Modular Land Rover Explore to debut at MWC

Land Rover builds cars for those who enjoy the outdoors in comfort and luxury. The car company is lending its name to a smartphone that will be called the Land Rover Explore. It's a ruggedized smartphone built by Bullitt Group, the same company that makes Ruggedized CAT phones like the S60 . The company announced the phone at ISPO - an outdoor and sports trade show in Munich. Bullitt certainly has experience building sturdy hardware, and it is an appropriate choice to make a phone like the Land Rover Explore. The Explore is targeted to a more broad audience of folks who enjoy hiking and...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://www.gsmarena.com/modular_land_rover_explore_to_debut_at_mwc-news-29412.php

Google flights can now predict if your flight will be delayed

Google's vast collection of data helps the travel industry with Google's Hotel search tool and Google Flights. Google is announcing a couple of new features for its plane-ticket search. Starting with finding cheap flights, Google will begin offering more specific information about cheaper flight fares. New kinds of basic economy flights may not offer a carry-on or the option to pick your seat, so Google Flights will provide this information for American, Delta, and United. Next, Google will be able to predict when you flight may be delayed. Google uses a combination of historic...

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://www.gsmarena.com/google_flights_can_now_predict_if_your_flight_will_be_delayed-news-29411.php

Honor View 10 review

The Honor View 10's launch is a significant one in Honor's history. It was known as Honor's V-series and it was only available in China. Honor's rebranding to "View" series comes at the same time as the company's decision to launch the smartphone outside of China as a high-value or bang-for-buck smartphone.

from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_honor_view_10-review-1716.php

Samsung is making processors solely for cryptocurrency mining

Thanks to the cryptocurrency craze, the cost of graphics cards has inflated up to three-times their retail price whiles reducing inventories to all time lows month over month. But relief for PC gamers could be coming soon as Samsung aims to build new chips specifically for mining.

Samsung confirmed that its foundry business is ‘engaged the manufacturing of cryptocurrency mining chips' with TechCrunch. Aside from the scant confirmation, a separate Korean news report from The Bell suggest that the company will produce application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) designed for single computational tasks.

Among the many unknowns of Samsung’s new confirmed mining chips is how this form of ASIC will be able to readily chip at Ethereum, which has classically been ASIC-resistant. Ethereum isn’t necessarily invulnerable to ASIC, but it’s a problem that Samsung will need to solve.

The Korean electronics firm’s move into the cryptocurrency world might seem like a curious one, but the company is already deeply involved in mining. A majority of the graphics cards used in mining feature Samsung’s high-capacity memory chips. 

And, while Samsung is largely known for its smartphones and QLED 4K TVs, the company recently toppled Intel as the world’s largest chipmaker. So, this latest initiative could help solidify its position in the silicon arena.

Hopefully, Samsung’s move into ASIC chips can help take some of stress of the world’s stockpile of GPUs. But we can also easily see the company’s burgeoning focus in the mining world cut into the memory supply meant for graphics cards as well.

• In the meantime, find the best motherboards for mining

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news http://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-is-making-processors-solely-for-cryptocurrency-mining

Best gaming mouse 2018: the best gaming mice we've tested

If you’ve just built (or bought) one of the best gaming PCs, it might just be time to pair it with one of the best gaming mice on the market. It is perhaps understandable that you might want to scale back your spending after dropping a thousand bucks on a killer rig, but why would you settle for a mediocre pointing device? You should instead pick up a best gaming mouse so that everything attached to that marvelous PC is of comparable quality. And luckily, you’ve come to the right place, as we have put together a list of the best gaming mice that we’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on over the last year or so.

As with any PC component, especially any gaming peripherals, you’ll see a lot of people claiming that the most expensive equipment is always the best equipment. It’s just not true. When you are looking for the best gaming mice, you need be on the lookout for any mice that strike a balance between price and performance – not just the highest price tag on Newegg. And that’s the exact philosophy we approached this list of the best gaming mice with. The SteelSeries Sensei 310, for example, costs about as much as a new game, and it matches this price with great specs. You can improve your game in style – even on a budget.

Every single mouse on this list hits this golden value balance. We’ve reviewed or tested and ranked every mouse on this list, and each has earned our coveted seal of approval – you should be confident that no matter which of these mice you choose, you’ll be satisfied with it. No matter what kind of games you want to play, after going through this list, we believe you’ll get your hands on one of the best gaming mice.

SteelSeries is experiencing a sort of renaissance in 2018, and there is no greater evidence of that than the SteelSeries Rival 600. Featuring customizable weight, the perfect amount of side buttons, and true RGB spectrum lighting the Rival 600 will be the centerpiece of your desk. But, even beyond the aesthetics, the Rival 600 performs far better than a mouse in its price range has any right to. Not only does it feature a 12,000 DPI sensor and satisfying mechanical switches, but the Rival 600 goes above and beyond and features a depth sensor that will all but eliminate cursor sway when you lift your mouse off of the mouse pad. This is truly the best gaming mouse you can buy today.

Read the full review: SteelSeries Rival 600 

The SteelSeries Sensei 310 is a gaming mouse unlike any other, in terms of both price and performance. The low entry fee keeps it on the same level as what you’d pay for a new game, while its amazing TrueMove 3 optical sensor, produced through an exclusive partnership with mouse sensor titans Pixart, makes it almost infeasible to compete with. This mouse, with no preference when it comes to dexterity, features frankly unparalleled real-world sensitivity. 

Read the full review: SteelSeries Sensei 310 

Undeterred by years of ridicule for their comparatively higher latency, the Logitech G900 of yesteryear proved once and for all that wireless gaming mice don’t have to suck. Though it’s merely a subtle iteration on that model, the Logitech G903 only reassures us of that conviction. Gracing a slightly altered G900 design with Logitech’s own PowerPlay mouse pad that doubles as a wireless charger, the Logitech G903 is an expensive, yet rewarding investment. On one hand, the cost might deter someone who wasn’t likely to buy it anyway, but on the other, you’re getting a high-DPI wireless gaming mouse that contends with even Razer’s best.

Read the full review: Logitech G903

Flashy and desirable, there’s no confusion as to why the Asus ROG Gladius II is a bit pricier than other gaming mice in its class. Boasting swappable buttons, a clickable scroll wheel and a sensitivity toggle, this mouse has all the bits gamers crave. There’s even top-to-bottom RGB lighting for an extension of its already-handy customization. Although it doesn’t feature the swappable weights that many others in its price range do, everything else feels comfortable and up to snuff. Better suited for first-person shooters than MMOs, the high DPI rating and 50g acceleration make the Asus ROG Gladius a feat to behold despite lacking features in areas where cheaper mice have conquered.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Gladius II

It’s obvious from the moment you look at the price tag that the Corsair Glaive RGB mouse was designed to go head to head with the Razer DeathAdder Elite. And while Corsair has had a ton of luck with its PC cases, keyboards, RAM, power supplies and cooling systems, a Corsair mouse is automatically a tough sell due to a lack of history alone. Luckily, the company’s latest gaming mouse effort is built for comfort, featuring a coating of soft touch paint and interchangeable thumb grips that augment ergonomics even further. At that point, the nearly perfect three-zone backlighting system and high-DPI Pixart sensor (not to mention the niftily included DPI status lights) are a mere bonus.

Read the full review: Corsair Glaive RGB

It’s not everyday that we see a company known for its sound cards try to take on companies as renowned as Razer and Logitech with a competent gaming mouse of its own. Creative’s Sound BlasterX M04 is exactly that, however, and it’s actually fairly impressive. The 12,000 DPI rating means you won’t need to use pointer acceleration to use the mouse successfully. The RGB lighting scheme, which is controlled using Creative’s own Sound Blaster Connect software, is displayed across a subtle accent at the base of the mouse. Clearly, the Sound BlasterX Siege M04 is a winner in both function and style.

Read the full review: Creative Sound BlasterX Siege M04

You can ask any serious gamer if they prefer wired or wireless mice, and more than likely they’re going to side with the former – the low latency is just too good to pass up. However, there are probably plenty of people out there who want the freedom of movement that a wireless mouse affords. Luckily, the Thermaltake Tt Sports Level 10M combines the best of both worlds, allowing users to switch between wired and wireless modes at will, so nobody has to settle for one or the other. Plus, it’s a great performer, and it feels really good in the hand, even if the metal prong at the front of the mouse (for switching between the two modes) can get in the way from time to time.

