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moto g stylus 2026 Review: Accessible Pocket Productivity and Creativity

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PROS:


  • Stylus with pressure and tilt sensitivity

  • Beautiful, minimalist design

  • Bright and vibrant screen

  • Headphone jack and microSD card slot

CONS:


  • Short software support period

  • Relatively higher price compared to peers

  • Not much hardware upgrades from last-gen

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The moto g stylus - 2026 analog handwriting and digital freedom in a striking minimalist design that you can finally afford.

Despite and in spite of the growing number of screens and disembodied artificial voices around us, there remains a strong culture and argument for handwritten words. But while there might be plenty of benefits to putting ink to paper, there’s no denying that paper doesn’t provide the benefits of digital artifacts such as files, photos, and videos. For years, the stylus has been trying to bridge the best of both worlds, but it has so far been only within the reach of those who can afford it.

Since 2020, Motorola has been working to provide that kind of experience to more people through its Moto G Stylus line, but there have always been compromises. Ironically, most of those revolved around the very feature that gave the product line its name. With the moto g stylus – 2026, however, the brand is making its most daring leap forward yet, aiming for a title held only by the most luxurious of Samsung’s (non-foldable) handsets. So does it fly or does it fall? Read on to find out.

Designer: Motorola

Aesthetics

The moment you pull the moto g stylus – 2026 out of the box, you are immediately struck by how different it is from most phones of this generation. It doesn’t scream for attention with a ridiculously large camera module, nor does it attempt to dazzle your eyes with tricks of color and light. It is, in a nutshell, a minimalist lover’s dream.

The back of the phone, which is always the most expressive side of the design, is covered with a vegan leather-inspired material that gives the phone both visual and tactile texture. Continuing its partnership with PANTONE, those covers are available in subtle Coal Smoke (our review unit) and Lavender Mist colors, with the flat edges matching the hue. Other than the iconic “Batwing” logo and minuscule markings around the LED flash, the design is bare and plain, a refreshing change from the active and noisy rears of most smartphones these days.

The camera bump follows that same pattern, rising from the back plate with a gentle slope. There’s no separate structure caging the lenses, creating a seamless and unbroken surface that almost has a calming effect, especially when your finger starts to glide over the textured surface. There’s almost a sense of Zen, so to speak, which is almost how many pen and paper lovers describe their favorite notebooks.

Of course, the front is the polar opposite, but only because of its bright and vibrant screen. The thin and almost symmetrical bezels and the flat glass, however, serve to provide balance that keeps that liveliness in check. All in all, the moto g stylus – 2026 is both simple and sublime. It doesn’t call attention to itself with some fancy visual or material gimmick, but you can’t help but pay close attention to its minimalism just the same.

The stylus is cut from the same cloth, with a design that might be familiar to those who have held a Samsung “Ultra” flagship. It’s basically a somewhat flat stick, with a spring-loaded rear that easily resembles the (addictive) clicky ends of retractable pens. But unlike the small but stubby nibs of its predecessors, there is now a proper tapered, conical tip. Of course, it’s not just an aesthetic change, as we’ll get to in a bit.

Ergonomics

Another thing you’ll notice the moment you lift the moto g stylus – 2026 out of the box is how light it is. At only 192.3g, even with the 4.7g stylus inside, it’s easily one of the lightest phones in the market today. Given that it has a 6.7-inch screen and a large 5,200mAh battery, that’s even more surprising.

That lightness, however, is a double-edged blade. On the one hand, it might make the phone feel a little flimsy, almost like it could easily fly out of your hand. It almost makes the vibration haptics feel hollow, as if there’s not enough substance in there.

On the other hand, it strains your hand less when holding it for a long time, especially as you might find yourself constantly scribbling or doodling on it. The phone’s textured back and flat edges also help deliver a more confident hold. It just won’t accidentally slip from your hand that easily. A protective case almost feels redundant if grip is your only reason for putting one on.

One thing to note about the camera module is that although it is thin and subtle, it still lifts a single corner of the phone when you put it on a flat surface. That means it will wobble, which can be pretty annoying when you’re writing with a stylus. Funnily enough, that might actually be a more pressing reason to put a case on, just to create a balance. Unfortunately, you do lose out on feeling the phone’s textured surface.

Performance

The Specs

The moto g stylus – 2026 makes no qualms about its specs, clearly marking it for the mid-range smartphone market. There’s only 8GB of RAM, which can be expanded up to 24GB with RAM Boost, which basically eats up some of the already modest 128GB or 256GB of storage. Thankfully, you can also expand that storage with a microSD card of up to 1TB capacity, definitely a rare sight these days, even among phones on the same tier.

The biggest disappointment is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, which is a holdover from last year’s moto g stylus. In fact, if you look closer, you’ll see plenty of similarities between the 2025 and 2026 models, from processor to cameras. It’s not always a bad thing, but given the price hike, you’d be forgiven for expecting a bit more.

Make no mistake, though, the moto g stylus – 2026 is plenty capable. It won’t win trophies on benchmarks, but it does get the job done without breaking too much of a sweat. It’s even surprising how it can handle a game like Warframe on high settings. It doesn’t get too warm, either, and the vegan leather material probably helps make it feel a little less warm as well.

And that’s perfect because the moto g stylus – 2026 has such a gorgeous screen to play and watch on. The 6.7-inch 2712 x 1220 AMOLED display boasts a peak brightness of 5000 nits, definitely one of the brightest in the market, making it easily usable under sunlight. The rounded corners are also less curved, so UI elements are not obstructed, especially in games. Plus, the 3.5mm headphone jack, another rare sighting, can perfectly complement the visuals with hi-def wired audio.

The moto g stylus – 2026 runs the latest Android 16, and given Motorola’s history, the skin is pretty minimal and non-invasive. It’s probably the closest you can get to a Pixel experience outside of Google Pixel phones, which is light, fast, and probably barebones if you’re coming from other brands like Samsung and Xiaomi. There’s almost no bloatware, unless you count the dozen or so pre-installed Google apps, which would be the same situation on a Google Pixel phone anyway.

The Pen

There’s no beating around the bush: the only reason you’d even give the moto g stylus – 2026 is because of its stylus. For the first time, that stylus is no longer just a very thin stub standing in for your finger tip. For the first time, it is supporting pressure and tilt sensitivity, features that only Samsung offers at nearly three times the price.

The older stylus designs were practical and usable, but this new pen opens the door to even more possibilities, especially when it comes to creative activities like drawing, designing, and editing photos. It gives you much better control and precision, while also offering more styles in terms of pen width, brushes, and the like.

The stylus is also crucial in some productivity workflows, like when dragging images to a note in split-screen mode, highlighting and copying text to a note, or for sketching a crude representation of a cat and using AI to turn it into a photorealistic masterpiece. Part of this upgraded experience is made possible with the Moto Notes app, which supports drawing on an infinite canvas that can then be embedded into notes.

The new stylus also has a button that can be mapped to some actions depending on whether you press or long-press it, though the actions are not that varied. The pen now also has to be charged, which is how it’s able to pull off that pressure sensitivity stunt, and you can only charge it when it’s inside its silo.

The Cameras

The moto g stylus – 2026’s camera story is rather underwhelming. On the hardware side, it doesn’t exactly differ from last year’s cameras, which include a 50MP Sony LYTIA 700C sensor and a 13MP Ultra-wide shooter that doubles as the Macro camera. In a nutshell, these are serviceable and decent, but they wouldn’t be something you’d want to rely on if you were planning on being a professional shutter bug.

The main shooter does a pretty good job of capturing detail, but its dynamic range seems to be on the narrower side, making subjects look a little flat. The AI-enhanced Signature Style can try to compensate, but it also oversaturates the output.

Normal

Signature Style

Normal

Night Vision

Nighttime photography is what you’d expect, as there wouldn’t be enough light information to work with. Night Vision Mode definitely kicks things up a notch, brightening things up enough to make out the details. This is one of those moments where the difference is, pardon the pun, night and day.

Ultrawide (0.5x)

Wide (1x)

Zoom (2x)

Given the hardware, ultra-wide shots are naturally less impressive but still get the job done for a quick panoramic picture. There’s no dedicated telephoto lens, so it does double duty as the macro camera. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make much of a difference. Portrait shots are pleasant and accurate, though, and you can select from 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm focal lengths.

Macro

Macro

The Battery

One of the few upgrades this year is the moto g stylus – 2026’s larger 5200mAh battery. It still supports 68W wire Turbo Charging and 15W wireless charging, the latter with no magnetic tricks. With the right power brick, you’re promised a full charge in just 44 minutes, but even a 65W charger managed to top the phone off in just a little over an hour.

That charging won’t happen frequently though, as the phone can last more than a day with normal use, including browsing the web, social media, and even watching videos on that bright, large screen. With less frequent use, it can actually extend to two days, though you’ll want to be on Wi-Fi rather than cellular to pull that off. Needless to say, it’s a reliable daily partner that won’t have you scrambling for a charger before you head home.

Sustainability

Motorola has been pretty vocal about its sustainability efforts, but the moto g stylus – 2026 is a bit of a hit and a little miss. The compact, plastic-free packaging is superb in that regard, ditching the redundant charging brick as well. Motorola also boasts about longevity, given the IP68, IP69, and MIL-STD-810H certifications.

Where the story takes a sad turn, however, is in the software upgrades. Only two years of Android upgrades and three years of security updates, figures that would have sounded generous almost a decade ago. This lags way behind the likes of Xiaomi, notorious for its short software support cycles, and is quite disappointing for an Android user experience that is almost as pure and unencumbered as the Google Pixel.

Value

There’s no going around the fact that the moto g stylus – 2026 has a price tag that’s a little difficult to swallow. It’s more than a $100 jump from last year’s model, and at $500 or $600, for 128GB and 256GB storage, respectively, other brands might give you better specs for the same price. Granted, Motorola often throws in bundles and discounts to sweeten the deal, but the initial price shock is unavoidable.

That said, that price could be a bit justifiable, especially if you factor in how electronics prices are going up these days anyway. For that amount, you get a solid, reliable, and beautiful phone that is almost literally a digital Field Notes notebook in your pocket. Considering that the closest competition is actually a $1,300 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, then there’s almost no contest. Sure, it doesn’t have the glamorous bells and whistles, but neither would a trusty notebook.

Verdict

More than any mainstream smartphone in the market today, the moto g stylus – 2026 is clearly aimed at a particular audience: people who don’t want their productivity and creativity to be hampered by not having their notebook or their computer around. They say the best tool is the one that you have with you, and almost everyone has their smartphone in their pocket. And what better way to capture fleeting inspiration or sketch inspiring vistas than by whipping out your phone and pulling out the stylus?

By no means is the moto g stylus – 2026 perfect. In fact, you might even call it dated if you judged it by its specs alone. But with a talented stylus, a gorgeous screen, a reliable battery, and a beautiful minimalist design, it is definitely worth every penny. There is no perfect productivity tool or notebook, but the moto g stylus – 2026 comes pretty darn close.

The post moto g stylus 2026 Review: Accessible Pocket Productivity and Creativity first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lymow One Plus Review: The Tank Got an Engineering Degree

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PROS:


  • LiFePO4 battery rated 2,000+ cycles outlasts all lithium-ion competitors

  • Heated cameras eliminate morning fog and dew navigation issues

  • 1,785W motor handles thick, wet, overgrown grass without bogging

  • Cyclone Airflow deck lifts flattened grass for a cleaner cut

  • Self-cleaning tracks and redesigned hub motors reduce long-term maintenance

CONS:


  • Blades, batteries, and chargers not cross-compatible with Gen 1

  • Pre-order starts at $2,699, $300 more than the Gen 1 launch price

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Lymow One Plus is the robot mower that finally makes traditional mowing obsolete.

When I reviewed the original Lymow One last August, I called it nimble, powerful, and reliable. It was the first robot mower I had tested that did not just shave my lawn with tiny razor discs. It actually mowed. Real rotary blades, tank treads, and the kind of cutting power that could handle thick St. Augustine grass without flinching. On my property, with 32 massive oak trees creating GPS dead zones and physical obstacle courses that make other robot mowers throw in the towel, the Lymow One earned its spot.

But first-gen hardware always comes with rough edges. The bottom-mounted charging contacts turned into mud magnets. The cameras fogged up during early morning dew. If you cranked the speed to maximum in a treed section, this thing would literally try to climb the trunk. I learned that lesson the hard way. It is those exact war stories that made the mapping and setup process for this new One Plus the very first thing I scrutinized. I began by mapping my 6,777 square foot property via the app, which serves as the foundation for the performance results that follow.

Designer: Lymow

Click Here to Buy Now: $2699 $2999 ($300 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Lymow collected feedback from the entire first production run and, instead of shipping a minor refresh, completely re-engineered the machine for its CES 2026 debut. The result is the Lymow One Plus: same tank-track DNA, same dual rotary blade philosophy, but with targeted fixes for every friction point Gen 1 owners identified. I have been running the One Plus on the same property, same 32 oaks, same slopes, and same thick grass, for several weeks now. This is not a fresh review. It is a direct continuation from someone who knows exactly where the Gen 1 fell short.

How I’m Testing the Lymow One Plus

To give this mower a proper workout, I started with the wire-free setup and mapping process. Since this system does not require a perimeter wire, the initial installation is relatively straightforward. I began by driving the mower like a remote-control car to define the boundaries of my 6,777 square foot property, which served as the foundation for the weeks of testing that followed. My test property in central Texas features 32 mature oak trees that create GPS dead zones across roughly half the yard and exposed root systems that have defeated every wheeled robot mower I have tested.

Design/Ergonomics

The transition from a traditional mower to a robot requires a shift in how you think about your yard. As I noted in my original Lymow One review, the setup is the most critical part of the user journey. For this review, I mapped my 6,777 square foot property entirely via the app.

LySee 2.0: The Cameras Can Finally See in the Morning

My property is the worst-case scenario for robot mower navigation. Thirty-two mature oaks with canopies thick enough to block satellite signals across half the yard. The original Lymow One’s RTK-VSLAM hybrid handled this better than any GPS-only mower I had tested, seamlessly handing off between satellite positioning in the open sections and visual navigation under the canopy. The transition was nearly invisible.

The weak spot was early morning. Texas humidity and morning dew would fog the stereo cameras during those pre-dawn sessions, and the visual system would degrade until the lenses warmed up. I noticed occasional “drift” under the heavy canopy during early runs that corrected itself once the sun burned off the moisture.

The One Plus addresses this directly with integrated heating elements in the camera housings. The lenses maintain a temperature above the dew point. This prevents condensation from forming in the first place. During my testing, the cameras stayed clear even in high humidity conditions.

The obstacle avoidance system has undergone extensive training to improve its real-world performance. Instead of just identifying objects, the mower now uses a combination of AI vision and ultrasonic sensors to determine how to handle obstacles. For smaller items like garden hoses or sprinkler heads, the AI recognizes the object and steers clear. For more complex terrain challenges like large oak roots or uneven ground, the ultrasonic sensors provide precision distance data that allows the mower to navigate the crossing safely without getting stuck. While the cameras identify everything from yard clutter to pets, it is important to note that all image processing happens locally on the mower. No video data is sent to the cloud, providing a layer of privacy for your home.

