Category: Technologies

Virtual private networks offer a variety of benefits that can enhance your online activity. In addition to using VPNs for general privacy purposes, many people use them to stream geographically restricted content from around the world. When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is encrypted and your IP address changes to the IP address of the VPN server you connect to. This means that your visible location changes to that of the server you’re using, making it appear as though you’re somewhere else — allowing you to access content otherwise unavailable in your location.

At CNET, we’ve spent years rigorously testing nearly a dozen of the best VPNs available to determine which ones are the best for various platforms or use cases, including for streaming. Not all VPNs are created equal when it comes to streaming capabilities, which is why we put VPNs through their paces to develop this list of the best streaming VPNs. You can use the VPNs listed here to access your home Netflix library while traveling or unblock content on all kinds of other streaming services like Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and Hulu. You can even use a VPN to bypass sports broadcast blackouts and watch your favorite teams without any restrictions. Just make sure to check your streaming service’s Terms of Service to see if it says anything about prohibiting VPN use because you don’t want to be mistakenly in violation of the service’s Terms.

What is the best VPN for streaming right now?

ExpressVPN is the best streaming VPN on the market. It successfully unblocks Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video in the US and UK. The ExpressVPN app boasts great customization features but remains user-friendly for VPN beginners. NordVPN is a solid choice with minimal speed loss, superb reliability and broad device compatibility. Surfshark offers the best price-to-performance ratio, with decent speeds and streaming service support. For VPN newcomers, we recommend IPVanish, which, despite its uneven speeds, keeps its app uncomplicated and easy to navigate.

Best VPN for streaming in 2023

Other VPNs we tested

Proton VPN

If you want a VPN that’s free and still able to stream the US Netflix library, then Proton VPN is the ideal choice. Proton VPN is currently the only free VPN the CNET recommends, because it’s secure, safe to use and doesn’t put any limits on speed or usage. Technically, Proton VPN’s free servers aren’t optimized for streaming, but we still achieved sufficient speeds and were able to smoothly stream Netflix content through the VPN’s free US servers. With Proton VPN’s premium service, which includes servers in 69 countries (as opposed to three with the free plan), we were able to access content from several Netflix regional libraries as well as content on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus. The only hiccup we ran into was that we were unable to stream Disney Plus on MacOS through Proton’s US servers, although it worked fine on other platforms.

Private Internet Access

The wallet-friendly Private Internet Access, or PIA, is an open-source VPN provider focused on security. Although PIA worked well enough for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video US and UK libraries, we couldn’t get it to work for UK Disney Plus streaming. Despite its affordability compared with many VPN rivals, it’s tough to recommend for streaming. Additionally, PIA doesn’t have a Firestick app in the Amazon Appstore or available to sideload — instead, you’ll need to use its Smart DNS option. While Private Internet Access’s Smart DNS isn’t difficult to install, it’s not as intuitive as apps from ExpressVPN, Surfshark or NordVPN. Ultimately, PIA is a fantastic VPN with strong privacy features, but its streaming shortcomings make it suitable only for casual entertainment needs.

How we test VPNs for streaming

We know choosing a VPN for streaming can be a tall task, so we thoroughly tested different providers using different streaming services on several platforms. For each VPN, we evaluated each provider’s streaming performance on mobile, desktop and dedicated streaming devices like Amazon’s Fire TV Stick. We connected to dozens of server locations with each VPN to determine if the service was able to unblock geo-restricted content from different regions around the world on streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. We noted whenever a VPN was blocked from accessing certain geo-restricted content, and we checked to make sure the streaming experience was smooth and free of buffering when a VPN was able to successfully stream content. Each VPN we’ve listed here is a capable VPN for streaming, but one may work better for you than another, based on your particular needs or budget. Each VPN here also offers a money-back guarantee, so you can try them out to confirm a provider works for your needs before you fully commit to one.

Factors to consider in a VPN for streaming

Based on our years of experience using and testing VPNs, we’ve established the following list of factors you should consider when choosing a VPN for streaming.

