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essential devices for regular travelers. They prove useful to guarantee that your equipment is consistently charged, allowing you to stay connected, enjoy entertainment during long flights, or assist you in exploring new destinations. Nonetheless, if you’re planning a journey to Japan in the near future, your power bank may no longer serve its purpose while aboard.

Recently, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism implemented a new regulation that prohibits the use of portable power banks on flights to and from the country. According to the new rule, effective April 24, 2026, portable power banks can no longer be utilized on airplanes: either for charging devices or being connected to the aircraft for power. This regulation may appear stringent, but the ministry made this decision following multiple incidents where these devices either “ignited or began emitting smoke aboard aircraft,” as reported by NHK World-Japan.

**The Real Trade-Off When Purchasing Budget Earbuds Instead Of High-End Models**

If you’re looking to buy a set of earbuds, you’ve likely thought about Apple AirPods. Let’s face it, in a public space, you’re bound to encounter several individuals sporting them. We recently discussed [how to select the ideal AirPods for your needs](https://www.bgr.com/2111815/apple-airpods-best-model-differences-explained/) and examined the potential savings by choosing a less expensive variant. But what if you simply prefer not to spend hundreds on earbuds? The compromises involved in selecting a lower-priced model might not be as significant for you … or they could be, depending on your preferences.

Earbuds and headphones categorized as premium typically justify their cost by excelling in several critical areas. The first, of course, is the sound quality. While subjective, premium earbuds generally provide superior audio processing, complete with customization and extensive research underpinning their design. High-end earbuds also come with additional features you might forgo with budget options, such as active noise cancellation, long battery life, or exclusive smart functionalities like voice assistants. Lastly, you may witness differences in design and build quality with lower-end earbuds. Will these aspects be important to you? Let’s explore further.

**The sound and feature compromise**

A notable aspect of any pair of earbuds is their sound quality. As highlighted in our [expert-reviewed earbuds compilation](https://www.bgr.com/guides/best-wireless-earbuds/), this encompasses a balanced sound stage, robust bass response, and ample detail. This is, admittedly, a primary reason why premium earbuds like AirPods Pro or the flagship models from Bose/Sony stand out. That significant price often reflects top-notch sound processing and substantial audio research to ensure excellent sound quality. Nonetheless, this doesn’t imply that mid-range or budget earbuds produce poor audio. In fact, we discovered [5 affordable earbuds that get the job done](https://www.bgr.com/2083448/best-cheap-wireless-earbuds-price-isnt-limit/), but generally, what you miss out on is intricacy and refinement.

Next to examine are the available features. For instance, AirPods Pro 3 offers a substantial array of additional software capabilities like adaptive surround sound, Siri compatibility, and even some novel hearing-aid functions. Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds provide genuinely remarkable noise cancellation and multi-device compatibility. Reducing expenditure might mean sacrificing features such as ANC (Active Noise Cancellation), AI functionalities, prolonged battery life, and specialized software options reserved for premium models.

**The design and build quality aspects**

Another crucial factor when choosing less-than-premium earbuds is their aesthetic appeal and comfort during use. It’s well-known that AirPods emphasize design, with Bose and Sony also showcasing remarkable attention to detail. As users share on Reddit and various reviews, opting for a more budget-conscious brand, like Skull Candy or Soundcore, typically results in an increase in plastic materials, less of a premium touch with ear tip components, and an overall less resilient construction.

Durability is a vital consideration since earbuds can endure quite a lot of wear. Following Apple’s announcement of the water resistance feature in AirPods Max 2, we published a detailed article on [what an IP rating truly signifies](https://www.bgr.com/2126608/are-airpods-max-2-waterproof-what-ip-rating-means/). While this characteristic is not very common for over-ear headphones, premium earbuds almost always provide water and dust resistance to withstand your daily activities or workout sessions. Although some budget earbuds may offer a degree of protection, this is frequently one of the first areas where quality is compromised. Therefore, if you find yourself frequently on the go, with high expectations regarding durability, it may be wise to invest a bit more.

revolutionary Privacy Display (albeit with one annoying drawback), yet the complete S26 range boasts numerous other features too.

Samsung is currently rolling out One UI 8.5 to certain aging smartphones, and as per some sources, this update will empower users of older devices to access several of the new features introduced in the Galaxy S26 models. These capabilities incorporate AI Select, Audio Eraser, Call Screening, Creative Studio, along with additional AI-driven photo editing tools.

The main informant for this information is Tarun Vats, who shared a post on Twitter/X detailing the new features on the way and the smartphones anticipated to receive them. Vats is regarded as a reliable source for Samsung-related updates within the smartphone community and frequently discloses fresh insights.