Interactive Status Display

The One Plus features a built-in LCD screen that provides real-time status updates directly on the machine. By separating this display from the LySee camera system, Lymow has made it easier to check battery levels, connection status, and current operation modes at a glance without needing to pull out your phone.

Heated cameras are not something you can isolate in a single controlled test. Fog, dew, and humidity vary day to day, and the real proof shows up over weeks of early morning sessions, not one dramatic before-and-after. I will be updating this section as I accumulate more pre-dawn runs throughout the spring, comparing the One Plus’s FPV clarity and navigation confidence to what I experienced with the Gen 1 under similar conditions. Obstacle avoidance around oak roots, garden hoses, and yard clutter will get the same ongoing treatment. Check back for updates as testing continues.

Performance

LyCut 2.0: The Blades Got Meaner, the Deck Got Smarter

The original Lymow One ran a 1,200W peak motor that I praised for tackling thick St. Augustine at my preferred 3,000 RPM “slow and steady” setting. At that speed, the blades cut clean and the yard looked professional. Crank it to 6,000 RPM for quick touch-ups and the power was there when I needed it.

The One Plus bumps peak power to 1,785W. That is a 50% increase, and the practical difference shows up in the worst-case scenarios: dense spring growth that has not been cut in two weeks, wet grass that clumps and resists cutting, or the thick patches near the base of my oaks where grass grows wild between root systems. The Gen 1 could handle most of this. The Gen 2 should handle all of it without the blade speed dropping under load.

But the bigger story is the new Cyclone Airflow system in the LyCut 2.0 deck. The original cutting deck was a standard floating dual-rotary setup. It worked, but “laid-over” grass, which are blades bent flat by foot traffic, rain, or the mower’s own tracks, would sometimes pass under the blades uncut. You would see patches where the grass was creased but not trimmed.

The redesigned deck creates a vacuum effect that pulls flattened grass upright just before the SK5 steel blades make contact. It is the difference between cutting what is standing and cutting everything. The blades themselves remain the same SK5 tool steel with 50 HRC hardness, now backed by a floating cutting deck that adapts to terrain variations independently from the chassis. Cutting height stays adjustable from 1.2 to 4.0 inches, and the 16-inch width covers serious ground on each pass.

I ran my usual test: I walked a grid pattern across a section of thick St. Augustine to flatten it, then sent the One Plus through. The Gen 1 would leave visible creased patches where the grass had been pushed flat by foot traffic. You would see these sad little stripes where the blades passed right over without cutting. The One Plus left a noticeably cleaner finish on the same test. It is not perfect, because nothing short of a reel mower handles fully matted St. Augustine flawlessly, but the improvement is real. The worst laid-over patches that the Gen 1 would completely miss now get at least partially caught. You can see the airflow pulling blades upright before the cut happens if you watch closely from the side.

What Early Adopters Reported (and What I Actually Found)

Three issues surfaced consistently in early 2026 user feedback: pathfinding “world tours” where the mower takes massive detours between zones, tread scuffing on wet turf during multi-point turns, and an app refresh bug that requires force-closing to see updated battery percentages. I went looking for all three. None of them showed up.

The One Plus navigated between my front and back yards through the narrow side channels without any detours or wasted battery. This model introduces significantly expanded multi-zone capability, allowing you to manage and customize up to 80 or more distinct zones. This is a major plus for complex properties with isolated grass patches or different landscaping requirements. You can set specific schedules and cutting heights for each area individually, which gives you much more granular control than the previous generation.

Tread scuffing was not an issue either. I ran multi-point turns on wet St. Augustine after morning rain, which is the exact scenario early adopters flagged, and saw no tearing or lasting marks. The tracks compress the grass temporarily, but it bounces back within a few hours. On established turf, this is a non-issue.

The app refresh bug is the only one I cannot fully rule out yet. I have not encountered it personally, but I also have not been obsessively checking battery percentages mid-session. I will keep an eye on it, though so far the app has shown accurate, real-time status every time I have opened it.

Sustainability

Self-Cleaning Tracks and Motors Built for the Long Haul

The original Lymow One’s tank treads were its signature feature and they performed exactly as advertised on slopes, roots, and uneven ground. However, over months of daily use, grass clippings and small gravel could accumulate inside the wheel wells. While not catastrophic, this was a maintenance item that added up and was reported by Gen 1 owners as a source of mechanical strain on the hub motors.

The One Plus addresses these concerns with self-cleaning side brushes that sweep debris out of the wheel wells during operation and a detachable track cover that allows for deeper cleaning without tools. Most importantly, Lymow completely redesigned the drivetrain with more robust motors. These improved hub motors feature 200% higher rigidity, meaning they are built to handle the constant stress of climbing 45-degree slopes without the mechanical fatigue that could shorten the lifespan of the machine. In my testing on steep embankments, the drive system felt noticeably more stable and sounded smoother under load.

The Efficiency of the 5A and 10A Fast Chargers

While the 5A charger serves as a more affordable entry point, covering approximately 1.1 acres per day, the high-performance 10A fast charger is the standard for those with larger properties. The 10A unit refills the LiFePO4 battery (15,000 mAh) from 10% to 90% in about 90 minutes. This allows for up to three mowing cycles per day, covering a total of 1.73 acres. Providing both options gives users the flexibility to choose the setup that best fits their yard size and budget.

The LiFePO4 chemistry remains the same, which is the right call. Standard lithium-ion batteries start losing meaningful capacity after two to three years of daily cycling. LiFePO4 at 2,000+ cycles means the battery should outlast the useful life of the machine. At $2,899, knowing you will not face a $500 battery replacement in year three is a real cost of ownership advantage.

The operating temperature range is also worth noting. It allows for 1 degree F to 134 degrees F for discharge and 37 degrees F to 134 degrees F for charging. That covers everything from an early spring morning to a Texas August afternoon without battery management concerns.

Value/Verdict

Is the One Plus Worth It

At a starting pre-order price of $2,699 for the 5A version, which sits $300 above the Gen 1’s launch price, or $2,899 for the 10A model, the Lymow One Plus brings substantial hardware upgrades to the table. That delta buys you the top-mounted charging system that eliminates the single most annoying maintenance task, a 50% power bump that shows up in thick spring growth, heated cameras for reliable early morning navigation, self-cleaning tracks, improved hub motors, and access to a professional-grade 10A fast charger. For anyone upgrading from the Gen 1, Lymow’s exclusive program offering up to 40% off or a trade-in makes the math straightforward. The charging fix and fast charger alone would justify it.

Compared to the competition, the value equation holds up. The Navimow X450 retails for $2,999 and is an AWD powerhouse with a class-leading 17-inch cutting deck. While its 84 percent slope rating is impressive for a wheeled machine, it cannot match the raw mechanical grip of the Lymow tracks on loose soil or 100 percent inclines. It also relies on standard lithium-ion batteries. This means you will likely see capacity degradation years before the Lymow battery shows its age.

The ECOVACS GOAT A3000 is the more budget-friendly pick at $2,099 to $2,499, but you sacrifice significant cutting width and the ability to handle anything beyond a standard suburban slope. Even the Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD, which features a similar tri-fusion navigation system, still uses wheels and standard lithium-ion chemistry. By choosing the One Plus, you are getting nearly triple the battery cycle life because of the LiFePO4 cells. While other packs might require a replacement after five or six years of use, this battery is designed to outlive the mower itself.

The LiFePO4 battery is the hidden value play that most spec comparisons miss. At 2,000+ cycles, you are looking at five to seven years of daily use before meaningful capacity loss. Every competitor in this price range uses lithium-ion chemistry rated for 500 to 800 cycles. Over a five-year ownership window, the Lymow saves you a $400 to $600 battery replacement that the others will eventually require. Factor that into the purchase price and the One Plus is actually the cheapest option to own long-term for properties that need tracked, heavy-duty mowing.

Pricing, Availability, and the Upgrade Program

The Lymow One Plus is available for pre-order at $2,699 for the 5A model and $2,899 for the 10A model, representing a $300 discount off the eventual retail prices. The 5A model covers 1.1 acres per day, and the 10A model covers 1.73 acres per day with faster charging.

US shipping begins April 20 for both versions. Canadian shipping starts April 15 for the 5A and May 18 for the 10A. The box includes the mower, charging station with adapter and 10m extension cable, RTK reference station with antenna and mounting hardware, and documentation.

For existing Lymow One owners, the company is running an exclusive upgrade program with up to 40% off or a trade-in option for the One Plus. One important note for Gen 1 owners planning to upgrade: blades, batteries, and other accessories are not interchangeable between the two models. The One Plus uses redesigned components throughout, so do not count on carrying over spare parts from your original machine.

The Verdict

The Lymow One Plus is what the original should have been. That is not a knock on the Gen 1, which I still think was a genuinely impressive first attempt at a tracked rotary robot mower. But the Plus fixes the things that made daily ownership frustrating: the charging contacts that required constant maintenance, the cameras that could not see through morning fog, and the previous charging limitations. Every major pain point I identified in my original review got a direct, engineered solution.

I will continue updating the heated camera section as spring testing progresses. But the core mowing experience, the cut quality, the terrain capability, and the autonomous reliability are the best I have tested in this category.

FAQ

What changed from the original Lymow One to the One Plus?

The biggest changes are the top-mounted charging contacts (moved from the bottom), 50% more peak cutting power (1,200W to 1,785W), and the Cyclone Airflow cutting deck. Hardware reliability has also been a major focus, with the addition of heated camera housings for all-weather navigation, a self-cleaning track system, and improved hub motors that have been completely redesigned for better long-term durability. Additionally, the One Plus offers a professional-grade 10A fast charger as a new configuration option.

Can the Lymow One Plus handle steep slopes?

It’s rated for 45 degrees (100% incline), the highest in the consumer market. The improved hub motors with 200% higher rigidity are designed to maintain traction without mechanical fatigue on sustained climbs.

Are Lymow One and One Plus accessories interchangeable?

The tracks are actually compatible between the two models, so you can keep those as spares. However, the blades, batteries, and chargers are not interchangeable because the One Plus uses upgraded components throughout the power system.

How long does the battery last?

The LiFePO4 battery provides approximately three hours of runtime per charge and is rated for 2,000+ cycles, significantly outlasting standard lithium-ion batteries.

Does it work without RTK signal?

It can mow small areas (0.025 to 0.037 acres) for up to 10 minutes without RTK, which covers brief signal drops but isn’t intended for sustained operation without the reference station.

Is there an upgrade program for Lymow One owners?

Yes. Lymow offers up to 40% off or a trade-in for original owners. Check the Lymow website for eligibility details and trade-in terms based on your unit’s serial number.

Click Here to Buy Now: $2699 $2999 ($300 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The post Lymow One Plus Review: The Tank Got an Engineering Degree first appeared on Yanko Design.

ASUS Zenbook DUO (2026) Review: One Laptop, Two Screens, All Business

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PROS:


  • Beautiful, nearly identical 14-inch 144Hz 3K OLED screens

  • Narrower hinge creates a more immersive visual experience

  • Ceraluminum design adds visual and tactile character

  • Powerful Intel Panther Lake performance and impressive battery life

CONS:


  • Quite pricey

  • No built-in card reader

  • RAM is soldered

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) earns its premium with two stunning co-equal OLED screens, a sleeker hinge, and Intel Panther Lake performance built for serious work on the go.
award-icon

For a time, it seemed that foldable and rollable screens would be the future of laptops, just as they are positioned to be where smartphones are going. That was until people realized that what may be good for handheld devices might not work for 14-inch slabs with keyboards. Foldable laptops might still have their day, but they are too impractical and costly for now.

ASUS has chosen to instead design and deliver a solution for today’s needs and problems. Rather than a screen that folds just to save space, the Zenbook DUO has opted to expand the user’s workspace instead, bringing the productivity advantages of dual-monitor setups from desktops to laptops. This year’s ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) does more than just upgrade the spec sheet. It is also adding a touch of style and elegance that makes a power user tool feel more considered.

Designer: ASUS

Aesthetics

The 2026 ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) is quite stunning in almost any form, whether it’s closed shut, opened like a laptop, or especially when it’s wide open. The lid cover exudes not only minimalism but also character, with a reflective “ASUS ZENBOOK” logo engraved against the Elephant Gray “Ceraluminum” surface, creating a simple yet eye-catching visual and material contrast.

That Ceraluminum is, of course, ASUS’s latest material innovation that uses a special oxidation process to give aluminum some ceramic-like properties, particularly durability and higher resistance to scratches. The end result is a material that isn’t just nice to look at but also pleasing to touch, giving the lid a texture that almost feels like stone or, well, ceramic. There is also a certain visual “roughness” to the Ceraluminum surface, setting it apart from the brushed metal or anodized appearances of its peers.

Of course, the real show happens when you open the laptop and lift the keyboard away, revealing two gorgeous 14-inch screens connected together by a hinge, no messy or awkward cables. For this iteration, ASUS poured its efforts into making that connection look even more seamless, not only by shrinking the bezels between the displays but also by developing a new “hideaway” hinge that narrows the gap from 25.31mm down to 7.6mm. Make no mistake, there’s still a very obvious separation between the two, but it is now less jarring, making it feel like you’re working with a screen that just happened to be split into two, rather than two screens stitched together.

With the detachable Bluetooth keyboard resting on the second screen or when it’s closed, the Zenbook DUO (2026) looks almost like a normal laptop. You have a few (literally) ports on either side along with some air vents, and a wide-long grille at the bottom above the built-in kickstand. Your only clue that this isn’t a normal laptop is when you accidentally close the laptop lid without the keyboard attached, creating a very noticeable gap that, unfortunately, would also be an open invitation for small items to come in and scratch the screens.

Ergonomics

At 1.65kg (3.64lbs) with the Bluetooth keyboard attached, the ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) isn’t exactly lightweight compared to other 14-inch laptops in the market, at least the non-gaming kind. That said, it’s not exactly on the heavier side either, especially when you consider that you’re carrying two 14-inch screens, not to mention a 99Wh battery, in a single bundle. In that context, it’s actually amazing how much ASUS was able to reduce the heft without cutting corners.

That said, having two connected displays brings its own ergonomics puzzle, something that ASUS seems to have finally solved almost to perfection. You have no less than 5 ways to use the laptop, from a normal laptop to two screens vertically stacked to the side-by-side “desktop mode”. While the hinge does most of the hard work, the built-in kickstand literally carries the burden, supporting that full weight (minus the keyboard) on its own.

The new kickstand is stronger, sturdier, and stiffer, providing confidence it won’t just suddenly close down. It can open to a maximum of 90 degrees, which is the angle you’ll need for desktop mode. That said, it also means that you only have possible angle for the displays in that mode, unless you have a separate stand to prop it up, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a built-in kickstand.

One thing to note in desktop mode is that you will naturally be sacrificing one side of ports. Thankfully, you can turn the Zenbook DUO (2026) which ever side up, whether you need an extra HDMI and headphone jack, or an extra USB-A port. Thankfully, both Thunderbolt 4 ports are equal in capabilities, so you don’t have to make a sacrifice on that end.

