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Oppo Find X5 Pro: Five reasons this flagship android phone is worth a look
Oppo Find X5 Pro: Five reasons this flagship android phone is worth a look
The Find X5 Pro is the latest flagship Android phone from Oppo, replacing last year's Find X3 Pro and bringing with it a host of neat features, including a potent processor, luscious design, 5G connectivity and impressive camera setup.
But it needs all that exciting tech as the premium phone category has never been more competitive, with Google's Pixel 6 Pro and the brand new Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra both ticking every box you'd expect from a flagship phone in 2022. So Oppo will have to work hard to steal your attention away from its rivals, particularly if it won't be competing hard on price.
While Oppo hasn't said exactly how much the phone will cost (simply saying during a press briefing that it will be "competitive"), the previous Find X3 Pro was over $1,000. If it sticks to that pricing, it's squarely in that high-end flagship level with the S22 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro. Hopefully that official price might come down by a couple hundred bucks to sweeten the deal.
But that said, there are some good reasons to look towards Oppo's phone so here then are the five things I like most about the Find X5 Pro.
Slick design
I love the look of this phone. It's made from ceramic that's apparently baked at over 1,000 degrees Celsius which has allowed it to be formed into this single piece that flows up and around the camera lenses. It's certainly got a unique aesthetic that makes it stand out against its rivals and I think it manages to be both stylish and smart, so it wouldn't look out of place in a fancy wine bar or on a boardroom meeting table.
The phone's body is made out of ceramic.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
It might look fragile, but Oppo reckons that ceramic build actually makes it twice as durable as toughened glass, while the front is made from Corning's most hardcore Gorilla Glass Victus. I haven't tried hurling it to the ground for fun just yet, but I'm confident it'll take at least a few knocks and bumps. It's also IP68 rated for waterproofing, so spilled drinks or taking phone calls in the rain should not be a problem here.
Excellent stabilized cameras
Tucked into that ceramic design are three cameras. There's a 50-megapixel main sensor, along with a 50-megapixel ultrawide sensor. Much as it did with the Find X3, Oppo has used the exact same image sensor for both standard and ultrawide views, so you won't need to sacrifice quality when switching between the lenses.
Vibrant colors and good exposure in this shot taken with the standard lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
And a great effort from the ultrawide lens too.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The main lens has captured a richly detailed scene here.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Switching to the ultrawide lens, it's noticeable that there's been quite a significant shift in colors.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The 13-megapixel zoom lens gives 2x optical zoom. It's decent, but not a patch on the Pixel 6 Pro's 4x or Galaxy S22 Ultra's 10x zooms.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
I found the camera took great shots when I took it out and about in Edinburgh. Exposure was spot on, there's tons of detail and while there's a bit of a shift in color balance between the main and ultrawide cameras, there's no dip in image quality. There's also a 13-megapixel zoom lens giving a 2x optical zoom which is perfectly fine, but personally I'd like to see more zoom levels here. Oppo says its customers care more about wide angle shots so that's where its efforts have gone, but I love the longer zooms offered by the Pixel 6 Pro and the huge 10x zoom from the S22 Ultra as they let me get much more creative images. Whether that's a problem for you is something you'll have to decide for yourself.
But Oppo is also making some big boasts about its night mode quality in both images and videos. The main sensor has the first 5-axis optical stabilization seen in a phone along with its own dedicated processing unit that helps brighten dark shots while keeping image noise down.
This night-time scene is bright and pin-sharp.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Loads of detail and spot-on colors from the main camera in night mode.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
I found its night shots to be generally good, with plenty of fine details that certainly put it on a par with the other top camera phones. That video stabilization works for night time shots too, but I mostly found it helpful in the daytime, smoothing out my footsteps as I walked around Edinburgh.
It's a great camera system overall and if you much prefer those sweeping wide-angle vistas rather than zooming in on tiny details then you're well catered for here.
Vibrant display
The Find X5 Pro's 6.7-inch display has a 3,216x1,440-pixel resolution which makes even tiny details look pin sharp. It's bright too, with vibrant punchy colors which makes it really great for playing colorful games like Asphalt 9: Legends or -- I suppose -- Candy Crush Saga.
The 6.7-inch screen is bright with punchy colors.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
It curves gently at the sides, which gives it an extra little premium touch, while the 120Hz refresh rate means swiping around the interface feels buttery smooth. You can however turn that refresh rate down and lower the resolution in order to put less strain on the battery. Personally, I'd do that as I don't think there's such a difference that you'd notice it in day to day use, and you can always ramp things back up if you're settling into some gaming.
Massive power
And speaking of ramping things up for gaming, the Find X5 Pro comes loaded up with a seriously potent processor in the form of Qualcomm's latest 8 Gen 1 chip. On our benchmark tests the X5 is certainly up there with the likes of the S22 Ultra, meaning it offers a smooth experience overall.
