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Advertising
Business director
Sally Hudson
sally@stuff.co.za

Five years ago, I joined Stuff as a contributing Senior account manager

Thalia Pallotta
editor, supplying a daily story for the website. 083 375 2418
Shortly thereafter, then editor (now editor-in- thalia@stuff.co.za

chief and publisher) Toby Shapshak Account manager

(Cape Town)
convinced me to start working from Stuff Bernice Blundell
Towers and getting involved in the print 073 618 1882
bernice@stuff.co.za
editions. Next thing I knew, I was a full-timer.
A year or so later I took over as editor, and Management
Stuff South Africa is
the silly portraits on this page began. Since published by the Stuff
then, I’ve had the distinct and unusual Group (Pty) Ltd.
Directors: Toby Shapshak,
pleasure of testing literally (in the classical, Sally Hudson
literal sense of the word, not the recently- PO Box 74,
deemed-acceptable and thoroughly Melrose Arch, 2096
contemporary figurative one) dozens of Kelsey Publishing UK
phones, tablets, laptops, wearables, Stuff UK content is
published with the
headphones, cameras, appliances, speakers, permission of copyright
cars… and even a handful of games. holder Kelsey Publishing
Ltd, Cudham Tithe Barn,
See, I’ve generally left the gaming to online Berry’s Hill, Cudham,
Kent TN16 3AG
editor Brett Venter, because he’s forgotten
more about games than I’ll ever know. And ... and a word about prices
Generally, we show
now it’s time to leave something else to him: the manufacturer’s
this page, and the obligations that come with recommended price.
Occasionally we (or
it. From the next issue, Brett will be editing this suppliers) can make
compendium of tech-tinged finery, and it mistakes. Please
remember that prices
couldn’t be in better – or funnier – hands. listed in Stuff are intended
as a guide only. We make
Look, his hands are perfectly normal (for a every effort to confirm
gamer’s), but in addition to rapid-fire fragging that all information
is correct (and triple
they’re capable of equally breakneck written checked) when we go
humour. Because you don’t have to be to print.
hilarious to work at Stuff, but it sure helps.
I’ll miss the hilarity, the deadline-day
takeaways, the inventive responses to spam
calls, and the smell of freshly unpacked
gadgets. But above all, I’ll miss the people.
You’re a beautiful, bonkers bunch, and it’s been
an honour to work in close proximity to each
and every one of you.
So, remember folks, whether you’re working
at your dream job, or having emergency root
canal treatment on a Sunday, the same
inescapable fact – blessedly, or accursedly –
holds true: This is only temporary.
© Stuff South Africa. All due care will be

Craig Wilson, Editor

taken with material submitted, but the
magazine and publishers cannot be held
responsible for loss or damage. Stuff
craig@stuff.co.za South Africa assumes no responsibility to
return unsolicited editorial, graphic or
@craigwilson other material. All rights in letters and
unsolicited editorial and graphic material
will be treated as unconditionally assigned
for publication and copyright purposes
and material will be subject to Stuff South
Africa’s unrestricted right to edit and
comment editorially. Stuff South Africa is
fully protected by copyright and nothing

www.stuff.co.za Follow us: StuffSA

may be reprinted in whole or part without
written permission from the publisher.
While reasonable precautions have been
taken to ensure the accuracy of advice
and information given to readers, the
editor, publisher and proprietor cannot
Stuff competition terms and conditions: Apple is not a sponsor, nor is it involved in any way with any Stuff Magazine contests or sweepstakes. Stuff Magazine does not offer Apple products as contest or sweepstake prizes. accept responsibility for any damage or
1 Promotions, giveaways and competitions are entered through Stuff Group’s website www.stuff.co.za and are opened for Issue 98, 2019 on 20 August 2019 and close on 22 September 2019. 2 The judges’ decision is final and inconvenience that may arise therefrom.
no correspondence can be entered into. 3 Employees of Stuff Group and their families are not allowed to enter. Advertising and public relations representatives may not enter competitions in the issue in which their promotions,
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2
 CONS
ON THE
COVER
P74

P16

p37
Are you
Xperia’d?

HOT STUFF TESTS

8 The Hot Four 37 First test Sony Xperia 1
● Sony A7R IV Widescreen wonder for flagship fanciers
● Nintendo Switch Lite 57 Tested Mazda3
● Nimm It’s OK A smooth drive at a pleasing price point
● Specialized Turbo Creo SL 72 Tested Red Magic 3
16 Vital stats Sony WF-1000XM3 p41 A smartphone for gaming geeks
Wireless buds with active people-cancelling Sharp 73 Tested Jabra Elite 85H
18 Apps shooters A set of active noise cancellers to make
More ways to fill the gaps between sleeping Sony and co. nervous
20 Games of 2019 special 74 Tested DJI Osmo Action
Four pages of thumb-twitchy gaming news GoPro goader for rad rampages
24 Start menu 76 Tested Apple iPod Touch
Roll up, come and get your lovely wrist-buds Portable player for retro renegades
28 Icon 77 Tested Insta360 One X
Basically a picture of a massive TV A 360-degree all-seeing eye – like Sauron
32 Stream without the malice
The best new on-demand TV (and sports) 82 Tested Games
34 Wheels Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order,
This Mini’s got a beefy 0.0-litre engine and Judgment, Super Mario Maker 2,
alongside it, imagine a Lamborghini, but Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
even less discreet p73
Sounds
right

4
09.19
05.
WIN!
p88

P60
P103

FEATURES TOP TENS SUBS

0FFER
41 Cover feature Photography special 90 Smartphones
15-pages of pro tips on the best cameras for What’s the handiest, handsomest handset?
every kind of shooting – from street scenes 91 Phablets
and macro to night shots and landscapes – As above, just for bigger hands (or egos)
and how to get the very best out of them 92 Tablets, mobile games
56 Mini meme Newsy apps Slick slates and ways to kill your battery
How to stay in the thick of the loop 93 TVs
58 Upvoted Backpacks All you need for a lazy night/day/year in
Pack up your troubles (plus your laptop etc) 94 Laptops

GET
60 Top electric cars of 2019 Porta-powerhouses to warm your knees
Remember when people were still pootling 95 Wearables, smartwatches
around in petrol-powered cars? Lolz! Strapping smart tracking tickers

30%
78 Beta yourself Quik 98 Drones, compact cameras
Top tricks for GoPro’s free editing app Shoot from the sky or from the hip
80 Instant upgrades Garmin Forerunner 945 100 Headphones

OFF
Get your fitness watch fit for purpose In-ears and on-ears, hear hear!
104 Random access memories Sony Walkman 103 Games
Forty years ago, stereo got personal… 10 ways to avoid adult responsibilities

p1 & 36
5
 iDROVE THE FUTURE I WAS MEDIUM- Making Stuff up
The future is electric. I know, SIZED IN JAPAN Publisher and
because I’ve spent the last Sony’s over-ear, noise- Editor-in-chief
month driving the 2nd gen BMW cancelling WH-1000XM3 Toby Shapshak
i3. And I’m ecstatic with it. It’s headphones are the reigning toby@stuff.co.za
everything I want in my next champions in our office, so we Editor
car… which is now going to be an i3. I’ve been were pretty excited when we got wind that the Craig Wilson
driving my wife’s hand-me-down Mini for a few Japanese electronics giant was bringing an craig@stuff.co.za
years, and I never want a big car again. But, like in-ear version to market packing the same Digital Publisher
the zippy Clubman S, I do want power on tap and class-leading silencing tech. I headed to Sony’s Nic Boerma
a big boot. I love the i3’s spacious cabin, the HQ in Tokyo to test the WF-1000XM3 buds nic@stuff.co.za
access to the rear thanks to the novel doors, (p16) on the subway at rush hour, tourist
and I’m thrilled with how potent and nimble it is destinations by day, and the bustling streets of Digital Editor
Brett Venter
on Johannesburg’s road. It’s a wonderfully Shibuya at, well, pretty much any time. What
brett@stuff.co.za
driveable car with the premium performance for did I learn? You can get all sorts of snacks and
which BMW is renowned. And especially drinks from Japanese vending machines, it’s Deputy Digital Editor
pleasingly, “it’s ‘lectric”, as my two-year-old possible to schedule activities down to the Marcé Bester
son says with glee every time he sees it. The second, and Sony in Japan is like Blackberry marce@stuff.co.za
future, it turns out, is available right now. once was in Canada: beloved and ubiquitous. Art Director
Toby Shapshak, Publisher and Editor-in-chief Craig Wilson, Editor Brandon van
Rensburg
art@stuff.co.za
Selling Stuff
Business Director
Sally Hudson,
sally@stuff.co.za
Senior Account
Manager
Thalia Pallotta
083 375 2418

OUR MONTH
thalia@stuff.co.za
Getting Stuff to you
Printing
What this issue has brought us by way of geekery CTP
Distribution
RNA 011 248 3607
I ALMOST MADE A I BRAVED A DANISH (Caitlin)
COLLEAGUE CRY BRICK SHOP Contacting Stuff
That’s what 696Nm of instantly This month I went to one of the Call us 087 087 7055
available torque will do to any most dangerous places you can
Email us
reasonable person when they take your wallet in SA: The Lego stuff@stuff.co.za
don’t expect it. Ok, look, he Store. My visit was for the launch
didn’t actually cry. But there was moisture on of the new Hidden Side range. Comprising eight Subscribe
his face. Mostly anxiety-induced sweat on the sets and set in the fictional town of Newbury, it’s stuff.co.za/buy
brow, he claims. For one day, I had access to the Lego’s foray into augmented reality (AR). Find us
recently launched Jaguar I-Pace EV that Children, or the young-at-heart, build each set www.stuff.co.za
features 294kW of power along with the and – once the traditional assembly bit is done –
aforementioned torque. The combo rockets it can then interact with them via an AR-enabling StuffSA
from 0-100km/h in a mere 4.8 seconds. Which, smartphone app. Players can take on the role of @StuffSA
frankly, is perfect for the wild streets of two characters, Jack or Parker, who explore
suburban Joburg where the golden rule is “get Newbury and tackle the various paranormal
to the front”. The best bit? In comfort mode it’s goings-on that abound. Want something Caxton House,
368 Jan Smuts Ave,
almost silent. But if you do miss a bit of a roar, spookier? You can play as a ghost instead. Think Craighall,
flip it to ‘dynamic’ for a growl… though it’s more of it as Lego Supernatural. And just when we Johannesburg,
of a purr, really. It’s still a Jaguar after all. thought Lego couldn’t get any cooler. 2196
Marcé Bester, Deputy Digital Editor Brett Venter, Digital Editor

South Africa

6
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 H O T S T
Bigger picture
Pixel Shift mode shunts
the sensor around in
half-pixel increments to
create giant composite images
of up to 240.8MP. You’ll need
to process them in Sony’s
Imaging Edge
software.

HOT
FOUR
#1
SECRETS OF
AREA 61
Sony A7R IV
‘All-rounder’ is often a euphemism for ‘not
that good at anything’. But Sony’s A7R IV
is happy taking snaps in so many different
situations, it doesn’t need euphemisms.
The world’s first 61MP full-frame camera,
the A7R IV combines a whip-smart
567-point autofocus system, 10fps burst
shooting and five-axis in-body image
stabilisation to take everything in its stride,
with that monster of a sensor ensuring
each picture is absolutely packed with
detail. Whether you’re shooting studio
portraits, the 110m hurdles, a pride of lions
stalking their prey or some mysterious
aircraft zipping over the Nevada desert,
the A7R IV has the power and practicality
to cope with them all. And Sony’s included
its AI-based real-time tracking system,
which includes Eye AF for your two- and
four-legged friends: just press the shutter
halfway and the camera will track your
chosen subject with ruthless precision,
making the A7R IV’s AF system harder
to dodge than a conspiracy theorist
on the internet. So what’s the
weakness – video? Hardly: it’ll shoot
that in 4K with eye-tracking too.
As hot as… the smouldering wreckage
of a recently-crashed spaceship
Rtba (body only) / sony.com/za

8
F
24 PAGES
OF THE BIGGEST
STORIES FROM
PLANET TECH

Card clash
You get two card slots
on the A7R IV, both of which
support UHS-II, which means
it can write to both as quickly
as you can take shots – an
essential feature for
capturing unmissable
moments.

9
 H O T S T U F F

Sensor
sensibility
The full-frame sensor
inside the A7R IV is a 35mm
Exmor R CMOS job, with a
Bionz X image processing
engine. Standard ISO range
goes from 100 to
32,000.

Get a grip
The A7R IV is slightly beefier
than its predecessor, with a
larger grip making it easier to
hold. It weighs 8g more as
well, but is still surprisingly
compact considering
its spec sheet.

Found sounds
There’s an optional
ECM-B1M shotgun
mic that records a digital
audio signal and sends it
directly to the camera,
minimising noise and
distortion.

10
 H O T S T U F F

Look both ways

A 5.76m-dot OLED EVF
sits above the screen and
offers two different modes
depending on what you’re
shooting: high display
quality or high
frame rate. Links awakening
There’s a USB-C port for
connecting the camera to
your laptop but it also has
5GHz Wi-Fi on board, plus
there’s that Imaging
Edge app for mobile
editing.

Flippin’
typical
The 3in TFT screen on the
back does articulate, but not
by much. It’ll only go up by 107°
and down by 41°, so you can’t
really hold it way above
your head to get
a shot.

11
 H O T S T U F F

Crush
team racing
The screen might be slightly
smaller but the resolution is
still 720p, so the same number
of pixels are being squashed
into less space, meaning
it might look a little
sharper.

Joy division Weight

You can still hook up your turn
Joy-Con controllers Nintendo has managed to
separately, so games shave a significant chunk of
that require them can still weight off the Switch, so the
be played on a Switch Lite definitely lives up to its
Lite – you’ll just need name: a feathery 277g
to buy them compared to 400g for
separately. the original.

12
 H O T S T U
HOT
FOUR
#2
THE LITE
OF YOUR LIFE
Nintendo Switch Lite
If you’ve ever been tempted to glue your
Switch’s Joy-Cons to the sides of Ninty’s
hybrid handheld, put down the console
and step away from the Pritt Stick. Such
drastic measures are no longer necessary
if you pick up a Switch Lite instead.
Dedicated to playing in handheld mode
only, the Lite can’t be hooked up to your
TV like a normal Switch can, so the controls
are now built in. It’s had to lose a few
features to make room, so the screen
is 5.5in rather than 6.2in, there’s no
kickstand, and the IR motion camera and
HD Rumble have been removed, although
Nintendo has managed to squeeze about
30 minutes of extra life out of the battery
to suit its more nomadic existence.
Performance is identical, though, and you
still get Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC on board,
and you can play local or online multiplayer
games against owners of both types of
Switch – so if it’s a boredom killer you’re
after for your commute, the Switch Lite
could be the answer. Did we mention
it comes out on the same day as the
rebooted version of Link’s Awakening?
The queue starts over there…
As hot as… Bowser’s used toothpicks
Rtba / nintendo.co.za
F F
HOT
FOUR
#3
ARE YOU TAPING
THE MICKEY?
Nimm It’s OK
If you thought carefully curating a
collection of vintage vinyl was enough
to ingratiate yourself with the regulars
down at the local avocado bar, we’ve got
bad news: vinyl is dead. It’s all about
cassette tapes now. Did you know the
iconic ’80s format shifted 35,000 units in
the first half of 2019? That’s twice as many
as in the same period last year and the
most since 2004. But just as modern
turntables can be wirelessly connected
to speakers and USB ports for making
digital files from your old records, 2019’s
tape players are also keeping up with
the times. Nimm’s oddly named It’s OK
portable has Bluetooth 5.0 built in, so you
can hook it up to a wireless speaker or
headphones. It hasn’t totally lost touch
with its roots, though: there’s still a 3.5mm
headphone port (one less than the Sony
Walkman on p104) and it comes with a
60-minute blank tape that you can record
directly onto using the onboard
microphone. Throw in the transparent
cover that allows you to see the tape
player at work and it’ll have anyone born
after the year 2000 utterly baffled.
As hot as… your latest mixtape
from R900 (import) / ninmlab.com
13
 H O T S
Yes, it’s
an extender!
A separate 160Wh Range
Extender offers an extra
65kms and fits in the water
bottle cage. Splash out
R190 000 for the S-Works
version and you’ll get
one included.
HOT
FOUR
#4
RIDE THE LIGHTENING (sic)
Specialized Turbo Creo SL
If you turned up on the start line
of a race with a normal electric
bike between your thighs, the
bulky frame would make it
pretty obvious you were trying
to pull a (very) fast one. But
Specialized’s new Turbo Creo
SL has a motor and 320Wh
lithium-ion battery housed
inside the down-tube, so it’ll
look like you’re pedalling it up
to 45km/h all by yourself.
When you hit that speed the
motor uncouples, which means
there’s no drag; and as the
whole thing only weighs
around 12kg, it shouldn’t feel
like an electric bike at all. Better
14
T U F F
S-club
heaven
The S-Works edition
also includes higher-end
parts, including Shimano
Dura-Ace Di2 gears, an XTR
rear derailleur and Roval
CLX 50 Disc carbon
wheels.
All tyred out
Therearetwobase‘Expert’
models:onefortheroadand
still, a smartphone app called anEvoversionwithmore
Mission Control allows you to serioustyresdesignedfor
choose how much help the ridingongravel.Bothcost
motor gives you: 30% in Eco thesame:around
mode, 60% in Sport and all R130000.
240W in Turbo mode.
Smart Control is probably
its neatest trick, though: this
uses an algorithm to constantly
recalculate how much help to
give you based on how far you
tell it you need to go, or how
much battery you want to have
left when you get there. Range
anxiety, what range anxiety?
As hot as… playing musical
electric chairs
Rtba / specialized.com
CAPTURE THE
FUTURE
with unparalleled levels of
sharpness and detail
Take your next step at www.canon.co.za or call 080 000 4937

@CanonSouthAfrica @canonrsa @canonrsa

Live for the story_

V I T A L S T A T S

THE BUDS
OF SUBURBIA
Sony WF-1000XM3
R5 000 / sony.com/za

If you’re not a huge fan

of people, the benefits
of active noise-cancelling
(ANC) headphones are
obvious; but not everyone
wants to look like a sound
engineer while rejecting
humanity, so Sony has
crammed the tech into a
pair of wireless earbuds…
● Tyrannosaurus X
It’s not quite on the Jurassic
Park scale, but Sony has been
doing a bit of DNA-splicing by
taking a dash of design from
its lauded WF-1000X in-ear
predecessors and pairing it with
the QN1e HD noise-cancelling
chip from Stuff’s No.1 over-ears,
the WH-1000XM3s. Add in Dual
Noise Sensor Technology –
forward and rear-facing mics
to pick up ambient noise – and There’s an app,
there’s a claimed 40% bump but these circular
in the background commotion- pads house
blocking capabilities. touch-sensitive
tap controls.
● Velocirapture
The 24-bit QN1e chip powers
Digital Sound Enhancement
Engine HX tech for upscaling
compressed music files, plus
smarty-pants features such
as Adaptive Sound Control,
which detects what you’re doing
and adjusts settings to suit the
situation; Quick Attention mode,
for momentarily lowering the
volume and letting ambient noise
in; and Wearing Detection, which
pauses your music when a bud
is removed.

● Tricerapops
To keep each bud in place, a
‘tri-hold structure’ makes contact
with three points of your ear,
while a downward ear-canal
entry locks things further in
place. Battery life is 6 hours with
ANC and 8 hours without, while
the chunky charging case (in SONY’S EXTRA
matching black or platinum
silver) increases playing time MICS BRING A
to 24 hours with ANC or 32 hours
without. A 10-minute fast charge
CLAIMED 40%
offers 90 minutes of music for BUMP IN NOISE
Celine Dion emergencies.
CANCELLING
16
 H O T S T U F F

WIRELESS
WONDERS
● Cleer Ally Plus
Straight outta San Diego, Cleer
has somehow managed to
squeeze 30 hours of playtime
from its ANC buds. You also get
touch controls, auto-playback
proximity sensors, and the
ability to take extremely
important calls with either
left, right or both buds.
R3 000 / cleeraudio.com
An unassailable bead
NIKE JOYRIDE
If you love running, you should probably love the takkies you run in.
We’re not sure what kicks you’re sporting at the minute, but Nike
reckons they’ll pale in comparison to its new Joyrides. For a long time,
foam has been all the rage in running shoes, but these trainers use
a new cushioning system comprised of tiny beads to create a
personalised fit. According to Nike, the TPE beads will match the needs
of your specific running style, creating a dynamic footbed that offers
tailor-made impact protection by forming to your lovely foot slabs. It’s
like “running on bubbles,” apparently; and while we can’t vouch for that
claim yet, we have to admit it sounds like a lot of fun.
R3 100 / nike.com/za

● Libratone Track Air+

Libratone’s true wireless buds
also carry ANC tech and claim to
tune out 30dB of ambient noise.
You’ll get 24 hours playtime with
the magnetic charging case,
a sweatproof design, touch
controls and proximity sensors
for auto-pausing.
R3 000 / libratone.com

● House of Marley
Liberate Air
HoM’s first fully wireless
earphones are crafted from
bamboo, recyclable aluminium,
natural wood fibre composite
and recycled plastic bottles.
They’re not ANC, but that does R-Type of mini console
mean a massive 32 hours of
play with the charging case.
KONAMI PC ENGINE CORE GRAFX MINI
R2 300 / thehouseofmarley.com The old PC Engine isn’t exactly dangerously close to the top of our
‘most wanted’ list of vintage consoles. But in the late 1980s it won
respect from hardcore gamers through dazzling arcade-perfect ports
of R-Type and the like, before being crushed by the SNES. Now, the
awkwardly named PC Engine Core Grafx Mini is heading to Europe
(while Japan gets the more sensibly named PC Engine Mini). Games
vary by region, but we can look forward to the aforementioned R-Type,
Ninja Spirit, Alien Crush and more – that is, those of us who can find
space for yet another shrunk-in-the-wash games system under
the TV. At this rate, we’ll get an Oric Mini by 2021.
R1 800 (import) / konami.com

17
 A P P S
This month’s mobile must-downloads
1 2 3
IN THE
SPOT-
LIGHT

MINIT
4 5 6 R76 / Android
R80 / iOS
Subverting a
genre can make
the old seem
fresh. In Minit,
the all-important
twist is that
you only have
a minute to win
it. But this isn’t
a fraught arcade
test – instead,
it resembles
a retro RPG.
As you dart
7 8 9 about a tiled
landscape, the
chunky visuals
screaming
‘GAME BOY!’ at
your retinas, you
can’t help but
notice the clock
ticking down
from 60. When
it reaches zero,
you’re dead. The
usual ambling
about is replaced
1 Firefox Preview 2 GIFwrapped 3 Pixaloop by focused
Free / Android Free / iOS Free (IAPs) / Android path-finding,
It seems barely a month passes In the future, all communication will Don’t let Harry Potter and chums and frantically
without the Firefox folks nuking be by emoji and gif. Prepare for the have all the fun – get Pixaloop to completing
one Android browser then foisting latter by using this major update animate your still images. Use a missions before
a new one on us. If you’ve the to GIFwrapped, and grab yourself finger to mask areas, draw animation you expire. You
stomach for more, Firefox Preview a collection of classics. Or just paths, say your favourite magic word gradually chip
is fast, powerful and private. guffaw at funny cats. (if you want to) and you’re there. away at the
larger quest,
but this will
4 Groovepad 5 MelodyVR 6 Sprint RPG happen in bite-
Free (IAPs) / Android Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS Free / iOS sized goes in
Bearing more than a passing This one’s been around for a while, With its chunky monochrome Ubers rather
resemblance to Novation Launchpad but has now unleashed concerts corridors of death, there’s a than marathon
on iOS, this beat-maker lets you that you can download and gawp Monster Maze vibe here. But sessions before
UNCH UNCH UNCH into the wee at in VR. Be right there on stage, it plays out at speed, forcing you the television.
small hours. Tap pads. Drop beats. without a burly bouncer hurling to whack enemies and stomp
Dream of superstardom. you into the bins. ahead before your life bar depletes.

7 ChessFinity 8 Total Party Kill 9 Lego Tower

Free / Android, iOS
You might be of the opinion that
chess games go on forever. Here,
though, it’s the board that does.
You swap between pieces, aiming
to get as far as possible before
they’re all given a thorough kicking.
Free / Android, iOS
Single-screen platform puzzlers
litter the mobile world. But only
this one has you off members of
your party (eg: making a ladder by
impaling someone on a wall) then
do a happy jig on reaching the exit.
Free / Android, iOS
With its pixel art and modular nature,
Tiny Tower always felt Lego-ish.
This remake goes the whole hog,
having you construct towers from
virtual plastic bricks and shepherd
minifigs around the place.

