TESTED HUAWEI MATE X3 Q Unfold the Mate X3 and it’s a class-leading 5.3mm sliver of thinness, with minimal crease in the display. Q That’s a lovely 7.85in, 120Hz foldable OLED display, but you still won’t find Google Play services on it. Screen 6.4in 1,080 x 2,504 (cover), 7.85in 2224 x 2496 (internal) 120Hz OLED Processor Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G RAM 12GB Cameras Rear 50MP + 12MP + 13MP Front 8MP (f/2.4) x 2 Battery 4800mAh LiPoOS EMUI 13.1 Storage 512GBDimensions 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3mm (open), 156.9 x 72.4 x 11.8mm (closed) STUFF SAYS +++++ A superbly powerful (and pricey) portable built for creatives, but one that can handle gaming and other entertainment too Lookin’ perfect Tech specs Huawei knows what it has here Look, R45 000 for a smartphone will always feel bonkers, even if you’re happy with what you’re getting. This one’s perhaps Huawei’s best work on the hardware front so far, but that won’t be enough for most buyers. Depending on when you buy, from the local official store, Huawei will chuck in a few extras. These offers have changed a few times since we started using the phone so your mileage may vary here. And if you’re on contract… that’s another story. 49
3 1 TESTED DJI MAVIC 3 PRO 2 GOOD MEH EVIL Still brilliantly portable… …and dead easy to fly Can’t be flown everywhere …but not all cameras are equal More drone than most people need With its trio of cameras, the Pro version of DJI’s Mavic 3 drone is an aerial imaging beast. Let’s find out if it’s a worthy upgrade from the original… We’ve seen the Mavic 3 in two forms before – 2021’s original (now discontinued) and the slightly scaled-back Classic version – but the new Pro rises above them both with a whole new imaging arsenal. It’s DJI’s first folding drone to come with three lenses: a 20MP Hasselblad-branded wide-angle, plus a 48MP medium telephoto (which has a focal length equivalent to about 70mm on a standard camera) and a 12MP telephoto with a slightly wider aperture than the one on the standard Mavic 3. You’ll have to be careful where you fly the Mavic 3 Pro, which weighs close to 1kg. Drones in SA may not be flown within 50 metres of people or private property without permission. That suggests this ‘Pro’ is aimed at drone pilots who make money from aerial photography and videography… but does that mean it’s too much for keen amateurs? R46 300 / capeunionmart.co.za Three bird 50 Call me a breeze The Mavic 3 Pro is a pleasure to pilot. It has automatic take-off and landing, return-to-home, plus all sorts of built-in tracking capabilities. Draw a box around an object on the controller’s screen and the drone will follow it with the camera, whether or not you’re actively piloting it. Risky rock-a-roller? Omnidirectional object-sensing ensures you won’t crash into obstacles like trees, walls and pylons. Unless you fly it at night or in Sport mode, which turns off all the sensors (2) in the name of speed and manoeuvrability, you shouldn’t have to worry about unexpected returns to terra firma. What’s your frame? Aside from the camera unit with its three distinct modules (1), you might find it hard to distinguish the Mavic 3 Pro from the Classic. Both are made of hard-wearing grey plastic, with a microSD slot and a USB-C port on the back, and fold down to roughly the size of a standard water bottle. Versatile camera setup…
TESTED DJI MAVIC 3 PRO Q Hitch There’s still some room for improvement when it comes to image quality and flexibility, though. The 166mm telephoto can’t capture 10-bit video, for instance – it’d be nice to bring it into line with the other two in this regard. Q Bewitch With its large 4/3 sensor size and support for three different 10-bit colour profiles (HLG, D-Log and D-Log M), the main Hasselblad camera offers spellbinding detail, low-light performance and dynamic range. Q Oof, that’s a bit rich You can also buy a Cine version of this drone, with a built-in 1TB SSD and adds support for Apple ProRes, but it’s only available in a R111 000 Premium Combo with the RC Pro controller and two extra batteries. Q Switch Having said that, the two telephotos are no slouches. The new 48MP one can also shoot 10-bit HLG and D-Log M footage, while offering a different perspective that’s useful if you want to shoot small subjects from a distance. With its triple-cam array, the Mavic Pro 3 is a creative powerhouse – but are all three lenses equally adept? Cameras 20MP 4/3 CMOS, 48MP 1/1.3in CMOS, 12MP 1/2in CMOS Video 5.1K @ 50fps, 4K @ 120fps Flight time 43mins Storage 8GB + microSD Connectivity USB-C Dimensions 231x98x95.4mm (folded), 958g STUFF SAYS +++++ It’s not going to be for everyone, not least because of its price, but professionals will love this drone’s flexibility Gimme three yeps Tech specs It might look almost identical to the Mavic 3, but the Pro’s three-camera setup makes it an obvious upgrade. The flight experience feels refined, safe and userfriendly; and while it’s overkill if you’re not already a frequent flyer, the creative freedom offered by that medium telephoto lens makes it easy to recommend to anyone with more air miles. 51 Cruise day’s gone The Mavic 3 Pro can move at over 65kph, is resistant to wind speeds of up to 12m/s, and has low-noise propellers (3) that keep it fairly quiet when hovering. On a full battery you can expect around 43mins of flying time, which is 3mins less than the old Mavic 3 but still impressive. That shell An included strap-on cover keeps the cameras, gimbal and propellers protected while you’re transporting the thing, but buyers who opt for one of the two pricier Fly More bundles get lots of useful extras, such as spare batteries and a better controller, plus a bag to carry them all in. Fleet roam Alabama DJI says the Mavic 3 Pro can be operated from up to 15km away… but letting it out of your sight while it’s in the air is illegal.
1 GOOD MEH EVIL The OLED screen is a beauty… …and it supports the Asus Pen It can run quite hot and loud There’s no fingerprint sensor… …but face recognition is quick Pro-grade hardware, including a dazzling OLED display, all packed into a portable package… has the MacBook Pro for Windows fans arrived? The Zenbook Pro 14 OLED is Asus’s latest no-compromise machine aimed at creative types, with a high-resolution, high-refresh-rate touchscreen, ample connectivity and plenty of power. Asus will sell you one with 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and RTX 4060 graphics, but the model we’ve tested is the whizz-bang, all-boxes-ticked version. It gets 32GB of RAM, a 2TB PCIe SSD and an RTX 4070 – along with a Core i9-13900H CPU. That kind of hardware would worry many desktop PCs, but Asus has crammed it all into a portable yet reassuringly stiff aluminium chassis with subtle branding on the lid and a sleek grey finish. At over 1.6kg it isn’t the lightest laptop going, but it’s still more svelte than the gaming machines that would normally pack this much muscle. Could this Zenbook be the Windows-powered alternative to a fully loaded MacBook Pro? fRtba (from R47 500 import) / asus.com 52 Keys don’t leave me The island-style keys are nice and springy to type on. They don’t have a huge amount of travel, but you’ve got to be really hammering them before they’ll bottom out. LED backlighting makes typing at night a breeze, and white text on black keycaps (2) means they’re perfectly legible in daylight. Wheel good time A unique rotary DialPad (3) is indented into the expansive glass touchpad, for speedy scrolling and activating custom shortcuts. It’s handy once you customise it for your most frequently used apps and settings, but you can toggle it off easily enough if you’re not keen. Raise your class Measuring a mere 17.9mm at its thickest point (1), the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED feels worth its price and will happily slip into a backpack. Asus says it also conforms to military-grade toughness tests, so it should easily be able to cope with being lugged to your favourite cafe. It’s got plenty of ports You make me slick A MUX switch lets you swap between the dedicated and onboard graphics without having to reboot.
TESTED ASUS ZENBOOK PRO 14 OLED 4 Q High contrast Contrast is truly amazing, giving HDR and Dolby Vision content incredible depth and vibrancy. Peak brightness is 600 nits with HDR content, and slightly lower with SDR; you’ll have no issues even in bright sunlight. Q High rise At 14.5in you get much more real estate than a 13in machine, while not taking up quite so much room as a 15-incher. The 16:10 aspect ratio adds height to cut down on scrolling and better fit documents side by side. Q Hi-fi? The Atmos-approved stereo speakers aren’t quite a perfect match for the display, sounding a little harsh when cranked and lacking a little in the bass department. Apple’s MacBook Pro still comes out on top here. Q High resolution The 2880x1800 resolution is cut-yourself sharp, and the default 120Hz refresh rate guarantees smooth scrolling. While the screen hinge doesn’t rotate to a flat 180° there’s still plenty of tilt, and viewing angles are exceptional. Asus has been all-in on OLED with its premium models for a while now, and this display is another winner Screen 14.5in 2880x1800 120Hz OLED CPU Intel Core i9-13900H RAM 16/32GB Storage 1/2TB SSD Graphics GeForce RTX 4060/4070 OS Windows 11 Connectivity Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, SD, HDMI, 3.5mm audio Battery 76Wh Dimensions 322x223x17.9mm, 1.6kg STUFF SAYS +++++ A superbly powerful (and pricey) portable built for creatives, but one that can handle gaming and other entertainment too Lookin’ perfect Tech specs There’s no questioning the Pro 14 OLED’s power: it’s a seriously punchy machine with a screen that’s clearly one of the best around. Plus the keyboard is comfortable, there are plenty of connectivity options, and battery life is decent. For on-the-go video/photo editing, 3D rendering and gaming, this is an excellent choice. 53 There you flow This laptop isn’t going to deliver the sort of framerates a true gaming machine can, but the Resident Evil 3 remake runs wonderfully smoothly at max settings. The fans quickly pick up speed (and make a lot of noise) when you run demanding tasks, but simple stuff is super-quiet. Just like a refill The battery is good for between 8hrs and 9hrs of juice for daily duties, but put any real demand on the hardware and that figure tumbles quickly. You can charge it over USB-C (4), but to get full performance from the CPU/GPU combo you’ll need to use the bundled adaptor.
54 HOME ENTERTAINMENT Home entertainment can be a touch overwhelming, with so much choice and with terms like ‘variable refresh rate’ and ‘dimming zones’ being thrown at you, it can leave the most patient of punters flummoxed. It’s not only about screens. To get the kind of sound that gives you a virtual wallop in the stomach, you might find you need a soundbar, so we’ve tested the cream of the crop to bring you an epic film night. From big-screen beauties to sensational sound, here’s the gear to create your own home cinema nirvana, without breaking the bank. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS SAMSUNG QE55QN90C S amsung’s latest ultra-slim Neo QLED takes the fight to its OLED rivals. ‘Comprehensive’ is an understated way to describe the QN90C’s specs. It uses AI and machine learning to upscale lower-res stuff, and the four HDMI ports cater for Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode. There’s no support for Dolby Vision, though. The plastics that make up most of the chassis look and feel good, the dulled grey metal screen surround is actually quite elegant, and the bezels are as slim as can be. Build quality feels solid all over this set. The picture is bright, detailed and composed, with colours that are never less than vibrantly naturalistic, but even at its darkest it isn’t particularly black. This isn’t the last word in motion control either: it’s just fractionally hesitant with slower movement. Sound is decent, but of course since we’re talking home entertainment here you’re just itching to boost it with some add-ons, aren’t you? The Game Bar is undeniably helpful if you use your TV as a gaming monitor, with minimap and virtual aim-point features adding to the ability to check on input lag, adjust headset settings, adjust screen ratio and all that.You also get two remotes: one with loads of buttons, and a much nicer alternative that just covers the fundamentals. You can also control the TV with Samsung’s SmartThings app or your preferred voice assistant. Price R26 000 / samsung.com/za Tech specs O Screen 55in 3840x2160 QLED O HDR HDR10+, O HLG OS Tizen O Connectivity 4x HDMI, O2x USB, O digital optical audio out, OEthernet, O Wi-Fi, Bluetooth O Dimensions 1227x768x237mm, 20.6kg (including stand) RETURN TO SLENDER
55 HOME ENTERTAINMENT Picture and sound are good, as you’d expect, but where the QE55QN90C shines is its outstanding gaming performance, ergonomics and overall design.