If there’s one thing I found a bit cumbersome in the Zenbook DUO’s design is that the power button sits so flushed against the frame. On the one hand, that means it won’t snag with anything in your bag, nor will it get triggered accidentally. On the other hand, it also makes it harder to locate it without looking or fumbling with your finger sliding across the edge repeatedly.

Performance

The ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) is one of the early laptops to embrace Intel’s new Panther Lake chips, specifically the Intel Core Ultra 3 series. The dual-screen laptops comes in two options, one with an Intel Core Ultra 7 355 and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H. In terms of CPU alone, these already represent a huge leap not just in performance but also in power efficiency, but the latter configuration pulls an even bigger feat.

The review unit we received comes with an Intel Arc B390 GPU based the latest 3rd-gen Intel Xe graphics. Forget what memories you might have had of integrated Intel graphics, because we’re entering an era where you can actually play games with decent settings on it. Of course, your mileage may vary and benchmarks can only provide some general idea, but that all these specs mean is that the ASUS Zenbook DUO (2026) is built for serious productivity and creative work.

It is, after all, designed for heavy-duty computer users ranging from knowledge workers to creators who need to bring the productivity they enjoy on the desktop to wherever they go. Productivity suites, video editors, graphics programs, 3D modelers, and even games won’t make this flexible laptop break a sweat. And yes, that includes some AI shenanigans, thanks to an upgraded NPU as well.

Of course, this also means that it has enough muscle to support running two screens which, by default, is set to extended (versus mirroring each other). The beauty is that these two screens are nearly identical not just in size but also in capabilities, where other dual-screen laptops skimp on the second screen more often than not. We’re talking two 14-inch 3K (2880×1800) 144Hz Lumina Pro OLED displays. Both support touch and, more importantly, both support the ASUS Pen stylus.

In reality, there are very slight differences between the two screens in terms of full color gamut and maximum brightness, but you won’t notice it too much unless you are actively looking for it. In practice, most people will keep content they’re working on in one of two screens anyway, leaving the other as an auxiliary for references or controls.

The latter is actually an interesting aspect of this dual-screen laptop, making the Zenbook DUO feel almost futuristic. While it does have a detachable keyboard, there might be times when you want to have more direct access to the lower touch screen without having to switch back and forth with the Bluetooth keyboard at the side. With a six-finger gesture, you can summon a half-height virtual keyboard, a half-height virtual keyboard with a virtual trackpad to the right, or a full-screen keyboard with a large trackpad below it, pretty much like the virtual equivalent of the physical keyboard.

Additionally, you can have other virtual knobs and sliders above the keyboard or as floating windows, thanks to ASUS’s Dial & Control app. These controls, which also include a numpad and an area for writing with a pen, can change depending on what app is currently in focus. With a browser window, it can have a button for a new tab or a dial for zooming in and out. Or it could be a knob for volume and a slider for screen brightness.

As for the detachable keyboard, it magnetically snaps into place, with retracting pogo pins creating a more stable connection than Bluetooth, though that is the only way to use it when it’s detached. That said, there are no notches or protrusions along the edges of the keyboard, so prying it away from that strong magnetic hold can take a bit of work. The keyboard charges when it’s lying on the laptop, but it can also be charged separately via USB-C. Key travel is decent, but the keys themselves feel a bit squishy. The large trackpad is sensitive, but the hydrophobic coating gives it too much resistance when gliding your finger across it.

The combination of the more power-smart Intel Panther Lake processor and the 99Wh battery tucked inside gives the ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) quite a long uptime, even with both screens enabled. Even a battery of benchmarks and hours of typing and browsing has left a good 12% of battery left, rounding up to a little over 15 hours of use, just a little below ASUS’s advertised 18 hours (with two screens). The included 100W USB-C charging brick helps mitigate the battery loss, and the fact that you can easily use power banks to top up on the go makes the battery narrative even more compelling.

Sustainability

ASUS didn’t use to speak much about the sustainability of its laptops, but that has changed in recent years. The invention of Ceraluminum adds another level to that story, though a bit indirectly. In a nutshell, the material is meant to increase the durability and longevity of the product by protecting it from small accidents. Whether the ZenBook DUO uses sustainable materials, or at least what percentage of it does, isn’t public information.

That longevity, however, is also affected by how much you can upgrade or even repair the laptop. Given how unconventional its design is, it’s really no surprise that there isn’t much here in the way of upgrade options. You do have easy access to the SSD underneath the kickstand. The Zenbook DUO (2026) can support up to 2TB with a full-sized M.2 SSD. The 32GB RAM, however, is soldered down.

Value

The ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) is a laptop on a mission. It is, in a nutshell, designed for people who thrive and need multi-tasking capabilities that they could only enjoy while chained to their desk (or awkwardly carrying a portable monitor). That actually covers a wide range of professions and industries, including creators, designers, office workers, executives, and, yes, gamers. In that sense, there can probably be no better tool for them than this.

In both performance and flexibility, the 2026 Zenbook DUO offers users the power they need, as they need it. Cramped for space on a plane? Just use it as a single-screen laptop, and no one will be the wiser. Need to collaborate with a team? Lay it out flat on the desk to give everyone the same perspective. Need to reference documents as you write? The book-like desktop mode has you covered.

That said, it’s definitely far from perfect. For a laptop aimed at creatives and professionals, the absence of a built-in SD card reader seems pretty odd. And then there’s the $2,699.99 price for the configuration that has the impressive Intel Arc graphics. That puts it way above most 14-inch ultra-thin laptops and in the range of gaming laptops. But then again, none of those have two 14-inch screens, either.

Verdict

Laptops with foldable screens admittedly look fancy and impressive. The big OEMs, including ASUS, are still playing around to find the formula that will finally make it feel more than just a fancy and expensive experiment. In the meantime, however, people need to get work done, and when it comes to that, nothing really beats using more than two screens.

You could always carry a portable screen along with your laptop, which is awkward, cumbersome, and inefficient, or you could grab the ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407). With an improved hinge, beautiful co-equal 14-inch displays, and an Intel Panther Lake processor that can handle almost anything you throw at it, the dual-screen laptop lets you choose the way you want or need to work. And it looks stylish to boot in any form, making sure you’ll be the envy of everyone in the coffee shop.

The post ASUS Zenbook DUO (2026) Review: One Laptop, Two Screens, All Business first appeared on Yanko Design.

ASUS Zenbook DUO (2026) Review: One Laptop, Two Screens, All Business

Posted on by

PROS:


  • Beautiful, nearly identical 14-inch 144Hz 3K OLED screens

  • Narrower hinge creates a more immersive visual experience

  • Ceraluminum design adds visual and tactile character

  • Powerful Intel Panther Lake performance and impressive battery life

CONS:


  • Quite pricey

  • No built-in card reader

  • RAM is soldered

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) earns its premium with two stunning co-equal OLED screens, a sleeker hinge, and Intel Panther Lake performance built for serious work on the go.
award-icon

For a time, it seemed that foldable and rollable screens would be the future of laptops, just as they are positioned to be where smartphones are going. That was until people realized that what may be good for handheld devices might not work for 14-inch slabs with keyboards. Foldable laptops might still have their day, but they are too impractical and costly for now.

ASUS has chosen to instead design and deliver a solution for today’s needs and problems. Rather than a screen that folds just to save space, the Zenbook DUO has opted to expand the user’s workspace instead, bringing the productivity advantages of dual-monitor setups from desktops to laptops. This year’s ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) does more than just upgrade the spec sheet. It is also adding a touch of style and elegance that makes a power user tool feel more considered.

Designer: ASUS

Aesthetics

The 2026 ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) is quite stunning in almost any form, whether it’s closed shut, opened like a laptop, or especially when it’s wide open. The lid cover exudes not only minimalism but also character, with a reflective “ASUS ZENBOOK” logo engraved against the Elephant Gray “Ceraluminum” surface, creating a simple yet eye-catching visual and material contrast.

That Ceraluminum is, of course, ASUS’s latest material innovation that uses a special oxidation process to give aluminum some ceramic-like properties, particularly durability and higher resistance to scratches. The end result is a material that isn’t just nice to look at but also pleasing to touch, giving the lid a texture that almost feels like stone or, well, ceramic. There is also a certain visual “roughness” to the Ceraluminum surface, setting it apart from the brushed metal or anodized appearances of its peers.

Of course, the real show happens when you open the laptop and lift the keyboard away, revealing two gorgeous 14-inch screens connected together by a hinge, no messy or awkward cables. For this iteration, ASUS poured its efforts into making that connection look even more seamless, not only by shrinking the bezels between the displays but also by developing a new “hideaway” hinge that narrows the gap from 25.31mm down to 7.6mm. Make no mistake, there’s still a very obvious separation between the two, but it is now less jarring, making it feel like you’re working with a screen that just happened to be split into two, rather than two screens stitched together.

With the detachable Bluetooth keyboard resting on the second screen or when it’s closed, the Zenbook DUO (2026) looks almost like a normal laptop. You have a few (literally) ports on either side along with some air vents, and a wide-long grille at the bottom above the built-in kickstand. Your only clue that this isn’t a normal laptop is when you accidentally close the laptop lid without the keyboard attached, creating a very noticeable gap that, unfortunately, would also be an open invitation for small items to come in and scratch the screens.

Ergonomics

At 1.65kg (3.64lbs) with the Bluetooth keyboard attached, the ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) isn’t exactly lightweight compared to other 14-inch laptops in the market, at least the non-gaming kind. That said, it’s not exactly on the heavier side either, especially when you consider that you’re carrying two 14-inch screens, not to mention a 99Wh battery, in a single bundle. In that context, it’s actually amazing how much ASUS was able to reduce the heft without cutting corners.

That said, having two connected displays brings its own ergonomics puzzle, something that ASUS seems to have finally solved almost to perfection. You have no less than 5 ways to use the laptop, from a normal laptop to two screens vertically stacked to the side-by-side “desktop mode”. While the hinge does most of the hard work, the built-in kickstand literally carries the burden, supporting that full weight (minus the keyboard) on its own.

The new kickstand is stronger, sturdier, and stiffer, providing confidence it won’t just suddenly close down. It can open to a maximum of 90 degrees, which is the angle you’ll need for desktop mode. That said, it also means that you only have possible angle for the displays in that mode, unless you have a separate stand to prop it up, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a built-in kickstand.

One thing to note in desktop mode is that you will naturally be sacrificing one side of ports. Thankfully, you can turn the Zenbook DUO (2026) which ever side up, whether you need an extra HDMI and headphone jack, or an extra USB-A port. Thankfully, both Thunderbolt 4 ports are equal in capabilities, so you don’t have to make a sacrifice on that end.

If there’s one thing I found a bit cumbersome in the Zenbook DUO’s design is that the power button sits so flushed against the frame. On the one hand, that means it won’t snag with anything in your bag, nor will it get triggered accidentally. On the other hand, it also makes it harder to locate it without looking or fumbling with your finger sliding across the edge repeatedly.

Performance

The ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) is one of the early laptops to embrace Intel’s new Panther Lake chips, specifically the Intel Core Ultra 3 series. The dual-screen laptops comes in two options, one with an Intel Core Ultra 7 355 and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H. In terms of CPU alone, these already represent a huge leap not just in performance but also in power efficiency, but the latter configuration pulls an even bigger feat.

The review unit we received comes with an Intel Arc B390 GPU based the latest 3rd-gen Intel Xe graphics. Forget what memories you might have had of integrated Intel graphics, because we’re entering an era where you can actually play games with decent settings on it. Of course, your mileage may vary and benchmarks can only provide some general idea, but that all these specs mean is that the ASUS Zenbook DUO (2026) is built for serious productivity and creative work.

It is, after all, designed for heavy-duty computer users ranging from knowledge workers to creators who need to bring the productivity they enjoy on the desktop to wherever they go. Productivity suites, video editors, graphics programs, 3D modelers, and even games won’t make this flexible laptop break a sweat. And yes, that includes some AI shenanigans, thanks to an upgraded NPU as well.

Of course, this also means that it has enough muscle to support running two screens which, by default, is set to extended (versus mirroring each other). The beauty is that these two screens are nearly identical not just in size but also in capabilities, where other dual-screen laptops skimp on the second screen more often than not. We’re talking two 14-inch 3K (2880×1800) 144Hz Lumina Pro OLED displays. Both support touch and, more importantly, both support the ASUS Pen stylus.

In reality, there are very slight differences between the two screens in terms of full color gamut and maximum brightness, but you won’t notice it too much unless you are actively looking for it. In practice, most people will keep content they’re working on in one of two screens anyway, leaving the other as an auxiliary for references or controls.

The latter is actually an interesting aspect of this dual-screen laptop, making the Zenbook DUO feel almost futuristic. While it does have a detachable keyboard, there might be times when you want to have more direct access to the lower touch screen without having to switch back and forth with the Bluetooth keyboard at the side. With a six-finger gesture, you can summon a half-height virtual keyboard, a half-height virtual keyboard with a virtual trackpad to the right, or a full-screen keyboard with a large trackpad below it, pretty much like the virtual equivalent of the physical keyboard.

Additionally, you can have other virtual knobs and sliders above the keyboard or as floating windows, thanks to ASUS’s Dial & Control app. These controls, which also include a numpad and an area for writing with a pen, can change depending on what app is currently in focus. With a browser window, it can have a button for a new tab or a dial for zooming in and out. Or it could be a knob for volume and a slider for screen brightness.

As for the detachable keyboard, it magnetically snaps into place, with retracting pogo pins creating a more stable connection than Bluetooth, though that is the only way to use it when it’s detached. That said, there are no notches or protrusions along the edges of the keyboard, so prying it away from that strong magnetic hold can take a bit of work. The keyboard charges when it’s lying on the laptop, but it can also be charged separately via USB-C. Key travel is decent, but the keys themselves feel a bit squishy. The large trackpad is sensitive, but the hydrophobic coating gives it too much resistance when gliding your finger across it.

The combination of the more power-smart Intel Panther Lake processor and the 99Wh battery tucked inside gives the ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) quite a long uptime, even with both screens enabled. Even a battery of benchmarks and hours of typing and browsing has left a good 12% of battery left, rounding up to a little over 15 hours of use, just a little below ASUS’s advertised 18 hours (with two screens). The included 100W USB-C charging brick helps mitigate the battery loss, and the fact that you can easily use power banks to top up on the go makes the battery narrative even more compelling.

Sustainability

ASUS didn’t use to speak much about the sustainability of its laptops, but that has changed in recent years. The invention of Ceraluminum adds another level to that story, though a bit indirectly. In a nutshell, the material is meant to increase the durability and longevity of the product by protecting it from small accidents. Whether the ZenBook DUO uses sustainable materials, or at least what percentage of it does, isn’t public information.

That longevity, however, is also affected by how much you can upgrade or even repair the laptop. Given how unconventional its design is, it’s really no surprise that there isn’t much here in the way of upgrade options. You do have easy access to the SSD underneath the kickstand. The Zenbook DUO (2026) can support up to 2TB with a full-sized M.2 SSD. The 32GB RAM, however, is soldered down.

