• 📱 Apple might give next year’s iPhone a quad-curve display

• 🧊 The screen could be called a “Liquid Glass Display”

• 💡 It’ll reportedly bend the light around the display to hide the ultra-thin bezels

• 🫥 Other rumors say Face ID will sit behind the display, and there might not be MagSafe charging

• 📅 Apple is expected to announce its futuristic iPhone in September 2027

There’s been some crazy rumors about the future of the iPhone this week. While we’re all anxiously awaiting the arrival of the iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro this year, Apple is said to be working on a brand-new iPhone to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the device for next year - and it might come with a “Liquid Glass Display.”

In a post on X from known leaker Ice Universe, the 20th-anniversary iPhone could come with a quad-curve display that looks like it’s spilling over each edge of the phone. However, it won’t just be curved like Samsung’s phones used to be; instead, it’ll be a custom panel with “extremely subtle” curves, as corroborated by Digital Chat Station on Weibo.

This will allow for a few things to happen. Apple will still retain some sort of bezel around the iPhone’s display, and you won’t have accidental presses on each side if you try to grip it. At the same time, you won’t be able to tell how subtle the curve is or see the bezels from the front of the device thanks to “ sophisticated combination of optical refraction, light guiding structures, and carefully engineered visual illusion,” according to Ice Universe.

This level of engineering sounds exactly like something Apple would do, especially for a device as important as the 20th-anniversary iPhone. Ice Universe says this could be “an entirely new display language” for Apple, suggesting that this is how iPhones will look moving forward, following its release.

The “Liquid Glass Display” branding also makes sense. The screen is supposed to look as fluid and natural as possible, and since Apple is striving for the same thing in its software, it’s not unreasonable to think the company will use the same brand name for its futuristic display as it does the design language for iOS.

Other rumors swirling around the future iPhone include under-display Face ID sensors, something Apple could start building toward with the iPhone 18 Pro’s smaller Dynamic Island. It’s unclear if Apple will be able to get the technology right to fully hide all the sensors required to make it work by next year, as it could leave a small cut-out for the selfie camera if it thinks the quality won’t be up to snuff.

Meanwhile, a separate rumor claims that future iPhones might drop MagSafe support altogether. Instant Digital, who has shared some accurate Apple leaks in the past, said on Weibo that there’s currently “internal debate” whether to include it on future iPhones, leading many to believe that the 20th-anniversary iPhone could skip out on it due to its radical new design. However, given the success of the MagSafe ecosystem and the growing number of Android phones adopting it (not to mention the fact it’s practically a legal requirement for Qi wireless charging at this point), this rumor seems extremely skeptical.

Apple is expected to announce the futuristic iPhone next year, likely in September. We’ll be following the rumors closely, so stay tuned.

• Up next: The new Razr Ultra costs $200 more. Here’s what that gets you

Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.

• 🙌 Google is finally adding the best feature of YouTube Premium for all users worldwide

• 🔜 Picture-in-picture mode is being rolled out to all users in the coming months, even to those without a Premium subscription

• 🙏 It allows you to close the YouTube app, but still have a video playing in the background

• 👍 It’ll work for long-form, non-music content for all users, and also work on musical content for YouTube Premium subscribers

Google is adding the best feature of YouTube Premium for all users worldwide, including those without a Premium subscription, in a surprise move.

It’s the picture-in-picture mode that allows you to shrink a video down and watch it even when you’re outside of the app, which has been a longstanding Premium feature, and one of the best at that.

To activate it, you’ll need to swipe up or press on the home button to close YouTube, and a video should play in a miniplayer that you can move around the screen.

Google says that the feature will make its way to folks over the coming months, so it may take some time before it appears for you, but rest assured that you should get it, eventually.

For reference, picture-in-picture mode first became available on Android and iOS for YouTube Premium subscribers in 2018 and 2021, respectively, in the USA, before everyone got access to it.

On the feature’s support page, Team YouTube has said that there won’t be any changes for folks in the USA, but everyone else will get it for long-form, non-music content on Android and iOS.

If you are a YouTube Premium subscriber, then you get the added perk of picture-in-picture working on both music and non-music content. Neat.

Up next: Asus ROG Xbox Ally X update adds a long-awaited graphics mode

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

The Meta Horizon Plus free games for May 2026 include A Fisherman’s Tale 2 and Ancient Dungeon. They’re available to download from May 1 to May 31. New games will come to the service on the first of each month, so grab these titles before they’re gone. We’ll also list all the games in the Meta Horizon Plus Games Catalog that are free to subscribers.

Check back regularly as we’ll be rounding up all the upcoming games and those that previously came to the service.