There's no lag whatsoever as you swipe your way around the Android 12 interface, while more demanding games such as Asphalt 9: Legends or PUBG play well. In short, there's little I imagine you'd be able to throw at this thing that would slow it down.
The Find X5 Pro supports 80-watt fast charging.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Solid battery and fast charging
Powering all of that is a 5,000-mAh battery, which is a generous size and should keep you going for a full day of mixed use. As with all phones, it depends on how demanding you are though -- if you barely touch it all day beyond answering the odd text, it'll have plenty of juice the next day. Spend the day streaming YouTube videos and you can expect it to need a boost in the afternoon.
But a boost is a very quick thing though as the phone supports 80-watt fast charging which will take the phone from empty to 50% full in just 12 minutes, which is great if you need that extra bit of juice before you head out for a night on the town. And that fast charger comes in the box too so you won't need to scour Amazon trying to find one that'll work.
Overall I think the Find X5 Pro is an impressive phone that gives you the overall power and performance -- and, I think, the looks -- you'd expect from a top-end phone right now. Sure, I'd like a better zoom lens, but the camera system is great regardless and it makes this phone worthy of your consideration.
Keep Flowers Fresh Longer: Tips That Actually Work, According to Experts
Keep Flowers Fresh Longer: Tips That Actually Work, According to Experts
This story is part of Try This, CNET's collection of simple tips to improve your life, fast.
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of times I went to the farmers market with my family and brought home a bouquet of sunflowers. I've continued this tradition into adulthood by keeping fresh sunflowers around my apartment, but even after years of buying flowers weekly, I still get sad when the petals start to wither and brown and drop, signaling it's time to throw them out.
Whether you bought flowers for yourself at the local supermarket or you received a special bouquet to celebrate graduation or another special occasion, you'll want to extend the life of those flowers for as long as possible.
I talked to two experts to round up easy tips that help buy the freshest flowers and keep blooms lasting longer. I'll also share common myths that horticulturists say just don't work. For more tips, here's how to solve the mystery of the missing sock and how to remove a tick without tweezers.
@cnetdotcom Do these 3 things to make your #flowers last longer. #trythis#lifehack#motherday#flowertok#flowerhacks#tipsandtricks♬ original sound - madonna
What to look for in cut flowers
You're in the store, ready to purchase flowers for yourself or a special someone, but which bouquet should you pick from the dozens on the stand? Believe it or not, this decision can impact the longevity of the flowers you buy.
Joe Guggia, owner of JP Designs Floral based in Santa Maria, California, has worked for over 45 years in the floral industry. He told me many floral bunches are shipped from Ecuador or California, so it's important to closely examine each stem and leaf to make sure you're not buying flowers that are older or were damaged during shipping.
Next, once you pull the bushel from the display, check to make sure the water is clean and the leaves aren't yellow, spotted or drooping. You'll also want to be sure the stems aren't slimy or broken. Lucy Bradley, a consumer and community horticulture professor at North Carolina State University, told me you need to check for fuzzy gray mold and drooping, damaged petals.
"Extend the vase life by selecting flowers that are just beginning to open," Bradley said. "For roses and other single flowers, select blooms that have only one petal unfurled. For gladiolus and other spike flowers, choose stems with only the first two or three flowers open. For daisy-type flowers, like sunflowers, select flowers with centers that are still greenish."
Clean water is key to prolonging to life of your floral arrangement.
David Watsky/CNET
Cut-flower tips that will actually work
While there's a slew of myths surrounding flower care, Guggia and Bradley broke down some tricks that are guaranteed to work.
Change the water -- and do it often
Adding fresh, lukewarm water to a clean vase is a sure-fire way of keeping flowers healthy longer.
"That's the key for people who get vase arrangements, is to replace the water as frequently as they can," Guggia said. "If they just hold the whole bunch out, pour the water out and put fresh water in, and put the arrangement back in that'll keep them days and days and days."
Why? Bradley explained that simply dumping out water will get rid of any bacteria growing in the vase water, which may clog the flower stem, preventing water uptake.
Trim the ends
Guggia and Bradley both agreed that recutting the stems of the bunches as soon as you bring them home is key for longevity. But don't even think about reaching for those blunt kitchen scissors!
Bradley said the best practice is to grab a sharp knife or shears for trimming flowers to prevent damaging the stem and reducing its ability to take up water. Wipe the tool off with alcohol first and then carefully make fresh cuts on all stems at a 45-degree angle at least half an inch from the end of the stem.
Cutting at an angle results in most of the base of the stem being off the bottom of the vase. It removes clogged tissue that no longer transports water to the flower, Bradley said.
Add pennies, but take note of its age
You've probably heard of the penny method or maybe you've already tried tossing a penny into your vase with the water and flowers. But before you go digging around in the bottom of your purse or jean pocket, you need to know that only pennies minted before 1982 will work. Those are the ones with the natural antimicrobial properties, which come from the copper.
"Originally pennies contained copper, which is a fungicide that prevents disease," Bradley said. "However, pennies are now made of mostly zinc, so are no longer effective."
