These are the best Google Pixel 7 Pro cases you can buy in 2022

Google’s new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro come with a slightly updated design compared to the previous-gen Pixel 6 models. You can also purchase them in some fun colorways like Hazel, Snow, Lemongrass, and Obsidian. While you might be tempted to use these new Pixel phones without a case to show off the new colors, we recommend one to protect them from accidental bumps and drops. We’ve already highlighted some great-looking cases for the Pixel 7 in a separate post. Now it’s time to check out some of the best Pixel 7 Pro cases. Let’s dive in!

Spigen Ultra Hybrid

Best clear case

The Spigen Ultra Hybrid is one of the best clear cases you can buy for the Pixel 7 Pro. Not only does it come with a transparent back to show off the colors of your phone, but it also comes with a TPU bumper to protect it.

Buy from Amazon

Caseology Athlex case

Best value pick

The Caseology Athlex is our best value pick here for the Pixel 7 Pro because it's a relatively affordable case that's thin and offers military-grade drop protection. It's also one of the best-looking cases for the phone that comes in three different colorways.

Buy from Amazon

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro

Best rugged case

The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro is one of our favorite rugged cases that's available for a variety of phones out there. This particular case, as you can see, comes with raised lips and corners along with a built-in screen protector for all-around protection for the Google Pixel 7 Pro.

Buy from Amazon

Promoted

Dbrand Grip case

Best premium pick

Dbrand's Grip case is one of the most durable and versatile options out there for the Pixel 7 Pro. Not only do you get to customize it with a ton of different skins including this new Navy Camo, but it also offers military-grade drop protection and a nice in-hand feel while maintaining a low profile.

Buy from dbrand

Poetic Revolution

Best kickstand case

The Poetic Revolution is a rugged case for the Pixel 7 Pro that also comes with a kickstand to let you setup up the phone on a flat surface for hands-free viewing. On top of being a good kickstand case, this case also doubles up as a solid rugged case for the best protection.

Buy from Amazon

i-Blason Cosmo Series

Beautiful case with built-in screen protector

i-Blason's Cosmo Series proves that a 360-degree protective case doesn't have to look like a heavy-duty case meant for only those with an active lifestyle. It's available in three beautiful finishes and it also comes with a built-in screen protector for all-round protection.

Buy from Amazon

Promoted

Spigen Slim Armor CS case

Best slim case with card slots

Spigen's Slim Armor CS is perfect for those who don't want to add a lot of bulk to their devices in the name of protection. One of the best things about this particular case is that it comes with space to store up to cards at the back. It is, however, not compatible with wireless charging, though, so keep that in mind.

Buy from Amazon

CYRILL Stone

Best minimal TPU case

CYRILL Stone is a simple protective TPU case that doesn't add too much bulk to your Pixel 7 Pro. It's the most minimal-looking case in this collection, so it's perfect for those who don't want to attract a lot of attention.

Buy from Amazon

kate spade new york Defensive Hardshell Case

Best stylish case

This kate spade hardshell case, as you can see, comes with a beautiful pattern at the back over the transparent plastic shell. This lets you show off the colors of your Pixel 7 Pro while offering long-lasting protection with a shock-resistant bumper.

Buy from Incipio

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We’ve added a good mix of cases to this collection across different categories, so you’ll definitely find one to your liking. Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid and Caseology Athlex cases are both great options if you’re looking for some reliable options. But if you want to add a little bit of personality to your phone, then consider checking out dbrand’s Grip case and customizing one to your liking. We’ve also added some rugged, kickstand, and wallet cases to the mix, so you get a variety of options to explore.

The Google Pixel 7 is still relatively new to the market so we expect more cases to arrive in a few days. We’ll continue to comb the market for more cases and add them to this post once they’re available to purchase. The Pixel 7 Pro starts at $899, which makes it a pretty good option to consider if you’re shopping for a flagship Android phone in 2022. In fact, the Pixel 7 Pro also has some great deals right now that make it even easier on the wallet. You can always use some extra cash to pick a good charger or some other accessories for it.

