When you’re thinking about buying a new pair of headphones, I’d wager that a pair from Sony will undoubtedly come to mind. The tech giant is known for making some of the best headphones we’ve seen heard in the past decade.

In fact, Sony released the uber-premium 1000X The Collexion in May this year to celebrate that decade of being at the top of its audio game, while also giving it an uber-premium price tag to match. Roughly three months since their launch, they’ve received their first discount, bringing them down to a slightly more manageable AU$849 (down from AU$999) for a limited time.

Yes, that’s still a lotta money to throw at a set of headphones, but when Apple’s AirPods Max 2 — the Sony’s main rival — continue to prove popular and cost similar money, then there’s very much a case to be made for a pair from a company that’s been producing top-rated audio kit for over 75 years.

If you’re familiar with Sony’s other headphone exploits, such as the WH-1000XM6 that currently sit atop my guide to the best headphones in Australia, then I must stress that the 1000X Collexion are absolutely not the same pair in a new-look aesthetic.

Sony has gone to great lengths to ensure its latest pair justify their price tag, and that they do more than enough to compete with the AirPods Max 2, with an immediate win for being device-agnostic compared to Apple’s over-ears.

Elsewhere they sport impeccable touch controls, a 10-band custom equaliser and DSEE Ultimate technology for upscaling lower-quality song files up to 96kHz and 32-bit. This technology has previously only been found in Sony’s high-end portable music players, so it’s a big deal that it’s finally made its way into a pair of headphones. Noise cancellation is also excellent, as the Collexion uses the same 12-mic system found in the XM6 over-ears.

No product is perfect, mind you, and as our tester noted in his Sony 1000X The Collexion review that “there are some downsides, such as lower battery life, as well as the underwhelming 360 Upmix modes”.

On those two latter points: battery life is rated at 24 hours, which is down from the 30 hours of the XM6, but still more than the AirPods Max 2’s 20 hours, while the 360 Upmix mode — essentially spatial audio — seemed to have a negative effect on sound quality during our testing.

Listening experience is personal, however and, all things considered, the Collexion are still a fantastic set of headphones that I personally wouldn’t mind spending my own money on if I didn’t already use the Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless. I can’t be sure how long this limited-time discount will last, so if you’ve been keen to invest in Sony’s best, don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

I've been an avid PC gamer since the early 1990s. My first computer, bought specifically to play Star Wars: X-Wing, was a plucky 486DX running at 33MHz (cutting-edge at the time — well, only behind the 486DX2, but that was too pricey). I have fond memories of playing Doom on the office LAN and getting addicted to Quake when online gaming began (thanks to QuakeWorld, which made dial-up modem play viable as opposed to an utter lag-fest).

I could ramble on with nostalgic gaming recollections, but the point is I played Quake obsessively — to a high competitive level in a clan — then I lived and breathed EverQuest for several years, and down the line, I was totally lost in World of Warcraft for another few years, and so on.

I've always been a PC gamer, through and through — I did swear off MMORPGs, mind, as I can't be trusted not to lose large chunks of my life to them. From time-to-time, I've owned a console too, but it's always been by backup, second-string gaming machine, used sparingly.

Not anymore, though. My PC is now used just for work, and I haven't played a game on it for a year or so.

I am now, officially, a PS5 gamer. A console is my main gaming machine for the first time in my life. So, how did that happen?

A vow revoked and a lesson learned

If you happen to have read my past articles, you may recall that at the end of 2024, I vowed I wasn't going to buy a PS5 Pro last year. My masterplan was to avoid purchasing a new console, and use my gaming PC on the main TV in the living room for couch co-op sessions with my wife instead, while still being able to game in the study with my computer if I wanted.

Then came Black Friday in November of 2025, and I did a complete 180. I pulled the trigger on a good deal on a PS5 Pro bundle.

What changed during the course of 2025? Firstly, I realized that running cables from a PC in the study through to the living room TV is more of a hassle than I'd anticipated. Getting everything set up at the end of each week, ahead of my weekend gaming sessions, quickly became tiresome.

Moreover, I found my long HDMI cable wasn't reliable enough. The picture on my Sony OLED TV kept flickering, which was maddening, frankly. And for no apparent reason, too — sometimes it'd happen, sometimes it wouldn't. I never found out why. I also had occasional issues with my game controllers (typical PC hardware gremlins that were perfectly resolvable, but still a pain).

On top of that, having held off on buying a GPU upgrade for my PC — my plan for the money I would've spent on a PS5 (and did eventually spend on the console) — I was put off by issues around the RTX 5070 when it arrived. This was the graphics card I really had my eye on, but it was a disappointing incarnation in terms of its performance upgrade (and that 12GB of VRAM). The initial above-MSRP price only rubbed salt into these wounds.

The prices of AMD's rival GPUs were off-putting, too, in the early days of RDNA 4 — although that did change, and I came close to buying an RX 9070 XT when pricing finally settled down.

However, at that point, it was too late. I was already frustrated with my whole piping-the-PC-from-the-study situation, and by the time that Black Friday PS5 Pro bundle bargain popped up (it really was a great deal), I just couldn't resist.

I absolutely don't regret that decision, nor am I upset about buying a console with the money that was earmarked for upgrading my ailing RTX 2060 Super. That's not to say I don't miss some things about PC gaming, or that I'm not super-annoyed about Sony's latest stunt regarding discs.

I'm going to cover both sides of this gaming coin here. First, I'll tell you why I'm loving my time with the PS5 Pro now, before discussing what I don't like on the Sony side of the fence, and the clear, undeniable strengths of PC gaming.

PlayStation bliss

I did own a PS4 Pro before — as my second-string gaming device, backing up my PC — and it's striking just how much slicker the PS5 Pro is. For one thing, I found my PS4 Pro to be the noisiest console I've ever had, by far. It was noisier than any PC I've owned, and some vacuum cleaners for that matter.

The PS5 Pro is nicely quiet, super-fast to boot up, and more importantly to wake and sleep. This means it's dead easy to fire up the console for a very quick gaming session if I only have 10 minutes to spare and just want to dip into something briefly, or to pause a session (put the console in rest mode) if I need to pop out. It all feels very seamless, and there's not a snaking USB extension cable or HDMI lead in sight.

Visually, everything looks top-notch on my 4K OLED TV, too. Baldur's Gate 3 — yes, I was very late to the RPG — looked nothing short of fantastic, and the PS5 allowed me to play the adventure co-op with my wife in what was the best co-operative gaming experience I've ever had. Being able to dip in and out so easily, as we cooked dinner, then ate, then fed the dog, going back and forth to the living room in-between, was a major boon.

The PS5 has reminded me just how good couch co-op can be, and I've been enjoying indie games like Dysmantle, which has same-screen co-op (like Baldur's Gate 3). We've been playing a bunch of these games — it's the Diablo 4 expansions next, if you're curious (we played the base game on PS4, so I'm keen to see how good the game looks on its successor console).

The PS5 controllers were an unexpected bonus, too. They're so much better than the PS4, and they even fit my wife's smaller hands (she finds many controllers too big and painfully cumbersome, but not the DualSense).

Of course, a clear benefit of the PS5 over the PC is that there's no messing about with GPU drivers. By which I mainly mean poring through Reddit 'megathreads' worrying about whether the latest Game Ready installment is actually going to be a step backwards for my PC, perhaps in terms of performance for a particular game or bugs (or broken features). Windows 11 bugs are another issue, too. (Yes, there can be software glitches on the PlayStation, but nothing like what some PC gamers must endure at times.)

Then there's the RAM crisis. Buying PC components is just getting more and more painful. Obviously RAM and SSD prices are through the roof already, but PC gamers waiting on a GPU upgrade (as I was) are facing unpleasant hikes due to the price of video memory (VRAM). Indeed, the latest rumor from YouTube channel Hardware Unboxed is potential price hikes to the tune of 40% in some cases with Nvidia GeForce GPUs. Add plenty of seasoning with that assertion, of course, but it's clear enough that GPUs are getting pricier due to VRAM increases, especially for graphics cards loaded up with more of this memory (naturally). CPUs are in line to get more expensive, too.

The crisis in general is predicted to intensify as this year rolls on, and 2027 could be worse still — perhaps the worst ever year for the memory industry, alarmingly. With no need to upgrade my desktop, I'm glad to be out of this gloomy environment of spiraling costs. The situation has turned planning PC upgrade paths, which used to be a rather fun, sometimes even exciting, exercise, into a thoroughly depressing experience.

You might now be shouting at your screen about Sony hiking PlayStation prices, too, and that's a fair point. But I won't have to worry about upgrading my console, and it will happily sit in my living room for the next few years, blissfully not needing any new components (while my work PC can carry on happily with its RTX 2060 Super).

Granted, that's just my personal situation, and if you are thinking about buying a Sony console, with the new price of the PS5 Pro, I don't know if I'd recommend pushing for it over the vanilla PS5 now. (I got mine on sale for about 60% of the current lowest retail price). The base PS5 is still a great console, though, and it'll likely make a lot more sense for the average gamer — especially come Black Friday, when with any luck, there'll be some good deals around once again.

PC strong suits

There are a good number of plus points for PC gaming versus consoles, so as promised, I'll examine the other side of the equation here, and pick out what I particularly miss.

There are some notable downsides with console gaming, including that you need to pay for a subscription to access online multiplayer (in the main, although obviously that doesn't include free games like Fortnite). This doesn't bother me personally because I don't really play online anymore — as I said early, it's mostly about local co-op for me these days. But I totally get why having to pay for a monthly plan irks gamers who want to play the latest shooter, strategy epic, or whatever else, online.

What does bother me, though, is the price of the actual games on the PlayStation. One of the major strengths of the PC is that games are cheaper than they are on console, from big-name releases (which still command a weighty premium... just not as hefty as on consoles) through to a raft of indie titles, which are often very competitively priced.

Not only this, but you get regular Steam sales where some games get huge discounts (and you can pick up older titles in particular for a song), or value-crammed GOG bundles, and also the likes of Epic giving away some compelling offerings for free. You don't get any of this on the PlayStation, and Sony's store does seem to like to charge a lot, even for older titles. For me, this is probably the biggest drawback with shifting over to being a PS5 gamer.

A recent development compounded the situation, too, when we learned that Sony is doing away with physical discs for the PlayStation. I was already aware of the situation with the price of PlayStation games, of course, which is why when I bought my PS5, I chose a bundle with a disc drive.

That meant I could pick up, for example, the physical disc copy of Split Fiction for 40% less than the digital copy on the PlayStation Store. I can also currently purchase second-hand, older games on disc at a considerable saving. But all these possibilities are heading rapidly out the window when 2028 rolls around, and Sony enacts its plan to push physical media completely aside with the PlayStation.

I won't go into this controversy in depth here – we've covered it extensively elsewhere — but suffice it to say that I'm not happy about the idea at all, and it feels like a cynical and generally anti-consumer practice. And no matter how many gamers sign petitions (here have been a lot) it doesn't seem like Sony is going to backtrack on this one (aside from maybe niche collector's editions or the like, and if we're lucky enough to get those, they will of course cost a fortune).

You could argue that the PC is digital-only already: desktops don't come with disc drives anymore, those days are long gone. But what Sony is doing is quite different, given that PC gaming is an open platform bristling with different stores and options for digital purchases, whereas Sony has the PlayStation ecosystem locked down to its store. With physical media banished, a key choice and avenue for money-saving (don't forget, you can also recoup money by selling on your disc copy of a game) is removed, and Sony has an unhealthy level of control over the whole shooting match.

Okay, so I don't feel like the PlayStation disc drive I bought is useless — it'll be good for a long while yet, and I'll still be able to play older games on it, including my PS4 back catalog, plus I can use it for Blu-rays. Regardless, this Sony decision is a painful kick in the shin.

Finally, another obvious plus point for PC gaming is the variety of mods floating around and customization possibilities in general, which you don't get with a console. The PC is quite simply a more open platform all-round — although in my case, modding isn't something that I'm all that into anyway.

Disc-less Elysium

Let me finish by pointing out the obvious: a lot of this is very subjective. You may have quite different opinions. You might live and breathe mods. You might want games to look out-of-this-world, with visual options cranked to the max (and be able to afford the necessary PC hardware to achieve that). You may never want to play a shooter without a mouse and keyboard (I get that one, but I'm okay with a controller now — and I don't play competitively anymore).

You may never, ever, abandon your gaming PC. They may have to extract it from your cold, hardened claws after rigor mortis has set in, having expired clutching the object you love most in the world, in the hopes somehow taking it with you into the afterlife.

The point is, there are all sorts of pros and cons to be tailored for your own personal take on the gaming PC versus console debate. But for me, I'm really happy with my PS5 and I am looking forward to enjoying my living room, and co-op, gaming experiences for years to come... discs or no discs.

When Sony announced that it would no longer be producing physical PlayStation discs from 2028, the response was not positive, to put it lightly. Yes, PC gaming may now be almost entirely digital, and things have certainly been moving in a similar direction with consoles over the last few years, but ceasing production of physical games entirely? It’s a significant step many didn’t want to happen so soon.

PlayStation fans have been vocal in calling out the negatives of Sony’s decision, specifically what this means for game ownership, preservation, and collectors who enjoy buying physical. The company has been reticent to address the backlash, but the comments section of every blog entry, social media post, or trailer release since the announcement is full of anger, pleas to reverse the decision, and glib remarks at Sony’s expense.

For anyone, like myself, who has enjoyed building a collection of physical games over the years across multiple console generations, it’s devastating news.

And I don’t think Sony’s refusal to address any of the feedback is helping matters. Yes, we’ve seen fan uproar dissipate into nothingness with countless hot-button issues in a matter of days in the past — but the vociferous fans don’t appear to be going away right now.

But I think some companies aren’t letting physical games go anywhere either.

A new challenger approaches

“What we've seen and what I have taken from all of the discourse is that there is an incredible passion for physical games and other physical objects. The digital space can never provide the same kind of satisfaction that people get from a tangible good.”

This is the view of Amanda White, co-founder of iam8bit. After starting out hosting pop culture workshops, the company has since produced countless pieces of video game merch and memorabilia over the past 20 years, as well as vinyl releases for popular soundtracks and physical editions for games across several platforms. Yes, they have standard boxed releases for games on PS5, Xbox, and Switch, but the company truly stands out for its jam-packed and reverential physical collector’s editions.

Scroll through the store now, and you’ll see a copy of Lies of P that comes with a wood-carved and hand-crafted marionette puppet, a Blue Prince bundle that includes printed versions of two memorable picture books from the game, and a The Outer Wilds set featuring a traveller’s bag and a replica of Chert’s bandana.

If you’ve played and are a fan of any of those games, you’ll immediately understand the connection between the extras that are included and the game itself, and why people are willing to part with their cash to own something that they can add to a collection, display at home, or carry around with them.

“We started to realise that there was something that people saw as incredibly valuable in these tangible goods,” Amanda explains of the company’s origins. “These unique tangible goods held memories for them that related to these community experiences they were having.

“So, we want to put in the extraordinary effort required to get the gasps of delight when something lands in someone's mailbox and they open it and experience it for the first time.”

Let's get physical

It’s the same fan passion that drives Limited Run Games: a similar outfit that’s published over 1,000 physical and digital game releases since its inception in 2015. Its motto, ‘Forever Physical’, defines the exact mindset of the PlayStation fans who are disappointed with Sony’s pivot to a fully digital future and what’s lost by moving in this direction.

“I think you're losing a key part of the experience, right?” suggests Brendan Madigan, CFO and General Manager at Limited Run. “Because, obviously, the actual media is a key part of that, and I think that's where we, at Limited Run, have a responsibility to our fans to innovate and to improve the experience.”

“I think where our fans have been clear in what they want is that they want collectible products that hold value, and they want the product to be an experience,” he continues. “I’ve always viewed our product as different from a retail offering anyway, because it's highly collectable, it’s very curated, with tonnes of added features and pack-ins to it. The delivery mechanism will always change…but nothing changes about the core experience that the collector wants to have.”

It comes down to the fact that the physical offering from the traditional industry has only grown more sparse over the years. Open a PS5 or Nintendo Switch game box now and you’re more often than not presented with the sad sight of a lonely disc or tiny cartridge set into an empty expanse of plastic. You’re lucky if you get a quick start guide, or a sheet of paper with a DLC code. A full manual? You must be joking.

Similar to iam8bit, the store pages of Limited Run are filled with physical game releases that span the entire range of consoles and generations — from bulky NES cartridges to the slim cases of Nintendo Switch titles.

The products that stand out most, again, are the most recent limited edition launches, with games like Tomb Raider, Silent Hill, and Star Wars Zero Company in beautiful presentation boxes that are filled with soundtrack CDs, trinkets, posters, and other unique extras relevant to the game or its universe.

Sales figures discussed by analysts might paint a grim picture for physical releases, but iam8bit and Limited Run both emphasize just how quickly some of their releases sell out — and how even restocks of older products that were brought back by fan demand are scooped up in no time. The audience and the demand do not appear to be shrinking from their perspective.

Digital is inevitable, but there is hope

As for fans signing petitions trying to convince Sony to reverse its decision, Limited Run’s Chief Operating Officer, Nic Ashford, is unfortunately not hopeful for the outcome they're seeking, but does see what they're standing for as an opportunity.

“Look at the numbers; they're not going to change, they're not going to go back. They can't afford to and it doesn't make sense. But that doesn't mean a company like Limited Run couldn't come in and say, look, we certainly know that 350,000 people want you to keep this going, and it could go up. How about working with us to come up with a solution that works?

“We've got to find the right solution for the number of people who are out there in the minority who still buy physical product,” says Nic. “Some might say, outside the industry, that’s a somewhat flawed business model. But, in fact, it isn't, because those people who seek that type of product will always seek that product out.”

He likens it to this wider push, primarily from younger generations, who want to reconnect to the physical world in our increasing digital age. In the same way that 4K Blu-ray, CDs, and, of course, vinyl, are all in various states of resurgence, it seemed inevitable that video games would also be swept up in this growing demand for and appreciation of physical goods.

“We have, over the last couple of years, set this company up in preparation for this moment,” continues Nic. “Physical is something that we’re intrinsically involved in, and we've been aware that this was going to be coming for several years — practically over a couple of decades. So, we focused on making things more of an experience for the fans and adding value.

“They are actively going out and seeking a connection with something real, something you can hold, something you can touch, and that you can own. That's encouraging. Today's generation and the next generation of physical buyers are going to be people who have that or grow into that, but they'll have a component of nostalgia in there as well.”

Blowing on the cartridge is here to stay

Nostalgia brings me nicely onto another aspect of why physical games are so important to many — one that grows even more important as gaming and console generations keep moving forward. Preservation.

If you buy a game digitally, then there’s the fear that it could disappear and no longer be accessible at any moment. Sure, Sony isn’t going to turn off PS5 game downloads any time soon, but the PlayStation Store on the PS3 and PS Vita is about to close.

And while the company has promised downloads will be possible “for the foreseeable future,” there’s always the thought in the back of your mind that, eventually, they’ll switch it off for good.

So, being able to scan your shelf or dive into a box and find that old copy of something you’ve been craving to play is clearly a driving factor for many physical game buyers — be it a rare PS1 cult classic like Parasite Eve 2, a slightly dusty but incredibly valuable Conker’s Bad Fur Day N64 cart, or a copy of Pokémon Red on the Game Boy that you last remember playing by the light of streetlamps in the back of a car.

One company whose goal is to preserve classic games and ensure you can play them as authentically as possible is ModRetro.

It started by launching the Game Boy-inspired Chromatic and just recently launched the M64, a modern take on the Nintendo 64 that I found was a terrific way to play that console’s games in 2026.

“We wanted to basically design these exactly with this core intention to preserve the authenticity of the gameplay experience,” explains ModRetro CEO Torin Herndon. “That's also why we publish games and re-release games, too. In terms of retro games, the collecting of them is a bigger thing than the playing of them, and one of the goals of ModRetro is to make those games playable again and make them accessible again.”

Original Game Boy and Nintendo 64 cartridges are simply slotted into the Chromatic or the M64 as you would with any standard version of the respective console.

And while some modern quality-of-life touches make things easier or smoother compared to the classic consoles, you’re effectively playing the exact same physical game that you may have owned for years or picked up in a second-hand store earlier that day. With a digital-only future upon us, that won’t be possible.

“The thing that's upsetting to people on the surface is this idea of ownership: that if you don't physically own a game where the game is on physical media, it can easily lose support at any moment. It can effectively be taken away from you in some sense,” says Torin in response to the reaction to Sony’s announcement. “And given that you paid AAA prices for some of these games, that is not a super consumer-friendly option.

“Obviously, these companies don't have a choice but to move away from physical media, because the overall business model of these companies is kind of reliant on having moved away from them in the first place. Most of the physical media that you can buy is actually just a key that allows you to unlock the game and download it.

"That’s another thing that I think is interesting, maybe more interesting even than ownership, is that back in the day these games were baked onto physical media and were more reliably baked before you bought it.”

Overcoming tech challenges

That’s less of an issue when we’re discussing the Game Boy and Nintendo 64 games that ModRetro is focused on, but there will come a point when these same conversations will be happening about more modern games that are reliant on day-one updates and DLC.

The topic is big enough for a different discussion entirely, but it’s a challenge that companies like iam8bit and Limited Run Games also need to be aware of with physical media in the modern era.

Jon Gibson, co-founder of iam8bit, responds to this by saying: “We've been on the side of positivity always, and we're looking at this from a perspective of, OK, you can't change what you can't change. But how can we pivot to embrace what we do so well and to give fans things that they will enjoy and cherish and love in that physical form?

“We hope that 20 years from now, 30 years from now, 50 years from now, people are going to find a copy of a game, or a record, or a CD that we minted that they had never heard of and they give it a shot. They pop it into their console, or they put it on the record player. That's really exciting to think about that we helped to give that thing staying power, whereas, otherwise, it might be deleted digitally when a licence expires.”

That optimism is echoed by Amanda. “As John said, we're going to lean into this aspect of what we already do and have been doing for 20 years, and we'll continue to do it. If that means we need to pivot a little bit so that we're making goods that are sitting beside PlayStation products, rather than direct physical PlayStation games, then we'll do that. We’ll still do our best to make those fans happy and build a robust experience around the IP they love.”

What’s clear speaking to iam8bit, Limited Run Games, and ModRetro is that the passion for games is there in abundance, as is the drive to provide their fans of today and in the future with ways to experience and enjoy the games they love in a physical form, not just as the ones and zeros they’re made from.

In 2025, Hisense introduced RGB mini-LED to the market and since then, most TV brands have thrown their hat into the RGB TV ring. TCL, Samsung, LG and Sony are major names who have adopted the new technology, which was dubbed as being a potential ‘OLED killer’, thanks to boasting higher brightness and bolder colors, and claiming to deliver black tones to rival the best OLED TVs.

One of those new TVs has just entered our lab: the Sony Bravia 7 II. The more affordable model of Sony’s RGB TVs, sitting below the flagship Sony Bravia 9 II, the Bravia 7 II is priced fairly similarly to rival mid-range OLEDs. So, I decided to see how the Bravia 7 II would fare against the five-star LG C6, one of the best TVs I’ve tested in 2026 so far.

For these tests, both TVs were set to their respective, out-of-the-box Filmmaker Modes. For the Bravia 7 II, this was called Professional in SDR/HDR, and Dolby Vision Dark when displaying Dolby Vision content. On the LG C6, it's just the Filmmaker Mode.

Colors

Starting with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, both the Bravia 7 II and C6 demonstrated excellent color reproduction. In the opening scenes, the Lumas’ colors are richer and deeper on the C6, whereas they were brighter on the Bravia 7 II, which worked well for highlights on screen such as when Rosalina uses her wand.

While most colors were a bit punchier on the C6, I did find that yellows and golds actually appeared more vibrant and eye-catching on the Bravia 7 II, shown by the light from the fire reflecting in Rosalina’s hair and face.

Later scenes showed that the C6 had much bolder reds, shown in Mario’s hat and overalls. The C6’s colors also looked more accurate for the most part to me, though during an early scene where Mario and Luigi ride through the desert, I was drawn to the Bravia 7 II’s warmer color tone, with the desert sand looking more true-to-life on the Bravia 7 II, whereas it looked too red on the C6.

There was no denying though the C6’s color handling allowed for more texture and saturation within them, which worked well for this animation.

