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S21 Ultra vs. S20 Ultra: Samsung Galaxy camera shootout

S21 Ultra vs. S20 Ultra: Samsung Galaxy camera shootout

The standout feature of last year's Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra was its camera, a five-lens setup that could shoot at a crazy 100x magnification. A year later, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is Samsung's newest flagship. It improves on its predecessor in numerous ways: A gorgeous matte back, an even more gorgeous 3,200x1,440-pixel display that lets you scroll in QHD and 120Hz for the first time, and a customary processor upgrade.

But just like last year, those looking into buying Samsung's new crown jewel are mostly doing so for the camera. Updates this year include dual telephoto lenses, 4K video60 frames per second from all rear cameras, and better zoom-stabilization software. So just how much more Ultra is the S21's photography?

Standard

It'll come as little surprise that there's minimal difference between the two cameras when you're shooting in optimal lighting conditions.

In this shot you'll see the colors on the beer can are similarly vibrant, and the same level of detail is captured. The only difference is in the aperture: The background looks a little more blurred in the S20 Ultra as compared to the S21 Ultra. I personally prefer the latter shot, but that's very much a taste thing.

What about less conducive lighting conditions? I shot these flowers under my living room light, which typically makes for some ugly yellow tinting. The S21 Ultra dealt with this lighting far better, neutralizing the yellow shade and producing a shot with better white balance. It also captured better detail on the flower itself.

One issue I found with the S20 Ultra was that, compared to the iPhone 12 Pro, it struggled with extreme close-up shots. It often couldn't focus properly, and other times colors would be overwhelming.

I recruited yet another flower for help here, and found the S21 Ultra a slight improvement. The red in the S20 Ultra shot is just completely overpowering, whereas it's bearable -- but still strong -- on the S21 Ultra. More data was shot too, as you'll see from the details on the flower's petals.

As for ultrawide-angle shots, I found the cameras to be largely comparable. The S20 Ultra sometimes suffered from blown highlights at times when the S21 Ultra wouldn't. That said, the S20 Ultra's ultrawide shots also looked more vibrant. 

See how the colors pop more here on the S21 Ultra. But the processing around the building's edges results in harsher lighting.

That difference is more evident here, with that harsh sun in the top right being better handled by the S21 Ultra's ultrawide-angle sensor.

Portrait

If the S21 Ultra regresses anywhere, it's in Portrait shots. (Which are now called Portraits, as opposed to Samsung's previous "Live Focus" branding.)

In my testing, the S21 Ultra tended to cool the tone down and capture more detail. It's bokeh, which mimics the depth-of-field effects found in DSLR cameras, is more blurred and creamy. This isn't always bad: See these shots below of CNET Science Editor Jackson Ryan. I much prefer the S20 Ultra shot, as it looks softer and less artificial. But the S21 Ultra has captured more of Jackson's facial features, like his freckles, and more detail in his beard.

This is a nice change. In the past, critics (myself included) have marked down Samsung's Portraits due to their skin-smoothing software, which can result in fake, brushed Portraits.

But more often than not, I found the S21 Ultra's Portraits to be more unsightly than the S20 Ultra's. Look how artificially blue my friend Dan's skin looks here, and note the sunny glow in the S20 Ultra that's absent in the S21 Ultra. The S21 Ultra is a little sharper, but just looks flat compared to the S20 Ultra.

It's less of a problem with selfie Portraits. In the below comparison I look softer in the S20 Ultra shot, and the S21 Ultra's sharpness brings out my monobrow. You love to see it. But assuming you have less facial hair than me, this won't be an issue. Here it's a matter of taste, since the unsightly blue tint isn't as much of a problem.

Zoom

Let's move on to why we're really here. Samsung has been investing big design and marketing dollars into its phones' zoom function over the last year, and that's the case with the S21 Ultra too. Like last year's S20 Ultra, it has 100x Space Zoom. Improvements come with a 3x optical zoom, and a lock feature that makes taking pictures at high zoom much easier.

That 3x optical zoom actually makes a big difference, although it's a qualified one. As you can see, not all 3x magnifications are created equal. The S21 Ultra's 3x zoom is actually less magnified than the S20 Ultra's: These shots of my old and ill-kept Game of Thrones books were taken from the same distance at 3x zoom, yet they look far closer on the S20 Ultra. But they also look clearer and less blurred on the S21 Ultra.

Extending out to 10x zoom, the difference actually shrinks. Both phones do a crazy good job here. The below photo was taken at the standard magnification.

Now zooming in 10x, you'll quickly notice how much more dynamic the S21 Ultra's shot is. You may not be able to tell on site here, but looking at the raw files I noticed the S20 Ultra is also more grainy than the S21 Ultra. Again though, both Samsung phones do well at 10x zoom.

However, the chasm widens once again when you begin to zoom further than 10x. See that blue building in the background of this shot? Let's zoom in a big ol' 30x.

The building is adorned with artwork of an Australian kookaburra bird. Apologies for the weird angle, but taking identical shots at 30x zoom is hard! In any case, the S21 Ultra's software is working overtime here and it shows. Both are impressive -- most phones can't zoom this far -- but the S21 Ultra's shot is sharper and with better colors.

Below is another 30x comparison. You'll see that the S20 Ultra's shot is more blurry, has less contrast and captured less detail.

And finally, the ultimate flex: 100x zoom. Of all the 100x-zoom shots I took, this one exemplifies the difference the best. First, here's the scene I was working with:

Now zooming as far as both phones can go, we see both do frankly insane jobs at capturing the moon. The S21 Ultra, though, did better. It's more luminescent and impressive.

Night time

The S21 Ultra performs better at night than its predecessor, but it's not without flaws. Generally speaking, it'll capture more light in its low-light photos -- but at a cost.

This shot illuminates the issue. It was taken with Night Mode off. The S21 Ultra took the better photo, capturing more light and more detail, which you can see in the clouds and on the fencing behind the umbrella. But along with that comes some ugly noise, which is particularly bad in the top left of the photo.

Now let's turn Night Mode on. Here I can say the S21 Ultra is an unqualified winner. There are noise issues, particularly on the wall on the right of the photo, but it's worth it for the extra illumination and sharpness.

But there are times where Night Mode can overdo it. Below is a scene with minimal natural light.

