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It's July, I'm fresh off writing my 2026 cameras half-year review, and in the process something became clear to me — neither Nikon nor Fujifilm has released a new camera this year (the Instax mini Evo Cinema instant camera doesn't count).
So while I've personally tested standout models from other manufacturers in recent months, such as the Sony A7R VI and Canon EOS R6 Mark III mirrorless cameras, plus the Ricoh GR IV and Panasonic Lumix L10 premium compacts, we're yet to see new Z-mount or X-mount bodies.
I'm sure the question on many a camera fan's lips is this: can we expect new Nikon and Fujifilm cameras later this year?
I've reviewed every major camera release over the last few years, attended countless events, and have studied the timeline and cadence of previous releases to form a picture of what could happen next.
I've considered which bodies could be due for an upgrade, and what direction each brand has been headed recently. So let's see what could happen next for 2026's quiet camera manufacturers, Nikon and Fujifilm.
Nik-none?The last Nikon camera body was the Nikon Zr from September 2025, which was its first cinema camera co-branded with RED. It packed super-impressive video specs, many of which were borrowed from the superb Z6 III, into a particularly small body with an epic 4-inch touchscreen and stellar audio features.
For a true mirrorless hybrid with viewfinder, we need to go even further back, over a year in fact, to the Nikon Z5 II in May 2025. This was a decent upgrade of Nikon's affordable Z5, which delivered a raft of performance improvements to redefine what entry-level full-frame models can do, and went on to bag our Camera of the Year 2025 award.
Currently, the range of Nikon cameras includes the Nikon Z30, Z fc and Z50 II APS-C bodies, and the Z5 II, Z6 III, Z f, Z7 II, Z8 and Z9 full-frame bodies, plus the ZR cinema body.
The Nikon ZR was the first Nikon / RED co-branded camera, and I expect other models to follow next (Image credit: Tim Coleman)The most heavily rumored Nikon cameras are the Nikon Z9 II — what with the Z9 being over four years old — and new cinema camera bodies; potentially a premium and larger option with pro-grade connectivity that could sit above the ZR, plus an even more affordable version with an APS-C sensor.
We could get a new Z f-series model — both of the retro-styled bodies have been around for a while now. Personally, I'd like to see a Nikon camera in the Z f style, but as a compact camera version with a fixed fast aperture prime lens.
Tipsters believe we're unlikely to see another Z7 camera; the Z6 III (and obviously the Z5 II) is too recent for a replacement, while the Z8 has aged well and still holds its own today. CoolPix compact cameras have seemingly been sunsetted — besides refreshing its old 125x zoom bridge camera with the CoolPix P1100, we haven't seen a true new CoolPix in several years.
For me, having been hosted by Nikon at IBC 2025 in Amsterdam last September around the launch of the ZR, it was clear that Nikon has its head in cinema camera gear, so a high-end cinema body to follow the ZR is highly plausible, though I don't know what it would be called.
A new Nikon cinema camera with an APS-C sensor is also highly likely. In theory, it would effectively render a direct Z30 successor redundant, although it would cost a fair whack more than a potential Z30 II would. That would be a shame — the Z30 is Nikon's cheapest mirrorless camera, and Nikon has otherwise largely ignored truly affordable cameras for beginner photographers.
Fujifilm's next generation processor inbound?As for Fujifilm cameras, the X-T30 III was its most recent X-mount release, back in October 2025, which followed the classy X-E5 from June 2025.
Those launches meant that practically every current X-mount model is fitted with Fujifilm's latest X-Processor 5 chip, besides the X-Pro series, with a range of 26MP and 40MP options.
I wouldn't bank on an X-Pro 4 until the next generation of processor is out in the wild, if at all, and usually each new processor comes with the latest high-end X-T model, the most recent of which was the X-T5.
The wacky Fujifilm X-Pro 3 with its film simulation window and hidden rear LCD is among the X-series cameras most due a successor (Image credit: Future)It comes as no surprise then that the X-T6 is the most-rumored Fujifilm camera, which is being tipped for a September release when Fujifilm typically hosts its once- or twice-yearly X-Summit.
I've written about what upgrades I'd hope for in an X-T6, especially improved autofocus performance and an all-new processor, but otherwise it's hard to see where Fujifilm can better the X-T5 without treading on the toes of the high-speed XH-series.
Elsewhere in the range, the X100VI premium compact continues to sell well, and so I'd be really surprised if a seventh generation model comes this year — a new processor needs to come first, too.
Stepping outside of new gear and into photography, it's worth noting that Fujifilm recently shared its new 'Look Up' campaign (see below), encouraging people to look up from their screens and connect with the world around them, saying:
'Our cameras bring you back into the moment, giving you agency over how you see, how you feel and how you remember. They allow you to turn emotions into images — a grounding force that doesn’t tell you what to think, but helps you stay focused and present.'
Are you a Nikon or Fujifilm photographer? Which camera would you like to see next, and what are the upgrades that would benefit your photography the most? Have your say in the comments.
Walk deep into Walt Disney Imagineering’s sprawling, surprisingly unassuming Glendale campus, and you’ll eventually find Studio C.
It’s where Imagineering mixes the audio for its attractions, but when I recently stepped inside, I quickly realized it was much more than a recording studio. The room is lined with dozens upon dozens of speakers designed to recreate the sound field of Disney attractions, letting Imagineers hear a ride long before guests ever do.
During my visit, I watched a live mix session for Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, Shanghai Disneyland’s trackless dark ride, and the experience was almost uncanny. Sound moved seamlessly around the room, tracking the ride vehicle as though I were actually inside the attraction.
That same room became the proving ground for one of Imagineering’s most unusual engineering challenges yet: figuring out how to mix the audio for Soarin’ Across America.
(Image credit: Walt Disney Imagineering)The reimagined version of Disney’s iconic flight simulator debuted this summer at both EPCOT at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, timed for America’s Semiquincentennial celebration. Disney’s Unscripted behind-the-scenes video confirmed that Imagineers used the Apple Vision Pro during production of Soarin’ Across America, but it left one obvious question unanswered: why? That’s what I wanted to find out.
So I spoke with Greg Lhotka, Sr. Manager, Audio Media Design at Walt Disney Imagineering, who walked me through the surprisingly complicated process behind mixing one of Disney’s most technically demanding attractions.
“For Soarin’ Across America, we utilized Studio C not only as a production facility, but as a proving ground for an entirely new field-mixing approach developed specifically for this film. On the sound design side, we partnered with Skywalker Sound, and together we used Studio C to prototype and validate a custom speaker configuration that closely mirrors the unique audio architecture of the Soarin’ theaters.”
Disney ExperiencesDisney ExperiencesDisney ExperiencesDisney ExperiencesIf you’ve ridden Soarin’, you already know why that matters. Riders are lifted into the air in three stacked rows facing a massive curved projection screen, while sound moves not only around the theater but above and below you as well. As Lhotka explained, the attraction uses a four-tiered speaker system — upper, mid-level, lower, and a dedicated floor array — creating an audio environment that’s far more complex than a traditional movie theater.
Having now ridden Soarin’ Across America several times, it’s easy to appreciate the result. The updated film sweeps from New York Harbor and the Grand Canyon to California’s rolling hills and countless landscapes in between through soaring aerial cinematography, practical effects, and a soundtrack that glides almost effortlessly alongside you. The audio shifts just as fluidly as the visuals, making each transition feel natural as the ride carries you across some of America’s most recognizable landmarks and scenic vistas.
Studio C could simulate much of that during production, but not all of it.
“For Soarin’ films, mixing historically required the construction of scaffolding inside the theater to reach the appropriate listening height for final mix decisions,” Lhotka explained. “Even then, the process was far from ideal, as the ride canopy significantly influences the acoustics. For this project, one of the key requirements was that the theater remain fully operational and open to guests throughout production — eliminating the possibility of scaffolding altogether.”
How do you mix a show with over 1,000 audio tracks and an extremely complex panning matrix while seated in a ride vehicle?
That constraint forced Imagineering to rethink its entire workflow.
“The challenge was clear: how do you mix a show with over 1,000 audio tracks and an extremely complex panning matrix while seated in a ride vehicle? The solution came through an innovative use of new AR technologies. By leveraging advanced screen-sharing capabilities, we were able to remotely control our production system — directly connected to the theater — while seated in the ride vehicle itself. This allowed us to place virtual screens in our field of view, effectively bringing the mixing console into the theater environment.”
Before anyone tested it inside the attraction, Studio C became the test lab.
“Studio C once again played a critical role as our testbed. Over the course of a week, we evaluated multiple configurations to confirm that things could be controlled precisely in this way, and that the AR headset’s external cameras would allow us to view the film clearly in the theater’s low-light conditions while simultaneously monitoring the virtual screens. The final configuration exceeded expectations.”
Once validated, the workflow moved from experiment to production.
“This workflow was ultimately used as the solution — and it became the method by which Soarin’ Across America was mixed. The result is a soundtrack that was shaped directly from the guest’s perspective, using tools and techniques that reflect our continued commitment to innovation, immersion, and storytelling.”
(Image credit: Walt Disney Imagineering)Having experienced Studio C for myself, that revelation immediately clicked. The room is already designed to recreate the feeling of sitting inside a Disney attraction with remarkable accuracy. But even a purpose-built facility couldn’t perfectly replicate Soarin’s unique acoustics. The only place left to finish the mix was inside the attraction itself.
It’s an elegant solution that solved two problems at once. Guests never lost access to Soarin’ during production, and Imagineering’s audio team was able to shape the soundtrack from the exact seat every future rider would occupy. Rather than approximating the experience from scaffolding or even Studio C, the final mix was crafted where it mattered most: inside the attraction itself.
We’re approaching the first anniversary of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which means it won’t be long before we see the phone (or phones, as the case may be) that will replace it in Samsung’s lineup.
