Honor's Magic V2 is the thinnest foldable phone to date

With the arrival of Xiaomi's Mix Fold 2 last August, it was only a matter of time before other brands would catch up with similarly impressive slimness for their next foldable phones. So far this year, we have Huawei's Mate X3 which finally broke Xiaomi's thinness record, followed by Google's Pixel Fold — it's a tad thicker, but at least it's available in western markets. Today, another Chinese brand has beaten Huawei with an even slimmer and lighter foldable phone — the Honor Magic V2. It's the first of its kind to reach a folded thickness of less than 1cm, and it weighs less than some of the top flagship candybars — namely Apple's iPhone 14 Pro Max or Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Specifically, the Magic V2 is 9.9mm and 4.7mm thick when folded and unfolded, respectively. Only the Mate X3 and Mix Fold 2 come close in this aspect. As for weight, the Magic V2 measures just 231g (8.15oz), beating the Oppo Find N2 and Mate X3 by a few grams. As someone who has been using a 262g (9.24oz) Mix Fold 2 for 10 months, I found it surprisingly delightful while fiddling around with Honor's slimmer and lighter foldable.

One of the keys to this form factor breakthrough is Honor's new hinge design, which consists of 3D-printed aerospace-grade titanium parts and proprietary steel bits. Together with the latest flexible OLED panel from China's BOE, the Magic V2 has been certified by TÜV Rheinland to last for over 400,000 folds — doubling that of the Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 4. As a bonus, the hinge lets the phone "hover" in a laptop-like mode, which comes in handy for taking photos, watching videos, listening to music, making video calls and more, thanks to some tweaks in MagicOS 7.2 (based on Android 13).

Despite the size and weight reduction, the Magic V2 packs a generous 5,000mAh battery capacity, beating that of all existing foldable phones. This is thanks to the new silicon-carbon battery tech, which allows for a significant bump in energy density. These cells support Honor's 66W fast charging, though fans of wireless charging are out of luck here — not a surprise given the ambitious thickness reduction. The company also had to slim down essential components like the vapor cooling chamber, antenna, aluminum mid-frame, fingerprint module, USB-C connector, speakers and more to fit everything together. Much of this was done in Honor's research lab just across the street from the production line in Shenzhen.

The Magic V2 offers a 6.43-inch 2,376 x 1,060 OLED screen on the outside, and its 20:9 aspect ratio is to better mimic the user experience of a conventional smartphone — which is just as well given the thickness and weight achievement here. When unfolded, you'll be greeted by a 7.92-inch 2,344 x 2,156 flexible panel with a near-invisible crease. Both displays have an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz plus HDR10+ support, and yes, you can use a stylus on them, though only the Ultimate Edition in China comes bundled with an active pen. Honor also touted its eye protection measures for both screens on the Magic V2, using features like high-speed 3,840Hz pulse wave modulation dimming technology to reduce eye fatigue, as well as "Circadian Night Display" to help the user sleep better.

Photo by Richard Lai / Engadget

The rest of the Magic V2's core specs are very much on flagship level, featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, NFC, triple mics, Bluetooth 5.3, infrared remote and more. With the preloaded MagicOS 7.2 (based on Android 13), Honor even promises 50 months of fast performance, as certified by SGS. The only glaring omission on this list of goodies is an ingress protection rating (the Mate X3, Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 4 all have an IPX8 rating), but Honor assured us that it has applied a P2i nano-coating to the device for basic water resistance. 

The cameras are seemingly impressive, too: the rear-facing set consist of a 50-megapixel f/1.9 main camera with optical stabilization, a 50MP f/2.0 ultra-wide camera and a 20-megapixel f/2.4 2.5x zoom camera also with optical stabilization. Both the external and internal displays have a 16-megapixel f/2.2 selfie camera each. Honor said its AI motion sensing feature can help capture constantly moving subjects like kids and pets, but we won't be able to verify this claim until we get to a review unit later.

Photo by Richard Lai / Engadget

The Honor Magic V2 is now up for pre-orders in China, with color options including black (with a vegan leather back), gold, silk purple, and silk black (with "silk" referring to the frosted glass back), with prices starting from 8,999 yuan (about $1,250) for the 256GB version, 9,999 yuan ($1,390) for double the storage, and maxing out at 11,999 yuan ($1,670) for the 1TB Ultimate Edition.

Even though the demo units I played with at Honor's headquarters had Google services pre-installed, the company was hesitant on confirming a possible global rollout. Perhaps we will hear more at IFA come September, otherwise I'm sure the enthusiasts will already know how to grab one from China, anyway. Meanwhile, the pressure is on Samsung to come up with foldables of matching qualities later this month.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/honors-magic-v2-is-the-thinnest-foldable-phone-to-date-140023005.html?src=rss

The best Amazon Prime Day deals under $50 for 2023

Amazon Prime Day is a great time to grab the little things: accessories, dongles, chargers and other tech we all need, but don’t always think about until things get dire. We’ve reviewed and tested plenty of less-expensive tech and quite a few of our recommendations are currently seeing discounts during Amazon’s big sale. We rounded up the best tech gear and devices we could find that come in under $50 with Prime Day savings. Here are the best Prime Day deals under $50 that you can get this year.

Echo Dot

The latest generation of Amazon’s smart speaker, the Echo Dot usually retails for $50, but for Prime Day, it’s down to $23, which is a 54 percent discount and its lowest price ever. We think it’s the best sub-$50 smart speaker you can buy because it pumps out decent sound for its size while delivering all that Alexa can do. The Echo Dot with clock is also on sale, coming in at $30 instead of $60. 

Echo Dot Kids

 

The kids edition of the Echo Dot is on sale for $28 rather than $60. It’s the same size as the standard Dot with equal audio powers. You can get it with an owl or dragon-themed exterior, and it offers parental controls and comes with a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids + with kid-appropriate content.

Echo Pop

Amazon’s newest Echo is also its smallest. The half-sphere Echo Pop is now more than half off, going for just $18 for Prime Day when it usually retails for $40. It’s designed to bring casual listening and Alexa’s help to small spaces.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

We think Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K is the best streaming device on the market and right now you can get it for $34 instead of the usual $50. It packs a lot of features into a small and affordable package and has a straightforward user interface.

Anker 100W 10ft cable

Anker's 100W cable is the one our reviewer used to test out the fast chargers in our guide and right now Prime members can get it for $13 instead of $16. It's rated to 100W, which can properly deliver power from a 100W USB-C power bank port or a fast charger brick.

8BitDo Pro 2 controller

This bundle with the 8BitDo Pro 2 controller and its storage case is down to $48 for Prime Day, which is a great price. We generally like 8BitDo controllers and the Pro 2 has been one of our favorites since it came out. It offers a lot at an affordable price point: adjustable stick and trigger sensitivity, vibration control and customize button mapping, just to name a few features. It also works with a bunch of different platforms including Switch, Steam Deck, PC, iOS, Mac and Android. It's part of a larger sale that includes the 8BitDo Ultimate Wired Controller for Xbox for $28and the Sn30 Pro Bluetooth controller for $32.