Google Pixel 7 Pro

The Google Pixel 7 Pro comes with Gorilla glass protection and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, so it's quite durable. However, it's never a bad idea to buy a case to add more protection.

Buy from Best Buy

If you think we missed any of your favorite cases then be sure to drop a line in the comments below!

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These are the best OnePlus 10 Pro deals in 2022

The OnePlus 10 Pro is the latest top-tier flagship from OnePlus, and it has the right chops to it to make an impact in the flagship space. When the phone launched, it did not work with 5G on AT&T, but has since gone on to receive the “AT&T Authorized” label to represent its compatibility on the network. The rest of the phone is also enticing: while yes, it is not an “Ultra” phone, it manages to hold its own ground so far in the year. If you’re convinced by the phone’s capabilities, including that of its camera, here are all the best deals you can grab for yourself.

OnePlus 10 Pro: Pricing

The OnePlus 10 Pro 5G 8GB + 128GB model is available for $699 in the USA, £799 in the United Kingdom, and ₹61,999 in India. For the 12GB + 256GB model, you have to pay $869, £899, ₹66,999 respectively. The device does come with a case in the box, but just in case you are looking for further options, you can check out our recommendations for the best OnePlus 10 Pro cases.

Best OnePlus 10 Pro Unlocked Deals in the US

OnePlus Store

OnePlus’s online store is the premier destination if you want to get any of OnePlus’s recently launched products for a great deal. For the OnePlus 10 Pro, the company is accepting RedCoins to shave up to $20.97 off the price, and letting users earn up to 699 RedCoins when purchasing the device, and another $50 off if you own a previous OnePlus device. If you buy the 12GB + 256GB version, OnePlus is throwing in an official case (choose between the Karbon Bumper or the Sandstone Bumper case) and the excellent OnePlus Buds Pro, for free.

OnePlus 10 Pro

The OnePlus Store is offering loyalty discounts and accepting RedCoins. If you buy the higher storage variant, you can also get a pair of OnePlus Buds Pro and an official case with every purchase

Buy from OnePlus

Amazon.com

Amazon is often preferred by a lot of people since they can take advantage of their Prime memberships and available credits as well as buy their other necessities from the platform. Pricing for the device remains the same, but you get different benefits on this platform. For instance, Amazon is offering up to $526 in trade-in credits against your older device when you purchase this device.

OnePlus 10 Pro

Amazon is offering up to $526 in trade-in credits against your older device when you buy the OnePlus 10 Pro.

Buy from Amazon

Best Buy

If your retailer of choice is Best Buy, perhaps because of its Best Buy Total Tech membership, then you’d be glad to know that Best Buy also keeps the OnePlus 10 Pro. If you choose to activate the device immediately, you get lower pricing: $600 for the 8GB version.

OnePlus 10 Pro

Best Buy is offering a lower price if you choose to activate the device immediately on purchase.

Buy from Best Buy

Best OnePlus 10 Pro Carrier Deals in the US

In the US, people do prefer buying their device directly from the carrier they will be using it on. The situation is a little complicated for the OnePlus 10 Pro. For one, the device will only be fully supported on T-Mobile and AT&T. It will miss out on Verizon’s mmWave 5G.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is offering up to $325 trade-in discount when you purchase the OnePlus 10 Pro, alongside some lucrative offers on contract. Pricing starts at $33.34/month for 24 months with $0 down

OnePlus 10 Pro

If you're looking to purchase the OnePlus 10 Pro through a carrier, T-Mobile makes it easier for you to get one on contract

Buy from T-Mobile

---

While the OnePlus 10 Pro is a great flagship, there is a valid argument to be made on how good its own predecessor, the OnePlus 9 Pro is. Since the OnePlus 9 Pro is now available at a discount than what it was priced at launch, you get much better value on it. The differences between the two flagships are largely on the processor side, although the system-wide throttling on the OnePlus 10 Pro closes that gap down. Other changes are minor and hence, the OnePlus 9 Pro also remains a viable purchase. Let us know if you end up choosing the OnePlus 10 Pro over the OnePlus 9 Pro!