Value

The ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407) is a laptop on a mission. It is, in a nutshell, designed for people who thrive and need multi-tasking capabilities that they could only enjoy while chained to their desk (or awkwardly carrying a portable monitor). That actually covers a wide range of professions and industries, including creators, designers, office workers, executives, and, yes, gamers. In that sense, there can probably be no better tool for them than this.

In both performance and flexibility, the 2026 Zenbook DUO offers users the power they need, as they need it. Cramped for space on a plane? Just use it as a single-screen laptop, and no one will be the wiser. Need to collaborate with a team? Lay it out flat on the desk to give everyone the same perspective. Need to reference documents as you write? The book-like desktop mode has you covered.

That said, it’s definitely far from perfect. For a laptop aimed at creatives and professionals, the absence of a built-in SD card reader seems pretty odd. And then there’s the $2,699.99 price for the configuration that has the impressive Intel Arc graphics. That puts it way above most 14-inch ultra-thin laptops and in the range of gaming laptops. But then again, none of those have two 14-inch screens, either.

Verdict

Laptops with foldable screens admittedly look fancy and impressive. The big OEMs, including ASUS, are still playing around to find the formula that will finally make it feel more than just a fancy and expensive experiment. In the meantime, however, people need to get work done, and when it comes to that, nothing really beats using more than two screens.

You could always carry a portable screen along with your laptop, which is awkward, cumbersome, and inefficient, or you could grab the ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8407). With an improved hinge, beautiful co-equal 14-inch displays, and an Intel Panther Lake processor that can handle almost anything you throw at it, the dual-screen laptop lets you choose the way you want or need to work. And it looks stylish to boot in any form, making sure you’ll be the envy of everyone in the coffee shop.

The post ASUS Zenbook DUO (2026) Review: One Laptop, Two Screens, All Business first appeared on Yanko Design.

vivo X300 Ultra Review: Putting the Camera at the Center of Everything

Posted on by

PROS:


  • Excellent photography performance even without accessory

  • Modular photography ecosystem with extenders, grips, and cages

  • Simple yet stylish design

  • Flagship performance now avialabe globally


CONS:


  • Quite heavy for one-handed use

  • Premium pricing might only appeal to mobile shutterbugs


RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The vivo X300 Ultra is a camera platform that happens to run Android, built for people who shoot with purpose and want their phone to keep up.

The premium smartphone market has gotten very good at producing flagships that look and feel essentially identical. Brighter displays, larger sensors, and faster chips are standard expectations now, and while the results are impressive, they rarely feel purpose-built for a specific kind of user. The phones that genuinely stand out tend to commit to a clear identity and organize everything, from hardware to aesthetics, around it.

The vivo X300 Ultra is making its global debut right now, the first time vivo’s top-tier X Series flagship has launched outside of China. It arrives with a clear, photography-first premise built around the ZEISS Master Lenses Collection, offering professional creators unprecedented creative freedom through pioneering telephoto solutions, three prime-equivalent focal lengths, and a modular telephoto system that turns the phone into something closer to a portable camera platform than a smartphone that happens to have good cameras.

Designer: vivo

Aesthetics

The X300 Ultra doesn’t hide what it’s about. The rear is dominated by a large circular camera module, a bold black disc rimmed in polished metal with ZEISS T* branding at the center. It’s a confident, unapologetic choice that reads as a statement of intent rather than a feature shoehorned into standard smartphone form. The module doesn’t merely support the design; it is the design.

Our review unit is the white colorway, and it’s a particularly considered finish. The back panel has a subtle, almost etched texture beneath the surface, giving it more depth than you’d expect from a white phone. The polished frame and classic split design, inspired by the hues of unprocessed film, create a striking visual contrast while maintaining a slim, premium presence without relying on glossy flash or loud visual contrast.

The camera-inspired detailing rewards a closer look. The device features a metal “biscuit-style” camera bump with a knurled texture and engraved lettering on the sidewall of the camera bump, adding a precision-tool quality you feel the moment you hold it. These aren’t details that show up in a spec sheet, but they make a real difference in how the phone feels to own and carry every day.

The front takes a different approach entirely. The 6.82-inch 2.5D flat screen sits behind slim, even bezels with a small centered punch-hole for the 50MP front camera, and the whole face feels clean and uncomplicated. That contrast with the expressive rear works in the phone’s favor, keeping the display experience neutral and focused while the camera side carries all the personality.

Ergonomics

The first thing you notice when picking up the vivo X300 Ultra is the weight. At 237g, the white model is among the heaviest flagship phones currently on the market, and the substantial camera module adds to that presence both physically and psychologically. The Unibody 3D Glass Fiber Design of the Black edition results in a lighter 232g, but regardless of colorway, the flat-sided metal frame distributes the weight well, making the phone feel grounded and deliberate rather than awkwardly front-heavy.

One-handed use is possible, but not the most comfortable for extended periods, which is expected for a device of this size. The flat sides help with grip, giving you a firm hold, and the 8.49mm slim profile feels justified by the optical hardware packed inside. It’s a noticeable phone in the pocket, though that’s really true of any flagship with serious camera ambitions.

The ergonomics shift noticeably when the telephoto extenders enter the picture. The protective case becomes a functional necessity, as the lens mount system requires it to interface with the accessories. Once a telephoto extender is attached, the modular grip moves from optional to practically essential, providing the stability and comfort that the added length and weight demand.

Performance

At the core lies the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with vivo’s own Pro Imaging Chip VS1+ and up to 16GB of RAM with up to 1TB of storage. Day-to-day performance is exactly what you’d expect from a 2026 flagship: fast, fluid, and unfazed by demanding tasks. OriginOS 6, based on Android 16, keeps things running smoothly with an Origin Smooth Engine that keeps the interface feeling responsive even after extended sessions.

The display is a 6.82-inch 8T LTPO panel running at 3,168 x 1,440 with a 144Hz adaptive refresh rate. It’s bright enough to review shots comfortably outdoors, with 4,500 nits of local peak brightness and certifications for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Netflix HDR. As a viewfinder for the camera system, it performs its job well, delivering accurate colors that reflect what the camera is actually capturing.

Battery life is solid for a phone with this level of imaging ambition. The 6,600mAh BlueVolt Battery supports 100W wired FlashCharge and 40W wireless charging, making it easy to top up quickly between shoots. Bypass charging with smart temperature control also keeps heat in check during longer sessions, which matters when you’re shooting all day.

The camera system is, of course, where the X300 Ultra makes its most interesting argument. Rather than organizing three cameras as “main, ultrawide, and telephoto,” vivo builds them around three prime-equivalent focal lengths, each treated as a dedicated imaging tool. The 35mm ZEISS Documentary Camera, equipped with a Sony LYTIA 901 sensor at a 1/1.12-inch sensor size and 200MP direct output, is the natural storytelling lens with a field of view close to the human eye. It’s ideal for portraits, street photography, and everyday moments, particularly in low light, where it delivers sharp, naturally detailed results.

Color Profile: Authentic

Color Profile: Vivid

Portrait Mode

Macro Mode

The 85mm ZEISS Gimbal-Grade APO Telephoto Camera is arguably the most technically ambitious of the three. Its 200MP sensor captures extraordinary detail even at high zoom levels, meeting ZEISS APO standards for optical precision. With 3-degree gimbal-level OIS and 60fps AF tracking in Snapshot mode, it handles fast-moving subjects with a composure that most telephoto cameras on phones can’t manage. Concerts, wildlife, and sports are where this lens makes the clearest case for itself, letting you track and capture decisive moments with confidence.

Telephoto Lens (No Mode)

Telephoto Lens (Pro Sports Mode)

Telephoto Lens (Pro Sports Mode)

Ultra-wide

The 14mm ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Camera rounds things out at 50MP, with a large aperture that makes it more capable than the typical ultrawide found on most flagships. It isn’t an afterthought; vivo positions it as a main-camera-grade lens designed for natural landscapes and broader compositional work, and that ambition shows in the results.

Main

Telephoto Camera (No Lens Extender)

The telephoto extenders add another layer to the whole system. The 200mm equivalent vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 connects to the phone via the case’s lens mount and delivers optical-grade output at a focal length that no internal module can match, all at a more manageable 153g, refined down from 210g in the previous generation. The 400mm equivalent Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra takes things further still, built on a Kepler-inspired optical design with 15 high-transmittance glass elements and support for 200MP optical output. Both extenders support gimbal-grade OIS and up to 60fps AF tracking, and together they extend the X300 Ultra’s imaging range into territory that genuinely blurs the boundary between smartphone and dedicated camera.

200 mm ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2

400 mm ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra

Sustainability

The X300 Ultra is built to last, and that conviction shows in the hardware choices. Armor Glass protects the exterior, and the phone carries both IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings, covering both prolonged submersion and high-pressure water exposure. These are meaningful standards for a device that’s meant to travel and shoot in varied conditions.

The strongest sustainability argument, though, is software longevity. vivo is committing to five years of OS upgrades and seven years of security maintenance, a support window that puts the X300 Ultra ahead of most Android flagships and signals genuine confidence in its long-term relevance. For a phone at this price point, that kind of assurance matters, extending the useful life of the device considerably.

Like most sealed flagship phones, however, the X300 Ultra isn’t particularly repair-friendly, and vivo doesn’t make any specific claims about recycled or sustainable materials in this build. That’s a common gap across the ultra-premium phone category, and the long support window and durable construction go some way toward compensating for it.

Value

The X300 Ultra sits squarely in the ultra-premium flagship tier, and it makes no attempt to be a broadly accessible phone. It’s a specialized, photography-first device with a modular accessory system, three prime-equivalent focal lengths, and a build quality that communicates its ambitions at every turn. The starting price in China begins at CNY 6,999, roughly in line with other high-end imaging flagships globally, though global pricing hasn’t been officially confirmed at the time of this review.

For the right buyer, that price feels well-matched to what the phone actually delivers. Photographers and creators who think in focal lengths, who want to shoot 200MP RAW files on a 35mm lens, track birds or performers at 85mm, and then extend to 200mm or 400mm with an optically serious external lens, will find it harder to justify a more generalist flagship. The X300 Ultra covers a lot of creative ground that most phones simply can’t.

That said, buyers looking for the lightest or simplest ultra-premium smartphone, something to carry easily through a full day without thinking twice about it, may find the X300 Ultra’s weight and accessory ecosystem a bit more demanding than they bargained for. It’s a phone that asks for a certain kind of engagement, and it rewards that engagement handsomely.

Verdict

The vivo X300 Ultra is one of the most coherent camera-first flagships to arrive in years. The design, the optics, the telephoto ecosystem, and the software are all pulling in the same direction, creating a product that knows its audience and delivers on their priorities with real conviction. The 237g weight and accessory dependency aren’t oversights; they’re the cost of a system this capable, and for the right user, that’s a perfectly reasonable trade.

What makes it genuinely memorable, though, isn’t any single spec. It’s the feeling that the whole thing was designed by people who actually think about photography, not just camera marketing. The focal lengths are deliberate, the extenders are optically serious, and the hardware detailing reinforces the idea that this is a tool as much as it is a phone. For anyone who shoots with intent, that kind of commitment is exactly what a flagship should offer.

The post vivo X300 Ultra Review: Putting the Camera at the Center of Everything first appeared on Yanko Design.

ZimaBoard 2 Review: The Home Server You Don’t Have to Hide Anymore

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PROS:


  • Unusually sleek, well-finished aluminum design for a board-style server

  • Effectively silent passive cooling for always-on use

  • 60W adapter (with multiple plug types) provides sufficient 12V/5A power

  • Intuitive ZimaOS web interface, easy to set up without Linux experience

  • PCIe 3.0 x4 slot allows meaningful expansion


CONS:


  • Not suited for heavy compute or multi-VM workloads

  • Onboard eMMC is slow for sustained data storage

  • Memory tops out at 16 GB

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The ZimaBoard 2 offers a compact, always-on server that earns its place on the shelf both functionally and aesthetically.

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Home servers and NAS boxes have long had a visibility problem, and not in the marketing sense. Most are bulky, noisy, and purely functional, which means they usually end up tucked behind desks or buried in closets. The compact options that do exist often sacrifice connectivity, storage support, or OS flexibility, making them useful only on paper rather than in the kind of sustained, always-on role they’re meant to fill.

ZimaBoard 2 from IceWhale is trying to change that. It’s a compact x86 home server built around an industrial aluminum chassis, with enough connectivity and software flexibility to serve as a NAS, media server, smart home hub, or private cloud device. Available in two configurations starting from $279, it sits comfortably between a hobbyist board computer and a proper home server, and that positioning is genuinely worth exploring.

Designer: IceWhale

Aesthetics

Most board-style computers aren’t particularly elegant things. They’re open PCBs with exposed components and color-coded connectors, designed for function over form. ZimaBoard 2 is a notable exception. It comes housed in an all-aluminum enclosure with a clean silver finish and vertical cooling fins running along its length, giving it an almost architectural character that’s genuinely unusual for hardware in this category.

The ribbed fin pattern isn’t purely decorative. It acts as a passive heatsink, keeping things cool while also giving the device a more resolved visual quality than the typical bare-PCB look. It’s compact enough to hold in one hand, and in a workspace context, it reads less like raw server hardware and more like a deliberate industrial object that wouldn’t look out of place on a well-specced desk.

What also sets it apart from other board computers is how the I/O is handled at a design level. The ports are grouped cleanly along one edge, with the dual Ethernet jacks, USB ports, and Mini DisplayPort sitting in a tidy, intentional cluster rather than scattered wherever there was board space. That considered layout keeps the device looking organized even when several cables are plugged in at once.

Ergonomics

Setting up ZimaBoard 2 is refreshingly straightforward for a device in this category. The web-based interface felt clean, well-organized, and intuitive enough that getting started didn’t require much Linux familiarity. ZimaOS comes pre-installed with a browser-based dashboard that handles storage configuration, app deployment, and network settings through a familiar, point-and-click experience. Getting a NAS or media server up takes minutes, not hours.

The board is compact and light enough to tuck almost anywhere. It ships with a 60 W power adapter that comes with interchangeable plug adapters, which is a thoughtful detail for anyone working across different countries or regions. ZimaBoard 2 is designed around passive cooling, so in everyday use, it stays effectively silent, even with the optional mini cooling fan, which matters considerably when the device is meant to operate around the clock.

One practical setup step worth noting is that the onboard eMMC storage is best treated as a system layer rather than a long-term data destination. After initial setup, moving files and apps to the SATA-connected drives is the smarter workflow, since attached storage is faster and better suited to the sustained read and write activity a home server handles daily. It’s a minor but worthwhile habit to build in early.

Performance

Under the aluminum shell sits an Intel N150 processor, a quad-core chip running up to 3.6 GHz with a 6 MB cache and a 10 W TDP. It’s not the most powerful chip in this size class, but it’s the right pick for a device designed to run continuously at low power. For home server tasks, including NAS, media streaming, and containerized workloads, it handles things with comfortable ease.

On the storage side, two SATA 3.0 ports come with integrated power support, making it straightforward to connect a pair of full-size NAS drives without extra adapters. Running two 3.5-inch drives caused no issues, and the 12V, 5A supply proved sufficient in testing to handle the board and drives comfortably. That power budget is a meaningful detail, since not every compact server can make the same claim confidently.

