Apple now offers four different Apple Pencil models at $79, $99, and $129 price points, each with different feature sets and compatibility. Our guide helps you decide which Apple Pencil is best for you.
Which Apple Pencil you should buy is firstly determined by which iPad model you have. Some iPad models are only compatible with one kind of Apple Pencil, while others are compatible with two. If your iPad model only supports one kind of Apple Pencil, your buying decision is straightforward. Use the table below to find out which Apple Pencil models your iPad supports:
iPad (sixth-, seventh-, eighth-, ninth-, and tenth-generation)
iPad (tenth-generation)
Simply put, if your iPad features a Lightning connector, it is only compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil, providing it has Apple Pencil support at all. It will not work with the second-generation Apple Pencil or the Apple Pencil with USB-C. If your iPad features a USB-C port, it is compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil with USB-C, except the tenth-generation iPad, which supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil with USB-C, and the M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro, which support the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil with USB-C.
It is worth noting that the first-generation Apple Pencil is only compatible with the tenth-generation iPad using a USB-C cable and USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter. It is not possible to use the first-generation Apple Pencil this way with any other iPad model that has a USB-C port.
All four Apple Pencil models feature “pixel-perfect” precision, low latency, and tilt sensitivity, but feature different designs, pairing and charging methods, pressure sensitivity capabilities, and more. The below table lists all hardware and feature differences between the different Apple Pencil models.
Apple Pencil (first-generation, 2015)
Apple Pencil (second-generation, 2018)
Apple Pencil (USB-C, 2023)
Apple Pencil Pro (2024)
Glossy finish
Matte finish
Matte finish
Matte finish
Weighted to prevent rolling
Flat edge to prevent rolling and snap to the side of an iPad
Flat edge to prevent rolling and snap to the side of an iPad
Flat edge to prevent rolling and snap to the side of an iPad
Attaches magnetically for storage, pairing, and charging
Attaches magnetically for storage
Attaches magnetically for storage, pairing, and charging
6.92-inch length
6.53-inch length
6.1-inch length
[Currently unknown]
Removable cap
Non-removable sliding cap
Lightning connector
USB-C port
Pair and charge via Lightning port or USB-C cable and USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter
First-Generation Apple Pencil vs. Apple Pencil With USB-C
Most users should choose the Apple Pencil with USB-C. For a price of just $79, the Apple Pencil with USB-C provides a good balance of features with a more modern design. It also has the added advantage of being compatible with a wide range of models and will likely work with all new iPad models for many years to come.
It is only worth opting for the first-generation Apple Pencil if you specifically want pressure-sensitivity for activities like illustration, since the Apple Pencil with USB-C does not have this feature. Buyers should be aware that this model comes at a $20 premium, requires a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter with the tenth-generation iPad, and will not be compatible with any future iPad models. It also cannot be magnetically attached to an iPad for storage, features a larger and older design, and has a removable cap over the Lightning connector that’s easy to lose.
Second-Generation Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro vs. Apple Pencil With USB-C
If choosing between the second-generation Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil with USB-C, the second-generation and Pro models are a better choice on account of their superior feature set, but this requires spending an additional $50. Double-tap to change tools and pressure-sensitivity may be particularly useful additions for illustrators, while the easy pairing and charging on the side of an iPad provides a much better experience than a wired connection with a USB-C cable.
If you have only basic needs for activities like handwriting notes and marking up documents, the Apple Pencil with USB-C is still a great option at a much more affordable price point. It even supports Apple Pencil hover on the newer iPad Air and iPad Pro models.
If you’ve ever wished you could safely stick some bees, strawberries or trees in your ears, UK headphone manufacturer VQ has just the thing for you. The new VQ Skylark true wireless earbuds come in a choice of three patterns from English fashion designer Cath Kidston. These are called ‘Bees’, the more floral ‘Story Tree’ and a lovely blue ‘Strawberry Garden’ – you can see all three designs in the carousel below.
There’s no doubt that these buds look very different from your average in-ear audio kit that you may have come to expect from the likes of the best wireless earbuds, but VQ promises that it’s not just a case of designer style over audio substance. While these earbuds are “a fashion statement”, they are also “a piece of art in your ears”. VQ claims they sound pretty good too.
Image 1 of 3
(Image credit: VQ Skylark)
(Image credit: VQ Skylark)
(Image credit: VQ Skylark)
VQ Skylark true wireless earbuds with Cath Kidston designs: key features, price and availability
With a relatively low price tag of £59.99 (roughly $74 / AU$114) these earbuds have an impressive specification for the cash. There’s enhanced noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.3 with a 10m connection range, and up to 10 hours of playback (although confusingly, it’s listed as up to six hours of music and four hours of talk time) that rises to a total 45 hours of use via the charging case. Standby time is a whopping 200 hours, which is the kind of standby figure I haven’t seen since my Nokia 3310 days.
