Tuesday, July 7, 2026

4K Blu-ray fans, it's back — Arrow Video has knocked up to 50% off its discs at multiple retailers including Amazon and I've picked the top 6 discs I'd recommend

Attention 4K Blu-ray fans! Arrow Films has a huge sale on its 4K Blu-rays, with up to 50% off some discs. You can check out the sale at Arrow Films' site, and there are tons of participating retailers, including Amazon in the US and HMV and Amazon UK in the UK. While stock is slim of some discs, between the different retailers, you should be covered.

While there are loads of options in the sale, I've picked my top discs, all of which I've either personally tested as part of our monthly Blu-ray Bounty column, or some that we even own ourselves at TechRadar.

One of my favorites is Dark City, a disc that looks superb on the best TVs, with rich contrast and black tones. Next is Arrow's version of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, which is the best the iconic Western has ever looked, with impressive textures and bold colors.

Speaking of bold colors, Heathers is great for showing off your display's color reproduction, as is The Mask, one of my reference discs for testing color and for testing the best soundbars.

For our full thoughts on these discs, check out below. These are just our top picks of discs we've tested ourselves, but there are tons of discs in the sale to check out.

Our top picks from Arrow Video's 4K Blu-ray sale - US

Our top picks from Arrow Video's 4K Blu-ray sale - UK

Why I've picked these discs

Dark City

The LG C6 OLED TV with Dark City on screen, showing John chatting to a hotel clerk. The shot demonstrates the C6's powerful contrast, with strong shadows balancing with the bright desk light

(Image credit: Arrow Films / Future )

Dark City follows the story of John (Rufus Sewell), a man who wakes up with amnesia to find himself under investigation for murder and being hunted by a group of strange beings known as the Strangers.

Dark City looks superb in 4K. Arrow's restoration delivers crisp, realistic textures and inky black levels, plus, there are plenty of high-contrast scenes that really shine on the best OLED TVs. There's a reason this disc has entered my testing rotation.

The disc has both Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtracks. Speech is clear throughout, and while there aren't any scenes that will really test your home theater, the score's deep, rumbling bass will at times get your subwoofer working.

Heathers

Heathers 4K Blu-ray on LG G5 showing The Heathers playing crochet

(Image credit: Arrow Video / Future )

Heathers follows the story of Veronica (Wynona Ryder), a high-schooler part of a popular clique of girls called Heather. Veronica begins to date a rebellious, new student called J.D (Christian Slater), who eventually starts to kill students he doesn't like.

The Arrow restoration of Heathers does an excellent job capturing the oft-gaudy aesthetic of the 1980s. Colors are bold and vivid (especially the Heathers' outfits), and there's plenty of refined detail in people's clothing. Textures have been cleaned up nicely, making everything, including people's hair and skin, look lifelike.

This disc comes with three soundtrack options: DTS: HD 5.1 MA; Stereo 2.0 and mono. I used the DTS: HD 5.1 MA in my testing, and it was clean and clear throughout. There aren't many showcase moments, but still, speech is clear, sound is mapped well and there is some impact to effects like gunshots.

Westworld (1973)

Westworld (1973) 4k Blu-ray on LG G5 showing Gunslinger outside red building

(Image credit: Arrow Video / Future )

Westworld is about an interactive theme park inhabited by androids, where patrons can live out the fantasy of life in the Wild West. Eventually, the androids turn on both the staff and visitors of the park. The movie stars Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin and James Brolin.

Westworld looks excellent in this restoration from Arrow. Intricate details, such as the parts of a gun, are defined and realistic, while skin looks true-to-life. Colors are also big and bold in places, such as the red of the brothel's walls. Cinephiles will be happy with the level of film grain retained, too.

There are multiple soundtrack options available, including 4.0, 2.0, 1.0 and 5.1. Using the 5.1 for testing, there's some nice detail, demonstrated by the ricocheting bullets which are well mapped to the surround channels. There's a nice, wide soundstage to give different sounds room to breathe, and speech is clear too.

The Mask

The Mask 4K Blu-ray showing The Mask tipping his hat on LG G5

(Image credit: New Line Cinema / Future )

The Mask tells the story of Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey), a bank-worker who discovers a supernatural mask that turns him into a super-powered being. The movie helped launch Carrey's movie career, and was the big-screen debut for Cameron Diaz.

While this 4K disc does have fantastic picture quality, (more on that in a sec), really it's the Dolby Atmos and DTS: HD 5.1 MA soundtracks that shine. As the Mask tornadoes around Stanley's bedroom, through the right sound system, the ensuing chaos is precise and accurately mapped, with refined detail. This is true throughout, whether the Mask jumps around or uses cartoon-ish violence. A seriously-impressive sounding disc.

Visually, The Mask looks great too. Color reproduction is this Arrow disc's main strength, with the Mask's yellow suit looking bright and vivid throughout. Textures have a 3D-like level of detail and there's plenty of scenes with strong contrast and deep black tones.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly 4K Blu-ray showing Clint Eastwood as the Good

(Image credit: Arrow Films / Amazon MGM / Future )

One of the most iconic Westerns ever made, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly follows the Man With No Name (Clint Eastwood), as he, a bandit named Tuco (Eli Wallach), and a mercenary 'Angel Eyes' (Lee Van Cleef) all try to find buried Confederate gold through uneasy alliances and betrayals.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly looks sensational in Arrow's 4K restoration. Detail is organic and lifelike, particularly in close-up shots, that show every scar, bit of stubble and dirt in full clarity. Color really pops on screen when used, and the movie's darker scenes show rich, inky black tones and powerful contrast.

There are DTS: HD 5.1 MA and DTS: HD Mono MA soundtracks on offer. The 5.1 soundtrack is immersive, with precise effects, such as ricocheting bullets, and there's a good hit of bass during scenes with explosions and the rumble of horse's hooves. Speech is clean throughout and the movie's legendary score is balanced and beautiful.

The Warriors

The Warriors 4K Blu-ray with Warriors gang members on a train

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures / Future)

The Warriors, an adaptation of Sol Yurik's novel of the same name, follows the story of a gang in 1970s New York named The Warriors. They find themselves framed for murder, and must make their way back across New York and home to Coney Island, while being hunted by thousands of members from rival gangs.

The Arrow version of The Warriors is excellent. Textures have been uplifted and given a much crisper look, but there's still plenty of film grain, to capture the movie's gritty tone. Colors have plenty of punch, shown best in the opening scene by the different gang's colorful uniforms. Contrast is also strong, and there's plenty of scenes to show this, especially in the gloomy subway platforms.

