The first trailer for Alien: Romulus has burst out of the film industry’s metaphorical chest to emerge online – and it suggests we’re in for a hair-raising ride when it debuts in theaters.
Directed by Fede Alvarez (Don’t Breathe, Evil Dead), the seventh movie entry in the sci-fi horror franchise is looking like a particularly frightening experience. Indeed, the trailer for one of 2024’s new movies might only be 55 seconds long, but it packs a lot into its all-too-brief runtime.
With its suitably foreboding atmosphere, blood-curling screams, and terrifying pack of hunting facehuggers – was anybody else shouting “nope nope nope” at the screen when they appeared? – too, Alien: Romulus might finally give us another great (and ridiculously overdue) Alien sequel.
Alien: Romulus‘ plot is largely shrouded in secrecy, but 20th Century Studios – plus the film’s cast and crew – have slowly started to peel back its layers.
For starters, it’s set between 1977’s Alien and 1986’s Aliens movies, a fact that lead star Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla) confirmed to Variety in November 2023. It’s a standalone tale in the Ridley Scott-developed film franchise, too, so it’ll sit independent of the aforementioned Sigourney Weaver-starring flicks.
20th Century Studios also provided a very vague story synopsis alongside Romulus‘ first teaser, which simply reads: “While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonisers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe”. Hey, I did warn you it was pretty nebulous.
Experience #AlienRomulus only in theaters August 16. pic.twitter.com/OZWmHKVPH2March 20, 2024
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Aaaand that’s about it, I’m afraid. Aside from Alien Romulus‘ key creators – Alvarez is its director and co-writer, while Scott is on board as an executive producer – there’s little else we know about it. Well, apart from its confirmed cast, with Spaeny being joined by Archie Renaux (Shadow and Bone), Isabela Merced (The Last of Us season 2), Spike Fearn (Aftersun), David Jonsson (Murder Is Easy), and newcomer Aileen Wu.
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Alien: Romulus will launch exclusively in theaters worldwide on August 16.
When it comes to teasers, less is more
As brief as Alien: Romulus‘ trailer is, it’s extremely satisfying to see a movie teaser that doesn’t give away everything about its plot.
The entertainment industry’s obsession with showing key story details in film and TV show trailers is frankly ridiculous. Nowadays, too many trailers have runtimes that exceed two and a half minutes, and which practically spoil their narratives. Just look at Universal’s latest trailer for Ryan Gosling’s The Fall Guy – you can watch it above – which is over three minutes in length, and effectively lays out its entire plot ahead of its May release. The same was true of Madame Web‘s first teaser, which also exceeded three minutes, and saw the Spider-Man spin-off flick’s entire plot spelled out before it made its maligned arrival in theaters in February.
In sharp contrast, Romulus‘ teaser is just that – a tease of what’s to come. It preserves an air of mystery, choosing instead to demonstrate how it’s hoping to take the Alien franchise back to roots. With its confined spaceship-set location, the re-appearance of facehuggers, a horror-driven ambience, and a small group of humans fighting for survival against (in this trailer at least) a single xenomorph, it seems like it’ll do just that.
Of course, we’ve been here before with Alien sequels – Prometheus and Alien: Covenant‘s trailers suggested they could break the Alien movie curse before they crashed and burned at the box office. Romulus, though, looks like it could crack the code. With an Alien TV show from Fargo creator Noah Hawley set to debut on FX via Hulu (in the US anyway) in 2025, too, thing’s might be looking up for the Alien franchise’s future if Romulus and its TV cousin are successful. Time will tell if they are – but based on Romulus‘ first teaser, it seems that the Alvarez-directed flick could start to steady the sci-fi horror movie series’ ship.
The iPhone 16 line is sure to be more powerful than the iPhone 15 series, but these upcoming phones might also look more premium, thanks to greatly reduced bezels.
According to South Korean site SisaJournal (via Phone Arena), Apple plans to use BRS (Border Reduction Structure) technology on all four upcoming phones – namely the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 16 Pro, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
This BRS technology apparently allows for ultra-thin bezels, with the bottom bezel particularly benefitting. This is notable because the bottom bezel is supposedly the one that’s the most difficult to shrink, due to heat generation, but this BRS technology reportedly solves that problem.
So the end result is that all four iPhone 16 models might have much smaller bezels than their predecessors.
That report also suggested that the shrinking of the bezels would mean these phones aren’t much bigger than their predecessors, despite supposedly having larger screens.
That’s interesting because the standard iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus aren’t rumored to have larger screens, so if they also have reduced bezels then these two phones might be physically smaller than their predecessors.