The post These are the best OnePlus 10 Pro deals in 2022 appeared first on XDA.

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These are the best Samsung Galaxy A53 cases to buy in 2022

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G forms part of Samsung’s non-flagship A-series lineup in 2022. It’s a practical device that opts to provide a slew of all-rounded features instead of capitalizing on only one spec and ignoring the rest. The result is a device that will suit the average consumer just fine. Because of the marketing push that Samsung usually has for the A-series, and the fact that it has extensive retail distribution channels across major markets of the world, the Galaxy A53 5G is poised to become one of the most easy-to-recommend and easy-to-purchase phones under the $500 price segment.

If you have managed to grab one of these through a stellar deal, we’d recommend opting for a case and a screen protector. The Galaxy A53 5G has a polycarbonate back and sides — some people may like the grippy texture, while others may not be a big fan. Either way, dropping the phone has a strong probability of damaging it. The phone has a long 4 years of promised software updates, so you’d the hardware to be in good shape too to last that long. So here are our recommendations for the best Samsung Galaxy A53 5G cases across various categories!

Spigen Rugged Armor

Best seller

The Spigen Rugged Armor is the best selling case for the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, thanks to its affordable pricing, excellent protection, and sleek look. This case ticks all the right checkboxes, and if you have to buy just one case, you cannot go wrong with this one.

Buy from Amazon

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro

Best rugged case

If you want protection that is unmatched, then the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro is here to serve your needs. You not only get a rugged case, you also get a screen protector, an integrated kickstand, and a belt clip holster. It's the ultimate case that ensures nothing happens to your phone.

Buy from Amazon

Promoted

Spigen Ultra Hybrid

Best clear case

The Spigen Ultra Hybrid is one of my personal top choices for every phone I own. This case lineup has re-inforced sides and good quality protection. If you want to show off the fun colors that the Galaxy A53 5G comes in, this is the case you get.

Buy from Amazon

Otterbox Commuter Lite

Great rugged case

The Otterbox Commuter Lite for the Galaxy A53 5G is another alternative for a rugged case, and it works out for people who want a focus on protection but yet want a simpler design that does not scream for attention. This case has a two part design that gets you both a flexible TPU inner shell and a harder outer cover.

Buy from Amazon

iBlason Cosmo

Best stylish case

The iBlason Cosmo series has its own unique draw, thanks to the intricate patterns with gold colored weaving across rose gold, marble white, and gray accents. This case also has an integrated screen protector. This is the case you get when you want to draw attention while still keeping your phone protected.

Buy from Amazon

Promoted

S-View Wallet Cover

Best wallet-style flap case

The Samsung S-View Wallet Cover has a flap that protects your display from dust and random scratches, while still letting you peek at notifications and the clock. There are also slots on the inside, letting you store some cards and cash. With this case, you get info on the display while maintaining protection, and you can carry from cards on the inside.

Buy from Samsung

For now, these are the cases that we would recommend on the device. Unlike the Galaxy S series, the Galaxy A series does not have as extensive of a case lineup, despite the Galaxy A53 5G being available in the market for a few months now. There are a lot of generic cases, but the options thin out once you factor in brand goodwill, product reviews, protection, design, and cost. The options present in this article are what we recommend for anyone looking to buy great cases for the Galaxy A53 5G. In case you are looking for more things to go along, here are our recommendations for the best chargers and other accessories for the Galaxy A53 5G.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a mid-ranger that is available in most parts of the world. Combining a good display, with good cameras, decent daily performance and excellent battery life, the Galaxy A53 5G has all the key ingredients to serve your daily needs with ease.

Buy from Samsung

The post These are the best Samsung Galaxy A53 cases to buy in 2022 appeared first on XDA.

