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  6. <title type="text">The Verge</title>
  7. <subtitle type="text">The Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.</subtitle>
  8.  
  9. <updated>2025-10-29T23:47:46+00:00</updated>
  10.  
  11. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com" />
  12. <id>https://www.theverge.com/rss/index.xml</id>
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  14.  
  15. <icon>https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1</icon>
  16. <entry>
  18. <author>
  19. <name>Emma Roth</name>
  20. </author>
  22. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Microsoft says it’s recovering after Azure outage took down 365, Xbox, and Starbucks]]></title>
  23. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/news/809142/microsoft-azure-xbox-365-is-down-outage" />
  24. <id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=809142</id>
  25. <updated>2025-10-29T19:47:46-04:00</updated>
  26. <published>2025-10-29T19:20:53-04:00</published>
  27. <category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gaming" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Microsoft" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Tech" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Xbox" />
  28. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Microsoft Azure, the company’s cloud computing service, has experienced an outage just one week after issues with AWS took out swaths of the internet. The issues impacted Microsoft’s services that run on Azure, including Microsoft 365, Xbox, and even Minecraft. Other companies, like Capital One, Alaska Airlines, and Starbucks, also had outages that were linked [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  30. <content type="html">
  31. <![CDATA[
  32.  
  34. <figure>
  35.  
  36. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/acastro_STK048_04.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  37. <figcaption>
  38. </figcaption>
  39. </figure>
  40. <p class="has-text-align-none">Microsoft Azure, the company’s cloud computing service, has experienced an outage just one week after issues with <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/802486/aws-outage-alexa-fortnite-snapchat-offline">AWS took out swaths of the internet</a>. The issues impacted Microsoft’s services that run on Azure, including Microsoft 365, Xbox, and <a href="https://x.com/MojangSupport/status/1983586350881501389">even <em>Minecraft</em></a>. Other companies, like Capital One, Alaska Airlines, and Starbucks, also had outages that were linked to the problems with Azure.</p>
  41.  
  42. <p class="has-text-align-none">On <a href="https://azure.status.microsoft/en-us/status">Azure’s status page</a>, Microsoft’s messages have linked the outage to an “inadvertent configuration change” and DNS problem. As Microsoft <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/809532/xbox-sales-continue-to-tank">reported its earnings on Wednesday afternoon</a>, its main website continued to load slowly as the outage dragged on.</p>
  43.  
  44. <p class="has-text-align-none">An update on Microsoft’s status page at 7:40PM ET included this information:</p>
  45.  
  46. <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
  47. <p class="has-text-align-none">Starting at approximately 16:00 UTC on 29 October 2025, customers and Microsoft services leveraging Azure Front Door (AFD) may have experienced latencies, timeouts, and errors. We have confirmed that an inadvertent configuration change was the trigger event for this issue.</p>
  48.  
  49.  
  50.  
  51. <p class="has-text-align-none">Affected Azure services may have included, but were not limited to:</p>
  52.  
  53.  
  54.  
  55. <p class="has-text-align-none">App Service, Azure Active Directory B2C, Azure Communication Services, Azure Databricks, Azure Healthcare APIs, Azure Maps, Azure Portal, Azure SQL Database, Azure Virtual Desktop, Container Registry, Media Services, Microsoft Defender External Attack Surface Management, Microsoft Entra ID (Mobility Management Policy Service, Identity &amp; Access Management, and User Management UX), Microsoft Purview, Microsoft Sentinel (Threat Intelligence), and Video Indexer.</p>
  56.  
  57.  
  58.  
  59. <p class="has-text-align-none">The AFD service is now operating above 98% availability. While the majority of customers and services are mitigated or seeing strong improvement across affected regions, we are continuing to work on tail-end recovery for remaining impacted customers and services.&nbsp;<strong>We have revised our mitigation time and are currently tracking toward full mitigation by 00:40 UTC on 30 October 2025</strong>, though we will communicate if mitigation is achieved sooner.</p>
  60. </blockquote>
  61.  
  62. <p class="has-text-align-none">The Xbox Support X account <a href="https://x.com/XboxSupport/status/1983658806488813730">also says</a> that gaming services have recovered to their pre-incident state; however, some players said they needed to restart their consoles to reconnect.</p>
  63.  
  64. <p class="has-text-align-none">At 12:25PM ET, Microsoft 365’s status <a href="https://x.com/MSFT365Status/status/1983571232122671591">account on X</a> said the company is investigating reports of “issues accessing Microsoft 365 services and the Microsoft 365 admin center.” A Microsoft 365 <a href="https://x.com/MSFT365Status/status/1983580292289011755">update posted</a> at 1:02PM ET said the company “identified portions of internal infrastructure that are experiencing connectivity issues,” and that it’s working to “reroute affected traffic to restore service health.” Meanwhile, <a href="https://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-live-status">Xbox’s status page</a> still wasn’t loading, but that has since come back online.</p>
  65.  
  66. <p class="has-text-align-none">The outage stretched beyond Microsoft’s services, as <a href="https://x.com/AlaskaAirNews/status/1983583903064715468">Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines said they were</a> “currently experiencing a disruption to key systems, including our websites” due to issues with Azure. The airlines advise customers to see an agent at the airport to get their boarding pass if they couldn’t check in online.</p>
  67.  
  68. <p class="has-text-align-none">Community Fibre, an internet provider in the UK, similarly <a href="https://x.com/CommunityFibre/status/1983580960374280327">confirmed that some customers</a> may have experienced issues due to the Microsoft outage. Additionally, <a href="https://x.com/kroger/status/1983581445164617886">Kroger told</a> customers that its site and mobile apps were “experiencing an unexpected outage,” while Starbucks’ and Costco’s websites and apps weren’t loading, and users reported issues with Capital One.</p>
  69.  
  70. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  71. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A global outage impacted the Microsoft Azure platform today where several Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines services are hosted, causing a disruption to key systems, including our websites.<br><br>Our teams worked quickly to stand up our backup infrastructure to allow our guests to book and…</p>&mdash; Alaska Airlines News (@AlaskaAirNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlaskaAirNews/status/1983669660865458262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
  72. </div></figure>
  73.  
  74. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  75. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" data-conversation="none"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our configuration deployment and traffic rebalancing is showing steady service health improvement for the various affected M365 services. Some users may experience residual impact until availability fully recovers. We&#039;re monitoring for an extended period to ensure service health…</p>&mdash; Microsoft 365 Status (@MSFT365Status) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSFT365Status/status/1983676798270337056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
  76. </div></figure>
  77.  
  78. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  79. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">All Xbox Services have recovered to their pre-incident state. Thank you for your patience while we addressed this issue.</p>&mdash; Xbox Support (@XboxSupport) <a href="https://twitter.com/XboxSupport/status/1983658806488813730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
  80. </div></figure>
  81.  
  82. <p class="has-text-align-none"><em><strong>Update, October 29th:</strong> Added details on recovery.</em></p>
  83. ]]>
  84. </content>
  86. </entry>
  87. <entry>
  89. <author>
  90. <name>Andrew Liszewski</name>
  91. </author>
  93. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Rode has a better way to connect your tiny wireless mics to your digital camera]]></title>
  94. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/news/809146/rode-wireless-microphone-micro-digital-camera-kit-receiver-oled-display" />
  95. <id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=809146</id>
  96. <updated>2025-10-29T16:35:37-04:00</updated>
  97. <published>2025-10-29T19:00:00-04:00</published>
  98. <category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Audio" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Cameras" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gadgets" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Tech" />
  99. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Last November, Rode launched its Wireless Micro microphone system that paired two tiny lavalier mics with a small receiver that connected to your phone’s charging port. Rode later gave that product a free upgrade, sending out another receiver that let the mics connect to digital cameras, too. Now, the company is launching an updated version [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  101. <content type="html">
  102. <![CDATA[
  103.  
  105. <figure>
  106.  
  107. <img alt="Rode’s Wireless Micro Camera Kit with its new wireless receiver mounted to a digital camera." data-caption="Rode’s Wireless Micro Camera Kit includes a charging case to extend the battery life of its receivers and mics. | Image: Rode" data-portal-copyright="Image: Rode" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/rode3.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  108. <figcaption>
  109. Rode’s Wireless Micro Camera Kit includes a charging case to extend the battery life of its receivers and mics. | Image: Rode </figcaption>
  110. </figure>
  111. <p class="has-text-align-none">Last November, Rode launched its <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/11/24294134/rodes-wireless-mics-are-now-less-bulky">Wireless Micro microphone system</a> that paired two tiny lavalier mics with a small receiver that connected to your phone’s charging port. Rode later gave that product a <a href="https://help.rode.com/hc/en-us/articles/13248157761039-How-to-Claim-Your-Free-Wireless-Micro-Camera-Receiver-CRX">free upgrade</a>, sending out another receiver that let the mics <a href="https://www.redsharknews.com/rode-launches-basically-free-wireless-micro-camera-receiver">connect to digital cameras</a>, too. Now, the company is launching an updated version of that receiver with an OLED screen —&nbsp;but this time, it’s charging for it.</p>
  112.  
  113. <p class="has-text-align-none">The new version of Rode’s wireless camera receiver is now available as part of a Wireless Micro Camera Kit that bundles it with two Wireless Micro lavalier mics and an additional wireless receiver used to connect the mics to mobile devices using their USB-C or Lightning ports. The kit is priced at $149, which is what Rode’s Wireless Micro system was initially priced at when it launched last November (minus a camera receiver) before getting a <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/794150/rode-wireless-micro-lavalier-wireless-microphone-color-orange">price cut earlier this month to $99</a> when new color options were introduced. Rode’s wireless lav mics still don’t offer as much functionality as DJI’s offerings like the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/26/24305428/dji-mic-mini-osmo-audio-microphone-wireless">Mic Mini</a> or <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/767297/dji-mic-3-wireless-microphone-launch">Mic 3</a>, but they’re more competitively priced.</p>
  114. <img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/rode4.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0.0099980003999178,100,99.9800039992" alt="A person framing someone wearing a wireless Rode lav mic with the company’s new wireless receiver connected to a camera." title="A person framing someone wearing a wireless Rode lav mic with the company’s new wireless receiver connected to a camera." data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="&lt;em&gt;The camera receiver’s display is just 1.1 inches in size, but provides useful info about battery life and signal strength at a glance.&lt;/em&gt; | Image: Rode" data-portal-copyright="Image: Rode" />
  115. <p class="has-text-align-none">As with the original, the new receiver is designed to sit atop cameras by connecting to their cold shoe mount while audio from up to two wireless mics is delivered to the camera through a USB-C or 3.5mm audio cable. Battery life is estimated to be up to seven hours and is maximized by the receiver only powering on when it’s connected to a camera. The receiver’s runtime can be further extended to up to 21 hours using the Wireless Micro Camera Kit’s charging case when you’re away from a power source.</p>
  116.  
