Only a handful of smartphone makers have both notebook-style and clamshell foldable phones like Samsung and Huawei. However, companies like OnePlus and Google only have one type. OnePlus is one of them; however, that may change. According to a new report, there may be a OnePlus clamshell phone in the works, and it could bring a one-of-a-kind camera addition.
The foldable phone market is gaining in popularity, and companies like Samsung basically own it. Samsung has spent years refining its foldable phone design. However, that didn’t stop OnePlus from making a splash in the market on its first try. The OnePlus Open (Review) was one of the best phones in 2023, and it shows the company’s potential to produce a compelling foldable phone.
However, there are people out there who appreciate the portability and convenience of a clamshell foldable. Well, with the foldable phone industry as it is now, there was no doubt that we would see a OnePlus-branded clamshell foldable phone at some point in the future.
OnePlus may be working on a clamshell foldable
With news like this, you’ll want to take the information with a grain of salt. Right now, we are following rumors and echoes. So, we’re going to want to wait for more information to be completely sure.
According to reports, OnePlus may be gearing up to build a clamshell foldable. For a quick recap, a clamshell foldable has the form factor of a typical candy bar phone but folds vertically just like the flip phones of old.
A Weibo post from the account named Smart Pikachu (via Android Authority) explained that Oppo is planning its next clamshell phone and that OnePlus is following suit. Oppo and OnePlus both share the same parent company named BBK. Both companies merged in 2021, so some OnePlus phones are actually rebranded Oppo phones. This was pretty much the case with the OnePlus Open. Since Oppo is making a clamshell phone, then we can expect a OnePlus-branded clamshell phone that shares much of the same DNA.
This phone could have a telephoto camera
One thing that will differentiate these two phones from the rest of the clamshell phones on the market could be the addition of the telephoto camera. This is something that we’ve yet to see on foldable phones, as these devices need to remain as thin as possible.
Well, if the leak is to be trusted, then OnePlus’ first clamshell phone could have better zoom capabilities compared to the competition. We’re not certain when/if this phone will see the light of day. Last year, the OnePlus Open launched in early October. So, if history is any indication, we should see more information about this phone and potentially get a mid-fall launch.
Both OnePlus and ASUS announced their new flagship smartphones this year. Well, OnePlus’ technically launched at the end of last year, but its global variant arrived this year. In this article, we’ll compare those two smartphones, the OnePlus 12 vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra. The two phones do look quite different, while they also provide different camera experiences and so on. There’s a lot to talk about here.
As per usual when it comes to comparisons, we’ll first list their specifications. Following that, we’ll compare the designs, displays, performance, battery life, cameras, and audio performance of these two smartphones. If you’re in the market for a large Android flagship, both of these devices fit the bill. Both of them also start well under $1,000, which is another reason you may be interested in getting one.
Both the OnePlus 12 and ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra are made out of metal and glass. The OnePlus 12 has a curved display on the front, while the ZenFone 11 Ultra utilizes a flat one. You’ll notice a centered display camera hole on both of those displays, along with very thin bezels. Both phones have physical buttons on the right-hand side only. The OnePlus 12 does have an alert slider on the left, though.
If we flip them around, you’ll notice immensely different camera islands. Both setups sit in the top-left corner, but the one on the OnePlus 12 is larger. It hosts three cameras, and it’s circular. The one on the ZenFone 11 Ultra is rather small in comparison, though it includes three cameras as well. Backplates on both smartphones are flat for the most part, but they do curve a bit towards the edges.
The two phones are quite similar in terms of size. The OnePlus 12 is technically slightly taller, narrower, and thicker. The difference is minimal, though. OnePlus’ flagship is also 4 grams lighter, which is not something you’ll notice. They feel similar in terms of weight when held side-by-side. The OnePlus 12 does offer IP65 certification for water and dust resistance. The ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra comes with an IP68 certification. Both of them are quite slippery, and both feel like premium products. The build quality is very good. You’ll also be glad to know that they’re both comfortable to hold.
OnePlus 12 vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra: Display
The OnePlus 12 features a 6.82-inch QHD+ (3168 x 1440) LTPO AMOLED display. That panel is curved, and it offers an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Dolby Vision support is included, and the same goes for HDR10+ content. The maximum display brightness this display offers, in theory, is 4,500 nits. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects the panel. The screen-to-body ratio is around 91%, by the way.
ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra
The ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra includes a 6.78-inch fullHD+ (2400 x 1080) LTPO AMOLED display, which is flat. It has an adaptive refresh rate of up to 144Hz, but do note you’ll get that high in specific games only. The display usually goes up to 120Hz. HDR10 content is supported, while the peak brightness is 2,500 nits. The screen-to-body ratio is around 88%, while the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects this display.