Read the full review: Thermaltake Tt Sports Level M 

You know what you're getting with a Razer DeathAdder mouse, and this year's Elite model adds a new eSports-grade sensor and features the same right-handed ergonomic design as its predecessor that moulds into your hand, all while adding two new buttons beneath the mouse's scroll wheel to change DPI (or dots-per-inch) on-the-fly. While the DeathAdder Elite misses out on more advanced features such as the free-spinning scroll wheel that you'll find on Logitech's Proteus Core, the Razer's pretty RGB lighting (customizable lighting with 16.8 million color options through Razer's synapse software), big and accessible left-mounted buttons and grippable scroll wheel make it the best mice available in the price tier below.

SteelSeries has ventured where few gaming mice have dared by adding a black-and-white OLED display to its Rival 700. Of course, you can’t just add a screen to something without implementing some sort of functionality. That’s why, in Dota 2, Counter Strike: Global Offensive and Minecraft, this rampant rodent can be used as a customizable tool to enhance your play sessions. In its less utilitarian form, it can also be used to display animated GIFs. Better yet, the Rival 700 hardware is modular, too, giving users the autonomy to snap covers on and off and even swap between a three- and six-foot USB cable. There are even tactile alerts in place, set to trigger vibrations when in-game resources are replenished. Overall, a distinct piece of tech.

In recent years, wireless gaming mice have cultivated a rather adverse reputation, mainly in response to their perceptible lag. With the G900 Chaos Spectrum, however, Logitech seeks to change your mind. Using some form of wizardry, the company somehow managed to get its polling rate down to 1 millisecond on a 2.4GHz connection. Accompanied by accelerated coverage of the entire DPI range, zero smoothing and filtering, this gaming mouse is prepared for everything from your next game of Hearthstone to tournament level Heroes of the Storm. That goes without mentioning an ambidextrous design ideal for left-handed players in addition to a modular button layout.

 How to choose the best gaming mice 2017 

 

Although you’re bound to determine the best gaming mouse for you based on our rankings, doing so is no effortless task. There are a lot of complicated technical specifications that go into gaming mice, including fancy jargon such as polling rates and DPI ratings. You’ll want a higher number of both, but there’s a stark difference between these two nonsensical, yet crucial terms.

For newcomers to the world of PC gaming, that DPI is shorthand for ‘dots per inch.’ The higher the number, the wider the range wherein you can specify your how sensitive your mouse is. If you don’t have a lot of desk space available and you want accuracy and precision, then opt for a gaming mouse featuring a higher DPI rating. Of course, you can always toggle a lower DPI too.

Meanwhile, a high polling rate gives you faster response times. The polling rate is measured in hertz, so it usually ranges from around 125 to 1,000Hz. The latter means that your mouse’s position is reported to your computer 1,000 times per second. Other key gaming mouse factors you’ll want to consider are ergonomics – particularly if you’re left-handed – and RGB lighting.

• Be sure to also check out our list of the best PC cases!

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/peripherals/best-gaming-mouse-top-5-gaming-mice-reviewed-1270941

The 30 best indie games on PC and consoles

As time goes on, and games advance both technologically and as an art form, our idea of what makes the best indie games evolves. One of the best parts of going all in on indie games is that – unlike major first party game publishers like Microsoft, who have to subsidize their releases with a monthly subscription model – indie games don’t cost very much to begin with, especially if you’ve got a gaming PC.

At the same time, however, the best indie games on the market are every bit as stimulating as the latest Call of Duty or Assassin’s Creed, if not more because they’re less repetitive and often aren’t complemented by tired tropes and cliches. And those that are – well, we’ll just play it safe and exclude them from our list.

Here at TechRadar, our rankings of the 30 best indie games you can play right now aren’t based on quantity, but rather quality. We’ve mixed in not only classics and obvious choices, such as PC games like Braid and The Stanley Parable, but modern day examples of the best indie games as well, such as Cuphead and Night in the Woods. To find out about the rest, you’ll have to read on! 

Joe Osborne, Kane Fulton and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article

Described as a cross between Pokémon, Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing, we couldn’t help ourselves but to recommend that you keep Ooblets in the back of your mind over the next several months. This indie game was developed by first-time studio Glumberland, whose art style curiously reminds us of Adventure Time. However, the game itself revolves around collecting creatures called ooblets in a town called Oob. 

Upon doing so, you’ll be able to train and battle your ooblets against other ooblet trainers. At the same time, you’ll have to balance your ooblet training with the real-world responsibilities of being a farmer. That’s right, drawing influence from the likes of Stardew Valley, you can cultivate produce and decorate your house with various trimmings as well. You’ll also be able to join an Ooblet Club comprised of friends (NPCs) you’ll meet along the way. 

If you don’t know what to do in Ooblets, simply walk around and discover new shops and buildings that suit your interest. While you’re at it, you can open up your own shop and sell produce that you’ve grown on the farm in addition to items you’ve scavenged from throughout the world. Otherwise, you can feed the leftover crops to your ooblets to watch them level up and learn new techniques to be used in the turn-based RPG-style battles.

Expected: 2018

Jonathan Blow's masterpiece first appears to be a simple pastiche of Super Mario Bros, with a middle-aged curmudgeon replacing the titular plumber but still seeking to rescue a princess.

But as you spend time with it, it reveals more of itself, moving from a series of time-bending puzzles to quiet reflective texts – which doesn't stop it being the smartest puzzle game until SpaceChem. Blow himself has hinted that the ultimate story might be something to do with the atomic bomb.

First released as PC freeware by Japanese designer Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya back in 2004 after five years of 100% solo development, Cave Story predates the recent indie renaissance by a few years. Because of when and how it was first released, it's often forgotten in discussions of indie gaming.

But this classic deserves to be on every best-of list for its loving homage to the classic action platforming games of the Super Nintendo era, its incredible music and its incredibly vibrant world. Oh, and don't forget the hugely intuitive controls, gobs of secrets and weapons that are entirely too fun to use. If you've yet to enjoy this one, just put it on your backlog already.

From family-owned and operated Studio MDHR, Cuphead has connected with millions of people around the world, many of whom normally wouldn’t touch a run-and-gun platformer with a ten-foot pole. 

Although its gameplay was inspired by classics like Mega Man and Contra, more gamers would probably be inclined to compare it to a Fleischer Studios cartoon, such as Betty Boop. Because Cuphead utilizes a hand-drawn art style likened to 1930s animation, it’s been universally praised for its gorgeous visuals. 

Beyond its appearances alone, however, Cuphead is a challenging and engaging series of 19 boss fights, with actual levels taking place sparingly in between them.

Most mainstream games are escapist power fantasies, where the player grows their capabilities until they dominate the game's universe - and then the game ends. Yet many indie games are dis-empowerment fantasies - like the IGF award winner and misery sim Cart Life.

Papers Please is similar to Cart Life - it's also an IGF winner with elements of misery about it - but it's better, being a smart, weird sim about the compromised life of a border guard under a totalitarian regime. It's ugly and desperate, but also innovative, uproariously funny and terribly smart.

Among the hardcore gamers of my acquaintance, Spelunky is the go-to drug. Even today, several years after its release, some of them still play it every day, despite having completed it many times over. That's because Spelunky, an ostensibly rogue-like platformer with a definite end, is tough, varied and highly randomized.

It also has more dark secrets than a presidential candidate, meaning there are many, many ways to finish it, and its daily challenges are a sure-fire way to public humiliation.

Humor is often something absent from games, mostly being restricted to slapstick comedy or crude one-liners. The Stanley Parable, by contrast, is hilarious without dumbing down. Players follow (or don't) a very English narrative voice who changes the world around you, depending on your decision.

No decision is punished, every play-through throws up new humor and weirdness. Being trapped in the closet in the Stanley Parable is more moving and funny than 9/10 other games.

• Further reading: Retro-me-do! Digitiser's Mr Biffo on his top PC games of all time

Owlboy took more than nine years to develop, but it was definitely worth the wait. Originally contrived for PCs and released in late 2016, the clever masterpiece of an indie game is now available to experience on Mac and Linux as well – and there’s even a Nintendo Switch version coming on February 13. Owlboy centers around a race of owl-human hybrid characters called Owls. Of them, you helm control of Otis, an Owl who is censured by his mentor for his inept flying abilities.

The story sees Otis’ village dismantled by pirates who clearly have conflict with the Owls. As a result, Otis has to work with an assortment of villagers in-game to take out enemies. Of course, when boss battles arise, you’ll need to manage allies accordingly, as each character comes with their own set of unique skill sets to use in conjunction with one another. If you’ve ever played and enjoyed a Kid Icarus game, this is one for the books. Otherwise, play it anyway.

