Following the hugely popular Battlefield 6 Open Beta Weekend 1, developer DICE has outlined the changes and additions fans can expect for the upcoming Weekend 2, and confirmed its start time.
Weekend 2 kicks off today, August 14, at 8am UTC (1am PT), and runs until Sunday, August 17.
In a blog post, DICE outlined the playlist adjustments it has made for Weekend 2 and set out its reasoning. The thing to know here is the All-Out Warfare playlist will include Breakthrough, Conquest, and Rush.
“During Week 2, we're delivering more variety and choice for how you’d like to play with more playlists rotating between multiple different game modes,” DICE said.
“As an example, the All-Out Warfare playlist will include both Breakthrough, Conquest, and Rush. The in-game descriptions for each mode will tell you which modes are included in the rotation.
“Rotating through multiple modes within playlists helps us understand what our community enjoys as we shape the launch experience, and enables us to keep more fan-favorite modes available at the same time.”
DICE said rotating through playlists daily is specific for the Open Beta “while we're still able to test and gather feedback, and is not planned for launch.”
Battlefield 6 Open Beta Weekend 2 Playlists Overview:
Day 1, Thursday 14th
Conquest
Rush
Attack & Defend (Breakthrough, Rush)
Close Quarters; Fast-paced playlist on smaller maps (Domination, King of the Hill)
Meanwhile, DICE has added custom search options for Weekend 2. The developer stressed that this is now a Server Browser, which some fans are hoping to see.
“Based on your previous feedback and to give you more control over map and mode selection, we're introducing a new feature called Custom Search,” DICE said.
“This feature allows you to choose your favorite combinations of maps and modes. For example, if you want to play Conquest on Siege of Cairo, then matchmaking will prioritize putting you in a match with this combo, if available. Note that this is not a Server Browser (which is not being tested this week).
“During Open Beta, Custom Search will be available for Open Weapon mode playlists so you can mix and match maps and modes as you prefer.”
The Battlefield 6 Open Beta hit over half a million concurrent players on Steam last weekend, so it will be interesting to see whether Weekend 2 can beat that figure. Either way, there’s huge interest in the first-person shooter, which bodes well for its October launch.
If you're thinking of jumping in on PC for the first time, be aware you need to enable Secure Boot to play.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has revealed the 'Superman Saga’ while discussing his ongoing work on the follow-up to this summer’s Superman.
While promoting Peacemaker Season 2, which follows the events of Superman as part of the newly established DC Universe, Gunn told The Hollywood Reporter that he’s already finished the treatment for “the next story in what I’ll call the ‘Superman Saga.’”
“The treatment is done, which means a very, very worked out treatment," he continued. "I’m working on that and hopefully going into production on that not too far away from today.”
What exactly this 'Superman Saga' includes is unknown. Does it also encompass next year’s Supergirl movie? Perhaps that will depend on whether David Corenswet’s Superman turns up. But we do know it includes Gunn’s next writer / director project, which Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav confirmed in a recent financial call. At the time, Zaslav described it as the next installment in the ‘Super-Family.’ Superman Saga probably has a nicer ring to it.
Gunn has spoken in the past about his next movie, which sounds like it's sort of a Superman sequel, but isn't really. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Gunn said: "... is it a straight-up Superman sequel? I would not say necessarily."
Here’s what’s confirmed. In film, DC Studios has Supergirl and Clayface coming out in 2026, and the next Wonder Woman at some point after. The Batman II, from Matt Reeves’ self-contained ‘Batman Epic Crime Saga,’ begins shooting next spring, with a release date set for December 2027. Gunn has also talked about a Sgt. Rock adaptation, and a Justice League team up starring Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. In February, Gunn and co-DC Studios CEO Peter Safran confirmed The Brave and the Bold will introduce a new Batman into the DCU, ruling out current Batman actor Robert Pattinson in the process. But there's no release window for that yet.
In TV, the Batman Epic Crime Saga looks set for The Penguin Season 2, with DCU entry Peacemaker Season 2 out soon and a Lanterns series due in 2026. Gunn is reportedly considering TV spinoffs for characters such as Mister Terrific and Jimmy Olsen following their well-received supporting roles in Superman.
All these initial movies and TV shows are, let’s remember, a part of ‘Gods & Monsters,’ which Gunn and Safran announced was the name for Chapter One of the rebooted DCU in 2023. Looking back at what was announced at the time, already we’ve seen some projects fall by the wayside and others emerge. There’s no set timeframe for Chapter One, so we don’t know when Chapter Two is due or what it will include, assuming it actually happens. Warner Bros. has spoken enthusiastically about a 10-year plan for the DCU, which is probably about as far as anyone can hope for right now.
As for Peacemaker Season 2, Gunn once again hyped up its significance for the future of the DCU. ”... Superman leads into this show and then we have the setting up of all of the rest of the DCU in this season of Peacemaker, it’s incredibly important,” Gunn told THR.
“Lots of guest stars coming up, lots of characters that are showing up that we’ve already met in Superman. I don’t think there’s anything that I’ve ever done that I love more than this season of Peacemaker, so I’m so excited for people to see it.”
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
There’s no better way to derail a weekend than to “just browse” a few storefronts and end up in possession of ten new games. Today's discounts are absolutely in that dangerous category. From sprawling JRPG worlds to nostalgic remakes and unexpectedly brilliant licensed titles, I found a little something for every mood, every console, and every budget.
This Day in Gaming 🎂
In retro news, I'm celebrating the 12th birthday of DuckTales Remastered, an exemplary milestone on how to nail an 8-bit glow-up. Ironically, developer WayForward was the opposite of Scrooge with this, sparing no expense on hand-drawn HD graphics, extra levels, unlockable content, and most of the original voice cast from the iconic '80s cartoon. Better yet, they preserved much of the insane difficulty that made this an absolute qwacker of a game in the first place.
On Switch, Zelda: Link’s Awakening is still a delightful diorama come to life, a top-down classic reimagined with modern polish. I also recommend Mortal Kombat 1, which had me grinning at its ludicrous story beats before knocking me flat with its brutal, mechanically sharp fighting system.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A (-13%) – A$78 – A fresh Pokémon adventure promising new regions and mysteries, perfect for series veterans and newcomers alike. Probably.
Zelda: Link’s Awakening (-13%) – A$69.90 – A charming top-down remake with puzzle-filled dungeons and a whimsical art style.
Mortal Kombat 1 (-35%) – A$39 – An absolute Bonestorm of fighting action with a wildly cinematic story mode.
One Piece Odyssey Del. (-24%) – A$64.90 – JRPG adventuring with the Straw Hat crew in a brand-new island tale. I quite liked it; my kids are obsessed with.
Capcom Fighting Col. 2 (-11%) – A$49 – A retro brawler pack brimming with arcade nostalgia. The biff is always worth bringing back.
Series X players should not sleep on RoboCop: Rogue City. It nails the deadpan one-liners and clunky-yet-lethal movement of Peter Weller’s cyborg lawman. For something faster, Forza Motorsport offers some of the best driving physics this side of real asphalt and rewards patience in its career mode.
Forza Motorsport (-43%) – A$67.10 – Razor-sharp driving physics and stunning tracks for motorsport purists. Pair it with a FFB wheel like I do. Bliss.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (-47%) – A$58.50 – Lightsaber duels, Force powers, an aspirational ginger hero, and cinematic Star Wars storytelling.