As someone who has relied on the Fold 7 as my daily driver since it landed, I couldn’t be more excited to see what the next generation holds, and I have a few wishes I hope Samsung will make come true — with leaks teasing some of them just might…
Before we get into that, vote in our poll to tell me which upgrade you most want to see in the Z Fold 8 when it’s finally announced.
1. An Ultra camera boost(Image credit: Amanda Westberg)The Z Fold 7 has been my go-to every day since I first received it, but for the past six months I’ve also consistently carried a second phone in my pocket — becoming the kind of kind of tech journo I hoped I never would, one obsessed with tech perfection no matter how inefficient and niche my collection of gadgets is (just you wait, I’ll be wearing two smartwatches next).
The reason I mention this is that the second phone is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and its primary purpose is as a camera, because it frankly puts my Z Fold 7's shots to shame.
If you want a clearer sign that 200MP sensors aren’t made equally, see this pair’s photos side by side. Couple that with the Ultra’s superior zoom cameras — further amplified by its boasting dual 5x and 3x telephotos compared to the Fold 7’s lonely 3x — and for photo enthusiasts, it’s clear the S26 Ultra has an edge.
My hope is that if the Z Fold 8 is getting an Ultra moniker, as some leaks suggest, it’ll boast identical cameras, or risk feeling like a subpar alternative, despite having a price point that demands excellence in every category.
2. Affordability dreams (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Speaking of price, the reality I’m preparing for is that the Z Fold 8 will cost more than the Fold 7, thanks to RAM and storage cost increases. There’s a chance Samsung could avoid this by having its memory-producing arm give its mobile division a discount, although there are conflicting reports about a cost-saving collaboration based on leaks and Samsung’s own comments.
Regardless, I think the Z Fold 8 design could hint at a slight discount. I’m not talking about the wider display — though it does seem to have a smaller area, which should reduce costs somewhat — I’m referring to the lack of a third camera.
With it being rumored to boast 12GB of RAM and a top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset — essential components for Samsung’s top-tier AI — it’s yet to be seen if the display and camera downgrades will bring the cost down in real terms or merely counteract the cost increases we would have faced thanks to the RAM crisis. I have my fingers crossed we might see the cheapest Samsung Fold yet with the 8 (defeating the reigning champ: the $1,799 / £1,599 / AU$2,499 Galaxy Z Fold 3).
3. Begging for batteryCould we get a battery as big as Oppo's? (Image credit: Future)The Z Fold 7 boasts a 4,400mAh battery just like the Z Fold 6 before it, but thanks to software and chipset optimizations, Samsung promised the battery life of the 7 would be a little longer. My anecdotal evidence, however, as someone who used the Z Fold 6 as my main handset before the 7 launched, is that the battery seems to disappear faster on the newer model.
Now, this isn’t based on any tests, but speaking to a few other regular Z Fold 7 users who had upgraded from the 6, my perception of worse battery life was echoed. Thankfully, leaks tease a bigger battery for the 8, taking us up to a whole 4,800mAh. The Ultra will apparently stretch to 5,000mAh.
Considering some reasonably priced Chinese brands are delivering phones powered by silicon-carbon batteries with capacities over 7,000mAh, the leaked specs leave me underwhelmed. However, considering my usage currently forces me to charge my phone in the middle of the day — or risk it running dry before I get home — I’ll be happy with any upgrade in the battery department.
4. Privacy display please!The S26 Ultra's Privacy display in Off and On (Image credit: Blue Pixl Media)The star of the show on the S26 Ultra is the privacy display, but after spending more time with it, the tech does need a little tweaking. An easy software update would be to add app controls that let me choose which software uses maximum privacy mode. I don’t want to use it all the time, but I would love for it to come on automatically for password entry and mobile banking. However, it is still impressive.
Seeing it on the Z Fold 8 would be fantastic, especially on the Z Fold 8 Ultra, as, like the cameras, it would bring the Fold Ultra on par with the unbending Ultra, though I’m willing to accept the tech only showing up on the outer screen.
Unfortunately for me, leaks don’t tease this addition making its way to Samsung’s latest foldables, but maybe I’ll get lucky!
5. Keep the S pen awayDoes the Z Fold 8 need a stylus? (Image credit: Future)I’ve come around a little on the S Pen after experiencing it in the S26 Ultra, though I’m still not keen to see it return to the foldable line.
Why?
There’s no space to add it without making the phone thicker again. Frankly, the supreme thinness of the Z Fold 7 is what makes it infinitely more manageable than Samsung’s previous foldable phones.
With the Wide design being more tablet-like, I 100% see the appeal of a stylus to make the design perfect for casual digital artists, but I don’t think the S Pen’s positives outweigh the negatives. I hope it stays gone when the Z Fold 8 debuts.
- Claude Science is a new “workbench” to consolidate fragmented research workflows
- Everything from literature review to publication is handled on private infrastructure
- Anthropic continues to roll out industry-specific AI tools for real-world use cases
Anthropic has introduced Claude Science – a new, beta AI workbench it says will let scientists consolidate fragmented research workflows into one unified environment.
With model capabilities no longer holding back AI adoption, the Claude-maker’s solution is to respond to today’s challenges, including limited use cases, struggles deploying AI in real-world environments and difficulties integrating multiple tools.
Claude Science represents this response, packaging existing capabilities into a purpose-built application for life sciences and scientific computing, following earlier work on MCPs, skills and other partnerships. An FAQ on Claude Science’s web page reiterates this: “Claude Science is a public beta app, not a model.”
Scientific ‘workbench’Anthropic’s clearest message in the announcement is that scientific research is largely held back by workflow fragmentation, not model intelligence, with scientists already juggling tools like PubMed, Jupyter, R, a cluster terminal and more.
“Claude Science brings these fragmented tools into a single research environment where scientists can conduct all stages of their work,” the company summarized.
The platform should help scientists handle everything, from literature review and hypothesis exploration to analysis, figure generation, manuscript drafting and publication.
“Scientific research is inherently visual,” Anthropic wrote, acknowledging that many researchers are being held back in quickly and accurately producing visuals, which could need multiple revisions and finetunes before reaching production.
For full auditability, Claude Science also includes underlying source code, message history and plain-language explanations within AI-generated outputs for scientists to review and audit progress.
“It runs on your lab’s own infrastructure,” Anthropic added, referencing enterprise-grade laptops, Linux boxes or HPC login nodes, “so large or sensitive datasets never have to leave the systems they’re already on, and only the context needed for each step of the analysis is sent to Claude
Science is a growing focus for AI developersAnthropic says early testers have already used Claude Science for single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, CRISPR screen design, protein structure prediction and cheminformatics, by the likes of Manifold Bio, Allen Institute neuroscientist Jérôme Lecoq, and UCSF Brain Tumor Center associate professor and epidemiologist Stephen Francis.
The new tool represents a growing area of interest for AI developers, who are now targeting sectors with industry-specific tools rather than continually upgrading model capabilities without offering clear use cases. Until now, finance and legal have been a major focus for the likes of Anthropic and OpenAI, and this new science-focused initiative could mark the next stage.
It follows rival company OpenAI’s introduction of Prism earlier this year, described as an “AI-native workspace for scientists to write and collaborate on research” that launched with GPT-5.2 – the then-current model.
Claude Science is a separate app that’s available in beta for macOS and Linux installations to Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise subscribers.
The company has also committed up to $30,000 in credits for 50 lucky projects.
- A Chinese robotics firm has said that some workers ‘want to be replaced’ by its humanoid robots
- Agibot has launched its range of humanoid and quadruped robots in the UK B2B sector
- The company's Europe and US lead also said that robots could become nurses and teachers
An executive for Chinese robotics firm Agibot has said the company believes its humanoid robots could replace certain human workers — and that “in some jobs, they want to be replaced.”
Agibot, founded in 2023 by two ex-Huawei engineers, makes humanoid, quadruped, and cleaning robots for the business-to-business (B2B) sector, advertising use cases like manufacturing, cleaning, entertainment, and construction.
The company recently rolled its 15,000th unit off the production line and announced its expansion into the UK market at an event in London on June 30.
The Agibot A3 and several X2 units opened the company's UK launch event with a dance routine (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)In a press conference at the event, attended by TechRadar, the president of AgiBot Europe and America, William Shi, told reporters that “we’ve got to factor people doing dangerous, boring, and repeatable jobs — these kinds of jobs can be very easily replaced.”
Shi added: “For some job descriptions, they want to be replaced, because it’s very boring, very dangerous, and very high-risk — nobody wants to do this [kind of job]”.
‘Replaced by robotics’ The Agibot G2 has already seen deployment in factories in China (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)Agibot's product range includes the full-sized A3 humanoid robot, the half-sized X2 humanoid robot, and the D1 range of quadruped robots (with form factors resembling dogs, though the company never describes them as such).
Though the company has just landed in the UK, its robots have been successfully deployed in manufacturing facilities in China. A recent YouTube livestream shows the G2 industrial robot ‘at work’ at the Longcheer electronics factory, where the humanoid robots are deployed alongside human employees.
Speaking about Agibot's deployment with Longcheer, Shi said: “They have a lot of workers standing for eight hours per day. They take a smartphone, turn it around, and put it in a box. And then they take the box and move to the next production phase.”
“These kinds of steps can be easily — and are expected to be — replaced by robotics,” he continued, “because that doesn’t create value or create happiness for people. They don’t learn when they do this job. They don’t invent things.”
At present, Agibot's products are not autonomous, but each is equipped with a three-part AI model, with each part controlling interaction (with people), locomotion (moving around), and manipulation (of the local environment — i.e., picking stuff up), respectively.
The company is actively aiming for autonomy, powered by the collection of usage data and further AI development, but Shi emphasizes that Agibot humanoids will remain “under the control and expectation of the human.”