Meta Horizon Plus free games May 2026

• A Fisherman’s Tale 2

• Ancient Dungeon

A Fisherman’s Tale 2

Explore mind bending VR puzzle mechanics and use your own body to detach and control your limbs, and find new attachments to progress. Enjoy a poetic story and more immersive locations in A Fisherman’s Tale 2.

Ancient Dungeon

Team up with up to four players in Ancient Dungeon and discover over 200+ unique power-ups, making each run different. Defeat randomly monsters and unlock permanent skills as you reach new milestones.

Meta Horizon Plus Games Catalog

On February 28, 2024, Meta announced it would add a Games Catalog for subscribers to enjoy as part of their Meta Horizon Plus subscription. The Games Catalog includes over 100 games that will be rotated to keep things fresh, but it adds much more value to the service.

Walmart: Meta Quest 3

Best Buy: Meta Quest 3

GameStop: Meta Quest 3

Amazon: Meta Quest 3

The current titles in the Meta Horizon Plus Games Catalog include:

• Alvo

• Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs

• Apex Construct

• Arcade Paradise VR

• Asgard’s Wrath 2

• Assassin’s Creed Nexus

• Bartender VR Simulator

• Battlenauts

• Blacktop Hoops

• Bocce TIme!

• Cactus Cowboy - Desert Warfare

• Chess Club

• Coffee Quest VR

• Cook-Out

• Crumbling

• Cubism

• Cybrix

• Darksword: Battle Eternity

• Deisim

• Demeo

• Discovery 2

• Disc Frenzy

• Drop Dead: The Cabin

• Dumb Ways Free For All

• Dungeons Of Eternity

• Eleven Table Tennis

• Elysium Trials

• Espire 1: VR Operative

• Final Fury

• Final Overs - VR Cricket

• Fruit Ninja 2

• Galaxy Kart

• Ghosts of Tabor

• Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game

• Gravity League: Galactic Football

• Green Hell VR

• Grimlord

• Guardians Frontline

• Human Fall Flat VR

• I Expect You To Die 3

• iB Cricket

• Iron Guard

• Laser Thief

• Lax VR

• Into Black

• Into the Radius

• In Death: Unchained

• Ironlights

• Job Simulator

• Killer Frequency

• Kingspray Graffiti

• Les Mills Bodycombat: Fitness Workouts

• Onward

• Operation Serpens

• Maestro

• Make It Stable

• Medieval Dynasty New Settlement

• Moss

• Motion Soccer Pro

• Mythic Realms

• Noun Town Language Learning

• Pets & Stuff

• Pistol Whip

• Pixel Ripped 1995

• Premium Bowling

• Project Demigod

• Puzzling Places

• Racket Club

• Red Matter

• Red Matter 2

• Retropolis 2: Never Say Goodbye

• Rogue Ascent VR

• Rogue Pinatas: VRmageddon

• Runner

• Shooty Fruity

• Space Elevator

• Starship Home

• Stupid Cars

• Squingle

• Sushi Ben

• Swarm

• Synth Riders

• Tactica

• Taiko Frenzy

• Tetris Effect: Connected

• The Climb 2

• The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets

• The Pirate Queen with Lucy Liu

• The Secret of Retropolis

• The Thrill of the Fight

• The Wizards

• Thief Simulator VR: Greenview Street

• Tiny Archers

• Titans Clinic

• Towers and Powers

• Townsmen VR

• Ultimate Swing Golf

• Underworld Overseer

• Vibe Punch

• Walkabout Mini Golf

• War of Wizards

• Windlands 2

• Zero Caliber: Reloaded

What is Meta Horizon Plus?

Previously called Meta Quest Plus, Meta Horizon Plus is a subscription service that gives you two free VR games every month. The service operates similarly to what we’ve come to expect from PlayStation Plus, meaning you can add games to your library over time and have access to them as long as you have a running subscription.

How much does Meta Horizon Plus cost?

Meta Horizon Plus costs $7.99 per month or $59.99 for the year. It’s worth opting for the annual subscription as you can save 37% compared to paying monthly.

Is Meta Horizon Plus good value?

On the face of it, yes. Like the PS Plus free games PlayStation gamers enjoy and Xbox Game Pass, the value proposition is very tempting but there are a couple of factors to consider. Some months may include games you’ve already bought, making your monthly spending seem like a waste. The cost of each game given away will also vary. However, it’s more than likely that more than $59.99 of VR games will be given away in the 12 months, so the value is certainly there.

Which platforms is Meta Horizon Plus available on?

You can sign up for Meta Horizon Plus and enjoy free games on the Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, Meta Quest 3S and the Meta Quest 3 headset. It’s only available on the Meta Quest Store, too.