HOME ENTERTAINMENT 56 Your screen is the heart of your home entertainment. Samsung’s about to storm the premium market with its new microLED series, ranging from 76-126in. No pricing yet, but if you’ve got R1.4 million, you can have the smallest one. Maybe. The mid-range and high-end markets in South Africa have been a duel between Samsung and LG. But there are newcomers entering the arena … LG 83” OLED EVO C2 SERIES TV R149 000 / masons.co.za The LG OLED evo C2 Series TV is a recent addition to LG’s line of superb, industryleading OLED TVs, and it’s made waves in the world of home entertainment. Designed for an outstanding gaming, movie, and sports viewing experience, the evo C2 series gives new meaning to watching content in stunning 4K at a 120Hz refresh rate. The C2 also features LG’s new evo panel – the next evolution of OLED, which delivers up to 20% more luminance. You can go large with the 83in giant, but you can also pick up the 48in for R19 000. TECH SPECS Display 83in 4K OLED 3840x2160 120Hz/100Hz O Connectivity 4 x HDMI, 3 x USB, Wifi, Bluetooth, Ethernet O Dimensions 1851 x 1092 x 279, 41.6kg (incl stand) PIXEL POWER TCL 65C845 Rtba / tcl.com TCL TVs seem to be getting better and better, and its new, premium miniLED C845 range – the 65in model is launching in SA in August – is very worth considering. It performs above its price range with excellent black levels, contrast and brightness, full-array backlight increasing picture quality, and a wiiide 178° viewing angle. It’s upgraded to a 240Hz refresh rate, welcome for gamers as well as home theatre enthusiasts, with audio courtesy of Dolby Atmos. TECH SPECS O Screen 65in Ultra HD LCD MiniLED, 3840 x 2160 O Connectivity 4x HDMI, 1x composite video, 1x stereo cinch, 1x optical digital out, 1x USB, 1x headphones, WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplay 2. ODimensions 1446 x 865 x 320mm, 25.3kg (incl. base)
57 … AND THE DECIBELS A home theatre system is a bunch of audio and video gear working together – usually consisting of a 4K TV or projector plus a soundbar, hopefully with satellite speakers to create a surround sound system. Home theatre systems can be relatively simple, with a soundbar and extra speakers including a subwoofer available in a package. But even loungebased systems can be made very complex, with many speakers. Obviously the size of any system will depend on the size of your room, but you need to decide on how many units you want. You also need to consider if you just want a soundbar should you have a smaller room. Plan ahead. It’s like a job interview: where do you see yourself in five years’ time? If you imagine your system expanding into more rooms, say, or incorporating some home cinema action, you need to factor that in now. SOUNDBARS The most useful speaker of the lot is the soundbar. Stick one of these in front of your TV and your core home audio is done — music, films, radio, the lot. These typically plug into your TV over HDMI, and when not replacing your TV speaker you can use them just as you would a dedicated multiroom speaker. But: it can be a lot cheaper to buy a smart speaker instead. Amazon Echo and Google Nest speakers can be assigned to different virtual rooms, and you can set music to play on specific ones through your phone or with a voice command. You get a lot more speaker for your money with these units. Google and Amazon are desperate to get their voice assistants in your home so they’re willing to make little money off the speakers themselves. An Amazon Echo Studio is bigger and beefier than a Sonos One, but costs a similar amount of cash, for example. SENNHEISER AMBEO SOUNDBAR SONOS BEAM (GEN 2) R12 600 / takealot.com A winning mid-range package, which is why it’s been at the high end of our Top Ten speakers list for so long. There’s some serious tech in that bar, with virtual Atmos sound. The Beam (Gen 2) is a small but effective solution for superior sound – and you can always add a Sub if you want more whump. R35 000 / e-piphany.co.za At 126cm long and 18.5kg, the very premium Ambeo is massive, and it sounds suitably huge. You won’t get better Atmos performance from a soundbar: the top end is sharp but not harsh, voices in the middle have real texture, while the meaty bass is delivered with so much punch you’d be silly to bother with a separate sub. A mic is included to assist with setup, which calibrates things by listening to a set of test tones. ROKU STREAMBAR R4 840 / geewiz.co.za At the budget end, a streamer AND a soundbar in one, and it’s really good at both – until you really crank up the volume to max. Its four speakers still offer a significant improvement on what most mainstream TVs can produce, with punch, presence and detail. HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Every so often you have to get off the couch to put on the kettle or just go to bed. Your music should be there waiting for you. 58 HOME ENTERTAINMENT MULTIROOM AUDIO Alternatively … AMAZON ECHO (4TH GEN) R1 300 / makro.co.za Alexa may already be in your home, listening to every word you say. Get another Echo and hey presto – multiroom audio! A pair of them will only cost you R2 600, and they’re getting cheaper all the time. APPLE HOMEPOD MINI R2 300 / leroymerlin.co.za If you’re happy in the Appleverse with Apple Music and Apple podcasts, two Homepod Minis and the glamorous world of multiroom audio can be yours for a mere R5 600. Don’t be put off by their small size – their sound quality is excellent. SONOS ONE SL S Sonos knows what it’s doing with multiroom audio. So they should. With their variety of soundbars, powerful subwoofers and accessories you can tailor a Sonos solution for pretty much any home or budget. It’s easier to integrate and – big bonus – you have to learn much less about sound and sound equipment. Oldschool audiophiles will sneer at you, but it leaves you free to talk about much more interesting things while they compete with each other for hours over which 1970s amp has the best subtweeter diode thingy. Sonos will also allow you to stream different audio in each room simultaneously, a boon for families, and they can be controlled with the Sonos app, which is excellent, or AirPlay. A pair of Sonos One SL speakers for R10 000 is an inexpensive start for your multiroom audio adventure. You can add a Sub Mini for R12 000 and a soundbar (the Arc, Ray or Beam) from R6 500. Price R5 000 / incredible.co.za XBOX SERIES X R12 000 / incredible.co.za Microsoft’s next-gen console has thankfully made it out of the stock shortage doldrums that plagued it upon release, which means you can finally take full advantage of the most powerful console ever made. Capable of churning out games up to 120fps, it’s the ideal companion for Samsung’s 120Hz screen. And with Xbox’s Netflix-like Game Pass service, you’ll have access to hundreds of incredible titles for a reasonable monthly fee. PHILIPS HUE LIGHTSTRIP PLUS BASE V4 R1 100 / geewiz.co.za If you’re planning to use the Beam as your livingroom music hub, this RGB Philips Hue light strip is an easy way to visually immerse yourself in your favourite tunes – especially if you’ve already got a Hue Bridge. Simply connect your Spotify account in the Hue app and marvel at the in-sync light show that ensues. The strip’s flexibility lets you easily mount it behind a sideboard or couch. Now add these... JBL CHARGE 5 R3 600 / incredible.co.za Your home doesn’t stop at the back door, and you’ll want some entertainment in the garden, too. For a party or a quiet afternoon, the Charge 5 offers wifi and very good audio quality for a Bluetooth speaker. Lasts 20 hours on a charge and it’s waterproof too. Take it outside
59 It sounds fantastic, with surprisingly deep bass, and it’s fairly petite at 16 x 12 x 12cm. The One SL simply cuts out the microphones of the standard Sonos One, used to talk to Alexa or Google Assistant, bringing the price down a bit. HOME ENTERTAINMENT
60 ENJOY MUSIC MORE QKeep discovering Don’t be that person who insists music died after an arbitrary year that’s in your head. Your phone provides access to countless songs. Use digital radio and streaming service recommendations to seek out music that’s new to you, and ensure your listening habits don’t become as stale as an Osmonds tribute act. QTest your ears Are you an audiophile? Are you sure? Do yourself a favour and blind-test whether your ears can actually tell the difference between good-quality streaming and hi-res audio downloads. If they can’t, that might make you glum, but it’ll make things a lot simpler when playing music on mobile. THE BASICS STASH TRACKS QBuild playlists If you like a tidy music library, chuck all the things you’ve not listened to yet into a bespoke playlist. Even better, if you’re on iPhone/iPad, use MusicBox (R68) as a place to audition tracks that you’d like to check out later. QSwipe it up For a handy combination of discovery and stashing, Recs by Discz (Rfree with IAP on Android and iOS) is excellent. It borrows from Tinder, having you swipe through a stack of song cards to dismiss or like each one. The latter tracks go onto a Spotify playlist. Stuck in a streaming rut? Bored of the same old songs? Stuff has put together a mixtape of app-based tips that will have you bopping around your kitchen again in no time… QBuy the right kit What is it you want to do with music and your phone? Block out the world? Get a pair of noise-cancelling in-ear buds or, for maximum isolation, over-ear cans. Blast your favourite songs into every room in your home? Try Apple HomePods or a Sonos setup. Pretend it’s 1983? Search for ‘cassette player phone case’ on Redbubble. QPin your picks There will always be albums that are special to you. Flag their tracks as favourites in streaming services to serve up more of the same. Pin them in Spotify. Also add them to home screens as shortcuts or widgets. The free iOS app Albums: Music Shortcuts has great widgets for that – and within the app itself there’s also a nostalgic Cover Flow view. QTake it offline You won’t always have instant internet access. So unless you want to listen to what an airline foists on you at 30,000 feet, or birds arguing when hiking in the wilderness, download favourites and keep them on your device. Maybe even consider buying DRM-free albums to own, rather than being at the whim of streaming services. BETA YOURSELF Get Bach Standard streaming apps don’t deal well with classical music, hence Apple making a bespoke app for stuff you can listen to while wearing tweed. It’s on iOS and Android.
RETURN TO ALBUMS GO RETRO QShift your habits Turning decades of recorded music into a giant jukebox is fine, but delving back into the art of the long player can feel great. Filter your streaming view to albums, pick one, and resist the urge to skip until the last song’s done. QForce LPs If you don’t trust yourself and have an iPhone, Longplay (R90) gives you a grid of synced albums that you can re-order via various means. Tap one and it starts to play; further options lurk behind a long tap, but avoid them for best effect. POWERAMP PowerAmp is packed full of features. It’ll play almost any audio file you load on your phone, whereupon you can fiddle with everything from skins to EQ… and thereby consider yourself a unique genius until friends bring you to your senses. R140 / Android DOPPLER If you’re an iPhone owner who still buys music (albeit digitally), Doppler will happily play whatever format you throw its way from any source. It’ll organise your audio too, searching for missing artwork and combining albums with multiple discs. Rfree or R200 / iOS Cs: MUSIC PLAYER If your main gripe with Apple’s Music app is that it was fine before Apple sidelined your music in favour of its streaming service, Cs will be bliss. It reimagines the classic app focusing on what you love – not what Apple wants you to love. R68 / iOS 61 PERFECT PLAYERS QBring back the iPod Because Apple lacks a nostalgia gland and sense of humour, it smashes iPod tributes to dust (RIP Rewound). Google has no such cruel urges, and so retroPod (Rfree) brings clickwheel glee to Android. QTry virtual vinyl Should your format choice be more old-school, try the suitably named iOS app Vinyl Fetish (Rfree with IAP), which bases playback around virtual records you can customise. This app gives you a virtual record for entire albums, not individual tracks. QGo mono Apps and operating systems can convert stereo to mono output – which is handy when wearing a single earbud to keep one ear on the world and avoid getting run over, or when your phone’s playing music in portrait, which makes nonsense of stereo. QUse EQ Even the best phones have weedy bass when you play audio through their speakers. Try boosting it at the system level, or use a player that lets you fiddle with EQ levels. QSing your heart out Spotify provides lyrics for personal karaoke sessions, but Apple Music goes much further. If you see a mic button in the lyrics view, tap it to silence the main vocal and croon with your own gorgeous voice instead. FINE-TUNE SOUNDS
62 GAMING GEAR The fun ain’t gonna grind any more Games feel so smooth on the 120Hz screen, and AMD’s FreeSync tech ensures screen tearing is not an issue – even on games that barely break 30fps. My chip is coming in The funny-looking port up top is Asus’s own XGm, which lets you hook up an external graphics dock. One with Nvidia RTX 4090 power costs, ahem, R48 000.
