Issue 129 SMART HOMES – APRIL / MAY 2024

PORTABLE AUDIO SPECIAL
GADGETS / GAMES / GEAR
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Make
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PLUS!

www.stuff.co.za

Samsung Galaxy S24: all 3 tested
Zooming in on the new Zenbook
Best binoculars for you to buy
Budget laptops ranked for SA
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O

ne sure way to spark a
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Brett Venter, Editor
@DrakonisZA

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2

ON THE
COVER
P44

P11

HOT STUFF
6

 
 
 

14
16
18
20
22

4

The Hot Five
O MSI Claw
Well, the handheld gaming PC bandwagon is
coming along...
OHonor Magic V2
A folding smartphone so slim it’s basically a
Christmas card
ORazer Blade 16 (2024)
This gaming laptop’s screen refreshes faster
than tea
OLego Polaroid OneStep Camera
If you think instant cameras are just toys, wait till
you see this
OTMNT Quarter Arcades
Tabletop gaming cabinets that are turtley
irresistible
Wheels Honda 0 Series Saloon
A ‘saloon’ in what sense, exactly?
Vital stats Asus UX8406
Yes, another exciting new laptop
Stream
Or watch Better Call Saul again
Games
Here be dragons (and pizza)
Mini meme Apps for movie nerds
Track ’em, watch ’em, rate ’em

p34
I see
Hue

p29
Dyson to
meet you

TESTS
23

44
46
47
50
p37
A new
follower

52
69
74
82

p40
Makes you
sleepy

First test Samsung S24 Ultra
This phone isn’t just a flagship... it’s a gigantic
aircraft carrier with a super-intelligent robot captain.
But do you need it?
Tested Microsoft Studio 2
Yes, fine, but Word is still terrible
Tested Amazfit Active
You can fault it but your fitness trainer won’t
3 of the best Instant cameras
Make a space on your fridge now
Tested Asus UX3405
Meteor Lake chips: Very tasty
Tested DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Vlogger-friendly wobble-dodger
Tested Sony Inzone Buds
Yep, droning on about DJI again
Group test Electric cars
They’re getting better, cheaper... and increasingly
EV on the eye
Games
Tekken 8, Helldivers 2, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

P76

P63

FEATURES
27
48

54

70
72
80
104

Cover feature Live smart, sleep smart
A holistic guide to improving your home life through
the power of gadgety superbness
Upvoted Binoculars
Use the power of physics to make distant things
appear closer and small things appear larger.
It’s magic!
Feature Headphones buying guide
Personal audio, for those rare occasions when you
don’t want to blast your early Neubauten B-sides all
over the house
Toby’s Travel Tech
Don’t think about hitting the road without these hits
Instant upgrades Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
How to make it even Ultra-er
Beta yourself Apple TV
Spot the Steely Dan pun
Random access memories Apple Macintosh
(1984) Talk about a comeback

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 Budget laptops
Notebooks that everybody can afford
96 Smartwatches & fitness trackers
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

GET
30%
OFF
OUR PRINT
ISSUE

p1
5

Screen
& shout
The 7in Full HD touchscreen
is an IPS job. It would’ve been
nice to see an OLED on there
but the 120Hz refresh rate is
certainly welcome. There
are 2W speakers on
either side.

HOT
FIVE
#1
EVERYTHING IS
CLAW-SOME
MSI Claw

It might look innocent but your smartphone
has many deaths on its digital conscience.
Ever since those magical rectangles
appeared in our hands back in the early
2000s we’ve gradually seen a slew of
other gadgets – compact cameras, MP3
players, sat-navs – join fax machines and
pagers in the big Blockbuster in the sky…
but reports of handheld gaming’s demise
have been greatly exaggerated.
MSI’s Claw is the latest portable PC to join
the revolution – but unlike most of the
others, which use AMD processors, this
Windows-powered device has Intel’s new
Core Ultra silicon inside. Combine that with
Intel Arc graphics and 16GB of RAM, and
that should mean it has enough grunt to
run even the most demanding AAA games
without complaint… although you’ll only
get 2hrs out of the 53Whr battery if you
push it to its limits.
To prevent it from doubling as a personal
skillet for your sausage fingers, MSI’s
HyperFlow system uses dual fans and
heat pipes to keep it cool, with a rear grille
to let the air flow through. If it were slim
enough to slip into a pocket and had a
camera, we’d be warning our phones to
watch their backs.
As hot as… a handheld fax machine
from R15 000 / msi.com

6

Don’t make
me weigh it
The Claw weighs in at
675g. That’s a touch heavier
than the Steam Deck OLED
and Asus ROG Ally, but
noticeably lighter than
the 854g Lenovo
Legion Go.

ALL THE
BIGGEST
STORIES FROM
PLANET TECH

I’m glowing
slightly rad
The black case isn’t going
to win any awards for style,
but you get the obligatory
colour-shifting LEDs around
the Hall Effect joysticks
and front ABXY
buttons.

7

Slant stand
me now
The hinge is made of
titanium, so it’s strong
enough to hold the phone
open at any angle you like but
is also very light: the whole
phone weighs just
231g.

Carrera
opportunities
There’s a Porsche Design
RSR special edition (Rtba),
which has a 911-inspired
angular camera bump and an
‘agate grey’ colour straight
out of Porsche’s paint
catalogue.

8

Here’s where
the storage ends
Only one configuration is
available in SA: 16GB of RAM
paired with 512GB of built-in
storage. It supports 66W
wired charging,
which is quick for
a foldable.

HOT
FIVE
#2
AIN’T NO THIN
LIKE THE
REAL THIN
Honor Magic V2

Jarmila Kratochvilova has held the world
record for the women’s 800m since
1983 – at over 40 years, that’s a record
of its own. Honor’s Magic V2 isn’t likely
to hang on to its status as the thinnest
folding phone for that long, but in the six
months since it was released in China
nobody’s managed to beat it – and now
it’s finally available over here.
Open it up to show off the 7.9in flexible
OLED on the inside and the V2 is just
4.7mm thick. This unrivalled skinniness
means that, when folded, it’ll still slip into
your pocket just as easily as a hinge-less
handset. The outer screen is a 6.4in job
and they both refresh at a nippy 120Hz,
with a 5000mAh battery to keep all those
extra pixels glowing.
There’s also a tempting trio of rear
cameras: a 50MP main snapper with OIS,
a 50MP ultrawide, and a 20MP telephoto
good for 2.5x optical zoom. The slimline
chassis houses last year’s Snapdragon 8
Gen 2 CPU, so it won’t break any records
for raw power, but at R40 000 it might just
break the bank.
As hot as… Jarmila’s pre-race coffee
R40 000 / hihonor.com
9

HOT
FIVE
#3
SMOOTH
TOPPER RATER

Razer Blade 16 (2024)
There’s no point having the reflexes of an
over-stimulated cat if your gaming rig
can’t keep up with your mouse hand – but
Razer’s latest Blade 16 has a screen so fast
it’ll make other laptops look like they’re
showing scratchy Kinetoscope films from
the 1890s. The 240Hz refresh rate offered
by its OLED display is usually only found
on standalone gaming monitors, so
squeezing that into a 16in package should
be more than enough to make hardcore
gamers swoon.
The 0.2ms response time is rapid too, but
it’s not just the screen that’s quick out of
the blocks: the Intel Core i9 HX Series
processor inside is more than a bit nippy,
with up to 64GB of RAM on hand to
help with the heavy lifting. Graphics are
handled by one of Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 40
Series cards, which are all VR-ready, with
Razer’s vapour chamber cooling system
on hand to stop everything getting too
toasty when you’re pushing things
particularly hard.
The other thing the Blade 16 has in
common with those gaming monitors?
That’ll be the whopping price. But at least
you can take it with you when you’re
working an extra job to pay off the bill.
As hot as… your next winning streak
from R72 000 / razer.com
10

Pic and
choose
The OneStep was known
as the Land Camera 1000
outside of the United States,
so you also get a tile that
allows you to change the
name on the front if
you want.

Pic holes
in it
There are some neat little
details, including a slot on top
that mimics the one used for
attaching the flash to the real
thing – even if you don’t
get a flash with the
Lego version.

HOT
FIVE
#4
PIC UP
THE PIECES

Lego Polaroid OneStep
SX-70 Camera
Pic your
brains
Wondering why this camera
seems strangely familiar? It
inspired the original Instagram
app icon back in 2010. They
dumped it within a year,
but the colour strip
stayed until 2016.

The world of instant photography has
changed a lot since Polaroid invented it
in the 1940s, but it’s never been easier
than with Lego’s recreation of the classic
OneStep. All you have to do is press the red
button on the front and it’ll spit out one
of the three perfectly exposed ‘photos’,
which include a minifig portrait of the
godfather of shakeable snaps, Polaroid
co-founder Edwin H Land.
It works using a simple rubber-band
mechanism that should give you
something extra to get your fingers
around when building it – and that’s not
the only bit of the 516-piece set that
works either: hold the viewfinder up to
your eye and you’ll be able to see right
through, while the exposure compensation
dial can also be turned.
Based on the 1977 model that brought
instant photography to the masses, it has
a door on the front that allows you to load
your photo, with a buildable film pack for
storing them. It might be more expensive
than buying a real one on eBay, but at least
it won’t cost you anything every time you
press the shutter button.
As hot as… Edwin H Land’s private collection
of scantily clad Polaroid selfies
R1 500/greatyellowbrick.co.za
11

Turtle eclipse
of the smart
There are official Quarter
Arcade controllers available
to buy for R500 each, but you
can just plug in a third-party
alternative if you’ve
already got one
lying around.

HOT
FIVE
#5
TURTLERECALL

Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles Quarter Arcades
First, Numskull shrank the famous yellow
Pac-Man cab down to 1:4 size. Later, it
released its first diminutive two-player
Quarter Arcades title, Bubble Bobble. Now,
the company is inviting four players to
huddle around a tiny arcade cabinet replica
and yell “COWABUNGA!” until everyone
nearby demands they stop.
Yes, 1989’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
and the follow-up Turtles in Time have
been blasted by Numskull’s shrink-o-ray,
bringing the fab four (the turtles, not the
Beatles) to a tabletop near you.
If the thought of getting cosy around the
machine’s teeny joysticks and buttons
makes you feel green, you can always
connect USB controllers; but keep the
service door shut and these are the most
authentic recreations imaginable, with
light-up marquees, the original side art,
illuminated coin slots and even a ‘CRT lens’
to oldify the 6in TFT screen.
Unlike the original cabs, though, these
ones won’t take up half your living room:
at 45x24x23cm, you can stash them on
a shelf – and with a built-in rechargeable
battery, you won’t even have to worry
about finding a nearby plug socket.
As hot as… Michelangelo’s favourite
pepperoni pizza
R6 000 /justgeek.com
12

W H E E L S

Honda 0 Series Saloon

THE WEDGE OF HEAVEN
The raked-back
seats face a futuristic
steering wheel with a
digital dashboard layout
that’s totally sci-fi in feel.
Even the Honda logo
up front has been
modernised.

Rtba (concept) /honda.com
Is this the future for Honda?
Could be. The 0 Series Saloon is
one of two new concept vehicles
unveiled at the CES expo in Vegas,
the other being the van-like
Space-Hub. Although Honda
has been dabbling with EVs for
a while now, this range will mark
its transition to a fully electric
lineup, starting with new models
hitting the roads in 2026.
Will it really look this wild?
We’d like to think so, and Honda is
pretty good at delivering finished
cars that look very much like the
prototype. The company hopes
the 0 Series will address much
that has been wrong with EVs up
to now – notably, it’s working on
better batteries that will result in
lighter vehicles.
It looks pretty big.
It’s an everyday Batmobile… and
it is indeed a whopper, with a long
and low body and dramatically

14

NEWS DASHBOARD

styled alloy wheels. The sides are
super-smooth, mainly because
the door is one large fold-up affair
that allows entry to front and back
seats at the same time.
Any tech treats on offer?
It’s likely to feature Honda Sensing
Elite tech, which includes Level 3
automated driving. And of course
no concept car would be complete
without AI, which will create a
personalised driving experience.
There are also onboard cameras,
which is just as well as it doesn’t
really have anything that could be
described as a rear windscreen.
What about the drive?
Details are sparse on powertrain
options, although we expect the
car to be driven by e-motors on
both axles. Honda is pushing for
optimal charging efficiency too,
with its new battery tech aiming
to offer charging from 10 to 80%
in a little over 10mins.

SPACE FOR
THE PRIZE?
The Space-Hub
mentioned briefly
on the left is more
of a people mover,
complete with
spacious rear
section. The interior
has a sumptuous
‘lounge’ feel with
comfy seats and
ample connectivity.
Ambient lighting
adds to the calming
effect, with a
similarly minimalist
experience for the
driver up front.

SHUT UP
AND FIVE
The delicious
Renault 5 E-Tech
arrives soon, and
it’s based on this
prototype. The real
thing should look
pretty faithful to
the concept, and
will provide fans of
compact but cool
EVs with plenty of
thrills. Along with
the oh-so-chic
styling there’ll be
up to 400 km
of range from its
52kWh battery.

RIGHT KIA,
RIGHT NOW
Also previewing
at CES was Kia’s
new PBV (Platform
Beyond Vehicle)
range. It’s a modular
van concept that
comes in five sizes,
and can be tweaked
to suit different user
needs thanks to
interchangeable
bodies. There’s
even talk of an
autonomous taxi
edition, which could
save you a fortune
in post-pub Ubers.

V I

T A L S T A T S

DUAL NEVER
GAWK ALONE

Asus Zenbook Duo UX8406

R43 000 / asus.com/za

If you want to look at both
of this PC’s 14in screens
at the same time, you’re
going to need more eyes
ODual be in my heart
Asus is no stranger to laptops
with dual screens, but its latest
Zenbook Duo pushes the concept
into uncharted territory. Where
previous models had a much
smaller second display squeezed
in above the keyboard, this one
has two 14in touchscreens with
a 180° hinge to connect them
together. You can use one
of those OLEDs as a virtual
keyboard if you want, but it also
comes with a full-size Bluetooth
QWERTY that you can attach
over the top to make the whole
thing look like a normal laptop.
ODual find a way
This Zenbook is pretty far from
being a normal laptop, though.
Detach the keyboard and you can
use the built-in kickstand to prop
it up with one screen above the
other, or rotate it 90° and open it
up like a book. It even has a mode
that allows you to treat the two
displays as one massive one,
although the bezel down the
middle will spoil the illusion
somewhat, so big-screen Netflix
is probably off the menu. There’s
also the option to use it like a giant
folding tablet, although you don’t
get a stylus in the box.
ODual accomp’ny me
Despite all the technological
gymnastics, Asus has managed
to keep the UX8406 pretty
slim and light: it’s a reasonable
19.9mm thick when closed and
weighs 1.65kg when you include
the keyboard. If you’re using both
screens at once Asus reckons
you’ll get about 8hrs out of
the 75Whr battery; and it’s
not exactly short of processing
power either, with Intel’s new
AI-boosted Core Ultra processors
(tested on p50), up to 32GB of
RAM, and at least 1TB of storage
stashed inside. It doesn’t come
cheap, but this is a lot of laptop
for the money.

16

Asus hasn’t
neglected the
connectivity either,
with a pair of USB-Cs,
HDMI, a headphone
port, and a trusty old
USB-A for good
measure.

Cassette adrift on memory bliss

MORE SEXY
NEW LAPTOPS
O Lenovo ThinkBook
Plus Gen 5 Hybrid
This 2-in-1 runs Windows 11
when you’ve got the keyboard
connected, but detach the
14in 2.8K OLED display and
it’ll switch to Android. Nifty.
R38 000/ lenovo.com

FIIO CP13
To most 20-year-olds the cassette looks like a relic from a time when
TikTok was in black and white, memes were shared by post, and the
only vape flavour available was Oros. But with Taylor Swift and Billie
Eilish releasing albums on tape recently, the format is making an
unlikely comeback. In case your last tape player is long gone, FiiO’s
CP13 is a largely faithful homage to the original Sony Walkman – it
doesn’t even have Bluetooth for connecting wireless headphones, just
a standard 3.5mm socket and some nice chunky buttons. The one
concession to the 21st century? The 15hr battery is rechargeable via
USB-C, so you won’t have to spend all your pocket money on AAs.
R3 200 / fiio.com

O LG Gram Pro (2024)
LG has also upgraded its
ultraportable Gram Pro with
Intel Core Ultra processors.
There’s a 2-in-1 version with
a 16in touchscreen that folds
all the way back.
Rtba(import) / lg.com

O HP Omen Transcend 14
Looking for something thin and
light that still has the graphical
chops to play games when
you’re on the go? This 14in HP
has you covered, with a stonking
OLED screen to boot.
Rtba / hp.com/za-en/

More
binoculars
p48

YOU CAN
ROTATE IT
90° AND
OPEN IT UP
LIKE A BOOK

Do I have to say the birds?

SWAROVSKI AX VISIO
Even the most clueless twitcher knows what a sparrow or a starling
looks like. But in the unlikely event that a fluffy-backed tit-babbler,
spangled drongo or perplexing scrubwren turns up in your garden one
day, you might need a bit of help with identification. Press a button
on these brainy binos and they’ll use AI to quickly scan through a
9000-strong catalogue of birds and other animals to confirm exactly
what it is that’s landed on your feeder. A built-in 13MP sensor lets you
capture photos and 1080p video to prove it definitely was a flamingo
standing in the pond… but they also have GPS on board, so they can use
your location to work out that it was more likely just a little bustard.
R110 000 / swarovskioptik.com
17

18

S T R E A M
In space, no one can hear you grumbling that
there’s nothing on TV… but that won’t be an
issue with this month’s streaming highlights

Constellation

Avatar: The
Last Airbender

The Second Best
Hospital in the Galaxy

Prepare to paint a blue arrow on
your head: the classic Nickelodeon
animation has gone live-action,
courtesy of Netflix. Amid a struggle
between the once-peaceful
elemental nations, young Aang
must take up the mantle of Avatar
and restore balance to a shattered
world. With a blue arrow on his head.
S1 / Netflix

This adult animated series from
Russian Doll writer Cirocco
Dunlap follows the adventures
of Doctors Sleech and Klak, two
intergalactically well-regarded
surgeons battling against all
manner of weird and wonderful
conditions in a space hospital. You
had us at ‘Sleech and Klak’.
S1 / Prime Video

Shogun

Damsel

Tracking Thabo Bester

Based on James Clavell’s novel,
this historical epic explores
17th-century Japan through the
eyes of sailor John Blackthorne,
the first Englishman to set foot
in the country. He’s there on the
orders of his government, but ends
up embroiled in a vicious civil war
and even more embroiled with a
mysterious woman.
S1 / Disney+

Marrying a dishy prince and living
out your days in a towering castle?
Every fantasy maiden’s dream,
right? Not for Millie Bobby Brown’s
dutiful young woman, whose new
in-laws toss her into a dragon’s lair
as a sacrifice. See, that’s why it’s
so important to make a good first
impression. Anyway, she’ll need all
her wiles and wits to escape.
Film / Netflix

Even if you habitually avoid the
news, odds are you’ve heard of
Thabo Bester. The so-called
Facebook Rapist staged his own
death from inside a prison cell, ran
off with a celebrity doctor, and fled
to Tanzania with Nandipha
Magudumana. Where the couple
promptly objected to extradition
back to SA upon their arrest.
Mini-series / Showmax

Here’s another astronaut, forced
by disaster to return to Earth, where
she discovers that something
about her own life appears to have
gone missing… and it all smells
a little bit conspiracy-ish. Or has
she just come back changed? This
eight-part thriller stars Noomi
Rapace alongside Jonathan ‘Mike
Ehrmantraut’ Banks.
S1 / Apple TV+

Hidden amid his usual low-effort rom-coms, gross-out comedies and sentimental
dramedies, Adam Sandler occasionally hits a high-art home run, reminding you that, yes,
he can act when he wants to. In this sci-fi drama he plays a Czech astronaut who rockets
into space to escape his past… and instead finds a strange new companion. Want a fun
fact? Director Johan Renck used to be ’90s hip-hop star Stakka Bo.
Film / Netflix

DO
M N
TH ISS ’T
IS

Spaceman

19

G A M E S
OUT
NOW

FIRST PLAY DRAGON’S DOGMA 2 PS5, XSX, PC
With recent hits such as Street
Fighter 6 and Resident Evil 4,
Capcom has been on such a
roll that it can afford to gamble
on bringing back a less-loved
franchise. And truth be told,
back in 2012, Dragon’s Dogma’s
unique take on fantasy action
role-playing deserved to be
talked about as much as Dark
Souls. So can this sequel finally
realise the complete vision its
developers were going for?
Much remains the same, even
if it all takes place in a different
open world. You play as the
Arisen, your own custom-made
20

character who can also take
on a number of vocations that
change up your combat style,
from hack-and-slash to ranged
magic or archery. You’re not
facing enemies alone, which
brings us to the twist: you can
recruit Pawns, AI-controlled
companions who live to serve
alongside the Arisen.
You can even create your own
Pawn as a permanent ally – and
recruit Pawns created by other
players online. These Pawns are
a talkative bunch too, chatting
not just with the Arisen but
also with one another, pointing

out useful resources or warning
of bandits and monsters.
So there’s the potential for
adventures to have the lively
chatter of Baldur’s Gate 3,
except you’ve also got robust
real-time combat here. And
there’s even more depth,
as you can make use of the
environment or even climb
up larger beasts to reach their
weak points.
Put all that together, and
you’ve got all the joy of tackling
an epic adventure with other
players… in a game that remains
your own singular story.

FIRST LOOK OUTLANDISHLY DISCOMBOBULATING?

OD

XSX, PC
Always eager to use the latest
tech and push the boundaries
of what games can be (even if
that includes trekking across
post-apocalyptic landscapes
as a deliveryman), Hideo
Kojima is at it again. His next
project is a return to horror…
and for those who remember

the absolutely terrifying PS4
demo PT, for a Silent Hill game
that sadly never came to light,
then OD (short for overdose)
looks just as unnerving.
It’s not even strictly a game,
but a new kind of media that
involves elements of film,
hence a collab with the master
of horror in modern cinema,
Jordan Peele (Get Out, Nope),
with performances from

Sophia Lillis (Dungeons &
Dragons: Honour Among
Thieves), Hunter Schafer
(Euphoria) and cult character
actor Udo Kier.
The cryptic teaser shows
faces captured in extreme
detail, demonstrating the
power of Unreal’s MetaHuman
animation tool – though the
game will also apparently
be making use of Xbox’s

cloud gaming tech to create
an immersive experience that
promises to have you ODing
on fear.
With Kojima claiming this is
his most experimental project
since Boktai (a 2003 GBA
game about vampires where
you had to charge up your
weapons by actually going
outside), be prepared for
something weird.

BEST OF PLATFORMERS TO JUMP ONTO THIS LEAP YEAR

SUPER MARIO BROS WONDER

Switch
Who knew that a new 2D Mario game
could be as brilliantly inventive as its 3D
iterations? This is a five-star game, but
have you managed to nail its most devious
challenges? If so, why not leave behind a
standee to help others trying to reach the
top of those most elusive flagpoles?

PIZZA TOWER

PC
Owing much to the Wario Land games
as well as a certain speedy hedgehog,
this one sees rotund Italian chef Peppino
Spaghetti on a mission to save his pizzeria
by conquering the titular Pizza Tower. An
indie hit, it’s brimming with ridiculous level
design and vibrant animation style.

PRINCE OF PERSIA:
THE LOST CROWN

all platforms
Don’t knock this new Metroidvania spin on
Prince of Persia: it’s the freshest it’s been
for well over a decade, taking some clever
ideas from Hollow Knight but with added
death-defying platforming abilities from
the same folks behind Rayman Legends.

