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Notebookcheck, Published 04/20/2022

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The upcoming Apple iPhone 17 Air is widely rumored to be just 5.5 mm thin. (Image source: zellzoi, edited)

Tiny battery, single camera: All that we expect from the upcoming Apple iPhone 17 Air ultra-slim smartphone

Leak Lounge The upcoming iPhone 17 Air is arguably the most interesting smartphone of 2025 - in both good and not-so-good ways. Whether or not the ultra-slim flagship from Apple will be positively received remains to be seen, as the Cupertino...

Sambit Saha, 06 Sep 2025 19:51

Severance is also a sharp parody of office culture under late-stage capitalism. (Image source: Apple TV+)

Severance season 1 review: A chilling blend of satire, sci-fi, and identity

Severance on Apple TV+ delivers a chilling mix of sci-fi, satire, and corporate mystery, with Adam Scott leading one of the decade’s most original dramas.

Darryl Linington, 06 Sep 2025 14:46

Apple also advertises the saving of people via SOS features. (Symbolic image, no use of a satellite connection, image source: Apple)

Lifesaver or paywall disaster? Why the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could make Garmin look old in regard to satellite communication

Apple's Watch Ultra 3 may deal a significant blow to Garmin and its Fenix 8 Pro, particularly from a marketing perspective. For customers, the choice of manufacturer could not only have financial implications but also an impact ...

Silvio Werner, 06 Sep 2025 13:59

K-Pop Demon Hunters -Mira, Rumi and Zoey (Image source - Netflix)

K-Pop Demon Hunters: The animation and music behind Netflix’s record-breaker

Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters blends anime, 2D/3D fusion, and Korean culture to set new records and redefine modern animation.

Darryl Linington, 05 Sep 2025 13:27

The Acer Swift Air 16 weighs 2.2 lbs and can be held with one hand (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Acer Swift Air 16: Hands-on with the lightest 16-inch laptop on the planet

How does it feel to hold a laptop that weighs just 2.2 lbs (1 kg) but has a massive 16-inch display? We're taking a closer look at what is probably the lightest 16-inch notebook in the world and also tried typing on it. We wouldn't describe the experience with the ultralight device as completely convincing, but it feels quite impressive nonetheless.

Alexander Fagot, 03 Sep 2025 21:27

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are expected to feature notable redesigns. (Image source: Apple, @asherdipps, edited)

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro: What does Apple have in store for its 2025 flagships?

Leak Lounge The Apple iPhone 17 launch event is less than a week away, although the ever-so-restless rumor mill has already provided us with plenty of juicy details regarding the yet-to-be announced products. While the iPhone 17 Pro is expect...

Sambit Saha, 03 Sep 2025 14:48

Lois Lane and Superman pause amid Metropolis rubble (Image source: Warner Bros. Pictures / Jessica Miglio via Batman News)

Superman, rendered: The engineering that makes James Gunn’s reboot feel new

James Gunn’s Superman (2025) doesn’t try to win the loudness war. It wins the clarity war. The team stacked practical flight rigs, photographed skies on an LED stage, locked the show’s look before VFX, and built the sound mix in t...

Jonathan Bester, 03 Sep 2025 12:17

Fate Trigger will be playable again early next year (image source: Steam)

Fate Trigger initial impressions: Rough around the edges with plenty of scope for improvement

Fate Trigger is a free-to-play game that is somewhat reminiscent of Fortnite. Its closed beta ended recently, and the game will enter early access sometime in Q1 2026. It is a stereotypical Battle Royale game that attempts to stan...

Anil Ganti, 02 Sep 2025 14:34

Lion and Safari Park: A giraffe decided to join for lunch (Image source: Darryl Linington - Notebookcheck)

How one software update saved the Honor X9b's camera

Initially, the Honor X9b's camera delivered disappointing, flat images with poor dynamic range. But the latest software update has finally given it life in 2025.

Darryl Linington, 30 Aug 2025 14:05

Is the Nubia RedMagic 6R still a relevant gaming device? (Image source: Darryl Linington - Notebookcheck)

RedMagic 6R: A budget gaming champion in 2025

Is the Nubia RedMagic 6R still a good gaming phone in 2025? I revisit ZTE’s 2021 release to see if its performance and features hold up today.

Darryl Linington, 28 Aug 2025 01:11

From right to left (pictured) - Casio Edifice EFS-S641TMS-1A, and the ECB-S10NIS-7AJR Heritage Edition. (Image source: Casio)

Casio Edifice x motorsport: The history of collab watches with NISMO, TOM’S, Honda, and AlphaTauri

CheckMag Casio Edifice’s collabs span across Honda Racing/Type R, NISMO, TOM’S, Scuderia AlphaTauri/Toro Rosso, and Initial D/MF Ghost, with limited runs featuring team colors, special materials, and logos, including the new ECB-S10NIS-7AJ...

