You don't have to spend a fortune to get an excellent smartphone. In fact, some of the best cheap phones come surprisingly close to matching much pricier options.
That's thanks to a combination of prices dropping on components and high-end features making it into ever cheaper phones, helping them stand out in what's become a very competitive part of the smartphone market.
That said, while there are loads of good cheap phones, some are, to be frank, pretty bad – so to help you avoid buying something that's cheap for a good reason, we’ve created this guide.
It's packed full of all the best cheap phones you can buy for roughly £200 or less. That includes the likes of the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC and the Moto G9 Power, both of which rank highly on our list. But you'll find plenty more options below, ranked from best to worst, and with full details of each.
And if you've got more to spend, make sure to check out some of our other smartphone guides below.
It's rare to get a 120Hz screen on a budget, but that's exactly what you get with the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC. That can make interactions feel smoother, and its 6.67-inch 1080 x 2400 screen is large and fairly sharp too, as well as supporting HDR10.
And it's not just the screen that stands out, as the Poco X3 NFC also has a fairly powerful Snapdragon 732G chipset, which offers excellent gaming performance for the money. With a big 5,160mAh battery too (which we found offered up to two days of life with moderate use) this really is a remarkable cheap phone.
There are some compromises, most notably when it comes to the camera, which isn’t as good as some others at this end of the market, but for gaming, video, and most general use, the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is hard to beat without spending quite a bit more.
Motorola consistently makes some of the best cheap phones, and the Moto G9 Power is among its best affordable handsets yet, thanks in large part to its massive 6,000mAh battery. That’s far bigger than the batteries in most phones of any budget, and it translates into almost two days of life with average use.
But the Moto G9 Power also has a similarly massive 6.8-inch screen, which – while only 720 x 1640 – means it’s great for watching movies on.
With expandable storage too, plus 20W fast charging and a triple-lens camera (led by a 64MP lens), there’s a lot to like here, though it’s a bit on the bulky side and only offers average performance. Still, there aren’t many powerful phones at this end of the market, so that’s not the biggest of issues.
Xiaomi is becoming a major player in affordable phones, and handsets like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S show why.
It has a big and long-lasting 5,020mAh battery, decent performance from its Snapdragon 720G chipset, and a great 6.67-inch 1080 x 2400 screen. You also get up to 128GB of storage, and a quad-lens camera, consisting of a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide one, a 5MP macro one, and a 2MP depth one.
The Redmi Note 9S is a bit chunky and it lacks the showy 120Hz screen of its sibling the Poco X3 NFC, but it comes very close to matching that phone, and is similarly cheap. If you’re looking to game on a budget or just want a long-lasting battery and a big screen, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S is an excellent choice.
The Moto G8 is even cheaper than the Moto G7 was at launch, which is a remarkable achievement. Despite that, it’s an improvement in a number of ways, and arguably the best of the Moto G8 range (once you factor in price).
It offers great life from its 4,000mAh battery, delivers strong performance with its Snapdragon 665 chipset and 4GB of RAM, and has a triple-lens camera which - macro lens aside - is impressive for the money. The screen is big too, and the Moto G8 has a more premium design than many phones at this price.
It’s not quite the perfect budget handset, as the screen is only 720 x 1560, and there’s no NFC. But it comes very, very close.
Oppo isn't a massive name in the west, but it has started selling phones here, and some of them – such as the Oppo A5 2020 – are well worth paying attention to.
This has a price that's the definition of budget, yet packs in a spacious, bright, and vibrant 6.5-inch 720 x 1600 screen, and a massive 5,000mAh battery, which in our tests lasted well over a day between charges.
It also sports a surprisingly expensive-looking (albeit plastic-clad) design, and a quad-lens camera. The actual performance of that camera isn't special, and nor is the middling Snapdragon 665 chipset, but for the money the Oppo A5 2020 makes some very smart compromises.
Weight: 160g | Dimensions: 155.2 x 73.4 x 8mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.21-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2340 | CPU: Kirin 710 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32/64GB | Battery: 3,400mAh | Rear camera: 13MP + 2MP | Front camera: 8/16MP
Slick design at great price
Ample storage
Only one speaker
Camera can overly process
The Huawei P Smart 2019 was for a long time the best cheap phone you could buy and it's still one of the best.