Make sure to trim the stems before you place your flowers back into water.
BloomsyBox
Some cut-flower tips don't really work
When it comes to flower care, there will also be debate over which methods do and don't work. Maybe you've tried some in the past -- no judgment here! That said, the experts I spoke with broke down some of the biggest myths when it comes to keeping cut flowers fresher longer.
Add sugar to the flower vase?
If you paid attention through a high school science class, then you may remember flowers benefit from the sugars produced through photosynthesis. But this mostly applies when the flower or leaves are still attached to the plant, so think twice before dumping an entire Sprite into your vase water.
Bradley explained that sometimes adding a teaspoon and a half of sugar per quart of water or using half water and half carbonated lemon-lime drink in the vase water can act as plant food to extend the bloom, but none are as effective as a commercial floral preservative.
Floral preservatives are those little packets that often come with your floral arrangement. They often contain sucrose and a biocide -- an antibacterial agent -- that gives the flower energy, helps the stems absorb more water and prevents bacteria from growing.
Does bleach help flowers stay fresher?
As the saying goes, a little goes a long way when it comes to bleach. Bradley explained that a few drops of bleach (1 teaspoon per gallon of water) can help kill bacteria and fungi, but adding too much -- which is all too easy -- will also serve to kill plant cells.
Can vodka, vinegar or aspirin extend the life of your blooms?
There are many, many tricks on the internet about how to keep cut flowers longer involving vinegar, aspirin, vodka -- you name it. And while these methods may work on a case-by-case basis, our experts don't recommend these tricks since they're based on anecdotal evidence rather than backed by science.
"Truthfully, I wouldn't do any of those things because in most cases the arrangement is going to be a mixture of types of flowers, which may be susceptible to not accepting whatever that item is that you're putting in the water," Guggia said. "Keeping the water clean is the best thing."
Pixel 6 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro vs. Samsung S21 Ultra: Which zoom is best
Pixel 6 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro vs. Samsung S21 Ultra: Which zoom is best
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro might be two of the best phones Google has ever made. The Pro model specifically has a gorgeous 6.7-inch, 120Hz display, a not-too-extreme price of $899 (£849, AU$1,299) and, of course, the cameras. It's always the cameras. The conspicuous camera bar on the back houses a trio of shooters: a main 50-megapixel camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 48-megapixel telephoto that offers 4x optical zoom.
That last camera is particularly important. Following the widespread adoption of Portrait mode and Night mode, zoom is becoming the big phone camera feature for many companies. That's particularly true of Samsung, which marketed its last two Galaxy S flagships based on their 100x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
So how does the Pixel 6 Pro stack up? I field-tested it here in Sydney against the iPhone 13 Pro to find out. I found that the iPhone generally performed better with optical zoom -- that is, up to 3x, where the 13 Pro maxes out -- but that the Pixel was decisively better as you zoom out farther. I also compared the Pixel 6 Pro to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra for longer zooms, and was surprised to see the Pixel 6 Pro outperform the zoom master.
iPhone vs. Pixel: Optical clash
Let's start by comparing the iPhone 13 Pro directly with the Pixel 6 Pro at 3x zoom. That means the iPhone 13 Pro is using its dedicated 3x optical telephoto camera and the Pixel 6 is using its main wide-angle camera and digitally cropping in to 3x.
My first example is a photo taken on a bright, sunny day of a painted mural with vibrant colors and action-shot cricketers.
To set the scene, I took this photo on the Pixel using the standard wide-angle lens at 1x.
Daniel Van Boom/CNET
Zooming in to 3x, we start to see how differently the iPhone and Pixel capture images. The iPhone takes warmer photos, most notably seen in the different shade of green produced by each phone. Whether this is good or bad depends largely on taste, so I'll leave that aside for the moment. The Pixel photo looks like it's applied the Structure filter from Instagram and raised it significantly: Details that look subtle in the iPhone picture become pronounced in the Pixel photo. Notice the crack that runs between the artwork of the bowler and the woman to his left.
I prefer the iPhone's more natural, vibrant look, but you may prefer the details that the Pixel's processing brings out.
Next up, please enjoy this decaying art piece I found in an alley.
For reference, here is a photo from the Google Pixel 6 Pro taken with its main camera at 1x.
Daniel Van Boom/CNET
Below are photos taken at 3x on each phone. Again, the lighting conditions are perfect. This time, though, the results are less ambiguous. The iPhone 13's photo was brighter, had better contrast and captured more. If you look at the rips and tears in the canvas, you'll find far more detail in the iPhone's shot. Depressing detail, in this case, but detail nonetheless!
Now to a more complicated example. The photos below were taken at night, but in a lit-up environment. This time it's the Pixel's photo that's brighter, but not necessarily in a good way. The light is less balanced in the Pixel's rendition, which results in the iPhone's version having better contrast. (See the blacks in the cactus barrel.)