18
ALL
ELSE
FADES

SUUNTO 5
One step, one stroke, one revolution, repeat. The world
around you disappears. Suunto 5 is built for these moments.
It is engineered to perform with you for as long as you need
it to. A compact GPS sports watch with great battery life.

suunto.com

Distributors: Ultimo, Stonewedge Office Park, 1 Wedgewood Link, Bryanston, 011-785-4700, marketing@ultimo.co.za
G A M E S
GRAN THEFT AUTO
FIRST PLAY WATCH DOGS: LEGION PS4, Xbox One, PC, Google Stadia
There’s only one thing you need to
know about Watch Dogs: Legion,
and that’s the fact that you can play
as a hacker-mastermind granny.
What, you still want to know more?
Oh, OK then…
The third instalment of the
action-adventure franchise takes
us to a dystopian near-future
London: a post-Brexit Britain
almost certainly more fun than
the real thing. Or easier to get to
grips with, at least.
The capital has become a strict
surveillance state, and you return
as hacktivist collective DedSec to
fight back against the authoritarian
system. Despite some dodgy
Cockney accents and excessive
20
neon, London is surprisingly
accurate – if you know your way
around Camden Market, you’ll
know your way around the
Legion map too.
But the best part? You can
play as absolutely anyone you
encounter in the city. Literally
anyone. There is no one group
of central lead characters; instead,
you can recruit any NPC in the
city to your rebellion, joining your
curated team of 20 DedSec agents,
each with one of three specialisms,
for you to upgrade with relevant
perks. Which is where the hacking
granny comes in.
Think of a Pokemon team, but
with advanced weapons tech. Oh,
and if the Pokemon actually died
in battle – Permadeath raises
the stakes so that, if your team
members are killed, you’ll have
to recruit new ones. A mixture of
stealth tactics, action and a variety
of drone tech is key… but don’t get
too attached.
This ability to play as anyone
makes for one of the most
ambitious gameplay experiences
ever, and makes this one of our
most anticipated video games
of the next year. You can even
create your own organised
rebel gang made up entirely
of 20 ruthless underground
grandmas. Sold!
due March 2020

FIRST
LOOK
12 MINUTES
Xbox One
It’s always good to see an innovative
indie stand out among the big-budget
blockbusters at E3, and this year it was
Annapurna Interactive’s 12 Minutes.
This is a Groundhog Day-inspired
thriller in which you play as a man stuck
in a 12-minute time loop that sees
his wife accused of murder. The idea
is that you unravel a bit more of the
mystery with each new playthrough.
CYBERPUNK 2077
PS4, Xbox One
How do you ramp up the excitement for
a game already topping most-wanted
lists everywhere? Easy: you put Keanu
in it. The hairy Hollywood icon’s reveal
at the end of the latest Cyberpunk
2077 trailer (followed by an on-stage
appearance) will go down as one of the
great E3 moments, and his character
Johnny Silverhand will play a major part
in CD Projekt Red’s bold sci-fi RPG.
H O T S T U F F
ROLLER CHAMPIONS
multi-platform
It’s about time a new arcade sports
game issued a challenge to Rocket
League; and based on its debut at E3,
Ubisoft’s Roller Champions could do
just that. Best described as a mashup
of roller derby and basketball, the game
sees two teams of three race around
an arena, fighting for possession of a
ball that can be thrown into a goal after
completing one or more laps.
21
G A M E S
IS THAT YOUR FINAL ANSWER?
FIRST PLAY FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE PS4
How do you improve on perfection?
That’s the task for Final Fantasy
VII Remake, which takes the 1997
PlayStation RPG, widely regarded
as one of the greatest games ever
made, and reworks it with high-end
graphics and gameplay.
Thankfully, that tall order is not
only met but smashed to bits with
a gigantic sword. There’s loads
here for diehard fans to get excited
about. This game – the first in a
FIFA 20
multi-platform
Yes, it’s another video game in
which 22 painstakingly rendered
footballers kick a painstakingly
rendered football about. But this
year’s entry sees the introduction
of a FIFA Street-style mode called
Volta Football.
22
series, say its developers – takes
place in Midgar, the first setting in
the original. Character banter and
boss battles are now rendered
with cinematic performance
capture and brought to life with
fully acted voices.
But the real winning blow is
that, for JRPG novices, gameplay
is as easy to pick up as a snoozing
chocobo. You play as your team of
mercenaries – in the level we tried
LUIGI’S MANSION 3
Switch
It seems unnecessarily cruel
that Nintendo is sending Luigi,
famously the biggest wimp in
the Mushroom Kingdom, into
yet another haunted mansion…
but the game itself looks
predictably brilliant.
we played as Cloud, with his huge
sword and huge hair, and Barret,
a fan favourite with a big ol’ gun for
an arm. Handy. (Or not…)
Cloud is best used for close-up
melee combat, while Barret’s
speciality is long-range shooting.
Fighting is simple enough thanks
to locking onto targets, simple
weapon controls and seamless
switching between characters in
battle. When full, your ATB gauge,
HALO INFINITE
Xbox One
We now have official confirmation
that the next-gen Xbox is coming,
and with it inevitably comes a new
Halo game. We didn’t see any
gameplay at E3, but we do know
it uses 343 Industries’ slick new
Slipspace Engine.
a tradition of the series, lets you
unleash your magic moves – where
the real damage is done.
You’ve got to be strategic to use
each character’s abilities in the
best way; but when you do, it’s
supremely satisfying and a dream
to handle. Expect this to be one
of the biggest, if not greatest,
games ever… and it’s got some
stiff competition.
due March 2020
DEATHLOOP
multi-platform
From the developer behind Prey
and The Dishonored, Deathloop is
a first-person action game about
two assassins stuck on a lawless
island… but they’re in a time loop,
and have to repeatedly hunt down
targets until they find a way out.

FIRST
PLAY
STAR WARS JEDI:
FALLEN ORDER
PS4, Xbox One, PC
Combining third-person action
with parkour climbing and Star
Wars’ heart, this is basically
Uncharted with Jedis.
Rather than coming from a
galaxy far, far away, Fallen Order
comes from Respawn, the studio
behind Titanfall. So it has pedigree
in super-fun battles with great big
mech suits – a good sign, if the
AT-ATs we got to hijack in our first
extended preview of the gameplay
are to be believed.
Most excitingly, this game is
part of the Star Wars universe and
is produced with Lucasfilm, which
means it’s as authentic as it gets:
Forest Whitaker even appears as
his movie character from Rogue
One, Saw Gerrara.
It adds new detail to that
universe too: your sidekick, BD-1,
is the galaxy’s cutest companion
droid and will steal your heart as
well as your spare time.
due 15 Nov
BEST FIENDS FOREVER
FIRST PLAY DOOM ETERNAL PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
We’re looking forward to being
confronted with the fiery pits
of hell later this year. No, not
Sheffield United in the Premier
League – we mean taking on
Satan’s army in Doom Eternal.
A direct sequel to 2016’s Doom,
this FPS handles just like the
fast-paced original, but will offer
a new multiplayer mode in addition
to the classic campaign where
players face off against each
other as either the Doom Slayer
LINK’S AWAKENING
Switch
The news that a sequel to The
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the
Wild is in development might go
down as the biggest story of this
year’s E3. Before then, though,
we’re going back in time with a
Link’s Awakening remake.
DUE
22NOV
or demons. As in the 2016 game,
taking down enemies in various
ways will reward you with the
items you need to take down
the demonic forces threatening
Earth: ‘Glory Kill’ finishing moves
will reward you with health,
chainsawing a demon to death
will top up your ammo, and you
pick up armour by unleashing your
flamethrower on your foes.
Does it make sense? Not really.
Is it really, really fun? Hell yes.
GHOSTWIRE: TOKYO
platforms tbc
Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami’s
new studio, Tango Gameworks,
cut its teeth with the Evil Within
games, and its next original looks
to continue that approach. We’re
promised an action-adventure with
spectral powers at your command.
H O T S T U F F
FUTURE STUFF
WHY WE’RE
ALL GETTING
SCARLETT FEVER
While there were shiny new
games aplenty at E3, we’re
fast approaching the end
of the current console
generation, and this year’s
show reflected that.
Withitsfocuspresumably
ontheupcomingPS5launch,
Sonywasn’teventhere,
handingalltheheadlines
toMicrosoft’sownnext-gen
console.CodenamedXbox
Project Scarlett, it does
everything gamers will soon
demand: 120fps, real-time ray
tracing and, when supported,
8K. An SSD doubles as virtual
RAM and will slash the time
you spend looking at loading
screens – and that’s paired
with a new processor said to
be four times as powerful as
the Xbox One X’s.
Not that you’ll necessarily
need a console in your TV
cabinet for much longer.
Microsoft’s xCloud streaming
service will purportedly let
you play the latest Gears of
War on your phone with next
to no lag. And just before E3,
Google released more info
about its xCloud rival, Stadia,
which will stream games in 4K
with HDR at 60fps. It launches
in November.
The future of gaming might
be confusing, but it’s pretty
exciting too.
23
 S T A R T M E N U
The latest startups, crowdfunded projects and plain crazy ideas

GOE-
GONDI
I
Little rad ’book
GPD P2 MAX
GPD’s latest ultrabook makes
even Apple’s MacBook seem like
a giant beast. That’s because the
GPD P2 Max is properly dinky,
weighing just 650g and having a
similar footprint to the iPad Mini.
It nonetheless packs in an 8.9in
2560x1600 touchscreen, an Intel
Core m3–8100Y processor,
fingerprint unlocking, enough
ports to make a MacBook green
with envy, a trackpad, and a
webcam – albeit one that points
up your nose. Remarkably, you
get full-size keys too; and
although there’s multi-function
madness going on to squeeze
special characters in, that just
reminds us of the ZX Spectrum
keyboard – which is good.
£676 / gpd.hk

BACK IT

STACK IT

SACK IT
GOE-

GOE-

TE -

TE -
R

R
AR K

AR K
GONDI

GONDI

ST KIC

ST KIC
I

Camming in the air tonight
AIR PIX
Want a perfect selfie without
straining to get your phone far
enough away from your face?
Then try Air Pix, a tiny drone
(52g!) with single-touch
controls. One prod and it’s in
the air, ready to shame anyone
with a silly old selfie stick. Just
keep your bouts of narcissism
short: it only has six minutes of
flying time per charge.
£79 / airselfiecamera.com
Hello, mister radio
VOIZ
All bamboo, cloth and metal,
Voiz makes most modern audio
kit look comparatively cold
and boring. Inside, though,
this love letter to classic radio
is powered by Alexa. So instead
of thumbing a dial, you just
yell at the thing to get at your
favourite stations – which, if
you adore Voiz, presumably
pump out ’50s hits all day.
£120 / voiz.link
Outbreaks of vain
AYI
Too many black rectangles
intruding on your living space?
Try a mirrored one instead.
This 32-incher lets you gaze
at your face while calling an
Uber, checking the weather or
perusing your calendar. What
other big screen lets you watch
a YouTube tutorial on looking
fabulous while simultaneously
studying your gorgeous self?
$399 / ayimirror.com
Bud transfusion
WEARBUDS
Wireless earbuds are great
until they run out of juice…
so Wearbuds are recharged
in their companion wristband.
They claim ‘uncompromised
audio quality’, and the band
also serves as a watch, alarm
and health tracker – counting
all the calories you burn while
bopping away to Mabel when
you think no-one’s looking.
$99 / myaipower.com

24
 ircuit City (Pty) Ltd
Electronics

www.circuitcity.co.za
H O T S T U F F

WTF
IS LUA? Don’t mind if I 8BitDo
8BITDO SN30 PRO+
Still using just your thumbs to play mobile games? What is this, ancient
Is that plant winking at me?
Greece? You should be handing your digits all the help they need…
Rest assured that nobody has slipped
possibly in the shape of 8BitDo’s new SN30 Pro+ controller – its first
something into your coffee. The pot is
full-sized pad. Compatible not just with Android but also with your
named Lua, and a bit of research tells
Switch, PC and Mac, and even Raspberry Pi, it comes with 8BitDo’s
us that it winks when it understands
Ultimate Software, which opens up a whole world of customisation,
a QR code you’ve just shown it. Lua is
including button-mapping and trigger sensitivity, with your setups
a smart plant pot, you see, the winking
saved on a game-by-game basis. There’s also motion control and
animation being one of many it’ll perform
rumble, plus Bluetooth. And did we mention the 20-hour battery life?
depending on its mood. If it’s thirsty, its
It’s time to treat your thumbs like the fleshy heroes they are.
face – a 2.4in LCD – will turn to a gasp.
R700 / 8bitdo.com
If it’s not getting enough sunlight it’ll
start doing a vampire impression, while
a squint means it’s looking for shade.
And occasionally it’ll stick its tongue o
because why not?

As a serial (accidental) killer of hou

plants, I like the sound of this. How
does it work?
By constantly measuring the soil’s
moisture, light exposure and tempera
Lua can assess what it needs and no
you accordingly. And in addition to its
life-preserving sensors, the pot can a
detect motion. When someone walks
past, it wakes up and follows them wi
its eyes. If nothing happens, it’ll drift o
back to sleep. Alright for some.

Moving eyes – that’ll terrify my go

Easy to get set up?
Very. Once you’ve unboxed your Lua
you’ll want to download the app. Here
you can select your plant’s family or e
a specific type. Once you’ve done that
the app will generate a unique QR code
for your plant, which the Lua then reads
and sets the appropriate parameters for.
In-app, you can also change Lua’s facial
proportions, and the animations will
update accordingly.
Anything else I need to know?
If it meets its Kickstarter target, Lua will
launch in a number of colour options in
December, making for a much better
Christmas present than a pair of Scooby
Doo oven gloves.
Grand power in my pocket
SIGMA FP
We all want the real thing. But we all want it a little lighter, a little smaller,
a little more convenient. So the weather-sealed Sigma FP comes in at
just 370g and 113mm across. And Sigma wants you to know that this
makes it the world’s smallest, lightest full-frame mirrorless snapper.
There’s a back-lit 24.6MP full-frame sensor and the camera employs
the L-mount lens system. Throw in silent shooting and HDR with an ISO
range of 100-25,600, plus 4K video to 24p and a Cinemagraph mode
that will readily create gifs, and the FP should appeal to video fans and
stills specialists alike. It’s due later this year and there’s no mention of
price just yet – we just pray it’s in keeping with the ‘less is more’ theme.
Rtba / sigmaphoto.co.za

26
 YOU FRIEND
RE
O
NK BEF

IF YOU DON’T KNOW THEM, DON’T FRIEND THEM.

THI
HT
IG

R
T
USE I

10012530/MCCANN1886
FOR CYBER SAFETY TIPS VISIT CELLC.CO.ZA/CELLC/CELLC-CSI
 I C O N
C SEED 301
$1.5m / cseed.tv
That’d go well in my living room.
Hmm. Do you live in an aircraft
hangar? Because otherwise,
C Seed’s jumbo TV might be a
little on the large side. The ‘301’ in
the name refers to the 301 inches
it measures diagonally, making
this the world’s largest outdoor
TV. It’s so big, in fact, that C Seed
put a giraffe next to it to illustrate
the scale of the thing – a giraffe
that you’ll sadly have to imagine,
because Stuff’s design committee
28
decided to crop it out of the picture
for being ‘too silly’.
Are the giraffes going to be happy
with the viewing experience?
Well, the maximum 4500-nit
brightness and 4500:1 contrast
ratio will ensure they can watch
nature documentaries even in
bright sunlight. HDR picture
refinement technologies render
optimum peak brightness and
contrast up to 4K resolution, and
with six full-range speakers plus
three subwoofers, you’ll be able to
hear it right across the savanna.
Giraffe talk aside, isn’t a massive
outdoor TV going to be an eyesore?
Here’s the clever part. When not
in use, the C Seed 301 hides away
in its underground storage casing.
Tap a button and it’ll rise 5.8m into
the air, before seven enormous
LED panels unfold noiselessly in
40 seconds. Although the TV is
TAP A BUTTON
AND IT’LL RISE
5.8M INTO THE
AIR BEFORE THE
PANELS UNFOLD
made from carbon fibre and
titanium to keep it as light as
possible, it’ll withstand wind loads
of 50km/h before automatically
retracting into the base.
Right, you’ve convinced me – how
do I get one?
Great choice! You can order now
for a mid-2020 delivery. That is,
if you’ve got $1.5m to burn. Giraffes
can presumably pay in instalments
of leaves and twigs.
 H O T S T U F F

Every ROG has its day

ASUS ROG PHONE 2
Mobile gaming is growing even bigger than Piers Morgan’s ego, so DROP
EVERYTHING
it’s no surprise we’ve seen quite a few smartphones launched with
PUBG aficionados in mind. The latest gamer-targeted phone is this, a

significantly improved sequel to last year’s ROG Phone. The hefty slab
is the first phone to pack the Snapdragon 855+ platform, as well as a
behemoth 6000mAh battery and a shedload of gaming accessories.
The screen has also been given a refresh, Asus adding a larger 6.59in
AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. And when you need to take
a break from racking up your kill count to snap some lovely foliage, it
rocks a 48MP main lens and a 13MP ultra-wide-angle shooter.
Rtba / asus.com/za
& DOWNLOAD
Sky: Children of
the Light Free / iOS
Are you brimming over with patience
and empathy? Neither’s likely to be at
the forefront of your mind when playing
games, which still tend towards gritty
grimness and you going PEW PEW PEW.
But with Sky: Children of the Light, you’ll
need them both – in spades.
In this relatively free-roaming adventure,
with a smattering of puzzling and a dollop
of social multiplayer, you’re one of the
titular children, locating spirits and returning
them to the stars. You have lush landscapes
to explore, and regularly take to the air by
way of a magic cape. But you might spend
quite a lot of time staring slack-jawed
at how something this achingly beautiful
exists on a phone.

Every hog has its day

LEGO CREATOR EXPERT
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FAT BOY
Like Lego, but irked at the Creator Expert line’s focus on four-wheeled
vehicles? Well it’s your turn now, bikers, with the Lego Creator Expert
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. This monster set’s 1023 pieces let you craft a
33cm-long model of the real-life motor-mammoth. Spin the rear tyre,
and the engine and dual exhaust pipes spring to life. You can turn the
handlebars while driving it across the kitchen table, and there’s a handy
kickstand to park the thing when everyone asks you to stop. Not
enough? Find out if your local Lego store’s getting the 69 569-piece
full-size take, with Wi-Fi animation control plus sound and light effects.
R1 550 / greatyellowbrick.co.za

29
H O T S T U F F

DECIPHER
ALLOW US TO EXPLAIN…

RAY TRACING
‘Ray tracing’ might sound like the
name of a renegade cop who gets Headset redemption
results, but it was one of the big buzz
terms of E3 (see p20), after confirmation SENNHEISER GSP 670
that the tech will be supported on both
Just because you’re a gamer and you spend most of your time listening
the next PlayStation and Microsoft’s
to gunfire and the smug crowing of your superior teenage opponents,
Project Scarlett.
doesn’t mean you don’t deserve decent sound quality. To save you
Ray tracing is a way for games to
from buying a headset by a company called something like Ultr@ PWN
recreate lighting that looks much more
or N00b Eater, Sennheiser has created the wireless GSP 670 for PC and
realistic than ever before by simulating
PS4. Wireless connections normally mean latency, which is a dirty word
the way light travels in real life.
in gaming circles, but Sennheiser claims there’s near-zero delay here.
The process involves tracing a path
The battery lasts up to 20 hours, enough for all but the most epic CoD
of light from an imaginary eye to every
battles, plus you can hook up your phone and take that call from Mom
surface in the scene. An algorithm then
without having to ask for a ceasefire.
works out how light would behave when
R5 500 / sennheiser.com
it hits each one, based on what they’re
made of and how many light sources
there are. Reflective surfaces will bounce
varying amounts of light onto whatever’s
around them, while anything blocking the
path will create dynamic shadows.
This allows for far more realistic-looking
scenes, but it’s not just for the sake of

AN ALGORITHM WORKS
OUT HOW REAL LIGHT
WOULD BEHAVE WHEN
IT HITS EACH SURFACE
eye-candy. You’d have to really be paying
attention, but think about how changes
in lighting could give away an opponent When I’m C64
sneaking up on you in an FPS.
Ray tracing requires more computing THEC64
power than has so far been available to
Having apparently decided miniaturised consoles and computers are
mere mortals, which is why it’s previously
old hat, TheC64 will bring back the best-selling C64 in full-size form.
been the preserve of Hollywood’s CGI and
Although obviously not an actual Commodore 64, this unit is the spitting
visual effects departments. But that’s all
image of the original, complete with full-size chunky brown keys. You
about to change.
can hammer away at them to craft your own games in C64 or VIC-20
Right now, you’ll need a PC with a
BASIC, and then in your downtime try your hand at 64 pre-installed titles
GeForce RTX graphics card to get the
including Boulder Dash, Paradroid and Gridrunner. You can also add your
best ray tracing performance – but when
own favourites via USB. And to ensure you hit those high scores, avoiding
the next generation of consoles comes
the controller horror show suffered by the otherwise fabulous C64 Mini,
through, gamers who prefer the couch
there’s an updated micro-switched joystick included.
will be able to marvel at its wizardry too.
R1 900 / retrogames.biz

30
 H O T S T U F F

Do ya think I’m 6K? DROP

PANASONIC LUMIX S1H
When your movie script is met with polite rejection for the 100th time,
it’s probably a sign that you should just make the thing yourself. But
what to shoot it on? If you can wait until spring, Panasonic has just the
thing. The full-frame mirrorless Lumix S1H is the world’s first camera
capable of recording 6K video at 24p. That might seem pointless when
most TVs max out at 4K, but the extra resolution will come in handy if
you need to crop any of your shoots in post. It’ll also do 5.9K at 30p,
and scuzzy old 4K at 60p. There’s no local price yet but in the US
it’s expected to set you back $4000. Maybe it’s time to
scale back the special effects budget…
Rtba / panasonic.com/za
EVERYTHING
& DOWNLOAD
Retrospecs Free / iOS
You may be familiar with Retrospecs. If not,
imagine a photo filters app, but instead of
mimicking old cameras it’s obsessed with
ancient computers and consoles. Ever
wanted to know what your face would
look like reimagined by a ZX Spectrum,
or how your lunch would appear if the
world suddenly became a giant Game
Boy? Then this is your app.
But with this latest update, Retrospecs
unleashes your inner nerd. Augmenting
existing capabilities to fashion your own
fake retro ‘emulation’ (as if the dozens
included weren’t already enough), you can
build your own character set. Tap away at a
tiny grid, and within minutes any humdrum
snap will be transformed into a miniature
retro-infused slice of modern art.

Improve your app times

HOT WHEELS ID SMART TRACK
Spare a thought for Hot Wheels. Once a mainstay of any household
occupied by small children, Mattel’s teeny cars are now competing with
robots, drones and tablets for the youngsters’ attention. Well, like they
say, if you can’t beat ’em… Hot Wheels id Smart Track combines the
famous toy set with an element of modern tech, allowing you to
measure speed, laps and performance on an iOS app. The Smart Track
Kit comes with two exclusive cars, 16 assorted track pieces and a Smart
Portal. New cars can be scanned in, and the app also includes various
mini-games. Looks great, but please don’t let anyone try to
give Subbuteo the same treatment.
R2 800 (import) / apple.com

31
H O T S T U F F

32
 S T R E A M

What’s the opposite of on-demand TV? Live

broadcast. So see if you can you spot the odd
one out in this month’s ‘streaming’ selection…

The Dark Crystal: Carnival Row Mindhunter

Age of Resistance
Almost 40 years from the original
Dark Crystal film, Jim Henson’s
fantasy world is back courtesy of
Netflix. If you’re imagining this new
series as a modern CGI-fest, think
again: it’s been created using the
same sort of animatronics and
puppetry as the 1982 movie. Yep,
it’s The Muppet Show for goths.
S1 / Netflix
Anyone yearning for more gothic
vibes should find Carnival Row right
up their… row. Set in the sort of dark
fantasy-Victorian world seen in the
likes of Bloodborne, this Amazon
series stars Cara Delevingne and
Orlando Bloom as a faerie and a
human detective in a setting where
mythical creatures have ‘migrated’
into the real world.
S1 / Amazon Prime
If you were ever a teenager, and
odds are you were (unless, of
course, you still are one) you were
probably obsessed with serial
killers for at least a week, if nothing
else to annoy the parentals with
ghoulish details. Mindhunter is
the show you wish you could’ve
watched then, ripe with fascinating
insights about famous mass killers.
S2 / Netflix

Free Meek American Factory EFC

Rapper Meek Mill may be known
outside the US of A for being Nicki
Minaj’s ex, and for his tiresome beef
with Drake, but in the States he’s
become a figurehead in the fight
for justice reform. On probation
since his teens on some very shaky
charges, Meek’s battle to stay out of
prison while changing the system is
charted in this six-part Amazon doc.
S1 / Amazon Prime
Hotly tipped for an Oscar nod,
this feature-length doc from the
Obamas’ production company
tracks the tragicomic culture clash
that unfolds when a Chinese tech
billionaire opens a factory in the
US rust belt. Illuminating the wildly
different approaches of the two
‘sides’, it’s a timely look at the
globalised economy.
Film / Netflix
What’s traditionally been missing
from VOD services? Sportsing.
Showmax push into the world of
live sport broadcasting is well
underway. It’ll be airing cricket,
tennis, rugby and select local
soccer games in the months
ahead… we can’t be sure which
matches, but we do know one
thing, there’ll be EFC, too.
Live sport / Showmax

The Boys S1 / Amazon Prime

TH ISS T

Tired of superheroes saving the world and having their foibles limited to something
M N’

charming, like a weakness for ice cream or chihuahuas? The Boys tells the sordid tale of
DO

The Seven, a team of superheroes designed to optimise likes, merchandise sales and
IS

shareability by a mega-corporation called Vought. From afar, they look perfect. Up close,
they’re horrid, entitled, destructive, megalomaniacs. When one of them does something
especially abhorrent, it’s up to handful of non-‘supes’ to put them in their place: the trash.

