News
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is here, and to put it simply it’s a knockout – our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review calls the latest in this line of foldable devices “the nearly perfect foldable phone”.
That’s for good reason: the Galaxy Z Fold 7 feels like a true overhaul after years of incremental updates, sporting larger displays, new software, a better main camera, and a more powerful chipset, all contained in a thinner design that rivals the likes of the Oppo Find N5.
However, all of this comes with a higher price tag. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at $1,999 / £1,899 / AU$2,899 – it is the most expensive widely available smartphone.
I recently wrote that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is simply too expensive for me to consider buying one. A dollar off $2,000 is just too much money to part with in my opinion – the Galaxy Z Fold 6 was already uber-pricey at $1,899 / £1,799 / AU$2,749, and more expensive than the rival Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold (which launched at $1,799 / £1,799 / AU$2,699).
But with that said, I think the Galaxy Z Fold 7 launching at such a high price has the potential to do good things for the folding phone industry as a whole, even if it’s rough on individual customers’ pockets.
Price and possibility The iPhone X ushered in a new era of more expensive but much more capable smartphones. (Image credit: TechRadar)Now, before I explain myself, let me just say that I’m not giving phone makers carte blanche to raise prices as they see fit. Price hikes feel especially thorny in the current environment of tariffs and turbulence, and like everyone at TechRadar I want to see the everyday customer get the best deal possible.
With that said, prices are going to rise over time, even if slowly – and in the case of the folding phone market, I think this creates an opportunity for real improvement – if phone makers take that opportunity responsibly.
Think back to the launch of the iPhone X in 2017. Apple’s all-screen handset was the first widely available phone to launch at a starting price of $999 / £999 / AU$1,579 – for general audiences, it was the first thousand dollar phone.
For reference, the Samsung Galaxy S8 also launched in 2017 at a starting price of $750 / £689 / $1,079, and the previous generation iPhone 7 started at $649 / £599 / AU$1,079. This was a proportionally greater price increase than we’ve seen with the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
This felt like a huge hike at the time, but it didn’t take long for phone makers to follow Apple’s example, pushing flagship phone prices towards, and eventually beyond, the thousand-dollar mark. This put more pressure on consumers, sure, but also gave phone makers more resources to improve the models at the top-end of their lineups.
Just look at today’s very best slab phones, like the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL – these are phones with huge, beautiful displays, three or four high-quality cameras each, and enough internal power to make a mid-range PC jealous. A hard limit of $1,000 would give phone makers less flexibility and, frankly, less incentive to make such powerful devices.
Without higher prices and better specs at the top-end of the market, fantastic mid-range phones like the OnePlus 13R would have no reason to exist. (Image credit: Future)I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that, ultimately, breaking the $1,000 barrier was good for the phone industry as a whole. Having used some of the best phones on the market, I think the trade off was worth it.
That’s especially true when you consider that a highly competitive mid-range segment has emerged as the prices of premium and cheap phones have diverged, populated by excellent handsets like the OnePlus 13R and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, phones that offer a near-flagship grade experience for substantially less money.
These mid-range phones cost around the same, or even less, than flagships did before the entrance of premium models like the iPhone X. The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, for example, starts at $649.99 / £649 / AU$1,099, while the OnePlus 13R comes in at a very respectable $599 / £679.
The future of folding phonesThe Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE suggests there's some interest in cheap(er) folding phones. (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Let’s bring it back to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 – folding phones are still what I’d call an emerging technology. I don’t think we’ve reached the point where folding phones are easy to recommend against traditional smartphones for the everyday person.
Having tested several folding phones, I can say with confidence that there’s still work to do when it comes to ergonomics, durability, and camera quality. Price increases, while hard to swallow, could give folding phone makers the resources to implement these improvements.
Speculatively, we might even see the emergence of a mid-range folding phone market. The launch of the Galaxy Flip 7 FE suggests that Samsung senses some interest in moderately-priced folding phones. If the iPhone X paved the way for the OnePlus 13R, perhaps the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 can pave the way for the first true mid-range booklet foldable, at a similar price to a high-end premium flagship.