Anubhav Sharma, 25 Aug 2025 17:35

Users can chat with Eiliko over Wi-Fi, give it voice commands, or just watch it do its thing (Image source - energizelab.com)

Eiliko: Energize Lab’s emotional AI charm bot reaches Kickstarter goal

Discover Eiliko, Energize Lab’s next-gen charm bot with swappable shells, bonding features, and emotional AI that make it more than a desk toy.

Darryl Linington, 24 Aug 2025 18:30

The Vivo Vision mixed-reality headset is said to offer some advantages over the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3s (Image source: Vivo)

Lighter, more comfortable and cheaper than Apple Vision Pro: Hands-on comparison with the new Vivo Vision MR headset

CheckMag Weighing just 14 oz, the Vivo Vision has launched in China and is significantly lighter and smaller than the well-known mixed-reality headsets from Apple and Meta. An 8K micro-OLED display supposedly creates a huge virtual IMAX sc...

Alexander Fagot, 23 Aug 2025 20:50

Battlefield 1 feels like the perfect Battlefield game, no shade on Battlefield 6. (Image source: Anubhav Sharma/Notebookcheck)

I played Battlefield 1 immediately after Battlefield 6’s Open Beta - and I didn't want to leave

CheckMag I tried the Battlefield 6 Open Beta, then jumped back into Battlefield 1. These are my thoughts on how they feel different in gameplay, map size, pacing, and teamwork. It's impressive how BF1 holds up well to this day - and that i...

Anubhav Sharma, 23 Aug 2025 15:17

Just like the Pixel 9a, the standard Pixel 10 makes the more expensive Pro largely irrelevant (Image Source: Google)

The Pixel 9a made the standard Pixel 9 irrelevant. Now Google has done the same with the Pixel 10 Pro

CheckMag The Pixel 9a offered almost identical features to the Pixel 9, albeit with a somewhat later release window. Now Google has made the Pixel 10 Pro equally irrelevant.

David Devey, 23 Aug 2025 08:42

From left to right (pictured), the Shanling M0 Pro, FiiO Snowsky Echo Mini, and the FiiO M21. (Image source: Shanling, FiiO)

6 feature-loaded Digital Audio Players that are surprisingly affordable

CheckMag Budget digital audio players can now deliver premium features which were once exclusive to flagship models. From the $60 FiiO Snowsky Echo Mini to the $129 Shanling M0 Pro, this list sheds light on 6 affordable DAPs that offer mor...

Anubhav Sharma, 22 Aug 2025 18:12

Framework 16 laptop exploded view

Framework may soon launch a Laptop 18 as an upgrade to its 16-inch gaming laptop

Framework has been having a lot of fun with cryptic clues in its most recent device launches, and the latest hint seems to suggest that the Framework 16 might just be getting an 18-inch display and chassis upgrade.

Julian van der Merwe, 22 Aug 2025 07:18

Some Pixel 10 Pro camera reviewers are only partially convinced by Google’s new flagships (Image source: MrWhosetheboss)

First Google Pixel 10 Pro camera reviews: Much criticism, poor Pro Res zoom but a few improvements

CheckMag Two days after the Pixel 10 launch, the first camera tests, hands-on reviews from YouTubers and even an early review are already online. This year, Google is once again facing a lot of criticism for its Pixel flagships, partly due to the comparatively unattractive hardware. Even the new AI-based Pro Res zoom apparently doesn't deliver on all of Google's promises.

Alexander Fagot, 22 Aug 2025 02:40

How to spot a fake Labubu (Image source: David Kristianto - Unsplash)

How to spot a fake Labubu in the online wild

The Labubu character, created by artist Kasing Lung, has recently evolved from a niche art project into a global phenomenon. Fueled by viral social media trends and celebrity endorsements, this massive popularity has created a thr...

Darryl Linington, 21 Aug 2025 15:36

Analogue has only ever shown shiny Analogue 3D product renders. (Image source: Analogue)

The Analogue 3D is fast becoming another vaporware Smach Z disaster

Surprise, surprise, the Analogue 3D has been delayed again. Allegedly now 'at 99%' development after an original Q1 2025 release date, the Analogue 3D is going the way of the infamous Smach Z, with Analogue having never even shown...

