UGREEN, a renowned manufacturer in the electronic accessories sphere, has recently introduced two new additions to their lineup of charging devices – the 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh magnetic power banks.
The 5,000mAh model, with its compact design, caters to those looking for a lightweight power source for daily use. In contrast, the 10,000mAh power bank offers a robust charging solution capable of supporting users with higher power demands throughout the day, featuring both wired and wireless charging capabilities.
5,000mAh Magnetic Power Bank – Providing Convenience on the Go
Priced at $31.99, available on Amazon, this dark gray and off white power bank embodies portability and ease. With dimensions making it ultra-miniature (4.2 x 2.7 x 0.5 inches), its design is not only practical but also ensures it’s a stylish accessory. The silicone material offers a non-slip, comfortable grasp, while its magnetic feature securely attaches it to iPhone models 12 through 15, enabling a 7.5W charging capacity.
Also noteworthy is its capability to support PD 15W fast charging, ensuring devices are quickly ready to use. The power bank further includes a trickle charging mode, perfect for giving a full boost to smaller devices like AirPods.
10,000mAh Magnetic Power Bank – Your All-Day Charging Companion
For those in need of more substantial battery support, UGREEN’s 10,000mAh magnetic power bank, retailing at $49.99 on Amazon, stands out as a versatile option. It’s compatible with iPhone 12 to iPhone 15 series, featuring a secure 10N magnetic hold. Its large battery capacity is significant enough to recharge an iPhone 15 Pro up to 1.9 times.
Thanks to its dual charging capability, users can charge two devices simultaneously, maximizing efficiency. The inclusion of a PD 20W USB-C port enhances its fast-charging capabilities. Despite its power capacity, the device remains lightweight (7.8oz) and easy to carry, proving itself as a reliable travel companion. An LED indicator for monitoring battery levels adds to the convenience, keeping users informed.
Google and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. have made an exciting announcement for Windows PC users, especially those powered by Snapdragon. A new, optimized version of Google Chrome is now available, promising a significant leap in performance. This comes as a breath of fresh air for Snapdragon PC users, who can expect smoother and faster browsing sessions.
Enhanced Performance
The standout feature of this new Chrome release is its optimized performance for Snapdragon-powered Windows laptops. Users will notice a considerable improvement in speed and efficiency, making their browsing experience seamless. This version of Chrome has been tailored to complement the capabilities of Snapdragon processors, ensuring that users get the most out of their hardware.
Timely Release
This strategic move comes just in time for the Snapdragon X Elite compute platform, set to debut in mid-2024. Those awaiting the arrival of PCs powered by this advanced platform can look forward to an even more optimized browsing experience with Chrome. Qualcomm and Google’s announcement precedes this launch, setting the stage for what’s to come.
Snapdragon X Elite Features
Best-in-Class CPU Performance with Qualcomm Oryon CPU: High performance and remarkable power efficiency, leading to exceptional energy savings and prolonged battery life, potentially lasting multiple days.
Dual-Core Boost: Enhances responsiveness significantly, providing a snappy experience even under heavy loads.
Industry-Leading AI Engine: With up to 75 TOPs processing power across CPU, GPU, NPU, and Micro NPU, it offers unparalleled AI processing capabilities for various applications, including on-device AI for intelligent experiences.
Snapdragon X Elite Technologies:
Qualcomm Oryon CPU: Designed for peak performance and efficiency.
Qualcomm Adreno GPU: Premium integrated GPU for outstanding graphics performance.
Qualcomm Hexagon NPU: Powers advanced AI and machine learning capabilities.
Qualcomm Sensing Hub: Enables intelligent on-device experiences through continuous sensing and processing.
Generative AI Capabilities: On-device AI capable of performing tasks like generative AI at 30 tokens per second, facilitating transformative intelligent experiences.
Connectivity: Offers lightning-fast downloading, streaming, and syncing of files with 5G and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Includes HBS Multi-Link for reduced latency and a smoother entertainment experience.
Enterprise-Grade Security: Provides enhanced protection from chip to cloud, ensuring data and device security.
AV1 Encode and Decode Support: For up to 4K HDR video streaming, allowing for higher quality video content with improved compression efficiency.
Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite: Delivers immersive, lossless audio experiences, perfect for high-fidelity music and entertainment.
