Engadget evaluate recap: Galaxy Z Fold 7, Panasonic S1 II, Samsung QS700F and extra
We have been busy within the Engadget evaluations division over the previous few weeks, maintaining with Prime Day, product launches and the accumulating stack of units on our desks. In the event you missed any of our in-depth testing just lately, you possibly can shortly make amends for the newest digital camera, laptop computer, telephone and soundbar evaluations within the listing under.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Billy Steele for Engadget
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has reached foldable telephone nirvana due to main reductions in its measurement and thickness. Although at $2,000, it stays extraordinarily costly.
- Exquisitely skinny design
- Sleeker hinge
- Massive 200MP primary digital camera
- Bigger shows
- Prime-tier efficiency
- Very costly
- No S Pen assist
- Mediocre charging speeds
Samsung made notable design modifications on its newest flagship foldable telephone, lastly giving the lots a major replace after a sequence of iterative fashions. Senior evaluations author Sam Rutherford argued the corporate “has lastly achieved foldable telephone nirvana” due to the reductions in general measurement and thickness on the Z Fold 7, making the area of interest handset enchantment to extra customers. “With its newest flagship foldable, Samsung has eliminated one of many remaining obstacles stopping folks from attempting out the brand new breed of telephones: extreme measurement and weight,” he stated.
Canon R50 V
Canon/Engadget
Canon’s EOS R50 V is a strong price range vlogging digital camera due to the wonderful video high quality, nevertheless it’s lacking necessary options in comparison with its rivals.
- Good picture and video high quality
- Quick and correct autofocus
- Cooling fan permits prolonged taking pictures
- Decently quick picture taking pictures
- Rolling shutter distortion
- No in-body stabilization
- Lacks rival’s vlogging pleasant options
- Mediocre battery life
Content material creators who’re simply moving into vlogging will quickly understand they want a digital camera extra strong than their telephone for higher high quality footage. Reporter Steve Dent defined that Canon’s EOS R50 V excels at video, thanks partly to its fast autofocus, however the digital camera lacks the efficiency and options of its rivals. “Canon’s R50 V is a fairly good first attempt for a vlogging digital camera, hitting the mark in key areas like video high quality and usefulness,” he wrote. “Nonetheless, its rival, Sony’s ZV-E10 II, beats it in almost each space, providing even higher video high quality, larger picture decision, quicker autofocus, smoother digital stabilization and neat options lacking on the R50 V — just like the product showcase.”
Samsung HW-QS700F
Samsung
The QS700F is an all-new mannequin in a sea of modest annual refreshes for Samsung soundbars. It isn’t good, however the mixture of design and options provide a compelling various to pricier choices.
- Automated orientation adjustment
- Crisp and balanced sound
- Refined design
- Straightforward setup
- 3.1.2-channel audio constrains film sound
- Room calibration and different main options solely work with Samsung TVs
Just like the Z Fold line, Samsung has been on a streak of iterative updates for its flagship soundbars. For 2025 although, the corporate debuted an all-new mannequin that robotically detects the way you’re utilizing it and adjusts the speaker output appropriately. It is that trick, together with crisp sound, that makes the QS700F a contender even with its constrained 3.1.2-channel audio. “Caveats apart, one of the best factor in regards to the soundbar is its automated orientation adjustment,” I famous. “The QS700F is straightforward on the eyes too, which isn’t all the time the case with these units.”
Panasonic S1 II
Panasonic/Engadget
The S1 II is Panasonic’s greatest creator digital camera due to options like 6K RAW video and excellent stabilization, nevertheless it’s costly in comparison with the competitors.
- Quick taking pictures speeds
- Nice dealing with
- Glorious video high quality
- Greatest-in-class stabilization
- Professional video options
- Poor battery life
- Costly
The S1 II could also be Panasonic’s greatest digital camera for content material creators, however there’s one main draw back: the value. Steve’s evaluation of this mannequin’s options, which embody 6K RAW video and best-in-class stabilization, will enable you weigh the potential $3,200 funding. “Panasonic’s S1 II is a strong hybrid digital camera, and if it wasn’t so costly, it could be a no brainer for creators,” he stated. “Nonetheless, Nikon’s Z6 III has almost the identical video capabilities, is a greater digital camera for pictures and prices a minimum of $600 much less, so I’m inclined to advocate that mannequin for many customers.”
Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1
Dell / Engadget
Dell’s revamped 16 Plus 2-in-1 is a reliable laptop computer with an adaptable design and an awesome optionally available mini LED display screen, nevertheless it lacks persona.
- Stable construct
- Vivid mini LED show
- Above-average battery life
- Lackluster touchpad
- Mediocre audio system
- Wants one other USB-C port
The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is the corporate’s first shopper laptop computer to characteristic its just lately up to date naming scheme, and the change in moniker is accompanied by refreshed styling. Sam defined that whereas the machine is completely succesful, particularly with the optionally available LED show, it is missing persona. “It is a completely serviceable machine, nevertheless it does not have a single trait or characteristic that endears itself to its consumer,” he wrote. “Similar goes for its identify.”
Belkin Charging Case for Nintendo Swap 2
Invoice Steele for Engadget
Between a sturdy case and a detachable battery pack, Belkin’s Charging Case for Nintendo Swap 2 covers all the foremost necessities.
- Easy design
- Included 10,000mAh battery pack
- Hidden AirTag pouch
- No choice to carry your individual battery pack
- Won’t work with cumbersome skins or covers
Now that the Swap 2 is out within the wild, Nintendo’s handheld console wants safety. Sam put the Belkin Charging Case via its paces to seek out out if it is a worthy accent. “I sort of want Belkin offered a model that does not include a battery for anybody who needs to make use of their very own energy pack,” he stated. “The corporate’s non-charging model of this case isn’t a really perfect various because it does not have a lot additional house inside. Besides, this equipment affords a strong mixture of worth and practicality, which is all I am ever actually asking for.”