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Android Authority
2 days ago
- Android Authority
I'll only upgrade to the Galaxy Watch 8 if it focuses on these 2 features
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority I've used several smartwatches throughout my career, switching between devices to match my changing priorities. However, the one smartwatch I always return to is my Galaxy Watch 4. Now paired with a Galaxy smartphone, it's become the center of my ecosystem. Samsung's first new-generation Wear OS watch launched in 2021. Now, nearly four years later, I still feel little temptation to upgrade. While the watch is starting to show its age, as its chipped exterior suggests, it still serves me well as a fitness tracker and a smartphone companion. What will get you to upgrade to the Galaxy Watch 8 series? 0 votes It's a new device. I'm upgrading regardless. NaN % Much better battery life. NaN % More accurate and reliable fitness tracking. NaN % Another feature entirely (mention in comments). NaN % I wouldn't upgrade for any reason. NaN % With the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 set to launch in a few weeks, I'd normally be eager to see the new features and advancements, but recent launches have been underwhelming. I've realized that only two upgrades would genuinely enhance the Samsung smartwatch experience and draw me away from my Galaxy Watch 4. They aren't flashy or marketable, but they underpin almost every other experience on the wearable. Two fundamental upgrades, one hugely improved smartwatch experience Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority It's safe to say that my Galaxy Watch 4 is no longer as efficient as it used to be. I could stretch the battery to last three days between charges in its early days. In 2025, I can barely get two days per charge. I've even tried to eke out more performance and endurance through smarter use of Samsung Routines. Of all possible improvements, increasing a smartwatch's battery capacity is an easy win. While I expect the Galaxy Watch 8 to have a more efficient chipset and a larger battery than the Galaxy Watch 4, the Galaxy Watch 7 certainly has — I need to see significant improvements to be convinced to upgrade. The Galaxy Watch 7's battery capacity is about 18% larger than my device's, but it's still 49% smaller than the OnePlus Watch 3, one of Wear OS's battery kings. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Demanding more battery life is a common refrain, but for good reason. Every portable product needs recharging; the longer we can delay this inevitability, the longer the device remains in active use. This is more important for smartwatches than smartphones. A longer battery life means more time on my wrist and more data collection. Of all possible improvements, increasing a smartwatch's battery capacity is an easy win. The accuracy of baseline data affects everything else, including big-ticket AI features. Then there's the other primary concern: fitness tracking accuracy. More reliable tracking would allow me to make decisions about my health. If my Samsung watch suggests I get no deep sleep, but my Fitbit Sense 2 and other devices indicate plenty, can I really trust the Galaxy? This becomes even more important when considering other metrics that rely on sleep data, like the Energy Score and Samsung's incoming sleep-related AI features. The accuracy of baseline data affects everything else. Improving accuracy may not be as marketable as Antioxidant Index or Running Coach, but it's far more important. Will the Galaxy Watch 8 be the one? Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Galaxy Watch 7 (left), Galaxy Watch Ultra (right) So, can I trust Samsung to address these two facets? To be fair, it has made strides with the latter. A new BioActive sensor array landed with the Galaxy Watch 7 last year, improving its tracking accuracy versus its predecessor. While we likely won't see another major sensor upgrade this year, I expect knowledge garnered from the Watch 7 will go towards improving the software that governs it. If Samsung can prove its keen focus on these two fundamentals, the Galaxy Watch 8 will be my next smartwatch. As for my battery life concerns, this seems to be Samsung's greatest weakness in its mobile technologies. It's reluctant to adopt silicon-carbon batteries for its smartphones and is unlikely to make an exception for its smartwatches. Without this leap, I don't see how the company can make meaningful power gains without vastly increasing the size of its watches. That said, I am an optimist, and with three possible models coming this year, there may be a surprise in store. I'll likely need a new smartwatch with the Galaxy Watch 4's software support window ending soon. If Samsung addresses my concerns, that new device could be the Galaxy Watch 8. Thankfully, with Unpacked drawing nearer, it won't be long before I make that decision.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Forbes
