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  • Acer Spin 5 Review: Solid 2-in-1 With an OLED Omission

    Acer Spin 5 Review: Solid 2-in-1 With an OLED Omission

    The Acer Spin 5 is a lightweight, all-aluminum, two-in-one laptop with a high-resolution, 14-inch display powered by speedy 12th-gen Intel silicon.

    Its plain looks, however, are closer to that of the midrange Lenovo Yoga 7i than premium laptop-tablet hybrids like the Lenovo Yoga 9i, Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 or HP Spectre x360 14. These competing models look sleeker with design flourishes like rounded edges and corners for added comfort and style.

    With a price that’s on par with these premium competitors, the Spin 5 begins to lose its appeal. And it has less to do with its staid design and more with a missing feature. While the Spin 5’s 14-inch, 16:10 display is crisp and bright, it’s an ordinary IPS panel rather than an OLED panel that would offer greater contrast and color accuracy.

    In 2023, it’s difficult to recommend a $1,350 laptop that lacks an OLED display when OLED models cost only a smidgen more. It’s otherwise a solid commute-friendly two-in-one that even comes with an active pen that stores and charges in the body. You might want to wait for a sale, though.

    7.8

    Acer Spin 5

    You’re receiving price alerts for Acer Spin 5

    Like

    • Strong overall performance
    • 1080p webcam
    • Comfortable keyboard
    • Active pen included

    Don’t Like

    • IPS display can’t compete with OLED
    • Ordinary appearance
    • So-so battery life

    Acer sells one configuration of the Spin 5 (model SP514-51N-70LZ). It costs $1,350 at Acer and features a 12th-gen Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and a 14-inch, 16:10 display with a 2,560×1,600-pixel resolution. In the UK, the Acer Spin 5 costs 1,400. It’s not currently available in Australia.

    You may also see some previous-generation Spin 5 models based on AMD and 11th-gen Intel processors. They’re easy to spot because they feature a 13.5-inch display with a taller 3:2 aspect ratio.

    With its Core i7-1260P CPU, 16GB of RAM and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, our Spin 5 review system is at or near the top of our benchmarks among a group of similarly priced two-in-ones, with one not insignificant exception. It and the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 feature a CPU from Intel’s 12th-gen P series, which is more performance-oriented than Intel’s U-series chips found in some of the other models you’ll see in the performance charts. The Spin 5 and Samsung along with the AMD-based HP Envy x360 were the best overall performers. The script flips for the Spin 5, however, with battery life. It lasted 9 hours and 39 minutes on our battery drain test, which was an hour shorter than the next closest system.

    Acer Spin 5 SP514-51N

    Price as reviewed $1,350
    Display size/resolution 14-inch, 2,560×1,600 touch display
    CPU 2.1GHz Intel Core i7-1260P
    Memory 16GB DDR5 6,400MHz RAM
    Graphics 128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Storage 1TB, PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Networking Wi-Fi 6E 2×2 AX, Bluetooth 5.1
    Operating system Windows 11 Home 21H2

    Beige and boring but well built

    The chief attraction of the Spin 5’s design is its sturdiness. The color of the aluminum is what Acer calls Concrete Gray. It looks as dull as that sounds. And to me, it’s more beige, but the all-metal chassis feels rock solid. There’s no hint of flex when you pick it up by a corner or type thunderously on the keyboard. Even the thin lid protecting the display feels rigid when many thin, aluminum lids flex too much to my liking.

    Acer Spin 5 from the back to see its beige lidAcer Spin 5 from the back to see its beige lid
    Matt Elliott/CNET

    Don’t mistake the Spin 5’s sturdiness for it being clunky or heavy. Weighing only 2.9 pounds, this is an exceedingly portable 14-inch system. The chassis is compact, with thin bezels framing the 16:10 display. Despite the trim chassis, the keyboard feels roomy; the only small-ish keys are the half-height up- and down-arrow keys. The keys offer snappy feedback with shallow travel and allow for speedy and near-silent typing. There’s two-level keyboard backlighting, and the power button doubles as a fingerprint reader that you can use with Windows Hello to log in without needing to bother with entering a password.

    The touchpad is a bit undersized but wholly functional with responsive and accurate feedback. You can also navigate Windows via the touch display, which can be tapped and swiped on using your fingertip or the included active stylus. The pen can be garaged in the right edge of the laptop when it’s not needed.

    Acer Spin 5's keyboard and toucpadAcer Spin 5's keyboard and toucpad
    Matt Elliott/CNET

    Most 14-inch laptops feature a full-HD resolution, but the Spin 5 bumps it up to a 2.5K resolution(2,560×1,600 pixels) for an incredibly sharp picture. The 16:10 aspect ratio makes a huge difference on a 14-inch panel because, at this size, a widescreen 16:9 panel can feel cramped from top to bottom. It’s less of an issue on larger laptops, but at 14 inches and smaller, a 16:10 panel feels so much roomier vertically. You can see more lines on the screen in long documents and web pages and don’t need to scroll as frequently.

    The Spin 5’s screen is rated for 425 nits of brightness, and I measured it even a bit brighter than that at around 450 nits. The display was bright enough to see clearly in my sunny breakfast nook, and I didn’t even need to max out the brightness slider.

    OLED > IPS

    So, the display is crisp and bright and yet I found it ultimately disappointing because an OLED panel becomes an option right around the Spin 5’s price. For roughly $1,500, you can get an OLED panel on the Lenovo Yoga 9i, HP Spectre x360 14 and Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360. And once you’ve used an OLED laptop and experienced the incredible contrast with absolute black levels and vibrant color, it’s hard to go back to an IPS panel unless you are shopping under $1,000.

    OLED panels trickling down from high-end, high-priced laptops for content creators to midrange models is one of the best laptop trends of the past year. The other? The move from grainy 720p webcams to 1080p cameras. The Spin 5 may have missed out on the OLED trend, but it hopped on the 1080p webcam trend.

    You will appear in fine, accurate detail to your video conference mates when seated in front of the Spin 5. The webcam isn’t an IR camera, however, so you can’t use facial recognition with Windows Hello. The camera also lacks a physical privacy cover, and there’s no kill switch on the keyboard to guarantee privacy when the camera isn’t being used.

    Acer Spin 5 in profile in tent modeAcer Spin 5 in profile in tent mode
    Matt Elliott/CNET

    The Spin 5 offers a useful selection of ports. There are a pair of USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support and a pair of USB Type-A ports so you need to hassle with an adapter for your USB devices. The USB-A ports are split with one on each side of the system, but the USB-C ports are both located on the left side. I wish the USB-C ports were also split across each side because you need to use one of them to charge the laptop, and I would have liked the flexibility to connect the power cord to either side of the laptop depending where the nearest power outlet is located. The Spin 5 also supplies an HDMI port as well as a microSD card slot — a rare inclusion.

    As currently configured and priced, the Acer Spin 5 is an awkward proposition. There’s no fatal flaw to this 14-inch two-in-one, but it’s priced right about where OLED models start to become an option. The Spin 5 makes sense if you can find it on sale for closer to $1,000, but a better option is waiting for an OLED two-in-one to go on sale for around what the Spin 5 costs right now.

    How we test computers

    The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computer-like devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device’s aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both objective and subjective judgments.

    The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we’re currently running on every compatible computer include: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra.