  117. <p class="has-text-align-none">The 1.1-inch OLED screen shows details about the battery life and signal strength of the receiver and wirelessly connected devices. It works alongside three buttons for navigating and adjusting various settings including gain assist levels, but for ease of use the receiver can also make those adjustments automatically to suppress volume spikes and ensure all the audio coming into the camera is perfectly balanced.</p>
  118. ]]>
  119. </content>
  121. </entry>
  122. <entry>
  124. <author>
  125. <name>Lauren Feiner</name>
  126. </author>
  128. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Meta repents again to Republicans in hearing over moderation, while Google stands its ground]]></title>
  129. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/policy/809613/senate-commerce-jawboning-tech-speech-hearing" />
  130. <id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=809613</id>
  131. <updated>2025-10-29T18:06:23-04:00</updated>
  132. <published>2025-10-29T18:06:23-04:00</published>
  133. <category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Google" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Meta" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Policy" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Report" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Speech" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Tech" />
  134. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[At a Senate hearing Wednesday on government censorship of tech platforms, a Meta executive expressed regret to Republican lawmakers for failing to speak out more against the Biden administration's requests that it remove health and election misinformation, including satire. Google, meanwhile, held firm in its stance, saying that evaluating - and often rejecting - government [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  136. <content type="html">
  137. <![CDATA[
  138.  
  140. <figure>
  141.  
  142. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/STK481_STK432_CONGRESS_GOVERNMENT_CIVRGINIA_C.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  143. <figcaption>
  144. </figcaption>
  145. </figure>
  146. <p class="has-text-align-none">At a <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C0dpFNlQFcZKQqrSlm_EBAi2cEtvXdL--F6NNCkLmRc/edit?tab=t.0#:~:text=frame%20this%20as%3F-,**NEW%20TIME%20AND%20WITNESS%20UPDATE**%20Part%20II%20of%20Shut%20Your%20App%3A%20How%20Uncle%20Sam%20Jawboned...,-**NEW%20TIME%20AND">Senate hearing</a> Wednesday on government censorship of tech platforms, a Meta executive expressed regret to Republican lawmakers for failing to speak out more against the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/16/22580620/biden-facebook-vaccine-misinformation-platforms">Biden administration's requests</a> that it remove health and election misinformation, including satire. Google, meanwhile, held firm in its stance, saying that evaluating - and often rejecting - government content requests is business as usual. Democrats questioned why Congress was relitigating years-old moderation decisions instead of the Trump administration's recent speech crackdown - even as Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) hopes to recruit them for a new anti-jawboning bill. An …</p>
  147. <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/policy/809613/senate-commerce-jawboning-tech-speech-hearing">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>
  148. ]]>
  149. </content>
  151. </entry>
  152. <entry>
  154. <author>
  155. <name>Stevie Bonifield</name>
  156. </author>
  158. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Trump administration charges influencer and congressional candidate over ICE protests]]></title>
  159. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/news/809401/kat-abughazaleh-ice-indicted" />
  160. <id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=809401</id>
  161. <updated>2025-10-29T17:57:37-04:00</updated>
  162. <published>2025-10-29T17:57:37-04:00</published>
  163. <category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Policy" />
  164. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Palestinian American and Democratic candidate for Congress in the 9th District of Illinois, has been indicted by the Department of Justice on charges connected to protests outside an ICE facility. The indictment alleges that Abughazaleh and a handful of other protesters conspired on the morning of September 26th to prevent an [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  166. <content type="html">
  167. <![CDATA[
  168.  
  170. <figure>
  171.  
  172. <img alt="" data-caption="Kat Abughazaleh, who has announced a campaign for Illinois&#039; 9th Congressional District, carries yard signs into her campaign office" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/gettyimages-2221291233.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  173. <figcaption>
  174. Kat Abughazaleh, who has announced a campaign for Illinois' 9th Congressional District, carries yard signs into her campaign office </figcaption>
  175. </figure>
  176. <p class="has-text-align-none">Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Palestinian American and Democratic candidate for Congress in the 9th District of Illinois, has been indicted by the Department of Justice on charges connected to protests outside an ICE facility. The <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ilnd.488591/gov.uscourts.ilnd.488591.1.0.pdf">indictment</a> alleges that Abughazaleh and a handful of other protesters conspired on the morning of September 26th to prevent an ICE agent “from discharging the duties of his office, and to injure him in his person or property.”</p>
  177.  
  178. <p class="has-text-align-none">The indictment accuses Abughazaleh and the other protesters named in it of banging on an ICE agent’s car and attempting to stop it from entering an ICE facility by physically surrounding it, scratching the word “PIG” into the car, breaking a side mirror, and breaking off a rear windshield wiper. As <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/kat-abughazaleh-indicted-protests-chicago-area-ice-facility-rcna240572">MSNBC reports</a>, other defendants include Michael Rabbitt, a Cook County Democratic Committee member, and Cat Sharp, a candidate for the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and the charges of assaulting an officer can carry prison sentences of up to eight years.</p>
  179.  
  180. <p class="has-text-align-none">A video of Abughazaleh being <a href="https://youtu.be/JtnPgzdaNho?si=sho6JtsP2AJpM8bX">thrown to the ground</a> by an ICE agent outside the Broadview facility went viral in September, and on the same morning as the incident cited in the indictment, <a href="https://x.com/KatAbughazaleh/status/1971567602003820796">she posted a video on X</a> of her and other protesters surrounding an ICE vehicle. </p>
  181.  
  182. <p class="has-text-align-none">As MSNBC notes, in recent weeks, right-wing accounts have repeatedly posted about her videos, calling for her to be arrested and tagging US Attorney General Pam Bondi. At the same time, Trump has said that Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson should be jailed for allegedly “failing to protect” ICE officers. The Trump Administration has also charged or threatened criminal charges against others who’ve opposed his agenda, including <a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trumps-bypass-move-comey-james-prosecutor-could-derail-cases-2025-10-28/">former FBI Director James Comey</a>, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-appointed-prosecutor-seeks-indictment-new-york-ag/story?id=126378516">New York Attorney General Letitia James</a>, and New York mayoral candidate <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2025/07/01/trump-floats-mamdanis-arrest-as-he-ratchets-up-threats-heres-what-hes-said/">Zohran Mamdani</a>. </p>
  183. <div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="I have been federally indicted by Trump’s DOJ | Kat Abughazaleh For Illinois" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EPlDZajxr3Y?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
  184. <p class="has-text-align-none">Abughazaleh, who has a background as a journalist and influencer on social media channels like Twitch, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPlDZajxr3Y">posted a video</a> today responding to the indictment, stating:</p>
  185.  
  186. <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
  187. <p class="has-text-align-none">“<em>This is a political prosecution, and a gross attempt to silence dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment. This case is a major push by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish anyone who speaks out against them. That’s why I’m going to fight these unjust charges.</em>”</p>
  188. </blockquote>
  189.  
  190. <p class="has-text-align-none">Abughazaleh goes on to note that “ICE has hit, dragged, thrown, shot with pepper balls, and teargassed hundreds of protesters.” She also calls out the Trump administration for “weaponizing the federal justice system” to scare protesters, but vows “we’re not going to be silent.”&nbsp;</p>
  191.  
  192. <p class="has-text-align-none">“This case targets our rights to protest, speak freely, and associate with anyone who disagrees with the government.”&nbsp;</p>
  193. ]]>
  194. </content>
  196. </entry>
  197. <entry>
  199. <author>
  200. <name>Emma Roth</name>
  201. </author>
  203. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Mark Zuckerberg is excited to add more AI content to all your social feeds]]></title>
  204. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/news/809349/meta-mark-zuckerberg-ai-social-feeds-q3-2025-earnings" />
  205. <id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=809349</id>
  206. <updated>2025-10-29T17:41:31-04:00</updated>
  207. <published>2025-10-29T17:41:31-04:00</published>
  208. <category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="AI" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Business" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Meta" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Tech" />
  209. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is getting ready to dump even more AI-generated posts into your social feeds. During an earnings call on Wednesday, Zuckerberg said the company will “add yet another huge corpus of content” to its recommendations system as AI “makes it easier to create and remix” work that gets shared online. “Social media [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  211. <content type="html">
  212. <![CDATA[
  213.  
  215. <figure>
  216.  
  217. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/VRG_Illo_STK169_L_Normand_MarkZuckerburg_Positive.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  218. <figcaption>
  219. </figcaption>
  220. </figure>
  221. <p class="has-text-align-none">Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is getting ready to dump even more AI-generated posts into your social feeds. During an earnings call on Wednesday, Zuckerberg said the company will “add yet another huge corpus of content” to its recommendations system as AI “makes it easier to create and remix” work that gets shared online.</p>
  222.  
  223. <p class="has-text-align-none">“Social media has gone through two eras so far,” Zuckerberg said. “First was when all content was from friends, family, and accounts that you followed directly. The second was when we added all of the Creator content.” Though Zuckerberg stops short of calling AI the third era of social media, it’s clear that the technology will be heavily involved in what comes next.</p>
  224.  
  225. <p class="has-text-align-none">Zuckerberg said that recommendation systems that “deeply understand” AI-generated posts and “show you the right content” will become “increasingly valuable.” The company has already <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/27/23891128/meta-ai-assistant-characters-whatsapp-instagram-connect">begun embedding AI tools</a> across its apps and is now experimenting with dedicated AI social apps, too.</p>
  226.  
  227. <p class="has-text-align-none">Meta CFO Susan Li said people generated over 20 billion images <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/786499/meta-ai-vibes-feed-discover-videos">within the company’s new Vibes app</a>, which serves up a feed of AI-generated videos, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/791290/openai-sora-ai-generated-video-hands-on">similar to OpenAI’s Sora</a>. “I think that Vibes is an example of a new content type enabled by AI, and I think that there are more opportunities to build many more novel types of content ahead,” Zuckerberg added.</p>
  228.  
  229. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://investor.atmeta.com/investor-news/press-release-details/2025/Meta-Reports-Third-Quarter-2025-Results/default.aspx">Meta reported revenue</a> of $51.24 billion this quarter, up 26 percent year over year, but took a one-time $15.93 billion tax charge associated with President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill.</p>
  230. ]]>
  231. </content>
  233. </entry>
  234. <entry>
  236. <author>
  237. <name>Terrence O’Brien</name>
  238. </author>
  240. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Xbox hardware sales continue to tank]]></title>
  241. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/news/809532/xbox-sales-continue-to-tank" />
  242. <id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=809532</id>
  243. <updated>2025-10-29T19:05:05-04:00</updated>
  244. <published>2025-10-29T17:23:53-04:00</published>
  245. <category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Business" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gaming" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Microsoft" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="News" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Tech" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Xbox" />
  246. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Xbox sales have been tanking for a while now —&#160;and the story hasn’t gotten any brighter. Microsoft just released its Q1 2026 earnings and Xbox hardware revenue was down 29 percent year-over-year. Last quarter, it was down 22 percent. Down 29 percent in the first two quarters of 2025, down 42 percent in Q4 of [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  248. <content type="html">
  249. <![CDATA[
  250.  
  252. <figure>
  253.  
  254. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/STK095_Microsoft_04.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  255. <figcaption>
  256. </figcaption>
  257. </figure>
  258. <p class="has-text-align-none">Xbox sales have been tanking for a while now —&nbsp;and the story hasn’t gotten any brighter. Microsoft just released its Q1 2026 earnings and Xbox hardware revenue was down 29 percent year-over-year. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/716191/microsoft-q4-2025-earnings-revenue-profits-windows-xbox-gaming-surface">Last quarter</a>, it was down 22 percent. Down 29 percent in the first two quarters of 2025, down 42 percent in <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/30/24209519/microsoft-q4-2024-earnings-revenue-profits-windows-xbox-gaming-surface">Q4</a> of 2024… You get the picture.&nbsp;</p>
  259.  
