A tablet doesn’t always need to impersonate a laptop. Sometimes you just want more room than a phone provides, without carrying another slab that needs its own corner of the bag. Blackview’s Zeno 2 takes that smaller assignment literally, pairing an 8.68-inch display with an 11.7-ounce body. It’s a compact Android tablet built around reading and everyday entertainment, with some useful connections still intact.
At roughly 8.38 by 4.94 inches and 0.33 inches thick, the Zeno 2 makes its intentions fairly clear. This is something to slip into a smaller bag and pull out for a chapter on the train. Flat sides and rounded corners keep the shape uncomplicated, while Midnight Black, Glacier Blue, and Mint Green offer a little personality without covering the back in decoration.
The screen is where that modest approach starts asking for concessions. Its IPS LCD has a native 1,340 × 800-pixel resolution, or about 180 pixels per inch, leaving limited detail for tiny lettering. The 60Hz refresh rate is similarly basic. Its Reading Mode changes the presentation, but Blackview’s Kindle-style description shouldn’t cause any confusion. This remains a backlit LCD, not an electronic-paper reader.
Fortunately, being small doesn’t mean depending entirely on a wireless connection. The 128GB of internal storage can be supplemented with a microSD card up to 2TB, making room for downloaded books, music, and videos before leaving home. Dual speakers handle shared listening, while a 3.5mm headphone jack lets you plug in wired headphones without hunting down an adapter or charging another battery.
Work gets a look in, too, although the proportions suggest keeping expectations sensible. DokeOS_P 5.0, based on Android 16, includes split-screen viewing and preinstalled WPS Office. Reading a reference beside a document is possible, but two apps still share a small screen. A quad-core Unisoc Tiger T310 and 4GB of physical RAM also put some perspective on those more demanding productivity ambitions.
There are other details worth reading past the oversized marketing numbers. Blackview’s advertised 16GB memory total includes 12GB of virtual expansion, not additional physical RAM. Retail listings already exist outside the US, but US pricing and availability remain unconfirmed. That leaves the value question open, especially for a tablet whose appeal depends more on its manageable size than on impressive hardware specifications.
Moving between the couch and kitchen also makes the IP54 rating relevant. Blackview lists protection against dust and splashing water, which doesn’t mean the tablet can be submerged. That matters when you’re following a recipe beside the sink, where occasional splashes are harder to avoid. The company also includes a cover and tempered-glass screen protector, though neither guarantees protection from repeated drops.
The 5,000mAh battery brings that portability back down to earth. Blackview’s own laboratory figures list 5.5 hours of video playback and six hours of browsing, rather than uninterrupted entertainment all day. There’s 5W reverse charging for topping up another device, too. Handy, certainly, but borrowing power from this little tablet means leaving less for the book or movie you packed it for.
Drawing tablets can give artists plenty of freedom, at least until they need to be plugged into a computer. Standalone tablets solve that problem, but they don’t always fit into a desktop drawing setup. Awarded Yanko Design’s Best of IFA 2026, the XPPen Magic Pro 13 accommodates both, letting you sketch independently and then use the same minimalist device as a pen display when you’re back at your desk.
The design itself doesn’t make a big show of that flexibility. A pale back and silver-colored edges give it a restrained appearance, while the front leaves out the rows of shortcut buttons found on some drawing displays. At around 0.26 inches thick, it looks relatively unassuming, although its 1.44-pound weight is a reminder that a large digital sketchbook still needs some support.
Of course, appearances only get you so far when most of your time is spent looking at the screen. The 12.95-inch LCD offers a 3096×2064 pixel resolution and refresh rates up to 120Hz. More interesting for drawing, however, is the nano-etched glass, which XPPen pairs with anti-glare and anti-fingerprint treatments to make the surface less reflective and more reminiscent of paper.
That promise of a familiar drawing experience also depends on what you’re holding. The included X4 Smart Chip Stylus supports 16,384 pressure levels and 60° tilt, allowing compatible brushes to respond to how you press and angle the pen. Customizable barrel buttons keep shortcuts nearby, while felt and plastic replacement nibs give you different contact materials to try against that textured drawing surface.
The tablet also has a physical control for switching off finger input, which is rather useful when your hand has nowhere else to rest. On the software side, Canvas handles quick sketches, while Shelf organizes reference material through tags and annotations. Supported apps can share the screen in resizable windows, so the picture you’re studying doesn’t have to disappear whenever you start drawing.
Connecting a computer changes the tablet’s job without changing the surface you’re drawing on. Its dedicated DP-IN USB-C port lets the Magic Pro 13 become a pen display for desktop software. The second USB-C port works in the other direction, sending the Android screen to an external monitor. They look alike, of course, but choosing the right connection makes quite a difference.
Inside, a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor runs Android 16, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage. A 10,200mAh battery supplies power away from the desk, with 45W charging available through either USB-C port. That leaves the other connection available for a display, rather than making you choose between finishing an illustration and charging the tablet partway through a drawing session.
The Magic Pro 13 is currently listed for US preorder at $899.99, with shipping estimated for November 13, 2026. It’s definitely a premium price tag, though you’re technically getting two devices in one. Plugging in a cable changes the display’s role, not the software handling your artwork.