GAMING GEAR 63 STUFF SAYS A slick handheld with a lovely screen and ace ergonomics ++++, truggling to set up your giant PC gaming rig on the bus? This Windows portable is much more potent than the Valve Steam Deck thanks to an all-new AMD Ryzen Z1 processor, yet mostly stays whisper-quiet. Its screen has a higher resolution and a variable refresh rate, and it runs any PC game you like – not just the ones that get on with Linux. The ROG Ally is slightly smaller and lighter than the Steam Deck, but slimmer hand-grips do make it less comfortable to hold. The full contingent of inputs at the sides (plus paddles at the rear) are all easily accessed, though – as are handy navigation keys that open Asus’s gaming software. This puts installed games within easy ASUS ROG ALLY reach, along with the settings, although it feels like a bit of a work in progress. You won’t care once in-game, with 1080p framerates that are often on a par with the Steam Deck’s performance even before using AMD’s FSR scaling to ease the strain in demanding titles. On mains power, Turbo mode boosts the CPU for even bigger gains. When you aren’t tethered to a plug socket, though, battery life is rather basic: at best we saw 4hrs, and more intense games would drain it in half that. On the plus side, a 65W charger delivers a 50% top-up in under 1hr, even while you’re playing. The Asus spanks the Steam Deck on screen quality, with a wider colour gamut and superb accuracy. Games that can look fuzzy on Valve’s handheld are crisp and detailed here. Even in titles that require dropping down to 720p for performance, it’s just easier on the eyes. While there’s work to be done on the UI front, no other Windows handheld feels as fit-for-purpose as the ROG Ally. Valve maintains its lead for now – but this is not a one-horse race. Price R16 000 / asus.com Tech specs O7in 1920x1080 120Hz LCD OAMD Ryzen Z1 O16GB RAM O512GB storage OWindows 11 O40Whr OUSB-C, XGm, 3.5mm, microSD, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth O280x111x32mm, 608g S Snow regrets The Ally is an all-white Stormtrooper to the Steam Deck’s Darth Vader. The colour scheme makes those black bezels much more noticeable, though. There may be no major console arrivals to drool over but the world of gaming is far from stagnant, with new titles galore and enough accessories to block out the sun. PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and VR gamers unite: this feature has loads for everyone, as we bring you the best extras – and upcoming games – for all the big platforms…
64 PLAYSTATION GAMING GEAR STUFF SAYS All that’s excellent about DualSense, and super-tweakable +++++ THRUSTMASTER T300RS GT EDITION FORCE FEEDBACK RACING WHEEL R8 830 (import) / thrustmaster.com It’s an exciting time for Gran Turismo fans, with the VR update for GT7 and a movie on the way. If that’s inspiring you to take the immersion of the racing sim even further, this excellent officially licensed wheel is the upgrade you need. Stuff says +++++ OR TRY THESE… VICTRIX PRO BFG R7 540 / importitall.co.za This wireless controller may lack haptics, but extensive modular customisation options make it great value. You’ve got four back buttons on the grips, and analogue triggers that can be set to quick tap for shooters – plus thumbsticks, d-pads and joystick rings that you can swap out, with the option of sacrificing the right stick for a six-button layout. Stuff says +++++ RAZER WOLVERINE V2 PRO R5 600 / evetech.co.za Razer’s beefy and weighty competitive controller finally comes to PlayStation, though the stick layout is very much reminiscent of Xbox. It’s got plenty of great options including an additional pair of shoulder buttons and four customisable back paddles, as well as comfortable analogue triggers. Stuff says ++++, CORSAIR MP600 PRO LPX 1TB SSD R3 200 / takealot.com SSDs have become more affordable so now’s the time if you haven’t already expanded your PS5’s storage, especially with more of them easily exceeding the speed requirements of the console’s own internal SSD. Want more? You can even double your storage for less than what 1TB would have cost you last year. Stuff says +++++ layStation clearly loves the DualSense, to the point that it’s been virtually the only controller worth having for PS5 if you want to take advantage of its advanced haptics and adaptive triggers. But gamers like choice too, so it’s strange that it’s taken so long for Sony to come up with a few alternatives. Well, now the DualSense Edge is here… and as the name suggests, it doesn’t differ too much from the standard pad’s design – though it’s weightier in the hands, and has more of a balance between black and white, notably for its buttons and touchpad. You also get some neat touches such as more textured grips around the DUALSENSE EDGE With PS5s finally in good supply, it’s about time to up your game with some elite-tier additions – whatever your playstyle KONTROLFREEK CoD: MODERN WARFARE II PERFORMANCE THUMBSTICKS Fitted on top of your controller’s sticks, these licensed tactical thumbsticks literally raise your game in CoD, the added height aiding grip and accuracy. R480 (import) / kontrolfreek.com RAZER QUICK CHARGING STAND You can charge your DualSense by plugging a USB-C cable in anywhere, but this charging stand does a lovely job of displaying the controller when it’s not in use. It even comes in a range of swanky colours. R700 / everyshop.co.za standard thumbsticks as well as on the triggers. But you’re going to want clearer enhancements than that to justify its high price… so what really makes the Edge worth considering is the scope for customisation. First up, switches at the back let you toggle between three settings for how far you need to pull each adaptive trigger back, including an instant option for those fast-paced shooters. The controller comes in a hard and sturdy case, which is where you’ll also find a suite of other customisable bits and bobs, such as replaceable high-dome and low-dome thumbsticks. But really it’s all about the back paddles, which you can use for mapping your other button inputs to – such as being able to jump in a shooter without having to take your thumb off your aiming, with up to four custom profiles you can assign to suit any game. Other pro controller options may boast more buttons, but these have a great ergonomic fit, the half-dome option being especially comfortable for just having your finger rest on. It really does add up to giving you the edge. Price R4 400 / takealot.com Key specs OBluetooth, USB-C, 3.5mm O5-10hr battery O325g P
65 GAMING GEAR This is hard store Customisation is done via the console’s home screen. Once you’ve assigned profiles, just hold down an Fn button then a corresponding face button. Thumb thing changed Replacing the thumbstick module entails popping off the cover with a mechanism at the back. Replacing the thumbcaps only requires pulling them off. Sorted for USB-Cs and whizz Hardcore gamers may prefer to play wired, so it comes with a 3m braided USB-C cable. There’s also a little plastic connector to keep it secured.
66 XBOX GAMING GEAR STUFF SAYS The best wireless headset for everything, not just Xbox +++++ XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER REMIX SPECIAL EDITION R1 700 (import) / xbox.com Microsoft is keen to show it’s doing its bit to make gaming more green, and the latest move in that direction is this controller. Not only literally green, it’s also been made with one-third ‘regrind’ and reclaimed plastics. As a bonus, it comes with an official battery and USB-C charging cable. Stuff says +++++ OR TRY THESE… HORI FIGHTING COMMANDER OCTA R1 080 (import) / hori.co.uk Fighting games may feel better with arcade sticks, but these days even the pros are quite comfortable with just a pad. You still want all the important buttons in one place, though… so this affordable wired controller features a classic six-button layout that’s perfect for whupping ass in Street Fighter 6. Stuff says ++++, EPOS H6PRO (OPEN) R3 950 / makro.co.za Wired headsets are the preferred choice if you don’t want to compromise on lagfree audio, and they’re often cheaper as well. If you’re after a highend option, this one is comfy for long sessions with its lightweight build and ventilated earpads. Of course you also get the finest realistic game audio, down to the quietest details. Stuff says ++++, TURTLE BEACH REACT-R WIRED CONTROLLER R1 300 / takealot.com For such a low price, this wired controller packs a surprising array of skills. That includes Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing, a feature usually found in the company’s pricey headsets but available here with the press of a button when you plug any pair of any headphones into the audio port. Stuff says ++++, hen you’ve created the ultimate wireless headset that can work on any console you own, how do you follow up on that? If you’re Turtle Beach, you just smarten it up a bit – in both senses. Like last year’s Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max, the Stealth Pro has a USB wireless transmitter with a simple switch that toggles from Xbox’s proprietary wireless protocol to the standard 2.4GHz used by other consoles – so if you own all of the machines, this is the only headset you need. Bluetooth is also supported, and you can receive audio from both sources at the same time. The transmitter is, however, no longer just a dongle: this time TURTLE BEACH STEALTH PRO If you’re firmly on the green side of the great console divide, help your Series X/S take it to the max with some of this lot XBOX COMPLETE COMPONENT PACK If you’ve invested in an Elite Controller, then this pack can take your tweaks to pro-level precision. Included are four interchangeable thumbsticks, a standard d-pad, four additional paddles and lots more. R1 500 / incredible.co.za VENOM TWIN DOCKING STATION Tired of replacing the AAs in your Xbox controllers? You can buy rechargeable battery packs… or better yet, this twin charging station comes with two 850mAh battery packs. R400 / nexushub.co.za it’s a USB-connected dock that doubles as a battery-charging station, with one in the dock while the other is already installed in the headset. While you still have the same total battery life as you’d get from previous Turtle Beach wireless headsets (albeit split between each battery), the ability to have one on charge while using your headset and then simply swap them over means you don’t have to worry about running out – and might not ever need the included USB-C cable. In the event you’ve misplaced one of the batteries, you can still quick-charge in 15mins for 3hrs of use. While the Max was an iteration, the Stealth Pro has also allowed Turtle Beach to refresh the design in order to create something smoother, rounder, and on the whole a lot classier, without any distracting RGB lights – working its magic with, er, stealth. To round things off, it also comes with a nice velvet pouch (and a mini-pouch inside for your detachables) so you can ensure this gadget stays pristine when you’re not using it. This is a headset for the big leagues. Price R10 000 / madroxprime.co.za Key specs OUSB-C, Xbox Wireless, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth O24hr battery (2x 12hrs) O413g W
GAMING GEAR Track in black EQ fine-tuning is still done via an app but the right earcup has plenty of toys, including a wheel to adjust volume and ANC, and a button that swaps between game and chat controls. Whole lotta cosy The headband can be a bit of a tight fit, but the earpads make wearing it for hours comfortable without getting unpleasantly warm. It even feels good if you wear glasses. Highway to yell The detachable boom microphone attaches to the left earcup, which is where the headset’s battery lives. You get a spoken reminder of battery level when you turn it on.
68 SWITCH GAMING GEAR STUFF SAYS Your new drift-free go-to premium Switch controller +++++ SWITCH PRO CONTROLLER TEARS OF THE KINGDOM EDITION R1 800 / store.nintendo.co.za The Pro Controller is a trusty companion for carrying you through lengthy hours of gaming with its 40hr battery life, complete with HD rumble, gyro aiming and Amiibo support. But it’s hard to own only one when Nintendo keeps making special editions. Stuff says +++++ OR TRY THESE… 8BITDO ULTIMATE BLUETOOTH CONTROLLER R2 500 / 4evatech.co.za 8BitDo used to be all about retro, but this is essentially its own version of a standard controller. So what makes it ‘ultimate’? That would be the rear paddles and analogue triggers, along with textured grips and remappable buttons. Its 22hr battery life isn’t great, but it does come with a charging dock. Stuff says +++++ HORI SPLIT PAD COMPACT R700 / carbonite.co.za While Hori’s Split Pad Pro is ideal for gamers who want to play in handheld mode for longer sessions, it also makes your Switch ridiculously wide. This new Compact edition is basically for smaller hands; it’s a little less unsightly while fulfilling the same ergonomic function, with a d-pad, assignable rear buttons and a turbo mode. Stuff says ++++, INTEGRAL 1TB MICROSD R2 280 / takealot.com For Switch owners who love to just impulse-buy tons of games from the eShop (control yourself!), it’s essential to upgrade your storage with microSD cards. The 180MB/s read speed of this card – designed for 4K video – might be overkill, but it’s about the best-value 1TB card you can get if you never want to worry about storage again. Stuff says +++++ witch owners know all too well the frustration of drift, where the controller sticks begin to take on a life of their own even when you haven’t got your thumbs on them. It’s an issue that has plagued Nintendo’s console pretty much from the beginning; and while most reports concern the Joy-Con, its Pro Controller can also be afflicted. GuliKit sets out to eradicate this problem once and for all with its KingKong 2 Pro, priced just a bit higher but made with premium care. It’s the first controller of its kind to use Hall-effect joysticks, employing permanent magnets to avoid the wear and tear you get with traditional materials, GULIKIT KINGKONG 2 PRO Nintendo’s handheld may be reaching its twilight, but with the latest controllers and other add-ons it’s still got plenty to give GULIKIT HALL JOYSTICKS FOR JOY-CON GuliKit may not have released its own Joy-Con, but you can buy a pair of Hall joysticks to replace the ones on your Switch. You’ll have to do some DIY, but there are plenty of YouTube videos you can look up for that. R600 (import) / amazon.co.uk PDP JOY-CON CHARGING SHUTTLE If you like colourful Joy-Cons, you’ll want a neat way of displaying them, just like shoes. You can slot four into this charging station; and if you have even more, at this price you might just buy another. R360 (import) / smythstoys.com thus making stick drift a thing of the past. That fact alone makes this a brilliant alternative to the official Pro Controller. It may have a more minimalist aesthetic, either all black or all white, but it also comes with a lovely matt finish and textured grips. At times you might be fooled into thinking you’re holding an Xbox controller (despite the face buttons being arranged in the usual Nintendo way, with A on the right). Of course, this is primarily a Switch controller – and so you can also expect the standard features, including rumble, an NFC touchpoint for scanning Amiibo, and gyro motion controls that are great for aiming in games like Splatoon 3 or Tears of the Kingdom. Better yet, all buttons and sensitivity can be customised to your preferences, all via the controller itself. Another nice addition is that it comes in a plastic case – a basic one compared to what you’d get with elite-level controllers, but that makes the KingKong 2 Pro the easy choice for packing on holiday. We just wish GuliKit would come up with some cooler licensed designs… Price R1 600 / 4evatech.co.za Key specs: OBluetooth, USB-C O25hr battery O223g S
69 GAMING GEAR Take me chrome Shoulder buttons and analogue triggers are painted white or silver, the latter also using Hall-effect sensors. The triggers don’t feel very tactile, but that doesn’t affect gameplay. PC lover It’s a multi-platform controller: a button on the right lets the KingKong 2 Pro work wirelessly with PCs (with separate options for XInput and DirectInput) and mobile devices. If leading me is easy There’s a button for Autopiloting, which basically means you can get the controller to do the monotonous grind for you in games like Pokemon and Animal Crossing.