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That’s speculation for now, and it’s entirely possible anyway that either these leaks are wrong or that only the Pro models will have smaller bezels. But with two sources now pointing to a bezel reduction it’s likely that at least some phones in the iPhone 16 line will have smaller bezels.
We should find out in September, as that’s when we’re expecting all four iPhone 16 models to launch. But we’ll be sure to update you with any additional leaks – bezel related or otherwise – in the meantime.
Netflix’s first trailer for its new series Supacell paints South London as an epicentre of supernatural activity, with a comic book flair that’s charged with superhero action. The new show will land on the platform this June – and it already looks like a strong contender for our list of best Netflix series.
Supacell comes from the mind of Rapman, a British record producer and film director, and will be his first full-length series off the back of his feature film Blue Story from 2019 – both of which are explicit in their faithful homages to South London living. But with Supacell, people with supernatural powers roam the streets freely.
What to expect from Supacell
The trailer (see above) does a clever job of letting us glimpse into the events of the series without giving away too much information, and has us on the edge of our seats for its June release. In it, we are introduced to main characters Michael (Tosin Cole) and Dionne (Adelayo Adedayo), who have an Instagram-perfect relationship with a nice home, fancy car, and a happy engagement to show for it. However, as it is with any drama series, there’s more than meets the eye.
In a way that seems to allude to the classic British show Misfits, Michael unexpectedly develops super powers and is given the ability to travel to the future where he learns that Dionne’s death is fast approaching. To save her, he must bring together others who have also mysteriously developed the same powers, but the question remains; what is it that connects these people?
It’s safe to say that Supacell is going to be one superhero spectacle, but its raw depiction of South London culture could be the reason it becomes a roaring success. Prior to Supacell, Rapman had dabbled in short films prior to his first full length feature Blue Story (2019), which hones in on postcode-based gang rivalry in South London. It proved to be successful with viewers, gaining a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, which could serve as a hint that Supacell’s ode to its director’s hometown will be its success factor.
Due to the recent successes of South London-based films like Rye Lane, it’s clear that audiences enjoy relatable viewing, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Supacell gains status as a modern British television classic. And since the series is carried by an ensemble cast of actors that are less-known, it eliminates high expectations and will encourage viewers to take it for face value.
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Apple appears to be gearing up to sell refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 models on its online store in the U.S. for the first time.
Apple recently added grayed-out labels for the Ultra 2 and Series 9 to its desktop refurbished website in the U.S., suggesting that it plans to sell refurbished models of those devices at some point. It is unclear exactly when availability will begin, but this is a routine step that Apple takes shortly before selling new refurbished models.
Like new Ultra 2 and Series 9 models sold directly by Apple in the U.S. currently, it is expected that the Blood Oxygen app would be deactivated on the refurbished models, due to a legal battle with medical technology company Masimo. In October, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) banned Apple from importing and selling Apple Watch models with blood oxygen sensing after it ruled that the feature infringed on Masimo’s patents.
Apple stopped selling refurbished Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8 models in the U.S. after the ban took effect, as those also offer the Blood Oxygen app.
It is also possible that Apple and Masimo could reach a settlement before Apple starts selling refurbished Ultra 2 and Series 9 models, allowing for the Blood Oxygen app to be activated on the devices. If not, the feature could still be re-enabled with a watchOS software update in the future, if and when the legal battle is resolved.
On a related note, the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra has never been offered on Apple’s refurbished store in the U.S., but it is available in the U.K., Ireland, China, and Japan. Since the ITC’s ruling applies to the U.S. only, the Blood Oxygen app is still functional on Apple Watch models sold in all other countries.
The iPhone is Apple’s top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we’re expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be…
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23″>claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an…
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C…
Apple’s new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until “deeper” into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I’ve repeatedly said that new…
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. …
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple’s flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple’s iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company’s more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%…
Since Apple unveiled macOS Sonoma 14.4 on March 7, the transition to the latest software update has not been entirely smooth for everyone, and a number of issues have been reported by users that significantly impact their daily workflow. This article lists the most prominent challenges users have faced since updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4, and offers potential solutions where available. USB…
Best Buy has a flash sale today offering $100 off select models of the Apple Watch Series 9, including both GPS and cellular models. These record low discounts are available to all shoppers and don’t require a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Starting with the 41mm GPS Apple Watch Series 9, you can get this model for $299.00, down from $399.00. This one is available in Silver Aluminum with Winter Blue Sport Loop and Pink Aluminum with Light Pink Sport Loop.
Secondly, Best Buy has the 45mm GPS Apple Watch Series 9 for $329.00, down from $429.00. Colors on sale include Midnight Aluminum with Midnight Sport Band and Pink Aluminum with Light Pink Sport Band. These models are only available in the Small/Medium size; if you want an adjustable Sport Loop paired with a 45mm Series 9 those are also available in Midnight and Pink.
