@路中南: Hagibis Qi2.2 Double-Sided Magnetic Wireless Charger
Reference Price: ¥99
In my review of that Qi2.2 charging stand with active cooling from the previous issue, I mentioned at the end that the Qi2.2 protocol itself has significantly improved thermal management, making passive cooling more than sufficient. I also casually suggested that those early-generation 7.5W magnetic chargers were probably due for retirement. Since I’d already said it publicly, I couldn’t exactly leave the charging spots around my own home untouched, so I ended up buying three different products to upgrade to the new standard. It also turned into a small comparison test of sorts:
Both passively cooled models place the power management chip on the USB-C end rather than inside the magnetic charging pad itself, separating the heat source from the charging surface and reducing heat buildup;
The budget model that cost around ¥40 felt underwhelming in both packaging and build quality. This Hagibis model looks far more polished and also supports double-sided magnetic attachment, which was the feature I was most interested in trying;
The actively cooled double-sided magnetic version costs even more and is positioned more toward gaming users. The cooling system is clearly the main attraction, while charging and RGB lighting are optional features that can even be turned off. It does seem ideal for running performance tests on a phone, though.
Double-sided magnetic attachment is a surprisingly clever design. What makes it clever is that it allows magnetic accessories to attach to other magnetic accessories. Any magnetic stand or charging base you already have at home can attach to one side, while your phone attaches to the other, instantly creating an additional Qi2.2 wireless charging spot. Buying it feels less like purchasing a charger and more like unlocking the potential of all those magnetic accessories you already own. Hagibis also sells matching desktop stands and magnetic semiconductor cooling accessories, but they aren’t cheap, so I skipped those.
Before buying it, I was worried that removing the phone might pull the charger off along with it. After testing, I found that the magnetic strength on each side isn’t the same. The aluminum-alloy side on the back has a noticeably stronger magnetic connection, so that concern turned out to be unfounded. Speaking of the aluminum alloy, it also contributes a bit to heat dissipation. Another advantage is that the Qi2.2 protocol can adapt dynamically to different input power levels and doesn’t strictly require a 15V/3A power source. In my testing, it worked perfectly fine with a 9V/2A adapter.
What really made this charger earn its keep, though, was an unexpected use case. A friend of mine drives a Tesla and absolutely refuses to use the built-in Baidu Maps navigation, insisting on using Amap on his phone instead. Tesla’s factory wireless charging tray charges slowly, makes navigation difficult to view, and turns the phone into a hand warmer. It’s basically decorative. So I bought another magnetic mount and installed it right below an air-conditioning vent. Snap this Hagibis charger onto it, and the problem is solved. Cool air blows directly onto the aluminum backplate while the phone runs Amap navigation. By the end of the drive, the phone stays cool and fully charged, with no need for additional active cooling at all.
@怡宝: Miwu Wireless Silent Mouse
Reference Price: ¥20
While browsing Xianyu, I came across this brand-new, still-sealed mouse. The seller even threw in a power bank (with wireless charging and 3C certification), and at just ¥20, it was simply too good a deal to pass up. Without thinking twice, I bought it. The seller also included a USB-C charger, so I’d say this bargain hunt was definitely a success 😝
This little mouse happens to fit my needs perfectly. Silence is my top priority, making it ideal for office use. As an introvert, the last thing I want is to disturb others while they’re resting, so a silent mouse is a must—keep love & peace. Compared to Bluetooth mice (I normally use a Logitech Pebble 2 at home, which still has a soft click sound), I actually prefer this type of mouse with a 2.4GHz wireless receiver. The receiver can be stored inside the compartment on the back of the mouse, so there’s no need to worry about losing it.
It measures 32mm × 115mm, with a cute, rounded shape that fits my relatively small hands nicely. For a ¥20 mouse, it even offers three DPI settings. Although the maximum is only 1600 DPI, that’s more than enough for everyday use. The red-and-white color scheme also pairs perfectly with my K3 Max keyboard. As someone with a bit of obsessive attention to visual consistency, that combination is incredibly satisfying to look at. It can even operate using just a single battery, which turned out to be unexpectedly practical. For ¥20, what more could you possibly ask for? 😄
@西鸽: Supor Modular Food Warming Tray
Reference Price: ¥246
I’m one of those working folks who has to get up at 6:30 every morning to cook. After preparing breakfast and lunch, I leave the dishes on the table, wash the rice, and set my Xiaomi rice cooker on a timer so everything is ready by the time my child comes home from school around 12:30. A while ago, my child took a plate of food to the microwave to reheat it. The plate came out too hot to handle and ended up being dropped on the floor. That’s when I started wondering whether there was a way to keep food warm so my child wouldn’t have to reheat it alone.
After looking around, I settled on a food warming tray. Some models in Supor’s lineup can even be used to keep a hot pot simmering directly on the surface. My needs, however, were much simpler: cook in the morning and keep the food warm until lunchtime.
The warming tray is made up of three modular sections. Most of the time, I only plug in the first section because I usually prepare just two dishes in the morning, and one panel is enough. It can be expanded to two or three connected sections, reaching a maximum size of 60 × 40 cm, which provides plenty of room for multiple dishes.
Before buying it, I did a bit of research. Some of the latest warming trays use flexible silicone mats that can be rolled up for storage. However, I figured a metal surface would be easier to clean. A quick wipe with a wet cloth and it’s spotless.
The model I bought is the 822D. It offers nine temperature settings ranging from 40°C to 120°C. Most of the time I simply leave it in the default warming mode, which is 100°C. Once warming mode is activated, the surface becomes noticeably hot to the touch in just over ten seconds. For the best heating performance, it’s recommended to use plates with completely flat bottoms rather than those with raised circular feet, allowing full contact between the plate and the warming tray.
There are also several other modes for tasks like defrosting and warming milk, though I rarely use them. I’ve heard people even use it to warm dried sweet potatoes or heat up socks. Living in southern China, though, I don’t think I’ll ever have a need for that.
This was bought one winter at the Odakyu Department Store in Shinjuku. I originally wanted a thermal flask, but I accidentally came across this “insulated bottle,” which was quite popular, and I grabbed the last one in the store. It had been idle at home for a while, but now that summer has arrived, drinks taken from the fridge quickly get covered in condensation. This is when the bottle comes into play.
First, the benefits It uses a double-layer stainless steel vacuum structure, keeping ice-cold drinks chilled for a long time. On daily outings or weekend badminton sessions, I bring it along, and even after several hours, the temperature remains the same—the drink feels just as cold as when taken from the fridge, with the taste staying refreshingly cool.
Not only does it have strong cooling performance, but it also prevents the problems of plastic bottles sweating or leaking. With the insulated bottle, my belongings, desk, and bag stay dry. Its built-in handle makes it easy to carry, just grab and go. It’s like giving bottled drinks a “mobile ice chamber,” always keeping them icy.
Now, the drawbacks It is specifically designed for bottled drinks and cannot be filled independently with water. While it fits most standard bottles on the market, some uniquely shaped bottles (wide mouths, irregular shapes) may not fit—for example, my favorite Oriental Leaf drink doesn’t fit perfectly. In these cases, you generally just slip the bottle in without the lid, but this reduces the cooling effect.
Also, to accommodate 500ml–650ml bottles and maintain the double-layer vacuum structure, the overall size is large, making it difficult to fit into small bags. With many beverage companies continually downsizing bottles to match snack wholesale stores, this insulated bottle may not always be convenient.
@克莱德: Xiaomi DC Inverter Fan 1X
Reference Price: ¥195
It’s a bit hot but not quite hot enough to turn on the air conditioning yet—this time of year, the appliance you can’t live without is of course the fan. With a “let’s just try one first” mindset, and following my family’s suggestion at home, I skipped the more expensive circulation fans and cooling fans, and picked a Xiaomi DC Inverter Fan 1X for under 200 yuan that looks plain and ordinary.
The 1X uses Mi Home’s classic pure white color scheme. Placed at home, it doesn’t have the outdated look of old-style fans, and its unpretentious design blends well with the overall home décor. Another reason I personally like white is that it allows for “customization space”—if, like me, you think the Mi Home logo in the center of the fan looks a bit ugly, just stick on a sticker you like and problem solved.
After using it these past few days, I actually started thinking about getting a few more 1X units. Because it uses a DC inverter motor, the 1X’s core feature is naturally its 100-speed wind adjustment—but honestly, nobody actually counts or feels all 100 levels; at least for fans, having more adjustable speed options basically equals “stepless.” The 1X also supports different natural wind presets.
Natural wind has been the mode I’ve used the most since buying it. I can’t really judge how accurate the preset “lakeside,” “green,” or “camping” scenarios are—if you blindfold me and tell me what it’s supposed to be, I’d probably just say “hmm, kinda makes sense”—but compared to traditional fixed-speed fans that blow a uniform current of air, the 1X’s natural wind mode feels soft and comfortable. The slightly randomized, outdoor-simulating airflow makes long-term use less annoying than a constant direct breeze.
Another feature I quite like is how quiet it is. In natural wind mode, the noise is as low as 25.6 decibels, so running it in the bedroom at night is very pleasant. Combined with ultra-low power consumption (official data says using it 8 hours a day for 90 days costs less than 1 yuan) and its lightweight portability (tested at only 2.7kg), I’ve been carrying it around my bedroom, study, dining room, and living room—the natural wind follows wherever I go. The fan only consumes 1.6W and supports USB-C power, so if you want, you could even take it in the car on calm days.
The downside is that the fan doesn’t support height adjustment, but at 95cm tall, it’s fine for sitting or lying down. The 39-degree tilt adjustment also works for those times when you need to stand and face a strong breeze—you can manually tilt it to “look up” at yourself.
@北鸮: Turas Pivot Case O3Hue
Reference Price: ¥210
Ever since I impulsively bought a large phone, I haven’t been without a PopSocket. Among all the magnetic external accessories, PopSockets are probably one of the most secure and portable options. But carrying one always adds some bulk, and due to angle and height limitations, its use as a phone stand is actually mediocre—mostly just serves as a grip aid. After looking around, I ended up buying the Turas Pivot Case in a Douyin livestream. The color comes from a gift box set tied to Mao Buyi’s merchandise IP, so the price is reasonable—there aren’t many colors that match orange nicely, so I’m willing to pay this design tax for the look.
The set arrived in a shoebox-sized outer package, containing a paper bag, a small shoulder bag, the phone case, and some stickers. The O3Hue itself has decent anti-slip performance, with internal bumpers. From my very first accidental drop (thanks to my clumsy hands), it seems protective enough for everyday minor drops. The weight is reasonable, without any obvious feeling of heaviness. The camera control buttons are conductive, making them more responsive and smoother than the Spigen I used before, and better feeling than the big cutout on the MUJI case.
The pivot ring, which is supposed to be the selling point, is a bit underwhelming. It rotates flexibly and feels nice to touch. The angle is sufficient in landscape mode, but a bit wobbly in portrait mode. At the extreme portrait angle, the hinge can push the ring up slightly, so it doesn’t feel super stable; if the case breaks, I suspect it would be because the ring fell off.
Using the ring as a grip with two fingers is fine, but because it’s thin, it can dig into your hand a bit. And since the hinge has some height, using it together with a MOFT-type stand isn’t very secure. Wireless charging works, but the case still gets quite warm. Overall, it gives a feeling of “sacrificing all other accessories for one.” That said, after a few days of use, it feels fairly balanced. First, it achieves the effect I originally wanted; second, it just looks good—so for now, I’m not complaining or chasing alternatives.
@路中南: Qi2.2 3-in-1 Charging Dock with Active Cooling
Reference Price: ¥249
Unfortunately, with the weather heating up, everything feels warm, and even the phone taken off the wireless charging dock gets hot—snapping a quick photo can be laggy. I wanted a magnetic charging dock with active cooling. Now the products supporting up to 25W on the Qi2.2 protocol are widespread, so getting one to replace my old Belkin Qi2 2-in-1 wireless dock sounded perfect. Conveniently, one of the stores I follow specializes in Qi2, so I bought a small-brand unit to try it out.
That purple ring around the charging module—wow, just beautiful.
Magnetic, wireless, active cooling, preferably with a switch to control the fan—unpacked and tested, and it satisfies all those requirements, nothing to complain about. The key Qi2.2 charging module only allows vertical angle adjustment, which I usually set to face upward, the standard iPhone Standby posture. At this angle, some non-magnetic case-wearing Chinese Android phones can also hang on and charge (maybe OPPO bodies are slightly magnetic?).
The breathing light at the bottom doubles as a touch button. When a device is placed, it breathes for five seconds, indicating it’s negotiating the charging protocol. If the light stays on, the fan is running; if off, the fan is off. The first time I used the touch button I was startled—the dock has a vibration module. Though it’s the old, loud, cheap-style haptic feedback, it’s better than nothing, making blind operation easier. The fan noise—completely acceptable. I placed the dock on a side cabinet in the kitchen; even in the quiet of the night, there’s no need to turn off the 0.5W fan. By the bedside, you can choose to turn it off anytime.