33
W H E E L S
Mini Electric
WATTS THE DIFFERENCE
EV
Too bling? The
yellow trim details
SPECIAL
are optional and the p60
funky alloys can be
swapped for more
subtle ones.

Rtba / mini.co.za ALL-ELECTRIC NEWS DASHBOARD

Are you sure this is a new car? Just car, with an electric range of
looks like a regular Mini to me... about 225km, but a half-hour
That’s the point. The Mini has been 50kW rapid charge should get it
an icon for 60 years, so you don’t juiced up to 80%.
mess too much – even when
swapping petrol and diesel for Any interior upgrades to make the
protons and electrons. A new EV stand out from the regular car?
front grille, alloy wheels that A few, but it’ll still feel familiar to
look like plug sockets and some anyone who’s driven a modern DON’T LET ME SILICON THE SUN ALWAYS
yellow trim are all it needs to Mini. Analogue gauges are binned DOWN, BENTLEY RALLY SHINES ON E.V.
stand out. Otherwise it’s instantly in favour of a digital cluster that Bentley turns 100 New electric race Why plug in when
recognisable as a Mini, albeit one shows power reserves and this year, and has series Extreme E is the sun can give
with no exhaust pipe. remaining range, a new toggle decided to celebrate hoping to save the you free wireless
switch lets you dial up the brake by imagining what planet… by racing energy? The R1.9m
But does it still drive like a Mini? regeneration effects, and the it’ll be selling in all over it. The Lightyear One
Batteries are hefty things. manual handbrake has been 2035. The EXP 100 Dakar-styled electric saloon is
According to the engineers, it retired for an electric one. GT promises the 370kW off-road covered in solar
does. Adding the battery pack ultimate in opulent SUVs will compete panels to help
meant raising the ride height, So how long ’til I can say goodbye travel, with limo-like over sand, snow, trickle-charge
but keeping capacity down to to the petrol pump forever? dimensions but mud and gravel its batteries while
32.6kWh should preserve the Well, it might be being built in eye-watering in 2021 to raise it’s away from the
go-kart handling of the regular Oxford, but China and the US performance from awareness of mains, meaning
car. The electric motor sends get first dibs on production cars. four electric motors. climate change. less time hanging
135kW to the front wheels, That means us Saffers will have We’re hoping it Please don’t turn around at charging
which is good for 0-100km/h in to wait a little longer, with the first comes with a free up to watch in an points and more
7.3 seconds – only a few tenths deliveries due in 2020. But the on-board butler. 8-litre Bugatti. time cruising.
off the Cooper S. This is a pure city pre-order books are open now.

34
 H O T S T U F F

Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato

YOU RALLY GOT ME

The
Sterrato gets
mahoosive flared
arches, because the
Huracan wasn’t
flashy enough
already…

R3.7m estimated / lamborghini.com NEWS DASHBOARD

Has the World Rally Championship So this can really let you put pedal
opened a supercar class? to the metal on any surface?
If it did, the Huracan Sterrato would Pretty much. Some redesigned
be first across the start line. Turns front air intakes and new air filters
out ‘safari builds’, or turning fast stop that colossal V10 choking on
road cars into fast-anywhere cars, dust, while the 4WD system has
is big business – so much so that been tweaked to favour the back
the original manufacturers want end stepping out ever so slightly
to get in on it. This concept is what around corners for maximum fun. WE’RE ONLY RAD MUL GIVES COME ON
Lamborghini would do if customers And with around 470kW to play TRYING TO ALP YOU WINGS YOU SPUR
came calling… and who wouldn’t? with, that’s guaranteed – on mud, The reborn Alpine Anyone worried a Limo luxury with
It’s a rally car with a 5.2-litre V10! dirt, snow or tarmac. A titanium A110 is one of the BMW M model isn’t sports saloon feel is
rollcage, four-point harnesses best ‘real world’ exclusive enough the aim for Bentley’s
But what does a supercar maker and bespoke seats should keep sports cars money can now turn to overhauled Flying
know about going off-road? you cosy inside the cabin. can buy – but a little Brit tuner Mulgari. Spur, giving owners
Quite a bit, actually. Lambo already more power never It’s working on a pause for thought
had form with the LM002 4x4 Come on, this thing will never see hurt anyone, did it? reworked M240i as to whether to call
back in the ’80s, and now it has a real road, muddy or otherwise. The upgraded called the Icon03, the chauffeur or get
the Urus SUV. But the Sterrato Not true. Lamborghini already has A110S takes the inspired by classics behind the wheel
turns all that up to 11. Starting with a working prototype that’s put in fight to Porsche’s like the M3 CSL, themselves. This
a ‘standard’ Huracan EVO, they’ve a solid stint churning up the Nardo Cayman S with 50 with a wide bodykit four-door take on
jacked up the ride height, fitted test track… and there are whispers more horses from and an engine that’s the Continental GT
metal skid plates and shod those of a limited production run, with its turbo’d 1.8-litre pushing more than is good for 333km/h
20in alloy wheels with custom 3D printers being roped in to build four-pot, along 370kW. Only 25 and comes with
rubber. Throw in some rails, front all the body parts. It won’t come with a tweaked are due to roll out a rear-biased
spotlights and even wider wheel cheap if things get that far, mind… chassis setup. of the workshop. 4WD system.
arches, and boom: rally-ready. close to four million rand.

35
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36
FIRST TEST SONY XPERIA 1

Rtba / sony.com/za

Power
tower
It’s mighty tall (or wide,
depending on how
you’re holding it)…
but can the Xperia 1
lift Sony into the elite
phone club at last?

Y
ou can’t blame Sony,
off the pace in the
smartphone arms
race for years,
for deciding to try something
different – something for those
punters who pine for a genuine
alternative. But does anyone
really want longer phones?
The Sony Xperia 1 is a beast.
Packing the world’s first 4K HDR
OLED smartphone display, a
triple camera loaded up with
Sony Alpha eye-tracking tech,
advanced video features and
stacks of power, it’s most
definitely a flagship – with
an expected price to match.
That just leaves the question
of whether there’s enough
innovation and sheer quality in
this phone to make it stand out
in the face of stiff competition
from Apple, Huawei, OnePlus
and Samsung.
As so often, it depends what
you’re after from a phone.
After a few days in this Sony’s
company, ‘normal’ smartphones
suddenly feel a bit weird. That
long screen is seriously good,
plus there’s a clean interface and
a great stills camera – and it’s
class-leading when it comes to
recording video.
On top of that, the Xperia 1 is
a supermodel smartphone: the
first flagship phone with a 21:9
screen, it looks as classy as any
of its rivals in black, purple, white
or – the most premium-looking
option – grey.
Is it really time for Sony to be
a serious contender at last?

37
 FIRST TEST SONY XPERIA 1

1 Long to rain over us 2 Long sighted 3 Long hand

The phone’s front and back are
protected by Gorilla Glass 6. An
aluminium frame wraps around
the sides, and there’s IP68
water-resistance – enough
for bath mishaps. The fingerprint
scanner is sandwiched between
the volume and power keys.
On paper, the Xperia 1 has the
best phone screen ever. It’s a 4K
OLED, and at 6.5in it’s big, with
a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio. But
its maximum brightness can’t
stack up to the very best of the
rest, and viewing angles are very
good but not incredible.
Serving up Android 9 with a light
dressing of Sony over the top,
the Xperia 1’s respectful take
on Google’s OS is a winner. Sony
has also built on the Side Sense
gesture system introduced in the
XZ3 with some handy swiping
navigation tricks.

24 hours
ty
re an

a. at
. ny

with the
len
re o

.
.

ed
tro

em th

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tu y t
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e

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e

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s

…a

Th

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Th
W

W
Al

1min 5mins 10mins 20mins 1hr 2hrs 3hrs 4hrs 6hrs

38
 FIRST TEST SONY XPERIA 1

5
Techspecs
Screen 6.5in 3840x1644 HDR OLED
Processor Snapdragon 855
RAM 6GB OS Android 9
Cameras 12MP + 12MP + 12MP rear, 8MP front
Battery 3330mAh Storage 128GB (+ microSD)
Dimensions 167x72x8.2mm, 178g
2
Long shots
Three rear cameras is a first for Sony, and helps to
bring the Xperia 1 up to speed with the competition

■ Three in 1 ■ 1 step beyond

All three rear sensors are
12MP: main camera, 2x
zoom and wide-angle.
These offer a great range
of focal lengths, and
you get optical image
stabilisation on the
first two.
This is the first time in a
while that we’ve seen a
marked improvement in
image quality from Sony.
Pictures have a healthy
amount of detail, colours
are rich and there’s no
aggressive processing.

■ 1 in the morning ■ Take 1

4 Long-distance runner
Thanks to a Snapdragon 855
CPU and 6GB of RAM, this phone
performs like a dream for the
most part. It’s the best-specced
Xperia yet, and that power
is reflected across everything
from gaming through to simple
browsing, editing and swiping.
5 Live long and prosper
A 3330mAh battery is pretty
small given this phone’s power
demands, so we were surprised
by how well it lasted: at 9pm
most days we still had around
15% left in the tank. There’s no
wireless refuelling, but the phone
does support fast charging.
ou
Low-light performance Filmmakers will have a
is pleasantly realistic and field day with the Xperia 1.
dynamic range is good… It’s the only phone around
if not right up there with that offers ‘pro’ levels of
the best. The max shutter control over your video
time is over 30 seconds, out of the box, including
so you can grab light trails shutter speed and a range
and get really creative. of colour profiles.
This is certainly Sony’s best phone to date.
It’s not great value compared to handsets like
the OnePlus 7 Pro or Honor 20 Pro – and its
stretched form won’t appeal to everyone –
but if you’re a serious video enthusiast, edit a

its ng

en er
dy

,
tra ki

rp

dd oth
,

lot of documents, watch films when out and

eo
.
or rac

…
ha
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about and like split-screen multitasking, it’s

fa p
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ei

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the cream of the current crop.

ka dc
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ei r

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STUFF SAYS ★★★★★

ur ea
dd of

on y h
nic ef
ith K
at t r
na B

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Ve e d
ca 28G

ph nn
fe rea

Pricey, brave, excellent: the

Ou

Th

Fu
G
1

Xperia 1 is a sensational phone

and a film fan’s dream
14hrs 16hrs 17hrs 21hrs 24hrs

39
 FIRST TEST SONY XPERIA 1
The alternatives:
3 more big-screen phones
These widescreen wonders are designed for eager content consumers
BEST FOR
VIVID
COLOUR
Samsung Galaxy S10+
from R18 500 / samsung.com/za
What’s the story?
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ has curved
Gorilla Glass on its front and back, with
a band of shiny aluminium that sits
between. The Infinity-O display is this
year’s big change. In the two other Galaxy
S phones for 2019, the S10 and S10e, this
involves just a little punch-hole cut out
of the OLED display, but the S10+’s dual
front cameras demand more space.
Is it any good?
The all-screen look is fantastic, but the
chunk of display eaten by those cameras
is obvious when you watch a movie – and
there’s no removing it. Still, that aside,
Samsung’s OLED strengths are on show
here and this phone goes insanely bright,
kicking up to 1200 nits. It shrugs off direct
sunlight, colour is rich and contrast is
superb. Customisations allow for ‘natural’
and ‘vivid’ modes, although in previous
years screen nerds had more choice.
KEY SPECS
Screen 6.4in 3040x1440 AMOLED
Processor Exynos 9820
Rear cameras 12MP + 12MP + 16MP
Dimensions 158x74x7.8mm, 175g
Stuff says ★★★★✩
This Samsung is big, brilliant and
surprisingly sensible
40
BEST FOR
SHOWING
OFF
Apple iPhone XS Max
from R22 000 / myistore.co.za
What’s the story?
Unlike previous generations of iPhone,
the larger model is no longer ahead of
its mini-me in terms of tech – the Max
‘merely’ gets extra screen space and
battery life designed to snare fans of
larger phones. In short, it’s a sweet spot
if you were transfixed by the iPhone X
but pined for the extra width of the
iPhone 8 Plus.
Is it any good?
Going from the iPhone 8 Plus to the
standard X could feel like a regression.
The XS Max, however, gives you a
gorgeous 6.5in OLED that’s especially
welcome for TV, movies and games…
even if the notch rears its divisive head.
Putting the XS Max next to an 8 Plus
makes the latter look like a relic. The
only downside is that the Max is only
a one-handed device if you have bionic
extendable thumbs.
KEY SPECS
Screen 6.5in 2688x1242 OLED
Processor A12 Bionic
Rear cameras 12MP + 12MP
Dimensions 158x77x7.7mm, 208g
Stuff says ★★★★★
A premium phone with a premium
pricetag, even by Apple’s standards
BEST FOR
NOTCH
HATERS
OnePlus 7 Pro
from R9 250 (import) / oneplus.com
What’s the story?
The OnePlus 7 Pro is has a genuinely
huge screen at 6.67in – and if your first
reaction is “Where’s the notch?”, the
7 Pro doesn’t need one. That’s because
it has one of the least intrusive ways
to fit in the selfie camera without eating
into the display: a motorised nubbin
that pops out of the top of the phone
whenever needed.
Is it any good?
You get a more cinematic screen here
than on the Galaxy S10+ (even though
this OLED is supplied by Samsung). It’s
bright, sharp and colourful, and contrast
is superb. It’s also runs at 90Hz, meaning
apps scroll more smoothly. You get loads
of screen customisation options including
sRGB, DCI-P3, and a no-holds-barred
OLED mode with enough colour to make
you feel slightly sick. Oh, and there’s a 5G
version, not that it’d work here yet.
KEY SPECS
Screen 6.67in 3120x1440 AMOLED
Processor Snapdragon 855
Rear cameras 48MP + 16MP + 8MP
Dimensions 163x76x8.8mm, 206g
Stuff says ★★★★★
An ultra-high-end smartphone with
a huge screen
 PHOTO SPECIAL

Fujifilm X-T3
p51

C S C S
Don’t let smartphone trickery deceive you – proper cameras
still have the magic to show your handset who’s in charge.
Professional snapper Matt Golowczynski is your guide…

41
 PHOTO SPECIAL

PRO PERSPECTIVE

Macro can be a tricky mistress, as close focusing

usually means painfully shallow depth of field. You
might need to use a moderate aperture like f/5.6
or f/8 to keep it crisp; but if your subject is moving,
make sure your shutter speed doesn’t drop too low.

42

If you’re ready for your close-up, one of the cheapest full-frame cameras
out there is also a macro marvel once you partner it up with the right lens
CANON EOS RP
R19 000 (body only) / canon.co.za
he EOS RP
T is the newest
mirrorless
smasher in Canon’s
EOS R line, and one
of the cheapest ways
to crack your way into
full-frame shooting.
And if homing in on
life’s smaller details is
what you’re focused
on, you’ll be stoked with
what it offers.
For a start, it’s really
small for a full-frame
shooter, so there’s no
bother using it on the
fly. Flip out that LCD and
STUFF SAYS It’s light enough not to be a burden, and with razor-sharp autofocus
and top image quality the RP is what we’ve been waiting for from Canon ★★★★★
MACRO
PHOTO TIPS
Nice legs
Image stabilisation can
make it possible to get
crisp macro shots when
you’re holding the
camera, but there’s no
beating a solid tripod.
Perfect timing
For tack-sharp details,
don’t touch the camera
when the exposure
takes place – use the
self-timer and it won’t
be disturbed.
Light relief
Lighting subjects up
close can be tricky, but
you can use a twin flash
on the front of your
lens… or even a lens
with built-in LEDs.
MACRO MAGIC
might want to hit up things into your own
manual focus. Now hands and go RAW
you can unleash focus if you want to polish
you’ll be able to place peaking, which graces things up later on. And
it in the strangest of
places for unorthodox
your subjects with a
coloured highlight as
don’t let the small range
of native lenses put you
angles – and with soon as contrast and off: use one of Canon’s
a super-responsive sharpness are bang fine DSLR macro lenses
touch panel, you just on. You can even flip through the included
need to tap the subject between red, yellow, or adapter, with the same
for the Dual Pixel CMOS blue to contrast better AF and metering you’d NOW ADD THIS
autofocus system to against whatever it is enjoy with a DSLR. Canon EF 100mm
work its magic. you’re shooting. f/2.8L Macro IS USM
That focusing tech Fancy using the Tech specs The very best there
boasts 4779 AF points electronic viewfinder ● 26.2MP full-frame is: for when you’ve
spread right across the instead of the LCD? Tap ● ISO 100-40,000 absolutely, positively
frame, while the Spot the AF button and it’ll ● 4K @ 24fps got to capture every
AF option means you magnify by 5x or even ● 3in 1040k-dot LCD minute detail in your
can be as precise as 10x into the frame. ● USB 2.0, miniHDMI, macro shot, accept
you need to be; but Jpg images sing with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth no substitute. Residing
for utmost control you colour, but you can take ● 133x85x70mm, 485g in Canon’s premium
L series, this lens
is furnished with
extra-special glass
to keep details dandy.
R13 000 / canon.co.za
43
 PHOTO SPECIAL

STREET
PHOTO TIPS
Rain supreme
You might not want to
shoot when it’s raining,
but make use of
puddles for their
nice, high-contrast
reflections.

First touch
Don’t mess around with
focusing points in the
moment; set up your
camera to focus and
shoot once you press
the touchscreen.

Star burst
Unless you have the
reflexes of a fly, call
on continuous shooting
mode. That way you can
choose the best shot
from a whole series.

STREET LIFE
Release your inner Cartier-Bresson without missing the spontaneity
of city life, thanks to a camera that can handle whatever’s thrown at it

FUJIFILM X-T30
R14 000 (body only) / myfujifilm.co.za
treet snapping
S is different
to all other
forms of photography.
Anything can happen,
so you have to be
super-responsive… and
it helps if your camera is
just as nimble.
While we still have
the softest of soft
spots for Fujifilm’s X-T3
(p51), its X-T30 sibling
is a better fit for street
shooting given its leaner
and lighter body.
In fact, it’s a fair bit
newer, and arrives with
STUFF SAYS Versatile, compact, powerful, stylish and not insanely
expensive – Fuji’s all-rounder really is a little wonder ★★★★★
much any new camera,
Fuji has worked hard to
get its system spotting
the latest X Processor 4 even smaller faces than
engine, together with a
responsive touchscreen
before, locking onto the
eyes so they remain
and 8fps burst shooting. sharp. It’s impressive
And you can ramp that in use and a godsend
up to 20fps using an on the street.
electronic shutter. But all that doesn’t
Also thrown in is a mean sacrificing style:
rapid hybrid AF system the X-T30 blends it all
with its focusing points into one, packing its tech
spread far and wide, so into a teeny, handsome
wherever your subject shell adorned with
steps, the system will metal dials for tweaking
step with them. drive mode, shutter
While face detection speed and exposure
may now be a fairly compensation. You also
vanilla feature, and only get a nifty little flip-out
to be expected in pretty touchscreen, which
helps you stay more
discreet when shooting
on the sly.
The X-T30 has been
crafted to work with a
wide range of X-series
lenses, but the kit option
– the XF 18-55mm
f2.8-4 R LM OIS – is
a perennially popular
zoom that stays NOW ADD THIS
compact at all times. Billingham 72
Shoulder Bag
Tech specs A smart camera
● 26.1MP APS-C deserves a smart
● ISO 160-12,800 home, and this
● 4K @ 30fps shoulder bag from
● 3in 1040k-dot LCD British baggage boffins
● USB 3.1, microHDMI, Billingham is as dashing
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth as it gets. It’s crafted
● 118x83x47mm, 383g from waterproof
materials, complete
with brass fittings
and leather details.
R1 900 (import) /
wexphotovideo.com

44
 PHOTO SPECIAL

PRO PERSPECTIVE

Bright light is often a no-no when it comes to getting

flattering illumination for your subjects, but this
can be great for silhouettes and black-and-white
images out on the street. As the sun start to dip,
look to incorporate shadows into your scene.

45
 PHOTO SPECIAL

PRO
PERSPECTIVE

Shooting at twilight will

help you to get a little
more colour in the sky
than when it gets truly
dark, and you can boost
this by experimenting
with different white
balance presets, or by
using the manual colour
temperature scale.

46
 LOW-LIGHT
PHOTO TIPS
Strong and stable
Turn on the image
stabilisation system
(through the menu) to
squeeze every drop of
sharpness from your
poorly-lit subjects.

You absolute ledge

Tripods are great but
not always practical. A
smaller monopod can
be a massive boon, as
can resting your camera
on a wall or ledge.

RAW talent
Cameras like the Z6 can
process out the grain in
low-light images, but
ditch jpg and shoot
RAW so you can work
more magic later on.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE

Packing a stabilised sensor and compatible with a raft of wide-aperture
lenses, the gloom-friendly Z6 is your year-round ticket for the night-time

NIKON Z6
R37 300 (body only) / nikon.co.za sensor-based vibration exposures before you
reduction, which means even get home.
you don’t have to worry Low light means
ikon has form and an ISO range going about stabilisation in wide-aperture lenses;
N for producing
cameras that
right up to 51,200 in
its normal mode, this
your lenses, while the
hotshoe lets you slip in a
and while Nikon’s latest
S range does include a
handle low light with camera will soldier on Speedlight from Nikon’s couple, your possibilities
ease, and the Z6 is its in all conditions. DSLR line. are magnified with the
latest night-ninja. That’s even easier The Z6’s 3.69m-dot FTZ adapter. That lets
The mirrorless Z now thanks to a EVF is also one of the you carry on using
series has really ramped firmware update strongest of its kind, and hundreds of Nikon’s
things up here, with that gave low-light allows you to continue DSLR options. NOW ADD THIS
special goodies for night performance an extra seeing a properly Nikkor Z 50mm
owls and anyone else boost, as well as exposed version of Tech specs f/1.8 S
shooting in murky allowing it to focus the scene whatever ● 24.5MP full-frame One of three optics
conditions. more accurately on the conditions. And with ● ISO 100-51,200 launched alongside
The Z6 is all about low-contrast subjects superb RAW processing ● 4K @ 30fps the Z6, this weather-
soaking up light like and, crucially, better tools built in, you can ● 3.2in 2.1m-dot LCD resistant option delivers
a sponge rather than eye detection . scrub out all that gritty ● USB 3.0, microHDMI, excellent sharpness
producing images the Low-light credentials noise, boost your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth from centre to corners,
size of a truck. And with are further enhanced by colours and fix your ● 134x101x68mm, 675g while that bright f/1.8
aperture helps you
to shoot in low light
without cranking up
STUFF SAYS Finally, a top-notch and reasonable-sized mirrorless your ISO too high.
camera from the undisputed optical experts, Nikon ★★★★★ R9 800 / nikon.co.za

47
 PHOTO SPECIAL

NATURE
PHOTO TIPS
Have a closer look
Balancing shutter speed,
ISO and aperture can be
tricky. Always magnify
the scene to check the
key details are sharp at
your chosen settings.

Focus on focus
Single-shot focus is
fine for distant and static
subjects; when you’re
shooting closer, switch
to continuous focus to
keep locked on.

Not easy being green

Foliage makes a perfect
backdrop for natural
subjects, but default
settings can leave
greens a little lacklustre.
Try a ‘vivid’ option.

ON THE WILD SIDE

Whether it’s lions on safari or squirrels at the park, a far-reaching camera
with a competent autofocus system is in order for the finest nature shots

SONY A6400
R16 800 (body only) / sony.com/za will help you capture is wildlife lens magic, but
timelapses of the sun we can’t afford it and
rising while you wait for neither can you, so stick
ony’s roots keeping you up with that leopard. to the FE 100-400mm
S might be more
in electronics
anything that moves.
Need to be more
But in prime position
on the podium of the
f4.5-5.6 OSS G Master.
Sony still hasn’t nailed
than in photography, discreet? Don’t want A6400’s charms is its it all – the menus are
but it’s crafted some to get eaten? Fashion 425-point phase-detect fiddly, battery life is
of the most coveted yourself some neato AF system. It even has only OK and there’s
mirrorless cameras yet. headwear with nearby an Animal Eye AF option no in-body stabilisation
From the budget A6000 flora by all means, but that uses AI-powered here – but things are NOW ADD THIS
to the sport-hungry camo your camera too algorithms to detect getting there. Lowepro Powder
A9, it’s dented the by tapping up the silent and lock onto the eyes Backpack 500 AW
dominance of the big shutter. That way you of furry subjects. Tech specs This fancy backpack
specialists more than can fire away at 8fps There are over 50 ● 24.2MP APS-C from outdoor
anyone else. without a sound. Sony lenses that will ● ISO 100-32,000 specialists Lowepro is
And its new A6400 is Sony’s video mettle partner up with the ● 4K @ 30fps ideal for long stretches
a real peach for wildlife, needs no explaining, so A6400 – hundreds ● 3in 921k-dot LCD out in the field. It
with its APS-C sensor it’s no surprise to see when you factor in the ● microUSB, microHDMI, provides a home for
giving extra reach and lovely 4K on board too, third-party options. The Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC a camera body and
11fps burst shooting while interval shooting FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS ● 120x67x60mm, 403g up to five lenses, as
well as a tripod and
a 15-inch laptop, with
an all-weather cover
STUFF SAYS Only a handful of issues prevent Sony’s speedy little wrapping it all up.
sharp-shooter from being a resounding triumph ★★★★✩ R5 400 / lowepro.com

48
 PHOTO SPECIAL

PRO PERSPECTIVE

Nailing your subject at the perfect moment makes it

easy to forget the background. As a rule, the further
away the background is from the subject, the nicer
the blur will be, so throw your aperture wide open
and factor this into your compositions.

