DualShock 4 controller of PlayStation 4 , and the smartphone can be docked on the joypad with a dedicated holder.

In this way the player can take advantage of the dual speaker stereo audio system, well-finished as on any high-end device from the Japanese manufacturer. The 3.5mm audio jack is present and offers, through dedicated signal routing, the lowest stereo crosstalk in its category. Hi-Res Audio, Hi-Res Audio Wireless and LDAC standards are also supported, and DSEE Ultimate to convert lower quality sources (including streaming) into high resolution. There is no shortage of Dolby Atmos and 257 Reality Audio with integrated hardware decoder.

OS (at launch)	Android 10	Android 10
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 a 7-nm 1 x Kryo 585 @ 2,84 GHz 3 x Kryo 585 @ 2,42 GHz 4 x Kryo 585 @ 1, 80 GHz
Memories	8 GB of RAM 128 – 256 GB Expandable via microSD	8 GB of RAM 256 GB Expandable via microSD
Display	6.1 “OLED (21: 9) 2520 x 1080 px (449 PPI) 120 Hz HDR BT. 2020	6.5 “OLED (21: 9) 3840 x 1644 px (643 PPI) HDR – BT. 2020
Cameras	Back: Normal (24 mm): 12 MP f / 1.7 Dual Pixel OIS Ultra-wide (0013 mm): 12 MP f / 2.4 Dual Pixel Tele 3x (70 mm): 12 MP f / 2.2 Dual Pixel OIS Ultra HD HDR Video @ 84 fps Front: Normal: 8 MP f / 2.0	Back : Normal (24 mm): 12 MP f / 1.7 Dual Pixel OIS Ultra-wide (16 mm): 12 MP f / 2.4 Dual Pixel Tele 3x (70 mm): 12 MP f / 2.2 Dual Pixel OIS ToF 3D: 0.3M Ultra HD HDR Video @ 60 fps Front : Normal: 8 MP f / 2.0
Extra	4G LTE-A Cat. 18 (1200 / 150 Mbps) Wi-Fi 6 2.4-5GHz Bluetooth 5.1 NFC Optional Dual SIM (Nano) Side fingerprint sensor DAC 24-bit/192 kHz Dolby Atmos	4G LTE-A Cat. 19 (1600 / 120 Mbps) Wi-Fi 6 2.4-5GHz Bluetooth 5.1 NFC Optional Dual SIM (Nano) Side fingerprint sensor DAC 24-bit/192 kHz Dolby Atmos
Doors	USB Type-C NO 3.5 mm audio jack	USB Type-C NO 3.5 mm audio jack
Battery	4. 000 mAh PD Quick Charge 21 W	4. 000 mAh Quick Charge PD 21 W Reverse wireless charging 11 W
Dimensions	158 x 68 x 8 mm	165, 1 x 71, 1 x 7.6 mm
Weight	163 grams	181 grams

Three rear cameras , arranged in a vertical module e , as on Xperia 1 II, they all use sensors from 11 MP. The main has an equivalent focal length of 24 mm and an OIS stabilized lens with an f / 1.7 aperture. Comes with an ultra wide angle lens from 16 mm with aperture f / 2.6 and a canvas of 70 mm with f / 2.4 aperture, also with OIS optical stabilization. The cameras use Zeiss lenses and can calculate exposure and focus 60 times per second, with maximum burst support 20 fps.

Sony Xperia 5 II has some very interesting numbers to show such as the size of the main module’s Exmor RS sensor, from 1 / 1.7 “ and much larger than that of its predecessor (1 / 2.6 “). This, together with the integrated BionzX for mobile processor and an improved RAW + JPG shooting mode, should lead to brighter, less noise photographs. Individual sensor pixels are 1.8μm large (on Xperia 5 they were 0.8μm), with Sony Xperia 5 II only using 10 ms from taking the shot to saving the photo.

There is no lack of support for the “Foto Pro” apps and “Cinema Pro”, designed for the most demanding users. The smarpthone can also record in 4K at 120 fps in slow-motion with HDR, with apps that allow you to manually set any setting. Among the noteworthy features we also have a dedicated shutter button , and a button for launch the Google Assistant . Android 10 is natively pre-installed.

Sony Xperia 5 II: prices and equipment

Xperia 5 II is available in Italy in black, blue and gray and the price is much more interesting than the big brother: 899 ??. The original equipment is quite sparse, since it only includes charger and cable, however those who buy the smartphone by 30 November 2020 gets bundled i Sony WF – 865 XM3 , true wireless earphones with active noise cancellation with excellent audio quality.

