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2023
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Methods to master mobile gaming
Steam Deck OLED review
Stepping through the
PlayStation Portal

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Welcome
tuff’s year has started with a bang.
2023 was the year of artificial
intelligence on web browsers and
smartphone apps. 2024 will see the tech
appearing on more and more devices,
starting with Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra.
You can find that on p6, by the way. Right up
front, where it should be considering that
the announcement was made just as Stuff
was going to print.
Along with the newest tech on the
market, it’s also traditional to take a look
back at the best of the previous annual
cycle in this issue. That’d be the Stuff
Awards, which you’ll find on p27. If you’ve
wondered which brands and devices made

S

STUFF
AWARDS
20
023

www.stuff.co.za

it to the very top of the pile in 2023, we’ve
got the answers for you.
Answers are something Stuff is
especially fond of. This issue is packed with
options for the newly fitness-minded (from
p54) to continue the streak that we’re
certain is still ongoing when you read these
words in February 2024. Right? Whether
you’re running, hiking, swimming, or hitting
the (home or external) gym, we’ve got the
kit you should have in your bag or on your
person. It’s better living through technology
and we’re here for it.
Perhaps you’re on a more sedate
journey through 2024. Photography is
relaxing, we believe. Photojournalism
doesn’t count, of course, and anyway, that’s
a job. If you’re looking to upgrade from a
smartphone to a real camera, we’ve
rounded up the mirrorless options you
should be considering on p74. There’s
one seriously budget option there
that you’ll find impossible to ignore.
As ever, there’s loads more to
see in between these highlights.
So much so that it’s hard to yank
out bits every month to present
as highlights. Reviews, letters,
advice on how to improve your
mobile gaming skills (yes, it’s a skill),
or souping up your high-end Apple
smartphone – all of it is included in
this issue. I told you that 2024 started
off with a bang.

Editor
Brett Venter
brett@stuff.co.za
Art Director
Susan Gray
design@stuff.co.za
Digital Publisher
Nic Boerma
nic@stuff.co.za
Digital Editor
Duncan Pike
duncan@stuff.co.za
Stuff journalist
Trent Meikle
Social Media
Tshepo Thaela
Selling Stuff
Business Director
Sally Hudson,
sally@stuff.co.za
Senior Account
Manager
Thalia Pallotta
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Stuff South Africa is
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Stuff competition terms and conditions: Apple is not a sponsor, nor is it involved in any way with any Stuff Magazine contests or sweepstakes. Stuff Magazine does not offer
Apple products as contest or sweepstake prizes.
1 Promotions, giveaways and competitions are entered through Stuff Group’s website www.stuff.co.za and are opened for Issue 128 on 30 January 2024 and close on 30 March
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2

LOADSHEDDING,

Mobile Phones
& Laptops

Lights

Fan

TV

Washing
Machine

Fridge

From lights and computers to fridges, phones and more, the ESBox 3000 will keep your
appliances charged during a sudden power outage. With a built-in Automatic Transfer
Switch, the Rentech ESBox 3000 will automatically and immediately start to provide
power when it detects grid outages.

0860 12 00 12

www.rentech.co.za

ON THE
COVER

p60
Track
your runs

P46

HOT STUFF
6

14
16
18
20
22

4

The Hot Five
O Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
A smarter-than-the-average-smartphone
smartphone from Samsung
OTissot T-Touch Connect Sport
A Swiss watch that doesn’t want your friends to
know it’s smart
OTeenage Engineering EP-133
A sampler and sequencer that will write bad
songs for you
OCanon Light & Speaker ML-A
A fancy lantern that can alsofire sweet music at
your head
OFiiO KB3
A giant mulitcoloured soundcard that you can
type on
Wheels Polestar Synergy
A car too sexy to actually exist
Icon Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM01
At last, the Mac for Windows fans
Stream
Don’t watch that, watch this
Games
Exciting new wastes of time
Mini Meme
A frosty set of rather cool apps

p44
EV of the
year

TESTS
23
48
50
51
52

p41
Go and do
something

68
74
82

p40
Gimme
X-T5, man

First test Sony PlayStation Portal
The handheld gaming console that doesn’t include a
handheld gaming console
Tested Valve Steam Deck OLED
A hotter handheld hero?
Tested Insta360 Ace Pro
This cam is more agile than you
Tested Fujifilm Instax Pal
Like a boiled egg with a lens on it
Tested Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max)
The best, now even bester?
Tested DJI Mini 4 Pro
Yep, droning on about DJI again
Group test Mirrorless cameras
Real snappers for real snappers
Games
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Super Mario RPG,
Sonic Superstars

P6

P34

FEATURES
27

Cover feature The 2023 Stuff Awards
Celebrating the finest tech that 2023 has brought
us, from phones to drones... but still no affordable
jetpacks
54 New Year’s Fitness
Talk about high resolution – here’s how you can
keep up the winning streak you started in January…
66 Upvoted Torches
Eat more carrots! Invest in a head-mounted radar
system! Or just grab one of these...
70 Toby’s Travel Tech
Stuff’s EIC suggests the tech you should pack for a
trip overseas
72 Instant upgrades Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Not happy with your handset? Well, it did only cost
R32 600...
80 Beta yourself Mobile gaming
Well done, you installed Angry Birds 2. Now let’s
step it up...
104 Random access memories RIM BlackBerry
850 (1999) It was the future; luckily, it wasn’t

TOP TENS
88 Ebikes & EVs
All the amps and wheels you need
89 Smart home devices
Ways your house can outthink you
90 Smartphones
What’s the handiest, handsomest handset?
91 Budget smartphones
Everyone deserves to hold an excellent phone
92 Tablets, streamers
Slick slates and ways to stream everything
93 TVs
All you need for a lazy night/day/year in
94 Laptops
Porta-powerhouses to warm your knees
95 Wearables, smartwatches
Strapping smart tracking tickers
97 VR headsets and VR games
This reality sucks. Try these new ones
100 Headphones/monitors
In-ears and on-ears, hear hear!
103 Games
10 ways to avoid adult responsibilities

SUBS
0FFER
GADGETS / GAMES / GEAR

NEXT LEVEL
PHOTOS

Six step-up
mirrorless
camras on
test

2023
STUFF
AWARDS
AW
ARDS

MACBOOK
PRO M3

Is it time to
upgrade?

Track
your
swims

12 months

Get
fit in
style

TESTED!

Methods to master mobile gaming
Steam Deck OLED review
Stepping through the
Prepare
PlayStation Portal
for
action

Capture
and
create

GET
30%
OFF
OUR PRINT
ISSUE

p1
5

Speed. I am
speed.
The S24 Ultra uses
Qualcomm’s speediest
processor yet, the Snapdragon
8 Gen 3. It’s not just for opening
apps quicker, it’s a major
contributor to Galaxy AI’s
on-device
capabilities.

HOT
FIVE
#1
BRAIN ON THEIR
PARADE
Samsung Galaxy
S24 Ultra
We’ve been wondering for ages how
Samsung was ever going to better their
flagship smartphones. They’ve had
beauty and brawn for quite some time so
the obvious answer was brains. This is
the first device from the South Korean
giant to feature Galaxy AI. It definitely
won’t be the last.
Galaxy AI is the name given to the raft of
on-device AI-powered features, the
slickest of which is on-the-fly
translation from one language to
another. You could have a chat with a
foreign stranger, with your smartphone
spitting out translated sentences for
both speakers as they’re said. That’s…
pretty awesome.
It’ll also beef up image and video editing,
adds transcription into the mix, and
general language-based wizardry is also
included. That’s a handy addition to
Samsung’s always-excellent hardware,
which is still front and centre. The latest
Snapdragon helps push pixels for the S24
Ultra’s 6.8in Dynamic OLED screen. The
200MP main camera sticks around but
it’s joined by a new 50MP sensor which
replaces the 10MP telephoto from 2023.
There’s a slight battery upgrade to
account for the more powerful kit. It’ll
possibly come in handy if you’re shooting
4K video at 120 frames per second. Yeah,
Samsung’s phone does that now too.
As hot as… a remote AI data centre with
anxiety
R32 500 / samsung.com/za
6

ALL THE
BIGGEST
STORIES FROM
PLANET TECH

Mr. Brightside
You’d think that Samsung
simply reinstalled last year’s
screen and called it a day.
You’d be wrong.
Peak brightness has shot up
from 1 750 to 2 600 nits.
That’s a whole
l otta nits.

Flattery gets
everywhere
If we described Samsung’s
2024 crop in a single word it
would be ‘flatter’. There’s a hint
of a curve at the S24 Ultra’s
edges but the front and
rear sides are all ruler
straight.

7

Quartz
going on

HOT
FIVE
#2

RUNNING UP
THAT PILL
Tissot T-Touch
Connect Sport

Taking drugs to improve your physical
prowess is never a good idea, but the
pill-shaped AMOLED screen on Tissot’s
new hybrid smartwatch could be just what
you need to up your game.
The display is set into the analogue dial,
and if you swipe down over it you can
choose whether you want to track
running, hiking, cycling or workouts, with
a built-in heart-rate monitor to assess
the effort you’ve put in. It borrows your
phone’s GPS to measure distance, but you
can use the screen to check your live stats
mid-session, or go in-depth afterwards
with Tissot’s app.
One of the big benefits of hybrid watches
is better battery life, and that’s boosted
further by the tiny solar cells that surround
the mini-display: it’ll last up to a year if you
don’t use the smart features. Burn some
calories and you’re still looking at three
months between charges. If you’d rather
sit around all day eating Lays, you can still
read your texts on it without having to put
the bag down, but you won’t get any
chips-per-minute stats to analyse.
As hot as… flame-grilled Lays.
from R23 000 (due March)
/tissotwatches.com
8

At a glance you’d never
know the Connect Sport was
hiding any special talents. It
has a quartz movement, with
two standard pushers and
glow-in-the-dark
markers.

Strappin’
of choice
There are six possible
combos of bezel, case and
strap. It’s got a titanium
bracelet option, and a couple
of silicone options. Pricing
will increase
accordingly.

9

Stuck in the
MIDI with you
It’s not short on ports, with
MIDI in and out, sync in and
out, audio in and out and a
USB-C port for mains power,
should you manage to drain
the four AAA batteries
that power it.

HOT
FIVE
#3
SAMPLE TWIST
OF FATE
Teenage Engineering
EP-133 K.O. II

Do you ever open the fridge and knock
up your dinner using whatever random
collection of ingredients you find inside?
The EP-133 K.O. II, Teenage Engineering’s
latest music maker, is a bit like that. With
parts for its other synths in short supply,
the Swedish company put in an order for
whatever it could get and set about seeing
what it could concoct.
The result is a cross between a scientific
calculator and a prop from 2001: A Space
Odyssey, with a multitude of pads, three
knobs and a fader, plus a multi-segment
LCD display to differentiate between
sequencing, sampling and composing.
It’s filled with drum, bass and keyboard
samples, and you can record your own
using the built-in mic (the sound of your
fridge door opening, perhaps) then
mangle them at will.
It might not sound like much, but 64MB of
onboard memory is enough to handle nine
separate projects, each with 80,000
notes, and there are 999 slots for samples.
A built-in speaker even lets you play back
your tracks without needing to plug in
headphones. Now, what’s for dinner?
As hot as… your latest improvised feast
R7 300 / teenage.engineering
10

The tracks
of my ears
You can have four groups
per project, each with 99
patterns; those 99 patterns
have 12 tracks for samples
and MIDI inputs, and can
vary in length from
1 to 99 bars.

HOT
FIVE
#4
BURNING OF THE
MIDNIGHT AMP
Canon Light &
Speaker ML-A

Dance
haul days
It’s about the size of a very
thin book and weighs just
620g, so you can carry it
around in your bag just in
case inspiration strikes
when you’re halfway
round Spar.

Ever seen a Dell hi-fi? Or a Denon laptop?
Of course you haven’t, because some
brands are synonymous with a particular
type of product. Canon, for example, only
makes cameras and printers. Except
now it doesn’t.
The Light & Speaker ML-A is neither a
camera nor a printer: it combines a 10W
Bluetooth speaker with a 300-lumen LED
lamp in an aluminium chassis that’s about
the same size as a 2L Coke bottle. The
ML-A won’t fuel you up like a bottle of
sugary fizz, but it does have a 2600mAh
battery inside – enough for 8hrs of light,
5hrs of music, or 3hrs of both. That means
you could conceivably take it away for a
(very short) camping trip… but considering
it weighs 1.6kg, it’s probably better suited
to avoiding a bit of load shedding.
The lamp part is adjustable in terms of
where you point it, how bright it is and the
colour temperature of the light, while the
main body houses a 2in driver plus passive
radiator for 360° audio. It’s a properly
leftfield move that not even Stuff saw
coming – and with any luck it’ll sound more
melodious than one of Canon’s printers.
As hot as… an Apple air fryer
Rtba / canon.co.za
11

Socket
calculator
The twin headphone
sockets are on the left-hand
side: there’s a regular 3.5mm
jack type, plus one of those
funny 4.4mm ones. On the
other side you’ll find
a volume roller.

Peaceful
easy spieling
The keys on the KB3 are
gasket-mounted, which
means there are multiple
layers that are designed to
give it a softer feel when
typing and cut down
on noise.

HOT
FIVE
#5
SONGS IN THE
KEYBOARDOFLIFE
FiiO KB3

Normally the only noise your keyboard
makes is the clickety-clack of your fingers
furiously tapping away at the keys, but the
KB3 isn’t like most QWERTYs. Sure, it has
81 keys laid out in the usual way – so the
longest word you can write using just the
top row is still ‘typewriter’ – but FiiO has
given it hidden musical powers.
Within the aluminium-magnesium alloy
chassis there are two Cirrus CS43131
DACs plus a pair of SG Micro SGM8262
op-amps, with a couple of headphone
ports built into the side – the idea being
that you use it to bypass your computer’s
onboard audio circuitry and pump crisper
tunes to your connected cans. Audiophiles
might argue these things should be kept
separate, but FiiO knows a thing or two
about hi-fi gear – and the KB3 does
support hi-res files.
This is a mechanical keyboard, so while
it comes with Gateron G Pro 3.0 yellow
switches and semi-transparent caps, you
can easily swap them using the included
keycap puller. It also features fully
customisable RGB lighting – so not
only is it a treat for your ears, but it
should keep your eyes happy too.
As hot as… a mouse that goes up to 11
R2 500/ aliexpress.com
12

Aspire 5 | MADE TO DO IT ALL

Don’t risk your data.
Get genuine.
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Windows 11 Home • 15.6-inch FHD narrow bezel display • 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage
• Intel® Core™ i7 1355U processor • Intel® Iris® Xe graphics • 1080p webcam

R 18 999
Available at:

Website: www.acer.com/za

Polestar Synergy

ORIGINAL SYN

NEWS DASHBOARD

N/A / polestar.com
Good grief, what is Polestar
up to here?
The Synergy might be just a
wild concept for now, but it is
real and was recently showcased
at the inaugural Polestar Day.
Held inside a cavernous hangar
in Los Angeles, this event also
saw the Swedish manufacturer
preview several new production
models: the Polestar 3, Polestar 4
and, yes, Polestar 5. These names
will come as no surprise to anyone
familiar with its previous launches,
the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2.
So what lies ahead?
Well, considering it’s only made
two production cars until now,
the increasing range is exciting.
And Polestar is really pushing
things when it comes to design,
with some bold ideas that set it
apart from the crowd – not least
with the Synergy, the end result
of an open design contest that
drew over 600 entries.

14

The Synergy may
never be built as a real
car… but, on a slightly
smaller scale, we are
promised collectible Hot
Wheels and Matchbox
versions.

Any tech specs to marvel at?
Nope – this is a pure concept so
the rolling chassis doesn’t contain
any workings, but there’s no
denying that those svelte lines
would be the perfect home
for something potent and fully
electric… and Polestar does
have a track record of bringing
its design dreams to fruition.
Other features that definitely
will make it into production cars
include Level 3 autonomous
driving, thanks to a new Mobileye
Chauffeur system that will appear
in the Polestar 4.
What’s the end goal?
By 2026, Polestar aims to have
five EVs available – including the
4, with its SUV coupe lines; the 5,
which is an all-electric four-door
GT model; and the 6, which is set
to be one of the most stunning
roadsters to hit the market to date.
But just imagine if the Synergy
could actually be built as well…

THE TOY MOST
LIKELY TO?

START OF SOME
TWING NEW

TEENAGE
VAN CLUB

Toyota’s FT-Se is a
delicious two-seat
electric concept
that will appeal to
fans of the GR86 or
much-missed MR2.
From the outside,
you’ve got killer
lines with a wide
and low stance;
inside, the cockpit
offers up huggy
seats, a yoke-style
steering wheel
and minimalist
controls. They
should make this.

The world needs
more small EVs and,
thanks to Renault
and its Ampere
spin-off, that can
mean affordable
too. The reborn
Renault Twingo
city car will cost
around R450k, with
compact and bijou
styling to match the
low-slung price. It’s
set to go on sale in
2026, but whether
we ever see it in S.A
is another story.

Volvo is ditching its
estate cars – but
if you’ve got up to
six people to move,
how about the
EM90 minivan?
There’s a sizeable
116kWh battery
pack that means
it’ll cover up to 740
km, but it’s the
opulence inside
that appeals most…
including a 15.4in
HD display up front,
a 15.6in one in the
back, and 5G.

Who is Lily?
The small, stylish smartwatch.

LILY 2 SERIES
®

I C O N

WHAT IT LACKS IN
OBSOLETE TECH
IT MAKES UP FOR
WITH USEFUL
CONNECTIVITY

AYANEO RETRO MINI PC AM01
from R4,000 (launch date pending) / ayaneo.com
No prizes for guessing what that’s
supposed to remind us of…
This ‘I Know What a Macintosh
Classic Looks Like’ medal can go
back in its box, then. But those who
don’t have a brain like a computing
hall of fame, or weren’t around
when Apple released its famous
all-in-one computer in 1990, might
not be familiar with the inspiration
behind this mini PC. Ayaneo has
changed just enough to (hopefully)
avoid a strongly worded letter

16

from the legal team in Cupertino,
with a rainbow rectangle where
the Apple logo should be, but it’s
still recognisably a tribute to the
Classic – it even has a fake disc
drive on the front.
Shame it’s not a working one.
Got a lot of stuff on 3.5in floppy,
have you? What it lacks in obsolete
tech it more than makes up for
with genuinely useful connectivity.
Despite being the size of a stack

of three slices of bread, it’s got five
USB slots (one C and four A) plus
HDMI, DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet
and a headphone port, and there’s
also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on board.
You didn’t get any of those on the
old Mac Classic… and it didn’t run
Windows 11 Home either.
What, it’s not macOS?
You can only get that with Apple kit
and you know it. There is an option
for a barebones system, so you

could install Linux or SteamOS, but
you’ll need to add your own hard
drive and RAM. For the CPU it’s
between an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U
and a Ryzen 7 5700U (neither of
which will blow your socks off),
paired with up to 64GB of memory
and as much as 2TB of storage.
Plenty of geek appeal, then – and
best of all, it seems this is just the
start for Ayaneo’s retro-inspired
mini PCs, with a screen-packing
NES-style one coming soon.

Do you remember the burst time?

SONY ALPHA 9 III
When Usain Bolt broke the 100m world record in 2009, he covered the 60m
to 80m section of the track in just 1.6secs – that’s enough time for the fullframe Alpha 9 III to fire off almost 200 frames, making the Jamaican
speedster look… well, a little bit sluggish. It’s thanks to a global shutter
system that reads all of the 24.6MP sensor’s pixels simultaneously, while
759-point autofocus and eight stops of in-body optical image stabilisation
should ensure even the nippiest of subjects are frozen in time. Sadly it can
only maintain that lightning 120fps pace for 1.6secs before the Bionz XR
processing engine needs a breather, but even Mr Bolt used to take a rest
after 9.58secs or so.
R135 000 / sony.com

Band on the walk

CIRCULAR RING SLIM

Totally clips of the smart

HUAWEI FREECLIP
You’ve heard of in-ear, over-ear and on-ear headphones, but how
about a pair of under-ears? Huawei’s FreeClips clamp onto your
earlobes, with the spherical bits pumping sound into your ear canals
without blocking them, meaning you should be able to hear if people
are making comments about your freaky earrings. The battery lasts
about 8hrs, with a case that extends that to as much as 36hrs, while
an IP54 rating keeps them safe if you’re caught in the rain. They won’t
be for everyone – and not just because the accompanying app has to
be side-loaded if you have an Android phone – but at least you’ll still
be able to laugh at anyone wearing Dyson’s ridiculous Zone cans.
Rtba / consumer.huawei.com

Nothing marks you out as a tourist in a
strange city like staring at your phone every
30 seconds as you try to follow Google’s
guidance to your Airbnb. If you want to blend
in with the locals, Circular’s new wearable
uses haptics to help you navigate unknown
streets, so you can find your way around
without taking your phone out of your
pocket. If the journey still stresses you out,
it can also use vibrations to lead you in
guided breathing exercises, with a whole
heap of built-in sensors to monitor your
heart and respiratory rates, blood oxygen
level and skin temperature, plus tracking for
day-to-day movement and sleep. You can
even use the haptics to wake you up in the
morning.
R5 500 (import) / circular.xyz

17

18

S T R E A M
Coming soon to a streaming service near you:
space drama, airborne heroics and a double
dose of moodily mismatched detectives

Pokemon Concierge

Echo

Lift

In a month where murder, war,
mayhem and crime dominate the
streaming releases – well, yes, that
is pretty much the same as every
month – here’s a mouth-cleansing
sorbet (but for your eyes and ears):
a sweet Japanese stop-motion
series about a lady who works
at a holiday resort for Pokemon.
That’s it… that’s the show.
S1 / Netflix

If recent Marvel shows have been
a little bit too kid-friendly for you,
this return to the blood-soaked,
bone-crunching, potty-mouthed
world of Daredevil and Wilson
Fisk could be just the ticket. The
focus this time is on Fisk’s adoptive
daughter, a deaf Native American
woman with, predictably, incredible
ass-whupping skills.
S1 / Disney+

Ocean’s 11 on a plane, anyone?
This action-comedy heist flick
stars Kevin Hart as a master thief
who, along with his ragtag crew, is
blackmailed into nicking millions of
dollars’ worth of gold from a gang
of terrorists – and he’s nabbing the
loot while it’s up in the air between
London and Zurich. Expect things
to go more than slightly wrong.
Film / Netflix

Role Play

Criminal Record

This one’s a screwball comedy
by way of John Wick, in which a
married couple (David Oyelowo
and Kaley ‘The Big Bang Theory’
Cuoco) yearn to put the spark
back into their relationship, only
to get more excitement than they
had in mind when one of them
turns out to be living a dangerous
double life.
Film / Prime Video

You can’t move for gritty British
police dramas these days. Even
glossy Apple TV+ is getting in on
the action with Criminal Record, an
eight-part London-based crime
thriller that seems straight from
the ITV playbook. Peter Capaldi
and Cush Jumbo star as detectives
battling, and scowling a lot, over
a murder case.
S1 / Apple TV+

True Detective:
Night Country
This fourth season of what might
be called the thinking person’s cop
show looks like a real doozy, with
Jodie Foster and Kali Reis playing
bickering partners investigating
a gruesome mass murder in
perma-dark rural Alaska. Be
prepared for just as much gloomy
philosophising as crime-solving.
S4 / Showmax

Originally conceived by writer/director Zack Snyder as a new ‘grown-up’ entry to the
Star Wars franchise, this space opera has spun off into its own galaxy far, far away. Could
Lucasfilm’s loss (they reportedly passed on Snyder’s script) be Netflix’s gain? Rebel
Moon certainly looks the part – with eye-popping special effects, a huge cast and an
epic story of rebellion – and there’s already a sequel slated for release in April.
Film / Netflix

D
M ON’
TH ISS T
IS

Rebel Moon

19

G A M E S

OUT
NOW

FIRST PLAY PERSONA 3 RELOAD PS5, PS4, XSX, XB1, PC
Persona is one of the biggest
role-playing game franchises
to have emerged from Japan.
These games revolve around
a group of students banding
together to fight shadows from
a parallel dimension while often
also challenging corrupt adults
in society, as well as overcoming
their own insecurities.
While the fifth instalment is
often considered one of the best
RPGs ever made, its foundations
come from Persona 3 – and
although that game did get a
port earlier this year, it was the
stripped-down version made
20

originally for the PSP that was
presented like a visual novel.
Reload instead gives it a full 3D
makeover in Unreal Engine that
brings us closer to the latest
title’s look… only with even
more of a flourish in its animated
menu screens.
During the day you’ll juggle
your studies with your social
life; but at the stroke of midnight
you’ll enter the Dark Hour, where
you and your friends enter the
towering dungeon of Tartarus,
defeating shadows as you
go. Each party member has
an attack weapon, but their

real power lies in summoning a
persona – a person’s thoughts
and personality manifested in
a powerful mythical being. To put
it another way, it’s Pokemon with
added Jungian psychology.
While the characters naturally
benefit from a modern facelift,
along with reworked audio, the
environments feel rather barren,
much like the original game’s
dungeon design. This remake
doesn’t factor in later versions
that expanded the story and
added the choice of a female
protagonist, so the jury is out
until its release in February.

FIRST LOOK WELCOME BACK TO THE JUNGLE

METAL GEAR
SOLID DELTA:
SNAKE EATER
PS5, XSX, PC
What’s the best Metal Gear
Solid game? If not the original
PS1 title, it’s often cited as its
prequel Snake Eater, set in
a Soviet jungle in the 1960s
where you play as the Snake

who would go on to become
the legendary Big Boss. That
said, while everyone raves
about it, they’re usually
thinking of the enhanced
version Subsistence, which
gave it a camera system
more in line with modern
third-person games.
It’s probably no surprise
that it’s getting a remake,
a bold move from Konami

having only recently released
Master Collection Vol 1. But
with reports of that collection
not being quite so masterful,
we’re more hopeful about this
remake – despite claims that
it’s going to be nothing more
than a visual overhaul.
Still, footage of the game
running in Unreal 5 can’t help
but have us salivating at its
jaw-dropping environments

and wild animals, and it seems
there are some changes, such
as Snake crouch-walking – an
animation not featured in the
original PS2 version.
Of course, a remake without
Hideo Kojima at the helm
means we’re a little cautious
about this one, but we’d be
lying if we said we weren’t
ready to pounce on day one
when it finally comes out.