Thermals are worth touching on separately. The N150 runs warm under sustained loads, but for NAS-oriented use, there’s a simple tuning option: disabling Turbo Boost in the BIOS noticeably reduces operating temperatures. The trade-off is a clock speed ceiling of around 1 GHz, but for straightforward file serving, that’s more than sufficient, and the lower heat output makes for a much more comfortable long-term operating condition.

Beyond the hardware, ZimaOS adds real depth to the experience. Its app store advertises 800+ one-click apps, including Plex, Jellyfin, Nextcloud, and Home Assistant. The higher 1664 configuration’s 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM also helps when running virtual machines or heavier container setups. ZimaOS also supports Intel Quick Sync for hardware-accelerated transcoding, which helps reduce CPU load in supported Plex and Jellyfin setups.

Sustainability

The all-aluminum enclosure makes a strong durability argument. Aluminum doesn’t flex, doesn’t yellow, and holds up well over years of continuous operation, which matters a great deal for hardware that never really gets switched off. The thermal design relies primarily on passive conduction through the chassis, keeping internal component complexity low and reducing the number of parts that could wear out over time.

Software longevity is another angle worth considering. Because ZimaBoard 2 runs on x86 architecture, it’s compatible with a wide range of operating systems, meaning the hardware doesn’t become obsolete when a software stack changes or no longer fits your needs. If ZimaOS evolves or you outgrow it, you can simply install something else. That kind of platform openness is a practical form of sustainability that closed appliances rarely offer.

Value

ZimaBoard 2 sits at a price point that demands a bit of context. The base 832 configuration starts at $279, with the 1664 variant at $349. Those figures feel steep when compared to bare-board computers, but the comparison isn’t really fair. What you’re getting is a fully enclosed x86 server module with dual 2.5 GbE networking, dual powered SATA bays, a PCIe 3.0 expansion slot, and ZimaOS pre-installed.

Compact mini PCs at a similar price usually offer stronger raw performance but fewer server-specific ports and no expansion path. Dedicated NAS boxes tend to be locked into proprietary software. ZimaBoard 2 is more flexible than either. Native SATA, dual 2.5 GbE, and a PCIe slot on a single platform is an uncommon combination at this price, and that’s where the value case starts to feel convincing.

The PCIe 3.0 x4 slot adds a dimension of future-proofing that sealed appliances can’t match. You can plug in a 10 GbE network card, an NVMe adapter, a GPU for AI workloads, or an HBA for expanding storage capacity. That expandability means you’re not locked into what the board offers at purchase, which in practical terms allows the device to grow alongside your needs rather than becoming a bottleneck.

It’s fair to say that buyers focused purely on maximum compute per dollar will find stronger options elsewhere. But for those building a quiet, flexible, always-on home server that’s actually pleasant to live with, ZimaBoard 2 feels well-judged. The design, connectivity, software experience, and room to grow all reinforce each other in a way that makes the price feel more grounded the longer you use it.

Verdict

ZimaBoard 2 makes a strong case for what compact home server hardware can look like when design is treated as part of the brief. It’s quiet, well-built, and easier to set up than most things in this category. Running as a NAS, a smart home hub, a media server, or all three at once, it handles each task without calling attention to itself, which is exactly what good infrastructure does.

The platform’s real strength is how many things it can become. Add a pair of NAS drives, and you’ve got a whisper-quiet personal cloud. Plug something into the PCIe slot, and the possibilities multiply further. It isn’t built for users chasing peak benchmarks, but for those who want a compact, always-on server that earns its place on the shelf both functionally and aesthetically, it’s a genuinely well-considered piece of hardware.

The post ZimaBoard 2 Review: The Home Server You Don’t Have to Hide Anymore first appeared on Yanko Design.

POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Review: Hero-Level Performance for only $399

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PROS:


  • Tasteful and elegant Iron Man-themed design

  • Surprisingly powerful for its class and price tier

  • Large 6,500mAh battery with 100W HyperCharge

  • Bright and vivid 6.59-inch 1.5K 120Hz AMOLED display

CONS:


  • Inconsistent thermal management

  • Basic 8MP ultra-wide and no telephoto camera

  • No wireless charging

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Just like Tony Stark, the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition is classy, powerful, and pushes the boundaries of what you can achieve with less.

Interests and fandoms number in the hundreds, and when you take into account the number of smartphone brands and models, it’s statistically impossible for manufacturers to cater to everyone’s tastes. That’s why when smartphone makers come out with devices especially designed to appeal to fans of certain characters or brands, there’s no small amount of excitement over a collab that finally feels like rewarding their brand loyalty. After all, you won’t need to dress your phone up in a thick case just to show off your style.

For the second time, POCO is releasing an Iron Man-themed version of one of its flagships, the POCO X8 Pro. While last year’s POCO X7 Pro Iron Man edition brought the flashy, head-turning red and gold motif that has become synonymous with the superhero, the latest iteration brings maturity and elegance while still maintaining that hi-tech character. Best of all, it’s still a device that Tony Stark himself would probably give his seal of approval. Read on to find out why.

Designer: POCO

Aesthetics

Tony Stark is more than just Iron Man, symbolized by the heroic and explosive colors of red and gold. As the famous movie quote goes, he’s also a genius, billionaire, and philanthropist (let’s ignore that other part of that phrase for now). The POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition seems to represent that other side of the coin, displaying an often-forgotten aspect of Tony Stark’s identity, without losing what makes Iron Man Iron Man: the fearless and relentless drive to push boundaries.

This year’s color scheme revolves around a black and gold combination, which rarely makes an appearance in both comics and film, that carries a sense of class and style befitting one of the richest people in the Marvel universe. The phone itself embraces the modern design language of sides sandwiched by a flat screen and a flat back panel. There’s almost an Art Deco vibe to the aesthetic, a design language that is immediately associated with opulence and luxury.

Of course, the most attention-grabbing part of the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition’s design is its rear. The back panel has a matte black surface with holographic gold accents detailing a circuit diagram of Iron Man’s armor. Smack in the middle is a full-body armor decal of the titular superhero, complete with his name in case you couldn’t identify him from appearance alone. The decal has a glossy material that contrasts with the smooth matte texture of the rest of the phone’s back.

Unlike other smartphones of this era, the POCO X8 Pro’s two cameras stand on their own, with the lenses also accented with a gold ring. These cameras have a special power, displaying different RGB colors depending on the situation and enhancing that sci-fi aesthetic. The LED flash stands beside them, positioned in such a way that it is reminiscent of the Arc Reactor in the center of Iron Man’s chest. In reality, the flash is actually off-center, though the design easily fools the eye into believing that’s not the case.

Special mention needs to be made to the packaging for this year’s Iron Man edition. Though not as elaborate as the realme 15 Pro Game of Thrones Edition, the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man edition comes in a box that instantly identifies the theme of its contents. Specifically, it emulates Iron Man’s armor in the form of a briefcase, yet another nod to the comics, and comes with a MARVEL-branded SIM ejector pin and a red charging cable with Tony Stark’s signature on it.

Ergonomics

At only 201.47g and with a 6.59-inch screen, the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition is surprisingly light and comfortable to hold in the hand, despite the large 6,500mAh battery sitting inside. The 8.38mm chamfered edges add to the grip without biting into your skin, which would normally result in a confident and secure hold, if not for the rather slippery matte surface of both the aluminum frame and most of the phone’s back.

Almost ironically, the glossy Iron Man decal in the middle adds a bit of stickiness to prevent slipping. Thankfully, it isn’t much of a smudge magnet, so you can rest your fingers on it without much worry. If you’re still unsure, however, the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition comes with a matching protective case that doesn’t add much bulk or heft to the phone. Given how the case is designed like Iron Man’s torso, it’s almost like literally putting armor on your phone.

Sadly, there is no such relief for the under-screen fingerprint sensor, which is positioned quite close to the lower edge of the phone. This might require shifting your hand down a bit to unlock the phone with one hand, which carries the risk of the phone slipping from your grasp. Fortunately, the sensor is accurate enough to allow you to partially place your thumb above the ring indicator to successfully unlock it.

Performance

An Iron Man-themed smartphone that only looks good on the outside but falls flat on its face in actual use would be a terrible insult to the tech genius that is Tony Stark. Thankfully, that isn’t the case, and the POCO X8 Pro performs as you would expect from a superhero-branded piece of technology. Running on a MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the POCO X8 Pro has enough muscle to help you triumph over life’s daily battles.

The user interface is fluid and responsive, and there are no issues with multitasking and switching between running apps. Gaming is also no problem, though with some caveats. This is definitely no Pro Max, but the POCO X8 Pro can definitely handle titles like Genshin Impact or Warframe, even at high settings. It does get warm quickly, and it doesn’t cool down as fast, but it never gets unbearably hot. You’ll have to play around to find the sweet spot between performance and comfort, especially with POCO WildBoost Optimization and Game Turbo feature at play. Pun totally intended.

The POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition’s bright and vivid 6.59-inch screen perfectly complements the phone’s power. With a 1.5K resolution of 2756×1268 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate, the screen delivers sharp and crisp visuals whether you’re gaming or binging videos. One detail worth noting, however, is the curved corners of the screen, which could make some parts of a game’s interface difficult to access with a simple tap.

While the POCO X8 Pro checks a lot of boxes in terms of performance, its photography game leaves a bit to be desired. Make no mistake, the 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera takes great photos, especially with its 6P f/1.5 lens. Colors are rich, and details are accurate, whether in perfect lighting conditions, overcast skies, or at night. The camera app lets you pick between 26mm or everyone’s favorite 35mm as the default focal distance, as well as offering pro controls that will delight more seasoned shutterbugs.

The 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera, however, is a bit of a let-down in this day and age. It’s serviceable, yes, but nothing to write home about if you’re trying to survey the site for a new Avengers tower. There is no telephoto camera either, which truly earmarks the phone for the mid-tier segment. The front 20MP camera maxes out at 1080p 60fps, so your superhero conferences will be pretty basic.

The large 6,500mAh battery provides enough juice for the Poco X8 Pro Iron Man Edition to last the whole day with still plenty to spare before you need to plug it in. With 100W HyperCharge technology, it takes less than 50 minutes to get it from empty to fully charged for battle. The catch is that, like any other proprietary charging technology, you’ll need the official POCO/Xiaomi charger and cables to pull off this feat.

Sustainability

POCO doesn’t say a lot about the materials it uses for its phone, especially special editions like this Iron Man-themed POCO X8 Pro. The focus, instead, is on reliability, durability, and longevity. With IP68 dust and water-resistance, the phone can survive more than a few mishaps. Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protects the screen, the most critical part of the phone that’s always exposed to danger, from scratches and cracks, at least under normal circumstances.

Beyond the physical device itself, the POCO X8 Pro is also being promised six years of security updates, though major Android updates are limited to four years. Given how it’s running HyperOS 3 based on Android 16 out of the box, this theoretically guarantees it will remain fresh until Android 20. This is a major improvement to Xiaomi’s product family, which includes Redmi and POCO, though it remains to be seen how well it will be able to keep its promises.

Value

Overall, the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition is a beautiful smartphone, inside and out. It is surprisingly powerful and capable for what is labeled as a mid-tier phone, especially when you consider the $399 price tag. And if you’re an Iron Man or Marvel fan, this combination of impressive performance and elegant fan service is definitely a tempting option for an everyday partner.

It is by no means perfect, as can be seen in its camera selection or inconsistent thermals, but it gets the job done without much fuss. Even the vanilla POCO X8 Pro makes for an excellent choice, especially as the Pro Max offers only a few advantages, like processor and battery size, but with a $130 premium. The lines between smartphone tiers continue to blur, and the Poco X8 Pro Iron Man Edition is testament to that.

Verdict

Iron Man stands out among superheroes because, like Batman, his strength lies not in any supernatural power or even his exorbitant wealth (though that definitely helps). His power is in pushing himself, his mind, and his technology beyond the limits to achieve victory. That’s the association that POCO is trying to push with the X8 Pro Iron Man Edition, and it works!

More than just the tasteful and elegant design, the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition also embodies one of Tony Stark’s less-cited traits: his practicality. He doesn’t always aim for the most advanced and most expensive technologies but uses what’s available and pushes them to the limit to achieve amazing feats without too much cost. Just like the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition, a mid-range phone that punches above its weight.

The post POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Review: Hero-Level Performance for only $399 first appeared on Yanko Design.

2026 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 Review: The Interior Finally Matches the Supercar

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PROS:


  • Interior redesign finally matches the supercar exterior

  • Triple-display cockpit reduces eyes-off-road time effectively

  • Roswell Green Metallic shifts color dramatically in sunlight

  • Z51 delivers 495 hp with Brembo brakes under $97K

  • Knurled metal switches resist the era of touchscreen fatigue

CONS:


  • Seat heating and ventilation buried in touchscreen submenus

  • Z51's summer-only tires make this a seasonal commitment

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The interior finally speaks the same language as the sheet metal.
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The 2026 Stingray 2LT with the Z51 Performance Package is not a car that asks you to evaluate its horsepower first. It asks you to sit inside and look around. That shift in priority, from powertrain to interior architecture, is the single most important thing Chevrolet has done to the C8 platform since moving the engine behind the driver six years ago.

Wrapped in a light-reactive finish called Roswell Green Metallic and rebuilt from the console outward, the 2026 Stingray is the first version of this car where the design language inside matches the sculptural ambition of the body. Everything before this was a supercar exterior with a parts-bin cockpit. That tension is finally resolved.

I’ve spent a week with the 2LT Z51 in Roswell Green, and the design overhaul changes the way you think about this car before you ever turn it on. What follows is a design-first breakdown of everything Chevrolet changed, everything that works, and where the compromises still live.

The ergonomic pivot: interior architecture rebuilt from the H-point up

The original C8 interior committed a fundamental spatial error. A tall center divider ran vertically between the two seats, housing climate controls, drive mode selectors, and a stack of physical buttons. The industry called it “the wall.” The design problem wasn’t the buttons themselves. It was the raised horizon line of that divider, which created a psychological barrier between driver and passenger. The cabin felt partitioned. The passenger sat in an adjacent room.

For 2026, Chevrolet dropped the entire center console structure. The lowered console horizon transforms the spatial relationship between the two occupants. Where the old layout isolated the passenger behind a vertical slab of controls, the new architecture invites them into the driver’s visual field. The experience shifts from “isolated” to “inclusive” without sacrificing any of the cockpit’s driver-centric focus.

Beneath the 12.7-inch center touchscreen, a slim bezel strip houses the primary HVAC controls: temperature, fan speed, and airflow direction. Below that, a row of knurled metal switches handles drive mode selection and volume. Each switch has a machined, cylindrical profile with a grip pattern you can find by touch alone. In an era of touchscreen fatigue, where even luxury brands have moved every interaction to a flat pane of glass, these physical controls are a premium tactile counterpoint to the triple-screen digital environment surrounding them.