Both of these displays are great, no doubt about that. The OnePlus 12 does have the advantage of having a higher resolution and getting a bit brighter. The thing is, most people won’t even notice the difference. Displays on both ends are vivid, offer great viewing angles and deep blacks. The touch response is also very good. You’ll have a great experience with both of these panels. Just remember one is curved, while the other one is flat, plus there’s a resolution difference to consider.
OnePlus 12 vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra: Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 fuels both of these smartphones. That’s the most powerful processor Qualcomm has to offer at the moment. Both phones also offer LPDDR5X RAM, up to 16GB of RAM. UFS 4.0 is used on both ends as well. In other words, both companies used the very best performance-related components that could find, which is always good to hear. You’ll be glad to know that both phones do deliver in the performance department too.
Everything you end up doing on these two phones will be snappy, at least it was for us. They can multitask like nobody’s business, and perform day-to-day tasks without breaking a sweat. The ZenFone 11 Ultra’s software is close to stock Android in terms of look, but it has a ton of useful features on top of it. OxygenOS comes pre-installed on the OnePlus 12, and it’s quite a bit different than stock Android, but the performance is outstanding.
That goes for gaming too, actually. When we played Genshin Impact, both smartphones did a great job. The OnePlus 12 was slightly cooler after a one-hour session, but neither phone had issues with the game. They both got warm, but the performance did not suffer at all. 3D Mark’s most demanding test did manage to raise the temperature of the ZenFone 11 Ultra quite a bit, but that’s not something you should be worried about. We were not able to replicate that, not even with demanding games, so… it’s not exactly something to worry about. The OnePlus 12 does have better cooling, though.
OnePlus 12 vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra: Battery
The OnePlus 12 comes with a 5,400mAh battery on the inside. The ZenFone 11 Ultra, on the flip side, has a 5,500mAh battery. Both of these phones have quite large battery packs, does that reflect on their battery life, though? Well, both of them have good battery life, but the OnePlus 12 is a level above the ZenFone 11 Ultra in that regard. It managed to outperform it during our battery test, and we’ve seen the difference during general usage too.
When it comes to general usage, we managed to get up to 9 hours of screen-on-time on the OnePlus 12. The ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra provided a bit less, 7-7.5 hours of screen-on-time. Do note that gaming was not a part of our usage on those days. If you count that in, the usage numbers go down. Also, we’ve used WiFi most of the day, and the signal was quite good. Your mileage may and probably will differ quite a bit. You’ll be using different apps, in different ways, in different places, and so on.
The OnePlus 12 supports 100W wired (80W in the US) charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10 reverse wireless charging. The ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra, on the flip side, supports 65W wired, 15W wireless, and 10W reverse wired charging. The OnePlus 12 not only wins the charging comparison, but it also comes with a charger in the box, unlike ASUS’ flagship. Both phones can charge up really fast, though, a lot faster than phones from Google, Apple and Samsung.
OnePlus 12 vs ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra: Cameras
Each of these phones has three cameras on the back. The OnePlus 12 includes a 50-megapixel main camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide unit (114-degree FoV), and a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto camera (3x optical zoom). The ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra, on the flip side, has a 50-megapixel main camera, a 13-megapixel ultrawide unit (120-degree FoV), and a 32-megapixel telephoto camera (3x optical zoom).
OnePlus 12
The images these two smartphones provide are considerably different. The colors that the OnePlus 12 can pull off are on another level, and the phone also tends to offer more contrasty shots. The ZenFone 11 Ultra’s photos tend to look a bit more processed, and the phone also tends to brighten up low-light shots more. The OnePlus 12 is not afraid to leave such images closer to real life.
Both ultrawide snappers do a good job of keeping the color science of the main camera. When it comes to telephoto images, we prefer the OnePlus 12 across the board, and that especially goes for high-zoom situations. That’s not surprising, though, as it does include a periscope telephoto camera. The ZenFone 11 Ultra is a good camera phone, but the OnePlus 12 is a level above.
Audio
Both of these phones have a set of stereo speakers built-in. Both sets are loud enough and are actually on a similar level in that regard. The sound quality is also very good on both. The speakers are well-balanced, and there’s even some bass included.
The ASUS ZenFone 11 Ultra even includes an audio jack. That’s not something you’ll find on the OnePlus 12, but you can always use its Type-C port for wired audio connections. Both smartphones are equipped with Bluetooth 5.4.
For all the Android users out there, Google Maps is releasing a fresh update that changes the toggle for 3D buildings during navigation on Android Auto. Although Google Maps has allowed 3D view on Android Auto for a while, they have now found a way to streamline that specific setting by synchronizing it with your Android smartphone.