With Night Mode turned on, the S21 Ultra technically does a better job at flooding the scene with light. But it goes too far, resulting in a harsh shot. The S20 Ultra's Night Mode added less light, but produced a more natural-looking photo.

Still, generally speaking the S21 Ultra was a minor improvement over its predecessor. The comparison below is illustrative of what you'll mostly find: The S21 Ultra is a bit sharper, brighter and better at night.

Small improvements

Samsung made some improvements to the S21 Ultra's video camera, too. Both can shoot video in 8K, but now the S21 Ultra can shoot 4K 60 frames-per-second video from all of its rear cameras, notably including its ultrawide angle shooter.

We'd need a whole new article -- or video rather -- to compare the video capabilities of the two phones. I'll just say in my (more limited) testing of the video capabilities, the S21 Ultra's cameras did better at night, with improved low-light autofocus and also better processing of highlights, which can get blown out on the S20 Ultra at times.

All in all, the S21 Ultra is a solid bump up from its predecessor in most photographic ways, especially zoom, though you may personally prefer the S20 Ultra's take on Portrait modes. This is particularly impressive considering the S21 Ultra ($1,200, £1,149, AU$1,849) actually launched at a lower price than the S20 Ultra ($1,400, £1,199, $1,999).

Sarah Tew/CNET

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is Samsung's flagship 2021 phone, its biggest and best of the 2021 Galaxy S21 line that was originally released in the first quarter of that year. We loved its two telephoto cameras, spectacular 6.8-inch screen and support for Samsung's S-Pen stylus (though you'll need to buy that separately). While it's comparatively heavy and lacks a MicroSD expansion slot, you can find it marked down from its original $1,200 base price. 

Sarah Tew/CNET

The Galaxy S20 Ultra was Samsung's top phone until the Note 20 Ultra was released later in 2020. We liked its 5x optical zoom camera and S Pen support, but felt it was a bit too heavy and expensive compared to other models in the 2020 Galaxy S line. 

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https://nichols.my.id/how-to-repair-excel-sheet.html

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Galaxy z flip 4 the last minute rumors you won t want to miss this galaxy z flip 4 the last minute rumors you won t break my soul beyonce galaxy z flip 4 the last minute rumors bar galaxy z flip 4 the last minute rumors of war galaxy z flip 4 the last minute rumors play galaxy z flip 4 case galaxy z fold 4 galaxy z flip 3

Galaxy Z Flip 4: The Last-Minute Rumors You Won't Want to Miss

Galaxy Z Flip 4: The Last-Minute Rumors You Won't Want to Miss

Samsung's next Unpacked event is today -- here's how you can watch it live -- and we're expecting to see a couple new foldable phones. Samsung's trailer for the event shows off what could be the rumored Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4. 

Although the Galaxy Z Flip and Fold 4 are both foldable phones, they differ in many ways. The most noticeable difference is that the Z Fold bends like a book, while the Z Flip folds vertically. Last year's Z Flip 3 was dubbed the "most normal foldable available," by CNET's Patrick Holland, and the upcoming Z Flip 4 will probably bring some welcome upgrades and refinements. 

Read more: Samsung Unpacked Live Blog: Galaxy Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4 Reveals To Come

We're collecting all the rumors regarding the Galaxy Z Flip 4's release date, price, new features and specs, and will be updating this story as new information becomes available. Here's what we've heard so far. Just note that, since these are rumors, none of the specs have been confirmed by Samsung. 

But to encourage people to reserve their phones early, from July 19 until Aug. 10, Samsung is offering an extensive list of discounts based on different bundles, from a maximum of $200 off for those reserving a Galaxy phone, watch and buds down to a minimum of $30 off for just reserving Galaxy buds. While this could be a hint of what's coming at Unpacked, the savings could apply to older Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Buds models.

Release date: Will we see the Galaxy Z Flip 4 on Aug. 10?

Following rumors about an August Unpacked from tipster Evan Blass, Samsung confirmed that it will hold an event on Aug. 10, 2022. It's still unclear what exactly will be announced at the company's upcoming event, but Samsung's invitation and trailer shows what appears to be a new version of the clamshell Galaxy Z Flip. 

Looking at the history of the foldable phone (and that of its Galaxy Z Fold sibling), we can broadly deduce when to expect the new device. 

The Galaxy Z Flip's launches don't appear to follow a specific pattern, as the original was announced in February 2020 and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 was released in August 2021. However, Samsung seems to have buddied the device with the Galaxy Z Fold, which is why the Z Flip jumped from version 1 to 3 -- to match the naming convention of the Z Fold. 

The 2019 Galaxy Fold and 2020 Z Fold 2 were released in September, while the Z Fold 3 debuted in August 2021. If Samsung plans on releasing the phones as a pair, we can likely expect the Galaxy Z Flip 4 in August or September alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which aligns with the upcoming event date. 

Price: The Galaxy Z Flip 4 could be less expensive

We haven't yet heard much in terms of the Galaxy Z Flip 4's possible price. But, we can look to rumors about the Galaxy Z Fold 4 for hints. 

A Korean leaker who goes by the handle yeux1122 suggests the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 4 will cost less than the Z Fold 3. (Leaker yeux1122 doesn't have much of a track record compared to others. MacRumors reported in February that they correctly guessed the iPad Mini 6's release time frame, but were incorrect about the tablet's screen size.) Although the tipster didn't provide any further detail, that speculation aligns with the phone's price history. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 ($1,800) got a price drop compared to the Fold 2 ($2,000). The price of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 was slashed last year as well to $1,000 from $1,380 for the original Z Flip. 

Read more: Here's One Feature Samsung Could Use to One-Up Apple

With that in mind, it's within the realm of possibility for Samsung to decrease the cost of the Z Flip 4. But, like every other rumor, we won't know for sure until the company announces the device. 

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Flip 3, shown above, may look similar. 

Patrick Holland/CNET

Design: Larger cover screen and a new hinge

Rumors about the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 4's display suggest Samsung's making a few small tweaks rather than large sweeping upgrades. According to Korean news site The Elec, the Z Flip 4 will retain the 6.7-inch internal foldable display of the Z Flip 3, but the external cover screen will slightly increase from 1.83 to 1.9 inches. Ross Young, co-founder and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, however, believes that the cover display could increase further to 2 inches.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3's cover screen, the display on the outside when the phone is closed, is four times larger than that of the original Z Flip, and Holland lauded the move as a "step in the right direction." A slightly bigger cover screen could make reading notifications and swiping widgets a little easier. 

