Engadget review recap: DJI Mavic 4 Pro, Sony WH-1000XM6, ASUS ROG Flow Z13 and more

The biggest tech events in May and June may be software focused, but there's plenty of hardware going through the wringer here at Engadget. Over the last two weeks alone, we've put a drone, gaming display, headphones and a gaming tablet through their paces. If you missed any of that, or our latest game analysis and EV test drive, keeping scrolling to catch up on our latest reviews.
DJI's Mavic 4 Pro is the most technologically advanced consumer drone I've seen, with improvements in video quality, obstacle detection, tracking, battery life and range. However, it's not yet on sale in the US. $2,360 at DJI
Reporter Steve Dent reviews a lot of drones at Engadget. So when he uses descriptors like "a new standard," "the most technologically advanced drone I've seen" and "the best video quality," everyone needs to take note. After his tests, Steve argued that the Mavic 4 Pro is further proof of how DJI continues to outpace its rivals. "It's an improvement over the Mavic 3 Pro in nearly every area, and as mentioned, it doesn't really have any competition in the consumer space," he said. "The closest alternative in price and capability is Autel's Evo II Pro 6K, but that drone has a single-camera system with a smaller sensor, less endurance and shorter range."
The crown is safe once again. Sony has managed to overhaul its flagship headphones in all the right ways that keep the 1000X line atop our best headphones list. $448 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $450 at Best Buy$450 at Sony Electronics
Sony's latest flagship headphones were hardly a secret by the time they officially arrived last week, but thankfully, the three-year wait for the upgrade was well worth it. The company managed to improve its already great over-ear headphones yet again, with updates to sound quality, noise cancellation and overall comfort. "The only real downside is the price continues to go up: the M6 is $50 more than the M5 was at launch," I wrote. "When you combine their performance with Sony's ever-growing list of features, the 1000XM6 are the best headphones you can buy right now."
The ROG Flow Z13 fills the gap between traditional gaming laptops and portable workstations, but its keyboard and price are hard to love. $2,300 at Best Buy
If you're looking for a gaming tablet to replace your laptop, there are some perks to the ROG Flow Z13. However, there are also some drawbacks, mainly the flimsy keyboard that makes typing on anything other than a table or desk quite cumbersome. "It's got a funky build and unapologetically aggressive styling," senior reviews reporter Sam Rutherford explained. "But unless you have a very particular set of requirements, it doesn't fit neatly into most people's lives as an equivalent laptop."
The 27 UltraGear is a phenomenal OLED gaming monitor, and it proves that 480Hz screens aren't all just hype. $800 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $870 at Macy's$800 at Best Buy
It may have taken writing a review to get senior reviews reporter Devindra Hardwar to understand the hype around 480Hz gaming displays, but I'd argue the sacrifice was well worth it. The LG 27 UltraGear is a powerhouse, right down to the future-proof DisplayPort 2.1 connection. It's expensive though, and besides the OLED panel, it's not much of a looker. But that performance, it'll make you forget where you are. "The real world melted away — I was fully inside Rocket League's absurd soccer arena," he described. "When the match ended, it took me a few minutes to reacclimatize to reality."
Contributor Tim Stevens spent some time behind the wheel of Hyundai's three-row Ioniq 9 EV SUV. Pricing for the more premium trims ventures into Rivian territory, but Tim argues the Ioniq 9 is the more practical choice for the rigors of daily life over the R1S. "The Ioniq 9 has a stance more like a Volvo station wagon than a gigantic family hauler, but make no mistake, it's the latter," he said. "That's immediately evident as soon as you climb into the third row."
Senior gaming editor Jessica Conditt took Remedy's co-op shooter FBC: Firebreak for a spin. While the game enticed her to keep playing after almost three hours with two strangers, it could still use some polish before next month's launch. "All of the issues I have with Firebreak can be fine-tuned before the game launches this summer, and I have faith in Remedy to do so," she observed. " Firebreak is poised to be a thoughtful and focused entry in the co-op shooter genre, and it's already an inviting extension of Remedy's darkest and silliest sensibilities.

