It turns out dreams do come true. The Sandman must have made a wish ahead of its 35th birthday yesterday (November 29), because filming has finally resumed on the hit Netflix show's second season.

In a press release, Netflix confirmed that principal photography was up and running on The Sandman season 2 again after it was halted due to the Hollywood actors strike. The Sandman season 2 was announced in November 2022, with filming originally beginning on June 23. Now, after a five-month interruption because of that industrial action, work has restarted on the streamer's live-action adaptation of Neil Gaiman's iconic graphic novel series.

To commemorate the occasion, Netflix released the first behind-the-scenes image from season 2, which shows Tom Sturridge's Dream looking down on Mason Alexander Park's Desire.

35 years ago today, the first issue of The Sandman comic was released. This week, The Sandman officially restarts production.In the words of @neilhimself, "Good things are coming." pic.twitter.com/oLCU7UpFuLNovember 29, 2023

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The Sandman season 2's first major update since late June arrived on the same day that one of Gaiman's most popular series celebrated its 35th birthday. Reflecting on his literary works, the world-renowned author penned an open letter to fans thanking them for their support since November 1988 – the month and year that The Sandman's first comic issue was released – and teasing what's to come in the show's sophomore outing.

"This week we officially restart production on the next sequence of stories of The Sandman for Netflix," part of Gaiman's statement read. "Genius show runner Allan Heinberg and the countless people in front of and behind the camera are building something endlessly special, and bringing these stories to life in a way that would once have been unimaginable.

"A journey is beginning that will take us from Destiny’s garden to Hell, from the Heart of the Dreaming to Ancient Greece and revolutionary France, and from there to places even I cannot quite imagine on the screen. I will be patient. Good things are coming."

A dream scenario for an ongoing Netflix nightmare

Netflix's fantasy empire could crumble if it isn't careful (Image credit: Netflix)

Netflix will be relieved that production has restarted on The Sandman season 2. In our review of The Sandman season 1, we called it a "remarkably authentic adaptation [that] is oh-so-nearly brilliant". That might sound a tad harsh to some fans, especially considering that The Sandman also made its way onto our best Netflix shows list. And we agree – the popular fantasy show makes for a great watch, even if we had slight issues with some elements of its plot and character development.

Okay, so why should the world's best streaming service be glad that The Sandman's second season is back in the filmmaking groove? Aside from the fact it's an incredibly well-made show, it's also one of the last bastions of top-tier fantasy genre projects currently in development for the streaming giant.

As you might know, Netflix recently cancelled Shadow and Bone after two seasons. The young-adult fantasy series was beloved by large swathes of Netflix's userbase, so much so that its cancellation led to an outpouring of anger that resulted in Shadow and Bone fans embarking on a campaign to save it.

But Shadow and Bone isn't the only fantasy series that's struggling on Netflix. The Witcher, another flagship Netflix TV original, isn't performing well, either, with The Witcher season 3 arguably the weakest entry in the hit series so far. Add in the cancellation of other fantasy-based productions including Warrior Nun, and Netflix needs a genre-specific show, such as The Sandman, to perform well and convince fantasy fans that there's still top-tier content for them to enjoy on the platform.

If The Sandman season 2 is as good and popular, if not even better and more admired, than season 1, Netflix will be able to breathe a big sigh of relief; if it falls short, though, Netflix's fantasy dream could quickly turn into a nightmare.

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Xbox has revealed what's coming in its November update, and there's quite a few meaningful changes arriving.

The leading feature is the new compact UI added to all Windows devices. As the official Xbox blog post explains, Compact mode is designed to give players on smaller monitors and screens - such as the Asus ROG Ally - a better user interface experience overall. To enable Compact mode, players simply need to open up their Xbox profile on their device of choice and toggle it on from there.

In Compact mode, the side icons of the Xbox UI will be collapsed, thus allowing more room for the interface itself. Overall, this should give the UI more screen space and make more of it visible and clear at once. Xbox has also confirmed partnering with brands like Asus to "ensure that Compact mode is enabled by default on your handheld devices."

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Another update, this time for Xbox Series X|S consoles, adds Japanese language support for physical and virtual keyboards. Players can now switch to the 106/109 Japanese layout or 101/102 English layout should they prefer or need to type in Japanese. You can make this change by heading to your console's Settings, followed by System, then Language & Location.

There's also a very welcome update for Xbox players who make frequent use of their wish lists on console. If a game on your wish list enters Xbox's Free Play Days promotion - which makes some of the best Xbox Series X games free to play for a limited time (usually a weekend) - your console will now notify you. I can imagine this acting as a nice surprise for players who've had a game on their wish list for a while but have never quite been able to get around to buying it.