When I bought it, I noticed it’s basically a generic model (there’s a nicer white version), but surprisingly, the watch charging module has MFW certification and supports up to 5W output. My tests show it really charges fast. Compared to the old Belkin 2-in-1, whose watch path relied on a 2W USB-C port, no wonder it couldn’t fast charge.
If I had to mention drawbacks:
The packaging is terrible, with sharp paper edges—I accidentally cut my hand while unpacking;
The 25W output requires 15V 3A input. Without it, it can still work, but the power drops;
Not portable. Big-brand air-cooled products usually consider travel needs.
I’m not too concerned about wireless charging power, but in terms of feel, even with active cooling off, the Qi2.2 protocol improvements make it feel closer to original MagSafe, which doesn’t heat much. Qi2 feels like it’s pushing the thermal limit aggressively and heats noticeably. Actually, there are many cheap passive-cooling Qi2.2 products. The earliest 7.5W magnetic chargers can really be retired—they’re slow and hot. If possible, Qi2 users are recommended to upgrade.
Friends, I’ve finally found the ultimate cheap-and-good T-shirt.
A while ago, I got rid of a bunch of T-shirts that I’d been wearing for years or that had already lost their shape, so naturally I needed to restock. During my search, I came across this store. Originally, I was buying their shirts with the mindset of them being disposable basics — something you wear a couple of times and toss away. But the quality turned out to be surprisingly good, far beyond my expectations, so I absolutely have to rave about them in this edition of New Stuff.
Their T-shirts use a very standard, versatile cut, and even the 320g version already feels quite thick and substantial while still being soft and comfortable to wear. I bought several colors including Klein blue, forest green, navy, and gray, and every single one looks vibrant and well-saturated rather than cheap. What’s even more impressive is that despite being heavyweight pure cotton shirts, they barely shrank after washing and don’t noticeably fade. In terms of quality, I genuinely have no complaints. At first I was planning to try their 400g version too, but after wearing the 320g one, I realized there was really no need — it’s already soft enough while still feeling durable.
The gray version looks like this.
Another advantage of these blank-style T-shirts is that the fit is basically unisex. Personally, I prefer wearing oversized clothes, so I bought one size larger than the store recommended. Considering how cheap these shirts are, even if you don’t wear them outside, buying a few oversized ones as sleepwear at home is honestly not a bad idea.
The colors from this store are all lively and vibrant without looking tacky at first glance. It feels like they’ve actually done market research and understand younger people’s preferences. Their main product is clearly these blank T-shirts, though they also sell sweatshirts, hoodies, and similar basics. The whole store really does look like a factory-direct operation. It’s a shame they don’t sell athletic pants, otherwise I’d probably stock up on several pairs too — definitely more reliable than randomly buying from different stores and platforms.
Another benefit of the low price is that if you’re traveling, you can buy several shirts in different colors and wear a different one every day. It would probably make vacation photos more fun too.
Given how developed China’s apparel manufacturing industry is these days, there are probably tons of similar stores on e-commerce platforms. I’ll leave a link here so you can jump directly to it, though you can also expand your search based on your own preferences. In any case, from a practical standpoint, these cheap, simple white-label T-shirts are already surprisingly comfortable to wear and are perfect for stocking up on ahead of summer.
Good grief, Bambu Lab had barely finished launching the Bambu Lab P2S before the Bambu Lab X2D arrived. Even though my few months with 3D printing have been very much “lazy user” territory — I mostly just print models made by other people and almost never touch parameter tuning — I still brought the X2D home immediately.
The overall design and performance of the X2D are not dramatically different from the P2S, and many parts are even interchangeable, so I won’t repeat the basic printing experience here. If you’re interested, you can check out the P2S write-up I previously shared in New Stuff:https://sspai.com/post/105458
Compared with the P2S, the X2D mainly adds several key features. First, it now has two print nozzles: one primary nozzle and one auxiliary nozzle. To reduce the size and weight of the print head, only the primary nozzle is equipped with an extruder mounted directly on the head, while the auxiliary nozzle’s extruder becomes a separate external module. Under this “remote extrusion, close output” structure, the two nozzles have slightly different printing characteristics. The primary nozzle uses a servo motor for extrusion, while the auxiliary nozzle uses a stepper motor, meaning the primary nozzle supports a wider range of materials, offers finer detail control, and achieves higher printing efficiency.
The external extruder mounted behind the X2D
Secondly, the X2D adds an active chamber temperature control system, allowing it to print a wider range of engineering-grade materials. The machine now includes dual air intake ports, enabling chamber temperatures to rise and fall faster and more accurately than on the P2S. On top of that, the X2D also comes bundled with an external air purification module. This upgrade works alongside the chamber temperature system to reduce odors during high-temperature printing.
The external air purification module — likely something P2S users can also buy separately
So, you can basically think of the X2D as the Pro version of the P2S. It still handles everyday printing needs effortlessly, while also giving you room to experiment with industrial-grade materials and more product-oriented creative projects.
From actual day-to-day use, I mainly noticed two things. First, dual-nozzle printing dramatically simplifies support structures. For example, my primary nozzle is connected to the AMS and prints only PLA, while the auxiliary nozzle is dedicated to PETG. This creates excellent separation between the support material and the main print, making supports incredibly easy to remove without carefully picking at them with tools for ages, which saves a ton of time and effort. Second, the active chamber temperature system noticeably improves print quality. I previously encountered warping issues at certain angles on some models when using the P2S, but those problems disappeared entirely on the X2D.
One of Bambu Lab’s recommended setups is mixing PLA with PETG supports, which makes support removal extremely easyThe detail quality is seriously impressive!
Overall, if you want a 3D printer suitable for home use, the Bambu Lab X2D is already about as high-end as it gets. For users like me who mostly want to print finished products to solve practical daily-life problems, Bambu Lab’s biggest strengths remain the same: easy setup, reliable operation, and consistently solid print quality. For users who want to seriously explore 3D printing, run projects, or even start a print farm, the X2D’s performance is also strong enough to satisfy most needs and creative ambitions.
Oh, and Bambu Lab recently introduced a new material called PLA Pure, which focuses on food-grade safety and can supposedly be used for items like tableware and children’s toys. This is actually a material I’ve been waiting for for a long time — I’ve wanted to print a food bowl for my cat for ages. I already received the new filament but haven’t started using it yet. If I have any thoughts after trying it out, I’ll write a follow-up later.
@怡宝：OASEAR Witch Pro HiFi Earphones
Reference Price: ¥522
A warm-toned anime-style IEM
I originally approached this with a simple mindset: if I’m just buying something for commuting and casual listening, it at least has to look good. That’s how I ended up getting the OASEAR Witch Pro. Honestly, the first thing that caught my attention was the pink “Taoyao” model from the same lineup, but after debating for a while, I decided I wanted to try the upgraded “Witch” version instead.
Appearance
The “Witch Pro” uses a dark purple semi-transparent resin shell with a very smooth and refined texture. Comfort and lightweight design both deserve praise. Personally, I prefer integrated in-ear designs, and these didn’t cause any ear pressure even after wearing them continuously for two hours. I used the smallest included ear tips, and they still didn’t press against my relatively flat ear shape, so I’d say they’re friendly for people with smaller ears.
Listening Experience
Since these are clearly vocal-focused ACG earphones, I started testing them with 茜さす by Aimer. Aimer’s slightly husky voice pairs extremely well with the warm tuning of these earphones, fully conveying the sorrowful “crying voice” quality in her singing. The indescribable loneliness in the lyrics somehow gains an unusual sense of warmth and healing here. Once the strings enter, however, one limitation caused by the earphones’ resolving ability becomes more noticeable: the separation between instruments is not especially sharp, but in exchange, the overall presentation feels more enveloping and immersive.
Next, I listened to 夜に駆ける by YOASOBI. The “Witch Pro” really shines with smaller arrangements and vocal-focused tracks. When things get busier, instrument separation starts struggling a bit, with bass and synth layers occasionally overlapping. The high-frequency extension is still fairly good though — violin overtones retain an airy feeling without sounding harsh, and most importantly, the vocals never get buried. Comparatively speaking, the “Witch Pro” feels much better suited for solo vocal and ethereal-style ACG tracks rather than extremely noisy electronic-heavy anime music.
As someone with fairly broad music tastes but a preference for soul and R&B, I also listened to The Show Must Go On by Bruno Major. The balance between vocals and accompaniment was handled nicely, with soft drum hits and an intimate close-to-the-ear vocal presentation that fits the song’s emotional atmosphere of confronting regret.
Other Notes
The “Witch Pro” has an impedance of 20Ω and can easily be driven directly, though the volume output is surprisingly high, so I usually keep it at around half my normal listening volume.
For daily use, I pair it with the Moondrop Dawn Pro dongle DAC from Moondrop connected to my phone. It supports both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs with dual decoding, and at a little over ¥200, the value for money is excellent.
Final Thoughts
The “Witch Pro” uses a hybrid configuration with one dynamic driver and one balanced armature driver. While the treble is not especially bright, the bass extension goes deep enough without becoming overwhelming. Its real strength lies in the midrange, which sounds smooth, warm, and delicate. Emotional expression in love songs comes through especially well, making it a great fit for listeners with broad music tastes. Overall, this is a warm, atmospheric, and airy pair of earphones that delivers a very “ASMR-like” listening experience.
@巴斯: Decathlon TILT 120 folding bike
Reference price: ¥1299
I recently picked up the Decathlon TILT 120 folding bike and have been riding it over the past few weekends. My takeaway: it may not be perfect, but at around the $200 price range, it’s probably the best value folding bike you can get—and one of the most suitable options for getting around the city.
From placing the order to having it delivered, it only took a day and a half. The bike comes in a large box and requires almost no setup—just unfold it, lock the “joints,” and you’re ready to ride. It truly delivers on the promise of “buy and ride.” As a beginner cyclist, I dislike complicated assembly, and anything that delays getting out the door quickly drains my enthusiasm. This bike is incredibly easy to get started with, which is one of the main reasons I chose it. It uses a classic mid-fold design, and the process is very smooth:
Release the hinge in the middle of the frame
Fold down the handlebar
Bring it together and secure it with the magnetic latch
Go
After trying it multiple times, I can confirm it’s easy to unfold within 30 seconds as advertised. Once folded, it fits easily into a car trunk or a corner of a café. Whether it’s short cross-city trips or a casual ride out for coffee, you don’t have to worry about theft, and it doesn’t take up much space at home either—very convenient for storage.
As for the riding experience, despite its compact appearance, the bike weighs 14.5 kg. The high-carbon steel frame gives it a reassuring heft, making the ride more stable while also providing some shock absorption. Going over speed bumps doesn’t feel overly bumpy.
The 560 mm handlebar width offers a comfortable reach for my arms. Although the TILT 120 sits at the entry-level end of folding bikes, it comes with a 6-speed gear system. It may not sound like much, but it’s more than enough for urban riding. I usually stay in gear 4 for flat roads, shift to gear 2 for uphill sections, and gear 6 when going downhill. Overall, the performance feels stable and gives me a strong sense of control and safety.
So far, I’m very satisfied with it. I mainly wanted something for casual weekend rides, but it turns out to be suitable for many scenarios. If you’re tired of the hassle and cost of shared bikes, or fed up with crowded subway rides, you might want to give this kind of healthy and controllable way of getting around a try—the scenery along the way might just quietly heal your entire day.
“I needed a controller like this to play Crimson Desert.”
About a week ago, I came across GameSir promoting this controller on Douyin, and honestly, it felt like they had read my mind. My impression of the company had been stuck in the era of those stretchable mobile gaming controllers. I had no idea they had already moved into making full-sized controllers, let alone an officially Xbox-licensed “elite” model with the iconic Xbox logo.
Crimson Desert hasn’t been out for very long, but after several major updates, it has somehow become more and more enjoyable. At this point, there honestly isn’t much left to complain about except the controls. As someone who loves action games, a controller is obviously the best way to play, but the control scheme in this game is genuinely painful. Especially L3 and R3.
In all my years of gaming, I honestly can’t remember another game that relies so heavily on combining those two buttons. But in Crimson Desert, entering Focus Mode requires pressing both at the same time, and canceling it means pressing them together again. Then triggering Focus Energy requires pressing R3 again. And if you want to travel quickly by climbing mountains using the triple mid-air movement technique “Cloud Ladder,” you have to jump and then rapidly press R3 three consecutive times. With controls like these, if your controller isn’t solid enough, it becomes incredibly easy to accidentally move the right analog stick while pressing down on R3, completely messing up the camera.