The only cellular model on sale at Best Buy today is the 45mm Apple Watch Series 9 for $429.00, down from $529.00. You can get this model in the Midnight Aluminum with Midnight Sport Loop, and you can choose from an unlocked model or activation via AT&T or Verizon.
Keep up with all of this week’s best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
The iPhone is Apple’s top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we’re expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be…
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23″>claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an…
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C…
Apple’s new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until “deeper” into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I’ve repeatedly said that new…
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple’s flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple’s iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company’s more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%…
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. …
Since Apple unveiled macOS Sonoma 14.4 on March 7, the transition to the latest software update has not been entirely smooth for everyone, and a number of issues have been reported by users that significantly impact their daily workflow. This article lists the most prominent challenges users have faced since updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4, and offers potential solutions where available. USB…
It looks like Shōgun is Disney Plus’ and Hulu’s Game of Thrones. fresh from its record-breaking launch last week, the Samurai show has continued to sweep the streaming charts where it’s sitting at the top spot worldwide based on data from Samba TV (see X/Twitter post below) – a rare feat for a show on Disney Plus and Hulu. But the big question is whether it’ll last, because Netflix’s The Gentlemen is already doing big numbers despite only launching a few days ago.
The latest #SambaTVWeeklyWrap is here! This week, #SHOGUN fights off competition for another week at #1. #LoveIsBlindS6 dropped its wedding episode, giving the #podsquad the #2 spot (we’ll see how the #LOVEISBLINDreunion did next week). In 3rd was #MillieBobbyBrown’s #Damsel, 4th… pic.twitter.com/4ZVO6o8YB3March 14, 2024
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In the US, Shōgun was the most-streamed TV premiere for an FX-developed show, beating the record previously set by The Bear season two. In other territories, Shōgun beat The Kardashians season one to become the number one in the General Entertainment series category, too.
It’s also scoring highly with the critics, with a 99% Rotten Tomatoes rating and an equally impressive 93% from viewers. But as it’s only releasing new episodes weekly instead of all at once, that means there’s a long gap between each new episode. How to fill it? The show is pretty much unique in its setting and story, but there’s plenty of exciting shows on Disney Plus and Hulu in other genres. Here are three of our favorites.
The Bear
There are no swords in this one, we know, and no bears either. But the dialog is sharp enough to do some serious damage in this exceptional drama and there’s plenty of conflict to watch from behind your fingers too. Season one is good but season two is even better, and the critics agree: it’s another 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s picked up a whole shelf of awards too. It’s one of the very best TV shows on any streamer and some of the kitchen scenes in particular are as stressful as anything you’ll see in Shōgun.
Andor
The setting may be a galaxy far, far away from Feudal Japan but Andor is no less epic. Focusing on rebel spy Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), this live action Star Wars spinoff has a 96% Rotten Tomatoes rating and tons of great reviews. The New Republic says that “the show deserves to be seen as great TV, in the same league as shows like The Wire and The Sopranos”, while our pals at GamesRadar said that it’s the “gritty, dark Star Wars show that we’ve long been waiting for”.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Another top scorer, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is sitting at a very healthy 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. The titular Percy is on a dangerous mission threatened by terrifying monsters and angry gods alike, and it’s a great fantasy epic that, unlike Shōgun, is also suitable for family viewing. The Guardian said it’s a “lovely, multiverse-free way to spend an evening with kids”. It’s done so well that a second season has already been greenlit.
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Netflix is used to taking gambles. From pioneering the crackdown on account sharing between households to remaking some of the best anime shows, the streaming giant has a penchant for persuing high-risk, high-reward strategies.
You can now count 3 Body Problem, Netflix’s TV adaptation of Liu Cixin’s brain-melting book series, among its big swings. Indeed, the streamer’s latest big-budget series isn’t just packed with abstract sci-fi fare; it’s also helmed by Game of Thrones’ (GoT) showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, whose reputation took a significant hit after the high-fantasy HBO show’s divisive final season.
Alongside Netflix and True Blood showrunner Alexander Woo, though, Benioff and Weiss have returned to form with an effective, mind-bending series that delivers a fitting take on Cixin’s dense and seemingly unfilmable source material. Its occasionally reductive plot threads and storytelling deviations will irritate fans of Cixin’s novels, while its more cerebral elements and plot pacing might baffle others. As a deep-thinking, multi-genre, and surprisingly intimate series, however, 3 Body Problem largely hits the sweet spot.
