Spigen Liquid Crystal Pixel 2 Case review: Clearly a great option

Puns aside, this is one of the best clear cases you can get.

Although the Pixel 2 may not be the most stunning phone ever created, it’s still a pleasing bit of technology to look at. The Just Black, Clearly White, and Kinda Blue colors all come with their own unique style, but if you throw a case on the phone to help keep it protected, these colors completely vanish.

Clear cases are often a favored solution by many that want to keep their gadgets protected without masking the design, and Spigen’s Liquid Crystal series is now available for the Pixel 2 as a way to do just that.

Here’s how it holds up.

Spigen Liquid Crystal Pixel 2 Case

Price: $11.99

Bottom line: If you’re in the market for a clear Pixel 2 case, get this one.

The Good

• Doesn’t add too much bulk
• The dot pattern helps to keep smudges at bay
• Offers a lot of extra grip
• Fingerprint sensor cutout and buttons feel good

The Bad

• Difficult to take off
• If you’ve got a white Pixel 2, you’ll see every little piece of dust possible

See at Amazon

Let your phone shine through

Spigen Liquid Crystal Pixel 2 Case What I like

When I think of clear cases, I usually don’t think of something that offers a lot of good protection for my phone. However, with Spigen’s Liquid Crystal Case, it’s the exact opposite.

Unlike some clear cases that feel really flimsy and cheaply-made, Spigen’s feels rigid, durable, and prepared to handle as many falls as your butterfingers will result in.

The case is made out of a TPU material, and thanks to the Air Cushion Technology, it’s designed to absorb the shock of drops to keep your phone safe at all times.

Clear cases also often have a tendency of showing every smudge imaginable, but to my delight, this is also a non-issue. You’ll still need to take a wipe to the back of this case every now and then to keep it looking as clean as you can, but it’s a task I’ve had to do far less often than I was anticipating. On a similar note, a dot pattern on the inside of the case works to prevent any unwanted watermarks on your phone.

Once the case is on, everything just works. It makes the Pixel 2 easier to hold thanks to the added grip, all of the buttons are easy to press, the cutout for the fingerprint sensor doesn’t mess up the swipe-down gesture for the notification panel, and Active Edge doesn’t require any additional force to trigger.

Going clear has an ugly side

Spigen Liquid Crystal Pixel 2 Case What I don’t like

All of that’s fine and dandy when you put the case on, but if you decide to take it off, be prepared for a challenge.

Putting the Liquid Crystal Case on the Pixel 2 is a breeze, but taking it off requires you to start pulling at just the right angle and then performing an assortment of finger gymnastics to pry it off without doing any sort of damage.

The reason this is so difficult likely has to do with the rigidity I mentioned above, and while that’s great for added protection, isn’t ideal if you ever find yourself is a scenario where you need to quickly take the case off.

Also, at least with my Clearly White Pixel 2, I’ve found that it can be a pain to get every last piece of hair and dust off the back of the phone and inside of the case to make sure I’m not showcasing a pile of gunk everywhere I go.

This isn’t really a knock against Spigen’s case specifically as every clear case has this issue, but it’s still something to keep in mind.

Spigen Liquid Crystal Pixel 2 Case

Clear cases aren’t my go-to choice if I’m looking to protect my phone, but if you do like that style and have a Pixel 2, Spigen’s Liquid Crystal is one of the best options you can find.

The case looks nice, feels great in the hand, and doesn’t compromise any features/usability for the phone.

4
out of 5

Add that together with decent protection and a price of just $11.99, and Spigen’s case is more than deserving of your attention.

See at Amazon

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

Best Buy
Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi

Best Moto G6 Deals in 2018

Here’s where you can save even more on the already cheap Moto G6.

In 2018, one of the best values in smartphones is the Moto G6. Motorola’s Moto G line has been the gold-standard when it comes to affordable phones since 2013, and with the G6, that point is proven yet again.

Motorola’s retail pricing of $249 for the Moto G6 is already darn impressive, but if you know where to look, you can often get the phone for even less cash.

We’ve handpicked the absolute best Moto G6 deals for you, and without further ado, this is what we found.

Verizon

First up on this list, Verizon’s got a pretty killer deal if you don’t mind paying month-to-month for your phones.

If you open a new line of service at Verizon, you can pick up the Moto G6 for just $5/month. Over the course of 24 months, that comes out to just $120 out of your pocket (50% off the MSRP).

The new line requirement is a bummer, but if you were already planning on adding a new line or thinking about making the switch to Big Red, this is absolutely worth taking advantage of.

See at Verizon

Amazon

Amazon Prime comes with a seemingly endless list of benefits, one of which is access to its Prime Exclusive Android phones.

The Moto G6 was added to the Prime Exclusive lineup in late May, and so long as you’re a Prime subscriber, you can buy the phone unlocked for just $235.