    A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found in our How We Test Computers page.

    Geekbench 5 (multicore)

    Acer Spin 5 (2022)

    9766

    Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360

    9087

    Lenovo Yoga 7i (14-inch, Gen 7)

    8378

    HP Spectre x360 14-ef0013dx

    7404

    Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2022)

    7202

    HP Envy x360 15-ey0023dx

    6933

    Note:

    Longer bars indicate better performance

    Cinebench R23 CPU (multicore)

    HP Envy x360 15-ey0023dx

    10748

    Acer Spin 5 (2022)

    10625

    Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360

    8526

    Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2022)

    8181

    Lenovo Yoga 7i (14-inch, Gen 7)

    6580

    HP Spectre x360 14-ef0013dx

    5891

    Note:

    Longer bars indicate better performance

    PCMark 10 Pro Edition

    HP Envy x360 15-ey0023dx

    6254

    Acer Spin 5 (2022)

    5835

    Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360

    5722

    Lenovo Yoga 7i (14-inch, Gen 7)

    5584

    Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2022)

    5331

    HP Spectre x360 14-ef0013dx

    4920

    Note:

    Longer bars indicate better performance

    3DMark Wild Life Extreme

    Acer Spin 5 (2022)

    4051

    Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360

    3941

    Lenovo Yoga 7i (14-inch, Gen 7)

    3571

    HP Spectre x360 14-ef0013dx

    3542

    Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2022)

    2543

    HP Envy x360 15-ey0023dx

    1849

    Note:

    Longer bars indicate better performance

    Streaming video playback battery drain test (minutes)

    Lenovo Yoga 7i (14-inch, Gen 7)

    765

    Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360

    735

    HP Envy x360 15-ey0023dx

    716

    Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2022)

    697

    HP Spectre x360 14-ef0013dx

    640

    Acer Spin 5 (2022)

    579

    Note:

    Longer bars indicate better performance

    System Configurations

    Acer Spin 5 (2022) Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2.1GHz Intel Core i7-1260P; 16GB DDR5 6,400MHz RAM; 128MB Intel, Iris Xe Graphics; 1TB SSD
    Lenovo Yoga 7i (14-inch, Gen 7) Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 1.7GHz Intel Core i7-1255U; 16GB DDR5 6,400MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics; 512GB SSD
    Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2022) Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 1.3GHz Intel Core i5-1235U; 8GB DDR4 3,200MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics; 512GB SSD
    HP Envy x360 15-ey0023dx Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics; 12GB DDR4 3,200MHz RAM; 512MB Radeon Graphics; 512GB SSD
    HP Spectre x360 14-ef0013dx Microsoft Windows 11 Pro; 1.7GHz Intel Core i7-1255U; 16GB DDR4 4,266MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics; 1TB SSD
    Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 Microsoft Windows 11 Home; 2.1GHz Intel Core i7-1260P; 16GB DDR5 5,200MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics; 1TB SSD

    Best Laptops for 2023

    A selection of the best laptops you can buy right now.

    See the full list of best laptops for 2023.

  • Tottenham vs. Man City Livestream: How to Watch Premier League Soccer From Anywhere

    Tottenham vs. Man City Livestream: How to Watch Premier League Soccer From Anywhere

    Fifth-placed Spurs welcome second-placed Man City to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday in what looks set to be a thrilling match to round off a weekend of English Premier League football. City boss Pep Guardiola’s team will be hoping for more of the same as they come into this match brimming with confidence following their 1-0 win in the FA Cup against league leaders Arsenal.

    Tottenham also eased their way through to the next round of the competition after a professional 3-0 win away at Preston North End last weekend, but will be without boss Antonio Conte for this crucial game, with the Italian recuperating after undergoing surgery to remove his gallbladder earlier this week.

    The match looks set to provide a tantalizing battle between two strikers at the top of their game, as Spurs skipper Harry Kane lines up against City’s Erling Haaland.

    Haaland currently leads the race for the Premier League Golden Boot with 25 goals so far this term, while Tottenham hitman Kane is second on 16 and still looking to beat Jimmy Greaves’ all-time Spurs record.

    Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live wherever you are in the world.

    Erling Haaland playing for Man City against LiverpoolErling Haaland playing for Man City against Liverpool

    Man City’s Erling Haaland will be confident of adding to his monstrous goal tally as his side travel to Spurs for this big EPL fixture.

    Matt McNulty/Getty Images

    Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City: When and where?

    Spurs host Manchester City at Tottenham HotspurStadium in London on Sunday, Feb. 5. Kickoff is set for 5.30 p.m. local time in the UK (12.30 p.m. ET, 9.30 a.m. PT in the US, and at 4.30 a.m. AEST on Monday, Feb. 6 in Australia).

    How to watch the Spurs vs. Man City game online from anywhere using a VPN

    If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

    With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. So if your internet provider or mobile carrier has stuck you with an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can correct that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, nonblackout area. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

    Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

    Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

    Sarah Tew/CNET

    ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 per month, and you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 per month — if you get an annual subscription.

    Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    Livestream the Tottenham vs. Man City game in the US

    Sunday’s big EPL match is streaming on Peacock. You’ll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live.

    NBC’s streaming service Peacock offers access to plenty of Premier League soccer throughout the season. You’ll need to be signed up with a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to stream games live. For a limited time, you can sign up for Peacock Premium at a 60% discount, dropping the monthly cost as low as $2 (or even less with an annual account).

    Livestream the Tottenham vs. Man City game in the UK

    Premier League rights in the UK are split between Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon Prime Video. This game is exclusive to Sky Sports — showing on its Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account, and a Now Sports membership, to stream the game.

    Sky subsidiary Now (formerly Now TV) offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for 12, or sign up to a monthly plan from 25 per month right now.

    Livestream the Tottenham vs. Manchester City game in Canada

    If you want to stream this crucial game in the title race live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to FuboTV Canada. The service has exclusive rights to this Premier League season.

    FuboTV is the go-to destination for Canadians looking to watch the Premier League this season with exclusive streaming rights to every game. It costs CA$25 per month, though you can save some cash by paying quarterly or annually.

    Livestream the Spurs vs. Man City game in Australia

    Football fans Down Under can watch this EPL fixture on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League game live in Australia this season.

    With exclusive rights to screen every EPL match live this season, as well as German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.

    If you’re already an Optus network customer you can bag Optus Sport for less, with discounts bringing the price down as low as AU$7 per month. If you’re not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25.

    Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPN

    • With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming EPL matches may vary.
    • If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
    • If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
    • All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
    • And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.
  • Best Cellphone Deals: Save Big on Unlocked and Carrier Phone Deals

    Best Cellphone Deals: Save Big on Unlocked and Carrier Phone Deals

    Odds are, your cell phone gets more use than just about anything else you own. From communication and navigation to photography and gaming, your phone does a lot of heavy lifting.

    It’s worth investing in a model that fits your needs, but that doesn’t mean you have to drop $1,000 or more to get one of the latest devices from Samsung, Apple or Google. There are tons of bargains out there that will get a new phone into your hands for less.


    Get your next phone for the best price.

    Set price alerts on your favorite models with the CNET Shopping extension and get notified when prices drop.