Moving to a movie with some real-life elements, Speed Racer, both TVs did a great job reproducing the movie’s over-saturated, cartoonish color profile. The ’60s-inspired, often-garish color of people’s outfits and the decor of the Racer family home really popped on both screens. S

imilar to Mario Galaxy, the C6 demonstrated deeper, bolder colors, while the Bravia 7 II showed brighter colors. In the scene in the park where Speed first meets Trixie when they’re both children, the red of Trixie’s dress is punchier on the C6, but the green grass is more vivid on the Bravia 7 II.

In some instances, the Bravia 7 II’s colors did look a little washed out, bordering on too-pale, which was exaggerated by comparing it directly to the C6’s color depth. Reds appeared slightly orange on the Bravia 7 II compared to the C6, a similar story to what happened when I compared the Samsung S95/S99H with the G6, with the former showing orange-tinted reds.

Still, color reproduction is one of the selling points for RGB TVs, and while I felt that the Hisense UR8 (that company's own more affordable RGB mini-LED TV) didn’t stack up that well for color against the Samsung QN80H standard mini-LED when I tested the UR8 and QN80H side-by-side, the Bravia 7 II is putting up a solid fight against the LG C6 OLED (which is a superior TV to the QN80H).

Contrast/dark room viewing

The Batman is something of a torture test for TVs due to its low brightness, which means dark tones can look inaccurate. While OLEDs do a better job displaying it generally, recent models such as the LG G6 have over-brightened the dark tones at times — but the C6 has always handled it well, so it's a great test against the Bravia 7 II.

Watching scenes from the Batcave early in the movie, both TVs demonstrated strong contrast with a great balance between light and dark tones. The C6 had a higher perceived contrast as its black tones were much deeper, thanks to OLED’s pixel-dimming abilities, which meant the dark surroundings that contrasted with the overhead lights and lights from Bruce’s equipment create a higher dynamic range.

Still, the Bravia 7 II demonstrated strong backlight control, better than almost any standard mini-LED TVs I’ve tested this movie on. I also praised the Hisense UR8 for this, so it certainly looks like RGB TVs have unlocked better contrast and dark area control for LED TVs.

In the subway fight scene, the C6 once again proved to have the better black tones, accurately capturing the gloomy tone of the film. However, on the Bravia 7 II, more details such as Batman’s armor and the texture of the back wall were legible, thanks to showing them in slightly higher brightness (more on that in a while), compared to the C6.

The C6 itself showed the occasional sign of black crush compared to the Bravia 7 II. For out and out contrast though, I preferred the C6’s look, but the Bravia II was impressive.

Watching in a dark room, the C6 has the benefit of no backlight, meaning there was no ‘cloud’ effect, where a backlight is obvious over a dark scene. While the Bravia 7 II did show the odd moment of clouding, again it showed excellent backlight control compared to the competition.

There was also very little blooming in the scenes I tried; it only became obvious when a bright menu appeared on the bottom of the screen. Even the Bravia 7 II’s viewing angles were solid, not showing anywhere near the level of blooming a standard mini-LED TV would when watched way off-angle.

I decided to try one final black level test, using the scenes of space from Alien: Romulus. As expected, the C6’s black levels were inky and deep, delivering strong contrast against the stars.

Again though, the Bravia 7 II’s black levels were very good for a backlit TV, although there was some graying on occasion.

I did notice more blooming on the Bravia 7 II in this film however, most prominently whenever bright, white text appeared against black backgrounds. Still, the Bravia 7 II fared better with this movie than I thought.

Brightness

I'm about to get into brightness measurements, but there's a caveat. For my testing, I profile a Klein K-10A colorimeter and Jeti Spectral 15VA spectroradiometer for the best accuracy — and for some reason, I could not get the two’s Delta-E results to line up completely when preparing to measure the Bravia 7 II.

The same equipment worked fine with other TVs when I checked it, so it suggests there’s something odd with the 55-inch Bravia 7 II unit I tested, or perhaps with the way the equipment interacts with it.

Before my full review, we’re getting a different, 65-inch unit in, and I will measure it again — however, I'll provide the measurements I took so far for reference, because while the Delta-E wasn't perfect, it wasn't too far off, so they should be instructive. (And the LG C6 measurements have no issues.)

Brightness results for these two TVs are actually quite surprising. In Filmmaker Mode, the C6 registered 1,427 nits of peak HDR brightness in a 10% window, while the Bravia 7 II registered 1,218 nits peak HDR brightness in its equivalent Professional mode. I was surprised to see that the C6’s peak brightness was higher, as I thought an RGB mini-LED would hit much higher numbers than an OLED.

Looking at fullscreen HDR brightness (a 100% window), this is where the real difference lies. The C6 hit 247 nits in Filmmaker Mode, while the Bravia II registered 957 nits in Professional mode. This is a huge difference — this is the area where mini-LED in general trump OLEDs, though 957 nits is especially high, even

Seeing how this translates into real-world viewing, it shows mostly in bright scenes or scenes with a lot of white. Watching snow scenes from the Spears & Munsil demo footage, a shot of some horses in heavy snowfall is significantly brighter on the Bravia 7 II compared to the C6, giving it a more realistic look.

Another shot of a cliffside during the daytime again looks much brighter on the Bravia 7 II compared to the C6. As the cliff takes up a large portion of the image, the Bravia 7 II, which is brighter in measured areas like 50%, 75% and 100% compared to the C6, means the image looks brighter overall on the Bravia 7 II.

In scenes from Speed Racer, the C6’s peak brightness means white highlights look glossier, such as on the shell of the Mach 5, and colors have more punch in highlight areas, such as the red M on Speed’s helmet. But as the Bravia 7 II has higher fullscreen brightness, the picture does look brighter overall on the Bravia 7 II.

Finally, using a scene in the white-sanded desert from Lawrence of Arabia, this is one movie where the C6 and Bravia 7 II are much closer in brightness in real-world movies. As Lawrence rests on a rock, the sands behind him look punchier on the C6. His metallic watch had slightly more pop too, although this was minimal.

When the sands take up more of the screen, as a stranger approaches Lawrence and his guide, the C6 once again had higher perceived brightness for me.

In this instance, it seems to be related to both TVs color profiles. The Bravia 7 II’s warmer color tone, giving it the brown/orange tint you expect from this type of picture mode, blends more with the desert, whereas the C6’s red tone gives the desert a little more pop.

In terms of bright-room viewing, where you're contending with reflections, the Bravia 7 II is better overall, although the C6 does handle brighter scenes well, such as the ones from Lawrence of Arabia.

With darker movies, the Bravia 7 II is the better option, but it is still prone to mirror-like reflections (the Bravia 7 II doesn’t have the same anti-glare screen as the step-up Bravia 9 II). However, they weren’t as noticeable as the mirror-like reflections from the C6’s even glossier screen.

A step forward, but not quite there yet

Whenever I’ve compared standard mini-LED and OLED, OLED has often come out on top, thanks to its richer black tones and contrast, more refined image and deeper, bolder colors. RGB has been touted as the latest big rival to OLED, and the Bravia 7 II gives the C6 OLED a really good fight.

When smaller RGB TVs first joined the market this year, with the tech itself only arriving in 2025, I thought prices would be inflated. While the C6 is the better priced TV right now, with a 55-inch model costing $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,995, a Bravia 7 II isn’t priced too differently, with a 55-inch model costing $1,799 / £1,799 / AU$2,995. (Though LG TVs tend to get more aggressive discounts than Sony TVs, so LG might retain the edge over time.)

For now, the C6 is still the TV I recommend between these two, because it offers the crisper look, bolder colors and more dynamic contrast I’m looking for, as well as a cheaper price. But, there’s a lot to like about the Bravia 7 II and if this is a sign of what’s in store for RGB TVs as the tech develops, OLED will need to watch its back.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

Try our TV size and model finder! You tell it how far you sit from your TV, we'll tell you what size to buy based on viewing angle advice from image quality experts, and we'll recommend our three top TVs at that size for different prices.

Gaming is edging closer towards a divisive new normal, with Sony set to stop releasing physical game discs for PlayStation consoles in 2028, and Rockstar Games announcing that physical copies of Grand Theft Auto 6 will come with a download code in the box, rather than a disc.

Unsurprisingly, gamers attached to their physical media aren’t happy with either development, and the backlash online has been fierce, with PlayStation’s social media posts being met with furious demands for Sony to reverse course.

Sony’s plans, and the fact that Microsoft is seemingly set to follow suit, also mean GTA 6, one of the most anticipated games of all-time, likely won’t ever be available as a physical copy.

I spoke with Katarzyna Jakubiec, the chief business officer at G2A, an online marketplace that provides digital game keys. She told me that interest in PlayStation Store gift cards was already at record levels on the site before Sony’s and Rockstar's announcements, and GTA 6 pre-order openings have only further highlighted that trend.

G2A has become an increasingly popular way for players to save big on purchases as one of the few options for cheaper digital games. However, Jakubiec makes it clear that both physical and digital formats are pivotal in gaming.

"GTA 6 pre-orders have reinforced a trend we were already seeing rather than changing the market overnight," Jakubiec said. "During the pre-sale period, PlayStation gift card purchases on G2A reached record levels and continue to grow as anticipation for the launch builds, showing that many players are planning their purchases well ahead of release rather than waiting until launch day.

"While more players are embracing digital formats for the flexibility and convenience they offer, it's equally clear that physical copies continue to mean a great deal to many gamers, whether that's because of ownership, collection, or simply the experience of buying a physical game.

"We don't see this as an either-or conversation, and in an ideal world, people should have the choice to buy games in the format that suits them best. Physical and digital both have an important place within gaming, and different people will always have different preferences."

Unfortunately, that's not how Sony sees it; in fact, Sony's stance aligns with the idea that more consumers are purchasing more games digitally, as it makes the controversial decision to end game discs based on 'shifting trends in consumer preference', suggesting that physical game copies are becoming obsolete.

However, the reaction online and from key game industry figures like Dan Houser (Rockstar Games co-founder), who is no longer working at the game studio, indicate that gamers aren't, and frankly, never will be, done with physical game copies — and Jakubiec believes it's why figureheads within the industry need to adhere to players' different preferences.

"The reaction has been just as telling as the decision itself," she adds. "It highlights how passionate and diverse the gaming community is, and why major industry decisions need to consider the different ways people choose to buy, own, and experience their games.

She says that whether Sony decides to reconsider its plans is "ultimately for them to determine" — which seems unlikely, given that Sony has so far refused to reverse its decision, and shows no sign of changing its mind.

Jakubiec adds, "Whatever direction the industry takes, moments like this reinforce the need to listen to players and communicate those decisions clearly."

• Nearly 400 4K Blu-ray users shared info about player problems
• There's a huge gap between the best and worst in the poll
• Panasonic will be happy; Sony not so much

One of the things I like best about Reddit is the way people share their experiences of particular products: whether it's a kitchen knife, a portable AC or a Gibson guitar I know I'll be able to find sage advice on what to buy and what to watch out for. And now the good people of r/hometheater have come together to talk about the best 4K Blu-ray players and their reliability.

The poll was carried out by r/hometheater poster "requieminadream" and generated nearly 400 responses — almost double the number of previous poll respondents — from r/4KBluray, r/Bluray, r/PhysicalMediaMatters, the AVS Forums, and the Blu-ray.com forums. And there are some very clear differences between different firms' Blu-ray devices.

Requieminadream very kindly summarized the results in a sentence: "The Sony UBP-X700 is still the problem child, the Panasonic DP-UB820 is still champ, and the pricey UB-9000 posted the cleanest numbers (small sample though)."

But there were some interesting discoveries in the detail too, so it's definitely worth looking at if you're considering a pre-owned 4K Blu-ray player purchase, or just which one seems to make people the happiest long-term.

The 4K Blu-ray Standalone Player Reliability Poll numbers ARE IN! from r/hometheater

Which 4K Blu-ray players are the best?

One of the reasons I like Reddit wisdom is because with few exceptions, reviewers can't spend years with the products they test — so the reviews of my car don't know about the software issues that drive me wild and sometimes require a reboot at traffic lights, and the reviews of my router don't know about its tendency to misbehave every few weeks.

It's the same with Blu-ray players: even the most in-depth review won't be able to tell you if a player's likely to pack up in year two or three. (Though one exception is our Panasonic DP-UB820 review, written by our TV Hardware senior writer James Davidson, because he wrote us a fresh review based on combining using it in our test room and having used it daily for several years beforehand.)

But in general, polls like this are a brilliant resource.

By a large margin, the Panasonic DP-UB820 is the community's favored player: 43.4% of respondents have one, and its problem rate was around half that of the Sony UBP-X700. The rate of serious issues was very low, at just 8% — backing up what James had said, when he called it "the workhorse of the 4K Blu-ray player world".

The "problem child" that emerged from this latest poll is the Sony UBP-X700. Of the 103 Sony users, some 77.7% reported some issues over time; recurring and/or serious issues were 23%. The number one complaint is freezing during triple-layer transitions, which is something that has long been discussed on Blu-ray forums.

The poll shows another interesting pattern, which is problems over time. For the Sony, issues became more common over time — but for the Panasonic the pattern was of any failures showing up early, but better long-term reliability.

The other players in the survey came in between the two extremes, but some of the best results were from "other" players including games consoles and more niche Blu-ray products.

Satisfaction with those products was exceptionally high, with the PS5 getting a significantly higher rating than the Xbox. That's all the more striking given the Sony X700's performance: the PS5 is a more premium product and that seems to be reflected in its reliability — alas, we shouldn't expect any more PlayStations to arrive with a disc player.

I should make clear, as the original Redditor did, that in some cases the sample sizes for ownership in these polls is pretty low, so we should take the results with a pinch of salt. However, the Panasonic UB820 and the Sony X700 were the best-represented, and are the two most popular players, so their data is arguably the most useful anyway.

• Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot says Sony's plan to end physical game disc production won't have a major impact on the industry
• Guillemot says there are pros and cons to the decision
• He says, "I think it will not disturb the industry too much"

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot doesn't think Sony's decision to retire the production of physical game discs will have a considerable impact on the industry.

Guillemot's comment comes from an earnings call following the release of its first-quarter 2026-27 sales (via VGC), during which the CEO was asked if Sony's plan to end disc production starting January 2028 could have a positive or negative effect on the future of the games industry.

While many disagree with Sony's decision, and some analysts predict it will endanger the $7.2 billion second-hand game market, Guillemot doesn't believe it will have a major impact on the industry at large.

Bold statements

"What we saw on the PC is that it helped to grow the market," Guillemot said. "There’s also some pressure for the future on the cost of machines, and being able to be only digital will help to have a more accessible machine, I would think.

"As you said, there are pluses and minuses, but I think it will not disturb the industry too much."

Sony announced its plan earlier this month and saw overwhelming backlash from fans. According to Wedbush Securities managing director of strategic planning Michael Pachter, Sony's plan to phase out discs in two years is now a threat to the used game market.

"Realistically, at least one-third of games have been sold historically as used, and the games that were sold also provided currency to the gamer who traded them in as cash to pay for new games," Pachter said. "Brick and mortar game retail is doomed."

Sega president Shuji Utsumi has also addressed the controversy and said that while the digital shift is "crucial," the company still understands the importance of physical media.

Similarly, former Nippon Ichi Software CEO Sohei Niikawa understands the decision "from a purely business perspective" but says physical editions are still "very important" to fans.

"If they’re going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware too," Niikawa said. "A television would be enough. Why would you need the console? If you’re going to get rid of physical games, you may as well go all the way."

• Sega president Shuji Utsumi has addressed Sony's decision to end the production of game discs
• Utsumi says, "We still value the culture of physical media," but "a digital shift is crucial"
• He adds, "It is important to strengthen our digitalisation" in the current market

Sega president Shuji Utsumi has addressed the controversy surrounding Sony's decision to end the production of game discs in 2028, acknowledging the importance of physical media but that the digital shift is "crucial."

In a recent interview with Japanese publication Famitsu (via Eurogamer), Utsumi explained that the digital market needs to be cultivated and Sega believes in bolstering digitalisation.

"When it comes to titles we call 'full games' for consoles and PCs, we believe that a digital shift is crucial," Utsumi said. "Of course, consoles are important, but the proportion of people who play on PCs is steadily increasing. Even in areas where consoles are not widely available, there are many people who say, 'I can play it on PC.'"

He added, "In order to cultivate that market, we believe it is important to strengthen our digitalisation. We tend to think from a physical perspective, so I think we need to be more digitally conscious and become more global."

Utsumi then touched on Sega's hardware history, saying that while it isn't in the console market anymore and now primarily publishes games, the company hasn't forgotten its roots and the importance of physical media.

"We were originally a platform provider, and of course, we still value the culture of physical media," the president said. "Rather than completely abandoning that, we are currently challenging ourselves to shift so that we can think about and act on the important aspects of digital media in parallel."

Sony announced its plan to retire new physical discs earlier this month, explaining that the transition to all-digital games "will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today."

PlayStation fans continue to push back against the decision, but analysts believe the company won't change its mind.

It's also said that the $7.2 billion second-hand video game market could be in danger as a result of Sony's decision, with Wedbush Securities managing director of strategic planning, Michael Pachter, reporting that "Brick and mortar game retail is doomed."

Elsewhere, Former Nippon Ichi Software CEO has objected to the plan, saying that while he understands it "From a purely business perspective," Sony doesn't "understand the feelings of those fans."

"If they’re going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware too," he said. "A television would be enough. Why would you need the console? If you’re going to get rid of physical games, you may as well go all the way."

• Former Nippon Ichi Software CEO Sohei Niikawa has criticized Sony's decision to end the production of game discs
• The Disgaea creator says the company doesn't "understand the feelings" of physical game fans
• He adds, "If they’re going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware too"

Former Nippon Ichi Software CEO and creator of the tactical role-playing video game series Disgaea, Sohei Niikawa, has objected to Sony's plan to end disc production, saying the company might as well eliminate hardware too.

Sony announced its decision earlier this month, calling it a "natural direction" for the company that will come into effect by January 2028. It means that in the future, PlayStation owners won't be able to purchase discs for new games.

Fans have been vocal about their anger at the decision and have called on Sony to change its mind. Even Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios boss Shawn Layden has called the plan to move all-digital "a fairly dramatic decision."

Now, speaking to Noisy Pixel at Anime Expo 2026, Niikawa has also criticized Sony, saying that while he understands the plan "From a purely business perspective," it will hurt PlayStation fans.

"I think physical editions of games are very important," Niikawa said, explaining that fans who buy physical copies can hold a "great deal of value" and memories, and can even be taken to events to be signed by their creators.

"Physical games are important because they can carry that kind of meaning," he said.

"I can understand why the people at Sony would make that decision. However, the executives who decided it have probably never experienced coming to an event like Anime Expo and having someone approach them with a physical game to ask for an autograph.

"I don’t think they understand the feelings of those fans, and they may never have considered what physical editions mean to the people who value them."

He added, "If they’re going to go as far as eliminating physical packages, they may as well eliminate the hardware too. A television would be enough. Why would you need the console? If you’re going to get rid of physical games, you may as well go all the way."

For now, Sony appears firm in its decision, and analysts have determined that it won't change its mind, despite the backlash, arguing that "Digital is just too lucrative," in the current business.

Circana's Mat Piscatella also believes that Sony is taking advantage of the current digital market, and recently reported that only seven PlayStation games have sold more than 100,000 physical units year-to-date in the US.

• Dataintelo reports that the used video game market is worth $7.2 billion
• The firm thinks that Sony's decision to end the production of discs will cause it to decline
• Analysts say the market will "keep shrinking and eventually disappear"

The second-hand video game market could be in danger as a result of Sony's decision to end production of physical discs starting in January 2028.

A new story from CNBC included analysis from market research firm Dataintelo, which reported that the used game market was worth $7.2 billion in 2025 and predicted it could grow to $13.8 billion by 2034.

The figure represents all pre-owned games, console hardware, accessories, and peripherals, but consoles account for 42.3% of revenue, with North America being the biggest part of the market. That's compared to Europe, which captured 28.3% of global second-hand revenue last year.

The company explained that the second-hand game market is fuelled mainly by affordability concerns, an interest in retro gaming, and a "digital-to-physical gaming transition."

With Sony's plan to phase out discs in just two years, there's now a threat to the used game market.

"Realistically, at least one-third of games have been sold historically as used, and the games that were sold also provided currency to the gamer who traded them in as cash to pay for new games," said Wedbush Securities managing director of strategic planning, Michael Pachter. "Brick and mortar game retail is doomed."

However, physical discs and the second-hand market aren't likely to disappear all at once. Kazunori Ito, director of equity research at Morningstar, explained that the market will "keep shrinking and eventually disappear."

"There is an important difference between players accepting that shift because they see value in it, and having it effectively forced on them by taking away the alternative," Ito said.

"Most would prefer to make that transition in their own way and at their own pace, rather than having it driven by the end of physical discs."

In Sony's announcement earlier this month, it called it a "natural direction" for the company, arguing that the transition from physical to digital discs "will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today."

While fans continue to push back against the decision, analysts have determined that the PlayStation company won't change its mind.

"Their current profit margin has been too weak for years now, so they feel like they must act," explained Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Japanese game industry consultancy firm Kantan Games. "From an economic perspective, digital sales just make too much sense especially for platform holders."

A recent report from Circana senior director and video game industry advisor Mat Piscatella also suggested that the digital market is in Sony's favor right now, explaining that only seven PlayStation games "have sold more than 100,000 physical units year-to-date" in the US.

• Senior director and video game industry advisor at Circana, Mat Piscatella, reports only seven PlayStation games have sold more than 100,000 physical units year-to-date in the US
• He says two games "sold more than 10,000 physical units in the US during the week ending July 11, 2026"
• This comes as fans push Sony to reverse its plan to end the production of physical discs

In light of Sony's decision to retire the production of physical game discs, an industry analyst has reported that physical PlayStation games aren't selling too well in the United States.

Last week, angry PlayStation fans descended on the comment section of the latest Marvel's Wolverine trailer, another effort to push Sony to backtrack on its plan to end the production of physical discs starting January 2028.

As of writing, the video has over 12,600 comments, with the vast majority from fans sharing their thoughts on the decision.

Now, in response to a news story about the situation, Circana senior director and video game industry advisor Mat Piscatella has shared some interesting stats about the state of physical game sales in the US.

Writing on Bluesky, Piscatella said, "Two PlayStation video games sold more than 10,000 physical units in the US during the week ending July 11, 2026.

"Seven have sold more than 100,000 physical units year-to-date." He also clarified later that the figures didn't refer just to first-party PlayStation games, but "total PlayStation. All games, all publishers, all PlayStation platforms."

Addressing the fan backlash, the analyst added, "Commenting is cool, use your voice and all that. But commenting is cheap, [I don't know] idk."

Which games those are is unclear, but global estimates shared earlier this month by Alinea Analytics (via GamesRadar) suggest EA Sports FC 26, Resident Evil Requiem, and 007 First Light could be among those seven. It's estimated for Requiem specifically that 27.8% of its 3.5 million copies sold came from physical discs.

Sony has been notably quiet in the face of the backlash, and according to multiple analysts, despite the fan backlash, the PlayStation maker won't reverse its decision because "digital is just too lucrative."

"They of course knew what the online reaction would look like, and they now wait for this storm to pass," said Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Japanese game industry consultancy firm Kantan Games.

"Sony has over 120 million active PlayStation users. Around 50 million people subscribe to PlayStation Plus. As a thought experiment, let's say 500,000 cancel in protest, that would be just 1% of that business gone — of course not enough to Sony to start rethinking. Digital is just too lucrative.

He added, "Their current profit margin has been too weak for years now, so they feel like they must act," Toto added. "From an economic perspective, digital sales just make too much sense especially for platform holders."

• Sleepy Hollow is getting a reboot at Sony, according to reports from Deadline
• Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney is believed to be leading the cast
• Lindsey Anderson Beer will direct the new movie, which has been dubbed as "an erotic retelling of the Sleepy Hollow story"

A Sleepy Hollow reboot wasn't something I was expecting, but it's happening at Sony according to reports from Deadline.

At the moment, the new movie has just been announced but we do know that it will be an "erotic retelling" of Sleepy Hollow, directed by Pet Semetary: Bloodlines director Lindsey Anderson Beer.

In addition to this, Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney will reportedly be leading the cast of the new Sleepy Hollow movie, but further stars have not been announced.

Anderson Beer's new story follows Katrina Van Tassel, who was played by Christina Ricci in the 90s movie. Instead of being the love interest for the protagonist, his time, Tassel will be the hero in a mystery that will feature a "seductive supernatural love triangle."

The story is also said to blend "gothic atmosphere, psychological intrigue, and erotic thriller elements into a contemporary, high-concept reinvention of the classic tale."