Battery longevity stands as a major factor for numerous buyers when selecting a new Android smartphone. Extended battery life implies a reduced need to recharge your device during the day, even with heavy use. Although the battery landscape has improved to some degree in recent years — primarily due to smartphones incorporating larger batteries and enhanced software optimization — some Android smartphone manufacturers consistently outperform their competitors regarding battery performance. CNET’s comprehensive testing highlights that the Chinese brand OnePlus excels particularly in battery performance, surpassing notable companies like Google and Samsung, which are among the most favored smartphone brands.

CNET states that the OnePlus 15 currently ranks as the Android phone with the best battery life available. However, it is not the sole OnePlus model to feature among the elite in battery longevity. The OnePlus 13R and OnePlus 15R also provide outstanding battery life, only falling short of the Poco F7 Pro in comparison to the OnePlus 15. Here’s a look at the reasons behind the excellent battery life of the OnePlus 15 and other models from the brand, alongside the elements that influence a phone’s battery efficiency.

The OnePlus 15 is equipped with an extensive battery

One of the primary reasons the OnePlus 15 offers lengthy battery life is the substantial size of its battery. It is fitted with an impressive 7,300mAh cell, enabling the phone to endure for extended periods. In our OnePlus 15 assessment, we observed that the device comfortably lasted for two days, alleviating concerns of it depleting within a single day. Other reviewers echo this sentiment regarding the battery performance of the phone, often recommending it among the top options for battery life. The OnePlus 15 also achieved high marks in similar evaluations conducted by Phone Arena, Tom’s Guide, and ZDNet, and placed second in a battery drain test led by YouTube creator Mrwhosetheboss. The sole device that surpassed the OnePlus in Mrwhosetheboss’s analysis was the Find X9 Pro from its sister brand Oppo, which boasts an even larger 7,500mAh battery.

If you’re curious about how OnePlus has managed to include such a large battery in the OnePlus 15, the key lies in silicon-carbon (Si-C) technology. In contrast to conventional Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, Si-C batteries possess a higher energy density, allowing them to store more power within the same design space as a Li-ion battery-equipped phone. The OnePlus 15R and OnePlus 13R, which utilize the same battery technology, are fitted with 7,400mAh and 6,000mAh batteries, respectively. Even the Poco F7 Pro, which achieved superior battery life compared to the OnePlus 15R and 13R in CNET’s evaluation, although not officially available in North America, also adopts a 5,600mAh Si-C battery.

According to CNET’s findings, the only Android phones that deliver similarly remarkable battery life while using standard Li-ion batteries are the Motorola Edge (2025) and the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2025), featuring 5,200mAh and 5,000mAh batteries, respectively.

What factors influence a phone’s battery efficiency

At first glance, it might not be surprising that a phone with a 7,300mAh battery exhibits excellent battery life, yet multiple variables can affect your device’s endurance. Key factors include the display resolution, screen brightness, processor efficiency, and operating system optimizations. A higher display resolution often consumes more battery, as does increased display brightness; hence, many high-resolution phones feature built-in lower-resolution modes for use when optimum clarity isn’t essential. Furthermore, your device’s software will alert you that maintaining peak display brightness will deplete battery life.

Processor efficiency and OS-level optimizations are determined by the chip manufacturer and the phone brand, which is why CNET’s assessments, which also evaluated the battery life of various iPhone models, ranked the iPhone 17 Pro Max as the top performer among all phones and the iPhone 17 in second place, tying with the OnePlus 15, despite having smaller batteries. This advantage is attributed to the efficiency of both Apple’s chips and iOS. Even a processor that is not highly efficient but consumes little power due to its lower performance can enhance a phone’s battery life. This trend was also noted with the Moto G Stylus (2025) in CNET’s testing. It employs a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, compared to the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip of the OnePlus 15. Thus, while a larger battery contributes to battery life, it does not always assure leading performance.

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clean energy initiatives. They not only mitigate dependence on fossil fuels, which aids in reducing emissions, but offshore wind farms seem to offer an additional benefit according to scientific studies and observations. Some previous reports indicate that certain offshore facilities might be creating more of a disruption than initially anticipated. In fact, during the construction phase, studies indicate that they could be displacing local wildlife, such as seals, from their habitual surroundings.

Nevertheless, once the construction noise diminishes, the ecosystem surrounding these farms rebounds even more robustly than before, leading to the return of some predators as well. According to a study published in Current Biology in 2014, seals not only made their way back to the wind farm vicinity, but they also exploited a previously unseen migration pattern. The catalyst for this migratory behavior is the transformation of the environment surrounding these wind farms.

Since they are shielded from human activities like fishing, the region around the wind turbines becomes a haven for mollusks, schools of fish, and numerous other species. Indeed, discussions have emerged regarding the potential of new offshore wind farm constructions to foster greater stability within the marine ecosystem by establishing these protected areas. This presents a refreshing contrast to other environmental headlines, such as the allegations against Tesla for discharging black wastewater into ditches.