Streaming capabilities

Your VPN’s capacity to access streaming content is, of course, the top factor to consider in a VPN for streaming. If your VPN can’t access streaming content, then it isn’t fit for this purpose. And it’s not just access to streaming content in general that’s important to consider; it’s also important to make sure that the VPN you choose works well for the streaming service you want to access. This is where free trials and money-back guarantees really come in handy, because not all VPNs work well for all streaming services.

Speed

Your VPN’s speed performance plays a major role in the overall quality of your streaming experience. You’ll need a VPN that’s fast, especially if you’re streaming in 4K or if you’re accessing geo-blocked content from a region that’s a considerable enough distance from your physical location. If your VPN is slowing your connection too much, you may end up experiencing a lot of buffering or a lower-quality video playback.

Privacy

Regardless of what you’re using your VPN for, privacy is a key consideration for any VPN service. Your VPN should have privacy measures in place like DNS leak protection, a kill switch and a no-logs policy (bonus points for one that’s been audited or tested in the wild). A VPN that provides the necessary privacy protections will ensure that your internet traffic is never leaked unencrypted, including what sites you’re visiting and what content you’re streaming.

Network

A good VPN for streaming should have a network of servers in locations across the globe. If you’re looking to fully optimize your streaming and get access to the largest selection of streaming content, then you’ll probably want to choose a VPN with servers located in the largest number of countries. But if you’re looking to access content from a specific region, you should check to ensure the VPN you want to use has servers in the region(s) you need. You can check the VPN’s server page on its website to see what countries it has servers in prior to purchasing a subscription.

Device compatibility

You’ll also want to make sure that the VPN you choose is compatible with the device on which you want to stream content, whether that’s a mobile device, laptop, smart TV or streaming device. Most VPNs are compatible with a wide range of devices, but it’s always a good idea to confirm that the service you’re considering will work with the device you want to use.

Though Black Friday is still a couple of weeks away, that doesn’t mean you have to wait till it arrives to start shopping. Like Amazon with its Black Friday deals, Best Buy is launching many early offers you can take advantage of right now.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade some appliances before company over the holidays or you are hoping to find great deals on holiday gifts for someone you love, Best Buy is offering some great deals on items in all of its big categories, from tech to home. Look for savings on Keurigs, Roomba, Apple products and more.

We’ve rounded up the best Black Friday deals at Best Buy to make things easy for you, and we’ll keep updating this post as we get closer to the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping events.

Best Buy Black Friday tech deals

• MacBook Air 13.6-inch laptop: $949 (Save $150)
• MacBook Air M2 15-inch laptop: $1,449 (save $250)
• iPad 9th Gen: Save $80 on all models
• Samsung Galaxy Book3 360: $1,000 (save $550)

• LG 55-inch UQ70 Series 4K smart TV: $300 (save $200)

• Insignia 50-inch F30 series 4K smart Fire TV: $200 (save $100)
• Epson EX3280 projector with built-in speaker: $350 (save $150)

• Epson Home Cinema 3200 projector: $1,200 (save $300)

Best Buy Black Friday home deals

• Ninja 4-quart air fryer: $90 (save $30)
• Instant Pot Crisp 6-quart pressure cooker air fryer: $130 (save $20)

• GE stand mixer: $149 (save $150)
• KitchenAid classic tilt-head stand mixer: $270 (save $60)
• Dyson V15 Detect Extra cordless vacuum: $600 (save $200)

• Shark Air Purifier Max: $200 (save $250)

• Save up to 45% on select major appliances

Best Buy Black Friday health and fitness deals

• Flexir Recovery Lite muscle massager: $40 (save $40)
• Bowflex Treadmill 10: $1,999 (save $301)

• NordicTrack RW900 Rower: $1,800 (save $200)
• Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9700 smart rechargeable toothbrush: $280 (save $60)

• Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 electrci trimmer: $30 (save $8)

• Dyson Supersonic hair dryer: $300 (save $100)
• Save up to $60 on select Fitbit fitness trackers

Are Best Buy Black Friday deals available in-store?

Yes. You can purchase your Best Buy deals online and have them shipped to your door or set them for in-store pickup. You can also walk on into your nearest Best Buy location to score the deals, though supplies may be limited.

Do My Best Buy members get better Black Friday deals?