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 may also get a redesigned hinge. That is, according to leaker Ice Universe. The new hinge, which is also shown in leaked images of the foldable phone posted by Blass, would be thinner than those on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and may give the phone's an overall slimmer design. 

The Galaxy Z Flip's rumored extendable display. 

LetsGoDigital

According to a patent Samsung filed with the World Intellectual Property Office, however, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 may get more than just a new cover screen and hinge. The patent, as Dutch blog LetsGoDigital reported in March, shows a Galaxy Z Flip that has both a foldable and extendable screen that can be pulled out to create a display that is twice as large. 

Read more: Galaxy Watch 5: Every Noteworthy Rumor Ahead of Samsung Unpacked

Cameras: Rotating lenses?

Samsung didn't upgrade the camera hardware for the Galaxy Z Flip 3, but the upcoming Z Flip 4 may offer some improvements. If rumors are to be believed, the new foldable will offer a rotating camera and a better under-display camera. 

Samsung filed another patent application with the World Intellectual Property Office for a clamshell phone sporting a rotating camera, as LetsGoDigital reported in 2021. The camera, which lives on the foldable's hinge, has two lenses and can pivot to be used when the phone is closed, open or at different angles in between. This means the camera could take selfies and meet other photography needs. 

The Galaxy Z Flip 4's rumored rotating camera. 

LetsGoDigital

Although a one-size-fits-all camera sounds neat, it may also cause the foldable's hinge to be significantly larger, making the phone itself bigger and bulkier. 

Additional rumors from Korean leaker yeux1122, suggest Samsung has tested versions of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 with an improved under-display camera that can be used on the cover screen, too. However, the company is also rumored to have tested versions of the phone with a perforated, punch-hole cutout display.

Read more: Samsung, the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip Could Be Even Better

Other rumored specs and features

Here's everything else we've heard about Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 4's specifications and potential new features.

Battery

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 may have a larger battery capacity than its predecessor. According to leaker Ice Universe, Samsung's upcoming foldable phone could sport a 3,700-mAh battery. That's 400 mAh larger than last year's Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip

Rumors from Ice Universe also suggest that the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 may both run on the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip. The new chip would give the foldables a performance boost over the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold 3 which run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. 

Color options 

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is rumored to come in four colors, including blue, black, cream and a lavender option said to be called Bora Purple, according to supposed renders posted by MySmartPrice.

We still have some time until the Galaxy Z Flip 4's possible reveal, but we have some helpful information to check out while you wait. You can read up on rumors about the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and CNET's reviews of Samsung's flagship phones, the Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra. You can also check out how to save up to $200 on Samsung's new foldables before they even launch. 

Have an Android phone that needs tweaking? Take a look at these settings to change and how to clear your browser cache. More of an Apple fan? We're collecting iPhone 14 rumors, too.

More from Samsung Unpacked

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https://pufatwan.blogspot.com/

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Huawei P40 Pro Plus' 10x optical zoom camera puts iPhone and Samsung to shame

Huawei P40 Pro Plus' 10x optical zoom camera puts iPhone and Samsung to shame

Huawei's P40 Pro Plus is the phone I was waiting for. The company announced the P40 range -- which also includes the base P40 and P40 Pro -- in March and while the P40 Pro proved it can take decent images, it was the Pro Plus that really pushes boundaries with its imagery. 

It's the first phone to come with a 10x optical zoom lens, which lets you get much closer to your subject with little loss in quality. It puts the iPhone 11 Pro's 2x optical zoom to shame. Even the Samsung S20 Ultra's 4x optical zoom can't compete. 

It actually has five cameras: a standard 50-megapixel lens, a 40-megapixel ultrawide-angle camera, an 8-megapixel 3x optical zoom, an 8-megapixel 10x optical zoom and a time-of-flight depth-sensing camera.

As a professional photographer, I was extremely keen to get my hands on this phone and take its cameras for a spin. 

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

First up, these neat flowering boots found here in Edinburgh, Scotland. The phone's standard 50-megapixel camera has captured this scene with loads of details, a perfect exposure and spot-on colors. 

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The iPhone 11 Pro's version of the shot is also perfectly exposed with plenty of detail. The white balance is slightly different in each shot -- the P40 leans more on the magenta tones -- but not so much that either one looks wrong. 

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

On Edinburgh's Calton Hill, the P40 Pro Plus has done a great job of exposing for both the bright sky and the more shadowy areas of the buildings. There is again a slight magenta shift in the white balance, but otherwise it's a cracking shot. 

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The white balance and colors look spot on in this image, and the overall exposure is again superb.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The same scene on the Galaxy S20 Ultra. The color saturation and contrast have both been lifted a touch, as is usually the case with images taken on a Samsung phone. Otherwise, there's little to separate them. 

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

At 3x optical zoom, the P40 Pro Plus has still captured plenty of detail and managed to maintain its overall exposure.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

By comparison, the S20 Ultra's 4x zoom has got a little closer, but the lifted shadow detail on the tree has resulted in this image looking somewhat fake. 

Huawei P40 Pro Plus, at 10x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, at 10x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

With both phones shooting at 10x optical zoom, it's clear that in this example, the P40 Pro Plus has underexposed the scene, causing the church to fall too much into shadow. The S20 Ultra's shot still looks a bit fake, but at least the church is clearly visible.

Huawei P40 Pro Plus, at 100x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, at 100x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Both phones can push their zoom limits all the way to 100x, and both are quite frankly terrible. 

Huawei P40 Pro Plus, at 100x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, at 100x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

And the same is true here. Mushy details and an image that's completely unusable, beyond perhaps some kind of bragging rights, but I doubt even that would get you far. Sure, you could maybe try and zoom in on a celebrity you spotted in the distance, but their face would be so indistinguishable that you wouldn't be able to prove you saw them, no matter how much you boasted. Both these phones take great shots at 10x zoom, but it's not worth pushing it beyond that.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The 10x zoom on the Huawei is great to play with though. I loved being able to snag this picture of what I'm pretty sure is a great tit. Wildlife photography has never been the realm of phones, due to their inability to get close up on the creatures you're photographing, but the P40 Pro Plus would certainly let you get some cracking shots of the wildlife that visits your garden. 