  260. <p class="has-text-align-none">As tariffs and inflation take their toll, Microsoft has <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/797023/circana-video-game-consoles-switch-2-tariffs">dramatically increased the prices</a> on its gaming hardware, with the Series X now starting at $599.99. Microsoft’s response has been to deemphasize the console and pursue an “<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/12/24067370/microsoft-xbox-playstation-switch-games-future-hardware">Xbox everywhere</a>” strategy. That has yielded some success on the content and services front, though revenue there was largely flat this quarter, only growing one percent year over year.</p>
  261.  
  262. <p class="has-text-align-none">Microsoft would obviously like to see more growth there. The company has reportedly been pursuing dramatic <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/805280/microsoft-xbox-gaming-profit-targets-layoffs">30 percent profit margins</a> there, leading to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/25/24049050/microsoft-activision-blizzard-layoffs">layoffs</a> and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/696877/xbox-perfect-dark-everwild-cancelled-the-initiative-layoffs">cancelled projects.</a> But the company’s outlook for Q2 isn’t much rosier. It expects Xbox hardware revenue to continue to decline, and content and services to continue low-single digits growth. </p>
  263.  
  264. <p class="has-text-align-none">Microsoft did see hardware growth from Windows OEM and Devices, with revenue increasing a modest 6 percent year over year. The company stopped reporting Surface earnings separately, so it’s unclear how those devices are performing. They had been on a steady decline for several years.</p>
  265.  
  266. <p class="has-text-align-none">It’s Azure and cloud services that remain the driving force behind Microsoft’s <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/716783/microsoft-4-trillion-market-cap-valuation">ascent</a>. The growth of its intelligent cloud services is substantial. Revenue increased 28 percent year over year to $30.9 billion, with Azure specifically growing 40 percent.&nbsp;</p>
  267.  
  268. <p class="has-text-align-none">More broadly, Microsoft Cloud revenue was $49.1 billion, an increase of 26 percent from Q1 2025. The company’s cloud divisions and Azure have been growing steadily for several years now.&nbsp;</p>
  269.  
  270. <p class="has-text-align-none">In total, Microsoft reported $77.7 billion in revenue for the quarter, up 18 percent from the same time last year. And its net income was $27.7 billion, up 12 percent. While those increases are largely driven by the company’s various cloud offerings, its productivity and business processes still account for a significant portion of its income ($33 billion).</p>
  271.  
  272. <p class="has-text-align-none"><em><strong>Update, October 29th</strong>: This article was updated with details from Microsoft’s earnings call.</em> The headline was also updated to specify that it was hardware sales that were down.</p>
  273. ]]>
  274. </content>
  276. </entry>
  277. <entry>
  279. <author>
  280. <name>Antonio G. Di Benedetto</name>
  281. </author>
  283. <title type="html"><![CDATA[The best laptops you can get]]></title>
  284. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/21250695/best-laptops" />
  285. <id>https://www.theverge.com/21250695/best-laptops</id>
  286. <updated>2025-10-29T17:00:27-04:00</updated>
  287. <published>2025-10-29T17:00:00-04:00</published>
  288. <category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Buying Guides" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Gadgets" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Laptops" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Tech" />
  289. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Buying the right laptop can be stressful. It’s likely one of the bigger tech purchases you’ll make, and there are a ludicrous number of models, sizes, form factors, and configurations to pick from. We review and test a wide swath of them here at The Verge, and we’re constantly considering what’s the best and who [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  291. <content type="html">
  292. <![CDATA[
  293.  
  295. <figure>
  296.  
  297. <img alt="Three rows of laptops on a red and green background." data-caption="These laptops can help you get work done. | Illustration by William Joel / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Illustration by William Joel / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24580907/236603_Best_Laptops_WJoel.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  298. <figcaption>
  299. These laptops can help you get work done. | Illustration by William Joel / The Verge </figcaption>
  300. </figure>
  301. <p>Buying the right laptop can be stressful. It’s likely one of the bigger tech purchases you’ll make, and there are a ludicrous number of models, sizes, form factors, and configurations to pick from. We <a href="https://www.theverge.com/laptop-review">review and test a wide swath</a> of them here at <em>The Verge</em>, and we’re constantly considering what’s the best and who it’s best for.</p>
  302.  
  303. <p>Our overall pick for most people has been, and continues to be, the MacBook Air — particularly, as of March 2025, the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/reviews/627186/apple-macbook-air-m4-13-15-inch-2025-laptop-review">M4 model</a>. Unless you’re forced to use Windows for specific software needs or you fancy yourself a hardcore gamer, it remains the best option for the average user who wants something portable with excellent battery life and great performance for productivity tasks.</p>
  304.  
  305. <p>Though the MacBook Air is the easy recommendation for most people, that doesn’t make it the answer for everyone. What if you need more power for video or photo editing, or crunching large datasets? What if you prefer to run Windows? What if you play lots of games and want to take them with you? Or what if you just want something unique — or even, gasp, repairable? We’ve got some recommendations, including a Chromebook or two, a laptop with two screens, the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24319419/apple-macbook-pro-m4-max-pro-review-price-specs">16-inch MacBook Pro</a>, and the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/25/24185462/microsoft-surface-laptop-7th-edition-review">Microsoft Surface Laptop</a> with a Snapdragon X Elite chip.</p>
  306.  
  307. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
  308.  
  309. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="QRlaQ5">The best laptop</h2>
  310. <div class="product-block"><h3>Apple MacBook Air 13 (2025, M4)</h3>
  311. <figure class="product-image"><img width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/257607_M4_MacBook_Air_ADiBenedetto_0049.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" /></figure>
  312. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 9</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Easily lasts a full day on battery</li><li>Excellent choice for most people’s everyday needs</li><li>Nails the basics in a thin-and-light while feeling like a nice place to be</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Still starts with just 256GB of storage</li><li>Still has limited ports</li><li>Still prone to throttling under heavy creative tasks</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  313. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Apple-2025-MacBook-13-inch-Laptop/dp/B0DZD9S5GC/"> <strike>$999</strike> $799.99 at <strong>Amazon</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-macbook-air-13-inch-apple-m4-chip-built-for-apple-intelligence-16gb-memory-256gb-ssd-midnight/6565862.p"> <strike>$999</strike> $799 at <strong>Best Buy</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1883962-REG/apple_mw123ll_a_13_macbook_air_m4.html"> <strike>$999</strike> $899 at <strong>B&amp;H Photo</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  314. <p><em><sub><em><strong>CPU:</strong> M4 (10-core) / <strong>GPU: </strong>M4 (8- or 10-core) / <strong>RAM:</strong> </em>16GB, <em>24GB, 32GB / <strong>Storage:</strong> 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB / <strong>Display:</strong> 13.6-inch or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, 2560 x 1664 or&nbsp;2880 x 1864 , 60Hz, no touch option / <strong>Dimensions:</strong> 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches (13-inch) or 13.40 x 9.35 x <em><em>0.45 </em></em>inches (15-inch) / <strong>Weight:</strong> 2.7 pounds</em> (13-inch) or 3.3 pounds (15-inch)</sub></em></p>
  315.  
  316. <p>Apple’s <a href="https://apple.sjv.io/raDEEQ">M4 MacBook Air</a> is the best laptop for most people — Mac users, of course, but also the platform-agnostic or anyone who wants a no-fuss, straightforward machine that doesn’t bombard them with advertisements or bloatware. It’s a productivity laptop that can do a bit of everything. The 13-inch model starts with 16GB of RAM at $999 (it’s often cheaper than this), and it also comes in a 15-inch version for $1,199, for those who like their laptops a little larger. It’s hard to find another laptop that offers this kind of combination of performance and battery life in a thin and light chassis, especially at these prices.</p>
  317.  
  318. <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/22734645/apple-macbook-pro-2021-ports-magsafe-touch-bar-usb-c-future">Despite losing its way around the mid-2010s</a>, Apple has a long history of sending quality MacBooks to market, and the Air M4 is no different. A smooth, almost ethereal trackpad, check. A chiclet-style keyboard that makes typing feel like a dance, check. Fast Wi-Fi adapter, color-rich display, and MagSafe charging, check. Those were also true on the previous models, but now with the M4 generation it also features the same 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam of the MacBook Pros, can use two external monitors with its lid open, and comes in a sky blue color (though it still looks silver in some light). And again, you get all this for <em>less</em> money than before. </p>
  319.  
  320. <p>The M4 Air is a great option for just about anyone who doesn’t need video editing, heavy gaming, or more than two USB-C ports. For those that do, look to the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/803349/apple-macbook-pro-14-m5-2025-review">14-inch MacBook Pro M5</a> — a great bang-for-your-buck laptop in its own right at $1,599, complete with the latest, fastest processor that Apple makes. Opting for a Pro over an Air is best for students in creative fields and content creators needing more headroom and features like a third USB-C port, an SD card slot, and an even better screen.</p>
  321. <img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/257607_M4_MacBook_Air_ADiBenedetto_0001.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="&lt;em&gt;The Apple MacBook Air M4 is the best laptop of 2024.&lt;/em&gt;" data-portal-copyright="" />
  322. <p class="has-text-align-none">Now that the M4 Air is here, Apple has fully discontinued the M3 and M2 models. You might still be able to find them at retailers like <a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-macbook-air-13-inch-apple-m2-chip-built-for-apple-intelligence-16gb-memory-256gb-ssd-midnight/6602763.p?skuId=6602763">Best Buy</a>, but they’re not worth it over the M4 unless substantially discounted. If you can afford an additional $200 on top of either the 13- or 15-inch M4 Air’s starting prices, that’ll net you 512GB of storage instead of 256GB — as well as the 10-core GPU on the 13-inch. The paltry base storage is the only remaining weak point of the MacBook Air. It’s definitely worth getting more, as the roomier SSD will make your life a little easier on a laptop that should easily last you five to seven (or even more) years.</p>
  323. <div class="product-block"><h3>Apple MacBook Air 15 (2025, M4)</h3>
  324. <figure class="product-image"><img width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/257607_M4_MacBook_Air_ADiBenedetto_0183.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" /></figure>
  325. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 9</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Easily lasts a full day on battery</li><li>Excellent choice for most people’s everyday needs</li><li>Nails the basics in a thin-and-light while feeling like a nice place to be</li><li>Louder speakers over its smaller counterpart</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Still starts with just 256GB of storage</li><li>Still has limited ports</li><li>Still prone to throttling under heavy creative tasks</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  326. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Apple-2025-MacBook-15-inch-Laptop/dp/B0DZDBWM5B/"> <strike>$1199</strike> $999.99 at <strong>Amazon</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-macbook-air-15-inch-apple-m4-chip-built-for-apple-intelligence-16gb-memory-256gb-ssd-midnight/6565869.p"> <strike>$1199</strike> $999.99 at <strong>Best Buy</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1883955-REG/apple_mc7a4ll_a_15_macbook_air_m4.html"> <strike>$1199</strike> $999 at <strong>B&amp;H Photo</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  327. <h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="kkIPG4">Read our review of the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/reviews/627186/apple-macbook-air-m4-13-15-inch-2025-laptop-review">Apple MacBook Air M4</a>.</h5>
  328.  