Sony Xperia 5 II : 899, 00 ??

Considering the technical features of this device and attention to detail, in addition to the sober and top quality design, we believe the outlay requested by Sony is extremely competitive. The purchase can be made through the official e-store.

Software and user experience

The experience of Sony Xperia 5 II very closely resembles that of Xperia 1 II, so here too we find ourselves with a top-of-the-range performance, free of lag, jamming or waiting for no reason. Here everything is embellished with the possibility of activating the update frequency at 120 Hz which allows for smoother animations and overall more enjoyable experience? At what cost? During our tests we found a slightly higher power consumption, but not such a noticeable impact. The day can be completed without problems both at 60 Hz both at 120 Hz.

The Japanese smartphone is fast and responsive and helps the little customized Android version. Few additional functions, such as the sidebar natively integrated on the operating system: compared to the first implementations on previous Sony smartphones, it is now much less difficult to activate it, however we would not miss it if it were eliminated completely. This is to allow the user to give the most frequent actions with one hand: it is accessed with a double tap on the edges of the display, but it probably takes less time to search for the desired functions or apps on the Home or in the typical quick commands of Android.

The smartphone also implements a “Game enhancer” function, which has been translated into Italian with “Game enhancer” : used to inhibit notifications, to search online for suggestions on the gameplay of various titles, or even to record game sessions in order to share them with friends and contacts. Gaming side Sony Xperia 5 II also offers support for Sony’s DualShock 4 , which can thus be used to play Android titles.

There are few apps pre-installed on the device, just as the Settings do not have great customization possibilities (which is not necessarily bad). However, the user can go into detail with the display settings , while the whole multimedia creation experience is based on the two pre-installed apps, Cinema Pro and Foto Pro , which we will discuss in the chapter dedicated to the camera.

Excellent l ‘ergonomics also thanks to the weight of only 163 grams, while the side fingerprint sensor is easily accessible and allows you to unlock your smartphone in an instant. The bezels above and below the display are quite evident compared to the “frame-less” fashion of the moment, however in our opinion they are not a problem. Aesthetically, the Xperia 5 II, just like its older brother, is one of the most successful devices of the 2020.

I 21: 9 clearly help to make the smartphone usable at all times, however – despite the integrated functions – it is quite inconvenient use with one hand (which is now true for almost all smartphones on the market). The elongated format on paper can give satisfactions, but it must always be kept in mind that the vast majority of the Google Play Store apps are designed for the most common formats.

Small consideration more technical: i 21: 9 of the display can all too often represent a compromise in use of multimedia contents , especially online where they are presented in the vast majority of cases in 16: 9. Panorama format films are an exception, but even in this case the exact format is 2, 39: 1 (the CinemaScope is instead in 2. 35: 1 ). That of Xperia 5 II can be approximated in 2, 30: 1 therefore it is practically impossible to see a content without black bands, more or less large, or to cut a portion of the image.

Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker

Format 2, 39: 1 – Small black bands above and below

Good viewing experience

Video on YouTube

Format 1, 78: 1 (16: 9) – Huge black bands on the sides

I 21: 9 are not comfortable even in photography, so they can be mainly justified with the creation of contents on device through the dedicated apps and their display.

Xperia 5 II is then equipped with the technology Dolby Atmos both with headphones and when listening with the integrated speakers. By activating the function, the sound gains volume, detail and spatiality, even and above all when listening through the two integrated front-facing stereo speakers. For headphone lovers, the 3.5mm jack, absent on the predecessor, makes a great return. Finally, an “old style” vibration motor should be noted, which gives an effect that is not very pleasant to the touch.

Technical analysis

Xperia 5 II uses the same Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 865 that we find on Xperia 1 II, a processor that is no longer very recent but still extremely valid, representing one of the best solutions for Android devices to date ( find here our in-depth analysis). The CPU part offers a maximum operating frequency of 2, 78 GHz for the main core, while we have two other clusters, always with Kryo core 585, three and four cores at lower frequencies. The GPU is an Adreno 650, while on the memory side we have LPDDR5 RAM for RAM (8GB) and UFS 3.0 chip for storage. On the archiving side there are two versions for sale, one from 93 GB and the other – as the top of the range – from 256 GB , both with the possibility of expansion via microSD to be purchased separately.