INCOMING
APRIL
OBRAID ANNIVERSARY EDITION
OSAGA: EMERALD BEYOND
OEIYUDEN CHRONICLE: HUNDRED HEROES
MAY
O GHOST OF TSUSHIMA (PC)
O SENUA’S SAGA: HELLBLADE 2
O WORLD OF GOO 2
O F1 24

21

APPS

Mini meme

OIMDb
If you enjoy watching movies
with dozens of strangers (while
sitting among their popcorn
shards), IMDb lets you dig into
what’s on and local showtimes.
Beyond that, you can explore
upcoming cinematic treats,
build a watchlist, and terrify your
eyes with an endless stream of
movie news clips. The app also
attempts to provide streaming
info but is rubbish at that, so use
something else instead.
Free / Android, iOS

22

A MOVIE
KIND OF
LOVE

Never forget a favourite flick (or
accidentally rewatch a lame one) again:
these film-tracking apps will help
you keep on top of your viewing

OTV Time
When you already know what
you’d like to watch, try TV Time:
just search for a flick and add it
to your list. Unreleased movies
then lurk in the Upcoming
tab, accompanied by a handy
countdown, while available
items appear in the Watch List
(select an item to see which
streaming service it’s on).
The app’s good for TV shows
too, making it ideal if you want
an all-in-one tracking solution.
Free / Android, iOS

OLetterboxd

OJustWatch

OShowly

OMovie Tracker

A social network where everyone
thinks they’re Barry Ronge?
Terrifying. If you disagree,
this app lets you browse films,
add them to lists, and grump
about them at length by way
of reviews. Or you can be a
normal human and just use
it as a personal film diary
and foolproof way to avoid
rewatching the Matrix sequels
ever again, having suitably rated
them all one out of five.
Free / Android, iOS

These days, knowing when
a movie’s on the TV is largely
irrelevant, what with on-demand
streaming. How you can actually
watch it? That’s trickier. But tell
JustWatch the services you can
access (paid and free) and it’ll
spit out lists of new and popular
releases that you can bookmark
and track. And if you need a
reminder, select a movie’s page
and you’ll discover where it’s
available to stream, rent or buy.
Free / Android, iOS

In case those other apps sound
like hard work, Showly strips
movie tracking right back. Add
films to My Movies and you can
browse them by various criteria;
lob those you’re really keen on at
your Watchlist; under Progress,
prod a chunky tick button when
you’ve watched something; and
in Collection, dig into the stats
view to see exactly how much
time you wasted on that Police
Academy all-nighter.
Free or from R8 / Android

This app doesn’t quite echo
developer Simone Montalto’s
other Trackers in letting you
scan in physical items. But it
does give you a way to track
collections of shiny discs by way
of custom tags – and there’s a
notes field for jotting down who
has your precious Blade Runner
box-set. Beyond that, this is the
slickest tracker around, with a
gorgeous interface and excellent
lists system.
R230/yr or R700 / iOS

F I R S T T E S T S A M S U N G G A L A X Y S 2 4 U LT R A

Another Gal,
another planet
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is as good as Samsung gets… but can titanium
and some AI tricks make it stand out in the wider Android universe?

from R30 000 / samsung.com/za

he Galaxy S23 Ultra
almost managed an
entire year at the
summit of Stuff’s
top ten phones list.
Its successor has similar
ambitions… and is arguably even
more deserving of that status.
A titanium frame puts the
Galaxy S24 Ultra on a par with
Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max for

T

slick materials. Its substantial
6.8in screen has been given
the steamroller treatment, with
some of the skinniest bezels
you’ll find on any phone; this
makes for better edge-to-edge
S Pen use than the old model’s
curved-edge panel. Corning’s
Gorilla Armor glass is also as
scratch-resistant as it gets
at the moment, and the way

it reduces reflections in bright
light borders on witchcraft.
The S24 Ultra is just a sliver
thinner than the old handset
and a little wider, but slightly
shorter. We found the S23 Ultra
bordered on needing two hands,
but we could comfortably cup
this phone in one.
Bigger changes are going on
underneath. Power comes from

the latest Qualcomm silicon;
the quad rear camera setup has
been upgraded with a superior
zoom lens; and some seriously
clever on-device AI takes the
faff out of editing photos and
taking notes.
This big phone is impressive,
then – but it’s also expensive.
Are there enough improvements
to justify its top billing?

23

F I R S T T E S T S A M S U N G G A L A X Y S 2 4 U LT R A

3

4

1

Armor believer

Samsung knows a thing or two
about AMOLED displays, so it’s
no shock that the S24 Ultra’s
6.8in screen is a thing of beauty.
That Gorilla Armor glass really
kills reflections, and the 2600-nit
peak brightness is a jump up from
the S23 Ultra’s 1750 nits.

2 Break it to me Gen 3

5

3 Borne to die

The Ultra is the only S24 to get
a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, at least in
South Africa. It’s a ‘For Galaxy’
variant with a little extra oomph
than the chips found in rival
phones. Naturally it’s a beast,
handling rapid multitasking and
demanding games with ease.

Battery life didn’t blow us away,
given the more efficient CPU
and 5000mAh capacity. The
S24 Ultra will last a working day
of fairly heavy use, but it’ll want
topping up before bedtime… and
45W wired charging isn’t exactly
speedy any more.

4 For zoom the bell tolls

5 Fix up, look sharpened

Three of the four rear snappers
are carried over wholesale
from last year. Only the second
telephoto sees new hardware,
replacing the old 10MP 10x
zoomer with a 50MP unit good
for 5x zoom. Sensor cropping and
algorithms then fill in the gaps.

Low-light zoom shots have taken
a real step up, with less noise
and greater definition. Samsung
hasn’t rocked the boat anywhere
else, though: photos have that
brash Galaxy look, with plenty of
sharpening and boosted shadows.
Rivals now do a better job.

2

Good
Meh
Evil

F
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24 hours with
the Galaxy
S24 Ultra

3mins
24

5mins

10mins

1hr

2hrs

4hrs

6hrs

7hrs

9hrs

F I R S T T E S T S A M S U N G G A L A X Y S 2 4 U LT R A

Tech specs
Screen 6.8in 3120x1440 120Hz AMOLED
CPU Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 RAM 12GB
Storage 256/512GB/1TB OS Android 14
Cameras 200+50+10+12MP rear, 12MP front
Battery 5000mAh (USB-C, Qi)
Dimensions 162x79x8.6mm, 232g

That’s the AI, like it

1

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‘Galaxy AI’ on the S24 series puts multiple tricks all
in one place for the first time, even outdoing Google…

10hrs

18hrs 20hrs

21hrs

24hrs

Q Photos: grow

Q Video: slow

Samsung’s answer to
Google’s Magic Editor
can remove shadows and
reflections with a single
tap. It also does a superb
job of expanding images,
for when you’ve cropped
in a little too tightly.

We love long-pressing our
videos for quarter-speed
slow motion even though
we filmed them at full
speed; the missing frames
are generated quickly
using AI. These faux-slomos can then be exported.

Q Text: show

Q Speech: whoa!

The Chat Assist button
baked into the onscreen
keyboard is a nifty way of
sharpening up messages
before sending. It analyses
what you’ve written
and offers alternatives
in different styles.

The new transcription
summariser built into
the voice recorder app
recognises different
speakers, transcribes
accurately, then distils
it all into a clear summary.
This uses cloud-based AI.

This is yet another epic do-it-all flagship,
elevated to even more desirable status
thanks to those new materials and a superior
screen. The AI additions are perfect for
productivity, and performance was never
in doubt. It also takes a very good photo, even
if Samsung has taken its foot off the gas just
a little on the camera front.

STUFF SAYS +++++
The titanium build and onboard AI
give proper ‘future phone’ vibes…
just be prepared to pay for ’em
25

F I R S T T E S T S A M S U N G G A L A X Y S 2 4 U LT R A

The alternatives:
More new Samsungs
The flagship Ultra may take top honours, but this year’s more
mainstream Galaxy models also deserve your attention

Galaxy S24
R21 000 /
samsung.com/za

R24 000 /
samsung.com/za

What’s the story?
Samsung has played
things safe for the base
S24 model. It gets a flatter
frame, brighter screen
(with skinnier bezels)
and bigger battery, along
with Exynos internals
for the first time since
the S22. On-device AI
also makes an appearance,
but camera hardware
is unchanged from the
outgoing model.

What’s the story?
Previous Plus-sized
Galaxies were simply
bigger versions of the
standard model: apart
from a higher-capacity
battery they’d be just the
same on specs. Samsung
has shaken things up for
2024, boosting the display
resolution on the larger
model and also giving its
wired charging speeds a
welcome increase.

Is it any good?
The S24 looks every bit
the top-tier handset, and
feels it too thanks to a
toughened aluminium
body. The 50MP main
snapper takes engaging
photos, and the secondary
sensors also put in a great
showing (if no more so
than last year). Samsung’s
homegrown CPU provides
excellent performance,
almost matching the
Ultra’s Snapdragon; its
battery isn’t the biggest
but can still eke out entire
days away from the mains
if you’re careful. Apple fans
probably won’t trade their
iPhone for one, but the
S24 is a superb phone.

Is it any good?
Fans of palm-filling phone
screens will appreciate the
sharper AMOLED panel on
the S24+, which gets more
than bright enough for
outdoor use. The bigger
battery doesn’t translate
to a significantly longer
lifespan than the regular
S24, but charging is much
quicker. It’s just as potent
performance-wise, with
the same AI features, and
the rear camera array is
equally adept. That makes
it a top all-rounder… but
when the Xiaomi 13 Ultra
costs the same (maybe
less if you shop around),
it’s hard to recommend the
S24+ at the launch price.

KEY SPECS
Screen 6.2in 2340x1080
120Hz AMOLED CPU
Exynos 2400 Cameras
50+10+12MP rear,
12MP front Battery
4000mAh Dimensions
147x71x7.6mm, 167g

Stuff says
+++++
Not one for specs
snobs, but an a great
Android all-rounder

26

Galaxy S24+

KEY SPECS
Screen 6.7in 3120x1440
120Hz AMOLED CPU
Exynos 2400 Cameras
50+10+12MP rear,
12MP front Battery
4900mAh Dimensions
159x76x7.7mm, 196g

Stuff says
++++,
Finally feels like a
true step-up model,
albeit a pricey one

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

Improving your home
is about way more
than just filling it with
connected speakers
and TV apps – this
month’s cover feature
will help you to live,
eat and sleep better
with the latest
gadgetry for a
smarter, brighter
and cleaner pad

Cleaning
Because in the future
there will be no dust. p28

Listening

Watching

Say hi to some high-end
hi-tech hi-fi. p30

Do you fancy being an 8K
couch potato? p32

Lighting

Living

Eating

Knowing me, knowing
Hue… a-ha! p34

General gadgets for a tasty
techy home life. p36

Store it, cook it, guzzle it
down in seconds. p38

Sleeping pt1

Sleeping pt2

Even sweeter dreams are
made of this. p40

And also this: more smart
bedroom buys. p42
27

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

CLEANING
You might have a ‘smart’ home, but nobody’s going to be impressed
if they’re up to their knees in dust, pizza-crust debris and dog hair
Q MORE TIDY BUYS

THE
HI-TECH
HOOVER

HOBOT
LEGEE D8
Solenco is known for
its air purifiers, but it
does a pretty good job
of cleaning other things
too. This is a fine and
reasonably compact
cordless vaccum and
hard-floor cleaner,
ideal for banishing
muddy tracks and
kitchen spills; it gets
to the edges easily
and dries up after
itself admirably.
R11 500 / solenco.co.za

ECOVACS
WINBOT
W1 PRO
Bad news for George
Formby: the Winbot
sounds like a sci-fi
fantasy, but this is a
very real gadget that
sprays water from its
60ml reservoir onto
your windows as it
moves around, and
polishes away the
streaks. You just
need to move it from
pane to pane.
R8 000 / ecovacs.co.za

28

The Dyson 360
Vis Nav brings
an evolution of
Dyson’s 360°
vision system.
The camera on
top assesses its
surroundings
to build a map
of your home;
once that’s
complete, you’re
able to easily
define zones
then clean one
or more of them
at a time – just
choose where
and how in the
app (you can
schedule as well,
as you’d expect).
An LED light
means it can
navigate when
there’s no light
on, and this
is also used
to shine into
gloomy corners.
The cleaner can
be used with
Alexa or Google
Assistant; we’re
surprised Dyson
hasn’t launched
Apple Home
compatibility for
its products, but
you can use Siri
Shortcuts.

DYSON 360
VIS NAV
Rtba / dyson.com

s you’ll know if you
read Stuff’s magazine
and website regularly
(you really should do
that), Dyson has put many years
of work into the Vis Nav. It’s only
the third Dyson robot vac to ship in
over 20 years’ worth of work in
autonomous cleaners, and the
company’s first in a D-shape.
The result is a robot that borrows
a lot from Dyson’s premium stick
vacs – including most (but not
all) of their suction power. There
are four cleaning modes, and the
bin is housed under the familiar
cyclones within the grey circular
bit you can see on the top – it
detaches easily and pops open
with a press. The grey rectangle
is a removable washable filter, and
the screen (which is also a button)
makes operation straightforward
and intuitive.
Battery life is similar to that of
the Dyson Gen5 Detect, at up to
65mins, but charge time to full is
fairly slow by today’s standards at
nearly 3hrs.

A

Cleanness as a joy
The good news is, a lot of other
issues have been addressed since
Dyson’s previous robots, such
as the 360 Eye. The lower profile
easily slips under most furniture;
the chunky wheels and flexible
suspension mean it can get over
large rugs and carpet bars; and
the full-width brush bar is new,
designed to cope with all floor
types from deep carpet to
smooth tiles thanks to some
different sections. The really

clever bit is when the cleaner is
tight against a wall: a side duct
opens to redirect suction along the
skirting and so avoid dirty edges.
The Dyson 360 Vis Nav brings
a lot of polish to the experience
of owning a robot vacuum, and it
does deal very well with many of
the issues that plague cheap robot
vacs. Not much hair gets caught
around the brush bar, while we
didn’t have anything get stuck
inside the cleaner or suffer any
issues around bunged-up airways
(it did suck up one small plastic
toy, but it just got stuck beside the
brush bar). And this cleaner does
not get stuck on objects – a fairly
common issue. In fact, the only
navigation problem we seemed
to have in several weeks of testing
was that it got stuck between
chair legs under the dining room
table – once.
Big time expensuality
This is an exceptional cleaner,
then. There’s just one problem.
We’re not generally too put off
by premium pricing in Stuff’s
reviews… but when you can get
a superb robot cleaner for
thousands of rands less from
good names like iRobot, a star has
to be knocked off. Some of the
key rivals also auto-empty and
even mop. It’s a pity, because
within its remit the 360 Vis Nav
is undeniably brilliant.
KEY SPECS
O 65min max run time
O 2.75hr charge O 1.5L bin
O 330x320x99mm, 5kg

STUFF SAYS ++++,
A supreme robot vacuum cleaner that leaves its rivals
in the dust… but it’s insanely expensive

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART
Violetly
happy?

Kit’s oh
so quiet
Notifications from the
MyDyson app are fairly
unobtrusive: it only
pings you when a clean
has finished or there’s
some maintenance
required.

While the design is
typically Dyson, some
visitors remarked that
it’s actually a fairly
gaudy object to
have on show in
a living space.

Roomin’
behaviour
The app has developed
a lot in recent times
and is now a home for
all Dyson’s connected
gear, including its fans,
purifiers… and the
infamous Zone.

29

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

Roon age
day stream
The ST5 is certified
Roon Ready. It allows
firmware updates via its
app to ensure it always
stays compatible
with the latest
audio tech.

DAC sing
in the street
With its ESS ES9018
DAC, the ST5 promises
best-in-class audio
fidelity, enhanced by
jitter elimination tech
for a cleaner, more
precise sound.

Beauty,
add the beast
Get one of Arcam’s
matching A5 or A15
amplifiers – there’s a
connector cable in the
box – and the two
components can
act as one.

30

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

LISTENING
Yes, you love your novelty Minion-shaped Bluetooth speaker… but
why not enhance your living space with properly premium sound?
QMORE EAR-PLEASERS

ARCAM ST5
arcam.co.uk

rcam’s ST5 is a fresh
face in the competitive
world of music
streamers. Priced
competitively, this high-end home
audio device shares the same
design language as the brand’s
Radia range, which has bagged
wide acclaim for its hi-fi separates.
Now it’s the ST5’s turn under the
spotlight… but does it hit all the
right notes?
With its anodised aluminium
casing, the ST5’s all-black build
is robust and stylish, though with
a more discreet appearance than
its siblings. The design, free of
any knobs or buttons, features
a simple one-line text display; this
is perfectly readable, if lacking the
sharpness of full-colour displays
as seen on competitors like the
Cambridge CXN V2.
Arcam’s focus on performance
is pretty clear in that streamlined
design, shunning elements like an
OLED display. On the inside, it’s
an evolution of the (much pricier)
ST60, with a more efficient single
microprocessor and upgraded
components, including an improved
power supply.

A

Sound and wishin’
Tech-wise, the ST5 is more
than capable: UPnP, AirPlay 2,
Chromecast and internet radio
are supported, along with Spotify
Connect, Tidal Connect and
Amazon Music. The connectivity
options are comprehensive, with
Wi-Fi, USB-A, optical and coaxial
outputs, and line-level RCA. But it
notably lacks a headphone output
and Bluetooth.
As for hi-res audio, the ST5
supports a maximum resolution

of 24-bit/192kHz and DSD128,
putting it behind some rivals.
While we enjoyed the sleek and
compact aesthetics of the remote
control, it’s missing some features
and commands that are only
accessible through the on-unit
menu – which can be less intuitive
to navigate. On the other hand, the
digital output options are versatile,
with settings for different types of
audio processing and output.
Place oddity
If we had to nitpick, we’d say the
user experience on the ST5 can
feel a bit all over the shop. Unlike
more seamless interfaces from
competitors, there isn’t a central
place where you can manage
and control everything. The app
is simple and functional for daily
operations but doesn’t integrate
all of the ST5’s features in a
user-friendly way, which can
be frustrating.
Sound-wise, however, the ST5
delivers full, easy-going and well
balanced audio. Where it truly
shines is with higher-quality
digital files, offering rich detail
and a warm, natural approach
to vocals. The sound profile is
definitely more on the smooth
side, which might not suit those
looking for an in-yer-face music
experience. But one thing’s
beyond doubt: this handsome
streamer will complement the
most sophisticated living space.
KEY SPECS
O UPnP, AirPlay 2, Chromecast,
Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect,
Amazon Music, Qobuz O USB-A,
optical, coaxial, RCA line out
O 431x344x57mm, 3.5kg

++++,
With robust audio performance and a sleek design,
it’s impossible not to be impressed by this streamer

MARANTZ
MODEL 50
& CD 50N

SENNHEISER
ACCENTUM
WIRELESS

Marantz’s Model 50
and CD 50n are an
audiophile’s dream
pairing. The Model
50 amp has 70W
per channel to drive
speakers with total
control and low
distortion; the CD
50n excels as a CD
player and network
audio source.
R50 000 & R50 000
/ marantz.com

When it’s time to
scale your home
audio down to a
more personal level,
nothing beats a pair
of noise-cancelling
over-ears. These
cans feed your ears
big and balanced
sound, with robust
specs including 50hr
battery life.
R4 200 /sennheiserhearing.com

TECHNICS
SL 1200GR2

SONOS
MOVE 2

Looking to step up
your vinyl game?
The SL-1200GR2
is worth a spin. This
mid-range deck has
a new Delta Sigma
motor-drive system
and multi-stage silent
power supply. The
resulting audio
is impeccable… and
with its elegant
S-shaped tonearm,
it’s a design gem.
R42 000 / technics.com

This is not your
average portable
speaker – it’s a beefy
powerhouse that
can bring the beats
wirelessly over
Bluetooth 5 and
Wi-Fi 6. A great
option if you want
your music to travel
around the house
and garden with you,
it also scores highly
for battery life.
R13 000 / sonos.com

31

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

WATCHING
Feel like you’re at the Odeon every time you sit down to watch Tracking
Thabo Bester: here’s the top tech for a genuine home cinema experience
QMORE VIDEO VALUABLES

SAMSUNG 65QN800C
R50 000 / digitalexperience.co.za

BOSE SMART
ULTRA
SOUNDBAR

32

EPSON
EH-LS650

Sitting at the top of
Bose’s soundbar
range, the Smart
Ultra model is a
beast. Not only
do you get superior
sound quality and
stunning design, but
it also has up-facing
drivers for spatial
audio, a great remote
and support for
voice assistants.
R30 000 / bose.com

If you’re not one for
big unsightly black
rectangles, a home
projector such as
Epson’s latest 4K
offering is a good
alternative. Touting
a 3600-lumen light
source alongside
Epson’s PRO-UHD
tech, its vibrant and
detailed picture is
hard to tell apart from
a physical HD display.
Rtba / epson.co.za

META QUEST 3

DSTV STREAMA

More comfortable and
user-friendly than its
predecessor, the
Quest 3’s updated
design, higher-res
displays and extra
RAM make it a good
choice for those
willing to spend more
for compelling VR
experiences. And
there are incoming
updates that will only
boost its charm, such
as fresh MR skills.
R15 500 / 180by2.co.za

The Streama, which
hosts all your favourite
streaming platforms
and shows in one
place, is now even
better thanks to the
arrival of the
revamped Showmax.
Sure, that’s another
subscription to pay for
but the newly signed
Paramount deal should
result in impressive
content.
R900 (DStv from
R300/m) / dstv.co.za

he Samsung Neo QLED
QN800C is not just
another TV; it’s a
glimpse into the future
of home entertainment.
The debate over the necessity
of 8K resolution in a world where
there’s still hardly any 8K content
goes on. But with the QN800C’s
crazy-impressive display, which is
available in 65, 75 and 85in models,
there’s certainly an argument
for it. And after all, the larger
the screen, the more apparent
the need for higher resolution
becomes, so maybe we should
let Samsung do its thing.
Quantum Matrix Technology
Pro helps here, combining 14-bit
HDR contrast, Quantum Mini LEDs
and Shape Adaptive Light Control
to deliver a picture that’s bigger,
brighter and more detailed, while
reducing ‘blooming’ effects.
Design-wise, the QN800C has
an industrial look with a robust
metal base, which will look the
part in any modern home. And
at Stuff we’re big fans of the One
Connect hub, which hides away all
the dangly bits, connected to the
screen by a single discreet cable.

T

Smart me up
But it’s in the TV’s brain – the Neo
Quantum Processor 8K – where
Samsung’s expertise really shines
through. This processor uses
64 neural networks to upscale
lower-res content, making even
4K videos look sharper and
more detailed. The result is an
experience that almost makes
you forget that native 8K content
is still quite rare.
Gamers, in particular, will find the
QN800C a worthy companion: with

a 100Hz refresh rate and Motion
Xcelerator Turbo+ tech, gameplay
is smooth and responsive. Add
to that AMD FreeSync Premium
Pro compatibility and Auto Low
Latency Mode, and you’ve got a
setup that’s hard to beat.
While smart TVs have never
been known for great audio, that
isn’t a problem here. The sound
is immersive and enveloping…
though you’re still better off
adding a proper soundbar for
a true home cinema experience.
Let’s blend the sight together
The QN800C can also serve as
a connected home hub, thanks
to Samsung’s SmartThings. It
integrates seamlessly with your
other smart devices, offering total
control in one place. Parents will
also appreciate the Multi-View
feature, which allows simultaneous
playback of different content on
the same screen – a great way to
prevent family arguments.
The Samsung 65QN800C is
a comprehensive entertainment
system. It pushes the boundaries
of what we expect from home
viewing, combining some of the
best picture quality ever seen with
advanced gaming features, good
sound and smart home powers
to boot. It certainly isn’t cheap, but
this will prove to be an investment
in cutting-edge tech – offering a
taste of what 8K resolution brings
to the table.
KEY SPECS
O 65in 7680x4320 QLED
O Neo Quantum HDR 8K Plus,
HDR10+, HLG O Tizen Smart TV
O 1443x898x268mm, 32.6kg
(including stand)

STUFF SAYS +++++
A stunning 8K experience that brings prime upscaling,
immersive sound and cutting-edge gaming features

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART
Frieze
a rainbow
Ambient Mode
transforms the TV into
an art piece, displaying
arty screensavers to
enhance your living
room even when it’s
not in use.