Sleepy Hollow is not the first horror movie Sydney Sweeney has starred in, as she had the leading role in the religious horror movie Immaculate in 2024. So it will be interesting to see how she leads an adaptation of an iconic story.

Of course, it isn't a straight adaptation of the Sleepy Hollow novel by Washington Irving. Anderson Beer is publishing a companion novel to go alongside her Sleepy Hollow movie, which is expected to be released in fall 2026.

The horror genre has been booming recently with plenty of hits coming in, like Backrooms and Obsession. This has caused studios to start looking at other ways to expand the horror universe, such as upcoming Creepypasta adaptations like Siren Head.

• A new Marvel's Wolverine trailer has been swarmed by angry PlayStation fans
• Users are sharing their disdain for Sony's decision to end physical disc production
• Many are sharing how glad they are that Wolverine will be available on disc

PlayStation fans angry with Sony's decision to end physical disc production have descended on the latest Marvel's Wolverine to make their thoughts known.

Insomniac Games just released a new cinematic trailer for the upcoming Marvel superhero game titled 'Ain't No Hero' ahead of the game's launch on September 15.

It looks awesome, but if you think fans are having a healthy discussion about how cool the game looks in the comment section, you'd be dead wrong.

As of writing, the video has over 8,000 comments, and the vast majority are from fans who aren't backing down from their efforts to make PlayStation reverse its decision to retire physical discs in 2028.

"You know who isn’t the hero? The killer of physical," reads the top comment, which has over 12,000 likes.

"Wolverine was really getting PHYSICAL in this trailer, he has such a DISCtinct presence," one user said, with another writing, "Wolverine's treasured photograph demonstrates the importance of physical media."

Thankfully, Marvel's Wolverine will be getting a physical copy at launch, so fans won't have to worry about that. The only games that will be affected are titles launching from January 2028 onwards, and fans are letting PlayStation know how they feel about it.

"Can't wait for my DISC copy to come in," one comment reads, followed by numerous more of the same variety, like, "Can't wait for my PHYSICAL COPY," and "Looking forward to getting a PHYSICAL edition."

Since sharing the announcement earlier this month, Sony has been notably quiet in the face of the backlash. To urge the company to reverse its decision, fans have also created a petition, which now has over 326,000 signatures.

According to analysts, despite pushback from fans, the PlayStation maker won't reverse its decision because "digital is just too lucrative."

• GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen says Sony's decision to end physical game production is 'totally irrelevant' to the company
• The statement is supported by both physical and digital games, which only contribute 18% to overall revenue
• Cohen's comments likely won't help gamers in their push to retain physical game discs

The backlash against Sony continues after its controversial choice to stop new physical disc production of PlayStation games from January 2028 and it looks like the US' biggest dedicated video game retailer isn't taking a stand.

In an interview with Bloomberg, GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen dismissed the idea that the company will be impacted by Sony's decision to end physical game copies, stating "it doesn't matter at all," despite ongoing uproar from consumers.

"It mattered in the past; software makes up less than 12% of the business," Cohen said. "Collectibles makes up over half of the business, so it's totally irrelevant."

Frankly, it's a harsh and cold stance, but it isn't exactly incorrect, as Bloomberg highlights that both physical and digital copies of games are only 18% of GameStop's total revenue. The store has mostly transitioned to a focus on collectibles like Pokémon cards, and that's evident the moment you visit its website.

It's no secret that Sony's decision to end disc production in 2028 hasn't gone down well with most consumers, as many feel as though it's a direct threat to game ownership. A digital-only console means games (or other media) can be taken away from gamers at any time, and Sony has done that recently with over 500 purchased movies removed from user libraries.

Essentially, GameStop's reasoning for the end of game discs being irrelevant is similar to Sony's, as Sony highlighted the fact that most gamers are purchasing copies digitally in its announcement.

Despite that, the consensus among consumers is that the elimination of discs is quite unnecessary, only cutting off another option of purchase. It's also worth noting that prices for games on the PlayStation Store won't be as low as they would usually be via second-hand or video game retailers.

Sony has yet to address the matter since the announcement, even with the sheer amount of backlash it's receiving online, and gamers will likely be hoping that statements from CEOs like Cohen won't harm the fight to retain physical game copies.

• Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden says developers need to lead with innovation to justify the increasing cost of consoles
• He says studios are "limiting our reach just because of the games we’re building now"
• While Grand Theft Auto 6 will be a hit, Layden says "there are a lot of people in the world who really don’t care" about it

Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden thinks studios need to start investing in unique games that entice a wider audience to justify the increasing cost of consoles.

The price of hardware has been rising over the past few years. We can blame the rising cost of manufacturing, the shortages driven by AI data centers eating up all the components, or inflation. For whatever reason, the current landscape is a mess, and the next generation is bound to be expensive.

As Sony and Microsoft hike the price of current-gen systems, despite the PS5 and Xbox Series X and Series S being six years old, analysts suggest that the PS6 and next Xbox could cost as much as $1000. It doesn't sound out of the realm of possibility when you consider Valve has just launched the Steam Machine, a console-PC hybrid, for the same cost.

From what little we know about the PS6, we can expect technical improvements over the PS5, which could mean better ray-tracing and higher frame rates. With PlayStation's plan to end physical disc production in 2028, analysts predict that it could also be an all-digital console, sadly.

But would this justify a $1000 price tag? According to Layden, who spoke about the changing industry in an interview with Kotaku, it doesn't, and Sony will need to lead with software innovation to draw in gamers instead.

“I mean really, how much more ray tracing can you put in there?” he said. “And will my eyes actually see 120 frames per second?”

Layden can't say what the PS6 will look like compared to the PS5 since he hasn't worked at Sony since 2019, but if there's a chance the technical gap between the two consoles is too narrow, software is where things need to change.

"I think we’re already kind of limiting our reach just because of the games we’re building now. I mean, variety and range seem to be narrowing," Layden said. "Most games are falling into a standard set of buckets."

He pointed to the genres of games we've been seeing over the years, including zombie apocalypse and space-marine games, action titles with "guys with really long swords and not much armor and dragons."

Layden then brought up GTA 6, and while he acknowledged that the game is going to be a massive hit, some gamers don't care about it.

"So, you see those categories and coming around that, of course, Grand Theft Auto is going to be like an asteroid piercing the atmosphere and hitting the gaming universe with great force and power," he said. "But there are a lot of people in the world who really don’t care about Grand Theft Auto, the non-gaming community."

He continued, explaining, "We talk about how big we are, $220 billion, $250 billion industry, but our social impact is the reverse. Everybody has a favorite song. That’s probably the least revenue-generating entertainment category, music, compared to gaming and film and television. But yet it has the widest impact. And so gaming, it’s huge on the revenue side of things, but it’s a very select group that are doing it.

"We’re getting more money from the same people all the time and not necessarily bringing in new people into the experience. And if these people who aren’t in the gaming experience have already said ‘we don’t care about Call of Duty, we don’t care about Grand Theft Auto, we don’t care about Gran Turismo,’ doing more of those same games is obviously not going to appeal to those people either."

While Layden thinks discoverability is one facet of the issue, the main problem is creativity, and if developers "close ranks" and continue making shooters by appealing to what the "base user" wants, things will be fine, "but we won’t get any bigger. We won’t bring any more people into the tent. And that’s probably bad."

He added, "We need to bring out more games for more people, which means actually you have to have more people making games and in different places and different experiences. I want to find out what games from Uruguay look like and what kind of game designers we have in Bulgaria."

• PlayStation has delayed the launch of the FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick
• The company says production delays have caused the hardware to be postponed
• The PlayStation 5 peripheral will no longer launch on August 6, but "at a later date"

PlayStation has issued an update on the release of its FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick, announcing that the hardware has been postponed.

The FlexStrike was originally slated to release on August 6, but now, in an updated PlayStation Blog post, the company has confirmed that "due to unexpected production delays," it "will launch at a later date."

"We’re working to ensure we deliver the best possible experience to our players with FlexStrike, so we’re taking extra time to put the finishing touches on the product," PlayStation said.

"We apologize for this delay and look forward to bringing the FlexStrike experience to the community when it launches."

Pre-orders for the fight stick opened on June 12, but the company confirmed that players can check their order status through PlayStation Direct and will receive communications regarding their order.

"Players who pre-ordered through another retailer should look for updates directly from that retailer or contact them with any questions," it added.

The FlexStrike is a PS5 peripheral and costs $199.99 / £179.99.

TechRadar's senior reviews writer Harry Padoan got the chance to test out the fight stick earlier this year, writing that it "hits the right notes" performance-wise when tested against Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and is "approachable and straightforward to use," and "offers ultra-low latency in both wired and wireless capacities."

Elsewhere, Sony has announced plans to end physical game disc production. While remaining silent against the backlash, the company recently posted an advertisement for the FlexStrike, which received massive pushback.

• A Steam user has found a way to store games on SSDs with an auto-navigation and auto-start script
• These are effectively physical 'game cartridges' complete with key art
• However, costly SSDs means this is a pricey endeavor (the Steam gamer was lucky enough to pick up used drives on the cheap)

Physical copies of PlayStation games are coming to an end from January 2028, and as the backlash around that continues, a restoration of physical media on PC has been discovered — and it's novel to say the least.

A Steam user on Reddit has managed to store games on 'cheap 2.5-inch' SATA SSDs, effectively acting as old-school 'game cartridges' with key art, and a script that auto-navigates Steam to each game's page. The user also notes that automatically starting games from each drive is possible.

This comes amid a significant uproar from gamers following the revelation of Sony's plan to eradicate physical game discs, supposedly by the time its next PlayStation console arrives. It's a very controversial move that has united gamers across all platforms to fight to retain discs and to ensure game ownership remains intact.

With that said, physical media for PC has been dead for a long while, since a modern desktop PC doesn't come with a disc drive, and there are hardly any publishers selling physical copies for the platform.

With most games only accessible digitally on PC, in theory those titles can be taken away from buyers at any time. The trouble is that consumer-friendly figures like Gabe Newell, who leads Valve, the owner of Steam, won't be in charge forever.

So in the future, under new leadership, it's possible more anti-consumer measures might be introduced, or other aspects of PC gaming that consumers dislike, such as DRM (like Denuvo).

Steam Game Cartridges from r/pcmasterrace

Imagine if this 'game cartridge' system was adopted by PC game publishers? It's a smart idea, and a nice thought, but clearly not a realistic one. For starters, it'd be a prohibitively expensive method of reintroducing physical PC game copies.

Of course, platforms like Epic Games and Steam require users to be logged in and have their app installed to play games, so it's still a long way off true game copy ownership, anyway.

However, this concept would be paired perfectly with GOG, a platform that is DRM-free and doesn't require the launcher to play purchased games — in other words, you fully own purchased games on GOG.

Admittedly, publishers releasing PC game cartridges in the form of SSDs is a pipe dream, especially with the current state of the hardware market, and the RAM crisis, complete with skyrocketing SSD prices.

The idea comes at the wrong time, then, but if the RAM crisis ever settles down, then maybe this is something we'll see more PC hobbyists doing — and perhaps even the odd publisher.

• PS5 user reports being locked out of Ghost of Yotei digital copy for 'half an hour' due to license verification
• License verification isn't new, but this case is important amid Sony's plans to axe physical game copies
• Once physical game copies are gone, access to games on PlayStation will be at Sony's disposal

Sony's plans to push for an all-digital future for games on PlayStation have come under major scrutiny since the announcement, and one case highlights just how dangerous those plans are to game access and ownership.

A Reddit user (in a now-removed post) reported being locked out of the digital copy of Ghost of Yotei on PS5 for half an hour, even after refreshing licenses. When attempting to open the game, the message reads: "Can't use this content. Your licenses are being verified. Try again later."

It's important to note that this type of scenario isn't exactly new; license refresh prompts can occur after a long period, especially when sharing a game with another user. However, this Ghost of Yotei license check example comes amid Sony's ongoing, controversial decision to end the production of physical game discs from January 2028.

Once the supposed digital-only PS6 arrives, this very example of a consumer being locked out of a game can happen at any time. Unlike physical game discs, access to digital PlayStation game copies is at Sony's discretion, and the same will soon apply to all game copies, which essentially means game ownership will be non-existent.

Comment from r/gaming

Comment from r/gaming

Since there has been no follow-up statement since the disc axe announcement, it seems Sony is waiting for the storm to subside so it can ultimately commit to its digital-only plans, despite pressure from consumers online.

Unlike Microsoft's decision to walk back on its 'always-online' Xbox One plans after backlash in 2013, it may take a tumultuous effort from consumers, game studios, and video game retail stores to make an impact.

It's also quite ironic that Sony, which previously mocked Microsoft for the ability to share physical game copies, is now responsible for eliminating physical game copies. In the same vein as the subscription-based PlayStation Plus, which is a requirement to play games online, if consumers don't continue to push back against digital-only plans, there will be no going back once the PS6 arrives.

• Sony Santa Monica has confirmed God of War Laufey will be available on a physical disc
• The studio's comment come after PlayStation's announcement to retire physical game discs from January 2028
• This means God of War Laufey could release before the end of 2027

Following PlayStation's announcement to retire game discs, Sony Santa Monica has confirmed that God of War Laufey will be available on disc, suggesting the game could launch within the next year.

The studio's comment comes from X, where it shared its schedule for the God of War Laufey panel at San Diego Comic-Con.

In the thread, Sony Santa Monica added, seemingly in response to fans who have been asking for the past few weeks following PlayStation's announcement, that "We can confirm God of War Laufey will be available on disc."

Sony confirmed earlier this month that it would end the production of game discs starting from January 2028. Now that we know Laufey will get a physical disc, it suggests that the game will launch before 2028.

The new God of War entry was announced last month at Summer Game Fest 2026 and is set to star Kratos' wife, Faye. It would be great if the game launched in 2026; however, there are five months left in the year.

The latter half of the year is stacked with upcoming game releases, including GTA 6 in November and Marvel's Wolverine in September, so I find it unlikely that the new Laufey will release any time soon.

Given the studio's comment, it's more likely it will launch before the end of 2027, or, if we stretch it to the last possible moment, January 2028, before physical discs are retired.

Sony has faced overwhelming backlash since sharing its plan, with many fans hoping it will reverse its decision if there's enough support.

A petition has also been created, which now has over 310,000 signatures, urging Sony to back down, but for now, the PlayStation company has remained silent.

• The Entertainment Retailers Association has slammed Sony's decision to kill physical discs
• The UK trade organization says digital games "should complement physical formats, not replace them"
• The ERA says, "Removing discs doesn’t represent progress – it simply removes choice"

UK trade organization, Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA), has criticized Sony's decision to end production of physical PlayStation discs.

The gaming company has received overwhelming backlash since announcing its plan to retire physical discs in 2028, and now, as reported by The Game Business, the ERA, which represents most major video game retailers in the UK, including Amazon, Game, Sainsbury’s and HMV, has condemned the plan, calling it "a triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice."

"Every year, millions of gamers still choose to buy physical copies because they value true ownership," CEO Kim Bayley said in a statement. "A disc can be shared with family, traded in, collected, preserved and, crucially, still played years from now. A download licence often offers none of those freedoms."

Per NielsenIQ and market research firm GfK, The Game Business reports that 45 percent of all physical games sold in the UK in 2025 were for PS4 or PS5, which represents almost half of all physical game revenue during this period, and a majority of sales were made through the post as opposed to in-store pick-ups on release day.

The ERA also said that 25 percent of gamers under 25 use discs and the total UK disc-based games market was valued at over £300 million in 2025, "demonstrating that there remains a substantial and committed audience for boxed games."

"Retailers see this demand every day," Bayley said. "Physical games continue to bring people into shops and give consumers real value through gifting, collecting and resale. The industry should be embracing every legitimate way consumers want to buy games, not narrowing their choices."

The CEO continued: "Digital distribution has transformed gaming and is hugely popular, but it should complement physical formats, not replace them.

“Consumers deserve the freedom to choose how they buy their entertainment. Removing discs doesn’t represent progress – it simply removes choice. That’s bad for gamers, bad for retailers and ultimately bad for the long-term health and preservation of our games industry."

Since its announcement earlier this month, Sony has remained silent in the face of the backlash. Many fans have banded together to urge the company to reverse its decision, including signing a petition that now has over 310,000 signatures.

• One of the original Xbox founders, Laura Fryer, suggests Sony is stripping away game ownership via an all-digital future
• It comes after PlayStation announced physical game discs won't be produced starting from January 2028
• Fryer claims Sony let Rockstar 'take the heat' by announcing a digital-only GTA 6 first

Sony is still under fire after its latest announcement of a future all-digital future for PlayStation games, as physical game copies are due to be axed — and not only are consumers livid, some gaming industry veterans are too.

As reported by Notebookcheck, Laura Fryer, one of the original founding members of Xbox, has recently condemned Sony's announcement ending physical game discs for future PlayStation games, and highlights the threat the move poses to game ownership.

The announcement from Sony has since resulted in major backlash regarding game ownership from thousands online, including a slight pushback (or support for physical media) from indie game developers like Astrolabe Games.

In this case, Fryer hasn't been shy about noting just how dangerous the end of physical game discs will be once 2028 arrives, especially since rumors suggest Microsoft may follow in a similar direction with its next Xbox console.

"Digital is convenient until someone else decides you've had enough, and there are some games and movies where I will never have enough of them," Fryer stated, which is arguably a valid statement since Sony recently removed over 500 purchased movies from users' libraries.

It's worth noting that Rockstar Games recently opened GTA 6 pre-orders, with the announcement that there won't be a physical copy of the game, which Fryer highlights as an important step to Sony's latest plans, stating: "Sony waited for Rockstar to make the first move, take the heat, and now they're going all in to make this the new normal."

Fryer even references Don Mattrick's infamous statement regarding an 'always online' Xbox One console experience, as she suggests that this is what Sony, Microsoft, and, frankly, Hollywood are doing today.

"When was the last time you put a disc in and the game just worked without a big download? All the major players, Sony, Microsoft, even Hollywood, they're all aligned here. Digital kills the used market, and it stops your old library from competing with new games on the next console."

That 'always online' future is closer than it ever has been, and with Sony also shutting down PS3 and PS Vita stores in 2027. That means whenever the PS6 (or future PlayStation consoles) eventually becomes a retro console like the PS3, there will be no way to play games on the system unless it's via digital means — and that directly eliminates game ownership completely.

Sony's social media team are having a rough week: anything they post is getting piled on by angry gamers who are outraged by Sony's plans to stop the production of game discs.

Many PlayStation owners are vowing to boycott the PlayStation Store, cancel their PlayStation Plus membership and never buy PlayStation products again.

It's a PR nightmare for sure, with pretty much any online PlayStation content becoming a place for gamers to protest, derailing any attempt to talk about anything else.

It reminds me of the response to Sonos' introduction of a new and hugely flawed app, which Sonos now admits was badly done.

Sonos' PR nightmare lasted for around 18 months, there is now optimism and rebuilt trust around the new changes it's bringing to improve the app. Could Sony learn from Sonos' experience and its attempts to rebuild customer trust?

I think the answer is: yes it could, but no it won't.

What Sonos got right and Sony probably won't

Speaking to TechRadar earlier this year, Sonos CEO Tom Conrad set out his views on how to try and make angry customers happy again. "You just have to show up in people's life with some humility and do the hard work of earning their trust back through great execution, great product, great software, great experiences, and never forget what you put people through."

So far, Sony isn't doing that: rather than respond to gamers' concerns, it's battening down the hatches and staying silent about its move to digital-only. And that's a shame, because there are genuine reasons for gamers to worry about Sony's decision.

There are three key concerns about digital-only. The first, and I think the most important, is cost. The PlayStation Store is ludicrously expensive: for example Spider-Man 2, a three-year-old game, is £69.99 digital today in the UK, where I'm based. Competition between retailers means it's around £37 on disc.

The second is second-hand gaming. I buy many games second-hand, and many gamers like to sell their games after they've completed them or got annoyed by them, so that they can spend what they recoup on more new games (a win for the industry overall). So I can buy Returnal for about £20 on eBay. I can't buy the digital edition second-hand, so if I want the digital version it's… you guessed it, £69.99.

To be fair, you can get both games, and others, on PlayStation Plus Extra. But not everyone wants or can sustain yet another subscription, and we know that all subscription services go up in price — often dramatically so, as we saw with Xbox Game Pass last year.

And the third is ownership. Sony's disc announcement came just days after it deleted customers' purchased copies of over 500 movies, making it clear that purchasing doesn't mean owning forever. And those movies cost a lot less than £69.99.

Sony may have to eat humble pie for a while in order to mimic Sonos here, seeking out customer views to talk about those concerns, and maybe thinking about how to address them — so for example it could tell us that digital codes would still be sold through multiple retailers, like Nintendo does with its key cards, or that we'd be able to resell our digital-only games (even if it hasn't developed the mechanism for this yet).

However, the reality is that for a firm the size of Sony, even a significant customer backlash such as 246,586 signatures on a petition represents a microscopic proportion of its 125 million PlayStation Plus subscribers, let alone the many more PlayStation owners — and it can afford to ignore them.

That's something of a gamble. Just ask Microsoft, whose Game Pass price hike scared off far more customers than expected — according to reports, it lost 4 million out of 34 million Game Pass subscribers when it was expecting huge growth instead, forcing a partial reversal.

But Sony's gaming business is far bigger, and that means it can still upset a lot of customers without feeling much pain.

I suspect Sony is going to take a different lesson from the Sonos situation: even at the height of customer anger, Sonos still sold lots of speakers, soundbars and subs.

Then again, maybe Sony is more rattled than it's currently letting on. Two days after the digital-only announcement, with customers raging online, Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki sold more than half of his Sony stock and Sony's chief strategy officer unloaded a bunch of Sony shares too.

This week we unveiled the all-new, all-different — well, not all that different — TechRadar Awards, but plenty more happened in the worlds of tech.

Samsung announced that its next Unpacked event is taking place in a little over a week, and it’s teasing a big foldables announcement. However, based on its usual schedule, we’d be more surprised if it didn’t have any foldables to showcase this year.

Before you catch up with this week’s tech news, why not test yourself on last week’s seven biggest tech stories to see how good your memory is? Take the quiz below, or scroll on for the biggest tech news of the week… (and see if you can best last week’s ICYMI quiz when you’re done here).

7. The TechRadar Awards returned for 2026

The TechRadar Awards are back in 2026, and we’re making a radical change: we’re holding two sets of awards back-to-back this year! We’re introducing the TechRadar Product of the Year Awards and the TechRadar Readers’ Choice Awards. In the past, we combined reader votes on which products should win with our expert judges' opinions to determine an overall winner. But now we’re splitting those two elements into two different awards.

The Product of the Year Awards will be chosen solely by our editors and writers, based on their experience of using the products. The Readers’ Choice Awards will give all the power to you, our readers, though — you’ll be able to vote on a shortlist of the most popular and highly rated releases of the year, and the winner will be decided 100% by those votes.

We’re accepting nominations for products that you’d like to see shortlisted, and anyone can nominate something — so make sure that the products you love most are in with a chance!

Read the full story: Introducing TechRadar's Readers' Choice Awards and our Product of the Year Awards

6. ChatGPT rolled out its ‘smartest voice model ever’

This week, OpenAI has delivered an upgrade to ChatGPT’s voice mode for all users thanks to the rollout of two new models. The smaller GPT-Live-1 mini model will be the default for Free users, while paid users get the full GPT-Live-1 model.

GPT-Live-1 promises to sound more natural, be less interruptive when you pause while talking, and be smarter — as there previously seemed to be a knowledge gap between the written and spoken ChatGPT models.

To get around that last part, GPT-Live-1 actually delegates tasks to ChatGPT-5.5, then comes back with an answer.

There are also impressive new simultaneous translation tools that will translate what you hear live and what you say as you say it.

You can also give the chatbot a name to make conversing easier, though OpenAI’s go-to is ‘Chat’ — letting you live out your dreams of being a Twitch streamer.

Read the full story: GPT-Live-1 gives you more natural conversations without interruptions

5. Nokia debuted a retro phone with AI

This week, Nokia’s parent company, HMD, debuted a quartet of retro-style phones with one anachronistic addition — a big ol’ AI button.

They still offer a full suite of legacy features — if you miss the 3.5 mm headphone jack, a microSD for bigger storage capacity, and (on three of the models) an FM radio, you’ll find them here — it’s just that you’ll also have a little digital assistant too.

Details are thin, though it sounds like this won’t be quite on Gemini's level. Instead, the AI is mostly there to help with on-device tasks like setting alarms, opening the camera, and creating reminders. The biggest issue, however, is the AI assistant is only free for 180 days — after that it's $3.99 (about £3 / AU$5.75) a year if you're in the EU and $2.99 (about £2.25 / AU$4.30) a year everywhere else.