Robot child-rearing The Agibot X2 is clearly designed to be friendlier and more approachable than its full-size counterpart (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)As well as manufacturing, Shi highlighted baristas, live entertainment workers, and even teachers and nurses as professions that could be occupied by robots: “There’s a big lack of nurses in every country, from China, to America, to Europe, and also a big lack of teachers.”
“Most of children’s questions can be responded to [by robots] — phonics, science, and mathematics questions, or even some common conversations. You ask for the weather, the humidity; you can ask these questions to all the robots, because they’re based on large language models.”
Still, there’s some distance between using ChatGPT to conduct research and allowing a humanoid robot to teach children — and according to 2025 research by KPMG and the University of Melbourne, while almost three quarters of UK adults use AI at work, less than half say they trust it.
With the B2C market a distant target for Agibot and an array of business partners — including Nvidia, which provides chipsets for the robots — backing the company's UK launch, it's clearly expecting to make big progress in B2B industries first and foremost. But Agibot isn't ruling out a future in which robots are part of our everyday lives.
“What we want in the future is that the robot can take some responsibility in daily life,” said Shi, “but they will never make the decisions instead of a human.”
- Claude Code ran the dangerous command while treating it as routine recovery
- A single fake error message triggered the entire hidden attack chain
- Static scanners and firewalls saw nothing more than normal DNS resolution
Researchers at Mozilla's 0din team have shown how Claude Code can be manipulated into opening a hidden reverse shell on a developer's device.
The exploit required no malicious code inside the cloned project, since every visible file passed ordinary review without raising suspicion.
Instead, the dangerous instruction arrived later, fetched at runtime from a DNS text record that no scanner would ever inspect.
How a Routine Setup Error Became an Entry PointThe attack began with an unremarkable Markdown file explaining how to install a package called Axiom, a common monitoring tool.
Running the tool without initialising it produced a plain error message instructing the user to execute a specific setup command.
The research team noted this pattern closely resembles ordinary developer troubleshooting, which is precisely why it evaded suspicion so effectively.
Claude Code, attempting only to be helpful, followed that written instruction automatically, treating the documented fix as ordinary routine error recovery.
That single command triggered a hidden shell script which quietly queried a DNS text record controlled entirely by the remote attacker.
The record decoded into a base64-encoded reverse shell command, which executed silently and connected straight back to the attacker's remote server.
Persistence was also possible once inside, since the attacker could plant an SSH key or schedule a hidden cron job.
A single repository link shared in a job posting or chat message could expose every developer who simply opened it.
Why standard security tools failed to noticeRegular security tools, such as antivirus software or firewall protection, failed to notice this flaw since none of the individual steps looked suspicious on their own.
Static code-scanning tools only registered a routine DNS lookup, which did not indicate anything malicious underway.
Network monitoring registered nothing more than ordinary domain name resolution, and the agent itself viewed the command as a pre-authorised setup.
0din stressed that coding agents need to inspect exactly what setup script will actually run before executing anything at all.
It concluded that developers should never assume an unfamiliar repository is trustworthy, regardless of how ordinary its setup files appear.
This case suggests that agentic AI tools built on large language models may need far stronger runtime safeguards.
Until such agents can meaningfully evaluate what a command actually executes, similar indirect attacks will likely remain difficult to prevent.
The broader lesson extends beyond Claude Code, since most agentic AI systems share similar blind spots toward indirect prompt injection.
For now, treating unfamiliar automation as a genuine risk remains the single most reliable safeguard available to most individual developers.
- Air-filled fiber carried 51.3 Tb/s across 206.5 km unaided
- Researchers push 1.2 Tb/s through each wavelength across record distances
- AI infrastructure increasingly depends on networks moving data faster everywhere
Chinese fiber manufacturer YOFC says it has completed a hollow-core fiber transmission trial that reached 51.3 Tb/s over 206.5 km without regeneration.
The demonstration involved collaboration with China Telecom and optical equipment manufacturer Dekoli using a live network rather than laboratory conditions alone.
Researchers achieved a transmission rate of 1.2 Tb/s per wavelength while avoiding intermediate signal regeneration equipment along the entire route.
A different kind of fiber built around air instead of glassUnlike conventional optical cables that guide light through solid silica cores, hollow-core fiber transmits signals through air-filled channels instead.
That architectural difference allows light to travel faster while reducing several optical distortions that traditionally limit transmission efficiency over distance.
YOFC previously stated that its hollow core technology could deliver 31% lower latency and transmission speeds improving by 47%.
The company now claims the latest trial establishes the highest unrepeatered wavelength division multiplexing capacity ever demonstrated under field conditions.
Researchers described the achievement as the world's first field deployment combining 1.2 Tb/s wavelengths with a 206.5 km span.
Previous demonstrations managed comparable transmission rates over roughly 20 km, while longer experiments generally sacrificed substantial amounts of overall capacity.
The trial relied exclusively on erbium-doped fiber amplifiers instead of remote-pumped amplification systems often required for comparable distances.
Commercial hollow core deployments have historically struggled with signal attenuation, making long unrepeatered transmission distances difficult to sustain economically.
Network cables become the next computing bottleneckThe research team tackled those limitations by using adaptive allocation techniques that independently adjusted channel rates and optical power across wavelengths.
That approach allowed hybrid transmission settings while reducing losses associated with gas absorption effects unique to air-guided optical signals.
Engineers also developed a high-power amplifier capable of producing 33.5 dBm output while maintaining relatively uniform gain characteristics.
Because transmitting optical power approaching 2.24 W introduces operational risks, several automatic protection systems monitored link behaviour continuously throughout testing.
Safeguards included anomaly detection systems, automated shutdown functions and alarm-triggered responses designed to prevent expensive equipment failures during operation.
The timing of the experiment coincides with accelerating demand from AI tools requiring unprecedented movement of information between data centers worldwide.
Large GPU clusters increasingly depend on networking performance, creating constraints that processors alone cannot solve through additional computing resources.
Lower-latency transmission could allow operators to distribute facilities farther apart without incurring penalties that affect training and inference performance.
YOFC believes the trial marks progress toward wider deployment, although competing hollow core ecosystems are rapidly emerging outside China's supply chains.
Whether such experiments eliminate bandwidth bottlenecks remains uncertain, although networking limitations increasingly appear as important as computing limitations themselves.
Via Tom's Hardware
The 'women in tech' discourse has, over time, shifted from general awareness around key issues to instigating meaningful and systemic reform. Each year, there are thousands of events, panels, initiatives and policies devoted to equalizing the experience between men and women – with remuneration a key part of this.
Mind the gapSpeaking at the 2014 Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, the then newly appointed Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella clumsily commented on how women should approach the question of unequal pay in the workplace.
Quote of the dayThis article is part of TechRadar Pro's QOTD project to provide an insight into the minds of the brightest and most recognized figures in the technology industry today and in years gone by. Read the full series here.
People immediately pushed back against his remarks, with widespread and universal condemnation. For example, the interviewer, computer scientist Maria Klawe, immediately pushed back, giving women the opposite advice.
You should, she advised, do your homework on fair salaries and actively practice negotiating. This was followed by media reports and social media commentary ridiculing the comments — drawing a swift apology from the Microsoft CEO.
Bridging the divideNadella addressed the controversy in an internal memo, as reported by GeekWire, and reaffirmed Microsoft's commitment to positive action.
In the years that have followed, there's been a mixture of changes across the tech industry – for better and worse. There is, for example, a higher proportion of women in tech now than more than ten years ago. But female leadership is declining.
There are also concerns that the pay gap is widening, and that women have disproportionately comprised over 45% of total job losses despite making up roughly 30% of the workforce. Despite a huge and very vocal push, the reality remains that progress on better representation, equal pay, and equal opportunity is patchy at best.
A 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, July 4 (game #853).
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 #854) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Barking up the right tree
NYT Strands today (game #854) - hint #2 - clue wordsPlay any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
- POLITE
- SPRITE
- LIVER
- HUNGER
- TINGE
- SPEEDING
• Spangram has 13 letters
NYT Strands today (game #854) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?• First side: bottom, 1st column
• Last side: top, 6th column
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #854) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Strands, game #854, are…
- POINTER
- SPANIEL
- TERRIER
- HOUND
- RETREIVER
- SPANGRAM: HUNTINGBREEDS
- My rating: Easy
- My score: Perfect
My immediate thought was that the theme had to have something to do with dogs, but I was wary, of course, of falling into a trap and barking up the wrong tree.
After spotting POINTER it seemed clear that we were looking for dog breeds, but my canine knowledge was not good enough to know that we were searching out HUNTINGBREEDS until after I had connected SPANIEL and TERRIER and then the spangram.
Beyond the game itself there was also an interesting crop of lengthy non-game words. It’s rare that I’ll find many over five-letters long but today the board was loaded with them.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, July 4, game #853)- BRIGHT
- COLORFUL
- DAZZLING
- EXCITING
- SPARKLING
- SPANGRAM: FIREWORKS
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, July 4 (game #1119).
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 #1120) - today's words(Image credit: New York Times)Today's NYT Connections words are…
- WIN
- OATS
- GREEN
- WIRE
- WEST
- CARD
- WITH
- HONEY
- GOLD
- TUNGSTEN
- CHECK
- SEEDS
- CASH
- PLATINUM
- NUTS
- CENTURION
What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?
- YELLOW: Healthy breakfast components
- GREEN: Ways to pay
- BLUE: A brand’s various levels
- PURPLE: A letter before X in common
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 #1120) - hint #2 - group answersWhat are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?
- YELLOW: GRANOLA INGREDIENTS
- GREEN: PAYMENT METHODS
- BLUE: AMEX CARD TYPES
- PURPLE: WHAT "W" MIGHT STAND FOR
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Connections today (game #1120) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Connections, game #1120, are…
- YELLOW: GRANOLA INGREDIENTS HONEY, NUTS, OATS, SEEDS
- GREEN: PAYMENT METHODS CARD, CASH, CHECK, WIRE
- BLUE: AMEX CARD TYPES CENTURION, GOLD, GREEN, PLATINUM
- PURPLE: WHAT "W" MIGHT STAND FOR TUNGSTEN, WEST, WIN, WITH
- My rating: Easy
- My score: Perfect
I used to work for American Express at their UK headquarters back in the day doing what is no doubt a fully automated task of authorising payments. It was the easiest and most boring job I’ve ever done, but the downside was I was on the night shift — which led to all manner of downsides, not least a poor diet.
