Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus vs. iPhone 7 Plus: Which adds more value?

Last year was an eventful year for Samsung, and that’s putting it mildly. August saw the release of the much-anticipated Galaxy Note 7, which blew the competition out of the water — quite literally as the phone was soon blacklisted from entire countries and banned from major airlines after it revealed a nasty habit of catching fire in owners’ pockets.

Not to worry, though; Samsung is a ginormous company, and it has a second chance to regain consumer trust with the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus. So how does Samsung’s latest flagship stack up against Apple’s highly-acclaimed iPhone 7 Plus? We break the specs down to find a winner.

More: Behind the scenes: How Samsung designed and built the Galaxy S8 and S8+

Specs

Galaxy S8 Plus

iPhone 7 Plus

Size
159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.89 x 0.32 in)
158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm (6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 in)
Weight
6.1 ounces (173 grams)
6.63 ounces (188 grams)
Screen
6.2-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED touchscreen
5.5-inch Retina HD LED-backlit touchscreen
Resolution
1,440 x 2,960 pixels (529 ppi)
1,080 x 1,920 pixels (401 ppi)
OS
Android 7.0 Nougat
iOS 10
Storage
64GB
32, 128, 256GB
MicroSD card slot
Yes
No
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Samsung Exynos 9 Series 8895 (International)
A10 Fusion with 64-bit architecture, M10 motion coprocessor
RAM
4GB
3GB
Connectivity
4G LTE, GSM, CDMA, HSPA+, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
4G LTE, GSM, CDMA, HSPA+, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
Camera
12MP rear with OIS, 8MP front
Dual 12MP rear, 7MP front
Video
4K
4K
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5
Yes, version 4.2
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Touch ID
Other sensors
Barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor
Barometer, 3-axis gyro, accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor
Water resistant
Yes, IP68 rated
Yes, IP67 rated
Battery
3,500 mAh
2,900 mAh
Charger
USB Type-C
Lightning
Marketplace
Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Color offerings
Black, silver, orchid gray, coral blue (international), gold (international)
Gold, rose gold, silver, black, jet black
Availability
AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile

AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, Unlocked
Price
Starting at $840
Starting at $770
DT review
First Take
4/5 Stars

Based on early benchmarks, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 in Samsung’s Galaxy S8 Plus may have a comparable processor, that’s in some ways better and worse, to Apple’s A10 Fusion chip in the iPhone 7 Plus. We’ll have to test the S8 Plus’ real-world performance. Keep in mind that Apple has the best optimization of its hardware and software, allowing for extremely powerful performance.

The S8 Plus does have 4GB of RAM, which is more than the iPhone’s 3GB, but Apple’s smartphones are more memory efficient so more RAM doesn’t necessarily mean the S8 will offer better performance. The S8 Plus is limited to 64GB of storage, while the iPhone has more storage options. But you can add up to 256GB of space or higher via a MicroSD card slot on the S8 Plus, if you so desire.

The Galaxy S8 Plus boasts a superior battery than the iPhone (3,500 mAh vs. 2,900 mAh) so you can expect it to last longer, though it should be noted that iPhones have stellar standby battery life. In terms of connectivity, the S8 Plus is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, which should offer improved range and transfer speed over version 4.2 on the iPhone 7 Plus.

We’ll have to test real-world performance of the S8 Plus to see how it compares to the iPhone 7 Plus before we crown a winner.

Winner: Tie

Everything we saw at Samsung’s big Galaxy S8 Unpacked event

Samsung has finally unveiled the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus — its first flagship phones since the disaster that was the Galaxy Note 7.

Those two phones, however, weren’t the only products unveiled during the event. In fact, we saw quite a number of exciting new products from Samsung. If you didn’t tune into the livestream, we’ve rounded up everything you missed at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2017.

More: Track your workouts with the Samsung Gear Fit 2, now $50 off from Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The headlining products and the worst-kept secret, the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus are the latest and greatest smartphones from Samsung. They offer a number of awesome features, such as how there’s no longer an Edge-only model as both the 5.8-inch S8 and 6.2-inch S8 Plus use Edge displays. Speaking of the display, you’ll notice a large reduction in bezel-size from the Galaxy S7. Samsung calls it the Infinity Display, and it covers 83 percent of the front body. It’s a gorgeous look, and it’s in line with the current trend of minimizing the bezel on the smartphone. Expect more devices to follow suit later this year.