Yikes!

Read the full story: Nokia's new retro-styled feature phones have AI buttons for some reason

4. The Amazfit Active 3 Premium impressed us

The Amazfit Active 3 Premium is the sequel to last year's five-star Amazfit Active 2, and it's another knockout of a budget watch (despite the Premium name). A terrific fitness tracker costing just $169 / £169 / AU$239, it boasts features you normally get on watches twice the price, such as full-color maps and a sapphire glass screen.

Its metrics were accurate during testing, and it looks great to boot. It's the budget watch to get - even perhaps over popular choices such as the Apple Watch SE 3 or the Garmin Forerunner 70. It's a real win for Amazfit, which has quietly spent the last few years improving its Zepp App ecosystem and building well-priced fitness trackers for every category.

Read the full story: Amazfit’s latest premium offering is about more than just looks

3. We took over 1,000 shots with the Sony RX10 V

Sony surprised the camera community and us this week when it revived its best-in-class series of bridge cameras, with the launch of the new RX10 V. The Mark V superzoom arrived nine years after the now-discontinued Cyber-shot RX10 IV, with the same versatile 24-600mm F2.4-4 lens and 20 megapixel 1-inch stacked sensor, but with a welcome redesign and Sony’s latest processor and autofocus.

We had already tested the all-in-one camera ahead of its announcement, taking over 1,000 photos across a school sports day, bird photography trip, macro garden life and more, and were thoroughly won over, even if we were less impressed by the steeper asking price. That being said, the RX10 IV still took the crown of the best bridge camera available today, and with its predecessor being a rare secondhand find, we expect the latest model to be a popular camera indeed.

Read the full story: Here’s how Sony’s surprise new superzoom performed

2. Google Pixel 11 got a launch date

Samsung isn’t the only tech giant preparing to launch flagship phones soon — this week, Google announced that its Pixels will get a refresh next month.

The “next generation of Pixel” will be revealed on August 12, just three weeks after Samsung’s Unpacked event. Google didn’t mention any specific models, but we’re expecting to see a Pixel 11 (with fancy ‘Pixel Glow’ lights for notifications), plus new Pro models and a Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

Unfortunately, we’re also likely to see higher prices across the board, according to recent rumors. That wouldn’t be a huge surprise in these fun ‘RAMpocalypse’ days, but the expected arrival of the Pixel Watch 5 could at least help lighten the mood.

Read the full story: Google sets Pixel 11 launch for August 12

1. Samsung set a date for Galaxy Unpacked

After months of rumors, as well as an official tease or two, Samsung has finally made its next Galaxy Unpacked event officially official. Pencil in July 22, 2026, at 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. BST (11 p.m. AEDT) for Samsung's second Unpacked event of the year. Keeping with tradition, we're expecting the next-generation Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip, as well as an accessory or two.

It likely won't just be the successors to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. Samsung's invitation for the event teases "A New Shape Unfolds," likely hinting that a shorter, wider—more passport-like—foldable is on the way. The video invite also features a ticket being printed in a shape that further hints at the new design, as it simply doesn't line up with the current Fold or Flip.

So why introduce a new folding phone design this many generations in? Well, it's likely that Samsung wants to get ahead of Apple's rumored entry into the category, which, according to leaks, will take on a similar form factor. For Samsung, it's also about expanding its foldable lineup, and if we're lucky, maybe we'll see more diverse price points as well.

We don't have long to wait now. TechRadar will be on the ground at Galaxy Unpacked in London, UK, and, as usual, Samsung will livestream the event while we'll be live-blogging it.

Read the full story: 'A New Shape Unfolds' could be its biggest clue yet about what to expect

• Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 were just ported to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
• Aside from an upgraded picture quality, they seem otherwise identical to the original versions
• Some fans are convinced that they just don't feel right, however

Yesterday, Activision treated us to the surprise release of not one, but two Call of Duty ports. You can now buy the original Black Ops and its acclaimed follow-up, Black Ops 2, on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 for the very first time.

They upgrade the resolution of both games on these newer consoles (a substantial step up from the 608p native picture quality of the backwards compatible versions available on Xbox) but otherwise seem almost identical to their original incarnations.

Even some big features that many fans thought would be cut, like Black Ops 2's infamous emblem creator, are present and accounted for.

I picked up copies of the two games immediately with my own cash (there's currently an irresistible 50% discount on them if you have PS Plus) and spent the best part of yesterday evening playing on my PS5. Aside from the crisper picture quality, they're just as I remember.

I replayed the original versions of both games pretty recently too, via second-hand physical copies that I bought for my Xbox Series X to refresh my knowledge of both games ahead of the Black Ops 7 launch — this latest entry is a Black Ops 2 sequel, after all.

Some fans aren't as impressed, though, and argue that the games just don't feel right.

"Black Ops 1 PS5 has a serious controller input lag issue that needs to be adressed [sic] and fixed" argued one poster on r/callofduty. "It surely wasn’t this bad on PS3".

"Sounds like the original launch" another fan replied, with someone else chiming in: "The golden days" and a tongue-in-cheek sobbing emoji.

"BO1 always felt hard to aim in even in the old days compared to BO2. Pretty sure this is normal" added someone else.

Another post similarly reckons that "The responsiveness is terrible. I distinctly remember the original Black Ops 1 feeling way crisper than this". The top comment agrees, complaining that "I’m losing every gun fight because my gun doesn’t fire in time".

Although everything feels fine to me, there's definitely a chance that those playing specific resolutions, on specific TVs, or with features like VRR enabled might be having a much worse experience. I expect some patches will be released in the coming weeks if these claims hold water.

• Daniel Ahmad of Niko Partners says Sony ending physical disc production was inevitable
• He says it would have happened if not for the PS6, then the PS7
• Ahmad says Sony wants to create a "closed ecosystem with high margins"

Sony's decision to end the production of physical PlayStation discs in 2028 came as quite a shock to the community, but one analyst believes the move was inevitable given the rise in digital sales on consoles.

Sharing his thoughts in a long thread on X in a response to a fan likening the situation to Apple removing the headphone jack from its products, Daniel Ahmad of Niko Partners said, "It's more like Apple removing the CD Drive from its laptops starting in 2008."

He explained that while there were many complaints at the time, there's "not a single person is complaining about it today," and there were not many people complaining in the early 2010s either. Ahmad puts Sony's decision down to digital PlayStation software performing better now than it ever did before the PS4 launched.

"The first thing to note about Sony's decision is that it would inevitably happen at some point for consoles. If not PS6, then PS7," Ahmad continued. "Full game digital sales on PlayStation have gone from less than 10% prior to the release of the PS4 to around 80% today."

He added, "On Xbox it's already over 90%, and if anything I'm surprised they weren't the ones to do it first. Yes, these numbers include digital only games, reflecting the current market environment, but they don't include DLC, microtransactions or subscriptions / free games."

Ahmad shared a bit more data to support his claims, saying that about 50% of the PS5 user base is subscribed to PS Plus and has built up a large library and/or has access to numerous digital games.

"The truth is that the console ecosystem is nearly entirely digital at this point," he said, pointing to how Sony also earns revenue through digital add-on content, like microtransactions and other in-game purchases, more than it does "from the sale of physical and digital full game sales combined."

Games like Fortnite, Grand Theft A 5, Minecraft, Call of Duty, Apex Legends, Marvel Rivals, Battlefield 6, and Arc Raiders, Ahmad pointed out, had the highest number of players on PS5 in May, and half of them don't ship on a physical disc.

"Over 30% of PS5s sold to date do not have a disc drive (Meaning that 70% do, however)," the analyst added. "More importantly though, the current sell through rate of digital only PS5s is above 50%."

Ahmad also said Insomnia Games' sales figures, which have been presented as evidence that physical sales represent a good chunk of PS5 sales, are "out of date" and "people are looking at the sell in number rather than the sell through number."

He explained that one of the reasons retail is high for certain physical games is "because Sony counts bundles as retail sales, even if it's a digital code with the console."

A reason he believes Sony is going forward with an all-digital future is simple: "The economic argument." Because of the profit margins between physical and digital games, Sony can retain 100% of first-party games sold on the PlayStation Store, but it earns $21 (30%) from a $70 third-party title.

"When it [Sony] sells a third party game at retail, it earns around half that amount, even if the player spends the same $70," he said. "The difference isn't as stark for third party publishers, but they'd prefer to sell all games digitally if they could for the higher margins. That's why physical game revenue makes up just 5% of Sony's total game software sales revenue (incl. DLC / MTX), despite accounting a higher % share for units sold. When Sony said it would stop publishing games on PC, no one pointed out that it essentially earned the same from PC sales that it earns from physical disc sales, and the former was considered too little."

Ahmad said another reason is the market we're currently in, where console prices seem to be increasing regularly. Sony knows that the PS6 could enter a market where other hardware is over $1000, and players will think twice about upgrading on day one.

"While part of it is cutting costs, it's also a realization that consoles are no longer going to be $199 mass market devices and they will need to focus on hardcore gamers who are willing to spend more than ever," he said.

A third reason would be Sony wanting to create a "closed ecosystem with high margins."

"The retreat from PC is partly about this, the end of disc production is also about this, as is the exploration of different form factors. Right now you can resell, gift, or even refund physical games. With digital games, you don't have the same rights currently," Ahmad said. "As Sony looks to maximize spend per user, it is essentially ending the used market for PS6 software and ensuring all software sold is high margin and they capture a %. In other words, Sony controls the license in its entirety and access is dependent on them."

Ahmad concluded, calling Sony's lack of announcement around what will happen to PS4 and PS5 discs "a mistake," and had it "talked about a disc to digital program, or confirmed a disc add on for the PS6, the backlash wouldn't have been as strong."

The analyst also said it's "unlikely" that Sony will reverse the decision, but "wouldn't be surprised if they do end up clarifying certain aspects." However, Ahmad thinks it could support physical games for a few more years, perhaps through limited-run hardware or a more expensive PS6 compared to the digital version.

"I'm also of the belief that even if the PS6 costs $1k, used physical games helps increase overall affordability," he said.

Ahmad ended by saying the conversation needs to shift to "consumer rights" and what digital game ownership really means.

"Regardless of whether we're talking about bringing physical back, or embracing digital, the conversation needs to shift to consumer rights and what a license should enable. Stop Killing Games was one part of it, but gifting, family sharing, refunds, and other aspects are just as important," he said.

Sony RX10 V: two-minute review

Just when you thought bridge cameras had been sunsetted, Sony returns after a nine-year gap with the new RX10 V — and it’s a genuine upgrade of the Cyber-shot RX10 IV, which was already the best camera of its kind.

We get the same winning combination of a 1-inch stacked 20MP sensor and 24-600mm F2.4-4 lens, but the mark V model has been enhanced with Sony's latest Bionz XR processor and AI chip, enabling improved burst shooting speed, 4K video features, and, most importantly, better autofocus performance.

Sony has also implemented multiple design tweaks to the control layout and ergonomics, and as a result the RX10 V looks much more like an Alpha camera than the RX10 IV, which feels more Cyber-shot compact, did. For a more detailed breakdown of the differences, check out my RX10 V vs Cyber-shot RX10 IV article.

There are additional exposure dials, an AF joystick has been added (thank you, Sony!), as has a USB-C terminal, and the higher-resolution viewfinder is larger, more pronounced, and easier to see.

Throw in a bigger and comfier grip, which hosts the larger NP-FZ100 battery for a 50% boost in shot life, and the RX10 V is all round a slicker camera than the discontinued RX10 IV.

It's not all good news, mind you, depending on which way you look at it — the weather-resistant body misses out on a built-in flash and top LCD, both of which were present in the older model.

And some of the old drawbacks remain, such as the relatively sluggish zoom of the lens, which is 'just' a 25x optical zoom. I like that range, but other lesser-quality bridge cameras zoom further, such as the Nikon Coolpix P1100.

A significant sticking point is price — the RX10 V had to cost more than its nine-year-old predecessor, which was already pricier than any other bridge camera available. It's a big price to pay for this type of camera, even if you are getting a lot of camera for your money.

All that said, I've thoroughly enjoyed my lengthy review period with the Sony RX10 V, during which I've shot everything from travel to bird and macro photography, with the camera handling those and other subjects with aplomb.

It's a neatly packaged camera, especially when you consider you're getting a 600m f/4 lens when fully zoomed in. The RX10 V is a dream all-in-one camera, especially for enthusiast wildlife photographers with deep pockets.

Sony RX10 V: price and release date

• Announced on July 9 2026
• It costs $2,300 / £2,200 / AU$3,499

Sony's premium RX10 bridge camera series was always pricey compared to lesser-quality alternatives, and the latest version, the RX10 V, is even pricier. I'm not surprised: the RX10 IV launched for $1,800 / £1,500 / AU$2,000 almost nine years ago, and we should expect an inflation-based price bump at least. Still, $2,300 / £2,200 / AU$3,499 for a camera of this kind is a fair whack of anyone's money, let alone the enthusiast wildlife photographers that this camera is practically perfect for.

So what else could you get for similar money? If you already own a Sony mirrorless camera, the 400-800mm super-telephoto zoom lens is worth a look, especially if wildlife and bird photography are key reasons why you're considering the RX10 V. Or, if its zoom range alone that you want, and you're less concerned about outright image quality, the Nikon CoolPix with its monster 125x zoom is another option, and it costs almost half the price.

All things considered, though, I think the RX10 V is reasonable value for money, considering what you get.

• Price score: 4/5

Sony RX10 V specs

Sony RX10 V: Design

• Same 24-600mm F2.4-4 optically stabilized zoom lens as the RX10 IV
• Larger and more pronounced EVF with higher resolution and refresh rate
• Improved ergonomics and joystick added, but flash and top LCD removed

People buy a bridge camera primarily to get a superzoom lens, and the RX10 V has the exact same 24-600mm F2.4-4 lens as the RX10 IV — that’s a 25x optical zoom, with macro focusing up to a 0.49x magnification. Put simply, you’re covered for everything from landscapes and bird photography to close-ups of insects.

While the RX10 V is the same form factor as the RX10 IV, it has had a fairly major brush-up, and it feels a much better camera for it.

For one, the grip is comfier. It's a new shape with better ergonomics, and that's able to fit a physically larger battery than the previous model could, with a 50% boost in shot life.

If you're familiar with the RX10 IV, the top plate of this camera will take some getting used to; there are additional exposure control dials (one of which can be locked off) making quick changes to settings easier, while the shooting mode dial has been shifted to the right-hand side where a top LCD used to be. Personally I preferred the old setup.

Another major change is that the built-in flash has been removed, though a hotshoe remains for use with accessories such as an external flash.

Also, the viewfinder is more pronounced, which makes it easier to look into, helped by the fact that it's a larger 0.5-inch unit with more-detailed 3.68m-dot display, whereas the RX10 IV has a 2.36m-dot 0.39-inch unit. Put simply, the viewfinder is a major upgrade.

On the camera's back side, an AF joystick has been added (Sony calls it a 'Multi selector'), which is a control I love to have for the likes of manual AF-point selection. For wildlife photography, I used it a lot, and can't imagine how I would have coped so easily in such a scenario with the older camera.

Spin to the side, and the camera's ports are now neatly tucked away under rigid protective doors, with headphone and mic ports, plus a USB-C terminal has been added. The fact that the RX10 IV doesn't have a USB-C terminal is likely a reason it was discontinued, as per the EU's common charger regulations.

The tilt touchscreen is again a 3-inch type. It gets a small boost in resolution, and while that in itself isn't much of upgrade, its improved touch functions, and the fact that you can switch to a vertical format, are.

It’s possible to customize some of the buttons, including a speed-boost function during burst shooting — you can temporarily increase a medium speed, say of 10fps, to the maximum 30fps when the action begins. It’s a neat feature inherited from Sony's pro cameras, which minimizes how many photos you shoot, but the button placement is awkward for this feature — I would have liked a custom button on the front of the camera instead. A tally lamp has been added for video recording.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Sony RX10 V: Performance

• Sony's latest Bionz XR processor with AI chipset
• Burst shooting upped to 30fps, with Sony's most up to date autofocus system that includes a wide range of subject detection modes
• Now uses Sony's NP-FZ100 battery, delivering a 50% boost in shot life

Power and speed are where the major improvements are at. The RX10 V uses the same Bionz XR processor as the Sony A7 V mirrorless camera, with a combined AI chipset. The result is improved burst-shooting speeds and autofocus performance, and what Sony says is better color accuracy.

Burst-shooting speeds are boosted from the RX10 IV's 24fps to 30fps, when using the electronic shutter — which, in a camera like this with a stacked sensor, I have no problem doing. I'd hardly call this improvement in speed a reason to upgrade, though, especially since the mechanical shutter's maximum 10fps speed is enough for most scenarios.

When I was photographing action, such as for my child's sports day, or at my local nature reserve doing bird photography, I generally kept the camera to its 10fps setting, with one of the custom buttons set to a 30fps speed boost for when the action got really interesting.

This has allowed me to minimize the number of photos I've taken, while the way the camera groups burst sequences in playback makes files easier to navigate.

Something that makes the RX10 V feel like a snappier camera than the RX10 IV is that there is no viewfinder blackout, even for the 30fps setting, which is supported by continuous autofocus with Sony’s latest subject-detection autofocus.

Compared to the RX10 IV, the RX10 V is able to detect a wider range of specific subjects with real-time recognition, including dedicated modes for birds, cats, and more.

I generally made sure I selected the specific subject when I knew that was my focus, such as with bird photography, and have been seriously impressed by how sticky autofocus is. Even when birds were small in the frame, the RX10 V was regularly able to pick them up with the camera's autofocus area set to wide.

I had more issues when photographing my child's sports day, given that there were so many faces in a lot of the photos. For such scenarios, a quick jig of the autofocus area to a small area can help to avoid the camera focusing on people in the background instead of the subject.

I've mentioned it already, but like most of its recent mirrorless cameras the RX10 V also uses Sony’s popular NP-FZ100 battery, which is a longer-lasting unit than the NP-FZ50 in the RX10 IV.

Sony quotes shot life as up to 630 shots compared to 400 for the RX10 IV, which is a huge performance boost. Add on-the-go UBS-C charging, and the RX10 V is a better camera for heavy photography days.

For me, all the above performance improvements are key for a camera that people typically buy as an entry point for wildlife photography.

• Performance score: 5/5

Sony RX10 V: Image and video quality

• Same 20.1MP 1-inch sensor and 24-600mm lens as used by the RX10 IV
• New processor boosts color and autofocus accuracy
• 4K video frame rates upped to 60fps (no crop) / 120fps (with crop)

Considering the versatility of the 25x optical zoom lens, image quality is impressively sharp, while the bright aperture helps with low-light quality, and is easily able to blur backgrounds when using the telephoto settings.

That being said, there are no major image-quality improvements over the nine-year-old RX10 IV; we're still getting 20.1MP photos in RAW & JPEG, and 4K video recording.

It's largely the indirect factors that positively improve image quality: better autofocus performance and subject recognition, enabling an increased hit ratio of sharp photos, and images with greater color accuracy based on detected subjects.

Other more direct improvements include a boost in 4K video frame rates: the RX10 IV was limited to 30fps, whereas the RX10 V goes up to 60fps with no crop, or 120fps with a crop. Like before, we still get a 240fps, but only in Full HD format.

And then there are the new color profiles to choose from, including Sony's popular S-Cinetone and S-Log3 for video, and the ability to import up to 16 custom LUTs profiles.

There are a bunch of extra features that make the RX10 V a better camera for video than the RX10 IV; a tally lamp, enhanced audio workflows, and it's also now possible to record an in-camera time-lapse sequence.

If you already own a mirrorless camera, you're probably wondering if the RX10 V's quality is sufficient to replace a supertelephoto lens for photographing distant subjects. I was curious to find out, so I took the same photos of birds with the Sony A7R V professional mirrorless camera and Sony's longest telephoto lens, the 400-800mm, which is a similar price to the RX10 V.

You can see the direct comparisons between the RX10 V and Sony A7R camera with 400-800mm lens in my separate write-up. But to summarize here — yes, the RX10 V's detail is impressively sharp for a camera of this kind, but there is a reasonably obvious gulf in outright clarity from the larger and pricier Sony mirrorless setup.

• Image and video quality score: 4.5/5

Sony RX10 V: testing scorecard

Should I buy the Sony RX10 V?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Sony RX10 V: also consider

How I tested the Sony RX10 V

• Sony loaned me the RX10 V for the three weeks prior to its announcement
• I took it travelling and on regular trips to my local nature reserve
• I've used all the major camera and lens settings, plus made direct comparisons with Sony mirrorless gear

I made the most of my lengthy review period to properly test the RX10 V. I took it travelling where it was used in bright sunlight and hot weather, to my child's sports day, to my garden for macro photography, plus I regularly visited a nearby nature reserve which is a very popular spot for birding.

Across the various scenarios, I tested the different lens settings — the entire zoom and aperture range. I shot 20MP stills and 4K video clips, pushed the 30fps Drive Mode to its limits, tested the camera's close focusing capabilities, and shot until the battery drained.

And because I feel most people are interested in the RX10 V for wildlife photography, especially bird photography, I tested the various subject detection autofocus modes and pitted the premium bridge camera against Sony's longest lens, the 400-800mm F6.3-8, to see how it fared.

• First reviewed: July 2026
• Read more about how we test

• Analysts suggest Sony won't reverse its decision to end physical disc production
• Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, says Sony will wait for the backlash to pass
• Toto adds that "Digital is just too lucrative" for the PlayStation company

Sony plans to end physical disc production in 2028, but despite pushback from fans, analysts suggest the PlayStation maker won't reverse its decision.

The announcement has caused a bit of an uproar within the community, and while fans online continue to urge the company to backtrack on its decision, including creating a petition that has amassed over 247,400 signatures as of writing, Sony remains silent on the matter.

Others are also PS5 users protesting the plan by cancelling their PlayStation Plus subscriptions, with many fans encouraging others to do the same.

However, according to Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Japanese game industry consultancy firm Kantan Games, the boycott won't change Sony's mind on the matter.

"I sympathize with physical media fans, but Sony will not reverse this decision," Toto said in an interview with IGN. "They of course knew what the online reaction would look like, and they now wait for this storm to pass."

Toto put it down to digital being more profitable, and the number of players cancelling their PS Plus subscriptions wouldn't be enough to persuade the gaming giant.

"Sony has over 120 million active PlayStation users," he said. "Around 50 million people subscribe to PlayStation Plus. As a thought experiment, let's say 500,000 cancel in protest, that would be just 1% of that business gone — of course not enough to Sony to start rethinking. Digital is just too lucrative."

The profit margins between physical and digital games is significant, especially when you consider digital sales for first-party PlayStation games.

As IGN calculated, a game like The Last of Us would offer Sony 65% of the profit from a physical copy, 30% to the retailer, and 5% to production costs. For digital sales made from the PlayStation Store, Sony would retain 100% of the revenue, but for third-party titles like Call of Duty, the company would keep a 30% cut of the asking price.

"Their current profit margin has been too weak for years now, so they feel like they must act," Toto added. "From an economic perspective, digital sales just make too much sense especially for platform holders."

On a recent visit to head-fi brand Audeze's headquarters in California, I had the chance to talk to the brand about the recent ReSkin feature it launched for its Maxwell 2 gaming headset.

This new feature for its excellent planar magnetic driver-powered gaming headset allows owners to customize their set by swapping in funky earcup designs to inject some colour, flair, and personality into their gaming accessory.

The earcups have been so popular that a bunch of the first designs have sold out, with marketing director, Peter James, telling me that "the one that's sold the most is the all-seeing eye. That one actually sold out of its first run."

Indeed, of the six designs or sets that Audeze launched in May, only one of them is available to buy as of right now on the brand's website, and two — the all-seeing eye and the very limited edition Dia De Los Muertos set — are not even listed at all.

However, there could be big things on the horizon with the PlayStation-owned Audeze having "some potential game studio collaborations" on the way in the future, according to James.

This could be an opportunity for a collaboration with a huge PlayStation series or two in the future, given Audeze is under Sony Interactive Entertainment's (SIE) roof now.

Could we see a spectacular God of War Laufey ReSkin featuring Faye? Could we, Maxwell 2 owners, be wearing some Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet artwork in the future? How about a profile shot of Wolverine adorning each earcup?

There are some truly exciting potential collaborations to consider given the relationship between Audeze and PlayStation.

And Audeze doesn't intend for the ReSkin designs to stop there: "We're really just getting started at this point.", James tells me.