BEST OF REMAKES AND REMASTERS FOR THE NEW YEAR

ALONE IN THE DARK

ANOTHER CODE: RECOLLECTION

TOMB RAIDER I-III REMASTERED

PC, PS5, XSX
The original 3D survival horror game may
have been overshadowed by the likes of
Resident Evil, but the franchise is getting
reanimated with this new version of the
1992 cult classic set in a creepy mansion
in the 1920s. Out on 16 Jan, it’s got David
Harbour and Jodie Comer behind the mics.

Switch
These days we’ve got Life is Strange…
but in the noughties, emotional narrative
games about teenage girls were unheard
of. Timely, then, for Nintendo to remake
the two Another Code games, originally
released on DS and Wii respectively.
Recollection comes to Switch on 19 Jan.

PC, PS5, PS4, XSX, XB1, Switch
It’s been a few years since Lara Croft got
her younger, grittier reboot; and while
we still don’t know what the future holds,
fans can make do for now with these
remasters of her first three globetrotting
adventures (including expansions) from
the ’90s. The set is out on 14 Feb.

INCOMING
FEBRUARY
OFINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
OGRANBLUE FANTASY: RELINK
OMARIO VS DONKEY KONG
OSTAR WARS: DARK FORCES REMASTER
MARCH
O RISE OF THE RONIN
O PRISON ARCHITECT 2
OPRINCESS PEACH: SHOWTIME

21

APPS

Mini meme

OA Good Snowman
Monsters get a bad rep, mostly
because of their tendency to
go GRAARHHH and eat people.
Not this one – it just wants to
build snowmen. The snag: all the
snow sits inside claustrophobic
gardens surrounded by hedges.
To make the snowmen, you
must carefully plot out the
routes required to roll perfect
balls of icy goodness. Snowy
Sokoban, then, but with buckets
of wintry charm.
R115 / Android O R120 / iOS

OGrand Mountain

Adventure

Given its title, you might expect
a climbing game here – in fact,
the only ‘climbing’ is on ski lifts.
Mostly, you zoom down slopes…
but this is no simple slalom. Each
mountain invites you to explore
and complete challenges to
win more lift passes. Just be
aware when you head into
the backcountry that its deep
powder comes with a side order
of wolves and avalanches.
Free (IAP) / Android, iOS
22

SQUINTER
WONDER
LAND

Feeling the heat? These wintry-themed
mobile games won’t actually cool you
down, but they offer a preview of SA’s
less er… sweaty months. Nearly there.

OAlto’s Adventure
The polar (oho!) opposite of
Snowman, this game has a
feeling of freedom and openness
as the titular hero blazes along
on a snowboard. It’s an endless
runner, but one that’s more
beautiful than its peers as you
rescue runaway llamas, grab
coins, grind rooftops, escape
grumpy elders, leap into the air
to perform show-off stunts, and
try not to land on your face.
Free (IAP) / Android
R150 / iOS

OFlick Champions

OSnow Bros Classic

OYear Walk

Away from the serene and
towards the frenetic with this
collection of eight fast-paced
chilly events. As with other Flick
Champions titles, the action is
finger-friendly, requiring only a
few prods to soar in the ski jump
or blaze around the skating rink.
One ‘event’ is a three-on-three
snowball fight, which we really
hope makes the cut for the 2026
Winter Olympics.
Free (IAP) / Android O R20 / iOS

Vintage single-screen arcade
fare here, with a wintry take
on Bubble Bobble. Instead of
dinosaurs blowing bubbles, your
snowman lobs snowballs at
monsters ambling about on
platforms. When one is fully
covered, the resulting snowball
can be booted about the screen
to take out more of its kind; but
every tenth stage, a massive
boss rocks up to remind you that
beating up its chums just isn’t on.
Free (IAP) / Android, iOS

This mashup of picturebook and
Swedish horror dumps you in
the snow and leaves you to work
through cryptic puzzles. From
the off, things don’t feel right
as snow crunches underfoot.
Before long you’re several jump
scares in, wondering if the weird
horse/man thing that appeared
in the lake will live forever in
your dreams. Still, you’ll never
complain about a more peaceful
winter walk again.
R80 / iOS

Winter Sports

F I R S T T E S T S O N Y P L AY S TAT I O N P O R TA L

All I have to
do is stream
Sony’s new handheld looks like a portable PS5 but is useless
on its own. Can its remote play capabilities be worth the cash?

R5 500 / playstation.com

ony is no stranger
to handheld gaming,
but the first thing
to say about the
PlayStation Portal is
that it isn’t a console in its own
right. This is not the Vita 2.
Essentially just an 8in tablet
with two halves of a DualSense
controller stuck on either side,
the Portal relies on a PS5 and

S

a Wi-Fi connection to wirelessly
stream your games. Without
those, it’ll be the least useful
thing in your house (apart from
the cat), as there’s no way to
download games for offline
play. It can’t natively play video
or browse the web either, and
in many ways there’s nothing
this device can do that the phone
in your pocket can’t. On paper,

then, it seems like something
of a tough sell.
And yet, Sony knows that
none of that is likely to dissuade
the people who have a place in
their lives for a gadget like this.
In households where TV time
has to be shared, the Portal
lets you keep playing without
giving up the PS5’s controller
functionality. It’s got a big, bright

display and it won’t interrupt
your Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
session with an incoming call
from your parents.
It’s a luxury, no doubt, but is
it one worth spending R5 000
on? Well, seeing as that’s the
same amount you’d pay for the
Switch Lite on p26, it really
depends on how well remote
play works in the real world…

23

F I R S T T E S T S O N Y P L AY S TAT I O N P O R TA L

2
4

1

You make my streams

The Portal streams games from
your PS5 and that’s it… but that’s
the best thing about it. Because
it has the same haptic feedback
and adaptive triggers, it feels like
playing a handheld PS5 – though
the games don’t look as good as
on a massive 4K TV, of course.

3 Rock’n’roll stream

2 Beautiful streamer

It doesn’t support Bluetooth, so
you’ll have to either use a wired
headset or buy one of Sony’s
PlayStation Link ones. It does
have speakers, which are fine for
short blasts but won’t be much
use if somebody else in the room
is trying to watch Netflix.

The 8in screen will no doubt
dwarf any phone you’ve been
using for remote play until now.
It’s bright and colourful, and the
size goes some way to making
up for the fact that it’s not an
OLED – like the one the PS Vita
had way back in 2011…

Good
Meh
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24 hours with
the PlayStation
Portal

5mins 10mins 30mins
24

2hrs

3hrs

5hrs

8hrs

10hrs

13hrs

F I R S T T E S T S O N Y P L AY S TAT I O N P O R TA L

3

Tech specs
Screen 8in 1920x1080 60Hz LCD Connectivity
Wi-Fi, PlayStation Link, 3.5mm audio, USB-C
charging Controls DualSense (accelerometer,
gyroscope, adaptive triggers, haptic feedback)
Recommended Wi-Fi 15Mbps minimum Battery
life Up to 8hrs Dimensions 305x115x50mm, 530g

A stream come true
It might look a bit like a wacky concept design from
social media, but what’s the Portal actually like to play?

5

5 Don’t stream, it’s over

4 A million streams

Performance can fluctuate wildly,
though. We sometimes encountered
perceptible input lag, crackling audio,
muddiness in the visuals, and midgame disconnections. Avoid twitchy
shooters, then, but it’s well suited to
games that don’t require lots of
quick inputs.

A
as nd
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ha
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t
ch th
tim e P
S5
If
e
.
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co
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nn
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ec
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te
da
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tre
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ch f B
ing al
fo dur
ot ’s
ba Ga
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3

Sony recommends a connection
speed of at least 15Mbps for solid
streaming, but ideally you want
more than that. While games like
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 take a
visual hit, it does run impressively
smoothly, and the DualSense
features work just as they should.

13.5hrs

14hrs 22hrs

23hrs

Q Big up

Q Match up

The sheer width of the
Portal means holding
it feels very different to
grabbing onto a standard
DualSense, but we do like
the weight balance. The
display bit rests nicely on
the lap when lying down.

The sticks aren’t as big as
those on the DualSense
but you soon get used to
them. If you play a lot of
PS5, having exactly the
same triggers and face
buttons feels like you’ve
cheated the system.

Q Stick up

Q Touch up

Pressing the skinny PS
and mute buttons feels
a bit awkward, on account
of the small humps they’re
nestled into. The way the
thumbstick modules eat
into the display bezel is a
bit unsightly too.

In the absence of a
touchpad, you can either
tap or swipe small panels
that appear on either side
of the screen to replicate
its functionality. It’s fine,
but it’s inelegant and…
well, a bit smartphoney.

If you’ve got incredibly fast Wi-Fi and
routinely find yourself fighting with other
members of your household over who gets to
use the television, the PlayStation Portal
could be a four-star or even five-star product
for you… but its performance can be less than
perfect and it’s missing some basic features.

STUFF SAYS +++,,
Almost the ultimate remote play
device for your PS5 – but only
if your Wi-Fi is up to the task

24hrs
25

F I R S T T E S T S O N Y P L AY S TAT I O N P O R TA L

The alternatives:
3 more handheld heroes
There’s more than one way to play away from your TV set…

BEST FOR
ANDROID
FANS

BEST FOR
MARIO
MANIACS
BEST FOR
PHONE
GAMERS

Logitech G Cloud
R9 000 / geewiz.co.za
What’s the story?
This Android-powered handheld for cloud
gaming doesn’t care which console you
have – or even if you have a console at
all. It’s got Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia
GeForce Now apps built in, plus Play Store
access for downloading third-party PS5
streaming apps. The internals are on a par
with a mid-range smartphone, so there’s
enough grunt to run native Android games
at a reasonable lick.
Is it any good?
The sticks and buttons are almost as big
as those of a console gamepad, so are a
lot comfier to use than the miniaturised
ones found on most mobile controllers.
The LCD screen can’t match an OLED
panel for colour impact or contrast, but
is way bigger than the average phone’s.
The 1080p resolution and 60Hz refresh
rate are well suited to cloud streaming,
and don’t tax the hardware too hard when
playing locally. Stick to the cloud and you’ll
manage 12hrs of play per charge.
KEY SPECS
Screen 7in 1920x1080 LCD
Dimensions 257x117x33mm, 463g

26

Backbone One
(2nd Gen)
from R2 300 / istore.co.za
What’s the story?
The phone in your pocket is perfectly
capable of streaming games – you just
need something other than a touchscreen
to control it with. Enter the second-gen
Backbone One, which has been updated
to accommodate larger Android phones
with giant camera bumps. It’ll also play
nicely with the iPhone 15, now that Apple
has seen sense and swapped out the
Lightning port for USB-C.

Nintendo Switch Lite
R5 000 / store.nintendo.co.za
What’s the story?
The Lite is a Nintendo Switch that’s
shrunk in the wash and had its Joy-Cons
permanently affixed at its sides. With
no docking station, this one’s a full-time
handheld. Obviously games that demand
detachable controllers are off the menu,
but that’s a tiny portion of the Switch’s
thousands-strong library of physical
cartridges and digital downloads.

Is it any good?
Pull the two halves apart, drop in your
handset and you’re good to go. The
controller draws power from the phone
and has USB-C passthrough charging,
so it won’t run out of juice in mid-game.
The 3.5mm port lets you plug in wired
headphones for lag-free listening, even
if your phone doesn’t have one itself,
and cloud streaming apps recognise the
buttons, sticks and triggers automatically.

Is it any good?
If you’re into Nintendo games, then
absolutely: the Switch has some belters,
from Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Metroid
Dread to Animal Crossing and Super Mario
3D World. Battery life of 3-7hrs means
you’ll be charging up a fair bit, but the
revised D-pad is a lot easier on the thumbs
than the one on the regular Joy-Con. The
5.5in screen is sharper than the standard
Switch’s larger panel, but is still schooled
by the Switch OLED on vibrancy. Just keep
in mind there’s no multi-format cloud
streaming here: it’s Ninty or nothing.

KEY SPECS
Screen N/A
Dimensions 176-258x94x33mm, 138g

KEY SPECS
Screen 5.5in 1280x720 LCD
Dimensions 208x91x28mm, 277g

Stuff says ++++,

Stuff says ++++,

Stuff says ++++,

A long-lasting cloud handheld that
can also handle local play

Instantly transforms your existing
phone into a potent games machine

Not as clever as its bigger brother,
but as portable as the Switch gets

STUFF AWARDS

In association with

The bad news is that everything is terrible and humanity
seems to be spiralling towards several different varieties of
destruction at once. The good news is that some great tech
came out last year – and it’s time for Stuff to reveal the very
best. See, you’ve forgotten about the bad news already…
27

STUFF AWARDS

Chip building
The new A17 Pro chip
brings a performance
bump of around 10%,
though you won’t see
any difference with
everyday use.

Bump it up
To get the most out of
the new USB-C port’s
fast-transfer powers,
you’ll need to upgrade
the cable in the box to
a USB 3 one.

PHONE OF THE YEAR

APPLE iPHONE 15 PRO MAX
Future nerd historians may
remember this as the first
premium iPhone to ditch the
Lightning port for USB-C (a
change that brings a chunk
of benefits like quicker transfer
speeds and easier SSD hook-up),
but we found so much more than
that to adore about the iPhone
15 Pro Max.
Its titanium body is a little
lighter and feels a lot nicer in

28

the hand than the previous Pro
Max, and Apple’s improvements
to the camera – such as a new
5x telephoto zoom replacing
the 3x zoom – are wonderful,
particularly if you like to sneak
up on zebras and take pictures
of them when they’re minding
their own business.
The upgrade from the 14 Pro
Max feels evolutionary rather
than radical, and we might be

some years from the next
major design breakthrough,
but this is still the best
iPhone yet.
from R32 600 /
digitalexperience.co.za
HIGHLY COMMENDED
O Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Honor Magic5 Pro O Xiaomi 13 Pro

STUFF AWARDS

MID-RANGE
PHONE
OF THE YEAR

AFFORDABLE
PHONE OF
THE YEAR

X I AOMI R EDM I
N OTE 12 PR O+

HONOR 9 0

Xiaomi had a very good year in 2023 and the
Redmi Note 12 Pro+ was the pinnacle of that.
Somehow the Chinese manufacturer released
several phones in the lineup but this OLEDtoting, 200MP camera sensor-having, Dimensity
1080 processor-rocking unit took the lead for
the brand. It’s not quite full-featured enough to
run with the big boys but the IP53 rating, 120W
wired charging speed, solid spec loadout, and
ample storage (no matter which model you opted
for) make it the smartest choice for a mid-range
handset from the last annual cycle. The fact that
it’s priced accordingly, despite its premium
features, makes it all the more attractive.
from R10 000 / mi.com

Anyone still pining for the days when Huawei ruled
the smartphone world has obviously missed the
fact that Honor is back. Taking its cues from its
progenitor, but with added Android support, the
Honor 90 stuffs so much good stuff into a neat
rectangle that it’s hard to believe it occupies the
price point it does. Which is ‘affordable’, in case
the award wasn’t enough of a hint. A Snapdragon
7 series chipset, 200MP main camera sensor, and
a 50MP front-facing camera are the main
highlights of this 6.7in AMOLED smartphone’s
specs but Honor also leaned hard into its storage/
RAM options, rendering this a potentially
overpowered mobile computing device.
R14 000 / hihonor.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Oppo Reno 10

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Oppo A57s

ALSO SHORTLISTED
Samsung Galaxy A34 O Xiaomi 12 Lite

ALSO SHORTLISTED
Samsung Galaxy A54

29

STUFF AWARDS

30

MID-RANGE TV
OF THE YEAR

AFFORDABLE TV
OF THE YEAR

H IS EN S E
7 5 U 7K

TC L 55C 6 45

While it’s always tempting to have your head turned
by the latest, greatest technological innovations,
sometimes all you really need is for something to be
done well – and that’s precisely what you get with
this ‘regular’ Hisense TV. There might be no microlens array or quantum dots here, but we spent
enough time with this one to be transfixed by image
quality so watchable and assured (with both movies
and gaming) that we had little else in mind when it
came to choosing our mid-range TV of 2023. The
audio performance isn’t quite as impressive, but
there’s barely a single TV on earth that wouldn’t be
improved with the addition of a separate sound
system. And while it’s a little bit chubbier than some,
you won’t notice that when you’re transfixed by its
compelling picture.
R32 000 / hisensesa.co.za

If a 55in QLED for R10 000 seems like a steal, it
is – and with this model there really don’t
seem to be any glaring omissions or flaws to
give you pause before handing over the
readies. TCL’s 4K 60Hz panel supports all
flavours of HDR, there are three HDMI inputs
available for hooking up all your gear, and you
get Google’s intuitive smart TV functionality
baked right into the set. Picture quality
obviously can’t compete with the latest LG
OLEDs, but at this price it’ll still satisfy all but
the most picky viewers. Even its out-of-thebox sound quality is impressive, so you can put
off buying that soundbar until the TV has
made itself comfortable. All things considered,
the C645 is a triumph for thrifty TV addicts.
R10 000 / tcl.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Samsung QN700C

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Samsung QN90C

ALSO SHORTLISTED
LG OLED55CS3

ALSO SHORTLISTED
LG UR7300

STUFF AWARDS

In association with

Tired for sound
The OLED65C3 has
a 2.2-channel speaker
array that will accept
a Dolby Atmos signal,
but it won’t match a
proper speaker setup.

Saviour’s play
Just one of the four
HDMI 2.1a sockets
is eARC-enabled, but
all support the tech
required to maximise
gaming performance.

PREMIUM TV OF THE YEAR

LG OLED7 7C3
The humble television has come
a long way in recent years, to the
extent that’s it’s no longer a box
at all but a wide and wafer-thin
slab of entertainment. Not every
TV is created equal, however…
and that’s perfectly illustrated
by the LG C3.
There’s nothing particularly
envelope-pushing about this
77-incher; it’s really just a slightly
better version of the previous

generation. But while it may not
plough through any new ground,
it simply does everything so well
that we couldn’t help but hand it
this year’s gong.
LG is currently making a lot of
the best units around (the fact
that it’s the only company
actually producing the OLED
panels probably helps), and
this is a brilliantly accomplished
example that’s a dab hand at

everything picture-related:
films, TV and gaming. Its refined
webOS interface and wide range
of connectivity options are
merely added bonuses.
R80 000 / digitalexperience.co.za
HIGHLY COMMENDED
SAMSUNG QN900C
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Sony XR A80K

31

STUFF AWARDS

SOUNDBAR
OF THE YEAR

SE NN HEIS ER
A M BEO M IN I

32

STREAMING
SERVICE
OF THE YEAR

APPLE TV +

While we absolutely loved Sennheiser’s
original Ambeo soundbar, its gargantuan
dimensions made it pretty unsuitable for
anyone who didn’t have a living room the
size of a cinema. Enter the Ambeo Mini, a
shrunk-down version (in price as well as size)
that offers a similarly scintillating Dolby Atmos
soundtrack in a more practical package. It
doesn’t nail the verticality of Atmos as well
as its big brother, but it’s more than capable
of going wide and expansive; and with
strong but tightly controlled bass and great
automatic room calibration, this thing punches
well above its size and weight. Home cinema
fans looking for a way to up their setup’s audio
performance could do a lot worse than adding
an Ambeo Mini.
R18 000 / e-piphany.co.za

Apple TV+ has been quietly exceeding itself for
a while now, but this year it became the one
streaming service we’d struggle to give up.
It’s always been about quality over quantity,
which is a polite way of saying Netflix and
Prime Video have much bigger catalogues;
but when there are fantastic shows like
Foundation, Silo and Severance to add
to longer-running must-watches such as
Slow Horses (above), Ted Lasso and For All
Mankind, it makes the affordable monthly fee
look like a total bargain. Apple TV+ might not
have delivered a big movie hit in 2023 like it did
with 2021’s Oscar-winning Coda (although
Killers of the Flower Moon may still prove to be
award-worthy in March), but we’re pretty sure
this Stuff Award will make up for that.
R125/m / tv.apple.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Samsung HW-Q990B

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Disney+

ALSO SHORTLISTED
Sony HT-A7000 O Yamaha SR-C20A

ALSO SHORTLISTED
Amazon Prime Video O Netflix

STUFF AWARDS

WIRELESS
SPEAKER
OF THE YEAR

SONOS
ER A 3 00
The Era 300 makes no apologies for being a
premium speaker with a price to match – but
just two minutes after you first hear it in
action you’ll be on the phone to Absa begging
them to raise your overdraft limit so you can
stick one in every room of the house. What
sets it apart from the rest is its spatial audio
performance, which unveils fresh details and
nuance in tracks you’ve heard hundreds of
times before; but don’t worry, it does a
supremely impressive job when it comes to
good ol’ stereo stuff too. That’s not to mention
all the usual multiroom brilliance that you get
from all Sonos speakers – but the Era 300 is
the best of the bunch.
R13 000 / digitalexperience.co.za
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Devialet Mania

P O R TA B L E
SPEAKER
OF THE YEAR

ORANGE AMPS
ORANGE B OX
It isn’t just the vinyl, wood, wicker and leather
styling of this guitar-amp-inspired speaker
that screams ‘retro throwback’; it also has
a genuine analogue amplifier inside, allowing
it to deliver a wonderfully warm and engaging
sound with a subtlety of depth and tone you
won’t find in many digital-only rivals. The
knobs and switches are equally old-skool,
as is the light that flashes if you pump the
volume too loud, but it does make some
welcome concessions to modernity – like
aptX streaming and a battery that should last
up to 15hrs between charges. Other speakers
might offer more features, but they don’t
come much more likeable than this.
R6 600 / orangeamps.com
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Soundcore Motion X600
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Huawei Sound Joy O LG Xboom 360 XO3

ALSO SHORTLISTED
Bluesound Pulse M

33

STUFF AWARDS
In association with

P R E M I U M TA B L E T
OF THE YEAR

A PPL E
IPA D PR O
No, bigger doesn’t always mean better, especially
when it comes to what is ostensibly a portable device
– but Apple’s 12.9in tab is large and in charge. The first
thing you notice about the iPad Pro is its gorgeously
bright, crisp and colour-rich Liquid Retina XDR screen,
but it’s not all about show: this tablet has the internals,
features and build quality to match its bumper size,
delivering engaging sound from its speakers, ages of
battery life, an incredibly slick aluminium build and
beautifully optimised software. Apple’s Pencil is a
must-have accessory, which might be why the
company is still making us buy them separately.
Tablet computers don’t get any better than this.
from R19 300 / digitalexperience.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
ALSO SHORTLISTED
OnePlus Pad

AFFORDABLE
TA B L E T O F
THE YEAR

AMAZON F IRE
HD 8 KIDS PRO
Anyone over the age of 12 might feel a tad selfconscious wielding this tablet in public owing to its
gaudy anti-shock bumpers, but there’s no denying
its kid appeal, practicality or value for money. The
8in HD display and Dolby Atmos audio will have little
ones enraptured, particularly with the included
Amazon Kids+ subscription, which will keep them
supplied with educational and entertainment
content; and the hexa-core processor and 2GB of
RAM ensure things stay ticking along nicely, with a
battery that’s good for up 13hrs. There’s even a
two-year warranty included, which is likely to come
in very handy if your offspring ever decide to test
those bumpers to the limit…
R4 800 / geewiz.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Oppo Pad Air

34

STUFF AWARDS

PREMIUM LAPTOP
OF THE YEAR

MAINSTREAM LAPTOP
OF THE YEAR

APPL E
M ACBO O K
AIR 15 IN

MICROSOFT
SURFACE PRO 9

While it’s difficult to point to a single feature
of this model and say it’s mind-blowingly
new, that’s simply because Apple has been
delivering wonderful mobile Macs again and
again. This supersized version of the MacBook
Air is no exception: it’s an imperious laptop for
anyone who needs a bit more screen acreage
than the 13-incher, with its M2 chip capable of
handling almost any non-specialist task with
ease – all you need to do is choose how much
RAM and storage you want. It might not feel
like the most exciting laptop around, but that’s
just because we’ve come to expect quiet
all-round brilliance like this from its makers.
from R30 000 / digitalexperience.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED
ALSO SHORTLISTED
HP Spectre x360 13.5
O Apple MacBook Pro (M2) 16in

The Surface Pro name may be well worn, but
the latest edition of Microsoft’s 2-in-1 feels
anything but outdated. We think it’s the best
device of its type (a laptop that transforms
into a tablet) in the world, even if it might not
be the best tablet or the best laptop alone.
That would be missing the point of this brilliant
convertible, though. It’s a 13in productivity
monster with cutting-edge hardware – max
out the specs and you’ll be getting an Intel
Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of
storage – plus user-friendly design touches,
a crisp 2880x1920 120Hz touchscreen
and great multitasking capabilities. If you’re
looking for a brilliant do-it-all device for work
and play, there’s absolutely no need to delve
beyond this Surface.
from R28 000 / incredible.co.za
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Dell XPS 13
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

35

STUFF AWARDS
Relative weighs
At 2.2kg the A15
isn’t going to make
a MacBook Air feel
overweight, but it’s
array of ports puts
Apple to shame.

The test will follow

GAMING LAPTOP OF THE YEAR

ASUS TUF GAMING A15
Dispelling the myth that gaming
laptops need to be enormous,
expensive, RGB-infested desktop
replacements rather than, y’know,
actual laptops that you can carry
around in a backpack, the Asus
TUF Gaming A15 won our hearts
with its value and practicality.
While it still might not blend in
at work, and it’s by no means the
most powerful 15in 1080p laptop
out there, it will still comfortably

36

run demanding games like
Cyberpunk 2077 at a steady
60fps – and it does so without
making a load of racket. A trip to
Night City will put a dent in the
9hr battery life, but that’s still
respectable for something with
this much grunt.
What you will struggle to put a
dent in is that steel chassis. Asus
has put the A15 through the US
military’s tests, so it’s more than

prepared for a North West
caravan trip – and when you get
there you can fire up the RGB
backlighting. You love it really.
R23 000 / evetech.co.za
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Acer Nitro 5
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Acer Predator Helios 16 O Asus ROG
Zephyrus M16

The fitted 512GB of
storage could fill up
quite quickly if you’re
installing lots of AAA
games, but it’s easy
to add more.