49
 PHOTO SPECIAL

PRO PERSPECTIVE

Little secret: most food

photographers don’t
style their dishes
themselves. Successful
images often have an
army of people behind
the scenes to make
sure everything
looks lush, so don’t
be afraid to get a
second opinion or
another pair of hands.

50

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT
The strongest X-series model yet (and Stuff’s No1 system camera) trounces
its mid-range rivals in the kitchen with a raft of fancy, food-friendly tricks
FUJIFILM X-T3
R22 500 (body only) / myfujifilm.co.za
t’s hard to think
I of a subject
the X-T3 can’t
handle, from sport and
seascapes to macro
and more. But if it’s food
you’re shooting, it’s got
a few tricks that will
make your images
extra-tasty.
For a start, this was
the first Fujifilm camera
to be furnished with a
26.1MP sensor, which is
ahead of the 20-24MP
norm at this level. That
gives you oodles of
detail to begin with,
STUFF SAYS We’ve raved about this Fuji’s stills and video capabilities, and its big
sensor and gorgeous film modes make it a sensational food snapper ★★★★★
but also the flexibility to
crop right in later.
There’s also all those
luscious film simulation
modes – from the
Velvia colour option,
injecting a shot of
vibrancy, through to
the more restrained
Provia setting that
keeps things a little
more natural.
We also love the
three-axis-tilting LCD,
which gives you huge
flexibility composing
your images on a tripod.
Tilt it up and down if
that’s all you want to do,
or flip it out from its side
for portrait shots from
tricky angles.
That screen is also
highly responsive to the
touch, which gets the
camera focusing and
shooting in one swift
action – no faffing
around with AF points
required.
The 11fps burst mode,
which can be ramped
up to 30fps, might seem
overkill for food; but as
long as your camera is
nice and stable, you can
use it to inject some
action, whether you’re
slathering your crumble
FOOD
PHOTO TIPS
Food colouring
Some foods aren’t that
colourful – think Ouma
Rusks, pasta and so on.
So inject some colour
into your shots with
bold-looking plates.
Light snack
Natural light is great for
food, but it’s not always
where you need it to be.
A small white reflector
will help you to bounce it
into shadowy areas.
Bring a bottle
A small atomiser or
spray bottle is a neat
tool for giving salad a
spritz of ‘dressing’ or
anything raw an added
veneer of freshness.
with custard or getting
moody monochrome
shots of flour clouding
up as it hits the table.
Lens options for food
are vast. The XF 80mm
f2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro
is classic choice for
close-ups, but the XF
56mm f1.2 R will give
you the creamiest of NOW ADD THIS
creamy backgrounds. Manfrotto Element
Carbon Fibre Big
Tech specs Traveller Tripod Kit
● 26.1MP APS-C A high-res sensor like
● ISO 160-12,800 the X-T3’s needs a
● 4K @ 60fps solid set of legs to make
● 3in 1040k-dot LCD sure everything stays
● USB 3.1, microHDMI, put. Carbon fibre types
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth tend to be pricy, but this
● 133x93x59mm, 539g kit comes with its own
head and manages to
squeeze in at a very
reasonable price point.
R4 300 /
ormsdirect.co.za
51
 PHOTO SPECIAL

LANDSCAPE
PHOTO TIPS
Right place, right time
Landscapes might not
move but timing is still
critical. For the best
light, it pays to set your
alarm early or hang on
until it gets dusky.

Tri harder
If your tripod has a hook
at the end of its centre
column, hanging your
heavy kitbag from this
will add stability for the
sharpest results.

Hugger hoody
Most lenses come with
a hood, so use them.
They play a vital role in
keeping stray light out,
and also help protect
the front glass.

UNBELIEVABLE SCENES
Nikon’s 45MP flagship mirrorless monster squeezes all the goodness from
the company’s new lenses, helping you to capture luscious landscapes

NIKON Z7
R54000 (body only) / nikon.co.za 3.69m-dot viewfinder and other gremlins, and
as the Z6 on p47, you that goes for the new
get a super-accurate S-line lenses released
he battle for can use this camera preview of the image for the camera too. Not
T the ultimate
landscape
with so many F-mount
lenses means you don’t
whatever changes you
make to settings.
that you’ll necessarily
want to be shooting
camera is a fierce have to wait for Nikon So how do you nail once the heavens open,
one. Medium-format to pad out its new S-line: those exposures? Well, but at least you can
cameras are arguably just pop on the included using ND grad filters and grab that shot of those
the prime choice, but mount adapter. waiting for the right time black clouds without
they don’t come cheap The body is also far will always be wise, but fretting before you dash
and rarely have higher more compact than the Active D-Lighting back to the car. NOW ADD THIS
resolution than the best Nikon’s equivalent option will also bring Nikon 14-30mm
full-frame models. DSLR, the D850, but balance to your images Tech specs f/4 S
Panasonic’s S1R and a chunky grip still makes when you have bright ● 45.7MP full-frame Covering a useful focal
Sony’s A7R III are great it a dream to hold when skies dancing with ● ISO 64-25,600 range for landscape
full-frame choices, but you’re giving your tripod darker elements. ● 4K @ 30fps work, this ultra-wide
the Z7 gets our nod. Its a breather. Seals here, there ● 3.2in 2.1m-dot LCD zoom has a weather-
45.7MP sensor grabs all And with the same and everywhere give ● USB 3.0, microHDMI, sealed shell and
the detail in the scene, 2.1m-dot LCD and it protection against Wi-Fi, Bluetooth compact construction,
and the fact that you gloriously detailed dust, inclement weather ● 134x101x68mm, 675g but the real gem is that
you can use filters on
the front – not usually
possible on lenses
STUFF SAYS This full-frame mirrorless camera’s ease of use, new Z-series this wide.
rangefinder and stunning results make it a formidable contender ★★★★★ R21 600 / nikon.co.za

52
 PHOTO SPECIAL

PRO PERSPECTIVE

Landscapes are about

the most popular genre
out there, so it’s always
worth thinking laterally
when it comes to your
approach. Even just
turning your camera
out of landscape
orientation to portrait
is a simple way to
distinguish your
images from the vast
majority of others.

53
 PHOTO SPECIAL

PRO PERSPECTIVE

Aerial photography is great for experimentation

as you can reach so many different vantage points.
Shooting everything top-down makes it obvious
you’re using a drone, so mix it up with different
angles, orientations and aspect ratios.

54
 PHOTO SPECIAL

DRONE
PHOTO TIPS
Back it up
Everyone flies their
drone forwards – that’s
just the done thing. So
fly yours backwards for
a more interesting way
of seeing things.

Refuelling stop
Some drones can only
be charged with an AC
adapter. Be sure to grab
a spare battery if you’re
going further afield so
you can carry on flying.

Above, the law

Drone regulations are
constantly changing, so
it pays to brush up on
the dos and don’ts while
you’re charging your
controller’s batteries.

BLUE SKY THINKING

Drones aren’t only about video – so, as Ol’ Blue Eyes once sang, come fly with
me, let’s fly, let’s fly safely and in accordance with all relevant regulations

DJI MAVIC 2 PRO

R31 000 / myistore.co.za times the size of the to be shooting Planet
chip in the original Earth trailers.
Mavic Pro) together As we said in our
t feels as 31 minutes at a time with RAW shooting and original review, this
I though drones
have been
and, in calm conditions,
push it to speeds of up
4K HDR support, both
image and video quality
feels like a drone with
no real weaknesses. It’s
buzzing around our to 72km/h. Thankfully, are stunning. not cheap, and there’s
skies for ages, but obstacle sensing in all The integrated no 4K 60p option, but
from the hardware directions keeps it clear three-axis gimbal we’re splitting hairs
and imaging chops of anything that might also helps to keeps here. This is pretty much
to the rules around block its path, so the footage silky, while as good as it gets for the NOW ADD THIS
flying them, heaps chances of a bird strike an adjustable lens keen drone enthusiast. Polar Pro Mavic 2
has changed. are slim. aperture of f/2.8-11 Pro Cinema Series
DJI’s commitment to Swedish camera gives you plenty of Tech specs 3 Pack
firing out cracker after expert and majority control in regulating ● 20.1MP 1in Want to elevate your
cracker hasn’t, however, owner Hasselblad is how much light is ● ISO 100-12,800 airborne footage to new
and its Mavic 2 Pro also on board, quite passing through. Its ● 4K @ 30fps heights? This package
gives you a good idea literally, with its own neat, foldable design ● Lightning, microUSB, comprises three
of why the company camera. And with a also makes for a very USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth ND filters of varying
still rules the skies. generously sized 1in compact package when ● 322x242x84mm, strengths and three
You can fly for up to 20.1MP sensor (four you’re not pretending 907g with polarised glass,
which will help you to
control the amount of
light hitting the sensor.
STUFF SAYS The gold standard in portable drones, with top-class camera R1 750 /
tech for taking stunningly dramatic landscape stills from the air ★★★★★ outdoorphoto.co.za

55
 TESTED APPS

Mini meme

FIND OUT
● Google News
This one doesn’t hang about.
WTF IS ● Twitter
It could be argued that Twitter

Fire up the app and it hurls
a five-story briefing at your
face. Scroll to delve into more
personalised content, or tap
tabs to peruse headlines and
topics. Not keen on who’s
doing the reporting? Tap the
‘Full coverage’ button to see
how others have covered
the story – or use the ‘three
dots’ menu to block a specific
source entirely.
Free / Android, iOS
GOING ON
broke many people’s trust in
news, but it’s still a good bet for
following stories as they break
and develop. Use the search
tab to peruse recent trends and
stories. Manual searches get
Terrified by the rise of fake news? Want you to what’s happening this
headlines beamed into your eyes? Check second, while all those sluggish
news sites scramble to catch
out Stuff’s reliably-sourced dossier up (and printing presses crank
of apps for keeping you in the loop… up ready to give you the exact
same info tomorrow morning).
Free / Android, iOS

● Pocket ● Feedly ● Flipboard ● Reddit

Lack of time during the day
makes it all too easy to skim
headlines and not get to the
meat of stories. With Pocket,
you save articles for later, when
they can be read in the app
itself, stripped of all junk (and
pictures). And if your eyes won’t
thank you for subjecting them
to long reads on the commute
home, Pocket can – via a single
tap – transform your list into an
audio playlist.
Free / Android, iOS
For publications you love even
more dearly than Stuff, to
the point that you daren’t risk
missing a single headline, there’s
Feedly. Subscribe to a site and
its stories are squirted straight
into your inbox. The in-app
reader is fast and efficient, and
there’s a web browser for feeds
limited to synopses. The app
can also act as an engine to
drive other RSS clients, like
the fabulous Reeder on iOS.
Free / Android, iOS
On a phone – but especially
on a tablet – Flipboard wants
to engage your eyes as much
as your brain. Essentially a
fancy RSS client, it combines
algorithmically generated
feeds with user-defined
‘magazines’. What you get
is an image-rich experience
packed with pics, and also
quite a lot of ‘flipping’ by way
of the app’s digital take on
page-turning.
Free / Android, iOS
If you resolutely refuse to
engage with anything on your
phone that doesn’t look like a
messaging system, try Reddit.
The main news feed is a bit
US-orientated, but pretty much
every story makes its way to
the site eventually, followed by
a string of people yelling at each
other about it. Delve right in
or look on in horror, but realise
that one day all news will be
presented this way.
Free / Android, iOS

56
 TESTED 7TH GEN MAZDA3

Three’s not a crowd

The 7th generation Mazda3’s gone and introduced a glorious
face- and booty lift. Not the botched type you’d see
on Instagram celebs. The classy kind.
from R375 000 / mazda.co.za

Eyes back
The new 3 packs
plenty of smarts,
including a rear-facing
camera, proximity
sensors and even
cross-traffic alert
support.
■ Mazda’s created two good-
looking variants of the Mazda3
this time around. The 7th Gen
comes in both sedan and hatch
shapes, both of which were
re-designed from the ground up.
It’s a strong facelift, especially
when paired with the bold, black,
18in alloy rims.
■ The interior, body structure
and suspension-system are new,
too. Both variants also include
the improved MZD Connect
infotainment system, with a
central display and a navigation
knob. Apple Carplay and Android
Auto are standard, making for
one of the most user-friendly
infotainment systems we’ve had
the pleasure of testing.
■ Choose between either the
Skyactiv-G 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre
engines. At the entry-level,
the Active variation features
a 1.5L engine with a manual
transmission. The Dynamic
1.5-litre is available in both
manual and auto, and so is the
Individual 1.5-litre. Forced to
choose, we’d go with the
stunning Astina hatchback that
only comes fitted with a 2.0-litre
engine and an auto gearbox.
■ Mazda’s advanced safety
features kept us calm in the
(super comfortable) cockpit.
And i-Activsense features like
adaptive LED headlights (ALH),
rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA)
and blind-spot monitoring
(BSM), helped keep us focused
on one thing: Driving. No wonder
the Mazda3 was awarded five
stars by the Euro NCAP for its
overall safety earlier this year.

Tech specs (Active Manual)

■ One shade of grey
As if the hatchback’s design isn’t
sleek enough, Mazda has gone
and introduced a new colour for
the range: Machine Grey Metallic.
Like all car colour names, it’s silly,
but unlike all car colours, it looks
great. And it’s not white. Hurray!
Engine 1.5-litre, 4 cylinder petrol
■ Like a Bose Transmission 6-Speed Manual
Standard throughout the range is Drivetrain Front-wheel drive
an eight-speaker sound system. Power 88kW Torque 153Nm
But if that’s not enough for you, Infotainment MZD Connect
go for the Individual model or System with 8.8in display
fancier and you’ll get a Bose Sound 8-speaker system
12-speaker system instead. It’ll Connectivity Bluetooth &
add some boom to your zoom. 2 USB-ports

STUFF SAYS Mazda’s done it again. A luxurious drive at a decent price point ★★★★★

Luxury and We wouldn’t mind driving to Cape Town in the new Mazda3. And we’d drive back to Joburg
the next day if it meant we could do it in the 2.0-litre Astina automatic, which features all
comfort won’t the i-Activsense safety features. As it’s been wont to do of late, Mazda’s once again made
bankrupt you us ask why we should spend so much more on rival brands when we can have so much for
this time such a reasonable price. This car deserves to sell in droves in all of its variants.

57
 UPVOTED
SPORTY SACKS
The cycling stasher
MAAP X Bellroy Shift
A little subtlety goes a long way when
you’re head-to-toe in gaudy Lycra. With
room for a 15in laptop, contoured support,
side pockets plus a bike-light clip and
reflective strip, this weatherproof roll-top
is a classier way to wheeze your way out
of the back of the peloton.
R3 600 / bellroy.com
BOLDER BAGS
The woven wonder
Samsonite Neoknit M
Ask your gran to weave a backpack and, for
all its rustic charm, her crocheted carrier
won’t keep your laptop safe for long. Pop
your gear in this natty knitted number for
better protection. Crafted from recycled
plastic bottles, it packs an integrated cover
to keep rain off the yarn.
R2 400 / samsonite.co.za
TECH TAKERS
The power pack
Solgaard Lifepack Solar 2.0
Short of sticking all your kit in the back of
an autonomous car, this rucksack is the
ultimate in connected carrying. Besides its
built-in USB port, anti-theft lock, secret
sleeves and raft of compartments, it packs
a solar powerbank that charges as
you stroll in the sunshine.
R2 350 / solgaard.co
1 Space race
Think you know how many litres you need?
HOW TO Volume figures can include all the pockets, so
a backpack’s main compartment might not be
DECIDE quite as spacious as you think.
58
The hip hugger
Motionlab Active Commute
Jogging to work might bring smug
satisfaction when you beat the traffic,
but a bouncing backpack will soon cause
sore shoulders. Keep the spring in your
step with this supportive running pack,
with extra straps to shift the weight of your
daily haul onto your hips.
R3 300 / motionlab-bags.com
BACKPACKS
In search of a rucksack
to have and to haul,
Stuff saddles up to find nine
with carriage potential,
whatever your final
destination
The pick-proof pocket
PacSafe Venturesafe G3 25L
Hitting the city with your tech in tow? Artful
Dodgers might abound downtown, but even
the nimble fingers of a Fagin will be foiled
by the slash-proof skin and clip-lock zips
of this theft-defying daypack. Loop its
locking strap around a lamppost and
consider yourself secure.
R1 700 / pacsafe.com
The weightless walker
Lowe Alpine Tensor 20
Unless you’re a geologist gathering samples
in a hurry, there’s no reason to dash through
the hills with a hefty sack on your back. At
just 520g, this trail pack doesn’t carry much
ballast; but pole lashes, quick pockets and
body-hugging straps mean it’s no
lightweight once you’re in the wild.
R950 / lowealpine.com
The hilly hauler
Burton Annex 28L
Having a stylish hiking pack won’t save you
from a hungry leopard. It will, though, bring
some fashion to the lowveld. So pack your
laptop, jacket and energy snacks into the
countless compartments of this practical
Burton bag and prepare to make the
Kruger Park trails your catwalk.
R1 400 / burton.com
The urban warrior
Arc’Teryx Granville 20
Protection from snow might seem
superfluous most of the year, but one
weekend in Lesotho and you’ll soon see
otherwise. Luckily, this hardy hauler from
Arc’Teryx is built light and tough from
composite materials, while its structured
core can shelter 20 litres of kit.
R2 600 / arcteryx.com
2 Rain pain
Whether it’s a mountain climb or the daily grind,
just one strong shower can soak a sack. Go
for a properly waterproof model if downpours
feature in your life.
 UPVOTED

The quirky cocoon

Cote&Ciel Isar M
Want a kitbag to match your golden
gumboots? Stash your captain’s hat in this
off-centre sack and the whole harbour will
see you coming. As versatile as a reef knot,
the water-resistant Isar’s distinctive front
unclips to reveal a duffel space for stuffing
full of your favourite deckwear.
R4 800 / coteetciel.com

3 Flight plight 4 Happy strappy

A capacious carry-on might seem like a win, but Hip straps are a must if you’re lugging heavy
you’ll soon regret your choice if it’s too chunky loads. Some lightweight sacks have simple
for cabin baggage. Measure every dimension to webbing belts, while proper hiking packs will
make sure airlines will accept it. go cushioned for extra comfort.

59
 ELECTRIC CARS

Aston villa
The lounge-like
interior allows for the
front seats to rotate
and face the rear
passengers when in
self-driving mode.

Hover craft
The key to this car
levitates on an
electromagnetic
cushion between
the front seats.
Well, of course.

Drive Caerphilly
It’s powered by an
underbody battery
pack, and is set to be
built at Aston’s new
Saint Athan factory
in south Wales.

60
 ELECTRIC CARS

Don’t Lag behind

Ma ke
The historic
Lagonda name is
now Aston Martin’s
‘electric-only luxury
offshoot’ for
limo-class EVs.

i t EV o n
yo urs e lf
Breaking up (with fossil fuels) is so very hard to
do… so allow Stuff to help you kick petrol bills
to the kerb with a collection of the greatest
electric vehicles of 2019, from practical
hatches to futuristic speed demons
Living Lagonda loca
Aston says this
4WD car could reach
buyers as soon as
2022. It’s expected
to cost a crazy
R5 200 000.

ASTON he news headlines paint a gloomy performance and excellent practicality

MARTIN T picture for the automobile as we
know it. Declining sales, increasing
LAGONDA taxation and a general disgust towards
ALL-TERRAIN diesel make the prospect of investing in
Rtba (concept) / new wheels a bit daunting.
astonmartin.com Car sales are down in South Africa, sure,
but they’re hardly going to stop. There
Brace yourself for simply aren’t many other options. And
the 2020s, where besides, we love cars, don’t we?
007 is a woman Love notwithstanding, we also need to
sipping Bollinger save the planet – Sir David Attenborough
in the back of a said so at Glastonbury and therefore it’s
fully autonomous gospel. There is hope, because billions are
electric Aston built currently being poured into the research
in Wales. It may and development of electric vehicles –
only be a concept and the latest generation aim to eradicate
for now but this the nasty muck emitted from belching
sleek marvel tailpipes. We’re not naive enough to think
is the Lagonda EVs are a silver bullet cure for Earth’s
All-Terrain and it’s assorted misfortunes, but we do know
fact, not fiction. that impressive range, scintillating
make them an enticing, future-proof
offering. Plus it costs, like, R50 in
electricity to drive 100km.
Wrap your head around the local
charging network – it’s better than you
think – get used to plugging in overnight
by installing a charger at home, and adapt
to eerily silent motoring with instant
acceleration, low maintenance and
slashed fuel costs. You don’t have to buy
either: eventually leasing an EV will be a
bit like a phone contract, where you pay a
monthly fee and upgrade your handset
every few years, though maybe not to
Vodacom, MTN or company.
To assist this surge of positivity we’ve
rounded up the finest battery-powered
vehicles on the planet, ranging from
compact cars to load-lugging premium
SUVs, so you can enjoy emissions-free
motoring whatever your lifestyle.

61
 ELECTRIC CARS

URBAN
IMPS App to speed
Smart’s phone app
does all the usual
These mini EVs are designed for nippiness stuff, like heating
the car remotely or
and convenience (unless you have six giving a read-out of

kids and an Irish wolfhound) remaining charge.

The full package

In Germany, Smart
is trialling a system
where owners can
receive DHL parcel
deliveries to the
car’s boot.

62
 ELECTRIC CARS

SMART EQ FORTWO
Rtba / smart.com
he Smart Car has always come
T alive in busy city environments,
and its new electric powertrain
feels like the most fitting to date. In years
gone by, you could have poured scorn on
the Smart for its terrible ride quality, clunky
automatic gears and useless infotainment
system, but all that has changed.
Thankfully, the latest generation hasn’t
shied away from everything that made
this teeny city car so loveable in the first
place – not least the blunt rear end, which
is great for parking in tight spaces, and
comically flared wheel arches. On top of
this, the ‘tridion’ safety cell remains an
integral part of its design and is one of
the most impressively robust pieces of
engineering seen in a car.
But let’s get down to the nitty-gritty,
because the 7.6kWh battery and 60kW
rear-drive electric motor deliver around
well, 60kW which is enough to see the EQ
ForTwo run out of steam at around
130km/h. But you’ll never have to trouble
the top speed, because this is a car that
very much loves to zip around congested
city streets and will do so for around
160km before the batteries run flat.
YOU’RE ALL TORQUE
Thanks to a single fixed-gear ratio, the
burn away from traffic lights is comically
fast. In fact, the full 160Nm of torque is
available from a standstill, which sees
the sprint to 50km/h completed in less
than 4 seconds. Plus, the new suspension
setup feels more nimble than ever. Yup, it
still jiggles and wiggles over big bumps in
the road, but it doesn’t feel quite as eager
to fall over as it used to.
Inside the more lavishly appointed
models you’ll find a 7in colour touchscreen
infotainment display, while an 8.9cm TFT
screen replaces the monochrome trip
computer if you go for more basic spec.
Charging takes as little as six hours from
a domestic socket, so you won’t need a
designated charger installed at home or
work, but that figure tumbles to 2.5 hours
if you plug it into one of the beefier units
on SA’s charging network.
So what are the downsides? Well, the
expected asking price of R400k is almost
on a par with larger EVs offering a much
more usable range. Still, nothing gets close
to its petite dimensions and the sheer joy
of pointing the nose of the Smart EQ
ForTwo towards a parking space typically
occupied by a motorcycle (or two).
KEY SPECS
● Range Up to 160km
● Power 60kW (79bhp)
● 0-100km/h 11.5 seconds
● Top speed 130km/h
● Infotainment 7in touchscreen

STUFF SAYS Smart’s electric whizz-about is a champion of narrow city

streets and seemingly impossibly parking spaces ★★★★✩

R E N A U LT T W I Z Y V O L KS WAG E N E- U P !
Rtba / renault.co.za Rtba / volkswagen.co.za

You came for compact city cars and you
got what could easily pass for a very
spoilt child’s toy. But that would be doing
the Twizy a disservice, as this two-seat
EV offers the sort of hop-in-and-go
freedom that many other rides can
only dream of. In fact it’s classed as a
quadricycle, which plonks it somewhere
between a motorbike and a car, but that
means it represents ridiculously good
value and offers around 100km of range.
You will have to hire the batteries from
Renault, but the monthly contract buys a
0-50km/h sprint time of barely 4 seconds
and a fun-packed driving experience.
The VW e-up! might sound like it was
‘thunk’ up in a Yorkshire pub, but it is in
fact the most car-like compact, erm, car
on this list, as it offers the same VW build
quality as the rest of the Teutonic range.
An electric motor delivers the equivalent
of 60kW and 210Nm of torque – that might
not sound like much, but the feather-light
construction makes it crazily nippy.
Because it’s a VW, it rides exceptionally
well, and features all the mod cons you
would expect of a spanking new car. It’s
just a shame the range is limited to 160km,
so you might have to plug in at home
every night.