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

I also got close up on this plane descending to land. It's pretty dark, so I'm a little disappointed the phone hasn't brightened the subject up a bit. 

Huawei P40 Pro Plus, using super wide-angle lens.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

iPhone 11 Pro, using super wide-angle lens.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Switching to the wide-angle camera, the Huawei P40 Pro Plus doesn't provide as wide a view as the iPhone 11 Pro and while the image is sharp, the iPhone's shot is more vibrant.

Huawei P40 Pro Plus at 3x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

iPhone 11 Pro at 2x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

But it's the zoom skills that push the P40 Pro plus ahead. The iPhone 11 Pro's 2x maximum optical zoom doesn't really bring the statue into focus, while even at 3x on the P40 Pro Plus, it's becoming clearer that there's a figure in the water.

Huawei P40 Pro Plus at 10x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

At 10x zoom, the statue fills the frame, with great exposure and colors too. The iPhone 11 Pro is simply no competition to the P40 Pro Plus when it comes to zoom. 

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Back in the super wide-angle mode, the P40 Pro Plus and the iPhone 11 Pro seem to be pretty much neck and neck. In this example, I prefer the iPhone 11 Pro's shot; the sky is richer, with more noticeable cloud detail and the wider view it offers has really helped emphasize the mushrooms in the foreground. 

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

But the P40 Pro Plus takes the wide-angle win here as it's been able to keep that bright sky under control, resulting in a much better looking image overall. The iPhone has completely overexposed that sky.

Huawei P40 Pro Plus in low light.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

iPhone 11 Pro in low light.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Galaxy S20 Ultra in low light.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

In this low-light scene, using night mode on each phone, there's not much to choose between them. The iPhone 11 Pro's shot is the brightest of the three, but the Galaxy S20 Ultra's image is slightly sharper. That said, all three have done a great job of producing clear images in what was an extremely dark room. 

So far I'm very impressed with what the P40 Pro Plus can do. Shots from all its lenses look great and are up there with the best of today's super phones. The zoom really does put it in a league of its own and I'm keen to spend more time seeing what it can really do. I also want to test more of the video functions -- including night mode for video -- as well as the 32-megapixel front-facing camera. Stay tuned for more on the camera.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

What's the P40 Pro Plus like as a phone?

Beyond the great camera, the phone is packed with tons of top tech. The 6.5-inch display stretches right to the edges of the phone for razor-thin bezels, the Kirin 990 processor is a powerhouse and it supports 5G. It's got IP68 waterproofing too, as well as wireless charging, 8GB of RAM and a battery that'll comfortably last a whole day. It's basically got everything you'd expect from a top-end phone in 2020.

What it doesn't have are Google services, however, due to the ongoing restrictions on Huawei imposed by the US government. That means no Chrome, no Gmail and no Google Play Store for your apps. Huawei does have its own app store with some big names such as Zoom, VLC, Snapchat and TikTok. Various other apps -- including Facebook and WhatsApp -- can be downloaded as apk files from their official websites. Still, those of you who rely on Google's apps would be best shopping elsewhere.

Should I buy it?

The lack of Google services on the phone is certainly a big issue to be aware of and will be a deal-breaker for many. However, unlike with the P40 Pro I've already looked at, the P40 Pro Plus's camera is so impressive that it makes the phone a contender for your attention. 

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

But it needs to be cheaper. At 1,399 euros (which converts to £1,250, AU$2,280 or $1,580, although it won't be on sale in the US), it's not an affordable phone. That's a problem, as its nearest rival, the Galaxy S20 Ultra -- which has similar zoom skills, 5G and Google services -- costs less ($1,400, £1,199 and AU$1,999).

There's no question Huawei's phone has got a lot going for it. The zoom would really appeal to those of you hoping to enjoy some garden wildlife photography. But if you're not in a hurry, it's worth waiting a little while after the phone's mid-June sale date to see if that price dips below the S20 Ultra. At the current prices, the Galaxy S20 Ultra is where my money would go.

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• Huawei P40 Pro Plus Night Mode
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Huawei Mate 30 Pro review: Sublime camera, disastrous software

Huawei Mate 30 Pro review: Sublime camera, disastrous software

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Huawei started 2019 strong with the excellent P30 Pro phone, but things went downhill from there. Due to concerns that its equipment could be used to spy on the US and other companies, the Chinese tech giant has been banned from using technology from US companies. As a result, it can't license Google Mobile Services. The Mate 30 Pro, its latest flagship, has no Google Play Store, and no apps like Google Maps, Gmail and YouTube. 

It has the striking appearance of a futuristic slab of aluminum and glass, but I knew I was in for a rough ride just moments after booting up the Mate 30 Pro. Entering the AppGallery, Huawei's version of the Google Play Store, I was encouraged to download some of its most popular apps: Weibo, WeChat and the China Drama Channel. It quickly became clear that Huawei doesn't have much to offer its non-Chinese customers.

One question has enshrouded the Mate 30 Pro since Huawei's tech ban: Can Huawei, a huge, powerful company with deep resources, find a way to neutralize the loss of Google? 

The answer, unfortunately, is no.

The Mate 30 Pro is an exceptional piece of hardware. Its quad-camera setup shoots outstanding photos (sometimes better than the iPhone 11 Pro) a dazzling 6.53-inch waterfall display is the centerpiece of an inspired design, and its 4,500-mAh battery goes and goes and goes. But the fiasco that is Android without full Google support makes it impossible to recommend. 

Even more galling is the Mate 30 Pro's price. The phone starts at AU$1,599 in Australia, which converts to $1,100 or £830. (No availability has been announced for either the US or UK.) Yes, it's a premium phone and premium parts ain't cheap. But as a proposition to you, the buyer, that much money for a partially functioning phone is preposterous. 

Huawei tries Android without all of Google

Since Android 10 itself is open-source, the Mate 30 Pro still runs Google's most recent operating system fine. But since Google Mobile Services requires a license, Huawei has no access to the Google Play Store or any of Google's apps. 

Instead, you'll use Huawei's AppGallery, which the company says has over 45,000 apps. That sounds like a lot, but I could count the useful apps in the AppGallery on one hand.