Apple AirPods 4 Review: Excellent Apple Earbuds With ANC
Apple's AirPods lineup has historically fallen into two different camps. You have the classic AirPods, which are pretty low-frills but get you what you need—namely, music and some extras. You also have the premium AirPods Pro line, which come with everything including active noise cancellation (ANC), Conversation Awareness and silicone ear tips to create a better seal for a better listening profile. But now, Apple has a third player on the field, the Apple AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The Apple AirPods 4 with ANC offer excellent audio quality that iPhone users should love. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer The Apple AirPods 4 With ANC feel like they're designed for those who want the affordability of the base AirPods but don't want to sacrifice on the extras the Pro line offers. But I needed to know whether the audio quality and the ANC could suit my demanding needs. Read on to learn more about my findings in my full Apple AirPods 4 With ANC review. Amazon Apple AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Battery life: Up to 4 hours (with ANC), up to 5 hours (without ANC) and up to 30 hours with charging case | Wireless charging case: Yes | Waterproof rating: IP54 | Drivers: Unknown | Noise-canceling: Yes Best for: Its impressive audio quality that rivals high-end wireless earbuds A seamless Apple experience, especially for iPhone users Decent noise cancellation Skip if: You want the absolute best of the best Apple earbuds You need silicone ear tips for stability, fit and improved noise cancellation The Apple AirPods 4 With ANC have a signature Apple design. Like the Apple AirPods Pro 2, the Apple AirPods 4 With ANC have the sleek white build, but the difference comes down to the ear tips. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have a silicone ear tip to help keep the earbuds firmly tucked in your ears, while the Apple AirPods 4 With ANC don't offer this silicone grip. At first, I was skeptical whether they would actually stay in my ears, because it almost feels like they rest—and aren't tucked—in. For the most part, I didn't have any problems with fit. Apple has done a darn good job of nailing a shape that feels pretty stable when worn. Still, if you plan on wearing these at the gym, I can't recommend hitting the treadmills. Because there's no silicone grip, I noticed that when I was the most active, they loosened in my ears over time. If you have any qualms about a loose earbud at the gym, these are not for you. But for most, these suit just fine. The case includes wireless charging, a feature that isn't typically seen on wireless earbuds at this ... More price point. Rebecca Isaacs for Forbes The case is smaller than the Apple AirPods Pro 2 case. If you're determined to carry the smallest amount of equipment possible, this is a boon. But really, it doesn't matter; what matters is the case offers wireless charging, something that non-Apple earbuds at the same price point typically don't have. Additionally, the same touch controls can also be found on the stem, and I found them easy to use when navigating Spotify. However, I also noted that when I pressed the buttons, sometimes I accidentally loosened the AirPods' fit. Apple AirPods 4 With ANC: Performance Audio Quality Rivals More High-End Competition For the price—around $179 before a sale—I expected some kind of trade-off, and that has typically come in the form of worse audio. The Apple AirPods 4 With ANC took me by surprise because Apple has nailed the audio quality. Apple doesn't fully allow for a customized EQ; instead, you have to find the audio settings under Accessibility and listen to a couple of different presets to determine your preferred EQ balance. For these earbuds, I followed the short process and noted it gave me a more dynamic listening profile. The AirPods don't feature silicone ear tips for a more secure fit, but they're still very ... More comfortable to wear. Rebecca Isaacs for Forbes One of the songs I test with is Fitz and the Tantrums' 'I Just Wanna Shine,' as it should blend the baritone saxophone during the chorus sequences. The AirPods Pro 4 With ANC blend these frequencies nicely. The baritone saxophone didn't feel overpowered, and the guitar sounded clear, which is what you want in this particular tune. Again, call me a skeptic: I cross-tested these with the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8s and the Denon PerL Pro earbuds, two pairs that are considered premium brands, across multiple genres. AirPods made the audio quality on par with these higher-end models. For the most part, it was a tough call to differentiate the audio quality, and it left me impressed. The AirPods 4 with ANC also offer spatial audio for watching content on your iPhone, something that I've