RoboCop: Rogue City (-62%) – A$55.40 – Faithfully captures the grit, gunplay, and satire of this cult film that I watched way too young.
Over on PlayStation 5, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a ridiculous steal given how little time it’s been on shelves. BioWare’s return to form here is worth the wait, with party banter and plot twists I won’t spoil. Judgment also remains a gripping mix of legal drama and street brawling from the Yakuza devs.
Death Stranding 2 (-21%) – A$99 – Kojima’s surreal post-apocalyptic courier sim returns with bigger stakes. I dug it way more than the OG.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard (-69%) – A$34 – Epic fantasy RPG with deep party dynamics and branching choices. But I prefer the X360-era entries more.
Judgment (-48%) – A$28.50 – Gritty detective work meets street brawling in Kamurocho.
Horizon Forbidden West (-35%) – A$80.90 – Dazzling open-world adventure with mechanical beasts. I found the DLC to be particularly great.
Rise of the Ronin (-28%) – A$89.90 – Freedom-focused samurai action in 19th-century Japan. Not as streamlined or prettier than Ghost of Tsushima, but not far off IMO.
PC-wise, Subnautica remains one of the most atmospheric survival games I’ve ever played, equal parts wonder and terror once you’re in the depths. And if you’ve not tried Silent Hill 2, this new version is the perfect way to see why it’s considered a masterclass in horror storytelling.
Silent Hill 2 (-48%) – A$53.30 – A masterclass in psychological horror, now remade to be even better. I feel in love all over again.
Capcom Steam Sale (≤75%) – A$0 – Deep discounts across Capcom’s PC catalogue.
No Man’s Sky (-60%) – A$33.90 – Universe-spanning exploration that’s grown enormously since launch. I still dig playing this in PS VR2.
Subnautica (-75%) – A$11.20 – Survival beneath alien waves, equal parts wonder and fear. A modern classic in my mind.
This War of Mine Comp. (-90%) – A$3.90 – Civilian survival in a war-torn city. I call it addictive yet depressing.
Dying Light Def. (-80%) – A$15.50 – Parkour and melee combat in a zombie apocalypse. I've had some brilliant 4P co-op with this.
Logitech Astro A10 (-21%) – A$79 – Sturdy wired gaming headset with crisp audio. Treat your earballs.
Adam Mathew is a passionate connoisseur, a lifelong game critic, and an Aussie deals wrangler who genuinely wants to hook you up with stuff that's worth playing (but also cheap). He plays practically everything, sometimes on YouTube.
Cars nowadays are equipped with USB ports for charging your phones, but if you have a decades old beater like me, then chances are good that it doesn't. Fortunately, there's an extremely inexpensive solution to that problem. Amazon is currently offering a slim Lisen 65W Car Charger with a built-in coiled USB Type-C cable for a mere $7.98 after you apply a 50% off coupon code "3OPSQ269" during checkout. This little car charger plugs into a standard 12V vehicle socket and can fast charge an iPhone 16 or Nintendo Switch at their fastest rate.
Lisen 65W Car Charger with 4ft Type-C Coiled Cable for $8
The Lisen 30W car charger is the compact style where only the head unit sits exposed above the 12V vehicle outlet. There are a total of three "ports": one USB Type-C port, one USB Type-A port, and a coiled USB Type-C retractable cable that can be extended out to about 4 feet. The charging output of each individual port is as follows:
USB Type-C coiled cable: 30W (PD)
USB Type-C port: 35W (PD)
USB Type-A port: 30W
Note that the maximum charging output is 65W. That means although all three ports add up to a total of 95W, only a maximum of 65W will be delivered across all three ports if they are used simultaneously. That's actually a good thing because higher charging output means more heat, and the charger is too small to accommodate large or fancy heatsinks.
If you have any model Apple iPhone 16, then both the cable and the USB port will charge it at its fastest rate when you use the retractable cable. ChargerLAB has shown that the maximum charging rate caps at about 30W, even for the Pro Max. It will also fast charge the Nintendo Switch, which caps at 18W.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Starting now and running through September 1, Sonos is hosting its very own Back to School Sale with discounts of up to 25% off plus free shipping on select speakers and headphones. Sonos offers free shipping on all of their speakers.
If you're looking for an easy solution to add great sound to your home, then you've probably already heard of Sonos. Sonos speakers are very easy to set up, don't take a large amount of space, and most importantly, offer distortion-free room-filling audio. They're definitely pricier than budget options, but the sound quality is comparable to speakers that cost hundreds more or take up much more space.
The Sonos Back To School Sale Starts Now (Ends 9/1)
$100 Off Sonos Ace Headphones
The Sonos Ace is Sonos' first headphone and it delivers on all fronts. It offers superb sound quality with support for Dolby Atmos spatial audio, excellent noise cancellation, plush memory foam earcups for all-day comfort, a steel reinforced headband for durability, and a subtle yet elegant aesthetic.
$100 Off Sonos Move 2 Portable Speaker
The Move 2 is Sonos' biggest and best portable speaker. It's size allows it to house two tweeters, a mid-woofer, and three class-D digital amplifiers. This is a standalone speaker with a self-contained battery and can be carried around from room to room. The battery provides up to 24 hours of continuous playtime and a simple but effective docking station essentially turns it into a powered speaker. It is IP56 rated for weather resistance and has a built-in microphone so that it can accept voice commands and is compatible with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
$40 Off Sonos Roam 2 Portable Speaker
The Sonos Roam 2 is much more compact than the Move 2. It weighs in at under one pound and is designed for both indoor and outdoor use thanks to an IP67-rated waterproof and dustproof housing. It houses one tweeter, one mid-woofer, and two class-H digital amplifers, so it's still able to pump out inpressively clean sound even at high volumes. The internal battery supplies the Roam 2 with nearly 10 hours of playtime, and it can be recharged over USB Type-C. It supports both Bluetooth and wireless connectivity and has a built-in microphone for voice control.
$20 Off Sonos Era 100 Speaker
The Sonos Era 100 is a direct improvement over the now discontinued Sonos One. This is a compact standalone powered speaker that pumps out great sound for its small footprint. Unlike the Sonos Move or Roam, this is not a portable speaker with a built-in battery, so you'll need to leave it plugged in. Sound quality is equivalent to a Sonos Move, which isn't surprising considering they have similar internal components: two tweeters, a mid-woofer, and three class-D digital amps. The Era 100 also supports Dolby Atmos when it is paired with an Arc or Beam soundbar. It has a built-in microphone and can be voice controlled; it can also be used as a smart speaker for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Google is officially launching its Pixel 10 line of phones next week. With the imminent release of new phones, we're already starting to see some massive price drops on last year's models. If you're in the market for a new Google smartphone, right now is one of the best times of the year to find a discount.
The budget Google Pixel 9a was the first big price cut we saw earlier this week, but the deals have officially moved up all the way up to the most expensive models. The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has received a $600 discount on Amazon, dropping it to the lowest price we've ever seen.