Google Maps will now sync 3D building toggle across smartphones and Android Auto
Currently, this feature defaults across different platforms including CarPlay (iOS), Android Auto (Android), and iPhones (iOS). So far, in beta, the current version of Google Maps for Android (v125) brings a small improvement where the choice to show 3D buildings syncs between devices. If you have turned on 3D buildings on your phone, you will also find it switched on inside Android Auto.
AssemblyDebug from X discovered the update earlier. It smoothens customer experience hence enabling “Show 3D Buildings” from phone and Android Auto without any discrepancy. Previously, altering them required the user to go to settings and turn it on manually via the car’s display. Now it syncs with the Maps app on your phone.
With this update in place, users may find it easy to manage 3D settings through their mobile device thereby adjusting it automatically when starting up with Android Auto. However, users should also note that the synchronization only happens during the boot-up, and it may not happen immediately once switched on from smartphones.
Beta testing commences before wider availability
Nonetheless, after reconnecting to your car, Android Auto will take details from the Maps app on your phone. This feature used to work sometimes in previous versions but with the latest update, syncing of devices is far more reliable. Although it is a minor change, it’s a good sign as it indicates that the company hasn’t forgotten Android Auto.
The full release should occur in a few weeks but before then, the beta version is available for testing. Users can modify their 3D building preferences across various Android devices and manage them through Android Auto without any hassle.
Last month we told you how you can set your iPhone to automatically reduce the white point setting when battery life is running low and you turn on Low Power Mode. This action reduces the power draw from the display while also reducing the mail fetch and downloads in the background until the iPhone is almost fully charged. Reducing the white point setting makes the display darker but you can set the level of darkness until you find a level that you are comfortable with. This should be used only as a Hail Mary pass to try once the battery life remaining on your iPhone has dropped under 20% and you’re out without a power bank.
According to iMore, there is a setting you can adjust on your iPhone that will add more battery life to your handset. Called Background App Refresh, this setting is enabled by default on iOS 17 and keeps your favorite apps refreshing even when you’re not using them. This way you can open your favorite social media app and continue from where you left off when you were using the app the last time. Here’s another example; the setting also allows you to open the Mail app and not have to refresh the inbox to see the latest email you’ve received.
Disabling Background App Refresh can add some extra battery life to your iPhone
But leaving Background App Refresh on also means that you are using battery life to keep these apps open and updated in the background. One way to save battery life is to go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Off. This will take you to a box with three options. Select off for maximum battery savings although your apps will no longer update in the background. Select Wi-Fi to have your apps update in the background only when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. This allows your iPhone to save some battery life when out and about but will allow you to have your apps updated in the background when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi signal while at Starbicks pr other places with free Wi-Fi.
The last option is Wi-Fi & Cellular Data. If you select this option, which is the default option on iOS 17, your apps will update in the background whether you’re connected to a cellular signal or Wi-Fi. This setting will use the most battery life since apps will update in the background at all times. When you go to the Background App Refresh page, you might have noticed that you can toggle off individual apps to save some battery life.
Google Wallet could be making its way to India, a Play Store listing briefly suggested. The e-wallet had mysteriously started working on Indian smartphones a few days ago.
Google launching its NFC-based Wallet in India?
Google Wallet is one of Google’s several platforms that offer on-device payments. The company operates quite a few variants such as Google Pay in multiple countries.
According to TechCrunch, Google is expected to officially launch Google Wallet in India shortly. Google Wallet is already a popular choice in on-device payment apps for US customers.
Google Wallet needs an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip to function properly. The app allows users to add multiple credit, debit, and loyalty cards. Using Google Wallet, users can opt for “tap to pay” at payment terminals or POS (Point of Sale) machines using their smartphones.
In addition to NFC payment cards, Google Wallet can also add passes. Simply put, most of the cards that have an NFC chip, can be assimilated within Google Wallet.
Google Wallet launched in 2022. However, Google restricted the app’s availability. The Indian version of the Google Play Store has a dedicated listing. But, it does not have an install button yet.
The Indian version of Google Wallet briefly spotted on the Play Store
GPay or Google Pay is another Google e-wallet. However, this app largely depends on the UPI (Unified Payment Interface) backend. In other words, nearly all smartphones, even those without NFC, support GPay.
Google has reportedly indicated it would continue to operate GPay as a standalone app in India. The company had previously stated that GPay would continue to remain operational in India and Singapore to address the “unique needs in those countries”.
The same cannot be said in other regions where Google either shuttered GPay or merged it with Google Wallet. Google has recently indicated it would shut down GPay in the US.
Google Wallet now seems to be working in 🇮🇳 India. Can add cards and use like Gpay if your phone has NFC.
Further, wearOS watches (like OnePlus Watch 2) will probably get it too. Definitely a nice upgrade. pic.twitter.com/JZQYFp2fbK
According to 9to5Google, Google Wallet’s listing briefly carried banners and images of Indian brands such as SBI (State Bank of India), Air India, and PVR INOX (a multiplex chain). However, these images are now gone, and they have been replaced by generic placeholders.
