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Gadget reviews

Gadget reviews
STYLE's news and views on the luxe gadgets that are smart and stylish.
BYD’s Dolphin electric car on display at the 44th Bangkok International Motor Show on March 23, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

EV review: BYD’s Dolphin is the ideal city car for zipping around town

The German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur said in August 2023 that the Dolphin was ‘a real threat to the German car industry’.

Electric & new energy vehicles

EV review: Nio’s ET7 rivals Germany’s best in some ways, at lower price

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Apple

Review | MacBook Air: remote-work stalwart becomes even more powerful and efficient

Smartphones

Review | Oppo Find X7 Ultra: first phone with 2 periscope lenses is zoom photo king

With two periscope zoom lenses – a world first – and a big Sony sensor, the Oppo Find X7 Ultra’s camera hardware blows rivals out of the water, producing better zoom photos than even the top iPhone.

The Oppo Find X7 Ultra continues the design language introduced in 2023, with a two-tone back design with a glass top, vegan leather bottom, and a gigantic circular camera bump in between. Photo: Ben Sin
Smartphones

Review | OnePlus Open/Oppo Find N3: the best foldable phone available outside China

Chinese brand Oppo’s Find N3 foldable phone, selling globally as the OnePlus Open, has superior hardware to its Samsung and Google rivals, native Google app support and innovative multitasking software.

Apple

Review | Apple’s new M2 Max MacBook Pro – well worth the high price tag

Apple’s new 16-inch M2 Max MacBook Pro is an all-powerful machine for creatives who want to take their workstations on the go, with prices starting at US$2,499.

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Review | Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED: US$3,500 folding laptop ideal for digital nomads

Asus’ foldable laptop is a super cool machine for digital nomads, with its versatile screen and software for multitasking, but its US$3,500 price tag and short battery life are turn-offs.

The Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED turning into a 12.5-inch laptop without a physical keyboard.
Luxury Spend It

Sound art: 4 of the most beautifully designed speakers money can buy

From top-end offerings from Kef, B&O and Bowers & Wilkins, to Wilson Audio’s huge new Dalek-esque Alexx V, which sound system delivers most to your home in both look and sound?

Smartphones

Review | Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro review: Google’s smartest phones yet powered by AI

As the first phones to come with Android 13 OS, Google’s new Pixels set themselves apart with stellar cameras and AI-powered features. Will these models finally be enough to compete with Apple and Samsung?

Apple

Review | Apple iPad Air 2022 review: so much power it’s almost too good

The iPad Air 2022’s new M1 chip means games, Netflix, anything runs flawlessly, while battery life is also great and the price reasonable. So who needs an 11-inch iPad Pro now?

The Apple iPad Air 2022 comes with a 10.9-inch 60Hz LCD display and aluminium chassis with flat sides. Inside there’s the powerful M1 chip, a better front-facing camera, more RAM and software upgrades. Photo: Ben Sin
China technology

Oppo Find N vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3: which foldable phone is better?

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Oppo’s Find N are similar in many ways, but which is the better foldable phone? We put them to the test.

The Oppo Find N (left) and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. Photo: Ben Sin
Apple

Review | Apple Macbook Pro review: so powerful, it’s almost overkill

The latest Apple Macbook Pro has the best screen on the market, a processor that can handle any task with ease, and is more powerful than most people need.

Gadgets

Review | Motorola Edge 20 Pro’s 144Hz refresh rate, 5X zoom may woo Samsung fans

New Edge 20 models from Motorola boast a 108-megapixel main camera lens, 5G networking, fast USB-C charging, and 6.7-inch OLED display. The Edge 20 Pro’s photo quality is a draw.

Gadgets

Review | The new Devialet Gemini earbuds boast excellent sound … but is that enough?

A-list music artists Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Will.i.am are all fans of the brand, but how do its new earbuds stack up to its competitors?