Sympathy
for the level
Adaptive Sound Pro
tech adjusts the audio
output to ensure rich
sound tailored to
different content, from
big action movies to
whispery dramas.

Smarties’
faction
With SmartThings and
Alexa plus Zigbee and
Thread compatibility,
the QN800C should fit
right into your existing
smart home
ecosystem.

33

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

Stuck
on Hue
If you’re already part
of the Hue family,
integrating this lamp
into your lighting setup
is as simple as plugging
it in and syncing it
with the app.

Chat’s
all right
You can control the
light with your phone
via Bluetooth and the
Hue app, or get a Hue
Bridge for use with
Apple Home, Alexa or
Google Assistant.

A little less
condensation
It’s not a good idea to
take this lamp outside
in the rain unless it’s
under cover: the IP20
rating means zero
protection against
anything liquidy.

34

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

LIGHTING
If you really want to elevate the look of your home, inside or out,
lighting is key… and the Philips Hue range remains our perky pick
QMORE PHILIPS FANCIES

PHILIPS
HUE GO

YOU &
HUE’S
ARMY?

smarthomeafrica.co.za

ccent lights easily add
ambience to a living
space. They’re most
useful to highlight
architectural features like an alcove
or bookshelves, or you can use
one to show off a picture. Put
simply, they can generate an
instant atmosphere – and they’re
one of the most effective ways to
use smart lighting.
That’s certainly where the Hue
Go portable accent light comes
into its own. While its 6W bulb
with 520 lumens definitely isn’t
the brightest, it makes up for this
in flexibility: the in-built battery
means it can be taken to different
rooms while it’s on. Battery life
isn’t stunning – you’ll get a mere
2.5hrs at full brightness – but you
can extend this significantly with
less showy light settings, with
18hrs possible if you choose the
flickering candlelight effect.

A

Follow that gleam
In reality, this lamp is likely to be
used in a single location most of
the time, as it’ll usually be plugged
in. It doesn’t feel especially high in
build quality as it’s plastic, but the
advantage of the translucent shell
is that the whole edge of the lamp
radiates the same colour.
The plastic build is also unlikely
to matter that much if it’s just
providing a highlight in one room
of your home. It also means this
lamp is pretty robust.
KEY SPECS
O 530 lumens O Bluetooth
O 79x15x15mm, 625g

++++,
and flexible
shortcut to mood lighting

SIGNE GRADIENT
FLOOR LAMP

LIGHTSTRIP OUTDOOR

This tower of colour-changing light
isn’t just a lamp – it’s a statement
piece. Standing at 146cm tall as
one solid strip sprouting from a
cylindrical base unit, it’s bold and
elegant. Available in white, black
and oak finishes, the real magic of
the Signe Gradient Floor Lamp lies
in its ability to paint any room with
light, with its lighting bar split into
gradient zones for mixing shades.
R7 100 / geewiz.co.za

If you really want to step up your
outdoor lighting game, this is the
easiest way to do it. The flexible
LED strip, available in 2m and 5m
lengths, brings colour-changing
illumination to any outside space.
And if you’re worried it won’t
survive South Africa’s climate,
you’ll be glad to learn its
weatherproof design can endure
temperatures from -20°C right up
to 45°C. Installation is a doddle too.
R7 000 / philips.com

LILY OUTDOOR
SPOTLIGHTS

FESTAVIA
STRING LIGHTS

If you’re looking to give your
garden, balcony or patio an easy
upgrade, then a few connected
Lily spotlights should do the trick.
Easy to install and robustly made,
these smart lights offer a full
spectrum of colours for any mood,
and can be screwed to fence posts
or stuck in the ground and angled
to uplight your favourite plants or
trees for a pro look.
R7 500 / philips.com

With a name like Festavia you’d
think Hue’s string lights were only
meant for the Christmas tree.
While that’s an option, it’s not
their only use case: these indoor
and outdoor colour-changing mini
LEDs, which come in 8m and 20m
lengths (with 100 and 250 lights
respectively), can be hung from
just about any surface, and at any
time of year.
R6 100 / amazon.com

Philips Hue is
more than just
some coloured
smart bulbs;
it’s a complete
lighting system
that can make
home living
easier and more
enjoyable while
also saving
energy. To make
the most of
multiple Hue
lights you’ll want
a Hue Bridge
(R4 000), a hub
that connects to
your Wi-Fi,
allowing you to
manage your
lighting through
the Hue app.
Here you can
adjust colours
and even set
custom
schedules from
your phone. The
Bridge can also
be integrated
with voice
assistants for
hands-free
control. But
Philips’ lighting
truly comes alive
when synced
with music,
games and films
via the Hue Play
HDMI Sync Box
(below, R4 900).
This lets you set
certain lights to
track what’s on
the TV screen.

35

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

LIVING
From smart artworks to more consistent Wi-Fi, upgrade your living
quarters with these extra-clever accessories for the modern home
SEE
ALSO…

QMORE LIFE-LIFTERS

ENABOT
EBO X
R19 000 / enabot.com

NETGEAR ORBI
860 SERIES
Wi-Fi not up
to scratch?
Netgear offers
stellar coverage
with its Tri-Band
WiFi 6 mesh
system, for fast,
reliable internet
in every room.
from R8 500 /
amazon.com

EUFY VIDEO
DOORBELL S220
The Swiss Army
knife of security
cams: packed with
clear video,
AI-powered
human detection
and instant
notifications, this
is what you want
at your door.
R3 000 / eufy.com

HOTBOT
This square
sensor fits onto
your geyser and
monitors
electricity use,
managing energy
usage and
trimming down
your bill.
R99/m or
R5 400 / plentify.io

36

DYSON
PURIFIER
GEN1 HP10
Like the idea of
a gadget that can
purify the air, heating
the room when it’s
cold and cooling it
when it’s hot? Here’s
Dyson’s Purifier
Gen1 HP10, with
Air Multiplier tech
that fills the room
without the drying
effect that traditional
fans can have.
R18 000 / dyson.com

NANOLEAF
4D SCREEN
MIRROR +
LIGHTSTRIP
KIT
If you really want to
impress guests on
movie night, then
give this ‘homemade
Ambilight’ setup a go.
As a dazzling addition
to any TV, it syncs
vivid multicoloured
light with what’s on
the screen.
Rtba /
nanoleaf.me

ULTION
NUKI PLUS

VIEUNITE
TEXTURA

If you’re a sucker
for locking yourself
out, the Ultion Nuki
Plus is your friend.
Compatible with
most outdoor doors,
it essentially turns
your phone into a
front door key with
remote control. And
it now works with
the Matter smart
home standard.
R9 650 /
amazon.co.uk

This digital canvas
is an ingenious way
to hang dynamic art
on the walls of your
home, its 27in frame
bringing paintings to
life with vibrant colours
and textures. Vieunite
offers a range of free
collections without
subscription fees… or
you can upload your
own splodges.
R10 600 /
vieunite.com

ANKER
POWERHOUSE
757
The 757 is a gamechanging portable
power station for offgrid electricity. Its
1500W of power,
coupled with two AC
outlets and USB
ports, make it ideal for
emergency home
use, offering quiet,
clean energy. It’s also
compatible with solar
panels. solar panels.
R15 500 / anker.com

SHARK
SPEEDSTYLE
3-IN-1
HAIR DRYER
Combining a sleek
dryer with three
styling attachments
for straight and wavy
hair, Shark’s latest
hi-tech blower is an
easy way to achieve
salon-like results at
home, with a low heat
exposure feature for
minimal damage.
R5 600 /
amazon.com

he Enabot EBO X is
a nifty little homebot
that’s stormed its
way from a successful
Kickstarter campaign and is
heading for our living rooms.
It’s a triple threat: a guardian,
companion and entertainer, all
rolled into one football-sized
self-balancing sphere.
The EBO X roams around your
living quarters keeping an eye on
things with a stabilised 4K camera,
spruced up with night vision. And
with built-in speakers, it can also
play the role of DJ.
Sounds gimmicky, but there’s
some serious tech powering this
little orb. Its X3M chip juggles
five trillion operations per second,
allowing it to map your home with
V-Slam tech and dodge obstacles
like a pro.

T

Don’t stop ’til you pet enough
It can even follow you (or the kids)
around: just say “EBO EBO, follow
me” and it’s like having a loyal pet,
minus the poo incidents. And it
can engage with real pets, keeping
them entertained and active while
you’re out, taking pics and videos
for you to laugh at later.
So, is it worth a ten grand?
While it’s well built, lots of fun and
extremely clever, it’s perhaps not
a sensible buy if you live alone, or if
you have a decent smart security
system installed already.
KEY SPECS
O 4K camera with night vision
O Alexa O 2500mAh battery
O 218x168x168mm, 1.7kg

STUFF SAYS ++++,
An impressive all-in-one
home robo-companion

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART
I just can
stop loving you
Want some alone time?
You can shut down the
camera and mic via
a switch in the app,
a shutter or a privacy
button. You can’t do
that with a dog.

Gran in
the mirror
This bot is especially
useful for those with
elderly family members:
it can keep an eye on
them with its fall alert
system and medication
reminders.

Bot to
be there
In an emergency, the
EBO X will quickly alert
you through the app.
You can then talk to the
people at home in real
time to find out what’s
going on.

37

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

Scarborough
pair
It integrates with
Hisense’s app for
remote adjustments,
including temperature
control of the fridge
and freezer
independently.

Ice, ice, maybe?
If you’d like constant ice
and cold water, you’d
best have it hooked up
to a permanent water
source, like a tap.

The spangling
conversation
A whiteboard app can
be powered up on the
display, allowing family
members to leave
snarky notes for one
another just like the
good old days.

38

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

EATING
Well, the eating part is easy – you just shove it in as fast as you can
and chomp away until it disappears – but what about before that?
QMORE KITCHEN CRACKERS

HISENSE
H750FSBIDS MULTIDOOR
FRIDGE
R67 300 / hisense.co.za

ho would have thought
that Hisense would be
the first company to
bring a seriously smart
fridge to market in South Africa??
Our money was on LG but while
they were technically first, their
InstaView fridges are not this smart.
What makes this hefty appliance
super-smart is its touchscreen
display. You can access all sorts of
stuff including a meal-planner app, a
digital shopping list that syncs to your
phone, and there’s even a recipe
planner so you’ve got no cooking
excuses. There are basic integrated
apps, like a timer, and you can also
share your phone’s screen to the
door’s touchscreen panel.

W

Fridge over bubbled water
Design-wise, it’s a pretty spacious
unit (read: humongous), with a 345L
fridge plus 191L freezer. You get
highly modifiable shelves, with a
bottle rack that can be adapted for
different-sized drinks, while the unit
also includes an ice dispenser. This
fridge offers solid performance doing
its most important job of all: looking
after your precious fishfingers.
KEY SPECS/
O 345L fridge, 191L freezer
O LCD Touchscreen O Smart
Connectivity O 1785x912x725mm,
150kg

STUFF SAYS ++++,
Hisense’s latest is a very
smart fridge indeed

NINJA FOODI
FLEXDRAWER
AIR FRYER
AF500UK
Love batch cooking
or serving up huge
meals, but don’t love
juggling pans? With
its mammoth 10.4L
drawer, this air fryer
lets you cook a full
roast dinner at once.
Or use the divider
to enable dual-zone
cooking skills.
R9 300 /
amazon.co.uk

SMEG BLC02
Oozing class rather
than custard, Smeg’s
latest blender is a
minimalist’s dream.
With a 1.5L jug
capacity and a
brushed aluminium
finish that makes
it look too good for
food prep, this sexy
appliance can whip
up anything from
berry smoothies
to nut butters
or sauces.
R12 000 / smeg.com

SODASTREAM
E-TERRA

SEE
ALSO…

JURA ENA 4

Adding fizz to tap
water with a gas
canister might not
sound that appealing,
but how about saving
on money and plastic
waste? Enter the
E-Terra. With three
carbonation levels,
intuitive controls and
a slender design, this
has to be the best
SodaStream yet.
Rtba /
sodastream.com

This bean-to-cup
machine gives you the
power to craft baristaquality brews at home
thanks to its PEP
(Pulse Extraction
Process). It is on the
bulky side but the
single button
operation is a pleasure
and speedy grinding
of beans to one of
three aroma levels
make this machine a
wake-up call.
R16 000 / jura.com

SWAN SMART
KETTLE

INSTANT POT
DUO PLUS

This hi-tech kitchen
staple lets you make
a cuppa with the help
of the world’s most
hated robot. At the
bark of a simple
“Alexa, boil the
kettle” command,
the water will boil.
Beyond that, there’s
a generous 1.5L
capacity and a 2hr
‘keep warm’ function.
R2 000 /
swan-brand.co.za

There’s not much this
multi-cooker can’t
rustle up – from rice
to yoghurt, the sheer
number of things you
can do with it makes
it a super-versatile
kitchen companion.
And as a bonus for
people in small flats,
this WhisperQuiet
model cooks with
barely any noise.
R3 000 /
instantpot.co.za

MEATER 2 PLUS
This wireless
thermometer
means you’ll
never overcook
a steak again.
Connected to
a phone app, it’ll
alert you when
it’s cooked to
perfection.
R3 200 /
amazon.com

GROHE
L-SPOUT BLUE
HOME DUO
You won’t need
a SodaStream if
you can afford
this: Grohe’s
latest smart tap
provides filtered
and, yes, even
sparkling water.
R40 000 /
grohe.com

RENPHO
SMART
NUTRITION
SCALE
This smart food
scale does what
normal scales
do: precise
measuring. But
it also serves up
nutritional data.
R760 /
amazon.com

39

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

SLEEPING pt1
Until you’re sleeping properly, it’s almost certain you’re not making the
most of your waking hours – so lie back and think of these gadgets
QMORE BEDTIME BRILLIANCE

EIGHT SLEEP POD 3
R43 000 /eightsleep.com

he Eight Sleep Pod 3
is a real superhero of
mattress toppers,
packing a punch
with temperature control and
sleep-tracking powers.
Joining forces with any existing
mattress (well, apart from those
tacky heart-shaped ones), it’s not
your usual heated topper either.
This one’s got a trick up its sleeve:
it uses water from a compact base
unit to either heat up or cool down
your bed, all controlled from its
dedicated app. Plus, it’s a win for
couples as its dual-sided design
means you can have different
temperatures on each side, which
might just help bring an end to
those duvet wars.
Besides heating and cooling,
the Pod 3 steps into the arena of
sleep tracking – but not in the way
every other bedtime gadget does.
It keeps tabs on your heart rate,
your tossing and turning, and even
how groggily you get up in the
morning. It’s pretty eye-opening
to see your sleep score after a
late night.

T

PHILIPS X
KOKOON
SLEEP
HEADPHONES
These nocturnal
earphones are a
dream for restless
sleepers, offering a
comfy fit with buds
so thin you can wear
them all night, and
a smorgasbord of
relaxing sounds and
playlists. The app
and battery life need
improvement, mind.
R5 300 / kokoon.io

MOONBIRD
This is a handheld
breathing-based
device that sets out to
help with sleep as well
as stress and anxiety.
It works by leading
you through slow
breathing techniques
that, according to the
scientific small print,
can improve your
heart-rate variability.
A connected app
shows the results.
R4 750 /
amazon.com

40

GOOGLE PIXEL
WATCH 2
There’s a lot Google’s
latest smartwatch
can do, but it’s in the
world of sleep where
it truly shines. For
one, it offers detailed
sleep analysis and
innovative health
insights (thanks to
Fitbit smarts). It’s a
standout gadget for
those prioritising rest
and recovery.
R8 400 /
zeekonline.co.za

ECOFLOW
WAVE 2
Too warm to sleep?
One remedy for
households lacking
aircon is the EcoFlow
Wave 2. It’s not
cheap, but this
compact machine
is a tidy alternative
to fitting a bulky AC
unit. Energy-efficient,
it can cool any room
of the house… and
doubles as a heater
for year-round use.
Rtba / ecoflow.com

Adjust like heaven
But here’s the truly clever bit: the
Pod 3 doesn’t just collect data to
tell you how long or well you slept
as most sleep trackers do. It
actually uses this info to adjust
your bed’s temperature through
the night with its Autopilot
function. Hooked up to Wi-Fi,
it figures out your location and
room temperature, learning your
preferences to create a personal
sleep climate.
All very ingenious, although
it’s worth noting that Autopilot
requires a Pro subscription, which

at R340 a month doesn’t exactly
come cheap.
And the first week of getting
used to this system can be a bit
of a rollercoaster – accidentally
waking up in an artificial heatwave,
for example, isn’t exactly restful.
But once it’s dialled in, it’s pretty
impressive. You get nights without
disruptions, and the app shows
how it tweaked the temperature
for optimal sleep.
It’s over a longer period of time
that the Pod 3 truly comes into its
own, though. As it starts to learn
your preferences, and at what
temperatures you sleep better,
it will adjust accordingly… and
before long, you’ll start noticing
those better-rested mornings.
Hot, not hot
Despite all the innards inside,
the Pod 3 adds extra comfort
to your mattress. The only catch?
Remember to preheat it in winter,
or else it can feel chilly getting
in thanks to the water that sits
within the cover. You might get
a shock during use in a particularly
sharp cold snap. But as for its
cooling potential – bring on those
hot summer nights. Flipping to
cold mode gives a refreshing chill
that promises sweet relief when
it’s sweltering outside.
The Eight Sleep Pod 3 is a
futuristic addition to any bedroom,
and not just tech for tech’s sake.
Its built-in smarts can really help
enhance your sleep quality while
bringing a touch of innovation to
the humble mattress.
KEY SPECS
O Double, king or super king
O 12°C-43°C

STUFF SAYS +++++
A truly innovative piece of kit for those seeking
the ultimate comfort when it comes to snoozytime

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

In between
phase
There’s a wide
temperature range,
from a cool 12°C when
the fan just ain’t cutting
it to a toasty 43°C
for those really
frosty nights.

Let’s go to
bed (in a bit)
With personalised
preheating, controlled
through the app, the
Pod 3 can get the bed
nicely warmed up for
you an hour before
bedtime.

The hanging
guardian
The Pod 3 is available
in a version with Perfect
Fit tech, essentially a
stretchy finish meaning
it will fit snugly around
even super-deep
mattresses.

41

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

Please
don’t squeeze
Cushions made from
the firm’s proprietary
Hug 3D memory
material provide a
comfy, pressure-free
feel. And the strap
is adjustable.

Slumber
holiday

Thank
euphoria lifetime
ASMR fans will be
pleased to learn that
the Aura Circle offers
a catalogue of such
sounds, from light
whispers to tapping
and scratching.
42

The lightweight design
means this mask is no
trouble to take with you
on the go – whether
that’s a long-haul
flight or a quick
weekend away.

LIVE SMART, SLEEP SMART

SLEEPING pt2
Please turn back to the previous spread and read that intro again, but
this time in a different accent – because the snoozefest continues
QEVEN MORE BEDTIME BRILLIANCE

AURA
CIRCLE

SEE
ALSO…

R4 750 / aura-circle.com

f you’ve ever tried to
sleep with thoughts
of deadlines and to-do
lists whirling around
your head, you’ll know that getting
an express ticket to the land of
Nod can be tough. Well, that’s
where the Aura Circle comes in:
this smart sleep mask promises
a 100% blackout experience.
Whether it’s street lights, early
sunrises or a neighbour’s security
light being triggered by every
passing feline, the mask will block
it all out completely… but there’s
much more to the Circle than that.

I

Attired for sound
This mask is packed with tech
that delivers additional features:
soothing soundscapes played
through its built-in speakers, and
light therapy via a bar built into the
front cushion.
Connected to a smartphone,
it lets you curate your sleep ritual
from drifting off to waking up. For
example, you can choose from a
list of snooze-inducing tunes to
help whisk you off; then you can
set it to wake you up gently with
its sunrise feature, meaning no
more jarring alarms.
While the Aura Circle is totally
comfortable, restless sleepers
might find that it doesn’t always
stay in place through the night.
But as long as it does hang around,
it works great.
KEY SPECS
O 1wk battery life
O Bluetooth O 130g

STUFF SAYS ++++,
Just about guarantees
a tranquil night’s sleep

APOLLO
NEURO

GROOV-E
SERENITY

HATCH
RESTORE 2

This wearable sits on
your wrist while you
snooze, delivering
gentle, soothing
vibrations called
Apollo Vibes, which
the brand says are
like “music your body
can feel”. Sounds
freaky, man, but
it’s science-based
and can go a long
way in helping to
improve sleep.
R8 000 / amazon.com

This sleep-aiding
sound box offers
six nature-inspired
sounds, plus a white
noise option, for
uninterrupted rest.
Rechargeable via
USB, it also sports a
calming LED night
light. And the timer
function means you
can drift off without
fretting about having
to switch it off.
R1 000 / amazon.co.uk

This sleek bedside
gadget works a treat
during the darker
months. With a
dimmable LED digital
clock and a sunrise
backlight, it makes
use of gentle music
to help wake you up as
naturally as possible.
It costs more than
its rivals, but does
come with a big
sound library.
R4 850 / amazon.com

TP-LINK
TAPO P110M

SIMBA
HYBRID
DUVET

BIO-SYNERGY
DNA &
EPIGENETICS
TESTING KIT

With this smart plug
you can instantly
turn connected
devices on or off
from your phone,
wherever you are.
It also lets you create
schedules and timers
to automatically
manage gadgets.
Better still, you can
bellow your orders
at it via Alexa or
Google Assistant.
R330 / geewiz.co.za

Can a duvet be truly
‘smart’ without any
electronics? This one
can. Ditching the tog
ratings, it features
Simba’s innovative
Stratos tech, which
can adjust to your
body temperature,
offering cool comfort
or cuddly warmth
as needed.
R3 400 (import) /
simbasleep.com

Looking to dive a bit
deeper? With a mere
saliva sample, this kit
can give an overview
of your genetic
predispositions.
You can then use
this data to learn
about your body’s
quirks in the quest
for better sleep.
R4 800 /
bio-synergy.com

SIMBA
COOLING BODY
PILLOW
Like the Simba
duvet below,
this 120cm-long
pillow for
side-sleepers
uses Stratos
tech to dissipate
excess heat.
R2 650 /
simbasleep.com

RING ALARM
PANIC BUTTON
Stick this
connected alarm
next to your bed
so you can whack
it in an
emergency. Just
lift up the lid and
press to sound
a siren and alert
your family.
R600 / ring.com

FLARE AUDIO
CALMER NIGHT
With their soft
silicone design,
these earplugs
help to reduce
nocturnal noise,
ensuring better
sleep without
the feeling of
plugged-up lugs.
R950 /
flareaudio.com

43

T E S T E D M I C R O S O F T S U R FA C E L A P T O P S T U D I O 2

I want your flex
Can the raw power and multi-angled versatility
of Microsoft’s most high-specced Surface PC
persuade you not to pick up that MacBook Pro?
1
from R50 000 / microsoft.com
When Microsoft introduced the
Surface Book in 2015, it was quite
different to anything else on the
market: a high-end laptop with a
hinge that enabled the screen to
fold flat. But the hinge was bulky.
So Microsoft went back to the
drawing board for the Surface
Laptop Studio of 2021, giving it
a more elegant pivoting screen.
And now there’s this: a new
version with a similar shell but
revamped innards.
It’s still a unique design. As
you’d expect from Microsoft’s
top-end taskmaster, the spec
sheet is almost as good as you
can get for a productivity PC,
with all models having 13th-gen
Core i7 hardware inside (Intel’s
14th-gen processors are just
starting to appear).
Our review model comes in
at a giddying R90 000, but that’s
with everything bar the graphics
at absolute top spec: it’s got the
Nvidia RTX 4060, but you can go
for the RTX 2000 Ada if you really
want the ultimate everything.