Performance offered by the Sony smartphone are absolutely very high, even if from the benchmarks it is possible to deduce a slightly conservative management especially of the graphics section, just as it happened with Xperia 1 II. During our tests, the smartphone did not give any signs of excessive overheating, becoming lukewarm at most during demanding sessions on the computational level.

Benchmark

Below are the benchmarks we performed with the terminal .

Display

Sony Xperia 5 II uses a more “normal” panel than Xperia 1 II, but still valid also on the front of the definition. In fact, in practical use there are no huge differences between the 4K of the top of the range and the Full HD + of this device (equal to 2520 x 1080 pixels), while the 84 Hz that the Xperia 5 II can pull off. The management of the update frequency is up to the software, which establishes on which apps to keep the maximum value and on which instead it is convenient to fall back on 60 Hz. The touch sampling rate is 192 Hz, and in fact it is definitely reactive with the scrolling animation that perfectly follows the movement of the finger.

As happens on all Sony top-of-the-range, the panel can be managed in a capillary manner through the integrated “standard” settings, with simple commands to understand especially for more technical users. For example, you can change the White Balance by choosing between three presets (warm, medium, cold), or by customizing the three primary components via three separate sliders or by choosing the preferred temperature for white also on the basis of the various standards (D 50, D 55, D 61, D 65, until93) .

The management of the content being played resembles that found on Apple iPhones: the smartphone extends or not the color gamut based on the color profile of the displayed content. Two modes are user configurable: Creation , which aims to provide a reproduction that is as faithful as possible; Standard , which instead blocks the chromatic extension “for brighter and more intense color effects”. However, both refer to the profile color of the file being played, with Creation trying to be as close as possible to the reference (be it, for example, DCI-P3 or sRGB, extending or not the covered gamut triangle); while Standard aims to provide more saturated colors even going beyond DCI-P3 or sRGB, with a gamut triangle that is always slightly wider than the reference.

With the Standard mode you can choose whether to enable the Creation Mode dynamically when opening certain apps (in order to have the “wow” effect of the Standard Mode with some, and the chromatic precision of the Creation Mode with others), or enable the Video image enhancement which uses integrated technology X1 for mobile , so as to transform into HDR also content with SDR encoding.

Analysis Display

Creation Mode

Gamut

White Balance

Gamma curve

Color Fidelity (DCI-P3)

Standard Mode

Gamut

White balance

Gamma curve

Color Fidelity (DCI- P3)

HDR playback

Gamut

White Balance

Gamma Curve

Color Fidelity (DCI-P3 HDR SMPTE 2084)

The maximum luminance of the display is 778 cd / m² with an APL of 15% on HDR content, 645 cd / m² with SDR content, sufficient but not a lot for example under the sunlight. The contrast ratio is optimal, thanks to the presence of an OLED that can turn off the pixels to “reproduce” the black, and also in terms of color we are faced with excellent values. The display of Sony Xperia 5 II is, in this area, among the best in the entire category.

The analysis of The fidelity of primary and complementary colors at maximum saturation shows how the Creation mode is more precise in all cases even without manual calibration compared to Standard mode. Xperia 5 II, as already mentioned, restricts the playback gamut in the presence of SDR content, while activating material with content saved with more extended profiles or HDR brings the maximum saturation of the various color components up to the DCI-P3 standard. Both in SDR and HDR we find ourselves with a color temperature close to the reference, with a white point only slightly shifted towards cold shades. Manual calibration is still very simple, even by choosing a hottest preset among the many available basic settings in the device Settings.

Color fidelity is excellent in Creation mode , both with SDR content (DeltaE = 3.7, good ) and HDR (DeltaE = 2.4, excellent). The gamma is also very correct (apart from some small inaccuracy in the highlights in SDR), in Creation Mode, with both SDR and HDR content. In the first case we have an average range of about 2.3 (the reference value is 2.4), with a linear trend on all white levels. The behavior with HDR content is even better, where the reference is followed up to a white level of 75%, when you start to manifest the clipping that stops the maximum luminance from the 75% onwards to a value of approximately 780 nit (very high, although not at the top of the category).

Autonomy

Smaller display and lower resolution are good for the ‘operating autonomy of Xperia 5 II compared to Xperia 1 II. The differences are not striking, but certainly there are compared to the flagship, while the situation appears more balanced when the 120 Hz. In our test (which we made at 60 Hz), we got a decidedly decent result for Sony Xperia 5 II, in the category average: 810 minutes , over an hour more than the big brother.