The reason the GameSir G7 Pro instantly felt like a must-buy for me was these two remappable custom shoulder buttons. Most controllers usually place customizable buttons on the back, but I’ve always hated those. They’re hard to reach properly, and since that area is naturally where your palms grip the controller, it’s way too easy to trigger them accidentally. I basically never use back buttons for that reason. But these new shoulder buttons are genuinely interesting.
I mapped L3 and R3 to the new shoulder buttons, and suddenly the game felt dramatically smoother and more intuitive to control. The analog sticks responsible for movement and camera control could finally go back to doing only what they were supposed to do, instead of forcing my thumbs to press them down for extra actions. Now dedicated buttons handle everything instead. Pressing the new shoulder buttons with the tips of my index fingers feels surprisingly amazing. Cliff is no longer that clumsy brute constantly making me panic during combat. Especially on the right side, where three shoulder inputs — Focus Arts, light attack, and heavy attack — can now all be controlled with a single index finger. And when RB + RT combinations are needed, I can simply bring in my middle finger as well. Everything suddenly feels much clearer and more manageable.
There are also customizable L4 and R4 buttons on the back, but this controller adds dedicated lock switches for them. These are physical mechanical switches, and once locked, the buttons become completely unpressable. I assume this was designed specifically to prevent accidental inputs while gripping the controller. The newly added shoulder buttons also have their own lock switches, though honestly there’s no reason to disable those.
Along the bottom, just like an Xbox controller, you get a voice chat button, a headphone jack, and a pairing button.
At the top of the controller there’s a detachable slot designed to secure wired connections. This detail is genuinely excellent. I personally prefer playing games over a wired connection because I hate worrying about latency spikes at critical moments. The slot keeps the cable firmly in place so you won’t accidentally bend or loosen the USB-C port by tugging on the wire during gameplay.
Aside from the LT and RT trigger buttons, all the controller inputs provide crisp and tactile feedback. The subtle clicking sound actually feels pretty interesting compared to other Xbox controllers.
Once you remove the front faceplate, you’re greeted with a beautiful transparent shell underneath, giving it a very strong “Explorer Edition” aesthetic. It really feels like GameSir plans to keep releasing additional faceplate designs and collaboration editions in the future.
Still, I do have to complain about one thing. The company also included an extra faceplate as a gift, but it was designed for the standard G7 version instead. I asked customer support how I was supposed to install it, and they replied, “Just switch back to the regular D-pad first.” But honestly, if I wanted to use a regular D-pad, I wouldn’t have bought the elite version in the first place… I genuinely have no idea why they insisted on including an incompatible faceplate as a bonus.
@老麦: Modular Lens Case and Lenses for iPhone Air
Reference Price: 200 RMB on Xiaohongshu, 400 RMB for lenses
People are never truly satisfied, and once that happens, we inevitably start tinkering with things. After getting the ultra-thin iPhone Air, I immediately started wanting better photography performance. After all, with only a single camera, it really only covers basic needs. The moment you want to try anything more creative, external lenses become the only option. But since the iPhone Air sells in relatively low volumes, accessory manufacturers have been hesitant to jump in. After waiting for a long time, I finally came across this setup from Neewer — a small kit built around attachable camera lenses.
The entire case uses synthetic leather with a texture that feels similar to vegan leather. The hand feel is actually pretty nice. The back cover and frame are separate pieces joined together, so there are visible seams, though they aren’t especially noticeable and are still acceptable overall. Protection is excellent, making it well suited for outdoor use. The camera control button is fully covered while still perfectly supporting the official controls, although I still constantly forget to use it. Habits really are hard to change.
The real highlight is the lens ring and mounting system, which I think are genuinely well designed. The lens frame is made of aluminum alloy, so it doesn’t feel too bulky for everyday use. The case itself weighs 45 grams, roughly half the weight of a typical Kevlar case. Inside the lens frame are built-in magnets and spring-loaded positioning ball bearings, allowing the external lens attachment to smoothly snap into place with a satisfying click.
The external lens kit comes with three mounting adapters by default: a T-mount, a threaded mount, and a standard camera filter mount. That means it’s compatible with most external lenses, though apparently not lenses from Huawei or vivo. Everything is made from aluminum alloy, and honestly the materials feel surprisingly generous for the price.
I ended up buying two lenses to experiment with. The first was Neewer’s official 85mm lens, mainly intended for portrait photography, offering roughly 2.2x magnification. But the thing is absolutely huge and heavy. Realistically, it’s very difficult to carry around casually.
The results are honestly hard to judge. The photo on the left was taken with the lens attached, while the one on the right uses the native 2x camera mode. It kind of feels like a failed experiment. Subject sharpness actually looks worse than the native camera, though the background blur does seem slightly nicer. Overall, I wouldn’t really recommend this lens.
Then I bought the Retro Telephoto 135 lens from Jiying Camera, which supports the T-mount system. The manual zoom functionality feels much more practical. It works reasonably well for creating that telephoto compression look and can also handle close-up shots. I’m definitely not a professional photographer though, so I’ll just throw in a few sample shots as casual reference.
After some testing, I feel like the results are fairly decent in good lighting conditions. Combined with the built-in film filters inside the Jiying Camera app, it can definitely add some extra photographic texture and shooting possibilities. But I also tried using it at a product launch event, and honestly it completely fell apart there. Without the official optical stabilization and computational compensation that native telephoto systems provide, low-light shots become blurry almost immediately, and the keeper rate drops dramatically.
Of course, once you have this case, you can also experiment with all kinds of fisheye, wide-angle, and cinematic-format lenses. Whether it’s worth the money is honestly hard to say. It’s mostly just about tinkering and giving the iPhone Air a tiny bit of a modular-camera feeling. Rumor has it the next generation Air model may add another camera, which is definitely something to look forward to.
It’s been quite a while since I last bought a new keyboard. Recently, I went through my existing collection, reorganized everything, and sold off the boards that either lacked character or simply weren’t distinctive enough. After clearing things out, I realized I still had a bunch of unused low-profile switches lying around. Coincidentally, I had come across a pretty interesting project not long ago, so I decided to pick one up and give it a try.
PHDesign has created quite a few open-source keyboard projects, and the PH60SC V2 is an open-source keyboard specifically designed for Kailh Choc low-profile switches (“SC” stands for Slim Choc). If you really wanted to, you could even fabricate the PCB and build one yourself. They also designed 3D-printed low-profile keycaps, though I just bought the finished version directly from Taobao. The keyboard PCB supports both wired and Bluetooth connectivity, includes hot-swappable switches, runs ZMK-based firmware with an nRF52840 controller, and even features RGB underglow. There’s honestly nothing to worry about in terms of functionality or performance. The previous-generation PH60SC claimed to be the thinnest low-profile keyboard on the market. The V2 version is slightly less extreme due to manufacturing cost and yield considerations, but it still retains its lightweight and ultra-thin design advantages. It also uses an ultra-thin battery, with battery life reportedly reaching up to three months with lighting turned off.
What I bought was the barebones kit version, meaning I had to provide my own switches and keycaps. The keyboard body itself is fully 3D-printed. Functionally and dimensionally, there are no real issues — switches insert and remove smoothly enough — though the shell obviously can’t compete with injection molding or CNC machining when it comes to refinement. But that’s simply the reality of the cost difference. On the other hand, the 3D-printed construction makes the board incredibly lightweight, which I actually think is a worthwhile tradeoff. The layout is a standard 60%, and it happens to fit perfectly on top of a laptop keyboard using small feet underneath.
The biggest strength of this kit is its extremely low front height. I’ve used quite a few low-profile keyboards before, and many of them, despite using low-profile switches, only end up slightly lower than regular keyboards — probably due to manufacturing limitations or simply design habits. In practice, they often land in this awkward middle ground where a wrist rest feels too low, but using the keyboard without one feels slightly too high. With the PH60SC sitting flat on the desk, my hands basically rest naturally against the tabletop, and my wrists barely need to angle upward at all while typing. Even compared to the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile — a low-profile board I’ve always really liked — the PH60SC still has a slight advantage in front height. The rear of the ROG keyboard is noticeably taller, while the PH60SC is almost completely flat. And if you install the dust-cover bottom shell on the ROG, it becomes even taller.
Other than the somewhat rough appearance caused by the 3D-printed shell itself, I honestly haven’t found any major flaws with it as a keyboard so far. Some people might not be comfortable with the ZMK firmware ecosystem, and another small quirk is that the USB port is located on the left side. The package includes a 90-degree angled cable, which actually feels pretty convenient for people using it on top of a laptop, and charging is also fairly easy that way. But when using it on a regular desktop setup, it inevitably feels a little unusual. Overall though, after spending some time with it, I think it’s a genuinely solid little keyboard. If you care about lightweight portability, wrist comfort, laptop compatibility, and Bluetooth connectivity, I’d say it’s definitely worth trying out.
The first time I saw this plush bag at a Sanrio store in Beijing Hanguang Department Store, I didn’t feel a strong urge to buy it—I assumed I could easily find it online later. But when I decided I wanted one to celebrate Pompompurin’s 30th anniversary, I realized that most listings on Taobao priced in the hundreds were just AI-generated images, while those with real photos were cheap knockoffs costing only a few dozen yuan. Just as I was about to give up, a friend found this bag on the Misutabai official website in Hong Kong, which supports SF Express shipping to mainland China. There were only two or three left in stock, so I quickly placed an order while still hesitating. As a result, I received the bag on Pompompurin’s birthday.
The bag turned out to be even smaller than I expected—roughly the same size as the Chiikawa mini crossbody bags from Miniso. It can barely fit an iPhone 17 and definitely can’t fit my OPPO Find X9, but it easily holds a Chiikawa phone 🌝.
Compared to Miniso’s version, which uses a fabric strap sewn onto one side, this plush bag features a leather strap with metal lobster clasps on both ends. The zipper is also a metal yellow star, which feels much more refined than Miniso’s acrylic zipper. However, if you want to remove the strap and display it as a plush toy, you’ll need to stuff the bag to maintain a nice shape—unlike Miniso’s version, which holds its form even when empty.
If you want to identify an authentic version, you can look at other details. For example, the “Chiikawa × Sanrio Characters” logo on the back is made of leather, and the product tag is square-shaped, not round like many listings on Taobao.
This series also includes other combinations like Hachi × Cinnamoroll, Chiikawa × Hello Kitty, and Flying Squirrel × Kuromi. If you’re interested, it’s worth looking into. Finally, congratulations to Pompompurin for currently ranking No.1 in mainland China in the 2026 Sanrio Character Popularity Contest!
@路中南: Petlibro Gravity Dump Water Fountain 2S
Reference price: ¥200
I replaced the old Petkit water fountain at home for three main reasons:
There are two cats at home. The younger one loves to “wash its paws” in the fountain, which means the older one ends up drinking dirty water—leading to occasional stomach issues;
The Petkit fountain is too subtle—its indicator light isn’t very noticeable, and when things get busy, I often only realize it’s empty when the cats start searching for water;
Last year, I even cleaned out quite a bit of grime from the pump; and the replacement filters have become too expensive.
This Petlibro fountain works on a completely different principle compared to Petkit’s “filter the same tank of water repeatedly.” Instead, it divides water into portions and replaces “old water” in batches. Each cycle discards the previous water and dispenses fresh water, which is why it’s called a “dump-style” fountain.
That’s essentially its core function. The clean water tank holds about 3L, and since I have a direct drinking water purifier at home, refilling it is convenient. The wastewater tank at the bottom is basically ready-made “used water,” which I can pour straight into the fish tank—so nothing goes to waste, similar to how I reuse water from my robot vacuum. After running this fountain continuously for over three weeks, I’m overall quite satisfied:
It actually has a heating function. In the cold winters of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, my Guangdong-born cats aren’t very tolerant of low temperatures. The old Petkit fountain didn’t have heating, and drinking cold water could sometimes cause stomach discomfort or even vomiting. I haven’t been able to test this feature yet due to the current season, but its 8.5W heating power should be sufficient for a device of this size.
There are multiple ways to trigger water dispensing, and the output volume can be customized. If you like tinkering, you can create a highly customized “water schedule,” though I ultimately chose the simplest “interval dispensing” mode, along with a fallback low-water auto refill. The “motion-triggered dispensing” depends heavily on placement—its sensing range is so wide that sometimes it activates just because a cat or person walks by at a distance, making it overly sensitive.
The companion app looks clean and provides data on water output and pet drinking volume—something the old Petkit fountain didn’t offer.
Surprisingly, it includes a 4000mAh battery, which allows it to keep running for quite a while during power outages, and even makes it portable (USB-C charging).