  329. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Op71aj">Best Chromebook</h2>
  330. <div class="product-block"><h3>Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14</h3>
  331. <figure class="product-image"><img width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/257814_Lenovo_Chromebook_Plus_14_laptop_review_ADiBenedetto_0003_db636f.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" /></figure>
  332. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-chromebook-plus-14-oled-2k-touchscreen-laptop-mediatek-kompanio-ultra-16gb-memory-256gb-ufs-seashell/6630493.p"> $749 at <strong>Best Buy</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  333. <p><em><em><sub><strong>CPU: </strong>MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 / <strong>GPU:</strong> Immortalis G925 / <strong>RAM:</strong> 16GB LPDDR5X / <strong>Storage:</strong> 256GB UFS 4.0 / <strong>Display: </strong>Touch 14-inch FHD 1920 x 1200, 60Hz OLED, 400 nits / <strong>Dimensions: </strong>12.37 x 8.63 x 0.62 inches<strong> </strong>/ <strong>Weight: </strong>2.78 pounds&nbsp;</sub></em></em></p>
  334.  
  335. <p>Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 14 is the best model we’ve tested so far in 2025 because of its impressive tech specs and long software support. It has a 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1200) 60Hz OLED touchscreen display that has excellent color and contrast, as well as 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. Its 8-core MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 processor was powerful enough that we could jump between Chrome tabs and Android apps spread across two desktops while uploading documents to NotebookLM to generate audio overviews without any problems. </p>
  336.  
  337. <p>Lenovo equipped this laptop with two USB-C ports, which can drive a couple of monitors simultaneously, and a USB-A port that’s convenient for connecting accessories without the need for a dongle. All three ports top out at 5Gbps each though, which might be slower than you need. We were impressed by the laptop’s speakers, which sounded great when listening to music or audiobooks, even at a high volume. Its keyboard was comfortable to type on, but the mechanical trackpad makes an annoying, loud click when pressed. </p>
  338.  
  339. <p>The Chromebook Plus 14 can run Android, Linux, and web apps. You should be able to easily find the right software across those platforms, but we still ran into trouble with Zoom, which ran poorly as a web app <em>and</em> as an Android app. Similarly, we had to run Slack in a browser window because the Linux app wasn’t compiled for Arm processors. The types of apps you use will also heavily impact battery life. We were able to run the laptop for around nine hours and only drained its battery by around 50 percent. We suspect you could use it for a couple of days without charging if your needs aren’t incredibly demanding.</p>
  340.  
  341. <p>Software support is an understandable concern when getting a new laptop, but Google has guaranteed Chromebooks released after 2021 will receive <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/14/23873319/google-chromebook-chrome-os-automatic-security-updates">10 years of automatic updates</a>. The Lenovo Chromebook 14’s solid hardware and extended software support means you may be able to keep it running for a decade, even if later becomes a secondary machine or hand-me-down. </p>
  342.  
  343. <h5 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none" id="read-our-review-of-the-lenovo-chromebook-plus-14">Read our review of the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/reviews/697878/lenovo-chromebook-plus-14-laptop-google-chromeos-review">Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14</a></h5>
  344.  
  345. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="pfa33Q">Best Snapdragon X laptop</h2>
  346. <div class="product-block"><h3>Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition (13.8-inch)</h3>
  347. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/DSCF7835_Enhanced_NR.webp?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" /></figure>
  348. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 8</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>All-day battery life</li><li>Great performance for most apps</li><li>16GB of RAM for the base model</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Game support is limited</li><li>AI features feel gimmicky</li><li>Emulated apps can hit battery and performance</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  349. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Surface-Touchscreen-Snapdragon-Platinum/dp/B0CXL6B4QF"> <strike>$1199.99</strike> $888.91 at <strong>Amazon (X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/configure/surface-laptop-7th-edition/8tq2hq5xxkj9"> <strike>$1199.99</strike> $949.99 at <strong>Microsoft (X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/microsoft-surface-laptop-copilot-pc-13-8-touch-screen-snapdragon-x-elite-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-7th-ed-latest-model-black/6582819.p"> $1399.99 at <strong>Best Buy (X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512 SSD)</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  350. <p><em><em><sub><strong>CPU:</strong> Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100, <em><em>Snapdragon X Elit</em></em>e X1E-80-100 / <strong>GPU:</strong> Qualcomm Adreno / <strong>RAM:</strong> 16GB, 32GB, 64GB LPDDR5X (soldered) / <strong>Storage:</strong> 256GB, 512GB, 1TB / <strong>Display:</strong> 13.8-inch touchscreen LCD, 2304 x 1536 120Hz, 600 nits / <strong>Dimensions: </strong>11.85 x 8.67 x 0.69 inches / <strong>Weight:</strong> 2.96 pounds</sub></em></em></p>
  351.  
  352. <p>Out of all the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24191671/copilot-plus-pcs-laptops-qualcomm-intel-amd-apple">Snapdragon Copilot Plus PCs we’ve tested so far</a>, the 13.8- and 15-inch <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/25/24185462/microsoft-surface-laptop-7th-edition-review">Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th edition</a> stood out for their balance of performance, exceptional battery life and standby time, and quality components (120Hz screen, keyboard, webcam, trackpad, etc.). Microsoft was obviously gunning for Apple’s MacBook Air, and the Surface Laptop mostly delivers that level of hardware experience for a Windows machine. It’s the full package if you want a thin-and-light productivity machine running Windows that easily lasts all day and into the night. And if your budget is slightly tighter, there’s a <a href="https://www.theverge.com/reviews/671554/microsoft-surface-laptop-13-inch-review">13-inch model</a> with pared-down features starting at $899 that’s still really good.</p>
  353.  
  354. <p>The greater concern with Snapdragon X-equipped laptops is whether Windows on Arm supports all the apps you need to get your work done. Most everyday apps work fine, via native Arm versions or emulation, but there can still be some outliers, especially in content creation apps. Also, if you like the idea of your productivity machine being able to pull light gaming duties (one of Windows’ advantages over Mac) then you’re likely better off with a laptop using Intel’s Lunar Lake or AMD’s Ryzen AI chips. Snapdragon X laptops can only run a fraction of the games you find on Steam, and Microsoft is just beginning to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/758828/microsoft-windows-on-arm-xbox-app-download-feature">roll out the ability</a> to install ARM64-compatible games from the Xbox app. In many cases you’ll only be able to stream games available in the PC Game Pass library.</p>
  355.  
  356. <p class="has-text-align-none">Earlier this year, Microsoft <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/601205/microsoft-surface-pro-11-surface-laptop-7-intel-lunar-lake-release-date-pricing">launched Intel Lunar Lake- based versions</a> of the Surface Laptop 7, but they’re a ridiculous $500 more expensive, and aimed solely at businesses. It’s a shame, because having this hardware with Lunar Lake’s compatibility might have been an appealing prospect. </p>
  357.  
  358. <h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="read-our-review-of-the-13-8-inch-microsoft-surface-laptop-7th-edition">Read our <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/25/24185462/microsoft-surface-laptop-7th-edition-review">review</a> of the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition.</h5>
  359.  
  360. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="foIiCi">The best 16-inch Windows laptop</h2>
  361. <div class="product-block"><h3>Asus Zenbook S 16</h3>
  362. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25561955/247213_Asus_Zenbook_S16_JNelius_0004.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="An open and powered on laptop against a background of blue and purple squares." /></figure>
  363. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 8</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>It’s gorgeous</li><li>Incredibly thin and light for a 16-inch laptop</li><li>Great performance, especially the integrated graphics</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Shorter battery life than major competitors</li><li>StoryCube doesn’t work</li><li>Couldn’t get a sense of how fast the NPU really is</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  364. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://shop.asus.com/us/90nb13m3-m00790-asus-zenbook-s-16-um5606.html"> $1799.99 at <strong>Asus</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-zenbook-s-16-16-3k-oled-touch-laptop-copilot-pc-amd-ryzen-ai-9-hx-370-32gb-memory-1tb-ssd-zumaia-gray/6593255.p"> $1799.99 at <strong>Best Buy</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  365. <p><em><sub><em><strong>CPU: </strong>AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 /</em> <em><strong>GPU:</strong> Radeon 890M, Radeon 880M&nbsp; / <strong>RAM: </strong>32GB, 24GB / <strong>Storage:</strong> 1TB / <strong>Display: </strong>touch 16-inch 2880 x 1800, 120Hz OLED with stylus support, 500 nits peak HDR / <strong>Dimensions: </strong>13.92 x 9.57 x 0.47 ~ 0.51 inches<strong> </strong>/ <strong>Weight: </strong>3.21 pounds </em></sub></em></p>
  366.  
  367. <p>The 16-inch Asus Zenbook S 16 is the best-looking, best-performing Windows laptop we’ve tested so far; it’s also so thin and lightweight you wouldn’t know it just by holding it! It can handle a little bit of everything, from emails to graphic design work, and it tackles gaming surprisingly well for a laptop without a separate graphics card. It’s a lovely, catch-all device.</p>
  368.  
  369. <p>There are only two Zenbook S 16 models as of now. The $1,800 one comes in gray with AMD’s flagship Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chip and 32GB of memory, and the $1,400 model comes in white with the lower-tier AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 and 24GB of memory. Otherwise, they are identical. Both feature OLED touch displays with a native 2880 x 1800 (3K) resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, stylus support, 1TB of storage, and the same ports / Wi-Fi adapter. Everything but the Windows version. (The more expensive model gets Home; the cheaper one gets Pro.)</p>
  370.  
  371. <p>At just 11 hours, its battery life doesn’t last as long as similar laptops we’ve tested, such as the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge and Dell XPS 14, but it’s a small tradeoff. There’s still no other Windows laptop that offers as much performance and versatility in a 16-inch chassis for the price.</p>
  372.  
  373. <h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="BDLKAA">Read our <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24215430/zenbook-s-16-2024-review-amd-ryzen-ai-laptop">review</a> of the Asus Zenbook S 16.</h5>
  374.  
  375. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="u4ab2G">The best laptop for high-end gaming</h2>
  376. <div class="product-block"><h3>Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 (2025, RTX 5080)</h3>
  377. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/247458_CES_2025_Asus_ROG_Strix_Scar_laptop_ADiBenedetto_0001.webp?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" /></figure>
  378. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 8</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Great graphics performance in the latest high-end games</li><li>Lots of ports and easy access to RAM / SSDs</li><li>Animated lid and wraparound RGB are fun</li><li>Very good QHD / 240Hz Mini LED screen</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Typical gaming laptop issues (pricey, hefty, and not great battery life)</li><li>Competition offers OLED screens</li><li>Customizing lid animations is a pain</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  379. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/ASUS-ROG-Strix-SCAR-16-2025-Gaming-Laptop-16-Nebula-HDR-2-5K-240Hz-3ms-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-5080-Intel-Core-Ultra-9-275HX-32GB-DDR5-5600-2TB-PCIe-SSD-W/15422021532"> <strike>$3299.99</strike> $2799.99 at <strong>Walmart</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://shop.asus.com/us/90nr0ld1-m005n0-rog-strix-scar-16-2025.html"> $3299.99 at <strong>Asus</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  380. <p><em><em><sub><strong>CPU:</strong> Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX / <strong>GPU: </strong>Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 / <strong>RAM:</strong> 32GB / <strong>Storage:</strong> 2TB / <strong>Display:</strong> 16-inch Mini LED 2560 x 1600, 240Hz display / <strong>Dimensions:</strong> 13.94 x 10.55 x 0.9 to 1.21 inches / <strong>Weight:</strong> 6.17 pounds</sub></em></em></p>
  381.  