For more Xbox coverage, consider checking out our guides to the best Xbox controllers and best Xbox Game Pass games for recommendations on top hardware and software.

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Xbox’s chief financial officer, Tim Stuart, has been speaking about the company’s future goals, including its "mission" to eventually bring its subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, to “every screen that can play games.” That includes devices from rival companies, like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation. 

According to GameSpot, Stuart mentioned this while speaking at the Wells Fargo TMT Summit this week. Acknowledging that “it’s a bit of a change of strategy” from what the company has done before, he said: “Not announcing anything broadly here, but our mission is to bring our first-party experiences [and] our subscription services to every screen that can play games.

“That means smart TVs, that means mobile devices, that means what we would have thought of as competitors in the past like PlayStation and Nintendo."

Xbox hasn’t previously been shy about discussing expanding onto the Nintendo Switch. Last year, it was confirmed by the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, Phil Spencer, that Microsoft has “entered into a 10-year commitment to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo” following the acquisition of Activision. He also said that “Microsoft is committed to helping bring more games to more people – however they choose to play.”

Furthermore, in October this year, Spencer reiterated that he wants Call of Duty players on PlayStation - and “in the future, on Nintendo” - to “feel 100% part of the community.” At the same time, he claimed that following the Activision acquisition, parity across all platforms will apply to future Call of Duty launches and content. 

Back to Stuart’s latest statement though, and it’s worth noting that he specifically stated that he was “not announcing anything broadly,” so there’s no guarantee that Xbox’s ideal plans will come to fruition. 

If you’re an Xbox fan looking for something new to play, you can find some brilliant recommendations on our list of Xbox Series X games. Be sure to check out what's releasing for the rest of this year and beyond with our upcoming games roundup.  

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Two fantastic soulslike third-person shooters are now seemingly available as part of an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription, despite the lack of an official announcement from either Microsoft or publisher Gearbox Publishing.

A cursory glance at the Xbox store pages for Remnant: From the Ashes and its recent sequel Remnant 2 will show you that both games are currently available to play on Xbox and PC as part of an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription. This is certainly a little bit of a surprise, as their arrival to the service hasn’t been accompanied by the expected fanfare from Microsoft or Gearbox Publishing.

Although it is not currently clear whether the appearance of both titles on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass is an unfortunate mistake, this is fantastic news for Game Pass subscribers as it stands. Developed by Gunfire Games, Remnant: From the Ashes answers the burning question of “what would it be like if Dark Souls had guns?” Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth on the verge of total collapse, it’s the perfect mix of soulslike challenge and fast-paced third-person shooting.

Its sequel, Remnant 2, expands upon its predecessor greatly and, among other improvements, adds the option to play as a range of new character classes. My personal favorite of these is the Handler, who is accompanied by an adorable dog companion throughout the game. In addition to being a very good boy, the dog can assist in combat and even help revive you in the event that you are downed by an enemy.

Both Remnant: From the Ashes and Remnant 2 support co-op play throughout their respective campaigns, making them fantastic choices if you’re looking for a great Game Pass title to play with friends. They also feature a large amount of procedural generation, ensuring that you won’t run out of things to do any time soon.

Want to learn more about Game Pass? Read our detailed Xbox Game Pass Ultimate review or see our guide to the best single-player games on Game Pass

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Amazon Studios is reportedly developing another TV spin-off of its incredibly popular superhero show The Boys.

Per Variety, the e-commerce giant's entertainment division has been developing another side project within The Boys universe for some time, with the series' next potential off-shoot believed to be a Spanish-language show set in Mexico.

Unsurprisingly, details are being kept under lock and key, but Variety's sources suggest that Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, who wrote the criminally underrated DCEU movie Blue Beetle, is attached to pen its scripts. Eric Kripke, showrunner for, and executive producer on, The Boys' main series, is also apparently part of the unnamed Prime Video project's creative team.

Cheer up, Billy, we're apparently getting another spin-off of The Boys! (Image credit: Prime Video)

Perhaps the most interesting news about The Boys' Spanish-language spin-off, though, is who else is rumored to be involved. Variety claims that Andor's Diego Luna and Werewolf by Night's Gael Garcia Bernal, who are long-time friends and founded Mexican production company La Corriente del Golfo, are also in talks to join as executive producers.

That might not be the extent of their involvement, however. In a separate report, Deadline says Luna and Bernal could star in the series, although the Star Wars and Marvel actors are only expected to play supporting roles. Sources close to the project have also told Deadline that Amazon hasn't sent out casting calls for the spin-off yet, so it's unclear if the duo will even feature in on-camera roles.