At the same time, though, the Pixel managed to pick up details missed by the iPhone. Most notable are the spider webs on the cactus to the right. This is also an example of something I noticed a lot in the Pixel -- its dislike of shadows. The Pixel's cameras work hard to capture details in areas that come up dark in the iPhone. And keep in mind, the Pixel 6 Pro is using its main camera and cropping in, which also gives it a bit of an advantage.
Below is not a zoomed shot, but I wanted to include it to illustrate the point about the Pixel 6 Pro. In the cactus photo above, you see that it can backfire by lighting up areas in a way that looks artificial. In the photos below though, it impresses by catching a lot of information missed by the iPhone.
When it comes to low light, I generally found the iPhone did a better job, though not always. In the below photos of a mural, the iPhone managed to capture more light and detail. Note, though, that the Pixel's shot has deeper colors.
iPhone 13 Pro versus Pixel 6 Pro, 3x zoom.
Daniel Van Boom/CNET
And where the Pixel can sometimes produce images that look overprocessed during the day, at night I found it was often the reverse. In the below comparison of a stone cross, the iPhone's version is brighter, but also has more noise and an unsightly hue compared with the Pixel's.
Now let's move closer to 4x on each phone. This means the Pixel 6 Pro is using its 4x optical telephoto camera, while the iPhone uses its 3x telephoto camera and digitally crops in to achieve a 4x magnification. The different isn't major, but it is still noticeable. The digital zoom that takes the iPhone from 3x to 4x zoom results in some conspicuous processing, and some loss of vibrance.
You can see the latter effect in the comparison below. The Pixel's photo is slightly clearer, but the iPhone's digital zoom makes its photo look less saturated. For example, the green in the trees is much richer in the Pixel photo.
It's much the same for these photos of a statue head below. Notice again the Pixel's tendency to light up shadows, in this case on the fellow's face. But also see how much more vivacious the colors in the Pixel's shot are.
In the photos below of a dog park sign, the iPhone's digital zoom leads to some obvious heavy lifting by image processing. The blades of grass, the ripples in the water and the texture on the sign all look artificially sharpened up.
The long view
When it comes to longer zooms, the Pixel 6 Pro is the winner -- by a large margin.
The comparison below is of photos taken by the iPhone 13 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro taken at 10x magnification. We return to the water cooler adorned by cricket figures, but from a greater distance. The difference is significant. The iPhone's shot has more noise and is blurrier. (Also note: The iPhone's "10x" zoom was regularly deeper than the "10x" zoom on both the Pixel and Samsung Galaxy.)
Below are 10x zoom shots taken by the Pixel 6 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which has built its brand on zoom. Considering how amazing the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is at zoom, I was surprised to see that it was outdone here at 10x zoom by the Pixel. The Pixel 6 Pro looked sharper and had more vibrant colors, as you can see in the greens on the field and the water cooler. The Pixel 6 Pro is digitally cropping its 4x telephoto camera, but it has a neat software feature called Super Res zoom to improve the image. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is relying on its 10x optical zoom telephoto camera.
The photos below of my Booker DeWitt Funko Pop were taken in a less sunny environment. The Pixel 6 Pro photo looks far more balanced -- both in colors and in lighting. The iPhone's zoomed photo has an unnatural warm glow to it. The improved clarity on the Pixel isn't limited to Booker either. Compare the text on the book spines.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra did better than the iPhone, but still fell victim to many of the same issues. It also had a warm glow, albeit less distorted, and fewer details both on Booker and the books behind him. The Pixel wins again.
OK, hard mode. See that tree with the lilac flowers all the way to the other side of the field? Let's zoom in 10x.
For reference, I took ths photo at 1x with the Pixel 6 Pro's main camera.
Daniel Van Boom/CNET
The photos below were taken at 10x digital zoom on both the Pixel 6 Pro and iPhone. This is a tough photo for any phone to grab, since the leaves on the trees provide an ample opportunity for noise. And, boy, is there noise. Still, the iPhone pic is more distorted, as you'll notice the the foliage looks much finer on the Pixel.
And below is a comparison of pictures from the Pixel and the Galaxy S21 Ultra of the same scene taken at 10x. The photo from the Pixel outdoes the one from the Galaxy, which looks flatter and less vivacious in comparison.
That the Pixel 6 Pro beats the S21 Ultra on 10x zoom is impressive, since deep zooms are what the S21 Ultra is known for. Note, though, that digital zoom on the Pixel goes up to "only" 20x, compared with the Galaxy's 100x.
For more on the Pixel 6 Pro, check out the in-depth Pixel 6 Pro review by my colleague Andy Hoyle.
Stephen Shankland/CNET
The Google Pixel 6 Pro's unique design, great software additions, superb camera quality and solid all-around performance have already earned the phone an excellent rating in our full review. With performance that's every bit as good as its design, it's the best phone Google has ever made. The main camera is on par with those of the best iPhones. And at $899 for the base 128GB model, it trounces its premium phone rivals in price. Read our Google Pixel 6 Pro review.
