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      "title": "Cheap Tech Review: the €40 soundbar",
      "body": "In recent years, flat-screen TVs have made remarkable strides in achieving stunning image quality that can rival the big screens of movie theaters. However, the trade-off for their ultra-thin design is often subpar audio quality. This is where soundbars come in as a practical alternative to the traditional home theater multi-speaker systems. Soundbars are compact, stylish, and easier to integrate into living spaces than multi-speaker setups. Not only do they offer a significant improvement in audio quality, but they also come with additional features such as Bluetooth connectivity and voice control. While soundbars can vary in price from average to very expensive, this review focuses on a budget option that can be purchased for 90% less than the average equivalent from prime brands. Let's dive into the review and see if this budget device is worth your consideration.\n\n##### Unpacking and unboxing\nThe device under review has been [purchased from Aliexpress](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002542067729.html) for the price of €40. Its presentation on the store is boasting several features, some of which don't check out with the showcased product: there is no subwoofer, and it is not a 2.1 unit. It is also unclear what the \"column\" refers to.\n\n![Store presentation is interesting but slightly deceptive.](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23wrBwMJaHzFjyi9dYVwSRtWNy6RYwh59yGBScRS5CPDTcg4RosWcz1KkbKyJM2G9tEeR.jpg)\n\nAs usual for items coming from the Chinese online marketplace, it arrived packaged in thick plastic wrap. Taking away this first layer reveals a large amount of bubble wrap which proved to be very adequate to protect the soundbar during shipment. That's pretty much the end of it though, because removing the bubble wrap exposes how the actual packaging is nothing more than a box made of folded polystyrene and packaging tape, without any gift box or branding.\n\n![Behold the cheapest packaging ever.](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/Eos4GDHgsATpTcHJjGkweDvNbVKhTM5cTUbPYYQGo4uBgdVR7Kuy92aJstMYwgaRn42.jpg)\n\nOpening the box reveals the soundbar and all its accessories are neatly wrapped in plastic, except (for whatever reason) the remote control, which is loosened in the box but otherwise in good order.\n\n![(Almost) everything comes in plastic wraps.](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23w2qMKK9xCXu1pzJXaHvsiHHCzBU36NMjg5eUJs3NLyDWXwY7W7uHdd1kxHWgf6M5vgQ.jpg)\n\nInside the box, besides the soundbar and remote control, are provided an audio RCA cable, a micro USB cable for charging, and the user manual.\n\nThe soundbar is simply labeled **BS-28B**, but it is also sold under different brands, including Alfawise, Aumaya, Bullker, and Bluelans. According to its FCC registration, it is manufactured by [Zhongshan World Team Electronics](https://fccid.io/2AGY9BS-28).\nInterestingly, the manual is also registered with the FCC and is [available for download](https://fccid.io/2AGY9BS-28/User-Manual/Users-Manual-3674385.pdf).\n\n##### Build and details\nHandling this unit while unboxing reveals a fairly heavy build, surprisingly substantial at 650 grams for its diminutive size (55 x 5 x 5 cm). Holding it provides an unexpected feeling of quality. While it would be legitimate to assume a cheap and hollow construction at this price point, the BS-28B feels *dense* and much more premium than its super-cheap packaging could ever make-believe; this is possibly because of the built-in battery that, according to the specifications, should enable it to operate wirelessly and without a power supply for up to 2 hours at the highest volume. \n\nIt is worth noting that the BS-28B, although correctly proportioned, is smaller than a standard soundbar: this gives it a somewhat deceptive appearance, making it look much bigger in the picture than it is. In reality, it looks like a 75% scaled-down version of a soundbar, and its small size makes it look like a toy when placed in front of a 65-inch flat-screen TV.\n\nIt also does not have any water or dust resistance and should not be used in outdoor environments that could damage it, like sandy beaches or under the rain. \n\n##### Input and connectivity\nThe center back side of the soundbar hosts all the input ports: they include a Line In mini-jack (for which a standard red/white RCA cable is included in the package), a microSD card reader, and a USB 2.0 port. The unit is powered and charged via a micro USB port; the package does not include a wall charger, but any standard USB power supply providing 5V/1A-2A will work. The manufacturer declares 2-3 hours are sufficient for a full charge, and the soundbar can operate while charging.\n\nIn addition to wired RCA the soundbar can also connect and receive input via Bluetooth; once initiated, the pairing procedure is guided by voice prompts and results in a stable and reliable connection. In alternative, the soundbar can play music files from a microSD card, and a key combination activates the built-in FM receiver; this configuration requires plugging in the RCA cable as that will operate as an aerial for the FM tuner.\nDuring use the single LED blinks and changes color to describe the different functions and operation modes. The manual does a half-decent job of describing them and how to operate them through the remote control.\n\nThe absence of an HDMI port is notable, albeit not unexpected at this price point. \n\n##### Audio test\nThe BS-28B boasts a design that includes four full-range speakers (4Ω, 5W×4) and bass reflex construction with ports on both sides. On paper, this configuration suggests a potential for rich and immersive sound reproduction. The soundbar's physical build appears sturdy and well-crafted, instilling a sense of anticipation for its audio capabilities.\n\n###### Line input sensitivity\nWhen connected via the RCA cable to the line output of a TV, the soundbar exhibited a very low sensitivity that resulted in extremely low output volume. Plugging the same RCA cable into the headphone jack of a laptop computer immediately fixed the issue and provided a good output loudness, confirming that the BS-28B needs an amplified signal to its Line In connector.\n\nPlayback from the Bluetooth receiver worked as expected and did not exhibit any issues.\n\n###### Abysmal equalization \nAccording to the manual, the soundbar offers six different equalization modes, which can be selected via a button on the remote control. \nThe first noticeable thing is that the soundbar does not provide any visual indications regarding the currently selected EQ mode: a voice sample describing the newly selected mode is played, only once, when pressing the Equalizer button on the remote control. This lack of information leaves users uncertain about which mode is active or whether a mode change is occurring at all. The lack of clarity in this aspect further detracts from the overall user experience.\n\nTo make this even worse, tests revealed that different equalizer settings seemed to have no discernible impact on the sound output. Whatever the mode and whether equalization was engaged or not, the sound remained largely unchanged. This lack of functionality renders the equalization function essentially useless, leaving users without the ability to tailor the sound to their preferences.