For select products and promotions, paying My Best Buy members can score extra savings. That is, My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members. Those programs start at $50 per year, so it might be worth signing up if you spot a deal with significant additional savings or plan on doing the bulk of your holiday shopping at Best Buy.

I’m looking at a plate of sushi hovering in front of me in 3D. The chef finishes off toppings on yellowtail rolls and tuna, talking to me as she works. It looks vivid. It looks real. The amazing part is that I just shot this video myself, moments earlier, on an iPhone 15 Pro. And now it’s a VR experience I’m watching in beautiful 3D on Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

I swipe with my fingers and watch other ghostly videos Apple provided. Families in a home, walking through grass. Cuddling together. All in lifelike 3D. I feel like I’m peeking in on their lives, which is weird and intimate. But the vividness is undeniable.

I’m experiencing Apple’s new Spatial Video iPhone camera feature, now available in Apple’s new iOS 17.2 public beta, with the final version rolling out in 17.2 later this year. It allows you to record 3D videos, but to use it you’ll need Apple’s best phone, the $1,000 iPhone 15 Pro. And to watch the videos in 3D you’ll need the $3,500 Vision Pro headset, which launches early next year.

The videos look great and the 3D is compellingly realistic. They’re also easy to record, and can save as videos that will play back in 2D in a normal video format. But ultimately this feature is made for a 2024 product that, at $3,500, it’s safe to say most people won’t buy anytime soon. Still, the experience is impressive.

Vision Pro impressed me once again

I first used the Vision Pro at Apple’s WWDC conference in June, and once again I’m reminded of its extraordinary display capabilities. Photos and video look fantastic on Apple’s headset. I’d even venture to say the Vision Pro beats any display I have anywhere in my home right now. Yes, I’d want to look at videos and photos — 3D and otherwise — if I had a Vision Pro.

My second dive into the Vision Pro, complete with fitted prescription lenses that matched my needs, reminds me how much smaller the headset was than I remembered. And also, how effortless the interface is.

Setting up eye tracking was a rapid process; I looked at dots around a circle and tapped them. I also tried a new set of zoom gestures, pinching my fingers and stretching them to expand photos. The gesture works with eye tracking, so wherever I looked, the image expanded. It felt like telepathy. I got to look through a few test photos in the Photos app, and play back photos in Memories. After having used a Quest 3 recently, Apple’s passthrough cameras and display resolution are on another planet.

Panoramic photos were a surprise. They opened up and wrapped around me, felt like windows into other places — almost 3D, in fact. And spatial videos look nice, too. Their 3D, almost ghostly playback quality feels like it’s aiming for an immersive memory more than a straight-up video playback. But I found some limits even in my brief demo of the experience.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any captures of what I saw or recorded here: the photos are all ones Apple provided, so you’ll have to just follow along and read about my experience.

Spatial videos on iPhone 15 Pro: How they work

Spatial videos need to be recorded by holding the phone horizontally. The iPhone 15 Pro uses its main and ultrawide cameras side-by-side in landscape mode to create the 3D video. It records two 1080p, 30fps videos at once, resolving the lens and distance differences with computational photography. The file is saved in HEVC format, similar to other Apple video files, with a storage size of about 130MB a minute. That’s not too bad, likely because the files are limited to that relatively low 1080p and 30fps resolution and framerate.

Spatial video clips can be shared via Messages or AirDrop, but there could be cases where files are compressed down in other apps, losing the 3D data. Still, the video clips should be usable anywhere as an everyday video file, which is great news for anyone who wondered (myself included) whether you’d have to choose a “special” 3D video format.

You do have to toggle Spatial Video mode on, either inside Apple’s Camera app settings or with a Vision Pro-mask-shaped toggle in the Camera app itself. That limits your video resolution and frame rate, and also means you have to shoot in landscape. Sorry, no 3D vertical videos.

The camera app makes recommendations on turning the camera sideways, and staying a certain distance from a subject. I was told to stay within 3 to 8 feet of what I was shooting for a good spatial video, but when I shot my test recording of someone making sushi at a table I got up closer and it looked perfectly fine. I also recorded in a well-lit room, but apparently the spatial video recording mode prevents adjustments on brightness and contrast, which means low-light recording may end up grainier than normal videos.

How will spatial video evolve or be edited?