It packs a usable camera, plenty of storage and great battery life as well as a screen and design that punch way above their weight.
There is very little between the Huawei P Smart and the Honor 10 Lite, as they're practically the same device, but the P Smart has the edge with its slightly sharper design.
Weight: 162g | Dimensions: 154.8 x 73.6 x 8mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.21-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2340 | CPU: Kirin 710 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32/64GB | Battery: 3,400mAh | Rear camera: 13MP + 2MP | Front camera: 24MP
Premium look for low cost
Great display
Micro USB port is dated
Camera images overly processed
The Honor 10 Lite is a little unlucky to be ranked below the Huawei P Smart (2019) as it's almost identical.
But if you're a frequent Snapchatter or selfie addict the 24MP front-facing camera on the Honor 10 Lite is the one for you.
If you're thinking "isn't there a Honor 20 Lite out?" you're totally right, but there's very little difference between that and the Honor 10 Lite, save the price tag, so we're keeping the older device up here for now.
The Motorola One Macro is a great budget phone, but not for the reasons its name might make you think. Yes, it has a dedicated macro lens, but in our review we found both this and its 13MP main and 2MP depth sensors to perform poorly.
Rather, the Motorola One Macro is good in most other ways, from its decent 6.2-inch 720 x 1520 screen, to its durable design, and its 4,000mAh battery, which provides above average life.
If not for its cameras the Motorola One Macro would be a great budget all-rounder, as things stand it’s a great budget almost all-rounder, ideal for anyone who doesn’t care much about smartphone photography.
Sporting an eye-catching and robust design, along with a bright capacious screen, decent speakers, generous specifications and a powerful chipset, the Realme 3 Pro really does have an odd character of its own.
Though its software design might be divisive, it has no major issues. It has a class-leading camera for the price point, along with dependable stamina and the handy option of very fast charging.
The Moto G9 Play isn’t the best of Motorola’s G9 range, but at the time of writing it is the cheapest in the range, which is reason enough to consider it if you’re looking to save money.
That’s not the only reason to consider the Moto G9 Play though, as it also has a surprisingly good speaker and a 5,000mAh battery. That means it can last beyond a day between charges, and it juices up at a respectable 20W. It also has a 48MP main camera with a useful night mode, and offers reasonable performance – even when gaming.
The screen is a good size too at 6.5 inches, and while the Moto G9 Play is clad in plastic, it looks a lot more expensive than it is from a distance. The main issue with it is simply that other phones on this list are better – especially when it comes to screen resolution, which at 720 x 1600 isn’t great.
Celebrate the stories of strong women, from a Supreme Court justice and a soul singer whose names you know to a Ugandan chess champ you've probably never heard of.
A new iPhone - probably the iPhone 13 but maybe the iPhone 12S – is coming in 2021. Even if you're only just wrapping your head around the iPhone 12 family, we’ve already seen a variety of juicy leaks and rumors for the next range of Apple phones launching later this year.
Apple’s new iPhones for 2021 are likely to launch toward the end of the year, but we’re hearing news from a variety of sources about what to expect on the next-gen iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max – as well as an iPhone 13 mini, should Apple decide to make another small-format flagship phone.
What’s the overall word right now? We’ve heard from all different types of sources not to expect any humongous upgrades, as rumors point to the company focusing on refining the design, improving the internals, and perhaps even bringing in more powerful cameras that take sharper photos and better night shots.
Below you’ll find everything we know so far about the next iPhone, including our best guess at an iPhone 13 release date, and a selection of things we want to see Apple introduce in its 2021 handset.
Latest news
The iPhone 13 range could have bigger batteries, and there's growing evidence that the notch will be smaller and the refresh rate will be higher than on the iPhone 12 range.
Cut to the chase
What is it? The next iPhone, maybe iPhone 12S
When is it out? Probably September 2021
What will it cost? Expect $699 / £699 / AU$1,199 and up
iPhone 13 release date and price
When can you expect to be able to buy a next-gen iPhone? We expect the iPhone 13 release date to be set for September 2021, but that may be subject to change given the Covid-19 pandemic.