The trade-off lives in the seats. Seat heating and ventilation controls have migrated entirely into the 12.7-inch touchscreen, buried inside a climate submenu. Removing the physical buttons cleaned the console’s visual horizon, but it added a tap-and-swipe sequence to what used to be a single button press. For a car that generates lateral forces strong enough to require a grab handle, asking the driver to navigate a digital menu for seat heat is a design compromise worth scrutinizing. The aesthetic gain is real. The ergonomic cost is measurable.

The old vertical divider left no room for a passenger grab handle. Its replacement, a minimalist, leather-wrapped grab handle, arcs across the lower console in a single fluid line. It’s a small element with outsized presence. Call it a functional sculpture: structurally necessary for a car that generates 1.0g lateral forces, refined enough that it reads as intentional design rather than an engineering afterthought. The leather wrap matches the door panel stitching. The mounting points disappear into the console geometry.

The lowered console transforms the spatial experience immediately. Where the old layout created the sensation of sitting inside a divided cockpit, the 2026 interior opens the sightline across the full width of the cabin. The claustrophobia factor drops measurably. The seating position remains laid back, almost Formula 1 in its recline, and that posture helps mitigate the limited headroom that taller drivers will still negotiate with.

The knurled switches feel substantial under the fingers: machined, weighted, precise. They resist the smudging that plagues the touchscreen surfaces around them. Some shared switchgear with lower Chevrolet models (the Trax uses identical pieces) undercuts the premium feel in spots, but the overall material quality reads as considered rather than cost-cut. The grab handle sits exactly where your hand reaches during hard cornering, low enough to brace against without blocking the console’s visual flow.

The triple-display UX: how three screens reduce cognitive load

Three screens sounds like excess. In practice, the 2026 Corvette’s display layout solves a problem that single-screen and dual-screen cockpits create: cognitive competition. When navigation, telemetry, media, and vehicle status all fight for space on one display, the driver’s eyes travel further and stay away from the road longer.

Chevrolet’s solution distributes information across three screens based on cognitive priority. The 14-inch Driver Information Center sits directly ahead, dedicated to speed, gear position, and essential driving data. It stays visually silent during normal driving, using high-contrast graphics that communicate without demanding attention. Navigation lives here only when active, taking over the full display with clean vector mapping.

The 12.7-inch center touchscreen handles media, climate, and vehicle settings. It’s the interactive screen, the one you touch. The larger, tactile volume knob sits at its base with an illuminated ring that glows in the ambient cabin color you’ve selected. In a cockpit full of digital surfaces, this single analog control becomes the functional focal point: a physical anchor in a digital environment.

The 6.6-inch display to the left of the steering wheel is the most interesting piece of the system. Think of it not as an auxiliary screen, but as a Driver Command Satellite: a dedicated tactical window for trip telemetry, HUD adjustments, PTM Pro controls, and the Performance Data Recorder’s coaching overlays. Positioned in the driver’s peripheral sightline, it reinforces the cockpit hierarchy rather than diluting it toward the passenger. By offloading this data to its own surface, the driver cluster stays uncluttered. The driver never looks away from the road to check performance metrics; a glance left handles everything.

The underlying software runs on a Google-native operating system with full voice integration. The practical effect is a natural-language interface that handles navigation, media, and communication through conversational input. “Navigate to the nearest charging station” works. So does “play the playlist from this morning.” The voice layer reduces cognitive load during spirited driving, when your hands need to stay on the wheel and your eyes need to stay through the windshield. Over-the-air updates mean the system improves after you’ve taken delivery, which is a first for any Corvette.

The infotainment system responds quickly to both touch and voice. The Google voice integration handles navigation and media commands without noticeable lag, and the natural-language processing accepts conversational input without requiring exact phrasing. The triple-display layout reduces eyes-off-road time in practice: the driver cluster handles speed and navigation, the center screen handles media and climate, and the left-side Command Satellite handles performance data. Each screen has a dedicated cognitive role, and after a few days behind the wheel, the layout becomes intuitive rather than overwhelming. The one usability complaint: some switchgear on the steering wheel is shared directly with lower Chevrolet models. The function is fine. The perceived material gap is not.

The Roswell Green narrative: pigment behavior on compound surfaces

Chevrolet doesn’t call Roswell Green Metallic a color. The more accurate description is a living finish, a light-reactive surface that changes identity depending on the light source hitting it. Tagged with color code G4Z and priced at $500, it’s only the second green ever offered on the C8 platform. The name references Roswell, New Mexico. Chevrolet has not confirmed the alien mythology connection, but the association is unmistakable.

In low ambient light, overcast conditions, or the shade of a parking structure, the panels read as shadowed emerald: deep, weighted, almost black-green with a dense metallic flake structure visible only at close range. The color feels heavy. It pulls the eye into the surface rather than bouncing off it.

Under direct UV, the transformation is dramatic. The same panels shift toward electric chartreuse on the car’s sharpest creases: the angular fender peaks, the leading edge of the rear haunches, the Z51 spoiler’s trailing lip. The metallic particles in the paint align differently at steep surface angles, concentrating reflected light into narrow bands of bright, almost acidic green. The effect is architectural. The body’s compound curves and crease lines become legible in a way that neutral finishes suppress.

The material contrast system around the body is equally considered. Carbon Flash accents (the standard dark carbon-fiber-look trim on mirrors, splitter edges, and roof panel surround) provide the necessary technical coldness to balance the organic warmth of the green. Standard Pearl Nickel forged-aluminum wheels (19-inch front, 20-inch rear, five-split-spoke) add a silver-cool metallic counterpoint on the base configuration; this test car wears the optional 5-Spoke Black-Painted Forged Aluminum Wheels ($995), which darken the stance and sharpen the contrast against the green. Without these neutral anchors, the green would risk reading as aftermarket. With them, the palette holds together: organic hue, technical trim, metallic ground.

The recommended interior pairing is Very Dark Atmosphere with Natural Tan accents, a deep chocolate brown Napa leather with warm tonal stitching. Emma Mikalauskas, Lead CMF Creative Designer for Chevrolet performance vehicles, describes it as “luxurious and grounded.” Against Roswell Green on the exterior, this combination reads more like a European GT than an American muscle car. Jet Black works too, but it lets the exterior do all the talking. The brown creates a conversation between inside and outside.

Roswell Green demands to be seen in person. In press photos, it reads as a saturated forest green that could go either way. On the street, the metallic flake structure transforms it into something far more complex. Under overcast skies, the panels pull toward a deep, almost industrial green that draws comparisons to heavy machinery. Some onlookers will see John Deere. Others will see wealth. Under direct sun, the color detonates: the metallic particles concentrate on the body’s crease lines and shift toward a bright, acidic chartreuse that photographs entirely differently from the shaded panels ten inches away. The color is polarizing by design. It rewards direct sunlight and punishes flat lighting. Over a full day of driving, the car changes identity three or four times depending on the angle of the light source.

Functional art: the Z51 as aesthetic and performance system

The Z51 Performance Package on the Stingray Coupe adds track hardware that reshapes how the car looks and how it drives. On the design side, the transformation starts at the rear.

The Stingray Coupe’s transparent rear hatch offers a curated view of the 6.2-liter LT2 V8, framing the engine behind glass like a piece of industrial art in a mechanical gallery. The intake manifold, the valve covers, the wiring harness: all visible through a panel that treats the powertrain as an exhibit rather than hiding it beneath painted bodywork. On the Z51, the engine cover carries a performance exhaust badge and sits lower in the frame, emphasizing the width of the rear track. The power source is visible, accessible, displayed. You don’t just hear 495 horsepower. You see where it comes from.

The Z51-specific front splitter and rear spoiler function as visual bookends that resolve the aggressive mid-engine wedge shape. The C8’s silhouette pushes mass rearward: the long hood carries only a frunk, while the truncated tail packs engine, transmission, and cooling. Without the Z51’s aero elements, the profile can feel rear-heavy. The splitter’s forward extension and the spoiler’s horizontal plane create a visual bracket, stabilizing the proportions by defining the car’s front and rear boundaries with equal authority. The aero works at speed. It also works standing still.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires in staggered widths (245mm front, 305mm rear) fill the wheel arches completely. The Brembo brake calipers sit visible behind the spokes. Heavy-duty cooling ducts in the lower fascia add functional apertures that darken the nose. Every Z51 addition serves a performance purpose. Every addition also modifies the car’s visual stance. That dual function, where engineering and aesthetics solve the same problem from different directions, is what makes the Z51 more than an options checkbox.

The performance numbers live in the specs appendix above, but one figure deserves context here: 2.9 seconds to 60 mph (Chevrolet’s claim; Car and Driver independently measured 2.8). That’s mechanical violence. It’s the number that justifies wrapping this car in a color as aggressive as Roswell Green, because a finish this confrontational needs a powertrain that backs it up. The Z51’s performance exhaust, Brembo brakes, electronic limited-slip differential, and heavy-duty cooling system aren’t just track hardware. They’re the kinetic proof behind the visual promise.

New for 2026, PTM Pro (Performance Traction Management Pro) pairs with the Z51 to complete the performance-as-art thesis. This mode strips nearly all electronic intervention while the car’s sensor array continues feeding real-time 3D drift graphics to the cockpit displays: tire smoke rendered on screen, tread marks traced in real time, the car’s dynamic state visualized as a live digital sculpture. It’s track software that treats driving data as content, not just telemetry. Everything the body’s creases and aero elements suggest about speed, the Z51 and PTM Pro deliver at the pedal and on the screen.

Driving the design: modes, data recording, and the new PTM Pro

The Driver Mode Selector offers five presets plus two custom profiles, and each one changes how the car’s design elements communicate with the driver. Tour softens everything for daily use: the suspension absorbs, the exhaust quiets, the steering lightens. It’s the mode where the interior’s new comfort-focused design language makes the most sense. Sport tightens the chassis and opens the exhaust note. Track removes the filters entirely, maximizing chassis and powertrain response. Weather dials back throttle and traction for slippery conditions. MyMode lets you build a personal blend. Z Mode, accessed via a dedicated steering wheel button, stores a quick-access performance profile independently.

The available Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0 uses a suspension fluid embedded with metallic particles. An electromagnetic field realigns those particles in milliseconds to change the fluid’s viscosity, adjusting damping rates faster than any conventional mechanical system. It’s the engineering behind the car’s dual character: grand touring compliance in Tour, track-ready stiffness in Track, from the same hardware.

The Performance Data Recorder (PDR) has been completely reimagined for 2026. Previous versions required a laptop for video analysis. The new PDR is built directly into the vehicle’s screens. It records high-definition video of your driving sessions with telemetry overlays (speed, g-forces, lap times), provides automated coaching tips, and includes a side-by-side video comparison feature for lap analysis. You never leave the car’s infotainment system. Standard on 2LT and 3LT.

Performance Traction Management (PTM) now includes PTM Pro, a new mode that fully disables traction and stability control for advanced track driving. A dedicated hardware switch beneath the Driver Command Satellite display (left of the steering wheel) provides one-touch access. The system generates real-time 3D graphics showing the car in dynamic drift states with tire smoke and tread marks rendered on screen. It’s a track tool wrapped in a visual interface that treats the data as content, not just numbers.

The drive modes transform the car’s character beyond what the spec sheet communicates. In Tour, the Magnetic Ride suspension absorbs road imperfections with a compliance that feels closer to a grand tourer than a mid-engine sports car. Speed bumps taken at normal speeds register as soft thumps, not impacts. The exhaust drops to a murmur. The steering lightens to the point where parking becomes effortless.

Switch to Sport, and the chassis tightens perceptibly within the first quarter mile. The exhaust opens into a mid-range bark that fills the cabin without overwhelming conversation. Track mode removes every remaining filter: the dampers stiffen until expansion joints announce themselves through the seat bolsters, and the throttle response sharpens to a hair trigger.

The difference between Tour and Track in Magnetic Ride is not subtle. It is one of the most dramatic suspension transformations available in any production car at this price. The PDR interface, built directly into the vehicle screens, is functional and responsive for track use: lap overlays, telemetry readouts, and coaching tips all run without leaving the infotainment system. PTM Pro, accessed via the dedicated hardware switch beneath the Command Satellite, disables electronic intervention entirely while leaving ABS active. It is a track-only tool that requires confidence, clear sightlines, and a willingness to accept the consequences of full driver authority.

Five colorways as interior identities

The five new 2026 interior colorways aren’t palette options. They’re identity statements built around different driver archetypes.

Asymmetrical Adrenaline Red places the signature Corvette red only in the driver’s zone: seat bolsters, door panel insert, steering wheel accent. The passenger side stays neutral. The result is a deliberate visual asymmetry that draws attention to the driver’s seat as the cockpit’s center of gravity. The available Driver Competition / Passenger GT2 seat configuration pairs a deep-bolstered Competition Sport seat on the driver’s side with a comfort-oriented GT2 on the passenger side. Asymmetric color. Asymmetric seating. The interior reflects who controls the car.

Cool Gray with Habanero accents is the most design-forward option. Monochrome cool grays provide a clean, tech-inflected base. Bright orange Habanero appears only in precise locations: stitching lines, seatbelt webbing, small trim inserts. The effect is closer to consumer product design than traditional automotive interiors. Chevrolet’s CMF team cites “subtle futurism” as the reference point.

Jet Black suede with customizable accent stitching (Adrenaline Red, Competition Yellow, or Santorini Blue) strips the cabin to its most elemental state. Brandon Lynum, Corvette CMF Design Lead, calls it “the ultimate expression of competition driving.” The sueded microfiber on high-touch surfaces creates grip. The monochrome palette eliminates visual noise. It’s the interior equivalent of a blacked-out watch dial.

Very Dark Atmosphere with Natural Tan is the grand touring interior: deep chocolate brown Napa leather with warm stitching that reads European rather than American. This is the colorway that makes the most sense with Roswell Green on the outside.

Santorini Blue is the extrovert’s choice: a vivid electric blue across major surfaces. Loud, confident, and intentionally polarizing.

The seat architecture underneath these colorways runs four deep. GT1 (Mulan leather, standard on 1LT/2LT) is built for daily comfort. GT2 (carbon-fiber seatback halo, Napa leather, standard on 3LT) reduces mass while increasing structural rigidity. Competition Sport (Napa with performance textile) adds deep bolsters for lateral grip. The asymmetric Driver Competition / Passenger GT2 pairing, exclusive to Asymmetrical Adrenaline Red, puts a locked-in sport seat where you need it and a comfort seat where you don’t.

Living with 182 inches of mid-engine sports car

The Stingray measures 182.3 inches long, shorter than a Toyota Camry. But the wide sills, the low roofline, and the mid-engine packaging create a specific set of daily considerations that the spec sheet can’t communicate.

The squared-off steering wheel remains divisive. Chevrolet has committed to the flat-bottom, flat-top shape since the C8’s introduction, and it serves a functional purpose in a cockpit this tight: easier ingress and egress, and a clearer view of the 14-inch driver cluster. But the flat sections still interrupt the natural hand-over-hand rotation at low speeds.

Rear visibility without the camera systems is poor. The engine cover, the high rear deck, and the low seating position combine to create significant blind spots. The 2LT’s Rear Camera Mirror and HD Curb View Camera aren’t luxury additions. They’re close to necessities. Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert (both standard on 2LT) fill the gaps.