TechRadar reached out to Amazon for comment but had not heard back by the time of publication.

A diabolically great universal expansion

Gen V is one of two great spin-offs set in The Boys universe that's already been released (Image credit: Brooke Palmer/Prime Video)

If the report are true, the expansion of The Boys TV universe will be music to the ears of fans everywhere, especially as it's one of the best Prime Video shows of all time.

Amazon has already released two spin-offs set in the world of The Boys, with animated anthology series The Boys: Presents Diabolical and live-action college-based offshoot Gen V arriving in March 2022 and September 2023 respectively. The pair were received positively by fans and critics alike, so it's no great surprise to learn that Amazon wants to flesh out its take on Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's beloved comic book series. Given the confidence Amazon and The Boys fanbase has in the mainline series and its spin-offs, more projects would certainly be welcome.

There's even more to come from one of its TV crown jewels, too. The Boys season 4 will be with us soon, with Amazon confirming that The Boys' fourth outing will launch sometime in 2024. Add in the fact that Gen V season 2 is also in the works – read our Gen V season 1 ending explained article to see how it sets up its sophomore season, and The Boys season 4 – and one of Prime Video's most popular TV franchises isn't going anywhere.

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Hit UK comedy game show Taskmaster is getting a VR spin-off game for Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3, and it's set to launch in 2024.

Published by Scallywag Arcade, a Draw & Code studio, and made in partnership with Avalon (the production company behind the TV series), Taskmaster VR gives players the chance to test themselves against the show's many challenges through their virtual reality headset. 

Stepping into the shoes of a contestant, players will experience the creativity of the show alongside Meta's virtual reality technology and be let loose in the Taskmaster House with the goal to claim the golden head trophy and call themselves Taskmaster Champion. You can take a look at the trailer below.

"The world of Taskmaster is perfect for VR” said Niall Taylor, head of games at Scallywag Arcade, teasing an "immersive" experience which combines "the hilarity of the show with the freedom of virtual reality."

The Taskmaster himself, Greg Davies, said: "The team have done an incredible job and the game is a really exciting addition to the Taskmaster world.  On a personal note, the creation of a virtual reality Taskmaster takes me ever closer to my ultimate goal of working without even leaving my sofa."

Scallywag says that Taskmaster VR will offer fans and gamers alike an "immersive opportunity" to engage with the show's features and its stars in a new way, with Davies and Alex Horne, the show’s creator and the Taskmaster’s assistant, along for the fully voice acted experience.

"Genuinely, this is extraordinary, brilliant and very fun," said Horne. "Also, I've always wanted to be a contestant on Taskmaster so this is great for me as a VR user, except that I will also have my virtual self watching my attempts and undermining my confidence so I may well regret the whole venture after I've had a go."

Be sure to keep up with more future releases with our roundup of upcoming games. You can also check out the best Oculus Quest 2 games you can play now.

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By now it’s clear that the Samsung Galaxy S24 line – including the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – is close to launching. Numerous leaks have suggested that these phones will land in January, and we’re starting to see certifications for them in various countries across the world, with the latest being Thailand.

MySmartPrice has spotted a listing for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on Thailand’s NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission) database. This is notable because it’s an official regulatory body that all phones need to be certified by before they can be sold in Thailand.

That tells us two things. One: any information on this database is official, and two: anything listed is being prepped for launch, suggesting that it will probably be announced soon.

(Image credit: NBTC)

So this supports the leaks that suggest we’ll see the Samsung Galaxy S24 line in January, with January 17 being the most likely date from what we’ve heard so far.

As for what this listing says about the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Well, it mentions the phone by name for one. While there was little doubt that a phone called the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra would launch, this pretty much confirms it.

Beyond that, there’s a mention of the model number (SM-S928B/DS), and of 5G, though there was never any doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra would support 5G.

Power-packed and AI-infused

Sadly, the listing doesn’t mention any other specs, but various leaks have given us an idea of what to expect. That includes a 6.8-inch screen, titanium sides, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and possibly up to 2TB of storage.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra might also have a number of AI features, with Samsung possibly set to market this as an ‘AI phone’. The cameras could be less impressive though, with leaks pointing to generally similar cameras to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, but with just a 5x optical zoom rather than 10x.

It seems like we’ll probably know for sure soon, but if you can’t wait until January for a new phone, take a look at the best phones and the best Samsung phones available now.

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Despite continuing economic challenges, this year’s Black Friday sales were the most lucrative to date, with Adobe’s monitoring and forecasting reports suggesting that US consumers spent $86.6 billion from November 1 to 24.