    Over the past few years, carriers including Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have become far more aggressive with deals for both new and existing customers as they continue to push their 5G networks. These days it’s not out of the ordinary to find deals that can score you a new high-end phone for free, though you often need to be on a higher-end 5G plan and agree to monthly bill credits over a 24- to 36-month period, which locks you into that service. If you cancel before then, you’re on the hook for the difference.

    You can also save with unlocked phone deals with direct discounts at third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy or by trading in your old device directly to the manufacturer, meaning you have plenty of places to look for phone deals.

    That’s why CNET is working with Navi to help cut through the confusion. Navi is an independent marketplace that aggregates information on service plans and phone deals to help consumers find the best choices and prices on the market. Below you’ll find deals for those who would rather pay outright for an unlocked phone as well as deals on phones for new and existing carrier customers who are adding lines, trading in phones and more.

    Read more: Best Phone Plan Deals

    Best unlocked phone deals right now

    If you don’t want to deal with monthly bill credits and would prefer to own your phone outright, you can still save some money on your purchase by looking around a bit. There are a few places where you can buy unlocked phones at a discount, though you’ll want to confirm that they are truly unlocked and not tied to any carrier or prepaid carrier before ordering. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite unlocked phone deals below.

    The iPhone 14 is the latest in Apple’s ultrapopular flagship lineup, and you can get your hands on one for less right now. We’ve rounded up all the best deals and promotions available, and if you’re looking for the best price on an unlocked model, shopping at Apple directly is your best bet right now. When you trade in an eligible smartphone, you can get up to $570 off the iPhone 14’s $799 starting price.

    Motorola

    If battery life is important to you, the Moto G Power is a great option, especially at this price. It’s advertised to get up to three days of battery life per charge, features a 6.5-inch display, has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It works on all the major carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Simple Mobile, Mint Mobile, Google Fi and plenty of others. Priced at less than $150, it’s a hard option to beat.

    You’re receiving price alerts for Moto G Power (2022): $130

    OnePlus

    OnePlus has been making high-end Android phones for a while, but the company also sells some lower-cost entry-level unlocked phones. The Nord N200 has a 6.49-inch display, 64GB of storage, a large 5,000-mAh battery and a triple camera system on the back. However, it only works on Google Fi or T-Mobile’s networks, so you will need to ensure you are using one of those carriers before making the purchase.

    You’re receiving price alerts for OnePlus Nord N200: $190

    Apple

    While Apple’s iPhone SE is already the most affordable iPhone pick, starting at $429, you can knock its price down even further thanks to Apple’s trade-in program. In fact, Apple is currently offering up to $570 in credit with an eligible trade-in, so you could get it free by handing over the right device with any additional credit being made available on an Apple gift card.

    James Martin/CNET

    The Pixel 7 is the latest model in Google’s flagship lineup, and right now you’ve got a chance to get your hands on one for less. Google is currently offering the unlocked Pixel 7 or the Pixel 7 Pro at a discount when you trade in your old device. Get as much as $488 off via trade-in credit right now. Brands like Apple, Samsung and Google, as well as newer devices, will get you the largest trade-in value, but there is an estimation tool available to help.

    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

    Carriers aren’t the only place that you’ll find a deal on the Galaxy S22 series. Amazon has some sporadic discounts right now, with some configurations on sale for more than $250 off. At the moment, you can save up to $200 on the base model S22, $251 on the S22 Plus or $229 on the S22 Ultra. The phantom black color variant has the biggest discount for all three models. You can also buy an S22 series phone directly from Samsung, which is offering up to $200 off, plus up to $280 in trade-in credit.

    You’re receiving price alerts for Samsung Galaxy S22 (128GB, Phantom Black)

    Samsung

    Right now, Samsung is offering $350 in instant savings on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 with a trade-in, which drops the starting price down to $710. And if you’ve got an older phone to trade in, Samsung is offering up to $170 in trade-in credit for devices in good condition, or up to $95 for damaged devices.

    Samsung

    Similar to the Z Flip 4 offer above, BestBuy is currently offering $300 in instant savings on the Z Fold 4, which brings the starting price down to $1,500.

    You’re receiving price alerts for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 (512GB, Phantom Black)

    Google

    Just like the Pixel 6, there is a newer version of the Pixel 6 Pro, which means you can find some great bargains on this previous-gen model. Amazon currently has the base 128GB model on sale for $586, which is $313 off. Or you can save $38 on the 256GB model, dropping the price to $986. It’s equipped with an impressive 12GB of RAM, as well as Google’s custom Tensor processor that’s optimized for Pixel phones, plus a charger. The 6 Pro also has an improved 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate for incredibly smooth operation, and a 4x optical zoom lens for truly remarkable photos.

    You’re receiving price alerts for Google Pixel 6 Pro: $586

    James Martin/CNET

    As is the case with the affordable iPhone SE, you can also trade in your old for money off on an iPhone 13 series device at Apple. With the release of the iPhone 14, Apple has dropped the starting price for the iPhone 13 down to $699, and you can save up to $570 with a qualifying trade-in. Carrier deals are also available via Apple if you prefer to finance your phone that way.

    Best phone deals from carriers

    Carrier contracts as we knew them may not be around anymore, but these newer phone deals from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and more are similar in many ways. Through monthly bill credits, you can get a phone for next to nothing in many cases. The stipulation is that you must remain a customer for a set length of time while you’re receiving the credits. Otherwise you’re responsible for the remaining costs and potentially more, depending on the carrier.

    In addition, some carriers will only allow you to take advantage of these deals on specific plans, which are usually some of their more expensive 5G plans, so be sure to understand the monthly costs associated with switching before taking advantage of that “free phone” deal you see advertised.

    Read more: Cheap Phone Plans, Compared

    If you don’t mind being tied to a carrier and service plan, you can save even more than the unlocked Apple trade-in deal above. Best Buy has partnered with Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, and offers some massive trade-in discounts when you activate through one of these carriers. Verizon and AT&T customers can save up to $1,000 with an eligible trade-in, or up to $800 for T-Mobile customers.

    Apple’s budget-focused iPhone SE is available for the low price of $0 (plus a $35 activation fee) at Verizon with a new line on an unlimited data plan, which starts at $65 per month. The deal applies to the 64GB model and the discount is applied via monthly bill credits. You can up the storage capacity for just a few bucks per month extra. Verizon is also offering a free Apple Watch 7 Series and up to $200 off an iPad with the purchase of an iPhone SE and activation on any plan.

    Andrew Lanxon/CNET

    Verizon is offering both new and existing customers a chance to get their hands on Google’s latest flagship phone for less. If you’re a new customer, you can get the Pixel 7 for just $5 per month, saving you $520 in monthly bill credits, when you activate a new line of service on a qualifying plan. Existing customers can save up to $700 with a qualifying trade-in. Verizon is also offering some other bonuses, including a free Google Pixel smartwatch and $310 off a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE with the purchase of a Pixel phone and activation on any plan. Those switching their existing number over to a Verizon plan will also get a $200 Verizon gift card.

    Andrew Hoyle/CNET

    Both new and existing customers can pick up the iPhone 13 for less at Verizon. New customers can save $520 in monthly bill credits with a new line of service, while existing customers can get up to $600 off when trading in an old device. Those switching their existing phone number over from another carrier will also get a free $200 Verizon gift card. Verizon is also offering a free Apple Watch 7 Series, $50 off a pair of Beats Studio Buds and up to $200 off an iPad with the purchase and activation on any plan.