Walmart: Meta Quest 3S

Best Buy: Meta Quest 3S

Amazon: Meta Quest 3S

Can I keep Meta Horizon Plus free games forever?

Yes, as long as you have an active Meta Horizon Plus subscription. If your membership expires, you’ll need to sign back up to play the games you currently downloaded. You’ll only be able to play the games you redeemed during your subscription as well, so don’t expect access to everything you may have missed.

What were the past Meta Horizon Plus free games?

If your subscription lapsed or you just want to get a good idea of the types of games that have come to Meta Horizon Plus before you subscribe, here’s a list of all the free Meta Horizon Plus games you may have missed.

Meta Horizon Plus free games list April 2026

• Vendetta Forever

• The House of Da Vinci VR

Meta Horizon Plus free games list March 2026

• Arizona Sunshine Remake

• The Pirate: Republic of Nassau

Meta Horizon Plus free games list February 2026

• Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss

• Clay Hunt VR

Meta Horizon Plus free games list January 2026

• Ultrawings 2

• Superhot VR

Meta Horizon Plus free games list December 2025

• Tactical Assault VR

• Smash Drums

Meta Horizon Plus free games list November 2025

• Moss: Book II

• UBOAT: The Silent Wolf

Meta Horizon Plus free games list October 2025

• Ghost Town

• Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice

Meta Horizon Plus free games list September 2025

• MLB Home Run Derby VR

• Hubris

Meta Horizon Plus free games list August 2025

• The Room VR: A Dark Matter

• Starship Troopers: Continuum

Meta Horizon Plus free games list July 2025

• Among Us 3D

• Block Buster

Meta Horizon Plus free games list June 2025

• Warplanes: Battle over Pacific

• Border Bots VR

Meta Horizon Plus free games list May 2025

• Pavlov Shack

• Kill It With Fire VR

Meta Horizon Plus free games list April 2025

• Breachers

• Thrasher

Meta Horizon Plus free games list March 2025

• The Light Brigade

• Golf+

Meta Horizon Plus free games list February 2025

• PowerWash Simulator VR

• Budget Cuts Ultimate

Meta Horizon Plus free games list January 2025

• Real VR Fishing

• Dragon Fist: VR Kung Fu

Meta Horizon Plus free games list December 2024

• Moss

• I Expect You To Die: The Spy and the Liar

Meta Horizon Plus free games list November 2024

• Warplanes: WW1 Fighters

• Spacefolk City

Meta Horizon Plus free games list October 2024

• Down the Rabbit Hole

• Zombieland: Headshot Fever

Meta Horizon Plus free games list September 2024

• Zero Caliber: Reloaded

• We Are One

Meta Horizon Plus free games list August 2024

• Myst

• Ragnarock

Meta Horizon Plus free games list July 2024

• The Last Clockwinder

• Creed: Rise to Glory - Championship Edition

Meta Horizon Plus free games list June 2024

• Stride

• Warhammer 40,000: Battle Sister

Meta Horizon Plus free games list May 2024

• Stones of Harlath

• Vacation Simulator

Meta Horizon Plus free games list April 2024

• Drop Dead: Dual Strike Edition

• Floor Plan 2

Meta Horizon Plus free games list March 2024

• Contractors

• Shadow Point

Meta Horizon Plus free games list February 2024

• I Expect You to Die

• DYSCHRONIA: Chronos Alternate

Meta Horizon Plus free games list January 2024

• Nock: Bow + Arrow Football

• Richie’s Plank Experience

Meta Horizon Plus free games list December 2023

• The Thrill of the Fight

• Swarm

Meta Horizon Plus free games list November 2023

• NFL Pro Era

• Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs

Meta Horizon Plus free games list September 2023

• Onward

• Little Cities

Meta Horizon Plus free games list September 2023

• Red Matter

• A Fisherman’s Tale

Meta Horizon Plus free games list August 2023

• Walkabout Mini Golf

• Mothergunship: Forge

Meta Horizon Plus free games list July 2023

• Pistol Whip

• Pixel Ripped 1995

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Last updated: May 1, 2026

Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🙌 Microsoft has added lots of new quality of life improvements for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X

• 👍 For instance, a new Auto Super Resolution feature has been added to improve docked gameplay – a featured that was teased when the console was announced

• 📺 There have also been new features, such as automatic controller recognition when the handheld is docked, and automatic implementation of TV game modes

• 👏 You can now also easily add different games and custom apps from different launchers into a redesigned Xbox app

Best Buy: Asus ROG Xbox Ally X - $999

Microsoft has made some large changes to its shiny Asus ROG Xbox Ally handhelds in a hefty update for the product, some six months after its launch.

