Change 2, Finest Android Telephones, and OLED Upgrades | You Requested

Query from @kennethcheung4938: We haven’t seen a lot of the brand new OS but—is it just like the unique Change OS, or is it a full overhaul? If it’s the latter, will we nonetheless be capable to play video games from exterior our native area? For instance, if I’ve a U.S. Change, can I purchase bodily sport cartridges in Japan and nonetheless play them in English?

Nice questions. Comfortable to reply. First off, the OS appears to be just about an identical. On the preview occasion, we weren’t handed a Change to fiddle with freely. These have been structured demos the place you jumped straight right into a sport—so no actual alternative to discover the menu.

That mentioned, I did catch just a few glimpses of the UI throughout the occasion. For instance, if somebody needed to pair a controller, the acquainted white “pairing your controller” field popped up. I additionally noticed the Nintendo Change On-line GameCube UI, and it seemed precisely the identical as earlier than.

Because the occasion, I’ve seen just a few movies and commercials displaying snippets of the UI, and yeah—principally the identical. The house display screen continues to be that white or black background with a single horizontal row of apps. You scroll by way of them. That’s it.

The one factor that’s getting a slight redesign is the Nintendo On-line part—although, truthfully, I guess lots of you haven’t used it a lot. It’s a small refresh, however nothing main.

I’ve at all times needed extra customization—extra dynamic themes like we had on the 3DS. I had an Animal Crossing one, it was totally decked out. Appears to be like like we’re not getting that degree of customization right here. I hope that modifications.

It appears Nintendo’s aim is to maintain the Change 2 feeling like a direct continuation of the unique Change. I believe that’s a little bit of a missed alternative, however at the least it’ll really feel acquainted.

As for area locking—no, the Change 2 shouldn’t be region-locked, so far as we all know. You may play a Japanese sport on a North American Change.

The one exception is a particular mannequin offered in Japan. It’s cheaper however region-locked to Japanese video games. Nintendo most likely did that to spice up native gross sales. The worth distinction within the U.S. is probably going tied to geopolitical tariffs, which many people are accustomed to by now.

So, if you wish to study Japanese and import a less expensive mannequin—go for it! In any other case, the usual Change 2 stays region-free.

Query from @jarathen1625:How snug did you discover the Change, and the way does that evaluate to the Change 2? It’s my one fear, that many gamers would require a grip to make it snug but once more.

This can be a good one. Personally, I don’t thoughts the consolation of the unique Change. I wouldn’t name it “snug,” but it surely’s not terribly uncomfortable both—it’s simply form of flat. You’re holding a flat brick, but it surely’s not tremendous heavy and the load is well-balanced.

In contrast to the Steam Deck, which I joke seems like holding a cat by its armpits—very top-heavy—the Change is extra balanced, so you’ll be able to maintain it within the center with out pressure.

Change 2? Similar design philosophy. Not considerably extra snug. In case you discovered the unique uncomfortable, you’ll most likely desire a third-party grip—possibly from Hori or Dbrand. That mentioned, you’ll be able to nonetheless get the Professional Controller, which I demoed, and it felt nice. It’s practically an identical to the present one, however now features a C button.

I additionally tried the up to date Pleasure-Con grip, which feels about the identical because the outdated one. I discover it superb—others would possibly disagree.

As for the way the Change 2 feels in-hand—it’s heftier. Not heavier, simply extra stable. Like holding an Apple pill. Doesn’t have an effect on consolation a lot, but it surely would possibly change the way you understand it.

The Pleasure-Cons have been tweaked for higher consolation—bigger joysticks, larger SL and SR buttons. So there are some quality-of-life enhancements, simply not an enormous leap in ergonomics. Hold your expectations in verify.

Query  from @viciousviolet3783: Have we heard something extra about Name Of Obligation coming to Nintendo Change 2?

Actually, I used to be shocked Name of Obligation wasn’t a part of that current Direct. However Xbox has to carry it to Change—they promised it of their FTC case. It’s legally documented.

Query from @kennethcheung4938: third Get together Video games Compatibility: With the MS Activision merger final 12 months and MS promising to carry Xbox video games to Nintendo, can the Change 2 have sufficient {hardware} energy to run these Xbox video games and supply a comparable expertise?

Now, efficiency? Hold your expectations low. The Change 2 shouldn’t be an Xbox Collection X or PS5. It’s nearer to a Steam Deck. It’ll impress extra in handheld mode than docked.

That mentioned, DLSS (AI upscaling) is a game-changer. Video games like Cyberpunk 2077 use it, and it actually helps clear up visuals. The Nvidia chip additionally helps ray tracing—one other plus. Nonetheless, this console gained’t match what Xbox and PlayStation are doing.

I don’t count on Hellblade 2 or Starfield to run nice on it. However I used to be impressed seeing third-party video games like Break up/Second, Cyberpunk, and Avenue Fighter 6 operating easily and looking out clear.