Like The Stanley Parable, Gone Home falls into the unofficially deemed "walking simulator" genre. Unlike the simultaneously clever and philosophical Stanley Parable, however, Gone Home is less fixated on the lighter issues and more concerned with some of life's more difficult realities.

After getting home from a stay overseas, you play as 21-year-old Kaitlin Greenbriar who is greeted by a vacant residency. While gameplay in Gone Home is mainly limited to scavenging through notes to find out where the protagonist's family has ventured off to, the gripping story exhibits a rollercoaster of emotions, if you keep an open mind.

Only SpaceChem has mingled education with entertainment as successfully as The Kerbal Space Program. The game is simple - design and build spacecraft to take the cutesy Kerbals to the Mun and beyond.

Yet its focused use of real physics means that you'll find yourself following NASA in building multi-stage rockets, space stations and exploring the Kerbal's strange universe on EVAs, before bringing your discoveries back to research on the Kerbal planet - that's if you can get off the ground at all. It's a huge, complex, challenging and fun game, that's smart without being preachy.

The exact opposite of the Kerbal Space Program, The Binding of Isaac is an action roguelike par excellence. Matched only by the equally visceral Nuclear Throne for replayability, you play as a young boy attempting to kill his damned siblings, his Mom, and possibly the Devil, using only his tears. Which he shoots from his eyes, of course.

With hundreds of weird modifiers to discover, endlessly touch procedurally-generated levels, and secrets galore, Isaac is a very dark take on the exploratory model established by Spelunky.

Though you may be turned off by the pixel art graphics, Undertale isn't a game that could easily have run on the Nintendo Super NES. That's because, in Undertale, your personal decisions play a huge role in how the game ends, and moreover, how it continues in New Game Plus.

One of the first things you'll notice about Undertale is how much freedom the game gives you. Despite its cleverly integrated boss matches, you can play through the entire 9 or so hours of Undertale without executing a single kill. Plus, when you complete the game, you'll be pleased to discover that you can play through Undertale again, this time bearing the weight of your consequences from the previous run.

From developer Playdead, Inside is comparable to its predecessor, Limbo, in some ways but with an added layer of depth that inspires frequent wonder. This is mostly a result of the unspoken narrative, which revolves around yet another nameless boy. In Inside, however, the boy in the story is running away from a group of men who – if you fail to stay out of their sights – will try to mercilessly kill you.

Though it isn't quite clear why the boy is running from these men or why you should even care since you don't know who he is, Inside will leave you begging for answers. The bleak, lifeless setting of Inside is more than worth the price of admission. Its minimalist art style alone is avant-garde enough to feel right at home in a museum. Add in a game that's both fun to play and dripping with curiosity, though, and Inside is one of the best indie games money can buy.

Developed single-handedly by Eric Barone, Stardew Valley is undoubtedly a technical feat for that little facet alone. If you’ve ever played a Harvest Moon game, you’re already familiar with the premise of Stardew Valley – you may just not know it yet. Stardew Valley is an addictive farming simulator which sees you interact with townees to the point where you can literally marry them.

Stardew Valley isn’t just one thing; it’s a whole bunch of things at once. You can engage in crafting, fishing, cooking and even exploring procedurally-generated caves to mine for items and even take on monstrous enemies. However, do keep in mind your health and energy as you’ll need to make sure your character is in tip-top shape in order to avoid suffering from exhaustion. Lose health and you lose a considerable amount of money and items you’ve worked hard to attained. Stardew Valley will have you hooked for hours on end, for better or worse. (Better, definitely better.)

From Canadian game developer Alec Holowka, the creator of the award-winning Aquaria (also featured on this list) and independent artist/animator Scott Benson, Night in the Woods is an unconventional side-scrolling adventure game centering around a 20-year-old protagonist named Mae who drops out of college to move back in with her parents.

Featuring a story largely based around dialog choices and mini games that put a spin on mundane tasks, like carrying boxes up the stairs and eating perogies, Night in the Woods is a timeless coming-of-age tale. Not only will you experience middle class America through the eyes of a personified cat, but virtually every interaction in-game will have you laughing aloud. And now that it’s coming to the Nintendo Switch on February 1, you’ll be able to take it wherever you go.

Finally, the man responsible for the incredible orchestral arrangement in the hit PlayStation game Journey is back with Abzu, the first game ever from indie developer Giant Squid Studios. Founded by former thatgamecompany art director Matt Nava, Giant Squid had little to lose with its video game debut on both PC and PS4.

Abzu is described as a "stylized swimming simulator" that accurately depicts the relationship between ocean life and its interactions with humans. Like Journey, the game is told linearly with a silent protagonist. Abzu manages to hold its own, though, drawing influence from popular role-playing games with the ability to upgrade equipment.

Though newcomers may be offput by its clearly retro-inspired, twin-stick shoot ‘em up design, Nex Machina is a gem for fans of the classics. Featuring a play-style that’s heavily influenced by arcade cabinets Robotron (1982) and Smash TV (1990), Nex Machina will feel familiar to anyone versed in the products of games industry veteran Eugene Jarvis.

That’s because Jarvis served as a creative consultant on this project, whose creation was helmed primarily by Super Stardust and Resogun developer Housemarque. Similar to Jarvis’ previous works, Nex Machina is played from a top-down perspective, with players taking out waves of enemies in order to protect human allies. 

Introversions was one of the earliest 'indie' companies, releasing games like Uplink, Defcon and Darwinia whilst Vlambeer were still in short pants. After years of struggling, they've finally hit a huge success with Prison Architect, a game where you build, staff, outfit and manage a maximum security prison.

With smart prisoners who are willing to do anything to escape, you'll struggle to keep them all inside - or keep them from rioting - and turn a profit. It's still in alpha, but it's eminently playable right now..

While The Kerbal Space Program might actually take you (or at least those poor doomed Kerbals) to the moon, To The Moon is a game about wish fulfillment, and thrives on narrative. In terms of movies, Kerbal is Gravity and Isaac is Saw, To The Moon is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

You control two doctors who are exploring a dying man's memories to implant a false memory so he can die in peace. Which is all depicted in a classic 16-bit Zelda style. It's a rare, brave, adult game.

Dwarf Fortress is its own genre, its own industry. This is a game that, before you've even set foot in it, has to generate the entire geography, mythology and history of its massive world. Then it tracks every single one of the dwarfs you're managing down to the hairs on their legs and the particular horrible elephant murder that they witnessed and they're now carving on an ornamental chair.

Your task is to keep the dwarves alive as they carve out their subterranean kingdom - given that insanity, monsters, and starvation plague are thrown at them at every stage that's not easy. And dwarves, always, always mine too deep.

Run. Jump. Die. Repeat. That's the basic premise of Super Meat Boy, a fiendishly addictive 2D platformer that's also bloody hard, with an emphasis on bloody. Pints of the red stuff is spilled as the game's eponymous meaty hero leap over deadly drops, spinning blades and walking chainsaws in a bid to rescue his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the evil Dr Foetus. Obviously. Boasting tight controls, plenty of humor and color graphics, Super Meat Boy leapt onto the PS4 and Vita this year in style.

Limbo is a platformer with a difference. Five years after its initial release, the game's haunting storyline still affects us. You play The Boy, a child with glowing eyes who's cast into Limbo to find his sister. Making your way through a bleak and dangerous world full of hostile silhouettes, giant spiders and deadly gravitational fields, you'll need to think on your feet and time your movements to perfection to survive.

But Limbo is much more than a simple platformer: it's an experience, and one that has you pondering the very essence of life by the time it's over. Deep, profound and absorbing, it's one indie game everybody should take time out to play.

If you're yearning for a retro-styled multiplayer archery combat game (aren't we all?), TowerFall: Ascension is the pick of the lot. Fast, frenetic and teeth-gnashingly hard in hardcore mode, the game's mechanics are simple: fire arrows at enemies or jump on their heads to stay alive until the round ends.

Arrows that don't hit are embedded in walls, making for tense scenarios when you have to traverse the map while dodging enemies to retrieve them. As such, practicing until you achieve Robin Hood-esque levels of accuracy is recommended. Ascension is best experienced with friends in local multiplayer mode, which recalls Super Smash Bros' most manic moments.

Serving as a spiritual successor to a pair of staples in PC gaming history, namely Myst and Riven, Obduction carries on the legacy of traditional point-and-click adventure games focused on advanced puzzle-solving techniques. Unlike most modern adventure games, Obduction is the kind of game you'll have to take notes to complete, being hyperaware of everything in your surroundings to extract subtle hints from its environments.