STUFF AWARDS

GAMING GADGET
OF THE YEAR

GAME
OF THE YEAR

SONY
PLAYSTATION VR 2

THE LEGEND OF
ZELDA: TEARS
OF THE KINGDOM

The PSVR2 had a lot stacked up against it at
its launch early in the year: an asking price
greater than the PS5 console you need to
run it; a lack of backwards compatibility with
games for the original PSVR; and simply a lack
of new games overall. Yet Sony’s revamped
virtual reality headset had us entranced with
the myriad improvements it offered over its
predecessor. The simple one-cable setup,
grown-up Sense controllers and gorgeous
2000x2040 OLED display all represent
massive generational glow-ups – and
thankfully the supply of VR titles has
already grown substantially since launch
day. It’s still an expensive add-on for
an expensive console, but its potential
is clearly massive.
R15 000 / playstation.com
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Asus ROG Ally
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Sony PlayStation DualSense Edge O Atari 2600+

Following up a stone-cold classic like Breath of
the Wild must have posed quite the challenge
for Nintendo. But rather than taking the simpler
option of delivering more of the same, the
developers embraced chaos and creativity.
And kudos to them for doing so, because Tears
of the Kingdom feels genuinely fresh. It’s an
epic open-world adventure that challenges its
players to think outside the box at every turn.
By giving Link the ability to manipulate, move
and combine objects, the game allows the
player to feel like both inventor and storyteller,
rather than a mere participant, making TotK yet
another irresistible reason to buy a Switch.
R1 330 / nintendo.co.za
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Street Fighter 6
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Baldur’s Gate 3 OMarvel’s Midnight Suns
OMetroid Prime Remastered

37

STUFF AWARDS

OVER-EAR
HEADPHONES
OF THE YEAR

AFFORDABLE
HEADPHONES
OF THE YEAR

FO CAL BATHYS

ANK E R
SOUNDC ORE
V R P10

Focal is no stranger to the world of high-end overear headphones, but this is the French company’s
first pair to come equipped with active noisecancelling tech. They also come in at a price that
makes most of their competitors (including
models we’ve heartily recommended as the best
noise-cancelling cans around) look positively
bargain-buckety in comparison, so they’d have to
be pretty flipping special to earn a nod from us.
Needless to say, they are: these handcrafted cans
offer not only glorious audio (including hi-res,
thanks to a wired listening option) but also
excellent battery life and a comfortable fit. Serve
with your favourite albums and a beverage of your
choice and you’ve got the recipe for
an evening of sonic nirvana.
R17 400 / e-piphany.co.za

38

Anyone still harbouring metaverse ambitions would do
well to pay attention to Anker’s virtual reality-ready
VR P10 buds. Gamers in general and Nintendo Switch
owners in particular should also be looking over here.
These ultra-low latency in-ears are rated for wireless
use with the Meta Quest 2 (and, presumably, the
Quest 3), serving up seamless audio via a set of 11mm
drivers. An included dongle functions both as a
wireless transmitter and a charge port but it isn’t
confined just to the Quest’s USB-C port. Switch, Xbox,
and PlayStation owners can use it to connect these
in-ears to their respective consoles. In case you need
just a little more gamer cred, Anker has also seen fit to
outfit these buds with RGB.
R3 500 / 180by2.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Sony WF-C700N

ALSO SHORTLISTED
Sony WH-1000XM5 O Anker Soundcore Space One

ALSO SHORTLISTED
Huawei FreeBuds 5

STUFF AWARDS

A day in their life
You’ll get about 8hrs
out of the buds before
they need to go back
into the case – which
holds two full top-ups
for a total of 24hrs.

Setting better
Sony’s companion
app is about as
comprehensive as
they come. It’s full of
ways to adjust settings
and change modes.

IN-EAR HEADPHONES OF THE YEAR

SONY WF-1000XM5
For several product generations
now, Sony has hogged the top
of the tree when it comes to active
noise-cancelling true wireless
headphones.
The WF-1000XM5s are
the fifth iteration of its best noisekilling buds – and another
category-defining product
that, in the face of increasingly
tough competition, makes
improvements and tweaks across

the board. The new 24-bit audio
processor and 8.4mm drivers
deliver an engaging sonic
performance, with impactful bass,
fantastic clarity and heaps of
detail, while the reshaped buds are
a better fit than ever, using foam/
rubber hybrid tips to keep them
snug for hours.
The head-tracking for Sony’s
360 Reality Audio spatial sound is a
neat trick rather than an essential

feature, but if you’re looking for
well-rounded true wireless in-ears
with zero weaknesses then these
are the ones to get.
R7 000 / digitalexperience.co.za
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Jabra Elite 10
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Sennheiser Momentum True
Wireless 3
39

STUFF AWARDS
Mysterious raise
The 3in touchscreen
flips up and down,
and angles to one side
if needed, but there’s
also a sharp OLED
viewfinder.

Eye will follow
We love the X-T5’s
speedy autofocus:
tap any point on the
screen and it’ll keep
pace while you hold
down the shutter.

CAMERA OF THE YEAR

FUJIFILM X-T5
Smartphone cameras may be
improving all the time, but they
still have nothing on a tool built
specifically for the job. And
in a year of excellent camera
releases, this all-rounder stood
out for us.
It might be a mainstream
model with an unsexy APS-C
sensor, but Fujifilm’s high-tier
hybrid just does everything you
ask of it really well – and all in a

40

lovely retro-looking package. It
excels with stills, delivering detail
and dynamic range in abundance
(not to mention Fuji’s beloved
film simulation filters and a rapid
15fps burst speed); and it’s a dab
hand at video too, offering users
a choice between 6K footage at
30fps or 4K at a smooth 60fps,
all in rich 10-bit 4:2:2 colour.
Controls, handling and battery
life are all great as well, while the

extensive lineup of compatible
lenses means you’ve got plenty
of flexibility when it comes to
what you’re shooting – making
this a true master of all trades.
R27 500 / fujifilm-x.com
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Leica Q3
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Panasonic Lumix S5II O Sony ZV-E1

STUFF AWARDS

With or without glue
The Go 3 is magnetic,
and there are lots
of other mounting
options including a
sticky pad, a clip and
even a pendant.

Completist thing
There’s no microSD
slot, so make sure
you specify enough
storage for your needs:
it comes with 32GB,
64GB or 128GB.

DRONE / ACTION CAM OF THE YEAR

INSTA360 GO 3
If the goal of an action camera is
to be as lightweight and portable
as possible (all the better to
be mounted on your bike, head,
body, surfboard or big toe), then
the tiny Insta360 Go 3 is the best
one around.
What sets it apart from the
GoPros and DJIs of this world,
though, is the ability to make it
bigger when required by adding
the Action Pod – a separate unit

that significantly boosts battery
life and includes physical buttons
plus a 2.2in flip-up touchscreen.
You can also use the Action Pod
on its own as a wireless remote
with live view.
Video capture maxes out
at 2.7K, so there’s still room for
improvement when it comes to
outright resolution, and it’s a pity
the Action Pod isn’t as waterproof
as the camera itself; but with

impressive performance and
unbeatable versatility, the
Insta360 Go 3 is still the first
cam we’d grab whether we’re
going hiking or hang-gliding.
R10 700 / 180by2.co.za
HIGHLY COMMENDED
GoPro Hero12 Black
ALSO SHORTLISTED
DJI Mini 3

41

STUFF AWARDS

FITNESS
TRACKER
OF THE YEAR

GARMIN
FORERUNNER 965

42

FITNESS GADGET
OF THE YEAR

GARMIN EDGE
104 0 SOLAR

An elegant design and beautifully colourful
AMOLED touchscreen give the Forerunner 965
the look and feel of Garmin’s pricier outdoorsy
smartwatches, but make no mistake: this is a
fitness watch through and through. It’s bursting
at the seams with tracking capabilities, including
a multi-frequency positioning mode that
ensures data collection is right on the money
whether you’re running, riding or hiking. While
the 50m waterproofing makes it great for
swimmers and cyclists, it’s definitely at its best
when used by pavement pounders, and will
even analyse your running technique and form
without the need for any extra sensors. Who
needs a personal trainer?
R15 500 / garmin.com

A boon for cyclists planning lengthy multi-day
trips, this premium bike computer sucks up the
sun’s rays to give it a stonking 45hrs of ride time
on a single charge (or 100hrs if you stick it in
battery-saver mode). But longevity isn’t its only
virtue: there’s the large 3.5in screen and bumper
64GB of storage to admire too, not to mention
best-in-class route planning, dual-band GPS for
highly accurate location tracking, and training
insights including VO2 max, recovery time and
training load via Garmin’s Connect app. If you
prefer your tyres knobbly and your trails muddy
it can even record jump count, distance and hang
time, so mountain bikers shouldn’t feel left out.
It’s not cheap, certainly, but you do get a lot for
your money here. Don’t embark on your next
Giro d’Muldersdrift without one.
R16 500 / garmin.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Suunto Vertical

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Nike Vaporfly 3

ALSO SHORTLISTED
Coros Apex 2OPolar Ignite

ALSO SHORTLISTED
Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro O Nutribullet 600

STUFF AWARDS
Appy to meet you
The energy obsessed
can monitor charge
and discharge status
via Ecoflow’s app,
which connects to
devices via Bluetooth.

Port star
There are enough
sockets, ports, and
holes to operate a
large chunk of your
home, with an LCD
screen for the old
school.

LOA D S H E D D I N G G A D G E T O F T H E Y E A R

ECOFLOW
DELTA 2
We’ve all had enough of load
shedding but it’s also given us a
chance to play with some truly
stellar battery tech. At the top of
the increasingly jumbled heap is
the Ecoflow Delta 2. This is a
substantial 1kWh battery
designed to run almost anything
in your home… for a while. It’s not
quite an all-day affair (though
that is coming) but there’s a nifty

addition to this setup in the form
of a second battery. This unit,
available at a discount because
it’s missing the main unit’s control
hardware, expands your backup
capability to 2kWh and that
should keep you occupied for a
substantial Eskom outage.
There’s an even bigger battery,
if you have the budget. It charges
up to full in short order, reaching

100% in less than an hour, and will
operate your fridge for about
eight to ten hours.
from R18 000 / ecoflow.com
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Romoss Thunder RS 1000
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Ecoflow River 2 Max
O Anker 535

43

STUFF AWARDS

ELECTRIC CAR
OF THE YEAR

SMART SPEAKER
OF THE YEAR

VOLVO
C40 RECHARGE

SONOS
MOV E 2

The first Volvo in SA that was only available in an
EV format, this crossover balances in-car
features with its all-electric nature and delivers a
pleasing meld of the power you’d expect from a
car that costs over a million and range that
makes filling a gas tank seem like the relic of a
past left forgotten. The Swedish company has
also gone for a technological interior, and we
don’t just mean the Google integration behind
the substantial screens backing the steering
wheel and the centre console. Along with the
advanced driving assists (braking and blind-spot
assistance is always welcome) is a more
sensitive approach to the leather interior. It’s
vegan leather which, far from being crafted from
the finest vegan hide, is a more animal-friendly
form of interior decorating.
from R1.32 million / volvocars.com/za

44

Sonos might not be the first name that springs
to mind when you think of smart speakers,
but with not one but two voice assistants
on board – Amazon’s Alexa and Sonos’s own
anonymous helper – there’s no doubting the
Move 2’s built-in brain power. This brilliant
second-gen version of the imperious portable
speaker makes meaningful gains in the two
places that matter most: audio performance
and battery life. The sound has been totally
reworked, with new dual tweeters and a
mid-range woofer doing lively and muscular
work to please any nearby ears, while stamina
has more than doubled, allowing up to 24hrs of
playback from a full charge. It’s less portable
than some, but that doesn’t stop it being our
winner as a speaker for the smart home.
R13 000 / digitalexperience.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

ALSO SHORTLISTED
Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid

ALSO SHORTLISTED
Amazon Echo Pop

STUFF AWARDS
In association with

I N N O VAT I O N
OF THE YEAR

APPL E
V I S IO N PR O
We’ve seen VR and AR headsets before, but
nothing like Apple’s Vision Pro. The upcoming
wearable, which isn’t due to be released in South
Africa (yet), is shaping up to be the most radical
product to emerge from Cupertino since the
original iPhone. Overlaying information and
images from apps like FaceTime, Messages,
Safari and Disney+ onto the real world, it could
change the way we use technology forever.
Apple calls it ‘spatial computing’ – and despite an
eye-watering US launch price of $3499
it’s clearly designed for the masses, not just tech
nerds. If anybody can convince the world that
they need to see their text messages floating on
their bedroom ceiling it’s Apple, so we’re very
excited to see where the Vision Pro takes us.
Rtba / apple.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED
LG Signature OLED M3
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Dyson Airstrait O Apple A17 Pro

SECURITY GADGET
OF THE YEAR

W YZE V IDEO
DOORB ELL PRO
Video doorbells are a strange marriage of old
and new and this one’s even more of a
throwback. We don’t just mean the affordable
price, though that is great to see. It’s possible
to wire Wyze’s hardware up to your home and
use it as a permanent installation but you can
leave it wireless (and use the included doorbell
chime for a little Grandma retro action) if you
like. Wyze touts a 30-second installation, the
rechargeable battery will last for three months
at a time, and the picture is as sharp as it gets
thanks to a 1 440 x 1 440 pixel sensor doing all
the face-time work for you. The optional Cam
Plus subscription service is just that –
optional – which is handy because it doesn’t
work here in SA.
R3 000 / geewiz.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Ring Video Doorbell 4
ALSO SHORTLISTED
Ring Indoor Camera (2nd Gen)

45

STUFF AWARDS

Getting physical
The ‘physical’ controls
are actually capacitive
touch sensors. Slide a
finger in the groove or
tap the edges for
fine-tuning.

Pinch me, I’m
dreaming

THE SONOS ERA
300 GLEEFULLY
SERVES UP
TRANSFORMATIVE
SPATIAL AUDIO
THAT COULD JUST
SIGNAL THE START
OF A NEW...ERA.

The pinched shape at
the midpoint is
because of the layout.
Two woofers and four
tweeters point various
directions.

2023 GADGET OF THE YEAR

SONOS ERA 300
We’ve been waiting ages for Sonos
to do something really novel (and
we’re not counting the Move or
Move 2 in this). This oddly-shaped
but excellently engineered speaker
is our reward for that patience. Its
spatial audio skills are second to
none and that’s just when you’re
using one of these in your home.
Opt for two or, better yet, combine
those two with a Sonos Arc or
Beam (2nd Gen) and you’ll find

46

yourself experiencing full-on
Atmos audio – right the way up to
7.2.4, if your bank account is willing
to take the hit. Various forms of
connectivity, voice control (via
Alexa or Sonos’ own internal
resident), physical controls, the
Sonos Era 300 does the lot. It, of
course, sounds excellent while
doing to. This is a wonderful
wireless speaker that pulls no
punches, gleefully serving up

transformative spatial audio that
could just signal the start of a new,
er, era in the world of hi-fi. If you’re
looking for the ultimate upgrade to
your home’s multiroom setup, it’s
raising both hands in the air like an
overeager schoolkid.
from R13 000 / digitalexperience.co.za
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
PSVR2

Sony

O

([SHULrFH$XGLR/LNH1HYHU%HIRUH
Step into our state-of-the-art sound rooms designed to
replicate the unparalleled experience you cherish within the
comfort of your own home.
Immerse yourself in a world of premium audio with leading
brands that set the benchmark for excellence.
Our carefully curated selection includes SONOS, KEF, Michi,
Denon, Klipsch, Rotel, Marantz, B&W, Monitor Audio, SVS,
Yamaha, JBL, Harmon Kardon, Bose, and more.

(OHYDWH<RXU6RtG
The Digital Experience, Fourways Crossing Shopping Centre,
Winnie Mandela Drive, Fourways
Shop online at www.digitalexperience.co.za | 011 465 1466
DigitalExperienceSA

DigitalExperienceSA

T E S T E D VA LV E S T E A M D E C K O L E D

Deck’s on fire
The mid-gen refresh of Valve’s Steam Deck gains
a bigger battery and a vivid OLED display. Can that
only improve what was already a great handheld?
R27 500 / steamdeck.com
Two years ago, the original Steam
Deck conjured up a whole bunch
of emotions. We were thrilled by
its power and usability, slightly
underwhelmed by its display,
terrified of its size, and frankly
appalled by its battery life. But
Valve’s gamechanging handheld
PC won us over.
We didn’t expect a new
version to arrive so quickly (well,
Valve tried very hard to convince
us it wouldn’t); but out of
nowhere, the Steam Deck OLED
is here. This shouldn’t be seen as
a sequel but a mid-generation
revision, like Nintendo’s Switch
OLED. The Deck OLED is a
bigger improvement on the
first attempt than Nintendo’s
effort was, though.
Not only is the HDR OLED
display simply gorgeous, but
the device is lighter and quieter,
and lasts considerably longer.
SteamOS has also come a long
way since launch. As a result, this
really does feel like the machine
Valve always intended to make.

I wanna Deck’s grew up
Some of Valve’s tweaks are
purely aesthetic: the power
button is orange instead of black,
the thumbsticks are black instead
of grey (1). Others, like the 5%
weight reduction, genuinely
enhance everyday use. The 1TB
model also gets an inner case that
makes it more travel-friendly.

GOOD
MEH
EVIL

48

HDR OLED
display is
gorgeous

1

3

Deck’s machine
The custom AMD APU at the
Deck OLED’s heart is no better
suited to AAA games than the
original device’s silicon was, but
moving to a 6nm process means
it is more power-efficient, and
generates less heat to boot. It
continues to be a beast for playing
older and indie titles.

No support
for variable
refresh rate

Do ya think I’m Deck spree?
Factor in the larger 50Whr
battery (2), and you’re looking
at 30-50% longer play sessions
between recharges. Newer
games will still burn through
a full charge in under 3hrs, but
a few power management tweaks
got us through a cross-country
overland journey.

Battery life
is noticeably
improved

Struggles
with modern
games

It’s still a
properly
chunky thing

SteamOS
is still
the best

T E S T E D VA LV E S T E A M D E C K O L E D

Deck’s therapy
The original Deck
could run really hot; a
bigger fan and heatsink
mean this one runs
a lot cooler and
quieter.

Tech specs
Screen 7.4in 1280x800 90Hz HDR OLED touchscreen
CPU Custom 6nm AMD RAM 16GB OS SteamOS
Storage 512GB/1TB + microSD Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E,
Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, 3.5mm audio Battery life Up to
12hrs Dimensions 298x117x49mm, 640g

2

Let’s talk about Decks
This Deck doesn’t only shave down the original’s
bezels and swap its LCD panel for a larger OLED…

Q Right bright

Q Great rate

This Deck does HDR
better than any Windows
rival. There’s no fading
to black or awkward
transitions; it’s like turning
on a light switch. The
1000-nit peak brightness
makes compatible games
burst with colour.

Upping the refresh rate to
90Hz (from 60Hz on the
OG model) makes some
games feel noticeably
smoother. There’s no
VRR support, but more
demanding titles still
benefit from the faster
response times.

Q Glare care

Q Blunt front

The 1TB Deck OLED’s
anti-glare coating cuts
reflections dramatically,
but means colours don’t
pop like they do on the
glossy 512GB variant.
Blacks also aren’t quite
as inky, but they’re still way
ahead of the LCD model.

When the OLED thrills
wear off, you come to
terms with the fact that
this is still a 1280x800
panel. It’s well suited
to the Deck’s potential,
but Windows handhelds
have proved that higher
resolutions are possible.

4

Deck’s laws
SteamOS makes navigating the
Deck OLED a breeze (3), with a
console-like feel and an extensive
library of ‘Great on Deck’ certified
titles. It’s ideal if all your games
are on Steam, though less so if
you rely on other launchers: those
force you to dig into the Linux
back-end… if they’ll work at all.

Decks & plugs & rock’n’roll
The original Deck’s stereo setup
was already pretty great, but the
OLED’s new speakers (4) bring
noticeably bigger bass than
before. This really is a handheld
you can happily play without
reaching for a pair of headphones
first. But maybe not in a crowded
waiting room, eh?

There’s a lot more competition now, but the
Steam Deck’s unique marriage of hardware and
software ensures it remains the gaming portable
to beat. The OLED model is nicer to hold and
works better than ever, with the most impressive
display we’ve seen on a handheld. It’s the most
enjoyable way to play PC games on the go.

STUFF SAYS ++++,
This is not a true sequel,
but it is the ultimate
first-gen Steam Deck…
with a screen to rival your
OLED television
49

T E S T E D I N S TA 3 6 0 A C E P R O

Borne flippy
With its GoPro-alike form and clever
flip-up screen, the Ace Pro wants you
to carry it on your wildest adventures
R9 500 / 180by2.co.za
QThe Ace Pro has a touch-based
interface: you tap on-screen icons
to bring up various menus and
tool-tips, and swipe to access
recorded content and settings.
It’s fairly intuitive – but there are
also gesture and voice controls, or
you can use the app.

Flip building
There’s a handy
secondary display on
the front, displaying
current settings and
shooting data for
quick pre-record
checks.

Q4K video is sharp with a good
balance of colours, but it doesn’t
blow its competitors out of the
water. Low-light footage is much
softer, and you may notice strange
artefacts caused by movement;
still, it’s a good effort – the best
we’ve seen from a standard action
camera to date.
QThe FlowState stabilisation is
more than sufficient. With three
‘strengths’, plus a Horizon Lock
mode that works to 45° during
regular video capture and 360°
in FreeFrame mode, it lets you
pick the best balance between
stability and image cropping.
QThe built-in mics capture stereo
AAC audio that suffers badly in the
wind, but they serve their purpose
well enough; users looking for
something special should invest
in an external mic setup.
QThe Ace Pro just pips the GoPro
Hero12 Black on battery life, with
a 64GB microSD card filling up
before the 1650mAh cell died. That
was after 75mins of continuous
recording at 4K@30fps – and there
was still a decent chunk of power
left. It’s quick to charge too.

Tech specs
Sensor 1/1.3in CMOS
Video 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps,
2.7K@120fps Stills 48MP Displays
2.4in flip touchscreen, 0.89in front
screen Storage microSD Durability
10m waterproof Battery 1650mAh
Dimensions 72x52x39mm, 180g

Q Flips like sugar

Q Flippy flippy shake

The hinged touchscreen really
is extremely useful, allowing you
to tilt it upwards as far as 180°.
That’s good news if the camera
is mounted somewhere like your
bike’s handlebars, and makes it
perfect for shooting vlogs.

The camera is compatible with
the same universal ‘mounting
fingers’ system used by GoPro,
but it requires a magnet-assisted
adapter that clips to the bottom.
This can be fussy, so you need to
make sure it’s clicked in securely.

STUFF SAYS An action cam with great low-light skills and a nifty flippable screen ++++,
Let’s go flippin’ with
an action cam of
serious all-round
quality
50

GoPro won’t be losing much sleep over Insta360’s arrival on the action cam scene,
with the Hero12 Black still offering the best daytime image quality around, but the
Ace Pro’s strong points – such as its flippable screen and low-light performance – do
help differentiate it from the competition. It certainly doesn’t let itself down in any
significant ways either, giving Insta360 a solid platform to build on for future models.

T E S T E D F U J I F I L M I N S TA X PA L

Baby cam on home
This palm-sized instant camera looks like
it should come free with a Happy Meal,
but is the Instax Pal worth grabbing?

Camming
around again
Flick a switch on
the bottom and your
printer will pump out
a picture every time
you press the
shutter.

R2 100 /| superbalist.com
QWith no film to load or settings
to tweak, or even a viewfinder
to frame your shots, the Instax
Pal is little more than a lens and
a shutter button. It weighs just
41g and is so small you could keep
it on your keys, making it ideal for
low-key, spur-of-the-moment
street snaps.
QA companion app can be used
for simple slider-based editing
and digital live view, although
the resolution and general clarity
mean it’s only good enough for
fairly close subjects. If you want
to print your pics you’ll need a
compatible Instax Printer, which
will add R2 000 to R2 500.
QThe Instax Pal’s sensor copes
alright during the day, with the
sort of muted colours you’d expect
from instant film stock. It struggles
with contrast: some shots blow
out the bright areas and also show
little shadow detail.
QLow light is where things really
fall down, with loads of image
noise, a very slow shutter speed
that can result in blurry snaps if
shot handheld, and a general lack
of detail. On the plus side, printing
does hide some of these sins.

Q Cam up and see me

Q Take it as it cams

With no viewfinder, taking photos
can be a bit hit-and-miss. There’s
a detachable ring in the box that
can be used for basic framing
(and as a handle), but you’ll have
to compensate for the fact that it
sits higher than the lens’s eyeline.

The shutter button is at the back,
with a tiny flash and a speaker
grille flanking the lens at the
front and a power button up top.
There’s no selfie mirror… but it
would have been so tiny you can
see why Fuji didn’t bother.

QThe internal memory holds
about 50 snaps, but the camera
purges itself every time you sync
through the app so you don’t need
to worry about running out of
space. The battery is good for
about 240 shots, although it’ll
run out quicker if you use your
phone a lot for composition.

Tech specs
Sensor 1/5in CMOS, 2560x1920
Storage 64MB + microSD
Connectivity Bluetooth
Battery life 240 shots
Dimensions 44x43x42mm, 41g

STUFF SAYS A fun-focused spin on instant photography, but with niche appeal +++,,
It’s undeniably cute,
but maybe it should
cam with a printer

This delightfully dinky camera certainly has size on its side, allowing you to take it just
about anywhere. It’s a pricey purchase given the quality of the pictures it produces,
though, especially if you have to factor in the cost of an Instax printer. Newcomers
might be better served by the all-in-one Instax Mini Evo hybrid camera (R3 000),
which spits out pics directly – no separate printer or smartphone required.

51

TESTED APPLE MACBOOK PRO 14IN (M3 MAX

Black to the future
Apple’s flagship laptop is now even
flagshippier, with a powerful new chip
and a goth-friendly colour option that
would look right at home in the Batcave
from R37 500 / istore.co.za

3

Apple unveiled its new MacBook
Pros and M3 chips at an event it
called Scary Fast. Well, that must
make the model it sent us for this
review the scary fastest: an M3
Max specced to the point that
would send the average bank
account flying into the red at
astonishing speed.
It slots in at the top of a range
that includes the M3-powered
MacBook Pro (ideal for students
and people who’d mostly be fine
with a MacBook Air but need a
cooling system that allows for
sustained power); and the one
with the M3 Pro (for creatives
craving extra clout). That leaves
the M3 Max catering for the most
extreme workflows, in a largely
familiar form factor – one you
can set to work pretty much
anywhere, whether or not there’s
a plug socket available.
But does it genuinely have the
performance muscle to frighten
other laptops? And is that new
Space Black finish a case of “Ooh,
ahh!” or “Oh, ARGH!”?

Black metal
The speakers are
top-notch, to the point
that you genuinely
might not need
external ones. How
do they do that?

4

Black arts
This Mac feels expensive. Which
is just as well, because it is. It’s
chunkier than a MacBook Air, but
curved corners and chamfered
edges mean it’s not boxy (1).
The hinge is stable; there’s a
satisfying snap when the cover
shuts, and it’s easy to open the
lid with a finger.