This Arrow disc contains a Dolby Atmos soundtrack (unlike the Paramount release which only has a 5.1 mix) and it's all the better for it. The soundstage is wide and immersive, effects are clear and there's good impact and accurate sound mapping throughout. The best scene to showcase this is as the Warriors fight the Punks in a subway station bathroom.

Thief

Thief 4K Blu-ray on LG G5 with Frank by his car at night on screen

(Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios / Arrow Video / Future)

Thief follows the story of Frank (James Caan), a professional safecracker trying to escape his life of crime. It was Michael Mann's (Heat, Collateral) feature film directorial debut.

Another fantastic restoration from Arrow, Thief looks brilliant in 4K. There's plenty of scenes with rich, powerful contrast, and a good amount of film grain present for cinephiles. Detail, such as skin, hair and clothing, all look refined and lifelike.

There are DTS: HD 5.1 MA and stereo 2.0 soundtrack options on offer. I used the DTS: HD 5.1 MA for my testing and there was plenty of nuanced detail, such as the whirring of the sale drill, that were delivered clearly. Tangerine Dream's excellent score is balanced, with big, bold synths and fantastic clarity.

Tremors

Earl and Valentine in Tremors look scared at something off screen

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Tremors is about a tiny Nevada town being terrorized by a mysterious underground menace, and it's the definition of a cult classic. It's got a really tight script, and ekes all of its production value from being filmed out in beautiful mountains, mixed with some fantastic practical visual effects.

It's a beautiful transfer that uses HDR to deliver nuanced skies, bright highlights in the sun, and the most ridiculously orange blood and monster bits you've ever seen.

The latter is also delivered in gloriously strong detail and texture, as is the dirt of the countryside as it slides around when a Graboid shifts underneath it. There's a nice grainy softness, but this really makes the most of its 4K upgrade. It sounds great too, but it's the visuals I appreciated most, especially when it comes to admiring the monster effects.



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'These are hard, but necessary decisions' — Xbox pulled funding for Io Interactive's 'Project Fantasy' but the developer will continue working on the game independently

  • IO Interative has regained the rights to its online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy
  • Xbox pulled funding from the project, ending its parternship with the 007 First Light studio
  • IOI will continue working independently on the project, but a studio will be closed down and some workers will be laid off

Last week, 007 First Light and Hitman developer Io Interactive confirmed that it had ended its relationship with an external financial backer for Project Fantasy, which was later revealed to be Xbox (via Bloomberg).

As a result of Xbox pulling out of the deal and amid major restructuring at Microsoft that has seen thousands of layoffs, IOI has announced that it has regained full ownership of Project Fantasy and will continue work on the project independently. However, its Istanbul studio will be shuttered, and an unconfirmed number of workers will be laid off.

"Dear gaming community. Following the end of our external finance partnership on Project Fantasy, IOI has regained full ownership of the project and our IP," the studio said in a statement on social media.

"We will continue to develop and fund it independently amongst our other projects. With this context, we had to find a new balance for the long-term future of the studio, focused on the success of our main internal core titles instead of external projects and potential mobile game derivatives. This has meant making changes as well as proposed changes across our studios: the closure of our Istanbul studio and starting a process to part ways with colleagues who have been a meaningful part of what makes IOI what it is.

"Our immediate focus is on supporting those affected as best we can through this period. If you are aware of any opportunities within your network, we would be genuinely grateful for any support you can offer to any of the talented people across IOI who might be looking for new opportunities."

IOI concluded: "These are hard, but necessary decisions, in order to retain the long-term future of IO Interactive as one of the very few fully independent AAA developer and publisher, as well as to give Project Fantasy the best possible foundation to succeed under our own passion and direction. Project Fantasy is a game, a world, and an IP that we are wholly committed to, and we cannot wait to share the love with you."

Yesterday, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma outlined the company's plan to "reset" and announced it will cut a total of 3,200 jobs, starting with 1,600.

In addition, the company also plans to ditch four studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions, which are going independent once more, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs look for new ownership.

Dishonored developer Arkane Studios is also "beginning required consultation with its Works Council to review potential strategic options," but due to French labor laws, the process will take longer.



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Monday, July 6, 2026

FlexiSpot’s C7 is one of our top-rated office chairs — and this deal is a steal for all-day comfort

The FlexiSpot C7 is one of those office chairs we've long recommended for anyone who wants all-day comfort without paying premium prices.

And right now, the FlexiSpot C7 is down to $300 (was $430) at FlexiSpot. Offering a huge amount of adjustability for fine-tuning comfort levels, this mid-range office chair punches well above its weight. For UK readers, the C7 is also on sale for £280 (was £380) at FlexiSpot.co.uk.

The real highlight here is the adaptive lumbar support that offers consistent support as you shift in your seat. It's not a feature we often see on mid-range and budget office chairs. In our review we called it “an excellent option for those wanting a quality, highly adjustable, and highly supportive chair that will last for years.”

Today's top office chair deal

A highly adjustable ergonomic chair with self-adaptive lumbar support that moves with your body rather than staying in a fixed position. The breathable mesh back keeps you cool over long sessions, and the 4D armrests adjust in four directions so they actually support your arms at the right height and angle for your desk setup.

In the UK: now £280 (was £380)View Deal

Our reviewer Collin Probst tested the C7 across full working days and found it genuinely comfortable throughout — no pinch points, no back pain, no need to get up and adjust. Read the full FlexiSpot C7 review for the complete picture.

The feature that sets the C7 apart from cheaper ergonomic chairs is its self-adaptive lumbar support. Most chairs at this price offer a fixed lumbar pad that sits in one spot and stays there whether or not you’ve shifted your weight, leaned forward, or slouched slightly over the course of a long afternoon.

The C7’s lumbar mechanism moves with your micro-adjustments throughout the day, consistently maintaining contact with your lower back rather than losing it the moment you stop sitting perfectly. In our testing, this translated directly to less lower back fatigue over sustained sessions.

The 4D armrests are the other standout feature for the daily work use case. At this price most chairs offer 2D armrests that only go up and down — the C7’s go in four directions (height, width, depth, and pivot angle), which means you can position them to actually meet your elbows where they naturally rest for your specific keyboard and monitor setup. Our reviewer, who is 6’1” with broad shoulders, found them easy to dial in and comfortable for his frame — a useful data point for taller users wondering about fit.

