Tag: Mobile tech & hardware

Folding phones, while new, have been the same for a little while now, but Honor looks like it could shake things up. At IFA 2023 in Berlin, the company announced the Honor V Purse, a phone that has its screen all around the outside of the case and unfolds to make a bigger screen. It’s definitely different from the other best foldable phones on the market at the moment.

While it may sound impractical, it’s only a concept phone, and Honor is advertising the device in a different sort of way. It’s all in on the fashion side of things, with the phone getting a handbag-style strap, various designs for the outside of the device, and even a catwalk fashion display on the show floor at IFA. It’s putting the device firmly in a different category from usual flagships.

Of course, it’s just a concept phone, but the design does raise some questions. Obviously, having your display all around the outside of the phone isn’t going to be good for hazard-prone fashionistas — that thing’s gonna crack — while the idea of having a fashionable wallpaper always on also sounds fun, that’s gonna murder battery life. And it doesn’t look like the device could fit a particularly big battery either.

Still, it’s good fun, and there’s no point in being a tech cynic about it. Just look at the video below and see for yourself.

For more beyond the Honor V Purse concept phone, check out all the latest news from IFA 2023 with Withings’ ScanWatch and JBL’s SoundGear Sense earbuds.

Having the best Nintendo Switch headset will help you to feel more deeply immersed in the worlds of your favorite video games. Nintendo games have always featured great soundtracks, from the ‘DK Rap’, to the absolutely amazing remixes in Cadence of Hyrule. A gaming headset means you can listen to them in high-quality audio, as well as when gaming on the go. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best Nintendo Switch headset for your needs and budget – whether that’s a subtle pair of wireless earbuds for traveling or a premium Switch headset that lasts all day.

We’ve picked out this selection of the best Nintendo Switch headsets, headphones, and earphones so that you can enjoy all the best Switch games even more. Not all gaming headsets are fully compatible with Nintendo Switch consoles (because the Switch can’t be used with microphones) but you still might want one with a microphone for playing Switch multiplayer games with your headset connected to a phone.

Many of the headsets in this list also work with the best portable gaming consoles. Calling on our hours of real-life gameplay experience, we’ve chosen a mixture of the best Nintendo Switch headsets, headphones, and earphones to help you choose the best headset.

These are the best Nintendo Switch headsets available now:

 

1. Razer Barracuda

The best gaming headset for Switch is the Razer Barracuda.

Razer Barracuda specs:

Pros:

• 40-hour battery life
• Fantastic sound quality
• Soft memory foam ear cushions

Cons:

• Ear cups may be too narrow for some
• Wired vs Bluetooth limitations

If you see a headset that was made by Razer, you know it’s going to be a good one. The Razer Barracuda is one of the best Nintendo Switch headsets for most people, and a great wireless gaming headset overall. Its Razer TriForce 40mm Drivers provide fantastic sound quality, while plush memory foam ear cushions will keep your ears as comfortable as possible while you game for longer periods.

Using a Bluetooth connection and something called a SmartSwitch, the Razer Barracuda actually lets you easily switch between audio sources with the press of a button. Finished on the Switch and now you want to settle down with one of the best mobile games instead? Press the button, and you’ll be getting audio from your gaming phone instead (although it does sometimes struggle to work as smoothly as it should).

The Razer Barracuda isn’t the cheapest headset for Nintendo Switch, but it’s reasonably priced for the performance and comfort you get. If you want a headset that you’ll use not just for your Switch, but for every other device in your home, then this is a strong option. It even has a microphone that you might like to use for communication with your friends in online play via the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app. If you can afford it, you won’t find many headsets as good as this one.

2. HyperX Cloud II

The best Switch headphones are the HyperX Cloud II.

HyperX Cloud II headphone specs:

Pros:

• Noise-canceling headphones give full immersion
• Durable aluminium frame
• 7.1 virtual surround sound

Cons:

• May not be so good for docked play
• Pricier than others
• A bit on the large sound

HyperX are well known as a manufacturer of top-quality headphones, so you know you’re getting something good when you go for one of their models. The HyperX Cloud II was specifically designed with gaming in mind and comes with memory foam leatherette ear cushions in order to keep your ears as comfortable as possible during those extra-long gaming sessions (perhaps spent trying to hunt down that last Korok).

Though as comfortable as the ear cushions may be, it has to be said that the HyperX Cloud II is a little bit on the chunky (Kong) side. It’s a sturdy piece of work, with an aluminium frame that’s been built to last, but it has to be said that you’ll start to feel it on your head after you’ve been wearing it for a few hours. Plus, if you play your Switch docked a lot, as wired headphones, you might have some trouble, depending on how far from your TV your sofa is.