GOOD
MEH
EVIL

52

Fiendish
performance
all day

Black beauty
The new Space Black colour (only
available on the M3 Pro and M3
Max models) is really a very, very
dark grey (2). Apple’s done fancy
things with the anodisation seal
to foil fingerprints, but don’t
expect magic: smudges and
smears are less noticeable than
on an Air, but they’re still there.

Loud fans
spin up quite
often

Black watch
The 120Hz ProMotion screen
is gorgeous (3), with excellent
colour in everything from image
editing to films. SDR now maxes
out at 600 nits, up from 500… but
the notch that hides the webcam
is a lot more noticeable. It doesn’t
impinge on work space, but some
will still find its presence irritating.

Display
is still a
stunner

Can get
shockingly
expensive

A notch still
feels wrong
on a laptop

Properly
excellent
battery life

5

TESTED APPLE MACBOOK PRO 14IN (M3 MAX

1

Tech specs
Screen 14.2in 3024x1964 120Hz mini-LED
CPU Apple M3 Max RAM 36-128GB Storage 1-8TB
OS macOS Sonoma Connectivity 3x Thunderbolt 4,
SDXC, HDMI, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm audio Battery life
Up to 18hrs Dimensions 313x221x15.5mm, 1.62kg

Max is bold as love
Do you really need to Max out the M3 chip? On paper
it’s a beast; here’s how it throws down in reality…

Q Big Mac

Q Big game

Specs start with a 14-core
CPU and 30-core GPU,
but our unit had the spicier
16-core CPU and 40-core
GPU, with 64GB of RAM.
That’s a lot of computer.
And yes, it chewed right
through everything
we threw at it.

This Mac barely blinked
when faced with tricky
audio projects. It blazed
through video encoding
in 60% of the time it took
a fully loaded Mac Studio,
and gaming framerates
consistently beat every
other Mac we’ve used.

Q Big fans

Q Big time

Activate the High Power
Mode (previously limited
to the 16in MacBook Pro)
and the 14in model isn’t
shy about spinning up
its dual fans when under
load. Often, it remains
silent; when it’s not, you’ll
certainly know about it.

We also saw impressive
battery life once we’d
ditched the benchmarking
apps. We managed to beat
Apple’s stated 18hrs in
mainstream tasks, and
often doubled times we’d
recorded with equivalent
Intel-powered machines.

2

Black current
You still get three Thunderbolt 4
ports plus MagSafe charging (4),
HDMI, a headphone port and an
SDXC card reader. We’re delighted
to be able to charge an expensive
laptop via a system that won’t
see it catapulted across the room
should a dog, child or adult human
drag a cable with them.

Black box recorder
The built-in webcam (5) remains
great. It lacks the face-tracking
Centre Stage mode, but it’s so
far ahead of the Studio Display
camera that it’s embarrassing.
We’re less keen on the continuing
absence of Face ID, even if having
Touch ID integrated into the power
button is fine.

With good (M3), better (M3 Pro) and best (M3
Max) performance options, the MacBook Pro
range finally feels coherent again. The screen’s
great, the speakers are beefy, and you get a solid
bunch of ports. But you might want to pause long
enough to ask yourself if you need all that power.
If not, an M3 Pro or even an M3 might be enough.

STUFF SAYS +++++
Bar a new finish, Apple’s
flagship laptop feels very
familiar – but the M3 Max
chip keeps it way out in
front on raw power
53

NEW YEARS FITNESS

Getting out and exercising in the opening
months of the year can feel bleak, but you’re not
on your own: we’ve groaned and grunted on the
latest training gear to help you achieve the
fitness results you’re looking for

Vitruvian Trainer+
A set of weights is one of the simplest
and most affordable pieces of gym
equipment. But weights are bulky and
oh so analogue, which is where the
app-connected, algorithm-driven
Vitruvian Trainer steps in.
This carbon fibre platform uses
algorithmic smarts to produce
adaptive magnetic resistance, up
to a crushing 200kg, when you pull on
the cables. The basic kit comes with
handles and ankle straps, with loads
of add-ons available.
The Vitruvian app does the heavy
lifting here (not literally), with a great

selection of trainer-led classes, as
well as specific muscle-targeting
exercises. All progress is tracked, and
resistance adjusted automatically.
The variety is impressive, and the
coaches engaging, although propping
up your phone to view does detract
from the seamless experience – you
might prefer to cast to a TV.
We’ve been working out steadily
with Vitruvian for a couple of months,
and while we’ve not turned into the
Hulk just yet we have got stronger.
Being able to select a workout and
have the weights adjusted

NOW ADD THIS…
automatically is a revelation,
especially if you’re intimidated by the
free weights area at your local gym.
While it can fit under a couch or bed
to save space, this thing is heavy and
awkward to move. Then again, you’ve
paid for it, so you should probably
show it (and your new muscles) off.
R57 500 (import – subscription
optional) / vitruvianform.com
Key specs
O200+ exercises, 300+ classes O
Bluetooth O1170x520x115mm, 38kg

Stuff says A small but mighty home gym that will make you stronger ++++,
54

MUC-OFF
ANTIBACTERIAL
EQUIPMENT
CLEANER
If you’re not
sweating,
you’re not
trying… and if you’re
sweating and not
cleaning, you’re
disgusting. So protect
yourself and your
equipment with
this antibacterial
sanitiser spray.
R360 / takealot.com

NEW YEARS FITNESS

Changers
in the night
You can do almost any
exercise on the Trainer+,
from the basics to
isolation exercises
like biceps curls and
Romanian deadlifts.

Thigh hopes
The brand is named
after the famous
Leonardo da Vinci
drawing Vitruvian Man,
which depicts the ideal
human form (idealness
not guaranteed).

My weigh
You can create your own
customised workout,
tailored to your goals, by
selecting from over 200
exercises for muscle
building, strength and
overall fitness.

55

NEW YEARS FITNESS

NOW
ADD THESE

MORE HOME HELPERS

Polar
Recovery Tub
Get your own
bargain plunge pool
and enjoy the
recovery-boosting,
mind-stimulating
benefits of ice-cold
water. This inflatable
one is suitable for
people up to 6ft 7in.
R4 400 /
amazon.com

Hoka Ironman
Ora Recovery
Slides

CARDIOSTRONG
AQUASTREAM

TEMPO MOVE
STARTER

EAU ME
BALANCE BOARD

Rowing machines work 85%
of your body’s muscles, and
water rowers offer the most
realistic ‘on water’ feeling
without the risk of
harassment by ducks. Most
are so big they’re only suited
to gyms and mansions, but
this one packs in a 10L tank
with three internal paddles
and eerily quiet operation. It
has 10 training modes and can
be stowed upright.
R35 000 / cardiostrong.com

The little brother to Tempo’s
fitness mirror, this stylish
box of wizardry features an
iPhone mount (Lightning or
USB-C); once linked to your
TV it gives you access to
thousands of workout videos
via the Tempo Core fitness
app. It utilises your phone’s
camera to track your reps,
and comes with four collars,
two dumbbells and 16kg of
colour-coded weights.
from R11 500 / tempo.fit

A popular off-season training
aid for skiers, surfers and
snowboarders, balance boards
improve co-ordination,
strengthen lower leg muscles
and ankles, boost motor skills
and can even help with injury
rehab. Many designs offer
little more than a foam roller
and a plank; this sloshy
water-filled design is harder
to master, is rated up to
250kg and looks fantastic.
Rtba / corefurniture.co.za

PIVOT LITE BED

SWEATY BETTY
SUPERGRIP ALIGN
YOGA MAT

CROSSROPE AMP
JUMP ROPE SET

These recovery
slides are made
from eco-friendly
injection-moulded
sugarcane EVA, with
a plush outsole to
help you forget
what you’ve just
been through.
R1 300 / hoka.com

BetterYou
Boost Vitamin
B12 Oral Spray
Vitamin B12 helps
brain functions,
energy release and
the formation of
healthy red blood
cells. Each bottle of
this spray holds 48
daily doses.
R230 /
dischem.co.za

56

A gamechanger for anyone
who wants a dedicated home
gym but doesn’t have the
space: Pivot offers a range of
full-sized beds that lift up in
seconds, revealing a dedicated
workout space underneath.
The all-metal Lite model is
ideal for calisthenics, with a
full-width adjustable pull-up
bar for hanging exercises,
and adjustable dip bars for
working your core, shoulders,
arms and back.
R77 000 / pvt.fit

A good yoga mat will make all
the difference to your daily
flow, and this luxury design
from Sweaty Betty has
unrivalled grip thanks to its
rubber and polyurethane
blend. At 5mm it’s relatively
thin, but your joints are well
protected still and we love the
stylish markings that look
great while also helping to
align your pigeon pose.
R1 650 / sweatybetty.com

This Bluetooth-connected
skipping rope set comes with
three different-weighted
ropes, for a challenging cardio
workout that requires
virtually no floorspace and
no heavy lifting. It tracks your
performance in real time and
there are a host of training
plans available via the app.
The heavier ropes also help to
engage all your major muscle
groups, even your upper body.
R3 850 / crossrope.com

NEW YEARS FITNESS

Enjoy the science
You get three free
months of the JRNY app,
which syncs with your
phone or tablet and
offers slick trainer-led
classes and 200+
virtual courses.

HOME
GYM

Chest can’t
get enough

Blaster and
servant

The BXT8Ji features
hand-held heart-rate
sensors for immediate
feedback as you run,
but you also get a
chest strap.

With USB charging,
built-in speakers, aux-in
and Bluetooth, there’s
no excuse to be bored
as you clock up the
static kilometres.

Bowflex BXT8Ji
Yes, we enjoy running in the cold,
the wet and the mud… but there’s
something deeply gratifying about
getting miles done, in the warm,
while watching Bob’s Burgers.
Pity, then, that most high-quality
treadmills cost thousands, while
‘affordable’ options are often not
fit for purpose.
But with the BXT8Ji, Bowflex has
produced a sturdy, powerful and
feature-packed treadmill for half
the price of the Peloton Tread. The
running belt is longer than most
cheaper designs at 152cm, it can

hit 20km/h and has a motorised
incline up to 15%. It’s cushioned
and sturdy.
The interface lacks a screen, but
there’s a slot for an iPad and the JRNY
app for interactive workouts. The LCD
display, plastic buttons and simple
beeps do feel a bit ‘budget’, but it’s all
responsive and there are 26 built-in
workouts included.
It’s important to flag up just how
big this thing is: at 115kg it’s a beast,
and we implore you get a buddy to
help install it. We didn’t, and it took
hours – and this treadmill was never

NOW ADD THIS…
getting upstairs. The running deck
does fold up to save floor space, but
measure carefully!
Still, we can’t fault it at this low
price. It’s easy to adjust speed and
incline, the pacing is only marginally
slower than a Garmin, and we felt
comfortable on it at all times.
R38 000 / fitstore24.com
Key specs
O 20km/h top speed
O 15% motorised incline
O 1981x1595x955mm, 115kg

ROLL RECOVERY R8
It’s a torture device
the likes of which
we’ve not seen since
mediaeval times, but
if you’re serious about
deep tissue massage
this spring-loaded
roller will sort you out.
R4 400 / amazon.com

Stuff says If you have the space, this treadmill is exceptional value +++++
57

NEW YEARS FITNESS

ACTUAL
GYM

Under Armour
TriBase
Reign 5
Despite spending a healthy (enough)
amount of time in gyms, we never really
considered the need for a dedicated gym
training shoe. But after spending some
time with the TriBase Reign 5, we can
appreciate the benefit of the added
support – especially if you’re into lifting
heavy weights.
These shoes feel quite stiff to begin
with, but they loosen up after a few good
sessions. The rubber outsole is extremely
grippy, and wraps around the outside for
added durability. Some of the rubber is
designed to grip during rope climbs, but
we weren’t able to test this (which was, in
all honesty, a blessed relief).
That lattice-style WARP upper holds
the feet really securely during squats, lifts,
jumps and so on, and is very breathable.
And though the mesh looks thin, this shoe
is impressively durable.
It’s nowhere near as softly cushioned
as a modern running shoe, so we wouldn’t
wear these for long runs on the treadmill,
but for HiiT sessions and sprints they offer
brilliant grip and support. The full-length
Micro G foam with 2mm drop offers good
responsiveness, and the low base makes
them a fine choice for lifting.

Stiff this is love
They’re far stiffer than
your standard trainers,
but the flat midsole is
superb for distributing
your weight evenly, with
targeted creases on the
sole for smart bending.

R1 400 / underarmour.co.za
Key specs
O UA WARP upper, Micro G foam midsole
O 2mm drop O 2x 297g

Stuff says ++++,
An all-round gym shoe that
loves it when you lift heavy
NOW ADD THIS…

58

Knot about us
Get some extra laces, as
the ones included in the
box aren’t great: they’re
overly long, and the
round profile means
they come undone with
irritating regularity.

NEW YEARS FITNESS

MORE GYM GARB

NOW
ADD THESE

Whoop Coach

NINJA BLAST
Offering up to 10 blends per
charge, this powerful portable
blender is a must-have for
anyone who loves their
smoothies fresher than fresh,
or those gym bunnies who
succumbed to the onslaught
of AG1 powdered greens
adverts. Simple, sleek and
dishwasher-safe, it has
enough grunt to crush ice…
so once the healthy work
is done, anyone for frozen
margaritas at the weekend?
R1 750 / amazon.com

AMSTAFF TACTICAL
WEIGHT VEST
Some say it’s sadistic, others
call it dedication; but
whichever camp you’re in, this
weighted vest will help add
some spice to your obviously
all-too-easy workouts.
Supplied with four pairs of
slide-in steel weights (2x
1.6kg, 2x 2.5kg, 2x 3.85kg,
and 2x 6.1kg), it’s rated up to
14kg in total. You might want
to start easy, though: the vest
itself weighs around 1.4kg.
R3 100 / amazon.com

PULSEROLL
IGNITE MINI

ON RUNNING
PERFORMANCE BRA

This high-performance deep
tissue massage gun is small
enough to stash in a kit bag,
yet offers four power levels
(from 1800 to 3000 thumps
per minute) and has a hugely
impressive heated head
attachment that delivers
warmth to target muscles and
alleviate soreness and fatigue.
Its 2500mAh battery is good
for up to 6hrs of punishment
between USB-C charges.
R3 750 / pulseroll.com

Weighing a mere 76g, this is a
super-light, comfortable and
inclusive sports bra with just
enough padding to cope when
there’s a bit of bounce to your
workouts. It wicks sweat
swiftly away thanks to the
inclusion of a mesh panel,
there’s added support all
the way around, and the
single-piece construction
means you’re treated to a
seam-free, chaff-proof feel.
R1 600 / tifosisports.co.za

HYPERICE
NORMATEC
LOWER LEGS

LULULEMON METAL
VENT TECH T-SHIRT

It’s not cheap, but Normatec’s
most portable recovery
system has just launched
offering 360° air compression
whenever and wherever you
need it. Ideal for those who
like to smash out a pre-work
PB, it specifically targets the
calves with three overlapping
zones of massage to flush
out and rejuvenate the body,
reducing inflammation.
R17 500 / istore.co.za

We’ve all arrived at the gym
only to discover last week’s
kit still festering in the bottom
of the bag. It’s quite the rare
scent… but with Lululemon’s
latest shirt tech, it might just
be avoidable, at least for a
couple of washes. They’ve
woven Silverescent biocidal
silver nitrate through this
T-shirt’s 100% recycled
polyester to inhibit the growth
of odour-causing bacteria.
R2 000 / amazon.com

A welcome update to
the data-rich (read:
jargon-heavy) Whoop
wearable, this is an AI
buddy that deciphers
your data and gives
quick answers to
questions on sport,
sleep and stress.
R5 650/yr / whoop.com

Roka
Barton
Thanks to rubber
strips on the nose
and temples, these
glasses don’t slip no
matter how sweaty
you get. Note that
you’ll need to know
your prescription
when ordering from
the Roka website.
R4 200 / roka.com

Osprey Zealot
30 Backpack
Designed for gym
climbers looking to
keep their chalk
bags and revolting
sweaty shoes out
of harm’s way, this
backpack has a
rolltop main section
and multiple other
spaces and pockets.
R4 000 /
driftersshop.co.za

59

NEW YEARS FITNESS

NOW
ADD THESE

MORE PAVEMENT PALS

Runna
This app is a
running coach
in your pocket,
designed to get you
through plans for
everything from
your first 5km to
Ultra Marathons
with motivation and
loads of useful stats.
R370/m /
Android, iOS

Mobot
Obviously tighten
the lid before you
start your recovery
session, but this
dual gadget makes
sense: it’s a water
bottle and a foam
roller, offering
hydration and
massage in one.
R1 750 /
amazon.com

ONEODIO
OPENROCK PRO
After years using earphones
with bone-conduction tech,
these wonderfully comfy
waterproof ‘air-conduction’
true wireless ’phones are our
new favourites for running.
The 16.2mm dynamic driver
sits over the ear, instead of
inside, and sounds so much
better than you might expect,
while allowing just enough
ambient noise through to feel
safe on the streets.
R3 200 / amazon.com

RAB VEIL 6L
Inov-8 Race Elite
3in1 Gloves
These fast-drying,
high-wicking gloves
have a small pocket
on the back of each
hand housing a light
waterproof mitten
that can be pulled
over when it’s really
frigid outside.
R1 500 /
inov8sa.co.za

60

This lightweight trail running
vest comes complete with two
short-hose bite-valve flasks
(500ml each), and space for
a traditional 2L reservoir (not
included) – handy if you’re
planning on going a long, long
way. The breathable ripstop
mesh fabric – 50% lighter
than traditional fabrics – really
helps you regulate your
temperature, and there’s
space in the rear stuff pocket
if you need to shed a layer.
R3 000 / rab.equipment

POLAR VANTAGE V3
Polar’s most ambitious sports
watch ever is clearly one of its
best – thanks to a plethora
of improved health-sensing
features (over the Vantage
V2) including continuous
monitoring of heart-rate, skin
temperature, ECG and SpO2.
The 47mm design has a new
1.39in AMOLED screen, faster
CPU, bigger battery (up to
61hrs in training mode) and
32GB of storage, making
space for detailed maps.
R13 600 / polar.com

BODYLITE
NIGHTVISION LIGHT
Staying safe and being seen
during your evening excursions
is easier with this versatile
light, which can be attached
securely to a Bodylite jacket,
gilet, belt or bike mount.
Weighting 78g, with IPX4
waterproofing and 2hr battery
life, it’s light enough to be
ignored by you – but with its
three light settings and 250lumen output, it will be a
beacon to everyone else.
R1 340 / amazon.co.uk

SALOMON
PULSAR PRO 2
The Pulsar Pro 2 is one of the
most stylish trail running
shoes available. Alas, pretty
won’t win you races… which
is why it also has a brilliant
combination of a highly
responsive soleplate, with
mountains of springy Energy
Foam through the midsole to
push you forward with a smile
on your face, and 3.5mm
Contagrip rubber lugs helping
you tear up the terrain.
R3 600 / salomonsports.co.za

NIKE THERMA-FIT
ADV REPEL
AEROLOFT
Admittedly, the insulation
does give this winter running
gilet a bit of a camping
mattress vibe; but it’s a
superb technical garment,
perfectly balancing weight
and warmth. An ideal layer for
harsh 7am runs, it combines
heat-regulating fabric with
both down and synthetic
insulation, plus the woven
fabric is water-repellent.
R4 300 / nike.com

NEW YEARS FITNESS
A find of magic
While not needed on the
trails of Lower Sandton,
the jacket has an
embedded RECCO
chip – as used to find
adventurers lost in
proper mountains.

RUNNING

Arc’teryx
Norvan
Shell Jacket
Embarrassingly, we once had a serious
issue because we couldn’t find our
favourite running socks. We just were not
prepared to run in any old pair. Crazy, yes
– but for us and and no doubt countless
other runners, this sport is annoyingly
psychological.
Having the right gear, and feeling good
wearing it, really can make a difference…
and as the wet weather returned we
found ourselves wishing it would rain just
so we can wear the Norvan Jacket. OK, the
price is verging on ludicrous, but there’s
no escaping the quality of this super-light
Gore-Tex trail running jacket.
Made from a thin but durable C-Knit
Gore-Tex fabric with a 28,000mm HH
rating, this thing is more waterproof than
most high-end hiking jackets, but packs
down to virtually nothing and weighs less
than 200g. There are lighter options, but
the Norvan is robust enough to wear with
a backpack without damage.
Cut close, but not too tight, this is a
stylish, minimalist jacket with only the
essentials included – there are no pockets,
for instance. It simply excels in filthy-cold
weather, and paired with a long-sleeved
top it’ll become an absolute essential for
your early morning runs.
R7 700 / arcteryx.com
Key specs
O 28,000mm HH waterproofing O 190g

Stuff says ++++,
Scandalously expensive,
but this really is the best

Tie your
smother down
Arc’teryx hooded jackets
don’t often come with
stuff sacks, but you can
tuck this one inside its
hood and pull the cinch
cord for a tidy bundle.

NOW ADD THIS…
ON RUNNING CHALLENGER CAP
This multi-function cap can be
worn with or without earflaps,
and comes with a fleece liner
and a fit-securing drawstring.
R1 600 / on-running.com

61

NEW YEARS FITNESS
Glow sun of mine

HIKING

The built-in torch is
surprisingly useful, with
variable intensities and
a red safety light. There’s
even a strobe mode that
can flash to match your
running cadence.

Garmin Epix
Pro (Gen 2)
We’ve been wearing this Garmin for four
months. It’s a huge, but hugely impressive,
all-action premium smartwatch. There’s
barely a sport or activity it can’t track, the
heart-rate and GPS tracking is accurate,
and there’s a dizzying amount of health
and training data available.
Is it a good- looking watch? We think so,
albeit in a very ‘rugged’ way. The 51mm
option is large, and may struggle to fit
under some shirt cuffs, so try the other
sizes (42mm and 47mm) before you
buy. The AMOLED screen is gorgeous
and properly customisable, if arguably
not as handsome or intuitive to use as
the one on the Apple Watch Ultra, and the
combination of touchscreen and buttons
is welcome, especially with gloves.
There’s a barrage of new features too,
with endurance and hill scores making the
most of the advanced tracking; and for
hiking, the full-colour maps, navigation
and advanced GPS features make it an
indispensable accessory.
We were impressed by the map detail
visible on the AMOLED screen, and by
the speed and accuracy of the navigation
tools. It’s pretty remarkable just how much
can be done with the new Epix Pro. If you’re
serious about both fitness and exploring,
it’s a brilliantly versatile tool.
R23 000 / garmin.com
Key specs (51mm)
O 1.4in 454x454 AMOLED O 32GB
O Up to 31 days O 10ATM O 98g

Stuff says +++++
A crazily comprehensive
adventure companion
NOW ADD THIS…
JAMES THE REDSTONE
Available in 11 achingly hip colourways
with your choice of straight or serrated
main blade, this multi-function pocket
knife is a modern adventure essential.
R2 100 / windupwatchshop.com

62

Sat’s all
Multi-band GNSS and
SatIQ tech provide highly
accurate positioning
even in challenging
environments, while also
optimising the watch’s
battery life.

NEW YEARS FITNESS

MORE WALKING WONDERS

NOW
ADD THESE

66°North Vik

THULE ALLTRAIL X
To the unenlightened, Thule
makes bike racks and roof
boxes; but the Swedish brand
also produces quality luggage
and backpacks, including this
robust hiking job made from
50% recycled waxed polyester
canvas. Available in 25L and
35L sizes, it has a convenient
front access panel, a 15in
laptop sleeve for wild
commutes and a plush, fully
adjustable back support
system with mesh panel.
R2 700 / thule.co.za

ADIDAS TERREX
FREE HIKER 2
COLD.RDY
The Free Hiker range has been
a crossover smash, appealing
to sneakerheads and walkers
looking for comfort, style and
protection on any surface.
But here Adidas has created
something for the dedicated
distance hiker. As well as a
grippy Continental rubber
outsole, there’s a Gore-Tex
lace cover and a generous
dose of PrimaLoft insulation.
R3 800 / tradeinn.com

LIFESTRAW GO
STAINLESS STEEL

KLATTERMUSEN
SKJOLD

You can fill up this water bottle
from virtually any source on
the planet, thanks to an
advanced microfilter that
protects against bacteria,
parasites and microplastics
plus sand, dirt and even
cloudiness. The filter lasts for
up to 4000L, helping you save
thousands of plastic bottles,
and for every purchase the
brand provides safe drinking
water to a child for a year.
R1 150 / lifestraw.com

Walking pants for people who
don’t like walking pants, and
who aren’t about to spend
their cash on something they’ll
only wear a few times a year,
these have a super-relaxed
tapered fit, with large
reinforced stash pockets,
plenty of airflow for when the
terrain gets tough, and a
seriously comfortable stretch.
They’re also impressively
wind-resistant.
R5 200 / matchesfashion.com

LEKI HEMP
ONE VARIO

BERGHAUS ARNABY

Generally hemp fibres are
used in textile design, but
adventure specialist Leki has
developed a new method to
turn them into high-quality
trekking poles. The main
section of this fully adjustable
design is created from natural
fibres and represents a
whole new eco-friendly
construction – one that’s won
a coveted ISPO Award. And no,
you can’t smoke them.
R4 200 / leki.com

R3 000 might not seem like a
bargain, but for a seriously
reliable waterproof jacket
it really is. Berghaus
has stripped away any
unnecessaries here, leaving
a no-nonsense lightweight
design made with Hydroshell
fabric that’s soft on the skin
with enough stretch for free
movement. It won’t survive
for hours in torrential rain, but
the zips and storm-flap will
keep out the worst of it.
R3 000 / ebay.com

If they’re warm
enough for Icelandic
winters, we imagine
they’ll cope fine in
SA. These thin but
mighty gloves are
made from fourway-stretch
Polartec with
a nylon outer
for durability.
R1 820 / hbx.com

Silva Free
1200 XS
This modular head
torch has been
developed with
a choice of lamp
units, batteries and
mounting options,
so you can build the
ideal light for just
about any activity.
R3 600 /
silvaafrica.com

Gramicci By
F/CE Boa Cap
Style and warmth
come together in
this fleece-lined
trapper-style
hat, designed in
collaboration with
Japanese outdoor
brand F/CE. It’s also
water-repellent.
R1 520 /
endclothing.com

63

NEW YEARS FITNESS

NOW
ADD THESE

MORE AQUATIC ASSISTANCE

Osprey 5mm
neoprene gloves
Keeping your
extremities warm will
enable a more
comfortable and
enjoyable swim in
cold water. These
neoprene gloves will
keep you warm and
agile thanks to their
ace craftsmanship.
R1 100 /
amazon.co.uk

Orca Hydro
Booties
These booties provide
maximum insulation
for feet while
swimming. The thermal
lining provides warmth
and prevents chafing,
while the separated
toes help them stay in
place.
R1 500 / proswimwear.
com

VOITED OUTDOOR
CHANGING ROBE
& DRYCOAT
Drycoats are amazing for
outdoor swimmers: use one
to get changed privately and
to warm up afterwards. This
oversized job from Voited is
one of the best. It’s especially
cosy thanks to a clever combo
of synthetic insulation and
micro-fleece liner, with
18,000mm waterproofing
on the inside and a
water-repellent outer finish.
R4 500 / voited.eu

YETI RAMBLER
(12OZ)
Adidas Terrex
Rain.Rdy
Expedition
Duffel Bag
Large
Stash your swim
kit and lots more
besides in this 100L
duffel. Built with
polyester ripstop for
durability outdoors,
it’s water-repellent.
R4 800 /
opticsplanet.com

64

Whether it’s a hearty hot
chocolate, a strong coffee
or a good ol’ cup of tea,
every swimmer has their
post-dip warming drink
of choice. This 354ml Rambler
bottle looks great, is very light
and gets extra points for its
sip-from-any-side leakproof
cap, which means you can
stash it in your kit bag without
worrying about possible
seepage catastrophes.
R900 / amazon.com

FORM SMART
SWIM GOGGLES

DRYROBE ECO
THERMAL BOOTS

These smart goggles are the
only set on the market with
an AR display and advanced
machine-learning algorithms.
Accurately tracking both pool
and open-water swims, they
allow you to see real-time
metrics such as distance, time
and stroke rate, automatically
share your swims to your
chosen fitness apps, and
later get detailed analysis
in the Form app.
R6 000 / istore.co.za

Easy to slide on as soon as
you get out of the water,
these fleece-lined thermal
boots will help you warm up
quickly. Quick-drying and as
comfortable as sheepskin
boots (if you know, you know),
they’ll become an important
part of your winter swim kit.
We like the adjustable ankle
cord, the grippy sole and the
eco credentials: 100% recycled
nylon, 100% recycled polyester.
R2 700 / dryrobe.com

GARMIN SWIM 2

SHOKZ OPENSWIM

This GPS smartwatch lets you
make a splash both in the pool
and out in open water. Use it
to monitor your heart rate as
well as tracking distance, pace,
stroke count and distance per
stroke. There are also features
for timed sets and logging
drills, and a handy auto-rest
function. Available in white or
dark grey, its good looks mean
you’ll still want to show it off
when you’re flapping about
on dry land.
R5 800 / garmin.com

Let music move you
underwater with these
waterproof bone-conduction
headphones. The comfortable
design, which is compatible
with swim caps, goggles and
earplugs, has wraparound
flexibility for stability in
any conditions. They can
withstand total submersion
in up to 2m of water, while the
battery lasts up to 8hrs and
they include enough storage
for up to 1200 MP3s.
R3 000 / istore.co.za

NEW YEARS FITNESS

SWIMMING

Finisterre
Nieuwland 4s
Yulex Wetsuit

You belong
to the sticky
As well as Yulex and
recycled polyester,
Finisterre insists on
only using AquaA glue,
a solvent-free adhesive
that eliminates VOCs.