DLSS might assist clear up the fuzzy edges I noticed in video games like Break up/Second. Simply don’t count on 120 fps Name of Obligation—we’re most likely 30 fps, with some upscaling when docked.

Cell Tech Questions with Andy Boxall

Now, let’s swap gears to cell tech with Digital Traits senior cell author Andy Boxall.

Query from @miltonjr2004: What Android cellphone would you advocate?

Nice query—and since we don’t have a particular finances to work with, I’m going to advocate two telephones.

In case you’re on the lookout for one thing extra reasonably priced, the Google Pixel 9a is a unbelievable possibility at simply $500. I believe the flat rear panel appears to be like nice, the software program is tremendous simple to make use of, and it’s very nicely designed. The battery lasts a few days, and whereas the digicam is stable, the pictures do profit from a little bit modifying.

I additionally gave the Pixel 9A a 9 out of 10 in my assessment, and I’m nonetheless utilizing it as my day by day cellphone. I believe you’ll be proud of both the OnePlus 13 or the Pixel 9A.

Query from @lowridinpacker: Which foldable cellphone would be the one to purchase this 12 months? Purchase a P9P Fold or OnePlus Open now or possibly the Z Fold 7 or Pixel 10 Professional Fold in August? Value vs usability and which is greatest for various use circumstances.

Let’s begin with the one I wouldn’t advocate: the OnePlus Open. It launched on the finish of 2023 and solely noticed minor updates in late 2024. There’s no successor coming this 12 months, and whereas it’s nonetheless a very good cellphone, I don’t advocate shopping for a 2023 mannequin in 2025.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold, however, is superb—and it’s truly my favourite Pixel 9-series cellphone. It’s nonetheless comparatively new, and whereas the $1,800 price ticket stings, it’s completely value contemplating. In case you want a cellphone proper now and desire a foldable, go for it—I don’t assume you’ll be disillusioned.

As for the Pixel 10 Professional Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 7, it’s nonetheless early, and there aren’t a whole lot of stable rumors to go on but. Most hypothesis suggests they gained’t be dramatically completely different from the present fashions.

So, should you don’t want a brand new cellphone immediately, there’s no hurt in ready one other six months to see what they create. However should you’re hoping for a worth drop on present foldables, don’t rely on it—foldables hardly ever go on deep low cost.

In case you’re after a cellphone that may do every little thing—multitasking, content material watching, productiveness—the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is my choose. Get it, and luxuriate in it.

Query from @Mooooooof: At what share battery well being is cheap to interchange the battery in your cellphone?

This one’s fascinating as a result of I believe it’s much less about numbers and extra about expertise. In case your cellphone nonetheless meets your day by day wants, there’s no motive to fret concerning the battery well being share. As soon as it turns into inconvenient or irritating, that’s the time to think about a alternative.

Additionally, should you’re asking this, I’m going to imagine you wish to hold onto your cellphone for some time. If that’s the case, keep watch over units just like the HMD Skyline—it’s simply repairable at residence, and iFixit sells official components, together with batteries.

There’s one thing actually satisfying about sustaining your cellphone like this—and it’s extra reasonably priced in the long term.

OLED Improve for Higher Anti-Glare with Chris Hagan

Lastly, we have now a query about OLED TV reflections.

Query from Luuk: I at present have an LG CX OLED in my home—an superior TV—however the display screen is actually a mirror. I’ve a window behind the viewing place, and particularly in the summertime, I can see every little thing behind me on the TV, however not any darker pictures. I’m contemplating a brand new OLED since I’m an enormous fan of the image high quality, however I used to be questioning how a lot the anti-reflective coating has improved in comparison with my CX. I would think about different manufacturers, though Sony doesn’t provide the identical price-to-quality worth as LG, and Samsung lacks Dolby Imaginative and prescient help.

Nice query, Luke. Anti-reflective coatings have positively improved 12 months over 12 months, particularly on high-end OLEDs. And having seen a number of the latest units in particular person—just like the LG G5 and C5—I can affirm they appear unimaginable.

Nonetheless, it appears like your room will get a whole lot of mild. In that case, I’d truly steer you towards Samsung’s newest lineup. They launched their superior anti-glare tech again in 2020 on the flagship QN95 collection, and we’ve bought a full breakdown in previous movies on the channel.

In 2025, that very same tech has made its approach into each OLED and Mini LED fashions. So that you’ve bought choices.

So if daytime glare is an actual challenge and also you watch quite a bit throughout the day, the QN90F would possibly truly be the higher alternative.

Now, about Dolby Imaginative and prescient: sure, Samsung nonetheless doesn’t help it. However whether or not or not you’ll discover is dependent upon how dialed in your eyes are. I’ve been utilizing the QN90C, their 2023 mannequin, for the previous 12 months and a half—and I’ve watched every little thing from cable and sports activities to HDR films and streaming content material. HDR10 and HDR10+ nonetheless provide loads of wow issue.

So in your case, I believe fixing the reflection challenge may have the larger impression in your viewing expertise than Dolby Imaginative and prescient help.