70 GAMING GEAR nnounced way back in 2018, Starfield is finally almost here. It’s from Bethesda, the big hitters behind the likes of the Elder Scrolls series, so it’s fair to say expectations are high. This is a space-themed open-world game with warring factions to deal with or, if you’d prefer, the chance to seek out new worlds to explore in Star Trek style. The game promises over 1000 planets populated with a mixture of unique content and procedural generation. Extensive character creation also means you’ll feel truly a part of this universe, while there’s a levelling-up system that allows you to upgrade the skills you use most. And ship-based combat inspired by FTL should make it more than just Skyrim in space. XSX / 6 Sept STARFIELD A
71 MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Yes, Spidey swings back onto your PlayStation in October. After the surprise hit of the first game, anticipation is high for this one while details remain fairly scant. The good news is that Venom, one of Spider-Man’s most iconic foes, will feature. More villains are promised, but for now there’s little insight into exactly who they’ll be. As before, expect plenty of diversions such as new suits to collect and abilities to pick up. Count on seeing some side missions too – that always makes exploring NYC a pleasure. Trailers also suggest an upgraded suit for Peter Parker. Even better, the rumour is that web-swinging in this one will be better than ever, with the potential to truly push the PS5’s hardware compared to the Remastered first game. PS5 / 20 Oct GAMING GEAR COMING SOON TO CONSOLES Web-slinging, rubber-burning, space-trekking goodies PIKMIN 4 The Pikmin series is consistently adorable and we can’t see No.4 being any different. Again you’re controlling a tiny leader who guides cutesy Pikmin to their goals, whether that’s defeating enemies or finding key objects. This time there’s a new deployment mechanic, new abilities and a plot that involves rescuing some castaways. Switch / 21 July FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH The sequel to Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebirth will continue the story with its trend of modern-day twists and flourishes. Little has actually been revealed about this game but it’s expected to continue to offer high production values, faster combat than the original, and a few surprises for those used to the 1997 title. PS5 / date tbc ALAN WAKE 2 Rumoured for years, Alan Wake 2 is now a reality – and is set to be a direct continuation of the first game. The sequel will continue the psychological thriller theme, while leaning more into survival horror tropes than the rather action-packed earlier incarnation. It uses the same Northlight Engine as Quantum Break and Control. PS5, XSX / 17 Oct FORZA MOTORSPORT The first traditional Forza Motorsport game since 2017, this one may not have a number in its name but it’s got plenty of big numbers inside… like 500 cars to collect and race with, and more than 800 unique upgrades. Expect a single-player career mode that aims to be different from the usual way of doing things. XSX / 10 Oct ASSASSIN’S CREED MIRAGE After a few years of Assassin’s Creed being open-world and less focused on stealth, Mirage is going to mark a return to more traditional territory for the franchise. With a focus on narrative, it’s set in Baghdad and follows a street thief as he works his way up to the Brotherhood. PS5, PS4, XSX, XB1, PC / 12 Oct BALDUR’S GATE 3 The third main entry in the Baldur’s Gate series offers a traditional party-based RPG experience with a combat system inspired by D&D. Almost every object can be used as a weapon, controlled by dice rolls and skill checks in the background. Alongside that will be a deep storyline… and even the potential for some romance. PS5, XSX / 31 Aug
72 WINDOWS GAMING GEAR STUFF SAYS The ideal high-end monitor for those who want it all +++++ NVIDIA GEFORCE 40 SERIES from R9 600 (import) / nvidia.com There’s a seismic shift this year for graphics cards, with Nvidia’s GeForce 40 Series becoming the dominant range to buy. And the series’ lower-end cards will be a clear highlight for many, with the RTX 4060 Ti making an ideal mid-range option for those who want to game well but without spending depressingly ridiculous sums. Stuff says ++++, OR TRY THESE… GIGABYTE AERO 16 (2023) from R47 000 / tech.co.za Stylish as well as powerful, the Aero 16 is pivoted towards content creators but also anyone who likes to play on the move. It sports a 13th-gen Intel Core processor alongside the latest GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. But the thin 16in 4K OLED screen is the star attraction, with fantastic colours. Stuff says +++++ EPOS S6 R4 265 (import) / eposaudio.com A dedicated webcam makes a huge difference for avid streamers compared to the average built-in solution. This one is simple to use, while offering 4K resolution and two integrated mics with digital noise-cancellation so you’ll look and sound clearer than before. And a smart sensor ensures it adapts to your lighting conditions at all times. Stuff says ++++, RAZER ORNATA V3 TENKEYLESS R1 600 / evetech.co.za Keyboards continue to look so much prettier than they used to, with the Razer Ornata V3 Tenkeyless offering all the essentials in a smaller build than usual. It has slimmer keycaps than previous Razers, with shorter switches that feel good under the fingertips. It’s nicely angled to be comfy to use for unhealthily long gaming sessions. Stuff says ++++, f you’ve invested in a great gaming rig, you need an equally great monitor to ensure you get the best from your GPU. Acer’s latest Predator is a pricey but perfect investment for the job… and not just because it’s frickin’ huge. The X45 has a 45in OLED panel with every feature you could ever want in a monitor. It has an 800R curve, making it more immersive than a flat screen, and the native resolution of 3440x1440 is crisp enough… but it’s the refresh rate and response times that truly wow. A 240Hz refresh rate means there’s no fear of motion-blur making games looking messy, and a response time of 0.01ms means you won’t be able to blame ACER PREDATOR X45 Whether you’re looking to stream in style or upgrade your hardware, here’s the best in PC gaming gadgetry right now CORSAIR MP600 CORE XT 4TB Games keep getting bigger, so 4TB of speedy storage is just what’s needed. One of the fastest PCIe Gen 4 drives around, the Corsair MP600 Core XT will give you up to 5000MB/s sequential read and 4400MB/s write speeds. R6 500 / evetech.co.za CHERRY KW X ULP This super-slinky keyboard from the king of keys has tactile mechanical switches. It can be corded or connected via 2.4GHz wireless or Bluetooth (it’s rechargeable) and is able to switch between different sources. R4 600 (import) / cherry.co.uk your hardware if you’re too slow to react to anything. You also get fantastic levels of zing, with 1000 nits of peak brightness ensuring no issues even if you’re playing in a brightly lit room. Support for HDR10 and AMD FreeSync Premium helps too, although there’s no support for Nvidia G-Sync. Out to compete with LG’s gaming monitors, the Acer misses out slightly with two HDMI 2.0 ports rather than the latest 2.1 protocol – so the full refresh rate is limited to the DisplayPort 1.4 input. But for PC gamers that shouldn’t be much of a problem. Appreciating that you might also need to get some work done once in a while, the X45 has a KVM switch so you can easily switch between two desktops or laptops with a shared keyboard and mouse. There’s a USB hub too, including a USB-C port with up to 90W charging along with two USB-A sockets and a 3.5mm headphone output. It’s an expensive gaming monitor for sure, but one that should serve you well for a long time to come – space permitting. Price Rtba / acer.com/za Key specs O45in 3440x1440 240Hz OLED O2x USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, 2x HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort O 992x662x306mm I
Tired for sound With 5W speakers built in, you have the basics covered… but don’t count on them for any sort of power. It’s wise to add on some dedicated audio equipment. We don’t balk any more Want to cut back a little? There’s always the Acer Predator X27U, which shares similar specs. It’s cheaper and takes up less room while still giving a great picture. Please don’t squeeze Super-slim bezels mean it takes up less room than its epic screen size might suggest. A stylish podium means there’s room for placing other objects on your desk too.
74 VIRTUAL REALITY GAMING GEAR STUFF SAYS A next-gen headset packed with immersive features ++++, PICO 4 R10 900 / cybertrek.co.za Cheaper than the Meta Quest 2 but offering 4K resolution, more compact lenses and colour passthrough, Pico’s latest is a more attractive entry-level all-in-one headset. The only real snag is you’ll have to buy games all over again via Pico’s own Android-based OS. There are plenty of fitness apps available for those looking to get sweaty in VR. Stuff says ++++, OR TRY THESE… META QUEST PRO R28 000 / cybertrek.co.za Even after a £500 price cut, this is an awfully expensive proposition with many gimmicky metaverse-orientated features currently feeling underused. Its emphasis on mixed reality may also put off gamers who just want to be fully immersed in VR. Still, 4K images plus an improved processor and hand-tracking do greatly improve existing Quest games. Stuff says +++,, HTC VIVE XR ELITE R31 300 / 180by2.co.za In stark contrast to HTC’s clunky roomscale VR setups, its all-in-one MR headset is really light and compact. But for all the fancy colour passthrough and finger-tracking, it still has the same brain as the Quest 2, while its diopters – supposed to make wearing glasses unnecessary – don’t go far enough to make that a reality for extremely shortsighted users. Stuff says +++,, HP REVERB G2 R15 300 / cybertrek.co.za All-in-one headsets may be the new trend, but for those who care about bleeding-edge graphics and want to connect their rigs to play blockbusters like Half-Life: Alyx, the Reverb G2 is still one of the more affordable PC-powered options. And the latest version has some upgrades, from better vertical tracking coverage to a removable facepad. Stuff says ++++, ou could call this the first true next-gen headset, simply down to the PS5 console that powers it. But that would be underselling the PSVR2’s own strengths. Compared with Sony’s first stab at VR in 2016, version 2 is an enormous leap. Right out of the box (which you should keep, by the way, as a decent way to store the headset), it’s a much smoother setup, with just a single USB-C cable that connects to the front of the PS5. Four embedded cameras at each corner track your head and the controllers – so you don’t need to stand in front of the TV. Now, did someone mention controllers? Yes, the PSVR2 PLAYSTATION VR2 Whether you’re after an all-in-one device or want to connect to beefier hardware, here are the finest VR headsets of 2023 VR OPTICIAN PRESCRIPTION LENSES For speccy types tired of rubbing up against VR lenses, this company based in Germany can provide bespoke prescription lenses that insert over the ones in your headset. R1 540 (import) / vroptician.com AMVR PORTABLE NECK-HANGING POWER BANK Battery life is a common issue with all-in-one headsets… but you can get more juice by plugging in a power bank, and what’s more convenient than one you can hang around your neck? R900 (import) / amvrshop.com actually has dedicated Sense controllers rather than the dated workaround of its predecessor. These have a similar design and anti-collision rings to the Meta Quest 2, but with advanced haptics more akin to the PS5’s DualSense gamepad. Better still, even the headset comes with haptics – so you might feel a jolt to the head when hit by incoming fire, or enjoy a more transcendent feel when passing a level in Tetris Effect. But it’s what you see inside the headset that really ups the bang/buck ratio of the VR2. Not only does its 4K OLED display offer the crispest image possible right up to your eyeballs, but it’s also the first to incorporate HDR as well as eye-tracking. The latter is a real game-changer from head-tracking alone, as you can select menus just by looking. It also makes for even more natural eye contact in games like Moss. It could certainly do with a stronger lineup of new games, rather than just relying on (impressively) spruced-up versions of old VR titles. But if you want to see what the future of virtual reality looks like, this is your first stop. Price R14 000 / makro.co.za Key specs O2x 2040x2000 120Hz OLED OUSB-C O560g Y
Hello, I love view A button on the bottom instantly takes you to passthrough mode so you can check on your surroundings. It’s only in monochrome, but we’ll take that over bumping into furniture. Light my choir Custom headphones are included; they attach to the back so you don’t have more wires dangling around. But you’ll get far better audio from good wireless over-ears.