Naturally, this all relies on users to still want to purchase pricier devices, and on phone makers to use any additional revenue to invest in their product, rather than just pocketing the difference as profit. That’ll determine whether pushing past the $2,000 barrier is worth it.
You might also like- QR phishing, also known as quishing, is a rising scam where attackers try to trick you into scanning fake QR codes
- Cybercriminals may target your personal data, login credentials, bank accounts, or try to infect your smartphone with malware
- These QR codes can be found everywhere, from parking lots to museums
You might be used to receiving scam emails or texts, but did you know that you can also get scammed through a QR code? This increasingly common form of scam is referred to as quishing – and it's been spreading rapidly again recently.
According to CNBC, 73% of Americans have scanned a QR code without verifying that the source link was safe, and NordVPN has discovered that 26 million have been directed to malicious websites as a result.
Meanwhile, in the UK, Action Fraud (the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime) recently revealed that £3.5 million had been lost to quishing scams in the year leading up to April 2025.
These scam QR codes are being used for anything from sending fake payment links to installing malware on your phone. Here's everything you need to know about the latest quishing attacks and how to protect yourself from them.
What exactly is quishing?(Image credit: Marielle Ursua (Unsplash))Quishing is a form of phishing that is done entirely via a QR code. While it wasn't as widespread just a few years ago, it skyrocketed during the pandemic, when QR codes became more than just a fun little quirk.
Over the last few years, QR codes have permeated the fabric of our daily lives. We see them everywhere, from TV commercials to restaurant menus or flyers. Unfortunately, QR codes are inherently opaque. It's hard to verify how secure a link is at a glance, which makes these codes easy to tamper with.
The way it works is shockingly simple. Whether the scam QR code pops up in an email or elsewhere, it's always accompanied by something that'll get you to scan it. Payment prompts, medical forms, or product information are common targets. When you scan the code and click through, you'll be taken to the next part of the scam, which is either a website or a script that installs malware in your phone.
Unfortunately, if the code has been tampered with, the target website is a scam. At best, it'll steal however much you're trying to pay for parking; at worst, it might compromise your phone or your banking login credentials.
Are QR codes in public places safe to use?(Image credit: Shutterstock / Bilanol)While QR codes found in restaurants or museums seem like a safe bet, that isn't always the case – not anymore.
Unlike phishing emails, QR codes have a strong real-world impact. It's all too simple for threat actors to tamper with legitimate codes found in public spaces. That said, the threat is much greater at open public spaces, rather than indoor ones.
For example, at a parking lot, scammers physically replace the sticker at the parking meter, directing people to a legitimate-looking website where they can pay their parking bill. The same can be done with posters or flyers found just about anywhere.
It's important to remember that this isn't niche, and it can happen to anyone. KeepNet Labs found that QR codes are an increasingly common medium for sending phishing links, with a whopping 26% of all malicious links being delivered that way.
How to stay safeAbove is an example of an email quishing scam, which will redirect unsuspecting victims to a fake Microsoft log-in page. (Image credit: Usecure)Quishing, much like all other forms of scams, relies on creating a sense of urgency. Whether it's an exciting offer or a serious-looking payment reminder, quishing scammers want you to scan the code and proceed without asking questions. That's why the best way to stay safe is to be vigilant and take your time.
Let's say that you received a QR code embedded in an email that tells you to secure your account, enable multi-factor authentication, or get a discount code. Don't trust it right away – it could be a scam. Even a legitimate-looking email address might not mean that you're in the clear, as scammers can hijack accounts to send out those QR codes.
To stay safe, don't take any unexpected email at face value. If a service tells you that your account has been compromised, don't scan any codes in that email. Instead, go to the website or app directly and change your login credentials there, without interacting with the content of the email.