Obduction has a gripping story that you'll have to exert a lot of brainpower to get through. It's not a game that'll hold your hand if you get stuck. Au contraire! Obduction isn't bottlenecked by the typical UI practices of conventional video games. No, you just have to go for it with no instruction at all, leaving it up to you to figure out how to get to the next point. Until you do, Obduction will mock you with its beautifully rendered HDR environments and Nvidia Ansel support.

Admittedly, exclusive indie games always wind up with the short end of the stick. That continues to ring true for Golf Story, an homage to Mario Golf on the Game Boy Color developed by Sidebar Games. As it’s a debut title for the Nintendo Switch, you might have overlooked Golf Story considering it came out on the same day as Stardew Valley, but here’s what you need to know.

You don’t have to obsess over the PGA Tour to get into Golf Story, as you’re likely better off appreciating it for its RPG elements. Substituting combat for an athletic sport, you begin your adventure as a kid who is mentored by his dad before realizing he isn’t very good at golfing, something you’ll have to overcome as you pursue professional golf.

After the raging success that was the original Nidhogg, it’s a shame to see the superior sequel get thrown under the bus. Nevertheless, in spite of its controversial art style, Nidhogg 2 packs a refined, gorgeous look that the first version, a cult-classic, couldn’t even think to compete with. In still frames, we can see how this could get misconstrued, but fortunately, it’s the fun and addictive local multiplayer gameplay that makes Nidhogg, well, Nidhogg. And it’s all there in Nidhogg 2. Plus, every time you respawn, you get one of four unique weapons that only bolster the challenge.

Esteemed indie designer Jon Blow's follow up to Braid may look like an entirely different adventure, being 3D and all, but the two are more thematically alike than you might think. The Witness, at its core, is another puzzle game that tells an interesting story through said puzzles.

This puzzler takes place in an almost equally impressionist – albeit heavily Myst-inspired – world, but it's story is far more nuanced and mysterious than Blow's previous. At almost every corner of this island that you've simply woken up on (or beneath), there is a clue as to how you got onto this island and why you're here.

A 2D action RPG based on the best 8- and 16-bit classics, Hyper Light Drifter was a big Kickstarter success. Now, we know that's because of its glorious pixel graphics and combat that's halfway between SuperGiant's seminal Bastion and an edgy Legend of Zelda revamp.

Despite appearances, it's a combat-focused game wherein you explore the unknown, ruined world of Buried Time, inspired by nightmares and dreams, where your Drifter is searching for the cure for a fatal disease that he or she is clearly suffering.

It’s weird to think that Oxenfree came out before the first season of Stranger Things, and yet, the two properties coincidentally have a lot in common. The 80s-inspired heavy synth music composed by scntfc, for one, accentuates some truly gripping sci-fi horror centering around – you guessed it – a group of teenagers stuck on an island.

The story involves a handful of uniquely written characters, namely the main character Alex, along with her stoner friend Ren, her newfound stepbrother Jonas, her dead brother Michael’s ex-girlfriend Clarissa and her best friend Nona (who Ren happens to be in love with).

The plot is explained through branching speech dialogue, similar to Life is Strange or modern-day Telltale games, and features five different endings depending on your choices.

Exploring a surreal wilderness seems like quite the trend these days in gaming, and developer Campo Santo's debut only serves to keep it going strong. Set in the wilderness of 1989 Wyoming, you're Henry, a fire lookout that's all alone in the woods after exploring something strange in the distance.

That is, save for your partner on the other line of a walkie-talkie: Delilah. She's your only point of contact as you explore the wilderness. Will you make it back alive? Will the decisions you make help or harm the relationship with your only lifeline to the outside world, your boss? Don't worry about those questions just yet – just look at those forestscapes!

Rust is one of the more successful indie titles of recent times. By the end of 2015 it had sold more than 3 million copies, which isn't too shabby considering it isn't even finished — the game has been on Steam's Early Access scheme since launching in December 2013.

Still, it seems people can't get enough of the Day Z-inspired survival sim. It sees you use your wits and bearings to survive its harsh open world, starting off with nothing but a rock. After gathering resources needed to build a house and weapons to fend off attackers (other online players, in other words), Rust gradually becomes more intense as you defend your growing base — or attempt to breach others'.

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/10-best-indie-games-top-indie-games-on-pc-and-consoles-1300583

Best RAM 2018: the top memory for your PC

If your PC is starting to run a little slow, and you’re looking for a quick and effective way to rejuvenate your PC’s performance, you might want to consider upgrading, replacing or installing more RAM. However, before you do, there are a few things you need to think about. Things like speed, capacity and whether you need to overclock your DIMM kit are all very essential factors in deciding what the best RAM for your PC is. 

The first thing you’ll notice, however, when you search for RAM on any online retailer is the jaw-dropping variety of different kits out there. It can be intimidating. Don’t worry though, we here at TechRadar are RAM experts, and we’ve created this list of all the best RAM you can buy in 2018.

Every DIMM kit on this list has been personally tested, used and ranked by us in-house, so you can be confident you’re getting the most bang for your buck. So, whether you’re looking for the fastest RAM on the block, or even if you’re just looking to add some more RAM to your laptop, you’ll find the best RAM on the market right here on this list.

Best RAM: Corsair Vengeance LED

Some of the best overall RAM on the market comes from Corsair. Their Vengeance series has something for everyone with its LED DDR4 offerings topping our list. On top of giving PC builders that extra touch of vibrancy lighting brings, the Corsair Vengeance LED series’ built-in heat spreaders maximize cooling for higher overclocking and maximum performance. Corsair’s Vengeance LED DDR4 series offers CL16 latency and 3,466 MHz speeds and color coordinated computing.

Best DDR4 RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series

When looking for high-speed, quality DDR4 for your rig, look no further than the G.Skill Ripjaws V Series. G.Skill has designed its flagship memory for reliability, low-voltage drain and easy XMP 2.0 overclocking for in-depth users.  With a CL14 to CL19 latency and speeds between 2,133MHz and 4,000MHz, it’s quick. While the Ripjaws V Series isn’t an RGB RAM set, it does come in five colors: Blazing Red, Steel Blue, Classic Black, Radiant Silver and Gunmetal Gray.

Best DDR3 RAM: Kingston HyperX Predator

Kingston’s high-performance HyperX has some of the best DDR3 RAM on the market and the Predator models is particularly tuned for  and extreme-performance that’s further expandable with XMP profiles. The Predator DDR3 series achieves CL9 to CL11 latencies and speeds between 1866MHz to 2666MHz.

• This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Kingston HyperX Fury 

Best Budget RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury 

The Kingston HyperX Fury is auto-overclocked memory that won’t empty your wallet. This smart DDR3 or DDR4 RAM auto-detects system components to overclock to the highest speeds possible, optimizing performance for all of Intel’s latest chipsets. It comes with latencies between CL14 and CL16, and has speeds between 2,133MHz and 2,666MHz. While it costs little, it can have a huge impact on the performance of your rig. 

Best High-end RAM: Corsair Dominator Platinum

Corsair’s Dominator Platinum is the best type of RAM for high-intensity tasks – and those who need chrome heat spreaders for maximum performance. Massive heatsinks and optional fans on your memory might seem absurd, but they’re absolutely necessary for C19 memory operating up to 4,000MHz. On the low-end, Corsair also offers a low-latency C14 version of the Dominator Platinum operating at 2,400MHz.

Best Gaming RAM: Team T-Force Night Hawk

When looking for the best possible specs for gaming, then look no further than the Team T-Force Night Hawk DDR4 RAM. It comes with CL15 or CL16 latencies, and between 2,666MHz and 3,200MHz frequencies so no matter which kit you get, it’ll run at peak performance. It’s also available in a full-spectrum RGB model for users who need personalization and gaming aura.

Best RGB RAM: G.Skill Trident Z RGB

G.Skill has given the Trident Z RGB series great performance and the ultimate lighting setup for personalization. The top of each memory stick features a full-spectrum rainbow wave light bar that you can use to match your RGB lighting across all your components. Trident Z RGB DDR4 RAM comes with CAS Latencies between 14 and 19, and between 2,400MHz and 4,266MHz. No matter what your style, the best full-spectrum RAM is definitely the G.Skill Trident Z RGB.