There’s no API for Apple’s 3D HEVC video format, which means the files are not designed so that third-party apps can recognize them yet. But it’s possible app developers will figure out some sort of a solution. Also, it’s disappointing that there’s no other way to view the videos in 3D than on a Vision Pro.

The stereo 3D recording theoretically sounds like a process that could be adapted for other VR headsets like the $500 Meta Quest 3. It’s straightforward stereo video, and doesn’t use lidar or depth sensing for any sort of full-movement spatial capture. Unfortunately that’s not currently in Apple’s plans.

There’s no recording limit on the videos, so you could theoretically make a spatial video 3D feature-length film. But the clips will only be able to be trimmed, either in the iPhone or Vision Pro. Final Cut Pro, Apple’s video editing software, will get Spatial Video editing support, but not until sometime next year. Meanwhile if you do end up trying to edit these video files in a Mac or iOS video editor, they’ll end up being converted over into 2D-only files.

It’s also a tiny bit disappointing that the videos can’t be recorded in 4K resolution. Apple’s Vision Pro headset has astounding quality and resolution, which became clear once again as I looked at iPhone photos in the headset and zoomed in on them, or viewed panoramic photos in a wraparound mode that made it feel like I was in a vivid immersive recreation of a location, similar to a 360-degree photo. The spatial videos look really nice, but I felt the desire to see them in more fluid 60fps, 4K or both. Maybe someday.

Memories for a 3D future

Apple often seems like it’s trying to become not just a lifestyle, but a memory company. Automated photo collections are already called “Memories.” And that’s how 3D spatial videos feel on Vision Pro: hazily bordered, like digital recollections in some Minority Report or Bladerunner future. It reminded me, too, of some of the immersive 3D realism I had using Google’s real-time 3D light field conversations in Project Starline, but in this case I was just watching videos.

Apple’s choice to frame the spatial videos in a fuzzy sort of frame makes it look more like the videos are almost holographically being cast into the room, and the edges sort of dissolve a bit. But I’d love to see a way for the videos to have a standard frame around them, too.

Apple’s spatial video format shows up in a new category of its own on the Photos app, and won’t show up in Memories yet. Maybe this new spatial video tab in Photos becomes the go-to repository for new 3D experiences. Right now, Apple isn’t allowing 3D spatial photos on the iPhone 15 Pro, just videos, although the Vision Pro can capture photos itself. But Apple’s clearly aiming for everyone to hopefully start recording in the format before the headset arrives, building a library of capable videos.

That means you’ll have to remember to toggle spatial video on, and care to use it. Future Vision Pro owners will have that feature toggled on by default on the iPhone 15 Pro, but that’s a tiny portion of iPhone owners. I’ll be turning it on, because I want to see what my videos will look like next year on a Vision Pro. But unless you’re planning on buying a Vision Pro yourself, there’s little reason to record spatial video now, even though it’s possible, someday way down the road, you might regret not shooting that birthday party footage in 3D. I’m already thinking about I shot video footage at my niece’s bat mitzvah last week, and what it would have been like if I could see it in 3D, too. That new spatial video camera toggle is already playing on my future FOMO.

The Logitech G305 might be one of the most colorful input devices around, and it’s also one of the most popular. Logitech makes some of the best wireless mouse and keyboard accessories you’re likely to find, and the G305 is no slouch. It’s normally well priced at around $50, too, but with Black Friday drawing near, Amazon has slashed that price to just $30.

That lowered price is a massive 40% discount and one you won’t have to work for. There are no discount codes or on-screen coupons here. And that means the only thing you need to do is choose which color you’re going to order. We’re big fans of the blue you see above, but there are much more muted options for people who have to look respectable in an office.

The Amazon Black Friday extravaganza hasn’t really kicked into gear yet, but this is one discount worth highlighting right now. The mouse features a 12,000dpi sensor and no fewer than six different programmable buttons. That means you’ll be able to set up all kinds of weird and wonderful shortcuts with this thing, making it quicker and easier to get your work done. Or equip your favorite weapon in that new must-play game — whichever.

Notable specs include a superfast, 1ms report rate for what Logitech says is competition-level performance, thanks to the Lightspeed wireless tech. And all of that in a frame that weighs just 99 grams and, frankly, looks amazing.

