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The bottom line: Our quick verdict on the Lenovo Yoga Book
There's nothing quite like the Lenovo Yoga Book. It's a small, lightweight clamshell device running your choice of Android or Windows 10 as an OS. Take a tour of the hardware and you'll find a 360-degree hinge, a screen and, uh, no keyboard. That's right, instead of where the keyboard deck would be is a flat-touch sensitive surface that doubles as a digital notepad and sketchpad. It works as a keyboard too, except the buttons, as it were, are all virtual, ready to disappear when you're done using them. The design is nothing if not inventive, and Lenovo deserves credit for that, but it's almost ahead of its time. That or just not very well executed. While digital artists might enjoy the doodling features, our reviewer was never able to master the keyboard. Even when she learned to type accurately, she could never do so quickly. And that's a problem for a $500-plus device designed for being productive on the go. For that, you may as well buy, you know, a laptop.
The bottom line: Our quick verdict on the Apple Watch Series 2
The Apple Watch Series 2 is what the company should have put out last year: It's faster than the original, with longer battery life, a more intuitive OS, brighter screen, built-in GPS and waterproof design. If this were Apple's only new smartwatch, we would have given it an even stronger recommendation than we actually did. The problem is, the company does indeed have another wearable on offer. The Series 1, as it's called, costs a hundred dollars less and is basically last year's model, upgraded with the same dual-core processor used in the Series 2. It, too, runs watchOS 3 out of the box. As an all-purpose smartwatch, then, the experience should be similar to what you'd get on the souped-up version. Meanwhile, though the GPS inside the Series 2 mostly matches readouts on other devices, the difference is often big enough to have big implications for estimated pace. That shouldn't be a big deal for walkers, but more serious athletes who train for events where speed matters won't want to give up their dedicated sports watches just yet. Given that, the Series 2 mostly makes sense for either swimmers or people who want distance tracking but don't care about accurate pace tracking (like we said: walkers, hikers and joggers). Everyone else, save yourself a hundred bucks and get the Series 1 instead.
The bottom line: Our quick verdict on Apple's AirPods
The fact that they look like Q-tips sticking out of your ears is just the beginning: There are other reasons you might want to think twice about buying Apple's wireless, weird-looking AirPods. For the money -- $159 -- these earbuds offer audio quality that isn't any better than what you'd get with the iPhone's pack-in EarPods. We'd also like it if Apple allowed more flexibility with the controls. Right now, for instance, you need to use Siri or take out your phone if you want to do basic things like change tracks or adjust the volume. On the plus side, the earbuds are dead-simple to set up, and work well for voice calls and Siri requests, even if they're nothing special for music playback. Unless you're an early adopter, you're better off waiting for Apple to release a next-gen version and/or drop the price.
The bottom line: Engadget on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know by now that the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus ditch the headphone jack. And if you're like some of the readers who've been reaching out to us, you might be nervous about upgrading. Take it from us, since we've had a chance a to test both devices: Aside from the no-headphone-jack thing, these new phones are less radical than you think. In fact, we'd say Apple made some safe choices here, playing catch-up with other phone makers. These are the first waterproof iPhones, for instance, though Samsung and others have been offering this feature for some time now. Ditto for the iPhone 7 Plus' dual-lens camera: It's cool, but hardly the first we've seen. That said, these features will feel new to Apple fans, and also, it's hard to argue with everything these phones have to offer, including fine build quality, fast performance, long battery life and strong image quality. If you own a recent iPhone like the 6s or 6s Plus, you might not feel compelled to upgrade, but if you have an older model, this is as good a time as any to trade in. As for the headphone jack, you'll either use the included adapter or switch to the pack-in Lightning EarPods. Just avoid the AirPods for now.
The bottom line: Our quick verdict on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Note: On September 2nd, 2016, Samsung issued a global recall for the Galaxy Note 7 following several dozen reports of exploding batteries. Then, on October 10th, the company permanently discontinued the device after reports that replacement units were also exploding. Though this review is still live on Engadget's site for posterity's sake, we have elected to remove the original score. Needless to say too, even if the Note 7 were still being sold we would no longer be able to recommend it.
The bottom line: Our quick verdict on the HP Chromebook 13
Until recently, if you wanted a Chromebook, you had two distinct choices: splurge on a Pixel, or settle for something cheap and pokey. Lately, though, we've seen a few entries that aim to do something different: offer better design and performance for just a modest premium. The latest is the HP Chromebook 13 ($499 and up), which brings a high-res 3,200 x 1,800 screen, comfortable keyboard and trackpad, up to a Core m7 processor and as much as 16GB of memory. Obviously, though, the tricked-out version will cost you a little more than $499 ($1,029, to be precise). Indeed, we don't recommend most people spend that much on a machine running Chrome OS. For most people, the base level model, which has a Pentium chip, will be enough. Even then, you can expect decent speeds for everyday use, along with the same sharp screen and comfy typing experience you'd get otherwise. That caveat aside, we'd also warn you about the battery life: It's not as long as on competing Chromebooks, precisely because of that pixel-dense screen. That doesn't mean we don't recommend it -- just that it's not the all-around winner it appears to be on paper.