Neoprene is exceptionally good at
keeping you warm in cold waters, but
being derived from fossil fuels makes
it less good for the planet. And that’s
why Cornish-based Finisterre has been
seeking alternative options.
Yulex is a plant-based natural rubber
that produces 80% less carbon emissions
than neoprene, and requires no mining
or drilling. And given how cold it can get
here, we were overjoyed that it performed
just as well as neoprene.
The Nieuwland 4s is rated for 11-15°C
sea temperatures, ideal for year-round
coastal adventures, and while the water
was a little warmer (between 13-18°C) this
reviewer was grateful for the 4.5mm chest
and back panels, 3.5mm arms and legs,
and cosy 5mm panel on the lower back
that also helps you stay buoyant.
This wetsuit has a chest zip, making it
significantly harder to get into than a back
one (especially when new), but the shape
allows more movement in the shoulders.
The seams are either double-blind or
taped for a chaff-free wear, and it’s the
most comfortable suit ever worn.
Expensive, yes, but the green credentials
are flawless – and you will stay warm.
R10 000 / finisterre.com

The heat is in
The internal fabric has
a soft, high-pile finish
that not only feels nicer
against your skin but
also traps in more heat,
which should keep you
in the water for longer.

Key specs
O 4.5mm chest and back panels, 3.5mm
arms and legs O 11-15°C sea temperatures

Stuff says +++++
Your next wetsuit should be
as eco-friendly as this one
NOW ADD THIS…
ALPKIT OUTDOOR
SWIMMING CAP
Keep your brain warm in this
neoprene swimming cap with
Velcro chin strap.
R1 250 / alpkit.com

65

BEEFY BEAMERS

MID-SIZED MAGIC

LITTLE LAMPS

UPVOTED

The brilliant barrel

The titanium titch

The flicky flasher

Olight Warrior Nano
Besides showing you the way, tactical
torches are designed to dazzle ruffians.
Take this little light fantastic: just 8.1cm
long, it has a switch that lets you adjust
brightness levels for normal usage… but bop
the button on the back and you’ll get an
instant blast of 1200 debilitating lumens.
R1 900 / olight.co.za

Wuben X2 Titanium
You could choose the aluminium edition of
the Wuben X2. You’d still have a small but
mighty spotlight in your pocket, it would
still be rugged and good for 2500 lumens,
and you’d have saved over R2 100. But if
you want a torch with a machined metal
jacket, dammit, it might as well be titanium.
R5 700 / amazon.com

Streamlight Wedge
You never know when you might need
a beam. Don’t have space for a full-fat
flashlight? Charged by USB-C, this slender
friend puts illumination in your pocket. Its
rotating switch flicks instantly from 300
to 1000 lumens for a tactical 35-second
burst, and it weighs less than 100g.
R3 600 / amazon.com

TORCHES
The boosting beacon
Fenix E-CP
Using your phone as a torch for too long will
leave you offline and in the dark. Avoid both
fates with this octagonal number: its LED
tip offers five levels of glow, maxing out at
1600 lumens; and a flip-cover at the other
end protects two USB ports, so you can
refuel your phone from its 5000mAh cell.
R1 300 / fenixshop.co.za

The complete compact
Nitecore MH12 Pro
A torch fit for search and rescue is overkill
when your duties only involve locking the
shed. But with 3300 lumens and a 505m
range, this can see you through some serious
nocturnal spadework. It has a USBrechargeable battery, while a strobe mode
will scare off any opportunist vervet monkeys.
R2 400 / amazon.com

The long-range lantern

The power pusher

The blinking blinder

Coast TX22R
For visibility at 500m, you could rig up
a bulb and a complex system of prisms…
or you could whip out this sturdy cylinder.
Slide its bezel forwards to focus the beam,
then dial up the power to unleash 5300
lumens for 45secs. Pulling back widens the
throw, while a twist locks it how you like it.
R3 200 / amazon.com

Ledlenser P18R
It’s a cruel irony that torches can illuminate
everything except themselves. Thankfully,
you don’t need a good view to work this
one-button beacon: a single switch lets you
cycle through all its settings. Double-tap
for a quick boost, or master its press/hold
combos to enable memory mode.
R4 000 / outdoorwarehouse.co.za

Speras P10R V2
A bright light might help you signal from
afar, but it’s not much use if your thumb
cramps up after five minutes of prodding.
Luckily, this aluminium dazzler has an SOS
setting for effortless distress calls. Engage
turbo mode for the full 10,000 lumens, or
switch to eco to eke it out for up to 36hrs.
R3 800 / sperasflashlight.com

HOW TO
DECIDE
66

Ah well, only another
three years of load
shedding to get through...
Stuff illuminates the way
with nine of the best
modern shiners

1 Relight my fire
Many modern torches use battery packs
boosted via USB-C, while others stick with
off-the-shelf cells. The most versatile have
dual-power systems that work with both.

2 Bright light’s big hitty
Lumen ratings often quote peak output, which
limits battery life. Pick one that’s bright enough
in its lower-output modes: 500 lumens is a
good everyday benchmark.

UPVOTED

The double dazzler
Nebo Slyde King 2K
Hollywood heists would have you
believe that torches are best held
between the teeth. Not this one: a
magnetic base means it can attach
to the metal surfaces commonly
found in bank vaults, leaving your
hands free for the combination lock.
Besides an adjustable zoom head,
the side of its rubberised body
harbours a work lamp that glows
white or red. It’s IP67 waterproof
as well, in case your escape route
is through the sewers.
R1 100 / newworld.co.za

3 Light relief
Not all torches shine the same: floods cast light
over a wide area for working visibility, while
spots throw a focused ray further. Some let
you switch between multiple beam patterns.

4 Night light
White is alright for brightness, but tasking by
torchlight can be tough on your peepers. Some
models have a red setting – kinder on the eyes
if you’re working for long periods after dark.

67

TESTED

I’m handy, fly me
DJI’s smallest and most sensible drone gets
updated, but can the Mini 4 Pro really be
any better than its brilliant predecessor?
R22 400 ⁄ djiauthorisedretailer.co.za
It’s only been 18 months since the
Mini 3 Pro landed, but DJI has
already given its snack-sized
quadcopter several camera and
usability upgrades for the Mini 4
Pro… and without raising the price
too much.
The model on test here comes
with the latest RC 2 touchscreen
controller and one battery (for for
R22 400), but it’s also available
with the old phone-mounted
RC-N2 for R19 500, or as part of
the R26 900 Fly More Combo that
includes the RC 2 plus a bag, a
charging hub and two spare
batteries.
Crucially, the still-under-250g
weight means you can legally fly
it within 50m of uninvolved or
unaware people (although not
above large crowds) and within
150m of ‘residential, recreational,
commercial and industrial sites’.
So is this another firm nudge
towards ultralight perfection, or
a trivial update to the excellent
Mini 3 Pro? We launched it high
into the nearby skies in an effort
to find the answer.

The squall street shuffle
Anyone who’s flown one of
DJI’s drones before will be at
home with the Mini 4 Pro (1).
It’s controlled via the classic
and easily mastered twin-stick
method, with the ability to hover
steadily in winds of up to 35km/h,
and a battery that’ll give you a
decent 34mins in the air.

GOOD
MEH
EVIL

68

You could
fit it in a
coat pocket

1

2

3

I’m squat in love
Despite its ultralight folding build
(2), the Mini 4 Pro is well built and
reasonably solid. It comes with
two plastic covers to keep the
camera gimbal and propellers
protected while the drone is
folded up, so with these attached
you should be able to toss it in a
bag without fear of damage.

Crazy how
easy it is
to fly

Obstacle
sensors little
use at night

The screen and I
The RC 2 is a superb controller:
fast to boot up and connect,
comfortable in the hands, and
blessed with a gorgeous 5in
1080p touchscreen that works
well in bright sunlight. It’s not
cheap, certainly, but it’s a big
step above using your phone
as the brains of a flight system.

ActiveTrack
360 is
brilliant fun

Slo-mo
mode is
great in 4K

Night mode
boosts
clarity

TESTED DJI MINI 4 PRO

Tech specs
Camera 48MP 1/1.3in CMOS
Video 4K @ 100fps, Full HD @ 200fps
Flight time 34mins Storage 2GB + microSD
Dimensions 148x94x64mm (folded),
373x298x101mm (unfolded), 249g

Thrilly love
DJI’s flight and navigation software is pre-installed
on the RC 2 controller, but what kind of co-pilot is it?

The things we view for love
Image quality in both stills and
video (3) is similar to that of a
decent smartphone. So while
it won’t quite hit the heights of
clarity and noise control offered
by the huge 4/3 sensor on the
Mavic 3 models, you can achieve
some excellent results given the
drone’s size and weight.

Smart for art’s sake
Being able to record in D-Log M
for colour-grading and correcting
afterwards is going to be a big
hit with video enthusiasts, but
even the standard footage looks
punchy and rich straight out of
the camera. Photos can also be
captured in RAW DNG for more
editing scope.

Q Marked up

Q Parked down

Everything is laid out
simply and clearly, with
battery life and flight
time clearly marked and
constantly updated. The
drone’s location is tracked
via a map and distance
data, so you’d have to be
very careless to lose it.

The software does a lot
of work for you, including
handling take-off and
landing automatically. To
be honest, if you can’t fly
a drone using a setup this
intuitive and streamlined,
you really shouldn’t be
flying a drone at all.

Q Knocked off

Q Locked on

Sensors on the front,
back, sides, bottom and
top help the Mini 4 Pro
to detect obstacles in
all directions. It’s a great
system, but be careful if
you fly at night: the limited
visibility renders them
pretty much useless.

ActiveTrack 360 is an
autonomous mode that
allows you to drag a box
around an object for the
drone to follow – handy
for solo pilots who want
to create sweeping shots
as they run, ride or drive
through the landscape.

Those who already own a Mini 3 Pro can probably
relax, but newcomers and owners of older DJI Mini
models shouldn’t hesitate: this is definitely the best
sub-250g drone we’ve reviewed, and its safety
features, auto flight functions and image quality
make it a joy to use. It’s one of the few ultralight
drones that doesn’t feel full of compromises.

STUFF SAYS +++++
This is the most powerful
sub-250g drone in the
skies today, and the
most practical one
for SA-based pilots
69

TRAVEL TECH

Toby’s

TOP TECH TRAVEL TIPS
If ever there was a delightful phrase, it’s “revenge travel”.
That was last year’s mantra. This year’s is much more fun.

THULE TACT
WAISTPACK 5L
Now that handbags for men have become
mainstream, finding the right one has proved
strangely difficult. Thule’s Tact Waistpack 5L
has solved all of my when-you’re-there
everyday problems. What I need is something
big enough for my glasses case (I wear
prescription sunglasses too) and a bottle of
water. But I also want to add my family’s
passports and a power bank, when needed.
There are always those little extras (a charging
cable, lip balm, plasters, and inevitably a few
pieces of Lego) for which the Waistpack has a
range of clever pouches and zipper
compartments. The zippers are handily tucked
away and for the paranoid, there’s an extra clip
over the top. A shallow zipped pouch at the back
is particularly handy for glasses cleaners and
hand sanitiser.
Weight: 360g
/ thulestore.co.za

PEAK DESIGN WASH POUCH
Peak Design are perhaps better known for its photography
gear but they also make handy travel accessories. The Wash
Pouch is a smart way of packing all your toiletries. It has a long
waterproof pouch for your toothbrush, sealed magnetically.
The other zippered pouches are well thought out as is the
razor pocket. It has a convenient hook for hanging the whole
bag. Size wise, it is 15 x 26 x 11cm and has a 2.5L capacity.
Weight: 248g.
R2 480/singerphoto.co.za

Bring your life

TRAVEL TECH

Travel Apps:
SHURE AONIC 50 GEN 2
WIRELESS NOISECANCELLING HEADPHONES
Nosie-cancelling headphones are utterly
essential. I thought I could “travel light” on an
overnight trip to Durban to do a talk in December. I
tried a lightweight laptop bag, which barely had
space for my laptop and iPad, so I left my trusty
cans at home. Never again.
These Shure headphones are renowned for their
sound quality and now noise-cancelling features.
I’ve only had this new model for a week, but I am
already impressed. It has better noise-cancelling
than the first model and a very good 45 hours of
battery life. The quick-charge features mean you
can get 5 hours of use from just 15 minutes of
charging. Customisable EQ through the app and
environment modes let you personalise your
audio.
R9 500 / digitalexperience.co.za

Translator
Microsoft’s Translator app
was instantly useful the first
time I went overseas with it.
While we were in Italy, our
then 15-month-old son had
a terrible fever and we
rushed to the nearest town
to see the only paediatrician
– who only spoke Italian.
Translator does text
translation with an offline
dictionary but needs
internet access for voice.
Back then the roaming fees
were worth it, while now you
can use an eSIM.
Free /microsoft.com

PERILOGICS
AIRPLANE PHONE
MOUNT
As soon as I read about this handy
phone holder, I bought it on Amazon.
It’s not something I always need but
have occasionally wished I had one
on a long flight. It has a variety of
ways to clip to the seat in front of you
and hold a large-screen smartphone.
The obvious problem it solves is
watching something on your phone
when you’re served dinner. I travel
with an iPad for a variety of reasons,
but also to watch things on with a
larger screen. I download Netflix and
Showmax movies or series before I
leave but have started doing it on my
iPhone too – especially some
emergency kids’ shows.
$10 /amazon.com

Currency
A good currency
converter app is essential
for overseas travel –
especially for working
out if you’re getting a
good deal or not. I’ve
been using the free
version of Currency for
over a decade, and it does
exactly what is required. I
set it up for all the major
currencies, with Rands at
the top.
Free /currencyapp.com

FI
R
TH ST
ES AD
E… D

iPHONE 15 PRO MAX

72

ONE
BACKBONE ONE
(2ND GEN)

TWO
ANKER 3-IN-1 CUBE
WITH MAGSAFE

THREE
MOOV ULTIMATE
SCREEN PROTECTOR

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the
ultimate iOS gaming phone
with its mighty A17 Pro chip,
making it a perfect match
for this gamepad. Get the
PlayStation Edition if you’re
big on PS Remote Play, and
the standard one for Xbox
or on-device gaming. You’ll
need to take your phone out
of its case, but iOS gaming
doesn’t get better than this.
R2 300 / istore.co.za

With your iPhone, AirPods
and Apple Watch potentially
powering up using three
different chargers, Anker’s
ingenious Cube could be a
better option. Tilt the top bit
to create an angled MagSafe
charger for your 15 Pro Max
and reveal a Qi pad for those
AirPods – and pop out an
Apple Watch charger from
the side.
R3 000 / amazon.com

Made from premium Japanese
glass (which is certainly better
than regular non-Japanese
glass), Moov’s protector will
keep your expensive Apple
display entirely scratch free by
taking the punishment upon
itself. Applying this essential
accessory calls for following
directions so make sure
you’ve brought your reading
skills along.
R600 / istore.co.za

NO
TH W T
IS RY
…

TH
TH EN
ES GE
E… T

INSTANT UPGRADES

YAMERA

1 PICK YOUR PIXELS

2 HACK YOUR MAX

3 TUNE YOUR ZOOM

Pick the perfect photo resolution
by going to Settings > Camera
> Formats > Photo Mode and
choosing between 12MP and
24MP. Higher-res shots serve
up extra detail in well-lit scenes;
12MP photos obviously take up
less space. You can also set the
camera to snap with a tighter
frame by default: go to Settings
> Camera > Main Camera and
choose between 24mm (1x),
28mm (1.2x) and 35mm (1.5x).

If you want to eke out even
more detail from your pix, open
Settings > Camera > Formats
> Pro Default. If you plan to edit
your shots, select ProRAW
Max; if you don’t, pick HEIF
Max. Now when you open
the camera, tap either the
RAW MAX or HEIF MAX icon
in the corner for massive shots
bursting with detail… but be
warned, ProRAW Max photos
are staggeringly big files.

The 15 Pro Max has a 5x optical
reach, but between 3x and 4.9x
it’s a weak zoomer. Why? Up
to that point it’s just cropping
using the main camera. That’s
why you should commit and
hit that 5x button for the best
results. Another top zoom tip
is to step back: it doesn’t focus
closer than about 1.5m – so if
your subject is close, move back
or it’ll switch to the main cam for
nasty digital zooming.

Unlock manual
photography with
control over focus,
ISO, shutter speed
and white balance
with Yamera. Pay
up to zap the ads
and shoot in 4K,
but in its free guise
it’s still a winner.
Free (IAP)

RESIDENT
EVIL VILLAGE
Hold onto your
shotgun and
get ready to be
zombified with
this impressive
port – a rare game
that taps into the
full power of the
A17 processor.
Free (IAP)

4 SHAKE SOME ACTION

5 MAKE SOME STICKERS

6 WAKE SOME WIDGETS

There’s a new button on the 15
Pro line and it’s ready for action.
To customise it, open Settings
> Action Button and swipe
through your options. Apple
serves up presets like Camera,
Torch and Translate, but you can
go beyond these by choosing
Shortcut and picking your
chosen app to launch – or
an in-app feature to go straight
into with a long-press of the
new action button.

iOS 17 makes it easy to turn your
photo gallery into an arsenal of
custom stickers for maximum
trolling of friends and family. Just
open a photo and long-press a
subject – whether it’s a person,
an animal or, well, pretty much
anything – and your phone
will cut them out and pop them
in your collection. Access your
stickers by tapping the emoji at
the bottom left whenever your
keyboard is active.

While your iPhone is charging,
position it sideways to activate
a clock, digital photo frame or
news ticker, or a mish-mash
of all your favourite features.
To enable this feature, go to
Settings > StandBy and toggle
it on. When StandBy fires up,
it’ll be in a two-panel left/right
view; swipe up or down on each
side to switch out elements, or
swipe across for a digital photo
frame or full-screen clock.

COFFEE
BOOK
Are you a coffee
connoisseur? This
one lets you note
your favourite
beans and brewing
techniques across
iOS, iPadOS and
macOS. It also has
guides for budding
home baristas.
Free (IAP)

73

GROUP TEST MIRRORLESS CAMERAS

Where are they from, these sexy things? Well… Nikon, Panasonic, Olympus,
Sony, Fujifilm and Canon. The latest ‘proper’ cameras focus with blistering
speed, let you record cinematic video, and track everything from pets to
planes – so which of these six options will put your phone in its place?

Panasonic Lumix G9 II

Nikon Z8
What’s the story?
This is a natural successor
to the D850 and an exciting
upgrade for Nikon fans. It’s
the tenth Z-mount camera,
and the seventh with a
full-frame sensor, featuring
all the power of the flagship
Z9 in a smaller, cheaper
body. It’s at least 400g
and R23 000 less than its
big sibling, but still sizeable
if you travel a lot.
The Z8 is almost hard to
recommend for one genre
as it excels for all. You get a
stacked 45.7MP sensor and
RAW file capture at up to
20fps, which increases to
120fps at 11MP resolution.
Nikon has removed the
mechanical shutter entirely,
making it utterly silent and
discreet in all situations.
Videographers can record
8K at 30fps for over an
hour, which is enough for
commercial productions.
For slo-mo 120fps footage,
that drops to 4K.
The weather-sealed
magnesium alloy body
is well built to withstand
years of heavy use, while
the button layout will feel
familiar to traditional Nikon

users. There’s an LCD panel
up top for checking settings
at a glance, and a four-way
joystick to select autofocus.

Is it any good?
If you’re a pro or a serious
hobbyist, the Z8 combines
everything you’d want from
a full-frame hybrid camera.
The resolution and clarity
are excellent, although
they might leave demanding
landscape photographers
wanting more. The battery
life of 340 shots is average,
and photographers who
shoot away from the mains
will want spares.
The autofocus can track
pretty much everything,
and even has a mode for
aircraft. If you’re all about
capturing candid moments,
the eye AF will lock onto
a face in a heartbeat – and
Nikon is promising a firmware
update in 2024 to improve
the detection of birds.
R95 000 / nikon.co.za

Key specs
O Full-frame 45.7MP
O 120fps O 8.3K @ 60fps
O 910g

STUFF SAYS A near-perfect mirrorless
for enthusiasts and upgraders +++++
74

What’s the story?
Panasonic’s latest Micro
Four Thirds camera comes
almost five years after the
G9, with major upgrades for
wildlife and action shooters…
including phase-detection
autofocus, which tracks
fast-moving subjects more
accurately. As with the
original, the MFT sensor
size effectively doubles
the focal length of lenses,
so you can get frame-filling
shots without having to lug
massive optics.
The Lumix G9 II has a new
processor, and this supports
other high-speed features,
including a 60fps continuous
shooting with full AF. The
vari-angle LCD has better
resolution for live view and
playback, and the grip is
contoured for balanced
handling even when you’re
using heavier lenses.
The button layout places
key controls such as ISO
and drive mode right at
your fingertips.
But compared to the
old G9, it’s the video specs
that have seen the biggest
boost. The maximum
5.7K ProRes RAW is only

available if you attach a
portable SSD, but 4K at
a framerate of 120fps offers
smooth slo-mo footage
that’s more than enough
for advanced creators.

Is it any good?
Although the MFT sensor
generates more noise than
Pana’s L full-frame cameras,
the format does keep the
body size down for greater
portability than some rivals.
While the 25.2MP resolution
is modest, a hi-res mode
gives 100MP images for
extra cropping leeway.
Although the lack of a
cooling fan limits recording
times, this is a true video
hybrid, and you can add
your own LUTs and colour
profiles to see graded
footage as you shoot. This
is a sensible buy if you’re
upgrading from the old G9
or already dedicated to the
MFT system.
R57 000 / amazon.com

Key specs
O Micro Four Thirds 25.2MP
O 60fps OC4K @ 60fps
O 658g

STUFF SAYS A fast and feature-packed
camera with improved AF skills ++++,

A view to a skill

BEST FOR
SLICK
VIDEO

On paper the Nikon’s
viewfinder resolution
lags behind some
rivals, but real-world
performance is
very impressive.

My own tray
There are slots for
SD and CFexpress
Type B cards. Handy,
but dedicating both
to CFexpress would
have made sense.

BEST FOR
WILDLIFE
LOVERS

Save a stare

Ordinary knurled

The G9 II has a big
video recording
button on the top
plate for easy access
when you’re glued to
the viewfinder.

The control layout is
more like the Lumix
S5 II than the original
G9, although there’s
no LCD top plate for
quick-glance settings.

75

Dial be there
The control layout and
build will be familiar if
you’ve used an OM-D
series camera before,
with a comfortable
hand grip.

BEST FOR
OUTDOOR
FROLICS

Frame it on the boogie
If you want shake-free
video footage but
don’t have a tripod,
in-body stabilisation
allows you to film
run-and-gun style.

OM System OM-1
What’s the story?
If your style of photography involves
hiking, camping or generally embracing
outdoor adventures, the OM-1 will be
an obvious choice. With an IP53 rating
against dust and splashes, it has serious
weatherproofing for use in adverse
conditions and is popular with macro
and landscape photographers.
The OM-1 will be the last new camera
with an etched Olympus logo – it’s now
the flagship model of OM Digital Solutions,
which bought Olympus’s imaging division
in 2021. The Micro Four Thirds sensor has
a new stacked design, and while the 20MP
resolution matches previous Olympus
types, 1053 autofocus points bring greater
accuracy and speed.
Computational photography features
are boosted by a processor that’s three

times faster than the one in the Olympus
OM-D E-M1 Mark III. There’s a handheld
hi-res mode for 50MP photos (increasing
to 80MP with a tripod), another that
mimics long-exposure effects, and
built-in focus stacking for sharper shots
of bugs, flowers and even landscapes.
Built-in five-axis stabilisation also gives
you up to eight stops of compensation
against shake in low light.