The test was carried out by running an automated script that simulates human interaction with different web pages, after setting the brightness of the display at the value of 200 nit. Here are the comparisons with other relevant smartphones.

Camera

The photographic sector of Sony Xperia 5 II is very similar to that of the older brother, with all the sensors of the rear module that can shoot up to a resolution of 12 Mpixel. The only difference between the two models is the absence of the ToF 3D module for the analysis on the depth of the pixels. There are three shooting modes: wide angle with focal length of 24 mm equivalent in the format from 35 mm, with an aperture of f / 1.7; ultra wide angle with focal length of 16 mm; and finally canvases from 70 mm equivalent.

Both the main sensor and the telephoto sensor are optically stabilized, a feature that can be used in both photos and videos. It is very interesting, in fact, the possibility of exploiting all the modules, even the optical zoom and the ultra wide angle, for recording videos by dynamically switching from one to the other. All modules can then also shoot in RAW mode.

Sony Xperia 5 II, features camera

Standard
- Sensor from 12 MP
- Lens f / 1.7 OIS
- Dual Pixel Autofocus
- Length focal 24 mm equivalent
Ultra-wide
- Sensor from 12 MP
- Lens f / 2.4
- Dual Pixel Autofocus
- Focal length 16 mm equivalent
Zoom 3x
- Sensor from 12 MP
- Lens f / 2.4 OIS
- Autofocus PDAF
- Focal length 65 mm equivalent

Video 4K Ultra HD HDR @ 120 fps

Besides Cinema Pro , the application dedicated to manual video recording that we had already seen with the previous generation, sau Xperia 5 II is also natively installed Photo Pro , which it works in a similar way to the first but is dedicated to taking pictures. Several smartphones allow you to manually set values such as exposure, focus or white balance, and there are a myriad of applications on the App Store or Google Play Store that allow you to gain fully manual control in taking photos and recording videos.

Sony Xperia 5 II implementation is native, though, and allows for a more reliable approach in setting the various modes. Compared to Cinema Pro , however, Photo Pro does not add much to the smartphone usage experience . While it is true that it brings the interface of Sony digital cameras to the smartphone, it is also true that those interfaces were born and designed on very different devices. In short, the standard point and click interfaces are more effective and easier to use, in many ways, and the ability to manually set the focus on a smartphone can only help in very special cases.

The Photo Pro interface allows you to set different shooting modes through a dial, like on digital cameras, between AUTO, P (Program), S (shutter priority) and M (fully manual). You can then access a menu where you can set the various settings in a more intuitive way for the inexperienced user or activate the level and histogram. The user can choose to use the three different modules for shooting and access a bar that offers all the chosen shooting settings, including shutter speed, aperture, exposure and ISO. On the right side of the screen there is also a panel for quick access to all functions.

This is a professional approach to photography, which on a smartphone is a little out of place. above all because point and shoot is often preferred, or in any case simplified interfaces that highlight the characteristics of sensors and lenses typical of smartphones.

More useful in our opinion the “old” Cinema Pro , which now also allows you to record to 120 fps at 4K resolution (on Xperia 1 II we stopped at 60 fps) and to set all the recording options manually and with a dedicated interface. More useful on a video is the ability to lock white balance, stop autofocus by setting it to different modes, and choose a shutter. Here too, however, the same considerations can be made: it is difficult to use a smartphone for professional purposes, with the videos recorded with the mobile device that are mainly used for quick sharing.

In case on the contrary, if you often find yourself recording complex videos with your smartphone to be edited later on the computer or with dedicated apps, the Cinema Pro app can guarantee very interesting results by simplifying post-production and editing itself, albeit with all limits of sensors and lenses installed on the smartphone.

Sony Xperia 5 II shot examples

Click on the thumbnails to see the original photos

Main

Ultra-wide

Zoom 3x

Main in the dark

Main in the dark with flash

The camera of Sony Xperia 5 II offers good quality shots in all conditions, with the zoom from 70 mm which manages to offer excellent detail even in intermediate light conditions, indoors. The smartphone manages to be very incisive even in the most difficult shots, thanks to the (automatic) activation of a long exposure mode with merging of several shots to obtain a single photo rich in detail and with true colors. The secondary modules are also of high quality, with the ultra wide angle that manages to generate a good level of detail under the sunlight, without excelling compared to other products of the same market segment.