Putting a large screen on a gaming handheld is easy compared with making the whole thing comfortable to hold. AYN’s Odin 3 Portal approaches that problem with a 7-inch OLED up front and sculpted grips behind it. Now available for preorder, the Android handheld combines a broad, glass-covered face with physical controls that give your fingers somewhere other than the screen to go.
That front surface stretches across the display and surrounding control areas, giving the device a flatter, more unified appearance than a screen dropped into a chunky frame. Black keeps the boundary between panel and housing less conspicuous, while White and Cold Grey emphasize it. The latter’s purple buttons add retro flavor without turning the machine into a tribute to another console.
Turn it over, and the shape becomes less concerned with looking flat. Rounded bulges give your palms somewhere to settle, while textured shoulder buttons meet your index fingers above. The full-size Hall-effect sticks have ridged edges, and a dome D-pad sits below the left stick. These details aim to improve control, though actual comfort will depend on your hands and how you play.
The screen is a 1920×1080 OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate, giving supported games room to show smoother motion without asking you to peer at a tiny display. That doesn’t mean every game will run at 120 frames per second, of course, nor should you always crank it up. It depends on the game, settings, and your remaining battery.
Behind that screen is Qualcomm’s Dragonwing Q8 processor, paired with Android 15 and active cooling. A broad rear grille gives the internal fan room to draw air, making ventilation part of the exterior rather than hiding it completely. That’s worth remembering when you settle in with the handheld against a cushion, since the cooling system still needs an unobstructed path to breathe.
Power comes from a 9,000mAh battery, with support for 60W charging when you need to plug back in. Actual playtime will depend on the game and screen settings, so that capacity doesn’t translate into a guaranteed afternoon away from an outlet. At about 15.9 ounces, the handheld puts weight behind that screen, especially when a quick session somehow becomes an entire evening.
Storage starts at 128GB with 12GB of RAM, while the top model offers 1TB and 16GB of RAM. There’s also a microSD slot, so choosing less built-in storage doesn’t close off future expansion. AYN specifies that no games come preinstalled, however. You’re buying the hardware for your own library and setup, not a ready-made collection of nostalgic favorites waiting behind the power button.
Launch pricing starts at $399, with the 1TB version reaching $669 and shipping expected to begin in early November 2026. The pricier configuration doesn’t buy a different screen or processor, just more memory and storage than the base model. That leaves a practical choice between keeping a larger library installed and keeping the price down, particularly when a memory card remains an option.
Natural, consistent photo colors across all cameras
Strong video capability
Bright, immersive AMOLED display with thin bezel
Excellent battery life
CONS:
High price
Optional teleconverter kit limits lens options while in use
RATINGS:
AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
EDITOR'S QUOTE:
With standout cameras and top-tier hardware, the Find X10 Pro Max nails nearly every mark. Just be ready to pay for the privilege
In 2026, nearly every major phone maker is eager to add “Pro Max” to their flagship lineups. Oppo is now joining this trend with its Find X10 Pro Max. Whether you see the naming as bold or just another industry move, one thing is hard to ignore. Even when manufacturers like Oppo pack their phones with leading-edge hardware and arguably superior imaging, they still face the ongoing challenge of measuring up to Apple’s influence at the top of the market.
This device brings a massive 6.78-inch AMOLED display and debuts the industry’s first trio of 200-megapixel cameras. Its battery is also among the largest found in any mainstream smartphone. Oppo claims this phone stands out for both design and capability. After spending time with the Find X10 Pro Max, I set out to discover if this “Pro Max” truly lives up to its name or simply chases a label.
Designer: OPPO
Aesthetics
The Oppo Find X10 Pro Max carries forward some of the Find X9 Pro’s most recognizable design elements, including its signature square camera bump, now paired with an oval accent for the color sensor and LED. Oppo offers this flagship in two finishes. The Titanium Grey edition features a single sculpted piece of glass with contours that flow seamlessly into the camera area, softening the visual impact and giving the phone an understated, professional vibe. The grey itself is subtle, with hints of mauve appearing under certain lighting conditions.
For this review, I received the Luna White edition, which channels inspiration from classic cameras and reimagines the look for a contemporary audience. The camera island sports a matte silver metallic finish with knurled detailing, highlighted by Hasselblad’s signature orange accent ring. The back showcases a subtle fabric-inspired pattern, with Oppo and Hasselblad branding on the side. While both colors exude sophistication, those who prefer darker tones or bolder shades may find themselves wishing for greater variety in the color lineup.
Ergonomics
Despite its impressive size and powerful hardware, the Oppo Find X10 Pro Max manages to feel thoughtfully balanced in hand. My review unit is the global version, which comes with a substantial 8000mAh battery and weighs 235 grams (about 8.29 ounces) in Titanium Grey or 233 grams (about 8.22 ounces) in Luna White. The EU version features a slightly smaller 7150mAh battery and is a bit lighter at 228 grams (about 8.04 ounces) for Titanium Grey and 226 grams (about 7.97 ounces) for Luna White. Measuring 161.32 x 76.57 x 8.40 mm, or approximately 6.35 x 3.02 x 0.33 inches, this phone clearly fits into the large flagship category, yet its slim profile keeps it manageable.
