Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations

HP OmniBook 5 16 is a basic, no-frills laptop for grade schoolers and light muiltimedia (Image source: Notebookcheck)

HP OmniBook 5 16 offers nothing special, but that's probably for the best

The OmniBook 5 16 keeps it simple with few fancy features and extras while maintaining respectable basics and build quality for more attractive starting prices.

Allen Ngo, 19 Dec 2025 22:37

A screengrab from Divinity's cinematic announcement trailer (image source: Larian Studios YT)

Larian CEO Swen Vincke defends generative AI in new Divinity title, sparking fan and dev backlash

Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke has sparked backlash after defending the studio’s limited use of generative AI in the early development of its new Divinity game, prompting criticism from former employees who dispute his claims of i...

Rahim Amir Noorali, 19 Dec 2025 22:36

8BitDo teases a new “Pro” controller launching at CES 2026

8BitDo has announced it will be attending CES 2026 in Las Vegas. While it is expected to showcase some of its existing products, the gaming accessory brand has revealed it will unveil a new product, too.

Habeeb Onawole, 19 Dec 2025 22:21

Pictured - the leaked poster showing the upcoming Casio watch and the promotional text, against a blue background. (Image source: @geesgshock on Instagram)

New Casio G-Shock GM-5600U collab watch leaked ahead of launch

Leaked visuals from @geesgshock showcase a metal‑bezel Casio GM‑5600U G‑Shock collaboration with shochu brand iichiko Super, tied to a Daikanyama launch event and lottery‑only distribution, with exact specs still unconfirmed....

Anubhav Sharma, 19 Dec 2025 22:01

The Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 4 AMD (image source: Benjamin Herzig)

No OLED on Strix Point ThinkPads: Lenovo artificially limits its AMD models to WUXGA IPS

There are three Lenovo ThinkPad laptops with AMD's high-end Strix Point CPU series. None of them have the option for a high quality OLED screen, despite these screens being an option for less expensive Krackan Point models. Is Len...

Benjamin Herzig, 19 Dec 2025 22:01

The AM5 socket for Ryzen CPUs debuted alongside AMD Zen 4 Ryzen 7000 CPUs. (Image source: Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, Unsplash, edited)

AMD Zen 9 and Zen 8 core architecture codenames and CPU socket leaks online

We have gotten an AMD Zen 9 leak before GTA VI. Serial leaker Moore's Law Is Dead has revealed the codenames of the AMD Zen 8 and Zen 9 core architectures. The leaker has also alleged the CPU socket platform that Zen 8 and Zen 9 C...

Fawad Murtaza, 19 Dec 2025 21:35

Image from the game Green Hell. (Image source: Steam)

Deal | One of the best survival games is 90% off on Steam

Green Hell is a survival game that immerses you in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. And you will have to find various resources, build a base, and craft weapons in order to defend yourself against many enemies.

Alexis Stegmann, 19 Dec 2025 20:56

A still of legendary game developer Hideo Kojima (image source: VGC)

Hideo Kojima plans game that caters to AI, says artificial intelligence will reshape gaming in 5–10 years

Hideo Kojima, famed creator of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, outlined bold new concepts, including a game designed for weightlessness and another built to train and “delight” artificial intelligence. In an interview, he pr...

Rahim Amir Noorali, 19 Dec 2025 19:31

For having a cut-down PlayStation 5 APU, the BC 250 handles games quite well at the 1080p resolution. Pictured: the board running Bazzite. (Image source: ETA Prime)

Modified PS5 APU board turns into '$100 Steam Machine' with Bazzite

ETA Prime has managed to get their hands on an ASRock BC-250, which features a cut-down PS5 APU. With some tweaks and by installing Bazzite on the system, the YouTuber has demoed how it can serve as a "$100 Steam Machine" alternat...