Under the hood, the U.S. model of the phone will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor, while Samsung’s comparable Exynos 9 Series 8895 processor will be in the international model). The S8 and S8 Plus come with 4GB of RAM, and a hefty 64GB of storage. It also boasts a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera and 8-megapixel selfie camera. The only difference between the two, other than size, is battery — the S8 has a 3,000mAh battery capacity, while the S8 Plus packs a 3,500mAh capacity. Realistically, this will mean slightly better battery life for the Plus, but both will still get about a day and a half, like usual.

Another headlining feature on the phone is Bixby, Samsung’s new digital assistant aimed at going head to head with the likes of the Google Assistant, Amazon’s Alexa, and Apple’s Siri. There’s also facial recognition technology, a fingerprint sensor, iris-scanning software, a sleek TouchWiz user interface, and more.

You can check out our initial thoughts on the new Samsung Galaxy S8 here.

Samsung DeX dock station for the Galaxy S8

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

You can connect the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus to an external monitor and use Android’s desktop mode, all thanks to DeX. DeX is a docking station that your phone rests on and plugs into via a USB Type-C port. The back of DeX features an array of ports that lets you connect an external monitor, a mouse, and a keyboard. Once you connect the S8, a desktop version of Android will prop up on the monitor — Samsung has optimized several of its apps to offer resizable windows and right-click functionality.

Non-supported Android apps work, just not as well as supported ones. The DeX system currently works best with Samsung’s apps, but there will be a program for developers to support the new system. Samsung has partnered with both Microsoft, for Office, and Adobe, for apps that work well with DeX.

In our initial impressions, the Galaxy S8 offered surprisingly capable performance with virtually no hiccups on DeX.  We’re hoping more manufacturers and developers build features like this, especially considering the fact that phones are powerful enough to function as basic desktop replacements.

Samsung Gear 360

Samsung has long been one of the more involved companies when it comes to virtual reality, and it’s showing no signs of slowing in its efforts. At Samsung Unpacked, the company unveiled the new Samsung Gear 360 — a new 360-degree camera that offers two 8.4-megapixel cameras that can capture 4K video at 24fps. When livestreaming, you’ll only get 2K resolution for bandwidth purposes. The specs aren’t necessarily the focal point of the device though — as the older Gear 360 offers some better specs.

Instead, this new model’s focus is compatibility. The original Samsung Gear 360 was only compatible with a few flagship Samsung devices, but the new model works with recent Samsung flagships, Android devices running version 5.0 or higher, the iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, SE, 7 and 7 Plus, as well as Windows and MacOS devices. The camera also offers Bluetooth 4.1 and a USB Type-C port.

Samsung Gear VR

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Gear 360 isn’t Samsung’s only VR-related product. In fact, the company also launched an all-new version of the Samsung Gear VR headset. The headset itself is largely the same as the older model, but now the headset comes bundled with the controller that debuted at Mobile World Congress. That controller offers a clickable touchpad like the Google Daydream controller, as well as a trigger, a home button, a back button, and a volume button. It also packs an accelerometer, gyroscope, and a magnetic sensor. It does use AAA batteries, however. Assuming 2 hours of use per day, it should last 40 days.

The update to the Gear VR headset is more about the controller, and how it can add new experiences to games and applications.

Samsung Connect and Connect Pro

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Samsung is following Google’s steps with the introduction of a mesh network router called Samsung Connect. What’s unique is that it also doubles as a SmartThings hub. (SmarThings is Samsung’s Internet of Things platform.) Using the Samsung Connect app on your smartphone, you can control any SmartThings-enabled device. This works well with Samsung’s strategy, as the company sells numerous smart products like smart TVs, smart fridges, and more.

Samsung’s 4K Gear 360 camera now lets you broadcast live on Facebook, YouTube

Continuing its push on virtual reality in the consumer market, Samsung announced the second version of its Galaxy Gear 360 camera, alongside the Galaxy S8-series phones. Part of a Samsung VR trifecta that includes phone, camera, and headset, Samsung has upgraded its new 360-degree camera with improved resolution, live-streaming to Facebook and YouTube, and compatibility with more devices.