"We're not intending this reskin program to be limited to Maxwell 2; that's just where it's starting."

I asked whether there might be a possibility of fans submitting their own designs in the future. "I don't think we're going to do 'design your own,' but we'll almost certainly be doing some things where people can submit designs and maybe run an online poll or competition to see what people vote on to select."

He went on to add that, as well as the exciting prospect of gaming collaborations, there are "more in-house designs that we'll be releasing on a monthly cadence."

Audeze has previous form with working with external collaborators from studio artists and musicians in relation to some headphones — when it comes to those super slick wooden rings that you can see on the likes of the LCD-2 and LCD-3 sets, for example — and it seems that the ReSkin program has the potential to unlock some big-hitting collaborations further down the line to continue that trend.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review

I’m not going to sugar-coat this. I’ve been a big fan of Sony’s soundbars, but its latest generation can feel like a step backward, and that includes the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7.

I genuinely like some of the choices Sony has made: these new speakers are simple and elegant, becoming one with your room. They’ve also got a much smaller footprint, making placement (both in front of a TV and on a wall) much easier.

The included remote has fewer buttons, giving it a friendlier feel than the previous models. And Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping might be the easiest room correction feature ever baked into a soundbar.

You get an HDMI input for passthrough as well as the HDMI eARC connection to the TV, which is a soundbar feature that’s becoming harder to find; it comes with every cable you need, plus a wallmount kit; and you no longer need to spend $1,000 to get up-firing drivers (an essential ingredient for convincing Dolby Atmos sound). They’re included in the $869 / £699 / AU$1,199 Bravia Theater Bar 7.

And yet despite these benefits, the Bravia Theater Bar 7 (AKA model HT-A7100) nixes some of my favorite features from the previous generation.

There’s no built-in subwoofer, no on-screen setup menus, no alphanumeric front display, no hi-res Bluetooth codecs, no ability to connect wireless headphones, no Chromecast support, no Google Assistant/Amazon Alexa compatibility, and no playback via USB storage or UPnP (for streaming music from a networked server).

Of these omissions, the one I noticed most is the lack of a built-in subwoofer. While it’s true that too much low-frequency sound can be, at times, unwanted — for instance, if you’re a condo-dweller with thin walls between units — I believe that’s a good problem to have. You can always dial the bass down if the neighbors complain. But not having enough bass to start with? That’s tough to accept, especially at this price.

It’s not that the Bar 7 has no low-end; it does. It’s just that it doesn’t get low or loud enough to provide what I think of as a truly cinematic experience, even with the available bass adjustment set to ‘max’.

The obvious and easy way to overcome this limitation is to buy the Bar 7 with Sony’s Bravia Theater Sub 7 wireless subwoofer, a combo that only costs $230 / £100 more. If you buy the Theater Sub 7 after the fact, it will cost you $329 / £249 / AU$299. Sony sent me a Sub 7 to test, and it does the trick, restoring the weight and punch that the Bar 7 lacks.

Still, if bass isn’t your thing, the Theater Bar 7 delivers crystal-clear mids and highs, and can do so at volume levels that are shockingly loud. Dialogue is crisp and well separated from the rest of the soundtrack. Sony deserves top marks for this — poor dialogue clarity has become something of an epidemic in the last decade, and the Theater Bar 7 really helps.

With dedicated up-firing drivers for height channels and side-firing units designed to bounce rear channel sound to your listening position, the Theater Bar 7 should deliver a compelling, immersive experience, especially when playing Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content.

I don’t want to be too harsh in my analysis; the Theater Bar 7 definitely creates a soundstage that is taller, wider, and deeper than non-Dolby Atmos speakers, but given its price, I expected more.

I use a number of different test clips when evaluating spatial immersion, such as the Aston Martin chase scene from No Time To Die, the opening of Mad Max: Fury Road, and the first sandworm reveal from Dune.

The Theater Bar 7’s strengths (its clarity and power) created a strong sense of energy and immediacy — both vital elements for enjoying cinematic sound — but these couldn’t overcome the soundbar’s struggles to place key effects like bullet impacts or whispery voices accurately in my space.

Normally, when a soundbar underperforms my expectations, I reach for the settings menus, where you can usually tweak everything from bass and treble to the levels of individual channels.

Unfortunately, Sony doesn’t provide any way to tweak the Bar 7’s tuning. There’s no equalizer, no set of bass/treble adjustments, and no EQ presets. If you find the sound signature too emphatic when it comes to the high frequencies (as I definitely do), there’s not much you can do about it.

All of this adds up to a soundbar that finds itself in the anti-Goldilocks zone. The less expensive Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 may not be expandable, but out of the box it can deliver more cinematic punch thanks to the included wireless sub.

By the same token, if you spend just a little more than the price of the Theater Bar 7, you can get the Bravia Theater Bar 8. With its built-in sub, you get all of the sleek, single-speaker appeal of the Bar 7, with genuinely good low-end bass (and lots of expansion options).

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Price & release date

• Released April 2026 (US), May 2026 (UK), July 2026 (Australia)
• $869.99 / £699 / AU$1,199

As the name suggests, Sony has priced the Bravia Theater Bar 7 to sit between the existing Theater Bar 6 ($699.99) and the Theater Bar 8 ($999.99).

While the Theater Bar 6 comes with its own subwoofer, it can’t be expanded later with optional surround speakers. If you want that, you’ll have to buy the more expensive Bravia Theater System 6, which comes with a sub and surrounds.

Both the Bravia Theater Bar 7 and Theater Bar 8 can be expanded with subs and/or surrounds, however the Theater Bar 8 has a built-in sub, which may provide enough low-end for some people (especially for those in apartments or other small spaces).

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Specs

Should I buy Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 review: Also consider

How I tested Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7

• Used the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7 as my main audio system for one week
• Tested in my basement media room
• Sources: Apple TV 4K, Nvidia Shield 2019, and streamed music from various apps

After setting up the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7, I used it as my main audio system for watching movies, TV shows, and music in my basement media room. Over the course of a week, I played a variety of Dolby Atmos test clips from movies such as No Time To Die, Ford v Ferrari, Mad Max: Fury Road, Dune, and Unbroken. I took careful note of details like dialogue clarity, surround sound, and height channel immersion.

I streamed most content from an Apple TV 4K connected via an LG OLED TV, which fed the Theater Bar 7 from its ARC output. However, I also connected an Nvidia Shield TV to the soundbar’s HDMI input to test Dolby Atmos in Dolby TrueHD, and see what, if any video passthrough issues came up.

I evaluated the effect of Sony’s limited sound modes as well as its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping room correction feature.

For music, I used a variety of apps, including Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz, and Amazon Music, listening to a wide range of genres and formats, like Dolby Atmos Music. Some were played from apps on the Apple TV 4K and Nvidia Shield, while others were streamed wirelessly using AirPlay and Bluetooth.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: July 2026

• Report claims Sony FX3 cinema camera replacement is launching later this month
• FX5 will come with an all-new sensor offering a much-needed upgrade
• Optional EVF add-on set to arrive alongside the camera

It's been over five years since Sony launched the FX3, and in that time it's become one of the most beloved small cinema cameras around. But it's always had one gap that pro filmmakers have grumbled about: no open gate recording.

According to a new report from SonyAlphaRumors, that's about to change. A story on the site says Sony will officially announce the FX5 on July 22 at 3pm BST, and among the leaked specs is Open Gate 5K recording in a 3:2 aspect ratio.

If you're not familiar with the term, open gate simply means the camera records using the entire surface of the sensor, rather than cropping it down to the standard 16:9. That extra height in particular gives editors far more room to reframe, punch in or repurpose the same shot for square, vertical, or widescreen content in post. That can be a huge deal for anyone making videos for multiple platforms from a single shoot.

It's exactly what TechRadar's Pete Sheath asked for back in 2025, alongside an increase in resolution, when he wrote up his wish list for a next-generation FX3.

That resolution bump is also rumored to be arriving in the FX5, in the form of a new 16.6MP fully stacked sensor. On the surface, 16MP might look modest for a 2026 cinema camera. But for a camera built around motion rather than stills, a lower pixel count may work in the FX5's favor: it can mean better dynamic range, cleaner low-light performance, and space for punchier frame rate options (don't be shocked if 4K at 240fps ends up on the spec sheet).

The trade-off is that 8K recording seems to be off the table, which will likely disappoint anyone hoping the FX5 would leapfrog into that territory.

Room for a view

There's also good news for anyone who's missed having a viewfinder on Sony's FX-series cameras. The report points to a new external tilting EVF, which should make a real difference for shooters working outdoors in bright sun or in dim, light-sensitive spaces like concerts and theaters, where a glowing rear screen isn't always welcome. It sounds optional rather than built-in, which may be the best of both worlds: skip it and keep the FX5 almost as compact as the FX3, or clip it on when you need it.

Other rumored additions include the BIONZ XR2 processor with AI autofocus (borrowed from the Sony A7R VI), a triple base ISO system, false color exposure tools, and a Venice-style menu overhaul.

Nothing is official yet, and Sony hasn't confirmed a single spec. But if the leak proves to be accurate, the Sony FX5 looks set to answer several of the loudest requests from the FX3 faithful in one go. We should know for certain in a couple of weeks.

You might also like

• Sony is launching a new RX10 bridge camera — here's what we can learn from the shock teaser
• Camera rumors for 2025: the new gear we're expecting soon from DJI, Sony, Canon and more
• The best video camera 2025: finest choices for filmmakers and videographers

• Amid backlash surrounding plans to end physical game disc production, Sony is trying to advertise its new PlayStation fight stick
• The company has remained quiet amid fan pushback since announcing its plans
• Fans appear outraged by Sony's lack of response

PlayStation has just posted online for the first time since announcing its plans to end physical game disc production, but instead of addressing the elephant in the room, the company is trying to advertise its new fight stick.

From January 2028 onwards physical PlayStation discs will no longer be produced, and let's just say the reaction to the announcement has sparked overwhelming backlash.

While fans continue to urge the company to backtrack on its decision online, including creating a petition that has amassed over 170,000 signatures, PlayStation has remained noticeably quiet on the issue. But finally, after six days of silence, it looks like it's finally shared a new social media post.

Is it a statement addressing the issue? A response explaining its stance further? No. It's an advertisement for its new FlexStrike wireless fight stick.

As of writing, the post has been up for one hour, has over 4.5million views, and has received massive pushback, with fans flooding the replies to accuse PlayStation of ignoring them.

"Sony is completely ignoring the huge backlash for the killing physical media and ownership," one fan said. "Don't let them get away with it. Voice your disgust under every post they put out until they change course."

Another wrote, "No way THIS is the first tweet PlayStation puts out after 6 days," as another joked, "I don’t understand. This a physical product? How do I download it?"

The thread is also full of fans showing how much they care about physical media, with some proudly showing off their collections, others declaring they won't buy another console again, and of course, plenty of memes about the situation.

We'll have to wait and see if PlayStation eventually caves to the pressure, but for now, Sony's plan to stop manufacturing physical media is still going ahead.

• Sony has announced that it's ending physical PlayStation game disc production in 2028
• Fans are protesting the decision and have created a petition to urge Sony to change its mind
• It now has over 170,000 signatures

PlayStation fans have created a petition in a bid to urge Sony to reverse its decision to end physical game disc production from January 2028, and it's already reached over 170,000 signatures.

"On July 1, 2026, Sony announced it will end production of physical discs for all new PlayStation games starting January 2028," the 'Don't Kill the Disc' Change.org petition reads. "New games will be sold digitally, or as a box containing only a download code, with no disc inside."

The petition, created by the CEO of Canadian retailer PNP Games, also points out that days earlier, it was confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 physical editions will launch with no disc, but a digital download code instead, which many fans are disappointed with.

"When the market leader ends the disc, the rest of the industry follows," the statement continues. A disc is a real game you own. You can lend it, trade it, resell it, gift it, collect it, or pass it down to your kids. A box with only a download code is not the same thing. It is a digital license in plastic packaging. You do not own it. You are renting access that can be revoked, and people have already had purchased movies deleted from their libraries and games pulled from sale weeks after launch."

With a lack of physical games to sell in in-store retailers, there's also the risk of job losses and a weaker local economy, the creator added, and stressed that they're not against digital, but against digital being the only option.

As of writing, the petition has 172,204 signatures, and number which is growing by the minute, and many fans are being vocal about their disdain for Sony's decision.

"Physical media is what makes consoles the best place to play modern AAA games," one petitioner said. "It's the only decentralized local DRM solution that is both acceptable for publishers and provides sufficient ownership and user control to satisfy both sides. It is crucial for physical media to survive until digital ownership is sufficiently solved. My 30-year streak of supporting PlayStation depends on this decision. Don't betray your most loyal long-time customers Sony.

Another comment reads: "I've been a gamer on the PlayStation platform since the PS1 days, and many of my favorite games have been on PlayStation systems, whether as exclusives or simply a preferred platform. However, I'm a physical media gamer, and I refuse to support any gaming company that tells me I don't have the option to own physical media. I hope Sony will reverse this decision, but if not, then they will cease to get business from me after January 2028."

There are plenty more comments to cycle through, but while fans are voicing their concerns, Sony is notably quiet on the matter.

After posting the announcement, the company hasn't yet shared a statement in response to the outcry, so it remains to be seen if the PlayStation maker will cave under pressure.

Having tested countless pairs of ANC headphones, it takes something special to truly wow me. But today, we’re going to compare two sets of premium cans that did exactly that: Apple’s AirPods Max 2, and Sony’s WH-1000XM6.

If you’re considering which pair of headphones are for you, I’ve got you covered. I’ve spent hours testing both sets side by side, assessing each model on their feature-sets, performance, design, and most importantly, value for money.

The AirPods Max 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6 are both wonderful headphones, and each earned a 4.5 star review and hearty recommendation from us here at TechRadar. They’re different in more ways than you may expect, offering a pretty unique listening and user experience, but ultimately, there’s one set I’d pick over the other. Curious to hear my verdict? The scroll on down to see this clash for the ages to unfurl.

AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: price & specs

AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: features

Both the AirPods Max 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6 are rammed with features, but there’s one major point of differentiation — Apple’s cans are heavily tailored towards iOS users.

That’s right, the AirPods Max 2 have a lot of features that Android users won’t get access to. Stuff like Spatial Audio, auto-device switching, Siri, and Apple Intelligence integrations. This is understandable, although it’s a shame that Android users have no way to directly alter the headphones’ EQ. Apple users get a fantastic range of options to choose from, though, with stuff like Live Translation and the head-tracked Spatial Audio really standing out.

Sony’s headphones are undeniably more versatile, with myriad features available to both iOS and Android users. They have no end of options, with a 10-band EQ, scene-based listening, a Cinema upmix mode, speak to chat, and mic-mute. This is all controlled by Sony’s Sound Connect app, which is easy to use, although some settings do feel a little hidden in sub-menus.

But how about the main event: ANC? This is a much closer fight than I expected, actually. See, the XM6 offer class-leading noise canceling capabilities, and even when I’ve used them on flights they’ve silenced the sound of the deep jet engines firing or conversations happening around me. But the AirPods Max 2 are genuinely very competitive, even against the XM6. In my office, the sounds of keyboards clacking, colleagues talking, and cars passing by outside were totally crushed. Both headphones are top-tier when it comes to noise cancelling, and I’d argue they even rival Bose.

Another crucial area to explore is battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM6 keep things pretty standard with 30 hours of battery life with ANC on. This is the typical figure you’ll see for headphones in this kind of price range — nothing special, but enough to get you through a fair few days of listening. The AirPods Max 2, however, only supply 20 hours with ANC on. That’s just not good enough, and falls well short of the competition. If you don’t want to charge your cans all too often, then the XM6 are a better pick.

There are a few other areas where the XM6 prevail over the AirPods Max 2 as well, such as their superior call quality and background noise supression, inclusion of intuitive and precise touch controls over Apple’s digital crown, and use of DSEE Extreme for upscaling lower-quality audio files.

So, if you’re an iOS user, the AirPods Max 2 definitely have some snazzy features up their sleeves — including some smart options that the XM6 leave out. Each are great when it comes to ANC, and are on relatively even footing there. But Sony’s cans offer superior compatibility, battery life, and call quality, making them the overall winner in this category.

AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: sound quality

This is what you really came here for, right? But before I get into my sound comparison, let’s take a look at a few technical differences.

Like their predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM5, the Sony WH-1000XM6 use 30mm dynamic drivers, except they’ve been redesigned with high-rigidity carbon fiber for better performance across the frequency range. They also feature Sony’s QN3 processor featuring a noise-shaper, which pre-empts sudden sound changes for a more controlled listening experience.

On the other hand, the AirPods Max 2 use custom 40mm drivers — just as the original AirPods Max did. However, the sequel added a new amplifier alongside Apple’s H2 processor, which is intended to supply more detailed, cleaner sound. Unlike the LDAC-equipped XM6, the AirPods Max 2 have no higher-res Bluetooth codec support, although you can access lossless playback via the headphones’ USB-C port.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get into my listening comparison. In Journey by Ruze, the differences between the two pairs of headphones were clear. With the AirPods Max 2, I was treated to a spacious, immersive interpretation, with expansive vocals and dreamy synths showing off the headphones’ nuanced soundstage.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 went for a different approach, with a tighter and punchier take. Bass came through with the kind of impact that instantly demanded my attention. Vocals and synths were also really clear and well separated in the mix, but didn’t have quite as much of an expansive quality.

Moving over to something softer with Sakamichi by Yuta Orisaka and it was a similar story again. Vocals were emotive and tonally accurate, and were elegantly separated from strumming guitars. Percussion was also rhythmic and well-defined in the mix, and the broad soundstage exposed the track’s layers with finesse.

The XM6 excelled too, and vocals had excellent clarity in the mix, warped electric guitars sounded brilliantly separated — almost as if they were operating in a separate pocket. Meanwhile, the warmth of the track’s bass came through beautifully, and subtle percussive elements were weighted nicely too. Despite this, there was still a tightness to the sound — the direct and cohesive sound of the XM6 is simply very striking.

So, which headphones sound better? I think it’s a question that’s harder to answer than you may expect. On a strictly technical level, I’d argue that the AirPods Max 2 offer a bit more nuance, thanks to their wider soundstage, which opens up a more revealing and insightful listen. But I really do think there’s a case to be made for the XM6. Their punchier, tighter approach sounds spectacular, and adds a lot of vim and excitement — especially to more energetic tracks.

Ultimately, this one’s down to personal preference. If you want a more intimate sound with the joys of LDAC, then the Sony WH-1000XM6 are for you. But if you’re looking for an ultra-spacious, meticulous soundstage with clean all-round sound, then the AirPods Max 2 get the nod for me. Let’s call this one a tie.

AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: design

The AirPods Max 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6 have shown themselves to be very different propositions so far. And that’s reflected in their design as well.

In my view, the AirPods Max 2 are some of the best-looking wireless headphones on the market today, with a super-striking metallic look, an elegant fabric headband, and a selection of eye-catching colors. Sure, they look just about identical to the original AirPods Max, but if it ain’t broke…

The Sony WH-1000XM6 look pretty good themselves, though. They have a sleek, cohesive, and textured appearance, which resembles the XM5 pretty closely. The XM6 have more of an understated selection of colors than the AirPods Max 2 — personally I prefer what Apple’s headphones have to offer, but it’s totally down to personal preference.

I’d argue that the AirPods Max 2 have a more premium look and feel — as you’d hope considering the price difference — I just think they’re more striking. In addition, I prefer the flatter appearance of the earcups on Apple’s headphones to the semi-bulky look of the XM6’s.

But hang on. The XM6 aren’t down and out just yet. Because if we’re talking about pure practicality, they have the AirPods Max 2 beat. The XM6 are totally foldable, making them phenomenally compact if you want to toss them into a small bag, whereas Apple’s headphones are a bit more rigid. On top of that, the XM6 come with a fantastic magnet-lock case that's far better than the bizarre smart case of the AirPods Max 2, which doesn’t even protect the headband.

Overall, though, I’m gonna hand this one to Apple. I do like the case and foldability of the XM6 for sure, but the attention-grabbing, luxurious look of the AirPods Max 2 is undeniable. Yes, they’re also a fair bit heavier than the XM6 too, but I still found Apple’s cans very comfortable in use, meaning they just about edge it for me.

AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: value

There’s no hiding the fact that the AirPods Max 2 are significantly pricier than the Sony WH-1000XM6. Apple’s latest headphones typically come in at $549 / £499 / AU$999, while Sony’s have a list price of $449 / £399 / AU$699. But which one actually offers better value for money?

As I noted above, these headphones are very different, so the answer will vary depending on a few factors. The AirPods Max 2 offer more expansive sound than the XM6, paired with an excellent set of features for Apple device users and a luxurious look to boot. They are definitely on the expensive side, though, and although we’ve seen them pop up on sale with a few retailers (even as low as $399 in the US over Amazon Prime Day), they do have some notable flaws for the price.

The battery life instantly comes to mind — 20 hours isn’t very competitive. They also lack higher-res Bluetooth codecs, and their compatibility with Android devices is limited. Still, they’re a great pair of headphones overall, with fantastic sound quality, looks, and iOS functionality.

At $449 / £399 / AU$699, the Sony WH-1000XM6 feel like an easier sell. They offer ANC that’s easily on par with the AirPods Max 2, a more practical design, they sound spectacular, with a punchy yet well-balanced signature, and their broad compatibility is a big win — especially if you own a Windows laptop or Android phone.

These are also on sale fairly regularly, and I’ve seen them drop as low as $380 / £300 in recent times in the US and UK respectively. Sure, if you only have Apple devices, these may not offer the same convenience as the AirPods Max 2, and Sony’s headphones also leave out USB-C audio passthrough and have a slightly less premium look.

It’s closer than I initially thought, but I do think the Sony WH-1000XM6 are better value when all’s said and done. For less money, you get super-engaging sound, top-tier ANC, better battery life, and a more versatile software setup.

AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: verdict

So, if I could only choose one pair of these excellent headphones, which would I recommend? In this instance, I’m going to hand it to the Sony WH-1000XM6. Apple’s headphones are undoubtedly fantastic performers, and if you want the most spacious sound and features tailored for iOS, they’ll undoubtedly serve you very well. But for less money, the XM6 are just the slightly better value pick for me. Their combination of S-tier ANC, balanced, yet tight and punchy sound, and more versatile compatibility make them the ideal all-rounders.

2026 is almost over — well, not quite, but given we're already halfway through the year, it won't be long before those year-end awards are in sight again. And with the 2026 progress bar hitting 50% this week, we decided it was a good time to look back on the last six months and pick out the early 'gadget of the year' contenders from everything we've tested since January.

And we've been testing a lot — 639 products, to be precise, have passed through our labs and the real, unvarnished lives of our experienced testers this year. Those hundreds of gadgets span everything from coffee machines and smartphones to life-boosting accessories like portable DACs, fans and smart Lego.

So if you've just woken up from a six-month nap (we don't blame you) or are looking for some gadget inspiration, the list below will make for some fascinating reading. It doesn't contain every five-star product we've tested this year (check out our separate five-star review roundup for those), but it is a temperature check of all the products our reviewers haven't been able to stop talking about over the past six months...

21. Fitbit Air

• The fitness tracker of 2026 so far

The Google Fitbit Air is the highest-profile, most exciting fitness release of 2026 so far, and it’s generated plenty of buzz online. A screenless Whoop-style band weighing just 12 grams (including strap!) and with up to a week of battery life, the Fitbit Air is the most exciting thing we’ve seen from Fitbit since Google brought the brand.

The hardware is excellent, proving to record heart rate accurately in our comparison tests, and it’s eminently comfortable to wear. I had no problems wearing it virtually 24/7 during my testing period, including to shower and sleep in. It looked great, was super-light, felt comfortable and delivered accurate, insightful metrics.

The app is another story. While its AI-powered premium functionality is good, not everyone’s going to jive with the chatbot format of the AI Coach, and existing Fitbit users are irked that their community features and historic badges were deleted, replaced by an AI Coach to help you ‘celebrate your achievements’ in a different way. The app is uniformly recognized as being messy and cluttered, too. But away from the app’s design, the tracker is still the boldest, most interesting release in the fitness tech world this year.

Matt Evans, Senior Editor, Fitness, Wellness & Wearables

• Read our in-depth Fitbit Air review

20. Maxell Wireless Cassette Player

• Our favorite blast from the gadget past

Look me in the eye and tell me you have no cassette tapes hiding anywhere in your home. Right, there’s a shoebox somewhere. But where to play them? That’s where the Maxell Wireless Cassette Player comes in.