Overall, getting a pet water fountain like this for around ¥200 is already quite impressive, though it’s not perfect. First, its smart home connectivity isn’t built into the device itself (likely for battery and power considerations). Instead, it comes with a USB-like gateway that needs to be paired separately and plugged into a power source before remote control via the app is possible. Second, the beeping sounds and the noise from the dumping mechanism can be quite noticeable at night. If you’re sensitive to noise while sleeping, you may want to customize the dispensing schedule.
On the very first day it arrived, the younger cat immediately gave it a “test run”—by washing its paws in it.
@Microhoo: DJI Pocket 4
Reference price: ¥2999
Back when the Pocket 3 went viral, I was tempted for a while but didn’t act. The main reason was that I felt its core significance was more about finally “filling the gap” in the all-in-one gimbal camera category after a couple of iterations—it gave media professionals and vlog creators a truly usable tool. The stabilization quality from a three-axis mechanical gimbal is something no smartphone OIS+EIS combination can replicate; the physical advantages of a 1-inch sensor in low light and dynamic range, along with the added “ritual” value compared to a phone, firmly established it as a capable video tool.
But its audience has always been those with clear, specific needs—its strengths require the right scenarios to shine. Without that context, its shortcomings become obvious. Especially at the time of its popularity, smartphone imaging also saw a sudden leap forward, so for me, it wasn’t as convenient as just using a phone. Still, I was very much looking forward to the next generation, because DJI usually understands what users want. If I had to sum up the Pocket 4 in one sentence—it finally addresses most of those “almost there” shortcomings.
Pocket 4 adds two physical buttons for zoom and customizable functions, while the rest of the design and operation remain nearly identical to its predecessor. The real focus is on improvements in image quality and performance. The most noticeable change is in still photography.
To be honest, the photo function on the Pocket 3 felt more like an emergency option. While the large sensor delivered excellent detail, its 9.4MP resolution lagged behind even many mid-range smartphones, making it feel outdated. With Pocket 4 upgraded to 37MP, its overall imaging quality now rivals dedicated cameras. Combined with highly usable built-in filters, beauty effects, and Live Photo output, even users without professional intent can get better photo and video results than most smartphones in many scenarios.
Photo straight out of camera
This generation also introduces a feature I find particularly interesting—an expansion accessory port on the back of the gimbal, supporting both data communication and power delivery. An official external fill light is already available, and when connected through this port, its power, color temperature matching, and brightness adjustments are all controlled directly by the camera, eliminating the need for separate batteries or manual parameter tuning.
It may sound like a small detail, but in complex lighting scenarios where you need to capture usable footage quickly, the reduction in operational burden is very noticeable. More importantly, the design of this interface suggests room for future expansion—if DJI continues building out an accessory ecosystem, the Pocket 4’s use cases could expand even further.
Slow motion is another major upgrade, and arguably the most impressive performance improvement. While the Pocket 3’s 4K/120fps was already top-tier in its class, the Pocket 4 pushes this to 4K/240fps—roughly equivalent to 10× slow motion compared to standard 24fps video—entering territory previously reserved for professional cameras. After shooting a few clips, the ability to stretch fleeting moments into something cinematic feels far beyond simply “slowing things down.”
240fps slow-motion video still frame
Comparing frames from 240fps video to still photos, while there is some drop in dynamic range and resolution, the results remain highly usable—it’s hard to believe such performance comes from a device this compact.
Storage and transfer are often overlooked but critical to workflow efficiency. In an era where storage is precious, the Pocket 4’s 107GB of built-in storage eliminates the need for additional memory cards for most users. Wired USB 3.1 and wireless Wi-Fi 6 also significantly reduce waiting time when transferring footage. The dynamic range has improved from 12 stops to 14 stops, color format upgraded from D-Log M to full D-Log, and audio now supports four-channel spatial recording with independent channel control in post—features that benefit more advanced creators.
Overall, with these combined improvements, I feel the Pocket 4 has evolved from a “specialized tool for a niche audience” into a device that many more people can pick up and use directly. It retains the core advantages of the Pocket 3 as an all-in-one gimbal camera, while no longer requiring users to compromise as much for its shortcomings. This year feels like a turning point for this category, with multiple brands preparing to launch competing products. While it’s hard to say whether the Pocket 4 has an absolute advantage, given DJI’s experience and track record in handheld imaging, it will likely remain the most broadly appealing option.
That said, competition and pressure are real. I see the Pocket 4 as a refinement and reflection after the success of its predecessor, while the briefly teased dual-camera version may be the more compelling answer for professional creators who loved the earlier models. I’m looking forward to it.
@Clyde: Tolek Punk Power “Famicom” Power Strip
Reference price: ¥249
A few years ago, before everyone at the office started hitting middle age, we all somehow ended up buying those tall, boxy power strip organizers from Bull—great for hiding a bunch of plugs on the desk. They did solve the clutter problem, but after sitting there for a while, they felt like a waste of space—and more importantly, they just didn’t look good. So when someone at home needed a power strip, I generously gave mine away.
Then I bought this Tolek punk-style “Famicom” power strip.
Compared to the brick-style modular one we sell, this “Punk Power Famicom” version doesn’t have as many tricks. If you’re nostalgic, you might be drawn in by the “Famicom” design before buying—but after placing the order, it’s best to reset your expectations and just treat it as what it really is: a power strip. The device has three buttons, all centered around the front display, which looks large but actually only occupies about 40% of the width on the left side. The big red button on top turns the display on and off, while the two smaller round buttons control the display zones—left button controls the right side, and right button controls the left side. Yes, it’s counterintuitive. If anyone from Tolek is reading this, feel free to explain the logic.
The display shows some basic runtime information, including a colored bar at the top indicating current power load, and real-time current and voltage readings below. For a power strip, it’s more of a visual gimmick—you’re unlikely to rely on it for diagnosing real issues. The numbers exist more to serve “desk aesthetics” than functionality. The left side of the display is even more so—you can toggle between a smiling face, a crying face, and a looping Tetris animation. None of them are particularly sophisticated or emotionally engaging. Before buying, I even imagined it might support firmware flashing or custom display content—now I think I must’ve been drunk.
So again, keep your expectations grounded: it’s a power strip. That said, the color scheme is classic, and the design has a retro charm. Writing this reminded me of my old Keychron Q1 Pro (SSPAI limited edition) with a broken key. Putting them side by side actually looks pretty fitting:
Finally, one reason I didn’t just ask a colleague for the Pixel 65 modular power strip was that my current desktop power needs are quite high. Even though this model has four rear outlets that support both two- and three-prong plugs, in practice, four still feels limiting. The two USB-C ports and one USB-A port on the front handle high-frequency charging tasks, but that’s about all it can manage. Compared to this, the three-outlet modular version would likely be even less practical.
One last responsible reminder: this unusual design does come with balance and weight distribution issues. If you’re plugging in standard cables, it’s fine—but bulkier power adapters can cause problems. You’ll need to make sure the cables at the back don’t constantly pull it backward, or it might shift around. Honestly, it would’ve been great if they had added suction cups to the bottom.
@waychane: Aqara FP310 Presence Sensor
Reference price: ¥249
Good-looking design and flexible installation—that’s my overall impression of Aqara’s recently released AI multi-dimensional presence sensor FP310. As part of the “infrastructure” of a smart home, I generally believe you can never have too many sensors, so I picked one up and installed it in the laundry room.
In terms of design, the FP310 combines elements of traditional motion sensors with the form factor of the earlier FP2 presence sensor. The sensing unit has a slightly cylindrical shape, with an adjustable-angle base at the bottom, and the overall size is roughly comparable to AirPods Pro.
Since it is battery-powered, the FP310 isn’t restricted by power outlet placement, making installation highly flexible. More notably, it introduces magnetic mounting for the first time—the base contains built-in magnets, allowing it to attach directly to metal surfaces. If you don’t have a suitable magnetic surface, that’s not a problem either: the FP310 comes with a magnetic plate that can be attached to a wall using adhesive, allowing you to mount the sensor onto it.
Included magnetic plate
Functionally, the FP310 uses the same millimeter-wave radar detection as the FP2, making it more precise than traditional motion sensors. It can accurately detect presence even when a person is stationary. In the Aqara app, you can adjust sensitivity based on room size, set the timeout for detecting absence, and configure the radar detection range (0–6 meters). However, it does not support zone-based detection and is limited to single-area monitoring.
In addition, the FP310 integrates temperature, humidity, and ambient light sensors, enabling more advanced automation scenarios—for example, controlling air conditioning based on temperature or turning lights on/off based on brightness. The Aqara app also allows you to adjust the sampling frequency of these sensors or disable them entirely to extend battery life.
In terms of connectivity, the FP310 supports both Zigbee and Thread (Matter), with the latter expanding its compatibility across platforms. Since I only needed integration with Apple Home, I connected it via Zigbee.
As for buying advice, given that the FP310 is battery-powered and lacks zone detection, I wouldn’t recommend installing it in large spaces like living or dining rooms where people stay for extended periods. Instead, it’s better suited for smaller areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms, where its multi-sensor capabilities can be effectively combined with devices like lights or bathroom heaters for automation.
As the weather gets warmer, I wanted a pair of Bluetooth earphones for work, as well as for running or walking. After some thought, I narrowed down what I needed: first, no over-ear headphones—they’re too heavy, stuffy, and hot; second, nothing in-ear, since blocking the ear canal gets uncomfortable over time and becomes unstable when sweating; third, the sound quality should be decent, but without blocking out ambient noise. After searching around, I settled on the OpenRock X.
This is already a 2024 model, and it’s not exactly cheap. The OpenRock X uses air conduction, transmitting sound through the air. Earphones like this are usually ear-hook style, and the sound unit only loosely covers the ear canal rather than sealing or inserting into it like traditional earphones.
Each earbud weighs 12 g, which isn’t the lightest among Bluetooth earphones. At first, wearing them for half a day caused slight discomfort, but after adjusting the curvature of the ear hooks to avoid clamping the ears too tightly, it became much more comfortable. The ideal way to wear them is lightly and loosely—no pressure on the ears, just hanging naturally while still delivering sound.
In terms of sound quality, the OpenRock X claims stronger bass, and it does perform better than typical Bluetooth earphones. However, since it’s neither in-ear nor over-ear, it’s not directly comparable to those categories. In actual use, the sound quality is somewhat better than expected—solid overall, while still allowing you to hear external sounds.
The charging case isn’t the usual pebble shape seen on most earbuds, but a rectangular box. With a metal clip attached, it works quite well as a bag accessory. I even added a small logo using a UV laser printer.
@Clyde: OnePlus 15T
Review unit provided by the manufacturer
I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard “OnePlus fan,” but I’ve definitely been a long-time user1.
So when my sixth-generation iPad mini kept suffering from frame drops in games across multiple versions of iPadOS 26.x2—it’s not that I had to “buy dumplings just for the vinegar,” but the OnePlus 13T had already tempted me back then—I immediately volunteered to get my hands on the newly released OnePlus 15T.
Welcome to the new era where 6.32 inches is considered “compact,” and anything smaller has basically disappeared
We Pixel and iPad mini 6 users were not used to this level of luxury.
As someone who once chose the Pixel 5 in Sorta Sage, I naturally have a soft spot for the OnePlus 15T’s “Relaxed Matcha” colorway. The matte metal frame, the “metal cube Deco” camera module design, and the frosted AG glass back create a layered, cohesive look within the same color palette. It feels smooth and refined in hand. OnePlus still lives up to its old reputation for “great hand feel”—the 15T is one of the few phones I’ve used that sits flat without wobbling and doesn’t feel top-heavy when held. Another detail worth noting is that the “Relaxed Matcha” finish intentionally mimics the granular texture of matcha powder on the back glass. Up close, it can look slightly “dusty”—if that bothers you, check out the “Healing White Chocolate” color, which I also like.
Matcha—it really does look like matcha powder.
But for people like me who were tempted by the OnePlus 13T and only decided to try the 15T now, the main draw is still the front. As early as 2025, I’d often tell friends and colleagues a rather extreme take: any Android phone above ¥3500 that doesn’t have symmetrical bezels on all four sides is committing a crime. And this time, OnePlus delivered. Sure, the starting price has inevitably gone up, but if you’re genuinely looking to upgrade and can take advantage of subsidies or trade-in deals, I’d still recommend buying sooner rather than later—price increases are likely the norm in the coming years.
The system features and Android ecosystem integration feel very natural as well. Meanwhile, a certain competitor tried reinventing the wheel with themed icons, failed to execute well, and has now scrapped the feature entirely.
Back to the display. Beyond the ultra-narrow symmetrical bezels, the OnePlus 15T also comes with a 165 Hz high refresh rate panel. It’s been years since I last used a OnePlus phone, and while I’ve heard about its current positioning under OPPO as a performance-focused brand, I still find it amusing—those extra 45 Hz over 120 Hz essentially equal the gaming frame rate of a Google Tensor G-series GPU… competition has really gone overboard, while Google seems to be taking it easy on the other side of the ocean.