Familiar design, but completely different

The new camera retains the funky, eyeball-shaped design of its predecessor, which has two wide-angle (195 degrees), f/2.2 lenses on either side for capturing 360 degrees (there’s also a single-mode function). In our review, we thought the original’s form-factor was hefty and awkward, but the new camera is smaller and lighter (100.6 x 46.3 x 45.1 mm; 130 grams versus 152). It’s still dust and water resistant, but not waterproof. We think it stills heavy when held in the hand, but it’s solidly built and fits nicely.

Samsung also redesigned the way it’s held. Gone is the tripod that attached to the camera: Instead of a small, tapered tripod that’s hard to hold onto, the new Gear 360 now has a handle that’s part of the form-factor, making it easier to hold. On the handle is a small display (relocated from the top, as in the previous camera) as well as a shutter/record button for easier access. The memory card tray and USB port are also found on the handle, and there’s a screw mount at the bottom for tripods. It’s definitely smaller, and the periscope-like design also looks like a cute little robot from a sci-fi movie.

Video resolution has increased, from 3,840 x 1,920 to 4,096 x 2,048 — Samsung is officially marketing it as 4K, although don’t expect it to be comparable to higher-end 4K cameras. However, the frame rate has dropped from 30 frames per second, to 24 fps. We can’t say if the lower frame rate would have any detrimental effects to the viewing experience, particularly when using a VR headset, until we test it. In general, higher frame rates reduce unwanted artifacts in video, but we doubt most users would notice the difference between 30 fps and 24 fps, particularly in a consumer camera like this. In single-lens mode, the camera is capable of shooting Full HD 1,920 x 1,080 at 60 fps.

Another specs downgrade (on paper, at least), Samsung is using two 8.4-megapixel CMOS sensors – the same sensor used in the S8 – instead of two 15-megapixel sensors used in the original. This affects still images, since it can only produce 15-megapixel JPEGs rather than 30-megapixel ones. Samsung tells us that the new sensor is better for shooting in dark environments. Frankly, for casual users, a 15-megapixel image is plenty, but it would be interesting to see if the lower resolution would have any noticeable effects on 360-degree panoramas — something we’ll look at when we get the chance to review one. Megapixels are less of a concern when it comes to video.

More: Everything we saw at Samsung’s big Galaxy S8 Unpacked event

Going live

Samsung says the new camera has been designed for improved portability, which is likely important as it now supports 360-degree live streaming to Facebook, YouTube, and Samsung VR (Twitter’s Periscope platform in to be determined, Samsung tells us). Due to bandwidth issues, the Gear 360 broadcasts only in Full HD, not 4K, but Samsung promises an improved experience than what consumers have been used to in the past with other products. It’s in line with what Samsung describes at its Unpacked 2017 event as the breaking down of barriers to share immersive experiences.

With Wi-Fi Direct, the camera can be paired with a compatible phone without losing connectivity to a Wi-Fi network, which would make uploading content more seamless. Stitching is handled by the app on the phone. Because the body of the camera is narrower, Samsung says there are fewer dark areas where the two images meet — an issue we didn’t like with the original camera — and it’s a better stitch.

As for the app, it has also been redesigned: You can now preview immediately, zoom in and out, invite friends to a live broadcast via text, and generally easier to use.

More: Samsung Gear 360 (first generation) review

Support for more devices (yes, iPhone too)

Another big improvement is that the camera now supports non-Samsung devices. Previously, the Gear 360 only worked with select Samsung devices — one of our complaints. In addition to the new Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, the new Gear 360 is also compatible with iPhones (6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE, running iOS 10), as well as Windows and MacOS. According to Samsung, the Mac and PC apps will be tailored to consumers, but the PC version will also have editing features and an improved user experience.

The camera is also compatible with more Samsung devices — Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge Plus, Note 5, running Android 5.0 — as well as the budget-friendly Galaxy A5, and A7. Missing still are other Android devices, but the expanded support opens the camera to more users. Samsung says live-streaming on iOS will come later.

The new Gear 360 now supports MicroSD cards up to 256GB. For charging and data transfer, Samsung has switched from Micro USB to a USB Type-C port (in-line with the new S8-series devices), but it’s the slower USB 2.0 variant. Unfortunately, the lithium-ion battery has been downgraded from 1,350mAh in the original, to 1,160mAh; the battery is now unremovable. Whether this will affect battery life, remains to be seen. Samsung officially rates recording time at 130 minutes of continuous recording 2K — less if live streaming, paired with a phone for live viewing, or shooting 4K.