For the last 10 years, Apple has consistently introduced its flagship phones at an event near the start of September and released the phones 10 days later. All that changed in 2020, due to the pandemic, and the phones were delayed beyond their usual window.
If we were betting on a date, we’d expect Apple to move its iPhone 13 release date back to September 2021, and indeed at least one well-respected Apple analyst agrees with us.
Little is known about the price of the iPhone 13, but we’d expect it to be a similar level to the iPhone 12 family. Those handsets cost more than the 2019 phones – the iPhone 11 series – but that’s because of the addition of 5G and a few other technical elements.
We’ll be sure to include more 2021 iPhone price leaks and rumors as we hear them, but below you can see the prices for the iPhone 12 series that we’re relatively confident will be similar next year.
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12S: what will the new iPhone be called?
The iPhone 12 Pro (left) and iPhone 12 Pro Max(Image credit: TechRadar)
There’s every chance the next iPhone won’t be called the iPhone 13. That’s especially true as the number 13 is seen as an unlucky number in parts of the world, including the US, so it may be Apple wants to skip this numeral when it comes time for a new iPhone.
With rumors suggesting we’ll see a relatively similar design to the iPhone 12, it may be that the company is readying an iPhone 12s family for 2021. This is common practice for Apple where it introduces an ‘S’ series the year after a big upgrade, and it may be we see that next year.
That may mean everything we talk about here is actually called the iPhone 12s and iPhone 12s Pro when these handsets hit shop shelves later in 2021.
You may think with the iPhone 13 release date so far in the distance that we wouldn't know much about the next-gen phone, but a variety of sources have shown us some things to expect on the next iPhone.
First off, we're expecting four members of the iPhone 13 family. Those are likely to be – but this isn't guaranteed – the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The company focused on three models until 2020, when it introduced the mini model as the fourth handset in the iPhone 12 family. Most rumors suggest that'll continue in 2021. If any model gets dropped it would probably be the mini, as the iPhone 12 mini reportedly hasn't sold well, but rumors suggest Apple will still make an iPhone 13 mini (though perhaps in place of an iPhone SE 3).
iPhone 13 design and display
We're expecting similar designs to the iPhone 12 family, and the screen technology is likely to be similar as well because the company made big upgrades to that element of the iPhone 12.
One thing rumored for the iPhone 12 that didn't come to fruition was the addition of a high refresh rate display. Rumors suggest that may be introduced on the iPhone 13, and that'll make the display look smoother when playing games or scrolling through your social media feed.
Most important development on the iPhone 13 models from my perspective will be ProMotion with variable refresh rates through LTPO adoption on the Pro models.October 2, 2020
That technology may also work in a similar way to what we've seen on the company's iPad Pro lineup where it is able to vary the refresh rate depending on what activity you're doing on your phone.
Another rumor backed up 120Hz refresh rate rumors but suggested such a display might only be on two of the four anticipated iPhone 13 models. Maybe this means the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will have 120Hz screens while the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, or whatever they end up getting called, won't.
The source of that claim (Korean site The Elec) has since reiterated it, adding that industry sources say the top two models will get a 120Hz screen. That site has also now added more details, claiming that Samsung will be the sole supplier of these 120Hz panels.
Ming-Chi Kuo (an analyst with a great track record) has also said to expect a 120Hz screen on the Pro models.
In fact, there's a chance it will have an even higher refresh rate, as an Apple patent talks about a phone with multiple refresh rates, possibly topping out at 240Hz - which is a rate no mainstream phone currently offers. But patents often don't develop into features, so we'd take this with a pinch of salt.
Another upgrade the screen might get is the addition of an always-on display, with a reliable leaker saying this could be in the works. Android phones have offered this for years, so it's about time Apple got on board.
The topic of the notch has been under scrutiny as well with some sources claiming that it'll remain the same size as the iPhone 12 and others believing it's more likely to shrink in 2021. What will happen here is particularly unclear right now, though more sources point to it shrinking than staying the same size.