That said, this is not why I got AMEX CARD TYPES; that would be a guess. With eight tiles left, it wasn't too much of a stretch.
GRANOLA INGREDIENTS should have been my first foursome, seeing as that’s my regular breakfast, but instead the easy win of CARD, CASH, CHECK and WIRE was hard to resist.
Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, July 4, 2026, game #1119)- YELLOW: PERSIST CONTINUE, LAST, LINGER, STAY
- GREEN: KINDS OF POEMS BALLAD, EPIC, ODE, VILLANELLE
- BLUE: TROPICAL DRINKS HURRICANE, PAINKILLER, SCORPION, ZOMBIE
- PURPLE: SWEET __ DREAMS, NOTHINGS, PEA, SPOT
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, July 4 (game #1622).
Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,500 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 #1623) — hint #1 — VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.
* 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 #1623) — hint #2 — repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.
Quordle today (game #1623) — 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 #1623) — 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 #1623) — hint #5 — starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• P
• S
• T
• P
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
Quordle today (game #1623) — the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle, game #1623, are…
- PINEY
- SWOON
- TITLE
- PINTO
Today felt like a Greatest Hits of Quordle game, with two very familiar words in PINTO and PINEY making their third appearances of 2026.
Meanwhile, it was nice to see SWOON. It’s one of my favorite words — the sound is nice, the meaning is great, and for a bonus it’s also the title of an excellent album by Prefab Sprout.
Daily Sequence today (game #1623) — the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1623, are…
- REBEL
- LEANT
- DEBUT
- BRASS
- Quordle #1622, Saturday, 4 July: ARGUE, MOTEL, OPERA, TRUCE
- Quordle #1621, Friday, 3 July: AVERT, MOTOR, MANIC, WORDY
- Quordle #1620, Thursday, 2 July: BULKY, PARSE, BELOW, MOVIE
- Quordle #1619, Wednesday, 1 July: EASEL, OTTER, LYRIC, SHACK
- Quordle #1618, Tuesday, 30 June: HALVE, DRYER, THERE, MINTY
- Quordle #1617, Monday, 29 June: SLURP, CRACK, CRANK, PHONY
- Quordle #1616, Sunday, 28 June: RUPEE, TOPAZ, FULLY, BEING
- Quordle #1615, Saturday, 27 June: PRINT, MARRY, SADLY, BICEP
- Quordle #1614, Friday, 26 June: JUICE, ARRAY, BONEY, SKIFF
- Quordle #1613, Thursday, 25 June: SHELF, TAWNY, HYPER, SOLVE
- Quordle #1612, Wednesday, 24 June: SOBER, ECLAT, GOOSE, NINNY
- Quordle #1611, Tuesday, 23 June: ARDOR, DADDY, SERVE, SHEAR
- Quordle #1610, Monday, 22 June: WAXEN, APNEA, CHIME, WAVER
- Quordle #1609, Sunday, 21 June: ABBOT, NOTCH, DREAD, LURID
- Quordle #1608, Saturday, 20 June: SLAIN, TAMER, VIPER, FALSE
- Quordle #1607, Friday, 19 June: ALOUD, POINT, GLOBE, GROIN
- Quordle #1606, Thursday, 18 June: LATCH, BRAWL, STEEL, CRUSH
- Quordle #1605, Wednesday, 17 June: HOIST, PLUSH, GROUP, LEMUR
- Quordle #1604, Tuesday, 16 June: SLAIN, PLUCK, PINTO, SLICE
- Quordle #1603, Monday, 15 June: GAUNT, SNEAK, ROUTE, POKER
- Supercritical CO₂ could eliminate some of rocketry's most expensive infrastructure requirements
- Cold launches avoid exposing launch pads to destructive exhaust temperatures exceeding 3,000°C
- Engine ignition occurs only after the rocket clears the launch platform safely
Chinese aerospace startup Z-Trak Space is exploring an unusual launch system using carbon dioxide (CO₂) commonly associated with fizzy drinks rather than rocket exhaust.
The proposal centres on supercritical CO₂, a state achieved when the gas remains above specific temperature and pressure thresholds simultaneously.
Developers believe the approach could lower infrastructure requirements while supporting faster launch schedules for China's expanding commercial space sector.
A cold launch system could reduce dependence on expensive ground facilitiesThe technology ejects rockets using rapidly expanding high-pressure gas before igniting engines only after reaching a predetermined altitude overhead.
That sequence differs sharply from conventional hot launches where engines ignite directly on launch pads before the vehicle begins climbing skyward.
Because combustion occurs later in flight, scorching exhaust gases never strike the launch platform or surrounding support infrastructure below.
Traditional launch facilities require extensive protection systems because exhaust streams exceeding 3,000°C can damage structures rapidly during operations.
Launch towers and deep flame trenches therefore require substantial repairs and maintenance after missions involving repeated exposure to extreme temperatures.
According to the company, those requirements increase costs and slow launch frequencies whenever operators pursue swift response commercial missions.
“In commercial space launch scenarios requiring high frequency and rapid response, this incurs high time and financial costs, directly affecting launch pacing and response speed,” the company said.
Z-Trak Space believes eliminating those burdens could increase launch pacing while reducing dependence upon permanent launch infrastructure considerably over time.
China's commercial sector sees cold launch technology as a possible advantageThe initiative combines efforts from Hunan based Zhiyu Aerospace Technology and Chiyang Space Power Technology Company through a recent collaboration agreement.
Z-Trak Space founder Zhang Zihan, who studied aerospace engineering at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, described the concept as potentially transformative.
Zhang said the method would "fundamentally change the model for small liquid-fuel launch vehicles" if implemented successfully at commercial scale.
The company also argued that supercritical CO₂ launches could reduce fuel use during lower altitude portions of flight operations.
Because supercritical CO₂ is non-toxic, developers also claim launches would avoid generating harmful emissions near ground facilities locally.
Z-Trak described the system as offering "high safety, low costs, clean environmental performance and low ablation" during launch procedures.
China's commercial space industry recorded 50 launches during the previous year, representing more than half of national missions completed overall.
Whether CO₂ launches become commercially practical remains uncertain, although the proposal reflects experimentation occurring throughout China's rapidly changing space industry.
Via SCMP
OpenAI has begun discussions about giving the US government a 5% stake in the company, according to an FT report, with CEO Sam Altman supposedly raising the idea as a method for smoothing relations with the Trump administration.
Of course, right now there is no agreement or deal, and no guarantee the idea will ever move beyond conversations. Any arrangement would almost certainly require political support and significant legal work before it could become reality. Still, the fact that OpenAI is even entertaining the conversation tells us something about how seriously artificial intelligence is now being treated, both in Silicon Valley and in Washington.
The first reaction many people had was understandable. If the government owns part of OpenAI, does that mean ordinary Americans somehow get a share too? It's an appealing thought when AI companies are attracting eye-watering valuations while promising to reshape the economy. Unfortunately, that's not exactly a likely outcome, no matter what the intentions.
AI economy accessThe reports suggest Sam Altman has discussed a model inspired by Alaska's Permanent Fund, which invests state oil revenues and distributes annual payments to residents. It's an odd framing of AI as a natural resource instead of a software business. Bullish AI fans insisting it will be economically transformative might see it that way, and if they're right, perhaps some of that value should eventually flow back to the public, many of whom have helped incrementally train the models through use.
But the government owning shares in OpenAI wouldn't automatically translate into everyone getting a check. Financial benefits would depend on lots of little details, including whether profits were distributed at all, and if they'd go to public services or even the national debt over your own bank account.
Despite being just a hint of a rumor of a conversation, the questions are worth taking seriously. AI companies are asking society to embrace changes that could alter workplaces, education, healthcare, and entire industries. It is not unreasonable for people to wonder whether they should share in the wealth created by those changes.
Power at stakeThere is another reason these discussions matter, and it may prove even more significant than the financial side. OpenAI has become part of a broader conversation about national economics and technological leadership. Governments around the world increasingly see advanced AI as strategic infrastructure rather than another consumer technology.
That helps explain why OpenAI might want a closer relationship with Washington. AI companies already rely on government decisions. Those connections are likely to become even more important as AI models grow larger and more expensive to build.
But governments are expected to regulate powerful companies fairly and independently. Becoming a shareholder in one of those companies could make that relationship look unethical, even with the best will in the world. Public trust often depends as much on appearances as on legal structures. Especially since there's even less sense that OpenAI's competitors like Google, Anthropic, or Meta will follow suit.
A government stake does not automatically mean the public owns part of OpenAI in any meaningful way, and it certainly does not guarantee anyone will personally benefit. So even if the proposal starts to become more real, skepticism and a close eye on any actual agreements is a healthy approach.
Thanks to their new H2 chip, the AirPods Max 2 offer punchier sound, stronger ANC, and a more compelling feature-set than their predecessor, and iOS users will get an especially top-level overall user experience. Yes, we would’ve liked to see some higher-res wireless codecs on board, and the underwhelming 20-hour battery life is still here, but their expansive and emotive sound and beautiful design ensures they’re still a hit.
Pros- Incredibly expansive soundstage
- Eye-catching metallic design
- Vast swathe of iOS-friendly features
- Less versatile for Android users
- Way heavier than the XM6
- 20-hour battery life is weak
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones that combine the best design elements of their predecessors, while leveling up the sonic and ANC capabilities of what came before. With super-clean touch controls, an ultra-comfy fit and a ton of features at your disposal, there’s a lot to love about these headphones.