As for shooting modes, Samsung added Landscape HDR to the options (video, photo, time-lapse video, and looping video). Connectivity remains the same: The new Gear 360 uses Wi-Fi (802.11a, b, g, n, ac; 2.4/5GHz), the aforementioned Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth (4.1). However, NFC has been removed – the original camera uses NFC to quickly pair with a phone.

Pricing or availability has not been set, but Samsung told us it will be less expensive than the original.

Apple bars price references on new titles appearing in the App Store

Why it matters to you

Many apps are marketed with misleading buzzwords in the title, or involve the free download of apps that include in-app purchases.

Apple has long discouraged developers from referencing price in the titles of their apps on the App Store. Of course, this didn’t stop everyone from doing it. But now it appears the company has begun forcing software makers to change their habits. According to VentureBeat, Apple’s marketplace now prevents the publishing of any app with “free” in the title, as well as the inclusion of other price references.

Developers are now met with an error message if they attempt to name their product in such a way, asking them to “please remove any references to [the] app’s price” from its name, “including any references to [the] app being free or discounted.”

More: 100 awesome iPhone apps that will turn your phone into a jack-of-all-trades

According to the report, only new apps going up on the store or updates to existing apps are prohibited from using those buzzwords — so you’ll still be seeing many apps, especially older ones, with “free” in the title for quite some time.

Annoying as it may be to have to browse through a barrage of seemingly endless, similarly titled apps with “FREE” listed in all caps, it is an easy way for developers to publicize that information. It also makes it impossible to read the app’s name or become aware of its existence without also knowing that it doesn’t cost you anything, and you can download it right away. These are crucial benefits to users on the App Store, where everyone’s vying for a way to stand out.

It was also a way to sidestep Apple’s redesign of the download button to say the much less-enticing “get” instead of “free.” The change was instigated several years ago in response to pressure from European lawmakers, who alleged that the language was misleading users into downloading apps that were loaded with in-app purchases, and was fooling children in particular.

Going forward, references to price won’t only be forbidden in names, but also icons, screenshots, and previews, according to Apple. The company is directing all developers who’d like to advertise discounts to simply mention it in the app’s description.

Intel says its chip production tech is still ahead of Samsung and TSMC

Why it matters to you

Continual improvements to processor technology contribute to broader advances in computing, and Intel is one of the companies spearheading forward progress.

Intel’s 10-nanometer Cannon Lake chips have been a long time coming, but the company still seems to be confident in its work, recently showing a 2-in-1 PC that utilizes the technology at CES 2017. Now, Intel has stated that when Cannon Lake is finally ready for prime time, it’ll still be a “full generation ahead” of competing components from the likes of Samsung and TSMC.

Cannon Lake will use hyper scaling that allows for twice as many transistors as traditional methodology, according to a report from Engadget. This advantage will apparently produce CPUs that are capable of 25 percent better performance, while using 45 percent less power.

More: Intel’s Optane Memory hopes to give your aging hard disk a kick in the pants

Intel has high hopes that Cannon Lake will extend the lifespan of Moore’s Law, the well-known observation that the number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubles roughly every two years. Moore’s Law looked to be in peril not so long ago, but now the company is bullish about its prospects for the future.

“Hyper scaling allows Intel to continue the economics of Moore’s Law,” read one slide from a presentation delivered yesterday at Intel’s Technology and Manufacturing Day event. This seems to suggest that even if the timescale of Moore’s Law slips, the company should be able to offer increasingly capable chips while continuing to keep their prices within reason.

Looking further into the future, the company plans to release enhanced iterations of its 10-nanometer chips, branded as 10+ and 10++. These components are intended to bridge the gap between the first wave of 10-nanometer processors and the 7-nanometer processors that will succeed its current technology.

Intel expects to build 10-nanometer chips for around three years before moving on to 7-nanometer chips in earnest, maintaining a similar cycle length to that of its current 14-nanometer chips.

Nasa’s new image database makes finding superb space photos out-of-this-world easy

Why it matters to you

NASA images are in the public domain and now they’re easier to find.