Secret Invasion
Ye Wenjie (right) is the character who sets 3 Body Problem‘s narrative in motion. (Image credit: Netflix)
3 Body Problem’s plot jumps between two storylines set in different time periods. The first, which takes place in the 60s and 70s, follows Ye Wenjie (Zine Tseng), a Chinese astrophysics prodigy who becomes increasingly misanthropic as a result of numerous personally traumatic events. Disillusioned by the cruelty of the human race, Ye makes a fateful decision – one that echoes across time and space – when a seemingly benevolent alien race reaches out to her during her research into extraterrestrial life.
Half a century later, unorthodox detective Da Shi (Marvel star Benedict Wong) investigates a series of gruesome, unexplained deaths involving scientists across the globe. Under the command of a mysterious organization led by the enigmatic Thomas Wade (Liam Cunningham), Shi soon finds himself trailing the Oxford Five – a group of scientific experts who might hold the key to staving off an invasion that humanity is ill-equipped to deal with.
3 Body Problem shines brightest when it leans into the human aspect of its story
3 Body Problem spends its early episodes flitting between these timelines, which isn’t a novel storytelling approach for a sci-fi show, but it nonetheless succeeds in slowly untangling the biggest mysteries within its core narrative. It’s not a superficial show by any means, either, with its layered story posing philosophical questions – mainly of the existential variety – and other brain teasers throughout its eight-episode run. Plotwise, 3 Body Problem also poses more questions than it answers, meaning viewers looking for an easy watch are in for a rude awakening.
3 Body Problem’s science-led subplots aren’t as complex as you might think. Well, mostly anyway. (Image credit: Netflix)
If you really focus on the narrative playing out, however, 3 Body Problem rewards you. Indeed, those who concentrate can spot clues that foreshadow events to come. It’s an interactive form of storytelling that showcases one of 3 Body Problem’s biggest strengths, i.e. its ability to subconsciously turn you into a prescient detective, rather than simply being an objective observer. I found myself trying to solve its largest puzzles before the answers were revealed by way of plot exposition, and I’d recommend you do the same if you want to add an extra dimension to your viewing experience.
Speaking of story exposition, there’s a frustration in how some of this is delivered. At times, 3 Body Problem does right by its narrative explanations – Da Shi’s evidence board, which contains important details about the Oxford Five in episode 1, for example, is a smart way of relaying important background information about each individual. Other times, characters vexingly repeat facts from one episode to the next. The revelation that the invading alien race is 400 years away from reaching Earth, for instance, is ‘revealed’ multiple times throughout episodes 3 and 4. My memory isn’t what it was, Netflix, but come on.
3 Body Problem is a cleverly constructed and sweeping epic
Its genre-bending makeup is also periodically erratic. A trailer that landed in January teased the potential for 3 Body Problem to be a sci-fi epic, VR horror, and mystery thriller rolled into one, but the tonal shifts throughout its early episodes are disappointingly temperamental. The lurching from sci-fi spectacle to tragicomedy, particularly during scenes that are seemingly set in a virtual reality (VR) world, typifies the show’s struggle to achieve equilibrium, something it doesn’t manage until its midway point.
You won’t look at virtual reality in the same way again after 3 Body Problem. (Image credit: Netflix)
I previously suggested that 3 Body Problem had the capacity to give you VR nightmares when its first clip surfaced online in November 2023, but some of its more terror-positioned visuals just aren’t frightening. Some are spooky and unsettling – the seemingly perpetual and unexplained countdown timer that plagues Auggie Salazar (Eiza Gonzalez), one of the Oxford Five, early on is unequivocally haunting. Other moments have a macabre flavor to them, including scenes where Jin Cheng (Jess Hong) and Jack Rooney (Jon Bradley) – other members of the aforementioned quintet – interact with obscure, state-of-the-art, minimalist VR headsets. Alas, that’s as terrifying as things get.
There are, though, moments that are genuinely shocking. One sequence in episode 5 is deeply disturbing in its simplicity; its body horror unnervingly juxtaposed with the eerily still atmosphere that accompanies it. Throw in more bloody, at-times physical and psychological violence, plus other adult-weighted material – and morbid, R-rated, and deadpan jokes – and the narratively dark aura that epitomizes Benioff and Weiss-led projects is as prominent here as it was in Thrones. They might have traded high fantasy for mind-bending sci-fi, but their fingerprints are evident across the final product.
A sky full of stars
The Oxford Five (Raj, third from the left, not included) are the heartbeat of 3 Body Problem. (Image credit: Netflix)
For all of its big-brain concepts, multi-genre scope and exorbitant scale, though, I believe 3 Body Problem shines brightest when it actively leans into the deeply human aspect of its story.