Though we've heard a rumor that Apple has at least one iPhone 13 prototype that does away with the notch entirely and makes the bezels around each side slightly thicker to compensate. Could 2020 have been the last year of the iPhone notch?
Another leak has also suggested the company may finally be ready to introduce an under-display fingerprint scanner. A lot of Android manufacturers include this technology on flagship phones, and this leak suggests Apple is ready to follow suit.
In fact, we've now heard talk of an in-screen scanner multiple times, with Apple apparently considering it in addition to Face ID. That said, some sources suggest this change is further out.
One thing that probably won't be changing is the sizes of the phones, with leaks suggesting we'll see four models, with the same screen sizes as the iPhone 12 range.
iPhone 13 camera
As for the camera, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo – who is often right about Apple information – has suggested the iPhone 13's ultra-wide camera may be bumped to a f/1.8, six-element lens from the current f/2.4, five-element lens on the Pro and Pro Max.
Kuo has since followed this up with a note suggesting that Sunny Optical looks to be in a position to supply this lens (which he now says might go up to seven elements). Having a company with the capability to build it means it's more likely to happen.
We've also heard the same change in aperture from analysts at Barclays, though they claim this upgrade will come to all four iPhone 13 models. This should allow for better low light performance - though potentially also a shallower depth of field, which can be less desirable in the landscape shots ultra-wide cameras typically excel at.
The Barclays analyst note also mentioned that the iPhone 13 Pro could get the same telephoto snapper as the iPhone 12 Pro Max, allowing for 2.5x optical zoom, up from 2x on its predecessor.
There are also reports that Apple is looking into adding a periscope camera to a future iPhone. This would allow for a greater zoom range than current models, maybe up to 10x optical zoom, potentially without making the camera components any thicker. However, based on rumors this might not arrive until the iPhone 14 or an even later device.
A report has also suggested that all four iPhone 13 models might get a LiDAR scanner, rather than just the Pro models having it as on the iPhone 12 range. The same site has since reiterated that claim more than once, but until we hear it from other sources we'd take it with a pinch of salt.
The same source has also said that all four iPhone 13 models will get sensor-shift OIS (optical image stabilization), which would be an upgrade for all but the Pro Max, which already has that, and that the two Pro models will get a larger main lens. Another rumor suggests that sensor-shift OIS and autofocus will be added to the ultra-wide cameras in the new phones, but potentially only the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max models.
Little else has been rumored specifically around the camera, but we'd expect Apple to focus on this as a key area to differentiate the handsets from the iPhone 12 family.
iPhone 13 specs, battery and other leaks
One source (leaker Jon Prosser) has also suggested that 2021 may be when we see the introduction of 1TB iPhones. That's a storage size the company hasn't experimented with yet, at least for its smartphones, and we'd expect it to be an option on the phone's most expensive Pro handsets.
An Oppo concept device made by the company to show a portless phone design(Image credit: Future)
On the battery front meanwhile, we've heard from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that the iPhone 13 might switch to soft board technology, which could allow for physically smaller batteries without reducing the capacity. In fact, Kuo has since said that the iPhone 13 might have a higher capacity battery than the iPhone 12.
There's also an Apple patent that talks about a 'protective charging' mode, which would stop you overcharging the phone even if you leave it plugged in for long periods (such as overnight). However, patents don't always get used, so don't count on this.
Performance should be boosted as is normally is every year, but we've heard talk that advanced vapor chamber cooling is going to be deployed in the iPhone 13 – though if it's not read this year, we might have to wait until the iPhone 14 to see it.
It seems the iPhone 13 Pro phones could have 1TB storage options, so you can have huge amounts of space on your phone for apps, videos, photos and more. This kind of option would be more useful for professionals than average users, but for now it's just a prototype Apple is testing apparently.
Expect 5G support to continue in 2021 iPhones of course, but it's expected the company will be switching to either mmWave or sub-6 devices, allowing it to save money.
That essentially means that if mmWave technology isn't available in your country, you'll only be able to buy the sub-6 version. Apple included both versions of the 5G technology on the iPhone 12, and that saw the price of the handset rise significantly in the US in particular.