Best Low-Profile RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX

RAM in the LPX series of Corsair Vengeance memory is made for users who want the maximum performance with minimum size. This  low-profile RAM is essential for PC builds with massive CPU coolers. Despite being so short, they also feature an eight-layer heat spreader to cool while overclocking. And while it’s thin design doesn’t allow for LEDs, you can get it in three colors: black, red or blue. Corsair’s Vengeance LPX DDR4 series clocks in with CL12 to CL19 latencies and between 2,400MHz and 4,600MHz.

Best Mac RAM: G.Skill Mac RAM

Just like their dedication to laptop and desktop RAM, G.Skill has RAM upgrades for Macs, too. Adding more memory on the Apple Store is needlessly expensive, so going with a third-party kit can help you save a ton of money – assuming that your machine is one the last remaining MacBooks or iMacs that are still upgradable. These SO-DIMM have a CAS latency between 9 and 11 and have between 1,333MHz and 1,600MHz. The best bang for the buck seems to be the G.Skill DDR3-1333 for Mac.

Best Laptop RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport

Crucial is the go-to replacement RAM for laptop systems. They’ve designed their Crucial Ballistix Sport SODIMMs for efficient battery life in mind while still delivering good speeds for multi-tasking.  It’s perfect for those wanting a little more out of their laptop, and this memory will likely offers higher performance speeds than anything coming stock in your laptop., with a latency of CL16 and speeds between 2,300MHz and 2,666MHz.

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news http://www.techradar.com/news/best-ram

Best processors 2018: top CPUs for your PC

Back in 2017, when Intel’s Coffee Lake and AMD’s Ryzen CPUs made it out in the wild, the long-standing stagnation in the CPU world ceased overnight. Now, the longstanding competition between these two tech behemoths has been fully reignited, and Intel and AMD are at each other’s throats, competing for your interest. Thankfully, out of this competition, the best processors that have ever existed were born, and there’s never been a better time to upgrade to one of the best chips on the market.

Now that it’s 2018, and AMD is already moving to release the follow-up to its extremely popular Ryzen CPUs, it’s an exciting time for anyone who is interested in PC technology, and a great time to buy one of the best processors. However, one thing that might give you pause is that the CPU market is extremely volatile, especially regarding pricing and availability. This can be a little intimidating to anyone who doesn’t know what the best processors are, but luckily we’re here to help. We’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on a vast number of CPUs over the last year or so, and we’ve ranked the best processors we’ve seen right here on this list. 

In 2018, there is a chance for everyone to get their hands on one of the best processors – regardless of budget. Both AMD and Intel are offering a wide range of CPUs in every shape and size. Even if you can’t get your hands on one of the newest CPUs on the market, there are still plenty of great Kaby Lake processors that are more than worth it. So, no matter what you’re looking to do – whether you’re a bleeding-edge enthusiast or someone who just wants something that works – this competition and innovation means everyone’s a winner.

Trust us, we get it. You pull up Amazon or Newegg, looking for the best processor for gaming, and immediately you’re flooded with a wave of confusing model numbers. This confusion is natural and is an unfortunate side effect of the booming CPU market. Fortunately, TechRadar has your back – we’ve created this list of the best processors available in 2018. Every single chip on this list was tested and reviewed by us, so you can be confident that they’ll be worth your time and money. So, sit back, relax and get ready to realize PC performance you’ve previously only dreamed of.

During the Coffee Lake-S launch, Intel claimed that it’d be giving us its best gaming processor ever; they weren’t wrong. This ’K’ series chip decimates AMD’s flagship in almost every way possible. Abandoning the company’s invisible rule to keep processors sporting over four cores out of the hands of the mainstream, the i7-8700K makes hexa-core the new vogue. 

Read our full review: Intel Core i7-8700K

When AMD released its Zen architecture-based Ryzen chips back in June, they relied on the promise of a price-to-performance ratio that finally knock Intel off of their untouchable throne. Simultaneously, however, they fell quite short of Intel in terms of raw horsepower. That all changed overnight with the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, a chunk of silicon that’s not only a better value than Intel’s Core i9-7900X, but it’s also easier to anchor into the socket of any x399 motherboard. 

Read the full review: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that with its mid-range chip, AMD offers more cores for less money when compared to Intel. While in year’s past this has equated to making compromises in other areas to keep the costs low, the Ryzen 5 1600X remains economical without being shown up. After all, operating with six cores and 12 threads, there’s no shame in a 3.6GHz base frequency, not to mention the 4.0GHz boost in addition to overclocking capabilities. 

Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 1600X

Many people will assume that because it requires discrete GPU to use, the AMD Ryzen 3 1300X is built solely for gaming. Once you drop your assumptions, though, you’ll see it as the little processor that could. That’s because, at a price that’s the definition of reasonable, you’re getting a chip that’s 53% faster at encoding video than the Intel Core i3-7350K in Handbrake and – with the right GPU attached – can easily help you attain 60 frames per second in Overwatch. 

Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 3 1300X

Like the 7700K that preceded it on this list, the Intel Core i5-7600K is an unlocked, overclockable quad-core processor from Intel. However, it also suffers from the same integral shortcoming; that is that it’s barely an upgrade over the i5-6600K. Be that as it may, squeezing out only 300MHz over its precursor brings it nearly in line with the last-gen Core i7-6700K when overclocked. All the while, it won’t put too much of a dent in your budget either.

The primary contender to Intel’s Core i7-7700K, the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X poses a convincing threat to Intel’s flagship. While it’s unfortunately more expensive than the 7700K, uncharacteristic for the oft value-focused Red Team, the Ryzen 7 1800X most certainly keeps up with some of Intel’s older chips. Plus, unlike the Core i7-5960X and -6700K it most intimately rivals, the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X is much more qualified for VR now and into the future.

Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 7 1800X

The naming convention is confusing, given that the Intel Core i7-7820X is part of Intel’s “Skylake-X” series rather than the X-class chips built on the 14nm Kaby Lake node, but semantics matter very little when you get to go hands-on with an Intel CPU boasting this many cores. Although the fact that you’ll need a new motherboard to use this octa-core monster might be enough to scare some users off to Ryzen, Intel loyalists shan’t mind the upgrade. 

Intel's 18-core processor is all about brute force. With the ability to kick up all of its cores to 4.8GHz (by our testing at least), this monstrous CPU brings performance to a new level of insanity. The only caveats are this processor power draw and price are equally beastly.

Read the full review: Intel Core i9-7980XE

With the amount of money you’ll save by purchasing the Intel Pentium G4560 over a Core i3 chip, we promise you won’t mind the ever-so-slight loss in performance you can expect from this hardy value chip. As the first Pentium processor in quite some time to feature hyper-threading, the G4560 goes out of its way to show us all what we’ve been missing. And, in benchmarks, it proves itself eerily adjacent to the more expensive Intel Core i3-7100.

Maybe you’ve probably heard some bad things about the AMD A12-9800, some of which are justified, but some salty impressions we’ve seen are just based on how AMD’s first AM4-compatible APUs aren’t Zen-based. Instead, the A12-9800 takes advantage of the Bristol Ridge architecture, which is basically just a refresh of the Bulldozer family AMD has been slowly iterating on since 2011. Even so, this is the best way single AMD chip build independent of a discrete GPU – for now.

• Ready to up the ante on your display? The best monitor is here

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news http://www.techradar.com/news/best-processors

Best gaming mouse pads 2018: the best mouse mats for gamers

Just a few years ago, the best gaming mouse pads weren’t all that different than the mainstream  mouse pad. Just get a piece of foam, cover it in some fabric, preferably low-friction, and call it a day. However, today, the best gaming mouse pads have evolved more than anyone would have guessed 10 years ago. These MLG tablecloths are more advanced than ever, and feature new innovations and technologies that will blow your mind. Sure, they all follow the same general design, but there are some that have gone as far as including wireless charging tech, so that you never have to scavenge through your apartment for a charging cable again.

You don’t need us to tell you that mouse pads are important, everybody knows that, but if you’re already using one of the best gaming mice, why wouldn’t you use one of the best mouse pads for gaming?

However, no matter how awesome the best gaming mouse pads are, there’s no getting around the fact that the market is absolutely filled with myriad brand names and knockoffs. Luckily, we here at TechRadar have your back. So, whether you’re an extremely competitive Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player, or you just want to sit back, relax and enjoy your favorite RPG without having to constantly re-adjust your mouse – you’re sure to find something you’ll love in this list.

