Welcome to another edition of Trusted Recommends, where we round up the top-scoring technology over the past seven days.
This week a Samsung TV got full marks with its latest Neo QLED Mini LED set, while there were a range of smartphones from Apple, Realme and Xiaomi that got 4 stars and impressive performances from an Epson printer and a Netgear -Router scored.
All the products in this article have been tested by the team to take an in-depth look at their performance and how they compare to other products available on the market.
Huawei Watch GT Runner
While Huawei’s position in the smartphone market remains uncertain, they are making positive forays into the smartwatch market. The GT Runner has a screen that’s colorful and bright during the day and offers a solid fitness tracker too. Better app support and more intelligence would have ranked this watch higher.
Trusted rating: 4/5 stars
Panasonic SC-PMX802
A micro system that plays CDs, streams music and even supports DAB radio, this Panasonic is a small system that can do a lot. Its performance entertains with a wide range of music genres, although you’ll be fairly dependent on using the included speakers for compatibility reasons. While it supports Hi-Res audio, it omits a few features that would give it even more credibility among audiophiles.
Trusted rating: 4/5 stars
Kirby and the forgotten land
In The Forgotten Land, Kirby leaps from a 2D platformer to a 3D world with entertaining results. With its simple story and inventive puzzles, it’s aimed at kids, main missions will be a breeze for more experienced (ie older) players, and it’s not as ambitious as some of Nintendo’s 3D Mario titles, but it’s a thoroughly enjoyable one and charming adventure.
Trusted rating: 4/5 stars
Alienware x15 R1
Like many gaming laptops, this Alienware doesn’t come cheap, but the x15 R1 is very fast, looks very good, and is very well built. The display is market-leading and the keyboard offers fast and crisp presses. It’s one of the best gaming laptops available right now.
Trusted rating: 4/5 stars
iPhone SE 2022
Apple’s cheapest 5G handset features some of the same tech as the larger and pricier iPhone 13 Pro, but the performance doesn’t quite translate to the iPhone SE 2022’s compact dimensions, with an arguably undersized screen and design that allows for it do starts to look outdated. An ambitious phone, successful in one way and a missed opportunity in another.
Trusted rating: 4/5 stars
Xiaomi 12
This smartphone from Xiaomi is compact but equipped with its fast Snapdragon processor and a beautiful screen at an unbeatable price with flagship interiors. Battery life will get you (barely) through the day, multitasking performance is excellent and the camera performs well in a variety of conditions. If you want a decently sized phone with flagship performance, the Xiaomi delivers.
Trusted rating: 4/5 stars
Empire GT2
The GT2 is Realme’s latest Android smartphone and features a 6-inch AMOLED display with HDR10+ support, a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of up to 1300 nits. There’s a lot to like about this accomplished phone, although with a few more features (like a zoom lens) it would have gotten a higher and higher rating.
Trusted rating: 4/5 stars
Mark Levinson #5909
If you thought the AirPods Max were expensive, these headphones from high-end brand Mark Levinson will make your eyes water. The No. 5909 costs £999 but feels worthy of that price tag thanks to its superb build quality and satisfyingly nuanced performance. Its ANC is good, but not necessarily better than some half-price headphones. However, if you are someone with large cash reserves, the #5909 is certainly worth a hearing.
Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Everyone’s favorite animal-hunting game (ahem) is back, and Arceus gives the franchise a refresh of sorts. It features tons of innovation and a massive storyline with optional battles and plenty of side quests. Though the graphics are a little bland, there’s plenty for Nintendo Switch and avid Pokémon fans to enjoy.
Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars
Duracell Rechargeable AA 2500mAh
Like the bunny pictured on its packaging, this Duracell battery can keep up for a while, offering up to 400 charges. If you are looking for high capacity batteries, they offer consistent performance and plenty of power. You are a good choice.
Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars
Project Automat A1
The Automat A1 is Pro-Ject’s first automatic turntable, which means that the listener needs little assistance to get the records going. With plug-and-play convenience and engaging sound, this is a turntable to keep an eye on as Record Day kicks off in April.
Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars
Eufy SoloCam S40
A hassle-free outdoor camera that’s self-charging thanks to its built-in solar panel, the SoloCam S40 does all the basics with great video quality, whether it’s day or night. There’s no subscription option for cloud storage, nor much control over when it’s recorded. However, if you need a low-maintenance camera with no subscription costs, take a closer look at this Eufy camera.
Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars
Epson Eco Tank ET-1810
On the surface, the Epson looks like any other printer, but as the ‘Eco’ nickname suggests, this one uses refillable ink tanks. While it lacks the ability to copy, scan, or fax, the EcoTank makes a lot of (financial) sense if you’re someone who prints frequently and wants to save money on buying ink.
Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars
NETGEAR Orbi 5G Tri-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System (NBK752)
This Netgear mesh system has a model name that’s long and difficult to pronounce, but thankfully it delivers on the performance front by offering excellent wireless coverage in a home. With support for 5G networks and reliably fast network speeds, this brings the best of cellular and Wi-Fi networking into one package.
Trusted rating: 4.5/5 stars
Samsung QE65QN95B
Samsung’s first TV of 2022 arrives in the QN95B Mini-LED and it’s a blinder. This builds on last year’s spectacular HDR picture quality, OLED-like black levels and minimalist design. Aside from the intelligent system, which seems to have taken a step back from previous iterations, there are few things to indicate holes apart from the rather expensive £3499 price tag.
Trusted rating: 5 stars
Available for pre-order now from Samsung