The weight of the Find X10 Pro Max is certainly noticeable each time you pick it up, although the distribution helps maintain comfort during longer use. Both color options have a matte back and frame that do an excellent job resisting fingerprints and smudges, while also offering a velvety texture that is genuinely pleasant to touch. The device maintains a clean look throughout the day and feels luxurious with every interaction. The edges are only slightly curved, almost flat and straighter than on many other flagships, so they do not dig into your hand but may affect comfort depending on how you hold the phone over time.
Performance
The Oppo Find X10 Pro Max delivers the kind of fluid, responsive experience you expect from a flagship. Powered by the Dimensity 9600 Pro, the phone handles daily tasks, multitasking, and demanding apps without any noticeable lag or slowdowns. ColorOS 17 brings a polished feel with more refinement than revolution, ensuring that every interaction is smooth and intuitive. Everything from app launches to switching between tasks happens with impressive speed and reliability.
The large 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display stands out with a sharp 2772 × 1272 resolution and vibrant colors, thanks to BT.2020 coverage and 10-bit color support. Bezels measure just 1.15mm and are perfectly symmetrical, which makes the screen feel even more expansive. With up to 3,600 nits peak HDR brightness, visibility outdoors is excellent. The adaptive refresh rate ranges from 1 to 120Hz for smooth scrolling, while 144Hz is available in select gaming scenarios for extra fluidity. The speakers provide plenty of volume, though sound quality does not really stand out.
Hasselblad Hi-Res (50MP) mode, main camera, 1x
Main Camera, 1x
Over the past few years, smartphone cameras have leaned heavily on computational processing to overcome the limitations of small lenses. Sometimes the results are impressive, but too much digital magic can leave photos looking punchy or even artificial. With the Find X10 Pro Max, Oppo takes a different route by aiming for images that genuinely match what you saw in real life. The brand continues its collaboration with Hasselblad to fine-tune color science, and this generation introduces the LUMO True Image Engine, which keeps colors believable and resists the urge to overdo sharpening or saturation.
Oppo debuts the industry’s first triple 200-megapixel camera system in the Find X10 Pro Max. You get a 200MP main camera (Samsung ISOCELL HPC, 1/1.3″, f/1.5 with OIS), a 200MP ultra-wide (Samsung ISOCELL HP5, 1/1.56″, f/2.2 with autofocus), and a 200MP periscope telephoto (Samsung ISOCELL HP5, 1/1.56″, f/2.1 with OIS). Flip the phone around and you’ll find a 50MP front camera (Samsung ISOCELL JN5, 1/2.75”, autofocus, 100° FOV).
Ultrawide, 0.5x
Telephoto, 3x
Telephoto, 6x
The headline megapixel count is only part of the story. The main sensor leverages DeepPix technology, redesigning each pixel to improve light-gathering efficiency and preserve detail even in challenging conditions. It delivers up to 17 stops of dynamic range for images full of nuance from shadow to highlight. Daylight photos are crisp and vibrant, and low-light shots stay clear and accurate.
Most flagships treat ultra-wide cameras as a weak spot, but Oppo breaks that trend by using the same large sensor in both its ultra-wide and telephoto modules as in the main camera. The ultra-wide’s 13mm-equivalent focal length provides an expansive 124-degree field of view and captures sharp images across the frame. There is still some noticeable lens distortion at the edges, which is common for lenses this wide, but overall image quality remains impressively crisp. Color consistency is another area where Oppo truly excels. Tones stay remarkably uniform across all three lenses, so your shots always look cohesive.
Ultrawide, 0.5x
Main Camera, 1x
Main Camera, 1x
Telephoto, 3x
Personally, I love shooting with the telephoto camera on the X10 Pro Max. It is genuinely a treat for anyone who enjoys zoom photography. Hasselblad Master mode is another highlight because it delivers a more natural, less processed look that gives images a classic photographic character rather than an overdone “smartphone” feel. For those who want total control, Pro mode within Hasselblad Master mode allows for granular manual adjustments.
For users seeking more flexibility, Oppo offers a Hasselblad Teleconverter Kit in Luna White that includes a MagSafe-compatible case, lens adapter plate, teleconverter lens, lens bracket, shoulder strap, and pouch, all in silver or white with orange accents to match the Luna White phone version. While I love how visually unified the kit appears, attaching the lens adapter plate blocks both the main and ultra-wide lenses at once, just like on the Find X9 Pro teleconverter. This can limit your photo options when using the kit.
Telephoto Converter, 20x
Telephoto Converter, 40x
Oppo’s camera app supplies a nice set of filters. The selection is not as broad as Vivo’s catalog but still offers plenty of creative and customizable choices. Each filter lets you tweak tonality, saturation, and intensity to match your style preferences. My main gripe is with how OPPO lays out these filters: instead of small thumbnails along the bottom edge like most brands use, you only see one filter preview filling the UI at a time. This makes it tougher to quickly browse options and can slow down creative experimentation.
Filter UI
Open Gate Mode
Video performance keeps pace with stills. All three rear cameras support up to 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, and even 4K at 120fps for dramatic slow motion. The front camera supports up to 4K at 60fps for sharp selfies and vlogs. If you apply creative filters during recording, output is capped at 1080p at 30fps. Open Gate recording is available on all rear cameras as well, so creators can leverage every pixel for flexible cropping in post-production.