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Engadget

8 hours ago

• Engadget

How to buy the Nintendo Switch 2: Latest stock updates at Target, Best Buy, Walmart and more

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been available in the US for more than two weeks — but good luck finding one. While millions of people have been able to snag the $450 console since it officially went up for sale on June 5, online inventory dried up fairly quickly at most stores soon after launch and remains difficult to find today. Target and Best Buy restocked shortly after launch, but those didn't last long, and the latter required in-store pickup. You may also be able to grab a bundle at Costco if you're a member there. Otherwise, it's been slim pickings. As of today, we're not seeing any availability — though you may have different luck in your locality when checking inventory, online or in person. To that latter point, people had a bit more luck on launch week by venturing to a physical retail store. We can't guarantee you'll still be able to snag a Switch 2 the old-fashioned way, but it's worth checking if a local Target, Best Buy, Walmart or GameStop — the four official retailers Nintendo lists on its store page — still has consoles in stock. For now, you can skip Amazon, though: For whatever reason, the biggest online retailer doesn't even have a product page for the Switch 2 (but it does seem to be selling games and accessories). All that said, if you're still on the hunt, we've rounded up all of the latest information we could find on how to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 and where you can pick one up. Walmart began online purchases at midnight ET on June 5. Currently, both the Mario Kart World bundle and the standalone console are "available" via third-party retailers, but listed for much higher than their standard $500 and $450 price tags — with limited quantities available. We wouldn't recommend buying these; instead, wait for the console to be listed at its regular MSRP. Naturally, the world's largest retailer is also selling the console at its brick-and-mortar locations, though the company has noted that quantities are limited and inventory will vary by location. Best Buy started selling the Switch 2 at its retail locations on June 5. It previously said it wouldn't sell the handheld at its online store during launch week, but it made additional consoles available on June 11 around 12PM ET. That restock lasted for the better part of an hour and required in-store pickup, but the device is now sold out again. Target had the Switch 2 in stores on June 5 and restocked its online inventory for at least a couple of hours starting around 3:30AM ET on June 6. It then had another restock on June 12 around 2:30PM ET, but that appears to have died out in less than an hour. It still looks to be fully sold out as we write this, but you should see if there's any stock at the stores closest to you just to be safe. GameStop has advertised in-store availability, though exactly how much stock your local store may have will vary by location. Online, the device has been unavailable for the past week, with the listings for the base console and Mario Kart bundle now pointing to a "Find a Store" page. We saw a $625 bundle that includes Mario Kart World , a microSD Express card and a few other accessories pop up a bit more frequently than the standard SKUs, but it's no longer listed (and it was kind of a raw deal anyway). You may still have some luck at certain membership-based retailers. A Mario Kart World bundle at Costco that includes a 12-month Switch Online subscription has gone in and out of stock since launch day. Sam's Club has had a bundle without the Switch Online sub as well, though it's out of stock now. We also saw the console at BJ's early on June 5, but it's no longer live there. Verizon briefly had the Switch 2 available on launch day, but that's dried up, and only those with Verizon service were able to order. Amazon hasn't had any form of Switch 2 listing on its website, nor has it listed Mario Kart World . The company didn't take pre-orders for the Switch 2 either, so it's unclear if and when it will sell the device. You can, however, find some Switch 2 games. Newegg has listed the Switch 2 on its site for several weeks, but it's given no indication as to when it'll begin sales. It previous showed a couple listings from a third-party seller, but at massively inflated prices. With all of these stores, we've seen the Mario Kart World bundle available in greater quantities online than the base console, which costs $50 less. But given that Mario Kart is the Switch 2's biggest launch game and retails for $80 on its own, that may not be the worst thing. Nintendo, meanwhile, is only offering the Switch 2 via an invite system. This requires you to have been a Switch Online member for at least 12 months and logged at least 50 hours of Switch 1 playtime as of April 2. It can't hurt to sign up if you meet the criteria, but don't expect it to bear fruit immediately — it's taken weeks for many people who registered in April to receive their invite. You can find a list of every Switch 2 retail listing we could find below. Just be aware that this is meant to be a reference, not a rundown of everywhere the device is available right this second. Where to buy Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle: Where to buy Switch 2: Nintendo is selling a number of Switch 2 accessories alongside the console, from its (pricey) Pro Controller to cases to cameras for the new GameChat feature. Most of these became available on June 5. The same goes for games like Mario Kart World and the Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom . Another big Switch 2 release, Donkey Kong Bananza , won't be available until mid-July but is still up for pre-order now. As of this publication, just about all Switch 2 games are broadly available. Stock for the accessories remains a little spottier, but most devices are still available at multiple retailers. Nintendo's official Switch 2 carrying cases have been the main exceptions, so you may need to look to third-party alternatives if you want some protection for your console right away. Mario Kart World ($80) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Donkey Kong Bananza ($70) Nintendo Amazon Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Costco (membership required) Additional Switch 2 games Nintendo Amazon Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Samsung microSD Express Card (256GB) for Nintendo Switch 2 ($60) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon Joy-Con 2 bundle ($95) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Switch 2 Pro Controller ($85) Switch 2 Camera ($55) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera ($60) Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip ($40) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2) ($25) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case ($85) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector ($40) Nintendo (invite required) Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set ($120) Nintendo GameCube Controller for Switch 2 ($65) Nintendo (Switch Online required)