Support for External UHD Monitors: Can support up to three external UHD monitors running at 60 Hz, enhancing productivity and entertainment setups.
Memory and Multitasking: Features LPDDR5x memory with 136 GB/s bandwidth, facilitating faster AI processing and efficient multitasking.
Advanced MIPI Camera Support: Supports high-quality imaging and intelligent camera features, such as auto-framing, background blur, and facial authentication, all at lower power consumption.
Ongoing Enhancements
Google Chrome, a browser already renowned for its wide usage and constant updates, continues to evolve. Regular performance improvements, security updates, and the addition of cutting-edge features such as generative AI functionalities keep Chrome at the forefront of internet browsers.
A Partnership with Roots and Vision
The collaboration between Google and Qualcomm is not new; it dates back to the first Android phone in 2008. Over the years, this partnership has expanded beyond mobile phones to include wearables and, most recently, mixed-reality devices.
A Look Ahead
Preliminary tests on Snapdragon X Elite reference devices have already showcased the new Chrome’s enhanced performance, particularly in the Speedometer 2.1 benchmark. This indicates promising advancements for future Snapdragon-powered PCs.
The updated Chrome browser is available for download now for those with existing Windows on Snapdragon devices. As we await the mid-2024 debut of PCs equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite, this software enhancement is a significant step forward, promising an elevated browsing experience to current and future Snapdragon PC users.
DREO, a leader in smart home technology and the top-selling tower fan brand in the U.S. for two years running, is excited to introduce its latest innovation: the purifier tower fan MC710S. This product, a highlight of DREO’s new MultiComfort series, stands out with its dual-motor design, a first in the industry.
Alongside this, DREO is also launching a new smart fan within their acclaimed Polyfan series. Both product lines will be available on the DREO website starting April 9th, 2024, promising enhanced performance and value through innovative design.
The purifier tower fan MC710S, the premiere offering in the MultiComfort series, features DREO’s unique dual-motor technology. This allows it to function as both a high-performing tower fan and an efficient air purifier, or to combine these functions for optimum effectiveness. It offers a compelling alternative to leading brands like Dyson, providing double the air output speed at half the cost and significantly quieter operation.
Its dual filtration system and motor design deliver exceptionally fast wind speeds and can project clean, fresh air up to 40 feet. This fan is versatile, suitable for various room sizes and scenarios, and can be easily controlled and monitored through the DREO APP.
In anticipation of the launch, DREO is offering an exclusive pre-order deal. Customers can secure their purifier tower fan MC710S with just a $1 deposit and receive a $30 coupon on launch day. Members of the DREO AirComfort Facebook group can enjoy an additional $10 off, totaling up to $40 in savings.
The Polyfan series, including the flagship Polyfan 704S, showcases DREO’s commitment to innovation and consumer satisfaction. Following the success of last summer’s models, the Polyfan 704S has been designed for optimal comfort and efficiency. It features exceptional quietness at 25dB, powerful wind circulation up to 110 feet, omni-directional oscillation, and an enhanced air booster structure. The fan also offers easy control through the DREO APP, setting new standards for peaceful and powerful home cooling.
In a significant move to merge the realms of entertainment and home automation, SmartThings, Samsung’s leading connected living platform, has joined forces with Philips Hue, a pioneer in smart lighting systems. This partnership is set to transform the interaction between users and their home entertainment systems by incorporating major updates and empowering users with more control over the Philips Hue Sync TV App via the SmartThings ecosystem.
Seamless App Integration for a Centralized TV Experience
Revealed at CES 2024, these enhancements are all about putting the television at the heart of the smart home. The integration allows users direct access to the Philips Hue Sync TV App from their SmartThings app, offering a level of convenience and immersive entertainment that’s hard to beat.
Whether you’re tuning in to your favorite series, deep into gaming, or setting the mood with music, SmartThings enables you to tweak your Philips Hue lighting—the brightness, mode, and syncing—directly from your mobile device, without pausing your entertainment.
Bringing the Experience to More Homes Globally
SmartThings is pushing for wider accessibility and is set to bring the Philips Hue Sync TV app to homes in Brazil, Hong Kong, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, marking a significant step towards global smart home integration. To accommodate varying preferences, Philips Hue is introducing a new monthly subscription model for the Sync TV App at 2.99 USD/EUR, alongside the original one-time purchase option.