Abid Ahsan Shanto, 19 Dec 2025 19:17

The Anicorn Play Symbol Watch costs $250. (Image source: Anicorn)

You can buy Anicorn's PlayStation watch now for $250, but it won't ship until June 2026

Anicorn has begun selling its PlayStation 30th anniversary watch. While the limited edition mechanical watch is already out of stock due to being limited to 600 pieces, the Play Symbol Watch is still available to purchase. However...

Habeeb Onawole, 19 Dec 2025 18:25

PlayStation Portal pictured above the Sony Honda Afeela 1 EV (Image source: Sony Honda Mobility, Sony PlayStation with edits)

An integrated PlayStation Portal will stream PS5 games in the Sony Honda Afeela 1 EV

As cars become more robust entertainment centers, PlayStation sees opportunities for growth. The Sony Honda Afeela 1 EV will launch with a PlayStation Portal handheld attached to its backseats. Even so, it may rely on PS Remote Pl...

Adam Corsetti, 19 Dec 2025 18:07

The third mystery free game will be available for 24 hours. Pictured: edited cover photo of title. (Image source: Epic Games Store)

Deal | Third Epic Games Store mystery free game underwhelms some despite strong reviews

Epic Games Store has revealed the third mystery free game of the holiday season 2025. While the hopes weren't high for this round, the freebie still turned out to be disappointing. It's Eternights, which was previously given away ...

Abid Ahsan Shanto, 19 Dec 2025 17:44

Tesla Cybercab driving on public streets. (LadiesMans217/X)

Tesla takes car without steering wheel on public roads for the first time

Tesla will be expanding its Robotaxi platform with owner vehicles and the Cybercab in 2026. The Cybercab is the more problematic in terms of regulatory oversight, so it remains to be seen how it fares on public streets.

Daniel Zlatev, 19 Dec 2025 17:40

The MSI MAG 272QP QD-OLED X24 is now available in the US with a 1440p 240Hz panel and USB-C. (Image source: MSI via Amazon)

MSI launches new 1440p QD-OLED monitor with 240 Hz and USB-C

MSI has quietly launched the MAG 272QP QD-OLED X24 in North America. Priced at $499.99, the Gen 3 QD-OLED monitor combines a 1440p panel with a 240 Hz refresh rate and adds extras like a USB-C port with DisplayPort support.

Elvis Shida, 19 Dec 2025 17:27

Samsung has officially unveiled the Exynos 2600, the first 2nm SoC for smartphones such as the Galaxy S26. (Image source: Samsung)

Samsung announces world's first 2nm chip for Galaxy S26

The Exynos 2600 has been officially unveiled and is set to be the best processor for modern smartphones – at least in theory. Samsung has explicitly addressed many of the criticisms of its predecessor, such as poor efficiency, the...

Alexander Fagot, 19 Dec 2025 17:11

Image showing Hornet in Hollow Knight: Silksong. (Image Source: Team Cherry)

Indie games accounted for 25% of Steam's revenue in 2025

According to a new report from Alinea Analytics, indie games dominated Steam in 2025, generating around 25% of the platform’s total revenue.

Abdul Haddi, 19 Dec 2025 17:09

OnePlus Turbo: Major highlight of new OnePlus smartphone series revealed

OnePlus has begun unveiling details about its newly announced Turbo series. While the OnePlus Ace 6T currently holds the title for the largest battery in any OnePlus phone, the company has confirmed that the new Turbo lineup will ...

Huzefa Baloch, 19 Dec 2025 16:35

Cover art for the Sega Dreamcast web browser (image source: Retro MTL)

Sega Dreamcast loses its browser: Google's latest update finally kills PlanetWeb 3.0 support

Google’s decision to drop support for the aging PlanetWeb 3.0 browser has effectively ended the Sega Dreamcast’s 25-year run as a functional web-browsing device, severing one of the console’s last remaining ties to its online past...

Rahim Amir Noorali, 19 Dec 2025 16:27

ConcernedApe has shared his first comments on Stardew Valley 1.7 in a post on X. (Image source: Steam)

Stardew Valley 1.7: ConcernedApe shares first insights into new content

Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone has shared the first details about the upcoming Stardew Valley 1.7 update, confirming that new content is on the way. However, there is still no word on a release date.