Is it any good?
While OM System might not yet have the
brand recognition of some rivals, and while
it can’t compete with full-frame cameras
for sheer resolving power and noise
handling, the OM-1 provides reliable
performance in all conditions.
The intelligent modes work well, rather
than being gimmicks, and take away a lot

of processing work later. Handling isn’t
always intuitive, though, as you can’t use
the touchscreen to navigate menus and
the dials can be fiddly.
The OM-1 puts in impressive burst
shooting performance with wildlife, and
you can get up to 120fps with fixed focus
or 50fps with continuous focus. As with
most rivals, there are tracking AF modes
for people, dogs, birds and vehicles, which
work through AI learning.
If you want a camera for the wilderness
that’s stabilised, protected and capable, the
OM-1 is a top performer.
R55 000 (body only) / ormsdirect.co.za
Keys specs
OMicro Four Thirds 20.4MP O120fps
O4K @ 60fps O599g

STUFF SAYS A rugged cam with extreme weatherproofing for adventurous types ++++,
76

I want dew back
There’s no official
protection rating, but
Sony says the A7C II
is sealed against dust
and moisture. It’ll hold
off a spot of rain OK.

BEST FOR
STREET
SHOOTS

The glove you save
Sony has added an
extra control dial to
the front. It means
you can tweak the
aperture and shutter
speed more easily.

Sony A7C II
What’s the story?
Sony arguably conquered the mirrorless
market by making portable cameras that
are powerful and trendy. The full-frame
Sony A7C II is an upgrade from the original
A7C, with a speedier processor, major
improvements to autofocus thanks to
AI, and a higher-res 33MP sensor.
You get 10fps continuous autofocus
shooting, and a buffer capacity to store
1000 JPEGs or 44 RAW files in one burst.
Sony is hoping to entice creators with
4K @ 60fps footage, while extra features
such as ‘focus breathing’ and four-channel
audio recording will appeal to those who
take video seriously. The seven-stop
in-body stabilisation is ideal if you often
shoot in low light.
Handling has been improved on the
second-gen A7C, with an added dial at

the front and a C1 button around the
back for custom settings. Sony says
the now-standard NP-FZ100 battery
lasts for around 530 shots – that should
be more than enough for a day about
town, unless you insist on snapping every
single pigeon you see.

Is it any good?
This camera’s full-frame sensor will
appeal to serious photographers and
creators, and it produces accurately
coloured shots with great dynamic
range even in tricky lighting. But only
one SD card slot means you can’t record
in multiple formats, or switch between
video and stills on separate cards.
The A7C II isn’t designed for action, but
the autofocus algorithms can still pick
up people, vehicles and animals equally

swiftly – with excellent eye detection for
portraits. The stabilisation gives smooth
footage when you’re walking, reducing the
need to use a gimbal.
This rangefinder-style camera is suited
to on-the-go users… and if visual style is
important to you, it’s nice to look at (albeit
slightly boxy to hold). Being so compact,
it’s comfortable to carry around all day
and take on trips where you don’t want
to be weighed down. But it’s not easy to
hand-hold the A7C II with heavier Sony
lenses, making it best suited to smaller
primes for portraits and street shots.
R50 000 / sony.co.za
Key specs
O Full-frame 33MP O 10fps
O 4K @ 60fps O 514g

STUFF SAYS Blends compact proportions and connectivity for on-the-go snappers ++++,
77

BEST FOR
BARGAIN
BRILLIANCE

Psycho filler
There’s a flash that
pops up when
activated. This
spreads light evenly
as long as subjects
aren’t too close.

Life during warm time
Fujifilm doesn’t quote
a max video recording
time without
overheating issues,
and the X-S20 doesn’t
have a built-in fan.

Fujifilm X-S20
What’s the story?
Fujifilm’s current entry-level APS-C
camera is so well specced and designed
that it will appeal to advanced users as
well as beginners. If you’re upgrading from
your phone and want a versatile camera
for snaps, vlogs and all-around video work,
you’ll find plenty of features here to help
your social channels.
The ‘Vlog’ option on the mode dial is a
first for Fujifilm and works similarly to the
one on the Canon EOS R50 (see opposite),
giving priority to products when you’re
presenting. The 3in vari-angle screen
pulls out for front viewing and quirky
compositions, then tucks away neatly
to stay safe in your bag.
The X-S20 looks mighty similar to the
X-S10 that came before it, and is easy to
operate out of the box. Control dials are

kept to a minimum and can be customised
to suit your shooting style. It shares the
same processor and battery as the more
expensive X-T5, and Fujifilm says that cell
will keep it juiced for up to 800 shots – a
class-leading number.

Is it any good?
The X-S20 is super-light, but the textured
grip gives it a premium feel and a nicely
ergonomic handheld experience. The
26.1MP APS-C sensor delivers plenty of
detail with a standard 18-55mm kit lens,
and Fujifilm’s colour science is punchy and
pleasing. If you shoot in JPEG format, the
film simulations also let you play around
with the look of images in-camera so you
don’t have to do any editing later.
The video performance is near-perfect
for hybrid content creators, although you

only get one SD card slot. It’s easy to
shoot and send footage straight to a
phone for social sharing – but with 6.2K
video recording and the ability to record
in Apple ProRes RAW or Blackmagic RAW
formats, the X-S20 offers hardcore video
output too.
Fujifilm’s X-Series lenses tend to be
smaller than those you find on full-frame
cameras, which can be handy, and there
are plenty of them to choose from. The
X-S20 builds on the versatility and easy
operation of the X-S10 but with better
battery life and video – it’s a winner.
R23 000 / fujifilm-x.co.za

Key specs
O APS-C 26.1MP O 30fps O 6.2K @ 30fps
O 491g

STUFF SAYS Top video features for vloggers, plus battery life that goes the distance +++++
78

BEST FOR
CONTENT
CREATORS

Stand she was

Mode to show where

The R50’s plastic build
makes it easy to carry
or mount to a travel
tripod. The vari-angle
touchscreen is also a
useful bonus.

When you switch
modes, an optional
screen pops up to
explain what the new
mode does and when
to use it.

Canon EOS R50
What’s the story?
Canon’s second-cheapest RF-mount
camera will appeal to those wanting
more resolution and features than their
phone can give them. The R50 is similar
to the vlog-friendly M50 but has a newer
lens mount, sensor and processor.
Its AI-powered subject recognition is
extensive for the price, with modes for
humans, animals and vehicles ensuring
sharp shots even with moving targets.
There’s also a dedicated AF mode for
vlogging, which is designed for product
placements, demonstrations or tutorials
as the focus shifts automatically from your
face to whatever’s in your hands.
Unlike a smartphone, the R50 gives you
a crisp view through its OLED viewfinder,
which covers 100% of the frame for
accurate composition. There are only

three lenses designed for Canon’s APS-C
format, but full-frame RF lenses are
compatible – they just won’t be as cheap
or compact as the camera itself. The good
news is, if you’re a Canon fan and have
older DSLR lenses, an adapter will let
you use them.

Is it any good?
If you want an entry-level camera for
sharing your amazingly enviable lifestyle,
the EOS R50 is just about ideal. It supports
livestreaming to YouTube, can record 4K
footage for up to an hour, and knows when
you’re shooting vertical or horizontal video,
meaning it’s ready for social channels. And
it’s dead easy to ping content straight to a
phone for speedy uploads.
The R50’s optional guided interface can
walk inexperienced photographers through

different shooting scenarios, while
in-camera focus bracketing expands
the depth of field for macro and food
shots without any processing. The
colours are as rich and accurate as more
expensive mirrorless Canons, but there’s
no in-body image stabilisation here to
steady handheld shots.
If you’re an aspiring vlogger, the R50
will give you better quality than your phone
without a steep learning curve. It’s not
weather-sealed, mind, so you’ll need to
keep your content creation indoors unless
the conditions are fair.
R16 000 / canon.co.za
Key specs
O APS-C 24.2MP O 15fps O 4K @ 30fps
O 375g

STUFF SAYS Easy to use and affordable for those stepping up from a smartphone ++++,
79

BETA YOURSELF

MOBILE GAMING
Stuff shows you how to turn your smartphone into an onthe-go gaming powerhouse – while narrowing their eyes at
anyone who claims mobile titles can’t be ‘proper games’
QDefine limits

THE BASICS

When video games can be
everywhere, it’s easy for
them to take over your life.
Use screen time systems
to stop your kids – and yes,
yourself – from being glued
to them 24/7. But when
you are in the zone, get
the most out of your phone
while playing by using ‘do not
disturb’ and gaming modes to
block distractions.

QTry new things
Resident Evil Village on an
iPhone is a great technical
feat, but it’s horrible to play
without a controller – and not
ideal with one. For some titles,
then, it’s best to stick with
a console or PC. So rather
than replicating your console
experience on a phone, try
new games – especially
ones designed specifically
for touchscreens.

QBe happy, not IAP-py
In-app purchases increasingly
infest console and PC gaming,
but they’re endemic on mobile.
Ideally, find paid games that
avoid such nonsense, or those
with a one-off purchase to
unlock the main game, with
remaining IAPs being purely
cosmetic. Either that or just
say no, kids.

QSync it up
For a game that involves
progression – such as an
adventure or a puzzler with
dozens of levels – check if it
syncs over the cloud by way
of Google Play Games, Apple
Game Center or a bespoke
account. If not, progress will
be locked to one device – so
make sure you start playing
on the best hardware for
that title.

QConsole yourself
The best games tend to be
those optimised for specific
hardware, but inevitably there
are many console-style titles
for smartphones. When you
fancy tackling them in a more
traditional manner with the
benefit of big-screen visuals,
you can turn your phone into
a sort-of-console by using
a Bluetooth controller and a
USB-C to HDMI adapter to link
it to the TV.

VISIT THE FUTURE
QTake the Xbox with you

Save it for
a rainy play
Mobile titles can be
transient, so back up your
favourites with iMazing
(Mac/PC) for iPhone IPAs,
or Amaze File Manager
on Android.

80

Play those AAA Xbox games
anywhere, without needing
an extra-long extension cord,
by joining Game Pass Ultimate
(R130/m) and installing Game
Pass for Android. You’ll want to
use a controller, unless you
have a thing for minefields of
virtual buttons.

QGet it on iPhone
Because of Apple’s ridiculous
rules regarding streaming
games, iPhone owners have
to use Safari – xbox.com/
en-za/play – but you can
sort of ‘appify’ this web page:
tap Share and then ‘Add to
Home Screen’.

3 MOBILE
CLASSICS

ROCKET LEAGUE
SIDESWIPE
The football-meets-cars
mayhem of Rocket
League would be a mess
on a touchscreen – and
crazily hard when drawn
against folks playing on
PCs or consoles – but
this side-on effort distills
it into bite-sized bouts.
And there’s no IAP!
Free / Android, iOS

SUPER CAT
TALES: PAWS
LIKE AND
SUBSCRIBE
QGo to the Arcade

GO BACK IN TIME
QInstall emulators
Android’s openness has made
for a thriving ecosystem of
emulators and retro launchers.
A combination of Retroarch
and Daijisho will set you up for
dozens of ancient systems.
See retrogamecorps.com for
extensive guides.

QExplore webRcade
Apple’s rules (see left) also
mean emulation barely exists
on iPhone. But in Safari, try
webrcade.com. You’ll need to
add a controller (such as the
Backbone One), and can then
instantly play loads of built-in
games – or make feeds to add
your own favourites.

Apple doesn’t have a great
track record in games. But
for R125/m (or as part of
an Apple One sub) Arcade is
great value, with many mobile
exclusives and a growing
selection of IAP-free App
Store classics.

QTry Netflix Games
Oh how we guffawed when
Netflix said it was getting into
games. We’re not laughing
now, since the catalogue
includes Oxenfree, TMNT:
Shredder’s Revenge and
Laya’s Horizon. If you have
a Netflix sub, it’s all yours for
no extra.

QGet a Google pass
Google Play Pass is less about
curation and more about
unlocking a huge chunk of
its store. For R390/yr you get
access to over 1000 games
and apps, with no ads or IAP.

HEAD TO THE WEB

This retro platformer has
loads of adorable cats
and nefarious (yet also
adorable) enemies. More
importantly, it’s fun.
The game is driven by
the two-thumb control
method, resulting in very
distinctive level design
and choreography.
Free (IAP) / Android, iOS

QTry a fantasy console
Pico-8 is a fantasy console
that challenges creators to
make games for its limited
specs. Handily, you can also
play them on your phone:
load any of the carts from
lexaloffle.com/pico-8.php
and virtual controls will appear.

QGet free web games
Many free browser games
have mobile-optimised
versions, which you can
save to your homescreen
as progressive web apps.
Start with Gridland, Car
Boot Carnage, Spike Dislike,
Puzzmo and Google’s own
Quick, Draw!

DATA WING
This looks like a simple
top-down racer, where
you blaze around circuits
in a tiny craft, scraping
track edges for a speed
boost. But you soon find
yourself inside a strange
adventure involving
wider challenges and
a deranged AI.
Free / Android, iOS

81

TESTED GAMES

PS5, PS4, XSX, XB1, PC / callofduty.com

Call of Duty:
Modern Warfare III

CoD revisits old ground for its latest trigger-happy title, but are there enough fresh ideas here
to convince veterans to enlist all over again… or is this kind of warfare just not modern enough?

f you saw the name of Call
of Duty’s latest war-fest
and thought it sounded
familiar, that’s because it is. Modern
Warfare III is a reimagining of a
12-year-old game, updated for
today’s graphical expectations and
geopolitical realities.
It puts you back in the boots
of Task Force 141 as terrorists
attempt to kickstart a new world
war. So far, so CoD – but there
are new open missions that
theoretically allow you to tackle
your objectives in any way you

I

fancy. In practice, however, they fall
far short. Most task you with
blowing something up – the only
real decision is how – and end by
jumping to a helicopter, finding a
well-placed lift or climbing a ladder.
This gets tedious, fast.
A slight saving grace comes in
the Highrise mission, where your
squad must scale a derelict block
then clear the halls inside. Dark,
brooding and frenetic, it shows
promise for what an open
campaign could have been;
as it is, the 15 missions are all

over in about four hours, which
might be a relief considering how
tedious most of them are. If you’re
not buying MWIII for its multiplayer
modes, you’ll be disappointed by
what the single-player campaign
has to offer.
Sadly, that multiplayer is a new
low for the Call of Duty series, with
all the maps simply remastered
versions of those from 2009’s
Modern Warfare 2. The new
3v3v3 mode is a fun addition
but not exactly groundbreaking,
and Zombies multiplayer feels

strangely empty. The 32v32
Ground War mode, meanwhile,
is an attempt to encroach on
Battlefield’s territory – but also
falls well short.
If nothing else, MWIII looks
fantastic. The landscapes are
rich, deep and textured, which
makes the battlefields feel
expansive, and the water effects
are some of the best we’ve seen;
but when a full-priced game feels
like DLC, it’s hard not to feel like
you’re being taken for a ride.
Better luck next year?

STUFF SAYS A half-baked, lazy campaign paired with a lacklustre multiplayer option ++,,,
82

TESTED GAMES

Working
crass heroes

These special night-vision
glasses allow you to tell
when it’s night-time.

This special telescopic
sight allows you to look
at telescopes.

If you’re after a story full of
intrigue, mystery or even just
a shred of nuance, a Call of
Duty game isn’t the obvious
place to find it – and Modern
Warfare III is no different.
There’s a terrorist plot being
orchestrated by men from
the East, brave British soldiers
are tasked with stopping it,
and so you travel the world
shooting anything that moves.
Unsurprisingly, classic action
tropes are in abundance,
as are lines of dialogue that
would make Jean-Claude Van
Damme blush… but it’s easy
to tell who the bad guys are
because they speak with a
funny accent.
The tone has softened a
little, but this game doesn’t
shy away from trying to shock
you. There’s a mission that has
you facelessly drone-striking
combatants from the skies,
one that posits the player as
a terrorist shooting at civilians,
and another that might just be
based on the real-life ‘Highway
of Death’ in Kuwait City.
These come across as little
more than war porn. Some
might say the game is simply
depicting the horror of war in
all its brutality; but any genuine
message in the storyline is
somewhat undermined by
a multiplayer mode that allows
you to parachute from the sky
as a gun-toting Nicki Minaj.

83

TESTED GAMES

Switch / nintendo.co.za

Super Mario RPG
The portly plumber’s original role-playing adventure gets the remake
treatment – but how does it match up to the standards of 2023?
uper Mario RPG was
originally released on
the SNES in 1996 (though
not everywhere); and while it’s
been re-released multiple times,
it’s never enjoyed the full remake
treatment… until now.
Taking Mario outside of the
Mushroom Kingdom and beyond
two dimensions with a fixed
isometric perspective, which
can make platforming sections
a challenge, this Switch version
retains much of the original’s look
and feel but renders everything
in proper 3D. There’s also a
wonderful new score that feels
well suited to the remake, though
you can also select the original
soundtrack if you prefer.
As far as RPGs go it’s a little on
the simple side, with a fairly small
roster from which to build your
party of three. A nice addition is
that timing your attacks perfectly
means the damage doesn’t just
increase on the enemy you’ve
targeted but also hurts others
in the arena. This perhaps makes
battles against multiple foes too
easy, but then Mario RPGs are

S

more about exploring the world
and encountering a variety of
wild characters, with writing
that’s not afraid to poke fun at
the Mushroomverse.
Super Mario RPG also sprinkles
in a variety of mini-games that are
faithful to their originals, but that’s
not always a good thing – some
of them are made more frustrating
by having to navigate using an
analogue stick.
Even with optional side-quests
and challenges, you’re likely to
have this RPG all wrapped up in
10-15hrs. That’s probably a plus
for folks normally put off by overly
lengthy RPGs, and you can unlock
tougher boss rematches that
require more strategic thought,
but more incentives to replay
would have been nice.
For a remake of a spinoff that
differentiated itself by subverting
the tropes and expectations of
a Mario game, this feels rather
safe. But for fans who missed
out the first time around, it’s great
to finally have Super Mario RPG in
an accessible package.
Can we hope for a sequel now?

We can only
hope that
Eskom takes
notes on
producing
electricity.

Peach’s guards
quickly realised
they were
seriously
undersized.

STUFF SAYS A faithful refurb, but fans of modern RPGs might find it repetitive ++++,
84

TESTED GAMES

all platforms / sonicsuperstars.com

Sonic Superstars
New characters, locations, mechanics and vibrant graphics put
a fresh spin on the classic high-speed hedgehogging experience

ack in the early 1990s,
Sega’s tagline was ‘To
be this good takes ages’
(‘ages’ being Sega backwards,
geddit?). Today, it could easily
apply to how long it’s been since
there was a fully new Sonic game
worth playing.
Superstars takes side-scrolling
platforming as its foundation and
instantly transports you back to
the familiar feel of the Mega Drive
era. Diehard fans may miss the
original pixel art but its 3D visuals
do a great job of emulating the
classic animations, including
the way your character will start
wobbling when standing on the
edge of a platform.
Its setting of Northstar Islands is
split into zones that recall elements
of past adventures – green hills,
underwater sections, floating
sky fortresses – and many have
interesting gimmicks, whether it’s
riding vines in Speed Jungle Zone
or being turned into voxel-formed
creatures in Cyber Station Zone.
Collecting emeralds will also grant
you new powers, such as making
clones of yourself that charge

B

across the screen to attack
enemies, although many don’t
feel meaningfully integrated or
have very limited use.
While Superstars nails the core
of what made the original games
so good, not everything is so
successful. The worst offenders
are bosses, which have some
cleverly designed attack patterns
but can drag out through multiple
phases, with no checkpoints in
between. Four-player local co-op
is passable in a casual scenario but
a group of serious fans will find it
frustrating, while the multiplayer
mech-based mini-games in Battle
Mode just feel too throwaway – so
the main replay value comes from
approaching the single-player acts
from a different route or as another
character, with Tails, Knuckles and
Amy all feeling different enough to
warrant a spin.
Sonic Superstars takes the
high-speed hedgehog’s 16-bit
era as a basis for a properly modern
successor; and while the hits are
mixed up with misses, fans will feel
it’s been worth the wait.There’s a
little bit of magic left over.

You can’t
see it but
something’s
chasing Sonic
right here.

Enemies will
test player
reflexes even
more than
usual.

STUFF SAYS Not quite ‘super’ but as close as you’ll get to the Mega Drive heyday ++++,
85

GADGET DOCTOR

ALWAYS ON CALL

facebook.com/stuffsa O @StuffSA
stuff@stuff.co.za

MAIL OF THE MONTH
Q

A COUPLE OF NOTES

I read your recent issue
(loved it) and saw you still have
the Redmi Note 11 in your budget
smartphone selection. I wanted
to ask why the Redmi Note 12
has not been added or reviewed
yet, seeing as the Redmi Note 13
series is on its way to SA.
It feels like the Note 12s are a big
step up from the previous Note
series. The 4G base is still only
the 4GB RAM version and the
Pro model are quite meh, the 5G
phones are great even if a little
pricey here in SA. I know
Connected Devices sell them for
cheaper though. Albert

For some reason, that one
just never turned up on the
list, which was an oversight.
We’re taking a more proactive
approach to reviews in 2024 so
you can expect to see changes
in all of the Top 10s (and in how
we conduct reviews in general,
if Duncan ever finishes being
obsessive). Seriously, though,
go and check the Budget Phones
page right now. Oh, and you
won some Jabra headphones.
Not a bad result for a message
sent via Instagram, was it? You
should have your prize in your
hands by the time you see this
in print.

A

Speak your brains to Stuff and you could win!
This letter wins a set of Jabra headphones.

Q

MYSTERIOUS
CHARGES

I have a Redmi 8 and since
yesterday it has been charging
very slowly. The cable seems to be
okay. What do you think could be
the problem?
Devandran
Without the phone nearby,
it's difficult to say what's
actually the matter. We'd doublecheck the cable -- it might seem
fine but that's no reason not to
look twice. Other possibilities are
damage to the charge port, a
software update that changed
charge speeds to extend battery

life (your phone is five years old,
after all), or the battery is just...
getting old. It's not likely that it's
anything you can do anything
about. Unless it's the cable. Or
someone's nicked your 18W
charging block and replaced it
with something slower. That's
also a possibility.

A

Q

TITAN OF INDUSTRY

Can you possibly tell me who
the manufacturer of the Titan
Elekstor 286Wh 300W portable
power station is? I need to buy
spare parts. Johan

There's no way for us to
answer this question
exactly without sounding like
smartasses so we'll just tell you
who brings Titan's products into
the country. Apex Interactive is
who you're looking for. You
should be able to reach them via
email or phone. We'd expect
them to be able to direct you
further.

A

Q

YOU’RE PROBABLY
GOOD

I received an email with respect to
one of my email addresses from
Have I Been Pwned. Should I be
worried? I don’t use duplicate
passwords and the only worry I
might have is with my bank
accounts but which are not all
connected with the email address
in question. A password manager
is advocated, but I use four or five
computers and laptops, both
Microsoft and Apple, for work and
have found in the past that a
password manager has trouble
with my bank account passwords.
Can I ignore and do business as
usual or should I take some kind
of action? Gert
We think you are doing
everything right, in terms of
password security. Change the
password for the site that was
compromised as soon as
possible (we’re sure you’ve
already done this). If you’re

A

looking for a password manager,
we’d suggest Bitwarden. It works
across both Apple and Microsoft.
As far as bank passwords go, those
are the only ones we never use a
manager for. That one stays in the
brain, thanks. We also change key
passwords every year. The other
important thing to do is set up
two-factor authentication (2FA)
and to use an app from a different
supplier. Google and Microsoft
make these authenticator apps
(which display a six-digit code
every 30 seconds), as do Nord and
LastPass.

Q

BACK TO OUR ROOTS

I’ve enjoyed reading Stuff
through the years but it would be
great to see more retro gaming
devices. The small mention of the
Ninja Turtles Arcade cabinet and
Pocket Capcom in the last issue
didn’t hit that retro spot I cannot
scratch. The retro gaming device’s
world is huge and needs more love.
Mihanta
We agree with you on the
scarcity of retro gaming
devices. That's more of a
consequence of their lack of South
African availability rather than
because we don't want to play with
it but the subject of retro gaming
came up in the office in the first
few weeks of this year. Don't be
surprised if you start to see more
of that sort of thing in the future.

A

TO IN
E
RIT D W
W AN
US

The best letter in next month’s issue of Stuff will
win a pair of Jabra Elite 4 Active Headphones valued at R2 000
86

This gadget has
leapt straight
outta testing
and into our
rankings.

OF EVERYTHING

NEW

Time changes
everything,
including Stuff
Top Ten placings.

HOT
BUY
BARGAIN
BUY
UPDATE
Searing with
techy genius,
a product that’s
set our hearts
aflame.

A solid gold
bargain.
Worth owning,
regardless of
cashflow.

Smartphones
Budget Smartphones
Tablets & streamers
TVs
Laptops
Smartwatches &
fitness trackers
Budget buys

90
91
92
93
94
95
96

VR headsets & games 97
Drones, action cams & 98
budget tablets
System cameras
99
Headphones
100
Wireless/smart speakers 101
Consoles/monitors
102
Games
103

WHERE
TO GET
THEM

1

UPDATE

Orbea Rise

From R1. 1 million / cmhvolvocars.co.za

from R115 000 / cyclelab.com

The holy grail for any electric vehicle, but especially those sold in
South Africa, combines (relative) affordability with decent range
and enough features to keep drivers happy. The electric version
of Volvo’s XC40 SUV ticks all these boxes. There’s more than
400km of range on a charge, the in-car tech is impressive on its
own, and it’ll also manage a nice turn of speed. For just over a
million bucks, that’s an absolute bargain. However, there’s a
cheaper, sub-R800 000 EV coming from Volvo shortly that will
shake this list up.

The Orbea Rise has a philosophy of Less E, More Bike. The
principle is simple, create the lightest e-bike on the market,
throw some proprietary tech from Shimano and Tesla at it, and
the result is some of the lightest e-bikes on the market, and the
lightest per Rand spent. The bike is based on the Orbea Occam’s
geometry: it feels like a normal bike, but has all the smiles per
mile of an e-bike. Lifetime frame warranty and exceptional
after-sales support makes it a clear winner.

Stuff says +++++
Balances price, range and features extremely well, but
expect the Volvo EX30 to claim this spot very shortly.

Stuff says +++++
A perfect blend of a more natural ride with lightweight
performance and less range anxiety.