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Lovevery Play Kits Reviewed: Are These Subscription Boxes Worth the Money?
Lovevery Play Kits Reviewed: Are These Subscription Boxes Worth the Money?
I started seeing the Lovevery Play Kit ads almost immediately after I became a mom. The ads showed colorful, aesthetically pleasing baby toys that seemed to be curated around developmental milestones.
Because my newborn was more of an inanimate blob than I'd expected (they all are, it turns out), I'd been having trouble figuring out what to do with him between nap times. Not only was it kind of boring to try to interact with an inanimate blob, but I also felt the modern parenthood anxiety of milestone-meeting, experience-fostering and lesson-learning bubbling almost from day one.
My hunch was that I could quell this anxiety by creating and executing daily activities with my baby, almost like a curriculum. That would make maternity leave a lot less boring, too. The problem -- I'm not a trained Montessori teacher or a child development expert. I was also busy nursing, changing, bathing, burping (the baby, not myself) and rocking to spend any time lesson planning for a newborn. Could the Lovevery Play Kits do the heavy lifting for me? (And the better question: Would they be worth the price?)
My colleague Alison DeNisco Rayome and I tested four Lovevery Play Kits with our real kids (The Looker for kids who are 0 to 12 weeks old, The Senser for 5- to 6-month-old kids, The Realist for kids aged 19 to 21 months and The Helper for kids who are 25 to 27 months old) to answer that question. Read on for what we thought. Plus, check out the list of hot kids' toys to buy as gifts, toys for the kid at heart, STEM toys we love and the best gifts for 2-year-olds.
Read more: Here's a toy that makes the perfect gift for any age .
What are Lovevery Play Kits?
Lovevery is a US-based toy company that sells Montessori-inspired subscription boxes focused on "stage-based play." The idea is that kids have different needs at different stages in their development, and the right toys can support those needs.
The Play Kits (Lovevery's name for its curated subscription boxes) are separated into four buckets by age: 0 to 12 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years. Each age bucket is further broken down by smaller ranges, with boxes named after their respective developmental stage (e.g. The Charmer Play Kit is for months 3 to 4, while The Observer Play Kit is for months 37, 38 and 39).
Every kit includes a few toys, a book and a parents' guide that provides ideas for using the toys inside to help your child meet their milestones. The toys are made from sustainable and baby-safe, natural materials -- and they look pretty sleek on your shelves, too.
Is Lovevery Montessori?
Yes, Lovevery is inspired by the Montessori method, which emphasizes independence, STEM skills and toys that develop skills used in real life. That also means you won't find any flashing lights or noisy toys inside your Play Kit. Instead, the toys tend to favor "open-ended play," so kids can continually invent new ways to play with them. (Read more on Lovevery's approach to the Montessori method.)
Read more: Baby Registry Checklist: 10 Baby Products I Wish I'd Asked For
A toy from The Senser, Lovevery's play kit for kids aged 5 to 6 months.
Lovevery
How much does a Lovevery Subscription cost?
When you first sign up for a Lovevery subscription, you'll enter your child's birthday (or due date or adjusted age), and Lovevery will suggest a Play Kit to get started with. You can also add a few of the earlier boxes to your initial order, because the toys inside will likely still appeal to older kids.
Boxes for kids aged 0 to 12 months cost $80 a box and ship every two months. Other ages will get a box every three months for $120 a box. You can also prepay for several boxes at a time, which lowers the cost per box down to as little as $72 for infants or $108 for older kids.
Because you can skip boxes or cancel your subscription at any time, it's easy to buy a one-off box to try it out or to give as a gift. Since the Lovevery website shows what's inside each box before you order, you don't have to buy the ones that don't look as compelling.
Read more: 9 Book Subscription Services for Kids and Young Adults
Is Lovevery an American company?
Yes, the subscription box company is based in the US. Boise, Idaho, specifically, is the city that the company calls home and it's where the toys are designed. They're manufactured, however, by a network of suppliers throughout Asia.
Testing the Play Kits (with a real baby and toddler!)
Boxes for 0 to 12 months
Cost: $80
Boxes we tested: The Looker (weeks 0 to 12) and The Senser (months 5 to 6)
The Looker box includes:
A double-sided mobile
Sensory links (soft, high-contrast toys that can hook together or on a stroller or play mat)
Two black and white card sets (one with simple patterns and one with complex patterns)
A standing cardholder (to put the cards in during tummy time)
Black and white mittens (to promote hand discovery and body control)
A wooden book with black and white animal pictures
A silicon rattle with a removable ball
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
The double-sided spiral mobile, with high-contrast black and white on one side and colorful circles on the other side, was a big hit with my newborn daughter -- she loved looking at it when we held it up or tied it to her play gym. (Lovevery suggests hanging it over the changing table as a distraction, too.) The black and white cards were a mainstay in her play gym, and the little book seemed to hold her attention more than some of her other high-contrast books did (perhaps because it's "baby's first book made with sustainably harvested wood" and she's a budding environmentalist? Who's to say).