A different scorner
Obviously the key competitor for
the Surface Laptop Studio 2 (1)
is Apple’s MacBook Pro – and
although that machine can ramp
up quickly in price, you can get an
M3 model for R37 500, so quite a
bit less than this. M3 Pro models
are more comparable, though, and
they start at R47 000.
I knew you were weighting
Weight is a definite disadvantage
for this laptop compared to many
rivals. The 14in MacBook Pro feels
pretty heavy at around 1.6kg, but
the Studio 2 is 400g more than
that. Yep, it’s just shy of 2kg (2).
That’s a lot – so if you’re looking
for a laptop to carry around all
day, this isn’t it.
Slake me up before you go-go
Battery life is also an issue for
the Studio 2: Intel processors
are getting much better at giving
you all-day stamina, but they still
lag way behind Apple’s M-series
chips. You’ll only be getting 6 or
7hrs between charges here (3),
and that isn’t good enough for
such a premium device.
Careless twister
The Studio 2 certainly looks the
part and feels extremely robust.
The high-quality screen flips a
full 360° and the mechanism is
very clever (4). It feels light in the
hand to flip it around – the screen
doesn’t appear to have been
bulked up much to give it this
extra capability.

GOOD
MEH
EVIL

44

These keys
feel great to
type on

The stylus
is not
included

I gotta
have face
As you’d expect,
Windows Hello is
supported for speedy
face-login via the
crisp 1080p
camera.

Any colour
as long as
it’s grey

5

Free dumb
Windows 11 is on board (5) and it
works excellently here. It can still
annoy in some ways it shouldn’t,
notably the News and Interests
widget, but it’s a more refined
operating system than ever and
it’ll be interesting to see how
this develops with the added
AI functionality of Copilot.

Nice to have
USB-A
on board

It’s got
plenty of
oomph

The quad
speakers are
excellent

T E S T E D M I C R O S O F T S U R FA C E L A P T O P S T U D I O 2

Tech specs
Screen 14.4in 2400x1600 120Hz PixelSense CPU 13th-gen
Intel Core i7 GPU Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050/60/2000 /
Intel Iris Xe RAM 16/32/64GB Storage 512GB/1TB SSD
OS Windows 11 Home Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
5.3, USB-A, 2x USB-C, microSD, Surface Connect, 3.5mm
Battery life Up to 18hrs Dimensions 323x230x22mm, 2kg

Wham lap: enjoy what you do?
Let’s have a closer look at the practicalities of living
and working with the Surface Laptop Studio 2

4

2

Q Folding up

Q Writing up

The screen can fold almost
flat for use as a tablet,
while you can also stand
it across the keyboard for
watching media or doing
presentations in ‘tent’
mode. Whether these
options are genuinely
useful is up to you.

The Surface Pen Slim 2 is
an added extra you need
to pay for (R3 000), but
the good news is that you
can attach it under the
front lip of the keyboard
(there’s a ridge under the
edge of the laptop), where
it also charges.

Q Fuelling up

Q Coughing up

Once again Microsoft has
opted to go with its own
Surface Connect charger,
though you can also use
USB-C. It doesn’t make
any sense these days to
use proprietary chargers…
but then again, Apple is
doing it too.

You can get the Studio 2
with Intel Iris Xe graphics
or ramp up to Nvidia
discrete options – this
obviously adds significant
cost, as does raising the
memory to 32 or 64GB
instead of 16. There’s no
2TB storage option.

3

2

This is the best Surface you can get – but as with
other premium laptops, the cost rises significantly if
you upgrade the graphics, RAM and/or storage.
That’s not to take away from the Surface Laptop
Studio 2’s capabilities, though: it’s a do-anything
laptop you can rely on… just not an ideal choice if you
need to carry your PC around all day.

STUFF SAYS ++++,
A supreme Windows
laptop for productivity
tasks – but it’s a weighty
lump and it comes at a
high price
45

TESTED AMAZFIT ACTIVE

Wrister bright side
No need to be glum because you can’t afford
a fancy smartwatch: Amazfit’s fitness-first
Active could be all the wearable you need
Rtba / amazfit.com
QAmazfit’s own Zepp operating
system works with Android and
iOS, displaying notifications from
both native and third-party apps.
It’s easy to get to grips with but
there’s no payment support, the
app store lacks any familiar names,
and the whole thing just doesn’t
feel very sophisticated.
Hot cuss
There’s just the one
physical button on
the side, so a lot of
interaction is via the
touchscreen, but
Alexa is also
on board.

QWith sharp resolution, decent
visibility and accurate colours,
the 1.75in screen on the Active
avoids looking overly saturated
like some cheaper AMOLEDs.
The tempered glass isn’t the best
protection against scratches, and
you’re only able to store two faces
at once, but it’s good quality for a
smartwatch at this price.
QThere are plenty of sensors and
tracking modes but not all of them
are that useful. GPS performance
isn’t super-accurate, and neither is
the heart-rate sensor when put up
against a chest strap – which puts
a question mark over Amazfit’s
PeakBeats training insights.
QEvery morning the watch gives
you a readiness score based on
various metrics. It’s accurate and
nicely presented, but it’s a shame
that additional insights are locked
behind a subscription in the Zepp
companion app.
QBattery life depends on what
features you use. If you can live
without the always-on display and
don’t have all the tracking features
turned on, it’s capable of lasting a
whole week.

Tech specs
Screen 1.75in 450x390 AMOLED
CPU Proprietary dual-core
Storage 250MB OS Zepp OS 2.0
Connectivity Bluetooth 5.2, GPS
Battery 300mAh Durability 5ATM
Dimensions 42x36x10.8mm, 24g

Q Style like you mean it

Q Somebody mould me

The lightweight frame is made
of aluminium, which stops the
watch from feeling too ‘budget’,
but there’s also a slightly heavier
lavender purple version that uses
stainless steel instead. That adds
a couple hundred to the price.

Both materials are waterproof
to 50m, and the watch’s small
stature and curved corners mean
it doesn’t feel too cumbersome
when swimming. The vegan
leather strap on the purple one
might take a while to dry, though.

STUFF SAYS An affordable, feature-packed smartwatch that lacks a little polish ++++,
Feels more like
a killer fitness
tracker than a
true smartwatch

46

To judge the Amazfit Active, it’s important to understand what its rivals are. This is not a
wearable that wants to tempt you away from buying an Apple Watch, and if you keep that in
mind it offers a tidy package of features… but the software definitely needs to mature and
there’s an argument to be made that it tries to do too much. We’d recommend trying to find
a few extra rands for Garmin’s more capable Venu Sq 2.

3 OF THE BEST

Instant cameras
Give your phone a rest and watch photos come alive in your hands
instead – but which print-spitting snapper is the best for you?
BEST
FOR
SELFIE
FANS

ST
TE NER
IN
W

BEST
FOR
QUIRKY
FUN

Canon Zoemini S2

BEST
FOR
‘PROPER’
PHOTOS

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12

Polaroid I-2

What’s the story?

What’s the story?

What’s the story?

Printing your snaps on sticky-backed paper,
the Zoemini S2 is all about fun. Flick between
portrait, outdoor and selfie modes using the
top slider, and connect to the Canon Mini
Print app for bonus options like collages,
circular printouts and adding text; that app
also works as a live viewer for those wanting
to check composition before printing. The
Zink paper is R260 for 20 sheets (7.6x5cm).

The Instax Mini 12’s fun factor starts with
the blobby design, which comes in five pastel
shades. Simply rotate the lens ring between
off, on and close-up modes; there’s a selfie
mirror by the lens, so you can check yourself
out before hitting the shutter button. Mini film
starts at R300 for 20 shots (8.6x5.4cm), and
Fuji’s app lets you scan and digitise prints for
online sharing.

Traditional styling meets 2024 tech in
Polaroid’s most impressive and expensive
camera yet. Full manual controls, including
shutter speed and aperture, are seen via
a monochrome OLED screen, which also
displays battery life and shot count; another
display shows camera and flash modes, a
light meter and subject distance. The i-Type
film (10.7x8.8cm) is R450 for an eight-pack.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Easy to take out and about thanks to its
pocketable size, the Zoemini S2 offers
decent print quality – not perfect, but
charming, with good white balance and
exposure adjustment. It’s nice to have the
choice of vivid and vintage colour filters, as
well as black and white. The sticky prints are
fun for fridges, scrapbooks and kids’ walls.

As well as being a cute bubble of a camera to
look at and hold, the Mini 12 is a blast to use
and we were impressed with the prints we got
from it – clear with good colours. Auto
exposure worked well indoors and out, but the
star is the close-up mode, which takes the shot
just as you see it. Combined with the mirror, this
means you always get a great selfie.

Once you’ve mastered the settings, you’ll be
rewarded with amazing Polaroids that you’ll
want to show off. As well as the manual
controls, we loved the multi-exposure mode,
which allows you to stack up to four shots
together. The self-timer is a winner for arty
self-portraits, auto mode brings consistently
good exposure, and the flash is excellent too.

Price R2 300 / canon.co.za

Price R1 800 / instaxsa.co.za

Price R13 500 / ormsdirect.co.za

Stuff says ++++,

Stuff says ++++,

Stuff says +++++

Chic and compact, this one is perfect for
scrapbookers, creatives and young dabblers

A well-priced and likeable instant camera that
takes particularly good close-ups

If Ansel Adams had ever had to go to work
with an instant, this one would have done fine
47

LONG-DISTANCE LOOKERS

MID-RANGE MAGNIFIERS

POCKET PEEPERS

UPVOTED

The waterproof watchers

The telescopic transformers

The dinky designers

Bushnell H2O 8x25
An affordable option for those who like to
gaze across the waves, these budget binos
don’t distort when wet. An IPX7 rating
means they’re good in 1m of the drink for
half an hour, while their aluminium build
won’t drag you down – and strap lugs
should stop them going overboard.
R1 400 / camerawarehouse.co.za

Pentax VD 4x20 WP
Even if you’re cheek to cheek, binoculars
are hard to share. Distribute the view with
these modular monoculars: in standard
setup they work like classic binos, but split
the set and you’ve got a pair of one-eyed
watchers. Or combine the barrels in line
for – ahoy there! – a single 16x scope.
R5 100 / amazon.com

Swarovski CL Curio 7x21
Most binoculars are made for looking
through; these are also made for looking
at. Slender at just 250g, they offer a useful
7x magnification factor, while their arched
bridge folds for pocketability – though the
bundled field bag is a more suitable stowing
place than your grubby old jacket.
R16 800 / digitalexperience.co.za

BINOCULARS
The burly barrels
Nikon Action EX 12x50 CF
Whether you’re stalking buck or hunting
for a cold beer, scouting in the wild is a test
of toughness. Luckily, these Nikons can
take a knock: built for tricky conditions,
they thunk the scales at over 1kg. Rubber
armour protects against outdoor mishaps,
while nitrogen gas prevents fogging.
R4 300 / amazon.com

The stable starers
Canon 12x36 IS III
The slightest movement turns into a disco
freakout at high magnification, so Canon’s
stabilisation system combats wobble with
electronics. Slot in some batteries, hit the IS
button and you’ll have a stable view of your
moving target. And at 660g, they’re light
enough to use with just one twitchy hand.
R19 000 / canon.co.za

The gyroscopic gems

The stellar stargazers

The hi-res hunters

Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS 16x28
Sentry duty demands blur-free visuals,
even at 16x. Styled like something from
Q Branch, these super-powered specs
use gyro-stabilisation to ensure your view
isn’t shaken or stirred. Water-resistance
means they can even survive the
obligatory boat chase sequence.
R10 100 / fujifilm-x.co.za

Celestron SkyMaster 25x100
To the naked eye, the night sky is twinkly
but distant; magnified 25 times, the secrets
of the cosmos become clearer. Turn these
whoppers to the Moon and all its cheesy
details will be revealed by 100mm objective
lenses. And thanks to the tripod adapter,
you can mount it for a steady view.
R15 500 / glagencies.co.za

Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56
If clarity matters more than cost, these
top-tier tubes are the way to go. ED glass
is just the start: all the optical elements
are treated to max out clarity and light
transmission, so you can see clearly day
and night. Colours are accurate too,
courtesy of APO index-matched lenses.
R34 000 / pro-outdoor.co.za

HOW TO
DECIDE
48

Squinting through a pair of
empty toilet rolls will only
show you so much added
detail – so Stuff zooms in on
the finest modern binos for
all uses and budgets

1 Zoomer
The first digit in the rating of a pair of binoculars
is the magnification factor, ranging from 4x to
north of 20x. Obviously, the bigger this figure,
the larger subjects will look.

2 Gloomer
The second number is the size of the objective
lens. Smaller lenses are handy for travel, while
larger diameters of 40mm or more make it easier
to see after dark.

UPVOTED

The Goldilocks goggles
Hawke Frontier ED X 10x42
Big binos are clear and bright; little
ones travel light. These get it just right:
10x magnification means you can zoom
through the woods, while a 2m focus
distance lets you inspect the baboons
around your breakfast table. ED glass
and a 42mm aperture also hit the
optical sweet spot, treating your
peepers to crisp visuals. The
magnesium alloy chassis is IPX7
waterproof – and that presumably
applies to porridge as well.
R12 000 / hawkeoptics.com

3 Nearer
Binos aren’t just for faraway sights. If you enjoy
studying nature close up, pick a pair with a focus
distance of 3m or less. This will let you see the
features of nearby creatures clearly.

4 Clearer
Clarity matters when you’re tracking animals.
Extra-low dispersion (ED) glass eliminates colour
fringing to give binos a sharper perspective and
stronger contrast.

49

TESTED ASUS ZENBOOK 14 OLED (UX3405)

Pleased to Meteor
It seems laptops are next in line for the unstoppable march
of artificial intelligence. Does the latest Asus Zenbook put its
AI-boosted Intel Core Ultra ‘Meteor Lake’ CPU to good use?
R25 000 / asus.com/za/
It’s always a big deal when a CPU
maker churns out a new silicon
generation, but Intel’s latest
laptop effort is more than a simple
speed boost. Core Ultra is the
firm’s first with dedicated neural
processing units (NPUs), which
are purpose-built to blitz the
AI-based tasks that the tech
industry seems convinced are
set to take over the world.
The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED
was among the first in line. At a
mere 1.28kg and less than 15mm
thick, this is one of the most
travel-friendly laptops we’ve
used, and one of the bestlooking. The blue aluminium shell
may not be as rigid as some
unibody rivals, but the geometric
logo on the lid is particularly
smart. Asus has also found room
in the budget for one of the best
displays you’ll find on any
ultraportable.
Apple’s MacBook Air has long
been the yardstick for lightweight
performance and battery life. Has
Meteor Lake helped the Windows
team level the playing field?

Card habit
to break
Asus has found space
at either side of this slim
Zenbook for a decent
selection of ports…
but there’s no
card slot.

Step into crispness
Asus’s OLED displays rarely
disappoint, and this one (1) is no
different. The 2880x1800
resolution is wonderfully crisp,
contrast is exceptional, and colours
are vibrant yet realistic. But the
glossy finish can’t hide fingerprints
very well, so we largely avoided
using the touchscreen.

GOOD
MEH
EVIL

50

Display
is simply
gorgeous

Out on the weak end
The down-firing speakers (2)
are a bit tame. They’re clear
enough at moderate volumes,
but lack any beef. Everything
starts to sound quite harsh
beyond 60%, and the stereo
separation is only OK. It’ll be fine
for casual listening, but Apple still
leads the way for laptop audio.

Gets a
bit toasty
under load

Skinny, but
with plenty
of ports

1

Keys let me wander
We had no trouble typing at
speed on the full-size keyboard
(3), which has bright backlighting
and impressively springy keys
for such a slim chassis. There’s
no room for a numerical keypad,
but – cleverly – the touchpad
can double up as one when you
tap an icon in the corner.

Powerful
for an ultraportable

AI stuff
isn’t much
use… yet

Speakers
are lacking
in punch

TESTED ASUS ZENBOOK 14 OLED (UX3405)

Tech specs
Screen 14in 2880x1800 120Hz OLED CPU Intel Core
Ultra 5/7/9 RAM 16/32GB GPU Intel Arc Storage
512GB/1TB SSD OS Windows 11 Home Battery
75Whr Connectivity HDMI, 2x USB-C, USB-A,
3.5mm Dimensions 312x220x14.9mm, 1.28kg

Cores and effect
Nicknamed Meteor Lake, Intel’s new Core Ultra CPUs
promise big performance gains in a tiny package:

3

Q Zany

Q Non-drainy

With 22 threads spread
across six performance
cores and 10 efficiency
cores, our review laptop’s
Ultra 7 155H CPU is no
slouch. Speeds peak at
4.8GHz, which is enough
to munch through a typical
ultraportable workload.

Two of those efficiency
cores are low-power
versions that kick in for
basic jobs like streaming
video. They cut power
consumption by as much
as 25% from the previous
generation, for up to 15hrs
away from the mains.

Q Grainy

Q Brainy

The Arc A350M integrated
graphics chip borrows tech
from Intel’s desktop GPUs,
and has enough grunt to
run a surprising number of
games at 1080p if you stick
to low detail. Older titles
can crank up the settings
and still get close to 60fps.

Two dedicated NPUs do
the AI heavy lifting… or
at least, they will once
developers are ready for
them. The few (absolutely
not user-friendly) image
and audio processing tools
out there do show a big
speed boost, though.

2

Fan: fair for the common man
The single cooling fan can tame
the CPU’s heat output without
making too much of a racket.
But swapping to the Performance
preset reveals its limitations, with
benchmark scores falling short
of thicker laptops with the same
processor. And the underside can
get mighty toasty when gaming.

Free blurred
Probably the best example
of the Core Ultra processor’s
AI acceleration in action is
Microsoft’s free Studio Effects
software, which blurs your
background when you’re on
video calls and applies some
pretty effective noise reduction
to the microphone.

It’s not the flashiest skinny laptop around, but the
Zenbook 14 OLED makes up for that with a sublime
display, great connectivity and strong battery life…
and Intel’s new processor generation has helped
close the performance gap to Apple. With no major
weaknesses to report, Windows fans should feel
right at home in front of one of these.

STUFF SAYS +++++
This potent ultraportable
isn’t groundbreaking but
acts as a fine showcase
for Intel’s latest and
greatest CPUs
51

TESTED DJI OSMO POCKET 3

Gimbal twist of great
Smartphone-beating footage from a self-steadying,
swivelling-screened pocket camera? DJI’s latest
vlogger-friendly Osmo gadget delivers exactly that…
R13 200 / dji.com
Why does the DJI Osmo Pocket
3 exist? Put simply, because
smartphones are awkward to
vlog on.
The first two Osmo stick
gimbal systems were a lot
comfier to document your life
with – but they weren’t perfect
either. With camera sensors that
were on a par with mid-range
phones, video quality would take
a hit if you used one instead of a
high-end handset.
The Osmo Pocket 3 shakes
things up in one critical way: it
has a massive 1in sensor, which
will be much better suited to
low-light filming. And that’s
before you factor in the nifty
new swivel screen for easier
portrait and landscape recording,
DJI’s very clever subject-tracking
tech, or the powerful Creator
Combo bundle (R17 000) that
adds wireless audio recording.
It’s a bit more of an investment
this time around, but can you
really put a price on TikTok or
YouTube glory?

Mixed-up profusion
The Osmo Pocket 3 is properly
multi-functional. On a tripod it’s
a makeshift camera crew that
follows you around; plugged into
a PC it becomes a top-notch
webcam; or hold it for a vlogging
and livestreaming tool, with the
camera easily flipped around (1)
to show what’s in front of you.

Subterranean homesick views
Steady, low on digital noise and
relatively sharp, the footage
impresses compared to action
cameras with smaller sensors.
Dynamic range is great; and while
backlit subjects are still tricky, it
exposes well for faces. Shadow
noise is handled well, pulling out
the details in poorly lit scenes.

Don’t sync mics, it’s all right
The internal microphones (2) do
an excellent job, picking up voices
particularly well – you won’t
need to worry about adding
external audio hardware for
handheld vlogging. The Creator
Combo and its wireless mic
are a must for any distance
shooting, though.

3

GOOD
MEH
EVIL

52

Tripod-like
handheld
footage

Price hike
over old
model

Impressive
noise
handling

Reliable
subject
tracking

Autofocus
isn’t always
spot-on

App hurdles
to jump
through

TESTED DJI OSMO POCKET 3

1

Tech specs
Sensor 1in CMOS Video 4K @ 120fps (slo-mo),
4K @ 60fps (standard) Stills 9.4MP Display 2in
556x314 OLED Storage microSD (512GB max)
Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2 Dimensions
140x42x34mm, 179g

Like a rolling phone
That sizeable 1in CMOS camera sensor is only one
aspect of the Osmo Pocket 3’s vlogging appeal

2

Tangled up in hues
Two major irks: the app, through
which you’ve got to register to
even start using the camera, isn’t
on the Google Play Store. You’ve
got to side-load it, which is not
ideal. And while the autofocus is
excellent against plain backdrops,
it gets confused when there’s
lots of texture behind subjects.
Rainy day brimmin’
We typically got around 2hrs of
recording per charge, which
is a pretty great effort for any
gimbal-stabilised camera. The
internal battery also recharges
at a rapid pace (3), as long as
you have a PD charger that can
supply a steady 65W. DJI doesn’t
bundle one in the box.

Q Vlog on

Q Crop off

With a 20mm equivalent
focal length, the lens is
ideal for vlogging. Its 20cm
focus distance is versatile
enough for product
videos, while the Creator
Combo’s clip-on 15mm
ultrawide lens expands
the view for group shots.

It’ll manage 4K resolution
at 120fps in landscape
mode, but dips to 3K
when filming in portrait.
For GoPro Hero12-style
versatility, you can even
choose square capture
for a post-shoot crop in
either orientation.

Q Snap up

Q Shake down

16:9 still shots are saved
at a modest 9.4MP, with
no option for a 4:3 aspect
ratio. DJI’s computational
photography can’t rival
top-tier phones, with
artefacts visible in darker
shadows, but it streaks
ahead of mid-rangers.

Video stabilisation is still
the main attraction. With
no micro jitter (common
with smartphone-style
electronic stabilisation)
or hand-shake to offset,
the footage holds up really
well. That’s especially true
when shooting in slo-mo.

It took three generations, but the Osmo Pocket now
delivers the video quality to best any footage shot on
a phone. This is a versatile vlog machine that copes
astonishingly well in low light and has excellent audio
too. OK, it’s a lot pricier than its predecessor – but if
you need stable video in mixed lighting, this is the
most compact and capable option.