Pros- Punchy and tight yet well-balanced sound
- Foldability makes them ultra-compact
- Cheaper than the AirPods Max 2
- Lack the visual flair of the AirPods Max 2
- Earcups are on the bulky side
- AirPods Max 2 have a more spacious sound signature
Having tested countless pairs of ANC headphones, it takes something special to truly wow me. But today, we’re going to compare two sets of premium cans that did exactly that: Apple’s AirPods Max 2, and Sony’s WH-1000XM6.
If you’re considering which pair of headphones are for you, I’ve got you covered. I’ve spent hours testing both sets side by side, assessing each model on their feature-sets, performance, design, and most importantly, value for money.
The AirPods Max 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6 are both wonderful headphones, and each earned a 4.5 star review and hearty recommendation from us here at TechRadar. They’re different in more ways than you may expect, offering a pretty unique listening and user experience, but ultimately, there’s one set I’d pick over the other. Curious to hear my verdict? The scroll on down to see this clash for the ages to unfurl.
AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: price & specsAirPods Max 2
Sony WH-1000XM6
Price
$549 / £499 / AU$999
$449 / £399 / AU$699
Drivers
40mm custom
30mm dynamic
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Yes
Battery life
20 hours
30 hours
Weight
13.6 oz / 386g
8.96 oz / 254g
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C
Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm
AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: featuresBoth the AirPods Max 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6 are rammed with features, but there’s one major point of differentiation — Apple’s cans are heavily tailored towards iOS users.
That’s right, the AirPods Max 2 have a lot of features that Android users won’t get access to. Stuff like Spatial Audio, auto-device switching, Siri, and Apple Intelligence integrations. This is understandable, although it’s a shame that Android users have no way to directly alter the headphones’ EQ. Apple users get a fantastic range of options to choose from, though, with stuff like Live Translation and the head-tracked Spatial Audio really standing out.
Sony’s headphones are undeniably more versatile, with myriad features available to both iOS and Android users. They have no end of options, with a 10-band EQ, scene-based listening, a Cinema upmix mode, speak to chat, and mic-mute. This is all controlled by Sony’s Sound Connect app, which is easy to use, although some settings do feel a little hidden in sub-menus.
(Image credit: Future)But how about the main event: ANC? This is a much closer fight than I expected, actually. See, the XM6 offer class-leading noise canceling capabilities, and even when I’ve used them on flights they’ve silenced the sound of the deep jet engines firing or conversations happening around me. But the AirPods Max 2 are genuinely very competitive, even against the XM6. In my office, the sounds of keyboards clacking, colleagues talking, and cars passing by outside were totally crushed. Both headphones are top-tier when it comes to noise cancelling, and I’d argue they even rival Bose.
Another crucial area to explore is battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM6 keep things pretty standard with 30 hours of battery life with ANC on. This is the typical figure you’ll see for headphones in this kind of price range — nothing special, but enough to get you through a fair few days of listening. The AirPods Max 2, however, only supply 20 hours with ANC on. That’s just not good enough, and falls well short of the competition. If you don’t want to charge your cans all too often, then the XM6 are a better pick.
There are a few other areas where the XM6 prevail over the AirPods Max 2 as well, such as their superior call quality and background noise supression, inclusion of intuitive and precise touch controls over Apple’s digital crown, and use of DSEE Extreme for upscaling lower-quality audio files.
So, if you’re an iOS user, the AirPods Max 2 definitely have some snazzy features up their sleeves — including some smart options that the XM6 leave out. Each are great when it comes to ANC, and are on relatively even footing there. But Sony’s cans offer superior compatibility, battery life, and call quality, making them the overall winner in this category.
(Image credit: Future)AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: sound qualityThis is what you really came here for, right? But before I get into my sound comparison, let’s take a look at a few technical differences.
Like their predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM5, the Sony WH-1000XM6 use 30mm dynamic drivers, except they’ve been redesigned with high-rigidity carbon fiber for better performance across the frequency range. They also feature Sony’s QN3 processor featuring a noise-shaper, which pre-empts sudden sound changes for a more controlled listening experience.
On the other hand, the AirPods Max 2 use custom 40mm drivers — just as the original AirPods Max did. However, the sequel added a new amplifier alongside Apple’s H2 processor, which is intended to supply more detailed, cleaner sound. Unlike the LDAC-equipped XM6, the AirPods Max 2 have no higher-res Bluetooth codec support, although you can access lossless playback via the headphones’ USB-C port.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get into my listening comparison. In Journey by Ruze, the differences between the two pairs of headphones were clear. With the AirPods Max 2, I was treated to a spacious, immersive interpretation, with expansive vocals and dreamy synths showing off the headphones’ nuanced soundstage.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 went for a different approach, with a tighter and punchier take. Bass came through with the kind of impact that instantly demanded my attention. Vocals and synths were also really clear and well separated in the mix, but didn’t have quite as much of an expansive quality.
(Image credit: Future)Moving over to something softer with Sakamichi by Yuta Orisaka and it was a similar story again. Vocals were emotive and tonally accurate, and were elegantly separated from strumming guitars. Percussion was also rhythmic and well-defined in the mix, and the broad soundstage exposed the track’s layers with finesse.
The XM6 excelled too, and vocals had excellent clarity in the mix, warped electric guitars sounded brilliantly separated — almost as if they were operating in a separate pocket. Meanwhile, the warmth of the track’s bass came through beautifully, and subtle percussive elements were weighted nicely too. Despite this, there was still a tightness to the sound — the direct and cohesive sound of the XM6 is simply very striking.
So, which headphones sound better? I think it’s a question that’s harder to answer than you may expect. On a strictly technical level, I’d argue that the AirPods Max 2 offer a bit more nuance, thanks to their wider soundstage, which opens up a more revealing and insightful listen. But I really do think there’s a case to be made for the XM6. Their punchier, tighter approach sounds spectacular, and adds a lot of vim and excitement — especially to more energetic tracks.
Ultimately, this one’s down to personal preference. If you want a more intimate sound with the joys of LDAC, then the Sony WH-1000XM6 are for you. But if you’re looking for an ultra-spacious, meticulous soundstage with clean all-round sound, then the AirPods Max 2 get the nod for me. Let’s call this one a tie.
(Image credit: Future)AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: designThe AirPods Max 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6 have shown themselves to be very different propositions so far. And that’s reflected in their design as well.
In my view, the AirPods Max 2 are some of the best-looking wireless headphones on the market today, with a super-striking metallic look, an elegant fabric headband, and a selection of eye-catching colors. Sure, they look just about identical to the original AirPods Max, but if it ain’t broke…
The Sony WH-1000XM6 look pretty good themselves, though. They have a sleek, cohesive, and textured appearance, which resembles the XM5 pretty closely. The XM6 have more of an understated selection of colors than the AirPods Max 2 — personally I prefer what Apple’s headphones have to offer, but it’s totally down to personal preference.
(Image credit: Future)I’d argue that the AirPods Max 2 have a more premium look and feel — as you’d hope considering the price difference — I just think they’re more striking. In addition, I prefer the flatter appearance of the earcups on Apple’s headphones to the semi-bulky look of the XM6’s.
But hang on. The XM6 aren’t down and out just yet. Because if we’re talking about pure practicality, they have the AirPods Max 2 beat. The XM6 are totally foldable, making them phenomenally compact if you want to toss them into a small bag, whereas Apple’s headphones are a bit more rigid. On top of that, the XM6 come with a fantastic magnet-lock case that's far better than the bizarre smart case of the AirPods Max 2, which doesn’t even protect the headband.
Overall, though, I’m gonna hand this one to Apple. I do like the case and foldability of the XM6 for sure, but the attention-grabbing, luxurious look of the AirPods Max 2 is undeniable. Yes, they’re also a fair bit heavier than the XM6 too, but I still found Apple’s cans very comfortable in use, meaning they just about edge it for me.
(Image credit: Future)AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: valueThere’s no hiding the fact that the AirPods Max 2 are significantly pricier than the Sony WH-1000XM6. Apple’s latest headphones typically come in at $549 / £499 / AU$999, while Sony’s have a list price of $449 / £399 / AU$699. But which one actually offers better value for money?
As I noted above, these headphones are very different, so the answer will vary depending on a few factors. The AirPods Max 2 offer more expansive sound than the XM6, paired with an excellent set of features for Apple device users and a luxurious look to boot. They are definitely on the expensive side, though, and although we’ve seen them pop up on sale with a few retailers (even as low as $399 in the US over Amazon Prime Day), they do have some notable flaws for the price.
The battery life instantly comes to mind — 20 hours isn’t very competitive. They also lack higher-res Bluetooth codecs, and their compatibility with Android devices is limited. Still, they’re a great pair of headphones overall, with fantastic sound quality, looks, and iOS functionality.
(Image credit: Future)At $449 / £399 / AU$699, the Sony WH-1000XM6 feel like an easier sell. They offer ANC that’s easily on par with the AirPods Max 2, a more practical design, they sound spectacular, with a punchy yet well-balanced signature, and their broad compatibility is a big win — especially if you own a Windows laptop or Android phone.
These are also on sale fairly regularly, and I’ve seen them drop as low as $380 / £300 in recent times in the US and UK respectively. Sure, if you only have Apple devices, these may not offer the same convenience as the AirPods Max 2, and Sony’s headphones also leave out USB-C audio passthrough and have a slightly less premium look.
It’s closer than I initially thought, but I do think the Sony WH-1000XM6 are better value when all’s said and done. For less money, you get super-engaging sound, top-tier ANC, better battery life, and a more versatile software setup.
(Image credit: Future)AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: verdictSo, if I could only choose one pair of these excellent headphones, which would I recommend? In this instance, I’m going to hand it to the Sony WH-1000XM6. Apple’s headphones are undoubtedly fantastic performers, and if you want the most spacious sound and features tailored for iOS, they’ll undoubtedly serve you very well. But for less money, the XM6 are just the slightly better value pick for me. Their combination of S-tier ANC, balanced, yet tight and punchy sound, and more versatile compatibility make them the ideal all-rounders.