When faced with QR codes in places where they might have been tampered with, it's better to take your time rather than scan the code quickly. At a parking lot, don't scan the code – go directly to the address. Only QR codes that are physically impossible for scammers to replace are safe.
If you do scan a QR code, make sure to never provide any personal information or login credentials. It's always better to err on the side of caution. Before you follow the link to any website, look at it carefully and compare it to what you know as the real deal.
QR codes certainly make our lives easier, but unfortunately, the more widespread they are, the likelier they are to be targeted by scammers. It's never a bad idea to invest in one of the best Android antivirus apps to protect your phone from hackers.
You might also like- More specs have leaked for the Galaxy S25 FE
- Battery capacity and charging speeds are getting upgrades
- We should see a full launch happening soon
We saw the first of the Samsung Galaxy S25 phones launched all the way back in January, and there are now four handsets in the series. We think there's one more to go, the Galaxy S25 FE, and fresh leaks have revealed a full specs sheet for the upcoming handset.
Separate sets of specs posted by well-known tipster @MysteryLupin and Android Headlines point to this phone coming with a 6.7-inch, 120 Hz refresh rate AMOLED display, an Exynos 2400 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of on-board storage.
The cameras are reportedly 50MP+12MP+8MP on the back and 12MP on the front. However, while these leaks agree on the charging speeds of 15W wireless and 45W wired, they differ by listing either 4,500 mAh or 4,900 mAh as the battery capacity.
What's more, the phone is said to be IP68 rated for dust and water protection, with Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the front. The weight is said to be 190 grams, and the handset is apparently going to come running One UI 8.
Specs appeal6.7" AMOLED, 120HzExynos 2400, One UI 850MP/12MP/8MP, 12MP front4,500mAh battery, 45W wired, 15W wirelessIP68, Gorilla Glass Victus, 190g https://t.co/9nscwbZ5mIAugust 1, 2025
Considering these lists of specs match up so exactly – aside from the battery capacity – gives extra credibility to them, and suggests they've come from the same original source. They also match up with previous leaks we've seen to date.
Going off other previous leaks, it seems a battery upgrade is more likely than a battery downgrade: a 4,900 mAh battery has already been mentioned, upping the capacity from the 4,700 mAh battery seen on the Galaxy S24 FE.
When it comes to other comparisons with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, we're getting a faster processor and an improved selfie camera – but aside from those features and a bigger battery capacity, it appears a lot of the specs are going to be the same.
That might not matter too much, depending on the price. Based on the number of leaks around this handset that we're now seeing, it shouldn't be too long before it sees the light of day – and a September or October launch seems likely.
You might also likeA new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, August 2 (game #517).
Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
NYT Strands today (game #518) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… "Sorry, didn't catch that"
NYT Strands today (game #518) - hint #2 - clue wordsPlay any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
- TROLL
- STROBE
- FORT
- ROOF
- TURF
- STOP
• Spangram has 10 letters
NYT Strands today (game #518) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: left, 5th row
Last side: right, 6th row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #518) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Strands, game #518, are…
- MUFF
- WHIFF
- ERROR
- FAULT
- FUMBLE
- BOBBLE
- BLOOPER
- SPANGRAM: SPORTS GOOF
- My rating: Hard
- My score: 2 hints
I hated this game. None of these words meant anything to me and my first three game words gave me nothing to steer me in the right direction – I got the first two thanks to the double-Fs and from there took some hints.
In the end it didn’t matter, as my knowledge of sports doesn’t extend to the SPORTS GOOF, but I got the general idea.
Instead, today’s game became a random word search and I fumbled, bumbled and fluked my way to the exhausting end of it.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, August 2, game #517)- FILTER
- CROP
- BLUR
- ADJUST
- ERASE
- MARKUP
- ROTATE
- SPANGRAM: PHOTO EDITOR
Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.
A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, August 2 (game #783).
Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.