grown a little spoiled by. The spatial audio is a nice extra to help immerse yourself if you're watching movies on a train or plane. But it's something else these offer that caught my attention: the active noise cancellation. Active Noise Cancellation And Conversation Awareness Are Solid For those who need ANC but don't want to spend the $250 the Apple AirPods Pro 2 cost, the Apple AirPods 4 With ANC were built specifically for you. You can get the Apple AirPods 4, but they come only with passive noise cancellation, not active noise cancellation. But the Apple AirPods 4 With ANC blend the design of the Apple AirPods 4 with those necessary noise-canceling features that can help you tune out pesky ambient noises around you. The Apple AirPods 4 With ANC tuck nicely into my ears; still, I couldn't recommend these for active ... More gymgoers. Rebecca Isaacs for Forbes Full disclosure: Noise canceling isn't quite as powerful as the Apple AirPods Pro 2—but it's still good enough to reduce the background noise. That's partially because one of the big draws in the Apple AirPods Pro 2's design is that silicone ear tip, which helps create a seal for noise cancellation. You can't expect full noise reduction with the Apple AirPods 4 With ANC without that seal. While I couldn't recommend these for, say, a transcontinental flight, they're still good enough to reduce the sound of kids playing outside your window or for focusing. You don't get the FDA-approved hearing test that's offered with the Apple AirPods Pro 2, but you do still get a slew of features including Conversational Awareness, which registers when you're speaking and automatically turns off noise cancellation so you can hear around you. It was nice to have this, as it made it easier to talk to my husband without pausing or removing the AirPods. Apple AirPods 4 With ANC: Verdict A Great Blend Of Price And Audio Quality The Apple AirPods 4 With ANC are good enough for most. They sit comfortably in my ears over long periods of wear, they have solid audio quality across music genres and the noise cancellation reduces enough noise that there's a noticeable difference. Apple users who don't want to drop an extra $80 on the Apple AirPods Pro 2 should look to the Apple AirPods 4 With ANC. They can hold their own at a more affordable price. However, if you want a sturdier fit, you may find that the Apple AirPods 4 With ANC don't quite feel that way in your ears. Fitness enthusiasts may want the sturdier fit of the AirPods Pro 2, but if you're only walking on the treadmill, then these suit just fine. How I Tested The Apple AirPods 4 With ANC I tested the Apple AirPods 4 With ANC for over two months. I paired them with the Apple iPhone 16 Pro to check whether setup and software was seamless to note any hiccups. I reviewed the AirPods settings, including features like spatial audio, Conversational Awareness and more. I tested the AirPods for at least 20 hours, listening to multiple genres to hear how the AirPods performed—alternative, rock, classical, audiobooks/podcasts and more. Specifically, some of the songs I used for testing include: Florence + the Machine's 'King,' 'Cosmic Love' and 'Dog Days Are Over' Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Scheherazade' Ashnikkos' 'Worms' and 'Daisy' Chappell Roan's 'Good Luck, Babe' and 'Red Wine Supernova' Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams' and 'The Chain' Fitz and the Tantrums' '123456,' 'Livin' For The Weekend,' and 'I Just Wanna Shine' Grandson's 'Eulogy' and 'Bury Me Face Down' The soundtracks to seasons one and two of the Netflix show Arcane Why Trust Forbes Vetted The Forbes Vetted team has published hundreds of tech and electronic guides that leverage our hands-on testing and research, including audio stories , like the best outdoor speakers and more. Consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs has been involved in tech journalism for over six years. She has personally tested most types of audio equipment, including wireless headphones, wireless earbuds and Bluetooth speakers. has been involved in tech journalism for over six years. She has personally tested most types of audio equipment, including wireless headphones, wireless earbuds and Bluetooth speakers. Isaacs has also tested most of the latest smart wearables currently on the market, from the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses to the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds and more. When she's not testing audio equipment and wearables, she's testing the best gaming TVs and TVs for bright rooms. This story was reviewed by executive editor Dave Johnson , a veteran tech journalist who has authored nearly three dozen books on technology and photography. He's well-versed in the latest audio technology, regularly attends trade shows to learn about the latest audio trends and served as the host of the popular podcast Battlestar Recaptica .