Living in the south of England, you’d expect the internet speeds to be pretty decent, and at one time, not long ago, in the New Forest, they were. But then, as the area started to develop, connection speeds dropped and became increasingly unstable, meaning that if you run a business, fallbacks are needed if you want to keep running.
However, even then, the cellular networks can be hit and miss, aim for the high ground, and ordinarily, you can get a signal, so when my fibre network at home keeled over completely, I reached for my usual choice of mobile network router to get me back online.
However, this time the fibre connection has not been short and tipping over for over a week with no connection and intermittent service for the last few months, I’ve had to look for a more permanent solution. Thankfully, the G572 was in for review and has now been delivering impressive connection speeds to the 4G network from its high point in the house and office.
Unlike my high-end portable 5G router, this box requires AC power, but then it provides wireless coverage that essentially matches that of the Eero 6 routers we usually use at home. In an area where connection speeds are usually lacking, the powerful antennas do the job.
While I still can’t connect to a 5G network, the 4G connection speeds are impressive, with the speed test nearly reaching 80 Mbps and upload speeds of around 6 Mbps. Still some way off the fibre connection, but a lifesaver when you rely on that connection for work and, of course, entertainment.
But this router has not only stepped in where the fibre connection fails, in the office, but another once-sweet spot for bad fibre connection, which, on last checking, has now dropped below 10Mbps and the cellular network is close to non-existent. Using this router, the cellular network connection speeds have improved enough to enable some email, web browsing, and music streaming; video streaming might be wishful thinking. Then there’s also the ability to just plug it directly into the 10G network, fully integrating it with the office network.
The other point at home is that multiple devices can be easily connected with surprising efficiency. Most days when working at home, I’d have two to three machines, three robot vacuums, which I discovered only work when there’s an internet connection, the Alexa, and a couple of mobile phones.
In the evening, that volume of connection uplifts with my partner’s phone and laptop and the use of the Fire Stick. Ordinarily, this volume of connections would cause a slowdown of the connection speeds, especially as the usual mobile router would need to be placed in relative proximity to where the devices were being used, but here, placed on another floor, the connection speeds are still impressive, with a floor between the router and the devices used.
I looked at the previous iteration of this router, the D-Link G530, last year, and was impressed with the Wi-Fi 6 performance. This new model boosts the wireless connection speed to Wi-Fi 7 and adds three more network ports to the back. The uplift in performance is significant to the point that, for most people, with a dedicated network SIM, you can seriously move away from a wired broadband connection, even if you’re limited to the 4G connection.
In my household, while this unit came in for review, the real-world testing has been a little more real-world than I would have liked. While I’m impressed with the download speeds, the upload is a little more limited.
However, if you need a fast and reliable connection in a workshop, studio, office, or at home where you don’t have a fibre connection, or you have a good 5G connection and are happy to rely on a cellular network, then this is a great option. Most importantly, while this box is expensive and the data-only SIM also doesn’t come cheap, the impact of no internet at all makes this fallback a valuable addition to your business costs.
D-Link G572: Price and availability- How much does it cost? £350
- When is it out? Now
- Where can you get it? Online at major retailers
At present, the D-Link G572 will set you back around £350 for the base unit. On top of that cost, you will also need a mobile SIM contract.
In this test, I used the Unlimited plan from Vodafone, which is uncapped on both usage and speed through the business plans, and this set me back around £250 for the year.
There are cheaper data plans out there, but if you rely on the internet and a clean connection, then this plan, even when limited to the 4G speeds due to local network coverage, will ensure you can keep your business going.
- Value: 4/5
Antenna: 10 x Wi-Fi internal antennas, 4 x LTE/5G NR internal antennas, two of which can be substituted with external TS-9 antennas
Interfaces: 4 x Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, 1 x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet WAN port, 1 x SIM card slot
Wireless speed: 7200Mbps (5GHz up to 5764Mbps / 2.4GHz up to 1376Mbps)
IEEE Standard: IEEE 802.11be/ax/ac/n/g/b/a, IEEE 802.3u/ab
Size: 137 × 146 × 205mm; 660g
OS installed: Router firmware with Web UI and D-Link Falcon app management
Accessories: Power adapter
Wi-Fi standard: IEEE 802.11be/ax/ac/n/g/b/a
Wi-Fi speed: BE7200, up to 5764Mbps on 5GHz and 1376Mbps on 2.4GHz
Ethernet: 4 × Gigabit LAN, 1 × 2.5GbE WAN
SIM: 1 × Nano SIM card slot
Antennas: 10 internal Wi-Fi antennas; 4 internal LTE/5G NR antennas, with two substitutable via external TS-9 antennas
Security: WPA/WPA2/WPA3, WPS, SPI firewall, anti-spoofing, IP filtering, and DMZ support
Like the excellent G530 I looked at last year, the G572 uses an almost identical upright white tower design that sits neatly on a shelf or windowsill. Throughout the test, I moved the router around to find the strongest connection in the home, and, just like with your mobile phone, it’s worth checking the signal strength.
As there’s no screen or readout on the router itself, you need to rely on the companion app, which, while simple, highlights basic information, including that all-important signal strength. While mine was still only three bars, flickering onto four on occasion, the performance was maximised for the area.
The relatively small footprint of 137 x 146mm enables easy positioning. However, you do need to make sure that the positioning is near an AC plug. In the house, that wasn’t an issue, with the prime location directly next to a socket.
Likewise, in the studio, a plug was easily located; however, in the office, the prime location was some distance from the nearest AC socket, so rather than using an extension cable, I used a Jackery 1000 V2 power station, which kept the router running happily throughout the day with a minimal impact on the capacity.
While the unit has a relatively small footprint, the height of 205mm means that you do need a decent-sized shelf height to position the router, and as I moved from one location to another, I actually found that this height was pretty average for most of the shelving units that I use across all locations, so the router fitted without issue.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)On the back of the router is a 2.5GbE WAN and four gigabit Ethernet ports, which I was able to plug directly into the network, then there’s the all-important slot of the Nano SIM and AC power socket and the option to connect the TS-9 antenna if you need a connection signal strength boost. Locally, for me, this might have been an idea, but those were not provided for this review.
Getting started with the router is straightforward: install the Nano SIM, then plug the box into the mains. Once done, you install and connect the app, update passwords, and create or log in to your D-Link account, and then you’re pretty much set to go.
For wireless, like any router, you need the username and password; for the wired network connection, it just needs to be plugged in. I installed the DXP4800 GT and the IDX6011 Pro as part of my usual video setup.
As a cellular router, the ease of use and integration into my existing network while I wait for the fibre to be fixed was surprisingly smooth and easy.
- Design: 4.5 / 5
The G572 is quite an upgrade from the already impressive G530, with the main focus being the switch to Wi-Fi 7 and the inclusion of four network ports on the back. The cellular connection also offers 5G NR support, with theoretical download speeds of up to 7.01Gbps in SA mode for pure 5G potential and up to 5.67Gbps in NSA mode, where the 4G/LTE network is still the base infrastructure, which is the system by which I tested the unit.
Wi-Fi 7 BE7200 supports multi-link operation and dual-band speeds of up to 7200 Mbps, which really makes a difference as more devices are connected. It lets multiple devices connect to the same router using different bands, freeing up bandwidth and improving speeds.
On the back of the router are five network ports, with one WAN 2.5GbE set apart from the four Gigabit LAN ports that enable you to connect to your computer, NAS devices and other office equipment.
The main feature that sets this apart from a standard router is the slot for a Nano SIM. This is essentially the same type that you find in most phones, and you can get a data-only SIM package from most mobile providers.
Once inserted into the slot, it can connect to the cellular network to provide a fast internet connection. While a cellular network connection option is what differentiates this from the standard router, you can also plug directly into your standard wired fibre network connection with automatic failover.
The incoming network cable plugs directly into the 2.5GbE port; if your wired network fails, then it will automatically switch to the mobile connection, so you don’t have any downtime.
Through the test, I tried several locations, in the studio where it stood alone with the cellular network connection. In the home, the fibre internet had failed, so the box was positioned on the second story for the best hebest cellular network signal.
Finally testing in the office, where the wired connection is extremely slow and has dropouts, I put the router between the wired connection and used it as my Wi-Fi network so that when the fibre connection dropped, it automatically switches to the cellular network.
Alongside the hardware is also the D-Link Falcon app and the web UI, which enable you to set up and manage the box. The app, which is how most people will access and communicate with the router, is relatively simple and easy to navigate with access to all the settings you want. If you want a little bit more in-depth control, then you can use the web view that can be accessed directly from your browser window.
When it comes to security, the usual boxes are ticked: WPA/WPA2/WPA3 security, SPI firewall, anti-spoofing, IP filtering, DMZ, and WPS. I was also pleased to see that it offers parental controls, as well as a switch that basically turns everything off at night, so if you’re in the office and you want to switch it off completely when you leave, then you can just access the app, and it’s a simple one-touch button to switch it off.
If you’re in the home, using separate parental controls on the access, essentially saying that after 6 o’clock in the evening, all internet connections are off. The great thing here is that D-Link has really sorted this out, so it’s probably one of the quickest and easiest options I’ve come across in a long time.
The other big feature here, especially for office use, is that you can connect plenty of devices, so within the studio, I had one PC, two Macs, and two mobile phones connected. I also had two NAS systems, and the box handled everything with ease, providing fast internet and network access over the cellular and wired networks.