All in all though, if you want to curl up in your armchair and play your Switch in handheld mode, you’ll struggle to find a pair of headphones that will do the job as well as the HyperX Cloud II. These are noise-canceling headphones with 7.1 virtual surround sound, and when you’re in the zone, they’ll help you feel like you’re really out there in the worlds of your favorite games.

3. HP Gaming Headset

The cheapest headphones for Switch are the HP Gaming Headset.

HP Gaming Headset specs:

Pros:

• Affordable pricing
• LED lighting options
• Microphone for additional use

Cons:

• Not so good at surround sound
• Another big one
• Awkward for docked play

Like HyperX, HP is another big name in the headphone world, or indeed, in the electronics world at large. Unlike HyperX, however, you can grab one of its headsets for a much more affordable price. Another set designed specifically for gamers, this will be a great choice for anybody who doesn’t want to fork out the huge amounts that some headphones will set you back.

The model comes along with a built-in microphone and LED lighting options (that’ll make it look pretty darn swish as you use it). Annoyingly, you can’t use the microphone on Nintendo Switch, and the lighting is mainly for PC use, so you might be unable to take advantage of these features. Still, it’s a cheaper option, and it’ll let you hear your Switch games just fine, so don’t be put off by things you may not use.

Just like the HyperX model above, these are wired headphones. On the one hand, this means that you don’t run the risk of having a tense, atmospheric gaming session interrupted by your headphones telling you that they’re about to run out of power, but on the other hand, it may make them awkward to use for docked play. If you preferred handheld play and don’t want to have to spend a huge amount of cash, these are the ones to go for.

4. OTL Pikachu Earphones

The best Pokémon earphones are the OTL Pikachu earphones.

OTL Pikachu earphones specs:

Pros:

• Vibrant Pokémon design
• Bluetooth connection with auto pairing
• Cute charging case

Cons:

• Sound quality may be lesser than headphones
• Charging equipment not included
• Bluetooth can drop

If you’ve got a Nintendo Switch, there’s a fairly reasonable chance that you’re a fan of Pokémon (and if not, you can get these exact same earphones with a Super Mario and Legend of Zelda aesthetic too). Earphones needn’t be a bland bit of hardware, they can be a colorful expression of your passions, and these OTL Pikachu earphones do that nicely.

Their charging case is just as cool as the earbuds themselves, featuring a picture of Pikachu on a yellow background along with the words “Pika! Gotta catch ‘em all”. It’s a delightful bit of gear that will not only help to enhance your gaming experience but might be a treasured part of your Nintendo collection at large as well.

As these connect via Bluetooth, you can easily have them on when you’re playing on the television without any trouble (unlike wired headphones). Annoyingly though, as they are wireless, you’ll have to keep them charged up, which is fine if you’ve got a spare USB charger laying around somewhere, but if not, that is going to add to your expenses somewhat.

5. Skullcandy Dime Earbuds

The best Nintendo Switch earphones are Skullcandy Dime Earbuds.

Skullcandy Dime Earbuds specs:

Pros:

• Reasonably priced
• Available in different colors
• Multiple earbuds included

Cons:

• Charging equipment not included
• Outperformed by fancy headphones
• Bluetooth can drop

Maybe you want some Bluetooth earbuds to use with your Switch, but you don’t fancy going for a pair with colorful Nintendo characters on them. Maybe you’re tired of your boss saying “Azariah, take those Pokémon earbuds out, you’re an undertaker, it isn’t appropriate!” Whatever the reason, we understand that some people will just want subtle, sleek earbuds, like Skullcandy Dimes.

As much as they don’t feature Nintendo characters, they do still come in a variety of different colors, giving you an opportunity to find some earbuds that will most appropriately pair with your personal aesthetic. They’re pretty affordable too, so don’t worry, you’ll still have a bit of cash left over to put toward new Switch games.

As another pair of Bluetooth earbuds, it has all the strengths and weaknesses inherent to its kind. While they won’t give you quite the same sound quality as a top-notch headset, they will be much easier to use while your Switch is docked, and you don’t need to worry about wires getting tangled, or worn down over time.

