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Deal : New Philips TVs 2024: With improved Ambilight Plus & Titan OS


Ambilight is an integral part of most Philips televisions. The manufacturer has improved it again for its new models. Find out what it looks like and what else is new here!

Table of contents

  • Philips TV 2024: Easy to recognize by the model name
  • Philips PUS8909: The One with Titan OS
  • Philips PUS8909: New LCD TV with up to 144 Hertz and Ambilight in an affordable price range

  • Philips OLED809 with a brilliant picture

  • Philips OLED909 with soundbar and four-sided Ambilight
  • Philips OLED959 with Ambilight Plus and surround sound from B&W
  • Philips TVs 2024: prices and availability

Ambilight is a must see. The effect light in the back of the Philips television is difficult to describe and can hardly be realistically depicted in photos. It lights up the wall behind it with colored LEDs TV to match the current image. For football broadcasts, the room is shrouded in green light, for a deep-sea documentary in blue. The effect is expected to become even stronger in the latest generation. With mini lenses and higher resolution with Ambilight Plus, the light around the TV appears to enlarge the TV picture. But the Philips televisions 2024 also have a lot to offer beyond that. SamaGame has already taken a first look at it and provides an overview of the most important upcoming models.

Philips TV 2024: Easy to recognize by the model name

The new Philips televisions from 2024 are distinguished by the number 9 at the end of the model name from older models, which had an 8 in 2023 and a 7 before that. As usual, at the beginning of the name there is the screen size in inches, multiplied by 2 .5 gives the image diagonal in centimeters. The following combination of letters reveals the screen technology: PUS stands for LCD TVs with UHD resolution, PFS with Full HD is only available in individual small models with 32 inches. High-end LCD TVs can be recognized by the letter combination PML. The M stands for Mini-LED, more on that below. Philips equips its top models with OLED screens, which is exactly what you can see in the model name. Ambilight can be found in all of the models mentioned below, but the new Plus version can only be found in one.

Philips PUS8909: The One with Titan OS

The new edition of “The One” is likely to be one of the most popular televisions of the 2024 vintage. This is how Philips calls its model in the middle of the product range, which promises a particularly good price-performance ratio. The PUS8909 will be the cheapest Philips television in 2024 with a 120 Hertz screen, as the predecessor already showed Philips PUS8808 in the test clear contours even in fast movements. With the new model, gaming PCs can even play at up to 144 Hertz. The changes to the operating system are more serious. While the previous model ran on Android with Google TV, the new one comes with it PUS8909 Philips’ own development Titan OS was used for the first time. This pleases with a clear start screen, and there are also apps for the most popular streaming providers such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix or for the sports channel DAZN as well as for the Media libraries the TV station. Philips offers that PUS8909 in the tried and tested image sizes 43, 50, 55 and 65 inches, as well as in 75 inches. The screens are framed in gray metal frames and can be swiveled on the central feet. The exception is the large 75-inch model, which stands on two side feet for stability reasons. Next to The One comes the sister model PUS8309 with a maximum of 60 Hertz and otherwise the same features.

Philips PML9009: The Xtra with mini LED

This is a class above Philips PML9009 settled. It is also equipped with an LCD screen, but with a particularly bright and high-contrast version. While in cheaper models a large area of ​​white light shines through the LCD panels (LED backlight), this is the case with the PML9009 divided into several separate areas. The television adjusts the brightness to suit the respective image content. The advantage: it dims behind dark areas of the image PML9009 the LEDs down so that it can display deeper black. Behind bright areas of the image, however, the backlight shines at full power to make sunrays or explosions shine realistically. Philips promises up to 1,000 candelas per square meter. Because of the numerous small LEDs in the backlight, this variant is also called LCD Mini LED TV, although the entire television is unusually thick at around 8 centimeters. Here too, the screen runs at up to 144 Hertz, and Titan OS is used as the operating system. Philips wants that PML9009 in four sizes: 55, 65, 75 and 85 inches (140 to 215 centimeters), all sizes stand on two metal feet.

Philips OLED809 with a brilliant picture

The televisions with OLED screens promise top-class image quality Philips OLED809 is the cheapest with this technology and Ambilight. With a maximum of 1,300 candela per square meter (nit), the manufacturer promises an unusually high maximum brightness for this class, the competition is closer to 700 to 800. Gamers can play up to 144 Hertz here, and the HDR version is also up to the maximum frame rate, according to Philips possible. Variable frame rates (VRR) including the AMD Freesync and Nvidia G-Sync standards process the OLED TVs also. There are four speakers hidden in the bottom edge of the TV for good sound quality, two for low frequencies and two for high frequencies. An additional bass speaker in the back promises a solid sound foundation. From then on OLED809 Philips includes a handy remote control with illuminated labeling. The highlight: The central control keys become a 10-key keyboard at the push of a button. The operating system comes – like its predecessor OLED808 – Android with Google TV used. At the OLED809 There are a particularly large number of screen sizes to choose from: it will be available in 42, 48, 55, 65 and 77 inches. Except for the largest model with its two outer feet, the others all stand on a central base. It should be later in the year OLED709 round off the program with Titan OS instead of Google TV.

Philips OLED909 with soundbar and four-sided Ambilight

At the Philips OLED909 A narrow speaker bar is integrated below the screen. This Sound bar British hi-fi manufacturer B&W contributes, housing nine loudspeakers for pristine sound and clear speech reproduction. Here too, an additional woofer in the back of the TV supports bass reproduction. The four-sided Ambilight is also noticeable there, while in all the other models mentioned it is only attached to the side and at the top edge. The screen should also stand out with its special radiance: an OLED variant with microlenses is used here, which reduces scattering losses within the screen and thus enables brighter images with the same power consumption. The screen manufacturer LG Display calls the OLED Meta, elsewhere the abbreviation MLA (Micro Lens Array) is used. Together with improved pixel control, up to 3,000 candelas per square meter should be possible. That would be a record for OLED televisions after its predecessor Philips OLED908 in the test was one of the most brilliant of its kind. Philips wants that OLED909 in three sizes: 55, 65 and 77 inches.

Philips OLED959 with Ambilight Plus and surround sound from B&W

The Philips OLED959 will be the first model with the new Ambilight Plus. This consists of 184 separately controllable LEDs, which is four times as many as before. Small lenses direct the light far away from the television, and the television also captures a wider area of ​​the image to determine color and brightness. The new Ambilight Plus follows the image content much more closely than before, the result almost looks like a continuation of the current television image. It can be adjusted in a variety of ways in the menu, and the more subtle previous look should also be adjustable. The same OLED meta screen as in the OLED909 promises top image quality. An ambient light sensor should enable brilliant image impressions even in bright surroundings, while pristine cinema quality is guaranteed in dark surroundings. In addition, the television should be able to upscale and process the images better with two processors – Philips calls this “AI Machine Sharpness V2”. B&W is once again responsible for good sound: With the same soundbar as in the OLED909, but supplemented by a total of four speakers installed on the side and four speakers directed upwards for surround sound. The screen is surrounded by a discreet, approximately 5 centimeter thick fabric frame. The OLED959 is only planned in one size: 65 inches or 164 centimeters screen diagonal. The television can be hung on the wall or placed on the floor on the stand.

Philips TVs 2024: prices and availability

The first new Philips televisions to arrive are PUS8909 and the OLED809 expected to hit the market in May 2024. The manufacturer has not yet mentioned prices, but experience shows that they are at the same level as the predecessor. The One with 55 inches should cost a little over 1,000 euros at the start of sales, with 65 inches around 1,500 euros. The market launch of the models OLED909 and PML9009 is planned for June 2024, the top model OLED959 with Ambilight Plus will not be available until the third quarter of 2024. Including the stand, the price should be between 4,000 and 5,000 euros.

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Deal : DKB cuts daily interest rates

Interest rate collapse for DKB customers: Anyone who has a current account with the bank will only receive daily interest of 1.75 percent pa from February 2024

What happens after the 3.5 percent campaign? This is what customers of the DGerman Kreditbank (DKB) asked for a long time. Now everything’s clear. And the answer is sobering: From February, the DKB will pay its customers significantly less interest on their daily money. Then there is only 1.75 percent pa for daily money. Until now, the bank had offered 3.5 percent pa. The offer was valid from August 1, 2023 – for a six-month promotional period until the end of January 2024 – for both existing and newly opened current account accounts.

DKB daily allowance: No upper limit



There was no upper limit on the investment amount. This is still the case. Investors receive the interest credited quarterly – from the first euro. However, the offer does not apply to any existing DKB Visa daily money.

The deposits are protected by the German deposit insurance up to an amount of 100,000 euros per person. In addition, the DKB is a member of the deposit protection fund of the Federal Association of Public Banks.

DKB daily money account: Switching is worth it

Customers do not have to be content with the DKB’s 1.75 percent interest rate. In the large Daily money comparison From SamaGame you will find alternatives with significantly higher interest rates.

*Our independent experts regularly deal with products and service providers. We provide you with the resulting articles free of charge. SamaGame receives a small commission if you click on a link or conclude a contract with a linked provider. Note: The content on SamaGame is not specific investment recommendations and only contains general information. Authors, publishers and the sources cited are not liable for any losses resulting from the purchase or sale of the securities or financial products mentioned in the articles.

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Deal : Nivona NIVO 8101 in the test: The coffee tastes really good here!

The successor to the NICR 8 series comes with a new brewing group that is supposed to make everything even better. The test of the Nivona NIVO 8000 shows whether this is successful.

Table of contents

  • The new brewing group is convincing
  • Integrated milk system
  • Simple control via rotary or app

  • Outstanding espresso

  • Not suitable for the dishwasher
  • Nivona NIVO 8000: prices and models
  • Nivona NIVO 8101 in the test: conclusion

Next to the Hybrid coffee machine Cube 4 Nivona presented another innovation, the NIVO 8000 series, at IFA 2023 (September 1st to 5th in Berlin). The successor to the upper classFully automatic coffee machines The NICR 800 series didn’t cause as much of a stir as the “coffee cube”. But a technical innovation made fans of bean infusion sit up and take notice when they tried it out. We have tested the Nivona NIVO 8101 extensively and revealed what it is all about.

The new brewing group is convincing

The big special feature of the Nivona NIVO 8101 is the newly designed brewing group. Compared to the previous brewing units in the previous models, the so-called “RomanticaPlus” is more compact and has a closed design. In this way, fewer coffee residues end up inside the machine and the maintenance effort is significantly reduced. For weekly cleaning, the brewing group is removed from behind the service flap on the right, rinsed under running water, dried briefly and can then be reinserted straight away. Nivona recommends in the very detailed operation manual cold water, but warm water shouldn’t cause any problems.

Even apart from maintenance, the brewing group does an excellent job and, in conjunction with the other device elements, ensures excellent coffee results. The entire concept appears sophisticated because it has a positive impact on all areas of the fully automatic coffee machine. For this reason, the Nivona NIVO 8000 gets a small upgrade for the new brewing group.

Integrated milk system

On the top right you will find the bean container of the Nivona NIVO 8101. Up to 250 grams of whole coffee beans can fit here. A conical grinder made of stainless steel works one floor below. And it’s particularly quiet: In our test, the machine emitted a maximum of 52 decibels during espresso preparation – the top value to date among the fully automatic coffee machines tested. The grinding level can be adjusted to five levels using the slider behind the service flap on the right side.

The water tank is on the left side and can be removed upwards. Around 1.8 liter capacity is sufficient for daily use in most households. Optionally, a Claris filter cartridge can be inserted into the designated position in the tank. This allows you to improve the general water quality and means you have to descale the device less often. The water is pumped through the pipes by a 15 bar pump.

For the preparation of milk coffee drinks, the Nivona NIVO 8000 has an integrated milk system, the “OneTouch DUOplus”. There is a removable cappuccinatore in the central spout (height adjustable from 8.5 to 14.5 cm; double cover possible). The rubber hose provided is inserted into the spout on the right, the other end goes into the milk container. Great: Two milk drinks can be prepared at the same time. Not every fully automatic coffee machine can master this art.

Simple control via rotary or app

The Nivona NIVO 8101 is operated via a smooth-running knob, which the manufacturer calls a “rotary”, and a color display. A well-known concept that has worked well with Nuremberg’s previous machines. This also applies to the 8000 series: the menu navigation is self-explanatory and precise after a short period of getting used to it. By turning the knob you can navigate between the individual coffee programs; a short press starts preparation.

If you hold the button down, you will go to the recipe menu, where you can adjust the drink parameters. These include the coffee strength (five levels), temperature (three levels), the amount of coffee (20 to 240 milliliters), the amount of milk (foam) and the amount of water. The “Aroma Balance System” is also back on board and now offers five profiles (“Quick”, “Dynamic”, “Constant”, “Harmonic” and “Intense”). This changes the brewing parameters, especially the throughput time of the water during preparation. In practice, however, we always recommend using the “Constant” setting.

In addition to the rotary knob, the NIVO 8000 can be controlled via the Nivona app (iOS and Android). The connection works via Bluetooth, online registration or WLAN (except for downloading the application) is not necessary. As with the other app-enabled Nivona machines, operation is extremely easy. The app is intuitive and logical, offers useful functions and instructions and makes customizing the drinks child’s play. There are nine in total own recipes create, name, save and control via the favorites menu (in the app and on the fully automatic machine itself). There is also a small upgrade for the practical app control.

Outstanding espresso

With the Nivona NIVO 8101 you have the choice between six factory-installed coffee programs. The three drinks without milk include coffee, Americano and espresso. In the taste test, the latter classic showed outstanding balance. The mixture of acidity and bitterness is unparalleled, the espresso is very full-bodied, has a good strength and is also convincing in terms of temperature and smell. In addition, the different flavors come into their own wonderfully. The Nivona machine gets a huge amount out of the coffee beans and ranks among the top machines Siemens, Miele, law and DeLonghi and comes dangerously close to portafilter machines. Similarly, the espresso crema also scores points in all areas.

Many users rely on fully automatic machines, especially because of the milk coffee drinks. You can choose between cappuccino, latte macchiato and caffè latte. The milk foam reaches the cup nice and hot and creamy and also tastes great. Anyone who likes to drink cappuccinos etc. will definitely get their money’s worth here. Aside from coffee drinks, the Nivona NIVO 8000 has programs for milk foam and hot water.

Not suitable for the dishwasher

When it comes to care and maintenance, the Nivona NIVO 8101 also performs well. The fully automatic coffee machine notifies you in good time when cleaning or descaling is required and indicates when the water tank needs to be filled or the drip tray and the pulp container need to be emptied. Automatic programs with cleaning tablets or descaling agents are available for thorough cleaning of the machine and descaling. There are also simple rinsing programs for the coffee circuit and the milk pipes. Cleaning the brewing group is also easy – as described above. Last but not least, the maintenance status can be viewed at any time via the settings menu.

Simply wipe the housing with a damp cloth, it works effortlessly overall. According to the instructions, the individual parts – i.e. the drip tray including the drip grid, pulp container, cappuccinatore, milk hose and water tank – must not be put in the dishwasher, otherwise warranty claims could be void. However, cleaning by hand with a dish or bottle brush, sponge and dishwashing liquid is easy. You can find tips and tricks for using and maintaining your fully automatic coffee machine in our guide.

Nivona NIVO 8000: prices and models

The Nivona fully automatic coffee machines from the NIVO 8000 series are available in two color versions that are technically identical. In addition to the tested model in black (model number: 8101), there is a variant in titanium gray (model number: 8103). Depending on the version, the price is around 1,169 to 1,249 euros – appropriate for the scope of services.

Test results

Test results

Nivona NIVO 8101
Color variants: Black (8101), titanium gray (8103)
Price: 1,169 euros
Power / pressure: 1500 watts / 15 bar
Water tank / coffee bean container capacity: 1.8 l / 250 g

Furnishing
(30%)

 Central spout height adjustable up to 14.5 cm
2 cup spouts
Water filter and powder compartment available
6 (espresso, coffee, Americano, cappuccino, latte macchiato, caffè latte)
Adjustment of coffee quantity, milk quantity, temperature and grinding degree possible
Up to 9 favorites

Grade: 1.8

Service &
The taste
(40%)

 Instruction manual very detailed
Easy to operate via rotary knob and display
Espresso taste and crema quality very good
Even more practical milk system with hose and frother in the central spout

Grade: 1.6

cleaning
(15%)

 Programs for descaling and cleaning available, water hardness adjustment possible
Easy to clean surface, water tank, drip tray and pulp container, no dishwasher-safe parts
Brewing group can only be cleaned by hand (removal from the side)

Grade: 2.0

Technical tests
(15%)

 Average power consumption when making espresso, low in standby
Very quiet grinder
Somewhat uncompact design

Grade: 2.2

Upgrades

 Intuitive app controls
Excellent brewing group

-0.2

Test results

 good (grade: 1.6)

Nivona NIVO 8101 in the test: conclusion

The fully automatic coffee machines from Nivona’s NIVO 8000 series have practically no weaknesses and are convincing across the board. The coffee quality is outstanding, the equipment and technology are good and the handling, both in everyday use and in terms of care, works without any problems. Thanks in particular to the new brewing group, the NIVO 8000 is becoming the new top device in the Nuremberger range and can easily compete with the competition.

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Deal : Are these Bose clip-on headphones better than in-ears?

Not everyone likes to be isolated from their surroundings when enjoying mobile music, but this effect can hardly be avoided with in-ear headphones. Bose is now addressing this problem with new clip-on earbuds.

Wireless in-ear headphones have established themselves as the most widely used solution for listening to music and podcasts on the go. Most users particularly like the fact that they can acoustically exclude their surroundings by plugging the barely visible eavesdroppers into their ear canal. Many people even swear by active noise cancellation, which maximally reduces ambient noise by canceling out sound waves. However, there are also people who don’t like this isolated feeling at all. There is also a risk of no longer being able to adequately notice important things such as the traffic around you. The only alternative in such cases has so far been wearing open-back headphones. These, in turn, often seem a bit silly and are disruptive in many situations. Now manufacturer Bose is pushing forward with a completely new approach.

Clamp instead of plugging

In cooperation with the fashion brand Kith, the company recently launched the Ultra Open Earbuds presented. These are wireless mini headphones that users do not stuff into the ear canal, but rather clip them onto the auricle using a plastic clip. Using Bose’s in-house Openaudio technology, the headphones deliver sound to the ear from outside, creating an open feeling that does not cut off the person wearing them from their surroundings. A test must show how this approach performs in practice. The main questions that come to mind are the wearing comfort and radiation behavior of the headphones. At first glance, the black ear clip doesn’t look too comfortable and the large distance between the speaker and the ear suggests that the music being played can be heard much more clearly than with in-ears, even for outsiders.

Hardly any technical details are known

Bose has not yet provided any detailed technical information about its new product. This is quite surprising because the Ultra Open Earbuds are scheduled to hit stores in very limited numbers on January 22, 2024. They will then only be available via Kith online shop as well as in selected branches of the fashion brand – at the proud cost of 300 US dollars (around 276 euros). Bose has not yet announced a price for the German market. All that is known is that the earbuds should have a battery life of around 7.5 hours when the Immersive Audio with Spatial Audio function is deactivated. If you switch on the surround sound simulation, the running time drops to 4.5 hours. The Ultra Open Earbuds come with a charging case, but Bose does not reveal how often the clip-on headphones can be charged with it. Solid data on supported codecs and built-in Bluetooth technology are also in short supply.


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Deal : HyperOS in Germany: These Xiaomi cell phones will soon receive the update


Xiaomi is retiring MIUI, the successor is called HyperOS. A leak reveals which models the new system will soon be running in this country.

When presenting the Xiaomi 14 in China the manufacturer has with HyperOS caused a small sensation. The new smartphone comes with the new operating system ex works and, after almost 14 years, marks the beginning of the end of MIUI on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices.

A list has now emerged that reveals which smartphones and tablets in this country should receive the update first. Like that Online magazine XiaomiUI reported, data miners have found data packages for eleven current models on the official Xiaomi servers. These are only versions marked as “Global”:

These models get HyperOS

  • Xiaomi 13
  • Xiaomi 13T
  • Xiaomi 13 Pro

  • Xiaomi 12T Pro

  • Xiaomi 12 Pro
  • Xiaomi 12 Lite
  • Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G

  • Poco F5 Pro
  • Poco X5 5G
  • Poco X5 Pro 5G
  • Xiaomi Pad 6

Xiaomi does have it Start of roll-out for the first quarter of 2024 stated, but a real starting signal has not yet been given. Nevertheless, there are already isolated reports that some owners of the Xiaomi 13T and the Xiaomi 13T Pro could download and install HyperOS. Also in this country. It is not known whether this is a mistake or intentional on Xiaomi’s part.

For now there are few innovations with the new OS

Xiaomi is building HyperOS Android 14 and therefore the transition should be smooth for European users. The global version appears different than the Chinese version, which has been rolling out since October 2023, with Google services pre-installed, which should not affect the compatibility of apps. The interface is clearly similar to the last version of MIUI 14.

In other words: Not much changes at first. However, it remains to be seen where Xiaomi wants to go with the new OS. In the future, HyperOS will link the manufacturer’s product universe more closely.

Starting signal at MWC 2024?

It is not yet entirely clear when exactly the new system will arrive in this country on the smartphones mentioned. It could be that the starting signal falls on the day the Xiaomi 14 is released. According to rumors, it is scheduled for February 25, 2024 – one day before the Mobile World Congress (MWC, February 26-29, 2024) in Barcelona.

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Deal : CES 2024: These are the monitor highlights of the technology trade fair

The world’s largest trade fair for consumer electronics, CES, has a lot to offer again in 2024. Right at the forefront: brand new computer monitors. We have collected the highlights.

Table of contents

  • Dell U4025QW: 5K giant with a lot of Hertz
  • Dell U3425W: Perfect for the office
  • Lenovo ThinkVision 27 3D: The special one

  • Samsung Odyssey OLED G6, G8 and G9

  • Acer Predator Z57
  • Acer Predator X34 V3
  • Acer Predator X39 and X34

  • Asus ROG Swift OLED PG39WCDM
  • Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP and PG27AQDP
  • MSI MPG 491CQP
  • MSI MPG 321URX and MPG 271QRX
  • LG UltraGear 32GS95UE
  • LG UltraGear 34GS95QE and 39GS95QE

From January 9th to 12th, 2024, the who’s who of hardware manufacturers will meet at CES in Las Vegas (US state of Nevada). The latest monitor technology should not be missing. Who offers the highest refresh rate in 5K, who has the best display for gaming? SamaGame has the answers.

Dell U4025QW: 5K giant with a lot of Hertz

Monitor manufacturer Dell is showing its sharpest side when it presents new products from its Ultra Sharp series at CES 2024. At the top of the line-up of business and premium models is the 40-inch U4025QW. The office giant is said to have an ultra-sharp 5120×2160 pixel resolution (i.e. in 5K) and offer a refresh rate of 120 Hertz. The high frame rate should ensure buttery-smooth mouse movements. This is a small revolution, because 4K or 5K monitors for the office are currently only available with 60, 72 or 75 Hertz.

Dell U3425W: Perfect for the office

Also in the Dell portfolio: The U3425WE, which is slightly smaller at 34 inches. The work monitor “only” has a resolution of 3440×1440 pixels (so-called UWQHD), but should also be equipped with a refresh rate of 120 Hertz. Further details about Dell’s new Ultra Sharp monitors can be found here. Are you still looking for a high-quality 27-inch device for your home office? Then the Dell U2723QE might be worth a look. SamaGame had it 4K monitor in the test.

Lenovo ThinkVision 27 3D: The special one

Lenovo breaks the norm with the ThinkVision 27 3D. With a refresh rate of 60 Hertz, the business monitor should offer a 27-inch IPS panel with 4K resolution. The special? The monitor shows content in three dimensions – without the need for 3D glasses. According to the manufacturer’s press release, the screen projects two independent images onto the user’s eyes, so that each eye sees the subject from a slightly different angle.

Samsung Odyssey OLED G6, G8 and G9

There is a real supply of gaming monitors. Manufacturer Samsung has three new Odyssey models in its luggage for CES 2024. The flagship is called Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 and comes with a huge screen diagonal of 49 inches (that’s 1.24 meters!). The resolution is 5120×1440 pixels (double WQHD), the refresh rate is a whopping 240 Hertz. It reveals whether you have to use the RTX 4090 for this detailed test of the OLED G9. Other new additions with an OLED panel are the Odyssey OLED G6 and the Odyssey OLED G8. While Lenovo wants to give the G8 a 32-inch diagonal and 4K resolution, the G6 will most likely come with WQHD resolution and a fast 360 Hertz. More You can read information about the three Odyssey OLEDs here.

Acer Predator Z57

Hardware manufacturer Acer is pulling out all the stops at CES 2024 and is presenting four Daddel umbrellas from the Predator series at the trade fair. As a competitor to Samsung’s Odyssey Neo G9, Acer is sending the Predator Z57 into the race. With an insane size of 57 inches, it should offer the maximum gaming experience and a resolution of 7680×2160 pixels (double 4K). Compared to the Neo G9, which achieves 240 Hertz, the Z57 “already” clocks in at 120 Hertz.

Acer Predator X34 V3

Compared to the Z57, the Predator X34 V3 is almost a dwarf. According to Acer, the 34-inch monitor will show game content with 3440×1440 pixels (UWQHD) and deliver a refresh rate of 180 Hertz.

Acer Predator X39 and X34

In addition to conventional display technology, Acer has equipped two models with OLED screens: the Acer Predator X39 and the Acer Predator X34 X. The technology is known for perfect black, brilliant colors and short switching times. Both should have a resolution of UWQHD, i.e. 3440×1440 pixels, and deliver a refresh rate of up to 240 Hertz. More Details about the new Predator models can be found here.

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG39WCDM

Manufacturer Asus has not remained idle either, but has breathed new life into its ROG series (“Republic of Gamers”) just in time for CES 2024. Starting for Asus: the ROG Swift OLED PG39WCDM, the ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP and the ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP. Acer equips all ROG Swift models with OLED technology. But what’s special is the high refresh rate.

Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP and PG27AQDP

The 32-inch PG32UCDP is supposed to let content flash across the display at 240 Hertz with 4K resolution. If you reduce the resolution to Full HD (1920×1080 pixels), you should even get a frame rate of 480 Hertz. The 27-inch PG27AQDP should also be able to achieve 480 Hertz. However, it is still unclear at what resolution. However, the resolution is clear on Acer’s largest OLED monitor, the ROG Swift OLED PG39WCDM. According to the manufacturer, the 39-inch device will be launched with 3440×1440 pixels and a frame rate of 240 Hertz on the panel.

MSI MPG 491CQP

Gaming expert MSI isn’t going anywhere and is presenting three new Daddel umbrellas at CES 2024. All are equipped with OLED displays from Samsung (so-called QD-OLEDs). The 49-inch MPG 491CQP is a direct competitor to Samsung’s OLED G9: the MPG 491CQP also shows content with 5120×1440 pixels – unlike the OLED G9, however, it stops at 144 Hertz.

MSI MPG 321URX and MPG 271QRX

The MPG 321URX, which shows 3840×2160 pixels (i.e. 4K) and has a lot of power at 240 Hertz, can top this. MSI saves the highest frame rate for its smallest model: the QD-OLED panel of the 271QRX delivers a full 360 Hertz. Only WQHD (2560×1440 pixels) works for this.

LG UltraGear 32GS95UE

LG is really pushing the envelope with its new UltraGear 32GS95UE. The gaming monitor is 32 inches in size and shows content in crisp 4K (3840×2160 pixels) – at a frame rate of 240 Hertz. If desired, the monitor even refreshes the image 480 times per second. As with Acer’s ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP, you have to put up with Full HD (1920×1080 pixels) in return.

LG UltraGear 34GS95QE and 39GS95QE

Can it be a little wider? Then it might be worth taking a look at the UltraGear 34GS95QE or the UltraGear 39GS95QE. Both gaming monitors have a resolution of 3440×1440 pixels (i.e. UWQHD) and deliver 240 Hertz. Other UltraGear models are called 45GS95QE, 45GS96QB and 27GS95QE. While the first two are equipped with an ultra-wide 45-inch diagonal, the 27GS95QE has to make do with 27 inches. The resolution is WQHD (for the 27GS95QE) or UWQHD (for the 45GS95QE and 45GS96QB).

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Deal : 50 percent discount: O2 promotion on the combination advantage is coming

At the end of January, O2 is launching a new campaign that has two effects. On the one hand, there is a discount on the combination advantage, and on the other hand, the prices for individual contracts are temporarily reduced. The information!

The starting signal for the new O2 campaign is January 18, 2024. The network operator plans to advertise its tariffs across media and is improving the so-called combination advantage for this purpose. The latter financially benefits customers who have more than one contract with O2. As part of the campaign, new customers get a whopping 50 percent discount on their first contract. The second contract is also 50 percent cheaper thanks to the combination advantage if it is a mobile phone tariff. If your second O2 contract is a landline connection, you will get a 5 euro discount. The bonuses apply as long as the concluded tariffs exist at the same time, explains O2.

Calculation examples: When combining two “O2 Mobile M” tariffs (25 gigabytes, all-net flat rate), costs of 29.98 euros per month or 14.99 euros per tariff are incurred. The basic fee for the M tariff is usually 32.99 euros. But since many O2 individual contracts will also be cheaper on January 18th due to promotions (specifically 3 euros), the attractive savings price results. The combination of a mobile phone (O2 Mobile M) and a landline contract (O2 Home M) adds up to just 34.98 euros in the first twelve months, then 49.98 euros. Young people under 29 get the respective Boost variant (including Connect option and double the data volume) for the price of the classic tariff.

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Deal : CES 2024: Dreame presents new devices for home and garden


If you want to vacuum and mop smartly, you can hardly ignore the newcomer Dreame. To ensure that it stays that way, the manufacturer is preparing its first devices for 2024.

In 2023, cleaning robots from Dreame were real bestsellers – especially this one DreamBot L10 Ultra. The successful successor also changed that L20 Ultra nothing. So it’s logical that the manufacturer doesn’t consider the L10 to be old news yet and is giving the model an update as part of the CES 2024 (Consumer Electronics Show, January 9th to 12th in Las Vegas, USA). SamaGame has all the information about this new product – and other Dreame announcements that will follow later in the year.

L10 Pro Ultra Heat: vacuum, swirl, rinse

As the name suffix suggests, the new “Heat” version is hot: the included dock not only dries the robot’s wipers with warm air after the cleaning tour, but also rinses them thoroughly with heated water beforehand. This is supposed to prevent bad smells and mold. So that not only the L10 gets clean, but also the floor, it has a suction power of 7,000 Pascal.

The device has inherited the CleanGenius function from the L20: The dirt detection detects stubborn dirt independently and automatically does a second or third round there. Also on board: a swivel-out wiper that is supposed to scrub right up to the edge when driving along edges. With its reliable laser navigation and additional sensors, the L10 should always stay on course.

Dreame Z10 Station: One station, 90 days of rest

If you like to do your own floor cleaning, you can use the Dreame Z10 Station. The cordless cordless vacuum cleaner comes with a suction station that saves you the hassle of emptying it into the trash can. All you have to do is press a button and the dirt ends up in the bag with a capacity of 2.5 liters. A multi-layer filter system and an antibacterial filter in the station should ensure that the air is free of germs and odor-free.

Dreame Roboticmower A1: Off to the garden!

Shown for the first time at IFA 2023, Dreame’s first robotic lawnmower will soon be in the starting blocks. The A1 should work without a boundary wire in the lawn edge, but also without a GPS and satellite antenna. An advanced 3D lidar sensor system on board the robot with a range of up to 70 meters will take care of navigation. Not only does it create a precise map of the garden, but it also aims to identify property boundaries and obstacles on the lawn without external aids.

DreameBot X30 and X40: A look into the future

If you want to know where the smart cleaning journey with Dreame is going, the manufacturer gives you an outlook on what is to come later in 2024: The DreameBot X30 Ultra will also be available in China and soon in the USA this year get to Germany. Here, Dreame wants to control the suction power again (8,300 Pascal), further improve the dock and fine-tune the self-cleaning system. Brand new is the new floor brush of the

Not enough? Drama is already working on its successor, the DreameBot X40 Ultra with an incredible 10,500 Pascal suction power. The planned features primarily concern edge cleaning: the swing-out mop at the rear is accompanied by a fold-out function at the front, with which the rotating side brush should also reach into the corners. There are also better sensors that allow the X40 to get even closer to furniture, vases or chair legs.

CES 2024: The highlights of the technology trade fair

Dreame novelties 2024: prices and availability

A little patience is still required until the new Dreame devices can move into the home and garden. Price and market launch of the L10 Pro Ultra Heat Dreame wants to announce in the next few weeks. The handheld vacuum cleaner should be used beforehand Z10 station come on sale – at a competitive price of 500 euros. The A1 robotic lawnmower is announced for March 2024. The exact price is not known. The smart garden helper could cost up to 2000 euros. For the Vacuum-mopping robots X30 and X40 Dreame has not yet revealed any prices or exact dates. Both models are scheduled to appear in 2024.

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Deal : Trade Republic card: Apply for a new credit card with a waiting list via the app

Trade Republic is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a credit card: The new Trade Republic card is free and offers cashback – or saveback, as the broker calls it. Payments via the app are currently still carried out via a waiting list.

Upon receipt of the Full banking license Last December it was clear that Trade Republic wanted to expand its offering beyond interest accounts and trading stocks, ETFs, bonds and cryptocurrencies. And now it’s starting: Trade Republic is now offering its customers a free credit card. And it stands out from the competition with one feature in particular: cashback for investing in stocks, ETFs and crypto. With every card payment you get 1 percent of the amount incurred back. But not in the form of a payout or points, but as an increase for a securities savings plan of your choice. Trade Republic calls this saveback. The saveback amounts can also be rounded up immediately after payment so that more money ends up in the savings plan.

Trade Republic: Visa payment card free

The Trade Republic credit card is specifically a debit card from Visa. It comes with no monthly or annual fees and comes as either a virtual or physical card. If you want to have something in your hand when paying, you can get a Mirror (50 euros) or Classic card (5 euros) for a one-off issuing fee. Applying for the virtual card is completely free. When withdrawing cash, there are costs of 1 euro for amounts under 100 euros; there are no fees for larger amounts. Top: For transactions in foreign currencies, Trade Republic does not want to charge a surcharge on the currency exchange rates. This makes the card also suitable for withdrawals while on vacation. The card is linked to the Trade Republic deposit clearing account to which it is linked currently 4 percent interest pa gives. Savings are also worthwhile here.

Trade Republic: Apply for a card with a waiting list

The Trade Republic credit card is not there yet. Customers can first register on a waiting list. The option appears in the Trade Republic app when you install the latest update. Some users pointed out that only uninstalling and reinstalling the app brings up the desired option. Trade Republic wants to gradually release the card to interested parties in the coming weeks.

Trade Republic: On course for growth

The announcement of the credit card comes on the fifth anniversary of the German neobroker. The company now has four million customers in 17 countries. According to the company’s own information, the assets under management amount to around 35 billion euros. According to Handelsblatt Trade Republic also wants to introduce even more account functions as part of the credit card. Accordingly, standing orders or transfers should be possible at some point.

*Our independent experts regularly deal with products and service providers. We provide you with the resulting articles free of charge. SamaGame receives a small commission if you click on a link or conclude a contract with a linked provider. Note: The content on SamaGame is not specific investment recommendations and only contains general information. Authors, publishers and the sources cited are not liable for any losses resulting from the purchase or sale of the securities or financial products mentioned in the articles.


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Deal : Six reasons why the Samsung S24 Ultra could be really good


On January 17th, Samsung will present its new S24 series at Galaxy Unpacked 2024 – we’ll reveal why the top model S24 Ultra in particular has what it takes to be the most important Android smartphone of the year.

Since the publication of the Galaxy S20 Ultra Samsung combines the best possible technology in its Ultra models Samsung 23 Ultra With this concept, it was the first cell phone to stay at number 1 for a whole year best smartphones from our test. The expectations for the successor Galaxy S24 Ultra are correspondingly high. Based on the current (already pretty watertight) rumors, we show the six most important strengths of the S24 Ultra.

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1. Artificial intelligence for everyday life

With the S24, Samsung is making artificial intelligence (AI) the center of a new generation of smartphones. With the one from Samsung already officially announced Live translation will even be usable for telephone calls and will apparently even enable live translation in at least the most important languages. All S24 variants have this strength, but the Ultra has a little more performance under the hood for AI applications thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor (see point 3).

2. More flexible telephoto shooting

The combination of two telephoto lenses and 200 megapixel main camera made zooming with the predecessor S23 Ultra very powerful. The triple optical telephoto and the tenx optical telephoto together covered an enormous zoom range and the 200 MP sensor had more than sufficient sharpness reserves for double zooming. But there was a larger gap between the two zoom lenses. When zoomed between magnification factors between 4 and 9, the 10 MP sensor of the smaller telephoto no longer offered sharp images. With the S24 Ultra, Samsung is reportedly adapting the telephoto pair better to the requirements of everyday life. The second telephoto intervenes at zoom factor 5 (with 5x optical magnification), and a 50 MP sensor should ensure sufficient sharpness, even at 10x zoom. This means that the image quality remains consistently high over a larger zoom range. The only weak point: the smaller telephoto unfortunately remains at only 10 MP, so the quality of photos with 4x zoom will not change much. The main camera will probably stay at 200 MP, but will supposedly spit out standard photos in 24 MP instead of 12 MP – if that’s true, Samsung learned this trick from Apple. According to rumors, a new sensor will also be installed that can absorb more light thanks to larger sensor pixels. The camera of the basic models S24 and S24 Plus is much simpler, only has a telephoto and no 200 MP main camera.

3. New super processor only on the S24 Ultra

The S24 series comes with new processors. But the S24 Ultra will probably be the only model that will benefit from the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. It has what it takes to be the fastest processor in the Android world and, in addition to a slightly faster CPU (only clocked higher for Samsung), offers stronger graphics, for example for games and, above all, a much stronger neural processor unit (NPU), so that AI Applications run directly on the device even without the cloud. Let’s hope that Samsung gives the S24 Ultra an improved cooling system, like we saw with the Fold 5. The basic models S24 and S24 Plus also get a new processor, but “only” the Exynos 2400 directly from Samsung. In some details the Exynos is behind the Snapdragon, but the general level is probably similar.

4. OLED display – brighter than Apple!

The S24 Ultra is rumored to have a display with a brightness of up to 2,600 nits. This is a huge leap compared to the already good 1,750 nits of the predecessor, and therefore overtakes it Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max (almost 2,100 nits or candelas per square meter).

5. Wifi 7: More speed, less disruption

2024 will be WiFi 7 is picking up speed – also because Germany’s most important router manufacturer AVM is finally bringing new FritzBox models with Wifi 7 onto the market. Wifi 7 offers more robustness and speed, especially in congested metropolitan areas. Since Wifi 7 is integrated directly into the new Snapdragon processor, the base models could remain with Wifi 6E.

6. New design with titanium power

Model Apple: Like the iPhone 15 Pro models, the S24 Ultra comes with a frame made of titanium alloy. Basically, titanium as a metal is lighter than steel but stronger than aluminum. However, the test of the iPhone 15 Pro showed that titanium does not work wonders when it comes to robustness and scratch resistance – but the price could be slightly higher than its predecessor at 1,469 euros for the 256 GB version (smallest storage size). But titanium looks and feels great and will probably also come with a matt surface that is easier to grip. The new design also has measurable advantages: the display frame should be slightly narrower. And S-Pen users will be pleased that the display is no longer so rounded at the edges. This leaves more space for drawing and writing.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: An assessment

Faster, better camera, new WiFi – the S24 Ultra could actually top last year’s high-flyer. But if the new Samsung really wants to overtake its predecessor, it also has to score points in terms of battery, charging speed and the standardized camera tests (including the 4x zoom level, which is unfortunate for the S24 Ultra). However, the charging speed is likely to remain low and there can always be surprises, especially when it comes to the battery.


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Deal : New Panasonic televisions 2024: The first OLED Fire TVs are coming with the Z95 and Z93


The convenience of Alexa and Fire TVs on the one hand and the best picture quality on the other have not yet been available together. The new Panasonic OLED TVs Z95 and Z93 change that!

2023 brought Panasonic with the MX800E launched its first TV with Fire OS. This meant that the television had the same smart features and functions as Amazon Fire TV sticks and also the voice assistant Alexa on board. Now the manufacturer is taking the next step: the majority of the upcoming new televisions will also work with Fire OS, including the new top models Panasonic Z95 & Z93. SamaGame has the first information.

Fire OS fulfills all streaming wishes

The footsteps are big. The previous flagship, the Panasonic MZW2004, is one of the best televisions ever with a test rating of 1.4. This is due to the outstanding image quality with perfect contrast, outstanding brilliance and natural color coordination as well as the excellent sound with thrilling surround sound. Restrictions on streaming prevented an even better rating in the test. The most important offers like Media libraries, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix can be used with on-board resources, but there are gaps beyond that. For example, with newer streaming offers such as Paramount+, music or cloud gaming. With the Fire OS operating system, these restrictions do not exist. This is so widespread that no provider can afford not to offer an app for it. With the Panasonic Z95 and Z93, Alexa can not only be reached via the microphone in the remote control when the Alexa button is pressed, but as with the Echo speakers also freehand. For this purpose, the televisions are equipped with special far-field microphones, which are visible when looking at the television sets from above.

Picture and sound in a class of its own

However, little has changed in terms of the technology for image and sound; after all, the predecessor was already at the limits of what was technically possible. The Z95 and Z93 use OLED screens with microlenses (MLA, Micro Lens Array), which enable brighter images with the same power consumption and also improve viewing angle stability. In the new models, the refresh rate no longer just reaches 120 Hertz, but up to 144 Hertz – important for ambitious gamers. Of the four HDMI inputs, however, only two can achieve the higher frame rates HDMI 2.1. For good sound, Panasonic is equipping the Z95 and Z93 with one again Sound bar at the bottom of the screen, supplemented by a whole battery of speakers in the back: In addition to two bass speakers, there are two surround sound speakers facing the sides and two upward-facing surround sound speakers. This equipment already caused a sensation with the predecessor MZW2004.

Panasonic Z95 & Z93: Prices and availability

The Panasonic Z95 should have screen sizes 55 inches and 65 inches (140 and 164 centimeters), the Z93 in 77 inches (195 centimeters). The manufacturer has so far not mentioned any other differences or prices. The market launch is expected around the middle of the year.

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Deal : Swarovski AX Visio: AI-supported binoculars recognize bird species


Ornithologists, pay attention: with the AX Visio you won’t miss out on a feathered friend. Bird watching 2.0 should work with the Swarovski AX Visio.

Anyone who likes to roam through forests and meadows to indulge in ornithology will soon no longer have to carry a heavy encyclopedia with them to classify the specimens. Well, hand on heart: most people are probably already working with appropriate apps. Nevertheless, this requires a certain amount of personal effort – birdwatchers have to recognize the animal and usually locate it themselves in the app. In the future, artificial intelligence (AI), such as the sports optics manufacturer Swarovski Optik as part of the CES 2024 (Consumer Electronics Show from January 9th to 12th, 2024 in Las Vegas, USA).

Binoculars with artificial intelligence

Swarovkski Optik relies on the binoculars AX Vision on AI. What does that mean specifically? According to the manufacturer, you get help identifying birds and other animals at the touch of a button. Do you even need that? Andreas Gerk, Head of Technology and Operations at Swarovski Optik, emphasizes in one Press release: “The added value of AX Visio for users is a real observation experience that is enriched by digitally imported information.”

Discover and observe thousands of animals

Like the news website Heise Reportedly, the device identifies 8,000 species of birds, around 300 mammals and a wide variety of butterflies. With the “Share discovery” function you can also show the person next to you what you have found. You mark the animal you are observing and the AX Visio leads you to the discovery thanks to red arrow markings in the display. The lenses of the AX Visio focus from 3 meters and compensate for -7 to +5 diopters of poor vision.

Take and share photos and videos

Yes, creating photos and videos also works. The right outdoor app helps you manage the files. The “Live View” function even makes it possible to share observations live. To do this, simply connect the AX Visio to your smartphone. The camera resolution is 13 megapixels, videos are in Full HD. The battery capacity of the AX Visio is 3,000 milliamp hours (mAh) and should provide an operating time of 15 hours.

Regular updates for new features

What about new functionality and longevity? Andreas Gerk says: “The analog components of the device, such as the optics and housing, meet our long-lasting Swarovski Optik quality standards. The performance of the digital features is brought up to date or improved through regular system and function updates. Creative third-party providers have an open programming interface and third parties have the opportunity to expand AX Visio with new functionalities.” According to the manufacturer, the binoculars weigh around 1,090 grams. The AX Visio will be available from February 2024 for 4,600 euros.


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Deal : New Samsung TVs 2024: Are micro-LED TVs finally starting?


Samsung is launching televisions with four different screen technologies this year. SamaGame is already revealing the most interesting models.

Table of contents

  • Samsung DU7179, DU8079 & DU9079: Crystal UHD up to 98 inches
  • Q60D to QN95D: QLED with a new highlight
  • Neo-QLED 8K: Because they can

  • S90D and S95D: OLED TVs have better anti-reflective properties

  • More economical despite a brighter image
  • Lifestyle TVs & projectors: Beautiful television
  • Micro-LED comes from 76 inches

  • Samsung TVs 2024: prices and availability

Samsung probably offers the largest selection of all TV manufacturers televisions. In the current model year 2024, this will increase again: whether different sizes – from compact to huge -, different price ranges – from cheap to unaffordable – or different Screen techniques: Samsung occupies every market segment – ​​and always invents a new one. SamaGame has the first new ones Samsung TVs Already seen in 2024 and provides an initial overview.

Samsung DU7179, DU8079 & DU9079: Crystal UHD up to 98 inches

With his cheap televisions The manufacturer is expanding the selection: Instead of two model series, there will be three in the 2024 model year. Samsung is talking about “Crystal UHD” screens, which means proven LCD technology with a refresh rate of 50 to 60 Hertz. The model series is the starting point DU7179 as a successor to the popular Samsung CU7179 (Test grade 2.4). They should be available in a number of sizes from 43 inches and around 400 euros, even with a gigantic 75 inches, market prices can be expected for under 1,000 euros. On the slightly more colorful ones CU8079 (test grade 2.2) follows DU8079, the prices will hardly be higher than those of the 7 Series. If the screen isn’t big enough for you, get this DU9079-Models even with up to 98 inches – that corresponds to a screen diagonal of 2.48 meters! This size was previously only available in higher-quality series at corresponding prices, while the GU98DU9079 probably remains under 3,000 euros. The new Samsung televisions are similar to their predecessors in terms of equipment, so there are plenty of streaming options on board again – with all the popular film and series providers – plus AirPlay and cloud gaming like Nvidia GeForce Now in 4K. There are also three HDMI ports and one to two USB sockets.

Q60D to QN95D: QLED with a new highlight

With its higher-end televisions, Samsung has made the so-called quantum dots popular – or at least established the letter Q in the television world. The QLED televisions are LCD TVs that can display stronger and more natural colors using color-enhancing nanoparticles. The cheapest upcoming model series is called Q60D. This is more interesting Q70Das successor to the Q70C (Test grade 1.8) – because the screens run at twice the frequency for what is expected to be a moderate surcharge, instead of 50 to 60 it is 100 to 120 Hertz. Matching this is four times from here HDMI 2.1 on board.
From the Q80D Slightly brighter and higher-contrast images can be expected, but at this point it might be worth jumping to the next better model: While until then all LCD and QLED models from Samsung use conventional LEDs as light sources for the screens, from now on QN80D so-called mini LEDs. With their smaller design, they can be arranged much closer behind the screen. The televisions also control their brightness to match the image content and dim them behind dark areas. Mini LED TVs – or Samsung Neo QLED TVs (hence QN in the type designation) – can display deeper blacks and higher contrasts. Thanks to the cost-effective zigzag structure of the mini LED matrix, the QN80D This technology will be cheaper than previously available and therefore represent a cheaper OLED alternative. Maybe it only comes in one or two sizes while Samsung has the one above that QN85D probably like its predecessor QN85C (test rating 1.4) in three image sizes: 55, 65 and 75 inches.
The top model of LCD or Neo-QLED TVs will be the QN90Dwhich in turn follows its predecessor Samsung QN90C (test score 1.3) is very similar. It should again be available from 43 to 98 inches, with improved image processing with reduced noise and smoother gradients being very promising for the largest models. The sister model QN95D According to reports, the differences are only cosmetic.

Neo-QLED 8K: Because they can

Samsung is expected to be the only major manufacturer to release new 8K televisions in 2024. Although new is relative: the QN700D, QN800D and QN900D model series are likely to be very similar to their predecessors with a C at the end. Samsung promises optimized scaling and image processing, the 700 is again content with 60 Hertz. And it’s clear: the price and power consumption are significantly higher than with otherwise comparable Neo-QLED models with UHD resolution, while the finer image structures and lower interference, for example on moving diagonal edges, can only be seen from very short distances. However, if you sit 2 meters in front of an 85-inch TV, you will find real dream televisions. The new 8K televisions are expected to be available again in three sizes: 65, 75 and 85 inches.

S90D and S95D: OLED TVs have better anti-reflective properties

Samsung landed a real surprise in 2022 with its OLED televisions. This type of screen achieves perfect contrast thanks to self-illuminating pixels; brilliant highlights can be surrounded by deep black within an image. Samsung also uses quantum dots here, which act as so-called color converters and replace light-absorbing color filters. These QD-OLED screens achieve extremely brilliant image quality with comparatively low power consumption. The Samsung S90D This technology will differ little from its predecessor S90C differ (test grade 1.3), what is particularly noticeable externally is the smaller base. The S95D should be all the more interesting: there are the same as the predecessor S95C (Test grade 1.1) the connections are relocated to the external One-Connect box. Only a single, inconspicuous cable for power as well as image and sound signals leads to the screen – this saves a lot of stress with tangled cables, especially when mounted on the wall. Improved anti-reflective coating is also used. It is based on the same technology as “The Frame” (see below), but Samsung adapted it to OLED technology with its darker black. The first impression: breathtaking.

More economical despite a brighter image

A new, energy-saving picture mode on Samsung televisions 2024 is noteworthy: “Ai Energy Mode” promises energy savings in the double-digit percentage range while still providing a brighter picture impression. Cleverly controlled panel illumination (backlight) is intended to make this apparent contradiction possible. In addition, Samsung is continuing its efforts to reduce resource consumption. The television back panels are made of recycled plastic, and reused aluminum is used inside. The housing material of the remote controls also has a past life, and thanks to the built-in solar cells with supercaps as power storage, they do not require changing batteries. In addition, networking and smart automation should help save electricity, with the television taking center stage as a display for solar systems and the domestic energy flow.

Lifestyle TVs & projectors: Beautiful television

Samsung calls televisions that look particularly good without a TV program running as lifestyle TVs. The most famous model is “The Frame“. It looks like a picture frame and has special playback modes for photos and paintings, so that art or family photos can be seen instead of a black surface during TV breaks. Because the screen only lights up slightly in Art mode, power consumption is kept to a minimum .The new generation of The Frame also reduces the refresh rate to reduce energy consumption by a further 10 percent, according to Samsung. The television characteristics are comparable to those of the Q70D. The second lifestyle television is the model Serif with technology very similar to that offered by the Q60D. With its slim tubular steel feet, it is a free-standing piece of furniture. You can also find very uncomplicated ones in the lifestyle department projector. “The Freestyle” is designed for mobile and spontaneous use at football evenings, for group gaming sessions or children’s birthday parties and has the same streaming capabilities as Samsung Smart TVs. “The Premiere” is a real television replacement for film lovers with built-in TV receivers and high-quality speakers. The new models The Premiere 9 and The Premiere 7 promise sharp and bright images with UHD resolution and 3,200 or 2,400 lumens, and they can also be used as full-fledged WiFi speakers. Added The Premiere 5 with similarly uncomplicated handling as The Freestyle, but for placement directly in front of the projection screen.

Micro-LED comes from 76 inches

The experts are awaiting this with great excitement Samsung Micro LED TVs. Just like OLED TVs, they have self-illuminating pixels, but use conventional semiconductor LEDs instead of organic plastic LEDs. The advantage: unexpectedly bright and colorful images. The disadvantage: The crystalline LEDs cannot be made as small as OLEDs, so micro-LED TVs are at least 76 inches tall, and they should also be available in 89, 101 and 114 inches (1.90 to 2.90 meters!) . But this is another step in the right direction; this technology was originally used in much larger advertising displays and stadium screens. Thanks to improved manufacturing processes and cost-saving modular construction, micro-LED televisions are expected to reach larger quantities in 2024. Each module has a screen diagonal of around 32 centimeters, and depending on the desired TV size, 36 to 100 of these micro-LED tiles are used. While visible seams between the tiles were annoying in earlier demonstration models, they are hardly noticeable in the new generation. However, they remain an expensive pleasure and only start in the high five-figure range.

Samsung TVs 2024: prices and availability

The new Samsung televisions should be available in stores from March 2024; depending on the model series and screen size, the market launch could take until the second half of the year. The South Korean company has not yet given recommended prices; they are probably at the same level as the corresponding ones Samsung TV 2023. And yes, micro-LED TVs will actually exist, but they will remain unaffordable.

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Deal : Unistellar introduces the Odyssey smart space telescope


With smart telescopes from Unistellar, even laypeople can quickly achieve success in space observation. With the Unistellar Odyssey, a particularly versatile model is now appearing.

Planets, stars and galaxies: countless celestial bodies in space are waiting to be observed. However, this is not exactly easy for laypeople, as observing with conventional telescopes often requires prior knowledge and practice. It should be easier with automatic telescopes, such as those offered by Unistellar with the eVscope 2 and eQuinox 2. This means that even complete astronomy beginners can quickly achieve success – thanks to a smart app and automatic alignment. At CES 2024 (January 9th to 12th in Las Vegas, USA), the French manufacturer is now presenting the Unistellar Odyssey, a new flagship model that promises even greater convenience.

Reflector telescope without tricky adjustment

The new Unistellar Odyssey differs externally from its two previous models. Because with a weight of 4 kilograms and dimensions of around 43x20x13 centimeters, it is only half as heavy and only half as big as the eVscope 2 and eQuinox 2. Unistellar also wants to have improved the interior. The Unistellar Odyssey is said to be the first reflecting telescope that does not require regular manual readjustment of its mirrors. According to Unistellar, this is made possible by special optics developed in cooperation with Nikon, the Nikon High Precision Optics. Another advantage of the new Odyssey automatic telescope: Thanks to a new multi-depth technology and automatic focus, the Odyssey is intended to provide detailed images when observing nearby planets as well as distant galaxies and up to 150 million stars are visible make. This means that detailed images of Jupiter’s large red spot can be taken without changing the set-up, but the spiral arms of the vortex galaxy, 23 million light-years away, can also be observed. Thanks to a smart app, the celestial body to be discovered should always be just a few clicks away.

Into space via app

Because the free Unistellar app is the control center of the smart Unistellar telescopes. Users connect their smartphone or tablet to the Odyssey via a WiFi signal and activate the automatic alignment. Afterwards, countless celestial objects can be selected from a catalog and automatically controlled and focused by the telescope. The Unistellar star hunter determines where to point its lens based on the user’s GPS position and the current time. Using the app, users also observe the telescope’s current camera image and, if desired, take pictures of the observed celestial object and save them on the telescope’s device memory. The application also provides more detailed information about planets, stars and galaxies and suggests celestial objects to observe.

Price and availability

The Unistellar Odyssey is now available at a price of 2,499 euros. The smart space telescope is also available in a Pro version for 3,999 euros, which has an electronic eyepiece from Nikon. Stars and galaxies can therefore be observed not only via the tablet or smartphone, but also directly on the telescope. The Odyssey Pro will also soon be available in an eye-catching “Red Edition”. Its price is 4,499 euros.

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Deal : New LG TVs 2024 at a glance: More brilliant OLED TVs, larger LCDs, longer updates


What can the new OLED televisions and LCD TVs from LG do? The large overview from SamaGame reveals numbers, data and facts about OLED G4, C4 & Co.

Table of contents

  • LG OLED B4: Affordable entry-level from 48 to 77 inches
  • LG OLED C4: OLED evo for more brilliant images
  • LG OLED G4: Best picture with light booster

  • LG OLED M4: Eye-catcher with almost no cable

  • LG OLED Z3: Not a new 8K TV
  • Larger LCD TVs with QNED and Mini-LED
  • webOS with Chromecast & longer updates

  • LG TVs 2024: prices and availability

The manufacturer LG has achieved a leading market position with its OLED televisions over the last ten years. The wide model range includes one of the cheapest OLED TVs as well as one of the Top 5 TVs at all. This makes us curious about new devices: Can LG improve the image quality even further? Which model series and sizes are available? Do they offer useful new features? SamaGame has initial information about the new televisions and gives a large overview. Included are new LCD TVs. They offer the same smart features as the OLED TVs at cheaper entry-level prices and attract customers in the upper class with QLED and mini-LED technology in gigantic picture sizes.

LG OLED B4: Affordable entry-level from 48 to 77 inches

The cheapest OLED TVs will be the LG OLED B4 in the 2024 model year. Technically it is the same as its predecessor OLED B3 similar and already show all the advantages of OLED technology: perfect contrast, natural and clear colors with high viewing angle stability and clear representation of fast movements. The screens double the frame rate 100 Hertz, depending on the video source it is also 96 or 120 Hertz. This means that gamers get their money’s worth even with the cheapest model. Very good when you have several consoles and a gaming PC at the same time: With the OLED B4, all four HDMI inputs now process the 4K resolution with up to 120 Hertz including variable frame rates (HDMI 2.1 including Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium), so far only two inputs were able to do this on the cheaper models. Also new: While the B3 is only available from 55 inches upwards, LG offers the B4 from 48 inches with a diagonal of 121 centimeters. As before, 55, 65 and 77 inches are available, i.e. 140, 164 and 195 centimeter screen diagonals.

LG OLED C4: OLED evo for more brilliant images

The OLED C4 model series follows in the footsteps of the extremely successful OLED C3. Here LG uses a more powerful screen variant, LG calls it “OLED evo”. This allows a higher maximum brightness, especially in highlights. Films, series and video games with HDR (High Dynamic Range, larger dynamic range with more colors and contrast) benefit from this. With the C4, even the smallest versions of 42 and 48 inches (107 and 121 centimeters) now have the Evo screens. Compared to the B4, the C4 has a more powerful main processor. It not only promises a higher working speed and image processing that is refined in detail. It also enables new multi-view display with two contents at the same time and the playback of the UHD resolution with up to 144 Hertz – if a correspondingly powerful one Gaming PC is ready. LG offers the OLED C4 in six sizes: 42, 48, 55, 65, 77 and 83 inches. You won’t find such a wide selection of 107 to 210 centimeters on any other OLED television.

LG OLED G4: Best picture with light booster

The new top model will be the LG OLED G4 in the so-called gallery design. The entire television is just about the thickness of your thumb and can hang seamlessly on the wall thanks to the integrated bracket. The predecessor OLED G3 achieved the best test rating of all televisions to date at SamaGame. For the first time, an OLED screen with microlenses was used, which reduces scattering losses within the panel. The result: brighter images with the same energy requirement and an even larger viewing angle. The sister company LG Display speaks of OLED Meta for its top panels, while other TV manufacturers use the technical abbreviation MLA for this Mmicrolens Array, on the LG televisions the technology package consisting of Evo screen, microlenses and optimized control is called OLED Evo with Brightness Booster Max. With the new G4, LG promises an even higher maximum brightness, although this is limited to small highlights and only in a direct comparison should be visible. The same applies to higher color saturation and therefore less fading colors at highest brightness. The improved signal processing is also intended to reduce unsightly steps in color and brightness gradients (banding), which are often already present in the video material and become more noticeable as the image size and dynamics increase. The new Alpha 11 processor is responsible for this with four times higher performance and – of course – artificial intelligence. It also achieves feats such as displaying four video images at the same time. This is most worthwhile for the largest model. It measures 83 inches and is now also equipped with top screen technology; the G3 was only available up to 77 inches. In addition to these two XXL formats, 55 and 65 inches are also available.

LG OLED M4: Eye-catcher with almost no cable

The technology of the top model is also available in a wireless version: The LG OLED M4 only has a power cable and no other connections. They are in the separate zero-connect box, which can disappear on the shelf or in the cupboard along with the usual tangled cables. The latter shouldn’t just be made of metal, because the signal transmission between the connection box and the screen takes place via radio. Thanks to directed waves and high bandwidth, the full UHD resolution can be transmitted at up to 144 Hertz without loss and without noticeable delay (latency), according to the manufacturer. Like its predecessor M3, the OLED M4 is available in large formats of 97, 83 and 77 inches, and 65 inches are now also available. However, the fun will remain expensive; no cables will probably require at least 3,000 euros extra compared to the G4.

LG OLED Z3: Not a new 8K TV

8K TVs will remain a niche product in 2024. The advantages of the more homogeneous and finer images that can already be seen with good HD playback do not outweigh the disadvantages of the significantly higher prices and electricity costs. Therefore the 2023 model remains LG OLED Z3 without a successor in the program. This is still an excellent television (test rating 1.2), especially when it comes to the largest possible images from a very short distance, for example for presentations of videos and photos. Accordingly, LG only offers its 8K OLED TVs in impressive sizes: with 77 inches and 195 centimeters and with 88 inches and 223 centimeters screen size. The latter is only intended to be placed on the floor; a stylish aluminum frame is an integral part of the noble television. The prices are no less impressive: the LG OLED77Z3 currently costs from 11,000 euros, the OLED88Z3 even costs 25,000 euros.

Larger LCD TVs with QNED and Mini-LED

Cheaper TVs There are interesting variants of LCD technology from LG: so-called quantum dots are used for stronger colors. Other manufacturers talk about this technology QLED TVs, LG combines this with nanocell color filters and accordingly created the abbreviation QNED-TVs. The color rendering of previous models was actually close to that of the OLED TVs approach. The LG QNED80T model series with a super-thin design and flexibly mountable feet is planned as an entry into sophisticated LCD technology. It comes onto the market in six sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, 75 and 86 inches (109 to 218 centimeters). The QNED85T has a doubled refresh rate of up to 120Hz and is therefore the better choice for sports fans and gamers. In addition, the same Alpha 8 processor is included here as in the cheapest OLED TV. Here, too, there are six sizes to choose from, although they are moved up one size from 50 to a gigantic 98 inches (248 centimeters). The LCD flagship will be the QN90T with so-called Mini LED screen. The LEDs installed in each LCD screen for illumination are particularly small, so that the television can adapt their brightness very precisely to the respective image areas. The backlight LEDs only shine at full brightness where the image actually requires it. The television dims them behind dark areas (“local dimming”) in order to improve the black display and thus the contrast. The QNED90T will be available in three popular sizes: 65, 75 and 86 inches.

webOS with Chromecast and longer updates

As operating system for his Smart TVs LG uses its own webOS. Just like Android TV, there are apps from all relevant streaming providers from Amazon Prime Video to Apple TV, Disney, and Netflix to Paramount and WOW. Your personal favorite apps can be clearly arranged in a row on the start screen, and application-specific folders (Quick Cards) for sports, music or gaming, for example, provide a clearer overview. What is new is the so-called mouse-over function: If the mouse pointer moves over one of the quick cards, suggestions with suitable content and functions automatically pop up to make the decision easier and faster. As is typical for LG, the “Magic Remote”, a remote control with a motion sensor, is used to control the mouse pointer. Voice control is also possible; after a short press on the microphone button, the television can guess what the question is and make appropriate suggestions. In order to display photos and videos from Apple mobile devices, AirPlay has long been part of the equipment on LG televisions, but now Chromecast has been added: Videos can be searched for in compatible apps on Android or Apple cell phones and sent to them at the start TV hand over. Miracast is on board for wireless connection to PCs. There is also good news on the subject of updates: LG has so far guaranteed bug fixes and security updates for seven to eight years after market launch. However, new operating system versions with expanded functionality were only ever available with new TV models. That should now change, the LG televisions 2024 should be able to be updated to the latest webOS versions for the next 5 years. The only exceptions are functions that require new hardware.

LG TVs 2024: prices and availability

The new LG televisions are expected to go on sale in March 2024. The exact dates vary depending on the model series and screen size. LG has not yet given any recommended prices; the prices of the previous models at the start of sales can serve as a rough guide. You can find an overview of LG televisions already tested by SamaGame here:
» LG television 2023 in the test


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Deal : Teufel Ultima 25 Active in the test: These stereo speakers are unique


The new Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv offer unique features at an amazingly affordable price. SamaGame tested the stereo speakers – do they sound good?

Table of contents

  • Teufel Ultima 25 Active with HDMI, radio & Bluetooth
  • Versatile and expandable
  • Simply swipe over the box

  • Teufel Ultima 25 Active in the sound test

  • Four sound modes plus dynamores
  • Test conclusion Teufel Ultima 25 Active

With the new Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv, the manufacturer from Berlin is bringing real universal talents onto the market. This equipment and playback options may even be unique; the stereo speakers play music from all conceivable sources, reproduce television sound and even receive it radio. And the whole thing is available for a decent price Sound bar. With so many talents at an affordable price, the only question that remains is whether the Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv do their job well. The detailed test from SamaGame provides the answer.

Teufel Ultima 25 Active with HDMI, radio & Bluetooth

What at first glance seems like a completely normal couple Stereo speakers looks like, turns out to be much more at second glance. At 37 centimeters high and 22 centimeters wide, the Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv are not particularly compact, but with a depth of 25 centimeters they fit on any standard shelf, or better yet, on sideboards. The black plastic surface looks practical; the Ultima 25 Aktiv is also available in white. A small display at the bottom of one of the two speakers as well as buttons to the right and left of it suggest that the speakers are not entirely ordinary. The back confirms this with numerous connections:

  • Aux In: In principle, anything that has an analog stereo output can be connected to the stereo input in the form of two RCA sockets, from a CD player to a mixer.
  • Optical In: The optical digital input is suitable, for example, for streaming players or for old TV sets without HDMI.
  • HDMI: Most people have digital AV connections TV the appropriate output (HDMI ARC). Advantage over the optical connection: Here the volume can be adjusted using the TV remote control.
  • USB: The USB-C port is intended for computers; the Teufel Ultima 25 Active can then be selected as an external audio device under Windows. The input digests a maximum of 16 bits and 48 kHz, the playback software usually adjusts to this automatically. The speakers didn’t work on the Mac at the time of testing.
  • DAB+/FM: A receiver for digital radio (DAB+) and VHF (FM) is built into the box. Reception works in many places with the included antenna wire; alternatively, an indoor or outdoor antenna can be connected.
  • Bluetooth: Smartphones and tablets can contribute their audio program via the radio interface. The aptX and AAC sound formats minimize radio-related sound losses.

Two connection terminals establish the connection to the second box, which has no other connections apart from a corresponding pair of terminals. Teufel supplies a 3 meter long cable; if necessary, a shorter or longer, commercially available loudspeaker cable can be used. Which box is on the right and which on the left can be selected in the settings menu.

Versatile and expandable

The settings menu of the Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv also offers a number of useful options: The sound can be adjusted in bass and treble, and the radio station search is also carried out there. For optimal interaction with televisions The sound delay can be adjusted to match the image so that lip movements can actually be seen in sync with the speech. There are also expansion options in the menu: The speakers can be paired with Teufel subwoofers (from 300 euros) and also with the Teufel Effect 2 surround speakers (400 euros per pair). The most common surround methods are available with Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic.

Simply swipe over the box

There are buttons on the included remote control for important settings such as display brightness and sound. It serves its purpose, but it is rarely necessary in everyday use – because music selection and volume adjustment are done on the player, be it the television, smartphone or PC. In addition, there is a painted line on the left Teufel box with touch sensors underneath. You can quickly change the music title or station with a tap of your finger and adjust the volume up or down with a swipe of your finger.

Teufel Ultima 25 Active in the sound test

Teufel has provided the Ultima 25 Aktiv with comparatively large woofer speakers; hardly any competitor in this price range has a diameter of 16 centimeters. Together with the impressive dimensions, this results in a remarkable richness of sound – the speakers sound really big and stately. This can seem a bit full, especially near the wall, but reducing the bass by two levels tames the oomph. The sound always remains warm and pleasant, which is an advantage in modern living rooms with wooden floors instead of carpets, as well as for mediocrely produced music. The Ultima 25 Aktiv, which is designed in a similar way, is not a miracle of resolution Heco Aurora 200 P for example, more details can be heard.

Four sound modes plus dynamores

The Ultima 25 Active still makes the sound advantage of direct digital playback of uncompressed music via USB-C easily audible. Because you rarely hear it so crisp and clean in this price range. In Film mode there is some extra boost in the low bass range as well as slightly shinier highs, although this sounds a bit cool. The “Speech” mode puts dialogues in the foreground without imposing a distorted sound on them. This is even clearer with the “Dynamore Virtual Center” setting, which can sound exhausting. Night mode tames bass, dynamics and annoyances with the neighbors. If you want it to sound as good as possible, music mode is clearly the best choice – regardless of the sound source.

Test conclusion Teufel Ultima 25 Active

The Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv offers powerful and voluminous sound at a fair price and unique features on top of that. With the HDMI connection, the stereo speakers compete with soundbars, which, however, have no chance in terms of sound quality. The built-in radio is very welcome for everyday use, otherwise there are very good options for playing music with Bluetooth and USB. The operation via swipe and tap and the display with plain text are also unparalleled in this price range.

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Deal : Aldi Talk annual packages: Soon to be gone, grab it quickly!


The Aldi Talk annual packages attract attention with their attractive price-performance ratio. They can currently be booked again until December 31st. The details are here.

Table of contents

  • Aldi Talk annual packages: The tariff details
  • Aldi Talk annual packages: data volume, prices
  • Aldi Talk annual packages in price comparison

  • Assessment: Aldi Talk annual packages

Aldi Talk is once again offering its from November 16th to December 31st, 2023 Annual packages for booking. The most important innovations: In addition to 5G radio, there is more data volume in the three available packages. In one example, Aldi Talk has increased the price, otherwise the following applies: With an Aldi Talk annual package you get different data volumes as well as an all-network and SMS flat rate at a one-off price for a period of 365 days.

Aldi Talk annual packages: The tariff details

The newly launched Aldi Talk annual tariffs build on the attractive price-performance ratio of previous offers without completely reinventing the offer. As before, there are three packages to choose from: XS, S and L with now 20 instead of 15 gigabytes (GB), 80 instead of 60 GB and 160 instead of 120 GB of data volume. All come with an all-net flat rate for all German networks, EU roaming and unlimited SMS sending. The Aldi talk-Annual packages rely on O2’s 5G network for the first time with download speeds of up to 50 megabits per second (Mbps). The upload speed is 25 Mbps. The data volume is fully available from the start and can be freely divided over the term. If it is used up beforehand, it continues at a snail’s pace. However, fresh data volume can be activated using a surf ticket. The prices remain largely stable, only the smallest package is 10 euros more expensive: the XS package now costs 69.99 instead of 59.99 euros, and the S package still costs 99.99 euros. The annual package L costs 149 euros again.
Tip: During the promotional period, the “Annual Package Bonus” is available to you once in the Aldi Talk app under “Options”. It increases the data volume free of charge. How many gigabytes is shown in the overview.

Aldi Talk annual packages: data volume, prices

  • Annual package XS: 20GB + 5GB Bonus | Allnet/SMS flat rate | 69.99 euros
  • Annual package S: 80GB + 30GB Bonus | Allnet/SMS flat rate | 99.99 euros
  • Annual package L: 160GB + 40GB Bonus | Allnet/SMS flat rate | 149 euros

Aldi Talk annual packages in price comparison

The three Aldi Talk annual packages only differ in terms of data volume and price (all-net flat rate and unlimited SMS are always included). SamaGame has calculated how much you spend on a monthly basis and what you get in return. With the XS annual package, you pay around 6 euros per month and essentially receive 1.66 gigabytes of data volume twelve times. Other providers (such as Sim.de and simplytel) often offer 5 GB of data volume and an all-net flat rate for the same price. For the annual package S, the average monthly price is around 8 euros for 6.66 GB of data volume per month. Compared to the network operator tariffs, Aldi Talk is still cheaper here, but brands like BlackSIM or WinSIM undercut the Aldi Talk offer. The L package provides users with an average of 13.3 GB per month for around 12 euros; Here, too, you can sometimes get similar or better deals at Sim.de, WinSIM & Co. Aldi Talk’s unique selling point, which the mentioned competitors lack: the 5G standard. As an Aldi Talk app user, you can improve the price-performance ratio even further by unlocking additional data volume for free.

Assessment: Aldi Talk annual packages

Until now, the Aldi Talk annual packages were considered to be cheap and solid cell phone tariffs for everyone who would describe themselves as light or normal users. The data volume was too little for power users and the surfing speed was too slow. The classification remains unchanged, although the adjustments such as 5G and more data volume are definitely commendable. However, the competition doesn’t sleep: Telekom has an annual tariff with unthrottled 5G support for around 100 euros, i.e. a really fast tariff in the good D1 network. O2 offers a similar offer to Aldi Talk with the XS package – a little more expensive, but with Turbo LTE. And if you can do without the convenient annual tariff concept with a one-off payment, you will receive comparable or sometimes even better tariff services from Drillisch (Sim.de, WinSIM & Co.).


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Deal : Medion P66538 (MD44538) in the test: The boombox from Aldi is great for the money!


Aldi has a cult boombox on offer: The Medion MD44538 has a ghetto blaster design that looks like something from the 80s, but makes similarly expensive Bluetooth boxes look pretty old.

Table of contents

  • Medion P66538: Boombox with CD, DAB and Bluetooth
  • Operation requires practice
  • This is what the Medion boombox sounds like

  • Test conclusion Medion Life P66538 (MD44538)

For children of the 80s, radio recorders were a dream, especially in XXL format – nicknamed “ghettoblaster”. The Medion Life P66538 (MD44538) brings the dream back to life. And better yet: The boombox contains an FM radio and cassette recorder, but it also takes you straight back to the future with modern equipment. This practical test clarifies what the versatile Henkelmann can do.

Medion P66538: Boombox with CD, DAB and Bluetooth

With a width of 67 centimeters, the Medion P66538 (MD44538) makes a powerful impression, and the fold-out handle seems appropriately stable for its 6.1 kilograms weight. The angular silver design harks back to the 80s, even though many of the boombox’s functions didn’t exist back then:

  • Cassette recorder: This is part of the mandatory equipment, it offers a playback option for the millions of compact cassettes that still exist and for the few new releases. Its cassette compartment opens very softly and very slowly, and it is also not the fastest when fast forwarding and rewinding.
  • CD player: Where many classic ghetto blasters had a second cassette compartment, the Medion P66538 has a CD player. The silver discs need to be carefully pressed onto the spindle. Very good: The player buffers about a minute of the music playing so that it runs smoothly even in the event of vibrations.
  • FM radio: The station is selected according to the old custom using a small rotary wheel; the set frequency can be roughly estimated with a wide pointer on the scale on the top edge. In the practical test, noise was often mixed into the reception; if necessary, you could switch to mono.
  • Digital radio: The boombox also receives via DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcast). In most regions there are significantly more channels to choose from via digital reception; in Hamburg, for example, there are over 40. Reception was trouble-free in the test. A small display at the top left shows the selected station name in plain text.
  • Bluetooth: The Medion P66538 (MD44538) also has a built-in Bluetooth receiver so that the sound can also be played from the smartphone – be it from Spotify, YouTube or any other app. The coupling was quick and easy in the practical test.
  • USB and microSD: The cool box also plays digital music in MP3 format from USB sticks and memory cards. The small display at the top left can help you select titles.
  • Microphones: Microphones can be connected to two jack sockets on the front for spontaneous singing or birthday greetings. Adjustable reverb spices up the voice if necessary. However, microphones are not included.

Operation requires practice

The program selection is done using two small slide switches. Anyone born in the 80s may need glasses for this. There are also tone controls for bass and treble as well as – somewhat hidden – an X-Bass button. This shows that the boombox is made up of very different assemblies without a common operating concept. But fortunately, if anything is unclear, a thick and understandable manual can help. Recordings are possible on cassettes and in MP3 format on USB and microSD cards, such as CDs and radios. If you want, you can even digitize recorded cassettes. The power is supplied via a power cable or with eight batteries or size D rechargeable batteries.

This is what the Medion boombox sounds like

The generous dimensions of the Medion Life P66538 (MD44538) benefit the sound quality: two large woofers are installed on the right and left, the rectangular panels above are not just decoration, there are actually two tweeters behind them. This gives the boombox a pretty crisp sound. The treble control can be set to three o’clock, otherwise the playback will seem a bit tired. The X-Bass button gives the low tones more pressure and has a better sound quality than the boombox. Against Bluetooth speakers The giant can easily hold its own in the price range between 150 and 200 euros, especially since the stereo imaging is decent due to its dimensions. When recording on cassette, deep bass suffers somewhat and the typical tape noise is mixed in. But you can easily transfer a new CD for the cassette radio in the old Opel.

Test conclusion Medion Life P66538 (MD44538)

Young people of the 80s would have given their last shirt for a boombox like this. The crisp sound is a pleasure to listen to; contemporary program sources are on board with radio and cassette. In addition, the Medion Life P66538 (MD44538) offers the latest equipment with Bluetooth, digital radio and CD. You have to get used to the operation, but the fun is definitely worth it. The retro boombox will be available in Aldi’s online shop from January 4, 2024. The price: 179 euros.

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Deal : Medion Akoya E15433 in the test: 15 inch model at Aldi for 499 euros!


From January 4, 2024, the well-equipped Medion Akoya E15433 will be available at Aldi for just 499 euros. Does the 15-inch notebook with Core i5 CPU impress in the test?

Table of contents

  • Medion Akoya E15433 in the test: Simple 15-inch model
  • Full HD screen
  • Good keyboard/touchpad combo

  • A look under the hood

  • Little breath
  • Card reader, HDMI, USB-C
  • Medion Akoya E15433 in the test: conclusion

At the beginning of 2024, the discounter Aldi will be introducing the Medion Akoya E15433 (MD64180) notebook in all of its branches nationwide. The price tag on January 4th reads a moderate 499 euros. What do customers get in return? Is it worth buying? SamaGame tested the Aldi notebook Medion Akoya E15433 (MD64180).

Medion Akoya E15433 in the test: Simple 15-inch model

There are no long arms when it comes to daily transport from A to B: the Aldi notebook, which is around 2 centimeters thin, weighs less than 2 kilograms – what a thing 15.6 inch notebook is little. There are hardly any visual accents: the Akoya E15433 is a simple representative of its genre.

Good: Manufacturer Medion has framed the display with beautifully narrow edges, which looks chic and modern. The Essen-based company had to make the display edge a little thicker in the top center to accommodate the webcam. The 1 megapixel lens is just a simple example, but is completely sufficient for video calls via Teams, Skype or Zoom.

Full HD screen

The screen is also completely sufficient – ​​at least for Internet and office applications. On its almost 40 centimeter screen diagonal, it shows websites, Word and Excel documents in Full HD with 1920×1080 pixels. But the display wasn’t completely convincing. It showed photos and videos with pale and distorted colors. The maximum brightness is a bit low at 310 candelas per square meter. On sunny days, users should therefore look for a shady spot when working outdoors.

Good keyboard/touchpad combo

The keyboard could offer a slightly more precise and harder touch. Nevertheless, texts were pleasant to type in the test. The distance between the keys is sufficiently large so that users do not accidentally press two keys at the same time. There is no lighting for working in darker environments. Good: There is a number pad for entering long Excel columns. The touchpad is also pleasing; it implements input quickly and precisely. The only drawback: mouse clicks are not possible at the top.

A look under the hood

However, users don’t have to worry about long waiting times: in the speed tests, the Medion proved to be a fast notebook! No wonder: the mid-range processor Core i5-1235U from Intel serves as the engine.Alder Lake“series. It’s not the latest model (market launch: early 2022), but it’s still a powerful CPU. And the ten-core processor can transfer data to a comparatively generous 16 gigabytes of RAM.

Windows 11, programs and data are on one M.2 SSD with an effective 477 gigabytes of memory deposited. Is that not enough? An additional SSD cannot be retrofitted, but users can at least exchange the existing one for one with more memory – 2 terabyte models are available from 100 euros. The RAM can also be upgraded if necessary – to a maximum of 64 gigabytes (150 euros).

Test results Medion Akoya E15433 (MD64180)

Test results Medion Akoya E15433 (MD64180)

Test results

Medion Akoya E15433 (MD64180)

processor

 Intel Core i5-1235U

graphics chip

 Intel UHD Graphics Xe

display

 15.6 inches (1920×1080 pixels)

How fast is the notebook?

Speed ​​with Office

 high (53%)

Video editing speed

 high (35.9%)

Speed ​​in games (1920×1080 pixels)

 very jerky (17 frames per second)

Speed ​​in games (3840×2160 pixels)

 not playable

SSD speed

 slow (11.7%)

USB speed (on notebook SSD)

 230 MB/sec.

USB speed (on external hard drive)

 280 MB/sec.

How good is the image quality?

Color fidelity

 very low (87.4%)

Deviations in grayscale

 low (2.4%)

color temperature

 natural (7391 Kelvin)

Maximum brightness

 somewhat low (310 cd/m²)

Black level

 very low (0.24 cd/m²)

Contrast ratio

 very low (1351:1)

Visual test

 somewhat minor (washed out colors, pale skin tones, slight backlight bleeding on screen edges)

Color space sRGB

 too low (63.7%)

Color space DCI-P3

 too low (47.4%)

Response time (average/max.)

 short (18.8 ms) / short (27.8 ms)

Number of pixels per inch

 somewhat low (141 dpi at 1920×1080 pixels)

Max. brightness deviations

 low (10.64%)

Gloss level screen/frame

 low / very low

Max refresh rate

 60 hertz

How easy is it to use on the go?

Battery life / charging time

 acceptable (04:58 hours) / short (2:06 hours)

Operating noise when working / max.

 very quiet (0.7 sone) / very quiet (1.8 sone)

Temperature after 30 minutes of full load

 slightly high (23.0 degrees)

Weight with battery / power supply with cable

 low (1.88 kg) / very low (0.22 kg)

Is everything you need included?

RAM (built-in/expandable)

 a lot (2×8 GB / 2×32 GB, complete replacement required)

Data storage (built-in / expandable)

 a little bit (477 GB, SSD-NVMe, Western Digital /no)

connections

 1x headset, 1xHDMI / 2x USB Type A 3.2 Gen. 1, 1x USB-C 2.0, 1x USB Type-A 2.0

WiFi / Bluetooth / Cellular

 Wifi 5 / version 5.1 / no

Webcam / microphone / memory card reader

 yes / yes / yes (microSD)

Included programs

 Windows 11 Home

How easy is it to use?

Quality and operation of the keyboard

 slightly roughened surface, pleasant writing feeling, pressure point a bit spongy

Keyboard lighting

 no

Standard assignment / navigation button standard size

 no no

Biometric access barriers

 unavailable

Touchpad size/quality and operation

 very large / clicking at the top edge not possible, minimal latency, pleasant surface, good pressure point

Quality and operation of the touchscreen

 unavailable

Little breath

It’s a shame: the CPU and display suck heavily on the battery, the 55 watt-hour energy storage was enough for almost five hours of work in the test – with the display at full brightness. If you turn down the brightness a little, you can extend the battery life by an hour – but that wouldn’t be a particularly good value either. There are now notebooks like this Thomson M15 EVO, which last for almost eleven hours without a power outlet on a single battery charge – but they are usually more than twice as expensive. Also good: The Medion performed its job calmly in the test; its fan did not torment the testers with noisy rotating noises, even under full load.

Card reader, HDMI, USB-C

A card reader for microSD memory cardn is on board and external Monitors can be connected via HDMI. The Aldi notebook also offers a USB-C socket. However, the latter still works according to the lame USB 2.0 standard and not the USB 3.2 Gen 2 version, which is for fast external SSDs would be necessary.

Medion Akoya E15433 in the test: conclusion

Of course, customers shouldn’t expect a super-duper notebook with all the bells and whistles for 500 euros. The price for the Akoya E15433 is okay for the performance it offers: it works quickly and quietly, the display offers decent image quality, and the features are complete with the exception of the missing keyboard backlight.

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Deal : TCL 98UHD870 in the test: Huge 98-inch television for under 2500 euros


Huge TV at a low price: The 98-inch TCL UHD870 is sensationally affordable. SamaGame tested whether the quality was right.

For film enthusiasts and sports fans it can TV in principle not big enough. Films and sports broadcasts only develop their captivating effect on a giant screen, like in the cinema or in the stadium. But what does big mean? The maximum TV screen size is currently 98 inches, which corresponds to a screen diagonal of 248 centimeters. The new TCL 95UHD870 is the cheapest television of this size; for less than 2,500 euros, it promises great viewing pleasure. Depending on the retailer, the television is also available in the store under the name TCL 98P745, it is the same model.

That’s how big the TCL 98UHD870 is

With a device width of around 2.20 meters and a height of almost 1.30 meters, you can take this literally with great pleasure with the TCL 98UHD870. The 58 kilogram colossus stands securely on two strikingly solid metal feet mounted on the outside. Provided there is a sufficiently strong wall, the 98-inch model can also be hung up. Of course, the wall mount also has to be correspondingly large; the TCL requires the VESA dimension 500×600. At 4.2 centimeters, the television is surprisingly flat, and the workmanship with a waffle-like structured back panel and a frame flush with the screen appears to be of high quality.

More colors and 100 to 144 Hertz

To ensure that the huge screen actually provides enjoyment, the TCL 98UHD870 uses an upper-class LCD despite the low price: Instead of 50 to 60 images per second, it shows twice as many at 100 to 120 Hertz. This makes details look sharper in fast movements, and large screens in particular benefit from this. Computers can even play up to 144 Hertz. In addition, the manufacturer promises a larger color gamut (“Wide Color Gamut”), so that films or games produced accordingly HDR (High Dynamic Range) the better image quality is actually visible. Technical tricks to increase contrast (such as local dimming or Mini LED) did not provide the budget.

Giant picture looks really good

Cheap price or not, such a huge television picture is definitely impressive. And it looks really good with the TCL 98UHD870: Thanks to the VA LCD technology, it achieves quite deep blacks, meaning the TCL achieves a contrast of over 4000:1. With just over 400 candelas per square meter, the image is bright enough even in daylight. And above all, the colors are right with natural skin tones and strong HDR display (Cinema picture mode). The TCL attenuates the HDR brightness peaks significantly, but it manages to adapt to the capabilities of the screen without over-exposing bright image areas and with decent clarity in dark corners. The processes support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ here. The automatic adjustment to the ambient brightness is designed to be very practical. Apart from the lower HDR luminosity, it moves TCL TV on par with that Samsung GQ98Q80C. Films and TV shows with poor SD resolution are no fun on such a large screen; you would have to stand ten meters away. The TCL, on the other hand, upscales HD material well to its UHD resolution, without pixel mud or annoying over-sharpening. The decent impression of sharpness is retained even in fast movements; annoying streaks are just as little an issue as image stuttering.

TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison

TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison

TCL

Samsung

Sony

98UHD870/P745

GQ96Q80C

KD-55X85L

resolution

3840×2160

3840×2160

3840×2160

Brightness (HDR max.)

425 cd/m2

1146 cd/m2

 781 cd/m2

contrast

 4320:1

 50000:1

 34364:1

Color deviation dE

 1.7

 2.6

 2.6

color temperature

 6626K

 6945K

 6791K

Color space DCI-P3

 94.4%

 92.0%

 94.6%

Latency (60Hz)

 14 ms

 13 ms

 18 ms

Entrances

 4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV

 4x HDMI (4 to 120Hz)

 4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV

TCL 98UHD870 gives projectors no chance

In practice, a viewing distance of four to five meters is perfect for the TCL 98UHD870. For high-quality UHD playback with films or games, it can also be two to three meters – with an enormously immersive effect. Because then the viewer’s field of vision is largely filled by the screen, which would otherwise only be the case projector and canvas is possible. In a direct comparison, video projectors of a similar price range have no chance: brightness and contrast are much lower, so that the images look duller even in perfectly darkened rooms. And with every glimmer of light from the window, for example, the impression of the image deteriorates. This makes televisions much more suitable for everyday use than projectors.

Built-in subwoofer for rich sound

You shouldn’t expect too much from the sound in this class, but the TCL 98UHD870 does its job there too. This is visible in the saucer-sized woofer in the back wall, which supports the two speakers on the bottom with bass. In this way, the TV giant achieves a comparatively full, if not particularly detailed, sound. For better sound there is about one Sound bar can be easily connected. If a sound bar under the television looks too puny for you, go for it Stereo speakers with HDMI and places them to the right and left of the screen.

Also a big one when it comes to connections

The ports of the TCL 98UHD870 are arranged on the back in such a way that they are easily accessible from the side. The clear labeling makes wiring easier, especially since nothing is missing:

  • HDMI: The TCL has four HDMI inputstwo of which correspond comprehensively to the version HDMI 2.1 and can process UHD resolution at up to 120 Hertz including variable frame rates – good for game consoles. One even accepts up to 144 Hertz when a correspondingly powerful computer is connected. The delay in the video signals (latency) is uncritically short in game mode at 14 milliseconds. Of the two remaining HDMI ports, one serves as a sound output for soundbars and AV receivers (eARC, enhanced audio return channel) if required and also provides 3D surround sound Dolby Atmos out of.
  • TV reception: As usual, you can watch television with the P745 via cable, satellite and antenna. There is HDTV in all reception types, and a few UHD channels via satellite. For cable reception, it depends on the regional network operator, but UHD is also possible in principle.
  • CI+: A CI module can be plugged in to unlock encrypted TV programs. This is available, for example, for private HD programs from the local cable network operator or from Freenet for antenna reception.

  • USB: The TCL has two USB ports for photo and video playback, one of which is easily accessible on the edge of the case. The most common multimedia formats including DTS sound can be played.

  • Optical output: The fiber optic digital output supplies old home cinema systems, for example wireless headphones with the television sound.
  • Headphone output: Classic headphones with a cable can be connected to the TCL, and the TV speakers then switch off automatically.
  • Bluetooth: Also a Bluetooth headphones can be coupled. This is used instead of the TV speakers.

  • Network connection and WLAN: The connection to the home network is made as usual via cable or radio.

Stream easily thanks to Google TV

The TCL 98UHD870 uses the current version 12 of the Android TV operating system with Google TV. This means that the apps of all popular streaming providers are available, including: Media libraries The TV channels can be used in the same way as commercial platforms Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to Apple TV and Disney+ to Paramount+. The Google TV home screen clearly shows the most used apps in a row and tabs for other apps as well as film and series recommendations – this has been the case with others Android TVs Proven by Philips and Sony, for example. Alternatively, content can be searched for in smartphone apps and then played back on the giant screen using the Chromecast function. AirPlay 2 is also available. You quickly get used to the operation, which is helped by the handy remote control with its sensibly arranged buttons. In addition, there is voice control with the Google Assistant possible, the remote control is equipped with a microphone and a talk button. TCL adds small quick menus that can be used to select sources more quickly.

Test conclusion TCL 98UHD870

The TCL 98UHD870 or 98P745 is not only huge, but also really good: the features leave practically nothing to be desired, and the Android television is very versatile in terms of connections and streaming options. There are no problems with operation and the workmanship leaves a solid impression. And the image quality is impressive: brightness and contrast are fine, the image scaling works without annoying side effects, and the UHD870 reproduces colors beautifully and naturally. Anyone who has seen this will hardly think about a projector as an alternative.

TCL provided the test device in Warsaw and supported participation in the product presentation trip with subsequent independent testing. Our standards of transparency and journalistic independence can be found at www.axelspringer.de/unabhaengigkeit.

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Deal : TCL 98P745 in the test: 98-inch television for under 2500 euros

Huge TV at a low price: The 98-inch TCL P745 is sensationally affordable. SamaGame tested whether the quality was right.

For film enthusiasts and sports fans it can TV in principle not big enough. Films and sports broadcasts only develop their captivating effect on a giant screen, like in the cinema or in the stadium. But what does big mean? The maximum TV screen size is currently 98 inches, which corresponds to a screen diagonal of 248 centimeters. The new TCL 98P745 is the cheapest television of this size. For less than 2,500 euros, it promises great viewing pleasure.

That’s how big the TCL 98P745 is

With a device width of around 2.20 meters and a height of almost 1.30 meters, you can take this literally with great pleasure with the TCL 98P745. The 58 kilogram colossus stands securely on two strikingly solid metal feet mounted on the outside. Provided there is a sufficiently strong wall, the 98-inch model can also be hung up. Of course, the wall mount also has to be correspondingly large; the TCL requires the VESA dimension 500×600. At 4.2 centimeters, the television is surprisingly flat, and the workmanship with a waffle-like structured back panel and a frame flush with the screen appears to be of high quality.

More colors and 100 to 144 Hertz

To ensure that the huge screen actually provides enjoyment, the TCL 98P745 uses an upper-class LCD despite the low price: instead of 50 to 60 images per second, it shows twice as many at 100 to 120 Hertz. This makes details look sharper in fast movements, and large screens in particular benefit from this. Computers can even play up to 144 Hertz. In addition, the manufacturer promises a larger color gamut (“Wide Color Gamut”), so that films or games produced accordingly HDR (High Dynamic Range) the better image quality is actually visible. Technical tricks to increase contrast (such as local dimming or Mini LED) did not provide the budget.

Giant picture looks really good

Cheap price or not, such a huge television picture is definitely impressive. And it looks really good on the TCL 98P745: Thanks to VA LCD technology, it produces quite deep blacks, meaning the TCL achieves a contrast of over 4000:1. With just over 400 candelas per square meter, the image is bright enough even in daylight. And above all, the colors are right with natural skin tones and strong HDR display (Cinema picture mode). The TCL attenuates the HDR brightness peaks significantly, but it manages to adapt to the capabilities of the screen without over-exposing bright image areas and with decent clarity in dark corners. The processes support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ here. The automatic adjustment to the ambient brightness is designed to be very practical. Apart from the lower HDR luminosity, it moves TCL TV on par with that Samsung GQ98Q80C. Films and TV shows with poor SD resolution are no fun on such a large screen; you would have to stand ten meters away. The TCL, on the other hand, upscales HD material well to its UHD resolution, without pixel mud or annoying over-sharpening. The decent impression of sharpness is retained even in fast movements; annoying streaks are just as little an issue as image stuttering.

TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison

TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison

TCL

Samsung

Sony

98P745

GQ96Q80C

KD-55X85L

resolution

3840×2160

3840×2160

3840×2160

Brightness (HDR max.)

425 cd/m2

1146 cd/m2

 781 cd/m2

contrast

 4320:1

 50000:1

 34364:1

Color deviation dE

 1.7

 2.6

 2.6

color temperature

 6626K

 6945K

 6791K

Color space DCI-P3

 94.4%

 92.0%

 94.6%

Latency (60Hz)

 14 ms

 13 ms

 18 ms

Entrances

 4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV

 4x HDMI (4 to 120Hz)

 4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV

TCL 98P745 gives projectors no chance

In practice, a viewing distance of four to five meters is perfect for the TCL 98P745. For high-quality UHD playback with films or games, it can also be two to three meters – with an enormously immersive effect. Because then the viewer’s field of vision is largely filled by the screen, which would otherwise only be the case projector and canvas is possible. In a direct comparison, video projectors of a similar price range have no chance: brightness and contrast are much lower, so that the images look duller even in perfectly darkened rooms. And with every glimmer of light from the window, for example, the impression of the image deteriorates. This makes televisions much more suitable for everyday use than projectors.

Built-in subwoofer for rich sound

You shouldn’t expect too much from the sound in this class, but the TCL 98P745 does its job there too. This is visible in the saucer-sized woofer in the back wall, which supports the two speakers on the bottom with bass. In this way, the TV giant achieves a comparatively full, if not particularly detailed, sound. For better sound there is about one Sound bar can be easily connected. If a sound bar under the television looks too puny for you, go for it Stereo speakers with HDMI and places them to the right and left of the screen.

Also a big one when it comes to connections

The TCL 98P745’s ports are arranged on the back in such a way that they are easily accessible from the side. The clear labeling makes wiring easier, especially since nothing is missing:

  • HDMI: The TCL has four HDMI inputstwo of which correspond comprehensively to the version HDMI 2.1 and can process UHD resolution at up to 120 Hertz including variable frame rates – good for game consoles. One even accepts up to 144 Hertz when a correspondingly powerful computer is connected. The delay in the video signals (latency) is uncritically short in game mode at 14 milliseconds. Of the two remaining HDMI ports, one serves as a sound output for soundbars and AV receivers (eARC, enhanced audio return channel) if required and also provides 3D surround sound Dolby Atmos out of.
  • TV reception: As usual, you can watch television with the P745 via cable, satellite and antenna. There is HDTV in all reception types, and a few UHD channels via satellite. For cable reception, it depends on the regional network operator, but UHD is also possible in principle.
  • CI+: A CI module can be plugged in to unlock encrypted TV programs. This is available, for example, for private HD programs from the local cable network operator or from Freenet for antenna reception.

  • USB: The TCL has two USB ports for photo and video playback, one of which is easily accessible on the edge of the case. The most common multimedia formats including DTS sound can be played.

  • Optical output: The fiber optic digital output supplies old home cinema systems, for example wireless headphones with the television sound.
  • Headphone output: Classic headphones with a cable can be connected to the TCL, and the TV speakers then switch off automatically.
  • Bluetooth: Also a Bluetooth headphones can be coupled. This is used instead of the TV speakers.

  • Network connection and WLAN: The connection to the home network is made as usual via cable or radio.

Stream easily thanks to Android TV

The TCL 98P745 uses the current version 12 of the Android TV operating system. This means that the apps of all popular streaming providers are available, including: Media libraries The TV channels can be used in the same way as commercial platforms Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to Apple TV and Disney+ to Paramount+. The Google TV home screen clearly shows the most used apps in a row and tabs for other apps as well as film and series recommendations – this has been the case with others Android TVs Proven by Philips and Sony, for example. Alternatively, content can be searched for in smartphone apps and then played back on the giant screen using the Chromecast function. AirPlay 2 is also available. You quickly get used to the operation, which is helped by the handy remote control with its sensibly arranged buttons. In addition, there is voice control with the Google Assistant possible, the remote control is equipped with a microphone and a talk button. TCL adds small quick menus that can be used to select sources more quickly.

Test conclusion TCL 98P745

The TCL 98P745 is not only huge, but also really good: the features leave practically nothing to be desired, and the Android television is very versatile in terms of connections and streaming options. There are no problems with operation and the workmanship leaves a solid impression. And the image quality is impressive: brightness and contrast are fine, the image scaling works without any annoying side effects, and the P745 reproduces colors beautifully and naturally. Anyone who has seen this will hardly think about a projector as an alternative.

TCL provided the test device in Warsaw and supported participation in the product presentation trip with subsequent independent testing. Our standards of transparency and journalistic independence can be found at www.axelspringer.de/unabhaengigkeit.

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Deal : German AI from Alpeh Alpha criticized after praise for Hitler


The AI ​​language model from the German start-up Aleph Alpha is intended to represent European values ​​and compete with US developments. But AI answers are now causing outrage.

The German start-up Aleph Alpha is considered one of the biggest European hopes in AI. The company from Heidelberg (Baden-Württemberg) wants to use artificial intelligence that represents European values OpenAI make competition. But Aleph Alpha’s AI language model Luminous has been criticized. The reason is racist and otherwise discriminatory statements by the AI ​​and glorification of the regime, such as Daily Mirror and TIME Online to report.

AI with inhumane statements

The basic version of the AI ​​chatbot Luminous, which can be accessed via the company’s so-called Playground, made discriminatory and inflammatory comments about women and Muslims in dialogues. According to the AI, the former belong in the kitchen and cannot drive a car. The latter described the AI ​​in ten staccato-like sentences as, among other things, enemies of reason, humanity and democracy, as a screenshot from ZEIT Online shows. According to reports, artificial intelligence also generated highly problematic and inhumane answers to questions about the era. Adolf Hitler summarily glorifies Luminous as a women’s rights activist who “promoted equal rights.” The AI ​​completed the sentence “The best argument for National Socialism is…” with the words “that it drove the Jews out of Germany.”

The problem with the database

The fact that Luminous sometimes generates racist and discriminatory responses is not necessarily surprising given how AI language models fundamentally work. The models are trained using huge amounts of data from the Internet, which can also contain problematic content. When generating answers, they use this database to estimate word by word how the sentence could continue. For developers of artificially intelligent models, filtering out problematic content and answers is one of the biggest challenges. While ChatGPT inventor OpenAI solves this problem by retraining its language models GPT 3.5 and GPT 4, Aleph Alpha sees no urgent need for action for the basic version of its Luminous AI.

Playground is just a test environment

All of these answers clearly contradict the Heidelberg company’s statement that it wants to develop an AI with “European values”. However, Aleph Alpha explains to media representatives that the Playground is only a test environment for business customers and research purposes. The variant of Luminous that can be accessed via this is an unfiltered basic version that is not primarily intended for use by end customers. There are also filters and security tools that are ultimately used where the technology is finally used. Such answers from the basic version are not a problem.

AI experts criticize

AI security researchers see things differently. Even if Luminous is a research project, such answers have to be taken seriously, says Nicolas Miailhe from The Future Society to ZEIT Online. Anyone who wants to develop critical AI systems like Aleph Alpha must deal with such problems responsibly. Compared to the Tagesspiegel, experts also criticize Aleph Alpha’s lack of transparency regarding specific training data and the exact functioning of its AI.

Aleph Alpha receives financial injection

Despite the criticism, Aleph Alpha can look back on positive weeks. The start-up was able to create a new one at the beginning of November 2023 financing in the amount of over 500 million US dollars (around 460 million euros). Investors include the software company SAP and Bosch Ventures. According to Aleph Alpha, the new capital will primarily be used for research into basic AI models, the development of new product capabilities for business-critical environments and marketing.

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Deal : Medion Life X61350 Bluetooth sound system in the test: great party box


Bass that makes your ears wobble, sound effects via performance pads, LED front panel with adjustable light show: With the Medion Life X61350, a huge party box will be available at Aldi from December 7th, which we have now tested.

Table of contents

  • Medion Life X61350 in the test: A colossus
  • No battery on board
  • Four speakers, true wireless stereo

  • Built-in light organ, performance pads

  • This is what the Aldi party box sounds like
  • Fan makes noise
  • Smartphone/tablet holder

  • Karaoke for singing talents – or those who want to become one
  • Aldi party box Medion Life X61350 in the test: conclusion

No matter whether it’s Christmas, New Year’s Eve or a birthday party: decent ones Party speakers bring every celebration to life. Things should really sizzle with the fat Medion Life X61350 (MD 44332) Bluetooth sound system, which the discounter Aldi will be offering nationwide from December 7, 2023. Features, volume and sound quality are great. The price? Violent. Compared to the competition, it’s a real bargain.

Medion Life X61350 in the test: A colossus

The Medion MD 44332 Bluetooth sound system is almost 1.10 meters high, around 40 centimeters wide, 40 centimeters deep and weighs around 25 kilograms. If you constantly move the party box from A to B, lumbago is inevitable. To prevent this from happening, it has two wheels with which the colossus can be moved at least to ground level without risking a herniated disc. It’s a shame: there’s no handle on the top for safe rolling, like on a suitcase – the recesses on the sides only help to a limited extent. The latter are more useful if you have to maneuver the giant roaring cube one floor higher. And that’s a real feat of strength – almost impossible to accomplish alone.

No battery on board

By the way: The Medion Life X61350 Bluetooth sound system does not have a battery on board. Instead, the box must draw energy from the socket. This limits the range of action somewhat – unless a cable drum is transporting energy from the last accessible socket to the barbecue area in the garden.

Four speakers, true wireless stereo

At the front, two tweeters and mid-range speakers with 85 watts of power each provide the audience with sound. Further down, directed towards the floor, there is a huge subwoofer for bass reproduction with 350 watts of power – according to the manufacturer. There is also a tweeter with an output of 20 watts fairly high up on the front. According to Medion, if you want to transform your garden into a festival area, you can connect two Life X61350s via true wireless stereo – the speakers can be a maximum of 10 meters apart.

Built-in light organ, performance pads

On the front, the X61350 has countless RGB LEDs that provide the necessary lighting effects at the party. They can be adjusted using the 16 performance pads. And these pads have another function: With the help of these performance pads, music playback can be enhanced or highlighted not only with visual effects, but also with acoustic effects – including drum effects, various sirens, animal sounds or audience laughter. However, wildly banging around on these performance pads can lead to the party abruptly ending – if the DJ moves out of sync. And that needs to be learned, because in the test it wasn’t that easy to add effects to the playing music in the right rhythm.

This is what the Aldi party box sounds like

But how does the XXL box sound? Depending on the recording, voices appear a little scratchy; if you stand too close to the speaker, you will only hear the bass as dull. You get the best sound from 3 meters away. If you turn the speaker up to full volume in the living room, you risk the complete failure of your eardrums – don’t even try it. The box is much better off outside at full steam – and only if you have legal protection insurance. In the test it reached the 110 decibel mark from a distance of 3 meters. It spread the sound throughout the entire neighborhood. The bass reproduction can be enhanced even further by pressing the “EX Bass” button. With songs that are already bass-heavy, this doesn’t always make sense and often ends in a dull drone instead of a clear and precise hammering. The Aldi Party box generally reproduced the midrange cleanly and pleasantly, but the highs could have had more presence. Of course, the box is not a jewel for music lovers, but as a comparatively cheap and robust sound system with a lot of power, it is completely fine.

Fan makes noise

There is a small fan under the top of the mixer, which is supposed to protect the sound technology behind it from burning out. It cannot be heard when playing music. However, if the box is switched on and doesn’t play anything, the fan still runs its rounds. This is incomprehensible. This is hardly noticeable outside on the terrace, but it is noticeable in a quiet living room or office.

Smartphone/tablet holder

Good for that: There is a wide slot on the top in which smartphones or tablets can be placed. And they can even be charged during playback. A USB charging socket is located below the input deck. Music can also be played via the second USB socket USB sticks or external hard drives and SSDs feed in, wirelessly via Bluetooth, for example from Smartphones, Tablets or Laptops, of course it works too. Music playback can be controlled using large buttons on the box.

Karaoke for singing talents

Medion also includes a microphone. Hobby DJs can give speeches and singing talents can present their skills to the audience. If the vocal power is not enough, the switchable echo effect spices up the performance. There are two small controls below the deck for the microphone volume, because up to two microphones (or a microphone and an electric guitar) can be docked to the Medion Life X61350 and controlled separately. Music can also be fed in via a 3.5 millimeter line-in input – for example from an MP3 player. For Record player There is an RCA stereo input available.

Aldi party box Medion Life X61350 in the test: conclusion

Big, loud, well equipped: The Medion Life X61350 party box impressed in the test – even if it has a few weaknesses. Aldi estimates a whopping 359 euros for the Medion Life X61350. That sounds like a lot. It is. However, compared to comparably equipped competitors, this is a real bargain: this is what JBL writes at PartyBox 710 almost twice as much on the price tag, devil prices his Rockster with over 1,000 euros. So the 359 euros for the Medion Life X6135 are completely acceptable. With its immensely high volume, the huge Aldi party box also fills a hall or the large garden – including the neighborhood. The sound quality is okay, the equipment with performance pads, LED light organ and the many playback options is impressive.

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Deal : Test: The Lemmo One is more than an e-bike!


Normal bike without drive or motorized e-bike? Anyone who drives the Lemmo One has both! SamaGame tried out the unique concept.

Table of contents

  • Chic and light urban bike from Berlin
  • Motor or muscle power: pull out the button and drive freely
  • On the road: lively driving pleasure

  • Lemmo One: Great technology, smartly packaged

  • Operation: One button or your cell phone for everything
  • What about the service? Insecure like Van Moof?
  • Lemmo One: test conclusion, models, prices, accessories

Anyone who cycles a lot wants to use their bike differently depending on the occasion and route: On weekdays, they want to go to the office with an electric drive without having to struggle at every traffic light and end up completely sweaty at their desk. On the weekend, on the other hand, you can go on a bike trip with the family, where you can ride in a relaxed manner and don’t want to keep pulling away from the kids. You don’t need two bikes for this. The Lemmo should offer both – and at a reasonable price. Good idea or overshot? The combination of organic and e-bike in the test!

Chic and light urban bike from Berlin

The Lemmo One comes well packaged to the house from the Berlin startup Light Electric Mobility via a shipping company. It can be ordered and configured in a Berlin store, in one of the pop-up stores in many major German cities or on the Lemmo website. You can choose from two colors (sand beige and gray), three frame sizes (XL, L or ST with lowered crossbar) as well as a 10-speed Shimano derailleur or a maintenance-free carbon belt. Assembly is quick and explained better via video (scan QR code) than in the printed quick guide. After 15 minutes of plugging and screwing, the testers were happy with a stylish city bike. It is cleanly processed, nothing wobbles or rattles. At the front there is a fairly wide and sporty handlebar that “swallows” all the cables and leads them through a casually curved diamond frame. Unsightly weld seams cannot be seen. The bike is made of aluminum, the front fork is made of light carbon, the luggage rack for hanging bicycle bags is minimalist, and the mudguards are made of plastic.

Motor or muscle power: pull out the button and drive freely

This means the Lemmo One weighs just 15 kilograms. The Lemmo becomes an e-bike with a 3 kilo battery. It clips into the front of the frame and is removable. It is only needed for driving if you want the 250 watt motor with 40 Nm of torque to help. The unique trick of the Lemmo One is as simple as it is ingenious: there is a small wheel in the rear wheel hub. Whoever turns this physically decouples the engine from the drive train. The e-bike becomes a bio-bike in which the motor offers no resistance and does not slow down the muscle power used. If necessary, this is ensured by the hydraulic disc brakes, a Shimano replica that does not drag and applies well-dosed and courageous action depending on the pressure point.

On the road: lively driving pleasure

The Lemmo One delivered a good and dynamic driving experience in the test, especially with motor support. The lively drive pushed the Lemmo to a speed of 25 km/h, depending on the support level selected. Even beyond this permitted maximum speed, the car moved lightly over the asphalt – without electric boost. At no point did the rider feel like he was pedaling to death, even though the Lemmo was used in the test with a belt drive and as a single speed bike. Nevertheless: If you want more flexibility depending on your speed, the maintenance-free 10-speed derailleur is the better choice.

The tires don’t necessarily seem puncture-proof, but they do have good tread. The bike then glides smoothly over paths and safely into curves. Only on cobblestones did it get a little bumpy due to the lack of a suspension fork or other suspension. The lively driving behavior only suffered when starting off, because the motor on the rear wheel switches on with a delay after you pedal and only then noticeably pushes forward. Here the Lemmo lacks a torque sensor that activates the motor immediately.

Lemmo One: Great technology, smartly packaged

All the smart technology is in the “Smart Pac”, which can be inserted into the front of the frame. Its robust fabric cover is stylish and withstood the Hamburg rain well, but could look dingy in the long run. In addition to GPS for location determination as well as Bluetooth and 4G radio for connection, the package also houses the 540 watt-hour battery, which ensures plenty of endurance. The manufacturer states a range of up to 100 kilometers. In practice, a 90 kilo driver could travel 70 to 80 km on a flat route, with good surfaces and temperatures of well over 15 degrees. The comparison to the competition: On a Cowboy 4 or one Van Moof S5 a maximum of 60 kilometers is possible under the same conditions. At the beginning of the test it was noticeable that the battery lost up to 5 percent a day during breaks in driving. Not good energy management, but the manufacturer has now significantly improved it with a software update. The Smart Pac can be removed. This is practical for driving without a motor or for charging at home or in the office. The package and the power supply are plugged into the socket for around 4 hours. Thanks to the USB-A and USB-C socket (up to 45 watts), it can also be used as an oversized power bank that provides energy to a notebook, cell phone or drone while on the move.

Operation: One button or your cell phone for everything

There are small buttons on the handlebars to control the functions. When pressed to the right, the bell sounds (a horn that takes getting used to) or the light switches on. That lights up well. The front light can also be used as a portable flashlight, the permanently installed rear light is small but bright. On the left, the driver switches through the three support levels using a button or activates a boost mode, which whips the Lemmo forward properly. A small display in the top tube of the frame shows what is set. It has an extra battery and shows its information even without the Smart Pac inserted.

The bike connects to the cell phone and Lemmo app via Bluetooth. In addition to the Smart Pac, you can also lock the bike itself – thereby protecting it against theft. If the bike is locked, the engine and rear wheel will block. In addition, a shrill alarm sounds as soon as someone tampers with the Lemmo One. To prevent this from happening to the driver, his smartphone in his pocket serves as an electronic, contactless key. Here the driver can unlock the bike by long pressing the two buttons on the steering wheel and start driving immediately. This usually worked reliably in the test. Only rarely was the rider ready to go before the Lemmo: the somewhat sluggish Bluetooth connection had not yet unlocked the bike and the alarm went off unintentionally.

What about the service? Insecure like Van Moof?

The Lemmo One tested was in use for several weeks and covered almost 400 kilometers. No problems occurred during this time. If something does happen, initial contact will be made via chat. Major repairs are carried out by service partners in Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Berlin or Munich. If in doubt, the bike must be returned to the manufacturer in the capital. It offers a guarantee of up to 5 years. On-site service is also planned: The driver parks his Lemmo One in the service area, the Lemmo mechanic locates it, repairs the bike on the spot or takes it to the service station. A fate completely without support, like that of many Van Moof driver after bankruptcy the company is currently experiencing, Lemmo should not be threatened with this.

Lemmo One: test conclusion, models, prices, accessories

The Lemmo One is an ingenious urban e-bike and a successful combination of the smart Van Moof and the sparkling one cowboy. It is suitable for short, quick journeys in the city, but also for longer commutes. The bike is well made, lasts a long time and rides comfortably and quickly at the same time. The simple trick to quickly turn it into a light organic bike was really successful: uncouple the motor, remove the battery, and you can easily hit the slopes without a drive. The price is also impressive: the e-bike version of the Lemmo One is available for under 2,000 euros – and is therefore significantly cheaper than the popular competition.
It starts at 1,090 euros for the version with derailleur gears. The belt drive costs an additional 200 euros. If required, there is also a bicycle bag (69 euros), chain guard (9 euros), folding lock (49 euros) or trailer hitch (30 euros). For the Smart Pac, which turns the Lemmo One into an e-bike, an additional 900 euros are due – for the purchase, because renting the Smart Pac is also possible. This currently only works in Berlin – for 35 euros per month.