The Best Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Sale at Amazon
Foldable phones haven't been around for that long, but they are still some of the most expensive options on the market. Google's most recent foldable released back in September 2024 for $1,799 and has only dropped below $1,500 a few times since then. This latest discount cuts the price all the way down to $1,199, which is the lowest we've ever seen it go by a pretty significant margin. If you're in the market for a new phone, this is definitely worth considering.
Although we haven't reviewed the Pixel 9 Pro fold, we did take a look at many of the features included when we went hands-on with th Pixel 9 Pro. Here's a quick snippet of what our expert thought of that phone:
"Its combination of sensors and extra Pro controls make it a powerful tool for both casual and intentional photography. Beyond that, it’s a solid smartphone, with ample performance for both everyday use and even some more demanding gaming."
As someone who owns an older Pixel model, I can attest to buying older generation Pixels. These phones are great for pictures and everyday demands. If you don't want to pay full price for the absolute newest model, I'd definitely recommend checking out these discounted prices before the next generation releases.
Should you wait for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold?
The next generation of Pixel phones is launching on August 20 during the annual Made by Google event. Alongside the usual models, we're expecting to see the latest foldable model: The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Although we don't yet have pricing information available, it's expected that the new phone will be priced similarly at $1.799.
There aren't any massive new features expected for the next generation of phones, so the only reason to wait for the new phone is if you want to pay for a slight boost in overall performance. There are also rumors suggesting that the actual launch of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be delayed until sometime in October, which is still months away.
Having spent nearly a decade testing VPNs, there’s one thing that was crystal clear to me from the outset that remains true today: Not all VPNs are created equal. Some boast powerful unblocking and seamless streaming, while others offer a more robust security setup or a stronger stance on privacy. These VPNs are available at prices to suit all budget levels too – some are even free.
The challenge is finding the best VPN for your specific needs, the list of which only seems to grow given the age verification steps implemented in the UK and, even more recently, the U.S. starting with YouTube. To make this easier, I’ve run dozens of VPNs through a series of tests to see where they excel and, crucially, where they fall short. This includes measuring server speeds, accessing streaming services from abroad, checking for DNS leaks, reading privacy policies, and even contacting each VPN’s support to gauge response time and quality. It’s about as comprehensive an approach as there is, resulting in a fair and accurate picture of the very best VPN services in 2025.
TL;DR: These Are the Best VPN Services:
Still not sure exactly what a VPN is or how it works? Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN is a service you can use to encrypt your internet connection and spoof your virtual location. When you connect to a VPN, it routes your traffic via a secure, encrypted tunnel to a server in your preferred location. The encryption provides security from hackers and snoopers but, in hiding your IP address, a VPN also allows you to sidestep annoying geographic restrictions on content.
1. Proton VPN
The Best VPN
Proton VPN simply does it all. It’s fast, has a huge server network, is a reliable unblocker, and does all this without compromising in terms of security or privacy. At the time of writing, Proton VPN offers more than 12,000 servers in 117 countries. This makes it very easy to not just find a fast server close to your location (and Proton VPN is very fast indeed), but to bypass geo-blocking of websites and services. I found it worked very well with Netflix in testing.
Although Proton VPN’s MacOS app is not quite as easy on the eye as, say, that of ExpressVPN, it’s nonetheless easy to use. What’s more, Proton VPN’s Windows, Android, and iOS apps have recently had a welcome facelift and they’re more intuitive to navigate as a result. Proton VPN has a strong set of security features and sets itself apart from rivals with what is a true no-logs policy. It’s also one of very few VPNs to let you pay anonymously in cash should you like.
2. ExpressVPN
Best VPN for Streaming
ExpressVPN is a worthy runner-up and is also our best VPN for streaming. In my review, I found that this is just a great all-rounder that’s beginner-friendly while still packing fast speeds and powerful unblocking. Its 3,000 servers is fewer than Proton VPN and NordVPN but they cover 105 countries. Moreover, connections are high-speed without interruptions, proving there’s no server load issues. I’ve found ExpressVPN to be one of the most consistent unblockers of popular streaming services.
During testing, I connected to various ExpressVPN servers and observed no DNS or IP leaks. 256-bit AES encryption secures your connection and the kill switch works exactly as it should. Although ExpressVPN doesn’t have as many extras as Surfshark, one of the most feature-rich VPN services, it does still have some intriguing features including a password manager. There’s a 10-device connection limit but you can bypass this by setting ExpressVPN with your router, which is easy thanks to the availability of custom firmware.
3. NordVPN
Best VPN for Gaming
NordVPN is one of the biggest names in the VPN space and its reputation is well deserved as I found in my review. Its network of over 7,000 servers in 118 countries is among the largest. If you’re in the U.S., know that some 2,000 of these servers cover 16 U.S. cities. It’s little wonder then that NordVPN worked so well with U.S. Netflix and Peacock in my unblocking tests. NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol allows for almost unrivaled speeds, which is a reason why it’s the best VPN for gaming.
Unlike some VPNs, NordVPN doesn’t stand still. It receives regular updates and new features. An entry-level NordVPN subscription includes all of the security essentials you’d expect. Tier up from this however and you’ll gain access to Threat Protection Pro, which serves to block ads, trackers, and malicious websites. You’ll also find a password manager and data breach scanner. The server map view of the apps won’t be for everyone, but the apps are still very accessible.
4. Surfshark
Best VPN for Extra Features
Surfshark doesn’t impose a limit on the number of devices you can connect simultaneously. This makes it ideal if you’ve got a lot of internet-connected devices at home to secure. Over 3,000 servers are offered in 100 countries. Notably, Surfshark has servers in almost two dozen U.S. cities. Having connected to these servers and streamed HBO Max and Prime Video and played games like Fortnite and Helldivers 2from my review testing,I can confirm that they’re more than fast enough.
Aside from impressive performance, Surfshark ticks every security box. There’s 256-bit AES encryption (OpenVPN) and ChaCha20 encryption (WireGuard), DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. If that’s not enough, Surfshark’s MultiHop servers can provide an extra layer of encryption. Then there’s the many extras, be it the new Alternative ID (email masking) or a highly impressive antivirus. Plans start from $1.99, but the one-month plans are very expensive.
5. IPVanish
Best VPN for Unlimited Devices
IPVanish continues to add to its server network, which now stands at 2,400 servers, over 1,400 of which are in North America. As such, this is a highly reliable choice for streaming services like U.S. Netflix and Hulu. Having run speed tests on IPVanish servers in the U.S., UK, and Japan in my review testing, I was impressed by the speeds on offer. IPVanish has made great progress in this respect and it means that streaming is lag-free while online gaming sessions don’t suffer from high ping.
Planning on sharing your VPN with family or friends at home? IPVanish is one of just two VPNs covered here that allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Two different subscription tiers are offered, and both include Threat Protection which blocks ads, trackers and malicious websites. Only the Advanced tier includes new IPVanish features like a secure browser and cloud storage. IPVanish does lack a Smart DNS feature however, and there’s no browser extensions either.
Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, IGN's parent company.
6. CyberGhost
Best VPN with a Free Trial
CyberGhost is not only one of the best VPNs available, it’s also one of the most accessible. Apps are available for desktop, mobile, and Amazon Fire TV, as are browser extensions for Chrome. Better still, I found them to be very easy to use in my review and particularly appreciated seeing each server’s load in the desktop apps. CyberGhost no longer publishes its server count, but with servers in 100 countries, it’s like it still has one of the largest networks of any VPN.