Not listed on the website, but my kit came with a mug for a parent that reads "The Days Are Long But the Years Are Short." It's not my favorite child-rearing sentiment, though it's proven true for me, but it was nice to have a little gift included.
The real winner, though, was the parents' play guide. It's difficult to know how to engage with a newborn, but Lovevery gave some practical ideas to align with her weekly development. I found that helpful as a first-time parent who was overly stressed about being able to give her enriching playtime.
What we didn't like:
The sensory links were never a favorite, perhaps because she had several other similar clip-on toys that came with her play mat and and stroller. And while the black and white mittens were a good idea, in theory, the effort it took to get them on and off a squirmy newborn wasn't worth it for me most days.
--Alison DeNisco Rayome
The Senser is Lovevery's Play Kit for babies aged 5 to 6 months old.
Lovevery
The Senser box includes:
A spinning rainbow wheel
A magic tissue box (to pull cloth tissues out of and put back in)
Magic tissues (cloth tissues that can link together)
An organic cotton rainbow ball
Parts of Me book
A pair of play socks with bells on the toes
A tummy time wobbler
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
Once my daughter hit the 6-month mark, the way she played changed dramatically, particularly since she could stay sitting up with little assistance. The spinning rainbow wheel is one of her favorite things to play with, and it keeps her occupied longer than most other toys. Once she got the hang of the magic tissue box, she enjoyed pulling the tissues out of that as well (and using them to chew on and play peek-a-boo with). The tummy time wobbler has been another solid choice both while on her tummy and while sitting up. She still tries to eat that, too, like everything else.
I'll admit, I was a Lovevery skeptic, just given the price tag. But this box convinced me these are great toys that can give your baby plenty of entertainment, and I'm already planning to buy the next one.
What we didn't like:
The play socks seem like they might have been a bigger hit when she was younger, as she discovered her feet long ago. The rainbow ball is also pretty but only holds so much interest.
--Alison DeNisco Rayome
The Looker box from Lovevery comes with a magic tissue box.
Lovevery
Box for 1-year-olds
Cost: $120
Box we tested: The Realist (months 19, 20, 21)
The Realist box includes:
A wooden lock box with four locking mechanisms
A puzzle with shapes that nest and stack
Fabric "critters" that can be tucked into matching pockets on a quilted wall hanging
A cup and pitcher for pouring your own drinks
Bea Gets a Checkup board book
A wooden "ring chute" with rings
A flashlight that lights up
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
The lock box is my 2-year-old son's favorite toy, and the fabric critters have taken up residence inside it. Locking and unlocking each of the doors -- and putting things inside, then taking them out -- has occupied more of his time than pretty much any other toy. Unfortunately, he's now learned how to lock his own bedroom door. Thanks, Lovevery.
The flashlight is easy for a toddler to turn on and off and my son likes to use it to find toys in his bedroom when the lights are off, since he can't reach the light switch. We've also read the included board book, Bea Gets a Checkup, dozens of times and the requests keep coming.
What we didn't like:
The ring chute toy is aesthetically pleasing but it seems to only have one real use, a use my son is not very interested in. Considering how large the toy is, I'd have preferred something with a little more versatility.
--Karisa Langlo
The Helper Play Kit comes with a play sink that pumps water.
Karisa Langlo/CNET
Box for 2-year-olds
Cost: $120
Box we tested: The Helper (months 25, 26, 27)
The Helper box includes:
A play sink with a real pump, plus cups and dishes for washing up
Felt flowers in a stand that can be removed, counted and bundled
Washable tempera paint "sticks" with paper in a travel-friendly zippered pouch
Making Muffins board book
A "dot catcher," which looks like a rainbow Connect Four game
A two-sided puzzle that uses the same pieces for two separate designs
Routine cards with photos of everyday tasks for mapping out routines
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
My son couldn't get enough of the play sink. Its ingenious design lets you keep the water running without the sink ever overflowing or running out of water. Because it's not hooked up to a waterline (it just recycles the same reservoir through its pump repeatedly), you can't get any dishes clean in it, but my son loved pretending to wash dishes next to me at the real sink while I washed real dishes.
The box arrived just as we were starting to work on learning colors, and the rainbow dot catcher couldn't have been a more perfect toy. My son now knows his colors like the back of his hand, but he still likes to drop the colored wooden discs into their corresponding slots, and he gets a kick out of the quick-release lever.
What we didn't like:
The puzzle and routine cards both seemed a little too advanced for a young 2-year-old. They both also seem like toys you could make yourself, if you had the inclination for DIY.
-- Karisa Langlo
Box for 3-year-olds
Cost: $120
Box we tested: Didn't test one (yet!)