Th e sonic sling Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus Trekking wisdom dictates that shoulders are for supplies. Trouble is, there are only so many melodies you can make by drumming on empty tins. Leave the backpacks to your hiking buddies and haul this hi-fi into the hills: lug it by belt or handle and your reward will be 20hrs of punchy waterproof audio. R8 830 / wantitall.co.za Th e tuneful tube Loewe We Hear 2 Cylinders are a great way to share sounds at a summer shindig: whip out a didgeridoo and you’re sure to impress the neighbours. Or, try this sonorous column instead. Sealed ports keep it splashproof, while strap loops make it easy to tote. And with 17hr battery life, it can outlast the lengthiest droning solo. R4 280 (import) / amazon.co.uk Th e durable diff user Sony SRS-XE300 Putting the ‘fun’ in ‘fundamental scientifi c principles’, this pentagonal player employs the physics of diff raction to spread the aural energy. Channelling sound through a narrow slot, it fi res the waves over a wider area for a consistent listen all round. Battery life is impressive too, at 24hrs. R3 800 / loot.co.za Th e boxy blaster Ultimate Ears Hyperboom Toddlers might be entertained by empty boxes, but it takes more than cardboard to start a proper party. Th is megalithic cuboid hits the right angles: with power in spades, it majors on outdoor oomph. An IPX4 rating means it’s safe to splash, and it allows quick switching between four sources. R15 400 / geewiz.co.za Th e handled heavyweight JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi Forget tepid cider and charred patties: garden barbies are all about that bass. And if meaty tunes are on the menu, this waterproof whopper is what you need. Beefy at 9.6kg, it packs two tweeters, two mid-range drivers and a powered sub. Plus this edition is seasoned with Wi-Fi. R9 000 / hifi corp.co.za Game for a garden party? Stuff pumps up the winter playlist to select the best Bluetooth boxes for al-fresco audio… Th e fl exible fl oater Bose SoundLink Flex Boat parties might be a holiday highlight, but a submerged speaker will soon sink the vibes. Keep the fun afl oat with this hardy hailer: buoyant by design, it’ll bob back up if you drop it in the drink. PositionIQ smarts optimise the audio based on its orientation, whether lying on deck or hanging up to dry. R3 900 / smartspeakers.co.za Th e wily wedge Sonos Roam Don’t know your way around an equaliser? Th is satchel-friendly Sonos does the adjusting for you: shift to a diff erent arena and Auto Trueplay tunes the output to suit your surroundings. Its premium build is worthy of a headline slot, while an IP67 rating makes it an all-weather performer. R4 300 / takealot.com Th e clip-on cranker Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore Nothing says rugged like a built-in carabiner. Small but tough, B&O’s clippable barrel is designed to take a beating: its anodised aluminium armour can survive adventures without being a burden on your backpack. Beneath the hard shell live omnidirectional drivers and a battery good for 27hrs. R6 000 / e-piphany.co.za 1 Wet wet wet Every speaker here can withstand at least a sprinkle of water. An IPX4 rating translates as splashproof, while IP67 means a quick swim won’t curtail the entertainment. 2 Living in a box Most outdoor speakers can keep going for several hours. An 8hr battery is great for an afternoon in the park, but a multi-day rave requires 20hrs or more. UPVOTED NIMBLE NOISE-BRINGERS MID-SIZE MONSTERS BIG BOOMERS 76 HOW TO DECIDE OUTDOOR SPEAKERS
3 Heavy stereo A single source is fine for intimate gatherings, but doubling up lets you soundtrack big bashes. Many speakers can be paired with one or more of the same make or model for stereo output. 4 One direction? Soundwaves quickly dissipate outdoors. Directional speakers can target a single spot, but if you’re listening in the round you’ll want one with drivers that fire out full 360° sound. UPVOTED 77 Th e robust rocker Marshall Middleton Between big gigs and tourbus benders, life on the road can take its toll. Luckily, this mini amp from Marshall has the build to match its rock-star styling. Reassuringly solid at 1.8kg, the mighty Middleton is IP67 dust/water-resistant. A multi-directional driver setup immerses all your roadies in the post-show playlist, while Stack mode lets you build a wall of sound with multiple Middletons. And its sturdy shell uses 55% recycled plastic, because nothing says ‘punk’ like sustainability. R6 500 (import) / marshallheadphones.com
78 TECH TITANS TECH TITANS APPLE LAPTOPS Stuff’s top Mac portables from across the ages 01 MACBOOK AIR Say what you like about Apple founder Steve Jobs, but the man could put on a show. And that job was made a whole lot easier if the hardware he was unveiling allowed for a little on-stage magic. In 2008, he performed the trick – miraculous at the time – of pulling an entire super-thin laptop out of a standard office envelope. The crowd went wild – even more so than usual at an Apple event. Not everyone was so easily won over, though. The second the specs were revealed, pundits countered the jolly mood with a keyboard-bashing flurry of rage, explaining why the MacBook Air was a disaster. It was too expensive, they said. The SSD storage option meant you’d barely be able to save anything before the machine displayed a ‘full now’ sad face. The CPU was too slow. Users wouldn’t be able to replace the battery. There was just one USB port. (OK, they might have had a point with that last one.) What they’d all failed to notice – yet again – was that Apple had ushered in the future. Before long, rival brands clamoured to offer laptops with the same skinny form factor. The era of the Ultrabook had arrived. Little did we know then that, for Apple, ‘thin’ would become an obsession that would undermine a host of subsequent laptops. But for a brief moment in 2008, skinny was ‘in’ – and the first-generation MacBook Air was unbeatable. RELEASED 2008 I’ll leap it with mine Apple had a habit of ditching optical drives from portables, but the Air had a trick: it could use another Mac’s DVD drive over Wi-Fi. Meat on the wedge The Air’s wedge shape narrowed to just 4mm at the thinnest edge. But it was 19.3mm at the rear – thicker than today’s MacBook Pro.
TECH TITANS 79 Bothering bay? Apple adding a notch to a laptop raised eyebrows, but it worked well – and the screen area below matched its notchless predecessor. 02 MACBOOK PRO 14IN When Apple released M1 MacBooks at the end of 2020, no one was prepared for how powerful they’d be: even the M1 Air beat the flagship Intel-brained Pro in some tests. People weren’t prepared for how they’d look either – identical to the models they replaced. Bah. That changed a year later when the Pro got a design refresh – one that felt very ‘new Apple’ (or at least ‘Jony Ive can’t tell us what to do any more Apple’). With an M1 Pro or M1 Max CPU, this Pro was heavier and chunkier than the one that came before it. Which was good – that provided space for a keyboard you wouldn’t hate. This Mac was near-silent, with an amazing screen, great battery life, MagSafe and loads of ports. Yes, it was expensive, but it felt like Apple had remembered how to make a Mac for power users again, rather than compromising in the name of thin. RELEASED 2021 03 POWERBOOK 100 04 MACBOOK PRO 05 iBOOK G3 The 1989 Macintosh Portable should have been called the Macintosh Luggable – it was the PowerBook of two years later that really defined Apple’s mobile Mac ambitions. It might look prehistoric today, but back in ’91 it was an eye-opener with a sleek grey case replacing the usual beige. You also got chunky palm rests with a central trackpad and, in a very Apple move, no built-in disk drive. RELEASED 1991 All change in 2006: Apple hurled the PowerBook name and sluggish PowerPC chips into a ravine. Mac laptops now had Intel inside – but no naff ‘Intel inside’ sticker. Beyond a huge leap in performance and new name (“We want Mac in the name of our products,” said Jobs), this laptop introduced a built-in iSight camera and the first MagSafe magnetic power connector. RELEASED 2006 This laptop resembled the original iMac as run over by a steamroller. But it did grab the attention – and showcase Apple’s willingness to be different with a consumer portable. Smartly, the juvenile exterior was combined with clever tech: it had wireless networking, showcased on stage by Jobs walking around and swiping a hoop around it to prove there were no invisible cables. RELEASED 1999 PowerBook G4 12in 2003 This chunky number squeezed a whole PowerBook G4 into a properly portable form factor. Alas, the battery could be a wee bit ‘explodey’. PowerBook G3 Wallstreet II 1998 Apple’s last laptop with the rainbow logo was sleek and customisable. But it’s so painfully 1990s that it doesn’t merit a top-five spot. MacBook Pro 15in 2012 This slimmed-down Pro kept plenty of power and ports, adding a Retina display. Apple boldly left its branding off the bezel. MacBook 2015 The wafer-thin mint of Mac laptops went one-up on the Air with its svelte form and Retina display. But it cost stupid money and had just one USB-C port. ALMOST GREAT…
80 ONE SHIFTCAM LENSULTRA Your Galaxy S23 Ultra has four cameras, but only one of them is a 200MP behemoth. LensUltra is a new collection of lenses unlocking zoom, fi sheye, macro and even anamorphic capture – and it’s optical, not digital, so results should be supremely crisp. Just clip on the mount and snap the lens in place. R3 200 (import) / shiftcam.com TWO MOUS SPECKLED FABRIC PHONE CASE We love MagSafe. Whether it’s for wireless charging or mounting your phone, it’s so useful – but only iPhones support it out of the box. A Mous case can give your S23 Ultra MagSafe support, opening up a world of accessories and levelling up its protection too. Plus it looks mighty fi ne in the Speckled Fabric fi nish. R1 000 (import) / uk.mous.co THREE REMARKABLE 2 Th e ReMarkable 2 is a stellar E Ink tablet, notetaking tool and e-reader, and it’s great value. To write on it, though, you have to pick up a pricey pen separately… or do you? Th e S23 Ultra’s excellent S Pen can step up to the plate here as a stylus for its 10.3in screen, packing pressure-sensitivity and making the smartphone and tablet a perfect pairing. R7 100 (import) / remarkable.com FIRST ADD THESE… SAMSUNG S23 ULTRA
INSTANT UPGRADES STANT UPGRADES 2 PLAY UP If you’re a gamer, you’ll want to customise some stuff in the pre-installed Game Launcher app. When it’s fi red up, select More > ‘Game Booster settings’. Th is is where you can toggle what in-game tools are at your fi ngertips – for example, turning on the Shortcut bar to quickly capture screenshots and screen recordings. You can also block specifi c apps when gaming to zap distractions. 5 SNAP UP Samsung squishes 16 pixels into one to give you a 12MP shot… despite the fact that the S23 Ultra has a 200MP camera. But you can override this. In the camera app, you’ll see a list of options along the side. One should be an aspect ratio – tap that set of numbers, select ‘3:4 200MP’ and you’re good to take huge photos packed with detail. Th is mode isn’t great for dark or high-contrast scenes, though. 1 SPLIT UP To unlock the full potential of that big screen, you’ll have to activate some features. First open Settings > Advanced Features > Labs and activate ‘Multi-window for all apps’. Th is unlocks split-screen working even if apps don’t natively support it. Next, select ‘Full screen in split view’ for true full-screen multitasking, and enable ‘Swipe up for split screen’. You’re now a productivity hero. 4 WRITE UP Tapping away with the S Pen, your keyboard won’t pop up every time you bump into a text entry fi eld – you’re expected to write in the teeny-tiny space where you want that text. If you don’t fancy that, open Settings and select Advanced Features > S Pen > ‘S Pen to text’. Turn it off – now, even when you’re scrawling away, your full-size keyboard or large handwriting canvas will appear as normal. 3 FIRE UP Is there one app you wish could always be just a double-tap away? Set it to your side key shortcut! Dive into Settings > Advanced Features > Side Key and activate ‘Double press’. Th e default feature is a quick launch for the camera; but if you don’t want that as your shortcut, select ‘Open app’ and pick one. Th is menu is also where you can change what a long press of the power button does. 6 SHARPEN UP Photography fi ends will love Expert RAW, Samsung’s pro-grade camera app for the ultimate in editable photos. If you don’t see the app on your phone, download it through the Galaxy Store. On top of giving you manual control, it lets you shoot in high-effi ciency RAW, capture multiple exposures for HDR RAW snaps, and even access the incredible RAW astrophotography mode. NOW TRY THIS… THEN GET THESE… 81 DEEZER Audiophile? Hook up your S23 Ultra to some quality headphones, fire up Deezer and you can stream FLAC tunes at 1411kbps, beating Spotify’s best by some margin. Rfree (IAP) GOODLOCK This app from the Galaxy Store is the ultimate in customisation, including having your apps scroll vertically. It can make your phone feel less Samsung and more you. Rfree HONKAI: STAR RAIL From the makers of Genshin Impact, this game slows down the pace of combat with a turn-based RPG approach, all in a sci-fi world of gorgeous cel-shaded 3D. Rfree (IAP)
82 WORK FROM HOME QMake a space Eke out a permanent office space, so you can ‘go to work’ (psychologically) and leave at home time. Good lighting is helpful. Cut clutter and distractions – especially if you do Zoom calls – but make it friendly, somewhere you want to be. If you can customise hardware and software setups, make both work to your benefit. QTalk to people Being away from people can feel isolating. Be wary of wasting time on social networks; but if you work in a team, figure out ways to have catch-ups. The virtual office has no ‘watercooler’ moments, so schedule short regular meetings that provide room for ad-hoc ideas. THE BASICS BE FOCUSED QTame notifications If you’re easily distracted, silence or reduce notifications so you can dedicate yourself to the current task at hand. If necessary, use VIP systems so vital contacts can break through those barriers. QCustomise your setup If you’re using Apple kit, explore the Focus feature. For each Focus you define, you can outline which people and apps can notify you, and which home screens to display. Focuses sync between Apple devices and can be tied to iPhone home screens, so it’s easy to switch between them. Office owners are throwing tantrums, but there’s no going back: WFH is here to stay. If you’re new to it, try these tips from the Stuff team. QCheck your hours It’s common for people to think of the time they once left the house as the beginning of their work day, but your commute was your time. Don’t be tempted to roll those hours into your WFH day, giving your company extra ‘free’ hours you could use for yourself. Similarly, take a lunch break – ideally away from screens. QMove your body Ergonomics are important, and when you’re away from the office it’s unlikely workspace setups will be checked beyond the most cursory online ‘training’. Buy a good chair. Consider a standing desk. Take regular breaks and walk around to boost thinking. Short bouts of exercise (good apps include Wakeout, Streaks Workout and 321Fit) and regular stretches are a must. QSecure everything Adhere to your company’s security policy. Be careful when using hardware away from home – for example, if you decide to frequent a cafe. Keep drinks away from tech, for obvious reasons. If your company doesn’t enforce cloud-based storage and you work with files locally, sort a backup routine. BETA YOURSELF Chilling me softly Feeling stressed? Centre yourself with a meditation app: Oak (iOS) and Smiling Mind (Android and iOS) are good options, and both are entirely free.