So, what are you waiting for?

With Black Friday rolling around soon, now is the perfect time to pick up electronics like a smart TV or streaming device. If you are planning to upgrade your TV experience, Roku is one of our favorite platforms and its streaming devices are a great option if you have an older TV without a smart platform or don’t want to go with the big names like Amazon’s Fire TV or Google TV. Luckily, you have a lot of choices when it comes to Roku; whether you’d like to go for a Roku TV or just a Roku streaming device, there’s an option for every budget.

As such, we’ve scoured all the big retailers and collected all our favorite early Black Friday Roku deals so you don’t have to. That said, we’re still in the early days of Black Friday, and we’re likely to see many more deals in the coming days, so be sure to check back regularly. And, if you do end up going for a Roku device, take a look at these eleven little-known Roku tricks you can take advantage of.

Black Friday Roku streaming device deals

• Roku Express 4k Plus: $30 (save $10)

Black Friday Roku TV deals

• TCL 32-inch S2 S-Class HD TV: $120 (save $10)
• Roku 32-inch Select Series HD TV: $150 (save $20)
• TCL 40-Inch S3 Series FHD TV: $180 (save $50)

• Westinghouse 43-inch 4K TV: $190 (save $100)
• Hisense 50-inch R6G Series 4K TV: $240 (save $30)
• Roku 75-inch Plus Series QLED 4K TV: $900 (save $100)

The $1,000 Motorola Razr Plus felt like a turning point for foldable phones when it launched in June 2023. Modern flip phones, such as the Razr and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, have always offered some level of convenience compared to standard phones, thanks to their more portable design. But the overall experience didn’t feel much different from a regular phone, since flip phones are still primarily meant to be used while open.

The Razr Plus proved that’s changing, all thanks to its large cover screen. Having a roomier external display might not sound like a big deal, but spending time with the Razr Plus has shown me how much that extra screen space matters. You can use it for more than just checking the time or notifications; you have a miniature screen that fits in the palm of your hand. After years of phones getting larger and more cumbersome, having the option to fold my phone in half and use it in that state feels much more useful than I would have thought.

Returning to the Razr Plus has reinforced my initial impressions of the device, which I detail in my review from June. But it’s also important to note that a lot has changed since then. In August, Samsung launched the $1,000 Galaxy Z Flip 5, which — like the Razr Plus — has a significantly larger cover screen than its predecessor. Motorola also released its more affordable $700 Razr 2023, making it the cheapest foldable phone yet.

These releases raise questions about the Razr Plus’ place in a market that’s only getting more competitive. If you just want a phone that can fold in half to fit in your pocket more easily, the $700 Razr should suffice. But if you want something that truly feels different than the phone you have today, splurging on a device like the Razr Plus or Galaxy Z Flip 5 may be worth it.

Samsung’s flip phone is still my top pick because of its sturdier design, longer update cycle, superior camera and additional software features. But the Razr Plus still holds a lot of potential, and it makes me excited about where foldable devices — and Motorola’s phones in general — may go in the future.

Motorola Razr Plus design and software

The Razr Plus has a striking design that stands out at first glance. The version I’ve been using has a magenta color with a vegan leather back, which is aesthetically pleasing and makes the phone easier to grip. The Razr Plus is also impressively thin and light. Even though it’s around the same weight and thickness as the Galaxy Z Flip 5 according to the specifications listed on both Samsung and Motoroa’s websites, the Razr Plus feels much slimmer.

While I love the Razr Plus’ airy feel, its slender build isn’t always advantageous. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 generally feels sturdier, like it can withstand endless folds and unfolds. The Razr Plus, on the other hand, seems more delicate — although this is just based on my anecdotal observations rather than extensive testing. But I also noticed that my unit doesn’t always open all the way straight unless I give it an extra push, which detracts from its attractive look and makes it feel fragile.

Another characteristic I appreciate is the Razr Plus’ display. Not only is it taller than Samsung’s, but the crease is less noticeable both to the eyes and the touch. That’s a big deal since the crease that runs horizontally across the display has been one of the biggest drawbacks of foldable phones.