In a new Xbox Wire post, Microsoft says the updates aim to bring “an improved experience, especially when your device is docked to external TVs and monitors”, and true to its word, there are plenty of optimizations when playing your ROG Xbox Ally on a big screen.

For instance, when docking the handheld, it’ll default to the TV display now, and if applicable, you’ll get the optimizations afforded with modern gaming TVs, such as Auto Low Latency Mode and similar game-mode enhancements alongside options such as HDR and VRR support if the handheld is used with compatible Asus docks.

In addition, Microsoft has added a feature that if you’ve got a controller paired to the Xbox Ally and you use the handheld docked, then the controller will act as the means of using the handheld. If you’ve got more than one paired, then this’ll work for multiplayer and co-op titles.

Microsoft had previously touted Auto Super Resolution would be coming to the ROG Xbox Ally X and has finally brought it in preview for Xbox Insiders. The idea is that when the console is docked, it’ll deliver “1440p-like detail alongside smooth framerates on larger screens”, and there is Game Bar integration to give players the choice of how it’s implemented in titles.

There have also been other incremental updates, such as expanding the support for super wideband audio to the Xbox Ally with compatible headsets that support Bluetooth LE audio, and enhanced rumble and haptics for more detailed feedback.

Up next: Xbox Mode is now available on Windows 11, giving you a more console-like experience

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🎮 Xbox Mode on Windows 11 provides a controller-optimized, console-like gaming experience

• 🙏 The mode features a streamlined interface for launching games from aggregated libraries (including Steam) and potentially frees up RAM

• 🤝 Microsoft’s next console, Project Helix, aims to integrate PC and console ecosystems, playing both Xbox and PC games

• 📆 Project Helix is expected to cost around $999.99 due to the memory crisis and is tipped for a 2027 or 2028 release

Microsoft is rolling out Xbox Mode on Windows 11 PCs today, bringing a console-like experience to those who prefer to play with a controller. Some players in select markets can access the new mode today, while others may have to wait a few more weeks.

Xbox Mode provides a streamlined interface that puts your library of games and recently played titles front and center. You can browse and launch games using a controller-optimized interface, jump back and forth between Xbox Mode and the Windows 11 desktop, and access an aggregated game library, including games installed on other storefronts like Steam.

While it’s not called out in Microsoft’s press release, Xbox Mode also shuts down some background processes to free up RAM and potentially improve overall performance.

Microsoft is all-in on integrating its PC and console ecosystems, with the next Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, capable of playing both Xbox and PC games. Like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, you’ll be able to play your favorite games from Steam, the Epic Games Store, and also enjoy your library of existing Xbox games you may have amassed over the years.

New Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma, recently said that the price of Xbox Project Helix will be affected by the ongoing memory crisis, with many predicting that Microsoft’s next console will cost around $999.99.

Project Helix is tipped to release either next year or in 2028, and Microsoft has been making some sweeping changes to the Xbox brand since Sharma’s appointment, many of which have long-been requested by fans.

Up next: Sony has addressed the PS5’s controversial Xbox One-like DRM feature

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🤔 Sony has clarified the allegations that it introduced an Xbox One-like DRM feature on the PS5 after recent criticism

• 🤷‍♂️ A spokesperson said that no further checks for a digital license were required after a one-time online check-in when the game is purchased

• ⏰ It had previously been feared that Sony was introducing 30-day check-ins for digital games as part of some strict DRM

• 🙏 This echoes the large backlash Microsoft faced with the Xbox One, which was originally going to ship with very strict DRM, before it reversed the decision

Sony has addressed the PS5’s potential Xbox One-like DRM feature, which appeared to have been added in a recent firmware update.

Many PlayStation fans feared that Sony had introduced a check-in after a March 2026 firmware update, which added a 30-day valid license timer for newly-purchased PS4 games, and affects PS5 titles, as per game preservation source ‘Does it play?’ on X.

After a lot of backlash from fans in the immediate aftermath, Sony has addressed concerns with a representative telling Game File that “players can continue to access and play their purchased games as usual” and that a “one-time online check is required after purchase to confirm the game’s license, after which no further check-ins are needed”.

The news about 30-day license check-ins alarmed game preservationists and PlayStation fans over concerns that digital games may become unplayable if a console is offline for more than the requisite time.

Players who tested the theory found that setting a PS5 or PS4 as the “primary” console for a game (which is a Sony-authorized way to establish whether someone has the necessary digital rights to play a game or not) didn’t override this 30-day limit. This, therefore, led folks to believe that monthly DRM check-ins could be the new normal for PlayStation users.