Another area in which CyberGhost stands out from the competition is its 45-day money-back guarantee (most VPNs offer 30 days). There’s even a 24-hour free trial available for both Windows and MacOS. Better still, you don’t need to provide a credit card to take advantage. Where CyberGhost is lagging is in terms of advanced features with no Double VPN servers or port forwarding. It’s one of the few top VPNs that still hasn’t introduced an Apple TV app either.
7. Mullvad
Best VPN for Anonymity
Mullvad is the VPN for you if you’re concerned about privacy above all else. Although it uses the WireGuard protocol and is one of the fastest VPNs, I don’t recommend it for streaming due to its lack of unblocking ability. It also offers far fewer servers and server locations than most major providers. Yet none of that is Mullvad’s primary focus. Instead, it puts security and privacy first, as evidenced by its comprehensive set of security features and strict no-logs policy.
Where Mullvad really stands out though is that it’s possible to sign up for the service entirely anonymously. It doesn’t ask for an email address during signup, instead generating a random account number for you. Available for a flat monthly rate of just €5 (about $5.65 as of writing), it accepts not only cash but Monero, which is one of the most privacy-friendly cryptocurrencies in existence. There’s not a wealth of features however, and live chat support is also absent.
How We Picked the Best VPN Services
You’d think that with so many VPN services available, whittling them down to just seven would be no easy task. Yet it’s not as challenging as you might think when you know what to look for:
Fast, consistent connections: A VPN shouldn’t slow your connection significantly. For each VPN, I connected to three server locations and measured speeds at different times of day over several days. This helped create a more reliable average. I also streamed content and played games (yes, it still counts as work!) to make sure there were no performance issues during more bandwidth-heavy tasks.
Strong unblocking ability: Most quality VPNs have servers in dozens of countries around the world. Not only does this make it easier to find a server close to your location for a faster connection, it provides more flexibility when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted online content. Streaming platforms are commonly region-locked, so I test each VPN’s servers against them to see how they fare.
Keeps data secure: For any VPN service to be taken seriously, it must use strong encryption to safeguard your internet traffic. This should be 256-bit AES if using the OpenVPN protocol or ChaCha20 if on WireGuard. Not content to simply assume protection is set up correctly, I run DNS and IP leak tests to make sure absolutely no data is escaping the VPN tunnel.
Respects your privacy: The fact is that many VPN providers don’t respect your privacy. This is most evident with VPNs that keep extensive logs of users. These logs can contain valuable data which is then sold to third parties. I read each VPN’s privacy policy to make sure there’s no identifying logs. I also prioritize VPNs that have had their no-logs policies independently audited.
VPN FAQs
Are VPNs legal to use?
Yes, VPNs are legal to use in almost every country worldwide. There are a small number of exceptions such as China and Russia. Even then, VPNs aren’t outright illegal but their use is restricted or otherwise regulated. To stay safe, be sure to check local laws before using one.
Will a VPN slow my internet speed?
A VPN encrypts and redirects your traffic to one of its servers in another location. This in itself can slow your internet speed slightly. Yet the best VPNs use fast protocols and don’t throttle your bandwidth. This means that you shouldn’t notice a difference even when streaming.
Can I use a VPN to access Netflix?
Netflix actively blocks VPNs in an effort to protect copyright and licensing agreements by preventing users from accessing content outside their region. Yet some VPNs are capable of bypassing Netflix’s VPN blocking, several of which are included among our best VPN list.
Why not just use a free VPN instead?
The majority of free VPNs offer very few servers and locations. They also tend to cap the data and speed of users. This makes free VPNs unsuitable for anything other than very basic browsing. There’s also the risk that they’ll look to profit by logging and selling your data.
Mark Gill is a freelance VPN writer for IGN, bringing years of dedicated experience from Comparitech, where he delves deep into the intricacies of VPNs. When he’s not testing VPNs, Mark is an avid gamer with a soft spot for the Sega Mega Drive, reliving the classics for a dose of nostalgia.
Sony has revealed its PlayStation Plus Game Catalog August 2025 additions, pulling back the curtain on Extra and Premium tier highlights like Marvel’s Spider-Man, Mortal Kombat 1, Resident Evil 2, and more.
The full lineup of titles joining PlayStation’s gaming subscription service was revealed in a new PlayStation.Blog post today. It’s a month with titles that range from some of the biggest games on the market to a few hidden indie gems, with PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers also netting access to a five-hour Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Game Trial.
The PlayStation Plus Game Catalog will expand with 11 new titles come August 19. Subscribers at the Extra and Premium tiers will enjoy standouts like NetherRealm Studios’ soft reboot fighting game, Mortal Kombat 1, as well as Insomniac Games’ original superhero video game, Marvel’s Spider-Man. The latter is making its return to the service after departing the library of available PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games in April 2023.
Those unimpressed by the two AAA additions may find something to love in the lineup of other games, which includes Harold Halibut, Indika, Earth Defense Force 6, Unicorn Overlord, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key, and Coral Island. There’s also Giant Squid’s Sword of the Sea, which launches day one for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers.
Finally, PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers can look forward to two monumental PlayStation 1 titles: Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Both of Capcom’s classics will be available to play on PS4 and PS5. You can see all of the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog August 2025 additions, as well as their support platforms, in the list below.
PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Game Catalog Additions – August 2025
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
While just about every phone you can get your hands on nowadays will be able to play some games, several key features distinguish a fine gaming phone from a great one. Powerful processing is one piece of the puzzle. Being able to sustain high performance levels is also a must – you don’t want to deal with a phone that can only run smoothly for a few minutes before it slows down and scorches your hands. Extra memory and storage are also clutch for gaming phones, providing a means for multitasking even while you have a game running and giving you plenty of space for games. Some gaming phones, like the RedMagic 10 Pro, even offer extra upgrades for gaming, like additional shoulder buttons and enhanced touch sampling rates. (Though you could also just pick up a dedicated phone controller.)
Of course, the display is also a big piece of the puzzle. If you can’t see your games, you’re going to have a hard time playing them. A bigger, brighter display helps, as does a boost in refresh rate for smooth motion. An added benefit of a bigger phone is that your thumbs won’t cover as much of the display when you’re using touch controls. I've been testing and reviewing gaming phones for years now, so with all these details in mind, here’s a look at the best smartphones that also excel when it comes to gaming anywhere, anytime.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Phones:
1. RedMagic 10 Pro
Best Gaming Phone
Gaming demands a lot from a phone, and over all others, the RedMagic 10 Pro has what it takes, as I found when I reviewed it. The beating heart of the RedMagic 10 Pro is an actively cooled Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. I’d already seen this chip do wonders performance-wise in phones like the Asus ROG Phone 9 and OnePlus 13, but the RedMagic 10 Pro turns it up a notch with a cooling fan that lets the chip run all the more effectively for the kind of long-haul sessions that gaming requires. Any time the RedMagic 10 Pro wasn’t at the head of the pack in benchmarks, it was still very near the front, and it absolutely led the way where sustain was concerned. All that performance is only further backed by an astoundingly large 7,050mAh battery.