There's no Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Netflix, Disney Plus or Reddit. You won't find Google apps, like Gmail, Maps or YouTube. (You can log into Gmail through Huawei's native email app, though.) Even if you do install Google apps by downloading their APKs -- the Android equivalent of Windows' .exe files -- they won't work without authentication from Google Mobile Services. Uber doesn't work either, since the ride-sharing app runs Google Maps. Losing Google's suite of apps is devastating; losing almost every useful app in the Google Play Store is debilitating. 

Huawei's AppGallery has over 45,000 apps. You'll find few of them useful.

Ian Knighton/CNET

Of all the apps I download onto every new phone, only one was available: Spotify. When I tried to find Spotify in the AppGallery a week later, however, it appeared to have been pulled. TikTok (which is owned by Chinese company Bytedance) was available at first, then disappeared and then appeared again. 

To get around the software obstructions I downloaded APKs from assorted websites. It was a dodgy process, and worked inconsistently. Some apps ran fine, others crashed after a few moments and others still didn't work at all.

It was a total mess.

Huawei Mate 30 Pro's camera credentials

If Huawei phones have been known for one thing, it's cameras. Huawei beat competitors to the punch with dual-lens cameras (P9), a dedicated Night Mode (P20 Pro) and 5x optical zoom (P30 Pro). Photography is undoubtedly the Mate 30 Pro's greatest strength.

The phone has a fantastic quad-camera setup. The main shooter has 40 megapixels. Then there's an 8-megapixel telephoto lens, which has a 3x optical zoom and 30x digital zoom; a 40-megapixel ultrawide-angle lens; and there's a 3D "time-of-flight" sensor that helps with depth perception.

The Mate 30 Pro has less zoom capability than Huawei's current flagship the P30 Pro, which has 5x optical and 50x digital. But it has a bigger, better ultrawide-angle sensor over the P30 Pro. This is a worthwhile trade, because I find ultrawide-angle capability much more useful than better zoom functionality. 

Some Portrait shots give the subject brushed, lightened skin.

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

Others work better.

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

The Mate 30 Pro's quad-camera setup generally captures crisp, vibrant shots. 

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

See that fountain all the way in the back? 

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

Here it is, shot with 30x zoom. 

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

Photography isn't perfect. Thanks to heavy software processing, skin can look artificially brushed in Portrait shots. This processing also makes Night Mode superfluous: Low-light shots capture an impressive amount of light, and toggling on Night Mode often results in overkill. I didn't have the option to shoot a dark photo even when I wanted to because the scene is brightened with software by default. 

But despite these issues, the Mate 30 Pro has one of the best camera setups on any Android phone. Photos generally look spectacular, with rich color and crisp detail. 

And Huawei packed in another innovative trick, but this time for the video camera. The Mate 30 Pro features stupefying slow-motion capabilities. There are four options: 4x, 8x, 32x, 64x and an astonishing 256x. That 256x option uses AI software to slow things down to 7,680 frames per second. 

Slow-motion cameras need more light, so you'll need a reasonably bright environment to take advantage of ultra-slow-mo. And since 256x slow motion makes 25 seconds out of one-tenth of a second, you'll need good timing to shoot the split second you want in slow-mo. But I found the feature super fun to play around with. It makes something as little as a water splash look spectacular. 

Good parts, bad phone

In regards to hardware, the Mate 30 Pro is luxurious in every aspect.

Its 6.53-inch, 2,400x1,176x-pixel screen is beautiful, bright and crisp. Its OLED screen is a waterfall display, meaning it wraps around the side of the phone all the way to the aluminum back. Videos and browsing were a joy, and the glass body felt more luxe to hold than aluminum. The downside is that there are no volume buttons, so I had to tap the side of the display to activate an on-screen volume slider instead. This generally works OK, but makes quick volume changes more cumbersome than they need be.

Powered by Huawei's own Kirin 990 processor and 8GB of RAM, the Android heavyweight felt silky smooth to use. But where the Mate 30 Pro really shines is battery life. Running it through CNET's battery test -- turning the phone on Airplane mode and looping an HD video -- it lasted 24 hours, 12 minutes. That's crazy. 

The best phone you shouldn't buy.

Ian Knighton/CNET

I wish I could say that the Kirin 990 CPU also scored well on Geekbench 5, a benchmark we run to test a processor's efficiency. Saying it performed well would be a safe bet but, after downloading the APK for Geekbench 5 from four different sites, the app never worked. I could try searching for more Geekbench APKs, but I think this anecdote is an apt encapsulation of the Huawei Mate 30 Pro.

It's a beautiful device with powerful parts and a sublime camera. But its software situation is a disaster. Don't buy this phone. 

Originally published Dec. 17.
Update, Dec. 28: Adds video review, comparison to iPhone 11 Pro camera.