My global review unit features a massive 8000mAh battery, while the EU version is equipped with a still-impressive 7150mAh cell. Both models support fast charging, with 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging making it easy to top up quickly and 50W AIRVOOC wireless charging for added convenience. Battery life is outstanding. It easily lasts more than a full day of heavy use and can reach two days with moderate usage.
Main Camera, 1x, Night
Sustainability
Oppo positions the Find X10 Pro Max as a durable and future-proof flagship, but most of its claims align with what’s now expected at the high end. The phone comes with IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, so it stands up well to dust and water in a wide range of scenarios. Both the front and back are protected by OPPO Crystal Guard Glass, co-developed with Corning, promising solid scratch and drop resistance. SGS Five-Star Drop Resistance Certification adds further reassurance, though these certifications have become standard for premium smartphones.
Oppo also states that the battery should retain over 80% of its original capacity after five years of typical use, which is consistent with leading brands but does not set a new bar. The promise of five years of major Android OS updates and six years of security patches is definitely good news for long-term owners and matches current flagship expectations. That said, it would be great to see Oppo take additional steps in sustainability, such as using more recycled materials in construction and offering easier repair options, to truly stand out in this space.
Value
Official pricing was unavailable at the time of writing this review, but the Oppo Find X10 Pro Max is rumored to launch at €1,799 (about $1,900) for the 16GB+512GB EU version. This firmly places it among the highest-priced flagships on the market and marks a clear jump from last year’s Find X9 Pro (€1,299, or around $1,370) and even the Find X9 Ultra (€1,699, or about $1,790). A significant part of this price hike likely comes from soaring RAM and storage costs, driven by increased demand from the AI boom and broader tech trends.
If these figures are correct, Oppo will face an uphill battle. Even with top-of-the-line hardware and some of the best mobile imaging features available, nearly two thousand dollars is a serious investment, especially as many consumers are feeling economic pressure. The EU version of the Find X10 Pro Max is even more expensive than both the iPhone 18 Pro Max with 512GB of storage and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB model in the U.S. For Oppo to justify this price point, buyers will need to be truly convinced by its unique camera system and design philosophy. Otherwise, many may find more value in established alternatives from Apple or Samsung.
Verdict
The Oppo Find X10 Pro Max stands out as a well-balanced flagship that gets almost everything right and, at times, feels nearly flawless. What really sets it apart is its excellent mobile photography, from the industry-first triple 200-megapixel camera system to the natural color science developed in partnership with Hasselblad. Everyday performance is smooth, build quality is unquestionably premium, and battery life ranks among the best available in any flagship.
On the flip side, the high price tag puts the Find X10 Pro Max in direct competition with industry giants. While it delivers top-tier hardware and leading imaging capability, buyers must be willing to stretch both their expectations and their budgets. For those who put a premium on cutting-edge camera features and want an alternative to Apple or Samsung, Oppo’s latest is a compelling choice. For everyone else, especially those mindful of budget, there are several strong alternatives on the market that may offer a more accessible fit.
Tablets give books and sketches more room than a phone, but their glossy screens can turn a nearby window into part of the content. Making the tablet bigger doesn’t help when you’d rather carry less. OPPO’s Pad Mini Matte Display Edition tackles both frustrations with an 8.8-inch matte OLED screen inside a slim metal body designed for reading and creating away from a desk.
The Lavender Purple finish makes that metal shell less businesslike than another gray rectangle. Sandblasted, anodized aluminum carries OPPO’s etched Glow texture, giving the surface a subtle sparkle rather than a mirror finish. At approximately 0.21 inches thick and 9.95 ounces, the tablet leaves less bulk to accommodate in a small bag, although adding a protective case would change those dimensions.
Designer: OPPO
Of course, the more interesting matte surface is the one facing you. OPPO says the display treatment reduces glare, while the 2520×1680 OLED panel retains full color and refresh rates up to 144Hz in supported apps. This isn’t an E Ink reader dressed as a tablet. You can move from a novel to an animated film without asking the screen to change technologies.
Reader Mode offers another way to change the experience, with softer colors and a black-and-white option for concentrating on text. OPPO also lists a minimum brightness of two nits for nighttime reading. That gives you settings to adjust when a bright white page feels excessive, rather than treating the same display setup as suitable for a sunny commute and bedtime.
Add the optional OPPO Pencil 3 and the compact screen becomes somewhere to write instead of just scroll. You can circle text or pictures and drag them between windows, collecting references for a travel plan or gathering material beside your notes. The stylus has a shortcut button for selection tools, putting a frequently repeated action somewhere your fingers can find.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage keep the Mini from being merely an oversized reading device. ColorOS 16 allows floating windows for keeping reference material nearby while you work. That said, an 8.8-inch screen still has limits. Open several apps together, and you’ll have less room for each one, no matter how freely the windows move.
An 8,000mAh battery is a substantial component inside such a thin body, with 67W SUPERVOOC charging supported when it needs a refill. OPPO claims up to 19.5 hours of continuous video playback, based on its laboratory testing. That’s more relevant to a long trip than the headline 48-hour figure, which shouldn’t be read as two days of uninterrupted screen use.