How we chose the best Nintendo Switch Headset

When choosing the right headset, headphones, or earphones for your Nintendo Switch, there are several things that you should keep in mind. These were the criteria we used when narrowing down the options for this list:

• Reliability: it has to be said, there are a lot of scummy headphone businesses out there selling cheap bits of rubbish that offer poor sound quality and will break within a few months (no disrespect to the owners of scummy headphone businesses), so we kept it to the well-respected brands
• Pricing: if you go for a really fancy headset, you’ll probably end up paying more for it than you did for the Switch itself. Though we included a couple of somewhat premium options, we generally only really considered those that were reasonably priced
• Wired vs Wireless: both have their benefits and when you’re using them with a Nintendo Switch in docked mode, you’re probably going to want one with a Bluetooth connection so that you can easily use it even when it’s on television – but if you’re an exclusively handheld player, wired might be the way to go, so we wanted to include options for both
• Design: for something that you wear on your head and in your ears, you’ll want to be sure that it has been designed to provide comfort and support. We didn’t want to recommend anything that’ll make your neck or ears ache
• Aesthetics: we know that for a lot of gamers, it’s important to find headphones that match their aesthetic or will look good in their gaming space. That’s why we picked out a selection of pretty options, too.

Read our guide on the best Nintendo Switch controllers for more guidance on buying new Switch accessories.

“When we launched the S23… our main focus was camera and performance. Today, we just want to focus on performance.” This is one of the first things Won-Joon Choi would say to me. Sounds like Samsung wants to remind mobile game fans of something.

I’m sat inside the Hotel Porta Fira Barcelona drinking water out of a wine glass and waiting to interview Won-Joon Choi, Executive Vice President, Head of Mobile R&D at Samsung. I just got off a flight and definitely look scruffier than I should. But then again, I’m not here to talk business, I’m here to talk gaming, so it’s fine right?

Outside is the Fira Grand Via exhibition centre, right next to a massive roundabout with a cube of billboards in the middle of it. All four are advertising the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, one side showing off a racing game and Samsung’s AirPods competitor, the other the sleek back of the two new phones. It’s cold but sunny, and I’m sweating a little bit.

About 138 hours later I’d be walking through Barcelona at night, and look up to see another Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, this time on the Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia. I posted a photo of it on Instagram and dubbed it the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia. I was making a joke.

All this is to say, MWC 2023 was loud with Samsung. While Oppo may have turned up the volume in terms of London Underground advertising, Samsung is making a different sort of statement. “Biggest mobile trade show? We own it” – that sorta thing.

I go up some stairs that I was earlier refused passage by a security guard, assumedly because of my sweaty and scruffy demeanour. I go into a lift to the 24th floor. I ask how many floors there are. There are 24.

I walk into the meeting room – La Mordella. There are five people inside. One is Won-Joon Choi. Another is some sort of PR assistant, who would later whisper some stuff in his ear after I ask a question. Another is an interpreter – Won-Joon speaks excellent English, though some answers were in Korean. Another is working the slides on the projector. The final person doesn’t look up from the laptop they’re typing on.

So, uhh, what was I here to do again? Oh, yeah, ask some questions. You see, Samsung wants to remind everyone that it makes phones with a lot of power packed inside. It wants to court the game-likers. So, it’s invited the number one mobile gaming site in the world to have a chat about it.

The new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a special Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside. Instead of its main Kryo CPU core running at 3.2 GHz, as it does in the standard chip, it runs at 3.36 GHz. Plus, the Adreno GPU clocks in at 719 MHz instead of 680 MHz. Qualcomm and Samsung even say it can do ray tracing…

This special partnership between the two is notable. Won-Joon used to work at Qualcomm. Now, over at Samsung, the company can say it has the fastest chip in an Android phone. It even beats the iPhone 14 Pro on some benchmarks. Did Won-Joon just call his buddies back at Qualcomm and ask for some extra special sauce? Well, no.

“We work with all of the major chipset partners from the ground up. So, that was the case for Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as well. We’ve been involved from the very beginning of the planning, letting them know about our requirements for the performance as well as architecture,” Won-Joon says. Not exactly a thrilling tale, so I dig a little.

Would Samsung take chipset production in-house like Apple? Apple silicon’s success across its different devices has become especially apparent in recent years. Then again, the chip in the Galaxy S23 Ultra does compete with Apple’s most recent top-end mobile chip, the A16 Bionic.

Short answer: no. “Of course, these major chipset companies have their strengths,” Won-Joon (above) says, “so we will continue to strengthen our collaboration with these partners. And then, on one hand, there are solutions that can be differentiated for Galaxy, so we will develop those internally and add them on through our collaboration.”

So, this is where Samsung is at when it comes to powering its mobiles. Qualcomm is giving the company what it needs in a clearly fruitful partnership. And it has created a chip that can do ray-tracing, a feature Apple had to scrap on its most recent pro phone at the last minute after discovering key mistakes and being “too ambitious with adding new features” (a mistake “unprecedented in the group’s history”, all according to The Information).

So, is the ray-tracing claim just a good headline to have, after Apple failed to push through its next-generation pro silicon? Or is it a reality we can expect to see? Luckily, both Samsung and Qualcomm are pretty reasonable about the realities of ray tracing on mobile.