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OxygenOS 13 beta builds are now available for the OnePlus 8 series and OnePlus 9R

Now that OnePlus has released the first stable build of OxygenOS 13 to its flagship OnePlus 10 Pro, the company is shifting focus to older devices. The OnePlus 9 series received the first beta build towards the end of last month, and it’s now time for the OnePlus 9R and the OnePlus 8 series.

OnePlus has announced the OxygenOS 13 Open Beta program for the OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus 8T, and OnePlus 9R in recent posts on the OnePlus Community forums. The program is currently limited to India, but OnePlus should extend it to more regions in the coming weeks.

If you’re in the region and want to try out OxygenOS 13 on your OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus 8T, or OnePlus 9R, you can download the beta update by following the links below. To install the release, update your phone to the OxygenOS 12 release specified in the announcement post for your device and follow the instructions in the post. OnePlus has also provided rollback packages for all four devices, allowing you to switch back to the OxygenOS 12 release if you face any issues.

OxygenOS 13 for these devices brings a new Aquamorphic Design with updated theme colors, icons, and animations. The update also includes Always-on Display improvements, a new Sidebar Toolbox, performance improvements, media playback controls in Quick Settings, and security enhancements. Check out our hands-on preview of the release for more details.

Download OxygenOS 13 beta builds for the OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus 8T, and OnePlus 9R

• OxygenOS 13 beta(India only)
  • OnePlus 8
  • OnePlus 8 Pro
  • OnePlus 8T
  • OnePlus 9R
• Rollback package(India only)
  • OnePlus 8
  • OnePlus 8 Pro
  • OnePlus 8T
  • OnePlus 9R

We don’t recommend installing beta software if you’re using your device as a daily driver and have no prior experience with beta software. If you do choose to proceed, note that you will face some unwanted bugs and issues in the release.

Have you installed a beta build of OxygenOS 13 on your device? What do you like or dislike about the update? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Source: OnePlus Community forums (1,2,3)

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These are the best Apple iPhone 14 Plus screen protectors you can buy in 2022

The iPhone 14 Plus is a big-screen version of the standard iPhone 14 model. It may not have a shape-shifting notch or a ProMotion display with 120Hz refresh rate support, but it’s both bigger and sharper than the one on the regular iPhone 14 model. However, this bigger and more immersive display is no good if you end up scratching or cracking it, right? So why not get a screen protector while you’re shopping for the best accessories for it? If you don’t know which one to pick, then here are the best Apple iPhone 14 Plus screen protectors you can buy right now.

Spigen GLAS.tR EZ FIT

Best screen protector overall

The Spigen GLAS.tR EZ FIT is one of the best screen protectors you can buy for the iPhone 14 Plus. It is rated for 9H hardness, meaning it can protect your phone's display from scratches, scrapes, and bumps. Spigen also includes an alignment tool to help you install the screen protector on the device. Notably, you also get two screen protectors in this pack, so you'll have an extra unit if you mess up your installation the first time, or if you end up breaking your first tempered glass protector.

Buy from Amazon

Whitestone Dome Glass Screen Protector

Best premium pick

The Whitestone Dome Glass Screen Protector is one of the most premium screen protectors you can buy for the iPhone 14 Plus. This 9H hardness-rated glass protector offers the best protection for your device against scratches, bumps, and scuffs. You also get some thoughtful additions with the screen protector including an easy installation kit, an adhesive liquid to fill up and cover original scratches, and more. Just like the Spigen GLAS.tR EZ FIT protector, this one also comes with two screen protectors in a pack.

Buy from Amazon

Supershieldz tempered glass screen protector

Best value pick

The Supershieldz tempered glass is a solid option for those who want a simple screen protector to protect their iPhone 14 Plus' display. Just like some other premium options, this particular tempered glass screen protector comes with a 9H hardness rating for the best protection. It also comes with an oleophobic coating to keep fingerprints and smudges at bay. Despite its affordable price, this pack of Supershieldz screen protector comes with two tempered glass protectors along with an easy installation kit, so you're missing out on anything.