The breathable mesh back addresses the heat issue that plagues many office chairs with solid foam backs. Over an eight-hour day in a warm room, the mesh panels allow air to circulate behind you rather than trapping it, which makes a noticeable comfort difference in the kind of sustained daily use this chair is designed for.

The 90–128-degree recline range is wider than that of most mid-range office chairs, which typically cap out at 110–115 degrees. The full recline position is comfortable for reading or taking a call in a relaxed posture, and the recline tension is adjustable so you can tune how much resistance the chair offers when you lean back.

The up-to-10-year warranty is a meaningful differentiator compared with most mid-range competitors, which ship with 2 or 3 years of coverage. At about $30 per year over the warranty period, that long-term support materially changes the value calculation for a chair you plan to use every day.

One honest note from our best office chairs guide: the C7’s build quality doesn’t match the premium feel of Steelcase or Herman Miller chairs, and the mechanisms — while well-specced — don’t have the same precision glide as higher-end models.

But that's to be expected, and honestly, it never felt like a huge trade-off once we were actually in the seat.

For more of our favorite furniture, we've tested the best office chairs around - and yes, the FlexiSpot C7 is on the list.



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Sunday, July 5, 2026

‘All frequencies are clear and balanced’: the sound of this budget gaming headset impressed me, but it’s not without a few flaws

OXS Storm A2: Two-minute review

The OXS Storm A2 is a wireless gaming headset with support for multiple platforms, including the PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, and mobile.

It has a basic design that verges on anodyne, especially in its dark grey colorway. The X-shaped indents on the sides of the drivers do little to add interest, instead making it look dated.

Thankfully, the headband is far more sleek, and overall it’s much less bulky than many of its rivals. It’s also pleasingly light, and the drivers fold away neatly, making the Storm A2 one of the best PC gaming headsets for portability.

The quality of the materials is also quite good, with most feeling smooth and solid. The padding on the earcups and headband also appear strongly attached.

This padding is reasonably plush and comfortable, too. The headband is more comfortable than many others I’ve experienced, although it’s not quite plush enough to prevent fatigue after long sessions.

The same charge can be leveled at the earcup padding. It’s reasonably soft, but it’s not thick enough to prevent the insides of the drivers from pressing into my ears, which causes aches after a while. However, these aches are quite minor, and I’ve certainly tested more uncomfortable headsets than this.

More impressive is the sound of the Storm A2. There’s plenty of crispness and balance to all frequencies, which makes it a great headset for both gaming and listening to music.

Close-up of driver on OXS Storm A2, with logo and text visible

(Image credit: Future)

The surround sound feature is also a must in my opinion: not only does it create a more immersive sense of space, but it adds a much-needed low-end fullness as well.

The ANC function is quite rudimentary, seeming merely to reduce the bass frequencies of ambient sound rather than masking it entirely. This is effective to an extent, but it certainly doesn’t rival the ANC of the best headphones.

It’s also a shame that there’s no software to tweak the sound of the Storm A2 further. This means that you won’t be alerted to firmware updates, either — if any at all were to appear for the Storm A2.

The mic quality is poor, mired as it is by crackling and a low resolution. What’s more, there were times when it seemed to stop working altogether until I powered the headset on again.

Connectivity is mostly good, although Bluetooth pairing can take a little longer than is typical. At least hot-switching between devices is quick and easy.

The battery life of the Storm A2 is also quite good, seeming to live up to OXS’ claim of 70 hours. You can also charge and use the headset at the same time, although the included USB cable is a bit too short to make this practical for many setups.

At just over $100, the Storm A2 represents good value considering its multiple connectivity modes and platform support, as well as its ANC and surround sound modes. Its lack of software and long-term comfort mar its appeal slightly, but if you’re looking for great sound without spending ungodly amounts, you could do worse than the Storm A2.

OXS Storm A2 review: Price and availability

Close-up of top of headband on OXS Storm A2, with OXS logo visible

(Image credit: Future)
  • $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$169
  • Available now in black and white colorways
  • Decent price for an ANC wireless gaming headset

The OXS Storm A2 costs $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$169 and is available now in two colorways: black and white. It comes with a USB cable, a 2.4GHz USB dongle (with Type-A and Type-C connections), a detachable microphone, and a leather pouch for storing the headset.

This is a reasonable price for a wireless headset with multiple connectivity modes and ANC. The absence of companion software for further customizations tweaks does put a slight dent in its appeal, though.

For those on an even tighter budget, there’s the OXS Storm G2. This is a much bulkier wireless headset, but it’s still quite light and reasonably comfortable, although the sound is inferior.

For a more premium experience with a host of tweaks at your disposal, consider the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720. Aside from all the customizations available via its software and onboard controls, this headset also has the heaviest bass I’ve ever experienced, which can be great when you’re in the mood for it.

OXS Storm A2 review: Specs

OXS Storm A2

Price

$129.99 / £129.99 / AU$169

Weight

10.3oz / 293g

Drivers

40mm full-range Dynamic Drivers

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile

Connection type

Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle, Bluetooth 5.4), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

Up to 70 hours, play-while-charging function

Features

5-mic ENC detachable gooseneck mic, ANC, Passthrough, OXS Xspace 7.1 spatial algorithm

Software

None

hand holding OXS Storm A2 headset against a white background

(Image credit: Future)

OXS Storm A2 review: Design and features

  • Impressive build quality
  • Light and very portable
  • Uncomfortable for long sessions

In terms of aesthetics, the Storm A2 isn’t particularly noteworthy. The grey colorway of my review unit was a little dour, while the X-shaped indents on the sides of the drivers look a little dated.

There are some nice touches to its design, though. It’s a lot more sleek in its white colorway, and the minimalist design of the headband, which neatly hides the adjustment mechanism, is rather fetching. This mechanism can be a little difficult to slide, but it's not too onerous, and once set in place, it stays put.

The Storm A2 is uncluttered in terms of its controls, too. There are no fancy dials here, just four buttons: three on the left driver for volume and power, and a button on the right for toggling ANC, Passthrough, and surround sound functions. All buttons are quite small, but they’re easy to locate by touch and press while wearing the headset.

Build quality is also quite good. The various materials feel smooth and premium, and the joins are solid. The fabric padding of the earcups and headband is neatly and strongly attached, too.

Close-up of power and volume buttons on OXS Storm A2, against a white background

(Image credit: Future)

The microphone is also well made. It has a gooseneck design, which means it can be bent into any shape you like. It’s easy to bend yet stable once in place, although there are certain positions that it refuses to adopt. It’s also relatively short, which does limit its versatility; you’ll struggle to get it dead in front of your mouth, for instance.