Searching for an image that’s out-of-this-world just got a bit simpler. On Tuesday, NASA launched a searchable database covering the agency’s best photos, graphics, videos and even audio files of space exploration.

More than 140,000 assets are available from the new search engine and NASA says more will be added to the database on a regular basis. Need a shot of Mars? How about a black hole? The new search engine has the expected search bar to type in what you’re looking for, but then results can also be refined by specifying what years you want to search through and what type of media you are looking for. The layout can be either a list or gallery view and will automatically adjust to your screen size.

More: Get your Sagan on with these 34 awe-inspiring photos of the final frontier

The new image search also includes EXIF data for digital files, including the software used to edit the photo, when it was modified and often, what telescope or camera the image was shot from. Images can also be shared directly to social media.

The searchable database includes both recent and historic photos, with the date slider allowing users to search back as far as 1920. Along with photographs, the database also includes graphics ranging from diagrams to theoretical representations of what the Milky Way might look like from outside the galaxy.

Since works from the U.S. Government, by law, cannot be copyrighted, this massive search engine is in the public domain, making the assets free to use from school research papers to website images, with image credits (images by contractors are an exception). Images can be downloaded in high resolution or smaller web-friendly sizes and the caption can also be downloaded.

The new database replaces the older NASA Multimedia Search, which now turns up as a 404 error, with more usable features like automatically adjusting the screen size from smartphone to desktop. NASA says the new database is not all-inclusive but represents the best material and will be updated on a regular basis.

Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition review

Research Center:
Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition

Released last year, Creative’s Sound BlasterX H7 gaming headset impressed gamers with its sturdy build, comfortable fit, and immersive sound. With this new Tournament Edition, Creative has improved upon the design while keeping much of what made the original so easy to love. The sub-$150 market is a crowded one for gaming cans, and there are certainly other worthwhile options, but the Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition is absolutely worth a look.

Out of the box

The original H7 came inside a pill-shaped plastic container that acted like a case for the headphones, something Creative didn’t choose to carry forward for the Tournament Edition. Instead, the headphones are fitted into a thin plastic mold inside the box. Underneath is a smaller box containing the detachable microphone, a USB cable, a 3.5mm audio cable, and the manual.

Setup

Depending on how you use the headset, setup can be as easy as connecting the 3.5mm audio cable to the inline remote and plugging into whatever source you like. If you’re playing on a PC, however, you’ll want to opt for the USB connection instead, which uses the built-in 24 bit / 96kHz DAC (digital-to analog converter). Once the headset is connected to your PC, you’re technically good to go, though you’ll want to download the BlasterX Acoustic Engine Pro and X-Plus Configurator software from Creative’s website to make use of all the digital features.

Features and design

If you’ve seen the standard H7, the first thing you’ll notice about the Tournament Edition is the updated look. While the red and black color scheme is still present, the backs of the ear cups now feature a brushed metal styling, complete with an X logo that glows red when the headphones are plugged in, and red highlights inside the ear cups. The overall look is eye-catching, though if you’re looking for a headset with a subtle aesthetic, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Bill Ro

Bill Ro

Bill Ro

Bill Ro

The exterior design may have changed a bit, but fortunately Creative wasn’t intent on fixing things that weren’t broken. One of the best features of the H7 (and other Sound BlasterX headsets like the H5) is how comfortable they are, thanks to the earpads, which feature memory foam inside and leatherette on the outside. Combined with the lightweight build, the headset is comfortable to strap on for those marathon gaming sessions. The reinforced steel headband makes for a snug fit, but in our case, it was never tight to the point of creating discomfort.

More: Creative unveils improved Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition gaming headset

The H7’s removable microphone has been redesigned for the Tournament Edition. While the original featured a puffy windscreen on the end of the mic, the resigned model is slimmed down for a sleeker look. The extension is just as flexible as ever, though, and can easily be pushed fully out of the way or removed entirely.

One of the H7’s smartest features was the design of the inline remote, and that stays the same for the Tournament Edition. The remote is attached to the headset, and boasts a Micro USB port and a 3.5mm jack, allowing you to insert whichever cable you need quickly instead of dealing with the cumbersome, multi-headed cable common in some designs. The remote features a built-in volume control, which works no matter what you’re plugged into, as well as a slider switch to mute the microphone and a multifunction button that can pause and resume music playback or answer and end calls when plugged into a phone.