The frunk and rear cargo area combine for 12.6 cubic feet of storage. Enough for soft bags, groceries, or a weekend carry-on. The coupe features a removable Targa roof panel that stows in the rear cargo area, though it cuts into luggage space. Getting in and out requires a practiced motion: swing, drop, pivot. The wide sills don’t forgive hesitation.

Fuel economy sits at EPA-estimated 16 city, 25 highway, 19 combined MPG on premium unleaded from an 18.5-gallon tank. That’s roughly 460 miles of highway range. Not exceptional for a daily driver, but rational for a naturally aspirated V8 producing nearly 500 horsepower.

The convertible option adds a power-retractable hardtop that raises or lowers in 16 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph. If the Targa panel stowage bothers you, the convertible solves that problem at the cost of roughly 100 additional pounds.

Getting in and out requires a practiced sequence: step over the wide sill, drop into the seat, pivot your legs under the steering wheel. It becomes automatic within a day, but the wide sills never forgive hesitation or tight parking spaces. The squared-off steering wheel helps with ingress, providing clearance that a round wheel would not. At low speeds, the flat sections still interrupt the natural hand-over-hand rotation during tight turns.

The visibility systems earn their keep in real traffic. The Rear Camera Mirror eliminates the blind spot created by the engine cover and high rear deck. The HD Curb View Camera proves essential in every parking structure. Without these systems, the car would be difficult to live with in dense urban driving.

Cargo is more usable than the spec sheet suggests. The frunk holds a small carry-on or two bags of groceries. The rear trunk fits soft bags, hardware store supplies, and bulky gear that would not fit in most two-seat sports cars. With the Targa roof panel stowed, rear trunk space shrinks, but the total package is more practical than any mid-engine competitor.

Highway cruising in Tour mode with the Bose Performance Series system is remarkably civilized. Road noise is present but not intrusive. The 14-speaker system delivers clean audio at moderate volumes, though the V8 soundtrack tends to make the stereo irrelevant. Real-world fuel economy in mixed driving settles around 17 to 18 MPG, close to the EPA combined rating of 19.

The pricing equation: what $96,795 actually buys

The 2LT base starts at $79,095 including destination. But base MSRP is not the number anyone drives off the lot with. This car, the Hero Spec 2LT with every design-critical option checked, stickers at $96,795 per the verified window sticker. The gap between base and as-tested is $17,700 in factory and dealer-installed options that define the visual and dynamic identity of this build. The complete options list and published prices:

  • Z51 Performance Package (RPO Z51): $6,345
  • Front Lift with Memory (RPO E60): $2,595
  • Z51 Suspension w/ Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0: $1,895
  • GT2 Bucket Seats: $1,695
  • Coupe Engine Appearance Pkg: $1,695 (carbon fiber trim closeouts, engine lighting, specification plaque)
  • 5-Spoke Black-Painted Forged Aluminum Wheels (dealer installed): $995
  • 2-Tone Seats: $595
  • Roswell Green Metallic (G4Z): $500
  • Engine Cover in Sterling Silver: $495
  • Tan Seat Belt: $395
  • Exhaust Tips, Black: $495

That accounts for every line item on the window sticker: $77,100 base vehicle + $17,700 options + $1,995 destination = $96,795. Every option on the Hero Spec changes how the car looks, drives, or both. The Z51 reshapes the aero and unlocks 495 hp. Magnetic Ride transforms the chassis character between Tour and Track. The front lift with memory saves the splitter on every driveway and parking ramp. The Coupe Engine Appearance Package dresses up the visible powertrain through the rear glass with carbon fiber trim closeouts, LED engine lighting, and a specification plaque. Roswell Green makes the bodywork legible. Strip any one and the design argument weakens.

The 2LT is where the value argument gets sharp. Over the base 1LT, you gain the Head-Up Display, the 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system (up from 10 speakers), heated and ventilated seats with power lumbar and wing adjustment, the Performance Data Recorder, the HD Curb View Camera, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, and a heated steering wheel. Every one of those features changes how the car feels to drive and live with daily. The 1LT is a capable sports car. The 2LT is a capable sports car that treats you like you paid for one.

The 3LT adds further material upgrades: 14 interior color options, custom leather-wrapped instrument panel and door panels, sueded microfiber upper interior trim, and the GT2 seats with Napa leather. Those are material and craftsmanship upgrades. Important if you care about what your hands touch every time you reach for the wheel. Less critical if your priority is extracting lap times.

At $96,795 as tested, the Hero Spec competes in serious sports car territory, and the competitive frame shifts. The now-discontinued Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 ($103,300 MSRP, 394 hp) sits above this price point but delivers about 100 fewer horsepower and a less dramatic design statement. The 2LT Z51 in Roswell Green occupies a rare position: genuinely exotic design and mid-engine performance from a manufacturer that still builds its own naturally aspirated V8.

The 2LT is the right trim for most buyers who intend to drive the car rather than display it. The 1LT saves money but surrenders the Head-Up Display, the 14-speaker Bose system, and the visibility systems that make the car livable daily. The 3LT adds material refinement (Napa leather, sueded microfiber, GT2 seats) that matters if tactile quality is a priority, but it does not change the driving experience.

At $96,795 as tested, the Hero Spec sits in Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 territory. The Porsche started at $103,300 (394 hp) before its February 2026 discontinuation but delivers about 100 fewer horsepower and a less dramatic design statement. The Lotus Emira ($112,900, 400 hp) occupies the same mid-engine conversation but with less interior refinement and a smaller dealer network. Nothing in this price range matches the Corvette’s combination of power, daily usability, and visual presence.

The aggressive American wedge vs. the conservative minimalist

Place a 2026 Corvette Stingray next to a Porsche 718 Cayman and you’re looking at two fundamentally different design philosophies occupying the same market.

The Cayman is a conservative minimalist. Its surfaces are smooth, its transitions are gradual, its proportions are resolved through subtraction. Nothing on the body calls attention to itself. The design communicates competence through restraint. It’s elegant. It’s also, after a decade, concluded: Porsche discontinued the 718 in February 2026.

The Corvette is an aggressive American wedge. Every surface has a purpose, and that purpose is visible. The crease lines announce structural intent. The vents aren’t decorative. The mid-engine packaging creates a silhouette that looks fast at rest because the proportions aren’t balanced in the traditional sense. They’re weighted, biased, kinetic. Roswell Green amplifies every one of those characteristics by making the surfaces legible in ways that flatter colors cannot.

For five years, the Corvette’s exterior made a promise that the interior couldn’t keep. The sculpted, angular body said supercar. The button-walled cockpit said parts-bin. For 2026, the interior finally speaks the same language as the sheet metal: intentional, layered, considered. The knurled switches echo the machined precision of the engine’s internals. The triple-display architecture matches the visual complexity of the body’s crease network. The leather-wrapped grab handle mirrors the flowing lines of the exterior’s haunch.

The Porsche 718 Cayman still does more with less. That’s its design thesis. The 2026 Corvette Stingray 2LT Z51 in Roswell Green Metallic does more with more, and for the first time, the “more” is coherent. The engineering caught the design world’s attention in 2020. The design finally deserves the same scrutiny.

The 2026 Corvette Stingray 2LT Z51 in Roswell Green Metallic is the first version of this car where the design ambition matches the engineering reality from every angle. The exterior has always made the argument. The interior, for five years, undermined it. That tension is resolved.

What surprised me most was not the speed (which is violent and immediate) but the interior’s spatial transformation. The lowered console, the three-screen architecture, the knurled switches: these are design decisions that change how the cabin feels, not just how it looks. The car reads as intentional in a way the 2020 through 2025 models never achieved.

What I would change: the seat heating and ventilation controls belong on physical switches, not buried in a touchscreen submenu. The squared-off steering wheel remains an acquired taste at low speeds. And the summer-only Pilot Sport 4S tires on the Z51 package make this a seasonal commitment in any climate with real winters.

This car is for the buyer who treats design language as a performance metric. If the way a cabin is constructed matters as much as the way a chassis corners, the 2026 Stingray finally delivers both.

Who is this for

Best for: Buyers who care about design language as much as horsepower. If you cross-shop European GTs and want mid-engine performance without the mid-engine price of a Porsche or McLaren, the 2LT Z51 delivers both the visual identity and the driving capability.

Also good for: Design-conscious drivers upgrading from a muscle car or sport sedan who want something sculptural, not just fast. The interior overhaul makes the C8 livable in ways the 2020 through 2025 models weren’t.

Skip it if: You want minimalist interior design (the now-discontinued Cayman was your car), you need all-weather daily capability (the Z51’s summer-only Pilot Sport 4S tires are a seasonal commitment), or you’re waiting for the hybrid E-Ray.

How I tested

Tested over a week period in mixed conditions: urban commuting, highway cruising, and spirited driving on secondary roads. Approximately 400 miles covered. Weather conditions ranged from clear skies to overcast. Evaluations included ride quality across all drive modes (Tour, Sport, Track), daily usability (ingress and egress, cargo loading, visibility systems), interior ergonomics, infotainment responsiveness, Bose audio quality, and real-world fuel economy tracking. No formal track testing was conducted for this review. All performance figures cited are manufacturer claims unless otherwise noted.

Frequently asked questions

How much horsepower does the 2026 Corvette Z51 have?

The Z51 Performance Package includes a performance exhaust that raises output to 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, up from the standard 490 hp and 465 lb-ft.

What changed in the 2026 Corvette interior?

Chevrolet removed the center button divider, lowered the console horizon, and added a three-screen layout (12.7-inch center, 14-inch driver cluster, 6.6-inch Driver Command Satellite). Five new interior colorways, a leather-wrapped grab handle, knurled metal control switches, ambient lighting, and a relocated wireless charger complete the redesign. Google Built-in and over-the-air updates are now standard.

What is Roswell Green Metallic?

A light-reactive exterior finish (color code G4Z) named after Roswell, New Mexico. It shifts from shadowed emerald in low light to electric chartreuse on the car’s sharpest creases under direct sunlight. It’s the second green ever offered on the C8, costs $500, and is available across all Corvette models.

How fast is the 2026 Corvette Stingray with Z51?

0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds (Car and Driver independently measured 2.8). Quarter mile in 11.2 seconds. Top track speed of 184 mph, per the original GM spokesperson confirmation and Car and Driver test data. Chevrolet’s current marketing page advertises 194 mph without distinguishing between trims; the Z51’s shorter final drive ratio trades top speed for quicker acceleration.

What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Corvette Stingray?

EPA-estimated 16 city, 25 highway, 19 combined MPG on premium unleaded. The fuel tank holds 18.5 gallons, giving roughly 460 miles of highway range.

How much does the 2026 Corvette Stingray cost?

The 2LT starts at $79,095 including destination. The verified window sticker for our tester totals $96,795: $77,100 base + $17,700 in options + $1,995 destination. Key options include the Z51 Performance Package ($6,345), Front Lift with Memory ($2,595), Magnetic Ride 4.0 ($1,895), GT2 Bucket Seats ($1,695), Coupe Engine Appearance Pkg ($1,695), and Roswell Green Metallic ($500).

What seats are available on the 2026 Corvette Stingray?

Four configurations: GT1 (Mulan leather, standard on 1LT/2LT), GT2 (carbon-fiber seatback halo, Napa leather, standard on 3LT), Competition Sport (Napa leather with performance textile), and a unique asymmetric Driver Competition/Passenger GT2 pairing available with the Asymmetrical Adrenaline Red interior.

Is the 2026 Corvette Stingray available as a convertible?

Yes. The convertible features a power-retractable hardtop that raises or lowers in 16 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph. The coupe features a removable Targa roof panel.

What is PTM Pro on the 2026 Corvette?

A new Performance Traction Management mode that fully disables traction and stability control for advanced track driving. A dedicated hardware switch provides one-touch access beneath the Driver Command Satellite display (left of the steering wheel).

The post 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 Review: The Interior Finally Matches the Supercar first appeared on Yanko Design.

Xiaomi Pad 8 Review: The $310 Tablet That Feels More Expensive

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PROS:


  • Bright and smooth 11.2-inch display

  • Solid accessory ecosystem

  • Long battery life

CONS:


  • No microSD card slot

  • No official IP rating

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Xiaomi Pad 8 gives you a premium tablet experience without the premium price tag. If entertainment and everyday use are your priorities, this is one of the smartest buys in the mid-range.

Xiaomi Pad 8 is built for casual buyers who want a fast, good-looking tablet without paying flagship prices. It keeps the familiar Pad design, but pairs it with a sharp 11.2-inch 3.2K class 144 Hz display, strong quad speakers, and a noticeably more powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. The result is a device that feels premium for streaming, browsing, and gaming, even if it is not trying to reinvent what a Xiaomi tablet looks like.

What matters is how complete the package feels in daily use. HyperOS 3 keeps the interface smooth and adds useful multitasking tools like split screen and desktop mode for light productivity. Xiaomi also supports the tablet with practical accessories, including two keyboard options, a cover that doubles as a stand, and the Focus Pen Pro for notes and sketches. If you want one tablet that can handle entertainment and occasional work, Pad 8 is designed to fit that role.

Designer: Xiaomi

Aesthetics

From the outside, the Xiaomi Pad 8 looks almost identical to its predecessor, the Xiaomi Pad 7. The design follows a flat edge language with soft rounded corners that soften the overall silhouette and keep it friendly in the hand. The rear panel is simple and uncluttered, with a single camera island and a centered Xiaomi logo that does not shout for attention. This minimal approach gives the Pad 8 a calm and almost understated personality that feels more premium than its price suggests.

The camera module itself is neatly integrated into the back design. It sits in a small rectangular island that reads more like a design accent than a visual interruption. Edges transition smoothly between the back and the frame, so the tablet looks like a single continuous piece rather than a stack of separate parts. Xiaomi offers the Pad 8 in three colors, Pine Green, Blue, and Gray, and all of these variants are tuned to look subtle and refined rather than loud. All of these add up to a device that feels stylish enough for a café table or a meeting room, without ever looking like a toy or a purely budget gadget.

Ergonomics

While the design focuses on clean lines and visual calm, the build of the Xiaomi Pad 8 focuses on comfort and practicality. Pad 8 measures 241.2 x 173.4 x 5.8 mm and weighs either 485g or 494g, depending on the variant, which makes it slightly slimmer and lighter than Xiaomi Pad 7. The difference on paper may look small, yet in the hand it translates into a tablet that feels more refined and easier to hold for long stretches. For casual users who spend evenings streaming or reading, this gentle reduction in bulk becomes a quiet but meaningful upgrade.

The metal frame feels sturdy in the hand and gives the tablet a reassuring sense of solidity. Button placement feels thoughtful as well, with the power and volume keys sitting where your fingers naturally land when you hold the tablet. You do not have to stretch awkwardly to adjust volume during a show, which keeps the experience relaxed and natural. The stereo speakers are positioned so that your hands are less likely to block them when you grip the device in landscape, which helps maintain clear sound without forcing you to change how you hold the tablet.