Fire TV Stick Lite

The budget pick in Engadget’s streaming device guide is Amazon’s Fire TV Stick Lite, which is even cheaper for Prime Day as long as you're a Prime member. Typically $30 it’s now half price at just $15. It supports Full HD streaming with HDR and comes with an Alexa voice remote — but keep in mind it can’t control the volume or power on your TV.

Fire TV Stick 4K

The Fire TV Stick 4K is down to $23, which is a considerable 54 percent savings over its $50 list price. It’s capable of streaming 4K video to your TV or monitor (as long as it supports that resolution) and supports HDR, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It also puts Amazon’s Fire OS interface on your screen, which we found to be easy enough to figure out, though it does prioritize Amazon Prime Video content.

Fire TV Stick 4K Max

Like the standard 4K stick, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max streams 4K content to your compatible screen of choice, has an Alexa remote, and supports HDR, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It also has access to WiFi 6 and packs a faster processor. Right now, it’s $25 which is 55 percent off of the typical $55.

Anker PowerConf C200 2K Webcam

The runner up in our guide to the best webcams is Anker’s PowerConf C200 2K. The list price is $60, but is discounted to $48 for Prime members during the sale. It’s easy to set up, has a built-in lens cover for privacy and captures sharp and clear 2K resolution video with a 95-degree field of view.

Amazon Echo Buds

The latest Echo Buds just arrived in May yet they’re already 30 percent off at Amazon for Prime members. You can get them for $35, which is $15 off and ties the lowest price we’ve seen. We recommended the Echo Buds to those who prefer an open design in our best budget wireless earbuds guide.

ElevationLab GoStand

We recommend Elevation Lab's GoStand in our gift guide for people who work from home and right now it's 20 percent off. It folds into a pocket and can prop up a smartphone in either portrait or landscape orientation and adjusts to just about any viewing angle you'd like. 

TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Light Bulb

Our favorite budget smart light bulbs are TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Bulbs, which are 32 percent off right now for the two-pack, bringing it to $17. Installation is easy, and the lights stayed reliably connected during testing, plus the companion app is simple.

SAMSUNG EVO Select microSD

We named the Samsung EVo Select microSD card the overall best value in our guide to those storage devices and the largest, 128GB capacity model is now just $10, a 50 percent discount over its typical $20 price tag. The larger capacity cards, including the 512GB model is on sale as well. It doesn’t have the fastest write speeds, but is good for adding extra storage on the cheap.

SAMSUNG PRO Plus microSD Memory Card

Engadget’s top pick overall for micro SD cards is Samsung’s Pro Plus micro SD and Prime Day is bringing even the 128GB model to $14 and the largest 512GB model to under $50 after a 33 percent, Prime-only discount. It had the best sequential write performance of the cards we tested and should work well as extra storage for a camera, tablet or gaming handheld.

Blink Video Doorbell

The list price on Blink’s Video Doorbell is $60, but a half price discount for Prime members puts it comfortably under $50 at just $30. The unit can be used wired or on battery and will keep an eye on your front door, sending 1080p video to your phone or smart display, triggered by motion. The add-on Sync Module 2 is required for on-demand viewing, otherwise video and audio is only available when motion is sensed.

Amazon Fire 7 tablet

Amazon’s Fire 7 tablet has an MSRP of $60, but Prime Day is discounting it to $40 after a 33 percent, Prime-member-only discount. A sub-$50 tablet is a rare thing, and the Fire 7 isn’t a high-performer. But if you just need a no-frills way to check email, stream and browse social media, this won’t break the bank.

Echo Show 5

The recently updated Echo Show 5 is half price for Prime Day, dropping it to $45. The smaller smart display can act as a bedside alarm clock (and even has a snooze button) or you can set it up in a smaller kitchen to show you recipes and provide Alexa's help.

Blink Mini smart security camera (2-pack)

The wired, indoor Blink mini security cam is listed at $35 most days, but Prime members can snag it for $17.50. In fact, a two pack falls beneath the $50 mark, at just $34. The smart cameras are motion-activated, sending live 1080p video to your smartphone or smart display and allowing for two-way audio to boot.

Belkin Wireless Charging Stand

One of our favorite wireless chargers is Belkin’s Wireless Charging Stand, which is just $36 for Prime members right now, and a 20 percent discount. We like it because it’s a good value, comes with a power adapter and lets you charge in either landscape or portrait orientation.

Amazon Smart Plug

In Engadget’s guide to smart plugs, we named Amazon’s Smart Plug the best option for people who already use Alexa-enabled devices, like Echo speakers. It’s easy to set up using the Alexa app and reliably controls any lamps or fans you plug into it. Right now Prime Members can snag one for just $13, which is nearly half price. 

Anker 735 GaN Prime

Anker’s 735 GaN Prime is just $39 for Prime members and usually $60. It’s the best 65W charging brick you can buy, according to our testing because it’s fast, compact and offers a total of three charging ports: two USB-C and one USB-A.

OtterBox Fast Charge Power Bank

The stylish and fast-charging OtterBox Fast Charge Power Bank is currently just $35 for the 15,000mAh model the best medium capacity portable battery you can buy. This one has even more juice to revive your dying smartphone or tablet.

Belkin Apple Watch Charger

Belkin’s Apple Watch Charger is one of our favorite accessories for the smartwatch and down to $44 for Prime members. The square pad can flip up so you can use the watch in nightstand mode and uses Apple’s new fast wireless-charging module to power a Series 8 from 0 to 80 percent in about 45 minutes.

Anker 511 charger Nano 3

Anker’s 511 (Nano 3) charging brick is one of our recommendations for Apple Watch users and is now on sale for $17 instead of $23. New watches don’t come with power adapters, so if you need one, this is a good option — it’s compact with foldable prongs and has ActiveShield 2.0 to keep it from overheating.

Kasa Smart Plug EP25 (4-pack)

Prime Day is a good time to pick up the best smart plug you can buy, according to our testing. A four-pack of Kasa’s Smart Plug EP25 is now $35 for Prime members, when the set is usually $50. It’s reliable, relatively easy to set up and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings and even Apple HomeKit.

Logitech Signature M650

Logitech’s Signature M650 wireless mouse is seeing a moderate 13 percent discount for Prime Day. It's a good pick for a compact mouse you can easily take with you when you’re computing on the go. It has a precision scroll wheel, clicks quietly and features two programmable buttons.

Spigen ArcHybrid MagSafe Battery Pack

The top MagSafe-compatible battery in our tests turned out to be Spigen's ArcHybrid MagSafe pack and Prime Day pricing brings it down to $33 after a solid 45 percent discount. It's a a little larger than Apple's own MagSafe battery and was able to fill an iPhone 14 Plus to 56 percent in about an hour and 45 minutes. Considering it's regularly $30 cheaper than Apple's battery pack, it's easy to recommend — particularly at this price. 

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-under-50-134515288.html?src=rss

Apple's M1 MacBook Air is on sale for $750 for Prime Day 2023

Were you hoping to score a good deal on a laptop for Prime Day? Apple's 2020 MacBook Air is currently on sale for $750 — a record low for the computer, which typically goes for $999. It's powered by the company's M1 chip with an 8-core CPU, and while Apple has since come out with an M2 MacBook Air, we found the older version's performance to be impressive when we reviewed it. This MacBook Air was very responsive, and running apps built for Apple's silicon, such as Safari and GarageBand, felt as fast as launching them on an iPad. Safari also loaded sites instantly, and scrolling through them felt effortless.