STUFF SAYS +++++
A superlative compact
vlogging system with
no direct rivals when it
comes to video quality
and pocketability
53

HEADPHONES BUYING GUIDE

Sometimes listening to music needs to be an
intimate and personal experience. And music
never sounds so intimate or personal as
when it’s being given to you by a great pair
of headphones… like all of these, for instance

BOWERS & WILKINS PX7 S2E
owers & Wilkins isn’t the
only audio company that
can’t leave well enough
alone – but fortunately, when B&W
decides to tinker with an already
winning formula, the results tend
to be worthwhile. Which leads
us to these, the Px7 S2e wireless
noise-cancelling headphones.
There really wasn’t all that much
wrong with the Px7 S2 cans (or the
original Px7 model, for that matter).
In every respect – audio, build quality,
user interface – they justified their
price premium over the mainstream
heroes from Bose, Sennheiser, Sony
and all the rest. But for this new ‘e’
model, there have been upgrades
to the digital signal processing in an

B

effort to extract even greater audio
performance, as well as a few tweaks
to the control app.
All the rest of it, from the premium
materials and exquisite build quality to
the 40mm full-range dynamic drivers
and three-stage ANC, has been carried
over from the old model. And guess
what? The Px7 S2e is somehow an
even more compelling proposition than
the model it replaces.
In every meaningful respect, these
B&Ws are a pleasure to listen to. Their
tonality is beautifully judged, and
consistent from the bottom of the
frequency range to the top. They’re
hard-hitting but not musclebound, so
despite the low-end heft they handle
rhythms in the most confident and

naturalistic manner. The soundstage
is open and convincing, and they have
the sort of headroom that can put a
huge distance between the quietest
and loudest moments in a recording.
Detail retrieval is easily described as
fanatical; and while they’re not quite
at Bose levels for ANC, they’re no
slouches there either.
So yes, it turns out you can take
something that no one thinks is
broken and fix it anyway…
Price R7 000 / bowerswilkens.com
Key specs
O40mm dynamic OBluetooth 5.2
OSBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive OANC
O30hr battery life O307g

STUFF SAYS The most sensible (and enjoyable) way to spend this sort of cash +++++

54

HEADPHONES BUYING GUIDE

Houses in ocean
Are you a ‘forest green’
sort of person? How
about ocean blue or
cloud grey? No? Well,
fortunately they’re also
available in black.

Take me to the giver
The 30hrs of battery life
available here is pretty
impressive – but not quite
as impressive as the fact
that a 15min top-up is
good for 7hrs of music.

Life during jaw time
A six-mic array handles
ANC and telephone
duties – and the good
news is that the call
quality is every bit as
good as the music.

Notching really matters
On the top edge of each
earbud there’s a little
notch that helps you
position the provided
stability bands more
easily and accurately.

Dress you app
It looks bland, but for
the serious business of
controlling your earbuds
the Bose Music app (free
on iOS and Android)
is exemplary.

Dye another grey
The ‘metallic’ treatment
on the stem delivers,
according to Bose, a more
premium look and a nicer
feel. You can make your
own mind up…

HEADPHONES BUYING GUIDE

WIRELESS BUDS pt1
OW

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...

N

No one wants to be tied down when they’re out and about – which is why
the smart money is on true wireless in-ears for real freedom of movement

BOSE QUIETCOMFORT ULTRA EARBUDS
ne day, Bose is going to
release a pair of true wireless
noise-cancelling earbuds
that don’t absolutely blow everyone
away with their sound quality and
ability to deal with all external sonic
distractions. Today is not that day,
though – because the QC Ultra
Earbuds sound superb and cancel
noise like you wouldn’t believe.
At a glance, there’s not much to
differentiate these buds from the
QuietComfort II model they replaced.
The finish is a little more upmarket,
yes, with tiny adjustments to the
way they fit. But broadly speaking,
it’s business as usual. That’s true of
the control options too: you still get
some very reliable touch-surfaces

O

along with one of the best control
apps around, Bose Music.
Once you start listening, though,
it becomes apparent what Bose
has been up to. The most obvious
change is Bose Immersive Audio, the
company’s take on spatial listening.
It’s safe to say there are some
recordings that don’t benefit from
the immersive treatment, but those
that do (and there are plenty) sound
more open, more spacious and far
more, well, immersive than they ever
did though a pair of QC IIs. And they’re
just as punchy, just as detailed and
just as revealing.
Call quality is right up there with the
best too; and when it comes to ANC,
Bose comfortably retains its position

as the top brand around. Without
affecting their sonic characteristics
in the slightest, the QC Ultra Earbuds
simply remove all external sounds
from your listening experience.
There’s something almost spooky
about how comprehensively they can
deal with even the loudest ambient
noise – to the point that you can’t
even hear a truck pull away from the
traffic lights. If it’s peace you crave,
don’t look (or listen) any further.
Price R9 000 / bose.com
Key specs
OBluetooth 5.3 OSBC, AAC, aptX
Adaptive OANC O6hrs + 18hrs case
O2x 6.2g, 60g case

STUFF SAYS Classic Bose noise-cancelling buds, but now with spatial audio +++++

ALTERNATIVELY…

DEVIALET
GEMINI II
R9 600 / devialet.com
There’s not much space
in a pair of true wireless
earbuds for a company
to express itself,
design-wise, but
Devialet has given it
a go here. So in addition
to thorough specs (and
the excellent sound
quality that results),
the French brand has
tried to bring just a little
of its usual bonkersness
too. If you want to cut a
bit of dash while you’re
listening, get these.
Stuff says ++++,

JABRA ELITE 10
R4 000 / jabra.com
Not for the first time
and surely not for the
last, Jabra has served
up a pair of true
wireless in-ears that
are specified beyond
their asking price and
finished to a similarly
high standard. They
might not quite have
the all-court game of
the Sony XM5s, but
they’re not far off
and they cost less.
Discerning listeners
who enjoy a bargain,
take note.
Stuff says ++++,

HUAWEI
FREEBUDS PRO 3

TECHNICS
EAH-AZ80

R6 200 / amazon.com
Yes, the FreeBuds Pro 3
have good specs, great
battery life and strong
sound quality. Yes, they
have a fine control app,
cancel noise effectively
and are very good
when it comes to call
quality too. But that’s
not what really sets
them apart. In any of
their three available
finishes, these are
simply the shiniest,
most highly polished
buds you’ve ever seen.
Stuff says ++++,

R5 850 / amazon.com
Remember when
dual-point connectivity
was a selling point?
Technics has upped the
ante with the AZ80s:
they’ll seamlessly
connect to three
devices at once. Which
means you can enjoy
their robust, insightful
and expansive
musicality, as well
as their excellent ANC,
even if you need to
switch between tablet,
phone and laptop.
Stuff says +++++

SONY
NW-A306
You know your
smartphone isn’t
a great-sounding
music player. You
know that, if you
take mobile
listening seriously,
you need a
dedicated device
for that job. And if
you recognise a
bargain when you
see one, you’ll
know the Sony
NW-A306
Walkman is the
way forward.
R6 500 / sony.com

BOSE
WIRELESS
CHARGING
CASE COVER
It’s a pity the Bose
QC Ultra Earbuds
don’t have
wireless charging
straight out of the
box… but there is
a neat and tidy
solution available,
and here it is: a
case cover that
makes your
brilliant buds
compatible with
any Qi-certified
charging pad.
R1 500 / bose.com

57

HEADPHONES BUYING GUIDE

WIRELESS BUDS pt2
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Oh, you want another five options? Well, seeing as you asked nicely. And it’s
not as if you’re short of choice when it comes to true wireless earphones…

SONY WF-C700N
RLSOCO EVA
No one goes out
of their way to
damage their nice
new earbuds, of
course… yet there
are plenty of
aftermarket
solutions to
carelessness. This
case is designed
specifically to
hold the Sony
WF-C700Ns
safe and sound,
an ideal way to
keep the more
hamfisted among
us out of trouble.
R570 / amazon.com

Most clamshell
phones are
triumphs of style
over substance,
but the Razr 40
Ultra is not most
clamshell phones.
The display is
great, the folding
mechanism
is robust, the
battery life is
sound, plus it’s got
Bluetooth 5.3 and
sounds decent.
R29 000 /
motorola.com

58

enough to live with all that – because
where the C700Ns are good, they’re
really very good indeed.
They’re small and discreet, for
starters, which means that unless
your ears are very odd the buds will
stay comfortable for hour after hour.
The mildly textured surface means
they’re simple to insert and extract,
and they don’t easily slip out of your
fingers when you’re getting them in
or out of their charging case.
And as long as you’re not expecting
the sort of ANC that ordinarily costs
three times this price, they’re great in
this regard as well.
Best of all, though, is the fact that
they comfortably outperform every
price-comparable alternative when

it comes to sound quality. The long
and short of it is, they sound like more
expensive headphones. They unearth
a remarkable amount of detail, power
through the bass with well-controlled
aggression, can do ‘tender’ just as well
as they can do ‘muscular’, and have a
real understanding of rhythm.
If you want more than just a hint
of what makes Sony’s premium true
wireless in-ears the world’s favourites,
here’s how you can find out.
Price R2 500 / sony.com
Key specs
OBluetooth 5.2 OSBC, AAC
OANC O10hrs + 10hrs case
OIPX4 O2x 4.6g, 31g case

STUFF SAYS Proper noise-cancelling, comfort and sound quality at a low price +++++

DENON PERL PRO
R4 200 / denon.com
If you’re blessed with
smaller ears, there’s
nothing for you here.
For the rest of us,
though, the PerL
Pros are well worth
considering: they sound
excellent in every
respect, they’re built
flawlessly, and they
have the personalised
audio tech acquired via
Denon’s purchase of
Nura last year. They
support lossless audio
too, which is never
a bad thing.
Stuff says +++++

ASTELL&KERN
AK UW100MKII

OPPO ENCO
AIR3 PRO

EARFUN
AIR PRO 3

R7 200 / amazon.co.uk
Not for the first time,
here’s an A&K product
that does things its own
way. So while you might
expect this sort of
money to buy ANC,
these buds go without.
You might also expect
an IP rating against dust
and moisture, but you
don’t get one. And
they’re quite big and
heavy too. Just as well,
then, that their sound is
among the best you can
get for less than R8 000.
Stuff says ++++,

Rtba / oppo.com
On the one hand, these
Oppo in-ears feature
Bluetooth 5.3 and
oversized 12.4mm
drivers, use Oppo Alive
Audio for spatial sound,
weigh just 4.3g each for
long listening comfort,
and come with a 2yr
warranty. On the other
hand, they cost about
R1 500. If they had just
a little more sonic punch
to go with their poise,
they’d be approaching
no-brainer status.
Stuff says ++++,

R1 500 / myearfun.com
EarFun has been
serving up true wireless
in-ears that easily
outperform their asking
price for a while – and
it’s not about to stop
now. The Air Pro 3s
might not be the last
word in ANC, and their
battery life may be
nothing special, but
when it comes to
upfront, attacking and
all-around entertaining
sound, they’re as good
as anything at the price.
Stuff says ++++,

ALTERNATIVELY…

MOTOROLA
RAZR 40
ULTRA

ony has had the premium
wireless in-ear market sewn
up for a while now: its XM5s
are just the latest in a long line of
front-runners (see p100). But unlike
quite a lot of its rivals, the company
doesn’t ignore the less well-off
among us – and with the WF-C700Ns,
it might just have delivered the best
pound-for-pound wireless ’phones
it’s ever made.
You’ll have to make one or two
compromises, of course. There’s
no hi-res support here, for example,
and the battery life can be charitably
described as ‘ordinary’. The fact that
they don’t pause your music when
you take them out of your ears is a
bit weird too. But in the end it’s easy

S

HEADPHONES BUYING GUIDE

Purple get ready
The WF-C700Ns are
available in four finishes:
white, black, lavender and
sage green. That means
there really should be a
colour to suit everyone.

Keep on hushing
Adaptive Sound Control
constantly assesses
external sound and tailors
the ANC in response. You
can turn this off in the
app if you prefer.

It’s all light
Each earbud weighs just
4.6g and is designed to
be comfy for as long as
possible – certainly for
as long as a single
charge lasts.

Not suede away
The FT3s come with two
pairs of earpads – one
covered in protein leather,
one in suede – to offer
slightly different sonic
responses.

Flat’ll be the day
The driver inside each
earcup is angled in such
a way that it sits parallel
to your ear. So perfectly
even sound should
be yours.

Peggy few
The cable terminates in
a 3.5mm or 4.4mm jack
(it’s easy to swap between
the two), plus there’s
a quarter-inch adapter
and an XLR-4 plug.

HEADPHONES BUYING GUIDE

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There’s no substitute for getting right inside your favourite tunes… and
that means popping your noggin between a pair of proper head-huggers

FIIO FT3
here’s really only one thing
that separates FiiO from the
other brands that are trying
to keep the ‘high-end hard-wired
over-ear headphones’ flame burning.
FiiO has developed the FT3 cans to
compete hard – they’re thoroughly
specced and properly built – and then
made one major oversight. For some
reason, FiiO has forgotten to attach an
eye-watering price-tag. Instead, the
FT3s are that rarest of hi-fi products:
an authentic bargain.
Ordinarily, components like 60mm
dynamic drivers with beryllium-coated
gaskets, diaphragms made from
diamond-like carbon and aluminium
voice-coils clad in ultra-fine copper
mean you pay through the nose. And

T

ordinarily, over-ear headphones that
use monocrystalline copper cables
developed by Furukawa cost an
arm and a leg. And ordinarily, a blend
of aluminium alloy for the earcups,
protein leather for the headband and
a choice of coverings for the earpads
themselves is strongly indicative of
an unblinkingly high price. But that, it
seems, is not how FiiO rolls.
The sub-R7 500 price seems like
even more of a misprint when you
hear them. They’re dynamically
adept; they create a big, confident
soundstage and make sure every
instrument on it has plenty of space
to breathe; they retain and reveal even
the finest, most fleeting details in a
recording; and they have beautifully

even tonality, right from the (deep,
textured) bottom of the frequency
range to the (crisp, bright) top, while
the midrange zone gives vocalists of
all types a huge helping of character
and individuality.
So it’s important not to overthink
the FiiO FT3s. Don’t be put off by
how suspiciously affordable they
are. Because once you see, feel and
hear a pair doing their thing, there’s
a good chance you’ll slap that money
down with no further questions.
Price R7 100 / amazon.com
Key specs
O60mm dynamic OWired only
ONo ANC O391g

STUFF SAYS Don’t they know high-end cans are meant to cost high-end cash? +++++

IFI UNO
The name ‘iFi’
comes up a lot with
headphones, and
with good reason.
At every pricepoint, iFi has a DAC
or an amp that
comfortably
outperforms
the opposition.
A combined
amp and DAC, the
Uno is just one
example of the
company’s ability to
put mighty
performance into a
little package.
R2 000 / amazon.com

ALTERNATIVELY…

QED J2J
SHURE AONIC
50 GEN 2

SENNHEISER
HD 660S2

R9 500 / shure.com
If it’s pro audio cred you
want, it’s tricky to find a
brand more compelling
than Shure. And the
company’s no slouch
when it comes to
consumer audio either,
as the second-gen
Aonic 50 over-ears
demonstrate in some
style. This sort of
money can buy
(slightly) more
effective ANC, but
it can’t buy greater
fidelity and impact.
Stuff says +++++

R10 000 /
sennheiser-hearing.com
Where do you stand on
the words ‘smooth’ and
‘relaxed’? Because if
you consider them as
positives, Sennheiser
has the perfect cans for
you. In fact, these are
well worth a listen even
if ‘smooth’ isn’t exactly
your thing – because
for insight, detail and
midrange fidelity,
the HD 660S2s are
up there with the very
best around.
Stuff says ++++,

HED UNITY
R41 300 / getunity.com
You don’t often see a
real first, but here’s one:
the world’s first truly
hi-res wireless
headphones, using
Wi-Fi rather than
Bluetooth. They said it
couldn’t be done – but
they were wrong. So
while the control app
isn’t all it might be, the
sound the Unity cans
deliver makes up for
it. For wireless audio
comparable to the best
wired alternatives,
don’t look any further.
Stuff says ++++,

SONY
WH-CH720N
R2 500 / sony.com
You can’t expect luxury
at this sort of money…
and sure enough, the
CH720Ns are in no way
luxurious. But you can’t
necessarily expect
robust build quality,
solid ANC and bold,
expansive sound either,
yet these Sony ’phones
have it all. So although
they’re compromised,
those compromises
are much more minor
than you might
have thought.
Stuff says ++++,

The ‘wire’ in ‘wired
headphones’ is
critical, so there’s
really no excuse
for not making
sure it’s done
properly. What
QED doesn’t know
about analogue
audio cables isn’t
worth knowing,
and you’ll realise
that as soon as
you hear the J2J
in action. It’s just
about the most
cost-effective
upgrade around.
R510 / qed.co.uk

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Lots of the headphones in this guide offer active noise-cancellation… but these
are the over-ear options that really know how to make the outside world sod off

BOSE QUIETCOMFORT HEADPHONES
ASTELL &KERN
A&NORMA
SR35
Why spend
R20 000 on
something you
don’t actually need?
To get it done
properly. If you’re
fortunate enough to
be able to justify the
spend, this is the
best-sounding
digital audio player
available for
anything like
this money.
R20 000 /
astellnkern.co.uk

Your headphones
probably have
half-decent
battery life. But
‘half-decent’
doesn’t always
cut it – so to keep
the tunes coming
even when you’re
far from the
mains, a reliable
fast-charging
powerpack is the
way forward. You
can’t do better
than this dinky
22.5W job.
Rtba / anker.com

62

familiar to anyone who’s used a pair of
QC 45s; they’re compatible with Bose
Music, one of the least flashy and most
effective control apps there is; and the
battery life is competitive.
Best of all, though, is the way these
things perform. They use Bluetooth
5.1 for wireless connectivity – and
though they’re only compatible with
the standard SBC and AAC codecs,
the sound they deliver is detailed,
open, punchy and, in the best sense
of the word, together. These are
poised and informative headphones,
with enough low-frequency presence
and energy to make every listen
an event. And when it comes to
noise-cancelling, well… this is Bose
we’re talking about here. And that

means they’re more accomplished
at this sort of thing than any other
product at this sort of money. They
simply take external sounds out
of the equation, and do so without
leaving any hint of how hard they’re
working in order to do it.
If you already own a pair of Bose
QC 45s then there’s little point in
trading up to a pair of these. For
the rest of us, though, these ’phones
demand to be heard.
Price R12 500 / bose.com
Key specs
O40mm dynamic OBluetooth 5.1
OSBC, AAC OANC O24hr battery
life O240g

STUFF SAYS Rely on Bose to make the world go away and leave just the music +++++

FOCAL BATHYS
DUNE EDITION

SENNHEISER
ACCENTUM

R17 400 / focal.com
The downside: ‘Dune
Edition’ is not remotely
sci-fi-related, but a
new kind-of-sandy
finish. The upside is
everything else. The
Bathys are brilliant
wireless headphones
in every respect, from
build quality and
comfort to deft sound
and epic ANC. Yes,
they’re expensive, but
they’ll keep letting you
know you’ve spent
your money wisely.
Stuff says +++++

R4 200 / sennheiserhearing.com
Not every big brand
pays as much attention
to the more affordable
products in its lineup as
it does to the pricier
stuff. But Sennheiser
does – and so there’s
no area in which these
affordable wireless
noise-cancelling
’phones are obviously
lacking. They’re solid,
sound well balanced
and kill background
noise superbly.
Stuff says +++++

ANKER
SOUNDCORE
SPACE ONE
R1 800 / anker.com
Just bear in mind how
much they cost you
and you’ll find it easy
to forgive the Space
Ones their minor
shortcomings: on a
pound-for-pound basis
they’re brilliant. They’re
properly made, look
good in any of the three
finishes, sound hefty,
cancel plenty of
external sound, and are
just as good for calls as
they are for music.
Stuff says ++++,

KEF MU7
R12 000 / kef.com
It doesn’t take much
to make the design of
your over-ears stand
out from the herd. KEF
has managed to deliver
a unique aesthetic
thanks to its latest
collab with designer
Ross Lovegrove… but
these headphones are
no triumph of style over
substance. They may
be low on features,
but their revealing
sound sets them apart
every bit as much as
they way they look.
Stuff says ++++,

ALTERNATIVELY…

ANKER NANO
POWER BANK

eet the new boss – very
similar indeed to the old boss.
So much so, in fact, that aside
from the smart new finishes you’d be
pushed to tell the difference between
these cans and the old QuietComfort
45 model… which is no bad thing.
So what does your money get you?
In short, everything you’d expect from
a pair of Bose wireless headphones.
They’re fairly light, very comfortable,
built to last and constructed from
reasonably upmarket materials (if
plastic can ever truly be upmarket).
They fold up small, and so can fit in a
travel case that isn’t going to take up
your entire hand baggage allowance;
the physical controls are responsive
and nicely laid out, and will be instantly

M

HEADPHONES BUYING GUIDE

The green genie
You’ve a choice of four
finishes: ‘moonstone’
(which means pale blue),
‘cypress’ (dark green),
‘white smoke’ (not quite
white) and black.

Let’s glance
As with the buds on p56,
you’re in the safe hands
of the Bose Music control
app. It’s clean and logical
to use, and has plenty of
customisation options.

Sound on vision
The QuietComfort
Headphones will pair
simply and rapidly with a
Bose soundbar, so you can
enjoy film soundtracks
without waking Granny.

Employ the silence
The Elite 8 Actives’
improved ANC is not only
1.6x stronger than Jabra’s
standard tech, but also
adapts automatically to
your surroundings.

The beaming of love
These buds use Dolby
Audio spatial sound for
more realistic playback. It
feels like the music is out
there in the air rather than
inside your lugs.

Personal freezers
Jabra’s ShakeGrip
silicone rubber coating
gets more grippy when
wet. So the sweatier you
get, the more the buds
lock into position.

HEADPHONES BUYING GUIDE

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Soundtracking your workouts can actually boost your gains – it must be true,
we read it on the internet – so here are the best buds to fine-tune your fitness

JABRA ELITE 8 ACTIVE
abra has an impressive track
record in making great-value
fitness buds. The Jabra Elite 8
Actives follow the formula with good
sound, a reliable fit, strong battery life
and solid durability.
The buds weigh just 5g each. That’s
as light as it gets – and unlike a lot of
wing-free in-ears that wiggle loose
once your workout starts, they’re
largely unshakeable. Their silicone
coating actually grips better when
it gets wet. Occasionally it might take
a fiddle to get them locked in firmly,
but there’s none of the tugging you
find with bulkier buds.
If you like your gym soundtracks
loud, rich and bassy with plenty of
energy, you get that here: the drivers

J

offer deep, rich audio with a decent
dose of subtlety. Customisation
is simple too – you can easily flick
between EQ presets in the app, or
create your own, tweaked for the
gym, runs or commuting.
Battery life runs to a competitive
8hrs with ANC on, rising to 14 without.
There’s a further 24hrs of ANC charge
in the pocket-friendly case, or 42
without – that’s a total of up to 56hrs
between visits to the wall.
Durability is excellent too. These
buds are IP68-rated and tested to
MIL-STD-810h. That means they can
be submerged in 1.5m of water, rinsed
for cleaning and soaked on rainy-day
runs, and are dust-proof. The compact
case is also rated IP54 against dust

and splashes, which is good news
if you want to carry it with you on
outdoor sessions.
Other stuff to mention? How about
much-improved adaptive ANC that
automatically adjusts to the world
around you, a better wind-neutralising
awareness mode, Bluetooth Multipoint
for seamless switching between
phone and laptop, and Spotify Tap?
All told, the Jabra Elite 8 Actives offer
a fantastic all-round package.
Price R3 500 / jabra.com
Key specs
OBluetooth 5.3 O AAC, SBC
O ANC O14hrs + 42hrs case
OIP68 O 2x 5g, 46g case

STUFF SAYS Brilliant sound, brilliant battery life and fitness-proof durability +++++

ALTERNATIVELY…

JBL SOUNDGEAR
SENSE
R2 700 / jbl.com
The OpenSound tech in
these JBLs makes them
decidedly less leaky
than many rivals. The
sound isn’t top-quality
but it’s large and loud
enough to boss the
gym floor. Despite a
chunky design (they’re
13g apiece) the rotating
earhooks make for
surprisingly secure
adjustable fit – and the
detachable neckband
makes them even more
workout-friendly.
Stuff says ++++,

SUUNTO WING

SHOKZ OPENFIT

R4 500 / suuntosa.co.za
These bone-conductors
are watchmaker
Suunto’s first ever
fitness headphones.
Out to rival Shokz, they
pack a competitive 10hr
battery life, a quick
charge option of 10mins
for 3hrs, and great
durability. Unique
innovations like a clever
20hr powerpack for
recharging on the go
and LED safety lights
add to the appeal… but
like all bone-conductors,
the sound lacks punch.
Stuff says +++,,

R5 000 / shokz.com
An alternative to classic
bone-conductors (see
left), these essentially
plonk mini speakers
outside your ears,
leaving you feeling
open and in tune with
your surroundings
while you sweat. The
sound is louder, fuller
and richer than their
bone-vibing brethren
but still not on a par
with better in-ear buds.
The wobbly earhook fit
lacks security for more
lively workouts too.
Stuff says ++++,

HONOR
EARBUDS X5
R1 000 / honor.com
Even budget buds
should fit well and hit
a certain threshold for
sound quality. These
super-light Honor
tweeters manage
both… just. The audio
is a wee bit thin but it’s
passable, while the fit is
secure enough for easy
runs and rides – but
forget about burpees
and plyos. With 5hrs in
the buds and 22 more in
the case, battery life is
good for the price.
Stuff says +++,,

RENPHO
ACTIVE
THERMACOOL
A budget massage
gun with a twist,
this five-speed
pummeller has a
head that warms to
55°C and chills to
8°C for hot/cold
muscle therapy.
It offers 2.5hrs of
use on a single
charge, and is
relatively quiet
in operation and
compact enough to
stick in your gym
bag.
R2 500 / amazon.com

WITHINGS
BODY SCAN
Bodyweight is
a blunt tool for
assessing overall
health. So while
you’re measuring
your heft, the
Body Scan weighs
up a lot more: it
offers reports on
body composition,
revealing where
you’ve (hopefully)
gained muscle and
lost fat, while a
six-cable ECG
tests heart health.
R8 500 /
withings.com

65

A case in the crowd
These Mezes come in the
sort of big briefcase-style
container you might
expect to see handcuffed
to a burly man in a suit
and sunglasses.