Buy from Amazon

Belkin UltraGlass Screen Protector

Most durable option

The Belkin UltraGlass screen protector is one of the official accessories for the iPhone 14 Plus that's solid directly on Apple's online and retail stores. This particular double ion-exchange strengthened glass from Belkin is said to be up twice as strong as standard tempered glass. This screen protector also comes with an antimicrobial coating to prevent microbial growth that causes discoloration and degradation. Just like many other screen protectors, this one also comes with some thoughtful extras including an easy align tray, dust removal stickers, and a cleaning cloth.

Buy from Apple

Ailun privacy screen protector

Best for privacy

This particular screen protector from Ailun may not be the most durable option for the iPhone 14 Plus, but it's best for those who care about privacy. It's a privacy screen protector that will make the screen visible only to the person who's directly in front of it. It's a great option to consider if you're constantly worried about others looking at the sensitive information on your phone's display when you're using it in public. You only get one screen protector in a pack and it doesn't come with an installation kit, so you'll have to be extra careful with its installation.

Buy from Amazon

Mothca Matte Glass Screen

Best matte screen protector

If you use your phone in bright environments and you're annoyed by the glare on your phone's screen, then you should consider checking out this matte screen protector from Mothca for your iPhone 14 Plus. This is one of the more popular matte protectors on Amazon with thousands of ratings. It's a simple anti-glare and anti-fingerprint tempered glass for your iPhone that's rated for 9H hardness and has curved edges. You only get a single screen protector in this pack that too without any fancy installation kits, so you can't leave the door open for any errors.

Buy from Amazon

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Well, those are some of the best screen protectors you can buy for the iPhone 14 Plus right now. All of them are solid options to consider but we think the Spigen GLAS.tR EZ FIT deserves a special mention for being a reliable option overall. You can also pick up the Whitestone Dome Glass Screen Protector if you don’t mind splurging, or go with a budget option like the one from Supershieldz. This is an ever-evolving list, so we’ll keep an eye on the market and add more listings in the future.

Apple iPhone 14 Plus

Apple's new iPhone 14 Plus is the one to get if you want a phone with a bigger display and a long-lasting battery life.

Buy from Best Buy

Buy from AT&T

Apple’s new iPhone 14 Plus is bigger and lasts longer than the standard iPhone 14, which is also why it costs more than the regular variants. Even with the best deals, you’re looking at a significant price tag for this particular device. So why not protect it with one of the best screen protectors? We also recommend picking up one of the best cases for it to get all-around protection from accidental drops and bumps.

The post These are the best Apple iPhone 14 Plus screen protectors you can buy in 2022 appeared first on XDA.

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Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 vs Apple MacBook Air M2: Which should you buy?

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is here, joining the list of best Surface PCs currently available. Arguably, it’s even one of the greatest Windows laptops you can buy right now. It’s slim and packs a mix of dated and recent technologies in its sleek chassis.

Microsoft has been releasing some clean-looking products lately, though, it still arguably makes illogical decisions in certain departments. A basic example would be how it included a USB Type-A port on the Surface Laptop 5 in 2022. Nonetheless, it still has plenty of strong points that we will be highlighting below. But how does it compare to the other flagship laptop on the market today: the MacBook Air M2? This is the Surface Laptop 5 vs MacBook Air M2 — the battle between two 13-inch, 2022 laptops.

Navigate this article:

• Specifications
• Design
• Display
• Performance
• Bottom Line

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 vs Apple MacBook Air M2 specifications