As I alluded to earlier, there’s a barely perceptible shift around the halfway mark as the show gravitates away from its staggering science-based theories and philosophical conundrums in favor of an intimate tale about life, love, death and survival. That’s not to say that 3 Body Problem throws its metaphysical and sci-fi-led elements away – after all, there’s still a pulsating, dread-inducing War of the Worlds-inspired story to be told and, hopefully in future seasons, concluded.
There’s a frustration in how some of 3 Body Problem’s story exposition is delivered
3 Body Problem’s ability to tell a meaningful, relatable, and tender story is what surprised me most about Netflix’s new lavish TV original, though. It displays a substantial emotional weightiness, particularly through Bradley’s Jack, Hong’s Jin, Alex Sharp’s Will (another of the Oxford Five), and Zine Tseng’s young Ye – based on her quietly intense performance, Tseng is a star in the making – that makes for a gripping melodrama to lose yourself in.
The dynamic between Thomas Wade and Da Shi is brimming with deadpan humor and occasional tension. (Image credit: Netflix)
It isn’t a completely somber and/or poignant affair, mind you, with plenty of adult-based levity, awkward humor, and even the odd slapstick moment that pleasingly lightens the mood amid the trauma-laced subplots. 3 Body Problem doesn’t shy away from giving each cast member their time in the sun, either, with the aforementioned actors – plus other important characters, including Jovan Adepo’s Saul, the only Oxford Five member I haven’t mentioned – installed as episodic leads. By the way, this is a Benioff and Weiss-created TV adaptation so, just like GoT, I’d advise not becoming too attached to any one character (if you know, you know).
Considering that I struggled to connect with its multidimensional cast of characters in its first half, it was remarkably gratifying to be able to identify and empathize with (albeit belatedly) them later on. The relationships between certain individuals – Wade’s interactions with Da Shi and Jin are notable highlights – crackle and fizz with pleasing intent, while the surprising team-ups between radically different characters add a dynamic flavor to specific scenes, too. Who would have thought that a trippy, paranormal, and theory-led show would do its best work in its character-driven component?
My verdict
3 Body Problem is a cleverly constructed and sweeping epic that, once it navigates its clunky embryonic stage, finds an impressive balance between its high-brow plot, intimate and character-driven storylines, and grounding in real science and history-defining events. An equal-parts international and intergalactic mystery, it’s an ambitious, mind-melting Netflix sci-fi show that demands your attention.
At times, it has the makings of an HBO-style prestige drama, with Benioff and Weiss’ work on Thrones paying dividends on their latest big-budget small-screen project. Largely, it’s a fitting adaptation of Cixin’s often unwieldy literary works, although it slightly trivializes its hypothetical source material through intermittent creative deviations and simplified conceptual explanations.
3 Body Problem was one of 10 exciting shows I couldn’t wait for in early 2024 and, after enjoying what it had to offer, I feel vindicated in my prediction. It won’t have the same, industry-altering impact that Game of Thrones had in 2011, but it’s more than earned a spot – a potentially permanent one – in my best Netflix shows guide. Once you’ve gorged yourself on all eight episodes on launch day, I’m confident you’ll understand why.
3 Body Problem exclusively launches in full on Netflix on Thursday, March 21.
The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 was recently dethroned by the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra in our guide to the best PC controllers. While it still holds a spot on our list of the best Xbox controllers, where its intuitive native software gives it a narrow lead over the competition, we must now all reckon with the fact that the controller is not a particularly attractive proposition in 2024 thanks to an abundance of stronger or better-value alternatives.
As a quick refresher, the Xbox Elite Series 2 was originally released back in 2019 right at the tail end of the Xbox One’s life. It was initially a pretty compelling package, offering a ton of worthwhile improvements and ‘pro’ controller features that made for a major upgrade compared to the pad that came with the console. For starters, it boasted a more modern design that finally dropped the woefully outdated micro-USB port of the regular pad in favor of the more widely used USB-C, and contained a built-in rechargeable battery that made it easier and cheaper to keep charged.
The Elite Series 2 also felt better in the hands; thanks to its delightful textured grips and triggers. The ability to attach a versatile concave D-pad – a brilliant fit for everything from precision platformers to some of the best fighting games – also helped set this controller apart. Of course, the wealth of more high-end features on offer like the trigger locks, swappable thumbsticks, and removable back bumpers, then helped round out the offering and each did a lot to really justify that $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$249.95 price tag.
Held back
(Image credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Now, times have changed and the Xbox Elite Series 2 has been left behind, with no refresh, update, or design overhaul for almost five years. This is a bit of a problem, as the arrival of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S brought a brand-new Xbox Wireless Controller that offers many of the best elements of the Xbox Elite Series 2 at a dramatically more affordable price.