The figures reveal a significant uptick on Thanksgiving – a day when consumers spent $5.6 billion in 24 hours – and Black Friday itself, which saw sales total $9.8 billion.

Looking ahead, Adobe reckons we’ll have spent more during this year’s festive season than any other before.

Consumers are still happy to spend in 2023

We look to be on track to spend $221.8 billion this holiday season, compared with $210 billion in 2022 and $205 billion in 2021.

Of the money spent in November, up to Black Friday, $6.5 billion (7.5%) was through a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) scheme. Adobe hasn’t released figures for previous years, however a short-term look at the two months leading up to Black Friday shows a gradual decrease in the number of BNPL users, suggesting that consumers could well be saving throughout the year for this very notable occasion, even amid troubling times financially.

The analysis also reveals the best time to spend, noting that apparel and toy retailers begin to drop prices around one week before the big day. Electronic sellers do so a couple of days earlier still.

There are small, early savings up to a month in advance as retailers look to build up hype, but the figures show that the most considerable savings still happen on Black Friday itself.

Cyber Monday is expected to be just as successful this year, but it will likely be a few weeks until we begin to quantify the scale of cyberattacks targeting rushed shoppers this season.

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OnePlus has a history of showing off its phones ahead of the official launch, and so it’s no surprise that a week before the full announcement event the company has released numerous photos of the OnePlus 12, and even a video.

Shared across a number of Weibo posts (via Android Authority), the images show a design that’s a lot like the OnePlus 11’s, and a lot like what we've seen in earlier leaked imagery.

You can see a large circular camera block on the rear housing three lenses, while the back of the phone is clad in glass. The OnePlus 12 will be available in green, white, or black, something we already knew after OnePlus confirmed the OnePlus 12 colors.

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We can’t see the front of the phone, but what we can see reveals two main differences from the OnePlus 11. First, the camera block matches the color of the rear, whereas on the OnePlus 11 the circular element housing the lenses is black, regardless of the body color.

The other change is that the alert slider has been moved from the right edge to the left. This is so that the antenna can be placed where the alert slider used to be, as OnePlus had determined that this is the optimal position for it when gaming, claiming it enables a 15% reduction in latency.

The company also mentions a few specs, including a 3x zoom telephoto camera, a top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, up to 24GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. You can get a closer look at the cameras in the video below, originally shared on Weibo but uploaded to YouTube by @HadleeSimons.

Launching on December 5

As for the rest of the specs, and a look at the front of the OnePlus 12, you might have to wait for the full announcement, which the company has revealed is set for December 5 at 2:30pm in China. That’s 1:30am ET / 6:30am GMT / 5:30pm AEDT on December 5, or 10:30pm PT on December 4.

Interestingly, the company had previously suggested – as far as we could tell from a translated version of the page anyway – that the OnePlus 12 would be unveiled on December 4, so this is one day later. It seems the December 4 event – celebrating the 10-year anniversary of OnePlus – may still be happening though, so it’s not clear what if anything will be announced there.

In any case, this OnePlus 12 unveiling is likely just for China initially, with a global launch expected to happen separately early next year. So there’s still probably over a month to wait before you’ll be able to buy this best phone contender.

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The studio behind the upcoming Silent Hill 2 remake, Bloober Team, has confirmed that the horror game is still “progressing smoothly,” but fans are being asked for “a bit more patience” when it comes to more news about it.

In a statement posted to Twitter yesterday (November 26), the official Bloober Team account confirmed that production is still “in accordance with our schedule,” and that alongside Konami, the developers are “diligently working to ensure the Silent Hill 2 remake attains the highest quality.” It also reiterated that it will be Konami which will share more information about the remake when the time is right. 

“On behalf of our development team, we would like to clarify that the production is progressing smoothly and in accordance with our schedule,” the statement reads. “We understand that many players worldwide are eagerly anticipating news about the game, and we appreciate your dedication. 

“However, we kindly ask for a bit more patience. Once Konami, the game’s publisher, shares more information, we are confident that the wait will be worthwhile.”

pic.twitter.com/h7tC7WFCmRNovember 26, 2023

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It’s fair to say that information on the Silent Hill 2 remake has been fairly light on the ground - we still don’t even know when it’s going to be released. Recently, a Best Buy listing for the game led fans to believe that it was going to contain a new origin story for the series’ iconic monster, Pyramid Head. However, Konami clarified in a statement sent to TRG: "Best Buy had the incorrect information included in the listing and that the page has been updated correctly." 

The Silent Hill 2 remake will be released for PlayStation 5 and PC at some point in the future.

