Reviews
Engadget's experienced review team thoroughly tests products and services across a wide range of categories.
All Reviews
Amazon Fire TV Cube review (2019): Alexa's streaming box grows up
With so many streaming devices on the market, it can be difficult for new ones to stand out. Amazon, for its part, has differentiated its Fire TV products with one notable feature: They work with Alexa. If you have an Echo paired with a Fire TV device, you can launch TV shows, play tunes, check the weather or even turn the TV on and off, simply by using your voice. Last year, Amazon married an Echo and a Fire TV together in one product called the Fire TV Cube, so you could use one device instead of two. At the time, however, it couldn't handle some simple voice commands and it lacked core Echo functions like voice messaging.
Google's Pixel 3, one year later: Amazing camera, rough start
As Google prepares to unveil the Pixel 4, surely the most leaked phone of all time, it's time to reassess its predecessor. The Pixel 3 and 3 XL arrived this time last year, with many of us balancing the list price ($150 more than the Pixel 2) against some promising camera features. For many of us, the latter won out: The Pixel 3 series packed an incredible camera that set the standard for smartphone photography for the ensuing 12 months. As we outlined in our Pixel 3 review, the major hardware highlights were a notched display, wireless charging and a soft-touch back. Other than that, though, most of the phone's best features lay in the software, whether that was being front of the line for Android updates or those aforementioned camera tricks. The Pixel 3 had a rough start, however, with several bugs ruining the experience for early adopters. Many also had to wait for several marquee Google features to go live. Some of us are still waiting.
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 review: Better than the original
You could say we're big fans of Dell's latest XPS 13. It's been one of our favorite laptops since 2015, and we called the newest model the perfect ultraportable back in April. Well, Dell has already managed to one-up itself with a revamped 2-in-1 version of the XPS 13 that is thinner and can rotate into different orientations. Honestly, it even looks better. It's not only a great convertible laptop but also one of the best ultraportables you can buy today, so much so that it's strong competition even for the standard XPS 13.
Apple iPad review (10.2-inch, 2019): Bigger, slightly better, still great
Apple is dead set on making sure there's an iPad for everyone. Want something fast and future proof? Try an iPad Pro. Prefer a smaller device? There's the updated iPad mini. Need a spacious screen and excellent performance without paying Pro prices? The iPad Air is probably for you. And now with the $329 iPad 10.2 (or the 2019 iPad or whatever you want to call it), Apple is making sure people who just need the essentials are getting them. Again. Chiefly, it offers a solid screen, great software and the sort of good battery life we've come to expect from Apple. With that said, the new iPad isn't a massive improvement over the model it replaces, and that's OK. When you consider how few companies are making good tablets, the 2019 iPad gets enough right that it's still the best reasonably priced tablet out there right now.
Sony A7R IV review: 61 megapixels of pure camera power
Sony changed the camera landscape with its popular and powerful A7 and A9 full-frame mirrorless lineup, forcing its rivals to adapt or die. Now that its camera series does have some competition, Sony's response is the A7R IV, a 61-megapixel camera that trounces its mirrorless rivals in terms of resolution. It's also loaded with the latest AI-powered eye autofocus (Eye-AF) F image processing, an electronic viewfinder and in-body stabilization technology. Sony also aimed to please demanding pro users by making the A7R IV tougher and easier to handle than previous models. On paper, this looks like it should be a top pick for anyone looking for a high-resolution camera, especially as it's reasonably priced against rivals. Now, let's see if it measures up to that in the field, where it counts.
GoPro Hero 8 Black review: Minor redesign, major pay-off
Typically, each year's flagship GoPro touts a marquee feature. In the past, that's included 4K/30fps video (Hero 4), built-in waterproofing (Hero 5) and really good stabilization (Hero 7). The new Hero 8 Black ($399) does not have a single showstopping feature. Instead, it brings several updates, each of which is good on its own, but together, I think they add up to the sort of big step forward that fans of the brand have been waiting for. There's actually quite a lot to get through, so we'll dive right into what's new.
Apple iPadOS review: More like a laptop than ever
For the first few years of the iPad's life, Apple basically treated it like an overgrown iPhone. Yes, its bigger screen meant people would want to use it differently, and third-party developers did a fine job retooling their software to make full use of that extra screen space. It wasn't until iOS 9 when Apple really invested in tablet-specific features like Split View and Slide Over, and it was that subtle shift in priorities led us directly to the present -- and to iPadOS. Don't be fooled by the name, though: iOS and iPadOS are still mostly the same thing. Nearly every feature I've discussed in our iOS 13.1 review is present here, along with a series of changes that are helping to slowly close the gap between iPads and more traditional computers. To get a sense of iPadOS's progress, I vowed to put as much of this review together on an iPad Pro, and honestly, I'm pretty pleased with the results. I couldn't do everything, but the fact that I could write the copy, edit and watermark my photos, address fixes in Google Docs and lay out almost everything for the site speaks to how much more capable iPads can be after an update. We're still not at the point where iPadOS turns iPads into full-blown computer replacements for most people, but the update is a big step down that path.