For just $59.99 / £54.99 / AU$74.99, the new standard pad has USB-C support, a concave D-pad, and a comparable texture on the grips and triggers all by default. With the release of the official Xbox Play and Charge kit, not to mention a plethora of more recent high-quality third-party alternatives, you even have the option to add a rechargeable battery to your controller. In fact, doing so boasts the distinct advantage that, contrary to the Xbox Elite Series 2’s battery, the Play and Charge kit can be easily removed and replaced if it begins to degrade as the years go by.
These niceties certainly weren’t the only reasons to buy an Xbox Elite Series 2 but they elevated it from a niche high-end product to something that I would happily recommend to most players if they had the budget.
However, improvements to the standard Xbox gamepad are not the only thing putting pressure on the premium controller, as the third-party sphere is now overflowing with superb Xbox Elite Series 2 alternatives that offer similarly premium features often at substantially lower prices.
Returning to the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra as a particularly recent example, this controller is just $20 / £20 more than the Xbox Elite Series 2 but manages to absolutely outclass it in almost every regard. On top of attractive RGB lighting and a useful color screen, it features far superior tactile buttons and modern Hall effect thumbsticks that offer enhanced durability and greater precision. After just a few years of intermittent use, the thumbsticks on my Xbox Elire Series 2 have already begun to suffer drift, meaning that the latter addition offered by the Stealth Ultra is comfortably worth the extra cost by comparison.
Better or cheaper
(Image credit: PDP)
You then have options like the new Victrix Pro BFG, which retails for the exact same price as the Xbox Elite Series 2 but offers far greater versatility. On top of back paddles, trigger locks, and customizable thumbsticks, the whole controller sports a unique modular design that lets you fully customize the positions of its inputs.
If you want to play with a symmetrical layout like the DualSense Wireless Controller, you can simply move the position of the thumbstick modules. You even get a dedicated fighting game module included in the box, which dramatically improves the button layout and makes the controller a much better fit for fighting games. Some won’t appreciate the extra complexity of a modular controller, but, on the whole, I would say that it is the better option for most players.
Even when you start to look at some of the third-party controllers that are dramatically cheaper than the Xbox Elite Series 2, there are loads of strong picks. Take the Turtle Beach Recon, for example, which costs just under $59.99 / £49.99 but is absolutely packed with high-end features.
It’s got lovely tactile face buttons, a concave D-pad, two customizable rear buttons and useful audio equalizer (EQ) presets for a range of genres. Sure, the Turtle Beach Recon has the drawback of being a wired controller but that’s not going to be an issue for a lot of players. With the Recon, you’re getting a seriously comparable, and in some ways superior, experience for $120 / £110 less than the Xbox Elite Series 2.
This just scratches the surface of what’s out there and, if you’re willing to spend some time weighing up all the different models on the market, you’re sure to find an Xbox Elite Sense 2 controller alternative that can offer your most desired features at a lower price.
We’re now in a situation where more expensive controllers offer a far better experience, controllers that are the same price offer far more features and even much cheaper controllers manage to hold their own against the Xbox Elite Series 2. If Microsoft is going to stick to that five-year-old design, the controller is at the very least going to need a hefty price cut to keep it competitive.
Better still, the arrival of an improved Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 3 could put Microsoft back at the top of the pecking order. Until then, though, there isn’t really a good reason to choose an Xbox Elite Series 2.
The Galaxy A3x series is finally starting to look like a modern phone, thanks to one long-awaited design upgrade Samsung introduced today. The company just unveiled the Galaxy A35, and one design improvement that really stands out in the eyes of anyone who knows the recent history of the A3x series is the Infinity-O display.
Samsung’s new Galaxy A35 is the first in its line to adopt a circular cutout for the selfie camera, or what Samsung calls an Infinity-O design.
Stepping into the modern design era
The Galaxy A5x series has had an Infinity-O display since the Galaxy A51, but the Galaxy A3x lineup had to work with the Infinity-U cutout for a few more years. Not anymore!
The lower-mid-range series has finally adopted the selfie cutout, and this design element is likely here to stay for Galaxy A3x generations to come. It certainly is one of the striking design elements separating the new Galaxy A35 from its predecessors.
Conversely, it is one characteristic that blends the Galaxy A35 into the pot of similar-looking higher-end phones, like the Galaxy A55, S23 FE, and even Galaxy S24.
The one design element that separates the Galaxy A35 from other, more expensive Samsung phones is the so-called Key Island that raises the side buttons from the otherwise flat frame. But put the right Samsung case on the Galaxy A35, and at a glance, most people will likely mistake it for a higher-end model.