Executives Share Their Enthusiasm for the Partnership
Jasper Vervoort of Philips Hue and Mark Benson of SmartThings both expressed excitement for the extended collaboration, emphasizing the fusion of smart home devices for creating unparalleled entertainment experiences. This partnership not only paves the way for more innovative entertainment solutions but also strengthens the commitment of both companies to enhance smart home experiences worldwide.
Revolutionizing Smart Home Interactions
With the latest 2024 lineup, setting up the Philips Hue Sync app on new TVs is straightforward, enabling users to craft complex entertainment routines. This feature integrates smart lighting with other smart devices for a cohesive and enjoyable TV-viewing experience.
For further details on the partnership and how it’s changing the smart home landscape, visit SmartThings Partners Page.
UGREEN, a prominent name in consumer electronics, and a brand we’ve highlighted a few times, has officially announced its entry into the Network Attached Storage (NAS) market with the debut of its NASync series.
This new series is set to launch on March 26 through a Kickstarter campaign, targeting users in the United States and Germany. An enticing early bird discount of 40% is on offer, making the starting price an affordable USD239.99. For those interested, visiting Kickstarter.com will grant early access to what UGREEN promises to be a groundbreaking series.
The NASync series includes a variety of models tailored to different user needs. For personal and home users, the series offers the NASync DXP2800, NASync DXP4800, and DXP4800 Plus. The lineup expands to cater to power users and businesses with the NASync DXP6800 Pro and NASync DXP8800 Plus. Additionally, the NASync DXP480T Plus is designed specifically for creative and media professionals, addressing their unique storage needs.
Central to the NASync series is its use of the 12th Gen Intel Processor, with options up to Intel Core i7, ensuring high performance across all models. The DXP6800 Pro, DXP8800 Plus, and DXP480T Plus models boast a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor, enhancing responsiveness, data processing, and multitasking capabilities. This setup is particularly beneficial for business and professional users, streamlining operations and improving media file playback through efficient multimedia processing and transcoding.
A standout feature in select models is the inclusion of dual Thunderbolt 4 Ports, facilitating connections to various storage devices and enabling high-speed data transmission of up to 40Gbps. The DXP6800 Pro and DXP8800 Plus models further enhance connectivity with dual 10GbE network ports, offering combined bandwidths of 20GbE and impressive theoretical download speeds of up to 2500MB/s. This feature ensures efficient data transmission and load balancing across networks.
Memory is another area where the NASync series excels, with each model equipped with expandable 8GB DDR5 Memory. This represents a significant advancement over DDR4 memory, offering 2-3 times faster speeds and a notable boost in system performance. For models capable of expanding memory up to 64GB, tasks requiring high resources, including AI recognition and video transcoding, become more manageable, ensuring efficient multitasking and data processing.
In contrast to cloud drives, the UGREEN NASync series provides a secure solution for storing large amounts of personal data locally, significantly reducing the risks associated with information leakage and surveillance. With professional data security features like multiple protection layers and high-strength encryption, users can trust in the safety and privacy of their data. The series also emphasizes secure data transmission with SSL/TLS protocols and SHA256 encryption, further protecting user account information and ensuring password confidentiality.
Price and Availability
UGREEN is offering the NASync series at a Super Early Bird Discount of 40% off. Here’s a quick look at the pricing:
DXP2800: $239 (MSRP $399.99)
DXP4800: $359 (MSRP $599.99)
DXP4800 Plus: $419 (MSRP $699.99)
DXP6800 Pro: $599 (MSRP $999.99)
DXP8800 Plus: $899 (MSRP $1499.99)
DXP480T Plus: $479 (MSRP $799.99)
For more information on the campaign and to take advantage of the early bird discount, visit Kickstarter.
T-Mobile is kicking off the baseball season with a gift for its customers and a fun twist for the office environment. Starting March 26, T-Mobile customers can claim a free year-long subscription to MLB.TV, valued at $149.99, through T-Mobile Tuesdays in the T Life app. This offer is available until April 1, ensuring fans won’t miss out on Opening Day festivities.