	Microsoft Surface Laptop 5	Apple MacBook Air M2
Processor	12th Gen Intel Corei5-1245U 12th Gen Intel Corei7-1265U	Apple M2 (8-Core CPU)
Graphics	Intel Iris Xe	Apple M2 (8-Core GPU) Apple M2 (10-Core GPU)
Body	12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches 2.8 pounds	11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches 2.7 pounds
Display	13.5-inch PixelSense Display (2256 x 1504), touch support, Dolby Vision IQ support	13.6-inch Liquid Retina display (2560 x 1664), up to 500 nits peak brightness, True Tone technology
Ports	Thunderbolt 4 port USB Type-A port Headphone jack Surface Connect port	Two Thunderbolt 4 ports MagSafe 3 port Headphone jack
Storage	256GB 512GB 1TB	256GB 512GB 1TB 2TB
Memory	8GB 16GB 32GB	8GB 16GB 24GB
Battery	Up to 18 hours of typical use 60W charger	52.6Whr battery Up to 18 hours of video playback 30W charger
Audio	Dual far-field Studio Mics Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos	Four-speaker sound system with wide stereo sound and spatial audio support when playing Dolby Atmos content
Camera	Windows Hello Face Authentication 720 HD camera	1080p FaceTime HD camera
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.1	Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0
Color	Platinum Sage Matte Black Sandstone	Silver Starlight Space Gray Midnight
Price	Starts at $999	Starts at $1,199

Design: The Surface Laptop 5 is more colorful

When we’re buying a new device, its physical appearance is one of the first things that will grab our attention. This department is indeed mostly subjective, but there are some observations we can make regardless. From afar, both laptops look modern and have futuristic designs that fit in 2022. Similarly, both offer customers four different finishes to pick from. Personally, I find the Surface Laptop 5 colors more vibrant than those of the MacBook Air M2, but they’re pretty similar.

Expectedly, the MacBook Air M2 is slightly thinner and lighter than the Surface Laptop 5, but the difference is minimal. Under their lids, we see a notched screen with rounded corners and a thick-bezeled display with sharp corners, respectively. Again, this comes down to your tastes, but I prefer the notched design and round screen edges with the MacBook Air.

The similarities end when it comes to their ports, although they do have some in common. Starting with the Surface Laptop 5, you get Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-A, headphone jack, and Surface Connect ports. If you still have USB Type-A accessories, you might appreciate the presence of this prehistoric technology on a 2022 laptop. Otherwise, it’ll be collecting dust since many devices have moved to USB Type-C.

Meanwhile, the MacBook Air provides two Thunderbolt 4 ports, three MagSafe 3 ports, and a headphone jack. You can charge your laptop through the included MagSafe cable or use a USB Type-C on one of the two other ports. While creators might need to depend on dongles to fully utilize these laptops, both offer a decent variety of port types.

Display: The MacBook Air is clearer, yet untouchable

Now let’s move on to the second thing you’ll likely see when buying a laptop: the display. People spend most of their time staring at their screens — the display is the focus and a reflection of one’s work or studies. The good news is that both laptops have great screens, though there are key differences between the two.

As we stated earlier, the Surface Laptop 5 has thicker bezels with squared corners. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air M2 has a rounded screen with a notch at its top center. Having used the MacBook Air M2 for months now, I can assure you the notch isn’t intrusive at all. The thinner bezels that you get as a result are totally worth it. However, this Apple laptop doesn’t support touch input, so if you’re a digital illustrator, for example, you might find it lacking.

Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop 5 has a touch screen with Surface Pen support. This means you get to use it as a laptop, tablet, or a mix of both. If you already have a tablet or simply don’t need touch input on a large screen, the MacBook Air M2 is a solid pick with a higher pixel resolution. Ultimately, both displays are around 13.5 inches wide and should function as you’d expect them to.

Performance: Apple’s M2 chip is more efficient

In terms of performance, both laptops are great — but they’re not the highest-end out there. Starting with the included SSD storage, both start at 256GB, with the Surface Laptop 5 maxing out at 1TB. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air M2 supports up to a 2TB SSD. Similarly, the two devices start at 8GB of RAM, with the Surface Laptop 5 maxing out at 32GB and the MacBook Air M2 settling for 24GB. If you need plenty of local storage, then the MacBook Air M2 offers a higher maximum capacity. If RAM is what you’re after, you can optionally get more memory on the Surface Laptop 5.