KEY SPECS ● 100km ● 13kW (17bhp) KEY SPECS ● 160km ● 60kW (80bhp)
● 0-50km/h in 4.4s ● 80km/h ● 0-100km/h in 12.4s ● 130km/h
● No screens ● 5in touchscreen

Stuff says ★★★★✩ Stuff says ★★★✩✩

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 ELECTRIC CARS

BMW i3
R658 500 / bmw.co.za
he first generation of i3 left us a
T little cold, but with the second
iteration BMW’s addressed most
of our concerns and produced one of the
most innovative pieces of automotive
design of recent times. The i3 pioneered
the use of plant-based materials for its
interiors (sadly, the dashboard still
resembles furry fibreglass, which is one
of our very few remaining complaints),
with an overall construction that’s 85%
recyclable and radical coach doors that
offer a massive aperture to climb in and
out of its svelte frame.
The i3 feels very rapid indeed, even if
its maximum range falls some way short
of rival models like the Nissan Leaf and the
Jaguar I-Pace, and at well over R600k the
price is still very steep. That’s not entirely
BMW’s fault, though. In South Africa, EVs
get no support from government in the
form of subsidies or other incentives. In
fact, it’s slapped with import duties, which
inevitably get passed on to consumers.
SPEND TO SAVE
Want to avoid the dreaded range anxiety?
Opt for the Range Extender that takes
over when the battery is low an takes the
total range over 300km. You’ll want to
spend a little extra up front getting a
dedicated charger installed by BMW at
your home or office, but you can also use
any of the 80+ charging stations Jaguar’s
rolled out on national roads.
You may be paying a lot up front, but
charging the i3 will cost you far less than
filling an equivalent fossil-fuel powered
car with liquid energy, and with fewer
conventional consumables than gas-
guzzlers, your only major maintenance
costs will be tyres and brakepads.
Specifications aside, the most exciting
thing about the i3 is driving it. It’s so fast
off the line you can expect slack-jawed
looks of disbelief from Porsche drivers,
and overtaking just about anything is
a breeze. At the same time, the
regenerative braking combined with
cruise control make it possible to enjoy
one-footed driving in stop-start traffic,
or smooth – and traffic infringement-
free –sailing on the highway.
The spacious interior and mod cons
don’t hurt either. If you’re after something
that feels like driving the future, you ought
to test-drive the i3 immediately. And it
looks the part, too. No other hatch looks
as radical on the road as BMW’s peppy EV.
KEY SPECS
● Range 310km
● Power 125kW (168bhp)
● 0-100km/h 7.3 seconds
● Top speed 150km/h
● Infotainment 10.2in touchscreen

STUFF SAYS BMW has played a long game with the i3, and the 2019
model is a strong candidate for your eco-conscious cash ★★★★★

H Y U N D A I KO N A E L E C T R I C NISSAN LEAF
Rtba / hyundai.co.za Rtba / nissan.co.za

Hats off to Hyundai: they took their sweet
time to release an EV, but their second
attempt (the first-gen Ioniq was nothing
special) took everyone by surprise. Not
only is the Kona Electric a neat, compact
and comfortable city SUV, but it also
offers a battery range that puts more
expensive models to shame. Expect to
enjoy up to 450km on a single charge. Trust
us, we spent weeks with this little chap
and it barely touched a charging point.
Alas, the Kona Electric loses a star here
purely because it’s so hard to get hold of.
Yep, there’s a lengthy waiting list for a
Hyundai. We can’t quite believe it either.
It’s not surprising the Nissan Leaf is
officially the best-selling electric car in
history (400 000 sold worldwide since
2010), because the Japanese automaker
was one of the first mass producers to
bet its chips on battery tech. After years
of honing and perfecting the EV recipe
we’re now left with an extremely
accomplished family car that packs some
serious range and performance – and acts
as a flagship model for the company’s
most advanced driver assistance gizmos,
like the neat e-Pedal feature allows the
car to be driven with one foot. Pricing is
expected to be around the R500k mark.

KEY SPECS ● 450km ● 150kW (201bhp) KEY SPECS ● 385km ● 110-160kW

● 0-100km/h in 7.6s ● 167km/h (150-217bhp) ● 0-100km/h in 7.1s
● 8in touchscreen ● 160km/h ● 8in touchscreen

Stuff says ★★★★✩ Stuff says ★★★★★

64
 ELECTRIC CARS

COMPACT
Screen time
Along with the
KINGS
digital instrument
cluster, the BMW i3
has a 10.2in, centred These family-friendly electric runarounds
touchscreen for
infotainment.
major on practicality and won’t cost
you as big a fortune

Riding in coach
The rear doors
open backwards, so
there’s no B pillar,
and loading peeps
(or pooches)
is easy.

65
 ELECTRIC CARS

CLASSY
CRUI
Tour silently in style with
these sophisticated
EV specimens

Heat up the miles

Jaguar’s clever
Heat Pump tech
counteracts the loss
of range associated
with typical air-con
units.

66
 ELECTRIC CARS

JAGUAR I-PACE
from R1 672 230 / jaguar.co.za
ou could almost hear the panic
Y emanating from Silicon Valley
when Jaguar unleashed its
cutting-edge I-Pace: this was one
of the first production vehicles from
a luxury maker that had the range,
handling and performance to match
the might of Tesla. Fusing SUV and
coupé styling, Jaguar wanted to create
something elegant and aerodynamic,
with every curve, intake and line intended
to improve range.
It’s worked, because the I-Pace delivers
470km on a charge – and that’s been
calculated using the new, much stricter
WLTP test cycle. Plus, performance from
its all-wheel-drive system is up there with
some of the fastest sports cars on the
road: the 0-100km/h dash is dispatched
in a brisk 4.8 seconds.
Amazingly, the I-Pace proves pretty
capable off-road too: the added benefit
of motors at each wheel is ultimate control
over traction. Point this thing up a muddy
hill and it’ll happily plough ahead.
Inside, owners are greeted to multiple
TFT displays (no analogue instruments
here), with Jaguar’s dedicated smartphone
app able to track journeys, remotely locate
the car and highlight any charging spots
in the local vicinity.
ALL KILLER, SLOW FILLER
Due to the size of the I-Pace’s battery
packs (90kWh, to be precise), it takes
a hefty amount of charge to achieve
optimum levels of juice. Unfortunately,
for the best charging performance –
250km of range per hour – you’ll need to
use a 50kW DC rapid charger, and they
aren’t exactly ubiquitous here in SA.
This is the one area where Tesla owners
really have the Jaguar licked, thanks to the
American marque’s awesome network of
Supercharging stations. Charging an
I-Pace at home will take around 13 hours,
so plugging in at bedtime might be a little
too late. Mind you, the reality is that most
commuters will barely use 30% of the
battery on a typical daily drive.
Jaguar’s maiden all-electric vehicle
is gorgeous to pilot, with a hushed cabin
that makes long freeway cruises a
breeze and a readiness to accelerate
that demands owners press on when the
route suddenly gets interesting. For those
naysayers who still think electric vehicles
are boring, spend some time in an I-Pace
and have your worldview altered.
KEY SPECS
● Range Up to 470km
● Power 294kW (394bhp)
● 0-100m/ph 4.8 seconds
● Top speed 200km/h
● Infotainment 10in and 5in touchscreens

STUFF SAYS Jaguar leads the way with an all-electric star that
combines desirable styling with Tesla-troubling performance ★★★★★

Deeply touched
Jaguar’s Touch Pro
Duo infotainment
system has two
interactive screens:
one in the dash, one
beneath it.

TESLA MODEL S P O L E S TA R 2
Rtba / tesla.com Rtba / polestar.com

No EV list would be complete without a Motorsport buffs might recall Polestar’s

mention of Tesla, as the Californian giant
has arguably been the catalyst behind the
auto industry’s monumental change in
direction. Elon Musk has many critics, but
that shouldn’t take anything away from
the groundbreaking Model S.
This sleek saloon re-writes the rules
for all-electric performance and offers
advanced autonomous driving tech that
most of the other makers are only just
beginning to explore. Add the enormous
17in touchscreen, the 630km range and
the 0-to-100 sprint time of 2.4 seconds in
Ludicrous mode, and you have a winner.
successful involvement in touring car
racing, but it recently announced it would
change direction to become the premium
electric arm of Volvo. Cue the Polestar 1,
with a hybrid powertrain that proved the
performance potential of its next-gen
tech but cost a packet.
The gorgeous Polestar 2 is a far more
sensible choice, with a 78kWh battery,
two electric motors and a smaller price
tag. But Polestar doesn’t really want you
to buy this car: it’s offering a subscription
package that covers everything from
insurance to maintenance.

KEY SPECS ● 630km ● 250-451kW KEY SPECS ● 440km ● 300kW (402bhp)

(335-605bhp) ● 0-100km/h in 2.4s/3s ● 0-100km/h in 4.7s ● 250km/h
● 150km/h ● 10.2in touchscreen ● 11in touchscreen

Stuff says ★★★★★ Stuff says ★★★★★

67
 ELECTRIC CARS

A U D I E -T R O N
Rtba / audi.co.za
hen electric cars began appearing
W on our streets, some makers
thought it best to make them
look as futuristic and otherworldly
as possible. Silly rounded proportions,
blanked-off radiator grilles and
liberal use of blue were all present,
as manufacturers assumed early
adopters wanted to shout about their
eco sensibilities… but it turns out most
folk just want a regular car.
Audi recognises this fact and its big,
brutish E-tron is about as conventional
as premium SUVs come. Stand it next to
the Tesla Model X, for example, and the
Californian import looks as if it’s been
beamed down from outer space. But
underneath the recognisable veneer
is a massive 95kWh battery pack and
dual-motor configuration that Audi claims
is good for up to 380km on a single charge.
There’s also a bunch of exciting new
technology that hopes to entice buyers
away from smoke-spewing diesels and
into the future.
The wing mirrors, for example, are
actually little cameras on stalks that
deliver a live video feed to two large
screens on the inside of the driver and
passenger doors. It takes a little while to
get used to as the screens aren’t in the
typical mirror location – and of course,
you can leave that option box un-ticked
and go for old-fashioned slabs of glass
instead. However, Audi claims it does
wonders for aerodynamic efficiency;
and when you’re trying to eke every
last drop from the lithium-ion battery
packs, a couple of massive wing mirrors
are a handy thing to be able to dump.
SOMETHING INSIDE SO STRONG
Audi has also thrown max razzle-dazzle at
the infotainment setup, with two screens
making up the centre dash and the
unrivalled Virtual Cockpit taking care
of the instrument readouts, navigation
and pretty much anything else you want
to programme it to do.
And how does it drive? Well, it feels very
much like every other large Audi SUV in
the range, albeit one that emits hardly
any sound when cruising around town.
But this is largely the point, because the
German marque wants to appeal to as
many customers as possible with its
electric offering – and it feels the best
way to do that is with familiarity.
KEY SPECS
● Range Up to 380km
● Power 300kW (402bhp)
● 0-100km/h 5.7 seconds
● Top speed 200km/h
● Infotainment 10.1in and 8.6in
haptic touchscreens

STUFF SAYS The very best of Audi with added eco credentials: an
EV with widespread appeal among electro-sceptics ★★★★✩

MERCEDES-BENZ EQC TESLA MODEL X

Rtba / mercedes-benz.co.za Rtba / tesla.com

The upcoming Merc EQC will spearhead a
massive EV onslaught from the brand,
which will see 10 new electrified whips
hitting the road by 2025.
In order to impress the Tesla crowd, the
EQC packs an 80kWh lithium-ion battery
with a WLTP-certified range of 418km.
Two electric motors deliver a combined
300kW, which Mercedes claims will get
this bulky unit to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds.
Like Audi, Mercedes-Benz is playing is
straight here in design terms: you’re
getting luxury motoring, intuitive tech,
some stylish design and a premium
price tag.
Largely based on the Model S, Tesla’s
space-age people-carrier is driven by the
same battery and electric propulsion
system as the saloon, so you can specify
the range-topping 100D model and liquify
anything at the lights. There’s a claimed
range of 500km, seven seats and a set of
eye-catching ‘falcon wing’ doors that
never fail to draw a crowd.
It’s a technological tour de force, with
one of the best infotainment systems
known to man, but it’s very expensive,
it doesn’t ride particularly well… and
we still can’t quite get to grips with the
oddball styling.

KEY SPECS ● 418km ● 300kW (402bhp) KEY SPECS ● 500km ● 250-500kW

● 0-100km/h in 5.1s ● 180km/h (335-671bhp) ● 0-100km/h in 2.7/3.4s
● Twin 10.2in touchscreens ● 250km/h ● 17in touchscreen

Stuff says ★★★★✩ Stuff says ★★★★✩

68
 ELECTRIC CARS

SMOOTH
SUVs
Maybe you like your cars big and butch… but
making a statement doesn’t have to mean
making a mess of the atmosphere
Hard drive
Audi’s latest in-car
media system is
fully connected and
works across the
myAudi phone app
or web portal.

(Gear) box
Audi has done
away with any kind
of gear lever, and
in its place is a
massive storage
compartment.
69
 ELECTRIC CARS

DREAM Taycan for a ride?

No, it’s pronounced

DRIVES
‘tie-con’, and is
roughly translated
from a Turkish word
for ‘Soul of a spirited
young horse’.

Going electric isn’t all about being sensible

and grown-up… as these rad concepts
and upcoming supercars prove

Garage rock
A new joint venture
involving several car
makers will see 500
speedy 350kW CCS
chargers installed in
Shell forecourts
in Britain.

70
 ELECTRIC CARS

P O R S C H E TAYC A N
Rtba / porsche.com
orsche had one clear assignment
P when it launched its Mission E
concept back in 2015, and that
was to take the fight directly to Tesla in
the battle to be the best premium electric
vehicle maker. Renowned for producing
ludicrously high-performance cars,
Porsche not only wanted to steal the
spotlight with headline performance
figures in its upcoming production Taycan
model, but was also determined to inject
some of its renowned handling and
precision driving feel.
As a result, the crew from Stuttgart
developed an all-new platform to house
the batteries and electric motors (about
the most expensive thing you can do as
an auto maker), while the driver sits with
his or her backside close to the floor in
order to obtain a perfect low centre
of gravity. Although slightly too
heavy to really earn the ‘electric
Porsche 911’ moniker, the Taycan is slated
to reach 100km/h from a complete
standstill in less than 3.4 seconds. We
know, the most powerful Model S will
outrun it in a drag race, but get this on a
track and it will surely dominate.
FERRIS FUELLER’S DAY OFF
With a predicted range of around 515km,
this EV is also very competitive on the
usability front, with Porsche claiming it will
use the latest battery technology that
features an energy density greater than
anything Tesla currently uses. On top of
this, the German marque has been touting
crazy recharging times, stating that the
800-volt system can take on 100kms of
charge in just four minutes.
Cynics were quick to point out that
this is all dependent on the availability
of 350kW CCS chargers, of which there
is currently only one in the UK... and none
in SA, and with which no existing EV
models are compatible. So, umm, yeah.
Not exactly ideal. But give it time.
Seeing as the Taycan will act as a halo
EV model for the rest of the Volkswagen
Group (Audi, VW, Seat etc), it will
be ushering in the next generation
of interior tech, with beautiful curved
instrument displays, numerous
touchscreens and interactive surfaces
all slated to appear.
Pricing is still very much under wraps
for the time being, but expect it to cost
more than even the most expensive Tesla
Model S variants.
KEY SPECS
● Range Up to 515km
● Power 300-500kW (322-630bhp)
● 0-100km/h 3.4 seconds
● Top speed 260km/h
● Infotainment tbc

P I N I N FA R I N A B AT T I S TA NIO EP9
from R27m (est) / pininfarina.it from R17m (est) / nio.com

Wow. Italian auto maker and design studio
extraordinaire Pininfarina entered the EV
arms race at this year’s Geneva Motor
Show with the four-wheeled equivalent
of a surface-to-air missile.
A 120kWh battery pack and four
electric motors deliver a whopping
1 400kW, enough to see the Battista
become one of the most powerful
vehicles ever produced in Italy. Don’t
get too excited just yet, though: we won’t
be seeing any of these on the roads until
next year at the earliest, and just 150
of them will be hand-crafted in Turin.
We’ll have to wait a little bit longer to
see if the claimed 0-100km/h sprint time
of under two seconds is real or just
vehicular vapourware.
Chinese marque Nio has already launched
a number of electric SUVs with impressive
emissions-free running times, sharp
AI systems and space for up to seven
comfortable travellers. But its EP9 is
the real masterstroke, with a 1000kW
electric propulsion system developing
the equivalent power.
Co-developed by British engineers from
the NextEV Formula E team, the EP9 uses
liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries to help
it reach 200km/h in just 7.1 seconds… and
to set a Nurburgring lap record.
Nio suggests just six EP9s will be built.
If you’re only lucky enough to make the
passenger seat, a dedicated digital display
will measure your ‘excitement levels’,
including heart rate.

KEY SPECS (EST) ● 450km ● 1 400kW KEY SPECS (EST) ● Range tbc ● 1000kW
(1900 bhp) ● 0-100km/h in 1.9s (1360bhp) ● 0-100km/h in 2.7 seconds
● 350km/h ● Screens tbc ● 313km/h ● Four screens

71
 TESTED NUBIA RED MAGIC 3

Fanned on the run

The first phone with an internal cooling fan wants
to blow gamers away with fancy hardware and The play’s
the thing
pretty lights – that’s enough to get our attention It’s all about gaming
R7 500 (import) / na.redmagic.gg performance: every
game we tried ran
■ The Red Magic 3 is a gaming smoothly at the
device first and a phone second. highest detail
The slider switch at the side settings.
doesn’t turn on vibration mode;
it activates dedicated gaming
software. The panels on the right
that look like fingerprint sensors
are touch-sensitive shoulder
controls, and the grilles on the
back and side hint at the cooling
fan hidden underneath.

■ The skinny display bezels mean

it’s not a nightmare to hold, but
it’s tall enough to poke out of a
pocket. More ‘phone-like’ features
include a single rear camera and
fingerprint sensor.

■ The better-than-HD OLED

panel also has HDR10 and is a
genuine step up for a sub-R8 000
phone. A 90Hz refresh rate really
makes a difference: everything
seems so much smoother, you’ll
never go back to 60Hz again.

■ A Snapdragon 855 CPU, 8GB of

RAM and a 5000mAh battery in a
phone this cheap are astonishing
specs. Temperatures don’t exactly
plummet when the fan is maxed,
but it should help with longer
gaming sessions.

■ Nubia’s take on Android 9.0 Pie

is quite hands-off. The biggest
addition is Game Space, which
contains your installed titles
and personalisation settings,
and blocks notifications. And in
between gaming sessions? Well,
the 48MP Sony rear sensor snaps
a decent picture.

Tech specs ■ Reddy player one ■ Switched on

Who decided red and black was
Screen 6.65in 2340x1080 OLED the official colour scheme of
Processor Snapdragon 855 gaming hardware? Nubia has duly
RAM 8GB OS Android 9 stuck to it, with angular details
Cameras 48MP rear, 16MP front on the rear. It’s here you’ll find
Battery 5000mAh Storage 128GB customisable LEDs that flash
Dimensions: 172x79x9.7mm, 215g for notifications and in games.
There’s also an accessory port
where you can plug in an official
controller that turns this phone
into a miniature Switch-alike. The
twin speakers are decently loud,
but headphones are still the way
forward and there is a 3.5mm port.

STUFF SAYS A proper performance bargain for dedicated mobile gamers ★★★★✩

A phone that’s With the power to play just about anything on mobile, a gorgeous 90Hz screen,
built-in shoulder buttons and official controller accessories, not many phones can
guaranteed to beat the Red Magic 3 when it comes to gaming. Throw in excellent battery life and
scratch your a competent camera, and it starts to look like phenomenal value for money – but the
gaming itch looks are divisive and it’s missing a few key features that would make it truly great.

72
 TESTED JABRA ELITE 85H

Now ear this

Nobody gets it right the first time. Except,
apparently, Jabra. Look out Sony, Bose
and the rest of the headphone elite
R4 700 / circuitcity.co.za
Soft touch
The Elite 85Hs ■ Jabra’s no stranger to these
feature physical pages, but we’re used to sports
controls tucked under headphones and wireless buds
the fabric on the right containing all the smarts. The
ear-cup. The stylish Elite 85H is a stranger find, the
concealment feels company’s first foray into active
just right. noise cancelling (ANC). To which
we say, “Where the heck were you
last year, Jabra?” And the answer
is, developing these headphones.
We can’t be mad – as first efforts
go, these are a treat.

■ The Elite 85H cans are a little

chunky. Whether or not you’re
comfortable with 300g or so of
weight resting on your melon
depends on you, but we’re pleased
with the solid build quality. There’s
a reassuring weight to the ear
cups and generously padded
headband, with solid hinges
throughout. Twisting the right
earcup toggles power on and off.

■ Audio matches the styling:

Solidly done and ticking all the
right boxes. We’d be happier with
a more bass-heavy sound – it’s
here that Sony’s WH-1000XM3s
really shine – but detailed mids
and highs make up for a slight
deficiency on the thumpy side
of the spectrum.

■ But it’s the battery life that

makes Jabra’s noise cancellers
really gleam. Expect at least
30 hours of uptime, more than
enough to get you from one side
of the planet to the other. Best of
all, the Jabra’s will leave you with
notably more spending money
than the competition.

■ Make connections ■ Cancellation cancelled Tech specs

Have eight Bluetooth compatible
devices? The Elite 85Hs will pair
with them all, and cruciually, can
connect to two of them at once.
That beats Sony’s monogamous
WH-1000XM3s in a department
that’s key for plenty of people.
Sometimes you actually need
to hear what’s going on. The Noise cancellation Digital
physical button on the left ear Hybrid ANC, Passive Frequency
cup toggles ANC on or off, plus a Response 10Hz-20kHz Drivers
mode that pipes in ambient noise 40mm Connectivity 3.5mm,
using some of the eight mics Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C Battery life
built into the headphones. Up to 36 hours Weight 296g

STUFF SAYS If this is Jabra’s ANC debut, we can’t wait for the sophomore effort ★★★★★

It’s all about If you’re the sort who spends lots of time on airplanes or anywhere there is a lot of ambient
noise, you’re probably keen on great noise-cancelling cans. The Elite 85H’s major competition
not making a comes from the excellent Sony WH-1000XM3s or the similarly impressive Bose QC35 IIs.
lot of noise Jabra’s headphones don’t hold all of the winning cards, but they have enough of them to make
about it the rest of the table very nervous indeed, especially when it comes to pricing.

73
 TESTED DJI OSMO ACTION

Cam and have a go

DJI thinks it’s tough enough to take on GoPro’s mighty
Hero7 Black… and with the help of the Osmo Action’s
incredible stabilisation trickery, it just might be
3
R7 000 / myistore.co.za
If you’re thinking ‘That’s not a
very aerodynamic drone’, look
again. And if you’re now thinking
‘OK, it’s an action cam, but surely
there’s no point even trying to
compete with the GoPro Hero7
Black’… well, you might have to
think again.
This is the DJI Osmo Action, an
action cam that takes a steady
shot at dethroning the Hero7
Black, undisputed (until now)
king of portable video cameras
for gnarly adventures. And
when we say ‘steady’, we
mean it.
For a start, it packs a very
familiar design, comparable video
specs and a handy front display.
But it also has RockSteady, DJI’s
answer to GoPro’s HyperSmooth
stabilisation tech. This promises,
and does indeed deliver, the
smoothest footage on the block. 2
Except that, as ever, it’s more
complicated than that.
So… would we recommend you
jump ship from GoPro to DJI, or
hold onto your Hero?

Rad army Rad light Rad tape

DJI really hasn’t strayed far from
the GoPro design formula. Its
cam has a compact metal body
with a rubberised wrap-around
housing a bunch of buttons and
ports (1). The pop-out 1300mAh
battery is secured with two
latches, and there are mics
dotted around the body.
The 2.25in 640x360 touchscreen
round the back has a pixel density
of 325ppi. The 1.4in front display
(2) isn’t touch-sensitive, but its
square format allows it to display
information above and below the
preview image. Navigating the
menu system is a comfortable
series of taps and swipes.
The Osmo Action has a 12MP
camera with an f/2.8 lens (3).
With a maximum ISO of 3200
across photos and video, it films
at up to 4K (16:9) 60fps. It can
also capture HDR video, albeit
at the expense of stabilisation,
as well as slow-motion and
timelapse footage.

RockSteady Really Respectable

stabilisation flattering battery
is excellent to faces stamina
GOOD On-screen Limited
MEH preview is accessory
EVIL delayed
Terrible
range

app
reliability

74
 TESTED DJI OSMO ACTION

Tech specs
Video 4K @ 60fps, 1080p @ 240fps Stills 12MP
1 Displays 2.25in rear touchscreen, 1.4in front
Back to front Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C, microSD storage
(and front to back) Battery 1300mAh Waterproofing 11m
To swap between the Dimensions 165x95x45mm, 348g
front and rear screens,
simply double-tap
the rear one with Rock and roll
two fingers.
RockSteady is DJI’s answer to GoPro’s HyperSmooth
video stabilisation, and boy is it good…

■ No more Heroes? ■ Laggy trousers

If you just want to have
the smoothest footage
possible straight out
of the camera, with no
editing or fussing, then
the DJI Osmo Action
betters the GoPro Hero7
Black. It’s so steady you’d
swear you’d used a gimbal.
RockSteady works at up
to 4K resolution at 60fps
(16:9), but at these
settings the live preview
lags behind the action
by about half a second,
creating a weird visual
‘echo’. This can be
seriously distracting.