While these now-deleted images might not be a reliable indicator, Google Wallet suddenly became operational in India for a few Android smartphone users.
Google Wallet now appears to be available in India without any hackery. Also working on Wear OS watches, including the OnePlus Watch 2 and the Galaxy Watch. https://t.co/MSK0drM2typic.twitter.com/BDTkdsS65f
After some smartphone enthusiasts sideloaded the Google Wallet app, it worked with the cards they loaded into the app. Loyalty programs still don’t work, but that’s an entirely different ballgame. Google Wallet recently started asking users to authenticate all payments, irrespective of the monetary value. It is not clear if the same security measure would be applicable in India.
Last week, Meta reintroduced the Lying Down mode to the Meta Quest 3 for uninterrupted use. Now Meta officially confirms that they are working on a new product for the Quest devices, that will make the operation of Meta Quest devices inside the classroom for education more seamless.
The Blog post by Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, informs that the “new product” will enable educators to access a collection of “education-specific apps and features”. Meta dedicates this new product for Quest devices to education, mirroring last year’s dedication of Meta Quest for Business to the workplace.
Meta wants to help teachers with its Quest devices
The goal is to come up with something that utilizes the technology to make classroom learning more intuitive and effective with Meta Quest devices. “We want it to be something that makes it easier for students to learn, apply and practice new skills; feel a sense of presence with teachers and classmates; and to visit places or experience things that would otherwise be impossible,” notes Clegg. He adds that the new product will help teachers
He previously wrote about the use of their products in transforming education. It seems that Meta is continuing to move forward in this direction. “The University of Glasgow is teaching life sciences by placing students inside virtual intestines, to see how the body battles bacteria,” he noted.
Research also shows that learning with virtual reality improves students’ performance, engagement, attendance, and satisfaction. Morehouse College reported that students who learned in VR (like the Meta Quest 3) had an average final test score of 85, versus 78 of students who learned in person in the classroom. A survey by the XR Association also shows that 77% of educators believe these technologies ignite curiosity and improve engagement in class.
The “new product” for Quest devices is coming later this year
As you can probably guess, Meta has yet to reveal the name and specific features of the upcoming product that is possibly under development at this point.
This new product is the result of Meta’s collaboration with educators, researchers, and third-party developers working in the education space around the world. Meta is committed to collaborating with educators, exploring ways to improve their Meta Quest devices, and making them the best virtual reality product in their price range.
Keeping up with technology trends, especially focusing on effective business communication with your customers across all platforms, is crucial for your company’s success. Trends in 2024 include integrating omnichannel campaign management solutions to make business communications as effective and efficient as possible.
Integration testing services play a critical role in this context. They ensure that the various components of omnichannel platforms work together flawlessly, providing a consistent and reliable customer experience across all channels.
We will explore the following topics: what makes a successful business, the importance of knowing technology trends, and how a business can benefit from an omnichannel campaign management platform.
What makes a successful business?
Provides high-quality products and services
A successful business provides quality products and services that meet or exceed the customers’ expectations to build customers’ trust and loyalty.
Enhances customer experience through omnichannel campaign management strategy
A good, successful business provides an exceptional, quality customer experience. To grow your business, continue beyond closing a sale. The goal should be to satisfy customers with the products and services you provide and to consistently stay responsive in communicating with your customers to ensure their happiness with their purchase or subscription.
This includes knowing how else you can make customers happy by turning them into repeat buyers and by receiving positive feedback, recommendations, and referrals from them due to your high-quality customer service.
Focuses on customers’ needs
A successful business understands what its customers need, and its goal is to consistently deliver these needs and preferences to ensure customer retention and satisfaction.
Innovates and adapts to current trends in technology
To thrive, a business should innovate and adapt to current trends in technology to stay relevant, capitalize on emerging opportunities, and gain an advantage over existing competitors.
The importance of knowing the trends in Technology
Staying abreast with the latest trends in technology in business communications is crucial for the following reasons:
It sustains competitiveness
Keeping up with technological advancements guarantees that your business stays competitive in the market. Embracing innovative communication tools and tactics enables you to stay aligned with industry norms and fulfil customer demands, giving you a competitive advantage over rivals who may be slower to adopt new technologies.
It enhances customer experience
Trends in technology significantly influence customer experiences. By utilizing cutting-edge communication tools and platforms, businesses can offer smooth, tailored interactions across various channels. This elevates customer satisfaction, nurtures loyalty, and boosts the probability of repeat purchases and favourable recommendations.
It improves productivity and efficiency
Incorporating cutting-edge technology into business communications streamlines operations automates tasks, and boosts overall efficiency and productivity. Advanced collaboration platforms, AI-driven chatbots, and cloud-based communication solutions expedite decision-making, streamline workflows, and reduce turnaround times.