Naturally, the RedMagic 10 Pro has a few extras specifically for gamers. It includes two shoulder buttons, providing a way to get your index fingers in on the action. You can simply map these shoulder buttons to on-screen controls, good for pretty much any game. The display also has a fast touch-sampling rate, so it’ll detect inputs quickly. Depending on the game, you can also tap into supersampling and frame interpolation to sharpen visuals and smooth out the action.
RedMagic packs all of this capability into a good-looking phone, too. It’s not gaudy, but it still has style. There are a handful of looks, including clear backs, that give a peek at the layout of components. The display is also a winner. It has tiny bezels and stretches 6.85-inches across – and we’re talking a proper 6.85 inches, as the display is rectangular without large areas being cropped by corner curves. RedMagic even effectively hides the selfie camera beneath the display so that it doesn’t interrupt your view of games. The display is a brilliant AMOLED panel offering a 144Hz refresh rate, high peak brightness, and ample sharpness.
Truly, this phone is wonderfully geared up for gaming, and even with a commanding performance lead, it doesn’t cost as much as its competitors. The RedMagic 10 Pro starts at $649, which is almost absurd considering the price of competitors like the Asus ROG Phone 9 at $999.
2. OnePlus 13
Best Everyday Phone for Gaming
If you’ve seen some of the ostentatious designs that come with “gamer” gear, you can be forgiven for wanting to steer clear of the typical gaming phones. Fortunately, you still have an excellent option available to you with the OnePlus 13. You’ll find plenty to love when it comes time to game, but for the rest of the time, you’ll get a much more tame-looking phone.
Inside the OnePlus 13 is a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. This pairs a blazing fast CPU and potent GPU that make for exceptional everyday performance and potent gaming speeds. In benchmarks, the OnePlus 13 readily rivaled the iPhone 16 Pro Max in CPU speeds and outstripped it in 3DMark’s graphics tests. The phone could even offer a decent amount of sustain. And when put to the test with Wuthering Waves at max settings, it didn’t struggle to keep up with the action. The phone’s 6,000mAh battery also helps out for those long gaming sessions.
OnePlus packs that speed into an elegant chassis. There are three designs, and each is more than a simple color swap, giving you a little more selection than you typically get from new phones. The design also has impressive water protections against submersion and hot water jets. The display on the OnePlus 13 is also excellent, providing a large, vibrant, and searingly bright platform for everyday use, movies, and gaming. And unlike most gaming phones, the OnePlus 13 doesn’t force you to sacrifice camera quality. You’ll find brilliant shooters on the back and front of the phone that capture great photos and video.
The OnePlus 13 comes in at $899 for a configuration with 256GB of storage and 12GB of memory, but if you want plenty of room for games, you can bump up to 512GB of storage and get 16GB of memory for $999.
3. iPhone 16 Pro Max
Best iPhone for Gaming
I reviewed the iPhone 16 Pro Max and can safely say that it will get the job done when it comes time for gaming. The A18 Pro chip inside has an extra graphics core over the A18 chip inside the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, and that gives it a considerable boost in performance for graphics applications (i.e., games!). Then there’s the fact that the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with a huge, 6.9-inch display that provides a much bigger surface for enjoying your games and using controls than the smaller iPhone 16 Pro.
You’re not only getting great gaming performance from the iPhone 16 Pro Max, though. It also has an excellent design, with a titanium frame and glass construction. It’s great to look at whether it’s on or off. The camera system is powerful, offering stunning photos from the main sensor and zoom capabilities to get closer to subjects. Plus, if you want to take video, the processing on the iPhone 16 Pro Max goes high resolution, recording in Dolby Vision, and capturing serious slow-mo.
Apple has also made inroads into a more serious tier of gaming. For instance, Ubisoft released Assassin’s Creed Mirage onto iOS and a number of Resident Evil games have come the platform as well. Access to more and better games goes a long way to making a device great for gaming.
4. iPhone 16e
Best Budget iPhone for Gaming
While Apple did launch the new iPhone 16e in 2025 with budget-minded consumers in consideration, it didn’t provide as affordable a new model as it had with earlier iPhone SE devices. The $599 iPhone 16e has some advantages though. This new model runs on the A18 chip that powers the iPhone 16, and that’s a serious piece of hardware. Unfortunately, the iPhone 16e gets a trimmed-down GPU with 4 cores instead of 5. Fortunately, the A18 has performance to spare, so I don’t see that holding the iPhone 16e back from being a solid gaming phone for even demanding titles. Even though I haven’t had a chance to test the iPhone 16e yet, I think it’s safe to say it’ll still rip through everyday operation and games alike, and my colleague over at PCMag saw excellent performance from the phone in his review.
While it's a shame the iPhone 16e couldn’t get a $429 price tag like the prior iPhone SE, it doesn’t make the same sacrifices that phone did. The iPhone 16e gets a more modern design in line with what Apple’s been pushing since as early as the iPhone 12. The best part of this upgrade for gamers is the much greater screen size. The iPhone 16e has a 6.1-inch display without the beefy bezels of the iPhone SE. That’s more real estate to see games and use your thumbs for controls. Plus, the display is an OLED panel, which provides better image quality and contrast. The iPhone 16e also starts with more base storage at 128GB, which is huge compared to the 64GB Apple provided in the prior iPhone SE.
All of that sets up the iPhone 16e nicely for gamers. But I’ll caveat that it may not be the perfect choice for folks who just want a value-focused iPhone. It may be the cheapest Apple offers at the moment, but it does sacrifice quite a bit. For instance, you won’t get access to mmWave or UWB 5G networking, which tends to offer the fastest speeds. That lack of mmWave also means precise device tracking for items like AirTags won’t work. The iPhone 16e also lacks MagSafe support, so you’ll have to either go without it or rely on a case to enable compatibility with MagSafe accessories. The camera system is also rather limited with just one sensor. I’d recommend the iPhone 14 for most people, but the updated chip in the iPhone 16e will make more sense for gamers who can forgo the extra mentioned here.
Sometimes you just want more screen to see all the glory of your favorite games, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 that I reviewed is just the ticket. This foldable phone has an 8-inch interior display that stretches games across it, and while that may not work for everything, you can still use its exterior display for gaming too – that one is a more normal 21:9 display. Regardless of which you use, both screens will highlight the rich contrast and bold color of an AMOLED display, not to mention the smooth visuals that come with a 120Hz refresh rate.
To power your games, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 packs in a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. This is the same hardware you’ll see in many of the best gaming devices out of 2025. Between the powerful Oryon CPU cores and the Adreno GPU, this chip offers extreme performance for smartphones and tablets alike or, in the case of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, both types of devices in one device. If you really want to go all out, you still will be better off with a tailor-made gaming device. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has bursty performance, but under heavy sustained loads, its thin design will heat up and see performance drop off by as much as 60%. Thankfully, plenty of Android games don’t take full advantage of the hardware just yet, so there’s a good chance you’ll get to game without feeling this specific shortcoming.
The flipside is that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is much more pocket-friendly than its predecessor. This folding phone sits at just over 4mm thick open and it folds shut to measure just 8.9mm thick. That’s the same thickness as the Asus ROG Phone 9.