Huawei Mate 30 Pro

	Huawei Mate 30 Pro	Google Pixel 4 XL	Samsung Galaxy Note 10	OnePlus 7T	iPhone 11 Pro
Display size, resolution	6.53-inch OLED	6.3-inch OLED	6.3-inch AMOLED; 2,280x1,080 pixels	6.55-inch AMOLED; 2,400x1,080-pixels	5.8-inch OLED Super Retina XDR; 2,436x1,125 pixels
Pixel density	409ppi	537ppi	401ppi	402ppi	458ppi
Dimensions (Inches)	6.22 x 2.88 x 0.35 in	2.9x6.3x0.3 in	5.94x2.83x0.31 in	6.34x2.93x0.32 in	5.67x2.81x0.32 in
Dimensions (Millimeters)	158.1x73.1x8.8 mm	75.1x160.4x8.2 mm	151x71.8x7.9 mm	160.94x74.44x8.13 mm	144x71.4x8.1 mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)	6.98 oz; 198g	6.8 oz; 193g	5.93 oz; 168g	6.70 oz; 190g	6.63 oz; 188g
Mobile software	Android 10 with EMUI	Android 10	Android 9 Pie	Android 10 with OxygenOS	iOS 13
Camera	40 megapixel (standard), 8 megapixel (telephoto), 40 megapixel (ultrawide-angle), 3D ToF sensor	12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (telephoto)	12-megapixel (wide-angle), 16-megapixel (ultra-wide angle), 12-megapixel (telephoto)	48-megapixel (standard), 12-megapixel (telephoto), 16-megapixel (ultra wide-angle)	12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide), 12-megapixel (telephoto)
Front-facing camera	32 megapixel, 3D ToF sensor	8-megapixel	10-megapixel	16-megapixel	12-megapixel
Video capture	4K	4K	4K	4K	4K
Processor	Kirin 990	2.84GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, or Samsung Exynos 9825	2.96GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+	Apple A13 Bionic
Storage	128GB, 256GB	64GB, 128GB	256GB	128GB	64GB, 256GB, 512GB
RAM	8GB	6GB	8GB	8GB	Not disclosed
Expandable storage	Up to 256GB	No	No	No	No
Battery	4,500-mAh	3,700-mAh	3,500-mAh	3,800-mAh	Not disclosed, but Apple claims it will last 4 hours longer than iPhone XS
Fingerprint sensor	In-screen	No	In-screen	In-screen	No
Connector	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	Lightning
Headphone jack	No	No	No	No	No
Special features	Up to 256x slow motion; wireless charging; reverse charging; IP68 resistance; dual-SIM; waterfall display	Soli motion sensing and touchless gestures; 90Hz display; water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging	S Pen stylus; Wireless PowerShare; hole punch screen notch; water resistant (IP68)	90Hz display; dual-SIM; Warp Charge 30T	Water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging
Price off-contract (USD)	Converted: About $1,100	$899 (64GB), $999 (128GB)	$949	$599	$999 (64GB), $1,149 (256GB), $1,349 (512GB)
Price (GBP)	Converted: About £830	£829 (64GB), £929 (128GB)	£899	Converted: About £485	£1,049 (64GB), £1,199 (256GB), £1,399 (512GB)
Price (AUD)	AU$1,599	AU$1,279 (64GB), AU$1,429 (128GB)	AU$1,499	Converted: About AU$890	AU$1,749 (64GB), AU$1,999 (256GB), AU$2,349 (512GB)

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• Huawei Mate 30 Pro Specs
• Huawei Mate 30 Pro Release Date
• Huawei Mate 30 Pro Review
• Huawei Mate 30 Price
• Harga Huawei Mate 30 Pro
• Huawei Mate 30 Specs
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• Huawei Matebook D15
• Huawei Mate X2
• Huawei Matepad

Best Drones For 2022

Best Drones for 2022

If you've never flown a drone before, you've got lots of fun in store. Learning how to fly a drone is an exhilarating experience. But it's even more fun when you can use a drone camera to take beautiful videos and photos from the sky. The best drone cameras can bring you views that you'd never be able to shoot from the ground, which will wow your family, friends and TikTok fans. And these days, you can get a great drone with a camera for less than $500.

There are plenty of affordable options for drone owners that offer various combinations of features, video quality and prices to suit every drone enthusiast. So, whether you're looking to get into drone photography or just want to enjoy the thrill of the flight, we've got some recommendations. Here are the best drones for both beginner and intermediate drones.

We've outlined our top picks for the best drones for beginners, intermediate users and "prosumer" enthusiasts, as well as an introductory drone for folks interested in racing, which is a whole scene unto itself. We'll update this list periodically. We've also included a more in-depth buying guide and FAQ on the best drones below, with more information about the key things to consider before you buy. 

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

With its large 1-inch image sensor, the DJI Air 2S is able to take great-looking photos and videos from the sky. It'll shoot video at up to 5.4k resolution, while still images can be taken in DNG raw format at up to 20 megapixels. The drone has a variety of intelligent flight modes too that makes it particularly easy to capture cinematic footage even when you're out hiking by yourself, including a mode that follows you as you walk through the hills and a mode that automatically circles a point of interest. 

One thing it doesn't do is flip the camera over to let you shoot in portrait orientation. That's a shame, as it means that capturing vertical video for TikTok or Instagram Reels is more difficult as you'll need to crop your video down the middle, losing a lot of resolution in the process. If that's a priority for you, look towards DJI's Mini 3 Pro.

It's as easy to fly as others in the DJI range and it has a range of obstacle sensors to help keep it in the air and avoid it plouwing headlong into a tree or a wall. Its maximum flight time of up to 31 minutes is solid for a drone of this size but it can be bought with a bundle of extra batteries for those of you that want to capture more footage from the sky. 

Its folding design makes it quite easy to fit into a photography backpack, but it's physically larger and heavier than DJI's 'Mini' range, so keep that in mind if you're after the lightest model to take on your travels. But its combination of flight time, automated flying modes and excellent image quality make it a superb all-rounder that's well worth considering.

Read our DJI Air 2S review.

Joshua Goldman/CNET

The DJI Mini may have launched back in 2020, but it's still available to buy today and it's still a superb option for those of you looking to take your first steps into the world of aerial photography. Its compact, folding size means it's super easy to chuck in a bag and carry anywhere while its 249g weight means you don't need to register it with the FAA (in the US). 

It uses the same control scheme as other DJI drones, which we've found to be easy for beginners learning the ropes while allowing more advanced flyers the flexibility to test their skills. It can fly for up to 31 minutes on a single charge and has a flying range of up to 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). 

Its small camera unit is stabilized for smoother footage and it can shoot video at 4K at up to 30 frames per second. Still images are captured at 12 megapixels. 

One of the reasons that the foldable drone is so light is that it has no sensors for obstacle avoidance. That means there will be a learning curve and potentially some crashing. So while it is an affordable beginner options, those of you with no existing flying skills should start out practicing in wide-open spaces until you get the hang of things. Once you do get more confident, the Mini 2 is stable, nimble, safe to fly and quieter than other DJI models.

Read our DJI Mini 2 review.

Andrew Lanxon/CNET

While DJI's Air 2s and Mavic 3 offer superb image quality from the air, they lack the ability to flip the camera over and shoot video and photos in portrait orientation. As a result, those of you wanting to use your footage for your TikTok page or Instagram Reels will need to crop the video right down the middle, losing a lot of resolution in the process and making it harder to compose your shots when you're out on location. 

The Mini 3 Pro has no such problem, as with a simple tap of an on-screen button its camera flips over into portrait orientation, allowing you to capture social content using the full view and maximum 4K resolution of the sensor. Videos can be shot at up to 60 frames per second, while still images can be captured in DNG at an impressive 48 megapixels.

Its folding design allows it to shrink down to something little bigger than a standard can of coke but it still packs a variety of sensors that help stop you crashing it into trees. Keep in mind though that its tiny size and 249g weight does mean that it's susceptible to strong winds and in blustery conditions will have to fight harder to remain airborne -- reducing your flight times. 