OPPO has yet to reveal availability dates and pricing across markets. Slim bezels keep the enclosure compact, but leave less space for a thumb beside the screen. For longer reading sessions, a case with something to grip might be more useful than keeping the tablet as thin as possible, even if it adds a little bulk.
Buying a tablet often comes down to what you want to do with it. Some people need a bigger screen for work, others want something comfortable for reading or binge-watching shows in bed, and many want a device that runs their favorite apps without fuss. The biggest advantage is that these tablets support the Google Play Store, giving users access to apps like YouTube, Gmail, and Google Docs instead of keeping them within Amazon’s app ecosystem.
Amazon’s new Alexa Tablet range, unlike the earlier Fire line-up, looks to cover these everyday needs with three models featuring 8.7-inch, 11-inch, and 12-inch displays. Prices start at $229.99, and US shipping begins October 14. This gives buyers another option in a market where the Apple iPad, OnePlus Pad 4, Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro, and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S series are familiar choices. Those tablets appeal to users looking for everything from premium performance to creative tools, but not everyone needs that level of capability. Amazon’s tablets take a more everyday approach, pairing Android apps with Alexa+ for help with tasks, recommendations, and content. For households already using Amazon services, the appeal is having a device for streaming, reading, browsing, and getting things done without stepping up to a more expensive flagship tablet.
The Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is the flagship model, featuring a 12-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, 2.8K resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Its eight-core MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor delivers up to three times the CPU performance and nine times the graphics performance of the Fire Max 11, according to Amazon. The tablet includes 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, quad Dolby Atmos speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, and up to 16 hours of video playback.
Buyers can choose between a standard display and an optional Nanomatte version designed to reduce glare while retaining detail and color accuracy. A higher-end configuration offers 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro also supports an optional keyboard and stylus for people who want to do some work on their tablet. The optional Pro Pen supports pressure sensitivity and tilt detection, while the magnetic Pro Keyboard connects without Bluetooth pairing. Prices start at $499.99, with the Nanomatte version starting at $549.99 and the 16GB/256GB configuration priced at $679.99.
The Amazon Alexa Tablet 11 is designed for entertainment, browsing, and everyday multitasking. It features an 11-inch display with 2.5K resolution, a 16:10 aspect ratio, and a 90Hz refresh rate. An eight-core MediaTek processor paired with 8GB of RAM powers the tablet, while dual Dolby Atmos speakers provide its audio output. Amazon rates its battery life at up to 15 hours of video playback.
The aluminum-bodied tablet includes Alexa+ for voice and touch interactions, personalized recommendations, and contextual assistance. It also provides access to Google Play apps alongside Amazon services such as Prime Video, Kindle, Audible, and Amazon Music. Available in Graphite, Amethyst, and Matcha, the base configuration comes with 64GB of storage, while a 128GB option is available for an additional $50. Pricing starts at $329.99, with an ad-free version priced at $349.99. US shipping begins October 14, 2026.
The Amazon Alexa Tablet 8 is the most portable model in the lineup, featuring an 8.7-inch display inside an aluminum body measuring 7.95mm thick and weighing 329g. Its compact form is intended for reading, web browsing, and streaming while travelling. The tablet uses an eight-core processor, supports Wi-Fi 6, and offers up to 14 hours of video playback.
Like its larger siblings, the device includes Alexa+ and access to the Google Play Store, expanding its usefulness beyond Amazon’s own applications. Its 1,340 × 800 display resolution is more modest than those of the other two models, reflecting its focus on portability and everyday use rather than premium visuals. The tablet comes in Graphite, Rosette, and Teal. Pricing starts at $229.99 for the 4GB RAM and 64GB storage configuration. A 4GB/128GB version costs $279.99, while the 8GB/128GB model is priced at $299.99. An ad-free option costs an additional $20, and US shipping begins on October 14, 2026.
A design idea rarely waits until you’re back at your desk. In fact, it seems to happen exactly when you’re not at your desk. It might turn up during a train ride, while you’re examining a prototype, or halfway through a conversation with a client. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 series gives those moments a place to land, pairing large screens with an included S Pen in tablets thin enough to carry between meetings.
The choice comes down to how much drawing room you want to carry. The Tab S12 Ultra has a 14.6-inch display, while the S12+ offers 12.6 inches. Both use Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with a 120 Hz refresh rate. That extra space on the Ultra could be welcome when a sketch, notes, and reference material all need attention at once.
Neither tablet feels designed to stay on an office desk. At roughly 0.20 inches thick for the Ultra and 0.21 inches for the S12+, their slender profiles make the large displays less intimidating to pack. The Ultra is still a sizable slab, though, and the smaller model might be easier to hold when you’re standing beside a workbench rather than sitting at one.
The included S Pen is what turns that screen space into something closer to a notebook. You can sketch a handle, mark where a joint feels awkward, or circle an issue before the conversation moves on. A pen doesn’t replace working through materials and measurements, of course, but it can keep an observation from becoming one of those good ideas you can’t quite remember later.
Back at a table, Samsung DeX makes a different argument for the same hardware. Its desktop-style interface supports multiple workspaces, so you can move between a proposal and the drawings you’re discussing without treating the tablet as an oversized phone. Add a keyboard if typing becomes the main job, then put it aside when there’s a shape that needs a quick sketch.