The Corsair MM600 isn’t interested in distracting you with brightly colored lights like the MM800. Instead, it offers a great deal more versatility than its higher priced sibling. This double sided mouse pad stays secure in place with rubber stoppers on each corner so that your mouse moves – not your mouse pad. The MM600 is also made of aluminum, and features a low-friction surface that will boost your response times in-game. 

Existing solely as a budget mousepad, the SteelSeries QcK does exactly what you want out of a mousepad and nothing more. The QcK’s surface material has a high thread count for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth glide. At the same time, its rubber base helps prevent it from sliding around your desk while you’re gaming. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and there’s even a higher end version with RGB lighting – the SteelSeries QcK Prism. 

This mouse pad might look simple, but that doesn’t mean that the Cooler Master Make It Yours Mouse Pad won’t be perfect for all of your gaming needs. It’s got a low friction cloth surface for near-frictionless mouse movement. And rather than having all that flashy built-in lighting, it comes in a neutral gray color to blend with any setup you might have. And while it doesn’t have much in the way of thickness, it’s wide enough to move around comfortably without having to move your mouse all the time. 

• This product is only available in the UK as of this writing. US and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the SteelSeries QcK.

RGB lighting is cool and all, but some gamers prefer having a seamless, unobtrusive desk surface. The ultra-thin – less than half a millimeter in height – Razer Sphex v2 is the mouse pad for such a gamer. Despite its thinness, the  polycarbonate surface is durable and optimized for laser or optical mouse gaming mouse control. We’ve picked out the regular size, but it also comes in a Small size variant. 

The top of the Hiro+ is covered in a vulcanized silicone surface with a 3D structure to help increase your  gaming accuracy and speed. The base has a non-slip surface for steady mouse control, and the edges have been rounded for a smoother profile. Its surface is also coated to protect from water and grime, and makes for easy cleaning.

Is it a charging pad or a mouse pad? The Logitech G PowerPlay gaming mouse pad is both. Similar to wireless smartphone chargers, the PowerPlay creates an electromagnetic resonance over the surface of the mat allowing compatible mice to charge even while in use. As if that wasn’t enough technology, this mouse pad has an integrated wireless receiver with an one-millisecond report rate, automatic frequency interference avoidance system and end-to-end signal optimization, making it perfect for professional gamers.

The Razer Firefly RBG gaming mouse pad has been eSports tested to ensure gamer success. It boasts a micro-textured surface, focusing on precise controls for gamers. Razer even lab-tested the Firefly RGB’s coating to ensure it has the right reflectiveness for a quicker response rate. The Razer Firefly RGB also uses Chroma Lighting, with more than 16.8 million colors to personalize gaming experiences. 

The Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris isn’t just a mouthful, it’s a nifty gaming mouse pad, too. It uses a low-friction finish for quick and precise tracking across its surface. The MM800 RGB Polaris uses the CUE2 interface to sync its  lighting with your other peripherals and PC through RGB share. It’s also available in two top materials: Cloth and a micro-texture surface. 

The Scabbard is less mouse pad and more ‘gear pad’. The Asus Republic of Gaming (ROG) Scabbard pad can hold the laptop or keyboard and mouse. It has a non-slip ROG-red rubber base and low-friction Sheath woven surface for gaming control. They’ve even temperature tested the ROG Scabbard down to -30°C – but why you’d game in sub-zero conditions is unimaginable.  

•  This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris 

Unlike all the other soft pads and plastic surfaces in this article, the  MSI Thunderstorm gaming mouse pad is made of pure metal. To be specific, this mouse mat is made of  an anodized, hairline-surfaced aluminum piece with rubber stoppers. The hairline textured surface is optimized for mouse control and speed, while its L-shape allows it to be situated close to the keyboard. Flip it over for a micro-textured surface and the comfort of cloth. 

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news http://www.techradar.com/news/best-mouse-pads-for-gaming-2017

The best phone of 2018: 15 top smartphones tested and ranked

Thinking of buying a new phone? We've got the best smartphones of the moment listed here – with the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus handsets duking it out with the iPhones for the top spot. Click the dropdown above to see the full list!

We've spent hours whittling the contenders down to a top 15, and we take into account the power, specs, design and, most importantly, value for money of each handset.

Let's get straight into it the list - our top phone right now is the Samsung Galaxy S8, but have a browse through our list to see which suits you best.

Before you do that, watch the video below for our thoughts on the top 5 smartphones 

• Check out the best cheap mobile phone deals
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• Already know your favourite operating system? Then check out our best iPhone or best Android phone round-ups to see which is for you!
• Not fussed with what's here, but not sure how long to wait for the next big hitters? We're already looking ahead to the Samsung Galaxy S9 release date and have all the information you could want on that phone.
• Find a good deal with TechRadar: mobile phone deals

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is the best phone in the world for a few reasons, but none more so than the display: it makes every other handset on the market look positively antiquated.

The camera is of the excellent quality we've come to expect from Samsung, the screen quality is the best that can be found right now, and it's smashed through all our benchmarking tests. 

While it cost a lot when it was released earlier in 2017, the price has dropped a fair bit since – so the premium specs now look even better value for money, and with the screen Samsung has managed to deliver some impressive innovation at a time when there's very little to be found in smartphones.

The placement of the fingerprint scanner still irks – it could have been much better located – and the facial / iris recognition on the S8 pales in comparison to Apple's Face ID.

But as a smartphone package, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is by far the most complete on the market – you won't regret your choice if you pick up this phone.

How good is the camera?

• Read our full, in-depth Samsung Galaxy S8 review 

Also consider: Fancy even more screen? Then you'll want to check out the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus with its gigantic 6.2-inch offering. It offers the same bezel-less Infinity display design, and exactly the same internals too – it is even more expensive though.

Jump to phones

• 1. Samsung Galaxy S8
• 2. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus
• 3. Google Pixel 2
• 4. iPhone X
• 5. Huawei Mate 10 Pro
• 6. Samsung Galaxy Note 8
• 7. LG V30
• 8. LG G6
• 9. iPhone 8 Plus
• 10. OnePlus 5T
• 11. Google Pixel 2 XL
• 12. Sony Xperia XZ Premium
• 13. HTC U11
• 14. iPhone 8
• 15. Honor 9
• New phones 2018: what handsets are coming up next year?

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is our runner-up to its smaller sibling because it combines so much into one package. 

The main thing that impresses us is the screen: the fact that there's just so much of it, and the way it reaches around the sides of the handset. You can see why it's been dubbed an Infinity Display by Samsung.

The camera, screen, power and battery life combination here is just excellent, and the only reason it's not in the top spot is because it costs more to own the S8 Plus on contract or SIM-free than the Samsung Galaxy S8.

But if you're after the out-and-out best Android phone on the market, you won't be far off if you pick up the Galaxy S8 Plus.

How good is the camera?

• Read our in-depth Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus review

Also consider: If the Galaxy S8 Plus is a little too big for your hands, the more compact Galaxy S8 could be right up your street. It still sports the impressive Infinity Display, while its 5.8-inch screen is still sizeable without being overbearing.

You want Android the way Google intended, in a form factor that can be easily used one-handed? The Pixel 2 sits nicely in the palm, and its 5-inch screen can be easily manipulated with a thumb.

The design may not set hearts racing, but the seriously impressive 12MP rear camera, which boasts a surprisingly solid portrait mode, certainly will. You’ll also be first in line for future Android iterations, ensuring that your phone is always up to date.

The dual front-facing speakers are great for firing audio directly at you, while a Snapdragon 835 chipset and 4GB of RAM keep everything running smoothly – and its water-resistant body means the Pixel 2 will even survive a dip in the bath.

How good is the camera?

• Read our in-depth Google Pixel 2 review

Also consider: If you're not going to go for the Google Pixel 2, how about the OnePlus 5T? It's a bit of a left-field choice, but it has stock Android, and is a darn sight cheaper too.

The iPhone X is the most impressive handset Apple has ever made. Ever. 

You could argue that the iPhone 4 or iPhone 6 should have that tag, but the X (that's 'X' as in '10') represents something that most iPhone buyers want: a new design, after years and years of the same thing being released.

You know already that this is an expensive phone, but Apple has done all it can to justify that cost. It's got an amazing, well-tuned screen, and a strong camera bolted on the back.

The lack of bezel around the device is a massive departure for the brand, and losing the home button has lead to a redesign of iOS 11 – you might struggle to transition for a day or two if you go for this phone, but trust us, it'll become second nature in no time.

This is the phone to buy if you want to treat yourself to a high-end phone – a little extra per month for something you really enjoy taking out of your bag or pocket is worth it if you can afford it.