  382. <p>I’m still testing a handful of different gaming laptops, including the <a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-legion-pro-7i-16-oled-gaming-laptop-intel-core-ultra-9-275hx-32gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-rtx-5080-2-tb-ssd-eclipse-black/6617088.p?skuId=6617088">Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10</a> and <a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-omen-max-16-oled-240hz-gaming-laptop-intel-core-ultra-9-32gb-ddr5-memory-nvidia-geforce-rtx-5080-2tb-ssd-shadow-black/6615951.p?skuId=6615951">HP Omen Max 16</a>, but the frontrunner so far (by a nose) is the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 with an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU. From what I’ve seen so far, the 5080 is the sweet spot for high-end gaming laptops in this generation. The 5080 ROG Strix Scar is within earshot of the 5090 performance I saw in the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/reviews/649577/razer-blade-16-2025-rtx-5090-review">Razer Blade 16</a>, and it’s $1,200 cheaper. The Asus is chunky and heavy compared to Razer’s svelte Blade, but that gives its GPU the space it needs to stay cool. Thinner laptops often thermally constrain a high-end chip like the 5090.</p>
  383.  
  384. <p>The ROG Strix Scar doesn’t have an OLED display like its direct competitors, which is indeed a bummer, but its 2560 x 1600 240Hz Mini LED panel is still sharp and bright, with some punchy colors. The 16-inch version of the Strix Scar eschews a number pad, giving its large keycaps plenty of space so typing isn’t cramped at all. Its trackpad is massive, and it houses a hidden touch-sensitive numpad you can call up with a long-press in the top corner — though it’s more useful for data entry than gaming needs.</p>
  385.  
  386. <p class="has-text-align-none">The Strix Scar’s boisterous RGB light show is kind of fun in its garishness. In addition to wraparound underglow, it has a dot-matrix array of LEDs on its lid to display animations — as <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/29/21306808/asus-zephyrus-g14-dot-matrix-display-release-date-price-specs-features">Asus has done before</a>. A more useful feature is the way you can open up the laptop’s bottom plate like the hood of a car for easy, tool-free access to its two RAM slots and SSDs.</p>
  387.  
  388. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="7399sH">The best MacBook for photo and video editing</h2>
  389. <div class="product-block"><h3>Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro / Max, 16-inch)</h3>
  390. <div class="product-description">The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro starts with 24GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and 14-core CPU / 20-core GPU. The M4 Max version offers 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, 14-core CPU / 32-core GPU, and can be configured to ridiculously high prices. Both models have Thunderbolt 5 ports, 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam, and options for anti-glare displays.</div>
  391. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25786621/247412_Apple_MacBook_Pro_16_M4_Max_ADiBenedetto_0003.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Max chip on a white table with pink background." /></figure>
  392. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-Laptop-14%E2%80%91core-20%E2%80%91core/dp/B0DLHN4B38/"> <strike>$2499</strike> $2234.8 at <strong>Amazon (M4 Pro)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-macbook-pro-16-inch-apple-m4-pro-chip-built-for-apple-intelligence-24gb-memory-512gb-ssd-space-black/6602755.p"> $2499 at <strong>Best Buy (M4 Pro)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-Laptop-14%E2%80%91core-20%E2%80%91core/dp/B0DLHMYX53"> <strike>$3499</strike> $3119.99 at <strong>Amazon (M4 Max)</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  393. <p><em><sub><em><strong>CPU:</strong> M4 Pro, M4 Max / <strong>GPU: </strong>M4 Pro, M4 Max / <strong>RAM:</strong> 24GB or 48GB (M4 Pro),  36GB &#8211; 128 GB (M4 Max) / <strong>Storage:</strong> 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB / <strong>Display:</strong> 14.2 / 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 3024 x 1964 / 3456 x 2234, adaptive refresh up to 120Hz, no touch option / <strong>Dimensions:</strong> 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 (14-inch) / 14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches (16-inch) / <strong>Weight:</strong> 3.5 / 4.7 poun</em>ds (M4 Pro), 3.6 / 4.8 pounds (M4 Max) </sub></em></p>
  394.  
  395. <p>If you need power for intensive creative work — like 3D rendering and working with ultra-high-resolution photos and video — the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24319419/apple-macbook-pro-m4-max-pro-review-price-specs">MacBook Pro</a> is your best bet. Both the 14- and 16-inch models are available with powerful M4 Pro or M4 Max processors. There’s also a <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24289831/apple-macbook-pro-m4-review-14-2024-laptop-specs-benchmarks">14-inch Pro with a standard M4 processor</a>, and while it’s a formidable step up from the MacBook Air as an everyman’s “pro” laptop, the M4 Pro and Max processors still outclass it in performance.</p>
  396.  
  397. <p>Processors aside, the MacBook Pro has remained largely unchanged since 2021. It has a bright, beautiful, color-accurate, high-res screen with HDR and an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz; amazing speakers, a comfortable keyboard and trackpad; and a good port loadout: three Thunderbolt 5 / USB-C ports, plus HDMI 2.1 and an SD card slot. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is a few hundred dollars cheaper than the 16-inch, but aside from the very lowest processor options, most configurations are available in either size, so pick whichever works for you.</p>
  398.  
  399. <p>In our benchmarks, which test a variety of creative tasks including encoding, playback, and export time, the MacBook Pro 16 did better than any laptop we’ve ever used — the only other machines that have come close to matching this thing in some of our benchmarks are high-end desktop PCs. The battery life is also record-shattering. The top-of-the-line <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24319419/apple-macbook-pro-m4-max-pro-review-price-specs">16-inch M4 Max model</a> easily lasted all day in our most recent testing, with no battery-saving features enabled and even keeping the screen on full-time.</p>
  400.  
  401. <p>Most people who need much more power than a MacBook Air — including all but the most demanding pro photographers — will be fine with an M4 Pro model, which starts at $1,999 for the 14-inch with a 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD. The 16-inch starts at $2,499 for a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB of memory, and 512GB SSD. The M4 Pro chip can be configured with up to 48GB of memory and a 4TB SSD, at the usual absurd Apple markups, and it supports up to two external 6K displays.</p>
  402.  
  403. <p>If you absolutely need more GPU power — or more than two external monitors — you can step up to the M4 Max. The base M4 Max with 14 CPU cores and 32 GPU cores, plus 36GB of RAM and 1TB SSD, starts at $3,199 in the 14-inch and $3,499 in the 16-inch. There’s also an M4 Max with 16 CPU and 40 GPU cores, which starts at $3,699 and $3,999, respectively. The M4 Max models are configurable with up to 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage and can support up to four external monitors. The vast majority of people don’t have workloads heavy enough to notice a significant difference between the M4 Pro and M4 Max; if you do, you probably know it.</p>
  404. <div class="product-block"><h3>Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2025, M5)</h3>
  405. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/258013_Apple_M5_MacBook_Pro_14_laptop_ADiBenedetto_0002.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="A 2025 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 on a marble bar top with a dark mirrored reflection behind it." /></figure>
  406. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 9</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Everything good about the M4 model, with just a little more speed</li><li>Still a very good value for an all-purpose creative workflow machine</li><li>Best-in-class battery life</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Just a snoozer of an update</li><li>Space black finish can <em>still</em> be a little smudgy</li><li>Apple’s price structure may <em>still</em> have you longing for M4 Pro / Max</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  407. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/14-inch-space-black-standard-display-apple-m5-chip-with-10-core-cpu-and-10-core-gpu-16gb-memory-512gb"> $1599 at <strong>Apple</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/product/14-inch-macbook-pro-apple-m5-chip-with-10-core-cpu-and-10-core-gpu-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-space-black/JJGCQL8GYV"> $1599 at <strong>Best Buy</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Apple-2025-MacBook-Laptop-10%E2%80%91core/dp/B0FWD6SKL6/"> $1599 at <strong>Amazon</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  408. <h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="I5LPMh">Read our reviews of the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24319419/apple-macbook-pro-m4-max-pro-review-price-specs">MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro / Max</a> and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/803349/apple-macbook-pro-14-m5-2025-review">MacBook Pro 14 M5</a>.</h5>
  409.  
  410. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="jWmMLL">The best 14-inch gaming laptop</h2>
  411. <div class="product-block"><h3>Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)</h3>
  412. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/rogzeyphg14_solo.webp?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" /></figure>
  413. <div class="product-scores"><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Balanced performance, battery life, and portability</li><li>OLED display</li><li>Programmable LED strip on the lid</li><li>Great keyboard and smooth trackpad</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Gets a bit hot and loud under load</li><li>Soldered RAM</li><li>Thermally throttles its GPUs</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  414. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-rog-zephyrus-g14-14-oled-3k-120hz-gaming-laptop-amd-ryzen-9-270-16gb-lpddr5x-geforce-rtx-5060-1tb-ssd-platinum-white/6629420.p"> $1799.99 at <strong>Best Buy (5060)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://rog.asus.com/us/laptops/rog-zephyrus/rog-zephyrus-g14-2025/"> $2099.99 at <strong>Asus</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-rog-zephyrus-g14-14-3k-oled-120hz-gaming-laptop-copilot-pc-amd-ryzen-ai-9-hx-32gb-ram-nvidia-rtx-5070-ti-1tb-platinum-white/6613954.p"> $2399.99 at <strong> Best Buy (5070 Ti)</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  415. <p><em><em><sub><strong>CPU:</strong> AMD Ryzen 9 270, HX 370 / <strong>GPU:</strong> Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, RTX 5070, RTX 5070 TI, RTX 5080 / <strong>RAM:</strong> 16GB, 32GB / <strong>Storage:</strong> 1TB / <strong>Display:</strong> 14-inch OLED, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz, 500 nits / <strong>Dimensions: </strong>12.24 x 8.66 x 0.63 inches / <strong>Weight:</strong> 3.31 pounds</sub></em></em></p>
  416.  
  417. <p>Asus recently introduced an updated ROG Zephyrus G14 for 2025, which replaces the previous model as our pick for the best 14-inch gaming laptop. It retains the sleek design Asus <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24155889/razer-blade-14-2024-asus-rog-zephyrus-g14-comparison">introduced last year</a> and continues to strike a balance between power and portability; it also incorporates a handful of improvements, some of which have allowed it to earn the top spot in our <a href="https://www.theverge.com/22295181/best-gaming-laptop">best gaming laptops guide</a>, despite a $100 price bump. </p>
  418.  
  419. <p>The updated Zephyrus G14 has an AMD 9-series processor and Nvidia RTX 50-series graphics chip, which provide modest performance gains. Every configuration features a handsome, high-res OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, so smoother gameplay isn’t locked behind an optional upgrade. Conveniently, the <strong>2025</strong> G14 features USB-C ports on both sides for charging, although you’ll still achieve the maximum wattage by using Asus’ proprietary charger. </p>
  420.  
  421. <p class="has-text-align-none">The G14 features a backlit, chiclet-style keyboard, and Asus has increased the keycap size by 12.24 percent to make them easier to press. The centered trackpad is also relatively wide, providing ample space for clicks, taps, and swipes without cramping your hand. These features are as useful for typing and productivity work as they are for playing games when you’re not connected to a gaming keyboard and mouse. </p>
  422.  