The whole headset is very light with a slender profile. You really could wear it out and about, while the agile folding design makes it easy to pack away into a bag.

This lightness helps with comfort, too, as the Storm A2 doesn’t weigh your head down. Its fit is quite snug and stable, while the earcups and headband are sufficiently padded to provide short-term comfort.

For long sessions, though, the thinness of the padding in these areas can cause minor aching. And in the case of the drivers, the thin padding failed to prevent the insides of the drivers from pressing against my ears, making the Storm A2 feel more like an on-ear rather than over-ear headset.

There’s no companion software or app for the Storm A2, which is a shame. Many other gaming headsets feature this, allowing you to adjust certain settings and tweak the sound. Such software usually delivers firmware updates as well, which makes its absence here even more concerning.

Close-up of microphone on OXS Storm A2, against a white background

(Image credit: Future)

OXS Storm A2 review: Performance

  • Surprisingly crisp and clear audio
  • Lacks the immersion of fully enclosed headsets
  • Poor mic quality

The Storm A2 offers impressive audio. All frequencies are clear and balanced, while the bass is full and punchy without being overbearing or causing distortion. This makes the Storm A2 great for gaming, listening to music, and watching movies.

Audio effects and atmospheric sounds in Resident Evil Requiem, for instance, came through clearly, while the surround sound feature helped to impart a greater sense of space. It also made the overall sound noticeably fuller, adding far more low-end, so I always had this mode enabled. When I played Counter-Strike 2, gunshots were rendered with plenty of punch, while reloads were crisp and the direction of footsteps was easy to discern.

However, since the drivers don’t enclose your ears as much as other headsets, owing to that aforementioned thin padding, audio is less immersive than it otherwise would be, as if sound is leaking out of them a little.

There’s a slight background hiss at all times as well, regardless of whether I had ANC enabled or not. This was most noticeable when playing on the PS5, but it was also present on the Switch 2. Fortunately, this isn’t game-ruining since it’s easily masked by in-game audio most of the time, and I didn’t notice it at all when connected to my Android phone via Bluetooth.

OXS Storm A2 headset folded up with hand holding it, against a white background

(Image credit: Future)

The ANC feature does a reasonable job of negating outside sound, although it seems to merely cut the lower frequencies of ambient sound. More sophisticated ANC technology that's included in premium headsets and headphones does a better job of masking all kinds of frequencies and sounds from the listener’s environment. The Passthough function fares better, allowing outside sound to come through clearly.

Perhaps the worst aspect of the Storm A2, though, is its mic. The quality is poor, with audible crackles and a low resolution. Also, it failed to even register on my PC as an input on one occasion, while the toggle for turning the mic on and off (achieved by double-tapping the power button) seemed to stop working. Thankfully, a simple restart of the headset seemed to fix these issues, but they’re concerning nonetheless.

I didn’t have any connectivity issues with the Storm A2, though. In addition to my PC, it connected to my PS5 with the same ease as the best PS5 gaming headsets. Pairing with my Android phone and Switch 2 took a little longer than is typical for Bluetooth headsets and headphones, but not long enough to be a problem.

Hotswitching between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections was also quick and easy, merely requiring the holding of the ANC button for a second to cycle between them. You can also connect to devices over USB, which also charges the Storm A2 at the same time, something that can prove very useful. The included USB cable is quite short, though, so you’ll need your device close by. What’s more, neither ANC nor surround sound works with a wired connection.

OXS claims that the Storm A2 has a battery life of 70 hours. Based on my testing, I’m inclined to believe this figure, since I managed to use it for several days straight without charging.

Should I buy the OXS Storm A2?

Buy it if…

You want versatile connectivity
Multiple connectivity options allow you to connect to numerous platforms, while hotswitching between them is quick and easy.

You want clear sound
Whether you’re gaming, listening to music, or watching videos, the Storm A2 is clear and full, especially with surround sound enabled.

Don't buy it if…

You want the best mic
The mic on the Storm A2 is perhaps its greatest weakness, sounding low res and sometimes failing to function correctly.

You want to customize the sound
Aside from ANC and surround sound, there aren’t any adjustments for the audio, since there’s no accompanying software.

OXS Storm A2 review: Also consider

If you don’t like the sound of the OXS Storm A2, try these alternatives instead:

OXS Storm A2

OXS Storm G2

Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720

Price

$129.99 / £129.99 / AU$169

$79 / £62 (about AU$123)

$269.99 / £229.99 / AU$449.99

Weight

10.3oz / 293g

9.9oz / 282g

0.78lbs / 354g

Drivers

40mm full-range Dynamic Drivers

50mm full-range dynamic drivers

40mm

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile

PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS

Connection type

Wireless (2.4Ghz, Bluetooth 5.4), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-A),

Bluetooth, Wired (USB-C, 3.5mm AUX), 2.4GHz wireless (USB-A dongle)

Battery life

70 hours

40 hours

48 hours

Features

5-mic ENC detachable gooseneck mic, ANC, Passthrough, OXS Xspace 7.1 spatial algorithm

Three EQ modes, detachable mic

THX Spatial Audio, Crusher bass enhancement, eight-band EQ, 4 sound presets, Sidetone mode, plug-in mic

Software

None

None

Skull-HQ (PC), Skullcandy mobile app (Android and iOS)

OXS Storm G2
An even more affordable wireless headset, the G2 is a lot larger than the Storm A2, but it still manages to keep the weight down. It doesn’t sound as good, either, but it still offers an enjoyable sonic experience.

Read our full OXS Storm G2 review.

Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720
This is a lot more expensive than the Storm A2, but it has a lot more features, better levels of comfort, and a bass response that’s stronger than any headset I’ve experienced before. It’s certainly a lot bulkier than the Storm A2, and its open-backed design means people around you will hear everything you’re doing.

Read our full Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 review.

How I tested the OXS Storm A2

Close-up of outside of driver on OXS Storm A2 against a white background

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for several weeks
  • Used for gaming and other tasks
  • Extensive gaming and audio experience

I tested the Storm A2 for several weeks, during which time I used it for gaming, watching streams, and listening to music. I used all of its features, too.

I connected it to my PS5 via the 2.4GHz dongle and to my Android phone via Bluetooth. For the Switch 2, I used a mixture of both these connections, and I connected to my PC via the dongle and via the USB cable. I played a variety of games, including Counter-Strike 2 on PC, Resident Evil Requiem on PS5, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Switch 2.