Performance

For the Tournament Edition, Creative decided to pack in a redesigned 50mm FullSpectrum driver. This new model is designed for better clarity, and indeed that checked out in evaluation. The sound is crisp and accurate, both when using the headset for its intended purpose and when listening to music or watching a movie.

More: Logitech G533 wireless gaming headset review

For its part, the mic sounds clear and does a good job of keeping out background noise. If you use the 3.5mm connection, Creative says the headset is tuned more for music, while the USB connection is more versatile for gaming use, thanks to Creative’s adjustable software.

Much of the magic of the H7 Tournament Edition lies in the BlasterX Acoustic Engine Pro, which allows you to set and tweak the 7.1 surround sound. In addition to EQ and surround sound settings, you can also control mic effects, allowing you to swap your gender, make your voice lower or higher, or even make yourself sound like an alien or robot. Other options are focused on those who take gaming seriously, like Scout Mode, which claims to allow you to hear further than you normally would, and game-specific audio profiles.

The sound is crisp and accurate for any application, from gaming to rocking out.

Many of the custom audio profiles are designed for competitive games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2, but not all of them. There are several generic profiles like Shooter and Action/Adventure, as well as for single player games like Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

The 7.1-channel virtual surround sound is impressive no matter what you’re playing, but the game-specific profiles don’t seem to make much of an audible difference most of the time. While voices and sound effects come from behind you and off to the side in The Witcher 3 when using its profile, they sounded just as immersive when using the Action/Adventure preset, or even the Default profile. Only setting the surround effects to off made a noticeable difference, with sounds suddenly bouncing from ear to ear when circling the camera.

More: Sennheiser PC 373D headset review

As the “Tournament Edition” moniker implies, Creative wants its new headset to be used by pro gamers (and those who fancy themselves as such). As competitions don’t usually see you bringing your own PC, Creatives X-Plus Configurator software allows you to load a specific preset into the headset, which will then be set no matter what you’re plugged into. If you’re headed to a tournament, load in the Dota 2 or CS:GO profile with the software, and you’re good to go. This also lets you load in a specific profile for the PlayStation 4.

Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition Compared To

Sony Platinum (PS4) wireless headset

Sennheiser PC 373D

Logitech G533

Turtle Beach Stealth 500x

PlayStation Gold

Turtle Beach Ear Force i30

Turtle Beach Ear Force i60

Tritton Kunai

Astro A50

Turtle Beach Ear Force X32

Sennheiser X 320

Turtle Beach PX3

Cooler Master Storm Sirus

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5

Creative Sound Blaster Tactic 3D…

While you can technically use the H7 Tournament Edition with a PS4 by plugging into the USB port on the front of the machine, the short length of the included cable makes this pretty impractical. In our testing, plugging the 3.5mm cable directly into the PS4 controller sounded better than the USB connection anyway. When using the 3.5mm connection, the telltale footsteps of enemies in Horizon: Zero Dawn gave their position away easily, while USB connection was a bit less precise.

Our Take

The Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition’s combination of features, comfort, and captivating 7.1-channel virtual surround sound make it an easy recommendation for those seeking a comfortable and affordable wired gaming headset

Is there a better alternative?

The DT Accessory Pack

Corsair Strafe RGB mechanical gaming keyboard

$125

Horizon Zero Dawn – PlayStation 4

$58.49

DualShock 4 wireless controller for PlayStation 4

$44.30

We prefer the H7 TE to the similarly priced Sennheiser PC 373D. And while the sound isn’t quite as good as the Razer ManO’War 7.1, which has a more open and powerful sound, that headset is also larger and bulkier than Creative’s offering. On the other hand, the Logitech G533 wireless headset offers many of the same features of the H7 Tournament Edition for just $150 with no strings attached. However, its lack of alternate connection options such as a 3.5mm cable makes it less versatile than the H7.

How long with it last?

The aluminum headband and flexible construction mean that unless you’re unusually hard on it (or prone to throwing things in anger after a particularly painful loss), the headset should last a good long time. This is backed up by the cables, which are both tough and easily replaceable. The one concern is that the ear pads aren’t replaceable, but during our testing we didn’t see any signs of them wearing out.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you’re interested in the more pro-focused features, or you want a headset that can be used for other purposes aside from PC gaming like listening to music or gaming on a console, the Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition is absolutely worth the money.