2

Jaguar i-Pace

3

Porsche Taycan Turbo S

5

1

UPDATE

Volvo XC40
P6 Recharge Plus

4
UPDATE

88

from R2.46 million / jaguar.co.za
Here’s where things get tricky. Sure, you’re
paying almost R2.5 million for about 400km per
charge, but slip behind the wheel and into the
race-spec seat and you’ll know where it went.
Stuff says +++++
If Batman drove an EV, this is what he’d drive.

+++++from R4.41 million / porsche.com
Put pedal to metal and you’ll hit 100km/h in a
heart-shuddering 2.8 seconds. At that price,
it bloody better.

BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport
+++++from R3 million / bmw.co.za
Depending on your wallet, you won’t find
(much) better range, (any) better tech, or this
much luxury outside of a Bentley.

Audi RS e-tron GT quattro
+++++ From R3.52 million / audi.co.za
A range of at least 433km, 0 to 100km/h in
3.3 seconds, and typical Audi luxury was
never going to be cheap.

2

3

Words: Marnitz Aucamp.

TOP TENS EBIKES & EVS

Scott Patron
from R136 000 / mellowvelo.co.za
A bit less budget-friendly but one of the
most capably longer travel bikes we have
tested. With 160km of confidence-inspiring
travel, it’s an absolute trail killer.
Stuff says +++++
A trail monster providing clever tech and
absolute joy.

AVALANCHE E.Go
+++++R23 500 / kayalamicycles.co.za
Ebikes aren’t only about speeding over mounds
of dirt. This one marries old-school cool, a stepin frame, and a 240W motor for a stylish (and
relatively affordable) trip around town.

4

Orbea Keram

5

Titan Nitric Dash

+++++from R50 000 / cyclelab.com
A value offering for the beginner rider. Its
400WH battery is enough to ride 2-2.5 hours
without wondering how you’ll make it back.

+++++ from R65 000 / cyclelab.co.za
A great combination of mid-power delivery
with great range. Titan has long been the
value offering for South Africans and
continues to deliver on that promise.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

89

SMART HOME DEVICES TOP TENS

1

Amazon Echo
(4th Gen)
R3,000 / builders.co.za

TIPS &
TRICKS

Having morphed from a cylinder to a sphere,
the latest Echo is an excellent newsreader,
weather forecaster, personal assistant and
intercom straight out of the box; but it’s now
also a capable speaker and a very accessible
smart home hub. It doesn’t sound as good
as the Sonos One for listening to music, but
it’s significantly smarter and considerably
cheaper too.

The Echo’s built-in
Zigbee hub can hook
up hundreds of
smart home devices
without a bridge.
Pair a compatible
thermostat and the
Echo’s temperature
sensor can activate
the heating.

Stuff says +++++
An all-round upgrade that makes the
Echo a smarter speaker than ever
O NOW ADD THIS
Tuya Smart WIFI Thermostat
This Alexa-compatible smart
thermostat is wireless so you can
place itwhere it’s most convenient.
R660 / geewiz.co.za

Alexa Flash
Briefings deliver
bursts of news or
trivia; choose from
5000 sources in
the app.

2

UPDATE

3

4
UPDATE

5
6

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

Google Nest Mini

from R1 600 / smartspeakers.co.za

R900 / leroymerlin.co.za

The latest Dot offers improved
sound quality over the 4th Gen
model. Not surprisingly given its
size, it still doesn’t have the heft
of a full-scale Echo, but this Dot is
more than good enough for bedside
table or kitchen listening – and light
years away from the lame sound
of the early models. Be sure to
consider the ‘with Clock’ version,
which offers a better and much
more useful LED display than the
previous model – you can now see
things like basic weather info and
song titles.

If you live in Google’s world (and
let’s face it, most of us do) then
the Nest Mini is the best, cheapest
way to get into the smart home
game. Just like the latest Echo
Dot, this latest version features
upgraded speakers and mics
compared to older models. It’s
a slightly better bet than the Echo
Dot with Clock if you want close
integration with your Google
calendar and apps. The only
reason not to buy is if you want
more powerful audio – for that,
get the Google Nest Audio instead.

Stuff says +++++
The 5th Gen brings a nice upgrade
to an already excellent little gadget

Stuff says +++++
Louder and cleverer than ever… and
it’ll only improve with updates

UPDATE

7
8

UPDATE

9
10

TP-Link Tapo C200 Indoor Cam
+++++R880 / incredible.co.za
Ever wanted to know what your pets get up to
when you’re away? Now you do.

LG Side-By-Side InstaView fridge
+++++ from R58 000 / tafelberg.co.za
A smart fridge controlled by LG’s Thinq app, with
wide-angle screen; knock twice to see inside.

Amazon Echo Show 15
+++++R6 930 / geewiz.co.za
Amazon’s smart display has come of age –
this is easily the best Show in town.

Aeno Premium Eco Smart Heater
+++++From R3 640 / geewiz.co.za
This good-looking heater can be controlled from
your phone and won’t run up your electricity bill.

Philips Hue Starter Kit
+++++From R3 000 / zeekonline.co.za
The smartest way of lighting your home
remotely. Also a gateway drug.

Dyson V15 Detect Absolute
+++++ R14 000 / masons.co.za
A vacuum cleaner that illuminates your dust
with a laser…

Xiaomi LED Desk Lamp 1S
++++,R1 100 / incredible.co.za
Adjustable using Alexa and Google, via app or
voice, and four lighting modes.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS SMARTPHONES

90

1

TIPS &
TRICKS
You can enable Dark
Mode by default to
maximise that
glorious AMOLED
screen. Just head to
Settings, Display, and
Dark Mode.

UPDATE

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Look, Samsung’s 2023 flagship is still one of the best Android
smartphones you can get. A custom version of the Snapdragon
8 Gen 2 beats at the heart of this monster, along with 12GB of
RAM and a frankly bonkers 200MP main camera sensor. The
stalwart S Pen lives inside while the overall design and display are
as good as ever, if a little familiar. It’s almost a shame that it’ll be
departing from its position at the head of this list but Samsung’s
got a new favoured son and it’s toting Galaxy AI skills.

Customise your
Always-On Display
by heading to
Settings and then
Lock Screen. There
are more options
than you’d expect
lurking under that
banner.

2

NEW

Stuff says +++++
If you own one of these, you don’t need a computer.
Get the computer, by all means, but you don’t need it.
O NOW ADD THIS
SAMSUNG S23 ULTRA LEATHER CASE
Make sure everyone knows how well-heeled you
are by encasing your new smartphone in pricey
leather that hides that excellent design (and keeps
it safe from harm).
R1 300 | samsung.com/za

3

UPDATE

NEW

NEW

4
5

UPDATE

6
NEW

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Xiaomi 13T Pro

From R32 600 / incredible.co.za

R15 300 / tradeinn.com

There’s a new iPhone on the
block this year, and that means
a couple of things. One, it might
be the next big player in the
console industry (no, really) and
two, it’ll cost you a few months’
rent before it gets into your
pants. Living on the streets
might be worth it for that A17
Pro chipset, right? Other
highlights include a titanium
chassis and new video and
camera skills, which are essential
for justifying that R32k price.

If you’re looking to rebel against
your capitalist overlords, where
better to start than Xiaomi’s 13T
Pro? It’s touting similar innards
to that of Samsung’s flagships
in 2023, a 6.67in AMOLED
display and the stupendous
120W charging that we saw in
Xiaomi’s previous iteration. All
for a whole lot less buck, too. It’s
not quite the flagship beater
2024 needs but it’s definitely
the budget beater we deserve.

Stuff says +++++
Got a PS5 or Xbox? This upgrade
might be a bit over the top for you.

Stuff says +++++
A well-earned break from the
usual faces that won’t leave
you bankrupt.

7

UPDATE

8
NEW

9

NEW

10

Samsung Galaxy S23+
+++++ from R25 000 / takealot.com
It’s easier to choose over the Ultra, based purely on
price, but you’ll lose that 200MP sensor.

iPhone 15 Pro
+++++ from R26 500 / takealot.com
It might be the middle child, but the iPhone 15 Pro will
do plenty of acting out to get your attention.

Samsung Galaxy S23
+++++ from R17 000 / samsung.com/za
If you’re all about power and less about frills, this is
the smartphone for you (till the S24 launches)..

iPhone 15
+++++ from R21 000 / istore.co.za
Hey, it can’t play the new Assassin’s Creed, but it
does have USB-C. And Candy Crush.

ROG Phone 6
+++++ R22 500 / wootware.co.za
For mobile gaming, this beast absolutely wipes the
floor with everything else.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
+++++ from R23 000 / samsung.com/za
The best flipper in the game now has a 5 in its name
(and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor).

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
+++++ from R14 000 / incredible.co.za
The cheapest Samsung device with a 23 in the
name. That’s got to be worth something.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

O Prices quoted are for handset only unless otherwise stated

From R28 000 | takealot.co.za

91

BUDGET PHONES TOP TENS

1

TIPS &
TRICKS
Go dark – head to
Settings, then
Display, and then
select Dark Mode
to save your eyes
some trouble.

Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
R8 000 / takealot.com
Samsung’s budget lineup continues to kick the competition
around. As you can tell from the increased model number, the
A34 5G is a little better than its predecessor (and miles ahead
of the competition). SA’s got the 6GB/128GB version of the
phone, which sports a 6.6in120Hz Super AMOLED display. The
increased spec is because Samsung’s done away with its A7x
series smartphones, by the look of things, so there’s more
hardware love to go around. The camera hasn’t upgraded
much, however, so you can still snag the Galaxy A33 5G (for
R6 000) if that’s all you’re concerned with.

Easier on the eyes –
go to Settings,
choose Accessibility,
then select TalkBack
to get audio cues
from your phone.

Stuff says +++++
Samsung stays under budget while offering users
more than before. Always a good deal, that.

Messed it up? Travel
to Settings, General
Management, Reset,
and then Factory
Reset to start over.

O NOW ADD THIS
JABRA ELITE 2 EARBUDS
Samsung’s ditched the headphone jack so you’re going
to have to go wireless this time. These’ll do nicely.
R1 000 | takealot.com

Honor X9a

2

3

4

NEW

5
6
7
Samsung Galaxy A54

Samsung Galaxy A13

R10 500 / incredible.co.za

R4 600 / takealot.com

Surprise, surprise: Samsung’s
taken up another spot on the
budget phone list. We get it, the
Samsung Galaxy A54 pushes the
boundaries of the word ‘budget’
with that R10,500 price tag. Note
the AMOLED panel, 5,000mAh
battery, and 50MP sensor and
the price will soon make sense.
Features you’d expect from more
expensive smartphones lurk
under the hood, making this
highly attractive no matter what
you’re after.

Don’t let the price tag confuse
you. This is still one of
Samsung’s better devices even
if it’s on what we’d call the
‘good’ side of R5 000. That isn’t
a few thousand going to waste,
either. The A13’s camera won’t
be winning any prizes, but it’ll do
the job just fine. As will the
innards and decent 6.6in
display. Smartphones under
the R5k mark don’t usually
perform this well, which is why
it’s at number three.

Stuff says +++++
Samsung strikes again, this time
with a glassy fist

Stuff says +++++
Oh, you wanted a budget budget
phone. Here you go. You’re welcome.

NEW

8
NEW

9

+++++ R11 000 / bash.com
Honor returns to Stuff’s Top 10 lists with a
budget handset that doesn’t disappoint.

Nokia C32
+++++ R2 500 / bash.com
One of the most affordable smartphones that
can run Netflix. That’s a win in our books.

Apple iPhone SE (2022)
+++++ R11 000 / computermania.co.za
Slightly more expensive than the last one
but a whole lot faster.

Tecno Spark 10 5G
+++++ R5 000 / bash.com
Expect a full day of battery life, great
performance overall, and an attractive rear panel.

Xiaomi Redmi 12
+++++ R4 000 / technomobi.co.za
5G may be a no-go here, but it’ll put in a great shift
when taking on Eskom’s nastier bouts.

Huawei Nova 11i
+++++R6 000 / huawei.com/za
If you can handle the distinct lack of Google,
Huawei’s budget handheld should suit you just fine.

Realme C51

NEW

10

+++++ R4 000 / takealot.com
It can’t go toe-to-toe with Samsung’s flagships,
but it’ll charge faster. It’s the small things.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS TABLETS & STREAMERS

92

1

1

UPDATE

Apple iPad Pro 11in 4th Gen
(2022)

Xiaomi TV Box S
(2nd-gen)

As we’ve said before: the sun will burn out and there will
probably still be an iPad at the top of this list. 2022’s iPad Pro
has had a processing boost through its M2 chip. The CPU is
now 15% faster than M1, and the GPU 35% faster. These
increases are more noticeable for those with heavier
workloads – exactly the target user for the Pro tablets. This
means the 2022 iPad Pro can play games better than before.
It’s also been improved to work better with the also-improved
Apple Pencil. Our main question is how long it’ll be before the
Pro is a full games console.

You’ve got to be careful when buying a TV box in South Africa. You
might be left with some iffy software and a controller that’ll haunt
you until the end of your days. It’s best to stick with a certified
Android box, like Xiaomi’s TV Box S which recently received a
refresh of its internals to bring it up to 2023’s standards. It’ll glide
around the place without faltering and even offers HDR10+ and
Dolby Vision (if you’ve got the TV to support it). Chuck in the
revised controller and you’ve got yourself a winner that won’t be
beaten until Xiaomi’s next effort.

Stuff says +++++
Still marketed as a high-end productivity tool for pro’s,
now with M2 speed

Stuff says +++++
Ready to join the Mi too movement? You won’t be
disappointed in Xiaomi’s latest and greatest

From R19 300 / takealot.com

UPDATE

Apple iPad Air (5th Generation)

Apple TV 4K

from R14 500 / incredible.co.za
Apple’s new iPad Air has landed and it’s
bringing the might of Apple Silicon M1 to the
company’s lightest tablets. it’s a tough call on
whether you should buy an Air or a Pro. But
the Pro is still a little bit more capable.
Stuff says +++++
Still the best all-purpose iPad for most folks

R3 100 / incredible.co.za
While Apple’s entry on this list might
technically be better than Xiaomi’s own efforts
on paper, it’s difficult to justify the absurd price
tag. If you’re part of Apple’s ecosystem, it
might be a different story.
Stuff says +++++
Cast your dreams to the TV

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

DSTV Streama

R33 000 / takealot.com
You’ll be hard-pressed to find anything that
can touch Samsung’s superb 14.6in display
and excellent sound quality. Except maybe
something from Apple’s line-up. That’s why
it’s third on the list, right?
Stuff says +++++
Android tabs don’t get any better
UPDATE

4
UPDATE

5

from R1 300 / takealot.com

Apple iPad (9th Generation)
+++++ from R7 200 / makro.co.za
The standard iPad remains as good as it has
been every year before.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
+++++R4 300 / takealot.com
The A7 Lite has much in its favour — solid build,
battery legs, decent screen, very decent price.

3

R1 300 / incredible.co.za
DStv’s Streama is a standalone media box for
watching DStv and apps including Showmax,
Netflix, Prime Video,HBO Max, SuperSport
and more. Also offers 4K picture quality if you
have a 4K-capable TV.
Stuff says +++++
Now with Disney+ on a home-grown platform

4

++++,from R850 / makro.co.za
Google’s Chromecast 3.0 is a solid option for
those looking to smarten up their TV.

5

Google Chromecast 3.0

Xiaomi TV Stick
++++,R1 000 / incredible.co.za
Xiaomi’s TV Stick might be a few years old but if
you’re after something lighter, it’ll do just fine.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

93

1

TVs TOP TENS

UPDATE

Samsung 50QN90B
R22 000 / hificorp.co.za

Samsung’s QN90B series is due for an upgrade
this year which could well supplant this one. Until
then, this mini-LED TV is still deserving of our
No.1 spot thanks to all the value it brings to the
table. Whether you’re an avid movie watcher,
sports fan, casual TV enjoyer, or want to hook up
a console, this TV belongs on your shortlist. There
isn’t much it doesn’t do well aside from its lack of
Dolby Vision support. Locally available models in
the QN90B series range from 43in to 85in.

Stuff says +++++
Deserves a place on every TV shortlist for
its versatility and value for money.
TIPS &
TRICKS

2

Audio is great, but if
you’re looking for the
best performance,
add a soundbar like
the one we’ve listed.

NEW

Samsung’s Mini-LED
QLED screens are
brighter than OLED
TVs – better for welllit living rooms with
other things going
on. Cheaper, too.

3

Comes with
Samsung’s solar cell
remote, named
because it features a
solar cell with which it
will charge itself if left
upside down.

NEW

UPDATE

4

HOT
BUY

NEW

5
NEW

6
LG OLED65G36LA

Samsung 65QN800B

R60 000 / digitalexperience.co.za

R60 000 / expertstores.co.za

The sixth generation of LG’s clever
Alpha 9 processor is running the
G3 show - which means improved
HDR and better-balanced audio,
plus the sort of authority over
even the trickiest content that
ensures it’s always a natural watch.
But the biggest advantage of the
lot is the Micro Lens Array tech
that uses billions of tiny lenses to
focus the light output of the
panel’s pixels.

The QN800B is slim and sleek, yes,
at just 17mm deep. But its most
obvious feature is its utterly
spectacular 8K resolution. With
over four times the pixels of a 4K
screen, detail levels, colour fidelity
and edge-definition are absolutely
superb. It’s an 8K television in a 4K
world, but if you don’t watch much
content below 4K and you think
8K will take over soon, this is a
deeply impressive television.

Stuff says +++++
If the LG G3 is anything to go by,
there’s life in the OLED dog yet

Stuff says +++++
An excellent TV that’s ready for
the future

7
UPDATE

8
NEW

9
UPDATE

10

O NOW ADD THIS Samsung Q-Series soundbars
Pairing your Samsung TV with one
of these is a stress-free way to
get object-based 3D sound.
from R5 500 / takealot.com

LG OLED48C3
+++++ R25 000 / digitalexperience.co.za
A top all-rounder – add the C3 to the long list of
brilliant TVs LG has delivered.

TCL 55C755
+++++ R13 000 / takealot.com
This refreshed model is better, brighter, and
(more importantly) cheaper than the last.

Samsung 55CU7000
+++++ R10 000 / incredible.co.za
Samsung’s entry-level 4K TV foregoes the bells and
whistles for passable quality at an attractive price.

TCL 65C835
++++, R20 000 / newworld.co.za
The combination of picture quality, software and
audio does just enough to warrant the price tag.

Samsung The Frame
++++, R10 000 / samsung.com/za
A 4K TV that looks like it belongs in a gallery, even
when it’s turned off. Who says television isn’t art?

Hisense 43A6K
++++, R7 000 / takealot.com
This Hisense 4K TV is light on features yet offers
surprisingly capable picture quality for the price.

Skyworth 50SUD9300F
++++, R6 500 / game.co.za
Skyworth touts its TV’s smarts with good reason.
Google smart home compatibility is baked in.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS LAPTOPS

TIPS &
TRICKS

If you can afford it,
the 512GB option
brings faster flash
storage (and more of
it, of course).

94

Naturally the M2 Air
performs better than
the M1 version, but
that older model is
the value buy.

1

UPDATE

Apple MacBook Air
13in M2 (2022)
From R25 000 / incredible.co.za
All signs point to a MacBook Air M3 update in the coming
months. It will undoubtedly be more powerful and probably
at least a little more expensive. But until that happens, the
13in MacBook Air with a base M2 processor is still plenty
powerful enough to satisfy most people and remains atop
our list. For the time being, at least.

Stuff says +++++
Shame about the price hike, but this is still the Mac
to buy for most users . It’s easy to see why
O NOW ADD THIS
Belkin 4-Port GaN Charger 108W
This brick lets you charge your Mac laptop
through its 96W USB-C output… and juice
up three other devices at the same time.
R1 700 / takealot.com

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2023)

2

NEW

3

NEW

4

NEW

NEW

5

UPDATE

6

Apple MacBook Pro 14in M3
(2023)

ASUS VivoBook Pro 15
OLED (2023)

from R37 500 / incredible.co.za

R35 000 / za.store.asus.com

With good (M3), better (M3 Pro)
and best (M3 Max) performance
options, the MacBook Pro range
finally feels coherent again. The
120Hz ProMotion screen is great,
the speakers are beefy, and you get
a plentiful array of ports including
MagSafe charging. The power
available at the very top of the
range is properly awesome (and so
is the pricing, at over seventy
grand); but for most heavy users,
an M3 or M3 Pro should be more
than enough laptop.

If you’re due for an upgrade,
the Vivobook Pro 15 from
2023, with its AMD innards
and typically excellent screen,
is in the business of
converting the creativelyminded market to a Windows
environment. If you’re a
dedicated Mac fan, you might
not be tempted but if you’ve
ever wondered how the other
half lives, this is a great way to
find out.

Stuff says +++++
Apple’s pro laptops now have even
more power and no weak links.

Stuff says +++++
Ticks a lot of boxes well enough to
warrant a spot in the top three.

UPDATE

7
UPDATE

8
UPDATE

NEW

9

10

+++++ from R40 000 / consumer.huawei.com/za
Sits in a veritable sweet spot with decent
performance, premium design, good set of
features in a nicely portable package.

Asus Zenbook S 13 (2023)
+++++ from R33 000 / za.store.asus.com
If you’re looking for decent power in a small
package, it won’t come much smaller than this.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (2022)
+++++ From R23 000 / incredible.co.za
The Surface 4’s successor is everything you’d
expect from Microsoft’s fifth generation.

Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 (2022)
+++++ R43 200 / dellonline.co.za
An update to the processor and battery continues
the XPS 13’s high standard.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9
+++++ from R28 000 / incredible.co.za
Microsoft’s latest hybrid device offers more
performance than previous models.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
+++++ R35 000 / incredible.co.za
The Predator Helios Neo 16 is a laptop you can
carry around work and take gaming after hours.

Asus TUF Gaming F17 (2023)
+++++ R27 000 / za.store.asus.com
Who says gaming on a budget means a tiny screen
and disappointing performance? Certainly not Asus.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

95

SMARTWATCHES, FITNESS TRACKERS TOP TENS

1

TIPS &
TRICKS

HOT NEW
BUY

Apple Watch Ultra 2
R21 000 / incredible.co.za

The new Action Button
that lets you create
quick action shortcuts,
like launching straight
into a workout or taking
a lap split while running
or cycling.

Who knew that Ultra could become more... Ultra? Anybody
who’s familiar with Apple’s funny naming conventions
should, at least. Still, there’s no denying that the Apple
Watch Ultra 2 (try saying that three times fast) is the best
in its category by any metric you throw at it. Battery life?
It’ll handle 36 hours on your wrist before it’ll start whining
about it. Brightness? It’s Apple’s brightest Always-On
display yet. It’s about as powerful as the previous iteration
but comes with a new U2 ultra-wideband location chip
that’ll give the Ultra 2 new Siri powers. It’s rad.

Use the Race Route
feature to pace
yourself against any
route you have
previously run at least
twice.
There’s a choice of
three new bands. We
found it hard to get a
perfect fit with the
Alpine loop; the Trail
loop seems more
adjustable.

2

Don’t be ashamed to whip
out the Ultra’s Compass
app and set a waypoint or
two, especially if you’re the
type to ignore trails or just
want some adventure.

UPDATE

3

Don’t have a flashlight handy?
Yes, you do. The Watch Ultra 2
is housing a flashlight that
won’t fend off animals bigger
than you, but it’ll help you find
your keys in the dark.

Stuff says +++++
The Watch Ultra 2 is Apple’s most advanced
smartwatch yet. Again. And it should be, for
that price.

Garmin Fenix 7
UPDATE

NEW

Samsung Galaxy Watch Pro 5

Garmin Epix (Gen 2)

From R12 000 / bash.co.za

From R19 000 / capeunionmart.co.za

The all-new Galaxy Watch5 Pro
carries a price premium over the
Galaxy Watch5 and doesn’t add
many features, but the Pro still
makes a strong case for itself by its
more robust build and better
battery. For most people the
Watch5 may be the better buy but
there’s no denying the titanium
Watch5 Pro has a real presence on
your wrist.

Garmin has given us something we
didn’t think we were allowed to have:
a fully featured sports watch with a
glorious, easily readable AMOLED
display that doesn’t come at the
expense of expedition-friendly
battery life. Expect up to 16 days of
solid use in smartwatch mode and
42hrs of GPS (or 75hrs with a few
tweaks). Plus a host sport modes
and monitoring info.

Stuff says +++++
The toughest, longest-lasting
Galaxy Watch yet

Stuff says +++++
A capable fitness and adventure allrounder with a slick screen

4

+++++ from R13 500 / bash.com
An impressive mix of rugged durability, serious
battery endurance, excellent nav skills and
smartwatch features.

5

Garmin Fenix 6S

6

Apple Watch Series 9

7

Coros Apex 2 Pro

8

Huawei Watch GT3 Pro

9

Amazfit T-Rex Pro

UPDATE

UPDATE

UPDATE

10

+++++ R9 700 / takealot.com
Compact, good looking, and the range of
sports tracking is off the charts.

+++++ R10 500 / istore.co.za
Apple’ Series 9 features a lot of the same innards
you’d find on the Ultra, for half the price.

+++++ R13 000 / coroswearables.co.za
Designed to take on Garmin’s Fenix, Coros set the
pace with a first impression we won’t forget.

+++++ R6 000 / consumer.huawei.com/za
Easily one of the best-looking wearables around,
the Watch GT 3 Pro excels at fitness tracking.

+++++R4 000 / bash.com
Amazfit’s latest entry rocks up packing GPS, a
seven-day battery life and a reliable price.

Apple Watch SE
+++++ R6 300 / everyshop.co.za
If you’re looking for value, the faster 2nd-gen SE is
the best Apple Watch hands down.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS BUDGET BUYS

96

1

Romoss Zeus
40000mAh Power Bank

TIPS &
TRICKS

R980 / wootware.co.za

The neat little screen
can display three
different kinds of
data: current, voltage,
and remaining power.

Despite the recent price hike that stretches the boundary
of what is considered ‘budget’, this chunky power bank
retains its place at the top of our Budget Buys list.
Especially with load shedding ramping up to sometimes
eight hours a day and no clear end in sight. If you’re just
using it to keep your smartphone alive, you should get at
least eight full charges from it. You can charge two things
at once and it supports up to 22.5W charging, so it doesn’t
hang about. It also has a neat little screen.

Charge it back up to
full with a choice of
three inputs: USB-C,
Lightning, and Micro
USB.

Stuff says +++++
Plenty of ports, massive capacity, and fast
charging to get you through load shedding

The 22.5W output
might be a little too
pap for a laptop but
your friend’s phone?
No problem.