Sony has since confirmed that this isn’t the case, but hasn’t said why the new rule was introduced in the first place. Some fans, including a helpful commenter on my previous post, theorized that it was to prevent exploits of Sony’s 14-day window for digital game returns, whereby gamers could buy a game, then go offline, nab the licence ID, then go back online and ask for a refund, and then essentially get the game for free. Sony hasn’t confirmed or denied if this is the case, though.

It had been feared that Sony wouldn’t immediately respond to such criticisms so quickly, especially after it had taken them weeks to deal with a prior issue with the console.

Several years ago, there was a hardware issue with the console’s internal clock – if the PS5’s internal CR2032 battery failed, then it would kill the machine’s internal clock, rendering games unplayable. Sony did fix this through system updates, although it took them several weeks to even admit the issue and offer fixes. However, ‘Does it play?’ on X believes this new restriction basically brings this problem back.

It had been posited that a 30-day check-in would have operated in a similar manner to Microsoft’s original intentions for the Xbox One. Microsoft originally wanted to ship the console with strict DRM involving daily internet check-ins to determine the legitimacy of games, although after intense backlash, it backed down and reversed its decision.

Up next: GTA 6 price is still unknown, as publisher Take-Two dodges the question

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🤔 We still don’t know how much GTA 6 is going to cost after Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick dodged the question in a recent interview

• 💰 Instead, he said it was the responsibility of game developers to price games according to the value for money perceived by consumers

• 😬 Previous reports and store listings have indicated that the next GTA title could cost $100 in both the USA and an equivalent £90 in the UK

• 👀 The game launches in just over six months, and we still don’t have a third trailer, price, or pre-order information

GTA 6 launches in just over six months, and we still don’t know how much the game is going to cost.

In a recent interview at games conference Iicon, Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, GTA 6’s publisher, dodged the question directly about GTA 6’s price, although stated that developers need to charge a fair price for games based on the perceived value of what consumers are getting.

To be specific, he stated that “Consumers pay for the value that you bring to them, and our job is to charge way, way, way less of the value delivery”, and that buyers “need to feel like the thing itself is amazing and the price they were charged was fair for what they got”

He stated that, as a result of current inflation across the world economy, games have technically become cheaper, with most major releases selling between $60 and $70. He said that Take Two looks at “how do we deliver something amazing, and how do we make sure that what people pay for it feels very reasonable.”

With this in mind, we have seen retail prices rise for games against where they were several years ago, with even the likes of Nintendo charging $80 for Mario Kart World when the Switch 2 launched last year.

We haven’t gotten any real official word on how much GTA 6 is going to cost, nor when pre-orders are likely to be opened up, although a report last year suggested the game could retail for $100. This was also echoed recently by a UK placeholder listing that put the ‘standard edition’ at £89.99.

Regardless of when details about pre-orders and pricing are announced, GTA 6 is set for release on November 19, 2026, having been delayed twice previously, and it’s still shaping up to be the most hotly anticipated game of all time.

Up next: GTA 6 probably won’t look as good as the trailers, former dev admits

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 👗 A new “digital wardrobe” feature is being introduced to Google Photos to help organize clothing and simplify outfit choices

• 🤖 The feature uses AI to catalog clothes worn in photos, creating a digital closet accessible at any time

• 👖 Users can filter by category, mix and match items like tops and jewelry, and virtually try on outfits

• 🔜 This digital wardrobe is set to start rolling out this summer, first for Android devices, then for iOS

There’s nothing worse than not knowing what to wear, but soon, Google Photos will make organizing your wardrobe and choosing what to wear much easier.

A new Google Photos feature will let you catalog the clothes you’re wearing in photos and create a digital closet that lets you access your wardrobe at any time.

Using AI, Google Photos will let you filter by category, create outfits with ease, and try on looks virtually.

You can scroll through tops, bottoms, jewelry, and mix and match items of clothing to create outfits and even share them with friends to get a second opinion.

Once you’ve found what you’re looking for, you can see how the outfit will look on you before you get dressed, saving you time and any needless frustration.

The new Google Photos digital wardrobe feature will start rolling out this summer, first to Android and then to iOS.

Up next: Google TV’s next update adds AI generated video backgrounds

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

Three free PS Plus games – EA Sports FC 26, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Nine Sols – will be available to download for PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers from May 5. You can add these games to your library for free if you’re subscribed to Sony’s PS Plus Essential, PS Plus Premium, or PS Plus Extra service. Don’t forget to grab them before Monday, April 6; otherwise, you’ll miss out.