A $15 discount isn’t quite as impressive as what Verizon’s offering, but even so, a deal’s a deal. If you do pick this up, just be aware that Amazon’s flavor of the G6 comes with built-in Alexa and a few Amazon apps (such as Kindle, Amazon Music, Prime Video, etc.).

See at Amazon

Moto G6, G6 Plus and G6 Play

• Moto G6 Plus review: Mastering the art of the mid-range phone
• Moto G6 review: Finding success in compromise
• Moto G6, G6 Play, and G6 Plus specs
• Join our Moto G6 forums

Amazon

This $9 under-desk headphone mount is a great addition to any workspace

Create a great place to stash your headphones.

The Anchor – Original Under-desk Headphone Mount by Elevation Labs is a great way to store your bulky headphones while keeping them within reach. At $12, it offers a pretty good value, but if you use the coupon code NOCLUTTER you can knock an extra couple bucks off its price, making it just $9.20 via Amazon.

The Anchor uses an ultra-secure 3M adhesive to mount to the bottom of your desk and it can hold two sets of headphones on it.

With nearly 1,700 reviews it maintains a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, so you’ll want to pick up one of these before the discount disappears.

See at Amazon

The First-Ever Apple Store, Introduced by Steve Jobs in 2001, Set to Receive Facelift

The very first Apple Store opened its doors on May 19, 2001, at the Tysons Corner Center shopping mall in McLean, Virginia, near Washington D.C. Now, just over 17 years later, those doors may soon close temporarily.

Apple Tysons Corner
Planning documents filed with the Department of Planning and Zoning in Fairfax County, Virginia this month, viewed by MacRumors, reveal that Apple plans to make significant interior alterations to the store, with demolition work involved, suggesting that the location is set to receive a facelift.

The permits issued don’t indicate when renovations will begin, nor is it clear whether Apple will modernize the current store, or relocate to a different area of the shopping mall, as it has done with some of its other stores. An anonymous tipster tells us the store may move to the opposite end of the mall.

Apple Tysons Corner has a lot of nostalgia attached to it, as the company’s first-ever retail store. Shortly before it opened to the public, the late Steve Jobs previewed the store to a group of journalists, including Walt Mossberg, introducing iconic features like the Genius Bar that still exist today.

Just months after the dot-com collapse, some critics viewed the Apple Store as a risky move. But, some 500 people lined up at Apple Tysons Corner for its grand opening, foreshadowing the long queues on iPhone launch days.

Together with Apple’s store in Glendale, California, which opened the same day, the two locations welcomed over 7,700 people and sold a combined total of $599,000 of merchandise during their first two day weekend, according to Apple’s press release at the time. It was considered a resounding success.

Apple Tysons Corner has already received a facelift at least once before, in the 2000s, losing its iconic black entrance with two Apple logos, which remains in use at just three stores: Tice’s Corner, Southpoint, and Cherry Creek.

Apple Tysons Corner with its original storefront
Apple has been renovating dozens of its stores around the world since 2015, an initiative led by its design chief Jony Ive and retail chief Angela Ahrendts. The new look often includes wide, open spaces with sequoia wood tables and shelves, large 8K video screens for in-store events, and sometimes indoor trees.

Apple’s website does not yet reflect any upcoming store closure at Tysons Corner. We’ve reached out to the company for comment.

(Thanks, Stuart!)

Related Roundup: Apple Stores
Discuss this article in our forums

Hidden smartphone codes for Android and iOS

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Roughly 77 percent of Americans use a smartphone, according to a Pew survey, but phones still hide secrets that most people might not know about. Most smartphones have hidden functions that you can access by punching in specific strings of numbers and symbols. These “backdoors” gives you access to features that, for the most part, you will probably never need to use, but they can occasionally come in handy — and besides, cheat codes are always fun.

We’ve rounded up some of the more practical codes for both Android and iOS devices. To use them, open your phone’s dialer and type in them (depending on your phone’s make and model, you may also need to hit the call button).

Note that these codes may not work on every device; some service providers go so far as to disable most hidden codes on their phones. In addition, there is another type of code called a USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data), which send a signal to your service provider when you input it; these codes are used for things like checking your data usage.

One warning: While some of these hidden codes are benign, others do things like factory reset your phone, so be careful not to input codes on a whim.