According to VQ, these earbuds may well be the loudest true wireless earbuds on the market right now with “deep, rich bass, defined mid-range, and crystal-clear high end”. However, it’s worth considering their claimed sound quality in the context of the price tag here.
While I’ve not tested these particular buds myself, I’ve read multiple reviews of the firms’s similarly affordable Wren buds that say the firms’ budget buds sound ‘OK’ rather than ‘OMG’. As we point out in our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds, you’re not going to get high-end audio performance at rock bottom prices – but today’s budget buds are surprisingly good for the money.
The Skylark true wireless earbuds are available now from VQ, from Amazon and from B&Q.
You might also like
Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.
These days, the best gaming TVs are really no different from the best TVs you can buy in general. That said, there are a few key features to keep in mind when looking for a set to get the most out of your PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S. No, you don’t need a fancy TV to simply enjoy a video game, but a good screen can only make the experience more enjoyable. If you’re unsure where to start, we’ve laid out some helpful advice for buying a good gaming TV and noted a few well-reviewed examples you can buy today, at various price points.
What to look for in a gaming TV
Whether you use it for gaming or not, all good TVs are built on the same foundations. You want a 4K resolution, sufficient brightness, high contrast ratios with deep and uniform black tones, colors that find the right balance between accuracy and saturation, and wide viewing angles. For video games specifically, you want a TV with minimal input lag and fast motion response, with no blur or other unwanted artifacts behind quick-moving objects. Of course, finding a set that has all of these gaming features and fits into your budget can be tricky.
For now, a top OLED TV will offer the best picture quality for gaming or otherwise. But good OLED TVs usually cost more than their LCD counterparts, and some OLED sets may not get bright enough for those who have their TV set in a particularly well-lit room. If you opt for an LCD TV, an advanced backlight with mini LEDs and effective full-array local dimming will usually improve contrast and lighting detail, while a quantum dot filter can enhance colors.
One thing you don’t need to worry about is 8K support. Although the PS5 and Xbox Series X are technically capable of outputting 8K video, very few games are made for that resolution, and 8K’s practical benefits are extremely minimal unless you plan on sitting unreasonably close to a massive TV. The few 8K TVs on the market are also very expensive.
All that said, there are a few terms you should particularly look out for when buying a TV for your new game console or high-end graphics card.
HDMI 2.1
To get the most out of a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S, your TV should have full HDMI 2.1 support. This is the latest major update to the HDMI spec, enabling a higher maximum bandwidth — 48 gigabits per second, up from HDMI 2.0’s 18 Gbps — and a handful of features that are beneficial for gaming performance specifically. These include variable refresh rate (VRR) and automatic low latency mode (ALLM), which we detail further below.
Beyond that, perhaps the chief perk of HDMI 2.1 is its ability to transmit sharp 4K video up to a 120Hz refresh rate with modern consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, or up to 144Hz with a powerful gaming PC. Not every PS5 or Xbox Series X/S game supports frame rates that high — and some only do at lower resolutions — but those that do will look and feel especially fluid in motion. HDMI 2.1 also includes support for Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), which allows you to pass higher-quality lossless audio from a source device connected to the TV to a compatible soundbar or receiver.
The more full HDMI 2.1 ports your TV has, the better. “Full” is the key word there. As reported by TFT Central, because HDMI 2.1 is backwards compatible with HDMI 2.0, TV and monitor manufacturers have been allowed to brand HDMI ports as “HDMI 2.1” even if they lack full (or any) support for the spec’s upgraded features. We recommend a few TVs below that have true HDMI 2.1 ports, but if you’re buying a new TV for gaming, make sure your chosen set isn’t trying to hide any capabilities you may consider essential.
HDR — High Dynamic Range
HDR refers to a TV’s ability to display a wider range between the darkest and brightest parts of a picture. This broader range can bring out details that would otherwise be missing on a standard dynamic range (SDR) TV, in both the very dark and, especially, the very bright areas of an image. HDR typically comes with an improvement to color reproduction as well, displaying a larger palette of more vibrant colors that brings content closer to its creator’s original vision.
To get an HDR picture, you need both content that is mastered to take advantage of the tech and a TV capable of displaying that content. HDR also comes in a variety of formats, which are generally split between those that utilize static metadata (e.g., HDR10) and those that utilize dynamic metadata (e.g., HDR10+, Dolby Vision). In short, the latter allows a TV to optimize its brightness and colors on a per-scene or even per-frame basis, while the former uses one set of optimized settings for the entirety of the given content. Support for these formats can differ depending on the TV, content and game console you use. The Xbox Series X and S, for example, support Dolby Vision for gaming, while the PS5 does not.
The good news is that most TVs you’d buy in 2023 are HDR-ready in some fashion, even on the budget end of the market. The catch is that some TVs are much better at getting the most out of HDR than others. The same goes for actual content mastered in HDR. With video games in particular, there aren’t quite as many titles designed to take advantage of HDR as there are movies (though the number is growing all the time), and the variance in HDR quality tends to be wider.