\n\n###### An inconsistent experience\nConsidering the soundbar's specifications and price, the frequency response falls within the expected range. However, expectations alone are not enough to guarantee a satisfactory listening experience. The soundbar struggled very much in certain areas, particularly in reproducing bass frequencies, delivering punchy percussion lines, and rendering the finer details of higher-quality studio recordings.\n\nThe rich texture of vocal virtuosity and breakthrough production of The Beach Boys' \"Pet Sounds\" is lost, as the bass notes and delicate intricacies of \"Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)\" and \"God Only Knows\" disappear in a messy haze where no sound stage can be found. All details are lost and the listener is abandoned in a no man's land reminiscent of monophonic AM radio. Testing this record made abundantly clear that the BS-28B has not been designed with finesse or high fidelity in mind.\n\nOn the other hand, listening to the psychedelic rock of Lil' Yachty's \"Let's Start Here\" provided a very different experience: all of a sudden the soundbar came alive and generated a rich, dynamic output that was perfectly suited, and even vibrant at times, and did not falter even at higher volume settings. The digital crispness of \"The Black Seminole\" and \"The Ride\" was rendered with unexpected authority and this performance continued across the whole album until the neo-psychedelic grand finale of “Reach the Sunshine”.\n\nAny attempt to play classical music produced disappointing results due to the weak dynamic, the complete absence of bass range, and the obvious limitations of the four 5W full-range drivers. The experience is that of a cheap Bluetooth speaker, and that is exactly what it is.\n\nHowever, shifting to modern genres such as pop, R&B, and hip hop proved to be much easier to handle and delivered a more than acceptable experience, proving to be capable of filling up a mid-sized room when correctly positioned.\n\n##### Conclusion\nThe BS-28B speaker array is an enigma in the realm of audio reproduction. On occasions when the stars align, it showcases moments of sheer brilliance, where vocals soar and instruments are vividly brought to life. In these instances, the loudspeaker's potential really shines through, leaving the listener impressed with its capabilities. However, such moments are fleeting, as the speaker seems to struggle with consistency. In other instances, the audio quality takes an alarming nosedive, plunging into a bottomless pit of murkiness. These episodes of muddled sound, lacking clarity and definition, are not only disappointing but also infuriating for those who seek a consistent and immersive listening experience.\n\nDespite its sleek appearance and soundbar-inspired looks, this is just a portable Bluetooth speaker that finds its best use case in casually playing music, preferably indoors while sitting on a shelf, or a picnic table. \n\nWithin its (admittedly limited) range and audio capabilities, avoiding genres it was never intended to play, and with realistic expectations in line with its price, the BS-28B is a very decent battery-operated Bluetooth speaker that can provide a very acceptable experience for a social gathering or for filling a room with sound. Just don't try to use it for films or high fidelity.\n\n*Disclosure: this review is not sponsored by the product manufacturer, there are no affiliate links, and the seller did not receive a copy before publication. All items under review are directly purchased at retail price, and evaluated accordingly.*",
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      "title": "One and a half year later, Windows 11 still doesn't have a purpose",
      "body": "![](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23wBgARS7hfEMkpnacpuTAUhHHtjhi8nSfjv5k4ph8T9rEcYUfkGXpTH8A1pLAu6n3LkB.jpg)\n\nWindows 11 was launched one and a half years ago but was not welcomed with much success. In this article, we will explore some of the reasons for the slow uptake of Windows 11, why past versions of Windows were more successful, and analyze why Windows 11 has failed to make a compelling case for itself. \n\nThe launch of Windows 11 was not met with much success. Many users found that the new operating system was not significantly different from its predecessor. Since then, Windows 11 has been criticized for being a mere cosmetic update to Windows 10, with no significant improvements to the user interface or overall functionality. Additionally, there were some compatibility issues with existing hardware and some legacy devices, which made it difficult for some users to make the switch; these were so relevant that Microsoft had to adopt a staged process that lasted several months, where devices flagged by compatibility blacklists were blocked from receiving the upgrade. These compatibility issues were particularly frustrating for users who had invested in expensive hardware that ran perfectly under Windows 10 but was not compatible with Windows 11.\n\nDespite being the newest version of Windows, still today many users prefer to stick with Windows 10 instead of upgrading to Windows 11. There are three main reasons for this. \n\nFirst, Windows 10 is a stable and reliable operating system that has been around for several years. This means that most of the bugs have been ironed out, and users can trust the system to work correctly. \nSecond, Windows 10 is a mature OS firmly settled in maintenance mode, which means that users receive regular updates and security patches that are reliable and well-tested, as no new features are introduced. This is particularly important in the enterprise world, where stable and dependable software updates are paramount, and Windows 11 has had a long string of troublesome updates that don't bode well with IT managers. \nFinally, Windows 10 is familiar to users, which means that they don't have to learn a new interface or new ways of doing things. This familiarity is particularly important for users who rely on their computers for work and is extremely important for businesses.\n\nWhen comparing the adoption rates of Windows 10 and Windows 11 in their first 18 months, it is apparent that Windows 10 was much more successful. Windows 10 was adopted by over 300 million devices in its first year, whereas Windows 11 has only been adopted by around 100 million devices in its first 18 months. \n\n![Windows 10 market share compared to Windows 11. Source: Statcounter](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23tSzLNw6HJWwq9MXSthSxeVGQ7wCYMzWxEysJoGFeyPuy5Rd8kwDnLk448NnCHixHEVh.jpg)\n\n\nThis slow uptake can be attributed to several factors, including compatibility issues, a lack of significant innovation in Windows 11, and higher system requirements. Most of all, large enterprises are reluctant to upgrade as that brings migration risks and the need to re-train users on a different UI which seems to have been designed differently just for the sake of it, without introducing any real benefit. \n\nIt is interesting to consider how all successful versions of Windows had a purpose. For example, Windows XP was the first to integrate the NT kernel with a user-friendly UI; this made it easier for users to navigate the system and perform basic tasks. Windows 7 was designed to help Microsoft get over the debacle of Vista and its perceived issues. Windows 7 was also designed to be faster and more reliable than Vista, which had been criticized for being a resource hog and crashing and freezing frequently due to its initial lack of driver support. Windows 10 was created to make everyone forget about Windows 8 and its catastrophic UI that had been forced on users. Windows 10 was also designed to be more user-friendly than its predecessor, with features like Cortana, virtual desktops, and a new Start menu.