CNET
4 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Gemini Free Review: The Best Free AI Chatbot I've Used So Far
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 8.5 / 10 SCORE Gemini Free Review Pros Free Higher token limit than ChatGPT Free Faster image generation Largely accurate Can upload and examine large documents Cons Randomly hits token limit Illogical, frustrating image generation Image analysis is inaccurate Long documents can't be pasted directly Gemini Free Review 8.5/10 CNET Score Google Gemini has come a long way. From its former life as Bard, where its hallucinating inaccuracies sent Google's stock price tumbling, to a rebrand as Gemini, where its hallucinating inaccuracies sent Google's stock price tumbling. After two years in the oven, it finally seems Google has got things right. The free version of Gemini, which runs on the 2.5 Flash model, is a strong product. It's fast at answering questions and gets facts correct. In Gemini's case, I found that it had a higher rate limit when compared to the free version of ChatGPT, so I could use it more often and spend less time waiting. In one test, I could generate multiple images on Gemini, whereas on ChatGPT Free, one image would throw me over my limit. In our testing, ChatGPT's image generator was the slowest one CNET tested. Image generation was also much faster than ChatGPT Free. At the same time, I'd sometimes hit my token limit on Gemini free after just asking my first question of the day. For casual AI users, Gemini 2.5 Flash is more than enough. It gives users plenty of access to a competent AI model without making it feel they're constantly at the edge of hitting their limit. Still, the model isn't perfect and can make mistakes, especially on the imaging side of things. Despite this, for general use cases, the free version of Gemini can take over your Google searches. How CNET reviews AI models I took a different approach to reviewing AI chatbots this year. As AI models have improved, simpler queries aren't stressing the models anymore. These models are also connected to the internet, which helps with their accuracy. Instead, I took a more experiential approach. AI chatbots are everything machines. The way I use an AI chatbot, as a writer and a journalist, will differ from a coder, a lawyer and an artist. Thankfully, since journalists are generalists, I do feel my usage will cross apply to a wide range of users. That does mean we won't be asking the exact same questions to all the AI models we use and simply comparing answers. How accurate is Gemini Free? Compared to past iterations of Gemini, Gemini Free, which is running on the newly updated 2.5 Flash model, is largely very accurate. This is not only because Gemini has an open connection to the internet to cross-reference information, but also because 2.5 Flash is a "thinking" model. What this means is that the model isn't simply working as "autocomplete on steroids." It's trying to follow a set of rules and rationales before giving an output. Of course, there's plenty of debate as to whether thinking or reasoning models are actually doing either, or, if in reality, it's nothing more than increased mathematical computation to give sentence generation greater accuracy. Regardless, with Gemini 2.5 Flash, you can actually see how the model is thinking, a feature pulled from China's DeepSeek R1, which hit the internet late last year. As a new Nintendo Switch owner, I'm excited to see which games come to the console. Rumors are surfacing that Stellar Blade, previously a PS5 exclusive (with a recent PC release) would be coming to Switch 2. Given that it's a technically demanding game, I was curious how it would run on Nintendo's new handheld. Gemini 2.5 Flash did a great job giving me a sense of how Stellar Blade might perform. It broke down how well Unreal Engine 4 titles ran on the original Switch and cross-applied how it might run on a more powerful Switch 2. It found that most likely, in docked mode, a theoretical Stellar Blade port would run at 1080p with a consistent 30 FPS with the use of AI upscaling called DLSS. While I'm not a hardware expert, this conclusion seems in line with other Switch 2 ports, like Cyberpunk 2077. I've also been researching whether it's smart or economical to do Turo in New York City. Turo is a car rental service in which individuals can rent out their cars as a way to earn money. Think of it like Airbnb but for your car. New York can be a difficult market, given parking constraints, street rules and other costs of ownership. Gemini 2.5 Flash did a fantastic job breaking down why renting out a manual transmission Toyota GR86 could have advantages on Turo as a more enthusiast vehicle but would also run into issues of it being too niche for most drivers. Gemini also pointed out specific engine issues with the 2022 model, which, albeit rare, is something to consider. It then broke down the math and what types of revenues and profits I might be looking at. It gave me low, medium and high estimates. It helped me conclude that renting out a manual transmission Toyota GR86 might be more trouble than it's worth. I assume Gemini was able to pull from data on both dedicated forums and Reddit. (Google signed a $60 million licensing deal with Reddit last year.) Gemini can pull from YouTube, Google Maps and a range of other Google-owned products. This gives Gemini an advantage over other AI chatbots. For example, if you want to know what ingredients a restaurant uses in its burritos, Gemini is able to cross-reference Google Maps reviews to help find an answer. ChatGPT, for example, has to search through Yelp and other resources to find that answer. Rate limits are both rare and random Google says the newly updated Gemini 2.5 Flash models have a 1-million token context window. This far surpasses what even the paid version of the 128,000 tokens ChatGPT's GPT-4o model offers. Granted, ChatGPT's