We gave the 2020 MacBook Air a score of 94 in our review. In addition to its impressively speedy performance, we also praised it for having the capabilities it has without the need for a fan. Its 13.3-inch Retina Display looked fantastic, with thin bezels around the high-res screen, and we found its keyboard to be excellent, with a satisfying amount of depth. The laptop ran efficiently during our tests and lasted 16 hours and 20 minutes, including periods wherein we looped HD videos. 

In addition, since this MacBook Air is powered by Apple's silicon, it can run iPhone and iPad apps, though not every app for your mobile device will be available for the computer. The chip gives it decent gaming performance, as well, and allows it to run some games as smoothly as on a gaming PC. You can get any of the color options — gold, silver and space gray — for $750, but due to the nature of the event, you'll have to be a Prime member to enjoy the discount. Take note that if you're not currently subscribed to Amazon Prime, you can avail of a 30-day trial for free when you check out.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-m1-macbook-air-is-on-sale-for-750-for-prime-day-2023-130034996.html?src=rss

The best Amazon Prime Day speaker deals for 2023

Tons of speakers are on sale for Prime Day this year — though not all of those speakers are winners. Luckily, many of the soundbars, smart speakers and portable options we’ve tested in our reviews and recommend in our guides are seeing notable discounts today. Take advantage of a discounted Bluetooth speaker so you can bring your music with you this summer, or snag a deal on a soundbar and finally clearly hear all that dialogue on your TV. Naturally, Amazon’s Echo speakers are part of the sale too, so you can get Alexa’s help for less as well. Here are the best Prime Day speaker deals we could find.

Amazon Echo (4th gen)

Compared to the similarly priced Nest Audio or HomePod mini smart speakers, Amazon’s Echo is louder and pumps out better audio. We named it the best speaker under $100 in our smart speaker guide and right now it’s down to a low of $55 for Prime members, which is about $5 more than it sold for on Black Friday, which was the all-time low. This is the latest generation, which came out in 2020, after a redesign put music quality front and center. It also nicely handles all Alexa duties like music streaming control and launching smart home routines.

Amazon Echo Dot

The smaller version is actually Amazon’s best-selling Echo device. And right now the Echo Dot is down to $23 for Prime Day, which is a 54 percent discount over its usual $50 price tag and the lowest its gone since its release last year. Engadget named it the best smart speaker under $50 in our buyer’s guide because it produces louder and clearer sound than you’d expect from such a small device. It also delivers Alexa’s help, like answering questions, setting timers and controlling your smart home just by asking.

Echo Studio

The Echo Studio is Amazon’s biggest smart speaker and is currently on sale for $155, which is 23 percent off its regular price of $200 and matches its all-time low. The focus here is the quality of the audio and we gave it an 88 in our review, impressed with the hi-res sound. It’s not a small speaker at nearly eight pounds and over eight inches tall, but all that space manages to pack three two-inch midrange speakers, a single one-inch tweeter and a 5.25-inch downward-facing woofer.

Bose SoundLink Flex

Bose’s SoundLink Flex is one of our recommended Bluetooth speakers under $200. Usually $150, it’s down to $129 for Prime members, which is a $40 discount that matches the lowest price. It gives bright, dynamic finesse to music and delivers a significant amount of bass for its size. It’s about the size of a clutch bag and even has a small loop strap to further the comparison. And of course it’s IP67 rated so it can handle the elements.

Anker Soundcore Motion +

Anker’s Soundcore Motion + is normally $100 but is discounted to $75 for Prime members as a Lightning Deal. In our guide, we said it produces good sound for the price, which is even more true now. It’s a little heavier than you’d expect, and the soft-touch exterior shows fingerprints, but if those aren’t deal-breakers for you, you’ll enjoy bright and bassy output, a connected app with EQ customization and IPX7 water resistance.

Anker Soundcore 2

With over 100k positive ratings, Anker’s tiny but mighty Soundcore 2 is a great buy at its usual $40, but Prime Day savings bring it down to just $28 for Prime members. It has a IPX7 rating so it can handle an accidental dunk in water and the battery will deliver a claimed 24 hours of play time. Two Soundcore 2s can pair up for stereo sound, so if the price tempts you to get a set, you may as well go for it.

JBL Charge 5

JBL's Charge 5 is usually $180 but is down to $120 for Prime members. It also made Engadgets speaker guide, and has a separate tweeter, and dual bass radiators for bigger sound and of course can handle a dunk in water. It's got a long, 20-hour battery life and can even share some of that juice with your phone via the USB-C port.

JBL Boombox 2

JBL’s Boombox 2 is $250 for Prime Day, which is $200 off the list price. We recommend the third generation of JBL’s Boombox speaker in our guide because it’s loud and comes in a take-anywhere package. This previous model offers 24 hours of playback, has a waterproof design and can recharge your phone. At 13 pounds, it’s big but still portable.

Sony SRS-XP700

Sony’s party-sized SRS-XP700 Bluetooth speaker is down to $398 after a $150 discount for Prime Day. It pumps out loud, thumping beats, stands over two feet tall and emits lighting effects that sync with what’s playing. It weighs 37 pounds, so the grab bars on the top and bottom make a lot of sense. It can go for 25 hours on a charge and offers a bit of water-resistance to accidental splashes, but its size and build make it less rough and tumble than other portable Bluetooth speakers.

Samsung HW-Q700B

Samsung’s HW-Q700B soundbar is currently $398 for Prime members after a steep 47 percent discount off its $698 MSRP. It's the runner-up midrange soundbar in Engadget’s guide and supports Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony, which allows you to play sound from both the soundbar and your late model Samsung TV. Other Samsung tech like SpaceFit and Adaptive Sound help automatically calibrate the speaker to sound better in your space.

Vizio V21t-J8

The Vizio V21t-J8 carries a list price of $160 but is presently $140 for Prime Day, which isn't an all time low and just $20 off but we think this is the best budget soundbar you can buy, even when it's full price. It doesn’t take up a lot of space and supports Bluetooth, HDMI ARC/eARC, 3.5mm and optical connections (but not WiFi). It also employs DTS Virtual:X, which promises more three-dimensional sound without requiring a bunch of extra speakers.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-prime-day-speaker-deals-124824558.html?src=rss

The best Amazon Prime Day Apple deals on AirPods, MacBooks and more for 2023

Lots of Apple products are discounted for Amazon Prime Day, including some of the latest generation iPads, AirPods, MacBooks and Apple Watches. It's usually a toss-up whether Apple devices will be discounted during a sale event like this; unlike Black Friday, where you're bound to save some money at most retailers, Prime Day is more unpredictable when it comes to these sought-after gadgets. This year, Prime Day deals have discounted most AirPods, a number of MacBooks and a handful of iPads, and some of the latest devices are included among them. Here are the best Prime Day Apple deals you can get.

AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

Apple’s second generation AirPods Pro are on sale for $199 during Prime Day. That’s a $50 discount and the best price we've seen. They are our top pick for iPhone users in our earbuds guide and represent a big improvement over the first iteration, with better noise canceling and overall improved sound. They have an excellent transparency mode that lets you listen to music while still keeping aware of the sounds around you and they pair nicely with iPhones, iPads and Macs and make good use of Siri’s assistance.

We gave them an 88 in our review, noting the sound quality was both immersive and detailed, remaining clear even at lower volumes. The battery life delivered 15 minutes more than Apple’s promised six hours and the case can recharge the buds three more times.

Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

AirPods (3rd gen)

Apple's updated AirPods have been discounted to $140 for Prime Day. Released in 2021, these wireless earbuds improve upon their predecessors in nearly every way. They have better sound quality, a more comfortable design and a longer battery life. They don't have ANC like the AirPods Pro do, but it's hard to beat the third-gen AirPods at this price for iPhone users.

AirPods (2nd gen)

The second-generation AirPods are down to $89 for Prime Day. These wireless earbuds are a bit old at this point, but if you have less than $100 to send and want a pair that work seamlessly with iPhones and other Apple devices, these are a good option. They fit similarly to Apple's EarPods and they have improved wireless range.

AirPods Max

Apple’s over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max are on sale for $450, which is $100 off the usual $549. They earned an 84 in our review when they came out at the end of 2020. We liked the balanced sound, solid active noise cancellation and long 20-hour battery life with a unique low-power mode that leaves the headphones in standby so they’re ready to play as soon as you put them on.

iPad Air

The latest iteration of Apple’s iPad Air is $500 after a $100 discount. We think it’s the best iPad for most people. It came out in 2022 and features Apple’s own M1 system-on-a-chip processor and a bright and sharp 10.9-inch display. We gave it a review score of 90, noting that the updated chip and 5G capabilities (on the cellular model) make it “almost future-proof.”

It’s great for playing games and watching shows, but when you pair it with accessories like a keyboard, the iPad Air can easily handle productivity tasks like writing, drawing, moderate photo editing and running work-related apps like Airtable and Slack. Plus it’s much cheaper than the iPad Pro, which may be overkill for many users.

Read our full review of the iPad Air

iPad (9th gen)

Apple's 9th-generation iPad is down to $250, which it's best price yet as it normally sells for $329. It’s the budget pick in our guide to the best iPads. Though it doesn’t have the thin bezels and as much accessory support as our favorite, the iPad Air, it's the most affordable way to snag an iPad. It’s a great couch companion that performs well for casual browsing, binge streaming and light gaming. 

Read our full review of the 9th-gen iPad

MacBook Air M1

If you want a steep bargain on an Apple laptop, go for 2020's MacBook Air with the M1 chip. It's still a capable laptop and the 256GB base model is just $750 for Prime Day, which is the lowest price we've seen so far on the ultraportable. It’s the budget pick in our buyer’s guide to Macbooks and earned a high score of 94 in our review.

The performance of the M1 chip really makes the MacBook Air M1 stand out. It’s responsive, launching apps quickly and running them effortlessly. The M1 chip is also behind the MB Air’s great battery life. We clocked 16 hours and 20 minutes of play time in our video rundown test, which should be more than enough to get you through a full day of work or study.

Read our (rather glowing) review of the MacBook Air with the M1 chip 

iPad mini

A smaller tablet like the iPad mini can do a lot of what your phone can while giving you more screen real estate. For Prime Day, Apple’s diminutive slate is $380 for Prime members instead of its usual $499. We gave the mini an 89 in our review because of its fresh design and solid performance. It also pairs nicely with the second generation Apple Pencil, turning the mini into a portable digital notebook.

The iPad mini comes with a 12MP ultra wide front camera that supports Center Stage, a feature that pans and zooms to keep you in frame during video calls. As for battery life, Apple estimates going for 10 hours on a charge, but we got two hours longer than that on our video run down test, and only had to charge it every other day with casual but regular use. 

Read our full review of the iPad Mini

Apple Pencil (2nd gen)

The latest Apple Pencil is usually $129 but Prime Day is making it just $89. The second generation of the stylus works with the most recent models of the iPad mini, the iPad Air and both sizes of the iPad Pro. The standard iPad, even the latest iteration, still works with the first generation Apple Pencil, which is $79 right now. The Apple pencil lets you draw, sketch, take handwritten notes and even write in search boxes. The second gen pencil magnetically attaches to and charges from all compatible iPads.

Magic Keyboard

The Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air or the 11-inch iPad Pro is now just $250 as opposed to the $300 list price. The keyboard wraps around and magnetically attaches to your iPad, acting as a case when closed, then when it’s time to type, your tablet “floats” above the keyboard. It’s one of our favorite iPad accessories and in our review of the iPad Pro, we noted the Magic Keyboard “provides the best typing experience” for Apple’s tablets. The keyboard for the 12.9 inch iPad Pro is also on sale and going for $299 for Prime Day.

AirTags

Apple’s AirTags are discounted less than $89 for the four-pack. Compared to the usual $28.50 per-tag price, that’s a decent savings. We named the AirTags the best bet for iPhone users because they tap into Apple’s vast Find My network, pinging off nearby Apple phones to anonymously locate the tracker if it's ever lost out in the city.

Apple Watch Series 8

Apple’s flagship smartwatch is the Apple Watch Series 8 and Prime Day is giving it a $120 discount. Usually $399, the 41mm GPS model is now $280. The Series 8 is our favorite smartwatch thanks to its detailed health and fitness tracking along with a seamless integration with your iPhone’s apps and notifications. New features like temperature sensors, ECG monitors, blood oxygen readings and improved sleep metrics give you more data than ever, while the crash detection can call for help if you’re ever in an accident. The upcoming WatchOS 10 will add widgets and expanded features including ways to track your mood in the Mindfulness app.

The cellular-enabled models are also on sale. Those watches can make calls, get texts and more when you don't have your phone. The 41mm GPS plus cellular Series 8 is $380 instead of $499 and it's $410 for the 45mm size as opposed to the usual $529.

MacBook Pro (M2, 14-inch)

The MacBook Pro offers music makers, video producers and other heavy users a lot of processing power with the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. Amazon is selling the base model 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip, 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage for $1,799, which is $200 off the usual $1,999. The base model 16-inch MacBook Pro with the same specs is down to $2,299 instead of $2,499. When the new MacBook Pros came out in January of this year, we gave the 14-inch model a 92 review score, praising the Liquid Retina XDR display, sturdy design and plethora of ports including three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, HDMI, a headphone jack and a full-sized SD card slot.

Read our full review of Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro

Apple Studio Display

The usual $1,599 for the Apple Studio Display is pretty steep. Prime Day has brought the price down to $1,499, which makes it a little more palatable, but we still think the display is ideal only for true Apple devotees. The A13 Bionic chip inside makes it a little smarter than most displays, but the 60Hz refresh rate is disappointing. Still, it’s got a nice build with good speakers and a bright and accurate screen.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-amazon-prime-day-apple-deals-on-airpods-macbooks-and-more-123422037.html?src=rss

The best Amazon Prime Day laptop deals for 2023

Amazon’s latest Prime Day sale includes a handful of deals on notebooks we like, from MacBooks to Chromebooks to gaming laptops. Prime Day usually brings decent laptop sales, but the biggest downside is that your only options are the configurations that Amazon offers. There's usually good variety, but we still recommend going directly to your manufacturer of choice if you want to spec out your new machine precisely. But for those who are comfortable picking up a pre-configured model, here are the best Prime Day laptop deals we could find this year.