Marius Müller, 19 Dec 2025 14:47

OpenAI rolled out the ChatGPT App Directory on December 18. (Image source: OpenAI)

ChatGPT now supports apps, allowing it to create designs and edit files

OpenAI has launched the App Directory, a new extension feature for ChatGPT that connects the chatbot directly to services such as Gmail, Canva and Apple Music. This update allows ChatGPT to go beyond answering questions and start ...

Marius Müller, 19 Dec 2025 14:39

YouTuber Linus Sebastian had the opportunity to test the Steam Frame for about two hours. (Image source: Linus Tech Tips via YouTube)

Steam Frame vs. other VR headsets – YouTuber shares first comparisons after hands-on

The creator behind the popular YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips recently had a brief hands-on experience with Valve’s new VR headset, the Steam Frame, during a visit to the company’s headquarters. In his latest video, he compares t...

Marius Müller, 19 Dec 2025 14:37

Slay the Spire is 90% off on Steam until January 5. (Image source: Steam)

Deal | 90% off on Steam: This roguelike has never been cheaper – 194K reviews, 97% positive

Slay the Spire has earned consistently high praise from critics and players alike for its accessible blend of deck-building and roguelike mechanics. Now, for the first time, it is available at a steep 90% discount on Steam – dropp...

Marius Müller, 19 Dec 2025 14:24

The Apple iPhone Fold will reportedly debut with an unusually wide aspect ratio. (Image source: iPhone-Ticker, edited)

CAD renders hint at Apple iPhone Fold's unusually wide aspect ratio

The iPhone Fold will reportedly be exceptionally compact when closed. According to rumours, it will feature an unconventional aspect ratio paired with a 5.3-inch secondary display. Newly surfaced CAD renders appear to reveal the d...

Hannes Brecher, 19 Dec 2025 13:48

Pictured - a still from the Skate Story's trailer showing the moon and the skater. (Image source: Steam)

New action-adventure sports RPG has racked up over 1,000 "Overwhelmingly positive" reviews on Steam since launch

Skate Story is an indie skateboarding adventure on Steam where you play you as a fragile demon skating through a surreal underworld, with trick physics, a gripping narrative, and full controller support, plus Steam Deck Verificati...

Anubhav Sharma, 19 Dec 2025 13:39

TikTok agrees to sell US operations to American-led investor group

TikTok’s US operations will be housed in a new joint venture, according to a memo sent to employees by CEO Shou Zi Chew. The entity is named TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC. As part of the venture, TikTok has signed agreements with ...

Antony Muchiri, 19 Dec 2025 12:28

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope at the Goddard Space Center

NASA telescope to reveal the mysteries that lie beyond the thick clouds of the Milky Way

NASA has announced a plan to use the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to view our Milky Way in unprecedented detail. Roman’s infrared vision is expected to pierce through the densest part of the galaxy and unveil up to 20 billion...

Chibuike Okpara, 19 Dec 2025 12:27

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is not a light machine, as it tips the scale at 5.07 lbs. (2.3 kg). (Image source: Acer, Unsplash, edited)

Deal | Black Friday price returns: Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI with RTX 5070 Ti and OLED display drops below $1,500

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI gaming laptop is back on sale at its Black Friday price. Retailing at a $450 discount compared to the list price, the Predator Helios Neo 16S AI packs some powerful internals, including the RTX ...

Fawad Murtaza, 19 Dec 2025 12:14

The new mobile free game will be available until Christmas. Pictured: edited cover photo of the title. (Image source: Epic Games Store - edited)

Deal | Epic Games Store drops surprise free game ahead of third mystery giveaway

The third Epic Games Store mystery free game for the holiday season will be revealed soon, and right before the reveal, the storefront has offered a new mobile freebie. It's Shotgun King – The Final Checkmate, available for Androi...