The screens also let you keep a reference beside your own work, a small luxury when you’re comparing proportions with a colleague. Samsung lists up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness for both models, although that number won’t hold across the entire screen all the time. That’s worth remembering before assuming every outdoor sketching session will be comfortable.
For a tool meant to travel, endurance matters as much as screen size. Samsung gives the Ultra a larger battery than the S12+ and equips both with 45W charging, although the bigger screen will still demand its share of power. You’d want to charge either one before a long day of presentations and sketching, rather than assume a thin body can bend the rules of battery life.
The Galaxy Tab S12 series won’t turn a tablet into a workshop, and a finished object still needs to be tested in your hands. What it can do is shorten the distance between noticing a problem and recording a possible fix. The Ultra favors room to spread out; the S12+ leaves a little more room in your bag. Both give the pen a reason to come along.
+Four Android upgrades and security patches until 2032
+Matte back and bundled case both shrug off fingerprints
What doesn't
–Screen readability dips in direct sunlight
–Haptics are softer than on premium phones
–No ultra-wide or telephoto cameras
–Video recording tops out at 1080p
The Redmi Note 17 5G spends its budget on what people actually run out of, battery and years of support, and asks for a calmer chip in return.
Phone prices went up this year, and not because phones got dramatically better. Memory and storage cost more, so every brand had to decide what to keep and what to cut. Some raised the price. Others trimmed the camera or the chip to hold it. Xiaomi made a very clear choice with the Redmi Note 17 5G, and you can feel it the moment you pick the phone up.
On paper, the whole phone is built around one number: a 7,700mAh silicon-carbon battery. Around it sit a 6.99-inch AMOLED screen, a Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 chip, a single 50MP camera, IP65 protection, and security updates until 2032. I used the 6GB and 256GB version for about two weeks to see whether a phone designed for endurance is also a phone you actually enjoy using.
Designer: Xiaomi
Aesthetics
The Redmi Note 17 5G doesn’t try to shout, and that works in its favor. I received the Black version, and the interest is in the details. Xiaomi describes the back as a dual finish, which means the panel and the camera plate are treated very differently. The panel is a fine matte that turns almost graphite in low light, while the camera plate is glossy.
That plate is where the design gets its character. It’s a rounded square in the top left corner with a glossy, pill-shaped module holding two circles: the 50MP camera and a small second lens above and the flash below, plus a small brushed disc with “50MP” printed on it. The arrangement is balanced and calm, and it makes a single-camera phone look complete. The matte back stays clean through daily handling, and only the glossy plate picks up the odd fingerprint.
The frame is flat with rounded corners and a metallic-look finish, and the front is just as simple: a flat 6.99-inch screen with a small punch-hole camera. It’s a tidy, well-proportioned design that favors restraint over flash, and in black it keeps a low profile. If you want more personality, Xiaomi also sells it in Sky Teal and Celestial Purple.
Ergonomics
The numbers tell most of the story. The Redmi Note 17 5G measures 169.7 x 79.14 x 8.45mm and weighs 225g. It’s a substantial phone, and the weight is the first thing you notice when you pick it up. That’s the fair price of fitting a 7,700mAh battery into a body under 9mm thick.
The flat sides and rounded corners make that size easy to live with, and the matte back isn’t slippery. The power button and volume rocker sit on the right edge, and the fingerprint reader is an optical one under the display. Xiaomi’s Wet Touch 2.0 keeps the screen usable with damp fingers, which is handy in humid weather. At almost 80mm wide, it’s most comfortable in two hands, which suits the large screen for reading and video.
Haptics are the one area where the price shows. The vibration motor’s feedback is softer and less precise than on flagship phones. It’s a small detail, yet it’s the kind that reminds you how much good haptics add to everyday use.
Xiaomi includes a case in the box, and it’s better than the usual clear plastic shell. It’s a soft, matte silicone case in dark gray with a raised lip around the camera, and it doesn’t pick up fingerprints either. On a phone of this weight, the extra grip is welcome, and the phone is protected from day one.
Performance
Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 and HyperOS 3
Inside is a Snapdragon 4 Gen 4, made on a 4nm process, with Adreno 613 graphics, 6GB of LPDDR4X memory and UFS 2.2 storage. It’s a chip built for efficiency over outright speed, and that efficiency is what lets such a large battery fit in a body this thin. Messaging, maps, browsing, streaming, and photos run comfortably, and demanding 3D games run best at lower settings.
3DMark’s Wild Life Extreme stress test shows where the chip’s strength lies. The headline scores sit where you’d expect for this class, but the consistency stands out. Over 20 minutes of full graphics load, the phone held 99.5 percent stability across all 20 loops, and its temperature only rose from 33°C to 35°C. It stays cool and steady when pushed.
It runs Xiaomi HyperOS 3 on Android 16, with Google’s Circle to Search and Gemini, Xiaomi’s HyperIsland for live notifications, and AI Erase Pro promised in a later update. It’s pretty much Xiaomi’s whole UX experience, crammed into a lower mid-tier phone.