Read our DJI Mini 3 Pro review.

Andrew Lanxon/CNET

If you've been on Instagram or TikTok recently then you'll almost certainly have seen exhilarating videos of similar FPV drones flying through bowling alleys, factories or doing other incredible aerial maneuvers. To achieve that, FPV pilots wear headsets that let them see through the eyes of the drone, navigating those twisting turns and zooming through tight gaps as if they're behind the controls and up in the air. 

And that's exactly how you'll fly the Avata; with a set of DJI FPV goggles that give you a view directly from the drone's perspective. It's an exhilarating way of flying as it really feels like you're up in the air controlling the drone from behind a steering wheel. It's a more extreme way of flying than you'll get from more typical drones like the Air 2S, with more instant controls and faster speeds. 

The upside is that you get fast and exciting footage of your drone speeding through forests or through impossibly-small obstacles which you simply can't achieve with other drones on this list. The downside is that the first-person perspective can make you quite nauseous, particularly if you suffer at all from motion sickness. I found I could manage 5-10 minutes of flying at a time before needing an extended break. 

The nature of wearing the goggles also means you're unable to see around you -- which makes it more difficult to spot any incoming dangers, such as rescue helicopters. As such, you're legally obliged in many areas (including the UK) to have a spotter next to you keeping an eye out on your behalf as you race your drone around the sky. 

The Avata is smaller and lighter than DJI's first FPV drone and has built-in guards around its propellers which allow it to bump into walls, trees or other obstacles without necessarily being taken out of the air. 

Its 4K, 60 frames-per-second video looks great and it's easy to fly using the DJI Motion Controller, which lets you simply maneuver the drone based on your hand movements. You'll see a crosshair in your view that moves around when you move the controller -- wherever you point the crosshair, the drone will follow. It's a simple 'point-and-click' way of flying that I really enjoyed.

Read our DJI Avata review.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The DJI Mavic 3's relatively high starting price of $2,000 makes it significantly more expensive than others on this list, but if you're a professional or enthusiastic photographer wanting superb photos and videos from the sky then it's an investment that might be worth making.

The Mavic 3 packs a 4/3rd-size image sensor which is physically larger than any other image sensor you'll get from other drones on this page. That bigger sensor allows it to capture more light and offer better dynamic range. As a result, its 5.1k video looks superb, with tons of detail for cropping into and excellent exposures, even in high-contrast scenarios. 

It's got sensors all-round too, keeping it safe from smashing into obstacles, while its huge 46-minute maximum flight time is better than almost any other drone around. It folds down to the size of a large camera lens, so it's relatively easy to get into a photography backpack, but those of you wanting a tiny drone for travelling should still look to the DJI Mini 3 Pro. 

Read our DJI Mavic 3 review.

Drew Evans/CNET

The DJI FPV was the company's original first-person drone, offering a beginner-friendly entrance into the exhilarating world of FPV drone flying. We loved its lighting-fast 97mph top speed and its solid 4K video quality. And while the DJI FPV has been somewhat usurped by the new DJI Avata which is smaller, lighter and safer (thanks to built-in propeller guards), the original DJI FPV is still worth considering. 

That's largely down to its price, which is now around $1,000 for a full kit with everything you need to fly, from the drone itself, to the controller and the original FPV headset. The DJI Avata comes in at $1,170 for the similar 'Fly Smart' combo which I personally think is worth paying (as it includes the motion controller which makes FPV flying much easier) but if you want an FPV experience at the lowest cost then the cheaper DJI FPV might be the better option.

Emax

Though mainstream drones like the DJI Mini can fly fast, racing drones fly even faster, capable of hitting speeds above 100 mph. They're also much more agile, built for acrobatic maneuvers with you at a set of manual controls. That means there's a learning curve that usually involves some crashes. 

Getting started will be neither quick nor easy, but for a racing drone, the Emax Tinyhawk 2 keeps things relatively simple. You'll still need to learn how to pilot the thing, but the process will be less expensive and less frustrating than other entry-level systems. For one thing, you don't need to worry about getting all of the individual pieces to work together -- or soldering anything, which is required for many DIY models. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do drones cost?

The prices for drones varies depending on what kind of features you want or the quality you need from the camera. As with most areas of tech, price lines up with performance, with the more expensive models offering higher-resolution video with bigger image sensors and longer flight times. 

DJI's range currently starts at only $450 for the Mini 2, which offers decent 4K video and strong flight times but lacks obstacle sensors or any kind of intelligent flight modes. At the higher end, the DJI Mavic 3 shoots 5.1k video with a large image sensor for pristine quality, its 40-minute flight times are class-leading and its range of obstacle sensors means it can fly autonomously to capture cinematic footage of you with minimal effort. At $2,000 though, you pay a lot for these kinds of features.

How far can drones fly?

Many drones in DJI's range can fly in huge areas, with the Mavic 3 being able to fly up to 9.3 miles (15km) away from you. That's in ideal conditions however, and sometimes you may find you get interference from other sources and the drone will advise a closer proximity. 

Keep in mind too that while the drone may technically be able to fly a long way away, your local laws may not be so forgiving. In the UK, for example, your drone always has to remain in eyesight of the pilot, and the small size of these drones means they're likely going to be impossible to see once they get too far away. 

How fast can drones fly?

The top speed of drones varies depending on their use for the most part. More typical camera-focused drones like the Mini 3 Pro can achieve up to 37 mph in its fastest "sport" mode, while the DJI FPV can hit a whopping 97 mph. FPV drones are designed for faster, more extreme flights so you'll typically find these drones have much higher top speeds. Some drones designed for racing can even achieve speeds of 170 mph.

What's the best DJI drone?

"Best" is of course a subjective word and what might suit your needs most may not suit someone else. If you're looking for the best image quality for beautiful landscape images, the big sensor of the DJI Mavic 3 is the one for you. Looking for the best small drone for travelling? The Mini 3 Pro's tiny design will suit you well. 

If you want a generally solid all-round drone then look towards the DJI Air 2S. Its combination of travel-friendly size, excellent image quality and decent flight times means it ticks most boxes and could be the best drone for most people. 

Which drones shoot vertical video for TikTok and Instagram?