  423. <p class="has-text-align-none">Speaking of games, the titles we played ran well, even on high settings, but the laptop felt hot to the touch due to its thin chassis. Its fans were audible under heavy load, and the laptop eventually thermally throttled its GPUs to prevent overheating. The tradeoffs aren’t surprising, though, especially given the G14’s thin, lightweight design.</p>
  424.  
  425. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="gKwA2i">The best dual-screen laptop</h2>
  426. <div class="product-block"><h3>Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (2024)</h3>
  427. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24773689/236717_Lenovo_Yoga_Book_9i_DSeifert_0006.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="Lenovo Yoga Book 9i laptop with two screens open." /></figure>
  428. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 8</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Bold design</li><li>Great speakers for their size</li><li>Included stylus and mouse</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Awkward to put away</li><li>Few ports</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  429. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/product/lenovo-yoga-book-9i-2-in-1-14-2-8k-dual-screen-oled-touchscreen-laptop-intel-core-ultra-7-processor-16gb-ram-1tb-ssd-tidal-teal/JJGSHC5C53"> $2199.99 at <strong>Best Buy</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  430. <p><em><em><sub><strong>CPU: </strong>Intel Core Ultra 7 155U / <strong>GPU: </strong>Intel UHD (integrated) / <strong>RAM: </strong>16GB LPDDR5X / <strong>Storage:</strong> 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD / <strong>Display:</strong> 13.3-inch (2880 x 1800) 60Hz OLED touchscreen w/ stylus support / <strong>Dimensions:</strong> 11.78 x 8.03 x 0.63 inches / <strong>Weight:</strong> 2.95 pounds</sub></em></em></p>
  431.  
  432. <p>A dual-screen laptop is exactly what it sounds like: a laptop with a second screen where the keyboard normally goes.</p>
  433.  
  434. <p>The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i has a 360-degree hinge, which lets you use it as a regular laptop, a (large) tablet, and more. You can put it in clamshell mode and write or sketch on the bottom screen with a stylus or fold the keyboard folio into a stand to prop it up and take advantage of both screens. You can set it up at home with an external monitor as a three-screen desktop replacement, or take it on the go with the included Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Its touchscreen gestures are super responsive but too responsive for the virtual keyboard and trackpad. It’s easy to mistype and accidentally minimize windows.</p>
  435.  
  436. <p>The Yoga Book’s only real competitor is Asus’ Zenbook Duo. The Duo’s physical keyboard includes a trackpad and makes it look a lot more like a traditional laptop. Its 14-inch OLED screens are a little bigger and brighter, it has a ton of port options, it’s more powerful, and it’s a little easier to fold up and put away. But it’s also heavier (at 3.64 pounds), its top lid doesn’t fold back far enough to use it as a tablet, and its touchscreen gestures aren’t as responsive.</p>
  437.  
  438. <h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="VD48f8">Read our <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24140334/asus-zenbook-duo-vs-lenovo-yoga-book-9i">head-to-head review</a> of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i and the Asus Zenbook Duo.</h5>
  439.  
  440. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="T7rFe5">The best repairable laptop</h2>
  441. <div class="product-block"><h3>Framework Laptop 13 (2025, AMD Ryzen AI 7 350)</h3>
  442. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/257702_Framework_Laptop_13_AMD_2025_ADiBenedetto_0001.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" /></figure>
  443. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 9</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Still the repairability champ with excellent, modular port selection</li><li>Faster CPU performance over both Intel and previous AMD models</li><li>High-res 3:2 aspect ratio screen is great for productivity</li><li>Thin, light, and an overall great package</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Radeon 860M iGPU performance is a little lacking</li><li>Trackpad still feels a little cheap</li><li>Screen is a little lacking in contrast and color quality</li><li>Less repairable laptops offer more for similar prices or less</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  444. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://frame.work/products/laptop13-diy-amd-ai300/configuration/new"> $899 at <strong>Framework</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  445. <p><sub><em><strong>CPU:</strong> AMD Ryzen AI 5 340</em>,  AI 7 350, AI 9 HX 370 <em><em>/ <strong>GPU: </strong>Radeon 860M / <strong>RAM:</strong> 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 48GB, 96GB / <strong>Storage:</strong> 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB / <strong>Display:</strong> 13.5 inch IPS, 2256 x 1504 60Hz or 2880 x 1920 120Hz, no touch option / <strong>Dimensions:</strong> 11.68 x 9.01 x 0.62 inches / <strong>Weight:</strong> 2.87 pounds</em></em></sub></p>
  446.  
  447. <p class="has-text-align-none">There’s no other laptop offering the kind of nerdy fun today that a Framework is. The <a href="https://www.theverge.com/reviews/650608/framework-laptop-13-review-2025-amd-ryzen-ai-300">Framework Laptop 13</a> isn’t just the only game in town when it comes to a notebook that’s fully repairable and upgradeable, it’s also a great productivity machine for everyday use and has been for several years now. For 2025, the Laptop 13 gets a processor upgrade with AMD’s “Strix Point” Ryzen AI chips, giving it higher performance than the last-gen Intel and AMD offerings with serviceable battery life. Otherwise, it’s much the same chassis as the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/23911664/framework-laptop-13-2023-amd-review">prior generation</a> — <a href="https://www.theverge.com/reviews/650608/framework-laptop-13-review-2025-amd-ryzen-ai-300#:~:text=The%20new%20AMD%20Framework%2013%20atop%20the%20last%2Dgen%20AMD%20and%20Intel%20models.%20If%20not%20for%20the%20orange%20USB%2DC%20port%20even%20I%20wouldn%E2%80%99t%20be%20able%20to%20tell%20them%20apart.">they’re indistinguishable</a> from one another.</p>
  448.  
  449. <p class="has-text-align-none">But that’s part of what’s so cool about a Framework: a new model means a new chip you can even put into the <em>old </em>model, if you want an upgrade and don’t mind opening up the chassis yourself. It’s actually much easier to do than you may fear, as Framework designs its laptops to give you full access to everything inside with just a simple screwdriver; including its mainboard, storage, RAM, battery, and some fun see-through bezels for a touch of customization. </p>
  450.  
  451. <p class="has-text-align-none">If you opt for one of Framework’s DIY Editions it only comes partially built, but this allows you to choose from many more configuration options than its pre-builts. Personally, I think the DIY route is the way to go if you’re up for it, because experiencing the assembly (which took me less than 30 minutes) gives you a better awareness of what’s in your laptop and how to change something if you ever need to repair or upgrade it. But even if you choose a pre-built, you can pick from a wide array of modular ports to outfit it with.</p>
  452. <img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/257702_Framework_Laptop_13_AMD_2025_ADiBenedetto_0035.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="&lt;em&gt;It’s a simple design, but when it comes to repairability and modularity there’s nothing quite like it. Just look at that optional ethernet port sticking out!&lt;/em&gt;" data-portal-copyright="" />
  453. <p class="has-text-align-none">The Laptop 13 isn’t as sleek as a similarly priced MacBook or Surface, which offer no upgradeability or modularity (aside from the SSD on some Surface Laptops), but the Framework by no means feels cheap. It’s thin enough and light enough to be very portable, and it’s got a great keyboard with a fine trackpad. Its screen has a 3:2 aspect ratio that’s ideal for productivity since you can see a bit more than the more typical 16:10.</p>
  454.  
  455. <p class="has-text-align-none">You probably have to be really into the whole repairability and modularity concept to spend the same or more on a Framework Laptop 13 compared to other options out there, but anyone can appreciate picking your ports and being able to swap them around whenever you want.</p>
  456.  
  457. <h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="cPtIn9">Read our <a href="https://www.theverge.com/reviews/650608/framework-laptop-13-review-2025-amd-ryzen-ai-300">Framework Laptop 13 (2025) review</a>.</h5>
  458.  
  459. <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none" id="what-s-new">What’s new</h3>
  460.  
  461. <ul class="wp-block-list">
  462. <li>We recently <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/791532/acer-chromebook-plus-spin-514-2in1-laptop-review">published our review</a> of Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 514, which was announced at <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/767912/ifa-2025-news-tech-gadgets-products-updates-highlights">IFA 2025</a> and is now available starting at $699.99. The machine runs on a power-efficient MediaTek Kompanio Ultra processor paired with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 flash storage. Its 14-inch touchscreen has a resolution of 1920 x 1200 or 2880 x 1800 depending on your configuration. The screen can be flipped 360 degrees, so you can use the Chromebook as a tablet. You can also spec it with either a 1080p or 5-megapixel webcam. The laptop is equipped with a pair of 10Gbps USB-C ports with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It has excellent battery life and speedy performance, but you might be disappointed by its speaker performance. Also, it’s a questionable value since Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus mentioned above in this guide is just $50 more but includes an OLED screen and more RAM.</li>
  463.  
  464.  
  465.  
  466. <li>We were able to put Framework’s GPU upgrade claims to the test by swapping out an AMD Radeon RX 7700S for Nvidia’s RTX 5070 on a Framework 16 laptop. The swap was conducted in Framework’s office on a laptop they provided (our review unit would’ve required BIOS and software updates that aren’t publicly available yet), but it only <a href="https://www.theverge.com/report/768083/framework-actually-did-it-i-upgraded-a-laptops-entire-gpu-in-just-three-minutes">took us three minutes</a>. The graphics card upgrade costs $699 and will be available in December. The company also introduced <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/765542/framework-240w-usb-c-pd-charger-first-framework-16">a 240W USB-C charger</a>, which also ships in December and is available for <a href="https://frame.work/products/power-adapter-240w?v=FRAKMW000B">preorder now</a>.</li>
  467.  
  468.  
  469.  
  470. <li>Apple’s 14-inch MacBook Pro with the new M5 processor debuted in October, starting at $1,599.99 for the model with 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage. It’s very much a chip bump of an upgrade, delivering minor improvements in benchmark testing. If you can find the M4 version at a reasonable discount, you won’t be missing out on much. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/803349/apple-macbook-pro-14-m5-2025-review">Read our review.</a></li>
  471. </ul>
  472.  
  473. <p class="has-text-align-none"><em>Monica Chin and Nathan Edwards also contributed to previous versions of this buying guide</em>.</p>
  474.  
  475. <p><em><strong>Update, October 29th: </strong>Adjusted pricing and availability. Added information about Apple’s new 14-inch M5-powered MacBook Pro, which is identical in design to the M4 model it’s replacing, but a little faster with some tasks.</em> <em>Brandt Ranj and Cameron Faulkner contributed to this article.</em></p>
  476. ]]>
  477. </content>
  479. </entry>
  480. <entry>
  482. <author>
  483. <name>Justine Calma</name>
  484. </author>
  486. <title type="html"><![CDATA[How one mountain town hopes AI can help it fight wildfires]]></title>
  487. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/report/809348/ai-fire-detection-vail-hpe-smart-city-platform" />
  488. <id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=809348</id>
  489. <updated>2025-10-29T16:48:30-04:00</updated>
  490. <published>2025-10-29T16:48:30-04:00</published>
  491. <category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Climate" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Environment" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Report" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Science" />
  492. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[A popular ski resort town in Colorado is adopting a new AI Smart City Solution from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to help it better detect wildfires, as well as update a range of other city services. Vail is expanding its firefighting toolbox as hotter, more arid weather with climate change raises wildfire risk in the [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  494. <content type="html">
  495. <![CDATA[
  496.  