Hardware is only one side of the equation; software shapes how you interact with the phone. That’s especially true with foldable devices, which should theoretically have unique software functions that take advantage of the bendable screens. The Razr Plus nails this when it’s shut, thanks to its spacious 3.6-inch cover screen. I can browse through news headlines, send text messages, play games and even watch videos from the palm of my hand without opening the phone.

This is the primary feature separating the pricier Razr Plus from the standard Razr 2023. Motorola’s cheaper flip phone has a tiny screen that’s large enough for checking notifications and seeing the time, but it doesn’t provide much other utility.

“It’s about as useful as checking my smartwatch for snapshots of notifications and texts to triage whether I need to open my phone, and it’s helpful to take selfies with the rear cameras (far sharper than the one above the inner display), but it generally leaves me wanting more,” my colleague David Lumb wrote in his review of the Razr 2023.

I haven’t tested the $700 Razr, but I can still relate. I spent some time using the Galaxy Z Flip 4 ahead of the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s release and felt the same way.

Samsung’s newest flip phone offers a similar experience as the Razr Plus, but you can only pin certain apps to the cover screen unless you install the Good Lock launcher. Motorola lets you pick any app installed on your phone right out of the gate, which feels more seamless. The Razr Plus’ cover screen is also larger than the Z Flip 5’s (3.6 inches versus 3.4 inches), which is noticeable when comparing screens that small.

Samsung, however, does have an edge in other ways. When you bend the Galaxy Z Flip 5 halfway, apps like Google Chrome can automatically shift to the top of the screen while displaying controls on the bottom, making it easier to operate the screen in this mode. The Razr Plus, in my experience, doesn’t react in this way unless you’re using the camera app, and instead just displays a bent version of Chrome that scrolls like a waterfall.

Samsung also provides sweeping software updates that feel more holistic and bring new features to its smartphones. The recently announced One UI 6 software update, for example, will add a slew of camera features — like the ability to pin specific shooting modes to your home screen as widgets — when the software launches. The camera may be the most significant area impacted by the update, but One UI 6 brings subtle changes to everything from the calendar to the quick panel and lock screen.

Motorola’s updates aren’t usually as far-reaching, although the Motorola Razr Plus should get the update to Android 14 since it supports three years of software updates. That’s not as long as Samsung’s four-year update pledge, but it’s on par with what you’ll get with the $1,800 Google Pixel Fold.

However, a recent software update did bring a new feature to the Razr Plus: Moto Unplugged. As the name implies, this tool lets you block out distractions by limiting which apps you can access in this mode. It’s kind of like Apple’s Focus mode for the iPhone, except it hides apps you haven’t approved until you exit Moto Unplugged.

I turned on Moto Unplugged for an hour during a busy workday and was surprised at how effectively it kept me focused. When the timer expired, the regular home screen with all my usual apps reappeared. While the concept itself isn’t new or novel, knowing that my apps were hidden helped me fight the urge to reach for my phone when I felt like my mind was drifting from work.

Motorola Razr Plus battery life and camera

Whether it can fold in half or not, a good phone should last for a long time on a single charge. Thankfully, the Motorola Razr Plus performed reasonably well during CNET’s 3-hour battery test, which involves streaming a YouTube video for three hours at full brightness and checking the battery level at each hour.

The Razr Plus’ results were similar to those of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and some of Samsung’s non-folding phones, like the Galaxy S23 and S23 Ultra. As I wrote in my original review, you can expect to get about a full day of battery life out of the Razr Plus, depending on how you use it.

Motorola Razr Plus Battery vs. Samsung Phones

	1 hour	2 hours	3 hours
Motorola Razr Plus	95%	88%	81%
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5	94%	87%	80%
Samsung Galaxy S23	95%	88%	81%
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra	95%	89%	82%

The Razr Plus has a 12-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera, which generally capture crisp and clear shots. However, after spending time with both the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Motorola Razr, I found that Samsung’s phone usually captures more vibrant colors.

Take a look at the photos of these flowers below, and you’ll see what I mean.

That said, the Razr Plus’ camera is still decent, and it’s the foldable screen that you’re really paying for, rather than having the best camera. The biggest benefit of taking photos with a phone like the Razr Plus is that it essentially has a built-in tripod; you can prop it open halfway to snap photos without having to hold the device.