■ Harmony in my heads ■ Whole wide world

Rad whine
The camera supports voice
controls, and these work great.
What’s not so impressive is the
DJI Mimo app, which is meant to
enable an Android or iOS device
to act as a live preview controller
for the camera. We couldn’t get
it to connect to any phone or
tablet more than once.
Rad sky at night
The Osmo Action is waterproof
to 11m, can handle temperatures
down to -10°C, and ships with an
adhesive mount and housing so
you can secure it to your helmet,
dashboard or pet dolphin. Battery
life is surprisingly decent: if you’re
shooting in short bursts, it’ll last a
day for most outdoor escapades.
The Osmo Action is a
fantastic performer in
good light. It aggressively
exposes for faces, so skin
tones always look healthy
and clear – even when
backlit. This can come
at the expense of
backgrounds, though.
The GoPro produces a
flatter image, which is
generally easier to tweak
in post-processing. It can
also go wider, with a 170°
field of view compared to
the DJI’s 145°. And in low
light? They’re both as
rubbish as each other.

DJI’s action cam succeeds in out-GoPro-ing the STUFF SAYS ★★★★★

GoPro Hero7 Black in a couple of key areas. The Despite a couple of quirks,
stabilisation is sensational and the face-optimised
metering makes it an ideal choice for vloggers. It
the Osmo Action’s great
does have some idiosyncrasies, but if you’re looking video quality, rich design
for a smart shooter that captures great footage and top-notch stabilisation
without faff, this is a fantastic bit of kit. make it a stellar cam

75
 TESTED APPLE iPOD TOUCH

Touch in the void

With iTunes on the way out and everyone seemingly
streaming on phones, do portable music players
(with added gaming) have a purpose in 2019?
from R3 700 / myistore.co.za

■ We’ve not heard a peep about

the iPod since 2015, so assumed
it was seeing out its last days in
a California home for retired tech.
Suddenly, enter the 7th-gen iPod
Touch, which looks awfully familiar
but now sports an A10 Fusion
chip for AR – a big deal for gamers
with Apple Arcade launching this
spring – and in testing, just shy of
40 hours’ play time.

■ Styling is retro Apple and the

Home button brings back warm
and fuzzy memories. It’s so light
and thin it feels airy next to an
iPhone XR, and there’s a dinky
4in display. No Face ID means a
six-digit passcode, while elsewhere Touch-up paint
you’ll find a Lighting port, a built-in There are six colours
speaker and a 3.5mm headphone to choose from: blue,
jack (honestly). Lightning-wired pink, silver, space grey,
EarPods are also in the box. gold and the AIDS-
battling Product
■ The EarPods are surprisingly Red option.
capable sound-wise, although
not exactly snug – fortunately,
swapping to other wired buds
doesn’t require a dongle. This is
just as well because the new iPod
Touch supports the hi-res audio
codecs FLAC and Apple Lossless,
making it an enticing proposition
for audiophiles.

■ The Touch should be the best

gaming iPod available. AR Dragon
and Stack AR both load quickly
for us and perform without lag.
Grid takes longer, partly due to
complexity and customisations,
but the graphics look ace and
things run smoothly. At 326ppi
the display is a far cry from the
458ppi on the XS, but it’s still
colourful and well balanced. ■ Bad retro ■ Good retro
The basic 8MP rear camera feels What it lacks in new looks, the
Tech specs dated and there’s no such magic Touch makes up for with iOS
as a portrait mode or 4K. It’s like updates, shipping with 12.3.1 and
Display 4in 1136x640 IPS the time before smartphones got the apps you’d expect on a new
Processor A10 Fusion really good cameras… and things iPhone. Obviously there’s no calls
Storage 32/128/256GB are not much better on the 1.2MP or messaging, but you can play
Size 123x59x6.1mm, 88g FaceTime HD camera. games anywhere without Wi-Fi.

STUFF SAYS A brilliant blast from the past and, for Apple, great value for money ★★★★★

The point? Well, We’ve pinpointed who the new Touch will appeal to. Music boffins and children, or
rather the parents of children, will love this non-phoning iPhone. We are neither, but
it’s most of an where it falls short on stuff that iPhones can do, you get access to amazing games –
iPhone for well which will only widen with Apple Arcade – at a crucially modest starting price. It’s
under R4 000… not essential, but it is fun. And for once, it’s affordable.

76

Don’t look back in anger
■ Dry or die
Though the One X makes an
excellent action cam it’s not
officially liquid-proof at all, so
you’ll want to be careful in the wet.
For splash-proofing or aquatic fun
you’ll need the optional ‘venture’
or ‘dive’ cases respectively.
STUFF SAYS Easy to use and capable of brilliant results right out of the box ★★★★★
A super versatile
camera that’s
small enough to
take everywhere
T E S T E D I N S TA 3 6 0 O N E X
Action cams are great, but they’re no use if they’re
facing forwards when the action happens behind you.
Why not shoot every which way at once?
R7 700 / 180by2.co.za
■ LG and Samsung introduced
360° cameras to the mass market
a few years back, but the resulting
images and video were low-res
and useless in low-light. The
original Insta360 One sought to
change that by including larger
image sensors. The problem was,
to get stills or video off it, you
had to use a cable.
■ The One X fixes that by adding
Wi-Fi to the mix, though you’ll still
need to tether it (via microUSB,
boo hiss) if you want to live stream.
Which is understandable given
the pair of sensors shoot at a
combined resolution of 5.7K at 30
fps. Shoot for later and you can
simply store to a microSD card.
You’ll need a fast card, but the
packaging warns you accordingly.
■ Where the Insta360 One X
really shines is its accompanying
software. With the mobile or
desktop apps you can download
content or, more usefully,
manipulate it and share it to social
media. Whether you’re making
tiny planets from the 18MP 360°
stills, or creating precise pans in
videos, the app makes it all a cinch.
■ Another smart inclusion is
the One X’s ability to remove the
optional selfie stick from stills and
video clips automatically (though
you’ll still see it in shadows if
there are any). Add Insta360’s
astounding ‘FlowState’ image
stabilisation to the mix and the
only way you can really take poor
footage with the One X is by using
it somewhere especially boring.
■ Like a speeding…
Bullet Time lets you swing the Tech specs
One X around your noggin (with
the supplied cord or the optional Lenses 2 x 200° Sensors 2 x 1/2.3in
BT handle and selfie stick) for CMOS Stills 18MP Video Up to
Matrix-like spinning slow-mo 5.7K at 30 fps Aperture f2.0
clips at 120 fps. The trench-coat- Battery 1 200mAh Dimensions
and-limbo combo is up to you. 115x48x28mm, 115g (with battery)
With the One X, 360 cameras have come of age. The combination of two 1/2.3in Sony
CMOS sensors and a pair of f2.0 apertures means images and video are packed with
detail, and the software makes turning them into something watchable easy. Sure, the
price is steep for a 360 cam, especially if you’re only planning to use it for stills, but if it’s
video you’re after there’s plenty to recommend the One X over a GoPro or DJI.
77
 BETA YOURSELF
QUIK
Stuff shows you how to use GoPro’s lightning-fast,
powerful, free editor to actually do something good with
all those half-forgotten videos clogging up your phone
THE BASICS
■ Create a movie
Going from raw footage to
edited video in Quik requires
just a few taps. Kick off a
new project by pressing the
‘+’ button then select media
from your device (videos are
obviously best, but you can
include photos). Tap-hold
and drag the thumbnails to
rearrange their order, then tap
the tick (Android) or Add (iOS).
Quik will instantly serve up an
edit, complete with transitions
and soundtrack.
■ Rearrange clips
Play back your edit and you
might decide it needs more
work. On Android, tap your
video to access the clip editor.
You can add a clip either side of
the currently playing one, and
drag and drop thumbnails to
adjust their position. On iOS,
Going Live
On iOS, load a Live Photo
into Quik and the video
will be used rather than
the still. Just beware that
the output can be a bit
on the jerky side.
78
tap the pencil button after
tapping the video to access
the tool for adding clips. There’s
also a bespoke timeline editor
button for full-on rearranging.
■ Define highlights
Quik does its best to choose
highlights from your clips. If
you’re not impressed, you can
flag moments you like to help
it shake up the edit. Tap the
relevant clip to bring up the
editor, then tap Hilight. Scrub
through the clip and tap the
blue Hilight button to tell Quik
the bits you want to see in the
final movie.
■ Save for later
Unlike many video editors, Quik
won’t bin your hard work if you
have the audacity to want to
do something else for a while.
Exit from an edit and you’ll be
given the option to save your
project. This then appears on
the launch screen on Android,
or in the My Stories tab on iOS.
It’ll stick around for a week.
■ Watch flashbacks
If you’re working with an Apple
device, Quik will attempt to
give you flashbacks – but in
a good way. What this means
is that, even if you do nothing
with the app, it’ll root through
your on-device videos and
serve up something lovely on
a Sunday afternoon.
IT’S ALMOST THERE
■ Change your style
Adjust the current style to
quickly shake up your video.
On Android, tap the sliders
and use the Font and Palette
options to update text and
background visuals; on iOS,
tap the sliders within a style’s
button and drag the Font and
Graphic wheels to suit.
■ Skip the credits
Given that Quik’s a freebie, it’s
fair enough that GoPro welds
a bit of branding to the end
of every video… but you can
dump it. Open the editor, scroll
to the end of the thumbnails
timeline, select the Quik outro
and tap the bin button.

IT’S A FIT-UP
■ Choose your viewport
On opening a movie, tap the
sliders button (Android) or
spanner (iOS) and you’ll see a
button for switching the output
between Cinema (widescreen),
Square (for social media) and
Portrait (get out of our house).
It updates instantly.
■ Keep it in the picture
Obviously, if you try to smash
a rectangular clip into a square
viewport, bits will be chopped
off. In the clip editor, use
Layout/Fit to toggle between
standard and zoomed views.
To adjust the portion of the
image that’s focused on, use
Crop and drag the crop area.
IT’S ALL IN
THE EDIT
■ A quick trim
Should a clip run on a bit, tap
the Trim button and use the
drag handles to adjust its
length. Or try one of Quik’s
algorithmic options: ‘Balanced’
is chosen by default, but there
are others for different styles
of film.
■ Letters in
Text works differently on each
platform, although the tool is
triggered on both with the clip
editor’s Text button. On both
platforms, you can add a new
title card. Android lets you
instead opt for a caption; on
iOS this is replaced with a text
overlay that you can reposition.
■ Pretty colours
Click the slider/spanner
button on the main screen
to dig into Quik’s filters. These
offer everything from heavily
saturated colour to stylish
black and white.
IT’S A WRAP
■ Save in HD
Quik is designed for speedy
workflow that culminates with
you sharing your masterpiece
online… in SD. Should you
hanker for higher-quality
output, tap the cog button
on the main screen to access
settings, and turn on ‘Save
videos in 1080p HD’.
■ Ditch downloads
If you’re a bit tight for space
on your phone, you might not
appreciate Quik downloading
a slew of audio and clinging
onto it for dear life. Again, the
settings are your friend: just
tap the Clear/Remove options
to free up some space.
OTHER
OPTIONS
CLIPS
Aimed at the social
media generation, Clips
dumps timelines and has
you record everything
live. There are loads of
great animated posters,
and if you’ve got an
iPhone with a TrueDepth
camera, Selfie Scenes
can plonk you into a
Manga wonderland.
Free / iOS
MAGISTRO
If even Quik feels like too
much effort, try Magistro.
Select a load of videos
and images, choose a
theme and some music,
and the app forges an
animated edit. With the
free version you’re limited
to one minute… but who
wants more these days?
Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS
ACTIONDIRECTOR
A bit like Clips but for
Android, ActionDirector
is all about making fast
edits to hurl online with
a minimum of fuss. Load
clips, add transitions, faff
with speed and colour,
and weld a chart hit to
your creation. Then mess
everything up with titles
and stickers.
Free (IAPs) / Android
79
 GARMIN FORERUNNER 945
ONE
NIKE ZOOMX
E… D
VAPORFLY NEXT%
ES AD
TH ST
R
You’ve got the watch, you’ve
FI
hit play on Eye of the Tiger
and now it’s time to lace
up those shoes and smash
the PB. One of the most
advanced shoes in the
ke line-up, the Vaporfly
ext% features unique
cushioning for a smooth
stride, while ultra-light sole
materials make it feel like
running on air.
R4 700 / nike.com/za
80
TWO
GARMIN
HRM-TRI
The 945’s built-in heart-rate
monitor is good, but the
most accurate way to
achieve consistent heart
readings is via a chest strap.
This bad boy stores data
when underwater then
forwards it to the device,
making it the perfect
companion for a triathlon…
or for anyone who likes to
jump in the sea post-jog.
R2 700 / garmin.co.za
THREE
UNDER ARMOUR TRUE
WIRELESS FLASH
One of the watch’s party
tricks is its ability to store
over 1000 songs or sync
music from a streaming
service… so you’ll need good
headphones. UA has teamed
up with JBL to make these
tough, properly waterproof
wireless buds that let you
hear your surroundings –
ideal for those ‘not getting
run over’ moments.
R2 800 (import) / jbl.com

1 FEEL THE POWER
For years, cyclists have been
taking advantage of power
meters and accurately working
out effort based on the wattage
they put through the cranks. It’s
a little trickier for runners but
Garmin’s great Running Power
app, which works perfectly on
the Forerunner 945, works out
running power in real time using
factors such as pace, vertical
oscillation, gradient and even
wind. No. More. Excuses.
4 GEEK OUT ON STATS
The 945 produces more graphs,
charts and statistics than
a failed SpaceX landing. You
can check your real-time
performance condition (the
relationship between your
running speed and heart rate),
recovery time and VO2 Max,
and even identify your lactate
threshold. Head to the excellent
Garmin Connect app in order
to get the clearest picture of
your progress.
INSTANT UPGRADES
E… AD
IS RY
TH WN ND
ES LO
TH W T
…
DO A
NO
RUNCASTS
If Spotify and
Deezer just aren’t
getting you over
the 4K hump,
maybe Stephen
2 SPEND A PENNY 3 FOLLOW THE BEAT Fry or Ricky
Gervais will.
You’ve just finished a gruelling Music can make or break a Runcasts makes
run. You’ve forgotten your drink. workout, and some people sync-ing favourite
The water fountain in the park find a rollicking tune can push podcasts to your
is occupied by some decaying them through the mental barrier watch a doddle.
spiders and the guy at the that’s stopping that PB from
kiosk doesn’t take cash. Fret being obliterated. Garmin makes
not, because the 945 features it simple to pair a set of wireless
Garmin Pay, which allows you to headphones to the device; then
reap the benefits of contactless you can transfer music from
pay without a pocket full of your library (this takes ages)
cards. Note: it only currently or stream it from a favoured
supports FNB and RMB, with service (no Google Play Music
more on the way. or Apple Music at the moment). KOMOOT
The absence
of Google Maps
makes planning
routes on the
watch a little
tricky. Komoot
simplifies things
with a nice
desktop interface
and the ability to
beam routes over.
5 REBOOT YOUR ROUTE 6 DON’T STRESS
BARCODE
Some of Garmin’s previous As well as tracking all manner of WALLET
efforts at mapping were at best exercise and turning all wearers This app does
confusing and at worst bloody into super-athletes, the 945 what its names
infuriating. Rejoice: the mapping also has your back when it suggests, and
functionality is now as smart comes to health and well-being. stores up to 16
as any nav system you’d find Activating the sleep-tracker barcodes then
in a car, and will immediately function gives a detailed displays them
re-route if you make a wrong breakdown of rest (and where on the watch-face
turn. Also, try the new Trendline you’re going wrong), while widget. Saves you
popularity routing, which uses 24/7 stress tracking warns having to carry
Garmin Connect data from when that throbbing vein on around all those
fellow athletes to suggest the the side of your head is getting loyalty cards.
best routes and trails. out of control.
81
 TESTED GAMES

Switch / nintendo.co.za

Marvel Ultimate Alliance

3: The Black Order
You’re mad about Marvel and you swoon over your Switch – so are the two loves
of your life finally about to be united in the shape of this hero-packed action RPG?

onsidering the Marvel
C Cinematic Universe’s
seemingly unending rule
over the box office, it seems
strange that – with the exception
of last year’s solo Spider-Man
title – we’re scratching our heads
for a worthy Marvel game.
So is The Black Order that
game? In short, probably not.
This Switch exclusive is a welcome
reawakening of the series after a
10-year hiatus, but it could easily
be a 2009 game itself. Although
pleasingly comicbook-y in its
presentation, it’s hardly a graphical
showcase, and there are other
games in the genre that are more
satisfying to play.
Ah, but those games don’t allow
you to put Spider-Man and Venom
on the same side, nor do they let
you witness a Luke Cage/Hulk
double-team. Want to take on the
bad guys as the Guardians of the
Galaxy? Fine, but why not sub in
Captain Marvel for a few fights
along the way?
This is an action RPG in which
your four chosen Marvel heroes
(or anti-heroes) move from room
to room fighting hordes of enemies,
usually preceding a boss battle.
And the 30+ roster of characters
dwarves anything you’ve seen
in the MCU.
Easy-to-learn controls mean
anyone can pick this up and start
scrapping immediately. But the
lightweight fighting gets repetitive;
and save for the later boss fights,
you can pretty much get by with
button-mashing.
The game does contain plenty
of RPG elements that you can
mess about with to maximise
your team’s abilities. Characters
will level up pretty quickly, and you
can apply various stat buffs as well
as accumulating in-game currency,
but it’s just a shame navigating the
menus is a bit clunky.
In short, The Black Order is
mindless video-game fun that
never asks you to take it seriously.
If you’ve got a Switch and some
friends who love Marvel, there
are far less entertaining ways to
spend an evening. So, choose
your hero, hero.

STUFF SAYS No Hulk smash, but it’ll tide you over while you wait for the Avengers game ★★★✩✩
82
 TESTED GAMES

Assemble your
own avengers
The appeal of this game lies
in experimenting with your
ever-swelling arsenal of
superheroes until you find
a combination you like. It’s
a good idea to have a tank-like
character in your team, and
someone like Iron Man who
can hover and gain an aerial
advantage.
You get boosts for picking
multiple brainy characters, for
example, or uniting the original
Avengers, but the game won’t
punish you much if you ignore
the obvious alliances.
Captain America was a
mainstay for us, partly because
his final special attack grants
This is Elektra, and she Two hours later, they still a temporary power boost to
gets awfully cross when hadn’t managed to put everyone in the group. Mind
you criticise her hat. up the new gazebo. you, Cap’s famous “Avengers
assemble!” line is a lot less
stirring when he’s saying it
several times a minute.
Playing The Black Order
in single-player allows you to
hop between your four chosen
heroes whenever you want,
stopping things from becoming
stale. It’s also a bit easier to
keep track of your characters
playing solo, thanks to an
optional over-the-shoulder
camera that keeps the focus
on you.
But even so, this is a game
best enjoyed with three friends
on the couch, You can play
on one TV, with individual
Switches locally, or online.

83
 TESTED GAMES

PS4 / yakuza.sega.com

Judgment
If the Yakuza 0 prequel turned you on to the joys of Japanese thug life, this
thoughtful spin-off might be just the thing to ease you in to the wider series

t’s great when a long-
I running series finally gets
the recognition it deserves;
but for the new converts, catching
up can be a daunting prospect.
That’s the issue for Sega’s Yakuza,
which won loads of fans with its
2017 prequel… only for things to
zip forward to its sixth entry a year
later. It’d be like watching the first
season of Game of Thrones then
skipping straight to the finale.
Judgment solves this problem by
bringing in new characters and even
changing the genre – from gangster
drama to legal procedural thriller.
You play as Takayuki Yagami, a
disgraced lawyer now living on
scraps as a private detective, who
gets roped into investigating a serial
killer mystery that soon becomes
a towering conspiracy.
The plot grows convoluted to the
point a judge might well throw the
book at it. This has arguably always
been a staple of Yakuza games; but
the difference here is that, instead
of being an ex-gangster who
mostly resorts to beating the crap
out of his problems, Yagami needs
to use his brains to investigate
and interrogate.
That said, combat is still a core
part of gameplay, and Yagami’s
a nimble martial artist who can
execute flashy wall jump attacks
and even leapfrog over enemies.
But battering thugs gets repetitive,
especially when there are so
many of them out to jump you
everywhere you go.
While the game indulges in
lengthy cutscenes, there are
moments where you have some
input, either by picking the correct
line of questioning during an
interrogation or analysing evidence
to progress the plot.
If you haven’t heard of the
Yakuza series before, Judgment’s
shift to a new story and characters
make it the perfect entry point.
Compared to more ambitious
open-world games – with much
bigger budgets – this one’s size
and mechanics may feel dated; but
if you’re looking for a virtual tour of
Japan, you won’t find one with as
much authenticity or charm. Now,
where’s that vending machine?

STUFF SAYS A gripping Japanese noir with authentic and absurd tourism on the side ★★★★✩
84
 TESTED GAMES

Turning Japanese,
we really think so
Based on the seedy real-life
district of Kabukicho in Tokyo,
Kamurocho is something of
a second home for long-time
Yakuza fans. The authenticity
is truly remarkable, from
the street layout to iconic
locations like the Don Quijote
discount store – even how
there’s cheap fried chicken
on sale at the counters of
convenience stores.
You’ll also get to befriend
many of the locals around
town and help them out in
many hilarious side quests,
whether it’s playing
matchmaker for a pair
of coffee baristas or helping
See how miserable people And see how much a clairvoyant protect her
are when they have to happier they look now! hapless clients from various
wear a suit. Suits are the problem! bizarre calamities.
Raising your reputation in
the city also becomes a way
of unlocking more side quests,
which offer a nice reprieve
from the heavy melodrama
(and high body count) of the
main story.
But, as tense and involving
as the core mystery of
Judgment gets (even if
it throws in a few too many
fights in its climactic sprint),
it’s great to know that you
can just as easily distract
yourself hitting a few rounds
at the batting centre or
wasting your hard-earned
yen on winning toys at the
arcade crane games.

85
 TESTED GAMES
Super Mario
Maker 2
This design-your-own-levels sequel has the potential to
become a bottomless treasure trove of Mario goodness
he original Super Mario
T Maker gave players all the
components required to
create a classic 2D side-scrolling
level, essentially challenging us
to do a better job than Nintendo’s
own designers.
After the success of the Wii U
title and 3DS port, a Switch sequel
was inevitable. And while we’ll
need to wait and see what budding
Mario Makers worldwide come up
with before declaring this the best
of the bunch, the new features in
Super Mario Maker 2 help it off
to a very good start.
The possibilities are endless,
and a bit dizzying. But once you’re
up and running (or jumping), the
brilliantly intuitive UI makes it easy
to get creating.
While the 3DS’s stylus might
have won on precision, the Switch’s
touchscreen is just as easy to get
to grips with. You use one finger
to select and place an item, and
two to move around the level, with
shortcuts for copying and erasing
mapped to the triggers.
Other additions include the
Super Mario 3D World game style,
STUFF SAYS One of Nintendo’s smartest ideas in years feels perfect for the Switch ★★★★★
86
Switch / nintendo.co.za
which allows you to design levels
based around the Cat Mario
power-up, as well as a host of
new themes and items.
Nintendo knows that not Alas, there’s no
everyone will be patient enough option to make
to master the art of building, so it’s Mario stop
included over 100 of its own levels jumping around
in Story Mode. These aren’t the
and do some
fully fledged courses you’d find in
a full-fat 2D Mario adventure, just actual plumbing.
miniature levels mostly built around
a central mechanic or item.
The difficulty ramps up as you
progress, but you can drop in
power-ups or call Luigi to cheat
if you’re desperate. And learning
from the masters is the best
way to get inspiration for your
own levels.
Course World, where you can This level looks
upload those levels and play other a bit poorly
people’s, could become a thriving designed…
hub of the weird and wonderful, but then,
giving SMM2 near-infinite whose fault
replayability… or it could become
is that, eh?!
so clogged with nonsense that
you quickly lose interest and look
elsewhere for your platforming
kicks. Here’s hoping the former,
and sense, prevails.