Main

Ultra-wide

Zoom 3x

Main

Zoom 3x

Main al dark

Main in the dark with flash

Final considerations

Sony does not aim at the sales volumes of Samsung or Huawei, however if everything were to play on the quality of the product it would have nothing to envy to the two market leaders. Sony Xperia 5 II confirms all the quality of Xperia 1 II that we had tried with great satisfaction, and adds the 120 Hz, a more compact form factor (perhaps too much, considering the 21: 9) and an even greater focus on fluidity and speed in general with support for slow-motion videos at 84 fps also in 4K Ultra HD with HDR.

Xperia 5 II is in our opinion the best Sony smartphone of the 2020, also in virtue of the significantly higher quality / price ratio than the absolute top of the range (which costs 1200 ??, we remember). Compared to the latter, it lacks support for reverse charging, but it is a deficiency that is hardly felt in everyday use (except for sporadic emergencies).

It is an excellent smartphone in absolute and can be a great buy for those who want to stand out from the crowd. It is in fact a smartphone for more savvy than average users : not everyone can understand its merits, and its peculiarities require experience in the corresponding sectors.

It goes without saying that an app like Cinema Pro or the ability to balance the colors of the display based on the temperature of the white they are not for everyone, whereas other competitors grind huge numbers so that with one or two taps you get more than satisfactory results. The problem is that sometimes the competitive results are very similar to those obtainable with the Xperia 5 II or even better, all with half the effort.

PRO

Great display at 120 Hz
Excellent performance
Photo Pro and Cinema Pro
Features aimed at PlayStation fans

VERSUS

Some features for expert users only
In some cases i 21: 9 represent a problem

When I got the new LEAK Stereo 130 amplifier with matching LEAK CDT CD transport was first seen a while ago in a press release, my hi-fi heart jumped happily. In 2011 a colleague gave me an old LEAK Delta 30 integrated amplifier. That stubbornly designed little amplifier from the late days of the transition between tube and solid state still worked, and despite showing a few signs of aging I wrote this enthusiastic vintage review about it. LEAK had not existed for a long time, but now this iconic brand is back on the market. Not with the crazy high-end price tags, but affordable and equipped with a number of interesting contemporary gadgets. I had to and would put it to the test, and so it happened.

A Little History Â Harold Joseph LEAK founded the brand named after him in 1934 and he became one of the pioneers in the high-quality music playback. Some of his feats were unfortunately a little lost in the dusty recesses of hi-fi history, but it was one of his designs â ???? the Point One amplifier series from 1961 â ???? which was the first to have a harmonic distortion below 0.1%. The company also innovated in speaker technology. The successful LEAK Sandwich speaker out 1961 had a mercenary Don Barlow developed a woofer whose cone consisted of a layer of foamed polystyrene sandwiched between two sheets of aluminum foil, resulting in an extremely light and rigid speaker membrane. A similar principle is still used today by brands such as Podszus-GÃ¶rlich and Zellaton.

A The classic LEAK Stereo 30 (photo: Rene van Es)

In 1969 sold the brand to the Rank Organization, a British entertainment company that made films and television productions, as well as radios, televisions and copiers – the Rank in Rank-Xerox, for the older young readers. End Years 95, competition from the Japanese audio industry became too fierce, and the LEAK brand name quietly disappeared from the market without much residual glory. Definitely it seemed, but nothing could be further from the truth and a ball can roll in a strange way in hi-fi land. After 40 years in a deep slumber, the LEAK brand name was acquired by IAG (International Audio Group). This Chinese investor has the hi-fi heart in the right place and has previously been successful in bringing other British hi-fi classics back to the market, including Quad, Wharfedale and Mission. And now LEAK.

LEAK Stereo 130 Integrated Amplifier In the past you could count on LEAK amplifiers the type number the power to 8? read: so had the Stereo 32 from 1963 rated at 2x 15 Watt. The New Stereo 130 breaks with that tradition and delivers 2 x 48 Watts per channel in Class AB. I mention the Historic Stereo 30 for good reason, because the design of the new Stereo 130 is based on that in detail. The narrow housing, the black band at the bottom of the otherwise aluminum-colored front, with the original name logo at the bottom left. The rotary knobs with a ribbed black plastic cylinder around an aluminum-colored heart, the volume and source selection knobs on the right and left outside with the knobs for tone control and balance in between, even the (now available at an extra cost) walnut casing. The â ???? New â ???? design is really unbelievably retro, but I am amazed how current it is now 2020 actually still looks, certainly the version without wooden casing that I received for review.