flagship GPT-4.1 model has a 1-million token context window. I didn't encounter many restrictions when using Gemini 2.5 Flash. I could continue asking questions and have it generate multiple images without it ever limiting me. Randomly, however, I'd be hit with a limit, even if it was my first question of the day. When that happened, I had to wait a few hours for it to reset. I'm not sure how Google is measuring usage. Is it based on how much you use it in an hour or does it accumulate over days? The latter certainly wouldn't make sense. . Given that Google says Gemini has a 1-million token context window, I was surprised when I couldn't paste in the transcript from a two-hour meeting for summarization. Weirdly, I could only paste a quarter of it. When I asked Gemini why I couldn't paste more, it was adamant that I could, confident that its large context window could handle whatever I could throw at it. I tried again; same result. It was only after I had uploaded a .txt file that it was able to read the entire meeting and summarize it for me. When I asked Gemini why, it said that it's possible Google put a character limit on direct-text inputs to prevent browser slowdown. I didn't run into this problem with the paid version of Gemini. While I didn't test its coding capabilities, Google says Gemini Code Assist gives free users 180,000 completions per month, which, according to the company, would mean users would have to code for 14 hours a day, every day, before hitting their limit. Google is strangely behind on shopping when compared to ChatGPT Google makes its money from online ads, which account for 78% of its 2024 revenue. Google searches aren't just filled with ads nowadays, but product carousels and sponsored product posts to the point that, in my opinion, they can be obnoxious. Still, the expectation is that Google's AI chatbot would also be a shopping powerhouse, right? For shopping, Gemini 2.5 Flash lags far behind ChatGPT. Earlier this year, OpenAI issued an update for all ChatGPT users to make shopping a dynamic experience within the chatbot, with links to products along with corresponding images. I found ChatGPT Free's shopping experience to be rather good, despite occasional linking hiccups. OpenAI says it isn't monetizing shopping recommendations. Shopping on Gemini, however, is a lackluster experience. Sure, for product research, Gemini 2.5 Flash can pull up the necessary bits of information and cross-compare products. But it doesn't link to products unless asked. And it won't pull in images like a Google Search would, either. When shopping for webcams to connect to my Nintendo Switch 2 for Mario Kart World gaming, Gemini did a solid job of recommending products and was even able to cross-reference a Reddit post I linked to. Oddly, when asking Gemini 2.5 Flash for webcam recommendations for my Nintendo Switch 2, I ran into an error that simply said, "something went wrong." There was no explanation. I waited a bit, but ultimately had to start a new chat for things to start working again. An error pop-up in Google Gemini Free Imad Khan/CNET Image generation with Gemini Free: You get what you pay for Gemini 2.5 Flash is incredibly generous with image generation. Unfortunately, getting it to generate the correct image is a frustrating process. I wanted Gemini to create a nostalgic-feeling image of a boy playing a Game Boy in the back of his parents' car during a nighttime road trip. While Gemini was able to make the image, the world logic was completely off. At first, Gemini 2.5 Flash generated an image of a sad-looking boy. Gemini Free incorrectly renders an image. Imad Khan/CNET When I called out Gemini saying this was not at all what I was looking for, it course-corrected but still didn't do a great job. One subsequent try was certainly better, but it didn't have the color palette I was looking for. Also, the boy was in the front seat of the car. Not really safe. In another iteration, the car in the background was driving away, which doesn't match correct world logic. A bizarre image generated by Gemini Free. Imad Khan/CNET After much back-and-forth, Gemini would continually generate images that were wrong and looked bizarrely off. For instance, the boy is now in the front seat with his parents, but facing toward the back. I eventually gave up. While Gemini 2.5 Flash is fast and generous with its image generation, it's far from ideal. Google still needs to work on fixing the internal logic within Gemini. Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis talked about "world models" at Google I/O earlier this year, where these models did a much better job of understanding and representing lifelike physics. Hopefully, this tech trickles down to the free version of Gemini soon. Gemini Free gives more than ChatGPT Free Google deserves credit for how much it has improved on Gemini this past year. The AI chatbot is far more accurate and provides a feature-rich experience. The fact that much of this is being given away for free is also impressive. It definitely puts the other AI chatbots on notice. It shows how the power of Google can be difficult to compete against, especially when the company is trying to establish Gemini as people's go-to AI chatbot. ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity can compete by delivering higher quality and more accurate information. Of course, this will require more investment, innovation and server costs, which might be harder for companies not as rich as Google. The free version of Claude, for example, runs on Sonnet 4, which is a "hybrid reasoning model" and uses a multi-tier approach to getting the best out of an AI. Still, it's impressive that Google is giving everyone access to a "thinking" model for zero dollars. Considering DeepSeek R1 did the same earlier this year, this might have forced Google's hand. Regardless, this newly improved Gemini is a step in the right direction.
