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  • Take 15% off Xbox gift cards with Amazon’s Big Smile sale

    Amazon has taken 15% off the entire range of Xbox gift cards with savings up to AU$15 (NZ$16.48)
  • Does the Google Pixel 9a have a 120Hz screen?

    The Google Pixel 9a is a mid-range device with few compromises, and it promises to offer one of the best values of any phone. The handset has a lot of changes: Google ditched the camera bump, installed a new processor, and increased the screen size, all without increasing the price.

    With Apple’s “midrange” device releasing not long ago in the form of the Apple iPhone 16e, it’s easy to draw comparisons between the two. The Google Pixel 9a is a more affordable device, and it beats the iPhone 16e in multiple ways.

    Does the Google Pixel 9a have a 120Hz screen?

    Yes, the Pixel 9a supports refresh rates between 60 and 120Hz. Its screen has a resolution of 1080 x 2424 with just over 422 pixels per inch (PPI) and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The display reaches a peak brightness of 2,700 nits — more than enough to comfortably use even in direct sunlight — and up to 1,800 nits with HDR enabled.

    Person holds Pixel 9a in hand while sitting in a car.
    Google

    So what does this mean for you? The variable refresh rate means the Pixel 9a can adjust on the fly, preserving power and prolonging battery life without sacrificing smoother animations and transitions. Compared to the iPhone 16e which does not have a 120Hz refresh rate, the Pixel 9a has a clear advantage.

    Why does a 120Hz display matter?

    For many users, an increased refresh rate is a luxury rather than a necessity. That said, it offers a lot of benefits over a lower refresh rate display. Faster refresh rates help to reduce motion blur during fast-moving videos and games, and it also helps minimize eye strain.

    And it gets even better for photographers. The Pixel 9a has one of the best camera setups you can get for a phone in this price range. The refresh rate will also help when editing videos taken on the phone, zooming in during photo editing, and much more.

    If you like mobile gaming, a higher refresh rate can give you an advantage. This holds especially true in competitive games where precision and response time is important. The display might not be the deciding factor for many buyers, but it’s a nice perk for anyone already looking to get their hands on a Pixel 9a.

  • Chloe Brockett breaks silence after hospital dash as health woes take ‘bad turn’

    TOWIE star Chloe Brockett has shared an update with fans after she was rushed to hospital by her boyfriend Jack Fincham during the night after a severe asthma attack
  • We gave the Sonos Ray 4 out of 5 stars, and today it’s on sale for $180

    When it comes to wireless audio, Sonos is a brand that has reigned supreme in the AV space for many years. The company makes everything from powered Wi-Fi speakers to Dolby Atmos soundbars and pulse-pounding subwoofers. Sonos also makes smaller soundbars, including the Sonos Ray, which just so happens to be on sale this week: 

    Right now, when you purchase the Sonos Ray Soundbar at Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and several other retailers, you’ll only pay $180. The full MSRP on this bar is $280. We tested the Sonos Ray back in April 2023, and reviewer Simon Cohen said, “Sonos sets the stage for a much more affordable home theater system with the Ray.”

    BUY AT AMAZON

    BUY AT BEST BUY

    BUY AT WALMART

    Why you should buy the Sonos Ray

    One of the biggest complaints we hear about TV speakers is how crummy they can be when it comes to dialogue and vocals. That’s precisely what soundbars like the Sonos Ray are designed to do: enhance audio basics while providing a boatload of extra features for fun! The Ray delivers exceptional dialogue clarity, ensuring you won’t miss another important line on your favorite show. While the bar struggles to reproduce deeper bass frequencies, you can always invest in a Sonos subwoofer down the line for additional low end.

    Thanks to the Ray’s digital optical port, you’ll be able to play back audio formats like Dolby Digital and DTS. Unfortunately, there’s no HDMI eARC to speak of, so Atmos virtualization is out of the question. Still, iOS users will be able to use the Sonos app to calibrate audio output to best match the room acoustics you’re working with. The app is also your go-to command center for Sonos speaker grouping, music streaming, and more. 

    Other noteworthy features include Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect support. We wish we knew how long this Sonos sale was going to last, as there are actually a ton of Sonos devices with discounts right now. Save $100 when you order the Sonos Ray today, and give your TV speakers the upgrade they deserve. 

    And if you want even more audio suggestions, we suggest looking through our roundups of the best Sonos deals, best soundbar deals, and best Bluetooth speaker deals, too.

    BUY AT AMAZON

    BUY AT BEST BUY

    BUY AT WALMART

  • Comic Relief: the biggest amounts stars have raised from Tom Daley to Mollie King

    Celebrities from Tom Daley to Dermot O’Leary and Alesha Dixon have danced, swam, ran, climbed and even roller skated to raise money for Comic Relief over the last 40 years
  • Strictly star announces he’s engaged live on stage after weeks of speculation

    Former Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Pritchard has announced his engagement to girlfriend Zara Zoffany after two years together
  • This is the first quantum computer you can actually buy (and use, and power): Equal1’s Bell-1 uses a standard power socket

    Equal1’s Bell-1 redefines HPC by delivering quantum acceleration in a standard server rack, making it a game-changer for high-performance computing.