Apple MacBook Air M2 (15-inch)

The 15.3-inch version of Apple’s MacBook Air M2 is down to $1,399 for a configuration with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. That’s a modest $50 drop from its usual price on Amazon, but the notebook only just arrived last month, and it's $100 less than buying from Apple directly. The M2 Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops, and we gave it a review score of 96 in June. It checks just about all the requisite boxes for a mainstream notebook, with a thin and light design, bright and accurate display, comfortable keyboard, long-lasting battery, and more than enough performance for everyday use. This 15-inch model has all the same benefits of the prior 13-inch model, but adds a more powerful speaker system and slightly upgraded GPU alongside the bigger screen.

Apple MacBook Air M1

The M1 MacBook Air released back in 2020, but it remains a worthy option if you want a Mac for light work and web browsing for as little cash as possible. The entry-level configuration is now on sale for $750, which is a new low. Apple sells this device for $999, though we’ve seen it go for $799 for most of the past few months. This model’s keyboard, trackpad, display and battery life continue to impress, and the quiet M1 chip is still fast enough for the essentials. This configuration is strictly for casual use, though, as it only has 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. You’ll have to live with a more basic 720p webcam, too, and you’ll miss out on the improved speakers and slimmer bezels of the M2 model. We gave the M1 Air a review score of 94 at launch.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)

While the MacBook Air is more than enough laptop for most, the MacBook Pro should appeal to creatives who need more power for serious media editing. As of this writing, the 14.2-inch Pro with an M2 Pro chip, 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD is available for $1,799. We've seen it go for $50 less in the past, but if you don't want to wait for another sale, this is still $200 cheaper than buying from Apple direct. Apart from the faster internals, the Pro’s mini-LED display can get brighter than the Air for HDR content, plus it has a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother motion. There’s also a wider port selection, including three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port and an SDXC card reader. There’s no USB-A port, though, and the chassis is thicker and heavier. We reviewed this notebook back in January and gave it a score of 92.

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023)

A similar configuration of the 16-inch MacBook Pro is available for $2,299. Again, this isn't an all-time low, but it's about $75 lower than this model's average street price in recent months and $200 off Apple's MSRP. Compared to its smaller counterpart, the 16-inch Pro is rated for a few more hours of battery life, and the base config here has a slightly beefier CPU and GPU.

Acer Chromebook C423

This Acer Chromebook with a Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage is down to a new low of $180 for Prime Day. Acer makes some of our favorite Chromebooks, and while you can find more powerful models, this C423 laptop should work well if you plan on using the machine for web browsing, email checking and other simple tasks. If you'd rather invest in a strong Chromebook, this Prime Day sale also includes the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 with a Pentium processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for $339.

Acer Nitro 5

The Acer Nitro 5 is the runner up pick in our guide to the best budget gaming laptops, and right now a configuration with a Core i5-12500H, GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, 144Hz 1080p display, 16GB of RAM and 512GB is available for $780. That’s a new low and roughly $120 off this model’s typical street price. This is a chunky plastic machine, and you’ll need to ratchet down the settings in certain games to hit a decent frame rate. But getting a 144Hz display and enough power to keep up with modern games is a plus at this price. As an affordable yet competent entry point to PC gaming, it’s a fine value.

Razer Blade 15

A configuration of the Razer Blade 15 with a Core i7-12800H processor, GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU, 240Hz QHD display, 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD is down to $1,923 for Prime Day. That’s about $375 off its usual street price in recent months. We gave the Blade 15 a review score of 86 last year, and we currently recommend it as a premium pick in our guide to the best gaming laptops. This config is a 2022 model – the latest version is largely a spec bump – but it’ll still be powerful enough to play most modern games at high settings and frame rates, particularly with DLSS. The main reason to pay the premium for any Blade laptop, though, is because it packs that power in a slim and premium-feeling aluminum design. Just note that it can run hot, and that its battery life is fairly short.

If you want a larger 17-inch display, a version of the Blade 17 with similar specs is available for $2,000. The smaller Blade 14, meanwhile, is more modestly discounted at $2,300 for a 2022 config with a Ryzen 9 6900HX, RTX 3080 Ti and 165Hz display.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-prime-day-2023-laptop-deals-121617911.html?src=rss

Shark's AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop is cheaper than ever for Prime Day

Summer is all about relaxing, and that includes getting out of doing chores whenever possible. No, we're not saying to let your place turn into a mess, just to automate tasks anywhere you can. Prime Day deals are making it more affordable to do just that, such as the 46 percent discount on Shark's AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum — one of Engadget's best vacuums of the year. At $380, down from $700, the robovac is available at a record low price.

The 2-in-1 model uses Matrix Clean to map out a detailed grid of your entire home and hit every little nook and cranny where dirt might be hiding. It also uses a brushroll to get packed in dirt out of hardwood floors and carpets. On the mop side of things, the robovac can scrub up to 100 times per minute and has an option on the app to initiate "Matrix Mop," which is 50 percent better at removing stains. The AI 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum is also self-emptying, with its base holding up to 60 days worth of debris. Think about it: You won't need to go near household dirt until September.

If the Shark AI 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum isn't for you, there are a few great robot vacuums on sale for Prime Day this year. iRobot's Roomba 694 is the cheapest option, down from $275 to $199, whereas the Shark AI Ultra Voice Control model is slightly more expensive at $419, down from $599.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sharks-ai-ultra-2-in-1-robot-vacuum-and-mop-is-cheaper-than-ever-for-prime-day-120032067.html?src=rss

Proton is releasing a native encrypted file-syncing app for Windows

Proton, which is best known for its end-to-end encrypted email service, is launching its cloud-based storage solution on Windows starting today. Up until now, Proton’s Drive service was available via the web and on mobile via its iOS and Android apps. The company rebranded itself last year from ProtonMail to just Proton, an indicator that it has ambitions beyond just email. Earlier this year, the company also launched a password manager.

The key difference between Proton Drive and other cloud-based storage options is that it will offer free, encrypted file storage by default. The service will also offer all of the essentials such as multi-device syncing, offline downloads and version history. Proton says that it saw beta Windows users upload five times more data than its mobile and web app users combined. It says that over 65 percent of its overall users access the service from a Windows device, which probably explains why a Windows app came before a Mac one. Proton claims that all files are encrypted before they’re uploaded to its servers so “not even Proton can access these files.”

Proton

For $12.99 per month or $119.88 per year, users gain access to unlimited email, 500GB of total storage, and access to the company’s VPN, password manager and calendar services. The company also has a family sharing option for up to six users that gets you 3TB of storage for $29.99 per month or $287.88 per year. For those that don’t need the extra storage or all the extra bells and whistles, Proton offers a $4.99 per month or $47.88 per year option for 200GB of storage, while a free tier that gets you up to 1GB. All paid plans have additional savings if you decide to pay for two years upfront.