I’ve been gaming for decades, and have used multiple headsets with multiple platforms during that time. I’ve also delved into the world of audio production, so I have experience with monitor and hi-fi headphones. I’ve reviewed other gaming headsets before, including another OXS model, the Storm G2.



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I tested Samsung and LG's best OLED TVs side-by-side, and we've never been more spoiled for choice — here are the key ways each one beats the other in the real world

The Samsung S95F was our TV of the Year last year, thanks to its excellent picture quality, effectiveness in a bright room and superb gaming capabilities. It edged out the LG G5, the S95F’s flagship rival, for the honors — but needless to say, both these models were top-tier performers and contenders for our list of the best TVs. So I've been relishing testing their successors side by side.

I’ve already tested and reviewed the LG G6, the G5’s successor, and it earned five-stars in my LG G6 review. It’s one of the best OLED TVs I’ve tested this year, especially for bright room viewing (more on that later).

Now, the S95F’s successor — which is called the Samsung S95H in the US, and the S99H in the UK (and there is a separate model called the S95H in the UK, which is different to the US' S95H. Clear? Great…) has arrived in our test room, so I put the S95H/S99H and G6 side-by-side to see which flagship OLED comes out on top.

Colors

Samsung S99H (left) vs LG G6 (right) showing the Racer family in their garage from Speed Racer. The S99H makes red tones look orange in this scene, while the G6 shows a much deeper red.

Both the Samsung S95H/S99H (left) and LG G6 (right) showcase bold colors, but the S99H made reds in Speed Racer look orange in places, shown in the floors and shelving, while the G6 showed red (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

Color reproduction on both these TV’s predecessors has been superb in the past, so I was keen to see how the two new models would fare. I started with Speed Racer on 4K Blu-ray, which I recently reviewed as part of the June 2026 Blu-ray Bounty, and boy, does it have some impressive colors.

With both TVs set to their respective HDR Movie modes (called Cinema Home on the G6) colors are bold, punchy and vibrant on both TVs, perfectly delivering the hyper-saturated, cartoon-esque look of the movie.

Colors practically exploded on screen on both TVs. Looking closer, the G6 has deeper, richer colors which add a more 3D-like effect to the picture, while the S95H/S99H’s are on the more natural side. Blues, greens, purples and yellows appear more true-to-life on the S95H/S99H, while the G6 opts for dazzle.

One thing I found very interesting however was how each TV rendered red. In some scenes, I noticed that the S95H/S99H made these red details look more orange, while on the G6 they had a much more candy-apple red look that felt more accurate to the movie. This was clear in a scene with the red shelves, walls and floors of the Racer family garage, shown above.

Samsung S99H (left) vs LG G6 (right) showing a close-up shot of Speed Racer from speed Racer. The G6 shows punchier colors, while the S99 shows higher brightness

The S95H/S99H (left) has higher fullscreen brightness, but the G6 (right) has punchier peak brightness and bolder colors (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

In the close-up shot of Speed Racer during a race shown above, the red of his seat and the M logo on his helmet was deeper and bolder on the G6, looking a little pale on the S95H/S99H. For any red tones, I preferred the G6’s saturation: for this movie at least, in these modes.

For the record, in terms of measurements, the S95H/S99H scored 2.2 SDR color accuracy and 99.97% UHDA-P3 and 89.3% BT.2020 HDR color gamut coverage, to the G6’s 2.3 SDR color accuracy, 99.3% UHDA-P3 and 83% BT.2020 color gamut coverage (measured after its most recent update as of July 3rd 2026). So, these two generally measured about the same in these major areas.

When it came to skin tones, I found myself drawn to the S95H/S99H. The G6 clearly favoured red in Cinema Home, hence the deeper reds in objects. To some, the skin tones of characters on the S95H/S99H may have looked a little washed out, but I found the highlighting red tones in people’s faces, such as their cheeks, during close-up shots to be a little distracting.

Samsung S99H (left) vs LG G6 (right) showing a close-up shot of Mia from La La Land. Both Tvs show crisp detail, but the S99H has more accurate skin tones
The S99H (left) has more accurate skin tones, with the G6 (right) favoring red shades in skin tones Lionsgate / Future
Samsung S99H (left) vs LG G6 (right) showing Mia at the spring party from La La Land. The S99H has the more accurate colors, but the G6's colors are bolder
Both TVs show great color reproduction in La La Land, but the S99H's (left) feel more natural Lionsgate / Future
Samsung S99H (left) vs LG G6 (right) showing Sebastian walking on a pier at sunset from La La Land. Both TVs accurately render the gradient of the sunset
Both TVs do a great job rednering the gradation of the sky in La La LandLionsgate / Future

Switching to La La Land, with both TVs in Movie mode, the more natural colors worked in the S95H/S99H’s favour. At the spring pool party, Mia’s yellow dress was vibrant on both screens with some gorgeous visual pop, but the yellow looked more authentic on the S95H/S99H. In the background, the green bushes were deeper on the G6, which gave them a nice, rich look, but again I felt the softer green of the S95H/S99H suited the movie better.

Later on, a close-up shot of Mia, the G6 again showed off the red tones in her skin, while on the S95H/S99H, her skin tone was uniform, more lifelike. In the ‘City of Stars’ scene, as Sebastian walks along a pier at sunset, both TVs accurately delivered the gradation of the sky, which goes from purple, to orange, to pink, accurately and while the G6 again had that richer look, the S95H/S99H had a bit more punch in the paler tones.

Contrast and dark room viewing

Samsung S99H (left) vs LG G6 (right) showing Batman on a subway from the Batman. Both TVs are set to movie mode and in bright conditions and here, the S99H shows the more accurate picture

With both TVs set to Movie mode (Cinema Home on the G6), both can easily show a dark movie like The Batman in brightly lit conditions and still have good contrast (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

Moving onto darker movies, I started with The Batman, my reference disc for darker scenes. The Batman is a very dim movie (mastered at a max of around 400 nits) so it can be tricky for any TV to accurately display.

As both TVs have effective reflection handling layers (more on that below), I tried out the movie in Filmmaker Mode in a brightly lit room — and of the two, the G6 better preserved richer black tones with crisper textures and contrast. The S95H/S99H was much dimmer, and although the matte screen blocked mirror-like reflections, the movie was harder to watch.

Switching to Movie mode on both TVs, it then became a much closer call. Watching the subway scene, as Batman stands on a dark subway platform, both TVs delivered strong black levels with good shadow detail. The S95H/S99H had the more uniform picture of the two overall in Movie mode.