Abid Ahsan Shanto, 19 Dec 2025 11:28

The Better With a Friend collection has six co-op games. Pictured: Steam Deck running Trine 4. (Image source: Warhorse Studios and Valve - edited)

Deal | New Humble Bundle rebundle offers 6 Steam Deck-playable adventure games for just $10

Humble Bundle has brought back the Better With A Friend games collection. This new holiday rebundle offers a total of six Steam Deck-playable games that are better when played in co-op mode. They can be scored for around $1.67 eac...

Abid Ahsan Shanto, 19 Dec 2025 10:24

Oppo Pad Air 5 (Image Source: Oppo Shop)

Oppo Pad Air 5 key specs revealed ahead of December 25 launch

Oppo is set to wrap up the year with the Christmas Day launch of the Pad Air 5, which appears to be a rebranded OnePlus Pad Go 2. The tablet features a 2.8K display and a massive 10,050mAh battery. It will be available in three co...

Antony Muchiri, 19 Dec 2025 10:16

An image showing a battle between several knights. (Image source: Steam)

Deal | This medieval fighting game, enjoyed by 80% of players, is 90% off on Steam

Mordhau is a multiplayer fighting game taking place in the Middle Ages. You will have to face many other players and show your different skills in battle using various weapons.

Alexis Stegmann, 19 Dec 2025 09:34

Five units of the Motorola Razr 2025 FIFA World Cup Edition will be given away during CES 2026. (Image source: Evan Blass)

Leak reveals a FIFA 2026 World Cup Edition of the Motorola Razr 2025

A leak has revealed that Motorola will release a special World Cup edition of the Razr 2025 clamshell foldable. A few units of this special edition will be available to win at CES 2026, but it isn't known if it will be mass-produc...

Habeeb Onawole, 19 Dec 2025 07:51

Unofficial render of rumored Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable gaming laptop. (Image source: Windows Latest)

Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable gaming laptop: New information about rolling mechanism, specs, and more

Lenovo is expected to showcase a gaming laptop with a rollable OLED display at CES 2026. It is targeting professional esports gamers with a large display mounted to a laptop, blending desktop like screen real-estate with portabili...

Vineet Washington, 19 Dec 2025 07:42

Sony's latest ANC headphones are back on sale. (Image source: Sony; edited by Notebookcheck)

Deal | You can still grab Sony's best ANC headphones at their lowest price

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 offer some of the best noise cancellation you can buy, along with excellent sound and a refined, foldable design. They’ve dropped back to their lowest price, giving you another chance to grab Sony’s best ANC head...

Kristen Spradlin, 19 Dec 2025 07:27

The BMX SolidSafe is a flight-approved power bank (Image source: BMX)

BMX unveils new affordable magnetic power bank with built-in cable and display

BMX has announced a new magnetic power bank, the SolidSafe. The company’s magnetic power bank is built with next-generation solid-state battery cells. Available in 5,000 and 10,000 mAh battery capacities, it offers a full-color LC...

Abhinav Fating, 19 Dec 2025 07:09

Spectacular sight captured over France is NASA Science Calendar Image of the Month

NASA Science Calendar Image of the Month is a sprite over Château de Beynac, France. Sprites are short-lived. They last only a few milliseconds. So, witnessing and capturing one is a big deal. Images of these transient events are ...

Chibuike Okpara, 19 Dec 2025 06:14

The Palette 300 is a new 3D printer with innovative auto-swapping nozzles (Image source: AtomForm)

Revolutionary 3D printer: Palette 300 sports 12 nozzles and automatic swapping for printing with dozens of colors

A new 3D printer is launching with 12 nozzles and is primarily intended to offer advantages when printing with multiple filaments or different colors. It’s also supposed to be very precise and offers a relatively large build volum...

Silvio Werner, 19 Dec 2025 04:50

LG pairs its new soundbar with wireless speakers for a more immersive surround sound (Image source: LG)

LG Sound Suite combines soundbar with wireless speakers for 13.1.7-ch surround setup

The LG Sound Suite combines a soundbar with any number of wireless speakers and a subwoofer to produce a convincing surround sound. Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is designed to let the Sound Suite adapt to the specific room.