That big front screen also serves as a viewfinder for taking selfies with the main rear cameras. While you can also do this on the cheaper Razr, it’s harder to position the phone’s orientation since the outer screen is so small, as noted in CNET’s review.

Take a look at my full reviews of the Razr Plus and Galaxy Z Flip 5 for more details about the camera and how it stacks up to Samsung’s.

Overall thoughts

Revisiting the Motorola Razr made me appreciate the benefits of having a phone with two screens. It’s not so much the Razr Plus’ ability to fold in half that makes it special — although that certainly helps — but the idea that you can have a screen that fits in your palm and a screen that’s larger than that on most smartphones.

Even though I prefer the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Motorola’s presence gives consumers more choice. The Razr Plus also does a few things better than the Galaxy Z Flip 5, particularly when it comes to the ability to run more apps on the cover screen. Either way, it makes me optimistic about where foldable phones are going. Now I’m just waiting for flip phones like the Razr Plus to become more affordable.

Fighting games are all the buzz in 2023 with the release of Street Fighter 6, Mortal Kombat 1 and the upcoming Tekken 8 early next year. And just as fighting games flood the market, so do new controllers.

Unlike most other genres, fighting games have spawned a niche industry of controller-makers that produce arcade sticks reminiscent of the old-school arcades. New designs have entered the market as well, like leverless controllers, known as Hit Box-style, consisting of only buttons. Gamers looking to step up their prowess with the newest fighting games should consider the bevy of options available that may up their game. But with controllers costing anywhere from $100 to $400, it’s important to find the right box to fit your style.

What are the different fighting game controller options out there?

There are three main options available for fighting games: game pads, fight sticks and leverless controllers. The game pad is the best known of the three, and includes the standard PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X controllers, as well as the separately sold Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. These pads come with a D-pad, two analog sticks, four face buttons, two shoulder buttons and two triggers. There are also fight pads, consisting of just buttons and a D-pad.

Fight sticks will be a familiar sight for anyone who spent some time in the arcades during their heyday. These controllers typically come in a rectangular box with eight face buttons and a joystick. There are some additional buttons on the top or side of the box related to the other button found on a game pad.

Then the third and newer options are called leverless sticks, or Hit Box-style controllers. It’s named after the company Hit Box, the first to patent the design. These controllers are similar to fight sticks in button setup, but instead of a joystick, have four more buttons that correspond to the up, down, left and right directions.

While Hit Box was the originator of this style of controller back in 2010, other companies have popped up offering their own spin on the style, such as Junkfood Arcades with its thin $265 Snack Box Micro. Other Hit Box-style controllers include the $400 Victrix Pro FS and $300 Razer Kitsune. The only officially licensed Hit Box-style controllers, according to Hit Box, come from Paradise Arcade. In terms of functionality, however, all these controllers perform adequately. But in Hit Box’s telling, controllers that go through its licensing program will meet a certain level of quality.

“With licensing our IP, we are not only able to officially endorse and collaborate with other high quality manufacturers, but also to help ensure that every player’s first experience on a leverless controller is a positive one,” said Dustin Huffer, president and co-founder of Hit Box.

This is in contrast to the Razer Kitsune, a leverless controller that is officially licensed by PlayStation, but isn’t a part of the Hit Box licensing program.

“Kitsune is a wholly Razer developed and manufactured product without using any parts, materials, or ID from competitors,” said Will Powers, PR lead at Razer.

Junkfood Custom Arcade’s director of operations Greg Lancette said the Snackbox Micro is made and patented differently from the Hit Box and that it has no ties to the company Hit Box. Victrix expressed similar sentiments regarding its Pro FS-12.

“We have a portfolio of patents covering our products, some of which are applicable to the Victrix Pro FS-12,” said Trevor Lehl, director of product development at Victrix. “We analyze and scrutinize the strength of our IP in collaboration with a world renowned, industry leading legal firm, specializing in intellectual property.”

Lehl said that Victrix is well informed “on the protectability and validity of our competitor’s IP claims” and that unlike the Hit Box, the Pro FS-12 is an officially licensed PlayStation product.