There are also differences. The original rotary knobs had a small tip that made it easier to read the position from the listening seat, and the headphone output – which, by the way, only applies to the LEAK Stereo 30 + appeared – hid behind a small â ???? rotary knobâ ???? that more like a â ???? twist capâ ???? was that you had to remove to insert the headphones. Furthermore, the new Stereo 192 a â ???? directâ ???? button with which you bypass the entire – otherwise nicely subtle – tone control, which also results in a slightly more transparent display. On the far right is the standby button, which lights up softly red at rest and lights up brighter when switched on. The source selector now features a ring of small orange LEDs that indicate which source you have selected. The amplifier comes with a remote control with which the functions of the accompanying CDT CD transport can be operated, more about this later.

At the back you will find the bigger differences. So is the Stereo 192 with a secured IEC net entrance with the real on / off button above it. Where the old Stereo 30 (+) had two inputs for record players is that on the Stereo 130 only one (MM), and the microphone inputs (!) are also gone . Instead, there are two analog Aux inputs and a stereo pre-out available, one pair of speaker connections and an extensive digital connection panel that contains not only a coaxial, two optical and a USB-B digital input, but also a coaxial and optical digital output. A network connection is missing, the LEAK Stereo 192 does not have a streamer on board. The da-converter in the Stereo 192 via USB supports resolutions up to 384 kHz (PCM) and DSD 256, but no MQA. The coaxial and optical connection are capped at 256 kHz. A USB-A port for updates and a 15 Volt trigger input and output top it off. Allows the LEAK Stereo 192 thus form the heart of any modern hi-fi system. As icing on the cake, the Stereo 192 an onboard Bluetooth receiver (with external antenna) that supports aptX and Apple AAC.

LEAK CDT CD-Transport Â The LEAK CDT CD transport is not a CD player, but a transport . That means that there is no da-converter and that it therefore has no analog audio outputs. On the rear panel, next to a secured IEC net entrance and the on / off button, we find a pair of trigger connections to synchronize it with the Stereo 130 on and off, and an optical and coaxial S / PDIF digital output. The CDT uses a smooth-running and extremely quiet slot-loading Red Book CD drive. G Ã © Ã © a CD-ROM drive, as is more or less usual nowadays, but therefore also g One one buffer where the read data is first stored. Using SO â ???? One buffer can be an advantage when playing a badly damaged CD â ???? s or CD recordables that have become less legible over the years, but I am in the in practice not encountered a single CD that was not played properly.

On the front is a relatively small but good readable monochrome dot-matrix LCD display with a very wide viewing angle. The control buttons are accurate to use, but I feel that a very little bit of intuitive operation has been sacrificed to the sleek design. It will take some getting used to, but I pressed the eject button several times when I actually wanted to start playback with the play / pause button next to it. To the left of the control buttons is a USB-A input where you can insert a memory stick with music files. There are a few caveats to this. The stick must be FAT 30 or FAT 32 are formatted, and can only contain WAV, MP3, WMA or AAC format files, with a maximum resolution of 50 kHz.

This is a surprising and nice extra function, but I find the operation a bit unclear. Playback starts as soon as you insert the stick into the USB-A socket and with the â ???? inputâ ???? button selects the USB input. Choosing a favorite album or song before playing is therefore not really an option. Via the remote control you can choose with certain keys to search or skip within the main folder or within the currently playing folder, but the display does not show which mode you are in and the displayed metadata is not always clear due to the limited space. My advice is to use this function for example for a stick full of background music, of which the songs are all in one folder, and thus ensure uninterrupted background music enjoyment for a whole party. However, playing files on a well-stocked external drive in a folder structure can cause some frustration.

In Use and Listen Most of the sound assessment took place in my office, because that’s where I listen to music most hours a day. My KEF LS 60 speakers in nearfield setup were connected to the LEAK Stereo with AudioQuest CV-4 speaker cables 130 connected, I connected the CDT with a coaxial AudioQuest Hawkeye digital interconnect, my Mac mini with an AudioQuest Carbon USB and and the Bluesound Node with an AudioQuest Vodka Optical. The devices were within reach in this setup, so I hardly used the remote control. Of course I took a look at how it worked and a few trifles struck me. That the remote control for both the Stereo 192 if the CDT can be used provides a mix of control knobs that takes some getting used to. With the bottom two buttons you first have to choose whether you want to operate the amplifier or the CD transport, which is not useful if you want to change the volume on the amplifier after starting a CD or skipping to another track. I can see why: some buttons have a double function – for example â ???? volume + â ???? for the amplifier, which is also used for “file up” ???? while playing from a USB stick – but you quickly get it wrong and that’s a shame. If you buy both devices, you also have two remote controls that you could use separately. Make sure to mark which squeeze cat is for which device. Anyway, the handling is of course a bit subordinate to how things sound.