Naturally, I’ve spent the past few days gaming on the OnePlus 15T. Looking back, the experience can be summed up with a line from “Kung Fu Hustle”: this is what you call professional. Features like esports Zen mode, bypass charging, floating notifications, and instant launch all sound like gimmicks from flashy “gaming phones” with over-the-top designs and cheap sci-fi UI—but ColorOS 16 somehow packs every tool I could think of (and more) into the OnePlus 15T.
While the 6.32-inch 165 Hz display is likely unique at this size, game compatibility leaves nothing to complain about. Beyond popular titles like Honor of Kings, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Delta Force, even League of Legends: Wild Rift—which often gets overlooked in platform-level optimizations and happens to be my main game—supports a full 165 Hz mode here.
Speaking of gaming, the best part about the OnePlus 15T is that despite its clean and understated look, it’s one of the few small phones in recent years that can truly handle heavy gaming. Beyond bypass charging, the 7500 mAh battery and 100 W wired fast charging make for an endurance experience that’s hard to beat. Even with 165 Hz enabled and gaming heavily over Wi-Fi, it only gets mildly warm and the battery barely drains—unlike many similar devices that technically support high refresh rates but don’t really encourage you to use them.
Finally, the OnePlus 15T’s LUMO imaging system and periscope telephoto camera are genuinely refreshing, giving the sense that the long-standing “impossible triangle” of small phones may finally be broken.
The 50 MP main camera and 50 MP periscope telephoto also reinforce one of my long-held takes: if the main camera is wide enough, you don’t really need an ultra-wide (laughs). With a large sensor, OIS, and full-pixel omnidirectional autofocus, the hardware foundation is solid, and LUMO strikes a great balance between computational photography and optical character. Slightly lowering exposure in default mode produces images with natural lighting and clear detail, while both 3.5× and 7× zoom avoid the over-sharpening and smudging I personally dislike. For those who don’t want to edit photos, the built-in Master Mode is far from a gimmick—it delivers both usability and strong straight-out-of-camera results. All of this gives the OnePlus 15T another standout strength beyond its compact size, battery life, and gaming performance: it’s also a very capable camera phone.
@Microhoo: Panasonic Bread Maker PM1002
Reference price: ¥1599
Making bread is all about patience. Kneading, resting, kneading again, adding ingredients, proofing, kneading again, proofing again, shaping, baking—even a simple loaf of toast easily takes 4–6 hours. While I’ve developed enough skill that failures are rare and the process has become second nature, my time shouldn’t be spent on this, so I decided to let technology take over.
I had owned a bread maker before, but the touchscreen controls stopped working after long periods of disuse. So my top priority when choosing a new one was: no touchscreen. On that note, I’ll add that our dishwasher at home has also started having occasional touchscreen failures after a few years—although power cycling fixes it, it’s still a lesson learned. For appliances meant to last many years, I now prefer physical buttons whenever possible.
There are plenty of options on e-commerce platforms, especially with many domestic brands focusing on small kitchen appliances. But after much deliberation, I still chose Panasonic. On one hand, many of my home appliances are Panasonic, and I’ve come to appreciate how well they handle products that require precision and refinement; on the other hand, the world’s first bread maker was also made by Panasonic, so although it’s more expensive, it’s unlikely to go wrong. And indeed, it didn’t—compared to my previous Midea bread maker, it’s on a completely different level.
Among Panasonic’s current lineup, the two most popular models are the PS100 and PM1002. The key difference is that the PS100 features steam baking, which gives a better crust, while the PM1002 offers more menu options, including homemade yeast and additional dough programs, and uses physical buttons instead of a touchscreen—so I chose the latter.
The PM1002’s design is also more minimal than the PS100—a simple rectangular box, nothing more. I like it. Hopefully those manufacturers obsessed with odd-shaped appliances can learn something from this.
The PM1002 also comes with an ice cream container. You can make your own ice cream in summer, though I bought it in winter, so I’ll have to try it in a few months. The machine itself doesn’t freeze anything—the “ice cream container” is just a mixing accessory that needs to be frozen beforehand before adding the mixture.
I haven’t tried most of the other programs yet—I’ve used it several times, mostly for making toast, and it’s been excellent.
I use Program No. 2 (“Soft Bread”) and select the “Light” crust setting. In about four and a half hours, fresh bread is ready. I’ll also share my recipe here—it uses the tangzhong method, which makes the bread extremely soft and keeps it from hardening even after a few days at room temperature.
Tangzhong: Mix 25 g flour, 5 g sugar, and 1 g salt, then add 25 g boiling water and stir until smooth with no dry flour visible. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Dough: tangzhong, 120 g ice water, 50 g light cream (I’ve also substituted it with Nestlé evaporated milk for Hong Kong-style milk tea, with no noticeable difference), 15 g honey, 15 g condensed milk, 15 g sugar, 3 g salt, 225 g bread flour, 2.5 g yeast, 30 g butter.
Ideally, the butter should be added about 30 minutes after the program starts, once the yeast has activated. But I’m lazy and just throw everything in at once—it makes no noticeable difference, so feel free to adjust as you like. One important tip: bury the yeast in the flour to avoid direct contact with salt.
Another lazy habit of mine is making a large batch of tangzhong at once. Following the same proportions, I refrigerate it overnight, divide it into ~56 g portions, and freeze them. Since cream or evaporated milk doesn’t keep well after opening, I also portion them into 50 g servings and freeze them. From experience, freezing doesn’t affect the final result at all—so if you’re as thrifty as I am, go ahead and freeze with confidence.
Eating freshly baked bread you made yourself is one of life’s greatest joys. With the help of technology, that joy is doubled. Cheers to the modern age.
The OnePlus One with the bamboo back cover—the device that first opened the door to ShaoXiaPai—is still sitting in my closet. ↩︎
This manifests as a game that was previously running at a stable 60 fps suddenly dropping to 30 fps; bringing up the Control Center or other system interfaces and then returning to the game temporarily resolves the issue. ↩︎
It’s been more than two years since I last changed my phone, and my Xiaomi had definitely started to feel like it was due for an upgrade if I wanted to enjoy a smoother experience again. So, with strong encouragement from friends and family, I ended up receiving this OPPO Find X9. I won’t go into the specific specs or system experience—that would be both boring and feel a bit like an ad. Instead, I’d like to share my decision-making process when choosing this phone and some pleasant surprises I encountered after switching to ColorOS.
Because I have a basic need to run two instances of WeChat, I ruled out iOS from the start when choosing an operating system. The iPhone 11 I bought previously still serves as my backup device to this day. On top of that, I wanted a phone with solid imaging performance for everyday outings—whether for documenting life or photographing food. After some consideration, the final contenders came down to OPPO and vivo.
Initially, we were actually drawn to the vivo X300. Its relatively smaller screen and Fuji-style NC and CC filters were quite appealing. But after trying it out in an offline store, I found that I preferred the feel of ColorOS. The color performance brought by the Hasselblad collaboration also looked great, and I had always been curious about how well ColorOS’s “forced compatibility” with Apple’s ecosystem would work. So during the recent Taobao New Year shopping festival, with stacked discounts and government subsidies, I managed to get this Find X9 for under ¥4000.
Perhaps because it’s a cross-brand upgrade, using the OPPO Find X9 has given me a constant sense of novelty. Sometimes I’m impressed by how smooth the animations are; other times, it’s the fun little system features that catch my attention. Meanwhile, a friend who upgraded from an iPhone 15 to an iPhone 17 last year said after transferring their data that it “felt like nothing had changed.” In comparison, brand-hopping actually makes each phone upgrade feel more interesting.
After using it for a while, there are three main aspects of this phone that have pleasantly surprised me: Fluid Cloud, the photo editing features in the system gallery, and compatibility with the Apple ecosystem.
Although it has a different name, Fluid Cloud is essentially what everyone knows as the “Dynamic Island.” Unlike the iPhone’s Dynamic Island, which requires third-party apps to adapt before they can appear on it, Fluid Cloud can be made compatible through AI recognition. This is especially useful when dealing with pickup or delivery codes—just press the shortcut button on the left side to pin them to the Fluid Cloud for easy viewing.
Regardless of the implementation, as long as it can present the information I need when I need it, it’s a good feature.
Then there’s the gallery. As we all know, traditional gallery apps simply add editing features on top of photo viewing—boring and uninspiring. But in today’s highly competitive imaging environment, manufacturers are equipping their gallery apps with various capabilities. In addition to common features like AI object removal and AI color adjustment, what surprised me most about the OPPO Find X9 was its collage function.
Simply select a few photos in the gallery and choose the collage option to generate a composition based on specific ratios and templates. Tap on one of the photos at the top and select “Out of Frame,” and the system will automatically cut out the subject and overlay it onto the other images. Compared to ordinary collages, this allows you to display multiple photos at once while preserving the integrity of the main subject—and even adds a bit of dynamism. Most importantly, it’s extremely convenient: no need to download third-party apps or manually outline selections. You can create an interesting collage in just a short amount of time.
Although my main phone has always been an Android device, most of my other gadgets are part of the Apple ecosystem. For a long time, my main phone couldn’t integrate well into my workflow. The biggest issue for me was that my Apple Watch couldn’t receive notifications from it. So after switching to the OPPO Find X9, I immediately installed the relevant interoperability apps on my Apple devices to bridge the gap.
Starting with the iPhone: while promotional materials often highlight AirDrop compatibility, in actual use it’s not very different from third-party file transfer apps like LANDrop or LocalSend—you still need to operate within the “OPPO Connect” software. If there’s anything unique, it’s the ability to simulate an NFC tag to trigger the iPhone’s App Clips pop-up, somewhat similar to Alipay’s tap-to-interact feature. It’s clever, but not quite the same as native iPhone tap-to-transfer. As for message syncing, since my iPhone doesn’t have a SIM card and rarely receives notifications, I haven’t really tested this feature yet.
Compared to the iPhone, the Apple Watch integration experience is actually better. After downloading the corresponding app on the Apple Watch and pairing it through the OPPO Health app on the phone, health data can be synced to the main device. Not only that, the Apple Watch can also receive notifications from the phone—which, for me, is one of the fundamental aspects of true ecosystem integration.
As for the Mac, I rarely need to operate my phone through my computer. Even when file transfers are required, I usually rely on LANDrop. So for now, I don’t feel a strong need to integrate my Mac with the phone. Perhaps I’ll try it in the future and see if it brings any surprises.
As for AI features, I haven’t explored them in depth yet, so I won’t go into detail here. Overall, I’m very satisfied with the OPPO Find X9 and hope it will serve me well as my main device in the days to come.
Cherry Maruko Dessert Gift Box
Reference price: ¥130
This festive and adorable Cherry Maruko–themed gift box was recommended to me by the algorithm—and how could I possibly not buy it? On top of that, I’ve always liked the Cherry Maruko IP, so I placed the order without hesitation. The full set includes the gift box, a gift bag, 16 desserts, one Maruko greeting card, and four red envelopes. The print quality is excellent, and I’m very satisfied with it.
Each compartment inside the box features different animated characters and blessing messages when opened, creating a ritual-like experience reminiscent of an Advent calendar. If you’re sitting around with friends, playing games while drawing dessert blind boxes, it sounds like it could be a lot of fun.
Among the 16 types of desserts, there’s a mix of both Chinese and Western styles. Aside from the chocolate varieties—which may lose their shape due to melting—the rest are all quite delicate in appearance. I tried the Magical Pastry – Cherry Maruko Rose Soy Milk Treat, and it pleasantly surprised me. Unlike most pastries on the market, it’s not overly sweet. As someone whose sweetness tolerance maxes out at a single bite of a KFC egg tart, this was just right. The Love Core Pastry – Strawberry-Filled Matcha Chocolate has a sweeter outer chocolate layer and a slightly tangy freeze-dried strawberry filling inside, which balances out nicely in one bite.
Store product images
Attentive readers may have already noticed one minor drawback—the pattern on the box features a snake rather than a horse. So if you’re planning to give it as a gift, you may want to consider other designs. The brand also offers more than 20 New Year–themed gift boxes, such as “Fortune-Filled New Year,” “Prosperity Every Day,” and “Endless Blessings,” all of which are suitable for festive occasions. If you’re looking for attractive holiday gifts, these are worth considering.
@什么陈: UNIQLO Puffy Crossbody Bag
Reference price: ¥99
Last weekend, I happened to notice that UNIQLO’s backpacks were on sale while shopping. Since I usually need to carry a laptop for commuting, and this bag was just the right size, I decided to try it on.
The design is simple and fairly casual, with three color options available: black, light beige, and chestnut. I ultimately chose black, as I think it’s easier to match with everyday outfits. The strap length is adjustable, so it can be worn either over one shoulder or crossbody. I used to prefer shoulder bags, which eventually led to uneven shoulders, so now I tend to go for crossbody styles that help distribute the weight more evenly.