GSM Arena
15-06-2025
- GSM Arena
Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 9
With the Google Pixel 9a having launched a few months ago and the Google Pixel 9 hitting shelves nearly a year back, a common dilemma arises—should you opt for the newer mid-range model or stick with last year's flagship? It's a valid question, especially given their similar pricing and shared DNA. In Europe, the Pixel 9 costs about €100 more than the 9a, while in the US, the gap widens to $150. On paper, the two phones have a lot in common—identical displays, matching chipsets, and comparable camera setups. But look a little closer, and a few key differences emerge. For some, they may not be dealbreakers. For others, however, the added features of the Pixel 9 could justify the extra cost. So let's take a closer look. Table of Contents: Design Display Battery Life Charging Speaker Test Performance Cameras Verdict For starters, you can compare the complete spec sheets or directly continue with our editor's assessment in the following text. Size comparison Google Pixel 9a Google Pixel 9 Despite the two Pixels sharing the same screen diagonal, the 9a has noticeably bigger dimensions, but lower weight. There are several reasons for that. Firstly, the Pixel 9 is more compact as it has thinner bezels around the screen. The 9a has absurdly thick bezels, even for a budget phone in 2025. That makes the 9a taller and wider. It's also slightly thicker, which might be due to the larger battery. As for the weight difference, we attribute that to the choice of materials. The Pixel 9 features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back held by an aluminum frame, while the 9a's build features an unnamed Gorilla Glass sheet on the front and a plastic back, which is lighter. All in all, the Pixel 9 is the better choice given the slimmer bezels, the nicer build materials and the more compact dimensions. Display comparison Google Pixel 9a Google Pixel 9 On paper, the two devices should have the exact same displays with the same performance. Both are 6.3-inch OLEDs with the same advertised maximum brightness. However, according to our tests, the Pixel 9a has slightly lower maximum brightness (around 1,900 nits) than the Pixel 9 (a little over 2,200 nits). Both phones reach levels of max brightness rarely seen in the industry, but the difference between the two could be seen as a hint that the phones use different panels. Other than that, there's no feature disparity between the two - both phones support the same basic HDR10+ video standard and up to 120Hz refresh rate. Battery life The two handsets share the same chipset and the same display, but the Pixel 9a has the advantage of a larger 5,100 mAh battery, as opposed to the 4,700 mAh-powered vanilla Pixel 9. However, it looks like the larger battery does not translate into real battery life benefits. The Pixel 9 scores marginally better on almost all tests, pushing the Active Use Score slightly higher than the 9a's. We can only guess what the reason might be and as we note in our Pixel 9a review, it may very well be a more power hungry display panel. Charging speed Google Pixel 9a 5100 mAh Google Pixel 9 4700 mAh In theory, the Pixel 9 should only be slightly faster to charge than the Pixel 9a, given the small difference in the charging rate - 23W vs. 27W in favor of the regular 9. However, that did not turn out entirely true in our real-life testing. The Pixel 9 indeed charged just slightly faster in the first 15 to 30 minutes of the charging cycle, but it completed a full charge in 85 minutes, while the Pixel 9a took 101 minutes. Notably, the Pixel 9 features faster wireless charging too - 15W (with Pixel stand, otherwise 12W) instead of the 9a's 7.5W charging power. Speaker test Regarding speakers, we can easily say that the Pixel 9a is the clear winner here. Sure, the Pixel 9 speakers are louder, but the 9a's tuning is much nicer. The bass is