iOS 13.1 review: A necessary update after a rough start
Major iOS updates tend to come like clockwork, but this year — well, this year has been a little weird. Earlier this month, Apple officially released iOS 13 for iPhones, iPod touches and the like, and all of its new iPhones came with the software already installed. Less than a week later, though, the company released iOS 13.1 and iPadOS, updates that bucked another trend by being shipped a few days ahead of schedule. As a result, many people who installed the first iOS 13 release build probably — hopefully — aren't using it anymore. I say "hopefully" because the standard iOS 13 release was a... a bit of a mess. I ran into a handful of bugs while testing the iPhone 11, Pro and Pro Max that, while hardly dealbreakers, seemed seriously out of place for a release as big as this one. Sometimes the camera app wouldn't correctly launch. Sometimes iOS thought the flashlight was on when it wasn't. Others have run into more considerable issues, so it's no wonder Apple wanted to release the iOS 13.1 update ahead of schedule to fix these problems. That left us in the peculiar position of deciding which version to officially review: The release that set this whole thing in motion, or the release that most people would actually wind up using. Because of Apple's timing we ultimately decided to wait for 13.1 for completeness's sake. From what I've been able to tell over the past few days, 13.1 has mostly done the trick. The bugs I ran into during my iPhone 11 testing have been ironed out, plus a bunch of others I was lucky enough to avoid. Just check out this changelog: Apple made no fewer than 24 bug fixes, enough to make you wonder if the company would have been better off pushing back the iPhone 11 ship dates. Between iOS 13's core features and 13.1's fixes and additions, Apple's new smartphone software is finally ready to embrace — though no one could blame you for being wary.
Galaxy Watch Active 2 review: A solid midrange smartwatch
In all my years testing smartwatches, I've landed on a few favorites. There was a time when the Fitbit Versa claimed ownership of my wrist, and for a spell the Wear OS-based Skagen Falster 2 was my go-to. But lately, I've found myself returning to Samsung's Galaxy Watch Active. Over the years, Samsung has refined its smartwatch into a stylish, comfortable and capable wearable. And Tizen OS tends to be more responsive, proactive and useful than the software on many other watches.
Apple Watch Series 5 review: The best smartwatch gets (slightly) better
Unboxing the Apple Watch Series 5 last week was an anticlimactic experience. The day the device arrived for review, I unfastened last year's Series 4, with its 40mm gold aluminum case and pale pink sports band. I put on the new watch, also with a 40mm gold case and pink silicone strap. The new Series 5 ($399 and up) looks identical to the model it replaces -- so much so that it wasn't until I turned the device on that I felt I had a new toy in hand. This is a minor product update, one that should leave recent Apple Watch buyers feeling secure in their decision to purchase when they did. But this review isn't for people who already own a watch. Roughly 75 percent of people who buy an Apple Watch are doing so for the first time, according to Apple. For those of you who were already thinking about buying your first smartwatch, you can take some comfort knowing the Series 5 is just as good as the Series 4 you've been reading about, if not a little better.
9010090100Switch Lite review: The best way to play on the go
The Switch Lite is for everyone who found the original Switch too big. Really, that's it. By going with a smaller screen and fixed controllers, Nintendo has crafted something that feels more like a genuine portable console. The Switch Lite is significantly lighter and more comfortable to hold, it can finally fit into your pocket and, at $200, it's $100 less than the Switch. The major downside: There's no more support for TV output. The Switch Lite is purely focused on portability, but I don't think many gamers will mind.
ZenBook Pro Duo review: ASUS makes a case for dual-screen laptops
ASUS already paved the way for dual-screen laptops with last year's ScreenPad on the ZenBook Pro, but now it's taking the concept to another level with the ZenBook Pro Duo. It's a powerful 15-inch workstation with a huge secondary display that spans the entire width of the machine. ASUS calls this the ScreenPad Plus -- instead of being a tiny display tucked inside the touchpad, like the original, it's more like having a fully functional second monitor right on your laptop. The experience isn't perfect, but it's clear that ASUS has actually put some thought into how consumers could use an alternate display like this. And at the very least, it's miles ahead of Apple's Touch Bar.
Sonos Move review: Versatility doesn't come cheap
It's late September, but still technically summer, so I'm writing this on my back deck, listening to the first Sonos speaker built to be used outside. The Move represents a number of firsts for Sonos: It's built to be used outdoors, it has a battery and it supports Bluetooth. These design choices add up to a speaker that's far more versatile than any Sonos has made thus far. Instead of it living in one spot, I've been testing the Move all over my home, inside and out. Because of this versatility, everyone who buys a Move will use it differently, which makes it tricky to evaluate. But regardless of whether you plan to use it inside, on-the-go, in the backyard, or some combination of all three, the Move needs to deliver on sound quality, durability, battery life and wireless connectivity. Especially since it costs $399 -- or about double the price of the UE Megaboom 3, which is itself a pretty expensive Bluetooth speaker. To justify that cost the Move not only needs to do a lot more, but it needs to do all those things well.