If you’re worried about RAM or performance, you should know that macOS Ventura isn’t as demanding as Windows 11. So while the Microsoft laptop supports more RAM, it won’t necessarily handle tasks as smoothly as the MacBook. That’s not even mentioning how the Apple M2 chip is more powerful and energy efficient than its Intel counterparts.

Both companies claim their devices can last up to 18 hours with average use. So they should get you through a workday on a single charge just fine. Speaking of work, Microsoft’s front-facing camera — for whatever reason — only has a 720p resolution. If you tend to attend many virtual meetings, then you might appreciate the 1080p webcam on the MacBook Air M2 more. Though, the Surface Laptop 5 offers facial recognition support. On the other hand, the Apple laptop supports Touch ID for authentication.

Bottom Line: Similar products with different strengths

Considering this is a buying guide, let’s start this section with the pricing. Depending only on your budget, you might find yourself limited to one of these two computers. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 starts at $999, while the Apple MacBook Air M2 costs $200 extra at $1,199. If your budget is flexible, then let’s move on to the strengths of each device.

The MacBook Air M2 performs better, has a somewhat sleeker design, offers a clearer webcam, supports more storage, and has a sharper display. Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop 5 has a USB Type-A port (that some customers might consider a pro), includes a touchscreen, supports the Surface Pen (sold separately), supports more RAM, and has some more vibrant colors.

If you already own an iPhone, buying the MacBook Air M2 would make more sense for ecosystem purposes. Similarly, if you depend on an Android device, then the Windows laptop will play nicely with it. Ultimately, at this point, you know better which device caters to your needs and which operating system you prefer. However, if you’re ecosystem agonistic, either device’s pros and cons could sway your decision.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

The Surface Laptop 5 features a sleek design, runs Windows 11, and has a touchscreen. It does feature some aging ports, but it's one of the best Windows laptops on the market right now.

Buy from Best Buy

Apple MacBook Air M2

The 2022 MacBook Air offers the M2 chip, a 13.6-inch display, and a redesigned chassis with MagSafe support.

Buy from Best Buy

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Crucial MX500 SSD review: Good, but not class-leading mass storage for any PC

There was a time when adding large quantities of storage to your PC would require using 3.5-inch hard drives. However, they’re large, clunky, and slow, so it felt like you were dragging your files through a molasses swamp. But they got the job done.

Fortunately, while you can still buy mechanical hard drives, they’re better suited to something like a NAS than a desktop PC or a laptop. That’s partly due to the affordable nature of the best SSDs right now. The faster the storage, the more you’ll pay for smaller capacities. But SATA SSDs are still very much a thing, and that’s where the Crucial MX500 SSD comes into play. What we have here is a 2.5-inch SSD that runs silently and has no moving parts, with up to a whopping 4TB capacity. Other sizes are available that are more attractively priced.

It wasn’t that long ago that such a storage device would have been unheard of, but is it worth your time now?

Crucial MX500

This is a good quality SATA SSD that's perfect for mass storage, though its write speeds do fall behind some of the competition.

Features:

Pros: Cons:

See at Amazon

About this review

This review was conducted using a Crucial MX500 4TB provided by Crucial for this review. No one at Crucial has seen or had any input into the contents of this review prior its posting.

Navigate this review:

• Crucial MX500 SSD pricing and availability
• Crucial MX500 SSD specs
• Performance and software: Good, but not great
• Who should buy the Crucial MX500?

Crucial MX500 SSD Pricing and availability

The 4TB version we have here is the highest capacity and most expensive of the MX500 range. It’s available right now at Amazon for around $350. For most people, the 2TB version would be the one to go for at around $170.

The MX500 does go down as low as 250GB if you just need a little extra storage, with 500GB and 1TB versions available in between.

Crucial MX500 SSD specs

Spec	Crucial MX500
Size	2.5-inch
Interface	SATA 3.0
Max read/write speed	560 MB/s / 510 MB/s
Warranty	5 years
Capacities	250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB

Performance and software: Good, but not great

The MX500 is a fairly unassuming product. It’s a SATA SSD, so you’re not buying it for the fastest performance. This is the new generation mass storage, many times faster than a mechanical HDD while being smaller and more reliable.