Hannes Brecher, 19 Dec 2025 04:38

Star Wars Battlefront 2 banner is shown (Image source: Steam, EA with edits)

Deal | Star Wars shooter game is now 90% off in Steam sale, offering frantic multiplayer action

The holiday season still has some Steam deals left to entice Star Wars loyalists. Star Wars Battlefront 2: Celebration Edition has proved a resilient shooter game despite a rocky 2017 launch. At 90% off, diverse multiplayer modes ...

Adam Corsetti, 19 Dec 2025 02:30

The Legion Go 2 is expected to receive a cheaper SteamOS version too, just like the Legion Go S before it. (Image source: Notebookcheck)

New leak confirms Lenovo Legion Go 2 gaming handheld refresh with cheaper models planned

The Legion Go 2 is one of the most expensive gaming handhelds around produced by a major laptop manufacturer. According to a new leak, that could well change soon with a forthcoming refresh.

Alex Alderson, 19 Dec 2025 00:26

MSI Claw A8 (image source: Notebookcheck)

The new AMD version of the MSI Claw A8 is worse than the Intel version, despite the same price

MSI now also offers its gaming handheld Claw 8 with an AMD processor. The question is why though, because our review reveals some ergonomic drawbacks compared to the Intel SKU and you also get 8 GB RAM less. The price is identical...

Andreas Osthoff, 18 Dec 2025 23:47

The Retroid Pocket 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. (Image source: Retroid)

Retroid Pocket 6: New batch of pre-orders opens with a planned March 2026 shipping date

Retroid has ended the first batch of pre-orders for the Pocket 6, with a plan to begin shipping in January 2026. However, it has begun accepting a new batch of pre-orders without the launch discount that earlier buyers enjoyed, bu...

Habeeb Onawole, 18 Dec 2025 23:32

Samsung Taiwan Vision Lab (Image source: Samsung Newsroom with edits)

As DDR5 RAM prices surged, Samsung employees allegedly took bribes from desperate customers

Companies willing to cross ethical lines can still purchase memory at reasonable prices. A new report exposes Samsung workers who may have accepted kickbacks from anxious distributors. As the memory shortage escalates, AI data cen...

Adam Corsetti, 18 Dec 2025 22:44

The Beelink ME Pro is a mere 112 mm tall. (Image source: Beelink)

With up to 72 TB storage: Beelink launches new ultra-compact ME Pro NAS featuring unibody design

Beelink has launched a new NAS solution that can hold up to drives at once. Offering a combined 72 TB of storage, the Beelink ME Pro will be released globally too.

Alex Alderson, 18 Dec 2025 22:41

Sharge’s Shargeek 300 power bank (pictured) appears to be on the way. (Image source: Sharge)

Shargeek 300W power bank could be launching soon

Sharge has announced an early sign-up scheme for the Shargeek 300 power bank, suggesting it may be launching soon. This accessory debuted at the start of 2025, and it has since been listed on Kickstarter. Features include the abil...

Polly Allcock, 18 Dec 2025 22:39

The Framework laptop costs significantly more after two price increases. (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Framework Laptop receives another price increase after just one week

Not only is RAM becoming increasingly expensive, but hard drives and SSDs now also cost significantly more than they did just a few weeks ago. Framework is now one of the first laptop manufacturers to react to this trend, raising ...

Hannes Brecher, 18 Dec 2025 22:10

Pictured - a screenshot of a home office setting from Toy Tinker Simulator. You can build small toy museums to showcase completed restorations. (Image source: Steam)

Deal | $12.99 game for free: Steam is giving away a unique first-person simulation game at no cost for a limited time

For the holiday season, Steam is now giving away Toy Tinker Simulator for free for a limited time. Originally released in 2021, the toy repair simulation usually sells for $12.99 and currently holds a "Mixed" user rating, with cal...

Anubhav Sharma, 18 Dec 2025 21:12

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