Android codes

Function
Code

Info/Test menu (opens a menu where you can get detailed information about your phone, data usage statistics, and more)
*#*#4636#*#*

Analog and backlight test
*#*#0842#*#*

Display IMEI number (The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique identification number for every phone, which can be useful in case your phone goes missing)
*#06#

LCD Display test
*#*#0*#*#*

Display camera info
*#*#34971539#*#*

Completely wipe phone and reinstall firmware
*2767*3855#

Display MAC address
*#*#232338#*#*

Display Bluetooth address
*#*#232337#*#

Field test (allows you to precisely gauge the strength of signals your phone is receiving, in case you are curious or want to install a signal boosting system)
*#*#7262626#*#*

Quick GPS Test
*#*#1472365#*#*

iPhone codes

Function
Code

Field test mode (provides info about cell signal, including more precise reception reading)
*3001#12345#

Check call forwarding number (you can designate another number to redirect calls to when your phone is busy)
*#67#

IMEI number
*#06#

Enable call waiting
*43#

Disable call waiting
#43#

Enhanced full rate (EFR) mode — This mode improves reception at the cost of battery life
*3370#

Anonymous call (Your number won’t show up on the receiver’s caller ID)
Input *67 before you enter a phone number

Editors’ Recommendations

• How to find a lost phone, whether it’s Android, iPhone, or any other kind
• iPhone users can now access Morse code on Gboard for iOS
• Common Galaxy Note 8 problems, and how to fix them
• Can’t we all just drive along? The not-so-universal language of autonomous cars
• Everything we know about Microsoft’s ‘Andromeda’ Surface Phone device

Best Samsung Galaxy S8 battery cases

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is a stunning smartphone with a solid range of features, but the battery life is distinctly average. It’s also sadly inevitable that smartphone batteries deteriorate over time and struggle to hold as much charge as they did when new. If you’re finding that your phone doesn’t make it to bedtime before running out of juice, then you might want to consider snagging one of the best Samsung Galaxy S8 battery cases.

Since the S8 has such a sexy design, you may not be pleased at the prospect of adding bulk and covering up those curves, so you could opt for one of the best portable battery chargers instead. We also have a roundup of the best Galaxy S8 cases for protection.

Maxboost Atomic Power Battery Case ($38)

Packing a 4,500mAh battery, this case will double the battery life of your Samsung Galaxy S8. It’s one of the best value options out there and it offers a decent range of features. Every battery case will add some bulk, but this one is relatively slim for the capacity. It is also protective with a TPU bumper and hard back plate, a slight lip to safeguard the screen, and a finish that enhances grip. There is a chin at the bottom where it connects to your phone, but the USB-C port can charge and sync data simultaneously if you plug into your laptop or computer. It redirects the audio from your speaker to the front. There is also an extender for the headphone port, decent button covers, and a four LED array on the back to show remaining power. The downside is that NFC for mobile payments and wireless charging won’t work with this case on. Maxboost does offer a lifetime warranty for this case. You can get this same exact case from Trianium, but it’s a little pricier at the time of writing.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

ZeroLemon Ultra Power Extended Battery Case ($50)

This is the biggest and bulkiest battery case on the list, but with a capacity of 8,500mAh that shouldn’t be surprising. You can expect almost two full charges from this case, but if it’s too big for you,  ZeroLemon also offers a slightly slimmer battery case for the S8 with a 5,500mAh battery. There is no escaping the fact this case ruins your S8’s good looks making it much thicker and longer, but the TPU construction will also guard against drops and bumps. If you plug in a USB-C cable you can sync data to and from your phone and it will charge your phone up first, then charge the case. Because of the big capacity here, it takes a while to charge fully so you will want to charge it up overnight. The bottom-firing speaker of your S8 is redirected to the front. You won’t be able to use NFC or wireless charging with this case on. ZeroLemon offers a 180-day warranty with this case.

Buy one now from:

Amazon  ZeroLemon

Mophie Juice Pack Battery Case ($100)

If you’re recoiling in horror at the bulkiness of these battery cases, then you might consider this Mophie case. It does still add weight and size, but it’s a bit slimmer than most and it offers a 2,950mAh battery which will give you around 50 percent, maybe a bit more, extra battery life for your Galaxy S8. The design is solid, with a lip to protect the screen and internal bumpers to prevent drop damage. There is a standard four LED array on the back to show remaining power, the speaker is redirected to the front, and you can sync data through a USB-C cable which will also charge the phone first. You won’t be able to use NFC with this case, but it does support Qi wireless charging. It also has magnets inside to easily align and stick on Mophie’s Charge Force dock range. The big stumbling block here is the high price. Mophie offers a two-year warranty with this case.

Buy one now from:

Mophie

Elebase Battery Case ($29)

Proving that you don’t need to spend big to boost that battery life, we have the Elebase battery case offering an extra 5,000mAh for under $30. It’s chunky, but it offers drop protection and sports a raised bezel to protect the screen. You can sync data and charge your phone via USB-C without removing the case. It will provide more than a full charge for your S8, but there are a couple of compromises here — the speaker opening is on the bottom edge and there is a single LED that displays different colors to show remaining power. The case itself is also slow to charge, so you need to leave it plugged in for a few hours. A few reviews report overheating with this battery case, but the manufacturer offers a 12-month warranty and will replace it if you run into issues.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best portable chargers
• The best wireless phone chargers for your iPhone or Android
• The best iPhone car chargers
• The best Moto Z3 Play cases
• The best phones for kids

Asus ZenBook S review

Research Center:

Asus ZenBook S

If you’re looking for a premium, thin and light laptop, chances are you’re considering the latest offerings from Apple, HP, and Dell. You might not even consider Asus, and while we don’t blame you — that’s a  real shame. Though not as well established, the company actually has one of the broadest selections of thin and light selections around — many of which come highly recommended from us. A case in point is the new ZenBook S, a refresh of the thinnest and lightest in Asus’s arsenal, and one that’s clearly aimed at the market leaders.