    Samsung

    Trade in your old Galaxy phone to AT&T and get up to $1,000 off your new Galaxy Z Fold 4. The phone traded in can be from any year and in any condition, too. With this promotion, you can get the Galaxy Z Fold 4 for only $800 on a qualifying unlimited plan. The up to $1,000 credit takes place over a 36-month period, and if you cancel service before the 36 months is over you’ll have to pay the remaining balance. Also be aware that credits begin within three bills and require that you pay all taxes and associated fees on the retail price up front. You can also save $100 on a pair of Samsung Galaxy buds by adding them to your cart with this purchase.

    Samsung

    AT&T is also offering up to $1,000 off the Z Flip 4 with a trade-in and activation on a qualifying unlimited plan. That means you can score the 128GB model for as low as $5.56 a month, or the 256GB model for $7.23 a month. And like the Z Fold 4, you can also save $100 on a pair of Samsung Galaxy buds by adding them to your cart with this purchase.

    James Martin/CNET

    T-Mobile is offering new customers a great way to save on the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max right now. When you trade-in a device and add a new line of service on a qualifying plan, you can save up to $800. If you already have an eligible line of service, and just want to upgrade your phone, you can still save up to $400 with a trade-in. And if you need more than one new phone, you can save up to $700 on a second iPhone with two or more new lines of service on a Magenta Max plan.

    Apple

    Released in March 2022, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) offers a familiar design with enhanced internals. For those looking to stick with Touch ID and have a phone that’s not three years old, this is the best bet. T-Mobile is offering up to $400 off with a qualifying trade-in, or you can save $215 when you purchase an iPhone SE with a new line of service on an eligible plan.

    Apple

    If you don’t need the latest and greatest, buying a slightly older iPhone model is a great way to save even more money without making too much of a sacrifice. The iPhone 12 offers a lot of great features and is definitely still worth buying in 2023, especially when you can save as much as $730 off the price of one. In order to get the biggest discount, you’ll need to be adding a new line of service on an eligible plan, but existing customers can still save up to $250 on the purchase with an eligible trade-in.

    T-Mobile requires customers to be on an Essentials, Magenta or Magenta Max plan to qualify and the bill credits are split across a 24-month period.

    Do you get the best phone deals when you switch carriers?

    In order to attract new customers, carriers often reserve their steepest discounts for switchers. That means you may find a more appealing phone deal if you consider moving carriers. It’s a straightforward process for individuals, but can be a little complicated for those with multiple lines. Ultimately, it’s worth shopping around when it comes time to upgrade your phone in case another offers some kind of switcher bonus or switcher-exclusive phone deal.

    Unlocked vs. carrier: Which phone deals are the best for most people?

    Whether you want to get your new phone on a carrier deal or unlocked will depend on your preferences and circumstances. For a lot of folks, being able to spread the cost of the phone over two or three years makes it much easier to upgrade to one of the best phones on the market. For others, being locked into a long-term plan is less ideal. While carriers often compete with each other for and offer some steep discounts or added freebies, manufacturers now tend to offer their own trade-in and financing programs to make it more affordable to upgrade without involving a carrier in the process.


    Get your next phone for the best price.

    Set price alerts on your favorite models with the CNET Shopping extension and get notified when prices drop.


  • ‘Poker Face’: When and Where to Stream Rian Johnson’s New Mystery Series

    ‘Poker Face’: When and Where to Stream Rian Johnson’s New Mystery Series

    Boasting a cast sheet that looks like a guest list for an Oscars afterparty, Poker Face is a new murder-of-the-week show from Knives Out creator Rian Johnson that’s exclusive to Peacock in the US. Likened to a 21st century update of Columbo, the whodunit series features Russian Doll star Natasha Lyonne in the lead role as Charlie, an accidental sleuth with the uncanny ability to sense when someone is telling a lie.

    Each new episode brings a whole new mystery for Charlie to solve along with an array of celeb cameos, with Adrien Brody, Stephanie Hsu, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ron Perlman, Ellen Barkin and Chloë Sevigny all making appearances during this first season. In his review of Poker Face, CNET’s Rich Trenholm described it as “highly snackable comfort viewing,” and it looks like a show no crime drama fan will want to miss. Read on to learn how to watch, no matter where you are in the world.

    Release dates for Poker Face

    In the US and Canada, the first four episodes of Poker Face became available for streaming on Thursday, Jan. 26, with new episodes added weekly every Thursday at 12 a.m. PT (3 a.m. ET). The series finale goes out on March 9.

    The show arrived Down Under via Australian streaming service Stan on Friday, Jan. 27.

    Read more: Best Streaming Service of 2023: Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus and More

    How to watch Poker Face from anywhere with a VPN

    Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream Peacock while away from home. With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to TV shows and movies from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming, too.

    A VPN is the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds by encrypting your traffic. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that’s passed our tests and security standards.

    You can use a VPN to stream content legally as long as VPNs are legal in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you’re using. The US and Canada and are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN, but you may opt for another provider from our best list such as Surfshark or NordVPN.

    Sarah Tew/CNET

    If you’re looking for a secure and dependable VPN, our Editors’ Choice is ExpressVPN. It’s fast, works on multiple devices and provides stable streams. It’s normally $13 per month, but you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 35% — the equivalent of $8.32 per month — if you get an annual subscription.

    ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    Read our review of ExpressVPN.

    Follow the VPN provider’s instructions for installation, and choose a country where Poker Face will be streaming. We’ve successfully tested using Peacock and an ExpressVPN server in New York City, so that’s one location you could choose to watch this much-anticipated mystery show.

    Before you open the streaming app, make sure you are connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream Poker Face on more than one device, it’s possible you’ll need to configure each one to ensure you are signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you’re logged in and connected to your VPN account.

    If you run into issues with streaming, first make sure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you’ve followed installation instructions correctly and you’ve picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access.

    Read more: Best VPN 2023: VPNs Tested and Rated by Our Experts

    Stream Poker Face in the US on Peacock

    James Martin/CNET

    As for most Peacock Originals, you’ll need a Peacock Premium subscription to watch Poker Face. It costs $5 a month for limited commercials, or $10 a month for Peacock Premium Plus, which removes any ad-related interruptions as well as giving you the option to download select content to watch offline.

    Usually, that runs at much as $99 per year. But for a limited time, Peacock is offering new (and some returning) Premium and Premium Plus subscribers a big discount on annual memberships: just $30 for Premium and $35 for Premium Plus with the discount code NEWYEAR23.

    Before you take the plunge, though, note that you may be able to get Peacock Premium for free, with certain cable companies like Spectrum and Comcast currently offering discounts and extended free trial promotions.

    Stream in Canada with Citytv

    Citytv

    Like the US, Poker Face will be available to watch in Canada from Thursday, Jan. 26 via Citytv Plus.

    The on-demand service is currently only available as an add-on channel as part of an Amazon Prime Video subscription which will costs CA$5 a month, that’s in addition to the CA$10 fee for Amazon Prime Video.

    However, as both offer a 30-day free trial to new and returning subscribers, you could watch a large chunk of Poker Face while paying absolutely nothing for a whole month.