The capacity is quite decent—it can fit a 14-inch laptop, and there’s still room for a light jacket when heading out. The internal compartments are practical: two open storage sections can hold tissues, keys, or a power bank, while a zippered inner pocket is perfect for storing important items like a wallet or ID. Most convenient of all are the two independent side pockets, which are deep enough for a water bottle or a folding umbrella. They’re easy to access and help prevent spills from affecting other items inside the bag.
That said, there is a minor downside. Since the bag itself is lightweight and the material isn’t particularly thick, it can lose its shape when overfilled—but it’s still within an acceptable range.
Image source: official
The surface material has been treated to resist moisture. While it’s not fully waterproof, light rain or accidental splashes will bead up and roll off instead of soaking in immediately. For those who frequently carry a laptop outdoors, this definitely adds some peace of mind.
Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable daily commuter bag that can fit a laptop and offers well-organized compartments, this one is worth considering. It may not have any standout design features, but it performs well across the board. Another model currently on sale offers even more storage compartments and is often used as a camera bag—photographers might want to take a look.
Image source: official
@一只索狗: Adapro Touch Finger Robot
Reference price: ¥92.8
The inconvenience of upgrading a home with smart features is definitely one of the biggest pain points of renting. Since many household appliances don’t actually belong to you, replacing them outright can feel wasteful—but continuing to use them without connectivity can also be inconvenient. Take the landlord-provided electric heater in my room, for example.
I had known for a long time about products like finger robots (such as SwitchBot), which can physically press switches to control home appliances without needing to replace existing hardware. So after forgetting to turn off my heater for the Nth time before leaving home, I started thinking about how to give it some kind of network connectivity.
But the problem was that the heater’s control panel uses touch-sensitive input rather than physical buttons, meaning a traditional finger robot with a mechanical actuator wouldn’t be able to solve the issue. One of the amazing things about domestic manufacturing is that you can always find surprisingly niche solutions—so I came across this touch-based finger robot.
The principle itself is quite simple: two contact points simulate a finger tap, while the small box contains a communication module and a battery. The model I bought integrates with the Mi Home ecosystem, and if you already have a device that supports a Bluetooth Mesh gateway, you can enable remote control.
There are two ways to simulate touch input. One is a single tap with adjustable touch duration, which can also replicate a long press. The other is a toggle mode, which separates the “on” and “off” touch actions for easier status identification.
Since it only has two contact points, I’ve currently assigned them solely to the heater’s power switch. Setting the other one for temperature adjustment didn’t feel ideal—only increasing or only decreasing would both be a bit awkward. Using the included adhesive, it can be mounted directly onto the appliance. After integrating it with Mi Home, it more or less meets my needs for remote control and automation.
The last time I used a Kindle was more than a decade ago—the Paperwhite 2 and the Voyage. Back then, e-ink displays were still a niche market, and Kindle was almost the only option with a reasonably complete user experience in China. Everyone knows what happened later: domestic brands increasingly took over Kindle’s market share, and Kindle officially exited the Chinese market in 2022. Since then, most of my e-ink devices have been from domestic brands.
To be fair, I welcome the competition driven by local manufacturers. Today, more new e-ink products are released in a single quarter than used to appear in an entire year, and value for money has continued to improve. On the other hand, after using more than ten different domestic e-ink devices, I’ve become quite certain that the currently promoted color screens and Android systems are not what I want.
When it comes to color displays, the mainstream Kaleido panel structure today (a black-and-white e-ink layer overlaid with a three-color filter) inherently limits clarity and transparency. I don’t read comics, so for text reading, Kaleido brings more drawbacks than benefits. As for Android, while it looks open and versatile on the surface, the hardware constraints and screen characteristics of e-ink devices mean that, for reading, it can’t match a dedicated system, and for functionality, it can’t compete with a regular tablet. Add to that the general lack of system optimization and long-term maintenance commitments among domestic e-ink brands, and the result is devices that are neither worry-free nor long-lasting.
So when I recently found myself needing to read more e-books (background explained later) and started reconsidering an e-ink device, the now sixth-generation Kindle Paperwhite once again became my top choice.
Since it has been out for over a year, the Paperwhite 6 now has stable availability and pricing in China. The 32GB version is easy to find online for under ¥1,300. (Of course, a trip to Sham Shui Po could be even cheaper—but once you factor in transport and meals, it evens out.) I bought the green Signature Edition. The back cover is plastic with a slight metallic sheen—not as prone to fingerprints as the soft-touch finish on the standard version, but the overall feel is still fairly ordinary. It’s definitely no match for the metal builds that have become common on domestic devices, so don’t expect too much.
Of course, the main reasons to buy a Kindle are its screen and its services. While there are only a handful of commonly used e-ink panels, the actual experience depends heavily on optimization (refresh strategies, dithering algorithms, and so on), and results can vary widely between manufacturers. Among domestic devices, very few reach Kindle’s level. The Paperwhite 6 proves this once again—it’s clearer and more comfortable than any domestic device I’ve seen using the same Carta 1300 panel.
On the services side, even if you ignore the Kindle Store, which isn’t particularly relevant for Chinese readers anymore, the convenience of the official Send to Kindle service and the breadth of third-party support still make Kindle highly competitive. Almost any service related to reading offers some form of Kindle integration. For example, the Readwise I use can send saved content directly to Kindle and also import highlights from Kindle.
Kindle’s feature updates have always been fairly laid-back. Even after years of not using one, the core functions and interactions felt familiar, and I was able to pick it up again quickly. Over time, though, the native system has accumulated a number of genuinely useful features. Compared with the past, it’s now much easier to load external fonts, adjust line spacing and margins, and save layout settings as themes. Improvements like page preview interactions and long-press link previews also make skimming more efficient. Since 2022, Send to Kindle has supported direct EPUB uploads as well. So even though my firmware version is technically jailbreakable, I now just read EPUBs on the stock system, switching to KOReader (installed after jailbreaking) only when reading PDFs, for its more advanced cropping and contrast enhancement.
(There have been regressions too—most notably, the device no longer appears as a mass storage disk when connected to a computer, making file transfers more cumbersome. But there’s no need to install Amazon’s Send to Kindle tool either; any tool that supports the MTP protocol will do, such as the open-source OpenMTP.)
Finally, a word on e-book sources. As mentioned earlier, I’ve had a growing need for e-book reading recently, partly because I’ve found two relatively reliable ways to acquire books.
The first is the Kobo online store. Because Kobo has a strong presence in Hong Kong and Taiwan, its catalog of traditional Chinese titles (including traditional Chinese translations of English books) is extensive and updated quickly—second only to purely Chinese platforms like Books.com.tw or Eslite. Pricing for traditional Chinese editions is also significantly lower than for English versions. And because Kobo uses the widely adopted Adobe Digital Editions DRM, it remains one of the few e-book retailers whose DRM is relatively easy to remove. All you need to do is (1) choose “Download” after purchase; (2) import the file into the ADE client and right-click to select “Show File in Finder”; then (3) import the encrypted file into Calibre with the ACSM plugin installed. You’ll then get an unprotected EPUB that can be sent directly to Kindle.
The second option is mail-in scanning services. One side effect of Kindle’s exit from the Chinese market is that domestic titles are far less likely to be released simultaneously in e-book form. So recently, I’ve often used printing shops on Taobao that offer mail-in scanning services (there are many; no specific recommendations). I simply ship the physical book directly to the shop, and in most cases receive the scanned version the same day it arrives. For a typical 300-page book, the cost is around a dozen yuan, which is acceptable. From there, I compress the files and create an OCR version using methods I’ve described elsewhere. Note that this service involves cutting the book apart for scanning, so it’s probably only suitable for people like me who care solely about obtaining a digital copy. I’m sharing it here simply as an idea.
Based on recent trends, Kindles typically receive around seven to eight years of software support, so this Paperwhite 6 should be usable until around 2030. (After all, my Paperwhite 2 still powers on and works.) If you’re overwhelmed by the noise of domestic e-ink options and your primary use case is simply reading, a Kindle might be a solid, low-stress, long-term choice.
@一只索狗：
iQOO 15 Ultra
Manufacturer review unit
Back in 2019, I bought an iQOO Pro 5G. At the time, its leading-edge 5G connectivity, powerful performance, and the excellent gaming experience enabled by the Monster Touch pressure-sensitive buttons left a deep impression on me.
I’m happy to see that, years later with the iQOO 15 Ultra, some of those standout traits have carried over. I was also able to get my hands on this new device early and spend some time with it in a brief hands-on.
Smartphone camera deco designs come in all shapes and forms, but most mid-to-high-end models are constrained by product line positioning and find it hard to differentiate stylistically. The iQOO 15 Ultra is more daring. As a gaming-focused midrange product, it adopts what’s called a “Future Capsule” design—like a spacecraft cabin straight out of the future.
On the camera module, you’ll definitely notice the shiny light strip. How long has it been since you last saw a notification light on a phone? The iQOO 15 Ultra brings it back. Officially dubbed the “Energy Light Blade,” the lighting effect is minimal and elegant. The system also offers extensive customization options, allowing you to set activation times, brightness, scenarios, and dynamic lighting effects.
At first, I assumed the openings on the mid-frame were speaker grilles. After taking a closer look, I was surprised to discover that they actually form a complete air intake and exhaust channel together with the area beneath the camera. When I set the fan to its maximum level, the sound was about as loud as a handheld mini fan—brutally powerful, to say the least. According to iQOO, the “Ice Dome Air-Cooling System” features the largest active cooling fan in the industry.
With such an aggressive cooling setup, paired with the fifth-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite, LPDDR5X Ultra Pro at 10,667 Mbps, and UFS 4.1 storage, every high-end mobile game you can think of delivers peak “gaming productivity.” For example, Honor of Kings supports native 144 FPS at maximum settings right out of the gate, and Delta Force can also run at 144 FPS with ultra graphics.
The hardware is there, and when it comes to pushing the gaming experience to the extreme, iQOO has also added plenty of thoughtful software touches to make things more comfortable for players. For instance, downloading data packs on game login screens often tests my patience, but on iQOO’s Origin OS, the system automatically suggests running downloads in the background, so you don’t have to worry about the process being killed.
Within the Game Space, there are dedicated settings for graphics, audio, background running, do-not-disturb mode, mistouch prevention, and other common pain points gamers care about—everything is covered.
Aside from imaging flagships, many midrange phones have indeed started to feel a bit boring. The iQOO 15 Ultra, however, continues to commit to the path of “ultimate gaming experience,” staying true to its product identity, which is reassuring to see. If you’re looking for a performance-driven gaming phone and also care about build quality and feel, the iQOO 15 Ultra is well worth checking out.
TRMNL Software License
Reference price: ¥355
I previously bought a YUEXINGTONG X4 in an SSPAI livestream (this product was also shared in New Stuff 226). It’s a small device, but quite a charming one—no wonder it’s attracted a lot of attention in overseas tech circles.
As a result, the Reddit community around YUEXINGTONG (XTEINK) is fairly active as well, with plenty of posts sharing third-party firmware and usage tips. I happened to come across a post mentioning that a company called TRMNL had created firmware for the XTEINK X4, turning this e-ink reader into a small information dashboard—similar in spirit to Quote/0.
TRMNL’s core business is actually selling physical hardware—essentially a roughly 7-inch e-ink display that can connect to the internet and update via plugins. Since many plugins and new ideas in this category come from DIY makers in the community, TRMNL naturally supports a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model. If you have the relevant knowledge and experience, you can absolutely build your own hardware and flash it with TRMNL’s firmware.
Which brings us to the key point: TRMNL’s software license is not cheap. It costs USD 50. Out of curiosity—and for research purposes—I went ahead and bought a license to try it out. I don’t recommend following my example. 🤣
The flashing process itself is very simple. You just connect the device with a cable and use a web-based tool for one-click flashing. After rebooting, connect the device to Wi-Fi, fill in some authorization details, and my XTEINK X4 instantly became an e-ink information dashboard.
I’ve always felt that Quote/0 has a small drawback: its screen is a bit too small, which limits how much information it can display. TRMNL plugins support larger-screen devices, allowing for much greater information density and more flexible layouts. There’s a Mash Up mode that lets you combine multiple widgets on one screen. For example, my current setup shows Steam discounts in the top-left, a GTA 6 release countdown in the bottom-left, and the weather on the right.
According to TRMNL’s website, there are currently around 800 plugins available, covering categories like daily life, calendars, news, travel, education, and finance. That said, since it’s developed primarily for overseas users, support for domestic platforms is basically nonexistent.