Digital Trends

9 hours ago

• Digital Trends

You Asked: Best soundbars for Sony TVs and which budget Samsung QD-OLED should you choose?

On today's episode of You Asked: What's the best soundbar to pair with a Sony TV? Should you consider upgrading from the LG C3? Which Samsung QD-OLED offers the best value? And what's the best big-screen TV that won't break the bank? Best Soundbars for Your Sony TV Scott S asks: I just took the plunge and purchased the 77-inch Sony A95L to replace my 10-year-old Sony TV. Question is whether a good soundbar is worth it (assuming like a Sonos Arc) considering that I live in an apartment and the TV will only be about 10 feet away from the seating area. You have mentioned the great sound quality of the TV itself. Thanks for the question, Scott, and congrats on the new TV! The A95L is one of our all-time favorites. And while it does have solid sound quality, a top-tier TV like that deserves to be paired with something to elevate the listening experience and match the superior visuals. You mention the Sonos Arc, which is a great option, as is the Sonos Arc Ultra, which improves on an already great soundbar. I'd also say the Sonos Beam is worth taking a look at. It has a more subtle look that some prefer, but still packs the goods in terms of audio quality. I don't know how much you're looking to spend, but I'd also suggest the Sony Bravia Theater Quad, since you spared no expense on the TV purchase. The Theater Quad is not cheap, but it's a perfect pairing with your Sony TV and is well suited for your apartment. Sony's 360 Spatial Mapping does a great job dialing each speaker in based on placement. Plus, with its Acoustic Center Sync feature allowing the TV audio to act as the center channel, the Theater Quad is designed to handle odd placements throughout a room to give you the best immersive audio experience for watching shows and movies. It's also one of our favorite choices for music listening. If you want a more direct head-to-head comparison of the top choices between Sonos and Sony, we did a video on that not too long ago. You can also check out our best soundbars list. Upgrades from the LG C3 and Sony A80J? Nicolas Lacroix asks: I have had the pleasure of two OLED sets for a few years now: a Sony A80J and LG C3. What would be the upgrade path in 2025? What's going to look better? I want to go a bit bigger. My current sets are 55 inches and 65 inches, respectively. I'm also a latest gen console gamer. Talk about good problems to have — needing to upgrade your two OLED TVs. In terms of taking the next steps with two of the top TV brands, both known for outstanding picture quality, here are some options in case you're leaning one way or the other. On the Sony side, look at the Bravia 8 Mark II or the A95L. Coming from an A80J, both recommended options are equipped with QD-OLED panels, offering brighter, more vibrant, and pure colors. We've raved about the A95L to no end, and the Bravia 8 Mark II should only improve on it. However, since you mentioned wanting to go bigger than your 55-inch A80J, if you're looking at 65 inches or certainly 77, the price difference between the A95L and Bravia 8 Mark II is significant. The 65-inch A95L is currently on sale for $2,900, while the Bravia 8 Mark II sits at $4,000. Also, the Bravia 8 Mark II is not available above 65 inches. So if you're planning to purchase a pair of TVs, you might want to save where you can, and I'm not sure you'll see $1,200 worth of difference. Some even rate the A95L higher than its 'successor.' When it comes to gaming, the differences are tiny. Both have the same inputs: two HDMI 2.1 ports and two HDMI 2.0. Both support 4K 120Hz gaming and VRR with virtually zero difference in input lag. As for upgrading from your LG C3, that's still a great TV and just two years old. But if you must, I'd say jump past the C-series to the LG G5 to see a real, noticeable improvement worth spending thousands of dollars on. The four-stack OLED panel significantly improves brightness and color purity, taking the G5 beyond the already excellent G4. I mention the G4 because the new G5 costs a pretty penny, and the G4 is also a notable step up from your C3, just in case you want to save a bit. Both have four HDMI 2.1 inputs, plus a full slate of gaming features like 4K high refresh rates and VRR, making them great choices for gamers wanting to connect multiple consoles and audio devices. Samsung S95C vs. S90D: Which Should You Buy? @hermievanzyl9649 asks: For the same price, is the Samsung S95C or S90D a better option to buy and why? These are both excellent TVs. As someone who has a 2023 Samsung TV as their daily driver, I've come to love it — the picture quality holds up extremely well and the user interface is just as snappy as day one. When it comes to the two you mentioned, the S90D is a little brighter than the S95C and has slightly better picture processing. That's not saying the S95C is bad — far from it. Unless you put them side by side, I don't know if you'd notice a difference, and even then it's splitting hairs. The biggest difference is the One Connect Box that comes with the S95C. It lets you connect your external devices to the box instead of directly to the TV, giving you more flexibility with your setup, especially if your TV is hard to reach or mounted to the wall. So, if you want that setup versatility, go with the S95C. If you want slightly improved image quality, go with the S90D. I'll also say — when I saw this question, I thought, 'Where are they finding the S95C for that price right now?' Sure enough, there are a few places with it under $2,000. A solid deal for a QD-OLED, even if it's a 2023 model. Best Affordable Huge TVs Worth Buying? @Pimpincrispy1978 asks: What is the most affordable 98- to 100-inch TV that is still worth buying? I'm guessing Samsung Crystal UHD is a hard no? I'm looking for another TV that I can enjoy for another 10 years or so. Hey, you said it, not me. I'm going to go with a hard pass on the Crystal UHD, especially because Samsung has that DU9000 98-inch listed for $2,500 right now. For that money, you're still getting a pretty basic LED TV with basic HDR performance. For affordability, you should check out options from TCL and Hisense. The TCL QM6K is on sale for less than that Samsung, and you're getting a Quantum Dot Mini LED panel that supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos audio, and faster refresh rates. The QM7K only improves on that if you want to spend a bit more. The same goes for Hisense with the 100-inch U7 from 2024. It's on Amazon now for $1,900 and offers quantum dot color with full array local dimming, Dolby Vision and Atmos — the works. I know you're concerned with longevity, but I can't guarantee any TV will last 10 years. They should, and some will, depending on how much and how you use it. But I wouldn't pay more for a lesser TV just for a brand name.