Cyber Monday is here, and Cyber Monday gaming deals are in full swing. Take a look at some of the best offers and discounts on the latest and greatest games in our handy Cyber Monday video game deals hub.

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Black Friday has been and gone but the best Oculus Quest 2 deals of the year are still available, only now they’re part of 2023’s Cyber Monday deals. If you’re looking to pick up a VR headset for yourself or as a gift for someone, this is your last chance to score a massive saving on Meta’s best budget gadget.

In the US the best Quest 2 discount is at Amazon – you can now get Meta's Oculus Quest 2 plus $50 Amazon credit for $249 with code META50. This saves you $100 off the total cost of these items. Meanwhile, in the UK your best option is at Very. You'll get £50 off and £50 cashback with code VKEXL. Once your payment of £249.99 has gone through you should get a refund of £50 (provided you used the code), making the headset effectively £100 off, which is an excellent saving.

We’ve already seen some amazing Oculus Quest 2 deals sell out this Black Friday season, so if you’re reading this I recommend acting fast. There are some other solid discounts out there, but nothing beats these two offers in the US or UK.

The best Cyber Monday Oculus Quest 2 deals

Oculus Quest 2 + Amazon credit: was $349.99 now $249.00 at Amazon
Use code META50 - Buy Meta's Oculus Quest 2 at Amazon right now and you can get $50 Amazon credit for free with code META50 at checkout. This great has sold out once already this Black Friday season, so act fast.View Deal

Meta Quest 2 (128GB): was £299 now £199 at Very
Use code VKEXL - Very's Black Friday deal on Meta's Oculus Quest 2 might be better than Amazon's in the UK. Using code VKEXL at checkout will get you £50 back on your order, effectively making Meta's VR headset £199. You will still pay £249 at first, but you should then get your £50 cashback after your purchase, as long as you use the code.

The Oculus Quest 2 is a solid VR gadget but honestly, I think you should get a Meta Quest 3 for Black Friday and Cyber Monday instead.

There are reasons to get an Oculus Quest 2. If your budget is tight, you’re not sure you’ll use VR much, or if it’s a gift for someone who’s rough with their toys. But I believe that the majority of people should opt for the Meta Quest 3.

Yes, the Quest 3 is roughly twice as expensive, and it’s not discounted at all for Cyber Monday, but it’s just so good –  that’s why it got five stars in our Meta Quest 3 review. The graphics are a lot better, the comfort is slightly improved, and the Quest 3’s mixed-reality features are delightful.

Plus if you do buy one soon, you’ll get a free copy of Asgard’s Wrath 2, which is set to launch in December.

Meta Quest 3: $499 & get a free game at Amazon
The Meta Quest 3 isn’t discounted for Cyber Monday as it's so new, but you can get a free digital copy of Asgard's Wrath 2 when it launches later this year. If you’d rather not shop at Amazon the same offer is available from Walmart, Best Buy, and Target as well as others. View Deal

Meta Quest 3: £479.99 & get a free game at Amazon
The Meta Quest 3 only just launched so it was extremely unlikely it would see a discount for Cyber Monday. There is still a deal on though; if you order the headset before January 27, 2024, and activate it before February 9, 2024, you’ll get Asgard’s Wrath 2 for free when the game releases.
If you’d rather shop elsewhere the same deal is available at Very, Currys, and Game among others. View Deal

• See all of TechRadar's Black Friday and Cyber Monday coverage

More Cyber Monday US deals

• Amazon: 70% off Kindle, TVs, tablets & clothing
• Apple: AirPods, Apple Watch & iPads from $79
• Adidas: 40% off running shoes & clothing
• AT&T: iPhone 15 Pro free w/ plan
• Beauty: 51% off makeup, skincare & hair tools
• Best Buy: $800 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Cheap TVs: big-screen 4K TVs from $269.99
• Christmas: 40% off decor, pajamas & trees
• Dell: cheap laptops and desktops from $259
• DreamCloud: 40% off all mattresses
• Family pajamas: Christmas PJs from $12.99
• Gaming: console bundles from $289.99
• Lenovo: 76% off laptops, desktops & printers
• Lowe's: up to $800 off major appliances
• Nectar: mattress deals starting at $359
• Nordstrom: 40% off Nike, Levi's & UGGs
• Patagonia: pullovers starting at $64.99
• Samsung: $2,000 of TVs, $800 off Galaxy S23
• Shopbop: 25% off sitewide with code Holiday
• Target: 40% off Christmas decor, TVs & toys 
• Toys: Disney, Barbie & Lego from $14.99
• Verizon: free iPhones & iPads w/ plans
• Walmart: cheap TVs, air fryers, PS5 & toys