“We’re not quoting any types of numbers. But I think some of it’s about working with the game developers to understand, like, typically, not every scene has ray tracing, right? So what are those scenes that we really want to optimise that are truly going to be impactful to the user?” Mike Roberts, VP, Head of Global Product, Partner, and Technology Marketing at Qualcomm – crikey, what a mouthful – said in a roundtable I attended a few days after meeting Won-Joon.

“Hardware-based ray tracing has been something we’ve been chasing for many, many years, in fact, that is here today, that’s going to continue to improve,” he said. “When you think of consoles, you know… of what Xbox and PlayStation and Nintendo are doing in their next-generation consoles, I think there isn’t going to be this huge gap between them.”

This lofty aim is admirable, sure. But the reality is, just because hardware-based ray tracing is theoretically possible, doesn’t mean us lay folk get to use it. In fact, as far as I can tell, there’s not a single game that uses it that’s currently fully released. I do like Samsung’s ambition combined with realism, however, and a clear understanding that it’s the developers who need to implement it, after all.

“We’ve been working with chipset partners for many years to look at and provide this ray-tracing feature in-device,” Won-Joon told me. “As a result, we were able to introduce the chipset capable of hardware-accelerated ray tracing in our current generation of S23.

“It’s not just the hardware capability that we require, we need the game developers to develop games where they use ray tracing. In this respect, we don’t plan to sit idle and just look at the situation passively. We want to be actively involved and that is why we already began cooperation with a couple of game developers.

“We are providing them with optimization assistance in developing their games. So once this work is matured we’ll be able to actually see the games with ray tracing on the market.” Okay, so those partners, who are they? Is it a secret? Yep, not allowed to know. Sure we’ll find out soon enough.

Anyway, hardware this hardware that, we get it. This new chip is fast. But the main focus of the short presentation I received beforehand was “performance”, and performance comes from both hardware and software. And Samsung is also very keen to talk about the latter.

The company developed an adaptive AI algorithm to bring efficiency gains depending on what game you’re playing. I’m not very clever, so I couldn’t begin to fully understand how it all works, but I am intrigued if there could be a case where it doesn’t work correctly. Could a game trip up the algorithm?

“The adaptive algorithm didn’t happen overnight.” Glad we cleared that up. “It’s the result of our longtime development and collaboration… of course, you cannot say that it’s always 100% optimised… there could be some specific titles with software bugs or glitches.” Of course, if this does occur, Samsung says it will resolve the issue.

While this certainly isn’t the first time Samsung has focused on gaming performance, it feels like a concerted effort is going on to let people know that these lovely, shiny phones with big, excellent cameras can also pack a gaming punch. I’m not expecting the S24 to have RGB and a Doritos partnership, but how does Samsung plan to keep pushing the phone to please this market?

“As an engineer, there is always something I wish I could have incorporated in the development and thinking about my past history of launching many different products, I can say this confidently, I can say that S23 is very close to what we were looking for and what we were hoping for when we started planning. But, of course, it can never be 100% perfect.”

So, cards close the chest again. When I press further, Won-Joon says that Samsung listens to consumers and what they want. All I’d say is don’t expect passthrough charging or some other game-focused feature. These are still all-rounders, still flagships at the end of the day.

This flagship’s stats kind of makes Samsung the de facto leader against Apple, with the company pulling ahead of its primary Android competitors thanks to this Qualcomm partnership. While talking about other Android phones is nice and all, we all know that Samsung makes good phones (just google “best Android phone 2023”). So, Apple has to be the focus of comparison.

And, with Apple dominating Gen Z, according to a new report from the Financial Times – 34 per cent of all iPhone owners in the US are Gen Z, but only 10 per cent of Samsung users – how does the company plan to compete? I’m Gen Z. I recorded this interview on an iPhone. Is Samsung worried about convincing the younger generation?

Well, that’s hard to say. “It is the philosophy of Galaxy to cover the needs and wants of all age groups, not just Gen Z, and all of their needs and all of their values,” Won-Joon says. “Just like any other age group, we are always listening to the feedback of Gen Z so that we can deliver the values and the needs that they have so that they can love us even more.” So, Samsung wants to cater to everybody. How does that saying go again? Jack of all trades…?

Well, maybe that’s a bit mean. The Samsung S23 Ultra is a master at most of what it does. But it’s so hard to get under the surface here, no tactics or ideas for the future of Galaxy, just a reminder that the new thing the company made sure is powerful. Even if games leveraging that power are few and far between, at least you know the power is in there. Hidden away. Ready for the big day.