Display and Sound
The 6.99-inch flat AMOLED has a 2,396 x 1,080 resolution and a 1,800-nit peak. There’s no option to lock the refresh rate. The panel adjusts itself up to 120Hz, so scrolling stays smooth and the phone saves power when the image is still. Indoors and in shade, it looks great, and TÜV Rheinland certifies it for low blue light and circadian-friendly viewing. Direct sunlight is the one condition where it struggles to keep up.
Audio comes from a single speaker on the bottom edge, tuned for calls, alarms, and spoken content. For music, earbuds bring out more, and since there’s no headphone jack, Bluetooth or USB-C is the way to go. Two useful extras round things out: an infrared blaster for TVs and air conditioners, and NFC for contactless payments.
Main Camera, 1xMain Camera, 1x, EveningMain Camera, 1x, Human Skin
50MP Camera
Main Camera, 1xMain Camera, 2xMain Camera, 10x
The single 50MP main camera has an f/1.8 lens, and in good light it does a good job. Photos come out bright and clean, greens are punchy, and skies lean towards a deeper blue. Dynamic range holds up well too. Shooting up a dark underground stairway into a bright sky, it kept both the tiled mural and the clouds. The 2x option is a crop from the main sensor and stays sharp in daylight. Beyond that, the zoom is digital, and at 10x a group of turtles on a rock took on an almost watercolor softness, so 1x and 2x are where this camera does its best work.
For designers, it’s a handy reference camera. The 50MP and Ultra HD modes save files of around 48 million pixels, which leaves room to crop into textures like bark, stone, or lacquered wood later. It won’t replace a proper camera, but for collecting material and color references, it does the job.
Night IndoorNight DefaultNight Mode
Night mode is worth using. On a street corner at night, the normal shot used ISO 250 at 1/100s, while Night mode chose ISO 400 at 1/50s and brought the lanterns and shopfronts out of the dark without blowing out the lights. In very dim restaurants, around ISO 2000, the processing leans on noise reduction for a cleaner image at the cost of some fine detail. The 16MP front camera gives natural skin tones in daylight, and both cameras record video at up to 1080p and 30fps.
Battery Life and Charging
This is where the design pays off. Xiaomi rates the battery for more than two days of moderate use, and the EU energy label’s standard test puts it at 68 and a half hours on a charge. My own testing points the same way. The 20-minute 3DMark stress run, with the graphics chip working flat out the whole time, used just 3 percent of the battery.
My unit came with a 45W charger in the box, though that varies by market. Independent tests put a full charge at about an hour and a half, which is reasonable for a battery this size. Charging is wired only, and wired reverse charging at up to 22.5W lets the phone top up earbuds, a watch, or a friend’s phone.
50MP ModeUltra HD ModeSelfie Camera
Sustainability
The strongest sustainability point is software support. Xiaomi promises four major Android upgrades, up to Android 20, and six years of security updates, which means patches until 2032. The updates are already arriving. During my time with the phone, it received a 295MB system update that moved its security patch from June to August 2026. A phone that stays safe to use for that long doesn’t need replacing after two years.
The EU energy label adds useful detail, because it uses the same tests for every brand. It rates the battery for at least 1,000 full cycles before it drops to 80 percent capacity, lists it as user-replaceable, and records 90 drops without a defect in its repeated fall test. Xiaomi’s own lab claims 1,600 cycles, or about six years of normal use.
iFixit hasn’t published a teardown of this model yet. In the meantime, where the program runs, Xiaomi offers one free screen replacement and one free back cover replacement within 24 months, plus one free battery replacement within 36 months. The phone is IP65 rated against dust and water jets, the screen uses Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, and the case covers the back from the start. Recycled materials aren’t part of Xiaomi’s story for this model yet, which leaves room for the next generation to go further.
Value
In Europe, the Redmi Note 17 5G launched at 379.90 euros for the 6GB and 256GB version I tested. With the case, a USB-C cable and, in many markets, a 45W charger in the box, it’s a generous package for the price.
Its own predecessor is the most useful comparison. The Redmi Note 15 5G spread its budget across a faster chip, a 108MP camera and 4K video. The Note 17 5G concentrates on a much bigger battery and a longer support period. Most phones still carry batteries in the 5,000 to 6,000mAh range, so that focus gives it a clear identity in its class.
Xiaomi is betting that battery life and years of updates matter more, and for a lot of buyers, I think that’s the right bet. If 4K video, long zoom, and high-end gaming aren’t part of your routine, this phone gives you a lot for the money.
Verdict
The Redmi Note 17 5G is easy to sum up with one number, but the battery is only the starting point. The weight, the flat and grippy frame, the case in the box, the efficient chip, and the self-adjusting refresh rate all follow from it. It feels like one clear decision carried through the whole product.
Speed seekers and heavy video shooters will find better matches elsewhere. But if you keep your phones for years and care more about something that lasts than something that wins spec comparisons, the Redmi Note 17 5G was made for you. Buy it for the battery, and keep it for the years of updates.
A smartphone’s camera bump usually exists to hold lenses and nothing else, a necessary bulge nobody asks to admire. The motorola signature 27 turns that same block into a badge, stamping a Bang & Olufsen wordmark directly onto the module beside the lenses themselves. It’s the clearest possible signal that this device treats audio as a design decision, not a spec buried three pages into a press release.