More Cyber Monday UK deals

• Amazon: up to 62% off tech and gifts
• AO: up to 40% off vacuums, appliances, and tech
• Argos: early deals live now - up to 50% off toys and tech
• Boots: up to 40% off 1,000s of beauty products
• Currys: up to 40% off TVs, air fryers, laptops and more
• Debenhams: up to 70% off home, fashion, gift sets
• Ebuyer: up to 45% off laptops and PC components
• John Lewis: up to 40% off appliances, TVs, laptops
• Jessops: up to £550 off Sony, Canon, Nikon, and Fujifilm
• O2: up to £600 off iPhone, Samsung and Google
• Percival: 30% off men's jackets, trousers, shirts 
• Samsung: up to £600 off TVs, phones and appliances
• Very: discounts on tech, appliances, furniture and beauty
• Vodafone: six months half-price SIMs from £11.50

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One of the big questions we're asking about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is whether or not Samsung will break with tradition and give the flagship a flat-edged screen. Well, according to the latest leak: not quite.

As per @RoderSuper on X (the social platform previously known as Twitter), via SamMobile, the S24 Ultra screen isn't completely flat. Apparently, there's a 0.3-0.4mm curve on the bezels, so just a hint of curvature.

This follows on from leaked images we saw earlier this week, suggesting that Samsung had indeed opted for a flat display. In the last few years, the Ultra models have come with curved edges, which has an effect on aesthetics, repairability, and the feel of the phones.

The tipster goes on to say that while the left and right bezels on the S24 Ultra are the same size as those on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the top and bottom bezels on the new phone will be half as thick as they are on the current edition.

The S24 Ultra has a curved(03~0.4mm) on bezel.Not flat.The top and bottom bezel sizes are the same. The size is half of the S23U. However, the left and right bezels are the same as the S23U.November 25, 2023

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The rumors so far

It would seem then that the screen bezels on the S24 Ultra are going to be less curved than previously, but not completely flat. We've also heard that it's going to follow the iPhone 15 Pro in introducing a stronger titanium frame around the edges.

In terms of cameras, the rumor is that a 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (with 3x optical zoom), and 48MP telephoto (with 5x optical zoom) will be fitted on the back. That would be a significant upgrade in telephoto terms.

And the leaks we've come across aren't just restricted to hardware: the discovery of code hidden in the Instagram for Android app points to the Galaxy S24 phones having some kind of exclusive Instagram launch feature.

We don't have to wait for very long to find out exactly what the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra looks like, or which components are going to be fitted inside, because we think the phone (and the others in the series) are going to appear in mid-January.

Follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings, and the best deals!

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There's no doubt in my mind, 3D printing is the future. But while we may be some way off industrial-sized 3D printers for homes spanning the globe (maybe even the solar system?), I'm seeing some great Black Friday 3D printer deals for businesses and homes. 

Previously only something that regular consumers could dream about, the best 3D printers now let just about anyone create physical versions of virtual models. Tell me that's not the future! 

When considering a 3D printer, look out for things like build volume, print quality, and how easy it is to use, including whether it connects with the right hardware and software. Also remember to make sure it works with the right type of filament, and that the filament is readily available, because the last thing you’ll want is to have to pay a small fortune every time you want to build a model. For more savings, check out our hub for all the best Black Friday deals.

Quick links

• Amazon: Save over $100 on selected 3D printers 
• Creality: Save up to 80%
• Flashforge: 3D printers starting at $149 
• Anycubic: Up to 50% off selected models 
• Elegoo: Get up to 54% off 
• Best Buy: Get up to $170 off 3D printers and supplies 
• Adorama: 3D printers and accessories from $13 
• B&H Photo: Save over $200 on top 3D printers 
• Newegg: Up to 57% off 3D printers 
• Walmart: 3D printers from $100 

My top 3D printer deals

Creality Ender 3 3D Printer: Now $165 at Amazon
This budget-friendly 3D printer also promises to be beginner-friendly, because it’s easy to set up in around two hours and consists of tightening just 20 nuts. It’s also quick to warm up to temperature, and will automatically resume after a power outage or lapse so you don’t lose your work and waste resources. Over 14,000 reviews have resulted in it earning a respectable 4.3-star rating.View Deal

ELEGOO Neptune 3 Pro FDM 3D Printer: was $300 Now $200 at Amazon
Save $100 The Neptune 3 Pro’s quiet motors and auto bed-levelling are indicators of this 3D printer’s attention to detail. It also promises stable and precise printing thanks to a dual-gear direct extruder, which is designed to feed filament more easily. It’s a great option for beginners looking for a feature-packed printer.View Deal