\n\nIn comparison, Windows 11 appears to lack a distinct purpose when compared to its predecessor. While the updated user interface may be different, it does not introduce any significant innovations and seems to be changed merely for the sake of change. It was half-baked at launch and even included regressions as some Windows 10 features were not initially available. This lack of a clear purpose has made it difficult for users to see the value of upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11. While Windows 11 does have some new features, such as an updated look and feel, a new Taskbar, Snap Layouts, and Snap Groups, these features are not significant enough to justify the upgrade for most users.\n\nOne of the reasons for the slow uptake of Windows 11 has been its more demanding system requirements. Compared to its predecessor, Windows 11 requires newer hardware, which has left many users with older machines unable to upgrade. The new requirements include a processor that supports secure boot, TPM 2.0, and at least 4 GB of RAM. Microsoft has claimed that these requirements are necessary for security purposes and to improve overall performance, but their claims have been debunked by custom installations running well on officially unsupported hardware that lacked secure boot and TPM, and many users have been left feeling that they are being forced to upgrade their hardware to use the latest operating system.\n\nWindows 11's increased demands on hardware have made it unappealing to users who are content with their current machines, and this too has played a role in the slow adoption rate of the operating system. Those who have tried to upgrade to Windows 11 with older hardware have reported performance issues, including slower boot times and slower overall system performance. This is a significant concern for users who may not have the financial resources to upgrade their hardware or who feel that their existing hardware is adequate for their needs.\n\nAnother issue with Windows 11's system requirements is that they appear to have been artificially introduced by Microsoft to create a watershed moment and push sales of new hardware. This has caused many users to question the company's motives and whether the new operating system truly requires such demanding hardware. Furthermore, Microsoft's recent decision to lower the minimum requirements for Windows 11 has only added to this skepticism.\n\nIn conclusion, the slow adoption rate of Windows 11 can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the lack of a clear purpose for the operating system has left many users questioning its necessity. Secondly, the system requirements for Windows 11 are more demanding, which has made upgrading an unappealing prospect for those with older hardware. Finally, the new privacy concerns with Windows 11 have not gone unnoticed, and privacy-conscious users may be hesitant to upgrade. Nonetheless, Microsoft has been working to address these concerns and improve the overall experience of Windows 11. The operating system is showing promise, but only time will tell if it can live up to the success of its predecessors.\n\nDespite the criticism and backlash, Microsoft is forging ahead with Windows 11. The company has made significant strides in addressing some of the initial concerns raised by users, and the operating system is showing promise. However, as of now, it still fails to make a compelling case for upgrading existing machines that run Windows 10 well and Windows 11 may end up being yet another ugly duckling for Redmond, especially as customers' expectations are excited by mere rumors of Windows 12 arriving in 2024.",
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      "title": "Cheap Tech Review: The €25 Apple Watch",
      "body": "@@ -6611,56 +6611,187 @@\n ly.%0A\n-(insert pict\n+%0A!%5BWearfit Pro has a bad habit of hogging reso\n ur\n+c\n es\n- of app background activity here\n+.%5D(https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23tkfTqsRLzWuM6HN2yocC4TqyxTuUS9Rsc4tgiJUshf7QUHwUNUQdTJ8NFgPDR4fYKeo.jpg\n )%0A%0AA\n",
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      "body": "I'm glad you found the review to be useful, but allow me to reiterate - this watch is quite terrible. I will soon start working on the review for a Watch Ultra clone, which I hope will be a better product. Stay tuned.",
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      "body": "Pretty cool review. I'm thinking about buying one too, now I'm curious.\n\n@tipu curate.",
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      "author": "lbarbera",
      "permlink": "cheap-tech-review-the-eur25-apple-watch",
      "title": "Cheap Tech Review: The €25 Apple Watch",
      "body": "Smartwatches are a hot commodity these days. With the rise of wearable technology, it's no surprise that people are looking for the latest and greatest gadgets to keep them connected. However, with many of these wearables coming with a hefty price tag, it's worth considering whether they're worth the investment. Fortunately, there are cheaper alternatives available that offer many of the same features as their more expensive counterparts. One such option is an Apple Watch clone made in China. In this review, we'll take a closer look at this device and see how it stacks up against its more expensive competitors.\n##### Unpacking and unboxing\nIn this review, we'll be looking at the Lemfo HW67, also known as the \"Iwo 13 Pro\" and \"W37\". Originally priced at €35 on AliExpress, this smartwatch has seen a significant price drop due to the release of the Apple Watch Ultra, and can now be purchased for just €25. This makes it an attractive option for those looking for an impulse purchase.\n\n![Lemfo HW67 on Aliexpress](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/EpT7ViuqaumNPDuWcw2w7ADPGyBkNeJiyskLCd1GNzqp1LiT7NLYFxV6TE92ZNKwwwv.jpg)\n\nThe packaging of the Lemfo HW67 is impressive and is clearly designed to mimic the original Apple Watch packaging. The sturdy box is made of premium cardboard and has a glossy white finish that exudes luxury. The printing, lettering, and stickers are all carefully crafted, setting it apart from other similarly priced items.\n\nUpon opening the package, it's clear that Chinese manufacturers have made significant progress in capturing the essence of the Apple Watch's iconic design. The watch looks and feels almost identical to the Apple Watch Series 7 or 8, and even comes wrapped in the same type of protective nylon sleeve. The out-of-box experience is further enhanced by this unexpected attention to detail.\n\n\n![A surprisingly luxury package](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23xAe4YnhEQmzwszYN4SJyzuxqrSQZfEPNiSM26jtbYuLkV9KHFHGHz6ythzto1cLLi2m.jpg)\n\n\nHowever, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the illusion of luxury does not extend beyond the packaging. The watch does not fit correctly into the box because the plastic mould was obviously designed for a different wristband. Moreover, the only accessories included in the box are a poorly translated instruction manual and a cheap magnetic charging cable with pogo pins. A wireless charger is notably absent, likely due to cost-cutting measures.