As for other design elements, the Galaxy A35 still has a plastic frame, but it’s been elevated to a full-glass sandwich build with an unspecified type of glass protection at the back and Gorilla Glass Victus+ at the front. But, who knows?! The next generation A3x models might very well adopt a metal frame, much like the Galaxy A55 did this year.
The Reference Series Hemp headphones started out as a limited edition – but thanks to popular opinion, Grado has decided to make them a permanent part of its catalog. How likely are the Grado Hemp to feature in our best wired headphones buying guide? Very, with just a few caveats.
In many ways – certainly aesthetic – it’s Grado business as usual. Which isn’t all good news, exactly, because it means these headphones are nothing special where perceived value is concerned, are far from luxurious as objects, and become less than comfortable more quickly than, say, the Sennheiser HD 660S2 they’re likely to face off against on most people’s shortlists.
Happily, it’s also business as usual where sound quality is concerned. The combination of the open-backed configuration, along with the acoustic talents of the maple-and-hemp construction of the driver housing, means these headphones sound spacious, detailed and thoroughly engaging. So much so, in fact, that you’ll almost certainly find they’re becoming just slightly uncomfortable before you’re really ready to stop listening to them.
Striking wooden ear cups in an otherwise so-very-Grado build (Image credit: Future)
Grado Hemp review: Price & release date
Release date: February 1, 2024
Price: $479 / £479 / AU$799
The Grado Reference Series Hemp wired open-backed over-ear headphones are available now – originally this model saw the light of day back in 2020, but then it was a limited edition and now it isn’t. In America, the price is a pun-tastic $420, while in the UK the headphones cost £479 and in Australia they’re AU$799.
There isn’t really space here to list all the very many pairs of alternative over-ear headphones this sort of money will buy. But direct, hard-wired open-backed rivals are thin on the ground (although the FiiO FT3 is one option), and those partially constructed from a semi-illegal botanical species are thinner still…
Grado Hemp review: Specs
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Drivers
44mm Dynamic (open-back)
Active noise cancellation
No
Impedance
38 Ohms nominal
Weight
218g
Connectivity
3.5mm, 6.3mm
Frequency response
13Hz – 28kHz
Cable length
177cm
Grado has now fitted a 3.5mm termination with a 6.33mm adapter supplied – good to see (Image credit: Future)
Grado Hemp review: Features
44mm dynamic drivers
13Hz – 28kHz frequency response
Chunky 177cm cable
There’s not much you need from a pair of passive headphones when it comes to ‘features’, is there? The Grado have the essentials: properly suspended, nicely isolated 44mm dynamic drivers delivering a claimed frequency response of 13Hz – 28kHz, and that just about covers it.
Each earcup is wired using the familiar eight-conductor cable Grado has favored for a while now – and here, just as in every other application, it’s almost wilfully eager to twist in on itself and heroically resistant to straightening. At least Grado has seen sense and fitted a 3.5mm termination with a 6.33mm adapter supplied – back in the day, the company would terminate with a 6.3mm jack and then provide a huge, unwieldy 6.3mm/3.5mm adapter. So progress has definitely been made where that particular feature is concerned…
Grado is sticking with its ‘friction pole’ design principle, but it means you may experience wearer fatigue after a while (Image credit: Future)
Grado Hemp review: Sound quality
Open, organised and expansive presentation
Nicely balanced and detailed sound
Straightforwardly enjoyable to listen to
Buying open-backed, hard-wired headphones strongly suggests you take your listening pretty seriously – after all, you haven’t hit on a pair of Grado Reference Series Hemp headphones for their convenience. So it seems reasonable to assume you’ll plug them into a worthwhile source of music, rather than straight into the headphone socket of a laptop or smartphone.
And sure enough, attach the Hemp to a half-decent headphone amplifier, feed in some digital audio content of reasonable resolution (a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of Nick Drake’s Which Will, for instance, a 16bit/44.1kHz FLAC copy of Petra Haden’s version of I Can See For Miles or a 24bit/192kHz FLAC file of Astrud Gilberto’s Chup Chup I Got Away) and the fact they neither look nor feel like $480-worth of headphones becomes a moot point. Because they sound like it, and then some.
The soundstage they’re capable of creating, for example, is spacious, well-organised and, most of all, big. So big, in fact, that even if you choose to listen to a full symphony orchestra gearing up for a full assault, there’s more than enough room available for each individual instrument to enjoy a little space in which to do its thing without fear of being trampled over by any other. The layout is explicit, and the distance in the front/back and left/right planes is significant. Switch to a small-scale, guitar-and-voice recording, though, and the Hemp makes it sound unified, intimate and direct. As far as creating a big picture goes, these Grado are vivid and confident.