The bottom line: Our quick verdict on the BlackBerry DTEK50
With a review headline that reads "cheap, secure and better than expected," you might expect the device in question to have earned a high score. As it turns out, this is a BlackBerry we're talking about, which is to say, "better than expected" doesn't necessary mean you should actually buy one. The good news is that the new DTEK50 offers solid build quality at a reasonable price: just $299. For the money, you also get improved security over typical mid-range Android phones -- a potential selling point for prospective business customers. While this is indeed a decent choice for IT departments, individual users can get more for their money at a similar or slightly higher price (read: faster performance, longer battery life and superior image quality). Basically, then, while the DTEK50 surpassed our admittedly modest expectations, you can still do better.
Mini review video: Our quick verdict on the new Moto Z phones
For years, Motorola put out a flagship phone called the X, and for years it won positive reviews, thanks to its customizable design, clean software build and generally good value. This year, there's no X. Instead, we have two new Moto phones, the Z and Z Force. And it makes sense that Motorola chose a different naming scheme, because these are indeed very different devices from what the company has put out in years past. The design is no longer customizable, and with prices reaching $624 for the Z and $720 for the Z Force, they're not exactly what we'd call affordably priced either. Instead of being colorful and cheap, they have a modular design that allows you to snap in optional "Moto Mods" accessories, including a speaker, projector and battery pack. Another risk? Neither phone has a headphone jack. Oh, and they're exclusive to Verizon. While we're not too pleased about those last two caveats, the Moto Mods make the Z line the best modular phones we've seen yet. The Z in particular is exceptionally thin and charges quickly, while the slightly chunkier Z Force adds longer battery life, a shatter-proof screen and a more robust 21-megapixel camera. For that reason, we gave the Z Force the higher score. But hey, if a thin phone floats your boat, you'll be happy with the Z too.
Mini review video: Our quick verdict on the Alcatel Idol 4S
Alcatel isn't a tier-one company. And the Idol 4S, its latest creation, isn't a tier-one phone. So why did we even bother reviewing it, then? It's all about the value -- specifically, what comes in the box. For $399 (or $350, if you pre-order), you get both the mid-range phone and a simple virtual reality headset to go with it. It's true, this VR viewer isn't at the same level as the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive or even the Samsung Gear VR, but it's good enough for people who haven't yet experienced this whole virtual reality thing and are keen to give it a try. As for the phone itself, we enjoyed its loud, two-way speakers and bright 5.5-inch AMOLED display. Just know that because this is a mid-range phone, after all, the performance and camera won't match any of the high-end devices we typically review. If you weren't going to spend high-end money anyway, and are also looking to get into VR, this could be the ticket.
Mini review: Our quick verdict on the Moto G4 and G4 Plus
Since 2013, the Moto G has been our favorite mid-range smartphone -- or favorite budget phone, even, depending on how you define "budget." Now in its fourth generation, the G series has expanded to include three models, two of which we got to take for a spin in a recent review. Indeed, the 5.5-inch G4 and G4 Plus mostly impress, but not every design decision feels like an improvement. Though the phones are more expensive than they used to be, at $200 and $250, respectively, the plastic build feels less durable than we would have otherwise expected. What's more, the G4 is no longer waterproof, and its camera suffers in low light, to boot. The G4 Plus at least offers a better camera and faster performance, though it too has a chintzy build that doesn't feel likely to stand years of wear and tear. Those complaints aside, the handsets nonetheless deserve their strong scores of 84 and 86 -- and they continue Moto's tradition of holding down the "value smartphone" crown.
Mini review video: Our verdict on the OnePlus 3 in a minute
While you were refreshing Engadget to see all the new stuff Apple, Microsoft and Sony announced this week, you may have missed the fact that OnePlus came out with a new phone. The OnePlus 3 -- yes, that would be its third-generation flagship -- comes in at a reasonable $399 and as usual, boasts some impressive specs for the price. In addition to offering top-notch internals, it brings a more premium-feeling aluminum design as well as dual SIM support.
Mini review video: Our verdict on the HTC 10 in a minute
After years of losses and lackluster phone releases, HTC finally seems to have gotten its mojo back. OK, it might be too soon to say if its new flagship, the 10, is enough to help the company reverse its fortunes, but if nothing else it's a fantastic device. We love the 10 for its excellent build quality, fast performance, robust audio setup and out-of-the-box Airplay support. Compared to other high-end phones, though, the battery life is merely average and camera performance doesn't quite measure up to Samsung's new Galaxy S7 line. For that reason, the HTC 10 received a slightly lower score -- 88, versus 90 on the GS7 -- but it's still among the best smartphones you can buy right now. Depending on your priorities, it might even be a better choice than the GS7.