GO ON THE RECORD NOTE IT DOWN QTranscribe calls When a job involves giving presentations or writing copy, you’ll benefit from having more than your written meeting notes. With permission, record audio and then feed it through Otter (otter.ai) to get a full transcript to work with and collaborate on. QBrowse summaries Within any transcript, you can highlight a portion, which will then sit within the ‘takeaways’ section. Otter also attempts to summarise audio, giving you a fast means to peruse and access key headlines within your recording. APPLE AIRPODS PRO (2ND GEN) If you use Apple kit, these earbuds are like magic. They instantly pair, work with Siri, and automatically switch between devices. On Android they’re more limited, but you can still use double-tap gestures and noise-cancellation. R5 600 / takealot.com SAMSUNG SSD T7 1TB You could use a cheaper hard drive to make local backups – but this portable SSD is absurdly small and light, more or less indestructible, and fast. Backups take a minute or two, rather than having you sit there glaring at your watch. R3 160 / takealot.com JUMBO DESKSTAND - STANDING DESK This dual screen, sit/ stand workstation is ideal for multi-taskers who need a separate monitor or two. R1 700 / makro.co.za 83 ESSENTIAL HARDWARE QStash your text It’s easy for great ideas to get lost, so create a repository for text. That might be a Google Doc or a note. More organised folks could try Obsidian, Ulysses or Evernote as a dumping ground for words that don’t fit in your brain. QSolve sums Numbers are easier to grasp when there’s context alongside them. On Mac and iPad, Soulver acts like a mix of simplified spreadsheet and scrap of paper, rapidly helping you tot up figures using natural language and dynamic answer tokens. QTry Pomodoro To help you concentrate, rely on apps that use a simplified Pomodoro technique, splitting the day into work/break sprints. During the former, stick to one task. Bear Focus Timer, Forest and Focus To-Do are all good for this. QGet an Echo Set alarms to give you a nudge if you’re prone to ignoring breaks or working beyond knocking-off time. Use an Echo speaker or similar to bellow notices – whatever gets you moving. QUse calendar blocks Rather than just using a calendar for meetings and events, block out chunks of time suitable for tasks you need to complete. You’ll then see what time is left in each day, rather than guessing if it’s feasible to add tasks. MANAGE YOUR TIME
84 TESTED G A M E S ack in 2017, Breath of the Wild overhauled the Zelda franchise with a sprawling world that rewarded player experimentation. Tears of the Kingdom is what happens when Nintendo truly embraces this mayhem. Ganon might’ve been bested at the end of the last game, but it quickly becomes clear that evil is still bubbling under the surface. Before long, Princess Zelda has vanished, Link has lost his arm, and a supernatural event known as The Upheaval leads to a floating Hyrule Castle and the appearance of islands in the sky. It’s here you encounter Zonai devices – tools that can be used to make anything from simple powered rafts to absurd makeshift planes and chaotic concrete tanks. Smartly, you don’t get everything at once, and bigger vehicles burn through energy quickly, so you can’t easily fly across the entire map. In fact, most of the time you might largely ignore the crafting; but while exploring Hyrule on horseback is great, it’s nowhere near as funny as doing it in a rocket-powered, fire-breathing carriage of destruction. Link’s funky new arm is the other star of the show, granting new abilities right from the off. ‘Ultrahand’ lets you join objects together with glowing superglue, while ‘Fuse’ combines weapons, shields and arrows with nearly any item in your inventory to make them more powerful – or comically rubbish. ‘Ascend’ lets you swim up through solid surfaces, allowing for quick exits from caves, while ‘Recall’ rewinds the trajectory of moving objects in real time. You can just bulldoze your way through the main adventure, or spend dozens of hours completing side-quests. If you lost weeks of your life to Breath of the Wild, prepare for a big dose of same… only this time there’s a world above for Link to conquer too. The result is a game that’s even grander and more overwhelmingly enormous than its predecessor. STUFF SAYS An astonishing adventure that challenges you to be creative at every turn +++++ The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom How do you follow a classic that not only tore up the Legend of Zelda rulebook but set a new gold standard for open-world game design? If you’re Nintendo, you go large – very large indeed… B from R1 300 / loot.co.za
85 TESTED G A M E S The first major story chunk is similar to Breath of the Wild’s, and even has you working with some of the same characters. You might call this retreading old ground, but for fans it’ll feel like coming home. Whether you’re scaling the flaming-hot Death Mountain, surfing sparkling waterfalls in Zora’s Domain or gliding over the vast Gerudo Desert, very few games have such a strong sense of place. The new floating islands add more areas to explore. Zipping about between these mostly peaceful locations, grabbing fruit from trees and gazing down at the gloom-strewn land beneath you, makes for a nice change of pace. Link can now also parachute into chasms in the ground and explore the pitch-black depths of Hyrule, illuminating his path with fluorescent plant bulbs. Sometimes you’ll head down for quests, but you’re free to enter any time to unearth more of the underground map’s secrets. We didn’t find this realm as alluring as the sky islands, with the oppressive darkness making it hard to get a proper grasp of the area, but you never know when you’re going to stumble upon some treasure worth grabbing. Underground, overground, fumbling free Top tip: try firing proton torpedoes into the thermal exhaust port. “Take cover, it’s a heavily armed giant concrete portable festival toilet!”
GADGET DOCTOR 86 WRITE TO US AND WIN MAIL OF THE MONTH Q LAP OR TAB? Dear Stuff editors I have almost saved up enough to buy the computer I need for school and probably for varsity next year, with a bit of help from my folks. My question is whether I should get a laptop or a tablet. Laptops seem so bulky and maybe a bit redundant. Also more fragile than tablets, or at least harder to protect while they’re being carried around in a backpack on public transport (can’t afford a motorbike AND a computer yet). I can see laptops working better for writing essays etc – better at home, basically – and tablets being better for taking notes and looking stuff up while you’re out of home. I know which one’s trendier at Starbucks. Maybe I should base my decision on that. Johnson Speak your brains to Stuff and you could win! This letter wins a six-month digital subscription to Stuff Q AI WAITERS Give it to me straight. Will AI take my job? Not the one I have now, in events management, I’d be happy to lose it and the sooner the better. I mean the job I want, which is to be a lawyer. And an investor. Am I going to spend five years studying law and then be as unemployable as a marketing communications graduate? Anton A Well, Anton, there’s good news and bad news. Your job as a casual-hire waiter (that’s what people who say they’re in events management usually do) will be safe. Why would any AI bot who could be working as a brain surgeon or a fighter pilot want your sweaty, hourly-paid, underpaid waiting job? On the legal side, AI will do a lot of legal tasks fast and efficiently, so in a few years you’ll be seeing some former legal assistants and paralegals helping you wait tables at weddings while law firms make more money and pay fewer employees. Actual lawyers will have to read less and write less, but AI is unlikely to replace many of them even though we’d like it to. Investing is a different question though, and the jury’s out. We’re already seeing experiments where ChatGPT outperforms investment funds. Very soon armchair investors will have the kind of AI tools that big firms are already using, levelling the playing field a bit. Further down the road, who knows? Q E-SIM OR PLAN? I’m going to the travelling to the US and to Canada next month. I’ll be there for two months, too long to just rely on wifi or get a data-only plan. Is it worthwhile getting an e-SIM instead? Joao A Yes it is, Joao, particularly if you’re going to more than one country. Most providers offer e-SIMs that work in more than one country in a region. But two important things to do before you land in the US of A: 1. Check that your phone is compatible with an e-SIM. Not all are, especially older models. 2. Load and activate the e-SIM before you get there. It’s an irritating, complex process. The easiest way is to use another device to take a photo of the QR code using another device, then scan it onto yours. Even if you have two devices with you, it’s a real pain to have to do that in an airport before you can get an Uber. So scan before you fly. After that, it’s worry-free. POWER UP YOUR GAMING GEAR Next month’s mail of the month wins a six-month digital subscription to Stuff, delivered direct to the winner’s downloads folder! A Some deep philosophical questions there, Johnson. Which goes better with a hipster beard and a latte in Starbucks? Gotta be a tablet, unless you’re going for the “I’m writing my novel” image. The right choice also depends on what course you’re doing and how you’ll be using it. With an iPad, a good cover and a keyboard (preferably in a keyboard cover) you can do just about anything an average laptop can manage, and the user interface should be as fast a laptop’s. Great for a commerce or arts student. But if you’re doing engineering, say, using specialised software to throw around data in complicated tables, check first whether that will be easier on a tablet or a laptop touchscreen. You can’t go wrong with an iPad Pro, Johnson. And only R18 000! Q WELCOME! Great! I'm so happy now to be a reader of your magazine. I'm sure I will learn a lot and enjoy every magazine too. Geordie A Geordie! So happy to have you aboard, mate! ALWAYS ON CALL facebook.com/stuffsa O @StuffSA [email protected]
Searing with techy genius, a product that’s set our hearts afl ame. This gadget has leapt straight outta testing and into our rankings. Time changes everything, including Stuff Top Ten placings. A solid gold bargain. Worth owning, regardless of cashfl ow. HOT BUY UPDATE BARGAIN BUY WHERE TO GET THEM NEW OF EVERYTHING Ebikes & EVS 88 Smart homes 89 Smartphones 90 Budget Smartphones 91 Tablets & streamers 92 TVs 93 Laptops 94 Smartwatches & 95 fitness trackers Budget buys 96 VR headsets & games 97 Drones, action cams & 98 compact cameras System cameras 99 Headphones 100 Wireless/smart speakers 101 Consoles 102 Games 103
TOP TENS EBIKES & EVS 88 FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM 3 4 Stuff says +++++ If Batman drove an EV, this is what he’d drive. NEW 2 5 Volvo XC40 P6 Recharge Plus From R1.075 million / cmhvolvocars.vo.za The holy grail for any electric vehicle, but especially those sold in South Africa, combines (relative) affordability with decent range and enough features to keep drivers happy. The electric version of Volvo’s XC40 SUV ticks all these boxes. There’s more than 400km of range on a charge, the in-car tech is impressive on its own, and it’ll also manage a nice turn of speed. For just over a million bucks, that’s an absolute bargain. ORBEA RISE from R115 000 / cyclelab.com The Orbea Rise has a philosophy of LESS E, MORE BIKE. The principle is simple, create the lightest e-bike on the market, throw some proprietary tech from Shimano and Tesla at it, and the result is some of the lightest e-bikes on the market, and the lightest per Rand spent. The bike is based on the Orbea Occam’s geometry: it feels like a normal bike, but has all the smiles per mile of an e-bike. Lifetime frame warranty and exceptional after-sales support makes it a clear winner. Stuff says +++++ Balances price, range and features extremely well, but expect the Volvo EX30 to claim this spot very shortly. Stuff says +++++ A perfect blend of a more natural ride with lightweight performance and less range anxiety. Scott Patron from R136 000 / mellowvelo.co.za A bit less budget-friendly but one of the most capably longer travel bikes we have tested. With 160mm of confidenceinspiring travel, it’s an absolute trail killer. Silverback S-Electro Elite AL1 +++++R90 000 / cyclelab.com Absolute value in a clever package, a dual suspension e-bike for the discerning rider looking for power, agility and range. Charge it to 80% in a mere three hours. Titan Nitric DASH +++++ from R62 000 / gecocycles.co.za A great combination of mid-power delivery with great range. Titan has long been the value offering for South Africans and continues to deliver on that promise. Audi RS e-tron GT quattro +++++ From R3.36 million / audi.co.za A range of at least 433km, 0 to 100km/h in 3.3 seconds, and typical Audi luxury was never going to be cheap. Orbea KERAM +++++from R50 000 / cyclelab.com A value offering for the beginner rider. Its 400WH battery is enough to ride 2-2.5 hours without wondering how you’ll make it back. Porsche Taycan Turbo S +++++R4.06 million / porsche.com Put pedal to metal and you’ll hit 100km/h in a heart-shuddering 2.8 seconds. At that price, it bloody better. Jaguar i-Pace from R2.46 million / jaguar.co.za Here’s where things get tricky. Sure, you’re paying almost R2.5 million for about 400km per Charge, but slip behind the wheel and into the race-spec seat and you’ll know where it went. BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport +++++from R3 million / bmw.co.za Depending on your wallet, you won’t find (much) better range, (any) better tech, or this much luxury outside of a Bentley. Stuff says +++++ A trail monster providing clever tech and absolute joy. NEW2 5 NEW NEW 1 1 3 4 NEW NEW NEW NEW Words: Marnitz Aucamp. NEW NEW