more prominent, the tracks don't sound tinny like the Pixel 9, and the overall sound is much warmer and fuller. Performance Both handsets rely on the same in-house Google Tensor G4 SoC that debuted with the Pixel 9 series last year. Even though the 9a is more affordable, it still rocks the same "flagship" chipset. Google Pixel 9a Google Pixel 9 Memory configurations are similar, but not identical. Both handsets offer only 128GB or 256GB storage, but the vanilla Pixel 9 gives you 12GB RAM, while the 9a settles for 8GB. Benchmark performance Google Pixel 9a Google Pixel 9 As expected, there's no difference in performance. The small differences you see in the benchmark results are well within the statistical error. Camera comparison The camera hardware is perhaps the main difference between the two handsets. The more affordable Pixel 9a settles for a smaller 48MP main sensor and a 13MP ultrawide camera, while the standard Pixel 9 boasts a physically much larger 50MP main sensor and a larger 48MP ultrawide unit too. The selfie hardware is also different. The 9a gets a 13MP shooter, while the Pixel 9 offers a 10.5MP camera, which has the same sensor size as the 13MP selfie on the 9a. Image quality At first glance, the two ultrawide cameras capture near-identical photos, but if you look closely enough, you will notice that the 48MP ultrawide unit on the Pixel 9 renders close objects much sharper. That's due to the autofocus capability. Objects in the distance are rendered similarly, though. Pixel 9a: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 0.6x • 1x • 2x Pixel 9: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 0.6x • 1x • 2x Once again, the Pixel 9's main camera offers more pleasant rendering with slightly punchier colors and a tad sharper objects. You can spot a bigger difference in the 2x zoom mode, where the bigger sensor shows a clear advantage. The gap widens as the light drops. The Pixel 9's ultrawide and main cameras produce cleaner and sharper images with wider dynamic range. The differences for most will likely be negligible, but it's worth noting. Pixel 9a: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 0.6x • 1x • 2x Pixel 9: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 0.6x • 1x • 2x We found no meaningful difference between the selfie cameras. Both are excellent. Selfies: Pixel 9a • Pixel 9 Video quality Below we have a few frame grabs from the videos taken by the two phones at each focal length, so it's easier to compare to one another. The daylight videos from the two Pixels seem almost identical. The Pixel 9's main camera video is just ever so slightly sharper and more detailed. The difference is negligible, though. Pixel 9a 4K screengrabs: 0.6x • 1x • 0.6x • 1x Pixel 9 4K screengrabs: 0.6x • 1x • 0.6x • 1x The nighttime videos from the Pixel 9 are sharper, somewhat cleaner and considerably brighter. Verdict Naturally, the Pixel 9 is on top in most aspects. It offers a nicer camera experience, a brighter display, a more premium design, and marginally better battery life and charging. Perhaps the price difference will make sense for most people, especially customers in Europe, where the gap is only €100. Conversely, if you don't mind the thick bezels, the Pixel 9a delivers mostly the same user experience. The display is still one of the brightest in town, performance is on par, and the camera hardware isn't that far behind. The stereo speakers are even better on the 9a. So, if you consider yourself a casual everyday user, then save a few bucks and go for the Pixel 9a. The lower price. The better speakers. The identical user experience. The faster charging speed and better battery life. The slightly brighter display. The better camera performance at night and the added versatility of AF on the ultrawide.
Geeky Gadgets
14-06-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
OnePlus Pad 3 Hands On Review : Ultimate Tablet for Work and Play?