  498. <figure>
  499.  
  500. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25824779/STK438_CLIMATE_CHANGE_B.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  501. <figcaption>
  502. </figcaption>
  503. </figure>
  504. <p class="has-text-align-none">A popular ski resort town in Colorado is adopting a new AI Smart City Solution from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to help it better detect wildfires, as well as update a range of other city services.</p>
  505. <p class="has-text-align-none">Vail is expanding its firefighting toolbox as hotter, more arid weather with <a href="https://www.c2es.org/content/wildfires-and-climate-change/">climate change raises wildfire risk</a> in the western US. Colorado has suffered 11 of the 20 <a href="https://dfpc.colorado.gov/sections/wildfire-information-center/historical-wildfire-information">largest fires</a> in state history just within the last five years. Researchers and first responders are increasingly exploring ways in which new AI tools might help them get ahead of blazes.</p>
  506. <p class="has-text-align-none">"Fires are part of our life [now] in the mountains, and we have to be prepared for them," …</p>
  507. <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/report/809348/ai-fire-detection-vail-hpe-smart-city-platform">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>
  508. ]]>
  509. </content>
  511. </entry>
  512. <entry>
  514. <author>
  515. <name>Cameron Faulkner</name>
  516. </author>
  518. <title type="html"><![CDATA[The government shutdown is delaying new gadgets]]></title>
  519. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/report/807850/government-shutdown-fcc-clearance-delaying-tech-products" />
  520. <id>https://www.theverge.com/?p=807850</id>
  521. <updated>2025-10-29T19:30:02-04:00</updated>
  522. <published>2025-10-29T16:46:59-04:00</published>
  523. <category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Policy" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Report" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Tech" />
  524. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Tech products that are packaged and ready for sale aren't launching in the US as planned right now, thanks to the government shutdown. Earlier this month, Leica delayed its M EV1 camera due to holdups on approval from the partially shuttered Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The WiiM Sound audiophile speaker, currently shipping in international markets, [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  526. <content type="html">
  527. <![CDATA[
  528.  
  530. <figure>
  531.  
  532. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/258003_Leica_M_EV1_camera_ADiBenedetto_0009.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  533. <figcaption>
  534. </figcaption>
  535. </figure>
  536. <p class="has-text-align-none">Tech products that are packaged and ready for sale aren't launching in the US as planned right now, thanks to the government shutdown.</p>
  537. <p class="has-text-align-none">Earlier this month, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/804840/leica-m-ev1-mirrorless-evf-camera-rangefinder-price-specs">Leica delayed its M EV1</a> camera due to holdups on approval from the partially shuttered Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/666733/wiim-sound-sub-pro-amp-ultra-smart-speaker-audiophile-streaming">WiiM Sound</a> audiophile speaker, currently shipping in international markets, has been delayed in the US for the same reason. Razer also delayed the US availability of its <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/804365/razer-raiju-v3-pro-ps5-dualsense-edge-features-price">Raiju V3 Pro wireless controller</a>, saying that it's waiting on clearance. Numerous other devices might be in the same boat, and the longer the shutdown stretches, the worse the backlog will ge …</p>
  538. <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/report/807850/government-shutdown-fcc-clearance-delaying-tech-products">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>
  539. ]]>
  540. </content>
  542. </entry>
  543. <entry>
  545. <author>
  546. <name>Allison Johnson</name>
  547. </author>
  549. <title type="html"><![CDATA[The best iPhones]]></title>
  550. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.theverge.com/23618862/best-iphone-camera-battery-screen-guide" />
  551. <id>https://www.theverge.com/23618862/best-iphone-camera-battery-screen-guide</id>
  552. <updated>2025-10-29T16:32:52-04:00</updated>
  553. <published>2025-10-29T16:32:24-04:00</published>
  554. <category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Apple" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Buying Guides" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="iOS" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="iPhone" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Mobile" /><category scheme="https://www.theverge.com" term="Tech" />
  555. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[If you’ve been holding off on getting a new iPhone, now’s the perfect time to size up your options. Apple recently launched its 2025 iPhone lineup, which includes the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and a brand-new model, the ultra-thin iPhone Air. These new phones offer a number of new features over their [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  557. <content type="html">
  558. <![CDATA[
  559.  
  561. <figure>
  562.  
  563. <img alt="" data-caption="New iPhones for the AI era. | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/247288_iphone_buying_guides_3_cvirginia.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  564. <figcaption>
  565. New iPhones for the AI era. | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge </figcaption>
  566. </figure>
  567. <p>If you’ve been holding off on getting a new iPhone, now’s the perfect time to size up your options. Apple recently launched its 2025 iPhone lineup, which includes the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and a brand-new model, the ultra-thin iPhone Air. These new phones offer a number of new features over their predecessors, such as upgraded cameras, faster chips, better battery life, and even better screens — Apple Intelligence, however, is <a href="https://www.theverge.com/apple-event/774963/apple-september-launch-event-ai-apple-intelligence">still a work in progress</a>.</p>
  568.  
  569. <p class="has-text-align-none">Alongside the new hardware, Apple also <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/777466/apple-ios-26-launch-iphone-liquid-glass-update">launched iOS 26</a> (yes, the numbering system has changed and we’re jumping from iOS 18), which includes a new <a href="https://www.theverge.com/apple-ios/777383/iphone-ios-26-liquid-glass-redesign-look">Liquid Glass user interface</a>, live translation, wallpapers in messages, and more. The software marks Apple’s <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2013/9/18/4741724/ios-7-review">biggest visual redesign since iOS 7</a>, and despite some very polarizing reactions, we think it <a href="https://www.theverge.com/mobile/710980/apple-ios-26-preview-liquid-glass-ux">looks fine</a>.</p>
  570.  
  571. <p class="has-text-align-none">If your current iPhone is humming along, there’s no need to rush out and get a new one. But if you’re questioning whether it’s the year to replace your iPhone that’s a few generations old, then I think the answer is an easy yes. There are real gains to be had this time around, especially in the basic iPhone 17, which features a higher-refresh-rate display than last year’s model for smoother-looking animations, plus double the base storage to 256GB — all without raising the price, despite the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/673424/trump-apple-iphone-tariff-25-percent-india">current tariff situation</a>.</p>
  572.  
  573. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
  574.  
  575. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity" />
  576.  
  577. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="27uLV9">The best iPhone for most people</h2>
  578. <div class="product-block"><h3>Apple iPhone 17</h3>
  579. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/257946_iPhone_17_AKrales_0222.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" /></figure>
  580. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 8</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Always-on display makes it vastly more useful</li><li>High refresh rate makes using the phone smoother</li><li>The cameras are solid</li><li>Battery lasts well through the day</li><li>The price isn’t going up</li><li>No redesign, but the green is nice</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Zoom capabilities are weak compared to the Pro</li><li>Gets hot during heavy gaming sessions</li><li>Apple Intelligence is still somewhere between useless and MIA</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  581. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/482924/1631013/7613?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-17"> $799 at <strong>Apple (256GB)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/product/apple-iphone-17-256gb-sage-verizon/JCQ6HRFQ2W"> $829.99 at <strong>Best Buy (256GB)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/482924/1631013/7613?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-17"> $999 at <strong>Apple (512GB)</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  582. <p><em><strong>Screen:</strong>&nbsp;6.3-inch 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh rate /&nbsp;<strong>Processor:</strong>&nbsp;A19 /&nbsp;<strong>Cameras:</strong>&nbsp;48-megapixel f/1.6 main with sensor-shift IS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 18-megapixel selfie /&nbsp;<strong>Battery:</strong>&nbsp;Not advertised /&nbsp;<strong>Charging:</strong>&nbsp;40W wired, 25W wireless MagSafe / Qi2 /&nbsp;<strong>Weather-resistance rating:</strong>&nbsp;IP68</em></p>
  583.  
  584. <p>The iPhone 17 marks a turning point for the standard model. After years with a lower-quality screen, the cheapest model finally got two major upgrades for 2025: an always-on display and a high-refresh-rate panel. These features make it feel meaningfully better than the iPhone 16 and prior models in everyday use, bringing it closer than ever to the Pro models. And at the same $799 starting price as the previous generation, this year’s update is a no-brainer.</p>
  585.  
  586. <p class="has-text-align-none">While the iPhone 17’s 48-megapixel main camera is carried over from last year, the ultrawide camera has been changed from a 12-megapixel sensor to a 48-megapixel sensor, and it delivers sharper and more vibrant photos. The device features an 18-megapixel Center Stage selfie camera, which is also in the Air and 17 Pro. Your selfies may not look materially better, but the front camera’s square sensor elevates the user experience, making it possible to take horizontal selfies while holding the device vertically (no need to rotate the phone).</p>
  587. <img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/257946_iPhone_17_AKrales_0063.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="&lt;em&gt;The iPhone 17’s always-on display lets you quickly glance at notifications.&lt;/em&gt;" data-portal-copyright="" />
  588. <p>Apple also gives you double the storage — 256GB versus 128GB in the base iPhone 16 — and improved battery life. The standard 17 still lacks a proper telephoto camera, and the A19 chip is slower than the A19 Pro found in the Pro models. Still, it’s a big step up in almost every way, even if it looks basically the same as every iPhone from the past six years.</p>
  589.  
  590. <h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="read-our-iphone-17-review"><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/779568/iphone-17-review-apple-best-features">Read our full iPhone 17 review</a>.</h5>
  591.  
  592. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="dVg1gf">The best high-end iPhone</h2>
  593. <div class="product-block"><h3>iPhone 17 Pro</h3>
  594. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="200" height="300" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/DSC01718-1.jpg?w=200" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="A navy blue iPhone on a wooden background" /></figure>
  595. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 8</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Solid battery life</li><li>Brighter screen outdoors</li><li>Center Stage camera</li><li>Faster charging</li><li>Doesn’t get blazing hot</li><li>Orange</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>What’s up with Siri?</li><li>Heavier than last year</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  596. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/482924/1631013/7613?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-17-pro"> $1099 at <strong>Apple (256GB)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/product/apple-iphone-17-pro-256gb-cosmic-orange-verizon/JCQ6HRFQG2"> $1099.99 at <strong>Best Buy (256GB)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/482924/1631013/7613?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-17-pro"> $1299 at <strong>Apple (512GB)</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  597. <p><em><strong>Screen:</strong>&nbsp;6.3-inch 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh rate /&nbsp;<strong>Processor:</strong>&nbsp;A19 Pro /&nbsp;<strong>Cameras:</strong>&nbsp;48-megapixel f/1.78 with sensor-shift IS; 48-megapixel 8x telephoto with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 18-megapixel selfie /&nbsp;<strong>Battery:</strong>&nbsp;Not advertised /&nbsp;<strong>Charging:</strong>&nbsp;40W wired, 25W MagSafe / Qi2 /&nbsp;<strong>Weather-resistance rating:</strong>&nbsp;IP68</em></p>
  598.  
  599. <p class="has-text-align-none">The iPhone 17 Pro introduces a bold redesign and a number of notable upgrades, including the lineup’s most advanced camera setup yet. It also features rounded edges, and similar to last year, it’s on equal footing with the 17 Pro Max in terms of performance; the biggest differences that the Pro Max offers a larger display, a larger battery, and up to 2TB of storage.</p>
  600.  