Asus sent us the more powerful of two retail configurations to look at, packing an 8th-generation quad-core Intel Core i7-8550U CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB PCIe solid-state drive (SSD), and a 13.3-inch 4K UHD display for $1,500. You can also drop down to 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 or 166 PPI) display for $1,200.

Asus has clearly focused on refining its thinnest and lightest notebook to make it a great all-around and highly portable machine. Has its attention to detail pushed it beyond its rather strong competition?

A gorgeous little gem of a notebook

If you’ve paid attention, you’ll notice that the ZenBook line rivals Lenovo’s ThinkPad and Microsoft’s Surface in maintaining a recognizable design aesthetic. The ZenBook S sports the usual Asus concentric circle swirl and diamond chamfered edges (this time in rose gold accent), and two color schemes — Deep Dive Blue and Burgundy Red — offer a touch of choice.

Our review unit was the blue version, and we loved its understated elegance that stands out without being ostentatious. Dell’s XPS 13 and HP’s Spectre 13 are also nice looking notebooks, but the ZenBook S strikes us as possessing the more cohesive design. While the XPS 13 has the tiniest bezels, the ZenBook’s are still small enough for a modern appearance — and Asus kept the webcam above the display where it belongs.

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

And it wasn’t just the look that we adored. The ZenBook’s build quality was also superb. We could discern no flexing, bending, or twisting in the lid, keyboard deck, or underbelly without exerting unreasonable force. In fact, Asus designed the ZenBook S to pass the MIL-STD-810G set of tests for drops, temperature, humidity, and altitude, and it shows. Whether open or closed, the notebook felt like one solid little chunk of metal and glass — it’s the equal of the Apple MacBook and it beats out both the XPS 13 and the Spectre 13 for sheer rigidity.

The same extends to the hinge, which allowed for opening the display with one hand but still managed to hold precisely the right angle. We could pick up the notebook by the keyboard deck with the display open and carry it around with everything essentially locked in place.

One of the challenges of designing such a thin and light notebook is managing heat. The ZenBook S is just fractions of an inch thicker than the Spectre 13 and XPS 13 at 0.51 inches (although it’s thinner than the MacBook), and it’s lighter than most at just 2.2 pounds. That’s not a lot of space for managing airflow and for pushing heat out of the chassis.

Whether open or closed, the ZenBook S feels like one solid little chunk of metal and glass.

Asus took a two-pronged approach to solving this dilemma. First, it designed a new cooling system with a liquid-crystal-polymer fan that’s thinner and more efficient than previous designs. That keeps things five degrees Celsius cooler than before. And the company also built in its new ErgoLift hinge that props the keyboard up at a 5.5 degree angle, which increases airflow through rear vents that pull and expel air across the display.

Dell’s approach with the XPS 13 was to incorporate some new materials to keep the bottom of the chassis cooler to the touch. The ZenBook S’s approach is even better, because the hotter surfaces are simply lifted away from your skin entirely. The vents are also kept free if you’re using it on a bedspread, for example, and if you’re using it on a desk then there’s plenty of room to pull in cool air.

The system worked, keeping the notebook purring along for the most part and while the fan did spin up during testing, it was never too loud. And Asus bundles in a “Quiet Fan” utility that’s no gimmick — turn it on, and the utility does a remarkable job of balancing performance and fan noise. In fact, if you’re doing typical productivity tasks or watching Netflix, then the ZenBook S acts more like a fanless notebook.

Asus ZenBook S Compared To

Asus Zenbook 3 Deluxe…

Dell XPS 13 (2018)

HP Spectre 13 (2017)

LG Gram 15Z980

Asus ZenBook Flip S

Huawei Matebook X WT-W09

Toshiba Portege Z30-C1310

Toshiba Portege Z20t

HP Spectre 13t

Samsung ATIV Book 7

Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra M5

Acer Aspire S5

Lenovo IdeaPad U310

HP Folio 13

Asus Zenbook UX31

Of course, very thin machines like this are typically short on connectivity, and the ZenBook S is no exception. You get two USB-C 3.1 Gen2 ports with 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 support for dual 4K displays and external eGPU docks, along with one USB-C 3.1 Gen1 port with data, display, and power support. Add in a conveniently-located combo audio jack, 2X2 MU-MIMO 802.11AC and Bluetooth 4.2, and that’s all your connectivity. Asus does bundle a USB-C mini-hub with a USB-C, HDMI, and USB-A port with some configurations (including our review unit), which you’ll need for accessing legacy devices.