Switch, PS4, Xbox One
/ crashbandicoot.com
Crash Team Racing
Nitro-Fueled
Another day, another racing game revival from the ’90s… and
this one combines retro karting larks with murderous difficulty
fter the ridiculous success
A of the Crash Bandicoot
N. Sane Trilogy, Activision
scoured the archives looking for
If you don’t pick something else to revive… and
up enough fruit came up with a 20-year-old kart
crates, your racer that almost every former
character will PS One owner swears is better
than Mario Kart.
die of scurvy
And once again, an ageing
(not really). hunk of 240p triangles has been
brought up to date in stunning
fashion. Beautiful visuals and
lighting, added online play and
customisation all bring Crash Team
Racing screaming into the modern
era – and while it can’t completely
escape the antiquated nature of
its 1999 design, this is still one of
the strongest kart racers on the
raphics are market… possibly the best without
hyper-realistic, a plumber at the wheel.
if you live in a The core of the Nitro-Fueled
reality where experience comes from its
cartoon animals surprisingly deep Adventure
mode. It’s a jaunt through 17
drive go-karts.
of the game’s 31 tracks, with
a pseudo open world to scoot
around in between races.
But be warned, Crash is no
longer for the kids. Adventure
STUFF SAYS A beautiful remake of an ageing but still potent karting classic ★★★★✩
TESTED GAMES
mode is excruciatingly difficult
from the get-go, with progress
only made when you win each
race outright. Given the crafty and
malicious AI who’ll happily blast
you with a well-timed missile as
you’re mere centimetres from the
finish line, expect a few moments
of anguish as you grind through to
the later stages.
But if you’ve got the patience,
this is a beautiful recreation of the
original game, now with the ability
to change characters throughout,
and a load of customisation options
to give you a sense of reward when
you’ve just finished 2nd for the 17th
time in a row.
The track design shows its age
when compared to Mario Kart 8
or Team Sonic Racing, but Beenox
has done a fantastic job in updating
this much-beloved racer.
Youngsters schooled on Mario
Kart are sure to throw down their
controllers in rage before they ever
get the hang of its power-boost
systems; but for ’90s kids who’ve
already smashed through the
N. Sane Trilogy, it’s a must. Start
your engines.
87
 GADGET DOCTOR
MAIL OF THE MONTH
SUPPORT WOES
Q I have been watching DStv
Now on my Samsung TV for
months. All of a sudden, a week
ago, I can’t access it. I downloaded
the app again but it continually
re-directs to "experiment.dstv.
now.com”. I spoke to the call
centre and they say DStv has
upgraded its app and it no longer
works on TVs. It only works on
smart phones and computers. Do
you know anything about this?
Ann
Send us your FAQs and you could win!
Yabba dabba doo! This letter wins a Lego
Ideas Flintstones set worth R1 099.99
RUNNING: THE SHOW
Q I'm looking for a Garmin
wearable, mostly for running,
and have found three models
to consider. Which one the
following is the best? The
Garmin Forerunner 235, the
Forerunner 45, or the Garmin
Vivoactive 3 fitness tracker?
Ari
A The main difference in this
trio is that the Vivoactive is
more of a multi-sport tracking
device, while the Forerunners
(as their name suggests) are for
running specifically. Also, the
Vivoactive 3 supports Garmin
Pay, while the Forerunners don't.
So a Forerunner it is (unless
you're really keen on Garmin Pay,
which for now only works with
E TO IN
RITND W
WA
US
Next month’s mail of the month wins a:
1 007 PIECE – LEGO STAR WARS SLAVE I –
20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION WORTH R2 099.99
88
A We can't speak to the issue
specifically, but if DStv says
its app won't work on certain TVs
anymore then we fear you’re out
of luck. Unfortunately, companies
change their apps from time to
time, and may also revise the
platforms they choose to support.
We suspect your particular model
of TV is no longer supported,
rather than all Samsung TVs. It's
annoying, but it's also DStv’s
prerogative to stop supporting
older kit should it so choose.
FNB or RMB. Between the two
Forerunners, there's very little in
it, so the decision there might
simply come down to which you
prefer the look of.
FOR THE LOVE
Q I am an absolute tennis
fanatic and I’m willing to do
whatever it takes to improve my
game. I’m wondering if there’s
any cool tennis tech – like a
tracker or wearable – that gives
you feedback on your strokes
or monitors your progress?
Joshua
A None of Team Stuff play
tennis with anything
approaching aptitude, let alone
the sort of proficiency that
would warrant tracking, but
ALWAYS ON CALL
facebook.com/stuffsa ● @StuffSA
stuff@stuff.co.za
we’ve asked some racquet- July-August 2019 issue (see
brandishing friends and the
consensus is as follows: If money
below). We don't put them on
the Top Ten pages because
is no object and you want the shavers and razors aren't a
best sensor out there, get the product category that gets
Champion Smart Tennis Sensor. updated frequently enough to
You might need to import it, warrant its own column. But,
though. If you want to spend a we'll certainly consider it next
little less and get something you time we give the Top Tens their
can pick up off the shelf here in (annual or so) overhaul. Until
SA, try the Zepp Tennis Sensor. then, we can whole-heartedly
recommend ordering them from
WE SAW THIS
Q ONE COMING
Amazon. The range of products
the global giant of online retail is
I have been wondering why willing to ship here grows by the
Stuff never inserts electric day, and it'll even work out if
shavers in the Top 10 section there's likely to be an import
you have towards the end of duty levied. You'll pay the full
your magazine. As a father, one amount up front, but if it turns
is always looking for ways to out customs charges less than
make life easier and save time. Amazon anticipated, it will
Why not have an article on the
best electric shavers to trim
reimburse you the difference.
Now that's enough to put a smile
beards or shave a bald head? on any dial, clean-shaven or not.
The Babyliss Pro Foil FX02 has
some good reviews, but is not
available in South Africa. Sadly,
one has to turn to Amazon to
order online, as not many local
retailers (physical or online)
offer a wide variety of brands.
Hopefully we'll see this info in
one of your forthcoming issues.
Dean
A We actually had a spread
on the best electric
shavers in our November 2018
issue (which you will have seen
by now, because we sent it to
you). We also had a spread on
non-electric whisker trimming
paraphenalia in our very recent
 This gadget
leapt straig
outta testin
and into ou
rankings.

NEW OF EVERYTHING
Time changes
HOT everything,
BUY including Stuff
Top Ten placings.
BARGAIN
BUY
UPDATE
Searing with
techy genius,
a product that’s A solid gold
set our hearts bargain.
aflame. Worth owning,
regardless of
cashflow.

HOW
TO USE
Smartphones 90 Drones, action cams & 97
Phablets 91 compact cameras
Tablets, 92 VR headsets & games 98
mobile games
TVs
Laptops
93
94
System cameras
Headphones
Wireless speakers
99
100
101
THEM
Wearables 95 Consoles 102
Budget buys 96 Games 1 03
TOP TENS SMARTPHONES
TIPS &
TRICKS
Charge up your mates
– turn on Wireless
PowerShare, flip the
phone face down and
place a Qi-compatible
device on it. That’s it.
Bye, Bixby – swipe to
the Bixby panel and
select options […].
Hit Settings, then Bixby,
and then assign the
dedicated button to
something else.
Paranoid much? –
Set up auto-wiping by
going to Settings – Lock
Screen – Secure Lock
Settings. After 15 failed
logins, your device will
factory reset itself.
2 3
Huawei
Trumped?
The fact remains,Huawei’s
hardware is top-notch and
Android Q will come to most
devices on this list. We’ll revisit
Huawei’s Top 10 placement
after 19 August,when the
90-day reprieve
expires.
Huawei P30
R14 000 / huaweistore.co.za
There’s a gap between the stock
P30 and the P30 Pro. They’re both
amazing phones, even if you’re
giving up some features to get a
significantly cheaper smartphone.
Much of the camera tech remains
intact, though, and Huawei’s kept
the power and style in place as well.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The P30 is priced the way we wish all
flagships were. Worth every cent.
FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM
90
Huawei P20 Pro
R14 000 / huaweistore.co.za
So you’re wondering if you should
grab the P30, the P30 Pro, or the
P20 Pro. This one’s undergoing
price drops and specials, making it
a magnificent deal for anyone who
was sitting on the fence. In terms
of tech, power, and camera ability,
the P20 Pro is a mighty fine phone.
Stuff says ★★★★★
It’s fallen a step or two but Huawei’s
heavy hitter is still on the podium.
1 UPDATE
Samsung Galaxy S10
from R16 800 / samsung.com/za
It may be bigger but is it really better than the
Galaxy S9? We’re going to have to go with ‘yes’.
The Galaxy S10 is trying something new with
the punch-hole display. The screen is excellent,
the Exynos innards are speedy as ever, assisted
by 8GB of RAM and 128 or 512GB of storage.
There’s a triple camera to play with (running a
● Prices quoted are for handset only unless otherwise stated
12/12/16MP split) with 2x optical zoom and
ultrawide functions. Samsung proves you don’t
need all the megapixels to make a great camera.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A solid contender but Samsung’s got its
work cut out to hold this spot next year.
● NOW ADD THIS
Samsung Galaxy Buds
If you missed out on the pre-order
bonus, you should still snag these
skilled wireless wonders.
R3 000 / samsung.com/za
Apple iPhone XS
4 ★★★★★ from R20 000 / myistore.co.za
We’re not used to the iPhone here. Apple’s hardware
is top-notch, but 2019’s proving to be a tough year.
Samsung Galaxy S9
5 ★★★★★ from R12 000 / samsung.com/za
The S9 was all small, excellent updates. It still is, but
now it’s got competition from its own stablemates.
Apple iPhone XR
6 ★★★★★ from R14 000 / myistore.co.za
This ‘budget’ iPhone still packs a punch, including
killer battery life and the best LCD money can buy.
Huawei P30 Lite
7
★★★★★ R6 000 / huaweistore.co.za
Not content with sewing up the top spots, Huawei’s
budget entry is lifting eyebrows and dropping jaws.
Apple iPhone 8
8
★★★★✩ from R11 500 / myistore.co.za
The iPhone 8’s days on this list are numbered, but for
now it’s still the truly ‘budget’ iPhone option.
Sony Xperia 10
9
★★★★✩ from 7 000 / sonymobile.com/za
A 6in 21:9 display, the way only Sony does, makes
this mid-ranger a great choice for the media mad.
HOT
Nokia 6.1
10
BUY
★★★★✩ from 4 500 / hmdglobal.com
All-new innards, Android One pedigree, and nary a
price bump? Is it our birthday, Nokia?
 PHABLETS TOP TENS
UPDATE
TIPS &
TRICKS

Go dark – sa
battery (why
your eyes (ok
uawei P30 Pro
000 / huaweistore.co.za
hitting Settin
Battery – Da
interface colo when you thought it was safe to upgrade
r phone on contract, Huawei comes along
Manage thos h another sizzler. The P30 Pro may have
minutes. Pop best smartphone camera we’ve ever seen,
Settings – D h 5x optical zoom (thanks, prism!), and up
Balance – Tu 0x digital zoom. Because there are four
screen time era sensors there: 40MP, 20MP, 8MP
managemen Huawei’s own Time-of-Flight camera.
nslation? The best low-light images you’ll
Dangerously from any smartphone for the rest of 2019.
– Open the c
then Settings ff says ★★★★★
top-right. Se nyone pulls ahead of Huawei at any
Audio Contro nt in 2019, we’ll be very surprised.
then say ‘che
to take photo Huawei
Trumped? ● NOW ADD THIS
The fact remains,Huawei’s Huawei Supercharge 10 000 mAh
hardware is top-notch and The P30 Pro’s huge battery is no
Android Q will come to most reason not to get it a high-speed
devices on this list. We’ll revisit power bank of its very own.
Huawei’s Top 10 placement R800 / huaweistore.co.za
after 19 August,when the
90-day reprieve
expires.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9
UPDATE ★★★★★ R15 600 / samsung.com/za
Still the only phone to purchase if you must have
a stylus, even if it’s slipped down the ranks a tad.

Apple iPhone XS Max

5 ★★★★★ from R22 000 / myistore.co.za
Apple must do something big to claw its way
back. The XS Max proves they’re capable of that.

Samsung Galaxy S9+

6
UPDATE

★★★★★ R17 300 / samsung.com/za

Off the podium but still a solid choice if you want
the best of Samsung and don’t need a stylus.

Apple iPhone 8 Plus

7 ★★★★★ from R13 700 / myistore.co.za
Short stay on the podium notwithstanding, the
iPhone 8 Plus is looking cheap vs the XS Max.

Samsung Galaxy S10+
from R19 000 / samsung.com/za
Samsung ruled the roost in 2018
but competition is fiercer than ever.
Case in point: Samsung’s best
phone ever hasn’t claimed the top
spot. Don’t let that put you off. The
S10+ is still a beast of a machine,
elegantly styled, powerful and with
a camera not to be sneezed at.
Stuff says ★★★★★
If you like them big, slick, and
stylish, the Galaxy S10+ is the one.
Honor 8x
8
UPDATE
Huawei Mate 20 Pro ★★★★★ from R6 000 / hi-online.co.za
R16 000 / huaweistore.co.za
Our fave budget handset right now holds its own
against far pricier ones, and looks the part, too.
The Mate 20 Pro improved on
Huawei’s P20 Pro in every way.
Sony Xperia 10 Plus
9
We thought that was it but Huawei
had other ideas. Even so, the price ★★★★✩ from R7 500 / sonymobile.com/za
drop here makes the Mate 20 Pro Sony’s attractive mid-range Xperia 10 Plus has a
the best contender for your next massive 6.5in 21:9 display. Perfect for movies.
phone. What will we do when the
Mate 30 Pro lands?
Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro
Stuff says ★★★★★
Even without a price drop this
would be an absolute steal.
10 ★★★★✩ R3 700 / mia.africa.com/za
Going long on a budget , Xiaomi’s packed in
power, storage, and a dual camera system.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM
TOP TENS TABLETS & MOBILE GAMES
HOT
BUY
Apple iPad Pro
from R14 000 / myistore.co.za
The latest iPad Pro isn’t cheap, but it’s a mobile powerhouse like
no other, with a diverse and rich app ecosystem, tons of power,
a gorgeous screen, and the kind of focus on creativity and
productivity that just doesn’t exist on other tablets. If you just
want to faff on Facebook or Netflix it’s massive overkill, but then
there’s the standard iPad or a slew of other tablets for doing that.
Still, even if you don’t actually need the new iPad Pro, you’re going
to want one if you have it in your mitts for five minutes.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Once again Apple blasts ahead of the pack, with
a stylish, powerful tablet full of creative potential
Apple iPad Air (2019)
2 2
NEW
from R9 000 / myistore.co.za
Admit it, you’ve been waiting for a new
iPad Air. An A12 Bionic procesor, improved
specs across the board and an option of
64GB or 256GB of storage. It’s a very good
time to be an Apple fan.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Still the best all-purpose iPad for most
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
3 from R15 000 / samsung.com/za
If you want a tablet that isn’t made by Apple,
you don’t have many choices. Fortunately,
3 R66 / Android, R80 / iOS
Samsung’s Tab S4 is a mighty fine Android
slate. It marries improved power with a 10.5in
panel and sound by AKG. Netflix? Why not.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Your best choice for something non-Apple
Apple iPad (2018)
4 4
NEW
★★★★★ from R6 000 / myistore.co.za
We’ve got pencil support and an amazing
price. Plus, it’s an iPad. Come on, no brainer.
Apple iPad Mini (2019)
5 5
NEW
★★★★★ from R7 500 / myistore.co.za
Apple’s finally updated the mini iPad, with
the A12 Bionic chip and a general upgrade.
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92
1 HOT
BUY
Data Wing
Free / Android, iOS
This game starts off as if Asteroids had a baby with a top-down
racer: your triangular craft blasts around circuits, gaining speed
when its bum scrapes neon track edges. Soon you discover
you’re part of an OS ruled by a deranged AI. Story and game
quickly expand, as you glimpse the world beyond the screen and
battle gravity in cavern-based sections that recall 8-bit classic
Thrust. Rarely do mobile titles pack in so many hours of clever,
thoughtful narrative. Pretty much never are such games free.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A mobile game we’d happily recommend if it cost R100
– for free, it’s an absurdly generous bargain
Jumpgrid
R50 / iOS
Pac-Man and Frogger meet Super Hexagon
and buckets of adrenaline in this superb
game, a twitch/arcade/punishment
crossover masterpiece. It’s a stunning
ride that will leave you a quivering wreck.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The best twitch arcade game on mobile
Oddmar
Oddmar looks like it could have breezed
in from a PS4. It’s packed full of superb
level design, arresting set-pieces and lush
animated visuals, as a beardy Viking oaf
sets out to save his tribe.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Touchscreen platformers can be great after all
Bring You Home
★★★★★ R50 / Android, iOS
Make your own future with this imaginative,
brilliantly designed and devious puzzler.
Knight Brawl
★★★★★ Free / Android, iOS
If Monty Python made a sword-fighting
game for mobile… it still wouldn’t be this silly.