Canon gains new photo-printing possibilities with the acquisition of Kite.ly

Why it matters to you

Canon is working to create a printing solution for its users that is app-based.

Canon could be turning out more mobile printing solutions soon. On Tuesday, Canon Europe announced the acquisition of Kite.ly, a mobile ecommerce platform designed for in-app printing.

Canon Europe says the new acquisition will allow the company to expand their digital services, offering “a print ecosystem unrivaled in scope.” Kite.ly isn’t a stand-alone program but rather allows developers to embed printing programming into their own apps. Through the Kite.ly’s SDK and API code, developers can add a printing solution to their apps, allowing customers to purchase custom print products in-app without actually setting up their own printing and shipping center.  The developer provides the graphics, Kite.ly creates and ships the products as well as the programming framework to fulfill the orders.

More: Canon filed more U.S. patents than Google, Apple, and Intel in 2016

“Bringing Kite.ly into the Canon group of companies is our latest move to expand Canon’s digital services offering, by making mobile printing ubiquitous,” Alberto Spinelli, senior director of digital services at Canon Europe, said. “There is a fast-growing trend of consumers who want to shop for customized products and do it in an easy way from their mobile devices. The combination of Canon’s high-quality printing technologies and Kite.ly’s easy-to-use solutions will create an unrivaled portfolio of print products, accessible to customers everywhere through existing and new imaging apps.”

Kite.ly’s list of clients includes the website builders Shopify and Woocommerce, as well as working with Polaroid Print Store, Lenovo, Piccollage, Lifecake and Photobox apps. The company prints products from traditional prints to T-shirts.

According to the Kite.ly website, the print program will continue to operate independently, but with support from the camera manufacturer. Developers will continue to be able to add a ready-made print solution into their app. The latest acquisition joins Lifecake and Irista, which Canon says now works to create a complete imaging ecosystem moving from taking the photo to sharing and printing.

“We are inspired that Canon shares our vision to become the internet’s print button, embedded into any imaging app or website,” Kite.ly founder and CEO Charlie Carpenter said. “Kite.ly hosts hundreds of app clients around the world and together with Canon we will be able to enhance their service, to help them generate new revenue and engage with their users in a much more meaningful way.”

Interested in the new Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus? Here’s how to get one for yourself

Well folks, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus are finally here, and boy are they beautiful. Featuring top-tier specs, an innovative yet classy design, and features like the all-new Bixby digital assistant — the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus could be the phones to beat for 2017.

It makes sense that you would want to get your hands on one for yourself. You’ll have to wait until April 21 in the U.S., but don’t fret — preorders go live on Thursday, March 30 at 12:01 a.m. We’ve created a guide to help you get the new Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus as soon as you possibly can.

More: Everything we saw at Samsung’s big Galaxy S8 Unpacked event

Best Buy

If you don’t want to go through a carrier, you can get the Samsung Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus straight from Best Buy. You can get savings of “up to $100,” if you order through Best Buy as well as a free Gear VR with a controller, with $50 bonus Oculus content. Alternatively, you could get the Samsung Immersive VR Experience Box for a discounted price of $99, and it includes the Gear VR with controller, $50 Oculus content, Harman AKG Y50BT black headphones, and a Samsung 256GB memory card.

Best Buy said you can stack its offers with other deals from carriers.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile has announced pre-order and pricing information for both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus. It has also given some information about some pretty sweet deals revolving around the phones.

• The Samsung Galaxy S8 costs $750, or $30 per month for 24 months with a $30 down payment.
• The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus costs $850, or $30 per month for 24 months with a $130 down payment.
• JUMP! On Demand customers can pay $0 down and $33 per month for 24 months for the Galaxy S8 — however the Galaxy S8 Plus will still cost the same down payment and monthly payments as non-JUMP! customers.

If you pre-order the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus from T-Mobile, you’ll also get a free Gear VR headset with the new controller, as well as an Oculus game pack.

MetroPCS

MetroPCS is owned by T-Mobile, but unfortunately it doesn’t seem as though it will get the same pre-order deals. The price of the Galaxy S8 is a little lower at the carrier, though — it will retail for $730. It doesn’t appear as though the Galaxy S8 Plus will be available from MetroPCS.