    Stream in Australia with Stan

    The great news for Aussie sleuth-show fans is that streaming service Stan will be showing Poker Face pretty much in tandem with Peacock in the US from Friday, Jan. 27.

    Stan comes in three favors: Stan Basic allows you one SD stream for AU$10 per month, Stan Standard gives you three HD streams for AU$14 per month, while Stan Premium gets you four 4K streams for AU$19 per month.

    However, newcomers to the service can take advantage of a 30-day free trial, meaning you can watch a big chunk of Poker Face without paying a cent.

    Is Poker Face available to watch in the UK?

    It looks like there’s a wait in store for UK viewers hoping to watch Rian Johnson’s latest project, with no release date or broadcaster currently confirmed for the region. With Peacock Originals like Girls5eva and Bel-Air having previously been available on Sky TV and its on-demand service Now, we’d expect that’s where Poker Face will eventually end up.

  • The OnePlus 11 Is Coming Soon, and I Can’t Wait to Try It

    The OnePlus 11 Is Coming Soon, and I Can’t Wait to Try It

    To no one’s surprise, OnePlus’ next phone is called the OnePlus 11 5G. It’s currently available in China, and the phone is set to launch globally on Feb. 7. It follows last year’s pretty great OnePlus 10 Pro and comes on the heels of the OnePlus 10T which left a bad taste in our mouths because of its questionable compromises and a confusing value proposition.

    Lucky for us, OnePlus provided a peek at the 11 back in December. And now, the new phone is on full display on OnePlus China’s website. After devouring it with the help of Google Translate, I am reminded of Leonardo DiCaprio’s often-quoted line from the film Django Unchained.

    “Gentlemen, you had my curiosity. But now you have my attention.”

    I already had high hopes for the 11 because it would be the third-generation phone to be released during OnePlus’ partnership with the iconic camera company Hasselblad. Up to now, Hasselblad’s influence has largely been behind-the-scenes with camera tuning and nifty software features like the Xpan panoramic-style. The OnePlus 11 could be the first time we see actual new camera hardware resulting from the partnership.

    I should also point out that details and nuance can be lost in translation, so please keep that in mind as you read on.

    This gif was made from part of a promotional video on OnePlus China’s website.

    OnePlus China

    The OnePlus 11 looks fantastic

    The 11’s design picks up where the 10 Pro left off. Translated, the site states that the OnePlus 11’s look was inspired by a “black hole in science fiction.” But instead of a square-ish camera bump found on the 10 Pro, the 11’s is circular on top with tapered sides that flow into the edge of the phone. It’s reminiscent of a clasp on a leather attaché. When the phone is in landscape, the camera bump’s shape looks almost like the silhouette of Darth Vader’s helmet.

    The site shows off the phone in two colors. There is a matte green color, that isn’t quite British racing green, and a textured black finish, which according to translated text is “silk glass.” I gather this means the finish looks textured but to the touch is just flat glass.

    My CNET colleague Andrew Lanxon got his hands on a OnePlus 11. While we have to wait a bit to hear his thoughts about testing it, he did share some photos of the phone on Twitter.

    There aren’t many photos of the front, but it has a display with waterfall edges that flow off the right and left sides of the phone. The front-facing camera is housed in a hole punch-shaped cutout on the top left side.

    An alert slider is visible in a product video on the site that also shows flashy stylized closeups of the OnePlus 11. OnePlus previously confirmed that the button would return after its absence on the OnePlus 10T. The 11 joins the likes of the Nubia Red Magic 8, which has a similar hardware slider for putting the phone into gaming mode.

    A USB-C charging cable plugged into a OnePlus 11A USB-C charging cable plugged into a OnePlus 11

    This photo shows some of the insides of the OnePlus 11. Like previous models, the 11 has truly fast charging speeds.

    OnePlus China

    The OnePlus 11 has the latest Android hardware

    The phone has a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a variable refresh rate that tops out at 120Hz. The display is LTPO 3. Last year’s 10 Pro had an LTPO 2 display. LTPO stands for low-temperature polycrystalline oxide, which allows displays to have a high refresh rate without killing your battery. According to the translated text, LTPO 3 is smoother and even more power efficient. A graphic claims that the display can drop down to 1Hz, which is the same refresh rate the iPhone 14 Pro uses for its always-on display.

    On the inside, the 11 runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip which according to a OnePlus press release has 35% faster CPU performance and a 25% faster GPU. The 11 is one of the first phones with the new Qualcomm chip. The 11 also comes with 16GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage.

    Powering everything are dual 2,500 mAh batteries that support 100W fast charging. Last year’s 10 Pro had the same dual-battery setup and supported 80W fast charging, except for US models which were capped at 65W fast charging. The OnePlus 10T supports 150W charging globally and 125W in the US. For perspective, the iPhone 14 Pro supports 20W fast charging. OnePlus says that the 11’s batteries can charge from empty to 100% in 25 minutes.

    This gif of the OnePlus 11’s camera bump was taken from a promotional video on OnePlus China’s website.

    OnePlus China

    The cameras are the same but different

    The OnePlus 11 has a 50-megapixel main and 48-megapixel ultrawide camera system that’s similar to the 10 Pro’s. It also has a telephoto camera with a 32-megapixel sensor and 2x optical zoom compared to the 10 Pro’s 8-megapixel sensor and 3.3x optical zoom.

    Sony made all of the image sensors including the one in the new telephoto camera. But you have to wonder if OnePlus and Hasselblad chose the 32-megapixel sensor and short tele-lens combo because it yields better photos than the tele on the 10 Pro. If that is the case, it’s the first time we see camera hardware design that stems from the OnePlus and Hasselblad partnership.

    Translated text suggests the new telephoto camera can take photos with more accurate colors. OnePlus China’s site says that portrait mode pics have better-simulated bokeh that mimics the look of images taken with Hasselblad’s XCD medium-format lenses.

    Sample photos from the 11 look good, with balanced colors and highlights that roll off for skin tones. We should take these photos with a big grain of salt because nearly every phone maker’s website flaunts impressive photos taken with their phones – ah, marketing! Sadly, there isn’t any mention of whether these photo improvements will apply to video recording.

    A woman holding the OnePlus 11 5G phoneA woman holding the OnePlus 11 5G phone

    This was a promotional photo OnePlus released in Dec. 2021.

    OnePlus

    Is there a OnePlus 11 Pro?

    From everything I read on the website, the OnePlus 11 is the best-spec’d OnePlus phone ever made. It seems to be the “pro” model this year despite lacking the nomenclature. Its 6.7-inch screen is the same size as the one on the 10 Pro. In fact, OnePlus China’s President Li Jie said there is no “pro” version of the OnePlus 11 in response to a question on the Chinese social network Weibo.

    That would mark a continued departure from OnePlus’ previous product strategy. Until recently, OnePlus had released three models of its flagship phones, a regular version, a “pro” one and later in the year a T model. For example, in 2020 there was a OnePlus 8, 8 Pro and 8T. The pro models typically have larger displays with a higher resolution and a third rear camera with a telephoto lens compared to the regular version.

    Last year, the company released only a OnePlus 10 Pro without a standard model.

    OnePlus 11 5G phone and Buds Pro 2 earbudsOnePlus 11 5G phone and Buds Pro 2 earbuds

    The OnePlus 11 and Buds Pro 2 will launch globally on Feb. 7.