While the Galaxy Z Fold 7 may not have the same gaming chops as dedicated gaming phones, it will provide a more well-rounded experience. So if you’re also looking for solid cameras and long-term software support, you can expect it here. Of course, with a $1,999 price tag, I’d still point anyone who didn’t need one device to serve as a gaming tablet and phone toward separate purchases of a OnePlus 13 and Redmagic Astra tablet, which will cost less combined.
6. OnePlus 12R
Best Budget Android for Gaming
The OnePlus 12 is a compelling value, offering top-tier qualities at the price of most base-tier flagships (think S24 Ultra at the price of an S24). But OnePlus wanted to make an even more budget-friendly option with the OnePlus 12R. This model offers the look and feel of the OnePlus 12, but it comes in at just $499. The star of the show is the 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, which boasts a 1264x2780 and 120Hz refresh rate. It’s a stunner and a great platform for gaming. Put this next to the iPhone SE, and it’s no contest which has the better display.
Internally, the OnePlus 12R isn’t swinging for the fences. It packs 2023’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, but for most gaming, it still offers plenty of horsepower. With a 5,500mAh battery inside, the OnePlus 12R is also ready to stretch your gaming sessions out.
The OnePlus 12R did have to make some sacrifices, and its camera system is one area where it trimmed things. It doesn't have a setup that matches the OnePlus 12, but the camera system has little bearing on the phone’s ability to run games. So if you’re out here shopping for a cheaper gaming phone, the iPhone 12R is a great, value-focused option.
What We’re Looking Forward to:
The RedMagic 10 Pro is truly an excellent gaming phone. But with all the performance it pumps out of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip inside, it got me wondering just what the kind of performance could do if it were funneled into the same kind of games we all play on PC. When I’m not testing phones, I’m often testing laptops, and I’ve tested the MSI Claw 8 AI+ for Lifehacker. What’s been interesting to see is how the divide between the PC and phone hardware has been narrowing, both because the phone chips are speeding up considerably and because Windows has made a push toward ARM (the same architecture used by phone processors) alongside the introduction of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite SoCs for Windows systems.
With that narrowing divide, I’m constantly checking to see where there’s the closest overlap. For instance, the RedMagic 10 Pro actually performed quite close to the MSI Claw 8 AI+ in Geekbench 6’s single-core and multi-core test. It falls a bit further behind in raw GPU performance, though with just 78% of the performance in Steel Nomad Light. But bear in mind that the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a powerful handheld that outstrips the Steam Deck considerably in 3DMark, by even more than it beats the RedMagic 10 Pro in Steel Nomad Light (one of the more demanding tests). All that is to say, the RedMagic 10 Pro could make a viable handheld when paired with a phone controller.
Now, there are certainly plenty of great games for Android, but there’s a whole world of PC games that it would be wonderful to throw all of the RedMagic 10 Pro’s horsepower at. But you can’t. And that’s where the upcoming RedMagic 10S Pro gets exciting. As reported by TechSpot, the RedMagic 10S Pro may support some form of Windows emulation to run PC games. While I’d expect there to be some performance penalty as a result, I don’t think even a 25% penalty would be enough to stop the phone from offering excellent performance in games like Hades or Dead Cells — the kind of indie titles that excel on gaming handhelds. And since the new RedMagic 10S Pro is packing a Snapdragon 8 Elite Leading Version chip, it should offer a slight bump in performance over its predecessor.
While this currently remains in the realm of conjecture, as I don’t have my hands on the new phone (yet) and can’t be certain it will even offer the sort of emulation suggested, it’s still an exciting prospect. Even better would be if someone (like Valve) would adapt Steam OS to support some of this mobile hardware. Heck, it might not be long before Windows can run natively on these phone SoCs.
What to Look for in a Gaming Phone
Once you're certain you're a prime candidate for a gaming phone, here's exactly what to consider when you're on the hunt for one. While the best smartphones on the market tend to have some of what it takes to be a decent gaming phone, proper gaming phones tend to have some considerable advantages. You’ll find unseen benefits under the hood, upgrades to the screen and battery, and even extra controls to help give you the edge while gaming.
Processors: This is a key area for gaming phones as they effectively define how well a phone can run a game. Top-tier chips like those from the Snapdragon 8 family (e.g., Elite, Gen 1/2/3) tend to be strong performers in games, and the recent Snapdragon 8 Elite has shown itself an absolute beast when it comes to gaming. Apple’s iPhones also tend to have pretty high-performance chips, with any model within the last year or two often providing more than enough speed for the latest games.
Cooling and heat management: While a fast processor is a good start, running games is demanding and generates heat. Gaming phones generally make a point of managing that. Paying attention to sustained performance is a key part of how we test phones’ gaming potential. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may have great performance in a short benchmark, but it slows down considerably as it heats up. Meanwhile, a top-notch gaming phone like the RedMagic 10 can lag behind Samsung in some benchmarks, but proves itself capable of sustaining its performance for the long haul thanks to powerful heat management in the form of an active cooling phone — something most everyday phones won’t have.
Power: Sometimes it’s not about hardware when it comes to smartly managing heat. You should be on the lookout for pass-through power when shopping for a gaming phone. This feature lets you plug in your phone and have the chipset draw power directly from the outlet, skipping the battery and avoiding the extra heat this would create while also letting you game nonstop without worrying about running out of charge. But again, this isn’t something you can count on every phone offering.
Display: Most gaming phones will give you a solid display for gaming. This will include a high resolution and refresh rates ranging from 120Hz to 165Hz or above. Most often, these will be OLED displays, giving you rich contrast and limited motion blur. While many games have framerate caps at 60fps, not all do, and the extra frames can make a world of difference in the perceived smoothness of a game. Quite a few gaming phones also offer high touch sampling rates, ensuring your inputs are registered quickly, and with games often calling for split-second reaction times, this can make a difference.
Gaming-specific features: Finally, good gaming phones often find ways to make themselves extra useful in games. This often comes in the form of extra software that’s not always pleasing or easy to use, or extra buttons on the phone that let you use more than just your thumbs as inputs. Even with just a pair of shoulder buttons on a gaming phone, you end up with double the input methods you’d have otherwise, and the ability to move, aim, jump and fire all with separate fingers in online FPS games, for instance, makes a big difference.
Gaming Handhelds vs. Gaming Phones
Deciding on a portable gaming device truly depends on your lifestyle, the type of games you want to play, and how you want to play them.
A gaming phone is ultra-portable and easily pocketed. However, it’s still a highly capable machine that does more than game, offering all your typical smartphone features, including quality cameras, navigation, and communication. Gaming phones also better support cloud streaming for Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox games. Many gaming phones even have cooling solutions to prevent thermal throttling and some handy triggers. If you’re not a fan of touch controls, you can always grab a phone controller and get an experience much closer to a gaming handheld.
Gaming handhelds, like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, are substantially bulkier but still easy to toss in a bag and take on the go. Unlike gaming phones, they are pretty much used solely for gaming, so you get responsive joysticks, triggers, and buttons with these options.
As for actual games, there’s a considerable rift. Android and iOS get plenty of games, and it’s becoming increasingly common to find the same titles on mobile and PC, though the mobile versions are often scaled back in some ways. Gaming handhelds get access to pretty much all of the PC games out there because they are, in fact, gaming PCs (except the Nintendo Switch, of course). Some PC games won’t run well (or run at all) on the low-powered hardware of the gaming handheld, though.