The cable is chunky and 1.7mm long, but it’s prone to tangles… (Image credit: Future)
Detail levels are high, across the board – the bottom of the frequency range is just as information-rich, varied and articulate as the midrange and the top end. At every stage, the Grado are able to identify and contextualise even the most minor events in a recording, as well as keeping a close eye on the bigger picture. It’s able to amalgamate every strand into a singular event with a strong sense of ‘performance’, and the integration of the entire frequency range is smooth (although just fractionally midrange-forward in the established Grado manner). This might seem to be a given, on the basis that the Hemp are producing the whole frequency from a single driver per earcup, but I’ve heard enough similarly specified headphones that simply can’t manage it to know it’s not good to make assumptions.
Control of the bottom end is good, which means rhythms are handled with assurance – the Grado’s overall sonic signature is one of momentum and engagement, rather than dry analysis. Oh, they can peer deep into a recording and bring back all the minutiae – but that’s not where they’re at their most effective. It’s their sense of energy and drive, well-supervised attack and simple musicality – that’s where their fundamental talents lie.
Big dynamic shafts are handled without alarms, and with just as much positivity as the low-level dynamic variations that are apparent in a solo instrument or unaccompanied voice(s) as in the Petra Haden recording. There’s plenty of punch and attack when it’s called for, but the Hemp are just as capable of soothing as they are invigorating.
These drivers are incredibly talented, but the open-air (read: open-back) design means sound leakage… (Image credit: Future)
Grado Hemp review: Design
Hemp/maple driver housing
Leather headband
Foam ear pads
Despite the fact that every pair of on-ear headphones is fundamentally the same when it comes to ‘design’, the Reference Series Hemp could only be a Grado product. The established design cues are all here.
Thin metal headband, modestly padded and covered with stretched leather? Check. Prosaic ‘friction pole’ headband adjustment mechanism? Check. Metal mesh covering the rear of the driver enclosure, ordinary-feeling foam forming the ear pads, a rudimentary yoke allowing just a degree of ear cup movement? Check, check and check again. Grado hit upon these design features a while back, and quite obviously sees no reason to mess with them.
No pair of headphones stays comfortable indefinitely. At some point during a listening session you’ll become aware of heat, or fatigue, or both, somewhere or other – but the design and execution of the Reference Series Hemp means that time will come a little sooner than with some alternative designs.
Grado’s rudimentary yoke doesn’t allow for much cup adjustment (Image credit: Future)
Grado Hemp review: Value
Unremarkable in look and feel
Perceived value is not all that high
Excellent sound quality at the money
You can look at this one of two ways. The first way says that the Reference Series Hemp are fundamentally unglamorous, and in no way look or feel like they cost as much money as they cost. The second way says that a combination of sonic talents such as those exhibited by these headphones justifies the asking price all day long. You will very much make your own mind up…
Should I buy the Grado Hemp?
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Section
Notes
Score
Features
The category of open-backed headphones isn’t particularly feature-rich, but there’s everything you need
5/5
Sound quality
Spacious, well-organised and most of all big sound – and it is beautiful
5/5
Design
Typically Grado, which means great sound, but you’ll notice a bit of discomfort over time
4/5
Value
Unglamorous, yes, but in the sound-per-pound stakes they’re worth every penny
4/5
Buy them if…
Don’t buy them if…
Striking, but the metal mesh won’t keep your tunes private (Image credit: Future)
Grado Hemp review: Also consider
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Header Cell – Column 0
Grado Hemp
Sennheiser HD-660S2
FiiO FT3
Price
$479 / £479 / AU$799
$599 / £499 / AU$949
$299 / £289 / AU$449
Drivers
44mm Dynamic (open-back)
38mm
60mm dynamic (open-back)
Weight
218g
260g
391g (without cable)
Connectivity.
3.5mm; 6.3mm
6.3mm, 4.4mm, 3.5mm
3.5mm, 4.4mm, 6.3mm, XLR-4
Frequency response
13Hz – 28kHz
8Hz – 41.5kHz
7Hz – 40kHz
Cable length
1.77m
1.8m
3m
How I tested the Grado Hemp
Used with various sources
Tested for over a week
Many different types of music played
Headphone amps of various types, music from vinyl records and hi-res digital audio files (and plenty of them) plus a long, hard listen is basically how I tested the Grado Reference Series Hemp.
This is how I was able to establish they like good sources of music better than average ones (no surprise there), they couldn’t care less about the sort of music you like to listen to (which is good news), and they get a little uncomfortable once you’re hours deep into a listening session (which is slightly less good news).
It also didn’t take me long to establish that the noise they leak is an irritation to anyone who might be in the vicinity…
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