Samsung S99H (left) vs LG G6 (right) showing Batman on a subway platform from The Batman. The S99H showcases deeper blacks but does show some black crush while the LG G6 looks too bright

With both TVs set to Filmmaker Mode, the S95H/S99H (left) shows deeper blacks and more dynamic contrast, but sometimes can crush said blacks. The G6 (right) preserves better detail, but is a little bright (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

Switching to darker viewing conditions, and switching back to Filmmaker Mode, the differences between each TV was much more apparent. While both TVs still delivered strong contrast, shown in scenes with bright lights against dark backgrounds such as the Batcave and the crime scene at Mayor Mitchell’s house, the S95H/S99H actually delivered noticeably deeper blacks.

In some cases they were too deep, as it did exhibit some black crush, which resulted in loss of shadow detail. In the same subway scene from before, the background became mostly ineligible on the S95H/S99H. On the G6, these same details were preserved, but the picture was much brighter and the darker areas on screen weren’t as satisfying. Despite the black crush, I found myself drawn to the S95H/S99H’s more uniform picture.

Samsung S99H (left) vs LGG6 (right) showing Marla from Fight Club. Both TVs set to Filmmaker Mode, the G6 has the more impactful contrast while the S99H looks a bit dimmer
With both TVs in Filmmaker Mode, the G6 (right) does a better job showing this scene from Fight Club in a bright room20th Century Studios / Future
Samsung S99H (left) vs LG G6 (right) showing Marla from Fight Club on screen. Both TVs are set to Movie Mode, the S99H is brighter while the G6 has stronger contrast
With both TVs set to Movie mode, it becomes a much closer call20th Century Studios / Future

Next I switched to ‘brighter’ movies with dark scenes, and went back to having brighter conditions in the room. In Fight Club, back in Filmmaker Mode, the G6 had the more impactful contrast and richer black tones.

As Marla and the narrator talk in a dimly-lit shop, the S95H/S99H’s matte screen created a haze effect across the screen, affecting some dark tones and made textures look a little softer. The G6’s glossy screen had crisper textures and deeper blacks with more impactful contrast. But switch to Movie mode and, again, it was a toss up as to which looked better.

Using a scene from space in Alien: Romulus in Movies modes, both TVs delivered rich black tones with a good amount of white stars dotted throughout, something some cheaper TVs I’ve tested can’t reproduce as cleanly. Again, in Filmmaker Mode, the G6 was the more engaging picture with the inky blacks, but the S95H/S99H did a better job handling reflections on this occasion, while still delivering powerful contrast. So let's dig more into reflections and visual punch.

Brightness and reflections

Samsung S99H (left) vs LG G6 (right) showing a snow-covered fence on screen. Both TVs show good brightness with brilliant whites, but the G6 has the edge in peak areas

Both TVs deliver bright, brilliant whites with excellent, controlled brightness. A note: the S95H/S99H does not have this red tint in person, it is the matte screen being picked up the camera awkwardly (Image credit: Future)

OLED TVs are getting brighter. Once struggling to hit over 1,000 nits HDR peak some years ago, this is easily surpassed now, on both flagship and mid-range models.

I measured the S95H/S99H as hitting 2,739 nits HDR peak brightness (10% window) in Filmmaker Mode, as well as 449 nits of fullscreen HDR (100% window). In HDR movie mode, the S95H/S99H hit 2,751 nits peak and 450 nits fullscreen.

The G6 in the same modes, after a re-test with a new firmware update, hit a staggering 3,004 nits peak (10%) and 451 nits fullscreen brightness in HDR Filmmaker Mode. In HDR Cinema Home, the G6 hit 2,207 nits peak and 365 nits fullscreen brightness.

How did this translate into real-world scenes? Using some snow scenes from the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark, both TVs, set to Filmmaker Mode, showed punchy white tones with plenty of vibrancy, but the G6 had that little bit more depth in some areas. Generally, however, the S95H/S99H had the brighter picture in larger white areas, during a shot of a snow-covered ground or a white sky.

Samsung S99H (left) vs LG G6 (right) showingthe narrator next to an overturned car from Fight Club. The S99H shows higher fullscreen brightness, with a bolder looking blue sky

The S95H/S99H's (left) stronger fullscreen brightness in Movie mode is on show in this scene from Fight Club, as the blue sky looks much brighter than on the G6 (right) (Image credit: 20th Century Studios / Future )

In movies, going back to Speed Racer, Speed’s white Mach 5 car and helmet appeared brighter on the S95H/S99H, especially in Movie mode, which makes sense based on the 500 nits peak HDR difference between the S95H/S99H and G6 in that mode.

However, the G6 again had that satisfying glint that drew the eye more. In daytime scenes, the S95H/S99H again showed higher overall brightness, especially in lighter colors like green and yellow. But, the G6’s richer colors sometimes gave it a perceived sense of higher brightness through its boldness.

In another scene from Fight Club, again in Movie mode, as the narrator stands over an overturned car in the day, the clear, blue sky was noticeably brighter on the S95H/S99H. The G6 still showed good brightness, but it wasn’t as impactful as the S95H/S99H.

Samsung S99H vs LG G6 showing cactus on screen against black background. Both TVs do a great job reducing reflections even with large dark areas on screen

Both TVs are very effective at reducing reflections and while the S95H/S99H (left) is better at getting rid of them totally thanks to its matte screen, the G6 (right) does a better job maintaining black tones while reducing reflections (Image credit: Future)

I’ve touched on bright-room conditions and reflection handling above, and both these TVs are impressive on this front. The S95H/S99H’s anti-glare screen does an excellent job at eliminating mirror-like reflections, turning them to a haze. While it would beat every other OLED TV in brighter rooms, the G6 is more than a match for it.

When I compared the LG G6 to last year's Samsung S95F for their reflection handling, I preferred the G6, as it did a better job delivering inkier, richer black tones while still eliminating most reflections.

The S95H/S99H is brighter than the S95F, and while this does mean its overall picture quality next to the G6 is improved, delivering more powerful contrast, I still prefer the G6 for bright rooms… in Filmmaker Mode.

In Movie mode, however, it again becomes a very tight call, edged by the G6 for me. I just preferred the preservation of contrast over the out-and-out reflection handling.

Which do I prefer?

Samsung S99H (left) vs LG G6 (right) showing the exterior of Lou's tavern from Fight Club. Both TVs show punchy highlights, bold colors and strong contrast

(Image credit: 20th Century Studios / Future )

In these tests, the LG G6 proved to have bolder colors, with better black levels and punchier highlights in brighter conditions (still with great reflection handling). The Samsung S95H/S99H showed better skin-tone accuracy, better contrast balance and black tones in dark room viewing, and higher perceived fullscreen brightness.