There are also plenty of customization options for how information refreshes and rotates. You can set the rotation interval, or get more granular and specify which days of the week and times certain views are shown. And if you don’t like the Mash Up approach of displaying multiple widgets at once, you can focus on a single view instead. Overall, it’s quite flexible.
A single TRMNL software license costs about the same as buying three Quote/0 units. So unless you’re like me—driven by curiosity and a desire to tinker—buying it just to use as an information dashboard is really not cost-effective.
That said, if you rely heavily on overseas services, already happen to own a XTEINK X4, and enjoy doing a bit of programming and DIY on the side, it’s worth studying the official plugins and developer documentation first. Once you’re sure it fits your needs, then you can decide whether it’s worth paying for the license.
@Lincoln: tomtoc passport holder
Reference price: ¥154.16 (including government subsidy)
I used to never understand why products like passport holders—basically “oversized wallets”—even existed. That changed the year my previous passport and my Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan somehow “disappeared” at home and were never found again. Only then did I truly realize the point of a passport holder.
In the past, when traveling far, I liked to stuff my wallet, passport, a small power bank, and various tickets into a waist bag. But if, like me, you have a camera hanging on your chest and a backpack on your back, a waist bag quickly becomes inconvenient. First, the camera often blocks the waist bag, so every time you want to grab something, you have to push the camera aside to even see it. Do that often enough and it gets genuinely annoying. Second, there’s the waist bag itself: once it’s packed with too many items, it never feels comfortable around the waist. And whenever you’re rummaging through it, you either have to look down or bend forward—otherwise the backpack pulls you backward, or all the camera’s weight shifts onto your neck. There’s always something that makes the experience unpleasant.
So I bought a passport holder mainly because it’s an “oversized wallet” you can carry in your hand. When choosing this type of product, though, it’s essential to check whether it supports RFID protection. Many contactless bank cards and transit cards contain RFID chips, allowing payment simply by being near a reader (no direct contact required). If they can be read normally, there’s naturally a risk of unauthorized scanning. If someone with a reader gets close to a wallet without RFID shielding, there’s a chance of theft.
After some comparison, I found that Bellroy’s Travel Folio has excellent build quality and design, but it lacks a wrist strap and a dedicated slot for an AirTag, and it’s not officially sold by domestic distributors. So I turned to tomtoc instead. While tomtoc’s passport holder doesn’t stand out for its exterior design, the internal layout is still very well thought out and meets all the needs I mentioned above.
Easy to carry in hand, easy to stow in a bag
When you need to use it frequently, you can carry the passport holder in your hand; when you don’t, you can hang it inside your bag. On the one hand, the pull strap on the holder provides a secure grip and can also be clipped directly inside a backpack. On the other hand, there’s a hidden slot for an Apple AirTag inside the holder, so you don’t need to attach an AirTag externally. While attaching an AirTag to the outside would still allow tracking, it’s very obvious and easy for a thief to remove. As a side note: if you want to put an AirTag in a camera bag, you can find Velcro-style AirTag accessories on Taobao or 1688—they’re discreet and leave no marks.
Hidden AirTag slot
As for the holder’s core functionality, tomtoc has designed space for four passports and four bank cards. Whether you’re traveling or at home, you can keep your (or even your family’s) important documents and cards together. Hopefully, my documents won’t mysteriously vanish again.
Internal compartments—useful even if you don’t have that many passports (image source: official)
Tomtoc clearly remembers this is a passport holder, so it includes quick-access pockets both inside and out for boarding passes, booking confirmations, and other loose papers. Whether at the airport or at immigration, you can find what you need by “zone” instead of rummaging through a waist bag like before. The efficiency improvement is very noticeable.
This tomtoc passport holder also includes a dedicated compartment for banknotes and a mesh pocket for coins. If you don’t feel like bringing a separate wallet, it can easily double as one. And of course, no long passport holder would be complete without a place for a pen and SIM cards—this tomtoc has both. When filling out forms or swapping SIMs, these small details really come in handy.
SIM card pin and slots look like this (image source: official)
@Lao Mai: Huawei Mate X7 Professional Photography Kit
Reference price: ¥1,699
Pairing a foldable phone with a professional photography kit is definitely not something most people would do. But Huawei teamed up with Tietou to specifically develop this product, and as SSPAI, we had to try it for ourselves to see what it’s really about.
First off, there’s no need to question the materials or build quality of Tietou’s products. Everything feels solid and well made, fully matching the premium feel of the Mate X7. The packaging even carries a “Designed by Huawei” label, so it’s likely that Huawei was deeply involved and set specific requirements for the final product.
The overall design is well thought out and balances everyday practicality. When used just as a phone case, it comes with a built-in metal stand that works in both landscape and portrait orientations. The combination of matte metal and finely textured vegan leather, along with a grid-patterned suede lining inside, protects the phone body well and doesn’t feel inferior to other phone cases priced at three or four hundred yuan.
The Bluetooth grip attaches at the stand position and feels very secure, with a dedicated anti-drop locking mechanism. You can basically hold it with one hand and shoot comfortably. The grip has separate buttons for photo and video, along with zoom and exposure controls, and even a front/rear camera toggle for quick selfies. It’s quite thoughtfully designed. It also supports a standard screw mount, so you can attach it to a tripod.
As for the lens, there’s a central adapter that slides onto the camera ring of the case, and the lens is then mounted onto that adapter. The advantage is that you can remove the lens at any time and go back to the native camera. One thing to note is that the lens only mounts over the telephoto camera and covers the other lenses, so if you want to use the main camera, you’ll need to remove the external lens. This is probably part of the design logic. Still, it would be even better if there were a dedicated inner dust cover.
Finally, let’s talk about image quality. This isn’t a teleconverter in the traditional sense, since Huawei’s built-in 10× telephoto is already very capable. The value of this lens lies in allowing you to capture up-close details and depth-of-field effects at around 13.5×, essentially a lossless extension rather than a pure “super-telephoto for birding.” At 27×, you can still get usable results to capture some unique scenes, whereas the native 27× zoom relies heavily on AI reconstruction. You can see more sample photos here.
Overall, the kit leaves a pretty good impression. The Mate X7 itself leans toward being a true all-around flagship this time, with a complete camera setup, a stronger hinge, and improved water resistance. It works well for everyday business use, and if you actually want to head out, travel, or get a bit adventurous, there’s no need to switch phones. This photography kit complements that by meeting travel photography needs, delivering better image quality and detail at telephoto ranges beyond 10×. It’s slightly more expensive than similar products, but in my opinion, it’s worth it.
Oh, and I also paired it with a magnetic wrist strap from Xiao Sun, along with a matching shoulder strap. It really makes the whole setup look the part.
I’d had the cultural merchandise from Qihai Manufacturing Bureau, an imprint under Shanghai Translation Publishing House, sitting in my favorites for ages. They fall squarely into that category of beautifully made, slightly pricey, and of somewhat questionable practicality. So it wasn’t until a recent sitewide discount that I finally made up my mind and bought two clips: the “Cold Crow Café” brass clip and the “Sea Book Fair” painted brass book clip.
The design of “Cold Crow Café” is inspired by the writer Franz Kafka. In Czech, the word for “crow” shares the same pronunciation as Kafka’s surname, which is where the name comes from. The front resembles a café sign, engraved with words like “DRINKS, SNACKS, SALAD,” while the back features quotes from Kafka’s letters: “A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us” and “AUTHOR OF THE NIGHT,” suggesting that the café hosts a reading night once a month. The vintage aesthetic, the tactile depth of the engraving, and the strong literary backstory make it genuinely hard not to fall in love with.
Compared with the brass clip itself, which gleams with a metallic sheen under the light, the packaging feels rather plain. It’s just a thin paper box printed with related graphics, and the clip isn’t very well secured inside. When it arrived, it was already rattling around in the box, though fortunately there were no obvious signs of damage from shipping.
The “Sea Book Fair” isn’t a real event either, but another fictional setting created by Qihai Manufacturing Bureau. The front shows a sailing ship, while the back depicts a palace known as the “Crystal Pavilion,” the venue where the book fair is supposedly held. There’s a hole on the back of the clip so it can be hung up to hold manuscripts, tickets, postcards, and the like. The blue painted finish is very beautiful, though quite a bit of color rubbed off onto the inside of the box during shipping. In actual use, you might occasionally rub off a tiny bit of blue paint as well, but it’s almost negligible.
If you’re just clipping loose papers or notebooks, I’ve bought acrylic clips for a few yuan that do the job just as well, aside from being lighter. But when it comes to holding thicker, heavier book pages, that’s where a brass clip really earns its keep. It may sound like I’m forcing myself to invent use cases for them, but when something this good-looking comes into my home, as long as it can stay in sight and please the eye, it doesn’t really matter what it’s used for.
Cream Puppy Spring Couplets
Reference price: ¥43
Big data really nailed my taste this time. The moment I saw this set of Spring Festival couplets, I ordered it almost without hesitation—it’s just too cute. Compared with the Pingu couplets I bought last year, the cuteness level has gone up another notch, though the price has doubled as well. The Pingu gift box had 19 pieces for a bit over 50 yuan, while this set comes with just seven pieces priced at 49 yuan. That said, these couplets are made of felt, which seems more durable, and as an original design from an independent shop, the price feels acceptable (especially considering how adorable they are).
Product images from the seller
The theme of this set is cream puppies. On a dark gray pedestal tray sits a pile of bright red strawberries and a canelé, with a cute cream puppy standing on top of each one. The text reads, “Meow-meow and woof-woof by your side / life as sweet as cream.” As traditional couplets go, they’re neither properly parallel nor particularly strict in tonal patterns, so those who care about such details may want to think twice.
The packaging is very simple: all seven pieces are rolled together and placed in a transparent bag, with adhesive strips and 3M magnetic stickers included. The print quality is quite good, with almost no color difference. The seller does note that machine cutting may leave slight white edges, but unless you look very closely, it’s hard to spot any flaws.
They’re so cute that I couldn’t bear to put them on the front door, so I stuck them on the interior room doors instead. Although the seller’s example shows all seven pieces displayed together, mixing and matching them in groups works just as well. I felt that putting everything on one door looked a bit crowded, so I split them into two groups and put them on two different doors—sharing the love (not really).
At first, I worried that the strawberry-and-cream elements might not match the festive New Year vibe, but once they were up, the bright red color did feel celebratory. The room instantly became more lively and cheerful.
@waychane: New AirTag
Reference price: ¥249
Apple recently released a new generation of AirTag, and I just got my hands on the new model today. Here are some quick impressions.
Starting with the design: there are no changes at all in terms of appearance, size, or thickness between the new and old AirTag. This means that accessories purchased for the previous AirTag—such as key rings and protective cases—remain fully compatible with the new version.
The only visible difference in appearance lies in the printed text around the device. On the older AirTag, the text uses an initial capital letter followed by lowercase letters, while the new AirTag switches to all-uppercase text and adds an extra “NFC” label.
The main upgrades in the new AirTag compared to the old one are in tracking range and speaker volume. As for volume, you can clearly hear that the new AirTag is louder, with a noticeably higher pitch. The sound feels sharper and more piercing to the ear.
In terms of tracking range, based on my real-world testing at home, the new AirTag does indeed start picking up signals from a slightly greater distance than the old one. With a load-bearing wall in between, the new AirTag was able to detect a weak signal when I was just two or three steps away from the wall. With the old AirTag, however, I had to move almost right up to the wall before it could begin detecting the AirTag in the other room.
Left: New AirTag
As for accessories, Apple’s official key ring has, unsurprisingly, moved away from leather and continues to use the FineWoven material introduced earlier. In terms of feel, it’s relatively smooth, and visually I think it still looks refined enough. Whether this key ring will be as prone to staining or marks as the previous FineWoven phone cases, though, will have to be seen after some longer-term use.
@Clyde: Belkin Stage PowerGrip
Reference price: ¥239
Is it a 9,000mAh power bank that doubles as a “camera grip,” or a Bluetooth shutter grip that just happens to work as a power bank? No matter how you look at it, Belkin’s Stage PowerGrip is the kind of product that sparks an immediate urge to buy. As soon as it finished its overseas trial run and appeared on domestic e-commerce platforms, I predictably failed to resist a colleague’s recommendation and placed an order right away.
As a power bank, the Stage PowerGrip supports 7.5W wireless charging. There’s no brute force or magic here, but considering that, on one hand, the iPhone 17 and Pixel 9 Pro I have on hand are both rather stingy when it comes to wireless charging specs, and on the other hand, this product is clearly positioned for photography use, which inevitably comes with noticeable heat buildup, this charging power actually feels acceptable. The 9,300mAh capacity is enough to charge the above devices nearly twice over. Add to that 3C certification and a 10N strong magnet that I’ve tested and confirmed won’t shake loose, and there’s really not much to nitpick about the overall wireless charging experience.