Alex Alderson, 21 Aug 2025 13:14

On r/battlestations, you can find retro-futuristic builds that merely look good, as well as functional setups with high computing power. Pictured - three different setups from the subreddit. (Image source: r/battlestations - Edited)

The craziest, most upvoted PC setups on r/battlestations

CheckMag r/battlestations is a pretty popular subreddit, where users flex their PC setups. Amidst hundreds of builds being posted each week, some have reached the very top of that list. Here are 8 unique, striking PC builds that have garne...

Anubhav Sharma, 20 Aug 2025 17:57

Apple plans to use radically new camera sensors from Samsung with "hybrid shutter technology" in the future. (Image source: @AppleTrack)

Exciting future for the iPhone: Why Apple is utilizing Samsung's radically new camera sensor technology

Hybrid shutter is the magic word that apparently prompted Apple to abandon its long-standing collaboration with Sony as the exclusive supplier of camera sensors for iPhones. A report from South Korea about certain camera technology presented at ISSCC 2025 sheds some light on the background of Apple's new collaboration with Samsung and its investment in a manufacturing facility in the US, which doesn't appear to be as politically motivated as one might suspect.

Alexander Fagot, 16 Aug 2025 17:07

Metal Gear Solid 2 introduces players to Raiden, who's the protagonist instead of Snake from MGS1. (Image source: u/cokeadope via r/MetalGearSolid subreddit)

One of the best game sequels ever made, it is even more relevant in 2025

CheckMag Metal Gear Solid 2 took the stealth action of the first game and pushed it to a whole new level. It surprised players with bold story choices and twists that still spark debate over two decades after its release. That's why MGS2 i...

Anubhav Sharma, 15 Aug 2025 21:22

Iqunix EZ63 macro creation firmware update

Iqunix Hall effect gaming keyboards finally surpass Wooting: New firmware update adds macros to EZ63

CheckMag Iqunix has finally updated its EZ and EV series Hall effect gaming keyboards with the ability to record on-board macros, making them officially more useful than Wooting's 80HE and 60HE for those of us looking for a one-keyboard-fi...

Julian van der Merwe, 15 Aug 2025 20:29

The Honor X9b after two years of use. (Image source: Darryl Linington - Notebookcheck)

Honor X9b: The two-year journey from wrecking ball survivor to AI workhorse

Once a device celebrated for almost surviving a wrecking ball and defying complete destruction, the Honor X9b has undergone a remarkable two-year transformation. While it launched as a testament to physical durability and a long-l...

Darryl Linington, 15 Aug 2025 14:03

There are only four 8BitDo controllers with full compatibility with the Steam Deck and SteamOS. (Image source: 8BitDo)

How to connect an 8BitDo controller to the Steam Deck (or SteamOS)

A few 8BitDo controllers have gained official Steam Compatibility, allowing owners to use them with a Steam Deck or SteamOS device without the need for any workaround. Here's a guide explaining how to connect a compatible controll...

Habeeb Onawole, 10 Aug 2025 19:29

Where Winds Meet is one of the 6 free-to-play games featured in the list, and visually, it rivals some AA and AAA titles out there. Pictured - a screenshot from the game. (Image source: Steam)

Extremely promising free-to-play Steam games that will launch soon

CheckMag From zombie MMOs and pirate survival to wuxia open worlds and roguelite billiards, these six upcoming free-to-play Steam games exhibit a lot of potential. Some of these can be tried out right now, thanks to demos and ongoing playt...

Anubhav Sharma, 09 Aug 2025 15:46

There's no need to invest in a Samsung Frame, or hand over your memories to Google, when you can stream photos directly from your NAS to your Android device. (Image Source: Notebookcheck)

3 free ways to turn your Android TV or tablet into a digital photo frame, without Google Photos

CheckMag One of the best features of Google Photos is the ability to pull your treasured memories into a screensaver on your Android TV or tablet. But for those who prefer self-hosted solutions, here are 3 ways to set up a screensaver to s...

David Devey, 09 Aug 2025 12:16

First impressions: Battlefield 6 Open Beta feels like a real return to form

CheckMag Battlefield 6’s Open Beta has brought back chaos, destruction, and squad play the series is known for. It has hints of Battlefield 3’s pace mixed in with some of Battlefield 1’s immersion. Here's what I thought about BF6 during my...

Anubhav Sharma, 08 Aug 2025 11:19

AI gets practical: What GPT-5 means for everyday business tasks

GPT-5 marks a turning point in business AI, moving beyond novelty to become a practical tool across industries. From automating routine tasks to enabling faster decision-making and personalized customer support, the model is helpi...