Both gaming handhelds and gaming phones can tap into cloud gaming platforms like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass. In these, the performance of the phone and handheld don’t matter nearly as much as the quality of their internet connection. In that sense, phones can get an advantage as they offer both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity (though a very good 5G connection is all but essential to try game streaming).
Battery life can be a tossup. Gaming phones tend to have sizable batteries, run efficiently, and can easily last through the day even with a bit of gaming sprinkled in – otherwise, what use is it as a phone? Gaming handhelds tend to last just a few hours, with the Steam Deck offering pretty poor battery life as an example. And topping up the battery on the go will be easier for the phone, which won’t require a high-wattage charger.
Cost is a big question. The Steam Deck starts at $400 and the original Nintendo Switch is even less than that. Most gaming phones cost more. But some gaming handhelds are landing with prices closer to $1,000, and that far outpaces some of our favorite gaming phones. Plus, most of us need a phone whether we get a gaming handheld or not. The fact a gaming phone can pull double duty should weigh into its value.
The limited access to games may be the deciding factor, as even with cloud gaming as an option, some games simply won’t be available for gaming phones. If everything you want to play is available on mobile or cloud gaming, then it’s worth testing the waters of cloud gaming with your current phone and then, if you like the experience, considering a gaming phone as your next device. If you can’t play the games you want the way you want, then a handheld may fit the bill.
Mark Knapp is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything electronics and gaming hardware. He has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry with bylines at PCMag, Reviewed, CNET, and more. Find Mark on Twitter @Techn0Mark or BlueSky at @Techn0Mark.
Keeping your gaming PC clean inside and out is one of the best ways to ensure it continues to operate at peak performance and efficiency. Insulating dust and debris can leave heatsinks unable to shed the heat output by your hottest components, which in turn can lead to overheating, thermal throttling, and even system crashes.
To make sure that doesn’t happen, doing a once a year quick clear out of any dust built up inside your PC and its dust filters is a smart plan. Here’s how to do it effectively and safely.
What You Need To Clean Your PC
Cleaning out your PC is simple, but depending on the extent of the grime, you might want to get some tools ready to really give your PC a deep clean.
Distilled water or screen cleaner (not glass cleaner)
Anti-static wrist strap (if you want to be extra safe)
Ensure your PC is powered down and unplugged before cleaning.
You ideally want a large, clear desk surface to clean the PC, with clear lighting and ventilation. If you have an air filter or purifier, it might not be a bad time to grab that, or at the very least open a window. There’s going to be some dust flying around. If you have a garage, that’s an even better option.
It’s best to perform any maintenance on your PC with an anti-static wrist band to avoid static, but you can also ground yourself periodically by touching your PC chassis or PSU. You should also avoid doing the cleaning on a carpeted floor, but if you have no choice, at least avoid wearing socks on the carpet.
How To Clean Your PC’s Interior
When cleaning your PC it’s best to start with the inside. There’s a good chance that dust will be wafting around your room for a while, so there’s little point cleaning the outside if it’s just going to become dirty again.
Remove all the panels from your PC and lie them down flat to give you a good view of them. Remove any dust filters if possible, and thoroughly clear them of dust. If they’re particularly dusty, consider doing this part outside, or at least near a window. Use canned air to get most of the dust off, but if anything is particularly stubborn a gently bristled brush will do the trick – just make sure it won’t conduct static electricity.
If there are any large, flat surfaces on the case panels that are dusty, lightly dampen the microfiber cloth and wipe them down thoroughly, then leave them to dry.
Locate your CPU cooler heatsink or radiator and use the can of compressed air to blow out any dust hidden between the fins, making sure to hold the fan blade so it doesn’t spin, as that can damage the motor. You can also use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean the capacitors and chips on your motherboard. Use the microfiber cloth to wipe down the blades of the fan and any other large, dusty surfaces.
Then, locate the RAM and use compressed air to clean any dust from around the slots and between any fins present on the heatspreader. Use a soft brush to gently clean between the sticks. Alternatively, remove each stick from their slot and wipe them down with the microfiber cloth.
To cean your graphics card, use the compressed air to clean the dust from the heatsink fins and fan housings, but be sure to hold the fan blades still to prevent motor damage. Wipe down the backplate and any large dusty surfaces using a microfiber cloth.
Use a combination of compressed air and a microfiber cloth to clear out any dust from the power supply and the interior of the PC case. Wipe down system fan blades and housings.
Finally, before putting the side panels back on your case, take the time to tidy up your cables. Cable ties and clips can help pin cables down and out of the way of the main body of the case, which can improve airflow, reducing overheating and noise, just like cleaning out dust.
How to clean your PC’s exterior
With the interior of your PC clean, you can wipe down any side panels or other exterior surfaces with the damp microfiber cloth to remove most of the dust and debris. Pay close attention to any grills or filters that still show dust, and give them a blast with compressed air or wipe them down if they’re stubborn.
Locate any external ports on the front and rear of the case and give them a short blast of compressed air to clear out and dust and debris in there that can inhibit connections. Don’t forget to check the underside too, as the PSU has its own intake, usually accompanied by dust filters which need removal and cleaning.
PC Cleaning: Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you clean your PC?
Most people don’t clean their computers for years because they don’t realise how important it can be to keep their systems dust-free. But just as you give your TV or your gaming monitor a wipe down to make sure the picture stays clear, it’s worth ensuring that dust and dirt aren’t making your PC experience worse than it needs to be.
If you can commit to a once a year clean you’re doing better than most, and it’s a convenient milestone that makes it easy to remember when it’s time to give your system a clearout. If your home is particularly dusty, however, you might like to perform a quick internal clean once every six months to keep on top of things.
Can you use a vacuum cleaner for cleaning your PC?
No. Vacuum cleaners are notorious for generating static electricity which can easily damage the sensitive internal components of your PC. There are electronic dust blowers which can work as an alternative to compressed air, but full size vacuums are too dangerous for cleaning your PC.
How do I know if my computer needs cleaning?
If it’s been more than a year since you cleaned it last, it could probably do with a clean. However, you might want to consider a clean if your PC is particularly loud or slow. That can indicate that the components are thermal throttling, which can be due to clogged and dirty heatsinks. You can also just look at your PC, and if you notice a lot of dust building up, it’s probably time to whip out the canned air.
Samsung has announced a new set of Odyssey gaming monitors, leading with the Odyssey OLED G6, a 27-inch, 500Hz display that the company says has 0.03ms response time. The new display, which is joined by two new Odyssey G7 curved gaming monitors, is available to buy for $999.99 on Samsung’s website and Amazon.
Wait, you ask, doesn't Samsung already have an Odyssey OLED G6 with an absurd refresh rate? Why yes, it does, and it's $100 cheaper, to boot. But its refresh rate is a mere 360Hz! (Actually, there's an even cheaper 240Hz model, too.) Would I ever be able to tell which is which by watching them? No, but listen, 500Hz is a bigger number, and bigger is better.