Free sprawlin’
The MZ3 diaphragm, built
by Rinaro Isodynamics in
Ukraine, is what actually
produces the sound. It’s
an expansive 4650mm²
but weighs just 0.16g.

Learning to ply
Do you prefer all-Alcantara
earpads for an ‘airy,
accurate experience’ or
leather and Alcantara for
a ‘harmonious’ balance?
Both are supplied.

HEADPHONES BUYING GUIDE

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Well, when you’re talking about something as important as music, it’s
worth stretching your headphones budget all the way to snapping point…

MEZE AUDIO EMPYREAN II
or the last dozen years or so,
Meze Audio has been making
high-achieving headphones
that seem to pay no attention to what
anyone else is doing. And the most
high-achieving, pay-no-attentioning
of the lot are these, the second gen of
the Empyrean over-ears.
There’s more to delivering ‘luxury’
headphones than using the most
expensive materials available and
rolling them in glitter, of course. Not
every brand with high-end aspirations
understands this, but Meze most
definitely does. So not only do the
Empyrean IIs make use of high-grade
leather, CMC-milled aluminium,
fibreglass-infused ABS and other
such exoticism; not only do they

F

arrive with a choice of earpads
designed to offer both comfort
and variation in sonic signature; and
not only do you get to select between
10 (count ’em!) different types of
cable; but they sound… well, absolutely
bloody glorious.
Obviously, they need to be treated
correctly if you want to hear exactly
where all your money has gone – but
you’re not thinking of spending this
much and hooking them straight up
to your phone, are you? Make sure
you’ve got decent amplification, try
to ensure your digital audio files aren’t
too obviously compressed, and you’re
in business.
These Romanian-made cans are
impeccable when it comes to tonal

balance. They’re neutral, naturalistic
and completely convincing from the
bottom of the frequency range to the
top. Rhythmic expression is confident,
dynamic headroom is of the ‘Victorian
cowshed’ variety, and detail retrieval
is stratospheric.
In the simplest terms: if you want
to hear every scrap of information in
a recording, you want it arranged in a
natural and musical way, and you want
to be entertained just as much as to
be informed, you want these.
Price R56 500 / mezeaudio.com
Key specs
ORinaro Isodynamics hybrid array
OWired only ONo ANC O385g

STUFF SAYS Knowledge is power… and these supreme cans know everything +++++

IFI IDSD
DIABLO 2
If you don’t
amplify your cans
properly, you
won’t hear what
they’re capable
of. Not rocket
science, is it?
What is almost
rocket science is
the latest version
of the iFi iDSD
Diablo, a proper
masterclass in
digital/analogue
conversion and
amplification.
R31 500 /
ifi-audio.com

ALTERNATIVELY…

TIDAL HIFI
CAMPFIRE AUDIO
ANDROMEDA
EMERALD SEA
R29 000 /
campfireaudio.com
These high-end in-ear
monitors serve up
exquisitely balanced,
hyper-detailed and
deeply appealing
sound. They’re made of
angular aluminium with
five dual-diaphragm
drivers in each acoustic
chamber. But best of
all, they come in mad
packaging that includes
a metal hand for
hanging up the cables.
Stuff says ++++,

DALI IO-12
R24 000 /
dali-speakers.com
How big is your head?
It’s a bit of a personal
question – but the
most striking thing
about these Dalis is
how large they are. As
long as they fit, though,
the IO-12s are a treat to
wear. They sound big,
bold and precise, are
built to last from
indulgent materials,
and will keep you
entertained for up
to 35hrs at a time
between charges.
Stuff says ++++,

MONTBLANC
MTB 03

WESTONE
MACH 70

R7 900 / montblanc.com
You might wonder what
a company known for
luxury accessories
understands about
audio equipment. But
the MTB 03s prove that
Montblanc is no mere
dabbler in true wireless
earbuds. Yes, they’re
very posh and yes,
they’re very expensive,
but they perform really,
really well, for outright
sound quality but also
for telephone calls and
noise-cancelling.
Stuff says ++++,

R33 500 / westoneaudio.eu
First things first: the
perceived value here
would not be great
even at R10 000… and
at R34 000 it’s frankly
rotten. But these wired
earbuds have it where it
counts and no mistake:
the sound is punchy and
vigorous, but also deft and
nuanced. Detail and
headroom are top-class,
and the overall unity of
the way they present
music has to be heard
to be believed.
Stuff says ++++,

Not all music
streaming
services are
created equal.
Some – like Tidal
HiFi – have a huge
catalogue of
tunes, many of
which are full-on
24-bit/192kHz
FLAC or equally
full-on MQA hi-res
files. So you can
wallow in true,
uncompressed
music no matter
where you are.
R120/m /
tidal.com

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T E S T E D PA C K A R D B E L L M C L A R E N C 1

For whom the Bell tolls
‘Celeron’ might be a dirty word if you’re rocking a R35,000
notebook but when you’re on a budget, Intel’s cheaper
processors can be mighty comforting.
R3 000 / packard-bell.co.za
QThere’s something rather
nostalgic about Packard Bell’s
McLaren C1 notebook. It’s packing
eleven inches of fury (which is
what we’ve called the 1366 x 768
display) and a Celeron N4020
processor. Not high-end specs by
any measurement but it’s also
more affordable than just about
anything else you’ll find sitting in an
unopened retail box.

Why,
Hello there
Despite its price
point, there’s a webcam
up front capable of
working with Windows
Hello. Because of its price
point, there’s no easy
way to cover it.

QThe neat little frame is entirely
plastic, dotted around with the
essentials required for modern-day
computing. A couple of USB-A
ports offer options for a travel
mouse and a USB drive, USB-C is a
nod to modernity, and there’s also a
potentially useful microSD slot (see
below).
QActually working on the little
bugger isn’t the chore you might
think it is. The trackpad is adequate
enough and the keyboard is almost
full-sized, provided you’re not
attached to the numpad.
QThis brings us to performance,
which is the one area the McLaren
C1 falls down. The processor isn’t
the speediest and only 4GB of
RAM means that it’s suited for
lightweight tasks only. You’ll see
this in action the first time the
computer updates. Installing
those Windows upgrades takes
worryingly long but if you’re only
after emails, note-taking, and
some light Netflix or Disney+,
this’ll handle the job without
costing an internal organ.

Tech specs
Screen 11.6in 1366 x 768 IPS Touchscreen
CPU Intel Celeron N4020 RAM 4GB GPU
Intel UHD Graphics 600 Storage 64GB
eMMC OS Windows 11 Home Battery
4000mAh Connectivity Mini HDMI, 2x
USB-A, USB-C, MicroSD, 3.5mm
Dimensions 370x220x20mm (approx.)

Q Card carrying

Q Leave the screen

There’s a microSD card slot, which
is something we don’t see often.
Use it to transfer media to and
from the dinky drive or chuck a big
one in there and bulk up your
storage to something a little more
civilised. A 256GB (R500) or
512GB card (R1 500) will do nicely.

The compact display does its job
well enough but we’d avoid
fiddling with it if possible. Fingers
pressed into the bezel have a
distressingly liquid result on the
screen. This fades quickly but
we’re not entirely sure of the
long-term implications.

STUFF SAYS Fit for purpose. Make sure you know what that is ++++,
The name is
the only really
fast thing
here
68

Four stars? Really? Actually, yes. It’s incredibly rare to lay hands on a functional computer at
this price point in 2024 and the McLaren C1 is that, provided you know what you’re getting.
The 11in notebook isn’t for playing games (though Good Old Games has a batch you could
play) – it’s for basic usage. Taking notes, watching media, and some light web browsing are
the limit here. That’s all some folks need.

TESTED SONY INZONE BUDS

Deaf loop
The onboard mic is
good enough for most
in-game comms, but in
a frantic team-based
shooter you might
struggle to
be heard.

The blast of us
These gamer-friendly earbuds borrow some
tech from Sony’s fine headphones. Does that
make them the ideal partner for your PS5?
R5 000 / sony.co.za
QThe IPX4-rated Inzone Buds are
sleek, glossy and very comfortable
thanks to a range of eartips that
let you get just the right fit. The
touch controls can be customised
using the Inzone Hub software.
QThe only Bluetooth here is LE,
so you’ll need to use the bundled
USB-C dongle with any devices
that don’t support it – such as
your PS5. Sony’s Tempest 3D
Audio standard is compatible, but
you actually get more 360° audio
functionality if you’re using them
with a PC, which seems a bit odd.
QAudio is impressive across the
frequency range. Mids and highs
come off particularly well, and
you get a wider, more detailed
soundstage than many gaming
buds can offer. And with the right
games (shooters tend to benefit
most), spatial sound can really add
an extra layer of immersion.
QLike to game on the couch while
other people are watching TV? The
noise-cancelling is very effective
for that, but it’s less impressive
with music. Low-end response in
particular is muddy and unrefined,
and you can tell these buds weren’t
designed with tunes in mind.
QSony says you’ll get up to 12hrs
of battery life with the USB-C
dongle, and as much as double
that when using Bluetooth (that’s
without the ANC engaged). We
were impressed by their realworld stamina, and you can get
an hour of extra juice from a
5min charge.

Q God of store

Q Marvel’s slider span

The USB-C charging case is fairly
chunky, but that’s because it has
space to hold the dongle, which
is good news for anyone who’s
prone to misplacing such things.
There’s a pairing button, and an
indicator LED on the front.

A slider on the dongle toggles
between PS5/mobile and PC,
with each setting getting its
own light to show you it’s paired.
Latency is less than 30ms, but
Sony’s new PlayStation Link
standard isn’t supported.

Tech specs
Drivers 8.4mm dynamic ANC Yes
Connectivity 2.4GHz wireless
via USB-C dongle, Bluetooth LE
Battery life 11hrs (USB-C, ANC),
18hrs (Bluetooth, ANC) Durability
IPX4 Weight 2x 6.5g, 50g case

STUFF SAYS A strong option for true wireless gaming audio on PC and console ++++,
The sound is just
what assassins
need; the rest is
less than perfect

If you’re looking for a pair of in-ears purely for use with your PS5 or PC (or both), the Inzone
Buds deliver great sound, effective noise-cancelling and strong battery life. But for just under
five grand you’d expect them to be compatible with more than just a few phones, and their
performance when it comes to music leaves a lot to be desired – so if you’re after a pair of
do-it-all earbuds, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

69

TRAVEL TECH

Toby’s

TOP TECH TRAVEL TIPS
There’s travelling and there’s travelling. It’s all about what you
take along and how prepared you are for what transit can
throw at you. There’s tech for that.
THULE CHASM 40L DUFFEL BACKPACK
One of the most useful forms of travel luggage is a duffel backpack.
This new category sprang up a few decades ago and has evolved with
better designs. I used one for years, to the point it wore out. Thule has
thankfully filled that gap with this sophisticated and practical bag. And I
do mean sophisticated. It has been really well thought out. There are
multiple internal mesh pockets, so you can see what’s in them, and it
has a weatherproof outer tarpaulin fabric. The shoulder straps attach
and tuck away with ease, while the clever bag it comes in doubles as an
accessories pouch when you’re using it. There is a handy backpack-like
pouch at the top for quick access items like a power bank.
Weighs: 1.4 kg
R3 700 / thulestore.co.za

ANKER SOUNDCORE
SPACE ONE
These surprisingly good headphones will
impress you with their sound as much as their
price. For just R2 000 you get excellent value for
money and quality. The only kind of ANC I am a
big fan of is active noise-cancelling, and these
budget cans do it very well. The New York Times’
Wirecutter rated the Space Ones as their
budget pick in its recent best noise-cancelling
headphones feature. “In our tests, the active
noise cancellation was nearly as effective as
that of the Bose 700, and the level is adjustable,”
gushed the renowned review website,
comparing the Space Ones to its top pick Bose
700 cans. It’s hard to disagree. You get a very
decent 40 hours with ANC on, and 55 with it
turned off, and the USB-C port allows you to get
four hours listening from just five minutes of
charging.
R2 000 / digitalexperience.co.za

70

TRAVEL TECH

Travel Apps:
BROTHER PT-D210
LABEL PRINTER
I am often the butt of jokes because of my
love of label printers. It started with my
spice drawer – long before the makers of
identical spice bottles thought to include
this themselves – and has evolved into one
of my travel essentials. I have the only
version of this PT-D210 label printer and am
a huge fan. I print a compact, two-line label
with my Gmail address and phone number
and stick them on just about everything. I
also print short labels with just my name on
them, a process that has saved me from
many lost cables. I once had an argument
with a (much larger) friend over whose
Lightning cable he had just picked up off the
table we were both working at. And there
was my name on it. I honestly believe
people will do the right thing and return a
lost item if there are contact details. It has
happened innumerable times to me.
Weight: 500g.
R1 300 / brother.co.za/

NordVPN
I never log onto free WiFi in an
airport, or use a non-password
secured hotspot, or even the
secured WiFi in a hotel without
a VPN. Call me paranoid and I
will thank you for the
compliment. I have been an
avid fan of NordVPN for years
and buy the cheaper multiyear plans. There are naughty
people out there who know
desperate travellers often let
their guard down for free or
unsecured WiFi. Don’t be
foolish and let them snoop on
your traffic when a VPN is so
affordable.
From $3.40 /m / nordvpn.com

ANKER 735 GAN CHARGER
If you haven’t heard of gallium nitride, then you
won’t know why a new generation of chargers
trumpets the acronym GaN. Nor will you know
why your phone or laptop or power bank are
charging much faster – although you’re likely to
be happy even in your ignorance. Gallium nitride is
a wonderous new addition to a gadget category
that has frankly never been very interesting. Until
you could get a 65W GaNPrime charger that
weighs a decidedly Douglas Adams-esque 142
grams and is much smaller than the Applesupplied one, anyway. Better yet, it has two
USB-C ports as well ye olde USB-A. I scoffed at
the latter, thinking it was a bygone, but have been
amazed at how often I have to use it. It’s a delight
on an overseas trip, because it literally replaces
two other chargers. Call me silly, but I prefer the
lighter colour (called “golden”) because whitecoloured chargers are easier to spot when I do a
final check of a hotel room.
Weight: 142g.
R1 600 / anker.com

Acsa airport
parking app
One of the most useful tricks I
have discovered is booking
parking at Acsa airports using
its app. Store the details of
your, and your spouse’s, car
and then you can quickly and
easily book parking. I’ve only
used it at OR Tambo, and the
parking bays are close to the
airport, so no shuttle bus is
required. If you book up to a
week in advance you get 50%
off – and there is a sliding scale
of discounts the closer you get.
It’s very handy.
Free / airports.co.za

71

FI
R
TH ST
ES AD
E… D

SAMSUNG TAB S9 ULTRA

72

ONE
SAMSUNG SLIM BOOK
COVER KEYBOARD

TWO
LOGITECH MX
MASTER 3S

THREE
ANKER 341 USB-C
HUB (7-IN-1)

You might be tempted to
pick up the non-Slim model
(R8 000), but this one’s a
better buy. Its standing
folding style fares better on
the lap; and while there’s no
trackpad, the S Pen is a
precise enough pointer (or
you can use your finger).
Thinner, lighter, cheaper: put
some of the R4 000 saved
towards a fancy mouse…
R4 000 / samsung.com/za

When you’re at a desk and
your Tab S9 Ultra is in laptop
replacement mode, treat
your hand to the comfy MX
Master 3S. It’s got twiddly
wheels, thumb support and
loads of buttons, can flip
between up to three devices
without needing to re-pair,
and will power up when
connected to the tablet’s
massive battery via USB.
R3 300 / incredible.co.za

Fire up the Tab S9 Ultra’s
DeX mode and you can enjoy
big ‘desktop PC’ energy.
And for desktop PC ports,
hook up this basic yet
brilliant USB-C hub. Making
a home for your SD cards,
USB-A connectors and
HDMI cables, it lets you tap
into next-level accessorising.
And it even supports
passthrough power.
R1 200 / takealot.com

NO
TH W T
IS RY
…

TH
TH EN
ES GE
E… T

INSTANT UPGRADES

ONENOTE

1 SEX UP DEX

2 SQUARE UP PAIRS

3 BE ZEN WITH THE PEN

DeX was once a Windows-like
interface for Samsung tabs,
with a taskbar and other
desktoppy elements. New
DeX, however, is much simpler,
adding floating windows to your
standard UI: more finger-friendly,
but less productive. To step back
in time, activate Classic DeX
mode by pulling down the
notification bar, long-pressing
the DeX quick toggle icon and
selecting Classic.

Take advantage of the Tab S9
Ultra’s vast 14.6in screen by
saving a favourite split-screen
app combination. From X and
Insta for a social overload to
Excel and Word, activate the
split-screen view by dragging
an app from the taskbar into
one side of the screen when
another app is open. Select the
three dots, press the star button
and pin the pair to the taskbar,
home screen or edge panel.

Avoid the heartbreak of a lost
S Pen by activating the Tab S9
Ultra’s disconnection alert, so
you’ll be notified whenever the
Bluetooth connection between
pen and tab is lost. Open your
settings, select ‘Advanced
features’ then ‘S Pen’, and select
‘More S Pen settings’. Enable
‘Warn if S Pen is left behind’,
and look forward to a beep
if one ever goes for a wander
without the other.

The student fave
gets a new lease
of life on the Tab
S9 Ultra’s huge
screen: type,
annotate, file
digital notebooks.
Not used it for a
while? The modern
edition is different.
Free

PENUP
Preloaded apps
aren’t always
bloat: this is a
powerful drawing
app that supports
layers, offers loads
of pen styles, and
lets you use tools
such as timelapse
recording.
Free

4 GET ROUNDED SOUND

5 BE A COOLER FUELLER

6 UNFREEZE THE KEYS

Those quad speakers are among
the best on any tablet; but if you
want to get optimal sound from
them, you need to enable the
built-in Dolby Atmos feature.
To do so, simply find ‘Sounds
and vibration’ in your settings,
scroll down to ‘Sound quality
and effects’ and customise the
Dolby Atmos settings. You can
also turn this feature on and
off in your notification quick
toggles menu.

You can dump the power-bank
if you’re packing a Tab S9 Ultra:
its USB-C port and 11,200mAh
battery combine to top up your
other tech in a pinch. To enable
reverse charging, plug in your
phone, buds, smartwatch
or other gadget. In settings,
choose Connections followed
by ‘USB settings’. Select ‘Charge
connected device’ and you can
kiss your emergency refuelling
brick goodbye.

Samsung’s keyboards are very,
very smart. With the keyboard
active, tap the ‘T’ icon in the
bar above it to activate a huge
handwriting recognition area
(much better than writing in
cramped boxes). Next, tap the
mic to activate voice typing
(much easier than stretching
across the screen). You can
even enable a teeny floating
board by tapping the keyboard
icon then ‘Floating keyboard’.

GOOGLE KEEP
Give your Tab S9
Ultra some ‘sticky
note’ vibes with
Keep. This app is
optimised for big
screens so you
can see loads of
your digital notes
at once, making
it super-easy to
organise them.
Free

73

GROUP TEST ELECTRIC CARS

Ready to go electric but worried about the logistics? Relax:
competition is driving down prices, more models are seeing
release in South Africa, and battery tech is improving. And as
these six prove, some EVs are now genuine head-turners…

Volkswagen ID.4
What’s the story?

Is it any good?

What’s the story?

VW’s electrification of its
range has been surprisingly
rapid, thanks to the brand
choosing to adopt batteries
and motors long before
many of its rivals. The result
is a neat EV lineup ranging
from the Golf-sized ID.3 up
to the ID.Buzz van.
The ID.4 sits in the middle
of the pack, offering plenty
of room for drivers and
passengers, wrapped up
in a sort of quasi-crossover
package that isn’t pure
SUV, nor typical low-slung
saloon fare.
The interior is deliberately
sparse, with even the gear
selector committed to a
stalk behind the steering
wheel. From the moment
you slide into the ID.4, you
get the impression this is
a functional object, rather
than something designed
to stir the emotions.
That’s no bad thing, and
there is plenty of choice,
from the most frugal
Pure models with 360
kilometres of range to the
Pro Performance with 530km.
There’s an ID.4 to suit most
budgets and needs.

VW has nailed the basics
here, offering a gloriously
simple driving experience
that’s refined and easy to
live with. It’s a joy to scoot
around town in.
There’s plenty in the way
of driver assistance and all
of the infotainment niceties
you could want… it’s just
a shame VW’s operating
system is so clunky. It’s
all menus and fiddly haptic
buttons, while even the cool
features, such as the LEDs
that indicate an upcoming
turning, only work with the
VW nav, not Apple CarPlay
or Android Auto.
Over-the-air software
updates are likely to fix
some issues; until then it’s
still a great space to use on
a daily basis, with generous
room in the rear for three
adults and an ample boot.

To say BMW’s electric SUV
lineup is tricky to navigate is
an understatement, seeing
as there’s an iX (which isn’t
this car) and also ‘i’ versions
of the X3, X2 and X1. The
important bit is, the iX1 hits
the EV sweet spot.
All variants of this model
get a 66.5kWh battery, but
customers can order from
a menu of spicy delicacies,
from the mild eDrive 20
M Sport to the super-hot
all-wheel-drive xDrive 30
M Sport version.
There are a number of
drive modes, so you can set
the vehicle up to your mood,
and all of these are linked
to the general ambience
of the cockpit: Sport makes
everything go red and a bit
angry, while Relax puts nice
imagery on the displays.

being the runt of the litter,
and there’s plenty of room
for rear passengers.
And there’s more than
a hint of classic BMW about
the way it drives, with a
tangibly firmer approach
to suspension than its rivals
and more direct steering,
making it almost fun on
country lanes. It’s a heavy
brute, though.
Some models will achieve
almost 480km of range on a
charge, though it isn’t
prepped for ultra-rapid
public charging stations.
The maximum DC charge
rate is 130kW, so allow
around half an hour for
a top-up to 80%.
And the infotainment
system – with a 10.3in
dials display and a 10.7in
infotainment screen – is
a delight to behold but a
bit annoying to use.