It reduces the risks
Neglecting technological trends in business communications can leave businesses vulnerable to risks. Outdated systems are susceptible to security breaches, compliance issues, and operational inefficiencies. Keeping up with the latest technologies allows businesses to anticipate and address potential risks, protect sensitive information, and stay ahead in an ever-changing digital environment.
It adjusts to evolving consumer behaviour
Adapting to changes in consumer behaviour enables businesses to tailor their communication strategies accordingly. Whether it involves embracing social media marketing, enhancing mobile experiences, or incorporating voice assistants, staying updated allows businesses to connect with customers where they are and effectively engage with them.
How a business can benefit from an omnichannel campaign managing platform
Increase in customer engagement and loyalty
An omnichannel campaign management platform enables businesses to interact with customers through various channels, including email, SMS, social media, etc., ultimately resulting in higher engagement and loyalty.
Improved targeting and segmentation
Enhanced targeting and segmentation enable businesses to customize marketing campaigns for specific customer segments, considering demographics, behaviour, and preferences. This yields more relevant and effective communication, ultimately driving higher conversion rates and ROI.
Streamlined campaign management
It offers businesses a centralized platform for planning, executing, and analyzing marketing campaigns across various channels, simplifying the management process, minimizing manual tasks, and enhancing overall efficiency.
Seamlessly integrates with existing CRM, email marketing, and other business systems
This seamless integration guarantees data coherence and enables personalized communication across different channels.
Achieve a competitive advantage
By utilizing an omnichannel campaign management platform, businesses can achieve a competitive advantage by delivering exceptional customer experiences, boosting revenue, and distinguishing themselves from rivals using conventional marketing approaches.
Conclusion
Staying updated with technology trends in business communications is essential for maintaining competitiveness and achieving success. One way to do this is to leverage omnichannel campaign management platforms. These platforms boost customer engagement, simplify campaign management, and seamlessly integrate with current systems, offering businesses a competitive edge.
There are some great Spotify Podcasts out there. The company is one of the biggest podcasting companies in the world, but that’s not to say that it didn’t have to cut some people loose. Previously, Spotify had to lay off several people in its podcast division, and Max Cutler was one of them. Well, according to a new report, Cutler started the Pave Podcasting network, and it intends to pick up where he left off.
Cutler originally started a company called Parcast, and it was focused on horror and true crime podcasts. It was acquired by Spotify back in 2019 to the tune of $1 billion. After the acquisition, he was promoted to Head of Talk Creator Content and Partnerships at Spotify. He has since departed the company and returned to owning his own business.
Former Spotify VP started the Pave podcasting network
Pave is a network for original audio content. What will the studio specialize in? Well, it’s all in the name. Pave is an acronym for Podcasts, Audiobooks, Videos, and Entertainment. The company already posted its launch trailer. You can see it below.
So, this podcast network will be similar to others. It’ll be a central hub to access original audio/video content.
According to reports, it was already able to sign a couple of creators to produce original shows. These creators include Nicole Lapin (Money Rehab), Mark Hyman (The Doctor’s Farmacy), Ally Lewber (Vanderpump Rules), Jemma Sbeg (Australian self-help podcaster), and Aliza Kelly (celebrity astrologer).
At this point, we don’t know quite the extent of the content that will be available. Since this is a newer company, we don’t expect it to have a library of content comparable to Spotify or YouTube Music. The latter actually improved its podcast game.
However, Pave seems like a network to discover more obscure and more creative forms of audio/video media. You should definitely keep an eye on Pave because it seems poised to take the podcasting world by storm.
OnePlus forayed into the tablet market with the OnePlus Pad last year. The slate arrived as a mid-range offering with a lot of screen real estate and a premium design. The Chinese tech giant is now reportedly working on the successor to the OnePlus Pad. It’s been over a year since the first OnePlus tablet debuted, but still, there weren’t many rumors regarding the successor until now. A fresh leak has revealed some details about the OnePlus Pad 2 processor.
The OnePlus Pad 2 could be a flagship offering with a Snapdragon 8 series processor
According to the source, the OnePlus Pad 2 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. If that’s true, the next-gen OnePlus tablet could arrive as one of the most powerful devices in its segment. It will be a much more performance-oriented slate than its predecessor, which has the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset under the helm.
The leaked OnePlus Pad 2 processor information suggests that it will be competing with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. Samsung’s premium tablet family utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. The slate will also take on the Galaxy Tab S10 series slates, which are expected to have the latest Snapdragon SoCs.
At the moment, several Android smartphones utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. However, no tablet in the world offers this flagship chipset at the moment, as far as we know. So, the news regarding the OnePlus Pad 2 packing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC should be taken with a pinch of salt.