In the box, besides the SSD, you also get a plastic bracket. There’s nothing to tell you what it’s for, but given the adhesive on one side, it would appear to be some kind of spacer. Fix it to one of the panels in your PC case and it’ll provide a non-metallic bed for the SSD to rest upon.

For performance, you’re limited by the SATA 3.0 specification. The absolute maximum is around 600MB/s, so ideally, you want to be as close as possible to that.

The image below shows the results of a benchmark in CrystalDiskMark 8, testing both sequential and random performance.

For read speeds, the MX500 is up there with the likes of the Samsung 870 EVO, arguably the best SATA SSD you can buy. The write speeds are a little disappointing, though, coming in lower than Samsung by about 25MB/s in our tests. This isn’t a huge deal and not one you’ll notice in everyday use. But the competition is still faster. The same is true of the random read and write scores, both handily behind Samsung’s performance.

The tale is much the same in the ATTO Disk Benchmark, too. It’s not bad by any stretch, but just doesn’t match the pace of the 870 EVO throughout the entire curve of different file sizes when it comes to write speeds. Read speeds are almost identical to Samsung’s, but about 30MB/s slower in write.

It scores 852 in the 3DMark storage benchmark, which tests a variety of gaming-oriented scenarios. In reality, the MX500 4TB was a fantastic mass storage drive for games, loading them quickly and providing a huge locker to store a large Steam library in. Temperature wise it usually runs at 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit).

Of course, performance will vary between the different capacities and even between different units. The bottom line is that the MX500 is good, but it’s not the best in class.

The software side is the only real cause for criticism. There is a companion app for all Crucial SSDs, and it works just fine — or it does for the P5 Plus, which I’m currently using to boot Windows 11. The MX500 doesn’t seem to register.

One minute it’s there with a firmware issue, the next, it’s never to be seen again.

Well… most of the time it doesn’t. Rebooting the PC seems to make it appear, but as soon as another tab is selected in the app, it disappears again. This isn’t a huge deal most of the time, but it’s a simple way to ensure the SSD has the latest firmware. The alternative method to install it is much worse.

This involves downloading the firmware from Crucial’s website and installing it manually. This isn’t necessarily a tough ask, but Crucial decided to offer the firmware as an ISO, meaning to install it, you have to burn the ISO to a bootable flash drive, reboot your PC into BIOS/UEFI, tell it to boot from this USB drive, boot, then flash the firmware. It’s so convoluted that most average users should just not bother. In comparison, Samsung has its excellent Magician app. The overall experience here is just not quite as polished.

Perhaps I’m just experiencing some bugs with the companion app. I hope that’s the case, and that it’ll get fixed.

Who should buy the Crucial MX500?

You should buy if:

• You’re looking for good quality mass storage
• You’re upgrading an older PC or laptop
• You have a large game library

You shouldn’t buy if:

• You’re looking for fast storage for booting an operating system
• You want the absolute best-performing SATA SSD

The Crucial MX500 is a perfectly good SATA SSD. It won’t win any speed races against the best in this class, but Samsung set a high bar. Apart from the weirdness with the companion app and the frankly horrible manual way to install new firmware, it’s a thumbs up.

The question is more about which storage you should buy. The 4TB is tempting, but it’s also around $350, so you’ll need to have a fairly big budget. The 2TB is an easier recommendation with a more attractive price. The performance will be mostly the same across all capacities, so go with whatever your budget and your needs allow.

Of course, a 4TB mechanical HDD is still far cheaper, but it’s also far slower and consumes more power. In any modern PC, you should try and go all SSD if you can, and this is a perfectly good one to choose.

Crucial MX500

The Crucial MX500 SSD is let down a little by its write speeds and software, but it's overall an excellent SSD to add some serious storage to your PC.

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The post Crucial MX500 SSD review: Good, but not class-leading mass storage for any PC appeared first on XDA.

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