Even though the LAN ports only offer a Gigabit connection, as my network is isolated at 10GbE through the switch, this wasn’t too much of an issue and only limits the speed at which the wired devices to the router will connect to the internet, which, with the 4G connection, didn’t really pose an issue.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)- Features: 4.5 / 5
Download speed: 79.3Mbps (4G network)
Upload speed: 5.97Mbps (4G network)
The G572 sounds like a great idea on paper and can be used in several ways. Firstly, if you’re in an office, outhouse, studio or other location where there is no wired internet connection, then you can use this router to connect to the cellular network, and then all of the devices can connect to it in exactly the same way as you usually have with a wireless router.
Alternatively, if the internet connection is absolutely critical and slightly unstable, as it often is here in the New Forest, you can place it between your wired connection and use it as a wireless router in exactly the same way as all other routers of this type. However, if that wired connection falls over at any point, then the cellular connection kicks in, meaning that you have no break in network connectivity. If you plug it into your existing wireless network, as I have in this review, you'll notice very little difference in the connection, even if there is a slight drop in speed, unless it’s uploads where there will a significant slow down.
Unlike portable cellular routers that you can take anywhere, this one is designed to be plugged into mains power, so you can use it in your office, home, or anywhere else with mains power. In this review, I also had to plug it into a Jackery 1000 V2 power station because the place with our best cellular connectivity in the office was too far from a plug to connect without an extension lead. Used in this way, it actually provided a sound solution.
Getting set up and started with it was all easy enough, and once the unit was taken out of the box, it was simply a case of plugging my Nano SIM into the slot on the back and then plugging it into the mains. In the studio, this was as far as it went. I was able to connect using the app and get the rest of the unit set up; it was all quick and really straightforward.
Once connected, whilst I could only find a 4G connection, the transfer rates were almost at 80 Mbps, which was impressive on the download, although the upload speed, closer to 5 and 6 Mbps, was less impressive than my usual wired connection, but in line with what I’ve experienced in the past.
Once everything was set up, I could connect to whichever device I wanted to the router, select that network name, enter the password, wait a couple of seconds, and it would connect. What was impressive here was that every device I connected to delivered similar performance: newer Wi-Fi 7 devices were limited only by the cellular network speed, while older devices that only featured Wi-Fi 6 still produced very fast speeds. Unfortunately, there is no 5G coverage in this area.
Used off-site with no wired connection, I had the router running for around six weeks, and it provided a solid, stable connection throughout, even during the heatwave, when the wired connection at home decided to come to a grinding halt and has since failed to come back online.
While the first month of the test proved just how good this router was in the office and studio, where it provided decent internet connection for download and moderate for upload, the real test came where I had to package up the router and take it home, find a location around the house where I could actually get a mobile phone signal for that data connectivity, and then plug it in.
I’m used to network speeds of around 150 Mbps and upload speeds that are equally impressive; however, while we used to have very decent cellular connectivity, that connectivity has recently dropped out this year. In searching around the house for a decent location for the router, I finally settled on the second floor and the rear of the house, which must have had the clearest line of sight to whichever mast it’s picking up.
Once it was switched on and connected, the 4G connectivity showed at three to four bars, and testing out the transfer rates, I was again surprised to see that I was getting around 80 Mbps, not at all bad.
Now, in my second week of using it as my main internet connection, I can confirm it works incredibly well. I might not be able to test out the 5G speed, but even at 4G, with the slightly ropey connectivity of the area, I’m still getting those fast download rates, although uploads are slightly slower at about 5 to 6Mb per second, and you do have to pick your time of day, with that signal dropping to about 20Mb per second at the height of what seems to be mobile phone use in the area.
Despite that, in the evenings, we’d have at least one Alexa going, two laptops, possibly two mobile phones, and the Fire Stick playing whichever streaming channel we’d settled on for the evening. The D-Link G572 was able to supply all devices without issue, and whilst you could tell, especially with the streaming services, that I wasn’t having the usual speed of connection that I’m used to with the wired fibre connectivity, it was still incredibly impressive.
When the unit first arrived, and after I’d initially set it up, I tested it with the wall connection, installing it as the main router for the house and connecting it to the 2.5GbE WAN port at the back. I was again really surprised by the coverage it provided in the house, surpassing the Eero 6 wireless router I presently use. I also noted that those devices that utilise Wi-Fi 7, primarily a couple of mini PCs that I have for a review, saw the transfer rates vastly increased, still limited somewhat by the 2.5GbE input, but still significantly more than the other router.
Back in the office, and with it just connected to the mobile network and with one of the worst fibre connections going, I connected to the back of the D-Link G572 again, although this time it was more to see whether it could improve the connectivity I usually have in the office.
Here, I was really impressed: every time the wired connection cut out and switched to the mobile network, it was still not great and was far slower than when I was using it at home, but a definite improvement on what I’m used to.
To get a fast connection in my office, I need to cross the car park and go into the next building. There’s obviously a connection somewhere within the old building. However, having this router in between meant that when my wired connection was actually feeling like working well, I’d have a relatively decent connection, and then when it would drop out, it switched over to the cellular network, and for the first time, I was able to work nonstop using the internet connection without worrying about it dropping out partway through a call or upload.
What I really like about the router, although its speed was slightly limited, was the fact that it had those four Gigabit LAN ports, which means I can plug in my NAS boxes for archive and working, along with the network printer, which made them more easily accessible on the network, both wired and wireless. While my actual network in the office runs at 10GbE, this downgraded it to just one. For most office work, this is absolutely fine, and when I actually need faster connectivity, I can go through the switch and plug directly into the faster NAS.
As I’m used to working in an environment where the internet connection can be variable, from very good to absolutely non-existent, always having some sort of wireless router with me is an essential part of my working kit, and I usually rely on the Netgear Nighthawk M7, as it’s just a very powerful and portable solution, although even that struggles at the moment in the office.
The D-Link G572 is a far cheaper solution, which is good, especially considering the cost of a 5G unlimited data package, which can also see costs rise rapidly. With this AC-powered router, I was impressed from the outset. It is a bit of a shame that those LAN ports are limited to a Gigabit, but when it comes to one of these devices, it’s just simple. It does what it does, and you don’t need to really think about it. It’s exceptionally good, and for someone like me, who works in an older building in a town with very little internet, this makes a lot of sense.
- Performance: 4 / 5
When I tried out the predecessor to the D-Link G572 last year, I was impressed by just how versatile it was and by the fact that it could serve as a backup to my internet connection. At that time, my wired and cellular network connections around the New Forest were exceptional, but in the intervening year, the cellular network dropped out entirely, and even the wired network that had always been so reliable became especially unreliable, meaning I had to look for alternative solutions.
Having now burnt through EE, O2, Vodafone and a few other providers, it turns out there's been an issue with our mast for almost a year, so a device with a good antenna to pick up whatever signal you can get is essential.
What I found with the D-Link G572 was that, even without the optional antenna, it still picked up a pretty decent signal as long as it was positioned correctly. That place in the house took quite some time to locate, but once I did, I was seeing speeds in excess of 80 Mbpsd, far faster than I would have thought possible and over 20 Mbps faster than the comparable rate on my iPhone 15 Pro using the same network.
I also like that I could plug it in between my wired fibre connection and use it as my wireless router, with it switching to cellular when the wired connection drops out. Even though many of my devices around the house couldn’t fully use that Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, it was fully backwards compatible and still provided all devices with a strong signal, enabling me to continue working despite cellular and wired connection issues.
As a solution for anyone working off-grid or in a location where a wired or even cellular data network can be an issue, this D-Link G572 is certainly worth the money. Whilst it might seem that it is a premium option, especially when you consider you’re also going to need a data SIM contract, actually, just the fact that it keeps you working online and able to do business makes it a valuable asset for any business.
Should I buy the D-Link G572?Value
Initially, it seems expensive, especially when you put the cost of a cellular network package on top, but then, if it keeps you working, it more than pays for itself.
4.5/5
Design
Very neat, with a tower design that sits easily on a shelf or window ledge, as long as you have power nearby to keep it running.
4/5
Features
5G and Wi-Fi 7 are leading features, and it’s also good to see that it’s fully backwards compatible with your older gear.
4.5/5
Performance
Only really limited by your cellular network connection, and when it works, plugging it into your wired connection improves usability.
4/5
Overall
A great choice as a fallback if you have an internet connection that is temperamental and unreliable, and more than worth the money to keep you working.
4.5/5
Buy it if...Fibre connection unavailable
If you’re in a new office, location or studio where there just isn’t any fibre connection, then this cellular network router can be an absolute lifesaver, providing you with ultra-fast internet, as long as the network is available and comes close to fibre in speed.
Backup matters most
If you’re working in an area with an unreliable copper or fibre connection to your home or office and are regularly cut off from the internet, this is a perfect solution.
The signal is weak
If your area doesn’t have 5G coverage, you'll be limited in the speeds you’ll get from this wireless cellular network router; however, even with 4G speeds, those transfer rates are impressive.
You need 6GHz
This is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router, so tri-band 6GHz isn’t available. If you want a 6GHz option, you’ll be looking at a lot more money.
For more connectivity solutions, we've tested the best Wi-Fi routers.
Fitting a video doorbell or security camera is often a non-starter if you rent or live in an apartment where drilling into the walls isn’t allowed. That’s where the EZVIZ EP4 Wire-Free Peephole Door Viewer comes in — by fitting through your front door’s existing peephole, it brings almost everything you’d get from a full video doorbell, without any damage that could upset your landlord.
The physical setup is incredibly easy and took me just 10 minutes to complete. After you’ve unscrewed the old peephole, the EP4 securely clamps onto the door without a power tool in sight.
Once it’s running, the footage captured is very clear, giving you a detailed look at anyone outside. The companion app is simple to use and intuitively designed, making it effortless to check live feeds, use the two-way talk feature, or adjust security settings.
When it comes to saving video footage, EZVIZ doesn’t lock you into a subscription plan like some rivals. While the company includes a free trial of its cloud subscription service, you aren’t forced to pay for it afterwards. If you want to skip the recurring fees, you can opt to install a local microSD card (up to 512GB) to store clips locally.