The next OnePlus tablet’s launch reportedly isn’t too far
The source also suggests that the OnePlus Pad 2 will be launched in the second half of 2024. So, it could be released any time between the July and December period. Once again, since the tipster hasn’t provided any concrete proof, it’s advisable to digest this leak with some skepticism.
If the leak turns out to be true, the Pad 2 could carry a heftier price tag than its predecessor. The first-gen OnePlus Pad tablet is currently retailing for $399. A more powerful chipset could easily push the price up a little. And it wouldn’t be too surprising if that ended up being the case with this upcoming device.
Logitech’s G brand makes some truly excellent gaming accessories, and its latest, the Pro X 60 keyboard, has been a delight to review so far. While I typically don’t like compact 60% form factor keyboards as much, using the Pro X 60 was not as much of a pain as I thought it would be. In fact, using it hasn’t been a pain at all. I’ve genuinely enjoyed my time with it. And that’s saying something when it comes from someone who has been a staunch supporter of the TKL form factor gaming keyboards for quite some time.
Over the past week or two, I have been using the Pro X 60 for everything from typing during the workday to playing my favorite games. I even wrote this review on the Pro X 60. And although there was a tad bit of a learning curve for me, it didn’t take long for me to settle into a groove. That is to say that even though I had to get used to keys with doubled-up functions, the Pro X 60 quickly became something that felt like second nature to me. In all honesty, the most challenging part was getting used to the confined space of all the keys.
I still sometimes find myself hitting the wrong keys because things are closer together than I’m used to on average. But it’s happening a lot less than it was on day one. So all-in-all, a pretty good experience. On top of that, there is so much functionality here to help improve your gaming experience, and potentially your skills, that it’s hard to not overlook the little things. With all of that said, is it worth your hard-earned money? Should you go for something else? Let’s dive into this review and see how the Logitech G Pro X 60 holds up.
Logitech G Pro X 60 Review: Hardware & Design
Logitech’s G brand is a master when it comes to hardware and design for its peripherals. And a big part of that is sitting down to gather input from pro players to see what they like and what can help them play at their best. After gathering feedback, Logitech goes to work to engineer something that a pro player can be proud to use and feel confident that it isn’t going to hinder their chances at victory. In fact, Logitech says it even worked with pro players throughout the entire process. Culminating in what is now the Pro X 60.
Two genius features that greatly improve the gaming experience
I’ve been pretty impressed with loads of details. But two things in particular with the hardware and design capture my attention more than anything else. These are the Game Mode switch and the side placement of the volume roller. On just about every other gaming keyboard that has a volume roller, you’ll see it typically in the top right corner. This is fine and there’s nothing really wrong with putting it in this location. However, Logitech looked at what Pro players do and how they play. And one thing it noticed is that many of them play with the volume up at max.
This isn’t good for your ears and can leave you with hearing problems over time. So what Logitech did is place the volume slider on the left side of the keyboard. Just within range of your pinky so you can adjust it as needed. The idea here was to have it close enough for pro players to turn up the volume at critical moments. Like when needing to hear footsteps to clinch a 1v4 win at the end of a match. Because of this side placement, you can reach the volume and max it out for those few moments. Then turn it back down to a manageable level that isn’t going to contribute to damaging your hearing.
This is such a smart move for anyone who plays competitive PvP games. Because the last thing you want is to move your fingers off of crucial keys. I found this a little hard to reach personally at first. But I got more used to it the more I tried playing with it. I just have shorter fingers. So it wasn’t as easy to hit for me initially. Then there’s the game mode switch. What this does is disable the Windows key so you can’t accidentally hit it and pull yourself out of your active game window. There’s nothing worse than being in the heat of the moment and then hitting the Windows key and messing up your game.
The Game Mode switch, placed on the right side of the keyboard, simply disables the Windows key. And that’s all it needs to do. This is a problem I myself have experienced numerous times. And it’s always such a frustrating thing to have happen. Of course, you can only be mad at yourself. Because it was your mistake. So this was just such a nice thing to have Logitech put attention to detail into. I now have been turning it on every single time I play games and wouldn’t have it any other way.
The cool thing is you can configure other keys in the G Hub app to be disabled when you flip this switch. I didn’t need anything else disabled so I left it as is. But your needs might be different, and I thought this was a thoughtful decision because it’ll be more customizable to tailor to different needs or tastes.
Portability is key here
Since this was made with Pro players in mind, portability was a crucial factor. Logitech wanted to make something that players could easily toss into their bags without taking up too much space. As players expressed liking compact keyboards but some have lacked useful functions. It’s so easy to just stuff this into a backpack if you’re traveling to a tournament and have lots of extra room for other stuff. Beyond that, it’s really put together well. It uses a metal top plate with a nice plastic frame around the edges.