What does it take for a tablet to truly stand out in today's crowded tech landscape? The OnePlus Pad 3 boldly enters the fray, promising to be more than just another screen in your bag. With its sleek design, high-resolution display, and a focus on both productivity and entertainment, this device aims to bridge the gap between workhorse and leisure companion. But does it deliver on its ambitious promise, or is it just another premium tablet vying for attention? In this hands-on assessment, we'll explore whether the OnePlus Pad 3 has what it takes to carve out its own identity in a market dominated by familiar giants. From its lightweight yet durable build to its multitasking prowess and immersive audio, the OnePlus Pad 3 is packed with features designed to cater to a wide spectrum of users. Whether you're a professional juggling deadlines or a casual user streaming your favorite shows, this tablet claims to offer something for everyone. But beyond the specs and polished exterior, how does it perform in real-world scenarios? Join ETA Prime unpacking its design, performance, and usability to uncover whether the OnePlus Pad 3 is a true all-rounder—or just another contender in an increasingly competitive space. OnePlus Pad 3 Overview Design and Build: Lightweight, Durable, and Ergonomic The OnePlus Pad 3 features a slim and lightweight design, making it highly portable and easy to handle. Its premium build quality not only ensures durability but also exudes a polished, professional aesthetic. The ergonomic design is tailored for comfort, allowing users to hold the device securely even during extended sessions. Whether you're commuting, working remotely, or relaxing at home, the tablet's thoughtful construction ensures a seamless experience. The combination of portability and durability makes it a reliable companion for diverse environments. Display: High-Resolution Clarity and Smooth Performance Equipped with a high-resolution display, the OnePlus Pad 3 delivers sharp visuals and vibrant colors, making it ideal for a variety of tasks such as streaming, gaming, and creative work. The inclusion of a high refresh rate enhances the viewing experience by making sure smooth transitions and reducing motion blur. This feature is particularly advantageous for video editing and fast-paced gaming, where clarity and responsiveness are crucial. The display's ability to balance visual sharpness and fluidity improves its appeal for both casual and professional users. OnePlus Pad 3 Hands On Review Watch this video on YouTube. Unlock more potential in OnePlus Pad 3 by reading previous articles we have written. Performance: Multitasking Power and Efficiency At the core of the OnePlus Pad 3 is a high-performance processor designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking effortlessly. Whether you're running multiple apps simultaneously, editing large files, or engaging in graphics-intensive tasks, the tablet's processing power ensures a lag-free experience. This makes it a dependable choice for users who require a device capable of managing both work and entertainment. The seamless performance underscores its versatility, catering to a wide range of user needs. Battery Life: Long-Lasting and Fast-Charging The OnePlus Pad 3 is equipped with a long-lasting battery that supports extended use, reducing the need for frequent recharging. For users with busy schedules, the inclusion of fast-charging technology is a significant advantage, allowing the device to quickly regain power and minimize downtime. This combination of endurance and efficiency ensures that the tablet remains functional throughout the day, whether for professional tasks or leisure activities. Software: Productivity and User-Focused Features Running on an intuitive and user-friendly interface, the OnePlus Pad 3 offers a seamless navigation experience. Its software is optimized for productivity, featuring tools such as split-screen functionality and app management enhancements. These features enable users to efficiently handle tasks like drafting emails, attending virtual meetings, or organizing schedules. The focus on productivity makes the tablet a valuable tool for professionals, while its simplicity ensures accessibility for casual users. Accessories: Expanding Functionality The OnePlus Pad 3 supports a range of accessories that enhance its versatility. The stylus is ideal for note-taking, drawing, and annotating documents, while the keyboard transforms the tablet into a portable workstation. These accessories expand the device's functionality, making it suitable for creative projects, professional tasks, and more. The ability to adapt to various use cases highlights the tablet's flexibility and appeal to a diverse audience. Audio: Immersive Sound Quality The tablet's high-quality speakers deliver rich and immersive audio, enhancing the experience of watching movies, listening to music, or participating in video calls. The attention to audio performance ensures that the device excels in media consumption and communication, making it a strong contender for users who value sound quality. Whether for entertainment or professional use, the audio capabilities contribute to the tablet's well-rounded appeal. Connectivity: Reliable and Flexible Options With a variety of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C, the OnePlus Pad 3 ensures seamless integration with other devices and networks. This flexibility allows users to stay connected in a range of scenarios, from personal use to professional tasks. The reliable connectivity options make it a practical choice for users who require consistent performance across different environments. A Balanced Tablet for Productivity and Entertainment The OnePlus Pad 3 successfully combines premium design, powerful performance, and versatile features to cater to a wide range of user needs. Its high-resolution display, long battery life, and compatibility with accessories like a stylus and keyboard make it an excellent choice for professionals and casual users alike. Whether you're seeking a reliable tool for work or a hub for entertainment, the OnePlus Pad 3 delivers a comprehensive and satisfying experience. Its thoughtful design and robust capabilities position it as a standout option in the competitive tablet market. Media Credit: ETA PRIME Filed Under: Reviews, Tablet News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. 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