What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
NYT Connections today (game #784) - today's words(Image credit: New York Times)Today's NYT Connections words are…
- MIRROR
- BEETLE
- POLO
- BIRD
- GOLF
- GORILLA
- PARROT
- CRICKET
- FEVER
- ECHO
- SQUASH
- BUG
- MONKEY
- FAD
- COPY
- CRAZE
What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?
- YELLOW: Reproduction
- BLUE: On trends
- GREEN: Bats and rackets etc
- PURPLE: Musical beasts
Need more clues?
We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…
NYT Connections today (game #784) - hint #2 - group answersWhat are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?
- YELLOW: EMULATE
- BLUE: MANIA
- GREEN: SPORTS
- PURPLE: SINGLE ANIMAL IN A CREATIVELY SPELLED BAND NAME
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Connections today (game #784) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Connections, game #784, are…
- YELLOW: EMULATE COPY, ECHO, MIRROR, PARROT
- BLUE: MANIA BUG, CRAZE, FAD, FEVER
- GREEN: SPORTS CRICKET, GOLF, POLO, SQUASH
- PURPLE: SINGLE ANIMAL IN A CREATIVELY SPELLED BAND NAMEBEETLE, BIRD, GORILLA, MONKEY
- My rating: Hard
- My score: 2 mistakes
As someone who spent 20 years as a music journalist I’m annoyed that I didn't see that SINGLE ANIMAL IN A CREATIVELY SPELLED BAND NAME referred to The Beatles, The Byrds, Gorillaz and The Monkees.
Instead, I was too busy falling into the very obvious trap of thinking that there was a group connecting Volkswagen cars – POLO, BEETLE and GOLF are definitely models and I took a guess that ECHO was too. It isn't.
My other mistake was putting together PARROT, BUG, CRICKET and beetle, thinking it was something to do with the Pixar movie A Bug’s Life (my memory is sketchy!).
Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, August 2, game #783)- YELLOW: ATTACH WITH ADHESIVE ADHERE, AFFIX, GLUE, STICK
- BLUE: BOWLING RESULTS FOUL, SPARE, SPLIT, STRIKE
- GREEN: POLITE TERMS FOR SEX COMMERCE, CONGRESS, INTIMACY, RELATIONS
- PURPLE: CONTRONYMS (WORDS THAT CAN MEAN OPPOSITE THINGS) CLEAVE, GARNISH, OVERSIGHT, SANCTION
NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.
On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.
It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.
It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, August 2 (game #1286).
Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.
Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
Quordle today (game #1287) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.
* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).
Quordle today (game #1287) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.
Quordle today (game #1287) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.
Quordle today (game #1287) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.
If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:
Quordle today (game #1287) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• M
• L
• L
• B
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
Quordle today (game #1287) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle, game #1287, are…
- MOTIF
- LEERY
- LOFTY
- BURST
I messed up today and reused a letter I already knew was in the wrong position – guessing STRUT when I really shouldn't have done.
I’ll take it as a lesson to be more vigilant going forward. And it was especially annoying, given that today’s round was already tricky enough.