Staying with wireless technologies, we've also been led to understand that the iPhone 13 is going to come packing some Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for an even faster link to the web and the cloud.
This was first predicted by analysts and they've since said the same again with more certainty, even naming the apparent suppliers of the Wi-Fi 6E tech.
New iPhone 13: what we want to see
With little known for certain about the new iPhone 13, we've put together a list of things we'd love to see the company introduce for its next-gen device. Some of these will match with what you've read about above, and others are just things we want to see Apple do.
1. A big camera upgrade
The iPhone 12 Pro Max camera(Image credit: TechRadar)
The iPhone 12 series brought some slight camera tweaks to the family of handsets, but it wasn't a significant overhaul that many were hoping for.
Expect to see an improved camera in 2021, and we're hoping for a big one that can mean the company can hold onto its footing in making some of the very best shooters on the market.
2. Improved battery life
The iPhone 12 didn't improve the battery life on handsets that much over the iPhone 11 series, so we'd like to see Apple put more of a focus on battery life in the future.
Nowhere is this more true than on the iPhone 12 mini, which has the worst battery life of the entire family. It's okay enough to cope with on a day to day basis, but we'd like to see Apple commit to improving battery life further.
3. An iPhone 13 mini
The iPhone 12 mini(Image credit: Apple)
This may seem like an obvious one, but we really like the iPhone 12 mini and we'd like to see it become a mainstay of the iPhone family.
Smaller handsets that are as capable as the flagship alternative are few and far between in 2020, so we'd like to see the company commit to this new size of handset again for the iPhone 13.
4. A price drop
This is unlikely to be possible for the iPhone 13, but with the price of the iPhone 12 series increasing over the iPhone 11 we'd like to see the company drop its prices again in 2021.
With a rumor suggesting the company will only be using 5G technology relevant to whatever market you live in, that may allow Apple to drop the price lower than it had done before.
5. The death of 64GB iPhones
The iPhone 12 Pro started at 128GB(Image credit: TechRadar)
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 are both available with 64GB of storage, and we believe that isn't enough room on a smartphone in 2020. Some will be able to handle that, but if you want to make the most of your device you'll likely find it will clog up after a few years of usage.
We'd like to see Apple introduce 128GB as the minimum device size in 2021, and hopefully bring the price of the larger storage variants down to a more affordable level.
6. A high refresh rate display
Rumored for the iPhone 12, a high refresh rate display will be another solid screen upgrade that we'd love to see included on the iPhone to keep it competitive with other smartphones on the market.
It's the sort of upgrade you don't know you want until you've used a phone with the technology included, but it's something that would make a noticeable difference to the iPhone experience.
7. A better option for chargers
The Lightning connector on the iPhone 12 Pro Max(Image credit: TechRadar)
The iPhone 12 was the moment Apple decided to drop chargers in the box. According to Apple, that's an initiative it believes will save on ewaste and while that may be true it isn't the most user friendly way of doing so.
We'd like to see the company come up with an alternative way to offer chargers to those who want them, while also not including them in the box by default.
Perhaps, each iPhone could come with a charger coupon that you can cash in if you're in need of a charger but it strongly discourages you from doing so if you already have a way to charge your phone?
Contrary to popular belief, the best budget gaming PCs are just as capable of tackling the best PC games as more expensive rigs. It’s not just the budget gamers who will appreciate the massive savings these gaming PCs offer. Even mid-range and casual gamers will find a lot of value in them as well.
After all, not all of us need to play on ‘ultra’ settings or 4K resolution. 1080p and 1440p are just as entertaining and, to most of us, medium to high settings is more than good enough so therefore the best budget gaming PCs should suffice. You might have to skip a lot of the extra features that come with more expensive rigs. However, these budget machines are still very capable of delivering captivating gaming sessions thanks to affordable yet able internals like AMD Navi GPUs and their Ryzen 3nd Generation CPUs, as well as Intel’s Coffee Lake Refresh, that power many of these computers.