2

UPDATE

UPDATE

O NOW ADD THIS
Boabab USB-C to USB-A 1M Charging
Cable (pack of 3)
It only comes with one charging cable,
so here are three more.
R240 / takealot.com

3

4

UPDATE

Peachz MagSafe Ring Air Vent Car
Phone Mount
+++++ R340 / peachz.co.za
If you don’t mind sacrificing some real estate on
the back of your phone, keep Peachz in mind.

Razer Viper Mini

5
NEW

Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen
(2022)
R1 600 / leroymerlin.co.za

Instax Mini 11

6
7

Nokia 3310 (2017 Edition)
R1 400 / takealot.com
Sometimes you don’t need all the
smarts that modern smartphones
provide. Sometimes you just need
to make calls. Whatever your
reason for wanting a feature phone
instead of a smartphone, you can’t
go wrong with this legend of the
cellphone era. There have even
been a few updates, like a colour
display, refreshed UI, and monthlong standby battery life.

Have no friends? Need someone to
talk to? We can’t help you there –
but Amazon’s fifth generation Echo
Dot will try its best to fill that void.
It’ll hear what you’ve got to say,
answer your questions, play your
music, and fart on command.
Seriously. All through a half-decent
speaker, outfitted with a new (and
much larger) driver, promising
more than double the bass of its
older brothers. For less than
R1,500, that’s a steal.

Stuff says +++++
Sure there are cheaper options, but
you can’t play Snake on those.

Stuff says +++++
Be nice to Alexa. It may make a
difference when the robots rise up.

+++++ R1 000 / evetech.co.za
A small, fast, and incredibly light wired gaming
mouse that punches well above its weight.

8
9
10

+++++ R1 300 / takealot.com
If you’re looking for a safe bet when it comes to
instant film, it’s hard to ignore the Mini 11.

Turtle Beach Recon Controller
+++++ R1 500 / incredible.co.za
Want to up your K/D ratio while mocking your
foes clearly and concisely? This should help.

PS5 DualSense Charging Station
+++++ R700 / game4u.co.za
What’s better than one charged DualSense
controller? Two of them. Trust us.

JBL Go 3 Waterproof Speaker
+++++ from R800 / takealot.com
Bring your shower time to life with backing
vocals and instrumental accompaniment.

Volkano Constant Mini Network UPS
++++, R800 / incredible.co.za
Your internet needs to stay up somehow.
This’ll go for at least four hours, probably more.

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97

1

UPDATE

VR HEADSETS & VR GAMES TOP TENS

1

HOT
BUY

PlayStation VR 2
from R14 000 / game4u.co.za

Half-Life: Alyx

from R500 / Oculus Quest/Rift, Vive, Valve Index
Selling your soul is no longer a requirement to own a top-ofthe-range VR headset. Sure, you’ll need a PS5 to pair with
Sony’s PSVR 2, but it’s not the PSVR 2’s fault. Powering up
those two 4K OLED displays with 2000x2040 per-eye
resolution doesn’t just happen. The 120Hz refresh rate does its
best to relieve your stomach of any unwanted mishaps, though
it’s still something to consider for the weaker-willed VR gamers
out there. Sony’s inclusion of dedicated Sense controllers is the
icing on this VR cake.

It’s Half-Life, right? Developers Valve said they’d only go back
to the legendary franchise when there was some new kind of
technology they wanted to show off and boy howdy, did they
succeed with Alyx. One of the most detailed, comprehensive
games in VR, Half-Life: Alyx tells a compelling story with
riveting combat that shifts from explosive fire-fights to quietly
disposing of zombies. Interacting with the environment in
virtual space is amazingly done. There’s nothing else like it.

Stuff says +++++
Despite the high price and lack of wireless functionality,
this is the best PC-less VR headset on the market.

Stuff says +++++
Valve proves VR could very well be the future
because nothing comes close to playing this game

2

3

4
5

Meta Quest 2
R13 000 (128GB) / takealot.com
Formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2, the
rebranded Meta Quest 2 still holds up, even
with its unfortunate ties to Meta. 6GB of
RAM and improved visuals make this an easy
buy for VR nerds.
Stuff says +++++
One of the best of a not-so-crowded market

Valve Index
R29 800 (full kit) / thevroom.co.za
While not revolutionary, the Index carries
enough subtle upgrades to put it atop the
PC-based headset pack. Everything looks
fabulous and the controllers can only be
matched by Sony’s new Sense controllers.
Stuff says +++++
The best of the performance PC VR options

HTC Vive Pro 2
++++, R26 700 (headset) / firstshop.co.za
Boasts the highest resolution of PC-based
headsets and one of the highest prices.

HTC Vive Focus 3
++++,from R29 900 / bobshop.co.za
Great hardware, but this one is only for
enthusiasts who aren’t interested in gaming.

2

3

4
5

Horizon Call of the Mountain
from R1200 / PSVR 2
Take control (literally) of a new character in the
Horizon world, Ryas, and reach new heights in
a 360° take on the world. Craft, climb and
shoot your bow in Guerrilla Games’ latest
adventure.
Stuff says +++++
A new face in a familiar world

Hitman World of Assassination
from R300 / PSVR, PC
Don the bald head and red tie of the world’s
greatest assassin and take out your targets
with clean efficiency or sheer chaos. There’s
no better way to play the modern Hitman
game than in VR.
Stuff says +++++
Why be you when you can be Agent 47?

Resident Evil 8: Village
+++++R500 / PSVR 2
Take on the terrifyingly tall Lady Dimitrescu in
the Resident Evil 8: Village VR mode

Gran Turismo 7
+++++ from R1 370 / PSVR 2
Grant Turismo 7 was built for a deep-dive into VR,
and PlayStation’s VR 2 has finally obliged.

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TOP TENS DRONES, ACTION CAMS & BUDGET TABLETS

98

1

1

GoPro Hero11 Black

Apple iPad 10.2 (9th Gen)

R9 500 / thescuba.club

From R7 500 / incredible.co.za

The GoPro Hero 11 Black ain’t cheap, but is nevertheless unique
and damn good, doing something no other camera can and doing
it well. With its unconventional 8:7 output, GoPro also blurs the
lines between traditional action cameras and 360º alternatives like
the Insta360 X3. It doesn’t capture the widest angle of view. That
award goes to the DJI Osmo Action 3. It doesn’t dive as deep as
DJI’s camera either. But with its excellent dynamic range, reliable
image quality in well-lit scenes, and versatility, it’s still our choice
for best action camera.

It shouldn’t surprise you that an iPad tops this list. This particular
large-chinned iPad has featured in our Top Ten Tablets list for the
last two years. With the introduction of the Budget Tablets list, it
jumps over as the most ‘affordable’ iPad still readily available.
While it is starting to show its age, the A13 Bionic chip that
powered the iPhone 11 is still capable and the 10.2in retina display
is one of the best you’ll find on a budget tablet. If you can stretch
your budget to accommodate the higher price tag, you won’t be
disappointed.

Stuff says +++++
An innovative, easy to use, powerful action camera
that’s excellent for creators and adventurers alike

Stuff says +++++
There’s a reason tablets and iPads are synonymous and
that’s true for even the ‘cheapest’ iPad.

UPDATE

2

3

4
5

DJI Mini 4 Pro

NEW

2

R22 700 (drone only) / djiauthorisedretailer.co.za
This is definitely the best sub-250g drone
we've reviewed, and its safety features, auto
flight functions and image quality make it a
joy to use. It's one of the few ultralight
models that doesn't feel full of compromises.
Stuff says +++++
The most powerful mini-drone in the skies

DJI Air 2S

NEW

3

R21 400 (drone only) / newworld.coza
DJI’s laurels remain assuredly un-restedupon, and this may be its best drone yet:
an almost perfect balance of portability,
performance and price, ideal for novices but
still able to produce nigh-on pro-level results.
Stuff says +++++
The best all-round camera drone on the market

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

NEW

++++R50 000 / dronegear.co.za
It’s not going to be for everyone, not least
because of its price, but pros will love it.

GoPro Hero11 Black Mini
++++R6 500 / ormsdirect.co.za
No display, so it’s smaller and can mount in
more places to get that GoPro-quality shot.

4

NEW

5

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
From R4 500 / samsung.com/za
If you want a budget tablet and Android is more
your speed, Samsung’s A-series is where you
should be looking, specifically at the Galaxy Tab
A9+. It boasts a 90Hz refresh rate.
Stuff says +++++
A decent display, competent internals, and
wallet-friendly price make this a compelling offer.

Huawei MatePad SE
R4 500 / consumer.huawei.com/za
It might not be the fastest or the prettiest
or the cheapest, but the MatePad SE will do
at least one thing slightly better than its
immediate competitors.
Stuff says +++++
A versatile slate with an inoffensive price tag
to match.

Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
+++++R5 000 / incredible.co.za
You don’t have to pick between LTE and
Wi-Fi, it can do both.

Nokia T20
++++ R2 900 / takealot.com
Why spend lot money when spend less
money do trick?

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SYSTEM CAMERAS TOP TENS

99

1

TIPS &
TRICKS
It’s easy to set up the
X-T5’s customisable Q
button: just hold it down
for a couple of seconds
for options.

HOT
BUY

UPDATE

Fujifilm X-T5

R27 600 (body only) / takealot.com
Fujifilm’s most popular compact system camera
gets a sensor upgrade while keeping up tradition
everywhere else. This means you’re getting
identical stills performance to the more modern
X-H2, while retaining the old X-T4’s dials and
compact dimensions – making the X-T5 the
sweet spot of Fuji’s lineup, and a top all-rounder.
The sensor is even better at low-light shooting
than before, and the wide choice of lenses
means everyone will find something to like.

Give your pics a retro
vibe with film
simulations, which
mimic the look of
classic 35mm shots.
Fuji’s free Pixel Shift
Combiner software
merges multiple RAW
snaps into giant
400MP images.

Stuff says +++++
Slick modern internals meet the manual
controls loved by Fuji diehards
O NOW ADD THIS
Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4
This versatile lens covers a bigger
zoom range than most and adapts
to pretty much any requirement.
R13 000 / cameralandsandton.co.za

2

3

4

UPDATE

5
6
UPDATE

Sony A7 IV

Fujifilm X-H2S

R50 000 (body) ⁄ ormsdirect.co.za

R38 800 (body) / kameraz.com

The A7 series has become a
premium range, and the A7 IV
improves it with even better image
quality, improved performance and
thoughtful design touches. Its
33MP sensor and Bionz XR image
processor make fantastic images,
with 4K footage at framerates up
to a silky 60fps, or 1080p at an
even silkier 120fps. It’s still fairly
pricey compared to some - but
there’s a lot here for the money.

Fuji’s long-running X-Series
mirrorless camera range has a new
hero. If you’ve got the need for
speed, the APS-C X-H2S deserves
a spot on your shortlist. Excellent
image quality in JPEG and RAW, its
40fps continuous-shooting
performance puts it firmly among
pricier systems from rivals like Sony,
Canon and Nikon, and better video
help it compete with go-to models
for filmmakers.

Stuff says +++++
Sony’s mirrorless all-rounder
delivers premium-quality stills and
video.

Stuff says +++++
Class-leading speed, exceptional
autofocus, wonderful stills and
improved video

7

UPDATE

8
UPDATE

9
10

Sony A7C
+++++R25 000 (body) / outdoorphoto.co.za
The Sony A7C unites portability and precision
into a very appealing package.

Panasonic Lumix G9
+++++R28 300 (body) / newworld.co.za
The G9 is still the best Lumix to date, with
staggering shooting speeds.

Fujifilm X-S20
+++++R22 350 (body) / cameraworld.co.za
Compact yet absolutely stuffed with features,
this is an excellent mid-range camera.

Fujifilm X-T30 II
+++++R13 100 (body) / cinephototools.co.za
You get the X-T3’s sensor in a cheaper, smaller
body with more spare change for buying lenses.

Nikon Z6 ii
+++++R49 000 (body) / outdoorphoto.co.za
The Z6 is still a good option, but the Z6 ii’s extra
processing power makes it better for video.

Canon EOS 90D
++++R34 900 (body) / ormsdirect.co.za
An updated all-rounder, the 90D builds on the
80D with increased power and more megapixels.

Fujifilm GFX 100S
+++++R112 500 (body) / ormsdirect.co.za
Light for a medium-format camera, except
maybe in the wallet area.

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TOP TENS HEADPHONES

100

1

HOT
BUY

Sony WH-1000XM5

R8 500 / sony.co.za

Finally, something’s knocked Sony’s WH-1000XM4s off the top
spot. The XM5s’ new design looks slightly less premium but the
noise-cancelling remains absolutely best-in-class, with new
smart features too. They’re an improvement over their
predecessor and represent great value. Any negatives are just
minor quibbles really – the simple fact is that these are the best
noise-cancellers around by almost every measure. You really
won’t regret buying them.

If you’re familiar with Sony’s game, then it should come as no
surprise that its latest set of buds, the WF-1000XM5 are some
of our favourites yet. They take the logical next step forward,
improving – however slightly – on their predecessors in all the
right places. Sony’s gone and reinvented the buds shape to
better fit a pair of ears for six to eight hours at time. Which is
about as long as it’ll take before a charge is necessary if you’re
using ANC.

Stuff says +++++
An unrivalled combination of great sound, active noise
cancellation, and all-day comfort

Stuff says +++++
Sony’s signature ANC, warm sound, and a new design
makes these some of the best in the biz.

2

UPDATE

Sony WF-1000XM5

R9 500 / incredible.co.za

3

4
UPDATE

5

Sony WH-1000XM4
from R6 500 / clicks.co.za
Despite their age, Sony’s XM4s are
sticking around on our list because
they still offer superb ANC and audio
performance, especially when they’re
on sale.
Stuff says +++++
Nearly the best noise-cancellers you can buy

B&W PX7 Carbon Edition
R8 600 / kuroonline.co.za
The PX7 S2 are almost identical to the PX7.
But slight tweaks to their design and drivers
at the same price see them replace the old
version of Bowers & Wilkins’ great cans.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

2

R8 700 / takealot.co.za
Leading the race for second place is Bose’s
QuietComfort Earbuds II – a pair that’ll
infiltrate your ears and make you forget
they’re even there. The flawless ANC isn’t
bad, either.
Stuff says +++++
This race is (nearly) too close to call

3

Sony WF-1000XM4
R6 000 / incredible.co.za
Sony’s second-best earbuds are still some
of the best out there. The solid noisecancellation, comfy fit and revised price just
improves the deal.

Stuff says +++++
Still pricey, still worth it

Stuff says +++++
Get some Sony in your life

Sennheiser Momentum 4

Sennheiser Momentum TW 3

+++++from R6 870 / mitechdirect.com
These cans offer stellar battery life with
60 hours of playback from a single charge.

Bose NCH 700
+++++R7 700 / leroymerlin.co.za
Bose are still the masters of the medium,
if comparatively a little overpriced.

4
5

+++++R5 200 / takealot.com
Sennheiser’s new ‘buds feature a smaller
design and better ANC than the last.

Beats Fit Pro
+++++from R4 000 / takealot.com
The Beats Fit Pro are eerily close to Apple’s
AirPods Pro, thanks to the same H1 chip.

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101

1

WIRELESS AND SMART SPEAKERS TOP TENS

1

NEW HOT
BUY

UPDATE

Sonos Move 2

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

R13 000 / takealot.com

R1 200 /geewiz.co.za

We were slightly reluctant fans of the first Move but that reluctance
eroded with Sonos’ improvements to the Move 2. While it is slightly
bigger and more expensive than its predecessor, that’s to be
expected with improved audio performance and double the battery
life – up to 24 hours. It somehow still weighs the same so you’ll get a
workout lugging it around but your fellow listeners will appreciate the
effort. As before, this unit is surprisingly rugged and should survive
most things you can throw at it. Except lava. Don’t throw lava.

The newest iteration of the popular Echo Dot (with or without
clock) promises twice the bass performance of its predecessor,
making it more sonically robust. Naturally, you’ve got built-in
Alexa smarts at your disposal and a new temperature sensor,
along with the usual volume and Mic Off buttons for added peace
of mind. It also functions as an Eero mesh Wifi extender.
The clock version gets our pick due to the extra functionality
offered by its improved higher-density LED display.

Stuff says +++++
Beefier audio and a long-lasting battery make this a
winner.

Stuff says +++++
Added features take the latest generation Dot to the top
of the heap

2

Sonos Roam SL

Sonos Era 300

R4 000 / digitalexperience.co.za
Boasts the same great feature set, sound,
and build quality found in the original Roam,
but Sonos has removed the microphones
and reduced the price.
Stuff says +++++
If you don’t need the smarts, you can’t go wrong

R13 000 / audicoonline.co.za
The Era 300 really excels at spatial audio and
is a super-smart speaker if you add Alexa.
And it can do all that Sonos multiroom stuff.
Stuff says +++++
Unashamedly premium and utterly brilliant,
this will bring a smile to your face

JBL Charge 5
R3 500 / kloppers.co.za
Compact enough to take anywhere, it’ll
last 20 hours on a charge and it’s
waterproof too.

UPDATE

3

Stuff says +++++
Small package, big sound, loads of features

4

Marshall Emberton II
+++++ R3 500 / kloppers.co.za
Feel like a rockstar on your road trips with this
mini Marshall amp that fits in your pocket.

5

++++, R650 / yuppiechef.com
This puck-shaped speaker surprises with
admirable audio for its size and price.

R7 000 / hificorp.co.za
The Era 100 features Apple’s Airplay 2 and
Amazon’s Alexa. Unlike the 300, it can’t do
spatial audio.
Stuff says +++++
Sonos’ new all-round smart speaker champ

4

Apple HomePod Mini
+++++R2 600 / takealot.com
This smart speaker and Siri will do what you
need and look good while it’s at it.

Google Nest Audio

Xiaomi Mi Portable BT Speaker
NEW

Sonos Era 100

5

++++,R3 200 / newworld.co.za
Google’s best dedicated audio device
complements almost any smart home setup.

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TOP TENS CONSOLES / MONITORS

1

102

1

HOT

NEW

Asus ROG Swift OLED
PG27AQDM

PlayStation 5
from R13 700 / incredible.co.za

from R35 000 / incredible.co.za
Come November, Sony’s PlayStation 5 will be three. Three! We
feel like proud parents having watched the current generation
of consoles grow up. The PlayStation 5 has gone from being a
cool-to-have into a medium for severe FOMO. That’s all thanks
to the snappy SSD, attractive 4K visuals and that DualSense
controller that makes us... feel things. Literally. Chuck in the
refreshed PlayStation Plus that rivals even Microsoft’s Game
Pass and you’ve got yourself a perfect modern-day console. At
least until Sony bothers to refresh this one with something a
little more flattering.

The PG27AQDM is one of the best gaming monitors around. It
hits the sweet spot with its 27in size, 1440p resolution,
fantastic response times and 240Hz refresh rate for great
motion clarity, and gorgeous colour performance thanks to its
WOLED panel. Some might take issue with text clarity due to
colour-fringing, the fact that it can’t get as bright as IPS and VA
alternatives, or the burn-in risk. Then there’s the price – it
certainly isn’t cheap. But if you want the best gaming and
movie-watching experience available, few can compete.

Stuff says +++++
An amazing controller, marvellous visuals and a
refreshed PlayStation Plus make the PS5 a brilliant
excursion for current-gen gaming. Also, Spider-Man.

Stuff says +++++
This is the closest we’ve seen a gaming monitor get to
perfection. It has its faults, but a few minutes of OLED
HDR goodness and you’ll forget all about them

Xbox Series X

UPDATE

NEW

R14 000 / xbox.com/za
Microsoft’s entry into current-gen gaming is
similar to that of Sony’s - without all the firstparty exclusives. That means 4K visuals, a
swift SSD and Game Pass (which won’t leave
you questioning the subscription cost).
Stuff says +++++
Much more worthy of your time now

ROG Ally

3

4

+++++ from R9 500 / hificorp.co.za
Nintendo’s latest and greatest includes an
OLED screen and a library that cannot be
matched by many others.

Steam Deck (64GB)

UPDATE

5

+++++ from R13 000 / incredible.co.za
You won’t be hitting 120Hz like Asus’ handheld,
but Valve’s Steam Deck offers enough
processing power to keep us entertained.

3

R4 000 / wootware.co.za
We can’t all have the best stuff. If you’re
looking to spend as little as possible without
making too many compromises then the 24in
1080p 100Hz VA24EHF from Asus deserves
some consideration.
Stuff says +++++
Good enough for most people and uses

Apple Studio Display

NEW

4
NEW

R10 000 \ takealot.com
The S3423DWC is a great pick for office use.
It’s designed to look smart, the 34in 1440p
panel lends itself to multitasking, and scrolling
is a treat with the 100Hz refresh rate.
Stuff says +++++
Great for crunching numbers and staring at
spreadsheets

Asus VA24EHF

NEW

R16 000 / asus.com
At first glance, Asus’ latest entry into the
world of gaming doesn’t look like much, but
under the hood, it’s hiding a fully-specced PC
complete with a 1080p touchscreen that’s
capable of 120Hz. Not bad for a handheld,
where we’re concerned.
Stuff says +++++
This 2-in-1 console is the real deal

Nintendo Switch OLED

2

DELL S3423DWC

5

++++,R49 900 / wootware.co.za
For the Apple fan who has too much money.
This 27in 5K display is great for plugging in your
equally expensive Mac.

Zowie XL2566K
++++,R13 250 / zowie.benq.com
Aspiring esports professionals look no further.
The blistering 360Hz refresh rate and motion
handling are top-class.

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103

1

TIPS &
TRICKS
Hearts aren’t everything. Don’t be afraid
to trade up those Light of Blessing’s for a
stamina upgrade every now and then.

GAMES TOP TENS

The Legend of Zelda:
Tears of the Kingdom
From R1 330 / Switch

Your Purah Pad Sensor exists for a
reason. Use it. Not just on shrines, but on
anything you’re in need of.

Somehow, Nintendo has done it again. It took
what’s considered as gaming’s best-ever
achievement – Breath of the Wild – and
compounded everything that made it so great to
create something that’s different yet feels so
familiar. We’re talking about Tears of the Kingdom,
which reinvents the Kingdom of Hyrule, its
controversial combat system and includes an
excursion for Princess Zelda that inspires awe.
And at times even a few tears.

A rocket fused to your shield a day,
keeps the bokoblins away.
Stuck in a search for a Shrine? The map
of The Depths should help you out.
Take every Bomb Flower you can find.
You never know when they might come
in handy.

Tears of the Kingdom introduces Ultrahand, a
mechanic that the Zelda fanbase has abused to no
end, building contraptions that violate the Geneva
Convention and traumatise a few Koroks while
they’re at it. It’s beautiful.

Stuff says +++++
It might not be officially recognized as
2023’s official Game of the Year, but it
is somewhere. Our hearts (and list).

2

3

NEW

UPDATE

NEW

4

Ghostrunner 2
+++++ from R600 / PS5, XSX, PC
The second entry into the world of Ghostrunner
is somehow even more bombastic than the first,
with smoother animations and gorier kills.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
UPDATE

5

+++++ R1 070 / PC, PS5, XSX
Continue Cal Kestis’ story in this excellent sequel
that makes itself known as a Force to be
reckoned with.

Street Fighter 6
UPDATE

NEW

6

+++++ R1 070 / PC, PS5, PS4, XSX
Street Fighter is back! This time with a modern
control set, a wonderous story mode and, of
course, Ryu.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

7

+++++ R1 370 / PS5
There are two of them now? Yup, Peter Parker and
Miles Morales team up to take on Venom in one of
Insomniac’s most heart-breaking stories yet.

Alan Wake 2
Baldur’s Gate 3

from R800 / PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

NEW

from R1 130 / Switch

Imagine building a game so
When Nintendo christened its first
spectacular that it not only redefined big Mario game in five years ‘Wonder’
the RPG genre, but also had other
our hearts sank. How could Nintendo UPDATE
Triple-A studios shaking in their
live up to such an audacious title?
boots. Larian Studios, the developers Imagine our surprise when Wonder
behind Baldur’s Gate 3, don’t have to
turned out to be a visual treat,
imagine. That’s exactly what they did, complete with excellent character
sweeping a whole bunch of Game of
design and some of the wackiest
the Year awards along the way.
Mario levels ever concocted..
Stuff says +++++
Stuff says +++++
You’ll want to look and stop looking at A wondrous outing for Mario on
the oddly realistic jiggle physics
Nintendo’s now six-year-old hardware.

8

+++++ R800 / PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Thirteen years later, and Alan Wake is back, and is
bringing new meaning to the term ‘survival horror’.
Believe us, you won’t want to miss this one.

Elden Ring

9

10

+++++ R850 / PS4, PS5, XSX, XB1, PC
Rise, Tarnished, and enter The Lands Between – From
Software’s crowning achievement in this open world
adventure that never stops surprising (and killing) you.

God of War: Ragnarök
+++++ R1 100 / PS4, PS5
Kratos is back, and he’s wading through a stunning
Midgard with an emotionally thrilling story and some
of the best gameplay we’ve ever experienced.

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Tiny glancer
Sorry, non-business
people: the 132x65-pixel
display was just about good
enough for icons, menus and
a few lines of text. But not
games. Because fun was
banned on BlackBerry
devices.

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES 1999

RIM BlackBerry 850
ow you’re talking. This one had
a proper keyboard, unlike your
newfangled phones.
Yes – and that was a big deal at
the time. The BlackBerry 850 was tiny, yet
had all the keys you needed to rapidly smash
out messages – even if you did sometimes
wish you could file your fingers down to points.
Still, that was better than mashing numbers
on a Nokia until it revealed the right letter, or
braving its terrifying autocorrect system. In
fact, the 850 even excelled there: you could
quickly craft custom entries, for example to
expand ‘mon’ to ‘Monday’.

N

Just as well. Business sorts don’t have time
to waste on typing extra letters, you know.
Which is probably why they gravitated to what
was, in reality, a souped-up pager. It was all
they needed to organise their day, squeezed
into a palm-sized device that was always on
and always connected. They could manage
tasks, peruse calendars, write memos saying
things like ‘make money’ and ‘make even
more money’, use the calculator to total up
their money, and set an alarm to get up early
and make yet more money tomorrow. Mostly,
though, it became synonymous with email, to
the point that fans wouldn’t shut up about it.

Actually, I’m still using a BlackBerry today
as my daily driver for email.
That explains… so much. But you might have
noticed no one else is. At the time, a core
following was into business devices to do
business things, but most people weren’t.
For a while that worked for RIM, which made
bigger and better BlackBerries; then the
iPhone arrived with no keys at all and broke
the company’s brain. Years later, it capitulated
with the touchscreen-based BlackBerry
Storm. Needless to say, the company got
quite a few angry emails about that – all
typed out on tiny keys.

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