In addition to free access to MLB.TV, T-Mobile introduces the Secret Baseball Button, a novel gadget designed to let fans stealthily enjoy baseball games at work. This Bluetooth-enabled device connects to a PC and allows users to swiftly switch between a baseball game and a faux work-related screen with just a click. The Secret Baseball Button sweepstakes is open to everyone, not just T-Mobile customers, with entries accepted through March 31 at SecretBaseballButton.com.
For the Love of the Game
Mike Katz, President of Marketing, Strategy, and Products at T-Mobile, emphasized the brand’s commitment to enriching customer experiences, stating, “T-Mobile customers love baseball—they streamed a record high of 52 million hours of MLB.TV last season!” This new initiative not only celebrates the return of baseball but also amplifies the range of perks available to T-Mobile customers, including free subscriptions to Apple TV+, Hulu, Netflix, and more.
How the Secret Baseball Button Works
The Secret Baseball Button is designed for discretion and convenience. With a simple Bluetooth connection to a laptop or PC, users can effortlessly alternate between viewing MLB.TV and a browser tab that mimics a video call, ensuring privacy and uninterrupted enjoyment of baseball games during work hours.
Claim Your MLB.TV Subscription
T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Home Internet, and Small Business customers are eligible for the free MLB.TV offer. MLB.TV provides comprehensive coverage of the baseball season, featuring live and on-demand broadcasts of out-of-market regular season games, DVR controls, and HD streaming across various devices.
Enjoy More with Magenta Status
Beyond the thrill of MLB.TV, T-Mobile customers benefit from Magenta Status, offering exclusive discounts and experiences with notable brands like Hilton, Hertz, and Dollar. T-Mobile’s value-packed plans offer substantial savings and benefits, including the best entertainment bundle in wireless, free in-flight Wi-Fi, international data, and more, affirming T-Mobile’s dedication to rewarding its customers.
BOYA, a leader in audio technology, has just unveiled its latest product, BOYAMIC. This all-in-one wireless microphone system doesn’t only promise to deliver high-quality audio; it’s designed to be a complete solution for content creators, combining ease of use with unparalleled sound quality and recording capabilities.
3-in-1 Capability for Universal Compatibility
At its core, BOYAMIC offers a 3-in-1 capability, making it a highly versatile tool compatible with almost every type of shooting device. This feature ensures content creators can effortlessly connect the microphone to various recording equipment without needing multiple devices.
Whether you’re using a camera, a smartphone, or a tablet, BOYAMIC simplifies your setup, offering a straightforward solution that’s ready to capture quality audio in any setting.
Extended On-Board Recording Capacity
Moving beyond basic functionality, BOYAMIC impresses with an 8GB onboard memory, supporting up to 15 hours of high-quality, on-board recording. This eliminates concerns over audio dropouts or missing critical moments during recording sessions. Creators can now enjoy extended recording times without the need for constant data transfer, thanks to BOYAMIC’s substantial storage capability.
Unmatched Audio Quality
BOYAMIC sets a high benchmark for sound quality with its enhanced audio specifications. Offering a sampling rate of 48kHz, a bit depth of 24-bit, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 90 dB, and a maximum sound pressure level (SPL) of 120 dB, it ensures that every recording captures the full range of audio with exceptional clarity and depth.
This level of detail supports the creation of content with professional-grade sound quality, suitable for everything from interviews and podcasts to cinematic productions.
If you’re aiming to elevate your content with superior sound quality, BOYAMIC puts forth an inviting option.
Dive into this week’s “Weekend Recommender” for a treasure trove of standout products that promise to enhance your lifestyle, work, and play in ways you hadn’t imagined.
From audio gadgets that redefine your listening experience to innovative solutions for family connectivity, portable energy alternatives, and ergonomic office furniture, our selection is meticulously curated with your diverse needs in mind.
Whether it’s the thrill of discovering a tech gadget that perfectly fits into your dynamic life, a device that brings your family closer through the magic of digital creativity, an eco-friendly companion for your adventures, or an office chair that reimagines comfort and productivity, we’ve got something for everyone.
Join us as we explore these unique finds, each recommended for its ability to offer something truly special to your daily routine. Let’s get started on this journey of discovery and see which of these gems will make it into your life this weekend!
Tribit MoveBuds H1 Wireless Earbuds
What are the Tribit MoveBuds H1 Wireless Earbuds?