The best budget gaming PCs are certainly up to the challenge of giving you a quality gaming experience. It doesn’t matter if you’re short on cash or just don’t need or care about maxing out all the settings in the latest AAA game. Either way, you’ll save some money.
The Omen 25L’s rectangular black metal design isn’t going to turn heads anytime soon. That’s at least offset by its glass panel, but only barely. However, if you’re not too concerned about looks, this is among the best budget gaming PCs to hit the shelves in 2021 that won’t make a sizable dent in your bank account. With AMD configurations on hand, it’s perfect for AMD-leaning gamers. But, those that are loyal to Nvidia’s RTX line can partake as well, as you can configure it to have up to an RTX 2070 Super GPU. Still, it’s the price we can’t get over here – kitted out, the Omen 25L costs as much as many of the premium gaming PCs in their mid-range configuration. Only, this one’s got more memory and a lot more storage capacity.
(Image credit: MSI)
2. MSI Trident 3 9th
A great performer
CPU: up to 9th-generation Intel Core i7 | Graphics: up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super | RAM: up to 16GB | Storage: up to 1TB
Lots of power
Compact
Come with bloated software
If looking good matters to you as much as power, then you might love the MSI Trident 3 9th, especially if you’re partial to a gaming-leaning aesthetic. It’s not all looks either. This small gaming PC touts plenty of power under the hood for less than its rivals, with 9th-generation Intel Core processors and the best Nvidia RTX and GTX graphics. It’s even cheaper than many of the gaming PCs on this list, with its Intel Core i7 + RTX 2060 Super +16GB RAM configuration setting you back much less than a HP Omen 25L with equivalent specs. If you’re trying to maximize your limited space and budget, this is the best budget gaming PC for you.
Base models won’t get you through the most demanding games
A unique chassis coupled with a price to beat, Dell’s latest in its G series gaming PCs is a solid contender as among the best budget gaming PCs out there. The Dell G5 boasts 9th-generation Intel chips as well as Nvidia’s most powerful gaming GTX and RTX graphics cards, starting with an i3 processor and the GTX 1650 to handle many powerful games without burning a whole in your pocket. Of course, if you’ve got more case to spare, its VR ready configurations are also on hand, though even those are absolutely affordable.
(Image credit: Future)
4. HP Omen Obelisk
Tricked out stunner for the hardcore gamer
CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 – i9-9900 | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti – RTX 2080 | RAM: Up to 32GB | Storage: 1TB HDD – 1TB SSD
Lots of power
Appealing, tool-less design
Highly upgradable
Software offer minimal personalization
The HP Omen line’s more affordable PC, the HP Omen Obelisk, is definitely well-deserving of the best budget gaming PC title, thanks to its low price of admission well under $1,000 and its decent specs at that configuration. And, if you customize before you buy, upgrading the base specs for more power, it won’t set you back a whole lot either. The best part? If you’re not into that over-the-top gaming aesthetic, this one has a classier-looking chassis so you can haul it to your office desk, and no one will be the wiser.
Can get pretty pricey at the highest configurations
Intel’s NUC has come a long way from its humble beginnings. For example, while the previous Hades Canyon didn’t come with a RAM or storage, the newer Ghost Canyon has both. In fact, not only does it have more offerings now in terms of specs, but it’s also highly configurable so you can personalize it to your liking before hitting that buy button. With 9th-generation Intel Core chips, up to 64GB of memory and up to 4TB dual storage, we’re all for it. The only catch is that it's pricier now as well. The lower configurations are still quite affordable, however, and among the best budget gaming PCs for the budget-conscious.
For your viewing pleasure only the best monitors will do. It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing AAA PC games, editing high-resolution content, or just spending most of your day sending emails, typing up reports, and streaming Netflix. While just about any monitor can display your PC’s visuals, you need an excellent monitor to really get the kind of immersive experience you need that’s also kind to your eyes.
The best monitors are just as vital to your PC setup as the best processor and best graphics cards, and they bring a wealth of other benefits. They offer the right ergonomics and deliver far superior image quality. They also have features you need for productivity such as a USB-C port or a USB hub. Finally, many come with low blue light mode, which is easier on the eyes and useful when you’ve already put in a few long hours in front of the computer.