Logitech also packs this with a semi-hard shell case for travel. So you can keep it protected. This is more or less the same kind of case Logitech packed with the Pro X keyboard, and it has spots for not just the keyboard itself, but the USB-C cable and a couple of other little things.
What I really loved is the small little compartment on the underside of the keyboard that holds the Lightspeed USB adapter. This way you don’t have to worry about losing it if you take it places.
Switch options
As with many gaming keyboards Logitech is giving you an option between different types of switches. There are two options with the Pro X 60 and these are GX Optical Tactile switches or the GX Optical Linear switches. Linear switches are going to be quieter and deliver less noise after keystrokes. Whereas tactile will be somewhat quieter than some more traditional mechanical switches, but you’ll still get that satisfying click. Tactile switches also have more instant feedback. I’m reviewing the model with the GX Optical Linear switches and they feel really good.
There’s still a slight click but it’s less pronounced and therefore a little bit quieter. Which is useful when I’m sitting here all day typing away at stuff. This is mostly a preference thing but I like knowing that my clicking and clacking at the keyboard for hours on end during the day isn’t going to bother or annoy anyone else who might be here and within earshot of the noise. That being said, if that isn’t a concern for you and you prefer tactile, go with the tactile. Both are rated for about 50 million keystrokes. And while I am nowhere near hitting that limit, I wouldn’t expect to be for many years to come.
You can’t hot-swap these switches so if you ever needed to replace them, it would take some user-repairable expertise or you’d need to send the keyboard in. Luckily, I don’t foresee that being much of a problem. The only downside that might be here is that people who prefer a specific type of switch can’t put them on this keyboard.
Logitech G Pro X 60 Review: Features
One of the best things Logitech has ever added to its wireless keyboards is the dual connectivity. Just like with my favorite Logitech gaming keyboard, the 915 TKL, the Pro X 60 can connect to both Bluetooth and the Lightspeed wireless adapter. To make things even better, there are buttons on the 915 TKL keyboard to immediately switch between those connections. So you can connect something to the Lightspeed adapter and a different device to Bluetooth, then tap a dedicated button to hop between connected devices on the fly.
The Pro X 60 offers these too, with these buttons placed on the backside of the plastic frame next to the charging port. I don’t use this often but when I do, it’s nice to quickly pop over to the second device. Like when I need a keyboard for my Steam Deck. I can keep the Pro X 60 connected to my PC with the adapter, and then connect to the Steam Deck with Bluetooth. Then move back and forth as needed. The big features, of course, are the G Shift functions and the KEYCONTROL. KEYCONTROL is Logitech’s new feature they’ve built into the Pro X 60.
Because this is a 60% form factor keyboard, there are fewer keys physically. To get around losing those extra keys, Logitech developed KEYCONTROL. This feature allows you to set multiple functions per key so you don’t have to lose all of the functions that you would want access to in your games. You can assign up to 15 functions per key too. So you really do have a lot of customization. This is where G Shift comes in. G Shift lets you swap between the sets of assigned inputs. So you have your main set of functions and then if you need another set, you hit the G Shift key to move to the next set.
For me, this took practice to become familiar with it. As I initially found it challenging to work it into my normal everyday gameplay. But to use a keyboard like this optimally, you need the G Shift. Again, this is designed for pro players. So this is something that more casual gamers, or those that just don’t play games at a professional competitive level, may not use as often. But those who want to up their game will want to spend some time getting to know this feature in the G Hub software. Because it’s going to make all the difference in how the keyboard feels and performs. Which in turn, is going to impact how you perform as well.
I have noticed my gameplay become a little better after using it. Though I have to admit, I do feel like my skills tanked a bit at first while I learned how to use KEYCONTROL and G Shift properly. Once you get past that hump, it’s more or less smooth sailing.
KEYCONTROL and G Shift
For those who put in the time to learn how to use them, these features are game-changing. And honestly, I can see how anyone who perfects them would see their skills increase by a significant amount. If you like to win and you actively seek to improve your gameplay skills, KEYCONTROL and G Shift are how you can improve. You just have to spend the time tinkering with what functions to map to which keys. Then practice playing using those functions. Like most things, practice makes perfect. And Logitech has come up with a really elegant system for helping players play at their best.
That being said, not everyone is going to find these features a cakewalk. For me, I’m not used to flipping between function sets. I have one function per key on my other main keyboard. I just make sure every function I need is set to a specific key. And I’ve been playing like that for so long, it was hard for me to get used to doubling or tripling up functions. What helped me get used to it faster than I probably would have is how Final Fantasy XIV is set up for controller players. In this MMO, you have a specific set of in-game functions on your main set, and then you can switch between sets with the R1 trigger up top.
I was already familiar with the concept of swapping to a new set of functions for the same key. So I just tried to keep this in mind when practicing with KEYCONTROL and G Shift. Again, you’ll set all these up in the G Hub app. So it’s best to become familiar with that software as well.