Deciding between these two TVs is no easy task. Both deliver outstanding picture quality, with their own strengths, and superb gaming experiences. It's never been a closer contest. So torn am I between the two, I’m saying you can’t really go wrong with either. It will come down to price and what you’re looking for — though while I've only focused on picture here, I do know that a lot of people are put off by the huge frame on the S95H/S99H, and that might make the difference.

If you want Dolby Vision HDR, bolder colors and better contrast with richer black levels in a bright room, go for the G6. If you want HDR10+, a more accurate-feeling picture out-of-the-box in a dark room, and a TV that beats the most challenging reflections, go for the S95H/S99H. Honestly, both TVs can do pretty much everything.

If I had to choose one today, it would be the LG G6. Not only does it have the better black level performance in brighter rooms, but right now, it's cheaper in the UK (where I am) and Australia, with a 55-inch G6 costing $2,299 / £2,099 / AU$3,499, while the S95H/S99H 55-inch costs $2,199 / £2,399 / AU$3,999. If I were in the US, or if the prices switch here, I could easily change my mind: it's that close.



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Saturday, July 4, 2026

Even after more than a decade Arkham Knight is a near-perfect Batman game — but its Riddler challenges still have an unmatched power to annoy

As someone who loved Batman: Arkham Asylum back when it originally launched, it might surprise you that I never got around to playing Arkham City or Arkham Knight until very recently. Despite all the hype for Arkham City that you still read online, it was Knight that genuinely wowed me. It's a near-perfect Batman game, and believe me, that near is carrying a lot of weight.

From the Backlog

Every gamer has a backlog — and that’s no different for us at TechRadar Gaming. From the Backlog is a series about overdue first-plays, revisiting classics, returning to online experiences, or rediscovering and appreciating established favorites in new ways. Read the full series here.

Playing Arkham Knight is like being given a key to the DC vaults in game form. The cast is deeper and richer than a chocolate layer cake, with villains ranging from the Joker (somehow returning) to Firefly, all getting their moment in the sun.

Over the course of the many hours that you'll spend in Gotham, you'll fight all of them to some degree, and learn about their particular plans, foibles, and personalities through radio broadcasts aimed at riling up the Bat.

I'm like a bat, I always fly away

A screenshot from Batman: Arkham Knight showing the caped crusader gliding through the Gotham City skyline.

And what a joy it is to spend time in this depiction of Gotham. It's split across three large islands, each about as big as the entire Arkham City map, and you're given some fantastic traversal mechanics to help make your journeys easier. Chief among these is the Grapnel Boost, upgraded from its debut in City to make launching off platforms a way to gain significant altitude very quickly.

Then you have the Batmobile, which is, in my view, unfairly maligned. It's fine, as it goes, even if the vehicle handling is far from perfect, and it's also largely secondary to most of your traversal. When you do need it for a puzzle or a mission, it's easy to summon and then easily dismissed. Even the car combat, which many seem to hate, didn't bother me.

Sure, it's not as fun as the hand-to-hand stuff, not by a long shot, but it's a means to an end and never overstays its welcome.

There is one particularly sticky sticking point, however. One thing that almost ruins the game and that's the Riddler challenges, and how the game integrates them into the plot.

Everyone's least favourite genius has an entire mission tree dedicated to him, which is actually pretty fun. He's captured Catwoman, and you need to solve a series of challenges to set her free. Do so, and the mission is over, and you can hand him over to the authorities, right? Nah. Not by a long way.

None of this detracts enough from the otherwise towering highs of Arkham Knight. It's a brilliant game with the best traversal and combat mechanics in the entire series.

The game seems to think that you'll love the Riddler challenges so much that just doing the 10 trials to free Catwoman won't be enough. If you want to clap the Riddler in irons, you'll need to find every Riddler trophy, solve all of his riddles, destroy every breakable object, and save every rioter who had a bomb implanted in his brain by the Riddler. That sounds ridiculous, but doable. Let me explain why it's not: there are so many of these. There are 243 challenges in total.

None of them are particularly difficult by themselves, but I didn't save Catwoman until I was close to the end of the game, and had found about 10 Riddler trophies and saved one bomb rioter. As I looked at the scope of the challenge ahead of me, the sheer time that it would take me to complete all of them, I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. This game has just singlehandedly ensured that there is a boss fight that I will never see. I will never fight the Riddler mano-a-mano, and I'm quite okay with that, valuing my time more than a fight that many hail as a series highlight.

If only it ended there. I'd be fine missing a snippet of content, but no, it's worse than that. If you want to see the true ending of the game, the game that you've likely put 40-50 hours into by this point, you'll need to pony up a bunch more hours and complete all of the Riddler challenges. That's right: if you want to see all those hours converted into a narratively satisfying ending, you need to go on a hidden object hunt across the length and breadth of the map.

Or, you could do what I did, and just watch the true ending on YouTube and save yourself a lot of time.

Knight and day

best superhero games: an enemy in a suit of armor vaulting at Batman, a Falcone tower in the distance

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Interactive)

It's a real shame that the game's decided to lock up its ending behind such a convoluted set of tasks that aren't even very fun to do. The riddles are tolerable, but not stellar, while the Trophies are just a collectible with a tiny puzzle attached.

It's as though Assassin's Creed Shadows hid the ending away until you'd found every shrine and painted every animal, and it is patently absurd. It's a far more serious sin than giving you vehicle combat that, while fairly tedious, never lasts that long.

None of this detracts enough from the otherwise towering highs of Arkham Knight. It's a brilliant game with the best traversal and combat mechanics in the entire series. It trades the tight, claustrophobic (and coulrophobic) spaces of Asylum for a sweeping open world that is packed with villains, without landing on an unsatisfying halfway house as City did. It's got a great big bad, a wonderfully diverse set of environments, several playable characters, and is now cheap as chips. I had a huge heaping helping of fun with it.

So please, play Arkham Knight if you've not already, as you're in for a treat. Just don't try to go for the true ending if you value your sanity. Savor the gameplay, then open up YouTube.



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I test 4K Blu-ray for a living and these are the 4 discs I'm most looking forward to testing in July 2026

Last month in June 2026 proved to be yet another packed month for 4K Blu-ray releases and July is looking just as busy. Despite the long list of discs on my radar, I’ve narrowed it down to my top four I’m most looking forward to, hopefully, testing.