Lovevery offers four Play Kits geared toward three-year-olds, up to age four:
The Observer Play Kit: Months 37, 38, 39
The Storyteller Play Kit: Months 40, 41, 42
The Problem Solver Play Kit: Months 43, 44, 45
The Analyst Play Kit: Months 46, 47, 48
While we haven't tested one of them yet, the Lovevery Play Kits designed for 3-year-olds all include a similar mix of items as the younger boxes, with more sophisticated, preschool-age appropriate toys and books.
The Looker Play Kit from Lovevery.
Lovevery
Beyond the Play Kits: The Lovevery app and other products
The Lovevery app requires a subscription to the toy boxes to access (though you can also get the app if you received a box as a gift). Like the parent play guides, I found it to be a great resource for ideas for what to actually do with your baby all day long.
On the Activities tab, you'll see a list of toys from the age-appropriate toy box that you can tap on to get ideas for how to use by the month of your baby's age. There are also suggestions for using toys from prior boxes that are still age-appropriate in new ways. Beyond that, you'll find several other DIY activities to try (at 7 months, things like playing with paper and teaching your baby to clap), which you can check off to keep track of what you've tried.
The My Baby tab shows what motor, cognitive, communication and social/emotional skills your baby will be learning that month with a pediatrician's video. This section reminded me of a more in-depth What To Expect app. But I appreciated that it makes sure to note that all babies are different to ease the minds of worried parents. An Ask and Learn section lets parents write or search for different questions and topics that Lovevery's developmental psychologists and pediatricians answer.
If you have the toy boxes, it's worth downloading the app (if you have an iPhone -- there's no Android version) to get the most out of them.
The other Lovevery product you'll often find on baby registries is The Play Gym. As with all of its products, it's more aesthetically pleasing than many others on the market -- and more expensive, at $140. It's also a bit larger, since it's meant to be used for the baby's entire first year, with relatively tall wooden posts -- so it may not be the best choice for people in apartments or smaller spaces.
The Play Gym comes with a few toys that my baby loved, including a bell to ring and a crinkly teether. But to be honest, she seemed to get bored more easily on this mat than on the less expensive Skip Hop one I originally registered for, which is decidedly not a Montessori product. I think if I'd been invested in the ecosystem of toy boxes, it might have given us more to do there.
As with everything else with parenting, it depends on what you want: If you have the resources to invest in the Lovevery system, it's a great choice. But your child will be just fine without it, too.
--Alison DeNisco Rayome
Is the Lovevery subscription worth it?
If you're looking for a one-off, curated toy box to give as a gift, the Lovevery Play Kits are definitely worth the money. The quality of the toys individually makes the price reasonable, and you get the added bonus of knowing they've been hand-selected by experts. If you can afford it, you likely won't be disappointed. Lovevery knows what it's doing!
As a subscription box, though, the price becomes a bigger concern. Do you need to spend the equivalent of $40 a month on toys (or $36 a month, if you factor in the prepay savings)? One thing to think about: As your child ages, the mystery of how to interact with them naturally dissipates, and they'll likely begin playing with whatever you have lying around the house anyway (including the Play Kit boxes themselves). At this point, an expertly curated toy box becomes even more of a nice-to-have.
And another thing: Between birthdays, holidays and overindulgent grandparents, a lot of children are positively drowning in toys. A monthly box will only worsen the problem of clutter, which goes against the Montessori ethos. According to the Lovevery website, "parents say these are the 'only toys you'll need.'" I'm inclined to agree! But I have no idea how to keep all the other stuff out of my house.
"We did all the research so you don't have to," the company's website also declares. And for those parents who otherwise would spend hours researching developmentally appropriate kids' toys, the statement isn't wrong. But not every parent does -- or should -- fret over toy research. And even for parents experiencing anxiety around optimizing a child's playtime, there are far cheaper ways to fill a toy chest.
Correction, June 7: This story initially estimated the monthly cost of a subscription incorrectly. The box costs the equivalent of $40 a month or $36 if you pay in advance.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
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Oppo Find X5 Pro: Five reasons this flagship android phone is worth a look
Oppo Find X5 Pro: Five reasons this flagship android phone is worth a look
The Find X5 Pro is the latest flagship Android phone from Oppo, replacing last year's Find X3 Pro and bringing with it a host of neat features, including a potent processor, luscious design, 5G connectivity and impressive camera setup.
But it needs all that exciting tech as the premium phone category has never been more competitive, with Google's Pixel 6 Pro and the brand new Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra both ticking every box you'd expect from a flagship phone in 2022. So Oppo will have to work hard to steal your attention away from its rivals, particularly if it won't be competing hard on price.
While Oppo hasn't said exactly how much the phone will cost (simply saying during a press briefing that it will be "competitive"), the previous Find X3 Pro was over $1,000. If it sticks to that pricing, it's squarely in that high-end flagship level with the S22 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro. Hopefully that official price might come down by a couple hundred bucks to sweeten the deal.
But that said, there are some good reasons to look towards Oppo's phone so here then are the five things I like most about the Find X5 Pro.