\n\n\n![Luxury is only skin deep.](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23xAc4M6yj64qCn3D8qHoULpzQfpTaQCzt7siAVhWKSKe4J9due745KnyLSKsiyW8xx96.jpg)\n\n\n##### Design and materials\nRemoving the protective sleeve reveals a lot of care has been put into making the HW67 a believable clone: screen size and proportions are correct, as well as the characteristic curved glass and rounded edges. The illusion is broken only by the realization that the case material is neither aluminum nor stainless steel but plastic, albeit the matte finishing and texture are well executed and very convincing. Only upon holding the watch in one's hands, it becomes evident that the review model's blue color is just a surface coating, rather than anodized aluminum.\n\nAt that point, however, another curtain falls as it becomes impossible not to notice the absence of the right side button below the digital crown. This detail alone gives away the illusion and will be easily spotted by anyone familiar with Apple Watch products, as the side button has been present on every single model for several years.\nThat said, the digital crown is present and functional and provides perfectly acceptable tactile feedback when turned and clicked.\n\nWearing the watch reveals another surprise, as the silicone strap - which is a perfect copy of the original down to its fold-and-button design - fits very comfortably, to the point that one could easily forget having the watch on their wrist. The silicone strap is just as good as a real Apple wristband; as an added bonus it also features the same fitting on the lugs, meaning the Lemfo HW67 could make use of any Apple Watch strap (albeit that would make the strap more expensive than the watch itself), and the excellent HW67 silicone strap could be used as spare in a real Apple Watch (at a fraction of the price usually required for a branded spare part).\n\n##### Setup and mobile app\nAs is typical of this category of device, the setup must be initiated using the companion mobile app, in this case, Wearfit Pro, developed by [Shenzhen Wakeup Technology Company](https://www.iwhop.com/home), which is also the official owner of the [Wearfit trademark](https://uspto.report/company/Shenzhen-Wake-Up-Technology-Co-L-T-D). This app is notable for having one of the lowest average review scores in its category, with just 3.2 out of 5 in the Google Play Store and an appalling 1.8 out of 5 in the Apple App Store. \n\nAt first run, the app requires creating a username and password to access the online Wearfit Health platform. This questionable requirement is pretty much forcing users to upload their data to an unknown cloud service hosted in China, which for some will already represent a dealbreaker. Once that is done, the setup experience is as simple as it is straightforward, guiding through the steps required to pair the watch and phone. It is not perfect, however, as several attempts are required before the pairing is successful, with little to no information on why it failed. Once set up, however, the watch maintains a stable Bluetooth connection with the phone.\n\nThe mobile app is probably the worst part of the HW67 smartwatch experience: Wearfit Pro is a hodgepodge of amateur development, confusing UI, multiple nested menu levels with inconsistent navigation patterns, hidden elements, and poor accessibility, topped off by advertising. Some functions don't work in a logical way and others (such as the watch face upload) fail most of the time, resulting in a frustrating user experience. Even the basic function of data synchronization between the app and smartwatch is pretty much broken and requires the user to force a manual sync.\n\nIt is worth noting that when installed on iPhone the app keeps running in the background and never goes into a suspended state, which results in a significant battery drain. This is a clear sign of incompetent or sloppy development. What is more, when manually closing the app (the only way to prevent it from being always on), a message appears informing that data will not be synchronized and recommending restarting the app immediately.\n(insert pictures of app background activity here)\n\nAll of these flaws remained unresolved during several weeks of testing and despite regular application updates, suggesting that the developers are either ignoring the scathing reviews or simply happy with the status quo. Either way, Wearfit Pro is barely usable and riddled with bugs, bad design choices, and ads.\n\n##### User experience\nOnce on the wrist, the HW67 does its best to provide an Apple Watch-like experience, at least on the surface, with many watch faces designed to closely mimic popular layouts of the original from Cupertino. There is even a serious attempt to implement the famous 'bubble' app menu interface, which works surprisingly well to launch various apps, and there's a raise-to-wake function (although the sensitivity can't be adjusted, so the display often comes on unnecessarily).\n\nHowever, scrolling in any direction reveals that this is just a tiny veneer on top of a very basic interface that bears a strong resemblance to something already seen on many other Chinese smartwatches in the past years. Worse, the experience is very disjointed, as the interface engine was clearly designed to mimic Google's Wear OS 2.0 layout and navigation.\n\nAnother detail that definitely sets the HW67 apart from its more luxurious counterpart is the lack of a low-power always-on display: while there is an option to keep the display active at all times, enabling it takes a massive hit on the battery life.\n\nApart from a few carefully designed watch faces, all the UI elements are rough and lack detail. The widgets' design is very inconsistent, mixing bloated, oversized graphic elements with tiny fonts; and most of them have terrible two-frame GIF-like animations whose sole purpose is to give the impression of some ongoing watch activity.\nThe weather widget is particularly egregious, showing only the temperature, a crude static monochrome icon to represent the current weather, and no other details such as pressure, forecast, the chance of rain, or location.\nIn addition, there's a vast amount of duplicate shortcuts, with many buttons in different parts of the interface - sometimes with different icons - launching the same widgets with no apparent rhyme or reason.\n\nOf course, the smartwatch does not have an App Store, so there is no way to extend its functions by installing or updating applications or widgets. \n\n##### Health and sleep tracking\nThe Lemfo HW67 is presented as a health and fitness tracker and therefore includes multiple widgets to measure and monitor all sorts of activity and body functions. \n\nStandalone health monitoring features include heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen. These can be configured in the mobile app to run continuously. However, it's easy to see (by checking the activity of the optical sensor) that the readings are actually taken at 10-minute intervals. While the continuous health tracking function generates detailed graphs in the app, the low sampling resolution suggests that data is being padded to fill in the gaps between intervals. This renders all the readings pretty much worthless.\nSpot measurements for these three metrics can also be performed by clicking the digital crown to access the required widget from the App UI screen. While performing an on-demand measurement the display will show the aforementioned GIF-like animations, which are a real eyesore, and make the smartwatch look like a total fake in the process.