Verizon

Verizon has also announced pre-order and availability information for both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. Like the other carriers, it also has some deals for those interested in buying the phone.

• The Samsung Galaxy S8 costs $720, or $30 per month for 24 months.
• The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus costs $840, or $35 per month for 24 months.
• Discounts are available for those that trade in an old phone, but you’ll have to sign up for the Verizon Unlimited plan. If you trade-in an iPhone 6 and sign up for Verizon Unlimited, for example, you can pay $15 a month for 24 months for the Galaxy S8.

If you get the Galaxy S8 through Verizon, you can either get the Gear VR with its new controller and Oculus content, or you can get the Samsung Immersive VR Experience Box for $99, which again comes with a Gear VR, controller, Oculus content, Harman Kardon headphones, and a 256GB Samsung MicroSD card.

More: Samsung’s 4K Gear 360 camera now lets you broadcast live on Facebook, YouTube

AT&T

AT&T will also be offering the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. AT&T subscribers can “stream the latest videos, data-free,” from the DirecTV app.

• The Samsung Galaxy S8 costs $750, or $25 per month for 30 months. Frequent Upgrade plan customers can pay $31.25 per month for 24 months.
• The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus costs $850, or $28.34 per month for 30 months. Frequent Upgrade plan customers can pay $35.42 per month for 24 months.
• You can also get up to $750 in credits towards another Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus if you’re looking to get a second one.

Like the other carriers, a Gear VR is included as well as the controller and an Oculus content bundle. If you are eyeing the Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch, you can get it for $50 with an S8 or S8 Plus, though you’ll need to activate a 2-year agreement. The older Gear S2 or Samsung Tab E tablet are other options you can nab with the new smartphones, but they will only cost $1 when you activate a 2-year agreement.

Sprint

Sprint has yet to announce the pricing and availability of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus.

We’ll update this article as we hear more.

The Galaxy S8 can schedule a doctor’s appointment and show the weather

Why it matters to you

Two of the Galaxy S8’s coolest features revolve around health and the weather to keep you better informed.

People expect certain features from their smartphones these days. They want an alarm that will wake them up in the morning and a news app that will keep them informed. They want an easy way to get the day’s weather forecast. And increasingly, they expect a health app that can connect them with a doctor in case of an emergency.

That is where The Weather Company, S Health, and the Galaxy S8 come in. At Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in New York on Wednesday, the smartphone maker detailed the new weather and health features that will ship with the Galaxy S8 later this year.

Upgraded S Health

The new S Health for the Galaxy S8 integrates deeply with WebMD and Amwell. Thanks to the combined power of the two services, you will be able to search for symptoms, diseases, and drugs, find nearby pharmacies, and even schedule an online visit with a doctor. S Health users can reserve video appointments with certified medical professionals 24/7, and handle doctor’s fee payments.

The new S Health app can also store information regarding upcoming appointments, like symptoms, photos, and medical prescriptions. There is a way to rate doctors and save medical insurance info and an easy way to dial 911 from within the app.

New weather app

IBM, The Weather Company’s parent, announced that The Weather Company will become the native weather data provider on Samsung’s new Galaxy S8. As part of the multi-year agreement, The Weather Channel app for Android will get prime placement in Samsung’s Galaxy App Store and will ship with exclusive features like compatibility with the Galaxy S8’s Infinity Display and Smart Weather Wakeup.

The collaboration goes beyond the new Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. Going forward, all new Samsung devices will tap The Weather Company’s data platform for forecast info — one of the world’s largest, delivering 37 billion forecasts daily and processing 400TB of data daily.

More: Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus: Our first take

It’s an extension of an existing partnership between the two companies. In 2016, The Weather Company created The Weather Channel App for Samsung, designed for Samsung Galaxy smartphones like the Galaxy S7 Edge, S6 Edge+, and Note 5.

“This is an exciting moment for The Weather Company and IBM. This partnership with Samsung will put our weather information in millions of new devices, allowing us to serve crucial weather information to people in new markets across the globe,” Weather Company CEO Cameron Clayton said in a press release. “Partnering in this way will also bring new opportunities to connect with users and expand our growing IoT business.”