Slick design
I love the look of this phone. It's made from ceramic that's apparently baked at over 1,000 degrees Celsius which has allowed it to be formed into this single piece that flows up and around the camera lenses. It's certainly got a unique aesthetic that makes it stand out against its rivals and I think it manages to be both stylish and smart, so it wouldn't look out of place in a fancy wine bar or on a boardroom meeting table.
The phone's body is made out of ceramic.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
It might look fragile, but Oppo reckons that ceramic build actually makes it twice as durable as toughened glass, while the front is made from Corning's most hardcore Gorilla Glass Victus. I haven't tried hurling it to the ground for fun just yet, but I'm confident it'll take at least a few knocks and bumps. It's also IP68 rated for waterproofing, so spilled drinks or taking phone calls in the rain should not be a problem here.
Excellent stabilized cameras
Tucked into that ceramic design are three cameras. There's a 50-megapixel main sensor, along with a 50-megapixel ultrawide sensor. Much as it did with the Find X3, Oppo has used the exact same image sensor for both standard and ultrawide views, so you won't need to sacrifice quality when switching between the lenses.
Vibrant colors and good exposure in this shot taken with the standard lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
And a great effort from the ultrawide lens too.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The main lens has captured a richly detailed scene here.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Switching to the ultrawide lens, it's noticeable that there's been quite a significant shift in colors.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The 13-megapixel zoom lens gives 2x optical zoom. It's decent, but not a patch on the Pixel 6 Pro's 4x or Galaxy S22 Ultra's 10x zooms.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
I found the camera took great shots when I took it out and about in Edinburgh. Exposure was spot on, there's tons of detail and while there's a bit of a shift in color balance between the main and ultrawide cameras, there's no dip in image quality. There's also a 13-megapixel zoom lens giving a 2x optical zoom which is perfectly fine, but personally I'd like to see more zoom levels here. Oppo says its customers care more about wide angle shots so that's where its efforts have gone, but I love the longer zooms offered by the Pixel 6 Pro and the huge 10x zoom from the S22 Ultra as they let me get much more creative images. Whether that's a problem for you is something you'll have to decide for yourself.
But Oppo is also making some big boasts about its night mode quality in both images and videos. The main sensor has the first 5-axis optical stabilization seen in a phone along with its own dedicated processing unit that helps brighten dark shots while keeping image noise down.
This night-time scene is bright and pin-sharp.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Loads of detail and spot-on colors from the main camera in night mode.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
I found its night shots to be generally good, with plenty of fine details that certainly put it on a par with the other top camera phones. That video stabilization works for night time shots too, but I mostly found it helpful in the daytime, smoothing out my footsteps as I walked around Edinburgh.
It's a great camera system overall and if you much prefer those sweeping wide-angle vistas rather than zooming in on tiny details then you're well catered for here.
Vibrant display
The Find X5 Pro's 6.7-inch display has a 3,216x1,440-pixel resolution which makes even tiny details look pin sharp. It's bright too, with vibrant punchy colors which makes it really great for playing colorful games like Asphalt 9: Legends or -- I suppose -- Candy Crush Saga.
The 6.7-inch screen is bright with punchy colors.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
It curves gently at the sides, which gives it an extra little premium touch, while the 120Hz refresh rate means swiping around the interface feels buttery smooth. You can however turn that refresh rate down and lower the resolution in order to put less strain on the battery. Personally, I'd do that as I don't think there's such a difference that you'd notice it in day to day use, and you can always ramp things back up if you're settling into some gaming.
Massive power
And speaking of ramping things up for gaming, the Find X5 Pro comes loaded up with a seriously potent processor in the form of Qualcomm's latest 8 Gen 1 chip. On our benchmark tests the X5 is certainly up there with the likes of the S22 Ultra, meaning it offers a smooth experience overall.
There's no lag whatsoever as you swipe your way around the Android 12 interface, while more demanding games such as Asphalt 9: Legends or PUBG play well. In short, there's little I imagine you'd be able to throw at this thing that would slow it down.
The Find X5 Pro supports 80-watt fast charging.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Solid battery and fast charging
Powering all of that is a 5,000-mAh battery, which is a generous size and should keep you going for a full day of mixed use. As with all phones, it depends on how demanding you are though -- if you barely touch it all day beyond answering the odd text, it'll have plenty of juice the next day. Spend the day streaming YouTube videos and you can expect it to need a boost in the afternoon.
But a boost is a very quick thing though as the phone supports 80-watt fast charging which will take the phone from empty to 50% full in just 12 minutes, which is great if you need that extra bit of juice before you head out for a night on the town. And that fast charger comes in the box too so you won't need to scour Amazon trying to find one that'll work.
Overall I think the Find X5 Pro is an impressive phone that gives you the overall power and performance -- and, I think, the looks -- you'd expect from a top-end phone right now. Sure, I'd like a better zoom lens, but the camera system is great regardless and it makes this phone worthy of your consideration.