\n\nAdditional information is provided by the Wearfit Pro mobile app, which collects data from the watch to generate a \"fatigue\" index (the development of which defines the user's \"stress zone\") and to calculate METs (metabolic equivalent of task, which is poorly translated as \"energy metabolism level\"). Obviously, both values are calculated using an algorithm of questionable validity and should not be taken into account for any serious health assessment. \n\n![Sleep tracking on HW67](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23uFweEAAVS9Nd69STxRA9v7sEud9RniBDWtzPMAPuybYTTP7yoRmBhrrentA5Pq6c8JS.jpg) ![Sleep tracking on Fitbit](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23zvMc49oQEVfardLZ843zTDxjn6qwfW6sJYAkAkKZRWkkmGWXGUFfYDjx9bCvYaRCxe4.jpg)\n\nSleep tracking provides the expected separation between time spent awake, light sleep, and deep sleep. Notably, it is not capable of tracking REM sleep stages, which is a function provided by all modern reputable sleep monitors. The smartwatch is very comfortable to wear even while sleeping and its extended battery life allows for overnight operation.\nWhile automatic detection of sleep and wake has proven to be accurate, the same does not apply to sleep tracking: the differences with a reference Fitbit device are significant enough to deem the HW67 sleep tracking inaccurate and unfit for purpose.\n\n##### Fitness tracking\nSeveral fitness tracking options are listed, but they all pretty much amount to some combination of a timer, heart rate monitor, and step counter with an on-screen display. The sensors exhibit average precision, and no one should consider this smartwatch as an alternative to a professional fitness tracker like Garmin or Fitbit. Data is synchronized with the Wearfit Pro app and presented with several on-screen graphs to summarize results and progress, but there is no integration with Apple Health or Google Fit.\n\n##### Notifications and haptic feedback\nNotifications from the mobile phone are another area where the HW67 performs particularly badly. Firstly, the smartwatch's vibration and chime (even at the highest setting) are so weak that in most cases a user will not feel any vibration or sound when they arrive, resulting in missed notifications. Secondly, users have to configure which apps send notifications to the watch from the Wearfit Pro menu; the number of supported apps is small and any app that is not supported will not be able to send notifications. For example, all iOS system apps, Apple Health, Google, Microsoft Outlook, Facebook Messenger, and many others are not supported: notifications from most apps never reach the watch. This is yet another example of the HW67's potential being ruined by the companion app and its poor design choices.\n\nIn addition to missing notifications due to weak haptics and lack of app support, the watch's UI uses a jagged font with bad kerning to render text; word separation is also defective, with words incorrectly split across lines, resulting in a very poor reading experience that is often riddled with errors.\n\n![Jagged text and broken words](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23tRzWPs2x86tRe6MP3dcx4EHTm4n2Ub4yJeZXi2Xyu4J4aQ39JbBxa5EhqsE37FcvrDE.jpg)\n\n\n##### Watch faces\nTap and hold on to the main screen to open a watch face selection menu (just like in Wear OS 2.0), and additional watch faces can be uploaded to the watch from the Wearfit Pro app. The app includes a digital store front-end where users can buy additional watch faces at the price of 99 cents each: while not the first of its kind (Facer for Wear OS comes to mind), Wearfit's store is notable for the fact that the vast majority of watch faces are only available for purchase, and only a few can be downloaded for free - and they tend to be the most boring and ugly around. This money-grabbing approach is one of the main complaints made by users in their reviews, and it diminishes the value of this watch. Although there is a fairly large collection available, one will be hard-pressed to find a couple of decent free dials and most of the paid-for designs are no better.\n\nThe watch face installation process requires first downloading the dial on the app, then upload it to the watch via Bluetooth. This second step is prone to failure and surprisingly slow.\n\nOnce installed, a new dial can be selected. For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that most of the complications, especially those based on popular designs, are fake and made up of static elements that never change, although their name and appearance suggest otherwise. It is quite clear that their only purpose is to complete the visual illusion of an Apple Watch.\n\n##### Display\nThe HW67's screen is advertised as a 1.96\" IPS display with a resolution of 320x390 pixels. While this may seem optimistic for the price, the screen is objectively crisp and vibrant, with a good color gamut, and capable of maintaining good readability even in broad daylight. In fact, it is one of the smartwatch's best features - the other being its convincing Apple likeness - and its visual impact is only marred by the UI's ugly fonts, broken compositing, and cheap elements.\n\n##### Battery life\nThe specifications published in the online store claim that the watch is powered by a 260mAh lithium polymer battery, with a charging time of 2 hours and a battery life of 7 to 15 days. While there is no way of confirming these specifications, long-term testing has shown that the watch is more than capable of 7 days of continuous use, and 10 days should be achievable with reasonable use, i.e. with the always-on display turned off. As mentioned above, enabling this option takes a big bite out of battery life, reducing it from 10 days to a real Apple Watch's one-day run time, so it should only be used if daily recharging is not a problem.\n\nCharging is also very slow, taking almost 3 hours to fully charge an almost empty battery. Times are proportionally shorter when the initial state of charge is higher, but it should be noted that this watch battery is definitely slow.\nFor sleep tracking, however, a quick 15-20 minute charge during the morning shower is enough to keep the watch running indefinitely, thanks to its 10-day potential.\n\n##### Conclusions\nThe Lemfo HW67 is a smartwatch that claims to have many functions, including some more advanced than its illustrious inspiration, for less than 10% of the price. In reality, however, it is a cheap device that fakes most of its functions and has several operational shortcomings that significantly compromise its value and usefulness. While no one would realistically expect features such as blood pressure and blood oxygen measurement to be real or usable for this kind of money, there are very good fitness trackers at the same price point, such as the [Amazfit Band 5](https://us.amazfit.com/products/amazfit-band-5), that are well built, properly designed and provide reliable health and fitness data that can be used with confidence.\n\nThe HW67 fails to deliver even on some of the most basic features, such as phone notifications and on-screen text readability. The Wearfit Pro companion app is a programmer's dumpster fire, a shameless attempt at micropayments, and a privacy risk that should be rejected by Apple and Google and wiped from the internet.\n\nThe HW67's only redeeming quality is that, until close inspection, it bears an uncanny resemblance to its prestigious sibling from Cupertino. As such, it should only be purchased by someone willing to pretend to be wearing an Apple Watch for pocket change, and desperate enough to accept all of its many flaws.\n\nFor everyone else, the Lemfo HW67 and all its clones should be avoided at all costs.\n\n\n*Disclosure: this review is not sponsored by the product manufacturer, there are no affiliate links, and the seller did not receive a copy before publication. All items under review are directly purchased at retail price, and evaluated accordingly.*",