A surprisingly comfortable keyboard and precise touchpad

Some extremely thin notebooks have terrible keyboards, and that’s simply not the case with the ZenBook S. While its keyboard has relatively short travel at 1.2mm, Asus engineered it with a snappy mechanism that provided excellent tactile feedback and a precise bottoming action during our testing.

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

We also found the yellow backlighting behind the large, slightly sculpted keys to be consistent and attractive, with three useful levels of brightness.

It would be an excellent keyboard even on a thicker notebook, and we found it at least the equal of the very good keyboards on the HP Spectre 13 and the Dell XPS 13. And in our opinion, it’s in a completely different league compared to MacBook’s exceedingly short-travel keyboard with its “typing on a block of wood” feel.

The keyboard’s snappy mechanism has excellent tactile feedback and a precise bottoming action.

The touchpad was also excellent. It’s about as big as it could be given the size of the keyboard deck, and it provided a smooth and comfortable surface with perfect Microsoft Precision touchpad support. That means Windows 10 multitouch gestures were a pleasure to use, and we didn’t find ourselves longing for a mouse. Of course, the display supports touch and was reliable for the usual use on a traditional notebook.

Windows 10 Hello support is provided by a fingerprint reader that’s embedded in the touchpad. That’s not our favorite location, but it didn’t get in our way during use and fingerprint scanning and authentication was instantaneous and reliable.

A lovely 4K display that’s worth the hit on battery life

Our review ZenBook S came equipped with a 4K UHD display that provided a pin-sharp 331PPI while promising to exact a toll on battery life. Pixel-peepers will be happy with the option, while those who value longevity might want to opt for the Full HD alternative.

In our colorimeter tests, the display offered average color gamut support that equaled the Spectre 13 but fell short of the XPS 13’s excellent 4K display version. Color accuracy was better than both notebooks at 2.13 (less than one is considered excellent), and gamma was just slightly too dark at 2.3.

Contrast, on the other hand, was superb at 1300:1, rivaling Microsoft’s class-leading Surface line and promising deep blacks against stunning whites. Brightness was merely good at 306 nits, just exceeding the 300 nit standard we like to see on modern notebooks.

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

Our subjective tests bore out these objective results. The ZenBook S’s display was simply excellent in all use cases, whether we were enjoying extremely sharp black text that stood out nicely against white backgrounds or Netflix at 4K with nearly perfect light and black scenes. Photo and video editing professionals might yearn for wider and more accurate colors, but for anyone else, this is a luxurious display.

Audio was also very good, thanks to the keyboard angle and downward-firing speakers that bounce sound around on a flat surface. The “Smart Amplifier” and Harmon Kardon tuning also helps, providing solid mids and detailed highs that flesh out movie trailers. Volume is good enough for a smaller room but not exceptionally loud, and of course bass is lacking as usual. It’s more than good enough for watching Netflix and listening to the occasional tune.

A good little performer

Intel’s 8th-generation Core processors generally provide great productivity performance balanced against excellent efficiency. Our review ZenBook S came equipped with the Core i7-8550U, which has been a reliable performer throughout our testing.

As usual, we weren’t disappointed. The ZenBook S performed in line with the competition, scoring well on the Geekbench 4 single- and multi-core benchmarks and easily matching the similarly-equipped HP Spectre 13 and Dell XPS 13.

The ZenBook S also did well on our video encoding test, which runs a 420MB trailer through Handbrake and encodes it as H.265 video. It was just slightly slower than the XPS 13 but faster than some other Core i7-8550U notebooks in our comparison group.

For anyone but photo and video professionals, this is a luxurious display.

Next, Asus chose the excellent Samsung PM961 PCIe SSD for the ZenBook S, which is a fast drive that typically churns through our storage benchmarks. Our review unit was equipped with the 512GB version of that drive and provided the usual speedy performance that means booting up the notebook, opening apps, and accessing files will never be a bottleneck. We only wish that Asus offered a 1TB SSD option to go with the current sizes, and that buyers could mix and match configuration options generally.

Overall, the ZenBook S provided excellent real-world performance that more than meets even high-end productivity needs. As we mentioned earlier, the chassis did get warm and the fan spun up when the system was being pushed, but the ErgoLift hinge did its job and kept any heat away from our skin. And turning on the Quiet Fan utility efficiently balances performance and fan noise for moderate productivity use in a hushed environment.

Gamers look elsewhere

The ZenBook S is limited to Intel UHD 620 integrated graphics, and so we didn’t expect much in the way of gaming chops. You’ll need to step up to a larger notebook for better gaming, such as Asus’s own ZenBook Flip 14 that includes a discrete Nvidia GeForce MX150 GPU. But so far, nobody’s managed to fit real gaming into quite so thin a notebook.