With today’s announcement, Proton Drive now has native applications on Windows, iOS and Android. The company says that a native Mac application is coming soon, though it seems to have missed its plans to offer early access in the first half of 2023.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/proton-is-releasing-a-native-encrypted-file-syncing-app-for-windows-120002705.html?src=rss

The best Amazon Prime Day iPad and tablet deals for 2023

iPads may be the most sought after tablets, but there are plenty of others on the market that are worth considering and many are on sale for Amazon Prime Day. If you've been eyeing a new iPad, you're in luck as many of Apple's tablets have been discounted for the shopping event. If you prefer Android, or simply don't want to enter the Apple ecosystem, Fire tablets, Samsung slabs and others are also on sale right now. Here are the best iPad and tablet deals for Prime Day 2023.

Apple iPad (9th gen)

Apple’s 10.2-inch iPad is down to $250, which matches the tablet’s all-time low. Apple normally sells this 64GB model for $329, though we’ve frequently seen it retail around $275 for most of the past few months. The 9th-gen iPad is the top budget pick in our iPad buying guide, and we gave it a review score of 86 in 2021. If you need more storage, the 256GB model is also on sale for $389.

This iPad’s design is dated next to newer models, as it still has a Lightning port, Home button, thick bezels and a non-laminated display. But it still gets you a huge array of apps, and its A13 Bionic chip remains fast enough for light work and casual media consumption. It’s also the only current iPad to still carry a headphone jack.

Apple iPad Air

The iPad Air is the iPad we recommend for most people, and right now it’s available for $500. That’s a price we've seen for much of the last few months, but it's $100 off Apple's MSRP. The Air earned a review score of 90 last year. While it lacks the 120Hz refresh rate, 128GB of base storage and better speakers of the iPad Pro, it provides a similarly elegant design for less cash, with a faster M1 chip, superior display and wider accessory support than the 9th-gen and 10th-gen iPads.

Apple iPad Mini

The iPad Mini is also down to an all-time low of $380. That’s roughly $65 off the 8.3-inch tablet’s typical street price and $120 off Apple’s MSRP. We gave the latest Mini a score of 89 back in 2021, but it remains the best compact tablet on the market, as it’s essentially a smaller version of the iPad Air. It uses Apple’s A15 Bionic chip instead of the more powerful M1, but the former is still plenty quick for most needs. The big downside, as with most non-Pro iPads, is that it only has 64GB of storage by default. For more space, the 256GB variant is on sale for a new low of $529.

Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro, meanwhile, is down to $1,049. That’s $50 off Apple's list price for the jumbo-sized tablet, though it's a deal we've seen fairly regularly in recent months. The 12.9-inch Pro has all the hardware upgrades of its 11-inch counterpart, but its “Liquid Retina” display offers better brightness and contrast thanks to its Mini LED backlighting. It’s the closest any iPad comes to being a full-on laptop replacement, though iPadOS still has its share of issues with multitasking and productivity. Still, if you just want the most luxurious iPad possible, or if a tablet fits better into your workflow than a traditional notebook, it’s worth considering.

Amazon Fire HD 10

Amazon’s Fire HD tablets are worth a look if all you want is a competent device for basic streaming and web browsing for as little as possible. The Fire HD 10 is the best value in the lineup for most people, and it’s back down to its all-time low of $75 for Prime Day. This 32GB model usually costs around $130. The 64GB version is also on sale for $90.

All Fire tablets are a step down from an iPad in terms of performance and build quality, and their OS still pushes you toward Amazon apps like Kindle or Prime Video. The app store is far less robust in general, with no official support for Google services like YouTube or Gmail. You’ll also have to deal with lock screen ads unless you pay an extra fee. But the Fire HD 10’s 10.1-inch 1080p display is nice enough for casual media consumption, and its processor is fast enough to not be a dealbreaker. Plus, its matte plastic design is comfortable, it gets a solid 10 or so hours of battery life, and it has a microSD slot for adding storage. This version of the Fire HD 10 released back in 2021, but it’s still hard to do better at this deal price.

We’ll also note that the Fire HD 10 Plus is on sale for $95. This variant adds an extra gigabyte of RAM (4GB total) and wireless charging support. It might be compelling if you want to buy a charging dock and use the tablet like an Alexa smart display, but the base model should be enough for most people in need of an affordable tablet.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids and Kids Pro

The Fire HD 10 Kids and Kids Pro are each down to $120, matching their lowest prices to date. These devices have similar hardware as the base Fire HD 10, but like all of Amazon’s Kids tablets, add a protective bumper case, built-in kickstands, a longer two-year warranty, and a year to Amazon’s Kids+ service (which includes a variety of child-friendly books, games and apps). They ship with a simplified UI by default, and mercifully, they don’t feature ads on the lock screen.

Between the two, the Kids edition has a larger rubbery case, while the Kids Pro model has a slimmer hard-plastic case designed for slightly older children. If you’re not comfortable giving your kid an iPad, these are decent substitutes.

Amazon Fire HD 8

If you’re on a super tight budget, the Fire HD 8 is a decent value at $55, which again matches the best price we’ve seen. Normally, this tablet retails around $90. It has a smaller (8-inch) and lower-resolution (1,280x800) display than the Fire HD 10, and it's not as quick in day-to-day use, but its performance is adequate for the basics, it still gets 10-ish hours of battery life and it's light in the hand.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus

Amazon also makes a Plus model of the Fire HD 8 with 3GB of RAM (instead of two), wireless charging support and a marginally better camera. Given that the Fire HD 8 isn’t all that fast, the Fire HD 8 Plus might be worth the step up if you have a little more to spend. The 32GB model is now on sale for $70, which is only $5 more than its all-time low and 42 percent off Amazon's list price.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids and Kids Pro

The Fire HD 8 Kids and Kids Pro are both available for $75. That marks a new low and comes in $55 below their average going rate. These two come with the same extra features as the Fire HD 10 Kids models above, but they use the Fire HD 8 as their base, so they aren’t as fast or spacious. If you want to save some cash on a streaming and reading machine for your kid, though, they’re solid values at this price.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 is on sale for $500, which matches the best price we’ve seen outside of trade-in deals. We’ve typically seen this 11-inch slate retail around $635 in recent months. The Galaxy Tab S8 line is the top Android pick in our guide to the best tablets thanks to their lively displays and robust S Pen stylus support. The base Tab S8 has an LCD panel with a fast 120Hz refresh rate and sharp 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, along with a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and 8GB of RAM. Samsung says it will supply software updates to the Tab S8 lineup through early 2026 as well.

That said, you should only get this if you’re deeply committed to Android. Google’s OS still isn’t as accommodating to productivity as iPadOS or Windows, nor does it have as many apps that are explicitly designed for large screens. But if you own a Galaxy phone or just don’t want to jump into Apple land, this is still good hardware.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+

The 12.4-inch Galaxy Tab S8+ is available for $600, which is more than $200 below its usual street price and matches its all-time low. This variant has the same general strengths as the standard Tab S8, but it has a more vibrant OLED display that ranks among the best on any tablet, plus it’s slightly thinner (0.22” instead of 0.25”). It also has a larger battery to make up for the bigger display. Again, though, this is a good chunk of change to spend on an Android slate. Like the standard Tab S8, it also lacks a headphone jack. We gave the Galaxy Tab S8+ a review score of 85 last year.