HGiG — HDR Gaming Interest Group
HGiG stands for the HDR Gaming Interest Group. Sony and Microsoft are both members, as are many TV makers and game developers. What this means is that, ideally, all the groups communicate information so that you can start up a new game on a console or PC and have it automatically recognize your display. Once that happens, the game can adjust the internal settings to adjust for that display’s capabilities and give you the best picture quality possible, without losing details in the brightest or darkest areas of the screen. For example, daylight at the end of a dark tunnel may portray a brightly lit environment instead of looking like an overexposed white blob.
This is a good thing, but the reality is a bit more complicated. Not all TVs highlight HGiG compatibility in their settings menu, while only some PlayStation and Xbox games recognize and follow the guidelines. If an HGiG option is listed in your TV’s tone mapping settings, you should turn it on prior to running the console’s HDR settings. Then, if you’re playing a game that supports HDR and HGiG, you should be in good shape without having to adjust the various luminance levels again. Still, how all of this looks to you might differ depending on your TV and the game you’re playing. Owners of certain LG OLED TVs, for instance, may prefer their TV’s Dynamic Tone Mapping setting. Use whatever settings you think look best.
ALLM — Auto Low Latency Mode
ALLM allows a source (like your PS5 or Xbox) to tell the display to switch into a picture mode that reduces lag between receiving each frame of an image and displaying it on the TV. This cuts out additional processing that could be the milliseconds of difference between landing a precise input or not. A good modern TV can automatically switch to game mode, then back out when you’d rather watch a movie or TV show.
VRR — Variable Refresh Rate
VRR will sound familiar if you’re a PC gamer. Most players have experienced slowdown, screen tearing or stuttering as a system struggles to render each frame at the target speed, which is most commonly 30 or 60 fps on a TV. With VRR, everything stays in sync: Your display won’t show the next frame until it’s ready, which can make things feel smoother and more responsive, even if the system fails to deliver on its target frame rate.
There are a few different implementations of VRR available, including Nvidia’s G-Sync, AMD’s FreeSync and the HDMI Forum’s VRR spec, which is part of the full HDMI 2.1 standard. Both a TV and an input device need to support the same VRR tech for it to work, and different devices may only support VRR within a specific refresh rate window. On a 120Hz display, for instance, the PS5’s VRR only works between 48Hz and 120Hz.
As a reminder, the PS5 supports HDMI Forum VRR, the Xbox Series X/S support HDMI Forum VRR and FreeSync, while gaming PCs may support G-Sync or FreeSync depending on whether they use a Nvidia or AMD graphics card. A great gaming TV supports all the big VRR formats, but missing, say, G-Sync, isn’t a killer if you only game on a PS5 or Xbox.
Good gaming TVs you can get right now
The likes of Samsung, LG, TCL, Vizio and Hisense have unveiled new TVs for 2024 but, as of this writing, we’ve only recently started to see the first few of those become available. Details for more new models should be confirmed in the coming weeks. If history is any indication, though, most of those sets are unlikely to be game-changing upgrades over the 2023 models still on sale today, and they’ll cost more out of the gate. We’ll have to see if there are exceptions, of course: Samsung’s new S95D OLED TV now uses anti-glare technology, for instance, while Hisense promises improved brightness across its new midrange sets. If you want the latest and greatest and are willing to pay more to get it, hold out for a little longer.
But the TV market is always in motion. Most of the best models from last year have steadily fallen in price since launch, and they should only drop further as manufacturers look to clear out inventory. This means that, in most cases, buying a good 2023 TV should continue to provide the most bang for your buck, at least for the near term. Those are the sets we’ve highlighted with our recommendations below. While we at Engadget do not formally review TVs, we’re confident in our picks after thoroughly researching user feedback and the consensus from other professional review sites we trust, such as Rtings, Wirecutter, Reviewed and PCMag, among others.
The Samsung S90C has a QD-OLED display that combines an OLED panel with a layer of quantum dots. This allows it to display the high contrast and deep blacks of any good OLED TV without sacrificing as much in the way of peak brightness or color saturation. It should deliver consistently smooth motion, and it has four HDMI 2.1 ports that can play up to 4K 144Hz. It also supports HDR10 and HDR10+, ALLM and the major VRR formats. Sizes range from 55 to 83 inches. Like the rest of Samsung’s TV lineup, however, it doesn’t work with Dolby Vision HDR.
We’ll also note the Samsung S95C, a higher-end model. It, too, can play in 4K up to 144Hz, and some reviewssay it can get a bit brighter than the S90C in HDR. Since it runs its ports through an external box, its actual hardware is thinner as well. But it’s significantly more expensive, so it’s harder to justify unless money is no object. The aforementioned S95D OLED TV, Samsung’s flagship for 2024, may be a more meaningful upgrade, though it’s only just become available and costs even more.