Is it any good?
Rtba / vw.co.za

Key specs
O Up to 540km O Up to
261bhp O 80% in 30mins
O 0-100km/h in 5.46.7secs
O Up to 1180km/h

STUFF SAYS Not the coolest EV on sale
but it takes daily life in its stride ++++,
74

BMW iX1

Many have bemoaned
BMW’s move away from
‘ultimate driving machine’
territory, but it is difficult
to fault the way modern
Bimmers are put together.
Everything inside the iX1
feels premium, despite it

from R1.2 million /
bmw.co.za

Key specs
O Up to 470km O Up to
308bhp O 80% in 29mins
O 0-100km/h in 5.68.6secs O Up to 180km/h

STUFF SAYS Premium feels at a tempting
price, though it’s slow to charge ++++,

GROUP TEST ELECTRIC CARS

BEST FOR
FAMILY
DUTIES

Life in the faster lane

One of these lights

Customers looking
to add a little pep to
their ID.4 can opt for
the more expensive
GTX model, which has
an extra motor.

The ID Light beneath
the windscreen offers
additional help when
navigating, glowing to
show you which way
to turn next.

New grid in town
BMW’s tech stores
the last 50m when
driving slowly, so it
can repeat the same
stretch backwards
for self-parking.

Backache tonight?

BEST FOR
A HI-TECH
INTERIOR

You get the option of
an ‘oscillating seat
base’ on the iX1,
providing lumbar
training and a nice
lower back massage.

75

GROUP TEST ELECTRIC CARS

I’m every thrummin’
Abarth offers Turismo,
Scorpion Street and
Scorpion Track models
in order to either eke
out more stamina or go
all-out for giggles.

I nav nothing

BEST FOR
HOT HATCH
THRILLS

Fiat relies on TomTom
for navigation duties.
It’s pretty lame,
lacking the skills of
whatever phone app
you usually use.

Abarth Electric 500e
What’s the story?
The hooligan big brother to Fiat’s adorable
500 model gets an all-electric makeover,
swapping the 1.4L turbocharged petrol
engine for a 114kW electric motor and
rather tiddly 42kWh battery pack.
Perhaps the biggest headline here is
that Abarth has seen fit to, erm, fit a big
old speaker to the underside of this EV.
It pumps out a synthetic and surprisingly
loud engine note, which has been mapped
to the throttle so you can annoy everyone
in close proximity.
It’s all a bit silly and way too difficult to
turn off, buried deep in a menu that can
only be accessed when stationary and
via the steering-wheel controls. However,
there’s nothing silly about the way this
pocket rocket drives – because, audible
party tricks aside, it’s arguably the most

‘hot hatch’ of any electric car so far. The
acceleration is undeniably rapid, and it
also darts from corner to corner like an
excitable Staffy.
Its tiny footprint also means it never
feels like too much of a handful, while the
position of the cosseting bucket seats is
slightly lower and more set up for ‘sporty’
driving than the standard 500.

Is it any good?
The interior is festooned in Alcantara, the
seats are firm but supportive, the ride is
solid… and there’s a lot of noise creeping
into the cabin at anything above 80km/h.
The estimated range starts at 180km but
we never got near that – try 145km if
you’re dashing up the highway.
Fiat’s infotainment system is basic but
does everything you need, with Apple

CarPlay and Android Auto allowing owners
to plug in a phone and make the most of
their favourite apps. In fact, the JBL sound
system is pretty impressive – a good thing
given how much exterior noise you have
to drown out.
A car to replace your trusted family
steed this isn’t, but it is hilariously good
fun, looks absolutely brilliant and puts
a smile on your face every time you
get into it. Just make sure you have
somewhere to plug it in, because it’ll
require recharging often.
Rtba (est. R830 000) ⁄ abarthcars.co.za

Key specs
O Up to 255km O 152bhp
O 80% in 25mins O 0-100km/h in 7secs
O Up to 155km/h

STUFF SAYS Fun, feisty and as ‘Abarth’ as they come – shame about the tiny range +++,,
76

GROUP TEST ELECTRIC CARS

How will I glow?

Greatest shove of all

Even the base spec
brings LED headlights
and rain-sensing
wipers, plus a
range-extending
heat pump.

The Ariya can handle
130kW charge speeds,
which makes the most
of the outlets you’ll find
at highway services
and the like.

BEST FOR
RELAXING
SPACE

Nissan Ariya
What’s the story?

Is it any good?

It is always nice when a production vehicle
stays true to the concept car on which
it’s based, and Nissan’s simple but elegant
Ariya barely changed between its original
unveil at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show and
its European on-sale date in 2022.
This spacious and futuristic SUV was
designed to propel Nissan towards the
next stage of its EV plans (it will be an
all-electric affair by 2030), moving the
game on from its hugely influential Leaf
model with impressive real-world range
(up to 530km), punchy performance and a
modern lounge-like interior.
But Nissan faces stiff competition
now, and the asking price puts this one
up against the best of Kia, BMW and VW,
as well as offerings such as the Audi Q4
E-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQB.

Nissan hit a major stumbling block during
the Ariya’s launch, citing the global chip
shortage as a reason for its late arrival
on the scene. This is important because
it explains why some of the infotainment
tech already looks a bit dated.
The digital maps look decidedly
cartoonish and there are inherent bugs
when trying to flick between Apple
CarPlay and the DAB radio, for example.
Despite its handsome good looks, the
tech behind the slender screens is just
a bit slow and clunky.
That aside, this interior is a lovely place
and the engineers have clearly thought
about the average user. There’s a neat
motorised storage bin that mechanically
extends from the dash at the press of a
button; the centre console/armrest slides

backwards and forwards; and space in
the rear is positively cavernous.
You also get a lot of haptic buttons
embedded into surfaces. This is known
as ‘shy tech’; it looks fantastic and works
well, offering a halfway house between
putting everything on a touchscreen and
covering the interior with switches.
The Ariya is naturally sprightly to drive
in its more potent variants, but is also
perfectly fine in the lesser-powered
models. And even the entry-level spec
should be enough for most.
Rtba / nissan.co.za
Key specs
O Up to 530km O Up to 394bhp
O 80% in 35mins O 0-100km/h in
5.1-7.5secs O Up to 200km/h

STUFF SAYS A neat and spacious interior, solid specs and an easy-going drive ++++,
77

GROUP TEST ELECTRIC CARS

Sweet carry line

You do bring me power

The EV6 feels bigger on
the road than it looks in
photos, but the upside
is plenty of room in the
rear for chauffeuring
friends and family.

Vehicle-to-Load tech
allows you to power
things – portable
fridges, lights, even
electric tools – from
the car’s battery.

BEST FOR
LONGER
DRIVES

Kia EV6 GT
What’s the story?

Is it any good?

The EV6 has been in our sights for quite
some time now but hasn’t quite landed.
The GT marks a significant point in Kia’s
history as the first EV that has allowed the
Korean brand to really take on the Audis,
BMWs and Mercs of this world. This GT
version comes with all the extras you
could hope for in a modern car, taking the
fight right to the German giants.
No longer is this the plucky underdog
that people bought for the 7yr warranty:
a sporty crossover, it’s not only a stylish
thing to behold but also one that lives at
the very pointy end of current electric
tech. It rides on a bespoke platform with
800V electrical architecture for ultra-fast
charging: hook it up to a 350kW charger
and you can brim the batteries from 10%
to 80% in 18mins. Insane scenes.

The EV6 comes in a variety of flavours,
with a single motor on the rear axle or
dual motors for all-wheel-drive. All get
a 77.4kWh battery pack for an official
range that beats the 480km mark,
and all are rapid from a standstill… but
the dual-motor variants will do the
0-100km/h sprint in 5secs or less. And
in all honesty, it feels faster.
The AWD GT-Line S comes loaded
up with every perk imaginable: heated
seats and steering wheel, a 12.3in curved
digital instrument cluster, 20in alloy
wheels, a 12.3in touchscreen taking
care of infotainment, and an AR head-up
display. Really blow the budget on the
full-fat GT and you can have silly things
like bucket seats, electronically controlled
suspension and a limited-slip differential

that allows for more control under
‘spirited’ driving conditions. But the
thing is, even without all that stuff this
is a fun car to drive.
Above all else, it’s quiet, refined
and reassuringly comfortable over
long distances. If you can look past
the irritating bonging of the several
thousand safety systems, the
infotainment offering is solid too,
with quick mapping, a punchy sound
system and smartphone integration via
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Rtba | kia.co.za
Key specs
OUp to 530km OUp to 577bhp O80% in
18mins O0-100km/h in 3.5-7.3secs
OUp to 260km/h

STUFF SAYS A stylish EV with impressive range, fast charging and premium touches +++++
78

GROUP TEST ELECTRIC CARS

Love on the fox

Hello, a gain

Smart’s vulpine voice
assistant sits in the
corner of the screen,
snoozing, dancing
and occasionally
playing football.

The Brabus-tuned
version delivers
422bhp to all four
wheels. That bumps
up the starting price
to R1.1 million

BEST FOR
SCHOOL
RUNS

Smart #1
What’s the story?
Do you remember when Smart cars were
titchy two-seaters that could be driven
nose-first into a parking space? Those
days are gone, and we are now presented
with the bumper-sized fruits of a joint
venture between Mercedes-Benz and
the Chinese automotive giant Geely.
The Smart ‘Hashtag 1’ (yep, you have
to say that bit) loses some of that future
city cool in favour of the now ubiquitous
SUV/crossover styling, which means it’s
quite large and looks a bit like a balloon
animal version of a Mini Countryman.
The lurid yellow of our test model only
highlighted its bulbous proportions… and
not in a good way.
Underneath, all versions receive a
66kWh battery pack that sends power
to a motor on the rear wheels. The more

expensive Premium model manages to
eke 440km of range from that power
source, while the basic Pro+ manages
more like 260.
Like so many EVs in 2024, the modern
Smart car feels extremely brisk, and can
accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.7secs
(the sporty Brabus variant does it in 3.9).
That rear-wheel drive means it’s possible
to have the traction control light flashing
if you approach a weathered roundabout
a little too ‘hot’ – not what you expect
from a family-friendly daily driver.

picture, with an AI fox – yes, a fox – taking
care of voice commands.
It’s surprisingly roomy inside, with the
raised roofline offering plenty of headroom.
The minimalism gives the Smart #1 a whiff
of Apple Store about it, which is nice.
But boot space is pretty stingy, while
the drive lacks soul. The regen braking has
zero feel and is snatchy at low speeds. In
all, this is just a relatively nondescript (if
nippy) way of getting from A to B. Still, the
sizeable range and 150kW charging mean
it will be more than adequate for many.

Is it any good?

R865 000 (import) / smart.com

The interior is mostly Benz, so there’s a lot
to like about the overall ambience. Hushed
mood lighting when the sun sets, a Beats
sound system in the pricier models and
a large infotainment screen complete the

Key specs
O Up to 440km O Up to 422bhp O 80% in
30mins O 0-100km/h in 3.9-6.7secs
O 180km/h

STUFF SAYS There’s nothing wrong with the Smart #1, but it struggles to stand out +++,,
79

BETA YOURSELF

APPLE TV
Want to get more out of that little black box and power up
your television? Stuff shows you how to make the most of
your Apple TV and its latest operating system, tvOS 17…
THE BASICS

huffily absent, but otherwise
it’s now a great television hub.

QTake control

QGet set

On the new Siri Remote, the
TV button opens the TV app.
A long press of ‘<’ loads the
home screen. Hate that app?
Use Settings > Remote and
Devices > TV Button to have
it load the home screen
instead. Double-click the
TV button for an iOS-like app
switcher where you can swipe
up to force-quit an unruly app…
or avoid the remote and use
your iPhone instead.

Settings isn’t a sexy app, but
dig around for options. Tweak
output settings in Video and
Audio; rename your device
in General > About; try
Restrictions to stop kiddies
seeing bad things; use AirPlay
and HomeKit > Allow Access
to demand a password so
nobody blasts Rick Astley at
the television while you’re
watching Casablanca.

QCentre yourself
Hold the TV button to open
the revamped Control Centre.
Its tabbed interface provides
fast access to loads of
settings, including Continuity
Camera, the sleep timer, and
search. Use the rightmost
menu to select a user – each
of whom can have a custom

home screen and logins – and
wonder why your iPad can’t
do the same.

QTry the new app
For tvOS 17.2, Apple lobbed
the iTunes Movies and
TV Shows apps into a skip.
Rentals and purchases now
lurk in the TV app, accessed
via a new sidebar (above) that
also provides access to profiles
and channels. Netflix remains

QDouble up
Apple TV’s picture-in-picture
mode works with AirPlay and
some native apps. Rest your
finger on the touchpad to
view controls and select the
PiP button (two screens). The
screen will minimise so you
can watch something else
too. Click the TV button for
PiP controls.

SEARCH WITH SPEED
QBark at Siri

Showbiz grids
Driven bonkers by the
absurdly wide ‘linear’ Apple
TV on-screen keyboard?
Turn it into a compact grid
instead: Settings > General
> Keyboard Layout
> Grid.

80

The new Apple TV remote
has the Siri button on the side.
Hold it and you can ask your
box to do useful things, such
as launch shows and apps,
search by genre, and control
playback by saying stuff like
“Go back 30 seconds” and
“What did they say?”

QPhone it in
Search can frustrate when
Siri doesn’t recognise your
words. Fortunately, when you
activate a search field on your
Apple TV, your iPhone should
let you type in what you’re
looking for and fire it at the
little black box.

ESSENTIAL
APPLE APPS

JUSTWATCH
Ask Siri to show you
a TV show or movie.
The results page will,
eventually, disclose
which services have
what you asked for.
JustWatch is faster: tell
it which services you
have access to and you
can quickly find where to
watch something.
Free / justwatch.com

INFUSE 7
MANAGE
YOUR APPS
QUse the top row

BE ON THE TV
QUse FaceTime
Grab an iPhone or iPad running
the latest OS, then launch
FaceTime on Apple TV, select
your name, and prop up the
device so its rear camera
points at your beautiful
visage. You can now make
FaceTime calls using your TV.

QTry Apple Music Sing
You can use the same setup
to pretend you’re a rock god.
Open Music and play a song
that supports adjustable
vocals. Use the mic button
to lower the vocals and
the camera icon to put your
mug on the TV, along with
a glitzy background.

Click-hold an app and then
Edit Home Screen to change
its position. Use the top row
to house apps that, when
selected, display recent media.
In Settings, select Apps > TV >
Top Shelf > Up Next to replace
trailers with shortcuts.

QBe choosy
You can organise apps in
folders – drag one onto
another, and use ‘Move to…’
in the pop-up menu to put
other apps into the folder.
But folders can make access
awkward – so dump any apps
and games you don’t use.

QClean app
There’s no multi-app delete,
but tvOS 17’s pop-up menu
makes removing them faster.
You can also remove apps in
Settings > General > Manage
Storage, which handily lists
them by size.

SAVE YOUR SCREEN

Streaming services are
great until they abruptly
remove everything you
wanted to watch. But
putting shiny discs
into a player is a hassle.
This app meets you
halfway: point it at your
local or remote storage
and it’ll pipe those files
right to your set.
Free / firecore.com

QDownload themes
Set General > Screensaver
> Type to ‘Aerial’ and your
Apple TV will show gorgeous
animated screensavers when
idle. Adjust themes and other
settings to suit. Use Preview
to test settings, or manually
trigger the screensaver with
‘<’ on the home screen.

QPick your own pics
Switch Type to ‘My Photos’ to
use your own snaps instead.
You’ll need to confirm access
on your device (and may also
need to do so in Settings >
Users and Accounts > [name]
> Photos). Sync can take a
while, so be patient.

PLAY
Even picture-in-picture
only lets you watch two
things at once. Short
of surrounding yourself
with screens, you’ll
need to save interesting
videos for later. This app
gives you a single place
to stash them all.
Free (IAP) /
marcosatanaka.com

81

TESTED GAMES

PS5, XSX, PC / tekken.com

Tekken 8

Gaming’s longest-running blood feud tries again to iron things out with
fists, ramping up the aggression while also lowering the barrier to entry

lashy multi-hit combos
have been core to
Tekken’s fast-based
beatdowns for over two decades
now – but so have perfect
positioning and knowing when
not to go on the offensive. New
players largely had to work that
out on their own, so it’s a treat to
see this eighth mainline entry go
out of its way to explain both new
and returning mechanics.
Arcade Quest is a short but
sweet tutorial and etiquette guide
that teaches there’s no ‘right’ way

F

to play. It drip-feeds you systems
and combos at a steady pace,
including a thorough intro to the
new Heat gauge.
This expands your already
extensive move set for a limited
time, lets you recover health by
scoring hits after taking a few
punches yourself, and provides
super armour for blasting through
an opponent’s attack. That’s a
once-per-round deal, but it can
turn the tide of a losing round when
timed right. Meanwhile the Rage
system returns from Tekken 7,

boosting damage once your health
drops low enough and unlocking
mighty Rage Art attacks.
An optional newbie-friendly
control scheme lets you pull off
flashy combos by hammering a
single button. But given Tekken’s
move sets are as extensive as its
lore is ludicrous, it’s limiting.
The cinematic story mode is
typically OTT fare. It moves slickly
between cutscenes and gameplay,
and a few fights mix up the 1v1
formula, but the whole thing can
be knocked off in 5hrs. Individual

character stories add narratives
that border on the insane, but
the real endgame is in the online
multiplayer lobbies – smooth
and quick now that early server
stumbles have been fixed.
This game looks incredible and
is the series’ most approachable
entry yet, without diluting its
hardcore appeal. Street Fighter
6 still sets the bar for engaging
single-player content, but
Tekken 8 absolutely delivers
on the gameplay front. If you’re
not winning, it’s you.

STUFF SAYS A perfect entry point to the series, and a welcome evolution of the formula +++++
82

TESTED GAMES

A cast that pandas
to every whim

“Don’t worry about him,
he’s just a little grizzly
in the mornings.”

Between fights, King
runs a very successful
chiropractic clinic.

With demon-possessed
astrologists, cyborg ninjas,
giant pandas and dictators
with literal devil-blood in their
veins, Tekken 8’s roster is
beyond extensive. You have
a generous 32 characters
to choose from at launch
(with more due later as
DLC), although only three
are entirely new.
French secret agent Victor
is super-quick but tricky to
master, with several different
stances and a small arsenal
of weapons that make him
difficult to predict; Peruvian
MMA fighter and coffee farmer
Azucena has great evasive
movement and a strong
counter-poke game; and
purple-haired Reina feels
like Tekken’s answer to Street
Fighter’s Juri, with a move list
largely inherited from series
villain Heihachi.
Plenty of fan favourites
make a return, each with their
own unique playstyle and not
a dud in the bunch. Returning
players will notice move lists
have been tweaked slightly,
to stop the new mechanics
making anyone too powerful.
Namco seems to have done
well here: activate the Heat
gauge and android teen Alisa
becomes a chip damage
monster, but she doesn’t
appear to be dominating the
online leaderboards just yet.

83

TESTED GAMES

Helldivers II
Spreading ‘managed democracy’ across the galaxy and doing your part for Super
Earth never felt as good as it does in this online co-op third-person shooter
have your head, don your
suit, and drop into exotic
locations around the galaxy
as you and up to three friends (or
internet randoms) defend Super
Earth from the terrible scourge of
evil Automaton robots and
disgusting Termanid bugs.
Whether playing solo or as a full
team, every squad is expected to
do its part in defence of Super
Earth, as directed by a overarching
and constantly changing
developer-controlled objective.
This adds a narrative layer to
the gameplay loop of well-paced,
insanely fun, governmentsanctioned slaughter. Players
distribute ‘managed democracy’
with their arsenal of shotguns,
assault rifles, SMGs, pistols, and
grenades on the ground while a
ship waits in orbit with your
chosen loadout of strategems.
These can be support weapons for
dealing with tanky enemies,
automated turrets that provide
covering fire, or a barrage of highexplosive missile strikes – there’s
even a death ray.
You’ll have to carefully pick the

S

time to call in your strategems –
doing so leaves you vulnerable as
you frantically input the required
button sequence. It’s akin to
spawning a tank in GTA.
Even greater care is encouraged
when choosing where to rain down
democracy or call in your dead
buddy – friendly fire is enabled
and can’t be turned off. This
ranges from slightly annoying, as
your grenade bounces off a
charger’s armour and blows up in
your face, to desk-slamming fury
as your teammate’s 500kg bomb
blasts you into the stratosphere
for the seventh time.
But that’s part of the fun and
makes a successful extraction all
the more satisfying as you return
to your ship to spend your wellearned riches of credits, samples,
and medals to buy new weapons,
suits of armour, strategems, or
upgrades for your ship.
Yes, there’s an element of
monetisation with the ‘premium’
battle pass, but Helldivers 2
doesn’t constantly nag you to
spend real money or keep the best
items behind a paywall.

Get used to
running.
You’ll be doing a
lot of it.
Often
fruitlessly.

Travel the
galaxy. Explore
new locations.
Meet exotic
new life forms.
Like the humble
Bile Titan.

STUFF SAYS Some of the best fun possible in a co-op third-person shooter +++++
84

TESTED GAMES

all platforms / ubisoft.com

Prince of Persia:
The Lost Crown
If the only crown you’ve ever lost was from a tooth, this slick 2D
action-adventure platformer has a far more exciting story to tell
he Prince of Persia series
is older than Sonic the
Hedgehog, Super Soakers
and Take That. The Lost
Crown goes back to the series’ 2D
roots and reimagines it as a
superbly paced Metroidvania.
You don’t play as the titular
prince, but peppy young warrior
Sargon of the Immortals clan:
when Prince Ghassan is kidnapped
and taken to the cursed city of
Mount Qaf, it falls to Sargon to
rescue him.
As in all good explorathons,
the world is as much the star as
the player character. A sprawling
labyrinth of interconnected biomes
reveals itself as you explore its
grand halls, surrounding forestry
and grimy, poison-spitting depths.
Much of it will be unreachable until
you gain the correct acrobatic or
time-bending ability, and The Lost
Crown is happy to make you wait
for them.
Backtracking is all part of the
fun, but trying to remember where
that bubbling pool of lava that
you’re now able to air-dash over
actually was? Less so. The ability

T

to automatically add in-game
screenshots to your map is a
real lifesaver.
Hover over these ‘Memory
Shard’ icons and the screenshot
pops up, so you know exactly
what’s needed. You only have
a finite number, but they can be
deleted when no longer required
to use again elsewhere.
Platforming sections can
be wickedly difficult, but rarely
unfair. Ubisoft Montpellier,
whose previous work includes
the similarly excellent Rayman
Legends, shows real expertise
in 2D game design here.
Combat is also surprisingly
deep, with an emphasis on
parrying and aerial combos.
Bosses are always a stern test,
forcing you to employ your full
repertoire of upgradeable combat
manoeuvres to prevail.
We could ding The Lost Crown
for its slow start, forgettable story
and slightly uninspired visuals, but
that aside it hangs with the
modern greats – and hopefully
marks the start of a new era for the
series. Maybe a sequel?

The game’s
hero, Sargon of
the Immortals:
he has no time
for shirts (or
indeed stairs).

This looks bad,
but Sargon
never leaves
home without
his fireproof
Kevlar codpiece.

STUFF SAYS A delightful return to form for one of gaming’s longest-running series ++++,
85

GADGET DOCTOR

ALWAYS ON CALL

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

MAIL OF THE MONTH
Q

BEHOLD, MY STUFF

Technology is a fascinating
field, that's why I buy every
Stuff Magazine release. I'm just
wondering if your editorial team
has ever considered an in-depth
look at other areas of consumer
and professional electronics
such as 1) portable MP3 players,
2) network audio servers, 3)
portable audio recorders, 4) 6"
laptops, 5) memory cards
including the fast CF Express
Type-B cards, 6) professional
video cameras such as Red
Digital Cinema, and 7) other
areas of interest? Jeremy

Thanks for the suggestions,
Jeremy. All of these do get a
look-in from time to time but
they’re also all a little specialised.
Stuff tends to focus on massmarket appeal (gotta get them
Rands into the company coffers,
after all) but these are all targets
for coverage on the right
occasion. Except maybe the MP3
players one. Budget models are
all but gone, though we’ve been
known to feature some of the
high-res models from Sony and
Astell & Kern from time to time.
Just stick around. You’ll get your
wish(es) eventually.