TIPS & LG’s TV is smarter than
TRICKS ever so if it offers you a
settings change, take it.
The interface is simple
enough that you can
revert whenever you
like but… you won’t.
2 3
Samsung 55Q8C
R25 000 / hirschs.co.za
Okay, it’s still curved and we’re
kind of past that but Samsung’s
big screen hits your eyes with a 4K
panel toting their neato Quantum
Dot tech. It also looks the part,
with no bezels and minimalist
styling, making sure that this one
fades into the background… until
you turn it on, that is. Samsung’s Q
HDR 1500 also helps in that regard.
Stuff says ★★★★★
If you can look past the curve,
there’s a lot to love here
FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM
1 HOT
Difficult neighbours?
Swap between eight
different audio output
options in the Settings
menu, including always-
connected headphones
or a Bluetooth device.
4 ★★★★★ from R35 000 / lg.com/za
5 ★★★★★ R18 500 / hisense.co.za
6 ★★★★★ R23 000 / samsung.com/za
7 ★★★★✩ R120 200 / lg.com/za
Samsung Frame TV
R29 000 / takealot.com
Say you want a TV but don’t want
people to know you have one.
8 ★★★★✩ R64 000 / hisense.co.za
Samsung’s designer Frame TV
mounts on your wall and pretends
9
to be artwork when not in use,
disguising the fact that you’ve got a
65in UHD 4K TV on the wall. Pity
that folks can see the Xbox One X
is plugged into the side of that
abstract painting.
Stuff says ★★★★★
If your house looks like a magazine
ad, this TV will fit right in
10
93 TVs TOP TENS
BUY
LG OLED 65C8
R53 000 / lg.com/za
LG’s new 65C8 is all screen from the front. From
the side, though, it’s barely there. LG’s intuitive
webOS er… OS guides you through a very simple
setup. After that you just have to bask in the
reverse-glow of inky OLED blacks, crisp picture
reproduction and upscaling (for when you don’t
have anything 4K on hand), and a refresh rate
that’ll make your PS4 Pro or Xbox One X
transform into a Disney princess and start
singing. Cue harmonious woodland critters.
Stuff says ★★★★★
It’s a choice between this one and LG’s
wallet-busting E8. We picked this one
● NOW ADD THIS Sony PlayStation 4 Pro
You’re going to want to use your 4K screen
to display 4K bits and the PS4 Pro is going to
help you to do that. Best when paired with
Sony’s PlayStation VR headset (R4 800).
R7 000 / playstation.com/za
LG 65SK9500
4K UHD but there’s no OLED here. Nano Cell,
HDR, and webOS make up for it.
Hisense 65U8A
A huge UHD panel, enough ports to make you feel
like a sailor and a price that’s kind to the wallet.
Samsung 55Q7F
Samsung’s 4K TV supports HDR and has a price
that means you’ll still able to eat at month end.
LG OLED 65E8
LG’s heavy hitter is amazeballs, but the price hits
your wallet harder than the pixels pummel pupils.
Hisense 75N9700UWG
Hisense lobs Quantum Dot colour tech and a
humongous 75in 4K ULED screen at you.
Skyworth 55G7200
★★★★✩ R13 700 / iskyworth.com
A 55in 4K display for under R15k? For that
combo, we’ll forgive the user interface missteps.
LG 49UK6300PVB
★★★★✩ R10 000 / lg.com/za
UDH and HDR combined in a package designed
to make you feel like you spent far more money.
TOP TENS LAPTOPS
Who needs a Touch
Bar? You can log into
your Mac with your
iPhone’s Touch ID
using the MacID app.
Dell XPS 13 (2019)
from R30 000 / dell.co.za
The Dell XPS 13 is one of the
best, most consistent Windows
laptops in the world. There are no
gimmicks, no flimsy parts: every
element is top-quality. You get
style, portability, performance and
great battery life. And every part of
it just feels, well, good.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Royalty among Windows laptops:
everything about this is top-notch
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94
The universal
clipboard lets you
copy text on your
iPhone and paste it
directly to your Mac.
1 HOT
BUY UPDATE
Apple MacBook Pro
from R20 000 (13in) / myistore.co.za
While the Touch Bar versions of the MacBook
Pro have been treated to an internal shake-up,
most notably with speedy 8th-gen Intel Core
chips, the basic Pro is still running on last year’s
specs. But with a Kaby Lake processor under
the hood, this is still a monster of a machine.
And when you factor in the gorgeous display,
fantastic keyboard/touchpad and slick design,
there’s no doubt this affordable option still
deserves its place at the top of our list.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Performance, portability and a sensible
price make this the king of laptops
● NOW ADD THIS
Satechi Type-C USB 3 Combo Hub
Two ports not enough? This hub adds
loads more and sits snugly against
the MacBook Pro’s side.
R800 / amazon.com
Apple MacBook Air 13in
3 4
UPDATE
★★★★★ from R14 000 / myistore.co.za
As stylish as it ever was, Apple’s Air is due for
a refresh locally after an international update.
MSI GE75 Raider
★★★★★ from R46 000 / evetech.co.za
A Core i7 8750H, 32GB of RAM, 3TB of storage,
and an GeForce RTX2080 headline here.
Apple MacBook
★★★★★ from R20 000 / myistore.co.za
It may be about to join the ranks of the
obsolete but it’s still a top bit of tech.
MSI PS63 Modern 8RC
★★★★★ from R26 000 / evetech.co.za
Does MSI’s multimedia editing-slayer still play
games? Yes. Yes, it bloody well does.
Huawei MateBook X Pro
Asus Zenbook UX331UA ★★★★★ from R19 000 / huawei.com/za
from R17 500 / asus.com/za
A stylish Windows laptop with some clever ideas
to get the maximum display for your rand.
Asus’ new 1.12kg Zenbook 13
might look less like a MacBook
Asus ZenBook Pro 14
9
than its predecessors did but
that’s okay. It’s not like a Mac inside ★★★★★ R33 500 / asus.com/za
either, with a Core i7-8550U, 8GB A sizable second screen makes the ZenBook
of RAM, 256GB SSD and other Pro 14 a very unusual proposition indeed.
metrics that make Apple’s
machines look slow.
Acer Swift 5
Stuff says ★★★★★
Something this fast shouldn’t
be this light
1 ★★★★✩ R17 000 / acer.co.za
Lacks gaming chops but it’s light, portable, and
powerful enough to make office life lovely.
 95 SMARTWATCHES, FITNESS TRACKERS TOP TENS
HOT
BUY
Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS)
from R8 000 / myistore.co.za
The Apple Watch Series 4 has everything going for it – the
larger screen, improved processor and louder speaker mean
it’s easier to actually do stuff on it than any previous Watch,
and it has a load of health features that just aren’t on other
wearables. Whether you’re navigating somewhere using Maps,
going for a run without your phone, or just wanting to keep
track of your activity during the day, this Apple Watch does
a great job of handling all these things and more.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Best wearable ever: a sleek, sophisticated redesign of
the previous generation with some hearty upgrades
Samsung Galaxy Watch
R5 500 / samsung.com/za
A sturdy and stylish smartwatch with plenty
of power and a truly lovely user interface.
Those with an iPhone are still likely to get
a better experience and more functionality
om an Apple Watch, though.
uff says ★★★★★
The best smartwatch for Android users
Fitbit Ionic
R5 500 / fitbit.com
Once more fitness tracker than smartwatch,
the Ionic now includes Fitbit Pay with support
from FNB and Deezer offline playlists while
still delivering heart-rate tracking, multi-
sport modes and up to four-day battery life.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The best go at a Fitbit smartwatch so far
Huawei Watch GT
4 ★★★★✩ from R5 000 / huawei.com/za
Up to two weeks on a charge, elegant design
and the best bit? Smartphone agnosticism.
Fitbit Versa
5 ★★★★✩ R3 500 / fitbit.com
Decent battery life and a smattering of
smarts make this an attractive watch.
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HOT
Garmin Fenix 5
from R7 000 / garmin.co.za
So you’re the kind of sporty that makes the seriously fit look
at you kinda strange and wonder if you’re ever going to slow
down, you need the sportiest sportswatch. You’re going to need
something that tracks all the things. Our fitness champ does
everything from swimming to sprinting to… skydiving? Really?
Yeah, really. The Fenix 5 is the ultimate sportswatch, so much
so that you’ll feel you need a degree in sports fitness to
understand all the stats. But that’s why we love this one.
Stuff says ★★★★★
If you’re going to be the sportiest of your pentathlon-
beating mates, you’re going to want the Fenix 5
Fitbit Charge 3
R2 600 / fitbit.com
For a broad range of tracking without making
your wallet sad, Fitbit’s versatile Charge 3
offers up all of the basics, a whack of actual
sports smarts, and more than a few bits
cribbed from its smartwatch brethren.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The Jonty Rhodes of fitness trackers
Fitbit Inspire HR
R2 000 / fitbit.com
Fitbit’s latest is a great little tracker. As well
as step-counting, it’s surprisingly capable
for proper run-tracking if you go out with
a phone. Add notifications and that’s just
about everything we want in a low-key band.
Stuff says ★★★★★
All the tracking skills that most people need
Fitbit Alta HR
4 ★★★★★ R2 000 / fitbit.com
The slim design, HR monitor, and notifications
make this the best discreet wristable.
Garmin Vivosmart HR+
5 ★★★★✩ R3 000 / garmin.co.za
A superb tracker packed with features; it’s
just a little bulky for wearing 24/7.
TOP TENS BUDGET BUYS
TIPS &
TRICKS
Chickens killed you
in Zelda again? You
can rewind up to five
minutes and pretend
it never happened.
For full-fat nostalgia
you can read the
instruction manual
for each of the SNES
games online.
Stop trying to raid
Bowser’s castle in
one sitting, and use
one of the four save
slots to take a break.
2 3
Raspberry Pi Zero W
R210 / pishop.co.za
It might be nearly twice the price of
the original Pi Zero, but when you’re
still getting change from a R200
the wireless Pi is fantastic value.
Simplicity is key, with no need to
mess about with dongles or hubs.
This also means your Pi projects can
be squeezed into smaller places.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The Pi Zero was already brilliant;
wireless add-ons make it better
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96
UE Wonderboom
from R1 300 / takealot.com
If you want a cheap portable
Bluetooth speaker, you can’t go
wrong with either the UE Roll 2 or
the UE Wonderboom. But the latter
makes this list for offering bigger
sound, its nifty design and
waterproofing. Quite simply, it’s the
best compact speaker you can buy.
BARGAIN
Stuff says ★★★★★
This budget Bluetooth banger is a
steal at under R1 500
1 HOT
BUY
SNES Classic Mini
R1 250 / nintendo.co.za
Why bother splashing out over R7 000 on a
games console when you can get the SNES
Classic Mini for a fraction of that? Especially
when you get 21 classic titles pre-installed on
this nostalgia-inducing machine, including the
likes of Super Metroid, A Link to the Past, Super
Mario World and the never-before-released
Star Fox 2. And with two controllers bundled in
the box, you’ll be able to start the Super Mario
Kart action right away.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Better games than the NES Classic Mini
send this to the top of our wish list
● NOW ADD THIS
8Bitdo Bluetooth Retro Receiver
Fed up of those short cables? Use
this clever device to connect most
modern controllers wirelessly.
R500 / 8bitdo.com
Moov Now
4 ★★★★★ R1 550 / pclinkshop.co.za
The best budget tracker you can buy – gives
most Fitbits a run for their money.
Amazon Kindle
5 ★★★★★ from R1 650 / circuitcity.co.za
Top of our holiday packing list, the basic Kindle
is thinner and lighter than its predecessor.
SoundMagic E10C
6 ★★★★★ R690 /sound-magic.co.za
SoundMagic is royalty when it comes to budget
buds. For under R700, these are stupendous.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9
7 ★★★★★ R1 100 / fujifilm.co.za
The new Mini 9 keeps the point-and-print
charm of its predecessors... and the same film.
HOT
Ryze Tello
8
BUY
★★★★✩ R2 000 / myistore.co.za
Rule the skies without breaking the bank with
this affordable toy drone.
HOT
Amazon Echo Dot
9
BUY
★★★★✩ R980 / geewiz.co.za
This smart home assistant is a lot smaller than
the full-size Echo, but it’s a much bigger bargain.
Google Home Mini
10
BUY
★★★★✩ R890 / geewiz.co.za
The friendliest and most knowledgeable smart
speaker. Looks like a pebble in a sock, though.
 97 DRONES, ACTION CAMS & COMPACTS TOP TENS
HOT NEW
Y
GoPro Hero7 Black
R7 000 / gopro.com
This is basically the excellent Hero6 Black (a five-star action
cam that cost R8 500 at launch) with a bunch of improvements
added – the most useful of which being the incredibly effective
HyperSmooth image stabilisation, which has a huge impact on
video quality. It’s great to see a company like GoPro continue
to innovate in ways that are genuinely valuable to its main
customer base, and the Hero7 Black is the best camera it’s
made in years.
Stuff says ★★★★★
GoPro’s smoothest operator ever, and a brilliant
flagship action cam
DJI Osmo Action
2 2
NEW
R7 000 / myistore.co.za
The image stabilisation is sensational and the
face-optimised metering makes DJI’s action
cam an ideal choice for vloggers. It has some
idiosyncrasies, but this is a smart shooter
that captures great footage without faff.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Despite a few quirks, this is a stellar cam
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
3 3
UPDATE
R31 000 / myistore.co.za
Aimed at the enthusiast willing to spend a
little more to fly and film a little further, this
is an undeniably pricey drone – but we think
it’s worth every cent. It’s a fantastic flyer that
feels superbly responsive in the air.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The gold standard in portable flyers
Insta360 One X
4 4
NEW
★★★★★ R7 700 / 180by2.co.za
Shoot every which way now, choose your
point of view later thanks to 5.7K res.
DJI Mavic Air
5 5
UPDAT
★★★★★ R15 560 / myistore.co.za
A stellar gadget that combines the best
bits from the Spark and the Mavic Pro.
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HOT
Sony DSC-RX100 V A
R19 700 / premiumbrands.co.za
We wouldn’t recommend buying this camera if you already own
the old IV model, but a few improvements have ensured Sony
remains the top dog in our compacts list – and we’re keeping
this model above the new RX100 VI simply because of the price
difference. It remains one of the finest point-and-shoots we’ve
ever seen, with a flexibility that few pocket cameras can muster.
While it’s still not exactly cheap, we reckon this is the cam to buy
if you want fantastic-looking snaps from your holidays.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A small improvement over the RX100 IV, but this
Sony is close to premium point-and-shoot perfection
Panasonic Lumix TZ220
R16 700 / panasonic.com/za
This Panasonic compact is a significant
upgrade from the TZ110, offering extra
reach with the zoom lens, better colour
reproduction, and an improved experience
when using the electronic viewfinder.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Small, neat and not dramatically overpriced
Sony DSC-RX100 VI
UPDATE
R23 700 / premiumbrands.co.za
A true all-rounder that shoots 24fps
at full resolution and has stunningly fast
autofocus, topped off with a whopping
8x zoom lens that’s quite spectacular
for such a tiny camera.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A dinky yet luxurious point-and-shoot
Panasonic Lumix LX100
★★★★★ R19 000 / panasonic.com/za
One of the most capable compacts on the
market, with superb stills and HD video.
Fujifilm X100F
UPDATE
★★★★★ R17 600 / myfujifilm.co.za
The best street shooter around if you don’t
need the flexibility of interchangeable lenses.
TOP TENS VR HEADSETS & VR GAMES
Oculus Quest
from R10 000 / 1 80by2.co.za
The Quest offers all manner of fully interactive, roamable virtual
worlds that you can throw in your backpack without a single
wire. That’s a mindblowing technical feat. Yes, the battery life
is average, but the inside-out tracking and total absence of any
cables make this the best all-round VR headset to date. It also
ships with the Oculus Touch motion controllers included, which
means you can play fully fledged Oculus Rift titles without being
anywhere near a PC.
Stuff says ★★★★★
If you’ve been waiting to board the VR bandwagon,
the Quest might be the best reason yet to go for it
HTC Vive
R12 000 / makro.co.za
Now that prices have levelled out, there isn’t
much difference between the HTC Vive
and Oculus Rift in all honesty. But if you’re
thinking of upgrading to the Vive Pro in the
future, this is a great gateway headset.
Stuff says ★★★★✩
A solid choice for immersive virtual reality
HTC Vive Pro
R15 200 (headset only) / evetech.co.za
This high-end headset offers the best
virtual reality experience by a long way,
but its sky-high price means you should
only really buy it if you’re a VR obsessive
with a super-powerful gaming PC.
Stuff says ★★★★✩
This hardcore headset is overkill for most
Google Daydream View
4
BARGAIN
BUY
★★★★✩ R1 500 / thegadgetshop.co.za
This budget-friendly option is the best way
of bringing VR to the masses.
PlayStation VR
5 ★★★✩✩ from R5 000 / playstation.com/za
It can deliver incredible experiences, but
the PSVR is held back by teething issues.
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98
1 HOT
BUY
Superhot VR
R400 / Oculus Rift, Vive, PSVR
Superhot has found its home in VR – just watch those slow-mo
bullets skim the tip of your nose. The enemy will only move when
you do, so time your attacks to perfection and dodge, duck and
dive to survive. There’s something really cool about hiding behind
a desk before blitzing your opponents with streams of bullets
as if you were starring in your very own Matrix movie. And with
Superhot soon arriving on PSVR, more players will be able to
experience this wonderfully action-packed title.
Stuff says ★★★★★
If you have a VR headset, this 2-in-1 puzzler and shooter
should be right at the top of your shopping list
Farpoint
R470 (R1 000 with Aim Controller) / PSVR
If it weren’t in VR, Farpoint would be a
distinctly average space-based FPS. But
the PSVR headset and Aim Controller lift
it above the pack and make it a must-play,
not just for VR fans but also for FPS addicts.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Simply a thrilling VR experience
Moss
R470 / PSVR
This platform puzzler has a storybook
charm to it, as you guide an adorable little
mouse through all sorts of obstacles. It’s
one of the best titles to really utilise VR’s
unique controls.
Stuff says ★★★★✩
A one-of-a-kind fable that’s perfect for VR
Thumper
★★★★✩ R320 / Oculus Rift, Vive, PSVR
This mesmerising rhythm game is best
played in VR, despite the lack of tracking.
Doom VFR
★★★★✩ R400 / Vive, PSVR
Movement can be awkward at times, but
this shooter is still bloody good fun.

TIPS &
TRICKS
Pre-shot ES mode
starts taking photos
and adding them to
the buffer as soon as
you half-press.
Sports Finder mode’s
display enables you
to see what’s about
to come into frame
for moving shots.
Tapping an area on
the 3in touchscreen
will let you set the
focus point or take
an instant shot.
2 3
Sony A7 III
R38 000 / premiumbrands.co.za
The A7 III manages to pack in a lot
of technology and desirability for
less than R60k. It’s a fantastic
all-rounder that’s well suited to
a bunch of shooting scenarios,
coping well with landscapes,
portraits, and even a little bit
of high-speed sport shooting.
As a camera design it’s admitedly
not the prettiest thing we’ve ever
seen, but it handles well for its
compact size.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A fantastic all-rounder that excels
in low-light conditions
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99
UPD TE
UPDATE
BARGAIN
BUY
Panasonic Lumix G9
R30 000 / panasonic.com/za
The G9 is the best Lumix camera
to date and a cracking choice for
wildlife or action photography.
This diminutive cam’s images
aren’t up with the best, particularly
in low light, but the plus sides are
lightning shooting speeds and a
great system of small, light lenses.
With 4K video and handy shooting
modes also on board, it’s one of
most versatile high-end mirrorless
cameras you can buy.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The perfect companion for the
travelling wildlife photographer
10
SYSTEM CAMERAS TOP TENS
HOT
BUY
Fujifilm X-T3
R24 000 (body) / myfujifilm.co.za
It’s really hard to find anything bad to say about
the X-T3 – it’s just consistently great in so
many ways. Fuji has looked at virtually every
feature on the X-T2 and upgraded it. With
substantial tweaks made to the pro-level
video options, the high-res EVF, the super-fast
autofocus and the burst shooting, what you’re
left with is an all-round beast of a camera in a
small, beautiful form. As APS-C shooters go, it’s
the best there is.
Stuff says ★★★★★
An incredible stills shooter with video
smarts to match
● NOW ADD THIS
Manfrotto 190 Go! Carbon Fibre Tripod
You no longer have an excuse for
wobbly photos with this carbon-fibre
tripod. It weighs just 1.65kg.
R4 350 / ormsdirect.co.za
Sony A6500
4 ★★★★★ R20 700 (body) / premiumbrands.co.za
A cracking system cam for action photography,
but stick with the A6300 if your budget is tight.
Fujifilm X-T30
5 ★★★★★ R14 000 (body) / myfujifilm.co.za
You get the X-T3’s sensor in a cheaper, smaller
body with more spare change for buying lenses.
Panasonic GH5S
6
★★★★★ R41 000 (body) / panasonic.com/za
A compact system camera that’s a pro at video,
if slightly disappointing for stills.
Canon EOS 80D
7
★★★★★ R17 000 / canon.co.za
The 80D is so easy to use that even a toddler
would get some great shots with it.
Nikon Z6
8
★★★★★ R37 300 (body) / nikon.co.za
A top-notch and reasonably sized mirrorless
camera from the optical experts.
Nikon D850
9
★★★★★ R56 900 (body) / nikon.co.za
This super-cam has enough fantastic features
to excel in pretty much any situation.
Fujifilm GFX 50S
★★★★★ R93 000 / myfujifilm.co.za
It’s not cheap, but no camera we’ve tested takes
better photos than this.
TOP TENS HEADPHONES 100
OT
Sony WH-1000XM3
R6 500 / takealot.com
Sony’s WH-1000 series was already a top performer, and the
WH-1000XM3s make for an even more compelling package.
With Bluetooth wireless and great noise-cancellation, they’re
the ultimate public transport stress killer… well, aside from a
chauffeur or a lottery win that lets you retire. The leather pads
make them incredibly easy to wear, not unlike sitting in one of
those ultra-comfy leather chairs, and most importantly of all
the sound quality is fantastic.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Great wireless headphones with effective ANC and
a sound that nails just about everything
B&O H9i
2 R8 300 / makro.co.za
Like all B&O products, these noise-cancelling
cans scream luxury… but they’re not just a
pretty face. There’s measured punch in the
low end and timing is spot-on, with a crisp
and expressive midrange.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Some of the best noise-cancellers you can buy
Sennheiser PXC 550
3 R5 200 / takealot.com
To choose between these and the Bose
below, you could flip a coin – both are wireless
headphones with active noise cancelling,
though Sennheiser’s touch controls, 30 hour
up-time and cool factor are the decider here.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Superb build, comfortable and stonking audio
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
4 ★★★★★ R8 000 / makro.co.za
Frequent flyers and long-range commuters:
these are the headphones for you.
Sennheiser HD 4.50BTNC
5 ★★★★★ R2 700 / mitechdirect.co.za
Priced right, wireless, and with noise cancelling.
The catch? The noise cancellation is permanent.
FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM
1 HOT
BUY
SoundMagic E10BT
R890 / sound-magic.co.za
How do you kick our long-standing earbuds champ off the top
of the list? By taking the same headphones and making them
wireless, obvs. The SoundMagic E10BT in-ears are the same as
the E10Cs, just sporting a lovely new Bluetooth finish which
means they’ll play nice with those smartphones that have
ditched the 3.5mm. Expect a spot of bass, as well as some very
clean treble and detailed mids in a package that keeps the most
important thing of all intact: The sub-R1 000 price tag.
Stuff says ★★★★★
We didn’t think that SoundMagic could provide more
value than they did with the E10Cs but they’ve done it
Jabra Elite Sport
2 R3 400 / circuitcity.co.za
For serious in-ear fitness tech, you have
to get Jabra’s Elite Sport wireless buds.
In-ear heart monitoring, up to nine hours
of battery life, and a gnarly (and detailed)
fitness-focussed app are the highlights here.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The smartest fitness partner you’ll ever have
Apple AirPods (2019)
3 from R2 700 / myistore.co.za
Yes, you’ll still look silly, but a new chip means
the range is even more astounding, calls are
still crystal clear, and you get extra battery
life. Plus, there’s now the option of a wireless
charging case for keeping them juiced-up.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Still class-leading, still one-size-fits-all
Samsung Galaxy Buds
4 ★★★★★ R3 000 / samsung.com/za
Android’s answer to AirPods, the Buds sound
great, look subtler, and offer more fit options.
Sony WF-1000X
5 ★★★★★ R3 000 / hificorp.co.za
Sony’s Digital Noise Cancelling-featuing buds
are keen on being your bud, er… bud.

TIPS &
TRICKS
With iPhones and
Android devices,
you can control your
Sonos speakers from
your lock screen.
2 HOT
BUY
UE Wonderboom
from R1 300 / takealot.com
It’s waterproof, the rechargeable
battery beneath its mesh exterior
is good for eight plus hours, and
the sound it produces is staggering
given how compact it is. If that
wasn’t enough, it’s also one of the
most affordable portable speakers
out there. Boom.
Stuff says ★★★★★
It may look like a can wearing a
jersey but don’t let that put you off
FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM
101
Sonos speakers
use a feature called
Trueplay that tunes
the sound to your
room’s acoustics.
3 HOT
BUY
BARGAIN
DreamWave Tremor
from R3 500 / takealot.com
With 50W of thumping audio
output, a humongous 20800mAh
rechargeable battery that provides
up to 18 hours at medium volume
(or eight at full tilt), and the most
rugged body we’ve ever seen in a
speaker, the Tremor is a real beast
of a portable noise maker.
Stuff says ★★★★★
It’ll last all day: come rain, snow,
sand or being rolled down a hill
WIRELESS SPEAKERS TOP TENS
1 HOT
BUY
Sonos multiroom
system
from R4 000 / audiotronic.co.za
If you want to pretend your favourite band is
playing in your living room, there’s no better
option than a Sonos wireless speaker. They
look great, work with your smartphone and
boom out your tunes with dazzling finesse
– from the compact and Alexa-compatible
One, to the flagship Play:5, and the TV-friendly
Beam (our reigning gadget-of-the-year champ).
Stuff says ★★★★★
Infinite music in every room without the
need for custom installers? Sign us up!
● NOW ADD THIS Spotify Premium
Sick of playing your iTunes library
on repeat? Sign up to Spotify for
more new music than you could
ever possibly listen to.
R60/month / spotify.com
UE Megaboom 3
★★★★★ R4 000 / takealot.com
You’ll struggle to find a better, longer-lasting or
more feature-laden portable Bluetooth speaker.
JBL Xtreme
★★★★★ R4 000 / dionwired.co.za
A killer speaker that’s also become a far more
affordable one in recent months.
JBL Pulse 3
★★★★★ R3 500 / kloppers.co.za
Pretty pricey, but potent for its size, and the
LED light show is utterly mesmerising.
BUY Braven 705
★★★★★ R1 300 / itoys.co.za
A massive price drop makes the 705 such
a bargain it’s worth getting two to pair up.
JBL Clip 2
8
★★★★★ R1 000 / capeunionmart.co.za
A pocket-sized party package that delivers
pounding performance while being pound-proof.
Fender Newport
9
★★★★★ from 3 000 / takealot.com
Great battery life, incredible sound and good
looks make this amp imitator utterly irresistible.
Marshall Kilburn II
1 ★★★★✩ R3 500 / makro.co.za
The Kilburn II is a speaker with rock-god cred
and a 20-hour battery. Weighs 3kg, though.
TOP TENS CONSOLES 102

HOT
BUY GOT EARS?
THEN CHECK OUT…

PlayStation 4 Pro
from R7 600 / playstation.com/za

As a gaming platform, PlayStation 4 is the best around – which

makes the PS4 Pro the best of the best. Games optimised
for the new console look stunning on a 4K HDR TV, and are
substantially improved by the extra grunt inside this slightly
bigger machine. Sure, it can’t match the Xbox One X for sheer
power or resolution, but it makes up for that with an impressive
line-up of games – including Uncharted 4, Horizon Zero Dawn
and Bloodborne – and virtual reality support.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The system for console gamers who have a 4K TV
and want the best gaming experience possible YOUR ESSENTIAL
AUDIO GUIDE TO
WHAT’S HOT IN
Nintendo Switch
from R6 500 / store.nintendo.co.za
Nintendo’s console earned a promotion in

GADGETS
our list after it impressed us with a growing
list of fantastic games. Plus, no other device
here offers the joy of portable gaming. Long
journeys will never be boring again.
Stuff says ★★★★★
This 2-in-1 console is the real deal

Microsoft Xbox One X

from R9 000 / xbox.com/za ● BITING COMMENTARY ● BRILLIANT
There’s no doubt the Xbox One X is the INSIGHTS ● (BAD) JOKES!
most powerful console here, capable of
producing stunning 4K visuals… but it simply ● GADGET HANDS-ONS
doesn’t have the line-up of games to usurp
the PS4 Pro from top spot.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A 4K monster held back by its game catalogue

PlayStation 4 Slim
4 ★★★★✩ from R6 000 / playstation.com/za
Haven’t got a 4K TV? This is the best way to
enjoy PlayStation’s brilliant exclusives.
FIND IT ON iTUNES, SOUNDCLOUD OR
YOUR PODCAST PLAYER OF CHOICE
SIMPLY SEARCH FOR “STUFFED”
Microsoft Xbox One S
★★★★✩ from R5 000 / xbox.com/za
No longer our Xbox of choice, but the One S www.stuff.co.za/hubs/podcasts-videos/
remains a seriously affordable option.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM
 103 GAMES TOP TENS

1 HOT
BUY UPDATE

Red Dead
Redemption 2
from R700 / PS4, Xbox One

Believable characters, a world to lose yourself

in, top-class voice acting and a story that
intrigues all the way through. Warts and all,
with improvements from other games ignored,
this is Rockstar at its most arrogant but also its
TIPS & most powerful. Red Dead Redemption 2 trusts
TRICKS you to explore, to grow, and to let its world seep
into your consciousness. This is a special game
Make sure you talk and one that was entirely worth the wait.
to strangers more
than once – you Stuff says ★★★★★
never know what Ultra-addictive gameplay in one of
they’ll reveal. the greatest open worlds ever created
Regularly brushing
and feeding Arthur’s ● OR PLAY THIS
horse will increase Zelda: Breath of the Wild
their bond. It’s what If you’re after a different kind of
all good cowboys open-world experience that’s
should do anyway. just as expansive and has a lot
of heart, this is the one for you.
R1 050 / Switch

2 3 4
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
★★★★★ from R900 / PS4, Xbox One, PC
A brutally punishing action adventure that will
get your heart a-pumping.

Forza Horizon 4
5
TE

★★★★★ from R900 / Xbox One, PC

This is a bar-raising sandbox-racing game
experience that’s worth buckling up for.

Monster Hunter: World

6
UPDATE

★★★★★ from R570 / PS4, Xbox One, PC

Fun for veterans and newcomers alike, World is
one monster of a game.

Resident Evil 2
7 ★★★★★ R930 / PS4, Xbox One, PC
Highly polished and much more than just
a remake, this is the series’ best entry yet.

Super Mario Maker 2

God of War
R1 000 / PS4
A lot has changed for PlayStation’s
god-slaying champion, Kratos.
He’s acquired a beard and a new
magic axe… but while the action
is as breathtaking as ever, it’s the
surprisingly mature storyline
that’s the draw here, with Kratos
learning the ropes of parenting.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The epic return of Kratos is yet
another phenomenal PS4 offering
8
NEW
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate ★★★★★ R1 000 / Switch
R1 000 / Switch
One of Nintendo’s smartest ideas in years feels
perfect for the Switch.
It’s no exaggeration to say this
is hands-down the best Smash
Kingdom Hearts III
9
UPDATE
game yet. There’s just so much
going on, with a huge array of ★★★★★ R900 / PS4, Xbox One
fighters – it’s a fantastic way to This fantastical trip is a worthy tribute to its
enter into the world of Smash, Disney heritage.
and long-time fans of the series
will not be disappointed.
UPDATE
Devil May Cry 5
Stuff says ★★★★★ ★★★★✩ from R700 / PS4, Xbox One, PC
Smash is well and truly back, and it’s A strange blend of world-class combat and
bigger and better than ever before old-fashioned design.

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RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES 1979
Sony tps-l2 walkman
A
h, the original Walkman! Ancient
music tech with all the charm of
a brick – and the heft of one.
Listen, when you can suck all of
music history from the cloud into a svelte
phone, there’s a chance you’ve been spoilt.
But Sony’s chunky delight was a genuine slice
of wonder 40 years ago. Finally, you could
take your own music anywhere, without the
inconvenience of trailing a massive extension
cord behind you and trying to balance a record
player on your head while carrying an amp
and speakers. Not that Stuff ever tried that,
obviously. Well, certainly not more than once.
DON’T MISS THE NEXT ISSUE! ON SALE 23 SEPT
But the Walkman wasn’t that much more
portable. And it didn’t even have a belt clip.
No, presumably on the basis that the weight
would’ve pulled down your trousers – though
brave souls did try with subsequent plastic
contraptions. The original, though, had a
swish carrying case with a shoulder strap.
Various models of Walkman also integrated
the strap directly into the unit. This was handy
for carting one about – but also for giving you
the means to swing the thing around like a
mace and give someone a swift crack about
the head if they dared ridicule the genius mix
you’d committed to your C90.
Sony & share
The TPS-L2 had two
headphone ports (take that,
every new iPhone!), so you
could have someone else
share in your dubious musical
taste. They had to supply
their own headphones,
though.
Oh yes, cassette – the music medium from
hell. Who’d celebrate that abomination?
You might if you fully appreciated music as an
art form. Great skill and patience were required
to fashion the perfect mix tape. You’d listen to
it again and again, each time finding something
new, rather than flitting between 30 million
albums like a glutton at an all-you-can-eat
buffet. As for celebrating, haven’t you heard?
Cassettes are back! (Blame hipsters.) And
the TPS-L2 has even been infused into
mainstream media thanks to Peter Quill’s
exploits in Guardians of the Galaxy. Perhaps
life really does begin at 40.