While you may have seen lots of vertical videos from drones on your TikTok or Instagram feeds, the reality is that very few drones can actually shoot this video natively. Even camera-focused drones like the DJI Mavic 3 can't shoot video in portrait orientation, so drone users will have to crop their footage down the middle before uploading it to their social accounts.

The recent DJI Mini 3 Pro is one of the few drones currently able to flip its camera over and shoot vertically. It means you can take advantage of the full 4K resolution of the sensor, and have a much easier time in composing your shots as you don't need to imagine what it would like after the crop -- what you see as you fly is what you'll post to TikTok later. 

How do you connect a drone camera to a phone?

Most drones -- including most of the DJI models featured here -- require you to connect your phone at some stage to act as the viewfinder and control screen for the drone. Usually that'll involve you connecting the phone physically to the controller using either a Lightning cable (for iPhones) or a USB-C cable (for Android phones) and using apps like DJI FLY. The controller then connects to the drone, showing the feed from your drone's camera right on your phone screen. 

Which drones are waterproof?

In short, almost none of them. Complete waterproofing is tricky for drones as the propellers need to be able to generate downforce (so can't be fully enclosed) and short of fitting wiper blades from a car, the camera will always be susceptible to raindrops. None of the drones on this list are sold with any kind of "waterproof" promise and while you can certainly get away with flying in a few spots of rain -- or even through clouds -- if it really starts to pour then you should land immediately. 

How we test drones

Like all products on CNET, any items that feature on our best lists are tested by us to make sure that they perform as well as the manufacturers claim. Nothing is taken at face value and nothing is recommended to buy based on marketing promises or specs alone.  If they don't perform, they simply don't make the list.

For drones, we take them out of the city to a safe flying spot. We set them up and connect them to the controllers and our phones, just as you would. We then send them into the sky, checking out how easy they are to fly, how responsive they are and whether there are any issues with signal transmissions or physical problems such as obstacle avoidance not working properly. 

We test the flight times and battery capacity in different conditions. Most manufacturer's claims of battery life are done under perfect, wind-free conditions which isn't realistic for most of us. As such, we fly them in real-world scenarios and give an indication of what actual battery life you can expect.

And we of course shoot plenty of videos and photos, looking at the image quality, at the colors and the contrast. We pay attention to the dynamic range as this will determine how well a drone can balance a bright blue sky against the darker ground. If a drone offers DNG raw photos, we use this too, and we see how well the images can be artistically edited in software like Adobe Lightroom.

Things to consider before you buy a drone

New to the world of modern drones? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here's a quick overview of what any beginner needs to know to find the best drones for their money.

The price of the drone is only the beginning

Depending on the aircraft, extra batteries can run you from $5 for toys to more than $100 each for camera drones.

Joshua Goldman/CNET

You're going to want a couple extra batteries, some spare propellers, maybe some prop guards and perhaps a quick charger, so you're not waiting hours to fly again. You're more than likely going to crash, which could lead to repair costs -- either for replacement parts or shipping it back to the manufacturer for repairs. (This is exactly why DJI offers crash insurance for new drones.)

Before you buy a drone, it's worth spending a little time researching the price and availability of replacement parts, batteries and other accessories. And be cautious of third-party parts -- especially batteries and chargers -- which may be inferior to those made by the drone manufacturer.

Everyone will assume you're invading their privacy

When you're out flying in a public space, or even in your own backyard, anyone who sees you doing it will think you're spying on them or someone else. You could be standing in the middle of a 20-acre field with no one in sight and your drone no more than 50 feet directly overhead and you might end up answering questions about being a peeping Tom. It's happened to us. Repeatedly.

And along those same lines....

Everyone but you thinks they're dangerous

It doesn't matter if you're the safest drone pilot around or that you could do more damage hitting someone with a baseball than a drone -- onlookers may feel threatened. After all, nothing about plastic blades spinning at high speeds screams "safety." 

Parrot's Bebop 2 has some nice safety features including propellers that stop instantly if they hit anything.

Joshua Goldman/CNET

As such, US-based pilots may benefit from an Academy of Model Aeronautics membership. Along with a whole host of benefits including access to AMA-member flying sites, the $75 annual membership protects you with $2,500,000 of comprehensive general liability insurance as well as $25,000 in accident or medical coverage, $10,000 maximum accidental death coverage and $1,000 fire, theft and vandalism coverage. 

Finding places to fly can be a challenge

In population-dense places like cities and metropolitan areas, it can be difficult to find places to safely and legally fly. US national parks are off-limits. Regulations differ among state, county and municipal parks. And then there are the no-fly zones, which puts many metropolitan areas out of bounds as well as just dangerous, because of buildings, people and cars.

Before you buy a drone -- even a toy one, if you plan to fly outside -- you'll want to visit AirMap or download the FAA's B4UFly app to check for no-fly zones. These don't cover state or local ordinances, though, so you'll need to do additional research on your chosen environs before you fly.

The EU and UK's drone rules are based mostly on how heavy a drone weighs and no longer differentiate between people flying for fun, or people flying for professional purposes. Europeans among you with new drones should make sure to fully familiarize yourself with the 2022 drone regulations and ensure both you and your drones are registered before taking flight.

Any remote control aircraft except 'toys' need an FAA registration in the US

Screenshot by Sean Hollister/CNET

The US Federal Aviation Administration is requiring anyone who wants to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle that weighs between 0.55-pound (250 grams) and 55 pounds (approximately 25 kilograms) for recreation or hobby to register with the agency. Civil penalties for not registering such an unmanned aircraft may include fines up to $27,500. Criminal penalties may include fines up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to three years or both.

Most sub-$100 UAS drones fall under this weight. A kitchen or postal scale can be used to weigh your drone or you can check with the manufacturer. Also, this applies to both store-bought and homemade aircraft.

The registration cost is $5 and it can all be done online in a matter of minutes. You don't have to register each aircraft you own -- just yourself; you'll be given a number to attach to what you're flying. That's it. Essentially, it's the FAA's way of getting you to agree that you've read its safety guidelines including staying more than five miles away from airports and below 400 feet.

The UK has its own registration requirements. Essentially, owners of drones that weigh more than 250 grams must register as a drone operator, which costs £9 annually. And pilots of drones that weigh more than 250 grams must pass a free online education course every three years. Australia has promised that new rules are "on their way," but for now there are no official requirements.

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• Best Drones For Beginners
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