Mini review video: Our verdict on the LG G5 in about a minute
LG's latest flagship phone, the G5, is a fascinating device. Just plug in optional modules -- excuse us, "Friend" accessories -- and you can enjoy extra functionality when you need it: everything from a camera grip with a secondary battery to an audio DAC that upscales sound quality. It also offers fast performance and a dual-camera setup that's actually a lot of fun to use. But while the phone wins points for innovation, the first modules fail to impress in real-world testing. Meanwhile, it's clear LG cut corners in other areas, with the forgettable design and middling battery life being the biggest offenders. As our reviewer Chris Velazco notes, the device has the potential to improve over time as new and improved Friend modules come out, but for now, it's a work in progress.
Mini review video: Our verdict on the HTC Vive in a minute
Without a doubt, the HTC Vive is the most immersive VR headset you can buy right now, but that doesn't mean we recommend it wholesale. Though the included motion controllers and whole-room option add a new dimension to the experience, we ultimately found that the Vive was both harder to set up and less comfortable to wear than its chief rival, the Oculus Rift. It's also more expensive than the Rift, which "only" costs $600, though once Oculus' touch controllers become available, the price gap should narrow somewhat. All told, it was difficult for us to choose a favorite, and indeed, the two headsets earned similar scores (82 for the Vive and 84 for the Rift). If you're thinking of buying one yourself, your purchasing decision will ultimately come down to what you value more: immersion or ergonomics.
Mini review video: Our verdict on the Oculus Rift in a minute
We're only three months into 2016, but it's already safe to say that the Oculus Rift will have been one of the most hotly anticipated products of the year. The virtual reality headset, which began shipping a week ago, debuted to mostly positive reviews this week, including on Engadget. Our own Devindra Hardawar concluded that the headset is immersive, comfortable to wear, and boasts an impressive catalog of games and apps, even at launch. As a first-generation product, though, it's not without its flaws. At $599 for the headset alone it's pricey, and it requires a powerful PC that's probably expensive in its own right. Motion sickness will also be an issue for some, and the device can be cumbersome to take and off if you wear glasses. That said, despite these growing pains -- and the considerable expense -- it's worth it if you want an early taste of the future.
Mini review video: Our take on the Galaxy S7 Edge, in just a minute
Though Samsung's new Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are both great phones -- each earned a score of 90 -- it's the Edge that's improved the most over the past year. Whereas the S6 Edge's curved screen felt like a gimmick (albeit a gorgeous one), this year's model introduces some software tricks that do a better job taking advantage of that extra screen real estate. Even if you disagree with us on the gimmick thing, though, it's hard to argue with everything else the S7 Edge brings to the table. Among its finest attributes: an easier-to-hold design, waterproofing, improved camera, a bigger battery, more powerful internals and the return of the microSD slot, which was omitted in last year's S6 series. In many ways it's the same great phone as the regular S7, except it's bigger, has a curved screen and costs a hundred bucks more. For the money, though, you get one seriously striking design.
Mini review video: Our verdict on the Galaxy S7 in about a minute
Didn't have time to get through our 4,000-plus word review of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge? No problem. Here's what you need to know: We like them. A lot. The S7 in particular feels like a refined version of the already-great S6, with an easier-to-hold design, improved camera, waterproof build, more powerful innards and the return of a microSD slot (back by popular demand). There's not much we would change, though a bigger jump in battery life next time around would be nice. That's the gist, as you'll see in our mini review-video above, and hey, if you need some weekend reading, you know where to find our review.
Opera Mini 5 on Android mini review
Opera's Mini 5 beta finally hit Android in the wee hours of this morning and, while writing about what it looks like is nice, we thought a little walk-through to demonstrate the impressive speed of the thing was worthwhile. So we have a short video for you below, with a comparison against the stock Android browser, plus some impressions of just how it is to use. So, click on through, won't you?
MacBook Air Rev. B mini-review
We've spent a bit of quality time with the new MacBook Air, and while there's little on the surface to denote a change, Apple did quite a bit under the hood to turn this into a serious laptop -- of sorts. Full disclosure: we (meaning a certain Paul Miller, specifically) have been using a Rev. A MacBook Air for the better part of a year as a primary machine, to very much frustration, so we had some pretty big bones to pick with whatever revision Apple might toss into our laps. Luckily, our fears were unfounded; read on for all the gory, romantic details. [Images courtesy of Sam] %Gallery-35832%