The Tribit MoveBuds H1 Wireless Earbuds ($90) are a set of reliable, budget-friendly earbuds designed for those who are always on the move and need a dependable audio solution. They feature Bluetooth 5.2 technology for a stable and seamless connection, and the earbuds themselves offer up to 15 hours of playtime on a single charge, with an additional 50 hours provided by the compact charging case.
The earbuds are also rated IPX8 waterproof, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities. They have touch controls for easy operation, and the ergonomic design ensures a comfortable fit for extended use. The MoveBuds H1 are compatible with voice assistants and boast support for multiple audio codecs.
Why do we recommend them?
For those in need of a reliable and budget-friendly audio solution, the Tribit MoveBuds H1 Wireless Earbuds offer great value. With features such as long battery life, waterproof rating, touch controls, and compatibility with voice assistants, these earbuds provide a hassle-free and enjoyable listening experience. Whether you’re working out, commuting, or just relaxing at home, the MoveBuds H1 are a versatile choice for anyone in search of high-quality wireless earbuds at an affordable price.
myFirst Frame Doodle
What is the myFirst Frame Doodle?
The myFirst Frame Doodle ($129) is a digital frame designed to enhance family connections by displaying content shared through the myFirst ecosystem. It syncs with other myFirst devices and allows for personalized feeds from loved ones.
The frame also features a special doodling area for kids to express their creativity directly on the device, making it a unique gift option for family members. It includes anti-glare, matte finishing for realistic art display, an elegant design, and an advanced motion sensor for energy conservation.
Why do we recommend it?
For families looking to blend technology with heartfelt connection, the myFirst Frame Doodle is a standout recommendation. This digital frame not only showcases precious memories but also invites kids to doodle directly on it, fostering creativity and personal expression.
Its sophisticated design, complete with an anti-glare screen and motion sensor for energy efficiency, makes it a seamless addition to any home. Ideal for keeping loved ones close, it’s a thoughtful gift that bridges the gap between digital innovation and meaningful interaction.
Lion Energy 10W Solar Panel
What is the Lion Energy 10W Solar Panel?
The Lion Energy 10W Solar Panel ($24) is a portable and efficient solution for charging your devices on the go. With a compact size and lightweight design, this solar panel is easy to carry and use while camping, hiking, or traveling.
It features a USB-A output, allowing you to charge smartphones, tablets, cameras, and other USB-compatible devices directly from the sun. The high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells ensure fast and reliable charging, even in less-than-ideal sunlight conditions.
Why do we recommend it?
We recommend the Lion Energy 10W Solar Panel for its convenience, portability, and reliability. Whether you’re off the grid or just looking to use clean, renewable energy, this solar panel is a practical and sustainable choice.
It’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, emergency preparedness, or anyone looking to reduce their reliance on traditional power sources. Plus, with its durable construction and weather-resistant design, you can count on it to perform when you need it most.
FlexiSpot C7 Ergonomic Office Chair with Foot Rest
What is the Flexispot C7 Ergonomic Office Chair with Foot Rest?
The FlexiSpot C7 ($389) is an office chair designed for comfort and support during long hours of work. It features an adjustable headrest and a footrest that can be pulled out when needed. The chair is made with high-quality, breathable mesh fabric and is equipped with a lumbar support system to promote good posture.
The sliding seat and adjustable armrests make it customizable to fit various body types and work preferences. The chair also has a 360-degree swivel and smooth-rolling casters for easy mobility.
Why do we recommend it?
We recommend the FlexiSpot C7 for its ergonomic design and functionality. The adjustable headrest and footrest provide additional comfort during extended periods of sitting. The lumbar support system and customizable features make it suitable for a range of body types and work habits.
The chair’s high-quality construction ensures durability, while the 360-degree swivel and smooth-rolling casters offer flexibility and easy movement. The FlexiSpot C7 is a practical and comfortable option for anyone in need of a supportive office chair.
For a limited time you can save on chairs, desks, and other FlexiSpot products as part of the company’s Brand Day sale. Don’t miss out on your chance to knock hundreds of dollars off of your purchase!
One of the side products of adopting the iPhone over a year ago is the array of great accessories I’ve been able to try out thanks to the move. With so many companies entering the market around Apple’s new MagSafe protocol, Torras, though not as well-known, is definitely worth considering.
Torras has given me the opportunity to test their two new MagSafe Power Banks for the past few weeks, and I want to highlight the quality and innovation of their products.