Not only is it brand new gear to play these old tapes, but it works with your favorite Bluetooth headphones; I found it the perfect blend of nostalgia and modern audio pleasure. Even its imperfect functionality, like flaky Bluetooth support, was somehow charming.

I wish it had recording like my old portable cassette player, but it was still kind of wonderful to get to hear old mixtapes, recordings, and even classic releases from 1980s music icons (The Traveling Wilburys!) again.

Lance Ulanoff, Editor at Large

• Read our in-depth Maxell Wireless Cassette Player review

19. MacBook Neo

• Still a winner, despite its recent price hike

Up until a month ago, the MacBook Neo was my favorite laptop of 2026, and I didn’t think there’d be any other new laptop this year that could beat it. With a launch price of $599 / £599 / AU$899, it was the cheapest MacBook you could get, and despite its budget price, it offered the kind of build quality, design, screen and performance that you just didn’t expect from laptops and Chromebooks around that price point.

It certainly made a big impact. Running on the A18 Pro chip, it could run pretty much any macOS app that more expensive Macs could, offered excellent battery life and a bright and vibrant display (something a lot of budget laptop makers often neglected to keep prices down). It sold like hot cakes, and gave a kick up the bum to rivals. Since its launch, both Acer and Dell have announced laptops (the new Acer Swift Air and Dell XPS 13) that the companies are very open about how they’ve been designed to take on the MacBook Neo.

However, last month Apple announced a raft of price increases for some of its products, including a $100 / £100 increase in price for the MacBook Neo. While not a massive increase (unlike what the MacBook Air and Pro got), it’s enough to make the MacBook Neo less of an instant recommendation, and some of its compromises, such as slow USB-C ports and no backlit keyboard, are suddenly harder to forgive.

Matt Hanson, Managing Editor, Core Tech

• Read our in-depth MacBook Neo review

18. Lego Smart Brick

• The opinion-splitter that won us over

The toy brand introduced a new technology-fueled piece in its iconic build block system this year at CES 2026 — and while some reactions have been mixed online we here at TechRadar have fallen in love with the system. If you’re a kid who loves playing with your sets and not just admiring them it hits the mark (almost) perfectly.

Out the gate it featured in a handful of Star Wars themed builds adding iconic starship noises, blaster fire effects, and flashing lights as the model moves and its play features are used. It does this thanks to motion and color sensors in the brick which perform different effects based on the special NFC tiles the smart brick is placed onto — the tile effectively programs the smart brick’s lights and speakers while they touch.

Admittedly it wasn’t perfect at launch, but Lego has already started to solve some of our issues with the builds and the brick’s interactiveness in its upcoming Pokémon Smart Play sets — helping to cement the smart brick as one of the best gadgets of the year, and we’re confident it’ll only get better.

Hamish Hector, Senior Staff Writer, News

• Read our hands-on Lego Smart Brick review

17. iFi Go Link 2

• A huge audio upgrade for your phone or laptop

Some hi-res products require careful tinkering and compatibility testing. This isn't one of those. Instead it's a no-fuss, super-small headphone DAC (which stands for digital-analog-converter) to effectively take the job away from the small and likely pretty basic DAC and amp stage in your smartphone or laptop, do the conversion job a lot better, and deliver the improved audio to your wired earbuds or headphones (and thus, to your shell-likes) of choice.

Did I mention it's also super-cheap? This thing costs just $59 / £59 and it essentially turns your source device's sound into something you'd get from hi-res player — and those can cost thousands.

It's smaller and lighter than the iFi options that came before it too. The Go Link 2 will happily slip into your pocket or bag along with your smartphone without issue, and if you're looking to get in on the wired trend (hey, lots of people are) it's a very good way to add wired headphone support to devices that have long since dropped the 3.5mm headphone jack.

OK, its amp stage won't be enough to drive high impedance planar magnetic cans (and those would probably come toting a 4.4mm jack anyway, which this doesn't have) but provided you're just looking to level up with closed-back dynamic solutions, this is little money, well-spent.

Becky Scarrott, Audio Editor

• Read our full iFi Go Link 2 review

16. RayNeo Air 4 Pro

• A lightweight personal cinema for travelers

Android XR and Meta might be stealing the smart glasses spotlight in 2026 with their announcements, but here at TechRadar we think the best new pair to launch so far this year is something a little different: the RayNeo Air 4 Pro.

The biggest difference between the RayNeo and those other specs is they don’t bother with AI — instead they’re effectively a portable display for your compatible phone, tablet, laptop, console, essentially anything that can output video and audio via USB-C.

The Air 4 Pro don't reinvent the wheel but add important new tools like being the first specs of their kind to support HDR10 — leading to more accurate and vibrant colors from their micro-OLED displays. Couple that with solid sound, a comfy fit, and optional Batman/Joker stylings for DC mega fans (plainer designs are available) and you have something incredible.

Hamish Hector, Senior Staff Writer, News

• Read our in-depth RayNeo Air 4 Pro review

15. MacBook Air M5

• The best ultraportable we've ever used

The MacBook Air is, in some ways, the portable most other laptops aspire to; it’s thin, light, surprisingly powerful, and has simply outstanding battery life.

At the time of review, Apple had doubled that storage space (far more important than you might think), finally upgraded connectivity to the future (Wi-Fi 7 and BLE 6) and, of course, slipped in the new M5 silicon.

The price rose a bit, and some wished for more colors (heck, maybe they'll think about Citrus for the next Air), but none of this really detracted from the MacBook Air’s sizable qualities, including a fantastic keyboard, huge ForceTouch trackpad, and Thunderbolt 4 ports. MacBook Air was the laptop that lured me away from Windows, and the M5 model is what’s keeping me here.

Lance Ulanoff, Editor at Large

• Read our in-depth Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) 

14. Oppo Find X9 Ultra

• The new camera phone king

If you're in any doubt about whether the Oppo Find X9 Ultra is the best camera phone on the market right now, just look at the devices we've compared it to. In our Oppo Find X9 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comparison, the Chinese flagship came out on top in almost every category, and in our Oppo Find X9 Ultra vs Lumix TZ300 vs Nikon Z8 comparison, we found that its telephoto capabilities "render most travel zoom compact cameras redundant." High praise indeed.

So, yes, the Find X9 Ultra — which is the first Ultra-branded Oppo phone to ship outside of China (albeit not in the US) — is the new camera phone king. But it comes with plenty of other flagship bells and whistles, too. There's the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, the 12GB of RAM, the 6.8-inch OLED display, and the enormous 7,050mAh battery. And Oppo's software has also come on leaps and bounds in recent years.

If we're talking 'the best phones of 2026 so far', the Find X9 Ultra is a must-include.

Axel Metz, Phones Editor

• Read our in-depth Oppo Find X9 Ultra review

13. Audeze Maxwell 2

• The best-sounding gaming headset I've ever tested

The Audeze Maxwell 2 isn't the gaming headset that's received the highest score from our team of reviewers so far this year on TechRadar Gaming, but it's still one of the absolute best to release this year. And it gets that mantle on sound quality alone.

The 90mm planar magnetic drivers produce the finest gaming audio I've ever experienced, and I can't imagine using anything else now (unless I have to for pesky work reasons). Audeze's patented SLAM tech means the bottom end is even better than ever, and so the whole soundscape is much more rounded and fulsome, while being exceptionally detailed and immersive.

It's a chunky headset, yes, but it has all the modern features you realistically need to get the most out of a headset for single-player immersion and gaining edges in multiplayer games: a robust mic, reliable connectivity, good design and build, all supporting that brilliant audio quality.

After nearly a decade of testing and reviewing gaming headsets of all stripes, I have not been treated to audio this good. It's proven so good that I disagree with our own review (sorry, Phil) and have written about how, after a few months of living with the Maxwell 2, I think it's a five-star gaming headset. If you want to consider any new gaming headset of 2026 thus far to upgrade your audio game, then this has to be it.

(Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming)

• Read our in-depth Audeze Maxwell 2 review and my op-ed on why I would have scored the Maxwell 2 higher

12. Dyson PencilVax FluffyCones

• The most streamlined vacuum we've ever used

It's been a long time since I saw a vacuum that truly made me do a double-take, but that was the case with the Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones. Instead of the chunky dust cup / battery / filter configuration usually found at the top of a stick vacuum, the PencilVac has... nothing. There's just a broom-shaped handle. In fact, this handle houses all those components, except they've been shrunk down to an almost impossibly small size, and hidden away. That makes the PencilVac incredibly light, nimble, and easy to wield.

The floorhead is equally unique, with its two pairs of cone-shaped, fluffy rollers, rotating in opposite directions to whisk away dust from hard floors and clear hair without tangling. This head pivots ultra-smoothly, can be used either way around, and enhances the incredible maneuverability on offer here. A truly innovative design from Dyson, and a useful one at that.

Ruth Hamilton, Collections Editor

• Read our full Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones review

11. Dali Sonik 1

• Small, passive stereo speakers that sound twice their size

It's not just because the Dali Sonik 1 are clearly the cat's miaow — although that never hurts!

The Dali Sonik 1 are the smallest in the Danish brand's ever-expanding new line of passive stereo speakers, but while this February 2026 proposition might be bijou, they sound easily twice their size. And for this money, that's a huge win.

We love them for their clear-mindedness, sparkling vocal reproduction, textured transients and remarkably deep, thumping robustness. They’re also low-distortion, with a sonic profile that never falls foul of overstating itself, apart from a very occasionally overzealous bass reflex (but that's largely down to placement).

You might be thinking you've seen this all before: small passive stereo speakers, they must all basically be the same, no? The Dali Sonik 1 are better than that — in fact we think they're currently the absolute best in their size and price category. It could well be the Sonik 1’s use of Dali’s trademarked Clarity Cone technology (taken from the Kore range before it), or the “SMC” (Soft Magnetic Composite)-assisted magnet systems that constitute the driver.

However it has been achieved, collectively this in-house wizardry has created a fulsome yet supremely natural-sounding set of standmount speakers. And they'll easily fit into your home (for a refreshingly palatable fee).

Becky Scarrott, Audio Editor

• Red our fully star-rated Dali Sonik 1 review

Our top 10 of 2026 (so far)

10. Apple AirPods Max 2

• The best noise-cancelling iPhone headphones on the planet

At first glance, Apple's March-issue second-generation flagship headphones probably didn't receive too many hugely excited whoops and cheers from the Cupertino giant's noted fanbase. Why? Because they arrived looking exactly the same as the first pair.

And they still come out on top in any mid-year headphones roundup. The ANC is just that good. We may sometimes be harsh at TechRadar, but we're always fair…

Put them on your head, engage the ANC and get them playing music. Suddenly it's impossible to knock them. There's a new H2 chip in each ear cup (plus a new amplification module) and that combination is a bona-fide game-changer.

OK, so you can use the Digital Crown as a remote and yes, you can now use Live Translation, nod or shake your head to control call-handling, or pipe up and the headphones now adjust playback accordingly. But none of these under-the-hood improvements is what seals the deal for me.

No, it's all about the sound, underpinned by the noise cancellation performance that is 1.5 times better — and anyone who owns the inaugural set will know how big a deal that is. Also, the overall sonic profile is punchier, more vibrant and with an extra ounce dynamic nuance across the frequencies.

The only reason I couldn't give them the full five stars? The stamina, at only 20 hours with ANC deployed. The thing is, when the cocoon of silence is this good, I'll take a hit on battery life.

Becky Scarrott, Audio Editor

• Read my full and in-depth Apple AirPods Max 2 review

9. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

• The new king of Android

It can be hard to mess with near perfection, but that was the task facing Samsung when it built the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. It’s a follow-up to the best Android flagship I'd ever used and, thankfully, the S26 Ultra did not disappoint.

The excellent, solid design (despite losing titanium) is a perfect showcase for Samsung’s vast OneUI 8 and all that AI. Plus it has a built-in S Pen that’s endlessly useful and new privacy screen feature that's so cool I wonder when Apple will copy it.

The just-short-of-perfection is mostly because it wasn't a full redesign some wished for and the frustrating lack of any kind of MagSafe charging capabilities. Those were, obviously, minor niggles in what is otherwise a powerful, big-screen handset that should be on everyone’s Android shortlist.

Lance Ulanoff, Editor at Large

• Read our in-depth Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review

8. EcoFlow Stream Ultra X

• A game-changing home battery for renters

It's no surprise that in a year of spiraling energy costs one of the big trends has been home batteries that can cut chunks out of your electricity bills — and this powerful, balcony-friendly unit is the most complete we've tested so far.

The EcoFlow Stream Ultra X isn't cheap and, at the time of writing, isn't available in the US (although its lower-capacity Stream Ultra X sibling is). But with its 3.84 kWH capacity and AI-powered energy management, it is a glimpse of a smart home genre that will soon become mainstream.

In short, this lithium iron phosphate battery charges from the sun via solar panels or from cheap grid power during the day, then powers your home at night. In our tests, we estimated that it could easily pay for itself in three years — and that's without connecting it to solar panels.

On its own, the Stream Ultra X isn't powerful enough to power your whole home during a power cut — it's more like the first rung on a ladder that can take you to solar or a bigger home energy system. But you can connect five more Stream series units to hit 23 kWh of power, and its versatility makes it one of the best examples so far of what the Germans call 'Balkonkraftwerke' (or 'balcony power plants').

Mark Wilson, Managing Editor, News (UK)

• Read our in-depth EcoFlow Stream Ultra X review

7. Sony InZone H6 Air

• Sony’s first open-back gaming headset is the best

This year Sony debuted its first open-back gaming headset with the Inzone H6 Air, and it’s the best such model that we’ve tested, blowing strong competitors like the Turtle Beach Atlas Air out of the water.

Underpinned by the same studio quality drivers found in the audio giant’s ever-reliable MDR-MV1 studio monitor headphones, now reworked for additional bass, it delivers crystal-clear, well-balanced sound that’s perfect for both gaming and music listening.

That open-back design lends itself to a wonderfully wide soundstage that adds depth to your favorite games — the detailed weapon sound effects of Battlefield 6 have never seemed so real, while we found that more narrative driven titles like The Last of Us Part 2 or Assassin’s Creed Shadows benefit from a whole new level of aural immersion.

They’re incredibly light and comfortable, coming in at 7oz / 199g, but that doesn’t mean that they feel cheap. The premium aluminum earcup shells are hardwearing and we’re certain that the durable fabric headband will last us for many years to come.

Dashiell Wood, Gaming Editor

• Read our in-depth Sony InZone H6 Air review

6. DJI Avata 360

• Our new favorite all-seeing drone

The big new trend for drones in 2026 is 360 models. A bit like flying versions of cameras like the Insta360 X5, these all-seeing aerial gadgets let you reframe your aerial videos and photos after you've landed, so you don't need to be so precise or decisive up in the sky.

The DJI Avata 360 isn't the first 360 drone we've seen — that was the Antigravity A1 — but it is our new favorite thanks to its unrivaled versatility. Yes, you can shoot 360 videos thanks to its dual 1-inch sensors, then edit that footage using DJI Fly mobile app or the DJI Studio desktop software.

But switch to the drone's single-lens mode, and you effectively have a DJI Avata 2, an FPV drone that can perform aerial acrobatics and get some very different footage. Because you get to choose between using FPV goggles and a standard RC2 two-stick controller, you also don't always need to bring along a spotter friend to fly it legally either.

Mark Wilson, Managing Editor, News (UK)

• Read our in-depth DJI Avata 360 review

5. Dyson HushJet Mini Cool

• A surprisingly powerful heat wave savior

Heatwaves have been another big theme of 2026 — and if you've been baking under a 'heat dome' in the past few months, you might well be interested in the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool, a tiny fan whose performance is as good as its name.

Dyson’s first portable fan excels for two main reasons. Firstly, the fan’s powerful motor reaches a staggering 65,000rpm, and the shape of the HushJet nozzle concentrates the airflow so it’s all directed right at you. Even on the lowest setting you can really feel it, but dial it up to maximum and you’d think you’re using a hairdryer.

You also don’t just have to use it as a hand-held fan — you can wear it around your neck, attach it to clothing or a bag strap, or stand upright on your desk, so it’s pretty versatile to boot. But we know what you’re thinking; it's a Dyson, so isn’t it going to be ridiculously expensive? Fortunately not, so that's why we awarded it a rare five stars.

Rowan Davies, Editorial Associate

• Read our in-depth Dyson HushJet Mini Cool review

4. JBL Go 5

• The best tiny Bluetooth speaker, now even better

When I fired the JBL Go 5 up for the first time, it genuinely blew me away. See, its predecessor was already a very solid-sounding speaker given its minuscule size, and it had great build quality and features to match.

But JBL really outdid itself with this sequel. The Go 5 has even more open and expressive sound than what came before, with clean and agile bass, enhanced detail and clarity in the mid-range, as well as articulate and controlled treble. Pair that with new, customizable edge lighting, improved IP68 dust and waterproofing, and options like USB-C lossless audio, and the Go 5 is easily one of the best small speakers on the market.

It’s also drop-proof, comes in a range of funky colors, and has personalizable EQ, enabling you to find the perfect sound for any occasion. At less than $55 / £40, it’s also sensational value for money, and it couldn’t be more deserving of its five-star rating.

Harry Padoan, Senior Writer, Reviews

• Read our in-depth JBL Go 5 review

3. Philips Baristina

• Bean-to-cup that's great value and a doddle to use

As far as entry-level coffee makers go, the Philips Baristina is simple, stylish, and just as easy to use as any pod coffee machine. Basically, it’s the best affordable bean-to-cup espresso machine we’ve tested.

Like a manual espresso machine, the Baristina uses a portafilter handle. All you need to do is push the empty handle into place, select your drink, and the Baristina will grind the right dose of coffee into the filter basket, so you don’t even need to weigh the coffee beans before brewing.

Using a simple set of three buttons — one for single espresso, one for a lungo, and one to boost the intensity by increasing the dose of ground coffee — it’s incredible value for money. While it doesn’t come with a steaming wand for milk and is very much espresso-first, the Baristina remains an excellent beginner-friendly espresso machine that's perfect if you're new to fresh beans.

Rowan Davies, Editorial Associate

• Read our in-depth Philips Baristina review

2. Sony A7R VI

• Sony just perfected mirrorless cameras

I've tested just about every major camera release spanning the last 15 years, and I don’t use the word 'perfect' lightly — but that's what the Sony A7R VI is. For me, it’s the winning combination of raw quality and speed — thanks to a stacked 66.8MP full-frame sensor with ludicrous dynamic range, lightning-fast burst-shooting and reliable autofocus performance. I really pushed the A7R VI, shooting everything from landscape photography to wildlife and portraits, and it didn’t skip a beat.

The A7R VI is also a seriously well-designed professional mirrorless camera, with an immersive high-resolution EVF and multi-angle touchscreen, plus it packs an all-new higher-capacity battery that bags more shots. Sure it costs a lot, but considering it’s capable of 95% of what the A1 II can do, with more resolution, for a much lower price, I think it’s decent value.

I've never owned a Sony Alpha mirrorless camera, but the A7R VI has me seriously tempted, especially since Sony has made my favorite lenses over the last 18 months. If I could keep a hold of a single new camera from 2026, the A7R VI would be it, and that’s why it’s my top pick.

Timothy Coleman, Cameras Editor

• Read our in-depth Sony A7R VI review

1. LG C6

• The OLED TV that somehow improves on its near-perfect predecessor

The LG C6 is the best TV I’ve tested this year so far. Impressively, it makes huge improvements over its predecessor, the LG C5. Thanks to its new, flagship-level processor, the C6 delivers brilliant, vibrant colors, powerful contrast and crisp detail, delivering better picture quality over the C5: which is no mean feat. When I tested the C6 next to the C5, the C6 proved to be more accurate too, eliminating a green tint that was noticeable on the C5.

The C6 is a gaming powerhouse, continuing the LG C-series’ legacy as one of the very best gaming TVs on the market. With four HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K 165Hz, full VRR including FreeSync and G-Sync, Dolby Vision and ALLM all supported, plus an ultra-low, measured 9.2ms input lag time, gaming is fantastic on the C6.

The C6 covers all the bases, offering solid built-in sound, an intuitive smart TV system that gets better each year and it’s generally the most competitively priced OLED as well. The C6 will take some beating in 2026.

James Davidson, TV Hardware Staff Writer

• Read our in-depth LG C6 review

This week we saw the return of Anthropic’s Fable, and PlayStation set the gaming world ablaze by announcing the end of physical discs for its consoles in 2028.

To catch up on these two mega stories and several more scroll down to read our recaps of the biggest tech news stories from the past seven days. You’ll find links to the longer original stories under each entry if you need to know more — and for a longer look back at the last six months, you can also check out our guide to the best tech of 2026 so far.

Before you catch up with this week’s tech news, why not test yourself on last week’s seven biggest tech stories to see how good your memory is? Take the quiz below, or scroll on for the biggest tech news of the week...

7. Tidal hit back at AI-made music

Tired of music made by text-prompt infiltrating your recommended feeds? You're in fine company; it seems the tide is finally turning on AI-generated audio.

This week, in what must be hugely welcome news for recording artists (and their parents, landlords, loved ones, and just lovers of original musical works with human vocals and instruments) hi-res music streaming giant Tidal has drawn a line in the sand.

The platform published a new comprehensive AI policy with the strapline "Promoting Fairness and Economic Empowerment in the Era of AI-Generated Music". The key bit is that as well as working with what the platform told TechRadar is “an external partner to manage detection”, the site will also be excluding wholly AI-generated music from all royalty payments.

The news follows huge strides in this area made by Deezer, with its free AI-detection tool that works on any streaming platform, Bandcamp's strong and concise anti-AI stance set out in January, Qobuz’s announcement of a proprietary AI-detection system in February, Apple Music’s March-issue 'Transparency Tags' (which unfortunately rely on record labels and distributors to tag AI content), and Spotify's… er, Verified by Spotify badge, which certifies that an artist is human, but doesn't help filter the remaining AI slop from your playlists.

All of this makes Tidal's stance, while not before time, particularly firm.

• Read more: 100% AI-generated tracks won’t earn royalties on Tidal

6. Netflix got another hated account update

A handful of Netflix users have noticed a new in-app pop-up that requires each member in a shared account to add individual email addresses to their individual profiles, instead of using the account owner’s email address as the primary one. One of the most jarring parts about it is that the pop-up doesn’t clear unless the request is fulfilled.

Netflix households accounts have always been built on the traditional 'one email, one password’ foundation, but why Netflix has decided to roll out yet another crackdown is the question that everyone is asking.

Though Netflix says it’s to make room for more convenient log-ins and more personalized recommendations, users believe it will give the streaming giant another way to better distinguish between the activity of individual profiles, or even shift them to individual accounts later down the line.

Netflix said that the rollout began on June 15, we imagine a global rollout is in the way.

• Read more: Netflix subscribers are furious at the platform’s latest update

5. We ran with the Garmin Forerunner 70

We’ve taken this new Garmin running watch for a spin. While it offers some clear upgrades over the Forerunner 55 that came before it, these enhancements come at a cost ($249.99 / £219.99 / AU$399) which makes this gadget less budget or entry level and more mid-range.

The trouble isn’t with this smart watch specifically. In fact, with new training and smartwatch features, a vibrant AMOLED display, and with solid compatibility across Android and iOS the watch is pretty solid. What we’re concerned about with the Forerunner 70 is that at this price (or for only a handful of bucks more) you can snatch up watches from rival brands that boast richer features and newer hardware.

At four stars it’s definitely good, but if you’re after the best, or even simply the best at this price point, the Garmin Forerunner 70 might not be it.

• Read our full Garmin Forerunner 70 review

4. The Steam Machine sold out in Japan

The upcoming Valve gaming PC-console hybrid has launched and the reality is it’s a pretty terrible deal on the face of it — though that hasn’t stopped it from selling out in Japan, and from scalpers asking for ridiculous prices for their reservation spot (allowing people a better chance at snagging the device).

Instead of battling with preorder disappointment, or the high costs of the proper machine, some have looked to alternatives but you’ll need to be careful. For every Stim Machine which presents itself as a sensible alternative (with some admittable downsides) there’s a flurry of cheap alternatives propping online that are frankly too good to be true.

Boasting components that wouldn’t actually fit inside the pictured chassis, a combination of parts that wouldn’t function together, and the plethora of never before seen companies proposing Steam Machine alternatives at impossibly cheap rates hints that a majority of these options are likely some kind of scam.

• Read more: The Steam Machine is overpriced — but be careful about buying a cheap clone

3. Anthropic’s Fable 5 was allowed to release

Anthropic’s Fable 5, the public version of its Mythos model, is returning after the US government lifted export controls that had forced the company to suspend access to it, and Mythos 5, earlier in June. The models were pulled after officials raised national security concerns linked to a possible jailbreak, a method of bypassing an AI model’s safety restrictions.