The LG C3’sWOLED panel can’t get as bright as a QD-OLED TV like the Samsung S90C, but it still performs excellently in terms of contrast, input lag, motion response and viewing angles. It’s occasionally available for a little bit less than the S90C, too. It follows the HGiG’s HDR guidelines, supports ALLM, works with all the major VRR formats and has four full HDMI 2.1 ports capable of outputting 4K 120Hz with a PS5, Xbox or PC. It also supports all the major HDR standards, including Dolby Vision, and it’s available in a wide variety of sizes, from 42 to 83 inches. It’s just less ideal in a brightly-lit room, and it doesn’t support a 144Hz refresh rate for those who may want to get the most out of a gaming PC.
Screen sizes: 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ | Display type: QLED with mini-LED backlight (VA panel on 43″ and 50″, ADS panel on 55″ and up) | Resolution: 4K | Maximum refresh rate: 120Hz (144Hz on 43″ and 50″) | HDR formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDMI ports: 4x HDMI 2.1 | VRR: HDMI Forum VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync compatible | Smart OS: Tizen | Screen form: Flat | ALLM: Yes | TV tuner: ATSC 3.0
If you need the improved brightness of a LCD TV, or if you think you might play one game (extremely) long enough to worry about burn-in, consider the Samsung QN90C. It can’t match the contrast, response time or viewing angles of a good OLED model, but its mini-LED backlight and quantum-dot color should make for a richer image than most LCD TVs, particularly in HDR. Its motion and input lag shouldn’t cause problems either, and it can get much brighter than the models mentioned above. It still doesn’t support Dolby Vision, but it has four full HDMI 2.1 ports, ALLM and all the big VRR formats. It also comes in several screen sizes, with the 43- and 50-inch models capable of hitting a 144Hz refresh rate. The rest go up to 120Hz, which is the max for a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S. The 43- and 50-inch versions of these TVs use VA panels, though, which should result in better contrast but worse viewing angles.
The Sony X93L is anotherhighly-ratedpremium LED TV that does support Dolby Vision, albeit at 60Hz only, and can auto-calibrate HDR on a PS5. It has two fewer HDMI 2.1 ports than the QN90C, however, which makes it a tighter fit for those with multiple gaming devices, and its size range starts at 65 inches.
Screen sizes: 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″, 100″ | Display type: QLED with mini-LED backlight (ADS Pro panel on 75″, VA panel on others) | Resolution: 4K | Maximum refresh rate: 144Hz | HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDMI ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.0 | VRR: HDMI Forum VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync compatible | Smart OS: Google TV | Screen form: Flat | ALLM: Yes | TV tuner: ATSC 3.0
The TVs above are all pretty expensive. If you’re on more of a budget, the Hisense U8K, another QLED TV with mini LEDs, should be a strong value. It may not be a better gaming TV than the QN90C in a vacuum, as it only has two full-fat HDMI 2.1 ports, and its image will wash out more dramatically when viewed from an angle. But reviewssuggestthat, for a few hundred less, it’ll still look good in any lighting environment, with impressive brightness levels, 4K 144Hz support, all the main HDR formats, VRR, ALLM and low-enough input lag in game mode. You’ll still sacrifice contrast compared to a good OLED TV, however, and motion won’t look quite as fast or smooth.
The TCL QM8lookstobe an impressive QLED option in this price range as well. It can get a little brighter than the U8K and supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate in 4K or a super-fast 240Hz in 1080p. Unlike the Hisense model, it also keeps its eARC port separate from its two HDMI 2.1 ports, which means you could keep a PS5, Xbox Series X and eARC-compatible soundbar hooked up and optimized without ever having to mess around with inputs. Its smallest size is 65 inches, though, and a few reviews say it’s a bit worse than the U8K at upscaling lower-resolution content, which may affect those looking to play retro consoles.
If you want to pay a little less, meanwhile, the Hisense U7K offers a similar set of gaming features as its higher-end sibling but isn’t as bright or vivid.
Screen sizes: 55″, 65″, 75″ | Display type: QLED with mini-LED backlight | Resolution: 4K | Maximum refresh rate: 60Hz | HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDMI ports: 4x HDMI 2.0 | VRR: HDMI Forum VRR, FreeSync compatible, G-Sync compatible | Smart OS: Google TV | Screen form: Flat | ALLM: Yes | TV tuner: ATSC 1.0
On the lower end of the price spectrum, the Hisense U6K is the rare budget-level TV with quantum-dot color, a mini-LED backlight and full-array local dimming. Variousreviewssayall of this helps it deliver better contrast and color volume than most value-oriented models. ALLM and the major HDR standards are supported as well. Technically, it’s also a VRR display — but, like many cheaper TVs, the U6K is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, so that support only goes so far. There are no HDMI 2.1 ports either, and the TV’s brightness levels and motion handling will still be a clear step down from more expensive options. But at $350 or so for a 55-inch model, those issues should be easier to overlook.