Design
Torras sent over two sizes of the MagSafe power bank. One is 5000mAh and the other is double that at 10000mAh. Both are pretty standard affairs for power banks. You get a rectangular brick with an USB-C charging power on one side with a power button. This allows for recharging the banks when depleted.
On the back of the devices, are the MagSafe magic rings. These magnetic rings are the dual action protocol that gives the Torras the ability to wireless charge your phones. The ring makes perfectly aligning your wireless charging each time with zero effort.
Real world usage
I have zero complaints about the day to day with the Torras power banks. As mentioned, the MagSafe inputs make wirelessly charging your iPhone seamless. The magnets are powerful and snap to the phone with a secure lock. You have to make a real effort to remove these, so having this fall off in use isn’t an issue.
The same is true for the flip-out extra ring that acts as a stand on both Torras power banks. These neat kickstands offer an additional option to use the power bank to consume media or take a video call while on the go. I like how Torras has positioned the kickstand to allow for several orientations and positions.
Battery life
The Torras MagSafe power banks are about extended battery life. The two pack are rated for 5000mAh and 10000mAh adding several life cycles back to your phone while on the go. Most iPhones have an internal battery of, 4500mAh or less. This should make the smaller of the MagSafe bank from Torras recharge a near empty iPhone without any issues and the larger to extend the full battery at least twice.
I’ve found this to be pretty close estimates. I’ve used both to recharge my iPhone 13 with a 3227mAh internal battery numerous times over the last few weeks. Likewise, I found the smaller Torras MagSafe to get me almost two full recharges from 10% on my iPhone each time. With the larger model, I’ve been able to tweak out three full recharges with a single charge on the external battery pack from that same 10% mark.
When you do need to recharge each Torras power bank, you only need a USB-C charging cable included in the box. This allows you to fuel both power banks back to full strength in around an hour or less. A side note, this USB-C port is a two way channel. You can also use this to recharge non-MagSafe devices.
Awarded to products with an average rating of 3.75 stars or higher, the AndroidGuys Smart Pick recognizes a balance of quality, performance, and value.
Products with this distinction deserve to be on your short list of purchase candidates.
Conclusion
Torras may be a brand you may not recognize, but in my testing its one that you can trust. These two MagSafe power banks are great devices and the perfect way to add endurance to your phone while away from a wall outlet. Both of these models offer exceptional build quality, battery, and multipurpose ring for using it as a stand or Popsocket-type holder.
You can snag the new Torras MagSafe power banks via the Amazon links below. The 5000mAh version will set you back $60 while the larger, 10000mAh is just $20 more. Each is available in both black and white. So, what are you waiting for? Get one now!
The SUUNTO Sonic was just announced on March 7, 2024 as the lighter, less featured, and less expensive sibling of the SUUNTO Wing. The Sonic weighs in at 31g versus the Wing’s 33g. That is likely due to the absence of the LED safety lights and motion control accelerometers.
Because safety is the primary feature for which athletes choose bone conducting headphones, I won’t compare the SUUNTO Sonic against typical headphones. These do not feature Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) or passive isolation. The point is to be able to hear what’s going on around you, such as traffic or passing bicyclists on a trail.
I had the opportunity to review the OpenRock S by OneOdio last year and while they aren’t true bone conducting headphones, they are similar in that they leave your ears somewhat open to hearing noises around you.
Read on if you want to know if these are worth the $150 asking price.
Included in the box
Headphones
Charging cable
Cloth carry case
Paper: Getting started, warranty, and safety disclosure
Design
The SUUNTO Sonic is made of titanium and silicone. They feature a soft rubbery feel all around. They are available in fluorescent yellow or black. Physical buttons are limited to a multifunction button on the left side “speaker” and a volume rocker that sits behind your right ear. They also feature a microphone so you can use your headphones to talk as well as listen. Unlike the IP67 rating of the SUUNTO Wing, the Sonic is limited to IP55 (limited water and dust resistance).
Set-up and Usage
Press and hold volume (+) for 3 seconds and the SUUNTO Sonic come alive with a series of beeps. The headphones enter pairing mode the first time they are powered on. Unlike most recent Bluetooth headphones, the SUUNTO Sonic does not have simplified step-by-step set-up. That means you must open Bluetooth settings and discover the device.