ELEGOO Neptune 4 Pro 3D Printer: was $360 Now $285 at Amazon
Save $75 with Prime For not much more than the Neptune 3 Pro, especially with this promotion, the Neptune 4 Pro offers auto levelling with even more precision, and a higher temperature nozzle. The flatbed also consists of more heating elements, which means greater control, and it’s good for nylon 3D printing. The higher speeds also mean you don’t have to wait as long for your finished article.View Deal

Entina Mini 3D Printers Tina 2: Now $159 at Amazon
A sweet spot for true beginners, this 3D printer is good to go out of the box and doesn’t need assembly. It supports offline printing via microSD, and has all the mod-cons like printing resumption after a power cutoff and auto levelling so you can concentrate on getting to grips with the art of 3D printing. It even comes with a microSD card and 10g of PLA filament to get you started.View Deal

ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 2 Resin 3D Printer: was $269.99 now $152.99 (including $87 coupon) at Amazon
Compared with the previous Photon Mono 4K model, this version offers a 20% larger print volume. The 6.6” 4K monochrome display is good for showing the details of even the smallest designs, and the Photon Workshop 3.0 slicing software has also had an overhaul to improve the UI and overall experience.View Deal

Creality K1: was $519 Now $415 at Amazon
Save $104 with Prime It’s not the cheapest 3D printer, but for those with a bit more experience, it’s a viable and comparably affordable option, especially with this promotion. It prints at 600mm/s with fast acceleration, and up to 300°C. It also features an in-chamber fan for better cooling and temperature regulation to maintain the quality of your artefact. It’s quite a sizeable machine, but if you’re looking for your next upgrade, it’s a worthy contender.View Deal

Entina Tina2S 3D Printer: Now $200 at Amazon
This belongs to the same family of 3D printers as the Entina model above, but gets the addition of Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning you can print preconfigured models from the app as well as the usual array of slicing software. Entina reckons it’s so user-friendly that it could even make the perfect Christmas gift for children, and it also looks great with an illuminated chamber.View Deal

R QIDI TECHNOLOGY MAX3 3D Printer: was $1099 Now $899 at Amazon
Save $200 This pricey model is currently available with a healthy saving on Amazon, so if you’ve had your eye on something like this, now’s the time to buy. It has advanced features like an activated carbon air filter designed to tackle the unpleasant odors sometimes associated with 3D printing, and consists of high-quality materials and a powerful processor.View Deal

Voxelab Aquila X2 3D Printer: was $239 Now $139 at Amazon
Save $100 Affordable by any standard, it’s available with a large saving plus a coupon, but it doesn’t cut corners. This X2 model has a carbon crystal silicon glass plate and a reasonably large printing capacity. It lacks some more advanced features, but for an entry-level 3D printer, backed by lifetime technical assistance, it’s an appealing choice.View Deal

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It’s been more than two years since the Apple AirPods 3 hit shelves, yet there’s still no official word from Apple on when we might expect to see their successors. And while the AirPods Pro 2 rank highly in our list of the best earbuds, the AirPods 3 now face much stiffer in-ear competition than when they launched in October 2021.

It's fair to say, then, that the AirPods are due an update. The question is when that’s going to arrive – and, if you’re in the market for a pair of AirPods, whether you should wait for the fourth generation, or grab one of the best AirPods deals available right now.

To help you decide, we’ve rounded up all the leaks, tip-offs and intel currently circulating about the AirPods 4. From release date rumors to talk of new hardware tricks, you’ll find all of the latest AirPods 4 news below. 

We’ve also given our opinion on which upgrades we think are most likely to happen in reality, and what features we’d like to see.

Apple AirPods 4 rumored release date and price

(Image credit: Apple)

The AirPods 3 launched on October 26, 2021, priced at $179 / £169 / AU$279. It’s rare for Apple to reduce the price of a like-for-like upgrade, so we would expect the fourth-generation AirPods to retail at a similar price point.

There is a caveat, though. Rumors indicate that Apple may release two versions of the AirPods 3: the regular version and a cheaper, simpler variant. Analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo have both referenced a low-cost version of the standard AirPods, possibly dubbed the AirPods Lite, which could hit the US market at a more accessible price of $99.

Respected Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman has backed up these claims with a suggestion that the regular AirPods 4 will benefit from noise canceling and a case equipped for Find My alerts, features which the basic option apparently won’t offer.