Since there is no one best monitor for everyone, we found the best one for every need and budget and put them in one place. Whether you’re looking for one that’s perfect for gaming, an ultrawide display to give you the extra real estate, or the best curved monitor, we have something for you on this list.
3D designers particularly love the BenQ PD3200U.(Image credit: BenQ)
Now that the best PCs can handle 4K easier than ever before, the best 4K monitors are all over the place. That’s why BenQ released the PD3200U, a massive 32-inch Ultra HD display, as part of its Designer Monitor range. 3D designers particularly love this display, thanks to the factory-calibrated color accuracy and CAD/CAM mode. Marketed to creatives and professionals, BenQ has designed, seemingly by mistake, a panel that gamers will enjoy as well, making it one of the best monitors all-around – so long as they can find the space for it on their desks.
It’s hard not to be impressed by the LG UltraGear 38GN950. If you’re looking for the ultimate gaming monitor, this is certainly the one to beat, with a 144Hz refresh rate that can be easily overclocked to 160Hz, 1ms response time, spectacular image quality, and many other gaming features like G-Sync, an ultra-wide aspect ratio and DisplayHDR 600. If you’re serious about gaming, then this is the gaming monitor to get – if you can afford it, that is.
‘Paper Color Sync’ needs refining to be truly useful
Pro-level displays are no longer the premium priced, inaccessible purchase they started out to be. At least as far as the BenQ SW321C PhotoVue is concerned. This 32-inch 4K photo monitor is up a step or two in terms of both performance and usability, featuring an incredibly wide color gamut of 99% of the Adobe RGB color space and 95% of DCI-P3. If you’re in the cinematography or photography sphere, that’s exactly what you need. And, that’s on top of all the other features this monitor boasts. This is among the best monitors you’ll find for photo and video editors, and the best part is you’re getting it for cheaper than all others.
If you’ve been searching for one of the best monitors, and you’re ready to just give up and buy the most expensive monitor you can find, you’re in luck. The Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ combines so many high-end features that it almost seems like too much. It doesn’t just feature a 4K UHD display at 144Hz, but it also rocks Nvidia G-Sync and HDR. This is simply the best monitor on the market, but it will also cost an arm and a leg. If you’re playing games, doing photo and video editor work, or even just general desktop work, you can’t go wrong with this monitor, as long as you have the cash to shell out.
Screen size: 31.5-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Curve radius: 1800mm | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Response time: up to 4ms | Contrast ratio: 3000:1 | Color support: 1.07 billion colors
Picture-in-picture with two PCs
Surprisingly decent sound
Elegant design
Not very fast
Limited ports
The Dell S3221QS is a gorgeous monitor inside and out. Its simple yet elegant silver design gives it a unique look that sets it apart from all the gamer-centric or boring black office monitors you're most likely to find. It comes with a stunning 4K VA panel to match, making everything from movies to gaming a pleasure to watch. And, to make it an even better proposition, it’s got some great features as well – namely, decent-sounding speakers and an interesting picture-in-picture functionality that will let you display two different computers in the same display. That’s pretty nifty and a great way to make up for the fact that there’s no USB-C connectivity.
When you’re growing tired of the same old 16:9 aspect ratio, nothing hits the spot like a cinematic 21:9 display. It’s not the best for watching Netflix or YouTube, but the Acer Predator X34 is a fantastic example of what an ultra-wide monitor can do. Boasting an eye-catching aluminum bezel and polygonal stand that looks like a bird’s foot, this massive 34-inch monitor is a marvel to behold. More significantly, armed with Nvidia’s G-Sync tech, you won’t require V-Sync stressing out your graphics card. The Acer Predator X34 does all the heavy lifting for you. This is about as immersive as a gaming monitor can get, and one of the best monitors to buy this 2021.