89 SMART HOME DEVICES TOP TENS 6 9 10 5 4 7 2 Ring Indoor Cam +++++R1000 / incredible.co.za This cute little spy-cam is a bona fide bargain for anyone with security worries. LG Side-By-Side InstaView fridge +++++ from R50 000 / game.co.za A smart fridge controlled by LG’s Thinq app, with wide-angle screen; knock twice to see inside. Amazon Echo Show 15 +++++R6 925 / geewiz.co.za Amazon’s smart display has come of age – this is easily the best Show in town. 3 1 Amazon Echo (4th Gen) R1 300 / makro.co.za Having morphed from a cylinder to a sphere, the latest Echo is an excellent newsreader, weather forecaster, personal assistant and intercom straight out of the box; but it’s now also a capable speaker and a very accessible smart home hub. It doesn’t sound as good as the Sonos One for listening to music, but it’s significantly smarter and considerably cheaper too. O NOW ADD THIS Honeywell T6R This Zigbee-enabled thermostat is wireless so you can place it where it’s most convenient. R3 400 (import) / screwfix.com Stuff says +++++ An all-round upgrade that makes the Echo a smarter speaker than ever Stuff says +++++ Louder and cleverer than ever… and it’ll only improve with updates Stuff says +++++ The 5th Gen brings a nice upgrade to an already excellent little gadget The Echo’s built-in Zigbee hub can hook up hundreds of smart home devices without a bridge. Pair a compatible thermostat and the Echo’s temperature sensor can activate the heating. TIPS & TRICKS Alexa Flash Briefings deliver bursts of news or trivia; choose from 5000 sources in the app. Vizia Smart WiFi Plug ++++,from R385 / leroymerlin.co.za Manage your lights, kettle and other devices from your smartphone. Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. 8 Philips Hue Starter Kit +++++From R3 500 / takealot.com The smartest way of lighting your home remotely. Dyson V15 Detect Absolute +++++ R13 400 / takealot.com A vacuum cleaner that illuminates your dust with a laser… NEW Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) from R1 400 / evogames.co.za The latest Dot offers improved sound quality over the 4th Gen model. Not surprisingly given its size, it still doesn’t have the heft of a full-scale Echo, but this Dot is more than good enough for bedside table or kitchen listening – and light years away from the lame sound of the early models. Be sure to consider the ‘with Clock’ version, which offers a better and much more useful LED display than the previous model – you can now see things like basic weather info and song titles. Google Nest Mini R800 / evogames.co.za If you live in Google’s world (and let’s face it, most of us do) then the Nest Mini is the best, cheapest way to get into the smart home game. Just like the latest Echo Dot, this latest version features upgraded speakers and mics compared to older models. It’s a slightly better bet than the Echo Dot with Clock if you want close integration with your Google calendar and apps. The only reason not to buy is if you want more powerful audio – for that, get the Google Nest Audio instead. Xiaomi LED Desk Lamp 1S ++++,R1 000 / incredible.co.za Adjustable using Alexa and Google. FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW
7 6 4 5 UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE 2 3 91 BUDGET PHONES TOP TENS Samsung Galaxy A34 5G R7 000 / samsung.com/za O NOW ADD THIS JABRA ELITE 2 EARBUDS Samsung’s ditched the headphone jack so you’re going to have to go wireless this time. These’ll do nicely. R1 000 | takealot.com Stuff says +++++ Samsung stays under budget while offering users more than before. Always a good deal, that. Go dark – head to Settings, then Display, and then select Dark Mode to save your eyes some trouble. Easier on the eyes – go to Settings, choose Accessibility, then select TalkBack to get audio cues from your phone. TIPS & TRICKS Messed it up? Travel to Settings, General Management, Reset, and then Factory Reset to start over. 9 10 Samsung Galaxy A73 5G ++++, R9 800 / bash.com Samsung’s most expensive ‘budget’ phone. Camera skills abound, but that’s about it. Xiaomi Redmi 10 2022 ++++, R4 300 / incredible.co.za Goes all-in on its camera skills, cuts a few corners in other places. Apple iPhone SE (2022) +++++ R11 500 / takealot.com Slightly more expensive than the last one but a whole lot faster. Poco X4 Pro +++++R7 500 / takealot.com The X4 Pro picks up where the X3 Pro left off. Looks prettier too. Oppo A16 +++++ R2 500 / bash.com One of the best super-affordable Android smartphones you’ll ever run across. Well done. Vivo Y22 ++++, R4 000 / edgars.co.za Good hardware for the price but Vivo’s operating system still needs work. Honor X9a ++++, R11 000 / takealot.com Honor returns to Stuff’s Top 10 lists with a budget handset that doesn’t disappoint. 8 Samsung Galaxy A04s R3 300 / takealot.com If you’re on a tight budget but want the assurance of the Samsung brand – and its customisable One UI interface – the A04s is a very good bet. A sharp 6.5-in, 90Hz display, decent 50MP camera and video capture, and very good battery life. Stuff says +++++ Perhaps the best smartphone value for money on the market Xiaomi Note 11 Pro R6 500 / bash.com A flagship-grade 6.67in OLED display in a smartphone costing far less than R10k? That alone is reason to take notice. The Note 10’s massive 108MP camera makes the jump, as does 67W charging. Still no 5G, though. Stuff says +++++ You can’t quite have everything, but it turns out you can have most of it Samsung’s budget lineup continues to kick the competition around. As you can tell from the increased model number, the A34 5G is a little better than its predecessor (and miles ahead of the competition). SA’s got the 6GB/128GB version of the phone, which sports a 6.6in120Hz Super AMOLED display. The increased spec is because Samsung’s done away with its A7x series smartphones, by the look of things, so there’s more hardware love to go around. The camera hasn’t upgraded much, however, so you can still snag the Galaxy A33 5G (for R6 000) if that’s all you’re concerned with. 1 FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM
Apple iPad Air (2022) from R13 700 / incredible.co.za Apple’s new iPad Air has landed and it’s bringing the might of Apple Silicon M1 to the company’s lightest tablets. it’s a tough call on whether you should buy an Air or a Pro. But the Pro is still a little bit more capable. Stuff says +++++ Still the best all-purpose iPad for most folks 1 3 4 5 Apple iPad Pro (2022) From R18 000 / incredible.co.za As we’ve said before: the sun will burn out and there will probably still be an iPad at the top of this list. 2022’s iPad Pro has had a processing boost through its M2 chip. The CPU is now 15% faster than M1, and the GPU 35% faster. These increases are more noticeable for those with heavier workloads – exactly the target user for the Pro tablets. This means the 2022 iPad Pro can play games better than before. It’s also been improved to work better with the also-improved Apple Pencil. Xiaomi Mi Box S from R1 000 / incredible.co.za Buying a TV box in SA is a hit or miss, as most of them are massproduced and run on iffy software. Your best bet is opting for a certified Android box, like the Xiaomi Mi Box S. It’s the second of its kind, and can stream content in 4K from a variety of services on the market. Already have a smart TV? Just add the Mi Box S to up its streaming game. It’s also got Chromecast built-in, with some Assistant chops to improve its desirability. The Play Store offers a variety of apps that should impress any content snob. Stuff says +++++ Still marketed as a high-end productivity tool for pro’s, now with M2 speed Stuff says +++++ Ready to join the Mi too movement? This is by far the best Android box on the market in SA right now Apple TV 4K ++++,from R2 950 / incredible.co.za If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, might as well cough up for this one. It works. Well. Mediabox Maverick ++++,R1 060 / russells.co.za This box packs a punch, winning points for being so easy to install. Stuff says +++++ Cast your dreams to the TV Google Chromecast 3.0 R850 / makro.co.za The Chromecast is a cheaper option to smart up your TV, and it works seamlessly. Plug-in, play and cast from your mobile device without hassle. Pair it to a Google Nest and gain more control using Google Assistant. UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite +++++R3 000 / samsung.com/za The A7 Lite has much in its favour — solid build, 5 battery legs, decent screen, very decent price. 4 TOP TENS TABLETS & STREAMERS FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM 92 1 Stuff says +++++ This is the gold standard for Android tablets Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ R25 000 / takealot.com Samsung would love it if you paid R30 000 for the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. But the 12in Super AMOLED S8+ will do just fine. There’s S Pen support, an amazingly high-res screen, and scads of power behind the panel. Apple iPad (2021) +++++ from R7 500 / incredible.co.za The standard iPad remains as good as it has been every year before. 2 Stuff says +++++ Now with Disney+, on a home-grown platform DSTV STREAMA R1 300 / takealot.com DStv’s Streama is a standalone media box for watching DStv and apps including Showmax, Netflix, Prime Video,HBO Max, SuperSport and more. Also offers 4K support.4K picture quality if you have a 4K-capable TV. UPDATE
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE 10 UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE 1 UPDATE Samsung 65QN800B R35 000 / hirschs.co.za The QN800B is slim and sleek, yes, at just 17mm deep. But its most obvious feature is its spectacular 8K resolution. With over four times the pixels of a 4K screen, detail levels, colour fidelity and edge-definition are absolutely superb. It’s an 8K television in a 4K world, but if you don’t watch much content below 4K and you think 8K will take over soon, this is a deeply impressive television. LG 48C2 OLED evo R21 000 / hirschs.co.za We’d expect excellent picture quality from a high-end LG OLED and the C2’s 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160) display more than delivers. It offers class-leading colour accuracy, outstanding contrast ratios and accurate images at wide viewing angles. Where it really shines, though, is in its gaming features. Built-in support for 120Hz refresh rate, Nvidia G-Sync, and its very low input lag will boost your gaming performance and save you from the zombies almost every time. Samsung 55TU7000 +++++ R11 200 / takealot.com Large and in charge sporting Samsung’s keen eye for design and 4K, all at a very attractive price. Hisense 43A4H ++++, R4 000 / makro.co.za For the consumer in the market for a smallersize TV that packs a punch, the A4H stands out. Samsung 75Q950TS +++++ R180 000 / masons.co.za An amazing 8K TV but that price is… well, let’s be honest, if you’re not Jeff Bezos, it’s too high. Samsung The Frame ++++, R23 000 / samsung.com/za A 4K TV that looks like it belongs in a gallery, even when it’s turned off. Who says television isn’t art? Skyworth 50SUD9300F ++++, R6 500 / takealot.com A refreshed version of the one below. Expect more of the same, but slightly better and cheaper. TCL C735 ++++, R13 400 / firstshop.co.za This 55in smart TV will bring some brightness to your sporting events and gaming sessions. 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 Samsung 50QN90B from R20 000 / takealot.com Samsung’s QN90B series is due for an upgrade this year which could well supplant this one. Until then, this mini-LED TV is still deserving of our No.1 spot thanks to all the value it brings to the table. Whether you’re an avid movie watcher, sports fan, casual TV enjoyer, or want to hook up a console, this TV belongs on your shortlist. There isn’t much it doesn’t do well aside from its lack of Dolby Vision support. Locally available models in the QN90B series range from 43in to 85in. O NOW ADD THIS Samsung Q-Series soundbars Pairing your Samsung TV with one of these is a stress-free way to get object-based 3D sound. from R10 000 / samsung.com/za Stuff says +++++ An excellent TV that’s ready for the future Stuff says +++++ Delivers on high expectations – at a reasonable price Stuff says +++++ Deserves a place on every TV shortlist for its versatility and value for money. Audio is great, but if you’re looking for the best performance, add a soundbar like the one we’ve listed. Samsung’s Mini-LED QLED screens are brighter than OLED TVs – better for welllit living rooms with other things going on. Cheaper, too. Comes with Samsung’s solar cell remote, named because it features a solar cell with which it will charge itself if left upside down. TIPS & TRICKS TVs TOP TENS FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM 93 7 TCL 65C835 ++++, R26 000 / takealot.com The combination of picture quality, software and audio does just enough to warrant the price tag.