Gizmodo

12 hours ago

• Gizmodo

This 32″ HD Fire TV Costs Only $69, Lowest Price Ever Seen for Such a Smart TV

Prime Day seems to have arrived early this year and Amazon is selling some of its top-selling products including the Insignia 32″ Class F20 Series Smart HD Fire TV. Backed by Best Buy, Insignia is not perhaps a household name for everyone but it's the best-selling smart TV on Amazon right now. With an impressive 4.5-star rating out of over 30,000 reviews, this TV is already a consumer favorite, and its popularity doesn't even come close to ending when you consider that the new price is cut nearly in half. Now you can snag the Insignia 720p smart TV for just $69, down from its initial price of $129. This all-time low price makes it one of the cheapest smart TVs out there and it's difficult to find another model that provides this much value for this price. For anyone upgrading a bedroom, kitchen or small living room, this offer is difficult to beat. See at Amazon In the center of this TV is a 32-inch LED display with a 720p HD resolution. It may not be 4K but the image quality is sharp and clean for day-to-day use. The 60Hz refresh rate gives smooth motion and is best for most types of content. The TV itself will not take up much space in smaller rooms as it comes in at approximately 8.3 inches deep, 28.9 inches wide and 19 inches tall. It comes with a stand so you can set it up to use as soon as it comes out of the box and wall mounting options as well if that is more your style. It uses the Fire TV operating system which offers you instant access to over a million movies and episodes of television shows along with tens of thousands of channels like Netflix, Hulu and Alexa skills. Its Alexa Voice Remote lets you control your entertainment using just your voice to search for something, switch inputs, or even adjust compatible smart home devices. With Apple AirPlay support, streaming videos and music from your Apple device to the TV is as easy as a touch. The Insignia Fire TV comes with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) for rapid and reliable streaming. It also has HDMI ARC which allows you to stream audio directly from the HDMI port to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver, so no extra cables are necessary. This is a very easy way to set up a simple home theater system without cluttering your space with extra cables. At just $69, it offers great value and will likely be a best-seller for the foreseeable future. See at Amazon