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      "permlink": "cheap-tech-review-the-eur30-amazfit-stratos-3-homage",
      "title": "Cheap Tech Review: The €30 Amazfit Stratos 3 homage",
      "body": "Smart watches, as a form of wearable computer strapped to the wrist, have come a long way since the early days of the Fossil Wrist PDA, Microsoft SPOT and Pebble. The first iteration of Apple Watch and Google Wear launched in 2014 with the ambition of putting a computer around everybody's wrist and, seven years later, they could not be further away: while the former has achieved a dominating market share, the latter lingered in limbo for several years without solid hardware and software upgrades. Because of that, many third-party manufacturers have successfully carved a niche in the void left by Google and seized the market opportunity of a low-cost alternative.\n\nThe Apple Watch meanwhile has reached its seventh iteration as a market benchmark; with a starting price (in Europe) of €300 it also comes with a hefty price tag, shared with the latest and greatest [Ticwatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS](https://www.mobvoi.com/nordic/products/ticwatchpro3ultra) from Mobvoi which promises an endless list of sensors for health monitoring and fitness tracking capabilities. If all the same features were available in a device that costs ten times less, how much of a compromise would that be?\n\n##### Unpacking and unboxing\nThe subject of this review is the Melanda MD15 smartwatch, which can be purchased on AliExpress for €32 including delivery. The same device can also be found under other brands (such as Lemfo and Sanlepus) and a quick internet search reveals they all are a repackaging of the well known L15 model, manufactured by Chinese firm [MicroWear](http://www.microwear.com/en/). \n\n\n![20210911_161623000_iOS.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/243BwgSuuy23SeG7pBEAZC7AUhD8KW3BRcDMuRTmYnD3KMdc1o9m1QY8bLwLkrgpeV3Cb.jpg)\n\n\nFrom a quick glance, its design is obviously a homage to the [Amazfit Stratos 3](https://www.amazfit.com/en/stratos-3) for one-sixth of the price.\n\n![amazfit_stratos3.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/AJUgrNTJGACcjpUrEuyPYKgCHWU9EFrgLvazvfwSfTBtZT7dh7QYK3HxheThbgU.png)\n\nThe smartwatch was delivered in a solid, if unassuming, black textured cardboard package sporting a mirror finished \"Smart Wear\" red printing. Inside the box a thin plastic mold is holding the watch in place, with the USB-A charging cable and user manual (in Chinese and badly translated English) tucked underneath. The packaging does its job, but it looks and feels pretty low-budget.\n\n\n![MD15-box-techxreviews.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/2423qcnjT4kjhKkHMmPPFFDYsBha3bCXbJhgk5QaNRZS2An3TV11CrB7rd9FZCWc3PfuM.jpg)\n<b>Photo: TechXreviews</b>\n\n##### Design and materials\nThe MD15, exactly like the Stratos 3, sports a black round plastic case with a \"carbon fiber look\" texture. Far from fooling anyone, this finishing gives the watch a (subjectively) nicer look than plain matte black or the majority of fake materials that are commonplace for this category; remains to be seen how it will withstand normal use and abuse, as this kind of textured surfaces are easily prone to scuffing and scratching. \nThe circular IPS display is covered with a mineral glass which, while not providing the same level of scratch resistance as sapphire glass, is pleasant when interacting with the touch screen; however it does not feature any oleophobic coating, which makes it a smudge magnet and betrays its budget nature. The surrounding bezel is made of a metallic alloy that provides a better look and feel than plastic and features a basic printed chapter ring; that serves no purpose other than decoration, even though it blends nicely when analog watch faces are used.\n\nThe watch comes with a diamond-textured black silicone strap that latches with a brushed metal buckle; it is simple but functional and fits the style well. The bracelet has a free loop adjustment holes for all of its lenght and makes very simple to find a proper fit for any wrist size; the material is soft to the touch but properly flexible, and does not feel flimsy or cheap in any way.\nOn top of that there are quick release pins that allow for a very easy replacement with any standard 22mm band. All things considered, the strap looks and feels much better than expected and makes the watch extremely comfortable to wear despite its large 46mm size.\n\nOn the case back there are the optical sensors protected behind a transparent plastic lens and a two-pin charging port.\n\nThe side of the case body hosts two pushers: the top one, which gets a color accent thanks to a red gasket, is the main selector; the bottom one has the only purpose to turn on and off a twin-LED  cluster which is, very unusually, installed on the side of the watch. This LED can be used as a torch and represent quite a unique and useful feature of the MD15.\n\nCase back and user manual boast an IP68 water and dust resistance but, as usual for devices in this class, it is not recommendable to put these claims to the test. Based on materials and design, this smartwatch can likely withstand accidental contact with water (such as rain and hands washing) but it's safer to avoid submerging it.\n\n##### Setup and mobile app experience\nThe initial setup and pairing requires to download and install the FitCloud Pro app (available for iOS and Android). The procedure is straightforward and well detailed both in the app and the small printed manual provided with the watch. After pairing, the watch keeps synchronizing key fitness data to the app without user intervention (even though it is always possible to trigger a full manual sync from the app).\n\nThe FitCloud Pro app (tested on iPhone) has a fairly plain UI dominated by orange tones; it will not win any design award but, in its simplicity, it manages to deliver all the watch management functions and present health and activity data on a clear dashboard through a three-panel structure.\n\n**Home** is the front page health dashboard, which includes current day values for steps, calories, distance, and steps goal. Additional panels (which can be tapped to show detailed graphs for each metric, and then further drill down through historic data) provide information about sleep, heart rate, ECG, blood pressure and blood oxygen. The MD15 is capable of measuring a surprising range of vital signs, including some that are usually reserved to expensive top-of-the-line health tracking devices.\n\nThe **Device** tab contains the smartwatch settings and control panel. Available options include configuring push notifications from the phone, setting alarms, enabling periodic activity and drink reminders, choose the watch face among the available collection, enable raise-to-wake and an elevated heart rate warning, configure a time range for health monitoring, activate a locator function that makes the watch buzz remotely, choose wearing wrist, and 12/24H time format. These include several useful features and are globally sorted in a useful, user-friendly way.\n\nThe **Me** tab is mostly about the user profile (which the app allows to create at first run) that is used to collect all data in the cloud. A few additional items allow to set the daily \"sports goal\" for steps, distance and calories, switch between metric and imperial units, enable/disable Apple Health or Google Fit integration, and some basic management functions such as a feedback form.