A

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

Q

RANT OVER?

I wanted to bring some
awareness to the Samsung
eStore and the current S24
promos they are offering. They
have advertised that customers
get a further 10% off if they
choose to pay using Samsung
Wallet. It's quite ironic that
Samsung Wallet does not work
on the Samsung eStore. They
claim only certain banks work and
they are asking customers to go
out and query with their bank as
to whether the bank has
whitelisted their site.Their
customer service throughout has
been horrible. They've come up

with horrible solutions like ‘use
another bank account’ or ‘ask
someone you trust to buy the
device for you’. Caitlin
We’re not really sure what
we’re supposed to do with
this. It’s not like any input was
requested from our side but we
can say that we’ve personally had
no issues with more conventional
transactions. It does seem pretty
strange that Samsung’s own
solution doesn’t work all that
effectively on its own store.
We’d be interested to hear what
the final outcome of your
experience turns out to be.

A

Q

SOME FIRE APPS

I am a frequent reader,
and my favorite part of your
issue is the apps. You have
featured Amazon Fire tablets
multiple times on Top 10, Wish
lists, and more. However, you
haven't featured any apps for
the Amazon Fire tablets. There
are millions of Fire tablets, and
featuring a page of apps for
them would be cool, as Fire
tablets don't have the Play
Store or the App Store. I really
hope that you will do this. Josh
As with Jeremy’s query,
apps from the Fire
ecosystem don’t have the
broad appeal in South Africa
that they do elsewhere. Still,
we’ll consider a decent
rundown of what’s out there.
After all, Amazon’s about to
enter South Africa (we think).
It could be there’s a change
ahead for SA’s app ecosystem.

A

Q

ANY TIPS FOR A
BUD?

I've got an old pair of Samsung
buds which I have used for
everything: running, hiking,
gym etc and I really love them.
But the rubbers don't hold
them in my ears anymore, and
the sound is very low in the left
ear... are they salvageable or
do I just need to win these
amazing Jabra Elite buds?

Please help me out here. Any
advice appreciated. Graem
Replacement tips may or
may not be in the old box
(we’re not sure how old your ‘buds
are) but if there’s nothing
available, you might have to turf
them entirely. The issues with the
left bud could be something
serious or you might have a bunch
of ear gunk clogging up the
speaker mesh. Pull the silicon tip
off and wipe it clean. A more
extensive cleaning with an earbud
and some isopropyl alcohol (on
the speaker mesh, not your ear)
might also be in order.

A

Q

C WHAT HE MEANS?

My boss is adamant that I
should use a USB-C-to-USB-C
charging cable for my devices.
Why? Gertrude
There’s an actual benefit
there – USB-C-to-USB-C
cables tend to work across device
types, meaning you only need
one (and the charge block). If the
cable (and your device) supports
it, speedier charging is also
possible. If, for example, you’re
using a Samsung phone, you’ll get
the maximum speed from the
cable (45W) while also having
enough headroom to charge a
MacBook or other notebook at
higher speeds.

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
96

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.

Ebikes & EV’s
Smarthome devices
Smartphones
Budget Smartphones
Tablets & streamers
TVs
Laptops
Budget Laptops
Smartwatches &
fitness trackers

88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96

VR headsets & games
Drones, action cams &
budget tablets
System cameras
Headphones
Wireless/smart speakers
Consoles/monitors
Games

97
98
99
100
101
102
103

WHERE
TO GET
THEM

88

1

1

Volvo XC40
P6 Recharge Plus

Orbea Rise

From R1. 1 million / cmhvolvocars.co.za

UPDATE

UPDATE

from R80 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

4

BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport

4

Audi RS e-tron GT quattro

5

2

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.

3

+++++R5.12 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.

NEW

5

UPDATE

+++++from R3.06 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.

+++++ 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.

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 160mm of confidenceinspiring 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.

Silverback S-Electro Elite Al 2

+++++from R80 000 / cyclelab.com
If you’re facing steep, rough, or technical
terrain, you’ll want to be on the Silverback
S-Electro Elite 2. A powerful Shimano EP8
motor and Darfon 720Wh battery will keep
you going for ages.

Titan Nitric Dash

+++++ 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

3

4

UPDATE

UPDATE

UPDATE

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
from R1 600 / smartspeakers.co.za

Google Nest Mini
R900 / geewiz.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

5
6
7
8
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 R43 000 / hirschs.co.za
A smart fridge controlled by LG’s Thinq app, with
wide-angle screen; knock twice to see inside.

Amazon Echo Show 15

+++++R7 600 / 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

90

1

TIPS &
TRICKS
Circle to Search lets you circle
anything from anywhere on
your screen, and it’ll direct you
to Google to learn more about
it. Or where you can get
yourself a pair of those shoes
Lady Gaga is wearing.

NEW

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
R30 000 / samsung.com/za

We’re only a few months into the year, and Samsung is already
dominating the Android flagship space. But you probably already
knew that didn’t you? Samsung’s 2024 crème de la crème – the
AI-wielding Galaxy S24 Ultra – turned up wearing a shiny new
titanium-adorned, straight-edged jacket, accompanied the
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 12GB of RAM. The display is about as
excellent as you’d expect and the 200MP main camera sensor is
even better. But unless Galaxy AI is the only thing on your bucket
list, you’ll probably fare better with something a little older.

Let Samsung’s Generative Edit
take over in your camera roll,
and it’ll help cut out the bits
you don’t want or fill in the bits
lacking a bit of flair.

Stuff says +++++
The best of the best doesn’t come cheap, and the
Galaxy S24 is the best.

Swap out that side key
shortcut. Out of the box, it’s
assigned Bixby functionality,
but fiddle around in Settings
and Advanced features and
you can make it a far more
useful assistant than Bixby
ever was.

2

O NOW ADD THIS
SAMSUNG GALAXY S24 ULTRA SHIELD CASE
Look, we don’t need to tell you that dropping the
equivalent of a few months’ rent is a bad idea. And
yet... here we are.
R700 / samsung.com/za

3

UPDATE

NEW

4

UPDATE

5
NEW

6

UPDATE

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

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.

It’s rare to see last year’s efforts
from Samsung so high up on this
list. But when last year’s tech is
donning the same Galaxy AI
wizardry that’s in the S24 line-up,
there’s never been a better time
to pick up some older hardware. It
helps that the Snapdragon 8 Gen
2 processor, 12GB of RAM and
200MP main camera sensor are
as excellent as ever. When the
price drops, of course.

From R32 600 / incredible.co.za

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

7

R29 600 / connecteddevices.co.za

Stuff says +++++
Retro-fitted Galaxy AI wizardry
make the S23 Ultra worth it
even when surrounded by
newer hardware.

UPDATE

UPDATE

8
9

NEW

10

Xiaomi 13T Pro

+++++ from R15 200 / tradeinn.com
Not the type to bow down to Apple or Samsung?
Xiaomi’s 13T Pro should suit you just fine.

iPhone 15 Pro

+++++ from R27 000 / incredible.co.za
It might be the middle child, but the iPhone 15 Pro will
do plenty of acting out to get your attention.

Samsung Galaxy S24

+++++ from R21 000 / incredible.co.za
The runt of Samsung’s latest litter will do its best to
tempt you with AI, a solid build and fair pricepoint.

iPhone 15

+++++ from R20 000 / incredible.co.za
Hey, it can’t play the new Assassin’s Creed, but it
does have USB-C. And Candy Crush.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

+++++ from R24 000 / samsung.com/za
The best flipper in the game just got a whole lot
smarter thanks to Galaxy AI.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

+++++ R14 000 / incredible.co.za
If you’re on a budget but don’t want to miss out on
Galaxy AI, pick up the S23 FE. You won’t regret it.

ROG Phone 8 Pro

+++++ R39 000 / zeekonline.co.za
Unmatched gaming prowess and even skills make
this a must-have for dedicated mobile gamers.

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

TOP TENS SMARTPHONES

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
from R7 500 / incredible.co.za

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 X9b

NEW

2

4

3
UPDATE

UPDATE

NEW

Samsung Galaxy A54

Samsung Galaxy A13

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.

R10 500 / incredible.co.za

5
6
7

+++++ R11 000 / cellucity.co.za
There’s a new guest of Honor in town, with a
brilliant 5 800mAh battery and near-indestructible
display. Pity about the orange, though.

Nokia C32

+++++ R3 100 / connecteddevices.co.za
One of the most affordable smartphones that
can run Netflix. That’s a win in our books.

Apple iPhone SE (2022)

+++++ R12 500 / takealot.com
Slightly more expensive than the last one
but a whole lot faster.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+

+++++ from R10 400 / connecteddevices.co.za
With a 200MP main camera sensor, you’ll be hardpressed to find a better budget-beater out there.

R4 600 / takealot.com

UPDATE

8
9

10

Tecno Spark 10 5G

+++++ from R3 500 / game.co.za
Expect a full day of battery life, great performance
overall, and an attractive rear panel.

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

+++++ 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
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

2

3
UPDATE

4
UPDATE

5

Apple iPad Air (5th Generation)

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

from R1 300 / takealot.com

2

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

UPDATE

Apple iPad (9th Generation)

UPDATE

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

+++++ from R7 000 / makro.co.za
The standard iPad remains as good as it has
been every year before.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite

+++++R3 300 / connecteddevices.co.za
The A7 Lite has much in its favour — solid build,
battery legs, decent screen, very decent price.

3

4
5

Apple TV 4K

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

DSTV Streama

R900 / 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

Google Chromecast 3.0

++++,from R900 / makro.co.za
Google’s Chromecast 3.0 is a solid option for
those looking to smarten up their TV.

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

It might be getting a little long in the tooth but
Samsung’s QN90B still provides ample viewing
pleasure for anyone looking for a set that ticks a
lot of boxes. Whether you’re an avid movie
watcher, fanatical sports fan, casual TV enjoyer,
or want to hook up the latest console (or gaming
PC), this TV still belongs on your shortlist. Its
biggest shortcomings are a lack of support for
Dolby Vision video content and DTS audio
formats. 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.

UPDATE

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

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

UPDATE

3

UPDATE

4
5
6

NEW

LG OLED65G3

Samsung 65QN800B

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

R62 000 / digitalexperience.co.za

7

R60 000 / expertstores.co.za
UPDATE

8
UPDATE

HOT UPDATE
BUY

9

10

O NOW ADD THIS Samsung Q/S-Series soundbar
Pairing your Samsung TV with one
of these is a stress-free way to
get object-based 3D sound.
from R5 000 / takealot.com

LG OLED48C3

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

TCL 55C755

+++++ R16 000 / incredible.co.za
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.

LG OLED55CS3

+++++ R21 000 / digitalexperience.co.za
This LG OLED isn’t as famous as its cousins but
somehow, it’s every bit as good.

TCL 65C835

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

Hisense 43A6K

++++, R8 000 / takealot.com
This Hisense 4K TV is light on features yet offers
surprisingly capable picture quality for the price.

Skyworth 50SUD9300F

++++, R5 800 / bobshop.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 R26 000 / incredible.co.za

The signs pointing to an M3 MacBook Air upgrade were
right. Apple has made it official for both the 13in and 15in
models. They are sporting extra power under the hood –
Apple claims a speed boost of 60% over M1 models – and
will slot into the M2 price bracket with the older models
receiving price cuts. The 13in M2-packing MacBook Air
continues to head our list for now but that may well change
once we have had a proper look at the M3 Air.

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

2

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2023)

4

3

UPDATE

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. Come for Asus’ OLED
panels if nothing else.

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.

NEW

7
8

UPDATE

9

UPDATE

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 R28 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 / takealot.com
The Surface 4’s successor is everything you’d
expect from Microsoft’s fifth generation.

Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 (2023)

+++++ R41 200 / wootware.co.za
The 2023 model comes with slight CPU
improvements and the same sleek design.

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

+++++ R40 000 / shopacer.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)

+++++ R23 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

BUDGET LAPTOPS TOP TENS

95

1

HOT NEW
BUY

Lenovo IdeaPad 1
(i3-1215U)
R21 000 / incredible.co.za

There will always be trade-offs with budget-focused laptops
– less memory or a less capable screen to keep the price in
check – yet this IdeaPad manages to offer impressive specs
(even though it pushes up against the ‘budget laptop’ limit
rather closely). The 12th-gen Intel Core i3 CPU offers decent
entry-level performance, 8GB of RAM means you’ll survive
opening an extra tab or two, the 15.6in FHD display won’t hurt
your eyes, and a 512GB SSD provides snappy storage.

Stuff says +++++
Nothing specific stands out as noteworthy but a
good-value package emerges when you assemble
the pieces this way.

TIPS &
TRICKS
Skip the first-use Microsoft
account creation shlep by using
‘no@thankyou.com’ as the
username with any password to
force local account creation.

2

NEW HOT
BUY

O NOW ADD THIS
Logitech M220 Silent Wireless Mouse
Long-term trackpad use is never fun. This wireless critter is
silent, so you won’t disturb anyone. Not even yourself.
R350 / incredible.co.za

Don’t forget to register
to claim an extra year
of warranty. You’ll be
sorry if you need it.

3

NEW

NEW

Acer Edu Spin 1 (N4000)

4

NEW

5
NEW

Packard Bell Barrichello C
(N4020)

Proline V146
(R7 5700U)

If sticking to a tight budget takes
precedence over performance, the
15in Packard Bell Barrichello
satisfies all the basic requirements
of being a laptop and still comes in
under five grand. It will handle basic
tasks like word processing or web
browsing with little fuss but 4GB of
RAM means you’ll need to watch
your tab count. The 256GB SSD
won’t have you waiting years for
Windows to start up and there’s a
large FHD display to keep you
entertained during study breaks.

If it’s bigger numbers you’re after,
the Proline V146 packing a Ryzen
7 5700U CPU trades points in
affordability for respectable multicore performance, 16GB of RAM
to delight chronic tab hoarders,
and a 512GB SSD for more quick
storage than you’d usually find in
this price bracket. Concessions
were made as far as the display
and available ports go but these
are agreeable casualties in the
quest for performance – even if
it’s budget performance.

Stuff says +++++
When your wallet is calling the shots,
the Barrichello is your ballistic vest.

Stuff says +++++
Leans more into performance than
affordability or versatility.

R4 000 / bash.com

NEW

R10 000 / incredible.co.za

NEW

6
7
8

NEW

9
NEW

10

+++++R7 000 / incredible.com
What it lacks in performance, it makes up for by
turning into a tablet while sticking under budget.

Asus Chromebook CX1 Flip (N4500)

+++++ R7 000 / computermania.co.za
This one also flips in half but instead of Windows,
you get ChromeOS. Still technically a laptop.

HP 250 G9 (N4500)

+++++ R5 900 / takealot.com
Like other Celeron-based machines, it’s the RAM,
SSD, and FHD display that stand out here.

Asus X515 (i3-1115G4)

+++++ R7 000 / computermania.co.za
If you can do without a FHD screen, the X515
performs respectably in nearly every other category.

Acer Aspire 3 (i3-N305)

+++++ R8 000 / takealot.com
The SSD, RAM, screen, and ports on offer make the
Aspire 3 a top budget contender.

Asus Vivobook GO (R3 7320U)

+++++R8 800 / takealot.com
This AMD-flavoured budget option holds its own
against the Intel models and even sports a
fingerprint reader.

Asus CR1 Chromebook (N4500)

+++++ R4 000 / computermania.co.za
If little Timmy needs a Chromebook but likes to drop
things, this is what you need.

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

TOP TENS SMARTWATCHES, FITNESS TRACKERS

1

TIPS &
TRICKS

HOT
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

96

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.

NEW

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.

UPDATE

NEW

4
5

Samsung Galaxy Watch6
Classic

From R10 000 / samsung.com/za
The rotating bezel is back, baby, as
is the Classic name Samsung
forewent in the last generation.
And we couldn’t be happier. It’s not
quite on the level of the first entry
on this list, but for half the price, we
wouldn’t expect it to be. It’s
repping a larger battery, smaller
bezels and an all new Exynos
processor with more smarts than
you can shake a wrist at.

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 best Galaxy Watch there is. Until
the Watch6 Pro releases, at least.

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

NEW

UPDATE

UPDATE

Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar Edition

+++++R20 000 / navworld.co.za
An impressive display of durability with some of
the best health-tracking in the game.

Garmin Fenix 6S

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

6

Apple Watch Series 9

7

Coros Apex 2 Pro

Garmin Epix (Gen 2)

From R19 000 / capeunionmart.co.za

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

8
9

10

+++++ 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.

Huawei Watch GT 4

+++++ R7 000 / huawei.co.za
Huawei’s newest Watch GT isn’t just a gorgeous
statement, it’s also packing some seriously good
health tech.

Amazfit T-Rex Pro

+++++R3 100 / futurama.co.za
Amazfit’s T-Rex Pro rocks up packing GPS, a
seven-day battery life and most importantly, a
reliable price.

Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro

+++++ R12 000 / samsung.com/za
Don’t let the 5 in the name throw you off. The
Watch5 Pro is still one of the best in Samsung’s
arsenal, even if there’s no rotating bezel to play with.

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VR HEADSETS & VR GAMES TOP TENS

Meta Quest 3

Half-Life: Alyx

Meta’s latest entry in the realm of virtual reality is upon us.
While it was once the fashion to sell a kidney or two to be able to
afford a half-decent rig, the Quest 3 does away with all that. It’s
by no means cheap, but it’ll stand on its own two feet, bringing
with it a comfortable fit, and some impressive onboard
processing. That’ll be the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip talking.
The 4K+ screen with 2 LCD displays at 2 064 × 2 208 pixels per
eye is nothing to scoff at either.

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 +++++
It’s no Vision Pro, but it’ll offer similar performance at a
seventh of the price.

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

from R15 500 / 180by2.co.za

PlayStation VR 2

UPDATE

R14 000 / game4u.co.za
Has Sony abandoned the PlayStation VR 2?
We hope it’s cooking some fresh titles up
that use the excellent controllers, 4K OLED
displays, and 120hz refresh rate.
Stuff says +++++
It may not be wireless, but it’s one of the best
PC-less VR headsets out there.
UPDATE

3

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

from R500 / Oculus Quest/Rift, Vive, Valve Index

2

3

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.

UPDATE

UPDATE

1

HOT
BUY

5

HTC Vive Focus 3 Kit

++++,from R35 100 / firstshop.co.za
Great hardware, but this one is only for
enthusiasts who aren’t interested in gaming.

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

1

1

NEW

HOT

GoPro Hero12 Black

Apple iPad 10.2 (9th Gen)

The Hero12 Black is a fantastic first action camera and a solid
upgrade for anyone with a Hero9 or earlier. GoPro has brought
back the same sensor first introduced on the Hero11 Black but
made it even easier to use, adding HDR video, a 1/4in tripod
thread, and Bluetooth mic recording to the mix. That's refined a
solid system – and while this isn't a low-light champ, its classleading stabilisation, upgraded audio, and pro features make this
the most accessible and well-rounded action cam around.

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 iteration rather than a revolution, this is a seriously
powerful and intuitive camera.

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

R11 000 / takealot.com

UPDATE

2
NEW

98

3

UPDATE

4
5

DJI Mini 4 Pro

From R7 500 / incredible.co.za

UPDATE

2

R27 500 / droneworld.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

Insta360 Go 3

From R10 700 / 180by2.co.za
If action cams are supposed to be lightweight
and portable, the Go 3 wins. Snap it into its
Action Pod when you want buttons, a
touchscreen or to boost battery life.
Stuff says +++++
Unbeatable versatility and impressive
performance for its size.

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

++++R79 000 / camerawarehouse.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.

NEW

3
UPDATE

4
UPDATE

5

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

R6 000 / digitalexperience.co.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.

Packard Bell Silverstone T18

from R4 900 / everyshop.co.za
Forget 19 inches of Venom – this is 10.5
inches of Packard Bell’s latest budget efforts,
rolled into a neat little package sporting 6GB
of RAM. Plus, there’s a 3.5mm audio jack.
Stuff says +++++
An attractive and lightweight solution that
won’t break the bank

Huawei MatePad SE

+++++R4 500 / consumer.huawei.com/za
Google might not be involved, but for this
price, Huawei’s MatePad SE is a solid pick.

Nokia T20

+++++ R4 600 / mhcworld.co.za
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) / ormsdirect.co.za
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

UPDATE

3

UPDATE

UPDATE

4
5
6
7

Sony A7 IV

Fujifilm X-H2S

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.

UPDATE
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
UPDATE
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

R52 000 (body) ⁄ ormsdirect.co.za

R37 450 (body) / fotodiscountworld.co.za

8
9

10

Sony A7C

+++++R35 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

+++++R50 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 / 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
Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony WF-1000XM5

R9 500 / incredible.co.za

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

3

4
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.

2

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

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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WIRELESS AND SMART SPEAKERS TOP TENS

HOT
BUY

Sonos Move 2

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

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

R13 000 / digitalexperience.co.za

NEW

1

2

UPDATE

R1 200 /geewiz.co.za

Bang & Olufson Beosound A5

Sonos Era 300

R27 000 / e-piphany.co.za
This magnificent speaker boasts a decent set
of features and impressive room-filling sound
that are only matched by its wallet-emptying
price. No, it’s not a picnic basket.
Stuff says +++++
If you have money to throw around, throw it
at this.

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

Sonos Era 100

R3 500 / metrohomecentre.com
Compact enough to take anywhere, it’ll
last 20 hours on a charge and it’s fully
waterproof too.

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.

Stuff says +++++
Sonos’ new all-round smart speaker champ

4

5

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

++++, 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.

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

HOT

102

1

UPDATE

NEW

Asus ROG Swift OLED
PG27AQDM

PlayStation 5 (Disc Edition)
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

UPDATE

Xbox Series X

NEW

ROG Ally

NEW

R15 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

3

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

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.

2

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

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

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).

3

2

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

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

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
Baldur’s Gate 3

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

Super Mario Bros. Wonder
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
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.

+++++ 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

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

+++++ 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

10

+++++ 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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Primal
screen
People griped that the 9in
display lacked colour – a bit
rich, given that the competition
at the time struggled to
even render something
approaching
WYSIWYG type.

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES 1984

Apple Macintosh
t’s the first brick of Apple’s
walled garden! A beige brick!
With a tiny screen!
It was also revolutionary: the
first successful all-in-one computer with
a built-in display, controlled with a mouse,
and with a graphical user interface rather
than a command line. As Apple saw it, the
company was defying conformity. Nowhere
was this more evident than in its launch
commercial, directed by Ridley Scott, which
featured an athlete sprinting past drone-like
workers before hurling a sledgehammer into
a TV screen depicting Orwell’s Big Brother.

I

Ironic, given Apple’s famous penchant for
control and locking things down…
Indeed. And the original Mac really was locked
down. It had no internal storage, just 128k
of RAM, a single disk drive that resulted in
constant swapping, no official upgradability,
a single-button mouse and no function or
arrow keys – lest developers avoid the GUI
and port existing PC apps to the platform
as-is. Presumably, the idea was you’d be
wowed at a new computing model and accept
the compromises. In reality, the first Mac was
underpowered and dismissed as a toy, and
suffered from poor software support.

Sounds awful. So how come Apple didn’t
die and is now a rampaging monster?
Because Apple was smart: it quickly released
far more capable (and somewhat upgradable)
models. Also, that original Mac really did offer
something new, attracting people previously
intimidated by computers. It appealed to
the masses – even if the price meant the
masses couldn’t afford one. And while it
wasn’t the first GUI-controlled computer,
it was the first that mattered… and made the
competition look like relics. The Macintosh
was flawed and secured only a fraction of the
market, but it defined an industry.

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