    OnePlus

    What’s next for the OnePlus 11?

    The new phone launches in China on Monday, Jan. 9. OnePlus is having a global launch event in India on Tuesday, Feb. 7, where it will also show off the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. I am truly looking forward to trying the phone out for myself, especially that new telephoto camera.

    Now playing:Watch this:OnePlus 10 Pro: Style and Power Make for a Great Android…

    8:50

  • Samsung and Google Combine Forces in New Mixed Reality Partnership

    Samsung and Google Combine Forces in New Mixed Reality Partnership

    This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung’s most popular products.

    Samsung made a lot of impressive announcements during its Galaxy S23 launch event last week. But an out-of-the-blue partnership with Qualcomm and Google on an upcoming mixed-reality platform certainly caught fans off guard. The new “XR” technology is an umbrella term for the intersection of AR, VR and mixed reality, or MR.

    In a year that’ll see a new PlayStation VR headset, a new HTC Vive VR headset, a new Meta VR headset and likely a first-ever Apple VR headset, how will this Samsung product (or products) end up changing the game, and when could it arrive?

    Now playing:Watch this:Samsung Galaxy S23 Event: Everything Revealed

    11:20

    Samsung’s on-stage announcement was incredibly vague, with Google’s Hiroshi Lockheimer, head of Android, and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon promising new hardware and software that’ll bring new experiences. But Samsung’s and Google’s histories in VR (and AR), along with Qualcomm’s major presence in the field, can point to some answers. So, too, can the last major Google and Samsung partnership two years ago, on smartwatches.

    In 2021, Google’s partnership with Samsung began a rethinking of its smartwatch lineup, which also led to a Pixel Watch last fall. It’s likely that this new Samsung-Google-Qualcomm partnership could play out in a similar way in AR and VR. In this instance, though, both Google and Samsung will be making long-overdue returns to the VR/AR spaces they’ve both stepped away from for several years.

    Here’s why Samsung and Google entering the field makes sense, and is even sorely needed.

    Samsung Gear VR headsetSamsung Gear VR headset

    Samsung’s Gear VR headset worked with phones. But back then, the phone was the VR display.

    Juan Garzon/CNET

    VR and AR needs to work with phones again

    VR goggles used to work with phones, half a decade ago. Back in the days of the Samsung Gear VR and Google’s Daydream View, you’d drop a phone into a cheap set of goggles that would use the device as a VR screen. It was a fun novelty back then, and greatly expanded access, but also had its limits. In 2023, oddly, VR headsets barely work with phones at all.

    It’s annoying because most of us live our lives on our phones. VR, meanwhile, tends to stand alone. The Meta Quest 2 has slowly developed hooks into phones via its pairing app, but doesn’t have nearly enough cross-device intelligence.

    Qualcomm has been trying to solve this idea already on its own. Via an early wave of AR glasses and certain Android phones, the company has been developing tools to bridge apps and experiences, and also have glasses directly connected to phones.

    That’s a lot easier to do with official Android support. Google would enable that, and this Samsung-Qualcomm-Google partnership seems like a key to exploring how that would work with new VR headsets, or AR glasses, or both.

    Oculus Quest 2 VROculus Quest 2 VR

    The Meta Quest 2 is the current standard for VR headsets. It’s likely Samsung and Google would build from this form.

    James Martin/CNET

    Right now, VR is the future. Then, AR

    No one’s perfected AR glasses yet, although the hardware pieces are slowly coming together. In the meantime, standalone VR headsets using built-in cameras to show “passthrough” video of the real world, with virtual reality experiences overlaid, is the fastest solution to AR. It’s also called “mixed reality,” and it’s what the Meta Quest Pro does in some apps. Apple’s upcoming mixed reality headset should work the same way. HTC’s Vive XR Elite coming this February? Same thing.

    I’d expect Samsung and Google to start with developing a similar lightweight VR headset with mixed reality features first, using similar Qualcomm chips as other hardware (or a next-gen chipset). After that, AR glasses.

    Qualcomm has already promised a new generation of low-power wireless AR glasses that will work with next-gen phones over the next three years, using a new AR2 Gen 1 chipset announced last fall. Samsung’s Google partnership might also involve exploring how to build phones and glasses that could work together in the years to come.

    Google’s already dipping its toes into assistive AR glasses research, and has a decade of experience in AR and VR before that. Samsung has all of its experience with the Gear VR and working with Oculus. Between the two, along with Qualcomm, it seems like there’s plenty of team wisdom.

    Pixel Watch vs. Galaxy Watch 5Pixel Watch vs. Galaxy Watch 5

    The Google Pixel Watch, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. What will Samsung and Google’s VR/AR products end up looking like?

    Lexy Savvides/CNET

    A new OS (think smartwatches)

    Evolving Android into a new software experience for VR and AR is the biggest challenge and opportunity, and it would make a ton of sense for Samsung to lean on Google here. VR headsets of the last five years have tried to go it alone with dedicated app stores, much like the Meta Quest. But the whole spirit of the idea of “the metaverse” is cross-device compatibility. And, in theory, easy app support.

    Samsung shifted strategy on its watches by adopting Google’s WearOS as part of a partnership announced two years ago, aiming to bring Samsung’s watches closer to Google’s Android OS. But Samsung also helped Google think about higher-end health and hardware features to advance its aging smartwatch lineup. Which brings us to…

    A road to Pixel hardware?

    At some point, you’d imagine, Google will try to make its own AR/VR hardware again. The team behind Google’s Daydream, led by Clay Bavor, has shifted focus into Google Labs, working on more experimental projects like Project Starline (and those research-based assistive AR glasses).

    It seems highly likely that the road to Google’s future XR hardware will run through Samsung in much the same way as smartwatches ahead of the Pixel Watch. The Galaxy Watch 4 became the first experiment in Wear OS 3, and then Google entered the waters over a year later with a Fitbit-infused Pixel Watch.

    AR and VR headsets are significantly more complicated. Maybe Google waits a bit longer on a Pixel device. Maybe, as both Google’s Lockheimer and Qualcomm’s Amon seemed to suggest, there will be a variety of forms and possibilities, including some that aren’t headsets at all. Remember: Google’s idea of “ambient computing” involves immersive tech from every angle, including stuff that isn’t worn.

    What year will this emerge?

    That’s the hard question here. It seems likely that Google will dive into this partnership more at its I/O developer conference that usually happens in May, which would be right before Apple would likely go over its VR headset at WWDC. We haven’t seen any hint of any actual hardware yet. It’s not impossible that a standalone VR headset in the spirit of the Meta Quest could materialize sometime sooner than later, but it would be a huge surprise if anything arrived in 2023.

    When Samsung and Google announced the Wear OS 3 partnership in 2021, it came with a teaser photo of the watch itself and a promise of hardware by year’s end. No such statements were made or shown this time and 2024 would seem like the earliest likely launch date.

    And at any rate, 2023 is looking like a turbulent year for the greater XR world. While plenty of VR hardware is coming, it’s unclear who can actually afford it. For Samsung and Google, the best bet might be to wait out this crowded year and figure out how to make improved, possibly more affordable hardware in 2024.