\n\nDespite some quirky visual details, such as the bouncing effect when a graph plotting animation reaches a frame border and a pervasive use of the color orange, the application is very well designed and offers a lot of functionality while presenting all the data in an accessible, easy to understand format.\n\n##### User interface\nImmediately after boot, interacting with the touch screen makes apparent that the MD15 user interface is taking a lot of inspiration from Google WearOS 2. \n\nSwiping left from the watch face there is a scrolling menu, whose actions include locate the paired phone (by making it buzz), a stopwatch, a timer, display the device QR code (for pairing purposes), an About screen, perform a factory reset and shut down the smartwatch. Critical actions such as factory reset and shutdown require confirmation from the user.\n\nSwiping right reveals a sequence of information screens whose design closely resembles basic Wear OS tiles: in sequence there are Steps (including km and calories), Sleep (with summary of total sleep time, and detail of deep and light sleep time), a four-button panel that provides quick access to start a health tracking monitor on-demand (heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen level and ECG), fitness tracking (with an extended list of activities), a media control screen (that will remotely control whatever media is playing on the phone, if any) and the Weather screen (which includes temperature, forecast, rain chance and a fairly obscure indicator whose icon may or may not represent air quality). While being practical and useful, the MD15 \"tiles\" - unlike Wear OS - are fixed and cannot be rearranged or deactivated; they also don't expand vertically to provide more information.\n\nSwiping down opens the notification stack, which shows all the notifications received from the phone; they include an icon representing the app, and the text content. Each notification can be dismissed by tapping the screen, and longer notifications are spanning over more screens. \n\nFinally, swiping up gives access to a basic settings page whose actions include display the QR code, the About screen, the phone locator (all of them for some reason duplicating the same functions present in the side menu), the battery level, and the display brightness selector. A small panel at the bottom of the screen contains date, time and state of the wireless link between watch and phone.\n\nTapping and holding on the main screen will summon a watchface selector, exactly like WearOS, which scrolls between the faces currently loaded on the watch. \n\n##### User experience\nThe MD15 will immediately feel familiar to anyone who has used a WearOS device. All functions are within reach and, thanks to the relatively small number of options, easy to find and manage. \n\nThe UI is simple but functional and, most importantly, it is always responsive. The MD15 runs a proprietary OS and is not burdened by Google Wear's hardware requirements, which enables it to maintain a very respectable level of performance.\n\nSpeaking of, an element that will be immediately evident even to the less tech-savvy user is the boot time: unlike any wearable running on the aforementioned WearOS, the MD15 starts from power-off in a matter of seconds. This is much faster than any Google-powered smartwatch and most certainly due to its barebone proprietary operating system.\n\n###### Health and sleep tracking\nAfter setup, automatic health tracking works well and logs a remarkable amount of data that is available in real-time through the app dashboard. Basic parameter tracking is accurate and provides results comparable to a Fitbit wristband. The latter though remains unsurpassed in sleep monitoring thanks to its very precise REM sleep detection, unavailable on the MD15 which only reports light and deep sleep states. However, except this difference, the side-by-side comparison shows results from the two devices are pretty much identical - which is a remarkable result as the MD15 is much more affordable than a Fitbit.\n\n|![20210916_063259000_iOS.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23tmmD5cC8uSTZHjC1Kum1dyxp9KwC1eDpduvRwX4hMxbLRZHrwQEwCTiTP2D5PCq4cG7.jpg)|![20210916_063315000_iOS.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23ujrbKiDyx6JTZrmc4fzQD7acUjPiE7vuUKKGUKPegH16bwjgM369kzGfSwEsh6qo7As.jpg)|\n|-|-|\n\n\nCompared to most Fitbits however, the MD15 is a chunky device that could hardly make one forget about its presence on the wrist. Albeit sporting a thin profile, its 46mm case and substantial lug-to-lug measure may be uncomfortable to wear during sleep.\nIf that is not an issue, the robust battery life provides an ideal companion for several nights of sleep tracking between charges.\n\n###### Fitness tracking\nUnlike with more advanced (and expensive) devices, there is no automatic activity detection: starting a session is a strictly manual affair. On the upside, this only requires four swipes from the main screen through the UI tiles and provides a surprisingly comprehensive list. While not getting even remotely close to the hundreds of different activities tracked by a Garmin, the available ten modes are covering all the basics and include some less usual ones (such as yoga). The user is also required to manually stop a session, which will then trigger all relevant data to be uploaded to the mobile app for display. Vital signs are tracked by the optical sensors and provide a wealth of data that can be effectively used to track and assess workouts and training.\nThe watch does not include a GPS unit, but it will use GPS data provided through the app by a paired mobile phone.\n\n###### On-demand measurement\nThree swipes from the main screen bring up the on-demand measurement menu. From here, one can manually start a monitoring session for all the four key vital parameters supported by the smartwatch: heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen level and ECG. These are measured at regular intervals of a few minutes when the Continuous Health Monitoring is enabled, but starting an on-demand session triggers a higher frequency monitoring that (allegedly) provides more accurate results.\n\nThe ECG function is also fairly unique as it's not commonly found in fitness trackers - with a few notable exceptions that belong to a much higher price range. Starting an ECG session even generates a detailed report in the mobile app that can be exported as PDF, in a format that closely mimics a paper roll polygraph. \n\nAnother feature that is even more rare in fitness trackers is on-demand blood pressure monitoring. This is available from the same menu and delivers a graphic output in the mobile app.\nWhile the accuracy of measurement provided by the optical sensor may be debatable ([especially for blood pressure](https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/16/22677381/smartwatch-blood-pressure-samsung-fitbit-apple)) and it is very important not to consider these values as relevant for any medical or diagnostic purpose, these features are nonetheless well integrated and nice to have in a device at this price point.