However, the EP4’s AI facial recognition has a notable quirk. Although it's smart enough to identify who is at your door, there’s currently no way to stop the app from sending you notifications when it spots someone you know — including you. Because you can’t tell the camera to ignore certain individuals, you’ll be alerted every time you walk through your own front door.
EZVIZ EP4: price and availability- List price £229.99 (about $300 / AU$440)
- Available in the UK, but not the US or Australia
- No subscription necessary if you use a microSD card
The EZVIZ EP4 Wire-Free Peephole Door Viewer is available in the UK for £229.99 (about $300 / AU$440), but I’ve seen it discounted to as little as £159.99 during sales events. It’s not yet available in the US and Australia at the time of writing, but older models are, so hopefully the EP4 will launch more widely soon.
If you want to store your videos at home subscription-free, you’ll also need a microSD card (up to 512GB), so factor this into the cost. If you’d prefer to store footage in the cloud, you’ll want an EZVIZ CloudPlay subscription. After a 30-day free trial, there are three plans to choose from:
Plan Type
Cameras supported
Unlimited cloud storage
7-day event-based video history
30-day event-based video history
Individual plan
1
Yes
Monthly: $3.99 (about £3, AU$6)
Yearly: $39.99 (about £30, AU$58)
Monthly: $6.99 (about £5.30, AU$10)
Yearly: $69.99 (about £53, AU$100)
Home plan
4
Yes
Monthly: $5.99 (about £4.60, AU$8.70)
Yearly: $59.99 (about £46, AU$87)
Monthly: $10.99 (about £8.40, AU$16)
Yearly: $109.99 (about £84, AU$160)
Business plan
10
Yes
Monthly: $12.99 (about £9.90, AU$19)
Yearly: $129.99 (about £99, AU$190)
Monthly: $27.99 (about £21, AU$41)
Yearly: $279.99 (about £210, AU$410)
- Value score: 4.5/5
- Discreet external camera
- Very simple to fit without damaging door
- Internal screen projects an inch into the room
- Visitors might not spot the doorbell button
The EP4 has two main parts: the camera, which has a cable that threads through the peephole in your door, and a screen that sits on the inside. The camera has a doorbell button below the lens (though visitors might not notice it because it's at an unusual level), a motion sensor at the top, and a speaker and microphone on the side.
It’s compatible with doors between 1.4 x 4.1 inches / 35 x 105mm thick, with a peephole diameter between 0.6 inches and 2 inches / 14mm and 50mm. That’s a wide range, and should be fine for the vast majority of internal and external doors, but it’s worth measuring yours first just to be sure. You can remove the peephole from your door by simply unscrewing it, though if it’s particularly tight, you might need to use a pair of pliers to get it started.
The camera unit threads through an existing peephole and is compatible with most doorsFutureI recommend using a spirit level to get the camera straight before securing it in placeFutureThe screws connect the backplate to the camera, clamping them to your door without damaging itFutureTo fit the EP4, start by measuring the thickness of your door using the card template provided, and choose the appropriate pair of screws, indicated by the instruction manual. These will be used to clamp the EP4 onto your door. Peel the paper off the 3M tape on the back of the camera unit, position it on the outside of your door (I recommend using a spirit level to get it straight), thread the screws and data cable through the peephole (you can roll a piece of paper around them to avoid snagging), and press down to secure it.
Then tighten the screws a little, slide the mounting plate for the screen into place, tighten the screws the rest of the way, plug in the data cable, and slide the screen into place. The whole process takes no longer than 10 minutes, and when you want to remove it, there’ll be no damage to your door.
The external camera is unobtrusive, and visitors might not realize it's also a doorbellFutureThe internal display gives a clear view of the area beyond your front door, but you'll get a better picture in the appFutureThe screen stands about an inch proud of your doorFutureWhen you move, just unscrew the EP4 and screw the original peephole back in placeFutureIt’s a clever design, and the exterior camera is discreet (it comes with stickers to put on your door if you want to warn visitors they are being recorded), but it’s worth being aware that the interior screen stands about an inch proud of the door, so you’ll need to be very careful if it opens opposite a wall.
You can detach the screen unit to charge it via a microUSB cable (supplied with the EP4) and insert a memory card. It’s a shame there’s no hot-swappable battery — you can’t use the camera and doorbell while the unit is charging — but battery life is quite respectable. EZVIZ suggests up to 120 days, though this will depend on how many times the camera is triggered and how often you use the internal screen to see what’s happening outside.
- Design score: 4.5/5
The EP4 is an ingenious home security device that provides many of the advantages of a video doorbell or home security camera without needing to make permanent changes to your property. It’s a great pick for an apartment, with excellent picture quality and smart notifications, though it’s worth being aware of a few drawbacks — particularly when it comes to person recognition.
The resolution of the internal screen is fine, and you’ll immediately benefit from a field of view that’s much wider than your original peephole, but it doesn’t do justice to the EP4’s 4K camera. To see footage in its full 4K glory, you’ll need to use the Ezvizlife app, which also gives you access to all the EP4’s settings, as well as event history, saved recordings, call logs, two-way talk, and static photos.
The app's welcome screen gives you quick access to video logs and live viewFutureThe camera records 10-second clips when triggered, which are kept in your video logsFutureYou can browse recordings at any time, scrub through video, capture stills, and export video filesFutureFootage in the Ezvizlife app is incredibly sharp, and there’s very little lag between events happening outside and the camera starting to record. You’ll notice a delay when using two-way talk, but it’s only a couple of seconds, and no worse than some much higher-end video doorbells we’ve tested here at TechRadar.
When a visitor uses the doorbell, you'll receive an incoming-call-style notification that you can choose to reject or answer to start two-way talk. It's also possible to start two-way talk at any time through the app if you can see someone at the door.
Want to keep your identity private? The app gives you two options: ‘Uncle Tone’, which deepens your voice, and ‘Clown Tone’, which makes it high and squeaky, both of which work well and will effectively disguise your voice if you don’t want to be recognized. Personally, I would prefer an option that doesn’t sound quite so cartoonish, but they’re a welcome feature nonetheless.
I found the fisheye-correction option particularly useful during my testing, along with the AI person-shape recognition, which correctly identifies subjects even when they’re wheeling a bike or carrying a large object that might obscure their body shape.
When a person is detected, the camera will send a notification to the EZVIZ app, and start recording a 10-second video clip, which will be saved on an SD card or in the cloud, depending on which storage option you’ve chosen. You can also choose to watch through the camera live at any time, trigger a recording, or capture a still image.
Person identification works even when an individual's outline is obscured by large objectsFutureYou can see a live view through the app or internal screen any timeFutureCheck your video logs in the app, export videos, and capture still imagesFutureYou can also export videos from your logs at any time, which is very useful if you're unfortunate enough to need them as evidence for the police.
EZVIZ is a Chinese company, and although the app has been localized quite well, some parts are still confusing. For example, if you attempt to toggle a feature that’s still in beta, you will see a notification reading: “The current status of this detection is closed. Please enable the corresponding algorithm in the intelligent detection before enabling this function”.
For me, the biggest drawback — and the one that holds the EP4 back from a better score — is the implementation of facial recognition. In an ideal world, you wouldn’t receive a notification when your own face is detected, and you could disable alerts for other members of your household as well, so you’re only alerted when a stranger arrives. Unfortunately, that’s not an option with the EP4, which notified me that “Cat appeared” each time I arrived home from work.
You can add a person to 'Familiar Faces' using an existing photo, or take a new oneFuturePhotos should be well-lit and taken from the frontFutureAdding yourself to 'Familiar faces' doesn't mean that the app will 'ignore' you FutureFacial recognition works very well, and even identifies a person wearing a cycle helmet and sunglasses, but at the moment, the implementation seems back-to-front. In fairness, though, the feature is still in beta, so perhaps the developers at EZVIZ will make that change before its full launch. For now, it's a real problem.
- Performance score: 3.5/5
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
Very reasonably priced, particularly during sales, though you'll need an SD card too.
4.5/5
Design
Ingenious design that's great for renters, though screen projects quite far into the room and isn't very high-res.
4/5
Performance
Key functions are great, but you'll receive notifications whenever it detects your own face.
3.5/5
Buy it ifYou rent your home
There’s no need to drill or make any permanent changes to your door, which will keep your landlord happy. When it’s time to move, the EP4 comes right off, and you can screw the old peephole back into place.
You’re on a budget
The EP4 is a great value doorbell and camera combo, and is frequently discounted on Amazon.
Security is a real concern
The 4K footage will make it easy to identify anyone who’s up to no good, if you’re unfortunate enough to need it as evidence.
Don't buy it ifYou particularly want to watch for packages
Although the EP4 has a good horizontal field of view, it doesn’t cover your doorstep, so you won’t be able to see parcels left there.
You have notification fatigue
At the moment, there’s no way to avoid receiving a message when you approach your own front door.
EZVIZ EP4: also considerIf you're not sure whether the EZVIZ EP4 is the right security camera/doorbell for your home, here are two other wireless alternatives to consider.
Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell
This excellent subscription-free doorbell earned our seal of approval due to its sharp 2K recordings, ease of use, and great battery life.
Read our full Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell review
Eufy Video Doorbell Dual
Another solid subscription-free option, with dual cameras so you can keep an eye out for deliveries.
Read our full Eufy Video Doorbell Dual review
How I tested the EZVIZ EP4I installed the EZVIZ EP4 on the door to my apartment, having first unscrewed the original peephole. I used it for two weeks, adding myself and my husband as 'familiar faces' halfway through. I used the two-way talk function to speak to him when I received a notification that he had arrived, and we used the doorbell function to speak to one another. I kept recordings on a microSD card once the seven-day cloud storage trial expired, and used the app to review recordings, export videos, and capture still images.
At the end of the test period, I removed the EP4 and replaced my door's original peephole. For more details, see how we test, review, and rate products at TechRadar.
First reviewed July 2026.