Darryl Linington, 08 Aug 2025 08:26

Lemokey L1 HE Keychron K4 HE Hall effect gaming keyboards on a desk in front of a box and laptop

My favourite wireless gaming keyboards just got even better with a mere software update

CheckMag Keychron's latest round of firmware updates add per-key RGB, improved wireless functionality, and a host of other small tweaks to its best wireless Hall-effect keyboards and mechanical keyboards. Before, the Keychron and Lemokey H...

Julian van der Merwe, 07 Aug 2025 20:05

Jemma Redgrave returns as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart to lead UNIT in the newest spinoff of the Doctor Who universe. (Image source: BBC)

UNITing the Whoniverse: What we know about the new spin‑off

The TARDIS is silent; the timelines, uncertain. As The War Between the Land and the Sea rises from the depths, so does a fresh wave of Whovian world-building. In this reflection on past spin-offs like Torchwood, Class, and The Sar...

Jonathan Bester, 05 Aug 2025 17:24

Dexter at York Street Station—no longer hiding in shadows, but moving through a city built on systems he now hunts from within. (Image source: Paramount Plus)

Dexter goes corporate: Why Resurrection is targeting institutions, not just killers

Dexter Morgan now hunts institutions—not just killers—inside New York’s sleek façade. Skyscrapers, hotel lobbies, and moneyed backrooms are the man's new hunting grounds in Dexter: Resurrection.

Jonathan Bester, 05 Aug 2025 17:05

Spec Ops: The Line is a brutally evocative narrative that is unlike any other shooting game ever made. (Image source: Steam)

A love letter to one of the best action-shooter games ever made

CheckMag Released in 2012, Spec Ops: The Line looked like a typical military shooter - but beneath its dusty exterior was a brutal, introspective story that challenged players' morality and reshaped how we view violence in video games. Thi...

Anubhav Sharma, 05 Aug 2025 00:49

AI, genetic engineering, quantum computing, clean energy and humanoid robotics signal a bright future. (Image source: ChatGPT)

5 trailblazing technologies primed to supercharge humankind by 2035

CheckMag Over the next decade, these five transformative tech fields are poised to reshape human society and AI is at the center of all. The possibilities are staggering and humankind could solve pressing issues related to climate change a...

Bogdan Solca, 04 Aug 2025 21:56

A game controler that's falling apart and a bewildered man (image source: Stop Killing Games YouTube channel)

One man vs the games industry: Stop Killing Games pushes governments to act, then burns out

Ross Scott’s Stop Killing Games initiative, credited with catalyzing global action against the deletion of paid digital games, is winding down its direct activism. With key legislative and regulatory efforts now in motion across t...

Sebastian Jankowski, 04 Aug 2025 19:52

Squid game TV series season 3 (Image source: AI-generated image)

Squid Game season 3 review: When the stakes are human

Squid Game Season 3 doesn’t just continue the story; it flips it inside out. The violence remains—but it’s the emotion underneath that cuts deepest. The show no longer relies on shock to land its punches. Now, it aims lower. Somew...

Jonathan Bester, 04 Aug 2025 18:13

PC game releases this August (Image Source: Respective game studios)

PC game releases I'm most excited about this August

CheckMag August 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest months for PC gaming in recent memory. From big-name remakes like Gears of War: Reloaded and Metal Gear Solid Delta to indie standouts like Sword of the Sea and Discounty, this mo...

Antony Muchiri, 03 Aug 2025 10:55

From left to right: The rag & bone × Casio Vintage Premium, the A$AP Ferg GA-110FRG-7AER, and Supreme × The North Face DW-6900SNF-1A. (Image source: Casio. G-Central)

14 iconic Casio collab watches that became instant collectibles upon launch

CheckMag Casio has maintained its relevance over the years due to many reasons - one of them being collaborations with other brands and pop-culture icons. There have been countless collabs since the first one in 1997 - this list covers 14 ...

Anubhav Sharma, 31 Jul 2025 22:03

OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, is backing Helion Energy’s efforts to bring commercial nuclear fusion to life—linking AI innovation with sustainable energy infrastructure. (Image Source: OpenAI)

Helion begins work on world’s first fusion power plant backed by Microsoft and Sam Altman

Sam Altman-backed Helion begins construction work on a commercial fusion plant in Washington, USA, aiming to provide clean power to Microsoft by 2028. Here is why this is a big deal.