Logitech G Pro X 60 Review: Battery Life
Battery life is always a concern for me with wireless keyboards, although most tend to have decent enough battery life that I’m not charging it every couple of days. With the Pro X 60 I have typically been getting about 4-5 days out of it. There is potential for some variance though. When I first got it, I charged it all the way up, then began using it and I didn’t have to plug it in for about 5 days. The second week, however, it’s been 3 days and it’s already down to 29%. I have been using it more for PC gaming in this second week so that is contributing to some of the heavier battery drain.
I also have the key lighting at 50% brightness. It goes up to 75%. You should be able to get more battery life out of this keyboard than I did by turning this down to 25% brightness or by just turning the lighting off entirely. What’s cool is that G Hub gives you another way to help manage battery life too. Inside the G Hub software, head into settings where you can adjust the lighting brightness. Just above the brightness level option, there’s an option for setting the lighting to a ‘dim active effect’ after a certain period of time. This is what it should be on by default.
Below the brightness level, there’s the option to set how long you want the keyboard to be inactive before the backlights dim. I have had this set at 5 minutes the entire time. But, you can push this down to 1 minute so the keys aren’t as bright for as long. You can also lessen the time it takes for the lights to turn off completely. For me, this was set at 15 minutes but you can push this down to 1 minute as well. So something like dimming after 1 minute and turning off completely after 5 minutes would be a good balance.
If you ever deplete the battery life (and G Hub will tell you when the battery is low if you have the app running), you can simply plug the keyboard in. You can still continue to use it in this wired state. Additionally, using the keyboard via Bluetooth should extend the battery life as well. This won’t be as latency-free as the Lightspeed connection though, so keep that in mind. Overall, battery life is great and about what I expected. In short, no complaints.
Logitech G Pro X 60 Review: G Hub Software
This is where you control, customize, and adjust all the things that have to do with your Pro X 60 Keyboard. You can set all the familiar stuff that’s here for most of Logitech’s other keyboards. Such as the lighting options I mentioned before that can help with battery life. But specifically for this keyboard, you also use G Hub to set up and manage your KEYCONTROL settings. To find this you’ll open up G Hub, click on the Pro X 60 Keyboard, and then click on the Assignments button which is the second option, just below lighting.
If you’ve never used any of these kinds of functions before, spend some time playing around with this menu. Once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty simple. Now since KEYCONTROL will let you assign up to 15 functions per key, you can imagine that this can get pretty complex. I didn’t take things that far and really only set mine up to have just a couple of functions per key. What I did was use the KEYCONTROL feature to assign my 6-0 keys to my 1-5 keys. So in games like Final Fantasy XIV or other MMOs, all those ability keys up top are now doubled up on just five keys.
This makes it a lot easier to reach everything. Because I didn’t have to move my hand away from the WASD keys. All I had to do was hit the G Shift command to activate my second KEYCONTROL set. This is default to the FN + A keys. This was impossible to reach for me without taking my right hand off the mouse. So I simply mapped one of my mouse buttons to the FN key. This way I could move between sets on the fly and execute abilities quickly without taking my hands off the movement keys or mouse.
I found this feature on the keyboard to be great because now I can hit all ten keys while only reaching just five. Obviously, you can set things up that are way more complex than this. You can even set up KEYCONTROL for non-gaming tasks and issue multiple commands in succession. Again, I didn’t get this deep into it, at least not yet. It is nice that you can do this though. And it’ll be a huge benefit for loads of players. To do things like setting off multiple in-game commands, you’ll need to set up macros. If you’re going this deep into the customization, however, you might as well go the extra mile and make some macros as well.
As always the G Hub software is easy and intuitive and these new features make this a powerful keyboard for players of any skill level. And as an added bonus, the software isn’t bothersome with constant updates. A big win in my book.
Should you buy the Logitech G Pro X 60 keyboard?
Like anything we review, the Logitech G Pro X 60 keyboard isn’t going to be for everyone. Some prefer larger keyboard layouts while some just want something simple to use for casual gaming. There’s no debating though that the Pro X 60 is a powerful keyboard. One that has the capability to help you win more games. If you play multiplayer titles and need an advantage, it’s hard to ignore all the advantages you get with the Pro X 60. I would urge anyone to give this keyboard a shot if they want something to help them level up their skills. Even if they’re not a fan of 60% keyboards.
Logitech has given players the tools to really slay out here. All you have to do is practice with its advanced functions. And trust me, it’s worth it. Even with the simple setup I have begun with.
Buy the Logitech G Pro X 60 if:
You want a keyboard with advanced gaming features
Portability is a huge factor for you
You want a high-quality gaming keyboard
Don’t buy the Logitech G Pro X 60 if:
You want something more affordable
You want something simpler
You’d prefer a larger form factor like TKL or full-size keyboards