What’s not clear is when either or both models will launch. Apple’s events in September and October 2023 passed by without any mention of the AirPods 4. The original AirPods launched in December 2016, followed by the second generation in March 2019, then the AirPods 3 in October 2021. Based on those date windows, the AirPods 4 would be overdue after the first quarter of 2024.

We’d certainly expect to see the AirPods 4 arrive next year, a timeline backed by Gurman. Kuo, though, has suggested that the AirPods might not ship until later in the year, or even early in 2025 – a delay credited to a change in manufacturing partners. We still think a spring Apple Event in March is the most likely date, but nothing close to an official release date has surfaced yet.

Apple AirPods 4: Design and features

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Ivan_Shenets)

In our review of the AirPods 3, we found their shorter stems and contoured shells more comfortable than previous editions. We’d hope and expect to see the design refined further for the fourth generation.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman predicts that the next AirPods will blend the design of the AirPods 3 with the AirPods Pro 2. The two are already visually very similar, so it’s likely that the AirPods 4 will refine the existing formula rather than doing anything revolutionary with the styling. In the same vein, we think the AirPods 4 will follow all previous editions and ship only in Apple’s trademark white finish.

One welcome update would be the addition of changeable ear tips to the AirPods 4, a feature currently reserved for the Pro series. Sadly, Gurman thinks this is unlikely to happen, suggesting instead that the AirPods 4 will stick with the unsealed setup of previous editions. This points away from the presence of active noise cancellation on the AirPods 4, although doesn’t rule it out.

Similarly, we would be glad to see the touch controls used to offer on-bud volume control, as they are with the AirPods Pro 2. We commented on this omission in our review of the AirPods 3, and it feels like a feature that should be offered as standard, rather than relying on Siri or your smartphone. Only time will tell whether Apple agrees and adds it to the AirPods 4.

As for the charging case, there’s been plenty of discussion surrounding the switch to USB-C. This is pretty much a certainty, given the EU’s ruling on ports and the fact that Apple has already starting fitting the interface to its flagship devices, including the iPhone 15 family. In fact, Gurman reckons all AirPods will switch to USB-C by next year.

Apple AirPods 4: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

Sound quality on the AirPods 3 was balanced and broadly impressive, but far from the best out there. An unsealed fit means bass is never going to be brilliant, but we’d still hope to hear improvements in the AirPods 4. These could be courtesy of refinements to Adaptive EQ, or due to the presence of Apple’s H2 chip (see below).

The AirPods Pro will continue to be pitched as Apple’s earbuds of choice for audiophiles, but Apple at least needs to keep pace with wireless in-ears that cost less and sound better – such as the Sony WF-C700N. We’ll have to wait and see how it goes about this.

If Apple does go down the route of releasing a cheaper version of the AirPods 4, we wouldn’t expect core audio quality to suffer, but it’s likely that Apple would cull certain premium listening features from the cut-price option. These may include ear detection and support for Spatial Audio. 

If you listen to music on a platform which doesn’t support Spatial Audio, such as Spotify, the omission of the latter in exchange for a lower price could make the ‘Lite’ version of the AirPods 4 the more appealing choice.

Apple AirPods 4: Software and performance

(Image credit: TechRadar)

While battery life improved with the AirPods 3, these gains were nullified when Spatial Audio was enabled. We’d hope to see longevity meaningfully improved on the AirPods 4. One way to achieve this could be with Apple’s H2 chip.

Already found on the AirPods Pro 2, the H2 chip is more efficient than the H1 equivalent found in the AirPods 3. It also supports Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, which itself is more efficient and more stable than Bluetooth 5.0. The H2 chip’s computational smarts can also contribute to enhanced audio quality, although it’s not clear how much of an impact this would have without ANC.

Adding the H2 chip to the AirPods 4 would mirror the trickle-down approach that Apple takes to its smartphone processors. Assuming that the AirPods Pro 3 are also on the horizon, quite possibly equipped with a new H3 chip, then the H2 makes sense as an incremental performance upgrade for the AirPods 4 – at least for the full-price version.

As for other features, we think there’s a good chance that other previously Pro features will make their way down to the AirPods 4 – specifically support for Find My alerts, by way of speakers in the charging case.

Other advancements mooted by Mark Gurman for future AirPods models include temperature sensors and support for some kind of hearing data. If and when we’ll see such features remains to be seen, and it seems likely that they’d be introduced to an AirPods Pro update before the standard model.

You might also like

• AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 3: which are the better true wireless earbuds?
• AirPods Pro 3: everything we know so far, key upgrades we want to see
• I tried all 6 new AirPods Pro 2 features and if you don’t update to iOS 17, you’re missing out

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