Unsurprisingly, the ZenBook S performed pretty much in line with other thin and light notebooks. It fell slightly behind the Spectre 13 and XPS 13 in the 3DMark synthetic benchmark, with scores that promise nothing better than casual games or older titles at lower resolutions and detail. In Rocket League at 1080p and performance mode, it ran at 49 frames per second (FPS), which dropped to 22 FPS in high-quality mode.

In short, don’t buy this notebook if you’re looking for portable gaming.

Easy to carry around, but there’s a 4K tax on battery life

Asus packed 50 watt-hours into the ZenBook S’s minute chassis, which is around average for this class of notebook.

The 8th-generation Intel CPU usually promises efficiency, but the 4K display on our review unit made us a bit nervous as we started our testing.

Our Take

Asus worked hard to refine its thin and light ZenBook 3, and it succeeded while slightly upping the screen size (along with the thickness and weight). The ZenBook S is solid as a rock, looks great, and provides good performance with an excellent keyboard and touchpad. It comes about as close to being a perfect little notebook as any machine has so far managed. Battery life is subpar thanks to the luscious 4K display, but longevity can be improved by selecting the Full HD option — although you give up some RAM and storage space in the bargain. Speaking of options, we really wish that Asus would offer more configuration options — for example, a high-end version with the Full HD display would better meet the needs of power users and road warriors.

Is there a better alternative?

HP’s Spectre 13 is the most direct thin and light competitor, and it rivals the ZenBook S in good looks and solid productivity performance. It’s also more expensive at $1,860 for the same Core i7-8550U, 16GB of RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, and 4K display, but even the Full HD version only beat out the ZenBook S in battery life when watching video. With the higher resolution display, we suspect that the Spectre 13 would fall even further behind in longevity.

The Dell XPS 13 is another strong competitor to the ZenBook S, offering equally good performance, a nice design, and better battery life. But it’s also considerably more expensive at $2,100 for the same Core i7-8550U, 16GB of RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, and 4K display. And while Dell keeps the heat down as well, the ZenBook S still keeps things more comfortable with its ErgoLift hinge.

Finally, you could opt for the Apple MacBook, which is just about equally thin but slightly lighter with the same kind of rock-solid build quality. And you’ll pay more for the MacBook, at $1,950 for a 7th-generation low-power Core i7-7Y75, 16GB of RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, and less-sharp display. You’ll give up some performance and efficiency with the MacBook, and you’re likely to greatly prefer the ZenBook S’s keyboard.

How long will it last?

Given its robust design, the ZenBook S will last as long as any other thin and light notebook and longer than most. It’s CPU and other components are the latest available, and its USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 support promises long-lasting connectivity. Asus adds a year of accident and spill protection to its standard one-year warranty, which is a real plus.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Sometimes the whole really is more than the sum of the parts, and the ZenBook S is a prime example. In fact, it’s a really small notebook that might just appeal to someone who doesn’t normally like really small notebooks. Just make sure to opt for the 1080p display if a full day’s battery life is absolutely vital.

Should you buy the Galaxy Note 9 or wait for the Google Pixel 3 XL?

The Samsung versus Google battle continues.

No matter what phone you’re looking at, there’s always a new one on the horizon poised to supplant it. The Galaxy Note 9 hasn’t even been announced yet, and many potential buyers are torn between buying it and waiting for the new Google Pixel 3 XL. Both phones are going to be big, powerful and filled with all of the latest specs — but we know that they’ll have different philosophies about what’s important in the smartphone experience.

Here’s what you should keep in mind when you’re weighing the choice between buying a new Galaxy Note 9 when it launches or waiting it out for the Google Pixel 3 XL.

Who should buy a Galaxy Note 9

If you’re a Galaxy Note fan, using a Note 5 or Note 8 today and enjoying the power of the S Pen, you’re likely going to be happiest just buying the Note 9 even before the Pixel 3 XL is announced. The Note line in particular has an extremely strong loyalty, and if you’re using a Note generation after generation it’s unlikely that you’ll be willing to give up all that it offers for something so dramatically different like a Google Pixel.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 rumors: Release date, specs, price, and features!

Those tied to an S Pen won’t need to see any other phone — just get the Note 9.

Samsung’s software can be overbearing and cumbersome, but the Note users don’t care about the possibility of inconvenience because they understand just how much you can get done with a Note. That huge screen and all of the software features make it a fantastic tool for productivity and play. The Galaxy Note 9 will be filled features and software that you just aren’t going to get on a Pixel 3 XL (or just about any other phone) — if you want to tweak and truly customize the experience, you’ll still like the Note 9 more than the Pixel 3 XL.

And of course, it’s the only phone in the world that has the S Pen. We don’t yet know exactly what the new S Pen will offer above the Note 8, but even without any improvements it’s still an amazing tool that is unmatched in the industry. Whether you’re using it as a precise pointer for normal phone actions, using it write notes and sign documents, or using the great pressure sensitivity to draw, doodle and paint, the S Pen is great — and it’ll be tough to give it up if you’re already using a Note today.