Darryl Linington, 31 Jul 2025 14:57

Turning screen time into learning time: 7 educational apps that actually teach, not just entertain. A kid holding a tablet pictured. (Image source: charlesdeluvio - Unsplash)

Top 7 educational apps that actually teach your children

CheckMag Many educational apps claim to foster development and engagement, yet few deliver genuine learning value. The search for tools that support cognitive growth—rather than simply entertain—can be time-consuming for parents and educat...

Darryl Linington, 29 Jul 2025 17:18

One-Eyed Likho is considered to be an embodiment of evil fate and misfortune in Slavic mythology. The game represents that very well. Pictured - cover thumbnail of the game. (Image source: Steam - Edited)

A haunting, mesmeric folk horror experience with minor caveats: One-Eyed Likho - First impressions

This first look at Morteshka’s new game, One-Eyed Likho, sheds light on how its monochrome visuals, folk-horror themes, and atmospheric setting shape a unique story-driven horror experience. Apart from some minor issues, the game ...

Anubhav Sharma, 28 Jul 2025 08:00

Five fun and engaging titles with 90%+ positive reviews are heavily discounted for a limited as of this weekend. (Image source: Steam, edited)

Five critically acclaimed Steam games now available for heavily discounted prices

Weekend Loot Games are fun, no doubt about it. Games with serious discounts, for obvious reasons, are even more fun. Among the plethora of games that happen to be on sale, we have picked five highly rated, critically acclaimed games that are a...

Sambit Saha, 26 Jul 2025 08:29

The Casio Edifice line was born in the year 2000, and it's become one of the top 3 monikers under the Japanese watch manufacturer. Pictured - A Casio Edifice model. (Image source: Samer Daboul on Pexels)

8 great Casio Edifice watches under $200 that can challenge Seiko and Citizen's models

CheckMag Casio’s Edifice series is well-known for sports-inspired designs, reliable quartz movements, and solid specs, alongside sapphire crystals, solar tech, and strong water resistance around the $200 mark - making them top value choice...

Anubhav Sharma, 25 Jul 2025 21:14

If you're serious about reading, a Kindle isn't a luxury... it's the obvious next step (Image Source: felipepelaquim on Unsplash)

The best eReader for 2025's biggest books: A reader's guide to the Kindle line up

This one’s for every book lover thinking, “Which Kindle should I actually get in 2025?” I break down the current Kindle lineup while also spotlighting the hottest books blowing up right now (Onyx Storm, anyone?) and giving you a f...

Darryl Linington, 25 Jul 2025 10:38

Lucifer and Dream face off in a moment of divine tension; one of many visually striking confrontations in The Sandman Season 2. (Image source: Netflix)

The Sandman’s swan song: A quiet grief and a final farewell

Discussing the emotional impact of Netflix's The Sandman Season 2 Part 1, its impending conclusion, and the parallel loss of Good Omens. Exploring the narrative depth, thematic resonance, and fading magic of modern fantasy televis...

Jonathan Bester, 23 Jul 2025 20:36

Abiotic Factor had a peak 24h player count of 22,304 at the time of writing. Pictured - an official screenshot from the game. (Image source: Steam - Edited)

Steam launch: All about this new Half-Life x Lethal Company-style co-op survival game that hit 1K "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews in 24 hours

CheckMag Abiotic Factor has officially launched into its full 1.0 "Cold Fusion" update, earning nearly 1,000 new Overwhelmingly Positive Steam reviews in 24 hours. Here's a deep-dive into this survival-crafting co-op game with Half-Life vi...

Anubhav Sharma, 23 Jul 2025 19:14

The Sidephone (pictured) is an upcoming dumb phone, scheduled to launch this year. (Image source: u/chrisristovski on Reddit)

9 dumb phones that are actually smart purchases in this day and age

CheckMag As dumb phones gain popularity, here are 9 great models you can invest in if you're in the market for one right now. Some of these are merely functional, while others are more design-focused - and one specific model is poised to l...

Anubhav Sharma, 22 Jul 2025 23:57

Disney live action remake flubs (Image source: AI-generated image)

Lilo & Stitch live-action remake isn’t perfect, but it might be the first one that matters

Lilo & Stitch (2025) avoids remake fatigue with a tighter story as box office results look solid and audience support seems strong without leaning too hard on nostalgia.

Jonathan Bester, 22 Jul 2025 00:55

You're training AI for free with every prompt. Generic humanoid robot pictured. (Image source: Vjulien Tromeur - Unsplash)

You’re training AI for free - And it’s not even saying thanks

You're training AI for free with every prompt, click, and CAPTCHA. Here's how human feedback is fuelling billion-dollar models... without a thank you.

Darryl Linington, 21 Jul 2025 22:13

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