The TCL Q5 is another notable budget option, as it’s one of the few cheap TVs that can play up to 120Hz, albeit only at a 1080p or 1440p resolution. It lacks a local dimming feature and the U6K’s mini- LED backlight, but for competitive-minded gamers who are willing to trade some sharpness and picture quality for a more responsive image, it could be a decent value. The same sentiment should apply to the TCL Q6, which offers slightly higher brightness levels but costs a bit extra.
I remember begging my parents to get me a phone with a camera when the earliest ones were launched. The idea of taking photos wherever I went was new and appealing, but it’s since become less of a novelty and more of a daily habit. Yes, I’m one of those. I take pictures of everything — from beautiful meals and funny signs to gorgeous landscapes and plumes of smoke billowing in the distance.
If you grew up in the Nokia 3310 era like me, then you know how far we’ve come. Gone are the 2-megapixel embarrassments that we used to post to Friendster with glee. Now, many of us use the cameras on our phones to not only capture precious memories of our adventures and loved ones, but also to share our lives with the world.
I’m lucky enough that I have access to multiple phones thanks to my job, and at times would carry a second device with me on a day-trip just because I preferred its cameras. But most people don’t have that luxury. Chances are, if you’re reading this, a phone’s cameras may be of utmost importance to you. But you’ll still want to make sure the device you end up getting doesn’t fall flat in other ways. At Engadget, we test and review dozens of smartphones every year; our top picks below represent not only the best phone cameras available right now, but also the most well-rounded options out there.
What to look for when choosing a phone for its cameras
Before scrutinizing a phone’s camera array, you’ll want to take stock of your needs — what are you using it for? If your needs are fairly simple, like taking photos and videos of your new baby or pet, most modern smartphones will serve you well. Those who plan to shoot for audiences on TikTok, Instagram or YouTube should look for video-optimizing features like stabilization and high frame rate support (for slow-motion clips).
Most smartphones today have at least two cameras on the rear and one up front. Those that cost more than $700 usually come with three, including wide-angle, telephoto or macro lenses. We’ve also reached a point where the number of megapixels (MP) doesn’t really matter anymore — most flagship phones from Apple, Samsung and Google have sensors that are either 48MP or 50MP. You’ll even come across some touting resolutions of 108MP or 200MP, in pro-level devices like the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Most people won’t need anything that sharp, and in general, smartphone makers combine the pixels to deliver pictures that are the equivalent of 12MP anyway. The benefits of pixel-binning are fairly minor in phone cameras, though, and you’ll usually need to blow up an image to fit a 27-inch monitor before you’ll see the slightest improvements.
In fact, smartphone cameras tend to be so limited in size that there’s often little room for variation across devices. They typically use sensors from the same manufacturers and have similar aperture sizes, lens lengths and fields of view. So while it might be worth considering the impact of sensor size on things like DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, on a smartphone those differences are minimal.
Sensor size and field of view
If you still want a bit of guidance on what to look for, here are some quick tips: By and large, the bigger the sensor the better, as this will allow more light and data to be captured. Not many phone makers will list the sensor size in spec lists, so you’ll have to dig around for this info. A larger aperture (usually indicated by a smaller number with an “f/” preceding a digit) is ideal for the same reason, and it also affects the level of depth of field (or background blur) that’s not added via software. Since portrait modes are available on most phones these days, though, a big aperture isn’t as necessary to achieve this effect.
When looking for a specific field of view on a wide-angle camera, know that the most common offering from companies like Samsung and Google is about 120 degrees. Finally, most premium phones like the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra offer telephoto systems that go up to 5x optical zoom with software taking that to 20x or even 100x.
Processing and extra features
These features will likely perform at a similar quality across the board, and where you really see a difference is in the processing. Samsung traditionally renders pictures that are more saturated, while Google’s Pixel phones take photos that are more neutral and evenly exposed. iPhones have historically produced pictures with color profiles that seem more accurate, though in comparison to images from the other two, they can come off yellowish. However, that was mostly resolved after Apple introduced a feature in the iPhone 13 called Photographic Styles that lets you set a profile with customizable contrast levels and color temperature that would apply to every picture taken via the native camera app.
Pro users who want to manually edit their shots should see if the phone they’re considering can take images in RAW format. Those who want to shoot a lot of videos while on the move should look for stabilization features and a decent frame rate. Most of the phones we’ve tested at Engadget record at either 60 frames per second at 1080p or 30 fps at 4K. It’s worth checking to see what the front camera shoots at, too, since they’re not usually on par with their counterparts on the rear.