That badge marks Motorola’s first phone built under its new multi-year partnership with Bang & Olufsen, a deal aimed at making sound feel purposeful rather than incidental. Camera hardware and speaker hardware rarely share billing on the same panel of glass, yet here they sit side by side, treated as equally important reasons to pick this phone up and turn it over in your hand before ever opening an app.
Designer: Motorola, Bang & Olufsen
The name itself carries intent too. Motorola is retiring its old naming logic in favor of a simple year-based tag, with this device marking the first signature phone to carry a number tied directly to 2027 rather than an arbitrary sequential digit. It’s a small administrative choice that quietly promises a predictable rhythm going forward, one flagship a year, clearly dated, without guesswork about where it sits in the lineup.
Flip it back around, and the chassis keeps making that same argument through touch alone. The Coal Smoke colorway wears a tightly woven, tactical-feeling texture borrowed from automotive interiors and performance wear, grippy enough to trust in a bag without a case. Capulet Green swaps that for a brushed, fabric-like softness pulled from fashion and interior design instead, warmer under a thumb than any glass back manages.
Both finishes wrap around a body built specifically to survive its own performance. Powering everything is Qualcomm’s brand-new Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, paired with a cooling system Motorola calls ArcticMesh, combining diamond-infused gel, liquid metal, and copper mesh across a vapor chamber 40% larger than before. That matters most during long gaming sessions or video exports, when cheaper phones start throttling, and this one keeps its pace steady.
Photography gets the same layered treatment. A 50MP Sony sensor anchors the main shot, backed by a 200MP periscope lens for distant detail, while stabilization hardware works alongside Qualcomm’s own image processing to keep handheld footage from wobbling during a walk or a pan. Motorola’s Video Enhancement Engine reads a scene in real time, adjusting color before and during recording so a sunset or a dim concert stage looks the way it actually felt standing there.
Google’s Gemini threads through the software layer without waiting to be asked. It handles more than answering questions, moving from a spoken intention to a finished action, booking a table, drafting a plan, or turning a handful of photos into an edited video through a tool Motorola calls Gemini Omni. A companion feature named Lyria builds original music and soundtracks from scratch, folding creative software into hardware that already looks built for it.
None of this arrived as a finished retail package. What Motorola showed at Snapdragon Summit is a preview, missing pricing and a firm release window, with the company promising fuller detail as 2026 continues. What’s already clear is the intent: sound, texture, and image quality are being treated as one connected decision here, not three separate boxes checked down a spec sheet.
Laptop lids have carried the same boring formula for decades: a brand logo centered dead center and nothing else worth noticing. The Acer Googlebook 14 breaks that habit with a strip of light called the Glowbar, running across the top cover and shifting color and pattern to show battery life and charging status at a glance. It’s a small detail that signals a bigger shift in how this machine wants to be understood.
That shift centers on a brand-new category called the Googlebook, a convertible laptop built specifically around Gemini Intelligence rather than treated as an afterthought bolted onto an existing operating system. The 360-degree hinge folds into four distinct modes: clamshell for typing, tent for watching, stand for presenting, and tablet for sketching, each shift changing how the Gemini features on screen actually respond to what someone’s doing.
Say you’re drafting an email on a phone during a commute, then you sit down at a desk and pick up that exact same task on the Googlebook without retyping a word. That’s the promise behind “Continue On,” paired with a feature called Cast My Apps that pulls phone apps onto the larger screen without installing anything separately. Both lean on the same idea: work shouldn’t restart every time the device holding it changes.
Under that lid sits an aluminum-magnesium chassis finished in a shade called Elemental Blue, weighing just 2.51 lbs and measuring 0.55 inches thick, numbers that matter most in a bag rather than on a spec sheet. Acer added a soft-touch coating across the palm rest and bottom cover specifically, a detail aimed at how the machine actually feels resting against skin during a long afternoon of typing rather than how it photographs.
The 14-inch OLED panel runs at a 16:10 ratio with Gorilla Glass across the surface, useful given the screen also responds to a stylus and bare fingertips alongside a traditional keyboard. Acer tuned the display for 500 nits of brightness and full DCI-P3 color coverage, numbers that read dry until a photo edit or a video call actually needs the extra headroom to look right rather than washed out.
Power comes from Intel’s newest Core Ultra Series 3 chips, paired with a battery rated for up to 16 hours of browsing on a single charge, the kind of number that turns a full workday into a non-issue rather than a math problem involving an outlet. A fast-charging feature restores 80% capacity in about an hour, useful for anyone who forgot to plug in the night before and needs the laptop ready in the time it takes to make coffee.
Material sourcing gets equal attention here. Acer built the Googlebook 14 with 49% circular materials and shipped it in packaging that’s 99% plastic-free, backed by an EPEAT Climate+ designation and Energy Star 9.0 certification. Laser-etched labels replace adhesive stickers entirely, a choice that sounds minor until it quietly removes another layer of waste from a machine already built to last past its first owner.
Security gets built into the hardware rather than left to software alone. A fingerprint reader sits inside the power button itself, cutting login down to a single press, while a dedicated Titan-C security chip guards system integrity underneath. Alongside Wi-Fi 7 and a Thunderbolt 4 port capable of 100W power delivery, the Googlebook 14 treats fast, secure connections as a baseline expectation rather than a premium add-on.