Once you are connected to your device, you can control volume, play/pause, replay, skip, answer/hang-up calls from the headphones themselves. This is nice if you are like me and carry your phone inside a pouch or pocket while running or exercising.
The volume buttons control volume up and down as well as turning on and off the headphones. One of the few gripes I have with these headphones is adjusting the volume up or down requires multiple clicks rather than pressing and holding. Of course, if you press and hold the (+) button, it turns the device off.
The multifunction button does the following based on the number of taps.
1 – Answer/hang-up call
1 – Play/pause music
2 – Skip track forward
3 – Skip track backward
In practice, I can never get the number of clicks down correctly when trying to skip or replay tracks while running. Fortunately, I don’t have to do this frequently.
Audio quality
My most recent audio addiction is “103” by The Kills. This track features a front forward kick drum, pulsing bass and synthesizer track and haunting guitar riffs, framing Allison Mosshart’s mezzo-soprano vocals. Since I’ve been enjoying this song recently through different speakers and headphones, I was able to tell immediately how well I would like the sound quality of the SUUNTO Sonic headphones. I wasn’t blown away, but I wasn’t disappointed either. It was lacking in bass but overall clear.
My next track needed to test bass performance, so I went to deep into my catalog and played Public Enemy’s “Bring Tha Noise.” The lower notes were absent, but the headphones weren’t straining to produce low frequencies either. It took me back to my childhood listening through a cheap Magnavox portable mini cassette player. It wasn’t until the late 80’s and early 90’s that I would appreciate feeling and hearing deep bass through 12” subwoofers.
For my first run, I decided to listen to a podcast and found the SUUNTO Sonic’s sweet spot. The audio was clear, every word was clear and sounded as though I was sitting in the recording studio. Being outside, I also was able to appreciate the openness of bone conducting headphones. Unlike other headphones that fail to make a tight seal, wind noise wasn’t ever an issue. I strained to hear my surroundings with audio playing but the point was I could still hear.
Later, I took a conference call which was just as clear as the podcast. I noticed that volume control did not seem to change much between fully off and fully on. I assume that because your skull is essentially the speaker, it is difficult to manage volume and would vary widely from one user to the next. This got me thinking if a bigger or smaller head would produce better audio or wider differential between volume steps.
Comfort
Since moving to in-ear monitor type earbuds, I have not found any over the ear or behind the neck type headphones to be comfortable. They are generally more uncomfortable when wearing glasses or a hat. The SUUNTO Sonics, on the other hand were always comfortable.
Even while running, the headphones maintained proper contact with my temples, and I never had the need to adjust. I logged just under 15 miles while wearing the headphones and I could certainly see these being great for marathons or distance bike rides.
Battery life
The battery is rated for 10 hours and fully charges in less than one hour. A 15-minute charge claims three hours of audio. During my testing, I logged about two hours of use, and the battery level fell to 79%. This seems to support their 10-hour claim.
Unlike the SUUNTO Wing, the Sonic does not ship with a charging dock. Unless you want to use a separate battery charger, you are limited to the onboard battery. Not a significant issue in my opinion.
App
There isn’t a separate SUUNTO app for its audio headphones. Instead, the audio preferences are buried in the settings of their primary activities application and is very limited in functionality for the Sonic.
Sound Mode: allows you to switch between “normal” and “outdoor” sound profiles. In my testing, I didn’t notice a significant different when using one mode or the other.
Dual Device Connection: This allows you to pair the SUUNTO Sonic to two devices simultaneously. I can see myself connecting this to both my laptop and phone to take meetings between steps on the treadmill and vice versa.
Awarded to products with an average rating of 3.75 stars or higher, the AndroidGuys Smart Pick recognizes a balance of quality, performance, and value.
Products with this distinction deserve to be on your short list of purchase candidates.
Overall impressions
If you are an avid runner, biker, or adventurer; you should consider the SUUNTO Sonic bone conducting headphones. There are not a lot of choices that cater to this niche. Shokz offers a wider range of bone conducting headphones but current users of SUUNTO’s watches may appreciate the SUUNTO app integration.
The only gripes that I have with the SUUNTO Sonic headphones are the proprietary charging cable and lack of color options. Otherwise, they are comfortable to wear during rigorous activities and are excellent for podcasts and audiobooks.