I have the Stereo 130 first two days on soft level let the unsurpassed Isotek Burn-in CD play to rinse off the novelty and to stabilize the digital part of the circuit, and then I got down to it. The Stereo 130 may have a typical retro British look, from a dark brown retro appearance that has been used in the years 60 and 70 typified the British hi-fi, however. The LEAK Stereo 130 sounds dynamic, fast and extremely transparent. I can imagine that with a slightly cooler speaker cable and strictly neutral speakers you would go a little bit in the analytical direction, but with the CV-4 and the LS 50 â ???? s was the result is contagious, nice and open and wonderfully spacious. The presentation was a bit more forward than I was from my Peachtree Decco 65 am used to this place, and if maybe something could have had just that little bit of extra color it was low. But you can easily change that with the tone control – albeit with a minimal loss of transparency. Also rhythmically the whole was excellent.

I started with the Bluetooth playback, because that function is especially appreciated by younger users today. The pairing went very smoothly and the reproduction was in my ears pretty good for what you would expect from a compressed digital signal. Tonally it was fine, with a slight emphasis on the midrange, a fair amount of detail and a decent dynamic. However, it was no surprise that it could be even better via an uncompressed digital source, I had not even expected otherwise. The significantly better playback via the Bluesound Node and the CDT drive did not differ much from each other, but I still preferred CD playback via the CDT quite quickly.

A favorite CD to test new hi-fi is still Jan Bang’s And Poppies From Kandahar. This wonderful and fantastically produced album has the war problem in Afghanistan as its underlying theme, but it never becomes finger-pointing or violent. Very exciting, because it is one big musical radio play that takes place in 12 plays mostly instrumental tracks and leaves much to the imagination of the listener. Favorite track? Passport Control, in which a subcutaneous but uplifting beat drives an increasingly full sound image to a long climax at the end of the more than nine minutes long track. Due to the nearfield setup of the LS 50 â ???? s a beautiful and strong bubble of sound was created that completely surrounded me and which I was completely absorbed in.

The somewhat forward placement and the generous spaciousness also remained upright in the large set below on my prototype Kharma speakers. Given the enormous price difference, this is no small achievement. In the big set I tested the MM phono stage, with a simple but excellent performing AudioTechnica AT 95 E element in the Thorens TD 125. I am delighted to say that the discreetly constructed phono stage in the Stereo 130 is of excellent quality, close to the level of the digital inputs. With a better element, even better results can undoubtedly be achieved, but of course also with an external phono stage of some stature. The built-in headphone output is excellent, but here too it is not comparable to a separate headphone amplifier. However, on my AudioQuest NightHawk Classic it performed well, with a sound that resembled the reproduction through speakers: detailed and dynamic, with a slight emphasis on the mid-range and a nice smooth low that was just a tad on the slim side.

ConclusionA The LEAK Stereo 192 and the CDT CD transport form a classic looking but fully performing two-unit by today’s standards at a surprisingly affordable price. Future price increases aside for less than 1934 euro – just a little more if you want the gorgeous walnut console around it – a set that, in combination with the right speakers, really plays the stars of the sky. Obviously, the purchase of the CDT drive is not mandatory, but if you still play CDs, it is certainly worth considering. It works quickly and smoothly, runs really quietly and in combination with the da-converter in the Stereo 130 for a catchy, spacious and light-hearted display. Due to the somewhat clumsy operation of the USB playback option, it unfortunately loses n Ã © t half a star score.

The Stereo 130 integrated amplifier is a treat to see and hear. It is well built, sounds modern and open, and offers plenty of digital and analog connectivity options including Bluetooth. As icing on the cake, he has an excellent MM phono stage on board. However, here too, just half a star off, mainly due to the somewhat clumsy mix of functions on the otherwise beautiful remote control with a metal front plate, and the small note regarding the combination with certain cables and speakers. Nevertheless, a more than excellent and well-deserved score. Don’t let its compact dimensions fool you, this punchy performance set has what it takes to become a true retro classic just like its illustrious predecessor.