On the wired side, single-port wired charging tops out at a not-at-all “speeding” 15W. Since it comes with a built-in USB-C cable and also includes an extra USB-C port, you can technically charge three devices at the same time when combined with magnetic wireless charging. That said, aside from emergencies, I doubt anyone would actually do this—the efficiency is indeed quite low.
So between the two ways of thinking mentioned at the beginning, I personally lean toward seeing this as a camera grip that just happens to function as a power bank. At its core, the Belkin Stage PowerGrip is a Bluetooth shutter controller designed with camera ergonomics in mind. The grip area doesn’t use any particularly special materials to differentiate it, but the surface texture is well done and provides decent anti-slip performance. The circular ring around the charging coil, shaped like a camera lens, and the spot that looks a bit like a viewfinder—though it’s more likely where a flash would be—are used to house a small display showing remaining battery level, charging status, and Bluetooth shutter connection status. These details show a bit of thoughtful design.
The Belkin Stage PowerGrip even includes a standard 1/4-inch tripod screw mount on the bottom. Combined with the magnetic attachment, it works for horizontal shots, vertical shots, and even shooting upside down. In terms of grip orientation, you can basically use it however you’d use a camera. The only real downside is the somewhat odd placement of the shutter button. If it were on the top instead of the front, it would probably feel more natural to use.
One more thing: since it connects via Bluetooth and maps the shutter to the volume buttons, this shutter button only supports taking photos. Half-press focusing, zooming, and similar functions are off the table.
In fact, beyond its dual roles as a part-time power bank and a plastic photography accessory, the Belkin Stage PowerGrip also works quite well as a wireless charging stand. The camera-grip form factor means it can stand upright with a stable center of gravity, and the magnetic design further reduces cable clutter compared to typical wireless charging docks. At home, I often just leave charging enabled and drop my Pixel or iPhone onto it, using the screensaver or standby display as a secondary screen. Seen this way, charging might actually be the least important function of this product.
Reference price: ¥3,994.15 (including AMS, after government subsidy)
As mentioned before, I got into 3D printing because I wanted to work on home organization, so I ended up putting a Bambu Lab P2S in my apartment.
Although the P2S has been out for more than two months, it’s still considered a new product from Bambu Lab. Since I entered the hobby relatively late, I didn’t experience the many earlier stages of consumer-grade and miniaturized 3D printers. My first hands-on experience was already with a nearly flawless, mature product, so in my eyes the P2S is close to perfect. Over the two weeks I’ve been using it, everything has felt fresh and exciting.
First of all, it’s extremely easy to use—really, really easy to get started. You may have heard of their open model community, Makerworld. It’s full of all kinds of flashy, quirky, and unusual models you can download, and most of them already come with configurations tailored for Bambu printers. You just download the file, sync it with your specific model, and start printing directly—no parameter tweaking needed at all.
Makerworld also has many niche but highly practical models, which happen to suit my needs perfectly. For example, I’m currently preparing for SSPAI’s Tracing the Southern Frontier project, which involves carrying a lot of filming gear, so I printed a set of battery cases, lens caps, and other accessories for Sony cameras. There are also various storage boxes designed specifically for small items like USB drives—great for travel, both practical and convenient.
3D-printed lens caps and battery cases like these are not cost-effective to buy individually, which makes them perfect candidates for 3D printing.
If you’re a super lazy person like me who hates hassle, you can just get an AMS along with the printer (or buy the bundle directly) and stick to Bambu Lab’s own filament. That way, the machine can automatically read information like color and remaining material, and it will handle loading, unloading, and filament switching by itself. You can pretty much reach a state of “the only thing you need to decide is what to print”—see a model you like, print it, and you’re done.
Its ease of use also shows in how forgiving it is about placement. My apartment is small, and I don’t have space for a heavy, sturdy table, so I put the P2S on a small three-legged tea table in the kitchen. I was worried that the wobbling would affect print quality, but it turned out to be completely fine. Later I learned that the P2S has a built-in balancing and compensation system that automatically levels and stabilizes itself against small vibrations, so it’s much less delicate than I had imagined.
Second, its output is very stable. I haven’t used many 3D printers, but the P2S is definitely the one with the best print quality among them. With default settings, the models it produces are already fine-grained and solid, and the printing process almost never goes wrong. The only time I encountered a “spaghetti failure” was due to an issue with the model design itself. Generally speaking, Bambu Lab’s companion app, Bambu Studio, will automatically determine whether a model needs supports, brims, and so on. If you also take a quick look at photos of other users’ finished prints or their feedback, you can usually avoid such problems altogether.
The sliding-lid storage box fits together very precisely. After the purple filament ran out, I continued printing with pink, and the transition blended quite nicely too.
Third, it runs very quietly, which exceeded my expectations. The P2S uses a fully enclosed design that blocks out a lot of noise, and most of what you hear during printing is a steady, mid-to-low-frequency sound that isn’t particularly irritating. The overall volume is roughly comparable to an air conditioner while it’s running. At first I placed it in the living room next to my desk, and working while it was printing wasn’t an issue at all. But since I plan to run long jobs overnight, I eventually moved it to the kitchen. Now I can’t hear it at all from the bedroom, so it doesn’t affect my sleep.
Lastly, let me recommend a few models I’ve been enjoying recently. If you also have a 3D printer, you might want to try printing them.
The first one is currently my favorite storage box: the single-color version of the “Mechanical-Style Storage Box.” It has a neat, boxy shape that makes it easy to arrange; its default size is just right, with generous capacity; and it supports stacking, with well-designed slots that let you build an endless tower. I’ve printed about ten of these already and used them to organize all sorts of random small items around the house—it’s surprisingly satisfying.
The second one is “BUCKETS – Stackable Storage Boxes.” Among all the slanted-opening storage boxes I’ve printed, this is the best in both build quality and looks. It has thick outer walls and a large interior capacity, supports stacking, and its slim, narrow shape makes it perfect for fitting into corners and tight spaces. You can put almost anything in it—it’s very versatile.
The third one is a more niche model called the “Large Card Box with Sliding Lid.” It was originally designed as a tarot card box, and the pattern on the lid follows that theme as well. But it offers generous capacity, refined craftsmanship, and a relatively short printing time. Among all the sliding-lid boxes I’ve printed so far, this one has the best overall quality.
Buying this keyboard was half an impulse purchase. It looks good, the 60% layout is very compact, and I was also curious about how magnetic switches would feel, so I placed an order as soon as the product was released, becoming one of the first batch of users.
Thankfully, this impulse wasn’t punished—the Centauri 60 is genuinely good to use. It comes by default with TTC White Magneto magnetic switches, which feel similar to tactile brown switches: straightforward, crisp, and not tiring to press. I mainly use it for typing and office work, and even with long sessions it doesn’t feel fatiguing. The snappy feedback also makes it easy to slip into a flow state, which is quite enjoyable.
The Centauri series also has a more flagship 80-key model. The difference is that it uses an 80% layout with an F1–F12 function key row, and includes an additional screen on the right side of the keyboard for viewing status information or adjusting settings. I personally prefer having my keyboard closer to the mouse and want it to be as small as possible, so I didn’t go for the larger version. The 60% layout also makes the whole keyboard look more compact, which I think is nicer than the 80%.
I also really like the LED light strip on the Centauri 60. MelGeek designed a special effect for it that looks a bit like a snake looping around in circles, which adds a touch of fun to the keyboard and feels much more tasteful than the usual eye-searing RGB lighting.
As for performance, I didn’t worry too much about it. I haven’t played CS in years, so I no longer have strong demands when it comes to latency or anti-ghosting. The web-based driver provided by MelGeek offers a full set of tuning options: you can define keys individually, or even copy configurations used by pro players, and the whole process is very straightforward. That said, this keyboard actually supports full customization inside and out—from the switches and internal foam, to the springs and mounting plate, and even the external metal decorative frame, all of which can theoretically be swapped or adjusted freely. For users who love to tinker, that’s definitely good news.
MelGeek’s driver interface lets you adjust parameters for each key individually, or simply copy existing setups.
That said, I do have one complaint about the Centauri 60: the lighting effects change too quickly. Even at the slowest setting, they still switch about once per second, so you can’t really get that gentle “breathing” fade-in and fade-out effect. This is actually something that could be solved at the software level. If anyone from MelGeek happens to see this, I hope you’ll consider adding a few more speed levels for the lighting, for the sake of us older users 🙂
@克莱德： Xiaomi Label Printer
Reference price: ¥139 (with 3 rolls of label paper)
Every time the seasons change, I end up digging through boxes to find clothes and bedding. And every year, I repeat the same eternal question to myself: what on earth did I put in that storage box on the top shelf?
So this year, I finally decided to buy a label printer and put some “idiot-proof labels” on every storage container at home. Since this was a product category I had never really looked into before, I started with Xiaomi, a well-known brand for small home appliances.
Unlike the label printers I had seen before that can print all kinds of images or invoice-style layouts, Xiaomi’s model is mainly designed for scenarios where you just need to stick labels everywhere. As a result, it uses consumables in the form of long, tape-like label strips with a fixed width, similar to transparent adhesive tape. In the Xiaomi app, you can manually set a fixed length for each label (up to 150 mm), or let the printer decide automatically based on the actual content.
Naturally, label text is edited in the Xiaomi app as well. The built-in layout tools include styles, fonts, and alignment options. The style settings further cover basics like bold, italic, underline, character spacing, line spacing, and text direction. While moving text around, the app provides alignment guides, along with some preset alignment modes and fine-adjustment buttons. For everyday reminder labels, where there isn’t much need for complex design, these tools are more than enough. But if you want something more decorative or playful, it quickly starts to feel limited: there’s no emoji support, only a small selection of stickers, and a few built-in text-and-image templates—bordering on minimalistic, if not downright barebones.
In my use case, though, the printed labels come out clear and sharp. The label paper also uses a split backing design that peels off down the middle, which helps avoid the common problem of reduced stickiness around the edges from handling it too much with your fingers.
The only real drawback is that the labels default to a transparent background with black text, and only support black-and-white printing. They look fine on light-colored storage boxes or white appliances and electronics, but on dark surfaces they can be quite annoying. The only workaround is to sacrifice half the label’s width: peel off one side of the adhesive backing and print the text on the unpeeled half, effectively creating a white background with black text.
@PlatyHsu: Laifen Swift 4 Hair Dryer
Reference price: ¥560 (after government subsidy; original price ¥659)
I don’t usually have much need for a hair dryer—according to my mom, “what’s there to blow-dry with those few strands of yours anyway?” (For the record: I do still have a few.) But living in Shenzhen, you never know when the heavens will suddenly open up, so it’s always good to have something on hand to help you look presentable again quickly.
My previous hair dryer was bought under exactly those circumstances: after running home in a thunderstorm, I spent a few dozen yuan on a food delivery app to get one. As you can imagine, its airflow was so gentle that even my few strands of hair found it a bit too civilized. Around that time, while browsing government subsidy deals, I came across Laifen’s hair dryers. I asked around among friends who had bought one, and the feedback was decent, so I picked up their newer model, the Swift 4, to try out.
Laifen is known for taking inspiration from Apple, and sure enough, that reputation holds true. From the kraft paper shipping box and the way it’s sealed, to the plain white retail packaging with only a product image printed on it, to the layout of the instruction manual inside, and even the smell of the cleaning agent when you first open it—all of it gives off a strong “Apple flavor.”
Getting back to the product itself, compared with earlier models, the main upgrade in this generation is the use of an aluminum alloy body, which looks fairly refined. The power cable comes with a cable organizer, though its length of 1.7 meters (not even as long as two phone charging cables) is a bit on the short side.
In terms of performance, the Swift 4 is rated for a maximum wind speed of 23 m/s, which is quite fast. That said, because the body is compact, the overall air volume still can’t compete with those huge professional dryers that salon stylists use. For me, though, it’s more than enough. The maximum noise level is rated at 59 dB, which matches what I measured on my phone, and it’s fairly quiet. Depending on the operating mode, the circular light at the back of the dryer shows four different colors—a design that’s both eye-catching and attractive.
These days, every household appliance seems to want a touch of “smart,” and the Swift 4 is no exception. It has built-in Bluetooth and can be paired with the Laifen app or a WeChat mini program. My limited imagination really can’t grasp why a hair dryer needs to be smart—and what’s even more absurd is that you can only pair and operate it while the motor is running—but fortunately, aside from scheduled hot-and-cold air cycling, there aren’t any features that absolutely require pairing. Most of the time, you can just ignore this part altogether.
Overall, with the subsidy, the Swift 4 offers pretty decent value for money. It may still fall short of Dyson in some details, but for someone like me who only uses a hair dryer occasionally, it’s more than sufficient. If I had to nitpick, I’d say that simplicity and refinement don’t have to come in only one “Apple-style” form—perhaps Laifen could be a bit more creative and confident when taking inspiration.