Your AirPods may not endure as long as you expect, so if you wish to maximize their lifespan, you’ll need to adopt savvy charging practices. For instance, keeping them outside of their charging case could be more detrimental than storing them inside.

hard drives used to be the dimensions of contemporary washing machines, but now it’s possible to fit computers into backpacks. Although these devices are commonly referred to as laptops, some are known by a different name that brings about considerable confusion: notebooks. This isn’t just a simple synonym.

The term laptop refers to a computer that is portable and can be placed on your lap (which explains the name), while the designation notebook is typically reserved for ultra-slim laptops. They are even more lightweight and weigh roughly the same as a paper notebook. This size distinction should serve as your first indication that a notebook has smaller, fewer, and generally inferior components. Essential hardware components, such as RAM, CPUs, and storage drives in notebooks, usually cannot match those found in laptops. Additionally, notebooks commonly feature fewer ports for connecting to peripherals and other devices.

The variation in size and performance also impacts battery duration. Laptops generally offer greater energy capacity due to having more available space for larger batteries. However, the downside to this is that the more robust hardware within laptops demands more energy, leading to quicker battery depletion. In contrast, notebooks are more economical with their power consumption, owing to their less powerful components. Since their CPUs and screens require less energy, notebooks tend to last significantly longer without being plugged in compared to most laptops.

Roku Is Finally Introducing Cloud DVR With The Latest Update

In addition to key points regarding purchasing a Roku streaming stick, it’s important to note that the way Roku users manage specific content is set to improve. In conjunction with adding a new option for subscribing to a premium streaming service, Roku is rolling out a new cloud DVR feature that will soon be available for additional services. Roku users can now opt for NBCUniversal’s Peacock Premium Plus directly via their Roku accounts.

Peacock joins a selection of other streaming services that offer this capability, and it comes with new cloud DVR-like controls that were not accessible on the platform before. Users will be able to manage live streaming content with this innovative feature. Roku users can acquire a Peacock Premium Plus subscription for either $16.99 per month or $169.99 annually, matching the cost of purchasing the service outright.

It is important to remember that a subscription via Roku is necessary to utilize the new DVR functionalities. Enrolling in a streaming service directly through Roku is relatively simple, but be aware that certain changes on Roku TV may restrict your access to preferred local channels. Additionally, while Premium Plus claims to deliver an ad-free experience, be mindful that there could be exceptions, especially with particular channels, sports events, movies, and shows.

Roku introduces a new DVR-style feature for streaming subscriptions

Roku has announced in a press release that users will now have the option to sign up for a Peacock Premium Plus subscription straight through their Roku account. Users have previously been able to register for other streaming services directly via Roku, such as Sling TV and Disney+, although it may not always be the preferred choice. Along with this announcement, Roku is also providing new features.

For the first time on the Roku platform, users will have the capability to pause live content directly on Peacock, along with the opportunity to replay live content while streaming, including various sports events like NBA and MLB games. While these innovative Cloud DVR features are a first for a streaming service on Roku, the company assures that more will be coming “later this year.” This arrangement is part of a five-year collaboration between Roku and NBCUniversal, which also encompasses the distribution of the NBCU FAST channel and the Peacock app.

“With Premium Subscriptions, our aim is clear: to simplify the process for viewers to find and enjoy the content they love without needing to track multiple apps and logins,” states Gil Fuchsberg, President of Subscriptions, Partnerships & Corporate Development at Roku. If you wish to subscribe to a premium service through Roku, just ensure you have a payment method linked to your account. After that, simply download the app you desire, and your Roku will assist you with the remainder.

new AI functionalities have been introduced to Google Maps and Google Photos, prompting the company to revamp the applications with a fresh gradient-oriented design. This gradient appears to be Google’s method of indicating that an app integrates generative AI, and with applications like Google Drive also receiving AI enhancements, it was inevitable for this design aspect to start appearing in additional Google applications.

As per sources who spoke to 9to5Google, significant transformations are forthcoming. The icons for your preferred Google apps are allegedly undergoing a sophisticated redesign that transcends a mere gradient, and we have compiled a list of all the modifications you can anticipate.

The most notable alteration may be in the color scheme. For quite some time, Google has been adamant about its app icons — with the exception of Workspace applications such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides — maintaining the four distinct brand colors: red, blue, green, and yellow. This approach was beneficial for the company’s overall brand identity, but ultimately resulted in numerous users expressing dissatisfaction regarding the icons merging into one another and lacking immediate recognizability. With the new Google app icons, the company is finally shifting away from the four-color scheme, instead opting to (somewhat) categorize its applications by color.