Don’t have PS Plus? Want to stop paying full price? Our PlayStation Plus discount code knocks off $10 versus what Sony charges.

PS Plus free games May 2026

• EA Sports FC 26 (PS5, PS4)

• Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (PS5)

• Nine Sols (PS5, PS4)

EA Sports FC 26

Choose between authentic and competitive gameplay prests, and put your dream squad to the test in EA Sports FC 26. Featuring 20,000+ players across 750+ clubs and national teams, in over 120+ stadiums and 35+ leagues. PlayStation Plus members will also receive a EA Sports FC 26 PlayStation Plus icons Pack as a special add-on entitlement.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

A soulslike action RPG, explore a vast, interconnected world and battle cruel and twisted enemies in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. Discover hidden weapons and ancient firearms, learn new skills by defeating foes, and embrace the power of Wuchang’s affliction called the Feathering.

Nine Sols

Nine Sols is a hand-drawn 2D action-platformer with Sekiro-inspired combat. Explore a land once ruled by an ancient alien race and slay the 9 Sols in this lore-rich title.

About downloading PS Plus free games

You can download all three PlayStation games – and if you run out of storage space on the internal SSD, check out The Shortcut’s expert PS5 SSD upgrade how-to guide and best SSD for PS5.

The free PS Plus games for April 2026 will no longer be available on May 5, 2026, (if you added them to your PlayStation games library before the cut-off date, you can continue to play them, don’t worry). Note: these PS Plus games don’t have to be downloaded; just add them to your PlayStation games library before they expire from the PlayStation Store.

The primary reason to get a PS Plus membership is online multiplayer, but these ‘free games’ have rounded out the value of Sony’s online service. It helps PlayStation Plus compete with Microsoft’s more robust offering (see our Xbox Game Pass Ultimate review and save $20 with our Xbox Game Pass discount code) which has become a Netflix-like on-demand gaming service. That’s why PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now have merged to form PlayStation Plus Premium, PlayStation Plus Extra, and PlayStation Plus Essential.

How to get the PS Plus free games

1. Get PlayStation Plus through this discount code to save $10 (you can’t stack multiple years anymore, but your pre-paid code won’t expire if you find the deal tempting. You’ll be able to turn off auto-renew and redeem it when it does expire

2. Go to the PlayStation Plus tab on the PlayStation Store on your console

3. Add each of the four games to your library (you don’t have to download them but you do need to add them to your library)

4. You can also download them by logging into the PlayStation Store through the web and adding them to your library that way (it will be faster for some people)

You’ll be able to add the PlayStation Plus free games for May to your library until June 1. On that date, new games will take over, and you’ll lose your chance to add these games to your PlayStation library. Adding the PS Plus games to your library doesn’t require downloading them and therefore doesn’t take up any hard drive or PS5 SSD storage space.

Why you shouldn’t wait on PS Plus free games

Should you buy PlayStation Plus today for these games? While online multiplayer is essential for some people, the free games for $79.99 a year MSRP (but $45 a year with a PlayStation Plus discount code) seems like good value if you play PS5 (if you don’t have a console yet, check out the Target PS5, and Amazon PS5 restock guides along with the Sony Direct queue guide). This is despite the fact you don’t know if the PS Plus free games will be any good month-to-month.

But here’s why you should get them right away: You won’t be able to add the April 2026 free PS Plus games to your library after May 4. My expert advice is that if you don’t have a PlayStation Plus membership, get it today or before the end of the month to claim all of the PlayStation games this month and the next, and for the following ten months.

Can I keep PS Plus free games forever?

As long as you’re subscribed to PlayStation Plus, you can continue playing any free games added to your library. If you cancel your PS Plus subscription, all the PS Plus free games and DLC become inaccessible.

• Check out our PlayStation Premium review 👈

There is a caveat: if you resubscribe to PlayStation Plus at any point, the free games added to your library will become playable again. So it’s worth getting PlayStation Plus if the free game is to your liking and start accumulating a nice collection.

What were the past PS Plus free games?

If you missed out on past PS Plus games, there’s no way to turn back the clock. However, I can tell you the game list for the titles you missed.