Reasons to wait for the Google Pixel 3 XL

If you’re using a Google Pixel XL or Pixel 2 XL, you know the appeal of this Google-optimized Android experience. No extra cruft, duplicate apps or crappy services to deal with. No carrier bloat, delayed software updates or maintenance to be done. Just purchase the phone, put a SIM in, and start enjoying it. There’s a lot to be said for waiting to use your phone to the fullest for every possible situation, but the reality is we don’t all need a desktop-like experience in our pocket — and if you don’t, the Pixel 3 XL is going to offer a less frustrating and frankly more empowering feeling.

Google Pixel 3: News, Rumors, Release Date, Specs, and more!

Pixel owners know what it’s all about: simplicity, fluidity and power.

I’ve discussed how Note fans will want to just go straight to the new version, but there are lots of people out there who are looking at these two phones coming from some other device that isn’t a Note, or even another Samsung phone. From a more neutral perspective with less allegiance to one brand or another, the Pixel 3 XL will have extra appeal.

We have few details about what standout features Google will launch on the Pixel 3 XL, but we have an early look at Android P that shows Google is focusing on simplicity, fluidity and just a few features that make you say “wow” without being overwhelming. We know Google is making some of the best smartphone cameras in the business, and its hardware prowess was on display in the Pixel 2 XL. Let’s just hope it has picked a far better display than last year, because Samsung’s Note 9 is expected to once again be the best in the business.

If the Note 9 doesn’t immediately speak to you, the Pixel 3 XL may push all the right buttons.

The Pixel 3 XL is rumored to have a 6.2-inch display, which means it will only be marginally smaller than the Note 9 — so screen real estate alone won’t be a main factor in your decision. It remains to be seen just how much the Note 9’s bigger battery will mean for battery life, but following the trend of the Pixel 2 XL shows that both phones should be on par in that department. If you don’t see the value in having an S Pen, perhaps the Note in itself doesn’t seem all that appealing — and even if you like the Samsung software in that case you can get a Galaxy S9+.

The Pixel 3 XL will likely be a bit tougher to buy considering the Note’s international launch on just about every carrier and any retailer you walk into. But if the Note 9 doesn’t immediately align with everything you want in a phone, you should wait and see what Google does with the Pixel 3 XL — you may just be surprised by all that it offers.

Are you going to buy, or wait?

With the Note 9 reveal on the horizon and the Pixel 3 XL still a longer ways off, what are your thoughts on the two phones? Let us know which phone you’re using now, and whether you’re considering these phones or something else!

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

• Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!
• Galaxy S9 review: A great phone for the masses
• Complete Galaxy S9 and S9+ specs
• Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Should you upgrade?
• Join our Galaxy S9 forums

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Why do you prefer Android over iOS?

Get the pitchforks ready.

In our little mobile tech bubble, one of the most debated topics is the endless battle of Android vs. iOS.

People have been defending their mobile OS of choice for years at this point, and while we’re happy with whatever platform you decide works best for you, it is fun to analyze why folks choose Android over iOS and vice versa.

Some of our forum users recently started talking about their experience trying out iPhones, and here’s what they had to say.

Almeuit
07-16-2018 11:47 AM

“

I tried the iPhone X for awhile. I definitely didn’t hate it as much as I thought I would. Face ID worked well, iMessage was very nice, and everything seems to run without any hiccups. My deal breaker was pretty much Google stuff not syncing correctly all the time via iPhone. I know this is due to Apple only allowing their stuff full background access all the time so sometimes it would sync and…

Reply

KidAKidB
07-16-2018 05:14 PM

“

Same… I tried switching to an iPhone X twice even but both times ended up returning it and sticking to the Pixel 2 XL. The camera on the Pixel along with just how much more open Android is were what made me decide that the iPhone just wasn’t for me.

I find that in order to really enjoy iOS you need to be willing to go all in with all Apple services and I just don’t want to be locked into…

Reply

davidnc
07-17-2018 06:09 PM

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I had an Apple Phone ( OG SE) running along side my OG Pixel.

I dont hate Apple , just like Android more.
The near stock Android such as the Nexus / Pixel line is the type I prefer of Android.

Currently running the OG Pixel and Pixel 2 XL together on different lines.
If I do update this year it will be either Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL

Edit : Also when I used the OG iphone SE , I had a…

Reply

TripleOne
07-18-2018 06:28 AM

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I bought the Pixel 2 XL last week and it replaced my X as my daily driver. I personally enjoy both OS, but after trying out stock Android.. I now find iOS to be lacking in many ways. I do still enjoy the simplicity of iOS and how it just works.

Reply

There’s plenty more to be said on this subject, so we’d love to hear from you — Why do you prefer Android over iOS? Or iOS over Android?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Team Sonic Racing: Everything you need to know

Need a change of pace from Mario Kart? Still want to play as some of your favorite gaming mascots? Here’s everything we know about Team Sonic Racing

Everyone’s favorite hedgehog and his iconic furry friends are soon to be returning in another kart racer. Earlier in March SEGA teased a Sonic-related racing game with a short trailer titled TOP SECRET. It wasn’t hard to put the pieces together to figure out what this project was, and SEGA officially unveiled it at the end of May.