Daily Sequence today (game #1287) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1287, are…
- JIFFY
- MANIA
- LUMPY
- TALON
- Quordle #1286, Saturday, 2 August: WARTY, PUPAL, CLEAR, SLICE
- Quordle #1285, Friday, 1 August: ACTOR, MEALY, WIDTH, ADOBE
- Quordle #1284, Thursday, 31 July: STYLE, VALET, AGONY, ALLOY
- Quordle #1283, Wednesday, 30 July: DEBAR, ADMIN, FOLIO, USAGE
- Quordle #1282, Tuesday, 29 July: BATCH, TOPIC, MURKY, BUNCH
- Quordle #1281, Monday, 28 July: CANDY, TRYST, SHIRT, FORGO
- Quordle #1280, Sunday, 27 July: TRAWL, BALER, PIANO, MINCE
- Quordle #1279, Saturday, 26 July: MUDDY, SAINT, KINKY, POLAR
- Quordle #1278, Friday, 25 July: BONUS, RESIN, CEDAR, MADAM
- Quordle #1277, Thursday, 24 July: AGONY, VERVE, GLEAN, MINUS
- Quordle #1276, Wednesday, 23 July: OZONE, PENCE, ROOMY, WIDER
- Quordle #1275, Tuesday, 22 July: OPTIC, GIDDY, VOCAL, ADULT
- Quordle #1274, Monday, 21 July: KNEED, SNAIL, PINTO, FEAST
- Quordle #1273, Sunday, 20 July: GRACE, COUNT, EGRET, GIANT
- Quordle #1272, Saturday, 19 July: EARLY, CLICK, TRITE, SPREE
- Quordle #1271, Friday, 18 July: CINCH, FOYER, FUDGE, TAFFY
- Quordle #1270, Thursday, 17 July: CRESS, TABOO, POWER, HATER
- Quordle #1269, Wednesday, 16 July: UNCLE, NADIR, REMIT, BROOM
- Quordle #1268, Tuesday, 15 July: VILLA, FLECK, TIGER, CRANE
- Spider-Man's new costume for Brand New Day has been fully unveiled
- Marvel and Sony released a new video showing the costume in all of its glory
- Its lead star Tom Holland is shown wearing the superhero suit
Tom Holland has officially unveiled the first full look at the new costume he'll wear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day – and I've immediately fallen in love with it.
Just 24 hours after an all-too-brief Brand New Day video teased Spider-Man's new attire, a new teaser, which was released by Sony Pictures, shows off the super-suit in all of its glory.
The 22 second-long video, which was uploaded to Sony's YouTube channel today (August 2), begins with the somewhat melancholy Spider-Man piano-based theme we heard in yesterday's footage. As some hanger bay doors open and light rushes in from outside, we see the silhouette of Holland, who has his back to the camera, jogging on the spot as he prepares for what could be his first day on the Brand New Day set in Glasgow, Scotland.
Around the 0:10 mark, Holland suddenly pivots and walks towards the camera. Approaching it, he smiles as he reveals the webslinger's new costume in full. Holland then looks across to someone off-screen, asks "We ready?", looks back into the lens, smiles again, and heads off, presumably to start shooting his next Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film.
The first thing to note about Spidey's new garb is it appears to be an updated version of the suit he's seen wearing in the final scene of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Indeed, apart from the raised webbing on the outside of the suit and the black logo adoring the chest area, it appears to be an exact match to the aforementioned ensemble.
A post shared by Spider-Man (@spidermanmovie)
A photo posted by on
What's even more interesting, though, is that Spidey's new gear looks like it's paying homage to Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's live-action iterations of the character. The raised webbing is a clear tribute to Maguire's costume, while the black, slim logo is an obvious nod to the emblem that adorned Garfield's suit.
Considering Holland, Maguire, and Garfield's wallcrawlers teamed up in No Way Home via some multiverse shenanigans, it's evident these more experienced Peter Parkers left a lasting impression on Holland's version. It's unsurprising, then, that he'd honor the pair by incorporating aspects of their costumes into his own. What a nice guy!
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is currently slated to be released on July 31, 2026. And, with filming finally underway on Spidey's next big-screen adventure, we're sure to learn even more about the Marvel Phase 6 movie as principal photography continues in the weeks and months to come.
Admittedly, we already know some things about Spider-Man 4 – for more details on what's been confirmed thus far, check out my dedicated guide on Spider-Man: Brand New Day. But, whether it's who Sadie Sink is playing in Brand New Day, what Frank Castle/The Punisher's role will be in Spider-Man 4, and more besides, I'm confident there'll be more for me to write about one of my favorite superhero's next film very soon.
What do you think of Spidey's new costume? Let me know in the comments. Once you have, read on for more Spider-Man: Brand New Day coverage.