PS Plus free games list April 2026

• Lords of Fallen

• Tomb Raider I-III Remastered

• Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream

PS Plus free games list March 2026

• PGA Tour 2K25

• Slime Rancher 2

• Monster Hunter Rise

• The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road Collection

PS Plus free games list February 2026

• Undisputed

• Subnautica: Below Zero

• Ultros

• Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

PS Plus free games list January 2026

• Need for Speed Unbound

• Disney’s Epic Mickey: Rebrushed

• Core Keeper

PS Plus free games list December 2025

• LEGO Horizon Adventures (PS5)

• Killing Floor 3 (PS5)

• The Outlast Trials (PS4, PS5)

• Neon White (PS4, PS5)

• Synduality Echo of Ada (PS5)

PS Plus free games list November 2025

• Stray

• EA Sports WRC 25

• Totally Accurate Battle Simulator

PS Plus free games list October 2025

• Alan Wake 2

• Goat Simulator 3

• Cocoon

PS Plus free games list September 2025

• Psychonauts 2

• Stardew Valley

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PS Plus free games list August 2025

• Lies of P

• DayZ

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PS Plus free games list July 2025

• Diablo IV

• King of Fighters XV

• Jusant

PS Plus free games list June 2025

• NBA 2K25

• Alone in the Dark

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• Destiny 2: The Final Shape

PS Plus free games list May 2025

• Ark: Survival Ascended

• Balatro

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PS Plus free games list April 2025

• RoboCop: Rogue City

• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

• Digimon Story: Cybersleuth - Hacker’s Memory

PS Plus free games list March 2025

• Dragon Age: The Veilguard

• Sonic Colors Ultimate

• TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection

PS Plus free games list February 2025

• Payday 3

• High on Life

• Pac-Man World Re-Pac

PS Plus free games list January 2025

• Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered

• The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe

PS Plus free games list December 2024

• It Takes Two

• Aliens: Dark Descent

• TemTem

PS Plus free games list November 2024

• Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

• Ghostwire: Tokyo

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PS Plus free games list October 2024

• WWE 2K24

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PS Plus free games list September 2024

• Quidditch Champions

• MLB The Show 24

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PS Plus free games list August 2024

• LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

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• Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights

PS Plus free games list July 2024

• Borderlands 3

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PS Plus free games list June 2024

• SpongeBob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake

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PS Plus free games list May 2024

• EA Sports FC 24

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PS Plus free games list April 2024

• Immortals of Aveum

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• F1 23

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PS Plus free games list February 2024

• Foamstars

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PS Plus free games list January 2024

• A Plague Tale: Requiem

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PS Plus free games list December 2023

• LEGO 2K Drive

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PS Plus free games list November 2023

• Mafia 2: Definitive Edition

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PS Plus free games list October 2023

• The Callisto Protocol

• Weird West

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PS Plus free games list September 2023

• Saints Row

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PS Plus free games list August 2023

• PGA 2K23

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PS Plus free games list July 2023

• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

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PS Plus free games list June 2023

• NBA 2K23

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PS Plus free games list May 2023

• Grid Legends

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PS Plus free games list April 2023

• Meet Your Maker

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PS Plus free games list March 2023

• Battlefield 2042

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• OlliOlli World

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PS Plus free games list January 2023

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PS Plus free games list December 2022

• Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

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PS Plus free games list November 2022

• Nioh 2 / Nioh 2 Remastered

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PS Plus free games list October 2022

• Hot Wheels Unleashed

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PS Plus free games list September 2022

• Toem

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PS Plus free games list August 2022

• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

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PS Plus free games list July 2022

• Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

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PS Plus free games list June 2022

• God of War

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• FIFA 22

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PS Plus free games list April 2022

• Hood: Outlaws & Legends

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PS Plus free games list March 2022

• Ghostrunner (PS5)

• Sonic Team Racing

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PS Plus free games list February 2022

• UFC 4

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• Planet Rollercoaster (PS5)

PS Plus free games list January 2022

• Persona 5 Strikers

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PS Plus free games list December 2021

• Godfall: Challenger Edition

• Lego DC Super-Villains

• Mortal Shell

• PSVR games: The Persistence, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, Until You Fall

Are PSVR 2 games ever part of the PS Plus free games list?

Sony has released PSVR games as part of its PS Plus free games membership perk before, and thankfully it’s now added PSVR 2 games to the lineup. However, you’ll need to be a PS Plus Premium member to access these games. Sony may have been pushed by Meta to offer free PSVR 2 games, which launched its own subscription service called Meta Horizon Plus.

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Last updated: April 30, 2026

• 📱 Motorola just announced the new Razr Ultra

• 🎨 It’s a lot like last year’s model, but with a fresh coat of paint

• 📸 Its upgraded 50MP main camera is able to capture more dynamic range

• ⚙️ Moto also includes an upgraded chip, brighter 7-inch display, and plenty of AI tricks

• 🔋 There’s also a massive 5,000mAh battery – the biggest in any flip phone

• 💰 The price of the Razr Ultra is going up by $200

• 📅 It launches May 21, with preorders opening on May 14

Last year, I called the Motorola Razr Ultra the best flip phone you could buy. Even after toying around with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 that arrived soon after it, I still felt like Motorola had the superior flip phone. This year, Moto is widening the margin even more with the upgraded Razr Ultra for 2026.