Ultrawide monitors have been around for a while: they’ve constantly made it on folks’ the best monitors list for a few years now, in fact. These wide monitors are lifesavers when it comes to productivity, and they’re only increasing in popularity. The Asus Designo Curve MX38VC, however, takes it to the next level. Not only does this monitor have a massive 3,840 x 1,600 resolution, but with USB-C compatibility and a Qi wireless charger built into the base, it’s going to be a workplace companion you won’t want to live without. It’s a tad pricey, and doesn’t feature HDR, but that’s a worthy sacrifice, especially for professionals.
We don’t usually run into technology that’s so far ahead of the curve that we’re left dumbfounded, which is why the Dell UltraSharp UP3218K has impressed us even more. Finding one of the best monitors that can reach the raw gorgeousness this one can should be next to impossible. It’s not just the resolution, either. Dell went so far as to ensure that the build quality and color reproduction are the best in the business as well. The Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is aimed at professionals, obviously, so if that sounds like it’s made for you, it’s probably the best monitor you’ll ever find.
If you’re looking for a first-rate 1440p monitor with HDR for multimedia and gaming, then the BenQ EX3203R might be the display for you. One of the best monitors this 2021, this one’s noteworthy as it offers a ton of high-end features in a product that is very reasonably priced. Sure, 32 inches might sound like a bit much for a monitor, but the 1800R curvature on this BenQ panel means that it’s easy to use, both for productivity, as well as for immersion in your games and media.
The LG 32UN880 UltraFine Display Ergo has done something cool. Instead of going for the same homogeneous mount and stand that all monitors have, it has opted for a C-Clamp, One Click Mount that allows it to extend, retract, go high, go low, tilt and pivot like no other. That’s versatility turned up to 11. It also boasts incredible color accuracy and beautiful picture quality. The best part is that you’re getting all that without burning a massive hole in your pocket. This is, without a doubt, among the best monitors out there.
If you’re searching for a gaming monitor with a super-wide 1440p resolution, incredibly fast response time of 1ms, a viewing angle of 178 degrees and a quick refresh rate, then the MSI Optix MPG341CQR is something you should consider. If not for those, then perhaps for the fact that MSI has decided to go with a VA panel, as opposed to IPS, giving it more contrast and punchier colors. A few bonuses are included, as well: snazzy “Mystic Light” RGD LEDs, USB-C connectivity, an integrated camera and a competitive price.
With audio chat rooms being the flavour of the season (cue: success of Clubhouse), Twitter is losing no time in pushing its own similar offering Twitter Spaces.
The feature allows users to create public and private audio chat rooms on the social media platform. It was first announced in December last year.
Till now, Twitter Spaces was tested only on iOS, and some select users in India. But now the social media platform has started testing the Spaces feature for Android users. And a formal and full-fledged rollout for the general public looks only a matter of time.
Android folks, our beta is growing! starting today you will be able to join and talk in any Space. SOON you’ll be able to create your own but we’re still working out some things. keep your 👀 out for live Spaces above your home tlMarch 2, 2021
Yesterday, Twitter official Spaces handle put out the news that their beta for Android folks are growing. Seasoned Twitter watchers have also suggested that the company is working on several updates to the Spaces feature.
Some of them include temporary Space recordings for reporting purposes, updated emoji reactions within the Spaces UI, and private Spaces, which would only be joinable for those you invite.
Twitter is working on private SpacesTwitter adds a Trust & Safety heads up and the ability to change Space description, as well as a refined set of emoji reactions for Spaces pic.twitter.com/lBNx6H5FWIMarch 2, 2021
With Spaces, users can create a voice chat room, which allows them to invite others and talk around a topic. The idea is that it will let people create a safe space for safe conversations in public by starting a room.
Users will be able to add multiple participants to these rooms and see who is a part of the room, and who is speaking. Other users will also be able to request to join the room and take part in the conversation.
(Image credit: Twitter)
Twitter is hoping to give Clubhouse a run for its money. In the short time it has been on the block, Clubhouse has made a big splash. But it is for iOS users alone, and by invitation. Twitter, by being on Android, wants to be more democratic and accessible.
This is all part of Twitter push, over the next three years, to increase its number of daily active users by at least 64%, to 315 million.
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Does your home Wi-Fi network need an extra room's worth of coverage? A range extender might be just what you need -- here's everything you need to know.