You might also like- Spider-Man: Brand New Day's place on the Marvel timeline appears to have been revealed – here's when the MCU movie might take place
- New Marvel report about its X-Men movie reboot might have dispelled a big cast rumor about Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day behind the scenes look appears to confirm two of the Marvel movie's villains – and a possible Venom cameo
- GMK K12 uses OCuLink and USB4 to make eGPU support completely plug-and-play
- Ryzen 7 H 255 pushes 70W under load, rare in palm-sized budget mini PCs
- Triple M.2 SSD slots make the K12 unusually capable of handling massive storage arrays
GMK has launched the K12, a mini PC priced at 2,099 yuan (approximately $292), designed for users seeking a compact yet expandable system.
Unlike typical budget systems, the K12 supports both OCuLink and USB4, making external GPU connectivity a practical reality without modifying internal components.
Powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 H 255, the GMK K12 features an 8-core, 16-thread Zen 4 processor with clock speeds ranging from 3.8GHz to 4.9GHz.
A small form factor with surprising thermal headroomGMK (originally in Chinese) says the chip can maintain a 70W power envelope under sustained load, which places it well above what’s usually expected from small form factor devices.
The integrated Radeon 780M GPU handles lighter gaming and creative workloads, although its real strength lies in supporting external GPU docks over OCuLink or USB4.
One of the core selling points of this device is its unusually broad storage and memory capacity, as it features three PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, each supporting up to 8TB SSDs, bringing total storage to a theoretical 24TB, and also comes with two DDR5 slots, which support up to 128GB of RAM at 5600MHz.
While such specs are far beyond what most mini PC users require, they give the K12 flexibility to operate as a lightweight workstation or an experimental business PC for data-heavy tasks.
With this much power comes heating problems, and the K12 handles this with a dual-fan system backed by a vapor chamber heat spreader.
GMK’s chassis includes dual air intakes and user-selectable cooling profiles: silent (45W), balanced (54W), and performance (65W).
This approach may not match traditional workstation cooling, but it provides more control than most systems in its size class.
On the connectivity side, the K12 supports up to four 4K displays via HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB4, with data transfer managed through dual 2.5G Ethernet ports and Wi-Fi 6E.
Notably, the OCuLink port on the front panel allows lossless eGPU support, and the USB4 port supports 40Gbps data rates and 120W power delivery.
That said, GMK K12 isn’t aiming to replace high-end desktops or gaming towers; it introduces a mix of affordability, expandability, and performance control not often seen at this price point.
You might also like- Check out the best 3D modeling software for 3D printing and more
- We've rounded up the best portable monitors available now
- Your old smartphone could one day become a minuscule data center
Fortnite Super Showdown is the next live event happening in the main battle royale mode. It airs later today (August 2), and will involve Superman leading players in a climactic fight against a gigantic foe.
Fortnite Super Showdown event - key info on the Superman live battleFortnite Super Showdown live event start time
How to watch the Fortnite Super Showdown event
What to expect from Fortnite Super Showdown
Live coverage as it happens
So far, we know relatively little about Fortnite Super Showdown. It'll take place in Demon's Domain, one of the major POIs (points of interest) in the current season. The next Season of Fortnite arrives next week, so hopefully today's event will give us some idea as to what'll be involved in the next major update. It's regular changes like these that consistently keep Fortnite ranked highly in our best PC games list.
I've now played hundreds of hours of Fortnite Chapter 6, from the month-long Star Wars mini-season, and into the superhero shenanigans of Fortnite Super. I'm excited to be covering the Fortnite Super Showdown event live, and will be leading you through the build up, before it all kicks off in a couple of hours.
Here's everything you need to know about Fortnite Super Showdown including the start time, and what to expect. Once the show starts, I'll be providing my impressions of the live event as I play. Then, I'll be giving my thoughts on what worked, and what could have been better. Let's get started.