Apple iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max review: Better, but not groundbreaking
What does it mean for a phone to earn the name "Pro"? Lots of power, for one. Usually great cameras. And software robust enough to handle arduous tasks with ease. The new iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max certainly tick all these boxes, and — as you might expect — they're the best iPhones Apple has ever made. The thing is, I say that every year and it's true each time, but it doesn't really sum up how I feel about the new iPhone Pros after having tested them for a while. These are both excellent devices, and represent Apple at the peak of its smartphone game. But are they dramatically better than the premium phones the company gave us last year? Well, yes and no. There are plenty of additions and improvements here, but when it comes to day-to-day use, their impact on the overall iPhone experience can seem muted. Ultimately, I have my own theory about why these phones get the "Pro" moniker: Because some of the changes here are so subtle that it would take a pro to notice them, much less appreciate them.
Apple iPhone 11 review: So good you (probably) don’t need the Pro
The iPhone XS and XS Max were gorgeous devices, and the updated iPad Pro was a stunner through and through. But my favorite Apple product from 2018 was easily the iPhone XR. It wasn't the first time the company dabbled in lower-cost phones -- there was the iPhone 5c and the adorable SE -- but the iPhone XR was the first to match the performance offered on Apple's flagship handsets. Long story short, it gave people a premium smartphone experience without the lofty price. Sure, the XR wasn't perfect, but it was more than good enough for the money. Thankfully, Apple's work in that vein continues with the new iPhone 11. And this time, Apple made the deal even sweeter. Thanks to some under-the-hood improvements, a new camera and its $699 starting price, you're getting more of what matters for slightly less. In absolute terms the 11 might not be the "best" iPhone, but it's still the better choice for almost everyone.
Galaxy Tab S6 review: Good notepad, bad notebook
While the rest of the industry may have given up on making premium Android tablets, Samsung isn't quitting just yet. It still believes Google's software has the potential to power superthin and light 2-in-1s, and so it recently unveiled a new version of its hybrid tablet. The Galaxy Tab S6 is a 10.5-inch device that's designed for people who need to get work done on the go. It comes with an upgraded S Pen that features so-called Air Gestures for remote control of your apps; enhanced handwriting recognition to sort out your notes; and a redesigned keyboard cover (sold separately). As with previous Samsung tablets, you can expect a beautiful display, long battery life and capable performance. What really stands out about the Tab S6, though, is the S Pen, which is included in the $649 price. The stylus makes the device a really good digital notepad, but the Tab S6 still isn't quite the "laptop with the mobility of a tablet" that Samsung claims it is.
Sega Genesis Mini review: The best mini console out there
If you're suffering from gaming nostalgia fatigue, you're not alone. But you might want to make some extra room in your media center because the latest retro console, the Sega Genesis Mini, might also be the greatest. First, let's take stock of where we are in the golden age of mini consoles. Nintendo has two hugely popular minis under its belt and Sony's stepped up to the plate with a Playstation Classic that was mostly a swing and a miss. Coming up on the horizon, there's a TurboGrafx-16 mini and this arcade emulator playable logo thing from Capcom. Not to mention Analogue's superb FPGA hardware clones, the Mega SG and Super NT. Into this crowded space comes the Sega Genesis Mini, and it comes in hot -- making a strong stab at owning the casual 16-bit space.
Sennheiser Momentum Wireless review
Sennheiser's Momentum line has been a popular headphone choice for years now. It first debuted in 2012, then went wireless in 2015. Despite stumbling out of the gate with some connectivity issues, the Momentum Wireless is still a solid choice. At IFA 2019, the company debuted the third generation of the headphones. And while this new $399.95 over-ear model is improved, there are still some headaches that could've been avoided.
Android 10 review: Good today, better tomorrow
To celebrate the next big version of Android, Google did the unthinkable: It killed its fanciful dessert-themed release names and gave its smartphone OS more conventional branding. Say hello to Android 10. Not everyone loves the change — it means I couldn't devour an entire dessert for our review video — but it speaks to a pretty dramatic shift in Google's priorities all the same. It's no surprise, then, that I could say the same about Android 10 itself. On the surface, it's a grab bag of interface tweaks, usability enhancements, privacy changes and more. In some ways, Google is even using this release to play catch-up with the competition. More broadly, though, Android 10 feels very much like a transitional state — an attempt by Google to lay the groundwork for a smartphone future that's coming at all of us fast.
Fitbit Versa 2 review: A good, but unreliable fitness watch
Hell is sitting in a hot yoga class waiting for your Fitbit to sync. It was my fourth day of reviewing the new Versa 2, and I'd been having connectivity issues since the day after I received it. The watch refused to sync with my phone after initially pairing with no issue. I wasn't surprised -- this has happened with pretty much every one of the many Fitbits I've reviewed in the past. But that makes it all the more frustrating. I'm not the only reviewer with this issue either, and I haven't had major connectivity troubles with any other wearable I've tested. Samsung watches in particular connect quickly to my Android phones, as do most Wear OS devices.