And official licensing by PlayStation and Xbox might become a bigger issue in the future. Many fighting game controllers haven’t been officially licensed through PlayStation and Xbox in the past. Up until now, it hasn’t been a problem. But recently, Microsoft announced that it would be banning unauthorized third-party accessories later this month. This has led to some backlash from fighting games players and disabled gamers who may have to look towards other controllers so that they can continue to play.

Hit Box’s licensing program relates to the button layout itself. Huffer praised Hit Box’s partnership with Paradise Arcade on the Mpress Nano and says others would make great candidates for its licensing program, but didn’t answer rebuttals from other manufacturers regarding their potential IP infringement.

Sony and Microsoft didn’t immediately reply to requests for comment.

Why you should buy a fight stick controller

Arcades may be all but gone in the US, but the fight stick remains a staple in fighting games. Street Fighter 2, released in 1991, set the precedent for controls that almost every fighting game has followed with its one joystick and six-button layout.

Longtime fighting games fans laud the feel of using a fight stick. Being able to execute moves with a quick twist of the wrist is satisfying and, some argue, the most fun way to play.

To start, the joystick provides a sturdier input as you have to use your entire wrist to pull off a move. Then you have eight buttons available allowing the usage of multiple fingers at the same time, which is imperative to pull off certain moves.

Another advantage that may not be noticeable immediately is the solid base the fight sticks can provide. They can provide more space to rest your arms and add stability while playing.

Why you should choose a Hit Box-style controller

There’s nothing more frustrating than missing an input and screwing up your combo in the middle of an intense fight. Traditional fight sticks, which use an analogue joystick, allow the chance for human error. Missing the corner on an octagonal gate could mean dropping a combo and losing a fight entirely.

Hit Box-style controllers greatly reduce that chance of missing the corner by remapping the joystick as buttons. Because movement is assigned to these buttons, just like the arrow keys on your keyboard, as long as you push the buttons in the correct sequence, you’ll execute your move with greater consistency.

One of the hardest moves to learn on a fight stick for beginners is the Z directional input. This requires shifting the joystick to the right, then to the bottom, then to the bottom-right corner, creating a Z pattern. Beginners can sometimes overextend, hitting the bottom-left corner instead of straight down, ruining their input.

A Hit Box-style controller makes this a quick three-button sequence. Right, down and right again. Try hitting the right, down and right buttons in sequence on your keyboard. Pretty easy, right?

While some in the fighting game community bemoan the increased popularity of Hit Box-style controllers, there’s no denying that it increases input consistency. That’s why legendary Street Fighter players like Daigo Umehara and Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi have switched to the Hit Box. Even though both have been playing competitively for over two decades, mainly on a traditional stick, the advantages of Hit Box were too great to ignore. It even forced Capcom to make a rule change so that traditional stick players and Hit Box players were on a more even footing.

Why you should stick with a game pad

For console gamers, almost all of their time gaming will be with the controller they get included with their system. These bundled controllers tend to be both the best designed and highest quality game pads for their respective system. Thanks to that quality, these game pads are becoming more predominant in the fighting game scene as younger competitors who spend hardly any time in the arcades have grown accustomed to these controllers.

On paper, however, game pads don’t stack up to the fight stick or leverless stick. The smaller number of face buttons, the requirement to use the shoulder and trigger buttons that require the usage of both hands and having to use the controller D-pad for all of the movement inputs seemingly make controllers a worse option, but they do have some advantages.

There are a few move inputs that can be easier to pull off on a game pad. The main one is the 360 degrees move, which is a motion needed for certain characters such as Zangief in the Street Fighter series. Another input that works a little better on a D-pad is the double-tap forward or back because, again, it’s a bit more precise.

A surprising advantage of the game pad is its lack of buttons. For example, the Mortal Kombat series uses four attack buttons instead of six found in other fighting games. There is still a block, throw and other buttons used in the game, but having the four primary buttons easily accessible to your thumb makes it the preferred choice for Mortal Kombat tournament players.

Arguably the biggest strength of a game pad is familiarity. For some people, this is the only controller they’ve used for their whole life. Their muscle memory is ingrained in these game pads. Why bother changing to a new stick and learn a completely different way to control a game when you’re perfectly comfortable with what you already have in a controller?

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