Fortnite Super Showdown live event start time(Image credit: Epic Games)The Fortnite Super Showdown live event starts August 2 at 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT / 7:30pm BST. Players can load in once doors open at the times below:
- East Coast (US): 2PM ET
- West Coast (US): 11AM PT
- United Kingdom: 7PM BST
- Central Europe: 8PM CEST
- Sydney (Australia): 4AM AEST, August 3
- Tokyo (Japan): 3AM JST, August 3
I seriously recommend getting in as soon as the doors open, as servers will fill up very quickly indeed. You'll be able to jump into a match, and there will likely be a safe zone around Demon's Domian. This will mean players won't be able to damage each other, and you can sit and wait in peace for the show to begin.
How to watch the Fortnite Super Showdown eventYou'll need to jump into the main Fortnite playlist at the times specified above if you'd like to watch Super Showdown live. Alternatively, you could follow along with your streamer of choice, as many will no doubt be covering the event.
I'll be jumping into the event to live blog it as it unfolds, so be sure to check back in with this page if you can't jump into the game when the event is actually happening. Unfortunately, Epic Games doesn't stream Fortnite events on its official channels.
What to expect from Fortnite Super Showdown(Image credit: Epic Games)Epic Games has only released one short teaser trailer for Super Showdown. It shows Demon's Domain being destroyed by pink and red electricity, and red energy fields that look suspiciously like those we saw at the end of the recent Fortnite OG rocket launch event. Then, we see a huge eye attached to what looks to be a giant tentacle.
We do know that Superman will return to fight whatever this huge tentacled foe is, and that players will head to Demon's Domain to provide support. To me, that certainly looks to be a kraken-like creature, so it could be that Superman is set for quite the battle during the event.
Live coverage as it happensHello and welcome(Image credit: Epic Games)We’re now just two hours away from the start of Fortnite Super Showdown. I’ll be covering the build up live, providing all of the info you need on the upcoming superpowered event. Once doors open, I’ll be jumping in, and then you can follow along as the main show plays out.
When does the Super Showdown start?(Image credit: Epic Games)Fortnite Super Showdown kicks off at 2:30PM ET / 11:30AM PT / 7:30PM BST. It’s recommended that you jump online and into Fortnite when doors open 15 minutes prior. Servers will fill up fast, so be sure to secure your spot.
Where we dropping?(Image credit: Epic Games)You’ll want to drop into Demon’s Domain to witness Fortnite Super Showdown. It’s likely that there will be a safe zone in effect, meaning damage will be switched off. This means you’ll be able to stay safe, secure your view, and get ready for the action to start.
Look up!(Image credit: Epic Games)Superman will be the main star of Super Showdown, though we don’t have the full details just yet. Seeing as there’s a gigantic tentacled enemy to take down, I’m definitely happy to have Supes on the team.
Just 90 minutes until doors openGrab your cape, put those hero skills to the test! The Super Showdown Story Event takes place in Battle Royale on August 2 @ 2:30 PM ET on the dot. Be sure to jump in early and prepare to fight! pic.twitter.com/8hNvbH50iSJuly 27, 2025
Doors for Fortnite Super Showdown open at 2PM ET / 11AM PT / 7PM BST. Make sure to load in, make sure your game is updated, and secure your spot in the matchmaking queue. It’s likely to be a busy one.
Is that a kraken?(Image credit: Epic Games)Epic Games released a short teaser trailer for Fortnite Super Showdown earlier this week. It ends with a look at a gigantic enemy with eyes fixed to big purple tentacles. Could this be a kraken? We’ll have to wait and see.
Demon’s Domain will be taking a hitYou can check out the Super Showdown teaser trailer embedded above. Looks like a big purple laser is going to hit Demon’s Domain, destroying one of the main buildings. This is likely related to the arrival of the giant enemy we’ll be fighting, and could give a hint as to what’s to follow next season.
- High-end Radeon AI Pro R9700 cards from five major brands now confirmed
- The products are designed for professional AI, rendering, simulation and multi-GPU use
- Further cards from MSI, XFX, Biostar, Acer and others are expected soon
The Radeon AI Pro R9700, AMD's fastest GPU to date, has gone on sale, with Asus, ASRock, Sapphire, PowerColor, and Gigabyte all unveiling their versions.