\n\n###### Notifications\nSwiping down from the main screen opens the notification stack. Its implementation, albeit functional, is one of the details that betrays the ultra-budget nature of the MD15 software. Notifications are written with a basic typeface and suffer from poor hinting and kerning, which makes them look cheap and compromise readability; longer blocks of texts are split between multiple screens that require tapping to proceed and are immediately deleted afterwards, making impossible to read back at a later time; oftentimes (especially with e-mail headers) they are riddled with exclamation marks and other randomly added punctuation signs; and, worse of all, the notification engine does not seem capable of splitting words correctly, which gives an unacceptable reading experience. \n\n|![IMG_7264.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/AK9NwFojSViBHPgiPevKf7nef5LN9NDqDdMuyRj7NAhWimWx4zQyQbGmoQkRUzm.jpg)|![IMG_7266.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/AJkQBnkj6dF13xhyMw8Wvm84e5hKBzgB62oFfiwzKabHj8m8XEFpuKMfeAg5obV.jpg)|\n|-|-|\n\n\nOn top of that, only notifications from supported apps (configured and enabled in the mobile app) are forwarded to the watch; while this list includes some of the most popular, notifications from any other app will be ignored. This includes every internal iPhone notification and dozens of others that will never work.\n\nTo make things even worse, the watch will hold only 5 (five) notifications at any given time: from the 6th onwards, they will not be selectable for reading or display. \n\nThe watch also does not have an automatic or manual Do Not Disturb mode that silences notifications, and most crucially it will not honor the paired mobile's DND mode. Because of that, receiving notifications will keep the watch buzzing and activating the display when it should not, including at night and while sleeping: the only way to prevent this behaviour is to turn it off completely.\n\n###### Haptic feedback\nThe watch is equipped with a good haptic engine that has proven surprisingly capable: each notification is followed by a distinct vibration that will not go unnoticed on the wrist. In fact, the engine is perhaps too strong, to the point that any incoming notification also delivers a very audible high-pitched whine that can and will be heard in close proximity. As feedback intensity is not configurable, this will result in a pretty loud experience: people who are sensitive to noises can find it quite unpleasant.\n\n###### Watchfaces\nThe MD15 default watch face is a fitness-oriented, information-rich digital display that shows date, time, day of the week, watch battery status, and health statistics. In alternative it is possible to choose other watch faces from a dedicated menu in the mobile app. This closely resembles the corresponding Google Wear app menu and offers a fixed selection of designs. These include analog and digital faces with some variety in terms of color and style, and there also are some fairly recognizable dials that are clearly \"inspired\" by more famous products: among them an Apple Watch-like face, several Mobvoi Ticwatch models, obviously the default Amazfit Stratos 3 analog-hybrid design, and a Garmin-inspired dial. \n\nIt is worth noting how most dials feature a similar flat design with precious little nothing more than time and date; when complications are present (like in the Stratos 3-like watch face) most elements are static decorations designed to look like the real thing. The Garmin-inspired dial was possibly the best in terms of readability and detail, but before the end of the review period it has been removed from the \"watchface store\"; other \"inspired\" designs (such as the \"Apple Watch\" clone) have suffered the same fate and are not available anymore. \n\n\n![20220210_083521000_iOS.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lucabarbera/23sdjqfutnrRucZ52ncLMb7rdsBrJoXAzbBU6PDHxsFW7XpYs6va3h1hgUPdFmJyCURy2.jpg)\n\n\nThe watchface menu includes a \"builder\" widget where it is possible to design a dial, but the options are limited to customizing the background and time/date position. Other than that, there is no way to load custom or 3rd party faces to the watch.  While this limitation is understandable for a budget product and certain faces have likely been removed to avoid infringing copyright, it was nonetheless disappointing to see the most functional and attractive styles disappear. \n\n###### Display\nThe MD15 features a 1.3\" touch-screen IPS display with a resolution of 360x360 pixel. The screen is crisp and has vibrant, rich colors that allow for a good readability in all conditions; it also provides a sharp rendering of all the provided watch faces, which is unusual at this price point. There is no ambient light sensor and brightness must be manually set among five levels, but the display is readable in broad daylight. The touchscreen action is consistent and well defined, with a minimal lag that makes the watch comfortable to use and operate. Taps and swipes work correctly and without hesitation.\nThe display vastly exceeds expectations and represents one of the best features of the watch.\n\nHowever, unlike many of its brand-name counterparts that provided so much design inspiration, the MD15 does not have an always-on display:  as that is done to save battery, in order to read time and date one must flick the wrist for the screen to turn on. The watch will correctly register the gesture and activate most of the times, but that doesn't really compensate for a display that is always visible at glance.\n\n###### Battery life\nThe watch comes equipped with a 370mAh rechargeable battery which is declared good for 7-10 days of usage. This is confirmed across four months of testing where the watch has been able to deliver up to 15 days of operation with all features enabled, but without tracking fitness activities. The USB charging cable connects to a polarized magnetic port on the case back and, once in place, it keeps a strong latch; a full charge using a standard 5V/1A power supply can take more than three hours, but partial charges are quicker. \n\nGiven the long autonomy of the battery, it is possible to keep the watch running 24/7 and using it as sleep tracker by charging it for 10 minutes every day (for instance while taking a shower). \n\n##### Conclusions\nThis smartwatch has a lot of potential: it can be surprising and excel in some unexpected areas, and then be disappointing with other (more common) features. For instance, glancing down at the screen will always provide a pleasant experience thanks to its vibrant colors and sharp resolution; but that will also be a constant reminder of the missing always-on display, requiring a wrist flick to read time and date. Notifications will be reliably available and Bluetooth connectivity has been flawless through several weeks of testing; but the experience is ruined by poor lettering, broken line splitting, and the (frankly absurd) stack size limit of 5 notifications. And, if left on the bedside, the watch will keep buzzing and lighting up as notifications are coming through during the night.\n\n[For a price (at the time of writing) of EUR 33 on AliExpress,](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000994012585.html) the MD15 delivers some quite unique features, it is a well-built and good looking device, and it is far from the worst especially at its price point. That said, one must be aware of its peculiarities and seriously evaluate all pros and cons before purchasing.\n\n*Disclosure: this review is not sponsored by the product manufacturer, there are no affiliate links, and the seller did not receive a copy before publication. All items under review are directly purchased at retail price, and evaluated accordingly.*",
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