Performance

The display remains largely unchanged from Pad 7. You get an 11.2-inch IPS panel with a sharp 3.2K class resolution and a very fast 144 Hz refresh rate. Brightness peaks around 800 nits, which is strong for an LCD in this range and helps keep the screen readable near windows or outdoors on bright days. It supports DCI P3, HDR10, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, and Dolby Vision, so movies and shows benefit from richer colors and better contrast when the content is mastered for it.

Like most tablets with a glossy front glass, the Pad 8 screen is fairly reflective, so you will notice glare near bright windows or under strong indoor lighting. It is not worse than what you will see on most competing tablets. Xiaomi will also offer a Pad 8 Matte Glass version globally, and that option should be the better pick if reflections annoy you.

Audio quality keeps pace with the visuals. The Pad 8 uses a four-speaker setup that creates a satisfying level of volume and a well-balanced soundstage. Voices stay clear in dialogue-heavy scenes, while music and effects have enough presence to make games and films feel more immersive. This means you can comfortably watch or play without always reaching for headphones.

The biggest upgrade comes from the chipset. Xiaomi Pad 8 runs on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, and the GPU delivers plenty of power for modern titles and smooth animations across the interface. Even when you play graphically demanding games for long sessions, the device does not stutter, and it keeps its temperature under control, so performance remains stable, and the tablet stays comfortable to hold.

That performance is backed by a straightforward set of memory and storage options. You can choose between 8 GB and 128 GB, 8 GB and 256 GB, or 12 GB and 256 GB. The 8 GB model uses LPDDR5X memory, while the 12 GB model steps up to LPDDR5T, and storage is either 128 GB UFS 3.1 or 256 GB UFS 4.1, depending on the version you choose. There is no microSD card slot, so it is worth picking the capacity you will be happy with long term. The USB-C port also supports display output, so you can connect Pad 8 to an external monitor when you need a bigger screen for work or entertainment.

Xiaomi Pad 8 runs HyperOS 3 based on Android 16, and it feels quick and modern. The interface is clean, and it makes the large screen feel purposeful rather than like a stretched phone layout. It stays out of your way and keeps everyday tasks feeling smooth.

It supports split-screen multitasking, including a vertical split view that makes better use of the display. Xiaomi also keeps its desktop mode here, letting you open up to four floating, flexible windows at once for light productivity. This is handy when you want to browse, chat, and reference a document without constantly switching apps.

If you already own a Xiaomi phone, the ecosystem integration works very well. You can transfer calls and files between your phone and tablet seamlessly, and you can even mirror your phone screen directly on the Pad 8. For users who live in the Xiaomi ecosystem, this kind of connected experience makes the tablet feel like a natural extension of your phone rather than a separate device.

Cameras are not a headline feature on most tablets, and Xiaomi Pad 8 follows that familiar pattern. You get a 13 MP rear camera and an 8 MP front camera, which is enough for scanning documents, grabbing reference photos, and handling video calls without fuss. Image quality is best in good light, but for casual use, it is perfectly serviceable and convenient.

Battery size sees a modest upgrade, now with a 9200 mAh cell instead of the 8850 mAh unit in Pad 7, and it matches the capacity of the more expensive Pad 8 Pro. In real use, that means a full day of mixed activity is easy to achieve, even if you spend several hours streaming video and browsing. Light users who mostly read, check email, and watch a bit of content in the evening can often stretch the tablet across multiple days between charges.

Charging speed is unchanged from Pad 7 at 45W, so you still get reasonably quick top-ups when you plug in. Pad 8 now also supports 25W reverse charging, which lets you use the tablet as a power source for other devices when needed. This is especially handy for phones, earbuds, or accessories that are running low, and it adds a practical bonus to that large battery that casual users will appreciate on trips or long days out.

Xiaomi offers a solid accessory lineup for Pad 8, including the Xiaomi Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro Focus Keyboard, the standard Keyboard, the Cover, and the Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro. Both keyboards are comfortable to type on, and the cover doubles as a stand for easy viewing. If you are coming from Pad 7, most of these accessories will feel familiar, since the Focus Keyboard, Keyboard, and Cover are largely unchanged from the previous generation.

The most interesting addition is the Xiaomi Focus Pen Pro. It goes button-free for a cleaner, simpler feel, and it adds pressure sensitivity with haptic feedback for more natural writing and sketching. Even if you are not an artist, pressure sensitivity makes note-taking feel smoother and more expressive than a basic stylus. You can squeeze to open a choice of three apps. In the drawing app, you can slide your finger through the Pen to change the brush size. It will take some time to get used to, and the sensitivity and responsiveness can be improved.

Sustainability

Xiaomi makes a solid commitment to longevity with Pad 8. The tablet is promised 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches, which helps it stay secure and usable for much longer than many budget and mid-range Android tablets. For casual buyers, that means you can treat it as a long-term device rather than something you will quickly need to replace.

On the hardware side, the build feels solid and reassuring in the hand, but there is no official IP rating for dust or water resistance, so you still need to be careful around spills and rough environments. A decent case and perhaps a screen protector are sensible additions if you plan to carry it everywhere. In short, the software support looks built to last, the chassis feels robust, and the overall physical durability will still depend on how well you protect it.

Value

Xiaomi Pad 8 offers strong everyday value for casual buyers, with a sharp 11.2-inch 3.2K class 144 Hz display, quad speakers, Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 performance, and a large 9200 mAh battery. In China, pricing starts at CNY 2,199 for the 8 GB and 128 GB models, commonly quoted as about $310, with higher tiers at CNY 2,499, about $350, and CNY 2,799, about $390. US and EU pricing will differ, but the message is clear. Xiaomi is aiming for premium specs without a premium price.

The compromises are straightforward. There is no microSD card slot on the Pad 8, so you need to choose your storage tier carefully from the start. There is also no fingerprint sensor on Pad 8, so you need the Pad 8 Pro if you want that convenience. The standard screen is also reflective unless you opt for the Matte Glass version. If those points do not bother you, Pad 8 lands in a very appealing sweet spot for streaming, browsing, and gaming.

Verdict

Xiaomi Pad 8 is an easy tablet to like because it focuses on the basics and executes them well. The display is sharp and fluid, the speakers are loud and balanced, and performance stays stable even during longer gaming sessions. It also feels solid in the hand, and the slimmer, lighter body makes it comfortable for long reading or streaming sessions.

The downsides are straightforward, with no fingerprint sensor, no microSD card slot, and a glossy screen that can show reflections unless you choose the Matte Glass version. On the plus side, Xiaomi’s accessory lineup gives you room to grow, whether you want a keyboard setup for light work or a pressure-sensitive pen for note-taking. The overall package lands as a strong value, especially if your tablet time revolves around entertainment with occasional productivity.

The post Xiaomi Pad 8 Review: The $310 Tablet That Feels More Expensive first appeared on Yanko Design.

Xiaomi 17 Review: The Compact Flagship With a 6330mAh Battery

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PROS:


  • Compact flagship design

  • Bright 6.3-inch LTPO AMOLED display

  • Strong all-around camera system

  • Excellent battery capacity for its size

CONS:


  • Global version gets a smaller battery than the Chinese version

  • Haptic rattles a little in some apps and games

  • Camera is a slight step down compared to the Ultra, especially the telephoto

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Xiaomi 17 gets a lot right by knowing exactly what it wants to be.

The Xiaomi 17 is a rare thing in 2026. It is a genuinely compact Android flagship that still throws around huge‑phone specs. You get a 6.3‑inch LTPO AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a Leica‑branded triple camera, and a battery that is bigger than many tablets at up to 7000 mAh in the Chinese version and 6330mAh in the global version.

Unlike its louder siblings, the Xiaomi 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, or 17 Ultra, the standard Xiaomi 17 skips the rear secondary screen and wild camera modules. That makes it the most understated member of the family, but also the one that will fit most hands and pockets, while still behaving like a no‑compromise flagship.

Designer: Xiaomi

Aesthetics

The Xiaomi 17 is the quietest looking member of the 17 family, yet it still feels unmistakably premium. Xiaomi leans into clean lines and soft geometry rather than aggressive angles, which gives the phone a calm, almost minimalist presence. The side frame is color-matched to the back, so the whole device reads as a single block, which gives it an almost monolith-like feel in the hand and on the desk. From the back, the design is deliberately restrained and avoids the visual noise you see on many flagships today.

The camera island is compact and neatly integrated, without the oversized rings or dramatic steps used on some rivals and on Xiaomi’s own Pro and Ultra models. The color-matched square camera bump has a reflective finish and houses three cameras and an LED flash, each framed by its own ring.

The Xiaomi logo is treated almost like a subtle cutout in the glass, using the same base color as the back but with a glossy finish, so it only really pops when light hits it at the right angle. Matte glass finishes soften reflections across the rest of the panel and help the phone catch light in a more diffuse, satin way rather than a mirror-like glare.

Color choices reinforce this subtle aesthetic. Global versions come in black, blue, pink, and green, which gives a mix of classic and slightly playful options without drifting into toy-like territory.

Overall, the Xiaomi 17’s aesthetic is about understatement and quiet confidence. It looks like a high-end object, but it doesn’t shout about it or demand attention. If you are tired of oversized camera bump theatrics or overly glossy finishes, this is a design that blends into your everyday environment in a very good way.

Ergonomics

The Xiaomi 17 sits in a sweet spot at about 151.1 × 71.8 × 8.1 mm and 191 g, which makes it noticeably more compact than the typical 6.7‑inch flagship while still feeling dense and substantial. In daily use, that translates into easier one‑hand reach, less finger gymnastics for the notification shade, and a more secure grip when you are walking or commuting.

Corner radius and gently curved edges help the phone nestle into the palm without sharp pressure points, so the 191 g weight feels planted rather than fatiguing. The matte glass back adds a touch of grip compared with glossy finishes, and the relatively modest camera bump means the phone rocks less on a table when you tap the upper corners.

The fingerprint scanner is positioned well enough that you can unlock the phone and continue using it in one smooth motion, which adds to the sense that the Xiaomi 17 was designed around everyday comfort rather than just visual appeal. At the same time, its compact proportions are what really make the phone stand out. It is easier to live with than most modern flagships, especially for users who still value one-handed usability.

Performance

The Xiaomi 17 features a 6.3-inch LTPO AMOLED panel that runs at up to 120 Hz. Resolution is around 2656 × 1220, which Xiaomi positions as a 1.5K-class display. That gives a high pixel density without the power draw of a full 4K panel. According to Xiaomi, it can reach around 3500 nits of peak brightness.

The display looks vibrant and gets bright enough to stay comfortable in most lighting conditions. Dual speakers deliver clear sound with enough volume for videos, games, and casual listening. The only drawback is the haptic feedback, which feels a little too strong and gives the phone a faint rattling sensation that I found slightly distracting during longer sessions.

Under the hood, the Xiaomi 17 debuts Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset in Xiaomi’s flagship line. Configurations start at 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM with 256 GB of UFS 4.1 storage and go up to 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage for the global version.

On the software side, the phone ships with HyperOS 3 based on Android 16. HyperOS is Xiaomi’s unified platform that aims to tie together phones, tablets, TVs, smart home devices, and even vehicles under a single ecosystem. The Xiaomi 17 benefits from this through features like cross-device clipboard, multi-screen collaboration, and tighter integration with Xiaomi’s smart home products.

Xiaomi continues its partnership with Leica on the Xiaomi 17. The base model gets a triple rear camera setup, with all three modules using 50 MP sensors. The main camera is a 50 MP wide unit at about 23 mm equivalent, with an f/1.7 aperture, optical image stabilization, and a relatively large sensor around the 1/1.3 inch class. This is the primary workhorse for most shots, combining high resolution with good light-gathering ability. The telephoto camera is a 50 MP module around 60 mm equivalent with an f/2.0 aperture, OIS, and roughly 2.6× optical zoom. Xiaomi advertises close focus capability down to around 10 cm, which lets this lens double as a pseudo macro option.

The third camera is a 50 MP ultrawide unit at about 17 mm equivalent with an f/2.4 aperture and around a 102 degree field of view. This keeps detail relatively high for landscape and architecture shots compared to the 8 MP or 12 MP ultrawides found on many mid-range phones.

On the front, there is a 50 MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 lens around 21 mm equivalent and phase detect autofocus. That autofocus support is still not universal on front cameras, so it is a noteworthy inclusion for vloggers and selfie-heavy users.

Video capture on the rear camera supports up to 8K at 30 fps and 4K at up to 60 fps, with HDR10 plus and 10-bit recording modes including Dolby Vision and log profiles. Slow motion options go up to very high frame rates at 1080p and even 720p, assisted by gyro-based electronic stabilization.

For global markets, the Xiaomi 17 packs a 6330 mAh battery, which is roughly 10 percent smaller than the 7000 mAh pack in the Chinese version. Even so, it is still impressive to see such a large battery in a compact body, and that capacity can translate to multi-day light use or very comfortable single-day heavy use. The Xiaomi 17 supports 100 W wired charging, 50 W wireless charging, and 22.5 W reverse wireless charging.

Sustainability

The Xiaomi 17 does not make sustainability a headline feature, but it does include a few things that matter for long-term ownership. It carries an IP68 rating, meaning it is dust-tight and water-resistant for immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. The display is also protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass, which should add another layer of durability against everyday wear. That kind of protection helps the phone better survive spills, rain, and minor accidents, which can reduce the risk of early replacement.

Xiaomi also promises five major Android upgrades and six years of security patches for the Xiaomi 17, which gives it a solid software support window for an Android flagship. That should help the device stay secure and usable for longer, even if Xiaomi still does not push sustainability as strongly as some rivals through repairability programs or detailed environmental claims.

Value

The Xiaomi 17 starts at €999 for the 12GB/256GB configuration, which works out to roughly $1,080 at current exchange rates. For that money, you are getting a compact flagship with a 6.3-inch LTPO AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, a Leica-tuned triple camera system, and a battery that is unusually large for a phone of this size.

What makes the Xiaomi 17 feel competitive is how complete the package is. The hardware feels premium, the charging speeds are still among the best in the class, and Xiaomi’s promise of 5 major Android upgrades and 6 years of security patches adds more long-term value than older Xiaomi flagships offered. It is an expensive phone, but it still makes a strong case for buyers who want top-tier specs in a smaller body without stepping into Ultra-level pricing.

Verdict

The Xiaomi 17 gets a lot right by knowing exactly what it wants to be. Instead of chasing gimmicks or trying to outdo its siblings with louder hardware, it focuses on delivering a compact flagship experience that still feels complete. The understated design, comfortable in-hand feel, strong display, capable Leica camera system, and unusually large battery all come together in a package that feels thoughtfully balanced rather than compromised.

It is not perfect. The haptics can feel a little too aggressive, and at €999, it is clearly a premium purchase rather than an easy impulse buy. Still, the Xiaomi 17 makes a convincing case for itself by offering top-tier performance, long software support, and excellent battery life in a size that is becoming increasingly rare. For anyone who wants a flagship Android phone without moving up to a much larger Pro, Max, or Ultra device, the Xiaomi 17 is one of the most appealing options in its class.

The post Xiaomi 17 Review: The Compact Flagship With a 6330mAh Battery first appeared on Yanko Design.