First shown at Computex 2025, the Pro R9700 is built on the RDNA 4 architecture and powered by the Navi 48 chip.
It features 32GB of GDDR6 memory, which is double the amount found in the gamer-focused Radeon RX 9070 XT that uses the same core, along with 128 AI accelerators and 4096 stream processors.
Built for professionalsThe GPU is tailored for professional workloads including AI training, scientific modeling, and advanced rendering.
Asus’ version, the Turbo Radeon AI Pro R9700, has a 12V–2x6 power connector, die-cast metal shroud, and phase change thermal interface material. This configuration helps manage power and thermal load for continuous-use.
The card’s design focuses on reliability, which is crucial for enterprise systems that need to run under full load for long periods.
Gigabyte’s model also has an industrial layout, sporting all-copper cooling, composite metal thermal paste, and a blower-style turbo fan.
This card’s cooling design promotes airflow in dense workstation builds, where multiple cards are installed side by side.
Sapphire’s take is fairly close to AMD’s reference, offering the same performance and layout with four DisplayPort 2.1a outputs.
PowerColor also sticks to the blower design and has confirmed the card’s 300W TDP, Game Clock of 2350MHz, and Boost Clock up to 2920MHz.
ASRock’s version, the R9700 Creator, offers a metal shroud and vapor chamber cooling for durability and thermal control, while using the same 12V–2x6 connector as Asus, the company it was originally spun off from.
Although pricing varies slightly by vendor, most cards should cost around $1,200.
The AI Pro R9700 supports multi-GPU setups, thanks to its dual-slot blower design and PCIe 5.0 connectivity, which helps deliver faster inter-card communication.
Cards from other manufacturers, including MSI, XFX, Biostar, Acer, and Yeston should be appearing soon.
You may also like- LG UltraFine 40-inch monitor delivers 5K2K resolution and strong color specs for creative workflows
- Thunderbolt 5 brings high-speed data up to 120Gbps and 96W charging
- Nano IPS Black panel doubles contrast over regular IPS monitors
LG has released its latest 5K monitor as it looks to encourage the hardware into territory once reserved for niche creative professionals.
The LG 40U990A-W UltraFine 40-inch monitor features a 39.7-inch curved ultrawide screen with a 5120 x 2160 resolution, and it is the world’s first display to support Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.
It arrives with a steep price of approximately $2,246, raising questions about how much functionality users genuinely need and what justifies the cost.
Targeting creative precision with premium display specsThe UltraFine Nano IPS Black panel boasts a 2000:1 contrast ratio, which doubles that of traditional IPS monitors.
Combined with 99% DCI-P3 coverage and VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification, LG is targeting professionals in video production and photo editing, where color fidelity and shadow detail matter.
Its wide 21:9 aspect ratio and 2500R curvature add a layer of immersion that some professionals may appreciate, making the 40U990A-W a capable business monitor.
For those who rely on pixel accuracy, this monitor could appeal as the best monitor for video editing, although its impact will depend on how well these specifications translate into real-world consistency and performance.
From a hardware perspective, the presence of Thunderbolt 5 brings speed improvements for data transfer up to 120 Gbps and enables up to 96W of laptop charging.
The port also supports daisy chaining of 5K2K monitors, allowing complex, multi-display setups without clutter.
While this might suggest future-forward convenience, the real-world benefits of Thunderbolt 5 remain largely untested at scale.
Early buyers of this device may encounter compatibility issues or diminishing returns compared to more mature standards.
This 5K monitor also features a 3-sided narrow bezel, with adjustable height, swivel, and tilt options that are now standard on premium displays.
You might also like- We've rounded up the best monitors for photo editing on the market today
- And here are the best monitors for programming we've found
- Want to host an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU and up to 4PB of SSD storage on one single PCIe slot?