What is Team Sonic Racing?

Following in the footsteps of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, developer Sumo Digital is back at it with Team Sonic Racing. While Mario Kart and Diddy Kong Racing are some of the popular forefathers in the genre, Sonic certainly holds its own.
Featuring wacky vehicles and even crazier race tracks, kart racing swaps hyper-realism for cartoonish fun. You won’t be rolling through mud in next year’s model cars from Ford of Ferrari. You’ll be gliding by in your own Sonic-themed vehicle equipped with a load of power-ups and weapons that can be picked up along the track to take out your opponents.

Sonic and Friends

Team Sonic Racing is set to contain 15 playable characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Though we don’t have a full list just yet, we do know most of the characters set to appear.

Team Sonic

• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Knuckles the Echidna
• Miles “Tails” Prower

Team Dark

• Rouge the Bat
• Shadow the Hedgehog
• E-123 Omega

Team Rose

• Big the Cat
• Amy Rose
• Chao (with various types)

Unnamed Team

• Dr. Eggman
• Egg Pawn

You’ll be getting some of your favorite childhood heroes and villains from the series, with a few surprises to be revealed still.

What stands out in this release compared to its predecessors is that Team Sonic Racing unfortunately won’t include any playable characters outside of the Sonic the Hedgehog property, at least at launch. Previous games featured non-Sonic characters from other notable SEGA franchises like Crazy Tazi and Jet Set Radio.

According to Producer Takashi Iizuka, the team wanted to “bring to the Sonic fans a pure, Sonic universe racing game,” explaining the absence of other series. Though this doesn’t exactly rule out the possibility that non-Sonic characters may join the game post-launch at a later date, for now, it’s strictly a Sonic game.

There’s no “I” in team

Gameplay

The “team” in Team Sonic Racing’s name serves quite an important denotation. While traditionally a racing game is merely about being the fastest player on the track, Team Sonic Racing focuses on teamwork. That’s not to say winning doesn’t matter, it just isn’t the most crucial part.

Each race will contain four teams comprised of three players, making a total of 12 racers on the track at a time. You, along with the other characters on your team, must work together to obtain the most points. This can be done by simply helping team members who aren’t performing well by sharing power-ups. Golden rings, a staple of Sonic games, can also be collected to earn points. And of course, points will be allocated to players depending on their position in the race.

This game is very much focused on working together, and that’s going to be very interesting.

Once you fill up an Ultimate Meter with your points you can unleash a large speed boost for your entire team that allows you to mow down your rivals and spin them off course. This is an added incentive to work together and promote cooperation. If you prefer to be a lone wolf, you can still go it solo while your teammates are replaced with AI. Maybe that’ll even mean less frustration on your behalf.

Through power-ups in the form of Wisps you can gain the upper hand quickly or just as easily find yourself at the rear of the pack. One Wisp might grant you a rocket to use against an opponent while another might drop bombs onto the race track or boost your speed.

Every character will fall into one of three categories: Speed, Technique, or Power. These will dictate certain skills that they can perform. For example, a Technique-based character can drive off course over rough terrain without slowing down. A Speed-based character, as you can guess from the name, will have a higher top speed. Power-based characters will have access to more offensive Wisps.

In addition to unique character traits, you’ll be able to customize their vehicles to give them an extra advantage based on whatever playstyle you prefer. You’ll have a choice of nine parts per character, which will alter the performance of their vehicles. Should you want tighter control or only care about speed, you can equip gear to make that happen.

Between local 4-player split-screen co-op and online multiplayer, you can dive into Grand Prix, Time Trial, and Exhibition modes.

Team Adventure

Details are scarce in regards to the game’s story mode, but Sumo Digital will be including another mode called Team Adventure that will explain why the characters are racing instead of just letting players accept that sometimes a game doesn’t always need narrative justifications for its mechanics.

Circuits

There will be a wide variety of circuits that people can race on based on locations in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, though only a few have been revealed so far like a Planet Wisp circuit and a Rooftop Run Spagonia-themed circuit from Sonic Unleashed. Even with its upcoming release approaching, SEGA has been tight-lipped about everything the game will contain.

When can you play it?

Players can get their hands on Team Sonic Racing sometime near the end of 2018. SEGA has not provided an exact release date, but it is expected to launch in Q4 of this year, meaning anywhere between October and December.

It is set to release at physical retail and digitally for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. It will also receive a digital-only release on PC. So whether you prefer relaxing on your couch or gaming on-the-go, you’ll be able to enjoy Team Sonic Racing wherever and whenever you like.

You can currently pre-order the Standard Edition of Team Sonic Racing for $39.99.

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