Amazon Fire Max 11

The recently released Fire Max 11 is down to $150, which is the first major discount we’ve seen and 35 percent off this slate's standard going rate. This is the largest and most powerful tablet Amazon sells, with an 11-inch 2,000 x 1,200 resolution display and a beefier octa-core processor than the one in the Fire HD 10. Its chassis is made of aluminum instead of plastic as well. The issue is that it still runs Fire OS, whose shortcomings in app support and productivity features (plus its built-in ads) are harder to swallow when you’re spending more than $100 to use it. But if you’re in the niche group that wants a more premium Fire tablet without spending iPad or Galaxy Tab money, it could have appeal.

Amazon Fire 7

Amazon's Fire 7 tablet is on sale for $40 for Prime Day. It's the cheapest device in the Fire tablet lineup, and it's really only a viable option if you have a strict budget to adhere to since other Fire tablets provide much stronger performance. The Fire 7 provides a 7-inch 1024 x 600 touchscreen, up to 32GB of storage and up to 10 hours of battery life.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-prime-day-2023-ipad-deals-115813193.html?src=rss

The best Amazon Prime Day TV deals for 2023

Amazon Prime Day may be half over, but there's still time to pick up a new TV on sale. If you’ve been looking to pick up a new set, we’ve rounded up the best Prime Day TV deals we could find below. While we don’t formally review TVs at Engadget, we’ve pored over reviews from users and other sites we trust to ensure you don’t waste your money. Prime Day has brought a number of good discounts to solid sets this year, but it's worth noting that the TV market is in a bit of a transition period at the moment. Most of the Prime Day TV deals you'll find are on 2022 sets, but the best ones we've highlighted here are close enough to their successors that they're still good buys today. And if you'd rather spruce up your current TV with a streaming device, we've included some of the best deals on those devices as well.

Samsung S95B

The 65-inch Samsung S95B is on sale for $1,598, matching its all-time low. Typically, this highly-rated set has cost an extra $100 to $200 in recent months.

The S95B’s QD-OLED panel combines OLED tech with a quantum dot layer, allowing it to deliver high contrast and wide viewing angles without sacrificing as much as typical OLED TVs in terms of brightness and color saturation. This means it should provide a rich image even in brighter rooms. It can also play up to 4K 120Hz, which is handy for the PS5 or Xbox Series X, but like all Samsung TVs, it doesn’t support Dolby Vision HDR.

The S95B is a 2022 model, so it’s on the way out in favor of the new S95C. The latter supports a faster 144Hz refresh rate and runs its ports through an external box, which makes the design thinner. Other reviewerssay it can get a bit brighter, too. But the S95 currently costs $2,298 and $2,998 for a 55- and 65-inch model, respectively, and its upgrades don’t appear to be massive enough to justify that extra cost for most. If you’re in the market for a premium TV, the S95B should remain the better value while it’s still available.

LG C2

For a more affordable OLED TV, the LG C2 is down to $1,097 for a 55-inch model, $1,496 for a 65-inch model and $797 for a 42-inch model. None of these are record-low prices, but they're each about $140 below what they usually go for. The C2 can't match the brightness and color range of a QD-OLED set like the Samsung S95B, but it still offers excellent contrast, deep black levels and wide viewing angles. It has four HDMI 2.1 ports that can play 4K at 120Hz, it supports gaming-friendly features like VRR and ALLM, and it comes in a wider range of sizes than the S95B. It works with all the major HDR formats, too, Dolby Vision included. It's just less ideal in a brightly-lit room. 

LG has rolled out a new C3 model for 2023, but it’s pricier, and manyreviewssuggest it’s only a marginal upgrade outside of adding support for DTS audio.

Sony A80K

If the LG C2 goes out of stock, the Sony A80K is another commendable OLED TV. It's down to $1,098 for a 55-inch model and $1,498 for a 65-inch model. Both deals mark new lows: The former is about $250 off its recent street price, while the latter is a roughly $300 discount. The C2 is broadly considered a better option thanks to its superior brightness levels and two extra HDMI 2.1 ports, but the A80K still gets you the core benefits of an OLED display. It also runs on Google TV, which some may prefer to LG's webOS platform. Like the C2, you'll get the most out of it if you stay away from glare. 

Sony’s 2023 follow-up, the A80L, should be a better buy when prices come down, but right now it starts at $1,698. At that price, most should be better off with the Samsung S95B.

LG B2

If you want a decent OLED TV for as little as possible, the 55-inch LG B2 is a solid value at $897, which is a new low and a little over $100 off its typical street price. Again, this TV isn’t as bright or color-rich as the C2 with HDR content, and it’s limited to two HDMI 2.1 ports. It also runs on a slower processor. Still, the contrast and motion performance here will be a noticeable upgrade if you’re coming from a more basic LCD TV and want to stay under $1,000. The 65-inch model is also on sale for $1,197.

We’ll also note the LG A2, which is down to $600 for a 48-inch model at Best Buy. That’s a nice price if you really want an OLED display, though it’s a further step down in brightness, it’s limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and it lacks HDMI 2.1 features for gaming.

Samsung QN90B

The Samsung QN90B is back down to $1,098 for a 55-inch model. That's not the best price we've seen, but it's still about $100 off its usual price. If you’re looking for a smaller set, the 43-inch versionis at an all-time low of $898. The QN90B is an LCD TV, so it can’t supply the near-perfect blacks and super wide viewing angles of an OLED panel, but it can get significantly brighter, and reviewssayitprovides better contrast than most non-OLED TVs thanks to its Mini LED backlight. There’s still no Dolby Vision, but it gives you four full HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K/120Hz support and multiple types of VRR. If you want a high-end TV for a room plagued by glare, it’s a good buy.

The new QN90C is out but costs much more, so again, last year’s set is still the better buy for now. If you opt for the 43-inch model, note that it has worse viewing angles than the larger variants but also supports a faster 144Hz refresh rate. That feature should be useful if you want a TV that can double as a gaming PC monitor.

Samsung The Frame TV

Samsung’s 55-inch The Frame TV is down to $988, which is a new low and about $450 off its typical street price. The Frame is a TV for those willing to trade some picture quality for classy aesthetics, as it’s designed to look like a piece of art you can mount against a wall. When you aren’t watching something, you can use it to display artwork and photos. A few pieces come included, while others are sold with a subscription. The Frame’s QLED panel lacks local dimming, so its contrast and HDR performance can’t really compete with the best options in its price range. It only has one HDMI 2.1 port, too. But the image is still far from poor, and its design does well to blend into a wall, as we’ve professed before.