LEAK Stereo 192

LEAK Stereo 130 Silver: 799 euro

LEAK Stereo 130 Walnut: 899 euro

LEAK CDT Silver: 549 euro

LEAK CDT Walnut: 799 euro

Rating: 4.5 / 5

MIKA Distribution | mikadistri.nl

Quad board | quad-raad.nl

	POCO M3	POCO X3 NFC
Display	6 , 53 – inch LCD 19, 5: 9 2340 x 999 pix	6, 67 – inch LCD 20: 9 2400 x 1080 pix
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 11 nm 4x Kryo 260 Gold – 2 GHz 4x Kryo 260 Silver – 1.8 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 732 G 8 nm 2x Kryo 470 Gold – 2.3 GHz 6x Kryo 470 Silver – 1.8 GHz
Graphics processor	Adreno 610	Adreno 618
Data memory	64 / 128 GB	64 / 128 GB
RAM	4 GB	6 GB
Battery	6000 mAh 18 In	5160 mAh 33 In
Main camera	48 Mpix, f / 1. 79 wide angle 2 Mpix f / 2.4 macro 2 Mpix f / 2.4 depth sensor	64 Mpix, f / 1. 73, Wide Angle 13 Mpix f / 2.2 ultra wide angle 2 MP f / 2.4 macro 2 Mpix f / 2.4 depth sensor
Front camera	8 Mpix f / 2. 05	19 Mpix
Dimensions	162, 3 x 77, 3 x 9.6 mm	165, 3 x 76, 8 x 9.4 mm
Weight	198 g	215 g
Colors	Cool Blue POCO Yellow Power Black	Shadow Gray Cobalt Blue
Price	649 PLN (4 / 64 GB) 749 PLN (4 / GB)	999 PLN (6 / 64 GB) 1199 PLN (6 /

Samsung has announced the introduction of another monitor model from the Odyssey G5 series. This time it will be a variant equipped with 34 – inch UWQHD screen with refreshing level 165 Hz.

Our pick of the best Chromebooks to buy today

Pixelbook Go

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3

Asus Chromebook Flip C434

Acer 714 Chromebook

HP Chromebook 14 G5

Acer Chromebook 11

Asus Chromebook Flip C436

1. AudioQuest Rocket 11

Reasons to Buy

2. Chord Company RumourX

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

3. Chord Company C-Screen

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

4. QED Reference XT40i

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

5. Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018)

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

6. AudioQuest Rocket 22

Reasons to Buy

7. QED XT25

Reasons to Buy

8. Van den Hul The Clearwater

Reasons to Buy

Our Verdict

For

Against

Design of the Razer Blade Stealth

Razer Blade Stealth Specifications

Gaming and Graphics on the Razer Blade Stealth

Productivity Performance on the Razer Blade Stealth

Display on the Razer Blade Stealth

Keyboard and Touchpad on the Razer Blade Stealth

Audio on the Razer Blade Stealth

Upgradeability of the Razer Blade Stealth

Battery Life on the Razer Blade Stealth

Heat on the Razer Blade Stealth

Webcam on the Razer Blade Stealth

Software and Warranty on the Razer Blade Stealth

Razer Blade Stealth Configurations

Bottom Line

Technical specifications

Sony Xperia 5 II: prices and equipment

Software and user experience

Technical analysis

Benchmark

Display

Analysis Display

Creation Mode

Standard Mode

HDR playback

Autonomy

Camera

Sony Xperia 5 II shot examples

Final considerations

PRO

VERSUS

The newly presented POCO M3 smartphone is a potential Christmas sales hit. The budget man can boast of solutions such as the battery 6000 mAh or stereo speakers. What else?

Xiaomi smartphone test To me 10 T Pro: Pro Edition Night Photography

Tested Redmi Note 9, Note 9S and Note 9 Pro. Which smartphone to choose?

1. Atacama Evoque Eco 60-40 SE2

Reasons to Buy

2. Hi-Fi Racks Omnium8

Reasons to Buy

3. Atacama Evoque Eco 60-40 Special Edition

Reasons to Buy

4. Atacama Apollo Storm 6

Reasons to Buy

5. Hi-Fi Racks Podium XL

Reasons to Buy

6. Atacama Elite Eco 12.0

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

1. KEF LS50 Meta

Reasons to Buy