This installment of our reviews roundup goes in several different directions.We've got an excellent Android phone, some smart glasses and a powerful CPU.Plus, we revisited our old pal the iPhone 16 Pro and offer up a spoiler-free review of season two.
There's plenty to catch up on, so keep scrolling to see what our reviews team has been up to over the last few weeks.Quick OverviewThe best value Android phone aroundGoogle Pixel 9aMore options$499 at Google$499 at AmazonEven Realities G1$599 at Even RealitiesRyzen 9 9950X3D$700 at Best BuyGoogle Pixel 9aEngadget/Google91100Expert ScoreThe best value Android phone aroundGoogle Pixel 9aBetween having the biggest battery on any Pixel yet, a simple but solid build, a nice screen and support for nearly all of Google's AI features, the $499 Pixel 9a might be the best value of any Android phone out right now.ProsSleek designAwesome battery lifeNice displayGreat camerasIP68 rating for dust and water resistanceConsCharging could be fasterNo Pixel Screenshot appMacro Focus mode can be a bit finicky$499 at GoogleExplore More Buying Options$499 at AmazonThere's a lot to like about the Pixel 9a.In fact, senior reviews writer Sam Rutherford argues it's the best Android phone you can buy right now in terms of pure value.
"I would love to see Google add a true telephoto lens and its charging speeds (both wired and wireless) could be better," he writes."But for $500, Google's most budget-friendly phone covers all the bases and then some."Even Realities G1Daniel Cooper for Engadget78100Expert ScoreEven Realities G1Even Realities' G1 are smart glasses with a heads-up display for everday use.Notifications, Navigation, Translation and AI from the comfort of your head.
ProsLightweight and seamlessBeautifully elegantNavigation is usefulTranslation has so much potentialTeleprompter perfect for presentationsUseful second screen for your phoneConsFussy controlsFar more reliant on your phone than it should be$599 at Even RealitiesIf you're looking for a pair of smart glasses that are more practical instead of being a content capture device, Even Realities' G1 might be for you.The device impressed senior editor Daniel Cooper, but the caveats will be dealbreakers for some people."I really like Even Realities’ G1 for what they can do right now, but I’m also hopeful that it’ll get far more useful in the future," he explains.
"It seems to me there are so many things that could be tweaked, primped and plumped to make these far more appealing."AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3DAMD90100Expert ScoreRyzen 9 9950X3DThe 9950X3D is a powerhouse of a desktop processor, with tons of L3 cache to speed up gaming and no compromises for intensive productivity work.The only downside is its relatively high price.ProsExcellent performanceNoticeable gaming improvementsRelatively cool temperaturesConsVery expensive compared to other desktop CPUs$700 at Best BuyThe latest AMD Ryzen CPU is a powerhouse, but it comes with a steep price tag.
"After releasing a pair of excellent midrange GPUs, which showed that the company can genuinely go toe-to-toe with NVIDIA, this CPU and its accompanying 3D V-Cache technology is a reminder of how AMD is far ahead of Intel in many ways," senior editor Devindra Hardawar says."While it’s certainly not the best deal around, if you can afford it, the 9950X3D is the best desktop CPU you can buy today."An iPhone 16 Pro check-in and S2 of The Last of UsWe're revisiting big devices about six months after their initial release to see how things are progressing.UK bureau chief Mat Smith recently put the iPhone 16 Pro through its paces again, noting that Apple Intelligence remains a disappointment.
Deputy news editor Nathan Ingraham got early access to ahead of the season two premiere this weekend.He explains that the show navigates a rough patch in the source material with relative ease, and his review won't spoil the new episodes.