Devialet’s earbuds have a curved oval shape to them. Photo: STYLE
Smartphones

Samsung’s new foldable phones first impressions: tougher, slimmer, cheaper

The new Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 represent Samsung’s ‘third generation’ of foldable phones, and could be the ones to finally bring the form factor into the mainstream.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (right) and Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldable phones side by side. Photo: Ben Sin
Gadgets

7 gadgets for beach or pool, from a smartwatch to earbuds

To stay cool in the summer heat, try Sony’s wearable air conditioner. To make some noise, look for Sonos portable speakers. For reading, you need the Kobo Libra waterproof e-reader.

Smartphones

Sony Xperia 1 III review: first phone with 4K 120Hz OLED screen

The Sony Xperia 1 III goes all out with its 4K 120Hz OLED screen, front-facing stereo speakers and camera shutter button, but it’s pricey and battery life could be better.

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Apple

Review | iMac 2021: super fast, but Apple needs to rethink its audience

The iMac 2021 is fast and energy-efficient thanks to the new M1 chip, but its strict adherence to consumer desktop specs could turn off many of the users at which it is aimed.

Apple’s 2021 iMac runs the latest version of MacOS and is powered by the same M1 chip as the iPad Air and Mac Mini released late last year. Photo: Ben Sin
Apple

Review | Apple 2021 iPad Pro: brighter, better, with chip that’s second to none

Apple has upped the tablet game once more with the 2021 iPad Pro, offering a much brighter screen using mini LEDs, and its M1 chip that outperforms an Intel-driven MacBook Pro.

Apple

Review | Do you need Apple AirTags for the most precious things in your life?

Key ring, bag charm or luggage tag? The versatile (and affordable) Apple AirTag helps you track valuables and find lost keys – and can be accessorised with luxury Hermès leather cases

Apple

Review | B&O Beoplay HX vs Apple Airpods Max – which came out on top?

Both of these mid-range headphones hover around the US$600 mark, so which is the best deal for sound quality, battery life, comfort and connectivity?

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The Airpods Max and Beoplay HX go head-to-head – which headphones have the best features for you? Photos: handout
Smartphones

Review | Is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra better than Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro Max?

Why this Korean-made phone, released at the same time as the Galaxy Earbuds Pro, almost tempted us to the Android side

How does the Samsung S21 Ultra stack up against iPhone models? Photo: Samsung
Video gaming

Gamers get glimpse of future with smart mask, video gaming chair

Game company Razer has revealed its vision of how you might play games in the near future – with a smart face mask for outdoor gaming and a carbon-fibre gaming chair with a roll-out screen and haptic feedback so you feel every run, dive and leap.

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Smartphones

Samsung’s Galaxy S21 vs Apple’s iPhone 12: which is 2021’s best phone?

BTS’s Jimin stands behind the new Galaxy S21 phone for a reason: lightweight and with a telephoto lens, it’s capable of giving even Apple’s new iPhone 12 a run for its money

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Samsung Electronics

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra first look: stunning 100x zoom, S-pen support

A breathtaking 100x zoom camera, 120Hz Quad HD resolution, industry-best screen brightness and S-Pen stylus support make the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra as refined a smartphone as you can get.

The Samsung S21 Ultra has a 6.8-inch 120Hz OLED screen, one of the best display panels on the market. Photo: Ben Sin
Smartphones

Review | Mid-priced OnePlus 8T: fast charging, 120Hz display

Chinese-made handset gets to 35 per cent power on a 10-minute charge, and its display’s 120Hz refresh rate makes for a smooth experience. The camera could be better and it lacks IP certification as dust- and waterproof.

The OnePlus 8T is very well made and feels good. At 188 grams, it's also relatively light. Photo: Zacharie Scheurer/dpa
Apple

Apple’s AirPods Max vs Huawei’s FreeBuds Studio: which are better?

We pitch the first over-ear headphones from Apple and Huawei against each other. Can the AirPods Max justify their eye-watering price?

Technology

Review | Are the Apple Airpods Max really worth US$549?

How does Apple’s new over-ear offering perform for sound, battery life and noise cancelling abilities – and what’s with the odd-shaped case?

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