Finally, while the phone’s native editor is usually not a dealbreaker (since you can install a third-party app for better controls), it’s worth noting that the latest flagships from Samsung and Google all offer AI tools that make manipulating an image a lot easier. They also offer a lot of fun, useful extras, like erasing photobombers, moving objects around or making sure everyone in the shot has their eyes open.
How we test smartphone cameras
For the last few years, I’ve reviewed flagships from Google, Samsung and Apple, and each time, I do the same set of tests. I’m especially particular when testing their cameras, and usually take all the phones I’m comparing out on a day or weekend photo-taking trip. Any time I see a photo- or video-worthy moment, I whip out all the devices and record what I can, doing my best to keep all factors identical and maintain the same angle and framing across the board.
It isn’t always easy to perfectly replicate the shooting conditions for each camera, even if I have them out immediately after I put the last one away. Of course, having them on some sort of multi-mount rack would be the most scientific way, but that makes framing shots a lot harder and is not representative of most people’s real-world use. Also, just imagine me holding up a three-prong camera rack running after the poor panicked wildlife I’m trying to photograph. It’s just not practical.
For each device, I make sure to test all modes, like portrait, night and video, as well as all the lenses, including wide, telephoto and macro. When there are new or special features, I test them as well. Since different phone displays can affect how their pictures appear, I wanted to level the playing field: I upload all the material to Google Drive in full resolution so I can compare everything on the same large screen. Because the photos from today’s phones are of mostly the same quality, I usually have to zoom in very closely to see the differences. I also frequently get a coworker who’s a photo or video expert to look at the files and weigh in.
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Screen size: 6.7-inch | Screen resolution: 2,992 x 1,344 | Weight: 7.5 oz | Front camera resolution: 10.5MP | Back camera resolution: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom | Storage: 128/256/512GB | RAM: 12GB | Battery: 5,050mAh
Google’s Pixel 8 Pro has the best camera game in town, outshining even the latest iPhones. That’s not just because Google continues to deliver the cleanest results in low-light, especially compared to Samsung’s flagships, but it’s typically the first to bring useful features to market. Things like Portrait Mode, Night Sight and Super Res Zoom may not have originated on Google phones (sometimes companies from China, like Huawei or Xiaomi, did these earlier), but when they arrive on Pixels, they’re usually better than the rest. Getting a Google handset should guarantee you’re among the first to experience such tools earlier than your friends.
The company has historically used its superior processing to make up for hardware shortfalls, but nowadays its flagships have imaging setups that easily stand up against the competition. The Pixel 8 Pro’s 50MP main sensor, 48MP ultrawide camera and 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom rival the best of Samsung and Apple. Google’s Magic Editor lets you tweak almost anything you want in your pictures, and its new video boost allows for even more advanced processing. Plus, I was very impressed by the Audio Magic Eraser tool, which can drastically reduce background noise.
You’ll also love using the Pixel 8 Pro as your daily driver thanks to its pleasant interface, which is both pretty and easy to use. Google’s premium phone is one of the first to offer built-in generative AI features like summarizing a website and generating customized wallpapers and color themes, in addition to helpful Call Screening and Recorder tools. The Pixel 8 Pro’s battery clocked 21 hours on our test as well, and Google’s Tensor G3 processor delivered speedy performance. Plus, at $999, the Pixel 8 Pro is the cheapest flagship on this list and our favorite Android phone, period — more reasons to recommend it over the rest.
Samsung’s Ultra series of flagships is usually packed to the brim with top-tier components for power users, which makes it no surprise that the Galaxy S24 Ultra has the edge in camera specs. With its 200MP main sensor accompanied by 10MP, 12MP and 50MP options for its wide, 3x telephoto and 5x telephoto systems respectively, Samsung’s premium handset is kitted with the most advanced hardware.
The company also introduced its own Magic Editor tool this year, which basically does what Google’s version offers — remove photobombers, reposition subjects, suggest tweaks, replace backgrounds and more. Those who are familiar with Samsung’s history might also catch that a 5x optical zoom is relatively low for the Galaxy S series, since it’s reached 10x with older lenses. Still, this new system, combined with software, allows Samsung to still offer what it calls “10x optical quality zoom,” which our reviewer Sam Rutherford said is surprisingly sharp. He even described the S24 Ultra’s close-up shots of distant objects as comparable to those from a Pixel 8 Pro.
In low light, Sam notes the S24 Ultra largely keeps up with Google’s Night Sight as well. From my experience, Samsung tends to deliver pictures that are more saturated than the competition, as well as portrait shots that are a tad less accurate at blurring around a subject’s outlines than Pixel phones. Still, these differences are minor enough that whether they’re acceptable boils down to your preference.
I generally recommend the S24 Ultra to pro users, since Samsung offers a manual mode in its camera app that gives advanced photographers more control over specific settings. I also particularly like the native video editor in the phone’s Gallery app, which lets me easily trim and split clips, as well as export individual frames.