UPDATE TOP TENS LAPTOPS 94 1 Apple MacBook Air 13in (2022) From R26 000 / takealot.com With its super-powered new M2 processor, the latest version of Apple’s ‘basic’ laptop leaves the M1 model – an excellent machine in its own right – in the dust. This revamp redefines the Air in a meaningful way, instantly renders the 13in MacBook Pro obsolete, and sets a yardstick by which Apple’s entry-level devices will now be judged. O NOW ADD THIS Belkin 4-Port GaN Charger 108W This brick lets you charge your Mac laptop through its 96W USB-C output… and juice up three other devices at the same time. R1 700 / takealot.com Stuff says +++++ Shame about the price hike, but this is still the Mac to buy for most users If you can afford it, the 512GB option brings faster flash storage (and more of it, of course). Naturally the M2 Air performs better than the M1 version, but that older model is the value buy. TIPS & TRICKS Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 +++++ R63 660 / asus.com/za If you can stomach the price, the Strix Scar 17 is a seriously powerful gaming machine. Until we test this year’s models, that is. Microsoft Surface Pro 9 +++++ from R28 000 / incredible.co.za Microsoft’s latest hybrid device offers more performance than previous models, but that also raises the price. Asus ROG Flow X16 ++++, R38 600 / takealot.com Combines gaming hardware with a touchscreen that rotates through 180°. Impressive, but pricey. MSI Summit E16 Flip +++++ R27 000 / computermania.co.za Although it’s able to do most tasks fairly well, its age could mean this might be the last time this business machine appears on our list. Dell XPS 13 +++++ R33 000 / incredible.co.za An update to the processor and battery continues the XPS 13’s high standard. Apple MacBook Pro 13in +++++ from R20 000 / incredible.co.za Surpassed by the new M1 Pro models, but the ‘basic’ M1 chip still kicks large amounts of… Apple MacBook Pro 14in from R27 330 / takealot.com The M1 Pro chip inside this MacBook Pro is by no means slow. But a new MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro chip showed up in January, so it will probably replace this guy just as soon as we can get our hands on one to confirm Apple’s lofty claims. For now, though, if your workflow can use all the power on offer and your wallet can take the blow, you can’t go wrong here. Stuff says +++++ The Pro goes fully ‘Pro’ again, and it’s about to get even ‘Pro-er’ Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro Gen 7 R38 000 / takealot.com The Yoga line is the sweet spot of Lenovo’s rock-solid laptops, combining impressive spec sheets with good prices. With at least 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM, 12th-gen Core processors and a 2240x1400 Full HD display, there’s plenty on offer from the 14in Yoga Slim 7i Pro in addition to its handsome metal casing and excellent keyboard. Stuff says +++++ Impressive specs, good looks and that fine pedigree FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 +++++ From R23 000 / incredible.co.za The Surface 4’s successor has finally ... surfaced and it’s everything you’d expect from Microsoft’s fifth generation. 2
7 6 4 5 HOT BUY 1 2 3 UPDATE UPDATE SMARTWATCHES, FITNESS TRACKERS TOP TENS Apple Watch Ultra R19 000 / incredible.co.za Stuff says +++++ By far the best adventure-ready Apple Watch yet and a really great all-rounder, though battery life doesn’t match some rivals The new Action Button that lets you create quick action shortcuts, like launching straight into a workout or taking a lap split while running or cycling. Use the Race Route feature to pace yourself against any route you’ve previously run at least twice. TIPS & TRICKS There’s a choice of three new bands. We found it hard to get a perfect fit with the Alpine loop; the Trail loop seems more adjustable. Watch fans hankering for a bigger battery, more controls, beefed-up rugged design and features tailored to outdoor pursuits will find a lot to love here. The Apple Watch Ultra is definitely another step into Garmin territory and undoubtedly the best adventure-friendly Apple Watch to date. Apple’s added a three-microphone array and dual speakers, a bigger, brighter 2,000-nits display and tougher durability standards, including100m water protection compared to the Series 8’s 50m. When you consider the smarts the Ultra offers beyond your adventures, it’s arguably the best all-rounder for straddling life on and off the beaten track. 95 9 10 Garmin Forerunner 945 +++++R9 000 / sportsmanswarehouse.co.za Check temperature and altitude acclimation, make NFC payments, play music and more. Huawei Watch GT3 Pro +++++ R10 000 / connexstore.co.za Easily one of the best-looking wearables around, the Watch GT 3 Pro excels at fitness tracking. Fitbit Charge 5 +++++ R4 000 / incredible.co.za Fitbit’s tracker offers extensive metrics, a colour OLED screen, and on-board ECG and EDA scanning. Garmin Fenix 6S +++++ R9 000 / takealot.com Compact, good looking, and the range of sports tracking is off the charts. Garmin Fenix 6 +++++from R9 500 / takealot.com The best fitness-orientated smartwatch, offering incredible levels of detail. 8 Garmin Epix From R15 800 / navworld.co.za Garmin has given us something we didn’t think we were allowed to have: a fully featured sports watch with a glorious, easily readable AMOLED display that doesn’t come at the expense of expedition-friendly battery life. Expect up to 16 days of solid use in smartwatch mode and 42hrs of GPS (or 75hrs with a few tweaks). Plus a host sport modes and monitoring info. Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro From R9 850 / takealot.com The all-new Galaxy Watch5 Pro carries a price premium over the Galaxy Watch5 and doesn’t add many features, but the Pro still makes a strong case for itself by its more robust build and better battery. For most people the Watch5 may be the better buy but there’s no denying the titanium Watch5 Pro has a real presence on your wrist. Stuff says +++++ A highly capable fitness and adventure all-rounder with hands down the best screen on any sports watch going Stuff says +++++ The toughest, longest-lasting Galaxy Watch yet UPDATE UPDATE FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM Garmin Fenix 7 +++++ from R13 000 / takealot.com An impressive mix of rugged durability, serious battery endurance, excellent nav skills and smartwatch features. Apple Watch SE +++++ R6 200 / incredible.co.za If you’re looking for value, the faster 2nd-gen SE is the best Apple Watch hands down. UPDATE
2 Volkano Constant Mini Network UPS ++++, R800 / incredible.co.za Your internet needs to stay up somehow. This’ll go for at least four hours, probably more. 8 Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen R1 300 / builders.co.za If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a Romani fortune teller but can’t find the crystal orb you need, the fourth generation Echo Dot should do just as well. It’s about as accurate, has the added benefit that it’ll take voice instructions, and it’s powered by the internet. The downside? You can’t see your reflection in it. That’s a small price to pay, both figuratively and literally, since it’s super cheap. Stuff says +++++ Stuff says Get your home ready for Amazon’s inevitable takeover in 2027 Romoss Zeus 40000mAh Power Bank R1 550 / takealot.com Despite the recent price hike that stretches the boundary of what is considered ‘budget’, this chunky power bank retains its place at the top of our Budget Buys list. Especially with load shedding ramping up to sometimes eight hours a day and no clear end in sight. If you’re just using it to keep your smartphone alive, you should get at least eight full charges from it. You can charge two things at once and it supports up to 22.5W charging, so it doesn’t hang about. It also has a neat little screen. Stuff says +++++ Plenty of ports, massive capacity, and fast charging to get you through load shedding VolkanoX Silenzo ANC Headphones ++++, R1 000 / takealot.com If you need ANC headphones but don’t have overflowing pockets, these offer ANC for surprisingly little. Decent padding, too. UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE 9 O NOW ADD THIS BAOBAB USB-C TO USB-A 1M CHARGING CABLE (PACK OF 3) It only comes with one charging cable, so here are three more. R240 / takealot.com The neat little screen can display three different kinds of data: current, voltage, and remaining power. Charge it back up to full with a choice of three inputs: USB-C, Lightning, and Micro USB. TIPS & TRICKS The 22.5W output might be a little too pap for a laptop but your friend’s phone? No problem. 1 PS5 Media Remote +++++ R500 / koodoo.co.za You know you don’t have to struggle with a controller and clunky media controls on the PS5, right? Well, now you do. Razer Viper Mini +++++ R1 000 / evetech.co.za A small, fast, and incredibly light wired gaming mouse that punches well above its weight (pun intended) for pro’s on a budget. Gizzu 10W Solar Lighting Kit +++++ from R1 300 / takealot.com Perfect for lighting up your life during load shedding and charging up your smartphone for free. Unless you’re in a hurry or it’s raining. JBL Go 3 Waterproof Speaker +++++ from R800 / makro.co.za Bring your shower time to life with backing vocals and instrumental accompaniment. Also great for pool parties. 3 4 5 6 7 10 TOP TENS BUDGET BUYS FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM 96 Nokia 3310 (2017 Edition) R1 270 / takealot.com Sometimes you don’t need all the smarts that modern smartphones provide. Sometimes you just need to make calls. Whatever your reason for wanting a feature phone instead of a smartphone, you can’t go wrong with this legend of the cellphone era. There have even been a few updates, like a colour display, refreshed UI, and monthlong standby battery life. Turtle Beach Recon Controller +++++ R1 600 / incredible.co.za Want to up your K/D ratio while mocking your foes clearly and concisely? This should help. Stuff says +++++ Sure there are cheaper options, but you can’t play Snake on those.
Olympus Tough TG-6 ++++ R11 300 / ormsdirect.co.za Need a rugged, waterproof (to 15m) compact with, 4k video, 12MP with RAW shooting? This is the one. Stuff says +++++ Premium point-and-shoot perfection Stuff says +++++ Small, neat and not dramatically overpriced Sony DSC-RX100VII R29 000 / ormsdirect.co.za A true all-rounder that shoots 24fps at full resolution with a whopping 8x zoom lens, with class-leading autofocus system, tilting LCD screen, pop-up electronic viewfinder and a microphone socket for vloggers. Panasonic Lumix TZ220 R16 700 / cameraland.co.za This Panasonic compact is a significant upgrade from the TZ110, offering extra reach with the zoom lens, better colour reproduction, and an improved experience when using the electronic viewfinder. Sony ZV-1 R13 000 / takealot.com Offering excellent image quality, a great range of video options and features designed specifically for vloggers on the go, Sony outdoes their previous compact camera, the RX-100. Our only issue is the lack of a touchscreen, which still blows our minds, and the battery being inaccessible if the camera is mounted. Yet those are small gripes with a piece of hardware that is one of the best available on the market and an easy recommend for anyone looking at investing in quality, portable cameras. Stuff says +++++ A tremendous compact camera, and still our choice over the new (and cheaper) Sony ZV-1F Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III +++++R17 000 / ormsdirect.co.za For the asking price, this compact does everything you want and does it well. TOP TENS DRONES, ACTION CAMS & COMPACTS FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM 98