Anthropic pushed back strongly, saying it believed the issue was “a misunderstanding” and arguing that it had not been shown evidence of a broad or universal jailbreak. The company said governments should be able to block unsafe AI deployments, but only through a process that is transparent, fair, clear, and grounded in technical facts.

The return of Fable 5 matters because it shows how frontier AI launches may increasingly be shaped by governments, not just tech companies. Powerful models can now be launched, restricted, negotiated over, and restored within weeks.

• Read more: Anthropic’s Fable 5 is back after US shutdown it called 'a misunderstanding'

2. WhatsApp debuted usernames

WhatsApp has revolutionized its platform this week by introducing usernames — allowing you to build your contact information without sharing your phone number. They won’t take over completely for a while but folks are already reserving their username so that they’re ready for when the update goes live fully.

While many are fairly positive about the change, many fear this could increase the presence of cybercrime fraud and scams as bad actors reserve and use names that attempt to mimic politicians, celebrities, and businesses. This issue isn’t new to social media, but given the more direct nature of WhatsApp, and that businesses do use the platform to chat with customers, potential scams could have an easier time.

WhatsApp has hit back against this saying “only the legitimate account owners are able to reserve well-known public-figure names" however it’s unclear if, with enough imagination, people will find ways to reserve names that the Meta-owned platform hasn’t been able to account for.

• Read more: WhatsApp should freeze username rollout as it could ‘increase cybercrimes’, says India

1. PlayStation killed physical games

Just days after Grand Theft A 6 pre-orders opened with purely digital versions and code-in-a-box releases, PlayStation rocked the gaming world this week by announcing it is ending all releases of new PlayStation games on physical discs from January 2028. It also comes just days after Sony deleted select films from users' accounts that were bought digitally, and offered no compensation.

Claiming that the move “will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today,” Sony looks to be reflecting recent statistics which show the vast majority of game purchases are indeed digital.

The move has not gone down well with fans, gamers, and the wider industry, as it likely paves the way for an all-digital future, and possibly a critical, maybe terminal blow to the second-hand game market, the ability to share games with others, and from a game preservation perspective

It also means that the PS6 will likely be all-digital by default — perhaps with an optional disc drive — and won’t release until 2028 at the earliest. With rumours that Xbox could follow suit with its next-generation console, the future looks increasingly digital, and game collectors such as ourselves are deeply worried and sad about it.

• Read more: In a huge blow to game ownership, PlayStation confirms end of physical games — mere days after GTA 6's disc-less pre-orders

• Sony teased a new RX10 on its Instagram, writing 'The Wait is over'
• Its previous bridge camera was the RX10 IV from 2017, which is discontinued
• This latest in the series will arrive on July 9 at 7am PT / 10am EDT / 3pm BST

Sony just dropped exciting news for fans of its versatile bridge cameras — a new RX10 camera will be revealed next week.

The teaser on Sony's Instagram reveals a surprising amount of detail, including the release date plus a silhouette of the next RX10, which from we can glean some info about its lens.

Perhaps the most surprising part of all is that Sony is launching a new RX10 in the first place. Its most recent bridge camera was the Cyber-Shot RX10 IV which was released all the way back in 2017, and has been discontinued for more than two years.

The RX10 IV is still regarded as the best bridge camera available, which tells you everything you need to know about this space, which has been largely dormant for years, save for a tired Lumix re-release and the occasional cheap Kodak model.

Despite the RX10 IV's skills, we can only hope that Sony has a little more in store for the next RX10, because an upgrade on the mark IV could be super interesting. The teaser (below) gives us a little snippet of what we can expect.

The most obvious point to note is the release date, which will be July 9 at 7am PT / 10am EDT / 3pm BST. I predict that putting a Sony bridge camera back in stores will be a popular move, especially among enthusiast wildlife photographers desiring a versatile telephoto lens in a lightweight setup.

Otherwise, there's one little clue, and that's the part of the teaser when the lens is extending upwards. We can't see the focal length of the lens, but we can see the aperture range, which is f/2.4 to f/16.

That aperture range is identical to the RX10 IV, which features a 25x optical zoom with a 24-600mm focal length range. The other details in that lens silhouette also look the same as those in the RX10 IV; the Vario Sonnar T* and twin control rings.

It's harder to glean much else from the teaser — the silhouette of the camera body looks similar to the one before it, but it could very well be different.

We won't have long to wait to find out more, with the next RX10 coming in less than a week.

What do you think of Sony's teaser? Is this the next Sony camera you were hoping for? Have your say in the comments.

• Sony is already repurposing its Austrian disc-making factory
• It's the only physical media plant of Sony's that's left
• Existing staff will be retained to work with micro optics

We're still reeling from Sony's announcement earlier this week that it will stop releasing PlayStation games on physical discs from the start of 2028 — and now there's news that Sony's last remaining physical media factory is already being repurposed.

According to ORF Salzburg (via The Verge and Google Translate), production at the Austrian plant is going to drop to around 10% of its current levels by 2028. The factory currently makes 600,000 blank Blu-rays every day (half of which are used for PlayStation games), and Sony has made some 26.4 billion discs in total across its sites.

The existing 300 staff are going to be kept on though, as per Dietmar Tanzer, CEO of Sony DADC (Digital Audio Disc Corporation). They'll be retrained in micro optics — squeezing optical components into the smallest spaces possible.

Instead of discs, the plant's assembly lines will be producing optical microlenses instead. One of the uses of these elements mentioned in the report is for projecting car turning signals on to the street surface, but there are a multitude of potential applications.

'We own nothing now'

The report also quotes Markus Streibl, head of Micro Optics at Sony DADC, who says that the company recently invested €30 million (about $34 million / £26 million / AU$49 million) in the tech as it looks to develop this part of its business.

As spotted by The Verge, there's evidence that the plant in Austria has been making microlenses since at least as far back as 2024. These small components are actually produced on discs, so there'll be some crossover in terms of equipment and processes.

While Sony seems immediately ready to move on and look to the future, many of us are having a less easy time moving on: gamers are promising to quit the PlayStation platform over concerns about what these means for game ownership ("we literally own nothing now" was a comment left by one disgruntled user).

The news has tempered some of the excitement around the opening up of GTA 6 pre-orders, and it also means the PlayStation 6 is highly unlikely to have a disc drive built in. Sony has also announced the closure of the PS3 and Vita stores at the same time.

• Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden says Sony's decision to scrap physical discs is "fairly dramatic"
• Layden recalls a time when digital sales "were zero percent" because Sony didn't have a market
• He believes the move will also mean the PS6 won't have a disc drive

Former PlayStation Worldwide Studios boss Shawn Layden has shared his opinion on Sony's decision to stop producing physical discs and its plan to move all-digital, calling it "a fairly dramatic decision."

Speaking in an interview with Eurogamer following the bombshell news, the PlayStation veteran of 32 years confirmed that he had "no idea it was going to happen and "don't necessarily agree with it."

As for why he thinks Sony has made the decision, he suggested, "Maybe it's just too prohibitively expensive to stamp out discs," but believes that any big move to discontinue a product, feature, or model is "largely" a "straight spreadsheet [decision]."

"What are disc sales compared to digital sales? And I'm old enough to remember when digital sales were like 10 percent - I'm old enough to remember when digital sales were zero percent because we didn't have a digital market! And that number just grew over time," Layden said.

The ex-PlayStation leader suggested the COVID pandemic played a role in accelerating the purchase and consumption of digital games over physical, and believes that Sony's decision could mean the PS6 won't have a disc drive.

Analysts have also determined that the next-gen PS6 console will launch in late 2028 and won't have a disc drive, or at the very least, one will be sold separately "to play older PS4 and PS5 games on disc."

In fact, Layden revealed that ditching the PlayStation's disc drive was something the company considered for a year while he worked there.

"I've been asked this question every year for the last 20 years. 'When are you guys going to just give up on the disc drive?' My feeling with that was always: well, when I get to a place where I'm comfortable enough to believe that worldwide, broadband throughput is good enough to support that download experience, good enough to reach the majority of customers," Layden said.

He clarified, "Majority does not mean entirety, so there is a point, a tipping point, where if I have 80 percent of the opportunity, which represents 95 percent of the revenue source, what's my incentive to keep the lights on for the other 20 percent if it's effectively only 5 percent of the business? See what I'm saying? At some point, it just becomes obvious that we can't keep this whole thing running just for this very small slice of opportunity."

While Layden admits that Sony had always been "pretty good" at determining the risk of overestimating regional internet infrastructure, "because unlike Xbox, PlayStation had a wider global fanbase, and not just in the numbers, but in the reach, because Sony Corp had reach all over the world," there are also players who do not have access to the internet, such as people in military bases.

"The idea that they could still buy a PlayStation 4 game, throw it in a machine, and play was important. You don't want to leave those people behind," Layden said.

"I don't know what went on in those conversations, but it's a fairly dramatic decision."

As Sony plans to scrap physical discs, there are also concerns about the inability to resell games or buy them second-hand in the future, which Layden said "used to be a huge factor" in the business, but the rise of digital games "kind of quashed that used-game business, and made it hard for folks who were making a nickel in the secondary market by selling them."

However, he doesn't necessarily believe this drove Sony's decision because it's been happening over time, but thinks "we've reached some kind of homeostasis where it's in a weird sort of balance."

"Second-hand gaming still occurs, obviously, but it's not material anymore to the business to worry about, I think," Layden added.

Following Sony's announcement, new reports claimed that the company is testing a disc-to-digital feature for existing consoles and could also release a next-gen Project Helix console without a disc drive.

While there's no telling whether Microsoft plans to follow Sony's all-digital business practice later on, Layden believes the huge decision could influence other companies, including Microsoft and Nintendo, to follow suit.

"Certainly, this is an industry where if one company, particularly the leader of the industry, makes a decision of this magnitude, that's going to heavily influence what the other ones do," he said.

Any serious photographer knows the importance of great glass. And while I've had the personal pleasure of testing the best cameras for 2026 so far, innovative lenses get me even more excited.

Only a true macro lens can bring the insect kingdom to life, or a telephoto optic get you close to distant wildlife, or a fast prime bag you punchy portraits with dreamy bokeh.

With that in mind, I regularly review the latest lenses as well as cameras, and I've played with some real crackers this year. These include Sony's overdue macro lens upgrade, Sigma's world first 135mm with an f/1.4 aperture, Viltrox's impossibly tiny 28mm f/4.5, Canon's affordable f/1.2 prime, and Nikon's fabulous 70-200mm F2.8 Mark II.

Each of the above lenses serve different use cases, and they come in at varied price points, starting at just $99 / £90 / AU$169. Let's dive into my top five lenses for 2026 so far…

Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5

• Release date: Staggered release for various mounts
• Lens mount: Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X
• Verdict: 4/5

The Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 was first launched in 2025 for Sony E-mount, but it has been released for various lens mounts in 2026, including Nikon Z and Fujifilm X. I expect an L-mount version will land soon.

It's an impossibly small wide-angle prime considering that it features autofocus, full communication with the camera, and an impressively fast f/4.5 aperture. It's so small, in fact — measuring just 15.3mm in length and weighing just 2.1oz / 60g — that I'd describe it more as a body-cap lens than a pancake lens, with a neat sliding lens cover, and it costs just $99 / £90 / AU$169, with occasional sales knocking 10% or so off the price.

I'd describe image quality as characterful rather than technically precise, with detail being fairly soft in the corners, and some obvious vignetting. In the center of shots, however, it's actually pretty sharp. It's a full-frame lens, but the Viltrox 28mm F4.5 actually makes even more sense for Sony, Nikon and Fujifilm's APS-C cameras, because the 1.5x crop effectively transforms the lens into a 42mm optic, plus the softer corners are outside the image area.

The Viltrox lens is so small and so cheap that it's a zero risk purchase, and one that I'd happily keep on my camera instead of a body cap and for quick everyday snaps.

Read my Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 review

Sigma 135mm F1.4 DG Art

• Release date: January 31 (announced late 2025)
• Lens mount: Sony E, L-mount
• Verdict: 5/5

World-first is a term that's banded around a lot, usually with caveats, but Sigma's pro portrait prime is a true first — a 135mm lens with a maximum f/1.4 aperture. I've tested my fair share of 135mm f/1.8 lenses recently, including the Viltrox 135mm and Nikon Plena, while Sigma has its own that's now nine years old, but Sigma's latest offering has an even faster aperture and creamier bokeh for the ultimate portrait photography quality.

It's a beast of a lens, mind you, weighing 50.4oz / 1,430g, and with a massive front lens element and 105mm filter thread. If you're willing to lug the lens around, though, you'll be rewarded with "razor-sharp detail" and "stunning shallow depth of field", as we noted in our in-depth review, with the lens earning a perfect five-star rating.

Currently the Sigma 135mm F1.4 DG Art is available for Sony E and L-mount cameras; pro Nikon photographers can only hope that a Z-mount version is on the way soon.

Read my Sigma 135mm F1.4 DG Art review

Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS

• Release date: January 15
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Verdict: 5/5

If there was a Sony E-mount lens that needed updating, it was the 10-year-old Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS — Sony's only true macro lens. Thankfully, 2026 delivered the new Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS, and it's a notable improvement on the 90mm original in just about every regard.

With "improved optics, faster autofocus, steadier stabilization, greater magnification, increased zoom and teleconverter compatibility", we concluded in our review that the new Sony 100mm is "the go-to macro lens for Sony working pros who make an income from close-up pictures, whether it’s product photography, still life, flat lays or macro nature shots".

Key features include the new maximum magnification, which was upped from 1x to 1.4x, plus its compatibility with teleconverters to further extend its reach. Compared to Sony's other macro lens, the new 100mm macro is in another league, and very much merited its five-star review rating. It's not the first optic of its kind — Canon walked this path years before with its own 100mm macro with 1.4x magnification. Still, Sony photographers finally have the macro lens their cameras deserve.

Read my Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS review

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM

• Release date: November 6 (reviewed in March 2026)
• Lens mount: Canon RF
• Verdict: 3.5/5

What's this now — an affordable f/1.2 prime lens from Canon? Pick my jaw off the floor. True, it's far from being a perfect lens, but Canon's 45mm F1.2 STM makes a fast aperture and the attendant shallow depth of field potential available to beginners who would otherwise be priced out of owning such a lens.

We gave the lens a 3.5 star-rating because of its optical flaws; there's significant chromatic aberration and "swirly distracting bokeh". It doesn't even come with a lens hood. However, we've got to respect what this lens represents, and Canon for delivering it.

Not only is this the most affordable proprietary f/1.2 full-frame lens for any lens mount, but Canon also makes the most affordable mirrorless cameras. I can see the 45mm F1.2 STM pairing nicely with an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera such as the EOS RP and EOS R8, and even with an APS-C model like the EOS R100, on which you're getting an effective 70mm lens (approx).

Where rival brands are typically ignoring beginners and putting their efforts into high-end gear, Canon is regularly delivering new cameras and lenses for all budgets and skill levels.

Read my Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM review

Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S II

• Release date: February 23
• Verdict: 5/5

If there's one lens for 2026 that I desperately want to add to my bag permanently, it would be the Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S II. Granted, I'm a Nikon shooter who regularly works at these focal lengths, who is also in need of upgrading (I still use the DSLR version of this lens via an adapter), but that's not to take away from what I called a "flawless" telephoto zoom.

It follows the 24-70mm f2.8 S II in being a second-generation upgrade of what was already an excellent Z-mount zoom lens, bringing a lighter build, fully removable tripod collar and teleconverter compatibility. The lighter design is thanks to an entirely new optical design that's somehow simpler and sharper at the same time, while also improving close-focusing capabilities.

There's probably not enough reason for owners of the original Z-mount 70-200mm to upgrade, especially given the jump in price, but for everyone else there's arguably no greater 70-200mm f/2.8 available — and it's the kind of lens I've relied on for so many shoots down the years. With the Mark II version now available, I finally feel like it's time to upgrade from my aged DSLR lens.

Read my Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S II review

What do you think of the lenses above? Are there any other new lenses that appeared in 2026 that you particularly like? Have you say in the comments.

• Sony plans to stop producing physical discs by January 2026
• The announced has spawned an overwhelmingly negative reaction from many PlayStation fans
• Many are concerned about what this means for game ownership and the PS6 era

Sony has announced that it plans to stop producing physical discs by 2028, delivering a huge blow to the concept of game ownership, and the reaction from PlayStation fans seems to be overwhelmingly negative.

The company shared the bombshell news in a PlayStation Blog post, and as of writing, it has over 6,645 comments. The majority of responses are calling for Sony to reverse the decision and arguing that they won't technically own any digital game they purchase come January 2028.

"We literally own nothing now but licenses this is a horrible decision Sony," one user wrote, as another said, "I’m gonna be honest, I will quit buying games. I hope I’m not the only one seeing this trend license purchasing vs game purchasing and it is disturbing that you are ok with this. Or worse, you have many of us convinced it’s OK."

There are also concerns about the lack of options regarding purchasing second-hand games in the future, as well as being unable to resell or trade their titles later on.

Some fans are also considering skipping the PS6 generation altogether if physical discs aren't on the table, with others vowing the PS5 will be their last PlayStation console.

"Looks like this is where my journey ends with PlayStation then, goodbye," commented one fan.

"Well if you want people to stop buying new game systems, this is a choice I guess," a commenter wrote. "But this will mean I will never buy another Playstation as the way digital purchases are handled have shown me that it is a risk to pay a single penny for a digital game as one glitch on Sony’s part can get your account banned, and make you lose out on every digital purchase you have ever made."

Another said: "This is a terrible decision. As a long time PlayStation customer, this will cause me to re-evaluate my console choice for the next generation. Digital-only is not in the best interest of the consumer, and it’s something I am not interested in.

"This, along with the decision to proceed with releasing a “PS6” at a time when components are at record prices, is making this hobby unaffordable for many. You risk killing the industry with these short-sighted decisions rooted in greed."

Following the announcement, analysts have determined that Sony's decision telegraphs that the next-gen PS6 console will launch in late 2028 and "at a minimum" won't feature a disc drive, but an add-on disc drive could be available to play older PS4 and PS5 games

It seems that Microsoft is following a similar all-digital business plan, as new reports have claimed that the company is testing a disc-to-digital feature for existing consoles and could also release a next-gen Project Helix console without a disc drive.

Gaming has officially reached its worst state in decades after PlayStation announced it will ditch game discs for PlayStation consoles starting in 2028.

It comes very shortly after Rockstar Games and its most anticipated game, arguably of all time, GTA 6, opened pre-orders.

Why is that relevant, you may ask? Well, in case you've missed it, there will be no discs available for 'physical' copies of GTA 6. Essentially, buying the highly anticipated game digitally or the physical edition at retailers means you won't have a hard copy of the game, as the latter comes with a code in a box.

Frankly, it's a reach to even suggest that GTA 6 has a physical edition at all, as a code in a game case definitely isn't a physical copy — and that's what makes things even more ridiculous.

Rumors recently suggested that there would never be any disc of GTA 6, and after PlayStation's disastrous announcement, it's safe to say that those rumors are accurate. We're not focusing exclusively on GTA 6 here, but if you're wondering what the future of gaming will look like from 2028 and beyond, GTA 6 is the example.

The PlayStation 'monopoly-like' behaviour begins

To put it simply, that example of GTA 6 means that all of the games purchased from the year 2028 and beyond on PlayStation consoles will no longer be owned by consumers, because digital purchases are actually licenses.

That's a huge issue for several reasons. If PlayStation wanted to revoke a user's access to a game, it could do so at any time, which we've recently seen with the removal of over 500 movies from user libraries without refunds. If a user loses their account from an unwarranted ban (or even by being hacked), then their digital purchases are effectively gone for good.

With this in mind, Sony's behaviour feels very monopolistic. Of course, gamers can still choose to buy third-party games on other platforms, but since Sony has reportedly tried to make certain games like Crimson Desert a timed exclusive (reported by Forbes), and it's now cutting off another avenue of purchasing games, it comes across as unfriendly to gamers, even if its moves aren't exactly illegal.

Physical copies have always allowed consumers to buy, resell, or borrow games and get their hands on cheaper copies at retailers, whether brand new or second-hand.

The latter is what gives stores like CeX, Game (in the UK), and GameStop purpose, letting consumers find games that they didn't want to pay full price for at launch, or buy games for retro systems like the PS1 or PS2, since the libraries from those game consoles are severely limited on PS5 (and some are only available via streaming).

Since the PlayStation Store will soon be the only place to buy games on PlayStation consoles, consumers will effectively be forced to pay high prices for most titles — including both PlayStation exclusives and third-party games that have been available for years already.

The examples are clear to see above; GTA 5 is a 2013 game that has received multiple re-releases from PS3 to P55, and somehow still costs $39.99 / £59.99 / AU$89.95. The same applies to Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, a 2022 game, which costs $49.99 / £44.99 / AU$74.95, and the list goes on.

At CeX, GameStop, and multiple other video game retailers, games of their caliber will cost significantly less, without needing a sale or discount to make them affordable for consumers.

That affordability is seemingly what Sony is also trying to eliminate alongside game ownership. Streamlining all PlayStation game purchases to its PlayStation Store ensures you can't find a cheaper deal for a game anywhere else. If that doesn't sound monopolistic, then I don't know what does.

Sure, there will likely still be cheaper options via video game retailers for 'physical' games with a code in a case. However, the fact that discs will no longer exist for games will instantly discourage gamers from opting for those so-called 'physical' editions, since ownership will be out of the equation.

It's always been more expensive to pay for games digitally than it has been to buy them second-hand — especially with constant price increases and few steep discounts — and once second-hand games are gone in 2028, there will be no going back.

To make matters even worse, Sony is also shutting down the PS3 and PS Vita stores in 2027, leaving PS3 and PS Vita owners with no possible way to purchase any of the games on those two platforms.

Announcing such a drastic move at the same time as informing gamers that discs will cease to exist on PlayStation does the exact opposite of instilling faith in consumers that buying digitally is the right move.

When the PS5 or any other future PlayStation console eventually becomes a retro console, Sony may very well do the same thing and close the platform's store. Without discs or hard copies of games, you can essentially kiss them goodbye for good.

The warning signs have been there all along; physical media, specifically within the gaming industry, has seen a steady decline over the years, with publishers and game studios of particular games opting for digital releases, and on some occasions, later releasing physical editions.

As Hideo Kojima, a veteran gaming designer, once said, "eventually, even digital data will no longer be owned by individuals on their own initiative". That reality is now here — and unless gamers stand up to Sony's anti-consumer practices now, it'll be too late once 2028 arrives.

• Sony plans to halt physical game production by January 2028
• Analysts say the announcement telegraphs that the PS6 will arrive in 2028
• It's predicted that the console won't have a disc drive

Following Sony's announcement that it will halt production of physical games within the next two years, analysts have determined that the next-gen PS6 console will launch in 2028.

According to Ampere analyst Piers Harding-Rolls, PlayStation's all-digital plan "telegraphs quite a lot of information about Sony’s plans for its next-generation console, the PlayStation 6," including a release window.

"We believe this almost certainly guarantees that the PS6 won’t arrive until 2028 at the earliest," he predicted, adding that the "current expectation is that the console will launch at the end of 2028."

Harding-Rolls also suggests that "at a minimum," the standard version of the PS6 won't have a physical media disc drive because Sony will be looking for ways to reduce the cost of its next-gen hardware, and "this is an easy win."

"It’s possible that an add-on disc drive could be made available to play older PS4 and PS5 games on disc," the analyst added.

"Removing the drive will upset some gamers that don’t want to pay for an add-on disc drive (if available) and that want to access their game collections on disc. It may be too impractical or too complex, but some process of transferral for older physical media to a digital license could alleviate some of these issues."

Whether the PS6 will be a console like the PS5 is yet to be known; however, recent comments from Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino seem to suggest that the next-generation PlayStation console could be a handheld.

Nishino said, "For the next-generation platform, rather than simply serving as an alternative to PCs, we aim to deliver value that is unique to PlayStation," which would include "technological advancements but also an expansion of usage styles, enabling a seamless experience that can be enjoyed naturally beyond the living room."

New reports have claimed that Microsoft is also moving away from physical media.

It's said that the company is testing a disc-to-digital feature for existing consoles and could release a next-gen Project Helix console without a disc drive.

PlayStation has announced that it will end the production of disc releases after more than 30 years of physical games, confirming that everything that you buy will be digital-only from January 2028 onwards.

