With the reveal {that a} new Apple product – strongly rumored to be the upcoming iPhone SE 4 – is due to drop on February 19, the TechRadar testing labs have been all atwitter… or ought to that be all anX?… about what is likely to be coming to Apple’s least expensive cellphone. That doesn’t imply we’ve been neglecting our reviewing duties, although: we’ve received a complete heap of thrilling evaluations to catch you up on this week.
Initially, we now have a doubleheader placing each the Samsung Galaxy 25 and Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus by means of their respective paces – and with significantly high-octane efficiency, epic battery life, and improved AI options, we will verify they’re each deeply spectacular handsets. On prime of that, we’ve been attempting out the Hisense U9N, the large mini-LED TV that gives tremendous shiny, contrasty photos for mid-market costs. And there are a complete lot extra evaluations the place they got here from.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus might be the most effective Samsung cellphone for most individuals proper now. It has the most effective battery lifetime of the S25 lineup, outlasting the Extremely by ten minutes at 18 hours and 45 minutes. Its end is attractive, with our reviewers cooing over the brand new wealthy blue colorway particularly. And its display is stellar – not solely is it only a tiny bit smaller than the S25 Extremely’s, at 6.7 inches in comparison with 6.9 inches, nevertheless it rocks the identical variety of pixels, making it the sharpest show Samsung at present presents.
However actually, what makes the Galaxy S25 Plus one of many best phones obtainable proper now’s its worth. Regardless of costing only a few hundred greater than the S25, it’s a major step up and is far nearer to the S25 Extremely by way of its energy and potential. You’re getting a cellphone that’s able to a lot of the identical issues as its greater sibling with out spending more money on a number of premium options you possible gained’t use as a lot.
For
- Greater than only a greater Galaxy S25
- Sharp, shiny show
- Good colour choices, particularly the blue
In opposition to
- Seems similar to final 12 months’s cellphone
- Cameras haven’t improved since 2023
- AI options fail to ship
Philip Berne
“The Galaxy S25 Plus is the profitable center youngster, with the longevity of its huge Extremely sibling and the affordability of the Galaxy S25. It is highly effective, with a incredible show and the most effective battery life on any Samsung cellphone.”
Learn Philip’s full Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus review
The Hisense U9N is undoubtedly the model’s best TV to this point. Its mini-LED backlight presents as much as 5,300 native dimming zones, enabling it to attain distinctive distinction with deep, constant blacks and shiny highlights. This daring distinction and its vivid colours are maintained even at off-center viewing angles, whereas its 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker system is able to each spectacular bass, in addition to glorious positioning of dialogue and results.
What makes it notably thrilling, although, is how good worth it’s. Each its 75-inch and 85-inch fashions have already seen some important reductions from their launch costs. In comparison with the premium mini-LED screens launched by huge manufacturers like Samsung and Sony, the U9N may be very competitively priced, making it probably the greatest worth methods to get this type of super-vibrant display into your front room.
For
- Excessive brightness and refined native dimming
- Highly effective 4.1.2-channel speaker system
- Glorious off-center image high quality
In opposition to
- Considerably dear
- Some display glare
Al Griffin
“The Hisense U9N’s image is extremely shiny, but refined, and it’s augmented by a robust built-in 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker system. This TV’s sturdy, but eye-catching design properly enhances its image. General the U9N is a powerful high-end TV.”
Learn Al’s full Hisense U9N review
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is, within the phrases of our reviewer, ‘polished, highly effective, and predictable.’ That’s not likely a adverse with a tool that’s this stable, although – it’s the product of incremental enhancements over time, with its glossy design, the elegant but more and more expert One UI 7 interface, and its vibrant, colourful show. Admittedly, its most hyped AI options do appear to have taken a backseat – whether or not this can be a restraint on Samsung’s half or extra of a ‘watch this area’ stays to be seen.
Maybe an important improvement right here, although, is the Galaxy S25’s efficiency. In contrast to in among the best phones – we’re you, iPhone 16 – Samsung hasn’t bundled a less expensive chipset into its base-level handset. As an alternative, it consists of the identical Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip as within the Extremely, that means it runs blisteringly quick. Not dangerous for the most affordable handset in its line.
For
- Unbelievable efficiency and pace
- Battery life outlasts competitors
- Smooth, stable design
In opposition to
- Primarily the identical cellphone as final 12 months
- Digital camera specs a bit stale
- AI doesn’t do as a lot as Samsung promised
Philip Berne
“The Samsung Galaxy S25 is healthier than its predecessors in virtually each manner, and it additionally beats the iPhone 16 in efficiency, battery life, and extra. Even the Galaxy software program and Galaxy AI have gotten higher. Proper now this is among the greatest telephones you should purchase.”
Learn Philip’s full Samsung Galaxy S25 review
The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Professional owes its kind to its iconic predecessor, the close to 20-year-old airship-shaped iPod dock. Nevertheless, inside, it’s obtained a number of upgrades over time, enabling it to compete with most of the best wireless speakers in the marketplace. The Professional presents each aptX Adaptive Bluetooth compatibility and Wi-Fi streaming entry by way of a spread of streaming companies.
Not solely this, nevertheless it’s filled with upgraded {hardware}, together with a reworked tweeter array and the titanium dome unit tailored from the B&W 600 S3 passive audio system, in addition to two mid-range drivers and a 150mm bass driver. Backed up by 240 watts of amplification, this provides the Zeppelin loads of dynamism and element, whereas guaranteeing it sounds tightly built-in throughout its entire frequency vary. For its value, this can be a onerous speaker to beat.
For
- Open, organized and vigorous sound
- Elegant, basic aesthetic
- Dependable and clear management app
In opposition to
- Not the final phrase in dynamic extension
- Fairly space-hungry
- Not as sensible because it might be
Simon Lucas
“The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Professional each strikes the sport on a little bit and does some justice to its lineage on the similar time. It is a very spectacular, elite-feeling wi-fi speaker that produces broad, wealthy sound.”
Learn Simon’s full Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro review
The HP Chromebook Plus has surprisingly highly effective specs for a laptop computer working ChromeOS, but it manages to protect the sunshine and skinny kind issue that’s typical of this type of gadget. It’s solidly constructed and has a development that truly feels fairly premium regardless of its comparatively reasonably priced value. On prime of this, its show is obvious and crisp, providing vibrant colour regardless of the lighting situations.
Nevertheless, Chromebook Plus’s efficiency makes it a very noteworthy candidate for the best Chromebook. Working ChromeOS is easy and seamless, whereas productiveness apps don’t even make it break a sweat. It’s additionally comfortably in a position to stream 4K video and might even handle some spectacular gaming efficiency: we had been in a position to run Asphalt Legends Unite on excessive graphics settings with out us having to pump the brakes. All in all, it’s spectacular stuff.
For
- Nice all-round efficiency
- Good show for a Chromebook
- Premium construct high quality
In opposition to
- Small lid opening angle
- Not convertible
- Typing can really feel cramped
Lewis Maddison
“The HP Chromebook Plus is a easy and quick performer with an important construct high quality and premium really feel. It handles mild productiveness, streaming and gaming with aplomb. For the dimensions and the value you’ll be able to usually discover it at, the HP Chromebook Plus is value including to your shortlist.”
Learn Lewis’s full HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review
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