The S24 Ultra is also an excellent phone, thanks to its titanium build, helpful new AI features and bright, colorful display. It also has the longest-lasting battery of all the candidates on this roundup, so you can take it on a two-day camping trip and not worry about bringing a charger and looking for outlets. Chances are, if you’re already a fan of Samsung, or use its other devices like the Galaxy Watch or one of the company’s laptops or TVs, you’ll find even more benefits in getting the S24 Ultra.
I’m the sort of person that hangs on to an older phone because I’m too lazy to move my data over, but after I tested the iPhone 15 Pro Max, I instantly set it up to replace my iPhone 14 Pro. Even though I had reservations about its size, the improvement in quality, especially in telephoto shots, was enough to convince me.
A lot of my pictures are of wildlife, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5x optical zoom helped me get much clearer shots of an Eastern screech owl hidden in a tall tree than my iPhone 14 Pro. I’ve been able to get closer to subjects like grazing deer, soaring hawks and busy woodpeckers in both still and video capture.
In more typical scenarios, the iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers great color and clarity, both at night and during the day. I also appreciate Apple’s Photographic Styles, which lets me set a bunch of levels and have all my pictures turn out the way I like them. While I sometimes wish the native editor in the Photos app offered more tools for splitting up videos and exporting individual frames, at least there’s always iMovie available in iOS that provides all I need to quickly produce a clip for Instagram or TikTok.
Though Apple and Google’s flagships are generally neck-and-neck when it comes to cameras, I still find Pixel phones more accurate and consistent in Portrait mode and slightly stronger in low light. iPhones have the advantage in Cinematic videos, though, so if you’re not married to Android or iOS, your choice boils down to what and when you shoot most.
Like I said earlier, Google’s ability to use software to make up for limited hardware is its greatest strength. This is particularly helpful in the midrange category, where phone makers have to use cheaper components and camera sensors tend to be one of the areas of sacrifice. Still, with its 64MP main rear camera and 13MP one up front, the Pixel 7a offers better photo and video quality than anything else at this price. In some cases, Google’s midrange device even did better than Samsung’s S23 Ultra, according to my colleague Sam Rutherford in his review.
Devices from OnePlus and Nothing, and Samsung’s A series, don’t even come close. Apple’s only sub-$500 offering is the iPhone SE (2022), which packs a single 12MP sensor in the back. Even if you can find an iPhone 13 on the secondhand market, its image and video quality still lags the Pixel 7a, which can record footage in 4K resolution.
Throw in the fact that the Pixel 7a lasted 17 hours on our battery test and comes with a 90Hz OLED screen, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better phone at this price, much less one with cameras like Google’s.
Horse blankets are covers made of various materials, including cotton, wool, nylon, and polyester, and are intended to offer warmth, protection, or other advantages to horses. They are frequently used to keep horses warm and dry in colder climates, but they can also be used for other things, including bug protection, keeping a horse clean, or limiting sun exposure.
Horse sheets are available in various shapes, sizes, and designs to accommodate different breeds and uses. Others may be used when the horse is stabled or during transit, while others may be worn while the horse is turned out to pasture.
Horse blankets come in various styles, each with a different use. The following are a few of the most popular kinds of horse blankets:
Stable blanket
As its name suggests, a stable blanket is intended for use in a stable. Despite having various lighter options, it is thick, heavy, and heated. Stable blankets come in assorted styles to accommodate the diverse demands and preferences of horse owners.
Turn-out rugs
A horse turn-out sheet helps to stay warm while in the pastures. These blankets are lightweight, toasty, and water-resistant. They have straps to tightly fasten them and keep them from shifting or falling off when the horse moves or rolls on the ground.
Coolers
You use dressage saddle pads to protect your horse and get comfortable when riding it. Similarly, you can use coolers or cool-down sheets after your horse works and is sweating. These aren’t quite blankets but more of a summer cover-up. Your horse can gradually cool off on cooling sheets without getting a chill.
Cool-down blankets fit over the horse’s ears and cover the entire body except for the lower legs. Racehorses frequently receive these treatments after a race. You should never leave a horse wearing a cooler unattended and only utilize them under close supervision.
General recommendations for choosing a blanket
According to research, the weight of a blanket affects how much warmth it provides. Researchers at North Dakota State University demonstrated this by comparing the variations in surface temperature of the lumbar area of covered and uncovered horses before and after exposure to cold thestyleplus.
Lightweight blankets only offer modest warmth. Some horses can utilize them when the temperature is cool but not freezing. In cool weather, a clipped horse might require a thin horse turn-out sheet, although an unclipped horse probably wouldn’t unless the temperature dropped even lower.
A clipped horse may require a medium to heavy turn-out blanket at warmer temps than an unclipped horse when the temperature falls below the thermoneutral zone. These blankets have between 150 and 400 grams of fill.
If there is a rain danger, any horse blanketed outdoors should use a waterproof turn-out blanket. A wet horse will become saturated and chilly in a non-waterproof blanket.