  • NHL All-Star Game 2023: How to Watch, Stream the Tournament Today

    NHL All-Star Game 2023: How to Watch, Stream the Tournament Today

    The NHL All-Star Game is back, showcasing the best players in the league. The 2023 edition takes place in Sunrise, Florida — home of the Florida Panthers — and after last night’s skills competition, the main event is a tournament of 3-on-3 games on Saturday.

    Stars like Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins will work together as teammates for the Metropolitan division in the All-Star Game tournament. Toronto Maple Leafs star Austin Mathews will lead the Atlantic Division, while Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar will roam the blue line for the Central. Edmonton Oilers duo Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl lend their talents to the Pacific Division team.

    The All-Star Game tournament will appear live on ABC and ESPN Plus on Saturday, Feb 4, at 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT).

    While you can use an antenna to get ABC, thanks to live TV streaming services cord-cutters can stream all the action with no cable subscription required. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch or stream the 2023 NHL All-Star weekend.

    The NHL All Star Logo on a beachThe NHL All Star Logo on a beach

    The NHL All-Star Game tournament is set to take place in Sunrise, Florida on Feb. 4.

    Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

    NHL All-Star Weekend FAQ

    What is the 2023 All-Star Game Schedule?

    The skills competition concluded last night, so here’s the schedule for today.

    Saturday, Feb. 4

    • All-Star Game tournament, 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) on ABC and ESPN Plus

    What is the All-Star Game Tournament?

    The All-Star Game tournament pits teams made up of the four divisions in the NHL — Metropolitan, Atlantic, Central and Pacific — against each other in 20-minute 3-on-3 games. Every game is an elimination game, as there are only two semifinals and one final, for a total of three games over the course of one day. The winning team claims the $1 million prize.

    What channels will broadcast the All-Star weekend?

    The All Star weekend will air on ESPN, ABC and ESPN Plus. The skills competition was be on ESPN and ESPN Plus, while the tournament of games will be on ABC and ESPN Plus.

    How can I stream the games on my phone?

    If you have a live TV streaming service (like Sling TV, YouTube TV or one of the ones below), you can use its app. If you have cable or satellite, you can use your provider’s app or one of the following, after logging in with your cable provider’s credentials:

    • For both the skills competition and the tournament, you can use the ESPN app. Click the gear icon in the upper right and then select Manage TV provider.

    You will need to be a subscriber of ESPN Plus or have a TV package that includes ABC to be able to watch via the app.

    How to watch, livestream the 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend

    As these games all air nationally, the best way to catch all the hockey action live, without cable, is with a live TV streaming service.

    ESPN Plus is the home of hockey’s out-of-market coverage and will air the entire NHL All-Star weekend simultaneously with ESPN and ABC.

    While the $10 a month, $100 per year service is best suited for die-hard fans of the sports it covers well — mainly hockey, soccer and UFC — more casual fans might find themselves with an ESPN Plus subscription anyway through the Disney bundle, which also includes Hulu and Disney Plus and starts at $13 for the version with ads.

    While Sling Orange normally lacks access to ABC, you can watch the All-Star Game using the ABC simulcast stream available on ESPN3.

    YouTube TV costs $65 a month and offers ABC.

    Hulu Plus Live TV costs $70 a month and carries ABC.

    DirecTV Stream’s cheapest, $75-a-month Plus package includes ABC.

    FuboTV costs $75 a month and also includes ABC.

    Most live TV streaming services offer a free trial or discounts during the first month and allow you to cancel anytime. All require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

  • Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Does Samsung or Apple Have the Best Phone?

    Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Does Samsung or Apple Have the Best Phone?

    This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung’s most popular products.

    Last week at its Samsung Unpacked event in San Francisco, Samsung officially took the wraps off its new Galaxy S23 line, introducing the S23, S23 Plus and S23 Ultra. The new phones, the latest in Samsung’s popular Galaxy S line, have a host of feature and camera improvements, and on paper they seem poised to be among the top phones of the year. The 2023 era of flagship phones has begun.

    Though the line is one of the first major tech launches of the year, the phone space is competitive. Apple and Google just refreshed their respective flagship lineups last fall, with Apple unveiling the Phone 14 and Google touting the Pixel 7. And new devices, including the OnePlus 11 5G, are right around the corner.

    Samsung’s devices are often directly compared to Apple’s, so we’re going to take a look at how the base S23 and the base iPhone 14 stack up when it comes to specs.

    iPhone 14 ProiPhone 14 Pro
    James Martin/CNET

    Samsung Galaxy S23 specs vs. Apple iPhone 14

    Galaxy S23 iPhone 14
    Display size, resolution, brightness 6.1-inch AMOLED; FHD+ (1,080×2,340 pixels); 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate; 1,750 nits 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 1,200 nits
    Pixel density 425 ppi 460 ppi
    Dimensions (Inches) 2.79 x 5.76 x 0.3 inches 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches
    Dimensions (Millimeters) 70.9 x 146.3 x 7.6mm 147 x 72 x 7.8mm
    Weight (Ounces, Grams) 5.93 oz.; 168.1g 6.07 oz.; 172g
    Mobile software Android 13 iOS 16
    Camera 50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide), 10-megapixel (telephoto) 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)
    Front-facing camera 12-megapixel 12-megapixel
    Video capture 8K at 30 fps 4K at 60 fps
    Processor Galaxy-optimized Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Apple A15 Bionic
    RAM/Storage 8GB RAM + 128GB8GB RAM + 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
    Expandable storage None None
    Battery/Charging speeds 3,900 mAh (25W wired charging) Undisclosed; Apple claims 20 hours of video playback (25W wired charging)
    Fingerprint sensor In-display None (Face ID)
    Connector USB-C Lightning
    Headphone jack None None
    Special features 5G, 120Hz display, water-resistant (IP68), wireless PowerShare to charge other devices 5G enabled; MagSafe; water-resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (e-SIM)
    Price off-contract (USD) $800 (8GB/128GB) $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)
    Price (GBP) 769 (8GB/128GB) 849 (128GB)
    Price (AUD) AU$1,249 (8GB/128GB) AU$1,399 (128GB)
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    6:08

  • Galaxy Book 3 Series Proves Samsung’s Pro Laptops Are Leveling Up

    Galaxy Book 3 Series Proves Samsung’s Pro Laptops Are Leveling Up

    This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung’s most popular products.

    At Samsung’s Unpacked event last week, the electronics giant announced the new Galaxy Book 3 Ultra laptop alongside its latest flagship Galaxy S23 phones.

    Like Samsung’s top Galaxy Ultra phones and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra tablet, the Ultra laptop will have powerful performance, a ton of features and a killer display. But like the other Ultra devices, the Ultra laptop might be more computer than you need. Samsung also has the Galaxy Book 3 Pro and Pro 360, which are a notch below the Ultra in performance, but have a lot of features in common, along with their own added extras.

    Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra 16-inch laptop, open next to a Galaxy Tab S8 UltraSamsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra 16-inch laptop, open next to a Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

    The Galaxy Book 3 Ultra (pictured) and Pro models can use Galaxy Tab tablets as a wireless secondary display.

    Samsung

    The Galaxy Book 3 Ultra is undeniably the star, though, and thankfully it fixes two things I didn’t like about the otherwise excellent Galaxy Book 2 Pro models. One issue was their displays. While they had great-looking AMOLED panels, they were 16:9, 1080p widescreens; most premium laptops use higher-resolution 16:10 panels that give you more vertical space. The 16-inch Galaxy Book 3 Ultra makes the jump to 16:10. It’s still an AMOLED panel, too, so you’re going to get amazing color and contrast. Plus it has a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother-looking video; its resolution is 2,880×1,800 pixels.