How good is the camera?

• Read our in-depth iPhone X review

Also consider: If you're in the market for an iPhone but don't want to fork out the cost of the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 Plus is the handset to go for thanks to many similar features. Actually, if you wanted to be really thrifty you could get away with the iPhone 7 Plus, but the updates won't last as long for that device.

The Huawei Mate 10 Pro is the phone to go for if you want great battery life –
the phone for someone who wants something a little different, and needs a handset that can easily last a day, and then some, on a single charge.

The biggest talking point of the Huawei Mate 10 Pro is, as you've guessed, its battery.

It’s big at 4,000mAh, and it translates to impressive performance, with the possibility of stretching usage to two days from a single charge if you switch it off overnight.

On the rear, the dual camera setup is a solid point-and-shoot option, but it really excels if you dive into manual mode; if you're a camera enthusiast who's willing to spend time fine-tuning, you can get some great shots from the Mate 10 Pro.

How good is the camera?

• Read our in-depth Huawei Mate 10 Pro review

Also consider: The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is probably the closest rival to the Mate 10 Pro, also coming with a great manual camera mode, large and clear screen and phablet-sized, bezel-less proportions. However, it's more expensive and has a shorter battery life.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is an incredibly impressive phablet that's perfect for anyone who wants a productive, powerful device.

It's got one of the best displays, one of the top cameras, and an excellent mix of speed and performance under the finger, while the S Pen is a real differentiator in a sea of similar phones.

It's an expensive phone too – only just behind the iPhone X in terms of out-and-out cost. But it's a better choice than the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus – its nearest competitor in terms of overall size and quality – if you want to be able to jot things down in an instant and take beautiful bokeh photos, as well as splash the phone in water.

How good is the camera?

• Read our in-depth Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

Also consider: The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, with similar dimensions, a lower cost and longer-lasting battery is where we'd point you. It only has one camera sensor and the S Pen is absent, but many people could happily live with that.

If you're looking for a powerful phone that packs everything that's good about the Android world, look no further than the LG V30.

The LG G6 is a fine device, but the V30 is the sleek, refined and powerful version of that phone. It's got the most powerful processor around, a great camera and delivers one of the best sonic performances from a phone on the market right now, thanks to the dedicated Quad DAC inside.

This means the LG V30 is a great phone to pick up if you value great-sounding tunes, and want a well-made phone into the bargain. Yes, the price is high, but the combination of features justifies that to a compelling degree.

If you're after a phone that's not from the 'Big Two', we'd recommend this one as a close second to the Google Pixel.

How good is the camera?

• Click here to read our in-depth LG V30 review

Also consider: The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a similar device in terms of both power and cost, while you get a slightly better camera and the use of the S Pen; however the V30 probably just edges it for audio performance.

The LG G6 wasn't the most impressive phone when it landed, but it's been subject to a couple of healthy price cuts since its arrival in the first half of 2017, which now means you can pick up a top-notch, high-end phone for less.

The larger, 5.7-inch display packs a QHD resolution resulting in great visuals, while under the hood there’s a decent slug of power with a Snapdragon 821 and 4GB of RAM.

On the rear the G6 offers a pair of cameras, with one featuring a wide-angle lens allowing you to squeeze more people or scenery into your shots. It’s easy to switch between the two lenses, and the versatility it provides comes in useful more often than you might think.

How good is the camera?

• Click here to read our in-depth LG G6 review

Also consider: The main issue we have with the LG G6 is that it's not powerful enough (although that means it's a bit cheaper). If that's a deal-breaker for you, go for the LG V30 – it's the 'grown-up' version of the G6, with a lot of the same design and feature options, and as such comes in higher on our list.

The iPhone 8 Plus is the best 'regular' iPhone available right now – the iPhone X is the more impressive device overall, but the 8 Plus is a little more affordable.

The 8 Plus does use the same design as previous handsets, with the removed headphone jack, bezelled front and longer design in keeping with the traditional iPhone shape. 

Whether that's a good thing or not depends on how much you want the new X, but you're still getting a brilliant phone here.

Wireless charging is hardly a new technology, but its presence on the iPhone 8 Plus is a real boon, and the improved screen technology makes using this handset a nice experience.

The camera is an improvement over the snapper on the iPhone 7 Plus, while the improvement in power makes usage even slicker and battery life is better than that of previous iPhones.

How good is the camera?

• Read our in-depth iPhone 8 Plus review

Also consider: The standard iPhone 8 is very good too, and with a more manageable form factor and lower price point it's the phone that's likely to appeal to a wider audience – but if you're looking for Apple perfection and have a slightly bigger budget, it has to be the 8 Plus.

If it's an affordable flagship you're after, look no further. The OnePlus 5T offers facial recognition, a 6-inch 18:9 display, dual rear cameras, a premium metal body and the latest power under the hood, all for a price that comfortably undercuts Apple, Samsung and friends.

To achieve the lower price point some corners have been cut, but the cuts aren't as severe as you might think. There's no QHD resolution display, stereo speakers, expandable storage or standout camera, but what you do get is a highly capable Android smartphone that, more often than not, outperforms its price bracket.

The Honor 9 is cheap, but has fewer features, and while the Samsung Galaxy S8 and iPhone X may offer the ultimate smartphone experience, they have price tags which many will be unable to afford.

If you're willing to put up with a few small compromises then you could argue the OnePlus 5T could be even further up this list. One thing is for sure though: in terms of value for money it won't disappoint.

How good is the camera?

• Read our in-depth OnePlus 5T review

Also consider: The Honor 9 is the other cheaper flagship model in this best phones list, combining a lower price with high-end specs. Both it and the OnePlus 5T make compromises here and there, but overall they're excellent value for what's on offer.

A big-screen, pure Android experience and an incredible camera are the cornerstones of the Android smartphone fan's wish list.

The Pixel XL 2 has an expansive 6-inch display that's decent for gaming and video playback (although a few issues have surfaced around its viewing angles), and it boasts an improved design over the smaller Pixel 2, with slimmer bezels housing its dual front-facing speakers.

There’s plenty of power under the hood, where the latest Snapdragon 835 chip is coupled with 4GB of RAM, but it’s round the back, with the 12MP camera, where the Pixel 2 XL really shines. 

Photos look fantastic, and they'll please both casual and more serious snappers alike.

How good is the camera?

• Read our full Google Pixel 2 XL review

Also consider: The obvious alternative here is the Google Pixel 2 – everything you get with the 2 XL you get with the 2, except the higher price. Note though that the Pixel 2 is a smaller phone, although it doesn't have the same viewing angle issues.

We thought the days of the 4K phone were over – but Sony's back, and has reinvigorated the technology by cramming in HDR compatibility, which really makes videos look stunning.

Sure, there isn't masses of mobile HDR content out there at the moment, but the screen tech makes even the most mundane image look brighter and more colourful, and the rest of the phone is impressively powerful.

The camera is capable of taking exceptional pictures, the slow motion capabilities are insanely great in the right light, and the raw grunt of the handset is up there with the very best. If you're a Sony fan, you'll love this phone.

How good is the camera?

•  Read the full review: Sony Xperia XZ Premium 

Also consider: The easiest comparison here is with the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus: they're both impressive phablets with excellent HDR screens, so it really depends which brand you're most attracted to.

You might think HTC is something of a forgotten brand – and, to a degree, you'd be right. But if you discount HTC you'll be missing out on its latest flagship, which offers exceptional performance in a couple of areas.

The HTC U11 features an eye-catching design, programmable, squeezable sides and great audio performance – and if you’re a fan of Iron Man then you have to check it out in Solar Red, which is seriously beautiful.

The U11 was the first smartphone to introduce squeezable sides, and while the feature has since appeared in the two new Pixel handsets (and to better effect), the U11 remains the only phone on which you can set the action to launch something other than Google Assistant.

Plug in the bundled pair of headphones, meanwhile, and prepare yourself for a seriously impressive sonic experience, with the HTC U11 kicking out audio at a fantastic level. 

It’s not quite the all-round package that some of the phones here offer (hence its lower position), but the reduced price makes it a more attractive proposition.

How good is the camera?

• Read our in-depth HTC U11 review

Also consider: It's hard to know what to recommend here, as there's nothing that really compares on the market right now. However, for the price you'd probably look at the Galaxy S8 or the LG G6 as something a bit different.

The key selling point for the iPhone 8 is that it's a smaller iPhone – you'll want it if you're looking for something a bit cheaper, and more compact.

If you want a new iPhone, and can't afford / don't want the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 is a good choice for a number of reasons. 

It offers much of the same functionality as the iPhone 8 Plus, including the same design, Touch ID home button, new A11 Bionic chipset and the freshest iOS 11 software.

Its screen may not be as sharp, and it may only have a single camera on the rear, but the iPhone 8 still delivers excellent performance in both these areas – and crucially its size makes for an easier in-palm experience.

The reason it's so far down this list is because the iPhone X and 8 Plus are so good. Its main shortcomings are that because it's cheaper and smaller than the other two new iPhones, battery life suffers and it lacks the dual camera sensor.

How good is the camera?

• Read our in-depth iPhone 8 review

Also consider: The obvious alternative here is the iPhone 8 Plus, but we'd say that if money is no object (and that's a big 'if') you'll enjoy the iPhone X a lot more, thanks to the smaller in-hand feel and massive upgrades.

The Honor 9 is something of a rarity – a phone that excels in many places and offers many flagship specs, but which doesn't cost a huge amount.

There's a Full HD 5.1-inch screen which is bright and sharp, the same processor we’ve seen inside the Huawei P10 paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and Android Nougat software.

The Honor 9 also comes with a similar camera setup to the P10, with a dual-sensor 20MP and 12MP combination that takes two photos simultaneously and combines them. If you’re looking for superb performance, a fantastic design, a low price and lots of the little flourishes that make a top phone, the Honor 9 may be for you.

How good is the camera?

• Read our in-depth Honor 9 review

Also consider: If you're not sold on the Honor 9, then the OnePlus 5T is your next-best bet. Higher up in this list, and packing comparable specs for not much more money, it's a nice choice for anyone wanting flagship performance at a low price.

New phones for 2018

So those are our pick of the best phones you can get right now, but to conclude we're going to highlight some upcoming handsets that may well get added to this list when they launch.

Below you'll find the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and iPhone 9, among many others, along with the hottest rumors we have for each of them, as well as expected prices and release dates.

To find out more about any of these handsets just click the link at the bottom of each entry to be taken to our main news and rumors page for them.

Samsung Galaxy S9

• Expected release date: March 2018
• Expected price: At least £689

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is likely to be the highest profile Android handset of 2018, and it will launch on February 25 at MWC 2018 in Barcelona. 

It means we're just mere weeks away from Samsung's next flagship installment, which we expect to hit stores in March.

Rumors point to the phone having a 3D face scanner like the iPhone X, plus an upgraded chipset with support for faster download speeds, a camera that can shoot at 1,000 frames per second, and a larger battery than the 3,000mAh one in the Samsung Galaxy S8.

We’re also expecting so see a larger Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus land alongside the phone.

Less likely possibilities include a fingerprint scanner built into the screen, a modular design, and the ability for the screen to repel water.

• Read all the Samsung Galaxy S9 news and rumors

iPhone XI & iPhone 9

• Expected release date: September 2018
• Expected price: Upwards of £699

We're not sure what Apple's naming convention will be for the next generation of iPhone, or how many models there will be, but it’s possible that we’ll see an iPhone 9, iPhone 9 Plus and iPhone X2 (or iPhone XI).

Early rumors include the possibility that all models of the phone will have an OLED screen, slender bezels and a Face ID scanner, just like the iPhone X.

That likely also means that they'd ditch the fingerprint scanner and bezels found on the iPhone 8 for an all-screen front. What we do know however, is you'll have to wait until September to find out what Apple has in store for 2018.

• Read all the iPhone 9 and iPhone XI news, rumors and what we want to see

LG G7

• Expected release date: Spring 2018 
• Expected price: Probably at least £570

We don't know too much about the LG G7 yet, but LG has switched from LCD to OLED for the LG V30 and there's a high chance the LG G7 will also therefore use OLED, which could mean a more vibrant display than the LG G6 has.

Elsewhere, we've heard that the LG G7 will probably use a Snapdragon 845 chipset, which is expected to be the main flagship chipset of 2018.

In that sense its inclusion wouldn't be surprising, but the LG G6 used the Snapdragon 821, while many rivals used the Snapdragon 835, so if LG does use the 845 for the G7 it should be on a more equal power footing with rivals for its main 2018 flagship than it was with its 2017 one.

But the biggest thing we're starting to believe about the LG G7 is that it won't be called the G7 at all - it seems LG is moving away from that naming strategy.

• Read all the LG G7 news and rumors

Google Pixel 3

• Expected release date: October 2018
• Expected price: Likely upwards of £629

There might be three Pixel 3 handsets, with a Pixel 3, a Pixel 3 XL and an even more premium one at the top-end being launched according to one source.

We’ve also heard that the three phones are codenamed “crosshatch”, “albacore” and “blueline”, but exactly what their specs and features will be remains to be seen.

• Read all the Google Pixel 3 news and rumors

HTC U12

• Expected release date: Mid-2018
• Expected price: Probably around £650

The only real rumor about the HTC U12 is that it could have a dual-lens camera, as HTC has revealed that it plans to build a dual-lens phone.

Everything else is just guesswork for now, but there’s a good chance the HTC U12 will have a Snapdragon 845 chipset, squeezy Edge Sense-powered sides and a similar design to the HTC U11 and HTC U11 Plus.

• Read all the HTC U12 news and rumors

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• Expected release date: August / September 2018
• Expected price: Probably at least £869

Rumors suggest that the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 could have a fingerprint scanner built into the screen, which is a feature both Samsung and Apple have been rumored to be working on for a long time.

That would mean the phone could have an all-screen front without relegating the scanner to the back.

There’s also a very, very small chance that the Galaxy Note 9 will have a folding screen. This is something Samsung’s been rumored to be working on for even longer, and it looks like the company could finally be close to launching such a phone, but we wouldn’t count on seeing the tech trialed on something as high profile as the Note 9.

• Read all the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 news and rumors

Sony Xperia XZ2

• Expected release date: September 2018
• Expected price: At least £599

So far we've only really heard one Xperia XZ2 rumor, but it's a big one: the design of the phone might be completely changed.

Sony has stuck with largely the same smartphone design for most of its handsets for years now, so a redesign is long overdue.

That aside, expect typically high-end specs, though possibly just a 1080p screen, since other than the Xperia XZ Premium and Xperia Z5 Premium Sony has also seemed reluctant to up the resolution of its phones.

We may actually see the Xperia XZ2 Premium first though, with the latest rumors pointing towards a MWC 2018 appearance for the third generation, 4K-display smartphone.

• Read all the Sony Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Premium news and rumors

Huawei P20

• Expected release date: March 2018
• Expected price: Upwards of £569.99,

Originally though to be called the Huawei P11, the Huawei P20 was set to arrive at the same time as the Galaxy S9 during MWC 2018 - although that now looks in some doubt.

The octa-core Kirin 970 chipset found in the Huawei Mate 10 will likely be used, and we've also heard that the Huawei P11 could have 8GB of RAM and a 4K screen, though we’re skeptical of this, as it would be a huge jump from the Huawei P10.

Whatever else though, it's likely to be a stylish, metal-clad and relatively affordable flagship.

• Read all the Huawei P20 news and rumors

OnePlus 6

• Expected release date: June 2018
• Expected price: Over £449 

The OnePlus 6 is the company's next numbered handset, and it probably won't arrive before mid-2018.

Currently there aren't many OnePlus 6 rumors, but it's likely to have many of the same specs and features as the OnePlus 5T, which itself is rumored to have a 20MP dual-lens camera and a 6-inch 18:9 screen.

We also suspect the OnePlus 6 will use the Snapdragon 845, and it's unlikely to have more than the 8GB of RAM you can already get in the OnePlus 5.

• Read all the OnePlus 6 news and rumors

Nokia 9

• Expected release date: Late 2017 or early 2018
• Expected price: Around £640

The Nokia 9’s release date is unknown, but we’re expecting to see it sooner rather than later, and when we do it could have a 5.5-inch QHD curved OLED screen, a water-resistant all-metal shell, a dual-lens 22MP Carl Zeiss camera and a 3,800mAh battery.

If those specs prove accurate then the Nokia 9 could truly compete with the best flagships around, though one slightly less promising spec rumor points to it having a Snapdragon 835 chipset.

That’s a flagship chip, but it’s one that’s been around for most of 2017. If the phone launches before the end of the year then that might still be the best option available, but if it slips into 2018 then hopefully it will use the Snapdragon 845 or equivalent.

• Read all the Nokia 9 news and rumors

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news http://www.techradar.com/news/best-phone