Please keep an eye on your horse when it first dons a blanket. Allowing your horse to become accustomed to the blanket’s feel can help him tolerate and enjoy it funnyjok.
If you are running an international company, you know how important it is to have a reliable and cost-effective account for your business transactions. Whether you are selling products or services across borders, paying your suppliers or employees in different currencies, or managing cash flows and finances in multiple markets, you need an account to handle your international business needs.
However, with many options available, it may be challenging to choose the one you need as each account for international companies comes with its own features, benefits, and drawbacks. We will compare some of the most popular and reputable options and help you decide which one suits your business best.
What to look for in an account for international companies
When choosing an account for your international company, consider factors like fees, exchange rates, accessibility, security, and flexibility first and foremost.
International accounts often charge fees for currency conversion, foreign exchange transactions, wire transfers, ATM withdrawals, and account maintenance. It makes sense to look for an account that offers low or no fees for these services, or at least transparent and reasonable fees that match the value you get.
With different exchange rates for converting currencies that can affect the amount of money you receive or pay in foreign transactions, choosing the right account for your international company is of paramount importance. Try to find an account that offers fair and competitive exchange rates or at least discloses them clearly and upfront.
International accounts come with different accessibility options via online or mobile banking, physical branches, ATM network, or customer support. It pays to head for an account that offers easy and convenient access to your money and account information, wherever and whenever you need it.
You can’t underestimate security as far as banking is concerned. Encryption, authentication, verification, and fraud prevention are only a couple of security options available to corporate account holders. No doubt, accounts with strong and reliable security features that would protect your money and data from unauthorized access or theft work best.
International accounts differ by degree of flexibility. They may offer international money transfers, online platform integration, credit and loan services, among other things. An account with flexible and versatile options is the one that deserves the most attention.
The best accounts for international companies
Based on these factors, we have selected some of the best accounts for international companies available in the market. Here is a brief overview of each account:
Wise Business (formerly known as TransferWise) is one of the best accounts for international companies overall. It allows you to create a local bank account that accepts over 50 multiple currencies, enabling truly borderless transactions. It also offers low and transparent fees, fair exchange rates (the same as Google’s), fast and easy money transfers, online banking and mobile app access (with instant notifications), strong security features, and integration with online platforms. Wise Business is ideal for online businesses that sell or buy products or services across borders.
Airwallex is another top option for international companies. It offers multi-currency bank accounts that allow you to send and receive money in different currencies without conversion fees. With low and transparent fees, competitive exchange rates, fast and secure money transfers, online banking and mobile app access with real-time tracking, encryption, and integration with online platforms, Airwallex is a top choice for e-commerce businesses that operate in multiple markets.
Revolut Business is one more great choice. It offers multi-currency bank accounts (over 28) that allow you to send and receive money without conversion fees. Apart from it, you will enjoy low fees, fair exchange rates, fast and easy money transfers, online banking and mobile app access (with instant notifications), strong security features (such as biometric verification), and integration with online platforms (such as Amazon). Revolut Business is ideal for small businesses that need simple and convenient accounts for international transactions.
US-based international companies should consider Novo. A US business checking account allows you to send and receive money in different currencies without conversion fees. With no monthly fees, no minimum balance fees, and no transaction fees, Novo offers competitive exchange rates. All the top features like fast and secure money transfers, online banking, mobile app access, encryption, and online platform integration are here for you.
If you are based in the UK and need a simple and convenient account for international transactions, think about Tide. It comes with a UK business current account that allows you to send and receive money in different currencies avoiding conversion fees. It also offers low and transparent commissions (only a small percentage of the amount transferred), fair exchange rates (based on interbank rates), fast and easy money transfers (that only take seconds or minutes), online banking and mobile app access (with instant notifications), strong security features (such as biometric verification), and integration with online platforms like Amazon.
Challenges in managing international accounts
While international accounts offer numerous benefits, managing them comes with its own set of challenges.
Due to the diverse financial systems and regulations across the globe, companies may face challenges with account management. They need to have specialized financial expertise to cope with them. Another challenge is currency risk, which can lead to unexpected financial losses because of exchange rate fluctuations. Sophisticated tools and strategies are necessary to handle it, which can be rather daunting. International accounting standards and tax regulations are also not to be sneezed at, let alone that integrating international accounts into a company’s existing financial systems can be technically hard. Compatibility issues and data synchronization may hamper the efficiency of global financial operations. Transferring financial data across borders creates risks to data privacy and security. Hence, to safeguard sensitive financial information, companies shall have robust cybersecurity measures in place.
While managing international accounts may be complex and challenging, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Companies that invest in the expertise and infrastructure required to effectively manage international accounts are better positioned to thrive in the global marketplace.
Are you interested in opening a reliable corporate account overseas? International Wealth experts are ready to assist you with the inquiry. Reach out to us with your account setup requests anytime!