    Now playing:Watch this:Samsung’s Galaxy Book 3 Ultra Fixes Two Things I Didn’t…

    5:02

    The second issue I had with the Book 2 Pro was that Samsung didn’t offer any options for discrete graphics and frankly, if you’re going to call something “Pro” you should offer something stronger than integrated graphics. That doesn’t change with the Book 3 Pro models, but the Ultra will have either an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 or 4070 graphics chip and they’ll be paired with a 13th-gen Intel Core i7 or i9 processor, respectively, giving the Ultra some pro-level laptop performance.

    Those components drive the price up considerably, with the Core i7 and RTX 4050 configuration starting at $2,400 and the Core i9 and RTX 4070 pairing going for $3,000. (Pricing and availability weren’t announced for the UK or Australia, but the entry price converts to 1,950 and AU$3,400.) You get a lot of other great features for those prices like a 1080p webcam, a quad-speaker audio system, a fingerprint reader on the power button and a larger 76-watt-hour battery. The Ultra also has more ports than the Galaxy Book 2 Pro, with a USB-A port and HDMI 2.0 output joining its two Thunderbolt USB-C ports, microSD card slot and headphone jack.

    The good news is almost all of these things trickle down to the Pro models, with the big exceptions being the Core i9 processor and the discrete graphics. The nice thing about that is the 16-inch Galaxy Book 3 Pro laptop is 4 millimeters thinner and it’s about a half pound lighter than the 16.5-mm thick, 4-pound (1.8-kilogram) Ultra. The Galaxy Book 3 Pro will also be available in a 14-inch size that’s just 2.6 pounds (1.2 kilograms).

    Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 in beige and graphiteSamsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 in beige and graphite

    The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 two-in-one (pictured) and Pro laptop are identical except for the hinges.

    Samsung

    There’s also a 16-inch Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 two-in-one, which is large for a two-in-one, but since it comes with one of Samsung’s excellent S Pens, you’ll have a lot of room to draw or take notes, plus it’ll make a nice digital whiteboard for meetings. And again, all of the features like the high-res webcam, port assortment and quad speakers on the Ultra are here, too. It’s also the only model to come with optional 5G wireless.

    Also, just like earlier Galaxy Books, the new Ultra and Pro laptops are made to work with other Galaxy devices. Things like sending files back and forth between your phone and laptop are easy. You can, for instance, start working on a file on your Galaxy phone and finish up on the Galaxy Book. Or you can use a Galaxy Tab S8 as a wireless external display to extend the laptop’s screen. Your Galaxy Buds can automatically switch between devices as well. This extra layer of interoperability is something Apple does well with its iPhones, iPads and MacBooks, and Samsung is quickly catching up with help from Intel and Microsoft. These laptops have enterprise-level security, too, since they meet Microsoft’s secured-core PC requirements.

    There is one thing that Samsung kept the same as the previous generations and that’s the overall look. They’re nice and clean, if a bit unexciting, especially compared to Samsung’s phones, which come in several colors — these come in graphite or beige. Build quality is improved, though. They’re sturdier, stiffer and stronger, which is certainly a plus even if they’re a bit heavier because of it.

    The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra and Pro and Pro 360 laptops are available to preorder now through Samsung’s site and the Pro models are expected to start shipping on Feb. 17.

  • Newcastle vs. West Ham Livestream: How to Watch Premier League Soccer From Anywhere

    Newcastle vs. West Ham Livestream: How to Watch Premier League Soccer From Anywhere

    Sitting pretty in third in the English Premier League table and having reached their first major final in 24 years in midweek, things are look pretty rosy right now for Newcastle and their boss Eddie Howe. But could an improving West Ham upset the good vibes at St James’ Park on Saturday in this intriguing Premier League clash?

    Sean Longstaff was on target twice for the Magpies as they beat Southampton 2-1 on Tuesday to secure their place in this year’s Carabao Cup final. That result triggered jubilant scenes on Tynecastle at the final whistle, but the hosts’ attention must now turn back to league matters, as they look to maintain their place amid the Champions League qualifications spots.

    Despite their good form, this fixture looks set to be a tricky encounter for the home side, with Newcastle required to manage without influential central midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who misses out thanks to a three-match suspension. Ineligible against Southampton, $54 million signing Anthony Gordon is likely to make his Newcastle debut after moving from Everton.

    After a disastrous start to a season that promised so much for West Ham, there are signs of recovery for the Hammers. A crucial win against relegation rivals Everton a fortnight ago was followed by a professional victory over Championship side Derby in the FA Cup on Monday. Those matches showed that West Ham’s dangerous forwards Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio are both beginning to click again, which could spell trouble for a buoyant Newcastle.

    Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live wherever you are in the world.

    West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen celebrates after scoring a goal.West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen celebrates after scoring a goal.

    West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen appears to be recapturing the form that earned him a place in the England squad.

    Visionhaus/Getty Images

    Newcastle vs. West Ham: When and where?

    Newcastle host West Ham at St James’ Park on Saturday, Feb. 4. Kickoff is set for 5.30 p.m. local time in the UK (12.30 p.m. ET, 9.30 a.m. PT in the US, and at 4.30 a.m. AEST on Sunday, Feb. 5 in Australia).

    How to watch the Newcastle vs. West Ham game online from anywhere using a VPN

    If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

    With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. So if your internet provider or mobile carrier has stuck you with an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can correct that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, nonblackout area. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

    Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

    Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

    Sarah Tew/CNET

    ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 per month, and you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 per month — if you get an annual subscription.

    Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    Livestream the Newcastle vs. West Ham game in the US

    This weekend’s EPL match is streaming on Peacock. You’ll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live.

    NBC’s streaming service Peacock offers access to plenty of Premier League soccer throughout the season. You’ll need to be signed up with a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to stream games live. For a limited time, you can sign up for Peacock Premium at a 60% discount, dropping the monthly cost as low as $2 (or even less if you pay for a year upfront).

    Livestream the Newcastle vs. West Ham game in the UK

    Premier League rights in the UK are split between Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon Prime Video. The Newcastle vs. West Ham game is exclusive to Sky Sports — showing on its Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account, and a Now Sports membership, to stream the game.

    Sky subsidiary Now (formerly Now TV) offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for 12, or sign up to a monthly plan from 25 per month right now.

    Livestream the Newcastle vs. West Ham game in Canada

    If you want to stream the Magpies against the Hammers live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to FuboTV Canada. The service has exclusive rights to this Premier League season.

    FuboTV is the go-to destination for Canadians looking to watch the Premier League this season with exclusive streaming rights to every game. It costs CA$25 per month, though you can save some cash by paying quarterly or annually.

    Livestream the Newcastle vs. West Ham game in Australia

    Football fans Down Under can watch this EPL fixture on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League game live in Australia this season.

    With exclusive rights to screen every EPL match live this season, as well as German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.

    If you’re already an Optus network customer you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 per month. If you’re not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25.

    Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPN

    • With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming EPL matches may vary.
    • If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
    • If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
    • All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
    • And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.