There will inevitably still be some new games on sale in stores, but likely only empty cases containing printed download codes. It's devastating news for physical game collectors and those skeptical of digital ownership, but also likely to sting for all PlayStation fans.

There's nothing quite like the feeling of getting your hands on a physical game and almost everyone will have a favorite, not to mention fond memories of scrounging money to buy them or receiving them as gifts as a kid.

That's why I've asked every PlayStation gamer on the TechRadar team to look back on some of their favorite physical releases for a final, teary-eyed send-off.

Hidden secrets revealed

I’m all for great cover art, but the PlayStation case I’ll always remember is that of the original Metal Gear Solid from 1998. That’s because the back of it contained a crucial clue for the game that stumped me for an embarrassing amount of time.

“You should contact Meryl by Codec,” Colonel Campbell says at one point during the stealth classic. “Wasn’t her frequency written on the back of the CD case?” It took a few hours (possibly days) for me to realise that he meant the game’s physical case, where a tiny screenshot reveals that life-saving frequency.

As much as I enjoyed fighting Psycho Mantis and creeping around under cardboard boxes, it was this moment that made me doff my cap to the game’s designers — and it’s sadly the kind of dovetailing between games and the physical world that just won’t be possible from 2028.

Mark Wilson, Managing Editor, News

Please insert disc 2

I've been on one PlayStation or another for around 25 years. I've got fond memories of unwrapping physical releases, poring over manuals and physical maps of digital locations, and I'm genuinely emotional at the prospect of the era of physical releases, buying resold games cheaply, and owning your own damn games (not just the license) coming to an end.

Perhaps my favorite physical disc memory is playing through Final Fantasy 9 while sharing a controller with my friend. I was around nine years old.

The party suffered Beatrix's ultimate move, the screen went black... and up came the "Change to Disc 2" message. We freaked out - I think both of us had forgotten this was a multi-disc game.

Matt Evans, Senior Editor, Fitness, Wellness & Wearables

Pour one out for the creamiest PS4 cover

I have an entire bookshelf of PS5 and PS4 games, but there’s only one with cover art that looks like a guy drowning in… cream. (I have been reliably informed that I will get in big trouble for suggesting it looks like anything else, so I leave that entirely to your own imagination.)

I’m, of course, talking about The Evil Within 2, with its striking front that depicts troubled detective protagonist Sebastian Castellanos immersed in a sea of milky fluid. He looks so peaceful, eyes shut as if asleep and his hands clasped together almost in prayer — a perfect reflection of the game's dream-world setting and undercurrent of religious themes.

It’s the kind of cover art with layers that you can only truly appreciate if you have it in your hands. There’s a creepy monster looming just over his shoulder, reaching up to pull him deeper into the nightmarish stew, and the outlines of floating skulls to really emphasize the threat.

It tells you everything you need to know about the game inside: this man is in imminent danger, and you need to get him out.

Even so, my absolute favourite detail is one that most would miss. The artwork is entirely monochrome aside from Sebastian’s wedding band, which glows gold on his ring finger. A little symbol of familial warmth and hope among all the sterile, creepy white. It’s only fitting; this is a game about going through hell to save your daughter, after all.

Dashiell Wood, Gaming Editor

Flushed to bits with Balatro Special Edition

Balatro was easily my favorite game of 2024, and even now I’ll dip in to play more — either to see how deep into a run I can venture, or to slowly chip away at Completionist++.

I picked it up digitally a little after launch, but when the Special Edition debuted with a physical disc and a handful of real cards from the game it was an immediate buy for me. Even if it meant I’d own it twice on PS5.

Admittedly the box is a little lackluster — the jokers are an odd selection, and considering it’s more of a collectible I would have loved a retro-style book insert to have been included — but I do love the cover art despite its simplicity, and I mostly saw picking up the game again as just a way to show the LocalThunk-made masterpiece some well-deserved extra appreciation!

(P.S. Bonus shoutout to the holographic cover art of Kingdom Hearts 2 on the PS2, that, combined with the Tetsuya Nomura-drawn art, was peak 2006-cool).

Hamish Hector, Senior Staff Writer

RIP Rockstar's iconic maps

Ironically, some of my favorite physical releases have been from one of the companies that’s being partially blamed for this disc-less future: Rockstar.

Rockstar’s move to not include an actual disc in the ‘physical’ release of GTA 6, instead just having a download code, means the biggest game of the generation, maybe even of all time, won’t really be having a physical release, and Sony’s announcement makes that seem especially bleak.

Buying a physical edition of a Rockstar game used to be a joy, as they often came with a fold-out map.

I used to love putting the disc in to install the game, then poring over the map, marvelling at the ever-expanding size of the titles and trying to figure out secrets and cool places to visit.

It was part of the experience, almost like you were preparing to vacation in the world. I remember doing it with the first ever GTA game on PC, right up to Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS4, which, sadly, is likely to be the last time I open a physical Rockstar game...

Matthew Hanson, Managing Editor, Core Tech

Even the ugly covers can be winners

Ico is a truly gorgeous game. The art style is absolutely perfect as an accompaniment to leading Yorda through the game’s world and fighting off the shadow monsters trying to kidnap her. And the box art in Japan and Europe nailed its atmosphere to perfection.

I owned the original cardboard case, which featured this gorgeous sleeve, an inner case with Yorda contrasted against a black tunnel and a range of art postcards conveying stunning moments from the game. Any time I slipped it open and removed the disc to place into the PlayStation, it was like I was entering the game’s mysterious castle step-by-step and made it feel like a living artwork.

Which is why it will never not be funny to me that this is the artwork Sony used to promote the game in the US. Rather than the tender, minimalist puzzler you’re actually getting, it looks like it’s advertising a straight-to-video 90s horror about a haunted windmill.

It’s the kind of embarrassing thing you whip up when you first discover Photoshop, decidedly not the kind of thing you release to a market of 300 million people, and for that I will always find it highly amusing.

Josh Russell, Reviews Editor

The best things in life are freebies

Cyberpunk 2077 is my favorite physical PlayStation game I own.

Outside of clocking hundreds of hours exploring Night City, I love it because it came with so much more than just the game’s disc, meaning my copy of Cyberpunk 2077 is a real collectors item for fans of the beloved RPG.

I enjoy collecting video game artwork and this release came with crammed with postcards, stickers, a game map, and a world compendium full of important lore. There’s something just so satisfying looking through all that whilst a game downloads, you’ve got everything you need to know about Night City in there without needing to even get out your phone.

This is a sad day for those of us who love physical video game collectibles, and even a freebie as small as a stack of postcards can make you feel like you’re buying something special. Cyberpunk 2077 has truly gorgeous aesthetics and so I’m glad I was able to get my hands on some free artwork back when I bought the game.

It’s a shame that future games might not get the same treatment.

Lucy Buglass, Senior Entertainment Writer

The last of these?

Having missed out on picking up any special editions over the PS3 and PS4 generations, it's the PS5 where I have really been able to treat myself to some special, and now favorite, physical editions of games.

Chief among them are both the collector's editions of The Last of Us titles on PS5: the WLF Edition of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, and the Firefly Edition of The Last of US Part 1.

Not only are these spectacular editions in their own right with wonderfully arranged boxes and layouts, fantastic steel books and a host of physical goodies to peruse, they mean more to me because I couldn't get special editions of both when they first came around.

They're in a box right now due to an impending house move, but these will be front and centre in my new office shelving units when I get the chance to display them in all their glory.

Hopefully, Sony finds a way to keep collector's editions like these going, though a large part of me will be very sad that there's no actual disc inside...

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, Gaming & Streaming

Unboxing a beating

I’ll admit I’m not really a big collector of physical copies of games these days thanks to the ease of digital downloads.

This was different back when games used to come in cardboard boxes or stuffed DVD cases, and had things like maps or chunky manuals with extra lore in them. There is a caveat though, as throughout the PS3 and PS4 eras digital downloads for games often cost much more than their physical counterparts, leaving me with a small selection of boxed PlayStation titles — my favourite being Bloodborne.

There’s nothing more than the disc and a leaflet touting Until Dawn and The Order 1886 inside, but it’s the stark cover art that stands out, with the ‘hunter’ facing away from the viewer, saw cleaver and blunderbuss in hand, against a contrasting white-grey background.

To me this represents the grim, dark journey Bloodborne takes you on: a blood-soaked path that marked a distinct departure from the Dark Souls series while still feeling like a game only FromSoftware could nail.

The physical box gained an almost ritualistic feel for me. In the odd event that the disk wouldn’t be in my PS4, I’d have to take it out of the box with the cold, grim hunter on the front greeting me with the familiar feeling that I’ll have to slash, parry, dodge my way through Yarnham time and time again as Father Gascoigne gives me a pasting. How I hated it, how I loved it.

Roland Moore-Colyer, Managing Editor, Buying Guides

Still hanging on to this one

Without a shadow of a doubt, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is my favorite video game cover of all-time. It will forever sit at the forefront of my memory when reminiscing about the PS3.

Not only is the game itself an all-time great, but its cover art represents so much of the game’s excellence, with the very train sequence that it’s depicting later inspiring games like and Stellar Blade and even movies such as Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning (even though its director swears it's not, it definitely is).

It’s sad to say goodbye to physical games, and here’s hoping that the backlash forces Sony to rethink its choice — but I’ll never forget the Uncharted 2 cover art for encapsulating just how amazing the PS3 era of gaming was.

Isaiah Williams, Staff Writer, Computing

• Sony has announced that the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita storefronts will soon shut down
• They will close next month in some regions, and next year in the UK, US, and Australia
• The news comes as the company announces the end of physical disc production in 2028

If today's news that PlayStation will stop producing physical game discs in 2028 wasn't bad enough, the company has also quietly announced that it will be closing the PS3 and PS Vita storefronts soon.

On the official PlayStation Blog, the company argues that the decision was driven by the fact that these old systems "are no longer able" to support "modern commerce systems" and current payment processing standards.

"PS3 and PS Vita represent an important era in our PlayStation history, so this was not an easy decision for us to make" the post says.

The storefronts will not be wound down immediately. It will be discontinued next month in Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua, then "additional Latin American and Middle Eastern countries" later in 2026.

For those in the US, UK, and Australia, the PlayStation Store will go offline on PS3 and PS Vita in July 2027. That gives you roughly a year to make any final digital purchases if you still have those consoles lying around.

Importantly, Sony does at least say that "players will still be able to download previously purchased content" once the stores are offline for "the foreseeable future" so it sounds like you at least won't lose access to anything that you have bought.

The reactions to the news in the comments have been overwhelmingly negative, with one PlayStation fan writing that "This is why physical media matters. More and more proof that you’re just buying a license that can be taken away whenever companies feel like it."

Another wrote: "Just stripping out everything today from us huh?! How much money is enough for you guys to not make everything worse?"

• PlayStation has announced that it will not release games on physical discs from January 2028
• This comes days after GTA 6 pre-orders were digital or code-in-a-box orders only
• Decision looks to pave the way for a digital-only PS6, probably releasing in 20-28 at the earliest

PlayStation has today announced that no new PlayStation games will be released on physical disc from January 2028 onwards.

In a huge blow to the concept of physical ownership, the gaming giant has said this move is "a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs" in a new PS blog post.

It goes on to argue that, "This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today."

The move is unlikely to be popular with fans and particularly with game collectors, and comes just days after the disc-less GTA 6 pre-orders, which saw Rockstar ditch the disc in favour of code-in-a-box game box releases.

Not only this, but this decision also comes a matter of days after PlayStation removed some movies that console owners had bought digitally from their libraries with no compensation.

It all points to a digital-only future, with a physical disc drive only being useful for games released before January 2028 on PlayStation. Sony's next PlayStation console being digital only by default now seems very likely.

It's a far cry from Sony's famous dunk on the PS4's competitor, the Xbox One, at the beginning of the last console generation, when the latter appeared to be announced with a function that would block resale and sharing of physical games. Microsoft quickly rowed that back.

The under-30-second video clip published by PlayStation has been viewed millions of times and is part of a series of famous 'wins' for PlayStation's console over Microsoft's back in 2013 that set the scene for that generation — and beyond — and is part of gaming folklore.

Now, however, it's all changed. This decision will further bring the concept of owning one's own games under scrutiny when publishers and platform holders will simply retain the right and ability to pull the plug at will, with consumers not necessarily owning a copy of the game they bought.

How do you feel about Sony's decision to no longer release any new PlayStation games on physical discs from 2028? Vote in the poll below or leave a comment.

• PlayStation CEO Hideaki Nishino has suggested the brand's next console could be a handheld ir hybrid
• He said Sony wants to break the perception that "PlayStation equals the living room"
• Nishino added that the next-gen console will offer "a seamless experience that can be enjoyed naturally beyond the living room"

New comments from Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino seem to suggest that the next-generation PlayStation console could be a handheld.

During a recent Q&A published by Sony (via IGN), Nishino was asked how Sony plans to bring back users who migrated to gaming PCs during the COVID period and if the company sees potential for significant changes with the next-gen console.

Nishino responded, saying that PlayStation "has long been strongly associated with the idea of playing in the living room." However, in recent years, gamers have been using personal monitors elsewhere in their homes, so Sony is now selling peripherals such as monitors and speakers "to break away from the fixed perception that 'PlayStation equals the living room' and to broaden usage scenarios."

This is when Nishino hinted at the next-gen console, which we expect will be the PS6.

"For the next-generation platform, rather than simply serving as an alternative to PCs, we aim to deliver value that is unique to PlayStation," he said. "This includes not only technological advancements but also an expansion of usage styles, enabling a seamless experience that can be enjoyed naturally beyond the living room."

It's this comment in particular that suggests that Sony is looking to shift gears and perhaps create a console similar to the Nintendo Switch 2.

The CEO made similar comments in a recent interview Famitsu, during which he said Sony wants to leverage tech "that can be used in various forms and locations."

Nishino confirmed that the company plans to continue focusing on consoles, saying, "My belief that a console is necessary for playing games hasn’t changed," adding that Sony "wants to continue providing its own game consoles."

He added that "pick up and play" is the most important quality for consoles nowadays, making one think of the Switch 2.

Rumors of a PS6 handheld have been circulating for some time. According to a reliable insider, Moore's Law is Dead, Sony will launch its next-generation PlayStation with three devices in 2027, including two consoles and a companion handheld.

• Grand Theft Auto 6 is selling eight times faster on PS5 than Xbox says IGN
• Xbox disputes this, however, in a statement to Windows Central
• This potential bad news comes just as Xbox announced console price hikes

IGN has reported that, based on its internal affiliate data, Grand Theft Auto 6 preorders on PS5 are surging ahead of Xbox preorders of the game at a rate of eight to one — Xbox is now saying this is far from the full picture. Though, I have a hard time believing Xbox is doing a heck of a lot better than this data suggests.

In a statement to Windows Central, an Xbox spokesperson explained that “This doesn’t represent pre-order data. We’ve had record orders. People should wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links."

Now, I don’t doubt that GTA 6 is selling gangbusters everywhere it’s playable, leading to “record sales.” Grand Theft Auto 5 is considered the third-best-selling game of all time — trailing only Minecraft and Tetris (though not everyone counts Tetris, as the figures aggregate several versions of the game, and you might see some places calling GTA 5 the second-best-selling of all time). So it tracks that out of the gate GTA 6 would be hugely popular too, and I expect it will only get more popular when GTA 6 Online and the PC port eventually release.

However, Xbox seeing record orders and its preorders lagging behind PlayStation’s aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, it’s no secret that the PS5 has outsold Xbox consoles this generation, so you’d expect the Sony hardware to have more GTA 6 game sales — though with estimated sales figures sitting at around 95 million for PlayStation to 35 million Xboxes, you would expect a rate of two or three to one, not eight to one.

Is something more going on here as Xbox suggests?

What's going on with GTA 6 sales?

On Xbox’s side of the argument, there are reasons not to extrapolate too much from affiliate link data.

First, people might simply be picking the game up digitally directly from Xbox’s store rather than through typical affiliate partners like Walmart, Argos, and Amazon. Given that GTA 6’s physical edition is functionally identical to the digital version — as there’s no disc, just a download code in a plastic case — there’s little to no advantage to buying from a retail store.

And given Xbox's digital gaming focus with services like Game Pass and multi-platform gaming across consoles, PCs, and PC handhelds (even if GTA 6 doesn’t look set to be a Play Anywhere title at launch), it makes sense that Xbox gamers would be more comfortable (and possibly more likely to shop) at Xbox’s own store compared with PS5 gamers and PlayStation's store.

What’s more, affiliate data doesn’t necessarily mean sales. IGN hasn’t said much on what exactly its data is based on, but if it's affiliate link clicks (as the Xbox spokesperson suggests it is), then that doesn’t necessarily mean the PS5 version is selling eight times more copies, just that links for the PS5 version are eight times more popular.

Gamers could simply be clicking on them more but then not buying the game, or clicking a few times before making a purchase, though I’m not sure why you wouldn’t expect Xbox and PlayStation gamers to be equally flaky on a post-click purchase.

The only final piece of support for Xbox would be if IGN’s audience skewed more towards PlayStation at a rate disproportionate to the overall population’s two- or three-to-one.

Though as a general gaming outlet rather than one dedicated to either side of the aisle, I don’t see that being the case — all I could see happening is IGN’s audience of gaming enthusiasts could be more likely to own both an Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 console, and then with Sony’s promise that GTA 6 “plays best on PS5” they’d be more likely to pick up a copy for Sony’s hardware compared with Xbox’s.

All that’s to say, while IGN’s stats might not be entirely accurate to the final picture, I don’t doubt that PS5 sales of GTA 6 are blowing Xbox’s out of the water. And even if current sales aren’t quite eight-to-one, I wouldn’t be surprised if sales trend in that direction.

My argument here is Xbox consoles are set to get a major price hike effective August 1, 2026, putting the Series X at $749 for the all-digital, and $899 for the disc drive equipped model (price increases outside the US are yet to be confirmed) — a sharp raise on the previous costs of $599 and $649 respectively which are the identical to the equivalent PS5 models.

Sony may announce similar hikes itself — it isn’t immune to the cost increases hitting the whole industry, though its drastically better sales may help it weather the storm for a little longer — but until it does, the PS5 looks like a much better deal. If casual gamers still rocking a last-gen console finally want to upgrade so they can play GTA 6, there will be a clear winner: the PlayStation 5.

There’s still a lot of time before Grand Theft Auto 6’s eventual November 19 release date (I’ll be ready for another delay until it’s actually in my hands), but I don’t think Xbox’s fortunes will turn around dramatically by then.

• Hundreds of TV episodes and movies will be removed from PlayStation Store accounts on 1 September
• People had bought the movies and shows
• No apologies, let alone compensation, from Sony

One of the best things about Blu-ray discs is that you don't need to worry that Sony will sneak into your home in the middle of the night and take them away.

Unfortunately you can't say the same about digital purchases: Sony is scrubbing hundreds of movies and TV show episodes purchased on the PlayStation Store from people's collections with no compensation. Come September, they're gone.

The list of affected movies and shows is on the Sony website and includes the remastered Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Gomorrah, the Rambo movies and many more. The problem is the end of a licensing agreement between Sony and StudioCanal, a major producer and distributor of movies and shows.

As Sony explains, from September 1, 2026, "you will no longer be able to access your previously purchased content from StudioCanal, and it will be removed from your video library."

To add insult to injury, the notification ends with the PlayStation slogan: "Play has no limits".

As you can imagine, this has gone down very well with movie fans.

Why is Sony removing people's purchases?

Sony's arrangement with the film production company StudioCanal has ended, and that means Sony no longer has the rights to sell those TV shows and movies. The fact that people have bought them is irrelevant to Sony, because in the terms and conditions that absolutely nobody reads it says that you're buying a license to view a show or movie, not to own it.

Since the news broke, my social media has been full of people saying the same thing: Sony's move is a pretty great advert for digital piracy. And it's definitely upset a lot of movie fans, such as Quelonious on r/movies who vowed: "I will never buy streaming movies again", although that poster is sticking with Blu-ray rather than flying a pirate flag.

"If I were you I wouldn't make digital purchases for movies," Rewdyroo writes on the same subreddit, noting that "you aren't buying the movie. It functions more like a lease and if the license for the movie that whatever service you bought it from runs out your digital movie also goes away, no refund. I've had it happen on Amazon and will never purchase a digital movie again."

Mildmichigan spoke for many: "This should be illegal. If I buy something digitally, and the platform loses distribution rights or whatever then I should be grandfathered in."

We've discussed this before, because it's a key reason to keep buying Blu-rays: Blu-rays are yours forever. But it's an issue with all kinds of digital media, going back to the days of Microsoft's PlaysForSure digital music, which sold audio files that died when Microsoft shut down the servers. Whether it's a streaming catalog or GTA 6, if it's not on physical media you can't ever be sure that it's yours forever.

(Is now a good time to mentioned the Criterion's 4K Blu-rays are 50% off at the moment in the US?)

Thinking of buying a new TV?

Try our TV size and model finder! You tell it how far you sit from your TV, we'll tell you what size to buy based on viewing angle advice from image quality experts, and we'll recommend our three top TVs at that size for different prices.

• PlayStation boss Hideaki Nishino says "pick up and play" is the most important quality for consoles nowadays
• He says Sony wants to leverage tech "that can be used in various forms and locations"
• The CEO's comments suggest that Sony is looking to rejoin the handheld market

A new PlayStation handheld could be on the table after comments from Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino suggest the company wants to create new hardware similar to the Nintendo Switch 2.

In an interview with Famitsu (translated by IGN), Nishino was asked whether PlayStation plans to continue focusing on consoles, following a past comment he made in 2024 about how hardware won't be disappearing any time soon.

The CEO confirmed it would, saying, "My belief that a console is necessary for playing games hasn’t changed," adding that Sony "wants to continue providing its own game consoles."

But what sort of consoles? Nishino went on to mention that "pick up and play" is the most important quality for consoles nowadays, which instantly makes one think of the Switch 2 or PlayStation Portal.

Nishino continued, saying that developing new consoles will mean Sony will be "leveraging technologies that can be used in various forms and locations" and that this would enable Sony "to create something exciting."

"For example, although the PlayStation brand is strongly associated with playing on the TV in the living room, we’re planning to release monitors and speakers so that people can play comfortably in other locations as well," Nishino said. "We developed the PlayStation Portal as part of this initiative."

The PlayStation Portal is a remote player, allowing PS5 users to play their PS5 games via their handheld device, a challenge Sony took on to create a new kind of gameplay experience, according to Nishino.

"We were thinking, 'Let’s try this, let’s try that,' and I’d like us to move forward with developing products while exploring various ideas in this way," he said.

While the PlayStation Portal is a handheld console, its purpose is built for streaming and cloud gaming, unlike the PSP and the PS Vita.

While the PSP took off and became Sony's biggest handheld ever, selling 70 million units, the PS Vita didn't fare too well, shifting an estimated 15 to 16 million units before it was discontinued in 2019.

If Sony plans to rejoin the handheld market, it will have tough competition if it goes against the Switch 2, which has officially sold almost 6 million units within its first year of release.

A PS6 handheld has been rumored for some time. According to a reliable insider and leaker, Moore's Law is Dead, Sony will launch its next-generation PlayStation with three devices in 2027, including two consoles and a companion handheld.

Prime Day is coming to a close — it ends at midnight tonight PT and BST — so if you're looking a deal on a new TV, you don't have long left. As TechRadar's TV expert, I've trawled through every TV deal I can find, and picked the best offers on TVs we've tested here at TechRadar, so I can vouch for their quality and value.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale US
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale UK

In the US, my top deal is the 65-inch LG C5 for $1,099.99 (was $1,399.99) at Amazon US. This is the cheapest this model been over all of Prime Day, and a record-low price.

I you're looking for small-screen bargain, the 50-inch Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED (2023) is down to a record-low $249.99 (was $469.99) at Amazon US. My other top Us pick is the TCL QM6K 75-inch for $747.99 (was $799.99) at Amazon US. This isn't a record-low price, but if you want a big screen for the World Cup, you can't go wrong with this one.

For the UK, my top pick is the LG B5 48-inch for £579 (was £799) at Amazon UK. It's been cheaper before, but this is still an awesome price.

Next is the TCL 65-inch Q6C for £529 (was £618.99) at Amazon UK, perfect for those who want an affordable, good, larger screen TV. And finally, the 42-inch LG C5 is down to £623 (was £849) at Amazon UK. An excellent smaller screen, this again isn't the cheapest it's been, but it's an incredible price.

Check out more Amazon Prime Day deals on some of the best TVs we've tested at TechRadar below.

Today's best TV deals in the US

Today's best TV deals in the UK

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura