To say that the Oura Ring is an advancement in technology is an understatement. The ring features 3 sensors – the infrared photoplethysmography sensor (PPG) captures your heart rate and respiration, the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor assesses your body temperature, and the 3D accelerometer analyzes your movements. Using this information, the Oura Ring logs your steps, workouts, naps, sleeping patterns, and calories burned. It analyzes your respiratory rate, heart rate, heart rate variability (variations in the time between each heartbeat), and your level of physical activity. It then provides an assortment of graphs and charts displaying ratings and visualizations of the quality of your sleep, your physical activity, and your overall readiness for the day’s activities ahead.
The Oura Ring fits within a growing list of competitors such as the Apple Watch, Fitbit Charge, Garmin Venu, Letsfit Fitness Tracker, Coros Pace, Whoop, Garmin Instinct, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and others. What sets the Oura Ring apart is that it fits around your finger instead of your wrist. Since it only has to be recharged for an hour every 5-7 days, it requires very little overhead and attention. In a way, you could say that it is practically invisible, as you don’t have to take it off to shower, swim, workout, or practically anything except the occasional charging.
I have been an Apple Watch user since the first day it arrived on the market. Where I found the Apple Watch to be somewhat lacking is in the arena of sleep tracking. When the Apple Watch is paired with the AutoSleep app in the App Store, it more closely equals the capabilities of the Oura. Particularly, you do not have to tell the device when you are going to bed and getting up (the AutoSleep app does this work for you, as does the Oura Ring). Although it is not perfect, it is pretty close. I have worn both the Apple Watch and the Oura Ring to sleep on many occasions to compare their readings. This does require me to charge my Watch once before going to and again upon awakening. Although they have agreed exactly on occasion, there is usually a variation of several minutes. It is difficult to say for sure which is more accurate, as both present numbers that closely match my experiences.
Below is my video review, consider watching it to get a richer experience with the Oura Ring review.
Overall
-
Design
(5)
-
Build Quality
(5)
-
Accuracy
(5)
-
Flexibility
(5)
-
Convenience
(5)
-
Warranty
(4)
-
Price
(3.5)
Summary
The Oura Ring packs incredible capabilities into a very small, convenient package. If your primary need is sleep tracking, the Oura Ring offers the best capabilities on the market at the time of this writing.
Pros
- Excellence sleep tracking
- Stylish
- Good accuracy
- Very convenient
- Low maintenance
Cons
- It is not cheap
- Oura Ring 3 requires a monthly membership fee
- Battery life and replacement are unknown factors
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At the time of this writing, the Apple Watch does not track REM sleep information. I find this aspect of the Oura Ring particularly helpful. As someone who suffers from chronic insomnia, I have come to rely on the information given to me from Oura as an essential part of my life and health. As soon as I get out of bed, I reach for my iPhone, launch the Oura app, and it immediately begins downloading the night’s sleep information to the phone. It then processes the sleep information and within seconds provides summary information about the amount of time spent in bed, asleep, in light sleep, deep sleep, and red sleep. Its heart rate variability readings also contribute to its assessment of the quality of my sleep.
As someone who architects and builds technology and data management systems for my day job, if I do not get enough sleep, I know that I will have challenges solving really complex problems that day. After months of daily use of the Oura Ring, I have come to realize that if I get an hour or more of rem sleep and an hour or more of deep sleep, I will be set for the day. These numbers seem to be more important to me than the total number of hours slept. Even if I sleep plenty of hours but I got below an hour of deep sleep, I will have some challenges ahead that day. If both of those numbers fall far short of those goals, I will need to schedule a nap in my day or hold off my most critical thinking challenges for another day.
I bought the Oura Ring 2 before the third version was available, and have been quite happy with its results. I was presented with the opportunity to upgrade to the Oura Ring 3 for a 25% discount, which also included a lifetime membership of its monthly subscription service (that otherwise costs $5.99 per month, as of this writing). However, since I had just shelled out $400 for a higher-end ring finish just a few months before, I was not willing to turn around and purchase the upgrade. The Oura community of users has been vocal about the new monthly fee to access to the same data that is free on the generation 2 ring. Despite the new monthly membership fee, if I did not already have the Oura Ring 2, I would purchase the third generation and would fit that monthly membership fee into my budget.
I have come to believe that the Oura Ring is the best tool on the market for sleep tracking. Although it can do many other things, if tracking your sleep is a high priority, the Oura Ring should be on your shortlist of purchase considerations. If sleep tracking is not a real concern, there are a variety of other products on the market that may suit your needs better, and for a more affordable price. Overall, I am very happy with the sleep tracking information provided by the Oura Ring. I have to say that the Oura Ring has become an important aspect of my daily health and fitness. For me, I Gotta Have It!
Oura Ring 3 Technical Specifications
Materials
- Durable Titanium
- PVD Coating
- Non-Allergenic, Non-Metallic, Seamless Inner Molding
- Water resistant up to 100m (more than 328 ft.)
Battery & Power
- 4 to 7 days of battery life
- Full Charge in 20 to 80 minutes
Weight & Dimensions
- Width: 7.9mm
- Thickness: 2.55mm – Size of a Wedding Band
- Weight: 4 to 6 grams (depending on ring size) – lighter than a conventional ring
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Low-Energy (Bluetooth Smart®)
- Automatic firmware updates via Oura app
- EMF-Safe and Allows Airplane Mode
Should You Wield an Auto Knive as Your Everyday Carry?
Let’s face it, as guys we’re always on the lookout for the best EDC knife we can find. With myriads of makes and models available, the search can be quite challenging – albeit a thoroughly enjoyable pursuit. I recently took a detour in my normal search route that led me to CobraTec Knives. This is a boutique manufacturer in Medirian Texas which specializes in making auto knives, also known as switchblades or out-the-front (OTF) knives.
This is a genre I had not given serious thought to until I recently had the opportunity to hold one in my hand. I found the responsiveness of the switch much more robust than expected. The design is fresh and the construction is well-executed. All the knives I handled felt well-balanced and very sharp. The knives appear to be built like a tank. A big selling point is the lifetime warranty each of CobraTec knives carries. It’s great a find a knife manufacturer who stands behind their product enough to provide a lifetime guarantee.
Most of their knives are constructed using D2 steel blades and high-grade aluminum alloy handles. Their modular design allows the handle to be easily disassembled using common wrenches. This allows owners to switch out their blades as needed. CobraTec sells individual blades to allow for easy versatility and servicing.
What led me to buy an auto knife was its practicality. Virtually every time I reach for my pocket knife, my hands are full and I’m trying to hold something in one hand while I get out my knife and put it to work with the other. Although developing the skill to quickly open a folding knife single-handedly is an essential skill in the art of manliness, there are times when you just want to get a job done without the fanfare. In terms of ease and speed of deployment, the auto knife is in a league of its own. This makes the auto knife a practical tool for the guy who’s getting things done.
The potential downside of an auto knife is public perception. If someone pulls out an auto knife in a public setting, it could be perceived as a threatening gesture. This has the potential to lead to charges of aggravated assault. Yet, the same could be said of engaging any type of knife in a public setting. Generally speaking, pulling a knife out of one’s pocket is best done in private or in the company of friends.
I first came across auto knives while perusing a local gun store. This suggests some consider auto knives to be self-defense weapons. Pulling out a knife in a self-defense situation does not sound like a reasonable strategy for most situations. Using a non-lethal OC or pepper spray where you can defend yourself from a safe distance makes much more sense.
Before I get any further, consider watching our video review below.
Product Review Summary
Overall
-
Design
(4.5)
-
Options
(5)
-
Build Quality
(4.5)
-
Servicability
(5)
-
Durability
(5)
-
Warranty
(5)
-
Value
(4.5)
User Review
( votes)Summary
This CobraTec Knife features an out-the-front (OTF) design that easily deploys the D2 steel blade. Offering an assortment of styles and materials each with a lifetime warranty gives buyers plenty of choices and confidence in their durability.
Pros
- Good build quality
- A diverse selection of styles, materials, colors, and blade options
- Reliable D2 steel blade
- Easily removable and replaceable parts
- Made in the USA
Cons
- The price tag may be beyond the reach of some looking for a more affordable EDC
- Some may find the thumb slide requires more pressure to deploy than expected
- Potential negative public perception of an auto knife
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An important map I displayed during the video review is below. This shows which states in the U.S. allow auto knives, which outlaw them, and which have some restrictions on their possession.
Who’s Gotta Have It?
This leads us to the important question of who has gotta have one of these knives. I would say that CobraTec knives are for the guy who
I don’t know about you, but I Gotta Have It! If you’ve Gotta Have It, click the button below to shop and save on Dango Product’s website. When you check out, use the code GottaHaveIt for a 10% discount.
What’s Delicious
- Good build quality
- A diverse selection of styles, materials, colors, and blade options
- Reliable D2 steel blade
- Easily removable and replaceable parts
- Made in the USA
What’s Lackluster
- The price tag may be beyond the reach of some looking for a more affordable EDC
- Some may find the thumb slide requires more pressure to deploy than expected
- Potential negative public perception of an auto knife
Is the Apple Series 7 is Worthy Upgrade?
Apple has given us another generation of its watch technology, in the form of the Watch Series 7, in an attempt to satisfy our appetite for power-packed tech on the wrist. In this review, we will discuss the new features and offer a recommendation on whether this update is worthy of your hard-earned cash.
The biggest changes are found in the display. The Watch Series 7 provides a 1 millimeter larger physical display than the series 6 (41 and 45 mm, instead of 40 and 44). More importantly, the border or bevel has been reduced by 40 percent to provide a significant increase in screen real estate. The display now curves around the edge of the face to provide a fresh robust visual presentation. The added real estate allows WatchOS 8 to provide Series 7 wearers with more information, including a full-size keyboard. Indoor brightness has been increased approximately 70%, whereas peak brightness is still 1000 nits, the same as Series 6.
Second, charging has been increased 33% on the Series 7, compared to its predecessor. This is particularly helpful for those who wear their watch to bed and want to give it a quick power refresh before starting their sleep cycle (Apple claims that 8 minutes of charging will provide 8 hours of juice). Additionally, the front crystal display is 50 percent thicker to provide better resilience to scratching, cracking, and breakage. The Series 7 is Apple’s first offering to include IP6X dust resistance certification. It also features 5 new colors in aluminum.
On the downside, this is the first watch Apple has ever released without a new and improved processor. In fact, the internals remains virtually unchanged from Series 6. The lack of internal hardware updates may disappoint some, but the hardware does not suffer from lackluster performance. The interface still feels robust and responsive.
Before offering my recommendation on who should upgrade, have a look at our Watch Series 7 review on Gotta Have It TV.
Overall
-
Design
(5)
-
Build Quality
(5)
-
Features
(5)
-
Enhancements
(3.5)
-
Warranty
(4)
-
Price
(3.5)
User Review
( votes)Summary
The Apple Watch Series 7 offers noticeable improvements over the previous version, especially in display and battery improvements. However, the processor remains unchanged from the Series 6, which will cause many to hold out upgrading until the next refresh cycle on this one.
Pros
- Excellent design, featuring new colors
- Good build quality
- Larger display
- Faster charging
- Improved Durability
Cons
- These devices are a bit on the pricy side
- Same processor as the previous generation
- Sleep tracking not as good as Oura Ring
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see the latest reviews of the best tech, gear, and gadgets on the planet.&npsp;
Who’s Gotta Have It?
With its limited hardware updates, Watch Series 6 owners have little motivation to make the upgrade to Series 7. Although as a Series 6 owner myself, I must confess that the larger display and significantly faster charging have me feeling like the grass is greener on the Series 7 side. If you are sporting a Watch Series 5 or earlier, there are enough cumulative updates for the upgrade to Series 7 to make a lot of sense.
I must confess that shortly after purchasing my Series 6 last year, it took a hard drop from my charger face down to the tile floor where the screen shattered in a magnificent manner. I ended up deciding to replace the screen myself, and it proved to be one of the more difficult repairs I have tackled to date. After going through that process, having a front crystal display that is twice as thick is a compelling motivator to upgrade to the Series 7.
So, what do you think? Do you Gotta Have It? I’m taking a pass on this one simply because I upgraded last year to the Series 6 and the added updates in Series 7 don’t add up enough to tempt me to shell out the cash for the improved display and faster charging. Nonetheless, I gotta say, I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store for us in next year’s refresh.
What’s Delicious
- The larger display with a smaller border, curved edge, and brighter interior screen is its biggest selling point
- The battery that charges 33% faster gets extra bonus points
- The front crystal cover that is 50 percent thicker is much appreciated
- IP6X dust resistance certification is a nice-to-have feature
What’s Lackluster
- Using the same processor as the Series 6 leaves one wondering if there was a supply chain issue that held up production of a new chip
- The same biochips as in the previous generation is a let-down
- No improvements in the communication chip mean there are very few interior improvements over the Series 6
A Smartphone Tripod Fits in Your Wallet?
Today’s smartphones are packed with so much power and capability that they threaten traditional technologies that came before them. Consider how smartphone camera capabilities rival those of traditional photography and videography tools. It’s like having photography and television studios in your pocket. One thing that is lacking is a support system to hold your phone that also fits into your pocket, at least until the Geometrical Pocket Tripod Pro came along.
Since you carry a smartphone equipped with high-resolution photography and video camera, it makes sense to add a tripod to your portable tech arsenal to maximize its potential, and for that tripod to be just as carriable as your smartphone. This appears to be the logic behind Geometrical’s Pocket Tripod Pro product offering. The Pocket Tripod Pro is the size of a credit card and fits into a wallet. With a few twists and turns, it becomes a smartphone holder. Featuring a modular design that allows adaptors of varying sizes to slide into place to accommodate varying thicknesses of phones and phone cases.
As an early-to-market niche product, the Tripod Pro is surprisingly well designed and executed. I love it when a manufacturer is out in front of the market fulfilling a need the rest of the market has yet to even realize exists. Everything about this product screams innovation. It is part transformer and part party-trick ready to awe the crowd with a tug from the wallet and a few flips and twists into a smartphone stand to get that party photo everyone will want to share. The Tripod Pro carries a lot of punch in a tiny package you can carry everywhere your smartphone takes you.
The packaging is top-notch. It provides flexibility with multiple-sized adaptors for various phone and case thicknesses. Included in the packaging is a measurement tool to determine which adaptor is the best fit for your phone and case. The tool indicated that I needed a 12mm adaptor, but, this size was not included in the packaging. A coupon is included so I can request a free 12mm adaptor. Once I receive the correct adaptor, I may find that the experience is more robust than using the included 12.5mm, which was oversized for my iPhone 13 Pro Max and case.
I won’t repeat all of the information I shared in the video review, so take a moment to watch it (and subscribe to the YouTube channel using the button below so you don’t miss out on future reviews).
Overall
-
Design
(5)
-
Build Quality
(4)
-
Flexiblity
(4)
-
Functionality
(4)
-
Warranty
(5)
-
Price
(4)
User Review
( votes)Summary
The Geometrical Pocket Tripod Pro gives your smartphone a portable holder the size of a credit card and stows away in your wallet when not in use. This innovative design allows you to take stable photos and videos while on the go. For the traveler, youtuber, tik toker, or selfie shooter, this pocket-sized smartphone holder has lots to offer.
Pros
- Innovative design
- Flexible adaptor system
- A coupon is provided for an additional free adaptor if the provided ones are not sufficient
- Quickly unfolds from credit card size to fully deployed tripod in seconds
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- The mostly plastic construction feels flimsy, although the manufacturer states that the legs have carbon fiber embedded in key points
- The angle adjustment is stiff, whereas smooth gliding would be preferred
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see the latest reviews of the best tech, gear, and gadgets on the planet.&npsp;
The tripod can be quickly deployed from its credit card-sized folded state in your purse or wallet to ready to go to work supporting your smartphone in seconds. It’s a clever design that is well-executed, albeit with some room for improvement. I have been carrying this tripod in my wallet for several days now, and it comes in handy in those pinch situations when I want to capture photos or video on the go.
The angle the smartphone sits in the tripod is adjusted by sliding the adaptor back and forth on the case. The tolerances are very tight and as such, it can be a bit difficult to get the desired angle. Granted, I had an oversized adaptor, which may have been the primary reason for my difficulty in sliding the adaptor to the desired angle. I look forward to receiving the correct adaptor and seeing if the experience is more fluid. I suspect that the difficulty in adjusting the angle will improve with use over time. I would prefer the adjustment to be too rigid than too flimsy where the tripod cannot hold the phone’s weight to maintain the desired angle. So, it is a delicate balance.
Who’s Gotta Have It?
So, who will benefit from this product? Anyone who carries a smartphone and likes to shoot photos or videos on the go. It’s a perfect match for anyone shooting Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc. outside a studio or set location. In those situations where you don’t have a selfie stick, this provides a more convenient alternative.
As for me, I Gotta Have It! I have not found a better option for supporting my smartphone on the move. I plan on carrying this product in my wallet as part of my everyday carry. What about you? Do you Gotta Have It? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
What’s Delicious
- Packaging is stellar
- Product design is mature and innovative
- Provided adaptors for various smartphone and case thickness is a smart move
- A coupon is provided for an additional free adaptor if the provided ones are not sufficient
- Quickly unfolds from credit card size to fully deployed tripod in seconds
What’s Lackluster
- The mostly plastic construction feels somewhat flimsy and could break. The manufacturer states that the legs have actual carbon fiber embedded in them…specifically, 3K Twill carbon fiber, precision CNC’d, and over-molded with plastic to enable it to snap into position when transforming from card to tripod and back. See this video for more details. They also state that “in the event that a part breaks off due to misuse, please contact us, and we’ll replace the broken piece so that you can continue using your Pocket Tripod PRO.” Nonetheless, it would be nice if the manufacturer offered an aluminum version, even for a premium price as an upgrade option, for those who would prefer this option
- The angle adjustment is stiff, whereas smooth gliding would be preferred
Can You Handle the World’s Manliest Wallet?
If you are in the market for a wallet so manly it will grow hair on your chest, then you have come to the right place. Today, we review the testosterone-laden Dango Products M1 Maverick Bifold Wallet Spec-Ops Special Edition in Burnt Bronze. Let’s face it, a wallet this masculine needs a name appropriately worthy, and it takes a mouthful of words to fulfill that mission.
If you are ready to upgrade from the plain-ole vanilla wallet your daddy carried to something that will make a statement about the kind of man you are, this may very well be the wallet for you. Dango Products offers such a mouth-watering array of wallets, that you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store, not sure where to begin.
If you are like me, one of the first questions that come to mind is how practical is a wallet that is based on a metal frame (aluminum or titanium)? After all, I planned on carrying it in my back pocket. I decided to take a chance and give it a try. After the unboxing and video review for the YouTube channel, I loaded it up and put it right to work.
After carrying it around for several days in a wide variety of situations, I am pleased to report that I couldn’t be happier with the investment. The footprint of the wallet is small enough that it can freely move around in my back pocket enough that I haven’t even noticed its presence (in work slacks, jeans, and shorts). In fact, I have gotten into the habit of feeling for it whenever I stand up to ensure it is still with me.
What I wanted in a wallet was something that made a statement about my appreciation for the finer things in life and my eclectic taste for that little extra something to carry with me every day. I also wanted a wallet that was durable, flexible, and modular in design, so I could mold it to fit my lifestyle. This wallet delivers on all these points well without skipping a beat.
I won’t repeat the information I shared in the video review, so take some time to watch it (and subscribe to the YouTube channel using the button below so you don’t miss out on future reviews).
Overall
-
Design
(5)
-
Build Quality
(5)
-
Flexibility
(5)
-
Durability
(5)
-
Warranty
(5)
-
Price
(3)
User Review
( votes)Summary
Dango Products offers some of the most innovative wallets on the market. Coming in many designs and styles, these wallets feature metal frames available in aluminum or titanium. The modular design allows parts to be swapped out, accessories added, and worn out components replaced.
Pros
- Wide range of product offerings
- Innovative modular designs
- High-quality manufacturing
- Plenty of accessories and add-ons
- Made in the U.S.A.
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Price may be out of reach for some
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see the latest reviews of the best tech, gear, and gadgets on the planet.&npsp;
What I appreciate about Dango’s offering here is the attention to detail. Every part of the product is highly refined. I didn’t find any misshaped corners or poorly sewn edges. Every part fits together precisely like a well-crafted work of art. The accessories attach without having to force alignment. The designers did an incredible job here.
What’s more, the interchangeability of all the parts makes this product ecosystem feel like an Apple-level experience. All the parts just fit together and function so cohesively together. You end up with a solution that is greater than the sum of its parts.
I couldn’t be more excited about my new Dango wallet. It inspires me to want to go on a camping or hiking expedition to see what all I can accomplish with tools like this on my person. Now, as I said in the video, I may not actually do this. But the fact that a product in my pocket inspires such adventures says a lot to me.
I’ve been so impressed with the M1 Maverick that I’m already thinking about the next Dango wallet on my purchase list. I’m also planning on purchasing all the accessories for this wallet so I can fully customize it to my needs.
Who’s Gotta Have It?
So, who is a good fit for Dango Products wallets? Anyone who is looking for a wallet that stands out from the crowd will find an assortment of offerings to meet their needs. Having modular components that can be swapped out either to replace worn-out parts or to keep the look and style constantly fresh will appeal to those who get easily bored with the same old everyday carries. Those whose lifestyle demands tools that can keep up with their grueling pace of life (whether actual or imagined), will find some of the best resources the planet has to offer in Dango’s offerings.
I don’t know about you, but I Gotta Have It! If you’ve Gotta Have It, click the button below to shop and save on Dango Product’s website. When you check out, use the code GottaHaveIt for a 10% discount.
What’s Delicious
- Wide range of product offerings
- Innovative modular designs
- High-quality manufacturing
- Plenty of accessories and add-ons
- Made in the U.S.A.
What’s Lackluster
- Prices may be out of reach for some
The M1 Spec-Ops combines CNC Machined 6061 aerospace aluminum with our very own developed DTEX material; a fine mixture of an industrial “bullet-proof” chassis with a wallet skin that is resilient, flexible and water resistant. The surface of the M1 chassis is ceramic coated with Cerakote – a firearms industry standard ceramic paint tough enough to withstand rough handling. The metal RFID blocking card cavity can hold up to 6 cards depending on card thicknesses.
The M1 Spec-Ops Bifold Pocket variant comes with its pairing high carbon, heat treated MT04 Multi-Tool which has over 10 functions which are specifically designed to respond to emergency situations. The functions of the multi-tool include: a seat belt cutter, serrated/sharpened edges, chisel, 2 paracord tensioners, an O2 oxygen wrench, nail pryer, standard 1/4” inch hex wrench, and of course, a bottle opener. The MT04 Multi-Tool slides into the metal cavity where the cards sit and is nested securely onto the safety locks on the chassis.
In addition to the MT04, the M1 Spec-Ops Bifold Pocket Variant includes the high carbon, heat treated stainless steel MT01 Clasp Multi-tool. The MT01 is a miniature multi-tool that is used as the bifold enclosure and packs about 5 additional functions such as: a small chisel, an open 1/4” hex wrench, another bottle opener, a flat and Phillips head screw driver.
Holds up to 16 cards without multi-tool and 14 cards with multi-tool.
M1 Spec-Ops Wallets are action-packed with functionality and packaged into one compact Dango Wallet making it the ultimate prepper gear. M1 Wallets are handcrafted & made in the USA.
What Makes the iPhone 13 Pro the Best Smartphone Ever?
If you’ve got to carry the very best tech, Apple’s new flagship iPhone 13 Pro offers a delectable array of features and functionality you probably can’t live without. Apple’s new iPhone 13 lineup comes in the standard 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max models. Because Gotta Have It focuses on bringing you the very best products on the market, we are focusing on the features of the Pro model in this review.
When compared to the standard and mini models, the Pro and Pro Max models give you a larger storage capacity option, a third camera lens (telephoto), surgical-grade stainless steel design (instead of aerospace-grade aluminum), a lidar scanner, ProMotion adaptive display refresh rate of up to 120Hz, improved battery life, ProRes video encoding, and extended battery life. These add up to some scrumptious advantages most tech-savvy buyers will consider a worthwhile upgrade.
When compared to the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple’s new offering features a wide assortment of enhancements. In terms of the display, the 13 Pro features a brighter display (1000 nits max typical brightness and compared to the iPhone 12 Pro’s 800 nits, although both could reach a max brightness of 1200 nits), the same ProMotion adaptive display refresh mentioned above, and a slightly smaller notch at the top of the display. The camera is an area where some major enhancements are evident. The aperture has been improved on all 3 of the lenses, to let in more light. The ultrawide lens now supports macro mode, which is a huge feature many will enjoy. The telephoto lens now offers 3x optical zoom, compared to the 12 Pro’s 2.5x. The telephoto also offers 15x digital zoom, instead of 10x digital zoom on the 12 Pro.
One of the biggest improvements in the new model is the addition of Cinema Mode. By leveraging the distance map generated from the built-in lidar sensor, the camera will blur out the background to create a new bokeh effect and focus on the prominent persons or objects in the frame. If the focal point shifts from one person or object to another, the camera will simulate a rack focus to shift the focus of the video. This is a powerful capability that anyone who likes to shot videos will appreciate.
Apple also upped the number of GPU cores from 4 to 5 on the newer model. Video gamers will see a major uptick in graphics rendering. When combined with the ProMotion adaptive screen refresh, this will provide much more robust responsiveness for action gameplay.
Everyone will benefit from the much improved and greatly appreciated longer battery life. The cost for extended battery life is a slight thinker and noticeably heavier phone. Yet, the benefits far outweigh the added weight (pun intended).
Before I offer my thoughts on who should upgrade to the new iPhone 13 Pro, you can watch my video review below.
Overall
-
Design
(5)
-
Build Quality
(5)
-
Features
(5)
-
Performance
(5)
-
Warranty
(4)
-
Price
(4)
User Review
( votes)Summary
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro is one of the most advanced and well-balanced smartphones on the market. This year’s offering provides not upgrades and enhancements across the display, cameras, processor, battery life, and much more. Anyone interested in photography, videography, or gaming will find the new features too good to pass up.
Pros
- Robust OLED Super Retina XDR display
- Faster, more responsive screen refresh with ProMotion
- Multiple improvements to the camera system (including faster larger lenses that let in much more light)
- Significantly upgraded A15 Bionic processor
- Much longer battery life!
- Brighter display (1200 nits in HDR)
- 5-core GPU offers 50% faster performance
- Macro photography and videography
- Cinema mode videos offer professional-looking quality
Cons
- The price of the Pro and Pro Max may be out of the reach of many
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see the latest reviews of the best tech, gear, and gadgets on the planet.&npsp;
Who’s Gotta Have It?
While most of these new capabilities follow the typical evolutionary improvements that roughly follow Moore’s Law, Apple has provided some revolutionary feature enhancements on the iPhone 13 Pro. This includes macro photography and videography, cinema mode rack focusing, and the ProMotion adaptive refresh rates.
So, who should consider upgrading to the iPhone 13 Pro? Anyone interested in photography, videography, and cinematography will see a major increase in their ability to express themselves creatively. Video gamers will see major improvements in the quality, speed, and responsiveness of gameplay. Early adaptors will have no difficulty justifying this upgrade. Anyone who is a few generations or more behind will see huge improvements across the board.
So, what do you think? Do you Gotta Have It? I certainly do, and did, and I have no regrets for pulling the trigger on this upgrade. The iPhone 13 Pro is tech in its most delicious state.
What’s Delicious
- Robust OLED Super Retina XDR display
- Faster, more responsive screen refresh with ProMotion
- Multiple improvements to the camera system (including faster larger lenses that let in much more light)
- Significantly upgraded A15 Bionic processor
- Much longer battery life!
- Brighter display (1200 nits in HDR)
- 5-core GPU offers 50% faster performance
- Macro photography and videography
- Cinema mode videos offer professional-looking quality
What’s Lackluster
- The price of the Pro and Pro Max may be out of the reach of many
iPhone 13 Pro Technical Specifications
Ceramic Shield front Textured matte glass back and stainless steel design
Ceramic Shield front Textured matte glass back and stainless steel design
- 128GB
- 256GB
- 512GB
- 1TB
- 128GB
- 256GB
- 512GB
- 1TB
- Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion
- 6.1‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED display
- 2532‑by‑1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
The iPhone 13 Pro display has rounded corners that follow a beautiful curved design, and these corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.06 inches diagonally (actual viewable area is less).
- Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion
- 6.7‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED display
- 2778‑by‑1284-pixel resolution at 458 ppi
The iPhone 13 Pro Max display has rounded corners that follow a beautiful curved design, and these corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.68 inches diagonally (actual viewable area is less).
- ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz
- HDR display
- True Tone
- Wide color (P3)
- Haptic Touch
- 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical)
- 1000 nits max brightness (typical); 1200 nits max brightness (HDR)
- Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
- Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
- A15 Bionic chip
- New 6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
- New 5‑core GPU
- New 16‑core Neural Engine
- Pro 12MP camera system: Telephoto, Wide, and Ultra Wide cameras
- Telephoto: ƒ/2.8 aperture
- Wide: ƒ/1.5 aperture
- Ultra Wide: ƒ/1.8 aperture and 120° field of view
- 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range
- Digital zoom up to 15x
- Night mode portraits enabled by LiDAR Scanner
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High‑Key Mono)
- Dual optical image stabilization (Telephoto and Wide)
- Sensor‑shift optical image stabilization (Wide)
- Six‑element lens (Telephoto and Ultra Wide); seven‑element lens (Wide)
- True Tone flash with Slow Sync
- Panorama (up to 63MP)
- Sapphire crystal lens cover
- 100% Focus Pixels (Wide)
- Night mode
- Deep Fusion
- Smart HDR 4
- Photographic Styles
- Macro photography
- Apple ProRAW
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Lens correction (Ultra Wide)
- Advanced red‑eye correction
- Photo geotagging
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode
- Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG
- Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field (1080p at 30 fps)
- HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
- ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 128GB storage)*
- Dual optical image stabilization for video (Telephoto and Wide)
- Sensor‑shift optical image stabilization for video (Wide)
- 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range
- Digital zoom up to 9x
- Audio zoom
- True Tone flash
- QuickTake video
- Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
- Time‑lapse video with stabilization
- Night mode Time‑lapse
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
- Continuous autofocus video
- Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
- Playback zoom
- Video formats recorded: HEVC and H.264
- Stereo recording
- 12MP camera
- ƒ/2.2 aperture
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High‑Key Mono)
- Animoji and Memoji
- Night mode
- Deep Fusion
- Smart HDR 4
- Photographic Styles
- Apple ProRAW
- Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field (in 1080p at 30 fps)
- HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
- ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 128GB storage)*
- Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps
- Time‑lapse video with stabilization
- Night mode Time‑lapse
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
- QuickTake video
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Lens correction
- Retina Flash
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode
- Enabled by TrueDepth camera for facial recognition
- Pay with your iPhone using Face ID in stores, within apps, and on the web
- Send and receive money in Messages with Apple Cash4
- Complete purchases made with Apple Pay on your Mac
- Pay for your ride using Express Transit5
- Credit card created by Apple, designed for iPhone
- Get unlimited 3% Daily Cash at Apple and select merchants, 2% with Apple Pay, and 1% everywhere else
- Use the Wallet app to apply for, manage, and use Apple Card
- Titanium, laser‑etched physical credit card for use where Apple Pay is not accepted yet
- Share with up to five people, 13 years or older, in your Family Sharing group to track expenses, manage spending, and build credit together (for those over 18)6
- 5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79)
- 5G NR mmWave (Bands n258, n260, n261)
- FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71)
- TD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48)
- CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- 5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79)
- 5G NR mmWave (Bands n258, n260, n261)
- FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71)
- TD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48)
- CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- Built-in GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
- Digital compass
- Wi‑Fi
- Cellular
- iBeacon microlocation
- FaceTime video calling over cellular or Wi‑Fi
- FaceTime HD (1080p) video calling over 5G or Wi‑Fi
- Share experiences like movies, TV, music, and other apps in a FaceTime call with SharePlay*
- Screen sharing*
- Portrait mode in FaceTime video
- Spatial audio
- Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes
- Optical zoom with rear‑facing camera
- Audio formats supported: AAC‑LC, HE‑AAC, HE‑AAC v2, Protected AAC, MP3, Linear PCM, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital (AC‑3), Dolby Digital Plus (E‑AC‑3), Dolby Atmos, and Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+)
- Spatial audio playback
- User‑configurable maximum volume limit
- Video formats supported: HEVC, H.264, MPEG‑4 Part 2, and Motion JPEG
- HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG
- Up to 4K HDR AirPlay for mirroring, photos, and video out to Apple TV (2nd generation or later) or AirPlay 2–enabled smart TV
- Video mirroring and video out support: Up to 1080p through Lightning Digital AV Adapter and Lightning to VGA Adapter (adapters sold separately)10
- Use your voice to send messages, set reminders, and more
- Activate hands‑free with only your voice using “Hey Siri”
- Use your voice to run shortcuts from your favorite apps
Volume up/down
Ring/Silent
Side button
Built‑in stereo speaker Built‑in microphone
Lightning connector
Built‑in microphones
Built‑in stereo speaker
- Wireless charging up to 15W13
- Magnet array
- Alignment magnet
- Accessory Identification NFC
- Magnetometer
- Face ID
- LiDAR Scanner
- Barometer
- Three‑axis gyro
- Accelerometer
- Proximity sensor
- Ambient light sensor
- iOS 15 iOS is the world’s most personal and secure mobile operating system, packed with powerful features and designed to protect your privacy.
- Voice Control
- VoiceOver
- Zoom
- Magnifier
- RTT and TTY support
- Siri and Dictation
- Type to Siri
- Switch Control
- Closed Captions
- AssistiveTouch
- Spoken Content
- Back Tap
- Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, GarageBand, Clips, and Apple Store app are preinstalled.
- Apple ID (required for some features)
- Internet access16
- Syncing to a Mac or PC requires:
- macOS Catalina 10.15 or later using the Finder
- macOS El Capitan 10.11.6 through macOS Mojave 10.14.6 using iTunes 12.8 or later
- Windows 7 or later using iTunes 12.10.10 or later (free download from itunes.com/download)
32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
−4° to 113° F (−20° to 45° C)
5% to 95% noncondensing
tested up to 10,000 feet (3000 m)
- iPhone with iOS 15
- USB‑C to Lightning Cable
- Documentation