Hisense A6H

The Hisense A6H is down to $228 for a 50-inch model and $198 for a 43-inch set, both of which match record-low prices we've seen before. The A6H is very much an entry-level 4K TV, so don’t expect especially high contrast or rich colors compared to pricier options. There’s no local dimming, and it’s limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. But for this price, its picture is perfectly fine. The 50-inch model’s VA panel should be particularly decent in a dark room, though it’ll have narrower viewing angles than the 43-inch set’s IPS display. And while it can be sluggish to navigate apps, its Google TV interface makes it easy to find things to watch. None of this will blow you away, but as a cheap secondary TV, the A6H should do the job.

If you’re looking for a mid-range option, consider the Hisense U6K. It costs $500 for a 55-inch model and offers Mini LED backlighting, which is rare to find at that price. Recentreviews say it delivers better contrast control and color volume than most TVs in its price range as a result, though it’s still limited to 60Hz and doesn’t have the widest viewing angles. It’s not priced any lower than usual for Prime Day, either.

Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED Series

Amazon’s Fire TV Omni QLED Series is on sale in several sizes for Prime Day, with the 43-, 50-, 55- and 65-inch models down to $380, $400, $430 and $600, respectively. Those match the best prices to date for the 43- and 65-inch sets; the other two are $30 more than their previous lows. You’d get the Omni QLED if you’re especially fond of Amazon’s Fire OS, as its useful voice remote, hands-free Alexa support and tight integration with Amazon services are like having a Fire TV Cube baked into the TV. (You can turn off the mics with a built-in switch.) Its picture quality isn’t bad, either, but reviews say its brightness lags behind competing models from Hisense and TCL.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the top pick in our guide to the best media streamers, and right now it’s available for $35. While that’s $10 more than the lowest price we’ve tracked, it’s $15 below Roku’s list price and $5 less than the typical sale price we're used to seeing.

The Streaming Stick 4K supports all the major apps and HDR standards, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG. Its compact design plugs directly into an HDMI port, while its remote has volume and power controls for your TV. The whole thing is quick to load apps, and for those with Apple devices, it also supports AirPlay 2. While Roku’s OS is blander than rivals from Google and Amazon, its grid-style UI is dead simple to navigate, and its search function does well to present shows from across streaming services.

Note that Roku also sells the Streaming Stick 4K+, which has an upgraded voice remote with a rechargeable battery, a lost remote finder and a headphone jack for private listening. (The Streaming Stick 4K can also do private listening, but only through the Roku mobile app.) The Plus model is better if you can afford it, but it’s not on sale as of this writing.

Roku Express 4K+

If you want a more affordable 4K Roku streamer, the Roku Express 4K+ is worth considering at its Prime Day price of $27. While that’s not an all-time low, it’s $13 off Roku’s MSRP. The Express 4K+ offers the same general experience as the Streaming Stick 4K, but it can’t plug directly into a TV, it doesn’t support Dolby Vision and it has slightly slower WiFi, so it may have more trouble if your internet is particularly finicky. The Streaming Stick 4K is the safer buy when both devices are on sale, but if you really want to save, this is a fine value.

Roku Streambar

The Roku Streambar is a compact 2.0-channel soundbar that doubles as a 4K media streamer. It won't sound as rich as the best dedicated soundbars, and it lacks Dolby Vision HDR, but it plays clearly for its size and performs much better than the speakers built into most TVs. If you're looking to upgrade a smaller secondary TV, it should be appealing. The Streambar is currently on sale for $89, which is a $30 discount. We gave the device a score of 86 back in 2020.

Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K)

The Google Chromecast with Google TV is down to $40, which is a deal we’ve seen several times before but still comes in $10 below its list price. This is the runner-up pick in our buying guide: It’s getting a bit long in the tooth, but it’s worth grabbing over a Roku streamer if you want a device that’s more proactive about recommending shows you might like based on your viewing history. Compared to Roku OS, Google TV is centered more on content than apps (though it’s still easy to reach the latter), and it’s more nuanced when it comes to voice controls and searching for content. Naturally, it also works better with Google services like YouTube TV, though it doesn’t support AirPlay or Apple TV+.

Google makes an HD version of the Chromecast that outputs in 1080p but otherwise works like the 4K model. It’s not on sale now, but it’s a good choice if you like the Google TV experience and want to add streaming functionality to an older or smaller set.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for $25, which is $30 below its list price and $10 lower than the usual sale price we’ve seen. This is Amazon’s fastest streaming stick, and its remote comes with Alexa baked in. It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG, and like the rest of the Fire TV lineup, it has just about all of the necessary streaming apps. Unlike the standard Fire TV Stick 4K, it includes a WiFi 6 radio, though you’ll need a compatible router and an unusually fast internet connection to see any advantage from that.

We generally prefer Roku’s and Google’s interfaces over Amazon’s Fire TV OS, which more aggressively displays ads on its home screen and prioritizes Amazon’s content throughout the UI. It lacks AirPlay support as well. But these issues might be easier to look past if you often use Alexa and Prime Video, especially when the upfront cost is this low.

Amazon Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite

The standard Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite are best used with older TVs, as they each top out at a 1080p resolution instead of 4K. Both lack Dolby Vision HDR – though they retain HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG – and can be more sluggish than the 4K Max when switching between apps as well. That said, the rest of the experience is similar. The main difference is that the base Fire TV Stick’s voice remote has app shortcuts and TV controls for volume and power, while the Fire TV Stick Lite’s remote does not.

Most people who really want a Fire TV streamer should just get the 4K Max, but if you want to upgrade an office or bedroom TV on the cheap, the Fire TV Stick is down to $17, while the Fire TV Stick Lite is down to $15. Both deals represent all-time lows.

Amazon Fire TV Cube

The Fire TV Cube blends a 4K media streamer with a hands-free Alexa speaker and right now it’s down to $110 for Prime Day, which is $30 off and it's best price yet. This is the most powerful Fire TV device by a comfortable margin, and because it’s a box instead of a stick, it has a host of ports, including an Ethernet jack and an HDMI input. The latter means you can run a game console or cable box through the Cube yet still see an Alexa overlay whenever you call on the assistant. (This passthrough is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, though.) It also supports WiFi 6E.

The Cube runs the same OS as any other Fire TV streamer, so it can be hard to justify over devices with less ad-heavy UIs like the Apple TV 4K. Its lack of AirPlay or Google Cast support is harder to swallow at this price, too. But if you don’t own an Echo and want the ability to use Alexa hands-free, it’s the only streamer with that functionality.

NVIDIA Shield TV Pro

The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro is available for $170 this Prime Day, a $30 drop that matches the set-top box’s all-time low. This is the most niche player we recommend in our guide, as it released in 2019, still costs a ton and uses Android TV instead of the newer Google TV platform found on the Chromecast. We highlight it for gaming specifically, as its still-speedy Tegra X1+ chip plays well with NVIDIA's GeForce Now game streaming service and various Android games. If you’re looking to run a Plex media server or emulate older games, it makes sense there as well. The box itself is loaded with ports, and it uses upscaling technology to make 1080p content look crisper on 4K TVs.

It’s hard to call the Shield TV Pro a great value at this price in 2023, but if you’re an enthusiast who has had their eye out for a sale, this is a chance to save at least a little bit.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-amazon-prime-day-2023-tv-deals-114023010.html?src=rss