I’ll be looking to test these discs as part of the Blu-ray Bounty, our monthly column where we test the latest 4K releases on their picture and sound quality, to see whether they’re worth adding to the bursting shelves of a 4K blu-ray collection.

4K Blu-ray is my bread-and-butter source for testing the best TVs and best soundbars, as it offers the best bitrate for picture and uncompressed audio for sound. I’m also a collector myself, so I’m always looking for new discs I can add to my collection!

In my June 2026 most anticipated article, my picks were Speed Racer, Bullet In The Head, EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert and Hoppers. Three out of the four featured in the June 2026 Blu-ray Bounty (Hoppers sadly didn’t arrive, but I’ll hopefully feature that another time) and while they were all great, the real highlight was Speed Racer, which was an audio showcase and an outstanding looking disc (check out the Blu-ray Bounty for my full thoughts).

Hard Boiled (Arrow Video)

Hard Boiled stars Chow Yun-fat as Inspector “Tequila” Yeun, a detective in pursuit of a Triad syndicate who gets involved in an operation involving an undercover officer. This is arguably director John Woo’s (Bullet In The Head, The Killer, Mission Impossible 2) most iconic movie.

Having recently reviewed Arrow’s recent restoration of Bullet In The Head, I’m excited to see what it can do with Hard Boiled. Where I’m hoping this disc’s strengths will lie is in its Dolby Atmos mix. Hard Boiled is a gritty, action-thriller with plenty of gunfights and a good Atmos mix should deliver plenty of impact, bass and a real sense of immersion, with ricocheting bullets covering the latter.

The Bullet In The Head restoration had rich colors, crisp textures and strong contrast, so I’m hoping for more of the same here. While I’m expecting it to have the haze that I’ve now clocked in a few early-90s Hong Kong cinema movies, I still think Hard Boiled has the potential to look great, especially as it supports Dolby Vision, which should work wonders for textures, detail and contrast.

  • US release date - N/A: (Hong Kong Cinema Classics version released November 4, 2025)
  • UK release date - 27th July

Alice in Wonderland (1951) (Disney)

Alice in Wonderland, based on Lewis Carroll’s novels Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and the sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass, tells the story of a young girl called Alice who ends up in a strange, fantastical world where meets odd characters such as the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat and the evil Queen of Hearts. (This is a cheeky addition as this disc was actually released on 29th June, but I’m going to hopefully test it as part of the July Blu-ray Bounty!)

4K can do wonders for animation, especially when it comes to detail and colors. Alice in Wonderland has plenty of seriously bright colors and I expect Wonderland to look truly brilliant in 4K. The disc comes with Dolby Vision HDR support, which is only going to make colors pop even more. The 4K restoration will hopefully add more depth and texture to the picture as well.

As for audio, there’s no support for Dolby Atmos which is a bit of a shame as it would’ve been nice to get the full immersive experience as Alice falls down the rabbit hole. Thankfully, there is a DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtrack included and in recent discs I’ve tested this has proved to be just as good. There’s plenty of moments throughout the weird and wonderful Wonderland that should sound fantastic on 4K.

  • US release date - May 6, 2025
  • UK release date - 29th June, 2026

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

The sequel to 2023’s The Super Mario Bros Movie, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie follows Mario and his crew — Luigi, Yoshi, Peach and Toad — head to space to save Princess Rosalina from the clutches of Bowser and his son, Bowser Jr.

I’m expecting crisp, slick animation and of course boat-loads of fantastical colors from this disc on 4K. With Dolby Vision support included, I’m anticipating some seriously impressive color reproduction, whether it’s the red of Mario’s iconic suit or the green skin of Bowser and Yoshi, this disc could be a new reference disc for TV testing. As the movie takes the gang to space, there’s also a chance for some strong contrast between the deep blackness of space and any bright stars along the way.

Equipped with a Dolby Atmos track, I’m expecting an immersive soundtrack that will provide some excellent detail during the movie’s more action-packed sequences. Plus, with several flight sequences, as the character’s fly through space, I’m hoping for some real utilization of the height channels to give a wide, full sound. I can imagine this disc is going to deliver an impressive audio experience that I’m looking forward to trying out through our Samsung Dolby Atmos soundbar.

  • US release date - June 16, 2026
  • UK release date - 20th July, 2026

Hairspray (1988) (Criterion Collection)

Directed by John Waters, Hairspray (the original, 1988 movie) tells the story of teenager Tracy Turnbald, as she aims for fame as a dancer on a local TV show. Set in the 1960s, Tracy also rallies against racial segregation, which gets in her trouble with adults and authority figures.

As this is a release from Criterion, I’m expecting an excellent restoration job. I’ve tested a ton of Criterion’s 4K releases and all of them have looked fantastic. As Hairspray is set in the 1960s, there’s a potential here for some truly bold visuals, especially with color. Decor and outfits should really pop on screen, capturing the sometimes-garish, saturated aesthetic of the time period.

There are two soundtrack options on the 4K disc of Hairspray: DTS-HD 2.0 and 5.1 MA. This isn’t the remake from 2007, which is based on the 2002 stage musical, so I’m not anticipating many showcase audio moments. However, as the movie does involve music and dancing, there could be some nice, clean sound mixes, especially with DTS-HD 5.1 MA supported.

  • US release date - June 23, 2026
  • UK release date - July 20, 2026

July 2026 highlighted releases

Below, I’ve picked some highlight releases for July 2026. Both US and UK releases are featured here, with release dates noted. These release dates may vary by region, with some titles already available or yet to be released until later this year depending on where you are. 4K Blu-ray is region-free, so you should be able to order from wherever.

July 6/7

  • To Live and Die in LA
  • The Protector
  • Double Impact
  • The Magic Faraway Tree (2026)
  • The Drama (US - UK July 13)

July 13/14

  • Obsession
  • Hud
  • The Usual Suspects
  • Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (US - UK July 27)
  • Michael
  • The Mummy (2026)
  • Red Sun
  • The Crying Game
  • Full Contact

July 20/21

  • Falling Down
  • The 7th Voyage of Sinbad
  • Pleasantville
  • Anyone But You
  • Hairspray (UK)
  • The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (UK)
  • Excalibur (UK)
  • Mortal Kombat II (UK - US July 28)

July 27/28

  • Hard Boiled (UK)
  • Strictly Ballroom (UK)
  • Soylent Green
  • Stranger Things: Complete Series
  • X: The Unknown (UK)
  • Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair


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