  601. <p class="has-text-align-none">Whereas the iPhone 17 is for most people, the 17 Pro is more geared toward creators. The device has three 48-megapixel cameras, including a 48-megapixel telephoto, and it offers several pro features aimed at those who want to take the best possible photos and videos. Some of those features include Genlock support, which lets videographers sync up timecodes across multiple cameras, and support for ProRes RAW recording. It also sports the upgraded Center Stage selfie camera found in other 2025 iPhone models.</p>
  602. <img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/257955_iPhone_17_ProMax_Air_VPavic_0031.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="&lt;em&gt;The iPhone 17 Pro offers a smaller form factor compared to the 17 Pro Max.&lt;/em&gt;" data-portal-copyright="" />
  603. <p>Despite the additions and improvements, there’s little here that makes the 17 Pro an absolute must-upgrade. However, it comes in an irresistible orange, which is apparently the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/apple/775186/apple-iphone-17-pro-cosmic-orange-color-good">new “it” color</a>.</p>
  604.  
  605. <h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="XO8g6S"><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/779265/iphone-17-pro-max-review">Read our full iPhone 17 Pro review</a>.</h5>
  606.  
  607. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="OF6PPh">The iPhone with the best battery life</h2>
  608. <div class="product-block"><h3>iPhone 17 Pro Max</h3>
  609. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/257955_iPhone_17_ProMax_Air_VPavic_0030.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" /></figure>
  610. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 8</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Solid battery life</li><li>Brighter screen outdoors</li><li>Center Stage camera</li><li>Faster charging</li><li>Doesn’t get blazing hot</li><li>Orange</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>What’s up with Siri?</li><li>Heavier than last year</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  611. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/482924/1631013/7613?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-17-pro"> $1199 at <strong>Apple (256GB)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/product/apple-iphone-17-pro-max-256gb-cosmic-orange-verizon/JCQ6HQTQ5R"> $1199.99 at <strong>Best Buy (256GB)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/482924/1631013/7613?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-17-pro"> $1399 at <strong>Apple (512GB)</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  612. <p><em><strong>Screen:</strong>&nbsp;6.9-inch 2868 x 1320 OLED, 120Hz refresh rate /&nbsp;<strong>Processor:</strong>&nbsp;A19 Pro /&nbsp;<strong>Cameras:</strong>&nbsp;48-megapixel f/1.78 with sensor-shift IS; 48-megapixel 8x telephoto with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 18-megapixel selfie /&nbsp;<strong>Battery:</strong>&nbsp;Not advertised /&nbsp;<strong>Charging:</strong>&nbsp;40W wired, 25W MagSafe / Qi2 /&nbsp;<strong>Weather-resistance rating:</strong>&nbsp;IP68</em></p>
  613.  
  614. <p>The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s redesign isn’t just about looks. Apple hollowed out the device’s aluminum frame to fit in the biggest battery yet in an iPhone. Apple says the device offers up 39 hours of video playback, which is 12 more hours than last year’s iPhone 16 Plus, our previous battery champ. The device can easily push through a full day and then some, though your mileage will vary depending on how often you play mobile games, watch videos, and doomscroll on social media.</p>
  615. <img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/257955_iPhone_17_ProMax_Air_VPavic_0008.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="&lt;em&gt;The bigger iPhone 17 Pro Max means a bigger battery.&lt;/em&gt;" data-portal-copyright="" />
  616. <p>There are other benefits to going with the 17 Pro Max. It has the largest display among the latest iPhone lineup — 6.9 inches — and offers up to 2TB of storage, giving creators more room than ever for storing their media. If you want the most iPhone you can possibly get, including the longest battery life, then the 17 Pro Max is the way to go.</p>
  617.  
  618. <h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="jexA4s"><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/779265/iphone-17-pro-max-review">Read our full iPhone 17 Pro Max review</a>.</h5>
  619.  
  620. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none" id="the-best-iphone-for-people-who-hate-bulky-phones">The best iPhone for people who hate bulky phones</h2>
  621. <div class="product-block"><h3>iPhone Air</h3>
  622. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/iPhoneAirProdCard.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="iPhone Air on a couch cushion" /></figure>
  623. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 7</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Easier to carry thanks to its slim profile</li><li>Remarkably light and more pleasant to use for long periods of time</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Battery drains quicker than a standard phone</li><li>No ultrawide camera</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  624. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/482924/1631013/7613?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-air"> $999 at <strong>Apple (256GB)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/product/apple-iphone-air-256gb-space-black-verizon/JCQ6HQTHJZ"> $999.99 at <strong>Best Buy (256GB)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://apple.sjv.io/c/482924/1631013/7613?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-iphone%2Fiphone-air"> $1199 at <strong>Apple (512GB)</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  625. <p class="has-text-align-none"><em><strong>Screen:</strong>&nbsp;6.5-inch 2736 x 1260 OLED, 120Hz refresh rate /&nbsp;<strong>Processor:</strong>&nbsp;A19 Pro /&nbsp;<strong>Cameras:</strong>&nbsp;48-megapixel f/1.6 main with sensor-shift IS; 18-megapixel selfie /&nbsp;<strong>Battery:</strong>&nbsp;Not advertised /&nbsp;<strong>Charging:</strong>&nbsp;30W wired, 20W MagSafe / Qi2 /&nbsp;<strong>Weather-resistance rating:</strong>&nbsp;IP68</em></p>
  626.  
  627. <p class="has-text-align-none">The iPhone Air is Apple’s biggest redesign since the iPhone X was released in 2017. It’s shockingly thin and light, at 5.6mm and 165 grams, respectively. Thanks to its titanium frame and Ceramic Shield 2 display, it’s <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/782245/iphone-air-jerryrigeverything-durability-test">more durable</a> than you might expect, too. The device feels deceptively small, despite having a 6.5-inch display. You really have to see and feel the phone yourself to get the appeal.</p>
  628. <img src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/257955_iPhone_17_ProMax_Air_VPavic_0043.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="&lt;em&gt;The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever, though it still has a chunky camera hump.&lt;/em&gt;" data-portal-copyright="" />
  629. <p class="has-text-align-none">But the thinner design comes with a few substantial compromises compared to the other models available this year. One of the biggest is that the Air features a single 48-megapixel camera on the back. That’s not to say the device’s camera is <em>bad</em>. But it’s a far less versatile system than even the far more affordable iPhone 17, which has a dual-camera setup. The second compromise is on battery life, which is just okay. It’s not terrible, but it’s not great, either.</p>
  630.  
  631. <p class="has-text-align-none">At $999, you’re paying a lot for middling battery life and camera performance. Those who primarily care about design, though, may be more forgiving about those shortcomings.</p>
  632.  
  633. <h5 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none" id="read-our-full-iphone-air-review"><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/779588/apple-iphone-air-review-battery-camera">Read our full iPhone Air review</a>.</h5>
  634.  
  635. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="oB7T9T">The best inexpensive-ish iPhone</h2>
  636. <div class="product-block"><h3>iPhone 16E</h3>
  637. <figure class="product-image"><img loading="lazy" width="300" height="200" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/DSC_2268-Enhanced-NR_b11600.jpg?w=300" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="A hands-on photo of Apple’s iPhone 16E." /></figure>
  638. <div class="product-scores"><h4>Score: 7</h4><table class="product-pros-cons"><thead><tr><th>Pros</th><th>Cons</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Reliable performance</li><li>Good, if limited, camera system</li><li>It’s the cheapest new iPhone you can buy</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>No MagSafe</li><li>$599 feels like $100 too much</li><li>No ultrawide</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
  639. <h3>Where to Buy:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/iphone-16e"> $599 at <strong>Apple (128GB)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-iphone-16e-128gb-apple-intelligence-black-verizon/6443386.p"> $599.99 at <strong>Best Buy (128GB)</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.verizon.com/smartphones/apple-iphone-16e/"> $599.99 at <strong>Verizon (128GB)</strong></a></li></ul></div>
  640. <p><em><em><strong>Screen:&nbsp;</strong>6.1-inch Super Retina XDR /&nbsp;<strong>Processor:</strong>&nbsp;A18&nbsp;<strong>Cameras:</strong>&nbsp;48MP Fusion</em></em> with 1x and 2x optical zoom, 12-megapixel selfie<em><em> /&nbsp;<strong>Battery:&nbsp;</strong>Not advertised /&nbsp;<strong>Charging:</strong>&nbsp;20-watt wired, <em><em>7.5W Qi</em></em></em></em>, no MagSafe<em><em>/&nbsp;<strong>Weather-resistance rating:</strong>&nbsp;IP68</em></em></p>
  641.  
  642. <p>This recommendation comes with a heavy sigh. Yes, the 16E is the cheapest new iPhone Apple sells. Yes, it’s a good phone. It has a capable camera, reliable performance, full water resistance, wireless charging, and will be supported with software updates for years to come. But its $599 price tag starts to feel like too much when you consider what it’s missing. </p>
  643.  
  644. <p class="has-text-align-none">There’s no MagSafe, which you can kind of add by way of a MagSafe case, but it’s a bummer not to have it built in when it has basically become a standard iPhone feature. There’s no ultrawide camera, no Dynamic Island housing timely information, no camera control button (not a huge loss, honestly), and no Ultra Wideband for precise object tracking. It does support Apple Intelligence, but that doesn’t feel like much of a consolation, given that it’s very much still a work-in-progress.</p>
  645.  
  646. <p class="has-text-align-none">The 16E will most likely receive more years of software support than a previous-gen model like the iPhone 14 or 15. And sure, Apple Intelligence might turn into something useful someday. The 16E is a good choice if you want the path of least resistance to blue bubbles and FaceTime at your fingertips. But if you’d like MagSafe, a more advanced camera, and some of the other bells and whistles that got lost on the way to the 16E, then it’s not a bad idea to look at one of the older iPhones.</p>
  647.  
  648. <h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="w3Zrvj"><a href="https://www.theverge.com/reviews/620155/iphone-16e-review-c1-modem-battery-camera">Read my full Apple iPhone 16E review</a>.</h5>
  649.  
  650. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity" />
  651.  
  652. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="4PDv5T">What’s coming next</h2>
  653.  
  654. <p>Apple’s latest iPhone lineup is available now, but there are already reports about what’s next. One report suggests Apple is readying a <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/660739/apple-may-stagger-next-years-iphones-to-make-way-for-a-foldable">book-style foldable iPhone for 2026</a>, which allegedly looks like <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/782366/foldable-details-iphone-air-ifixit-teardown">two iPhone Air models put side by side</a>. Apple is reportedly still working to flatten the crease that appears when the phone is unfolded, but has otherwise settled on a design. Looking ahead to 2027, a report claims Apple is planning a <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/765063/apple-iphone-air-redesign-three-year-plan">redesigned “all-screen” iPhone</a> to celebrate the device’s 20th anniversary. These upcoming releases are allegedly part of Apple’s three-year plan — starting with the new iPhone Air — that’s aimed at refreshing its smartphone lineup.</p>
  655.  
  656. <p class="has-text-align-none"><em><strong>Update, October 29th: </strong>Updated to reflect current pricing / availability and additional related links.</em> <em>Brandon Russell contributed to this article.</em></p>
  657. ]]>
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