In all seriousness, the new OLED G6 having an even higher refresh rate for this display feels more like a stunt than a value proposition. Digging around in the specs, I'm not seeing a good reason to drop an extra $100 on it. It has the same QHD (2560x1440) resolutiion, the same HDR10+ support, the same dual HDMI 2.1 ports. Samsung lists the older 360Hz model's brightness as measuring 250 nits, while the new one is 300 nits and VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 500 certified, so that's something. It's also Pantone Validated for accurate colors and skin tones; so it might look a tad bit better, but it would be hard to say so without seeing them side-by-side. Think of it as being more like a PC spec bump than a wholly new display.
We might as well run down some other details. Around the back of this screen, you'll find an obligatory ring of RGB lights and some ports – two for HDMI 2.1 and one for DisplayPort 1.4, along with two USB-A ports, a USB-B port, and a headphone jack, The OLED G6 uses Samsung's Auto Source Switch+, which is basically its version HDMI ARC, switching inputs for you when it detects that another connected device has come online. The whole thing sits on a height-and-tilt-adjustable stand that can pivot and swivel, too. (That's all stuff you'll find on the older G6, too.)
As for the new curved displays, Samsung released its new Odyssey G7s in 37-inch ($899.99) and 40-inch ($1,199.99) versions. Unlike the OLED G6, it's easy to see what's new here; principally, that they're bigger than the G7 line's existing 27-inch and 32-inch models. In most ways, the displays are the same as one another, featuring VA panels, a 1000R curve, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support, VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification, and 1ms response time. They each have 350 nits of brightness and support HDR10+ Gaming, too. Physical dimensions aside, where they differ from one another is in resolution, screen ratio, and refresh rate: The 37-inch model is a 165Hz, 16:9 screen with 3840x2160 resolution, while the 40-inch version is 21:9 with a 180Hz refresh rate and 5120x2160 resolution.
Wes is a freelance writer (Freelance Wes, they call him) who has covered technology, gaming, and entertainment steadily since 2020 at Gizmodo, Tom's Hardware, Hardcore Gamer, and most recently, The Verge. Inside of him there are two wolves: one that thinks it wouldn't be so bad to start collecting game consoles again, and the other who also thinks this, but more strongly.
The five-minute animated short film was released today on YouTube to help usher in Superman’s impending arrival on digital platforms. It will be included as an animated series for all who purchase a copy of the debut DCU movie when it becomes available digitally on its August 15, 2025, release date, or physically on its September 23, 2025, release date.
Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle is the first of the four DC shorts and focuses on Clark Kent’s super pooch as he tries (and fails) to stop a pigeon with his canine laser eyes and x-ray vision. It doesn’t come close to providing any earth-shattering DCU revelations, but it’s a cute story that gives fans a few more minutes with one of the standout characters in Superman.
The other entries in the Krypto Saves the Day! saga include Episode 2: Halloween Havoc, Episode 3: Package Pandemonium, and Episode 4: Coastal Catastrophe. Only School Bus Scuffle will be available to watch upon Superman’s home release, with the others expected to premiere individually throughout 2026.
“From school bus rescues to Spring Break cruise ship saves - and even Halloween candy crises - no adventure is too small as Krypto delivers super-powered action, laughs, and plenty of mischief for fans of all ages,” a description for the Krypto Saves the Day! series says.
Superman kicked off the DCU with a bang when it launched into movie theaters July 11. It’s performed well amongst fans and critics alike (we gave it an 8/10), with its time at the box office seeing it soar to a global total of more than $580 million (via Box Office Mojo).
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
S.H.Figuarts makes some really fantastic action figures. They’re on the pricy side, but they’re generally worth it, thanks to their superior build quality, wealth of accessories, swappable parts, and highly articulated joints so you can pose them however you want.
The newest batch added to the lineup are some great looking Super Mario figures that are available for preorder now (see them at Amazon). We have Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Bowser, and a play set, all coming next year. Let’s take a look.
Featured in this article
You’ll find links above to all of the new figures (and the play set). If you want more details about them, read on.
Mario - S.H.Figuarts Action Figure
Here’s Mario in all his bold, colorful glory. In addition to looking absolutely stupendous, this figure comes with a base with a red “M” on it and a clear stand (so you can pose him jumping). It also has interchangeable hands that are either open or in a fist. Accessory-wise, you get a Question Mark Block, plus a gold coin, a Super Mushroom, and other little plastic parts that help you pose Mario however you’d like.
Luigi - S.H.Figuarts Action Figure
The Luigi figure is just as game-accurate as the Mario one. It also comes with an extra set of hands and a stand (this one is green and has an “L” on it, though). And Luigi comes with a brick block and a red shell.
Bowser - S.H.Figuarts Action Figure
The Bowser figure is a bit more expensive than the plumber brothers, but I’m guessing our boy’s thickness is responsible for that. The Koopa King comes with a black base emblazoned with a Bowser logo, plus a clear stand. He comes with replacement hands and a replacement lower jaw to make him breathe a fireball. Very cool.
Yoshi - S.H.Figuarts Action Figure
I’m glad the Yosh was not neglected in this set (though Peach and Toad may have something to say about that). Yoshi comes with a green base with an egg on it, plus a clear stand. There’s also replacement hands and eyes, plus a replacement saddle that will actually hold the Mario or Luigi figure on top of him.
Playset - S.H.Figuarts Super Mario Line
Finally, there’s a play set that has all the pieces necessary to re-create scenes from the games. It has two pipes (a long one and a short one), two green bases, two brick blocks, two Goombas, two coins, a Question Mark Block, and a Green Shell, plus all sorts of clear stands to help create whatever scene you dream up.
Any one of these figures looks great on its own, but the line really comes to life if you get more than one figure and create a scene with them. You can get some ideas for poses in the slideshow above, where you’ll also find all the accessories that come with each figure.
And if you like these, also check out the Cyclops X-Men figure that's coming in January. It's based on the Marvel vs. Capcom fighting game.
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.
A soldering station is an invaluable tool for anyone who works with electronic components, whether it be for mods or repairs, and Amazon has a popular and affordable model that's even less expensive today. Right now you can pick up the Fanttik T1 Max Cordless Soldering Iron Kit for just $49.59 after you apply coupon code "49T1MAXSD" during checkout. You do not need to be an Amazon Prime member to get this discount. This is more than just a basic soldering station; the T1 Max has a lot of extra features you wouldn't normally expect to see in a kit that costs less than $50.
Fanttik T1 Max Soldering Iron Kit for $49.59
The Fanttik T1 Max kit has everything you need to get started minus the actual solder. It's perfect for a hobbyist that isn't soldering day in and day out as a profession. The contents include the precision soldering iron, four soldering tips, desoldering pump with pre-cut tubes, ESD tweezer, sponge pads, a USB charging cable, and an aluminum alloy stand and base with convenient storage for your accessories.
The soldering item can operate in wireless (DC) or wired (AC) modes. In wireless mode, the internal 2,500mAh battery gives you about 60 minutes of operating time at 840°F (450°C) with a maximum DC output of 12W. It has a USB Type-C port for easy charging. In wired mode, the (AC) power output is increased to 16W with indefinite operating time. The soldering tips are a simple screw and lock affair. Four tips are included, three of varying shapes and doubles of the most popular chisel tip. The soldering iron is also temperature adjustable with a turn of the dial, with 6 different settings from 390°F to 840°F depending on your project.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
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