I flew out to Los Angeles to check out the new device, which is getting a handful of upgrades in key areas like the camera, battery life, and performance. Motorola is also leaning more into fashion and aesthetics with the materials and colors it chose for the device, which all look very nice in person. Google is even debuting a new wardrobe feature in Google Photos on the Razr to help you look stylish every day of the week.

But here’s the kicker: the new Razr Ultra costs $200 more than the old version, which already cost more than Samsung’s Flip 7. I’ll have to wait to get my hands on my review unit to know whether that price increase is justified, but after going hands-on with it, there’s a good chance Motorola still has the best flip phone on the market. Here’s what’s new, what’s the same, and everything in between on this $1,499.99 flip phone.

Hands-on with the Moto Razr Ultra (2026)

✨ Aesthetics are hitting. Motorola made a huge deal about the entire Razr family being fashion-forward – a vibe, a moment, a statement. That messaging might not appeal to me, but it does to a lot of people, which inspired Moto to dig deeper and come up with some innovative looks for 2026. The Razr Ultra is offered in two finishes: PANTONE Orient Blue with an Alcantara textured back, and PANTONE Cocoa with a natural wood veneer finish. The former looks a bit more purple in-person than I was expecting, but it certainly caught the eye of many influencers at my demo. Meanwhile, the latter is a darker, richer variation of a similar wooden finish found on last year’s Razr Ultra. It wound up being my personal favorite of the two.

📱 The 7-inch display gets brighter. The Razr Ultra still has a huge 7-inch AMOLED display with a sharp resolution, inky black levels, and vivid colors. Motorola made one big upgrade to it for this new generation: it’s a lot brighter. It can now reach up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness, nearly double the brightness of last year’s 3,000-nit Razr Ultra. The display is still super responsive thanks to its 165Hz refresh rate, and there’s plenty of room for multitasking in split-screen. Plus, I love the aspect ratio; it’s a bit wider than the Z Flip 7 at 22:9, so you get extra room for watching horizontal videos and playing games.

📺 Razr Ultra’s cover screen remains supreme. It’s one of the biggest reasons I love how Motorola does flip phones, and on the new Razr Ultra, it’s as good as ever. The 4-inch AMOLED cover display is bright, responsive, and spacious enough so that you can do something quick without opening your phone. Need to fire off a text? You can. Wanna post quickly to X? You can. Need to kill time and play a game? You can. There are a bunch of widgets you can swipe through, too, for quick glances at the weather or your calendar. Samsung has caught up a bit with the Galaxy Z Flip, sure, but Moto still lets you run full-fledged apps on the Razr Ultra’s, which helps it stand out. It’s also stronger than ever thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3, which is 75% more protective against drops than what was on the previous Razr Ultra.

📸 Beefier cameras for better photos. There’s a new main camera on the front of the Razr Ultra. Motorola has upgraded the 50MP sensor so that it can take in 6x more dynamic range, which should help with capturing light and detail in every setting (especially at night, an area that the previous Razr Ultra struggled in). You also get a 50MP 122-degree ultra-wide/macro camera, a 50MP selfie camera, “true-to-life” color in each photo validated by Pantone, and Dolby Vision Capture support for better processing. I’ll be diving deep into how each sensor performs and whether colors are actually “true-to-life” when I start my review process.

🎥 New camera tricks for the perfect shot. Motorola introduces a couple of new camera features to complement the fresh hardware: Frame Match and Tilt Zoom. The former lets you frame a photo you want someone to take of you: first, line up the background the way you want, tap the shutter button, and an overlay will appear on the screen. Pass your phone off to someone else and they can easily position the camera the way you had it, helping you get the right shot every time. Meanwhile, Tilt Zoom works in camcorder mode by letting you tilt the phone left or right to zoom in and out, which means you never have to touch the screen to film a video and zoom in. While Tilt Zoom makes more sense on a phone like the Razr Ultra, I can see Frame Match getting copied by other manufacturers in the future - it seems way too obvious.

🤳 Versatile shooting modes. One thing about taking pictures and videos on the Razr Ultra is how versatile the shooting modes are. Bend the phone in half, and you’ll enter camcorder mode, making it easy to record video and control how it looks with one hand. It also makes it easy to take group photos in tripod mode, and your subject can see how they’re framed on the cover screen before the photo is taken. All of those features (and more) are arriving on the new Razr Ultra.

👗 A stylish Google Photos AI update. There’s also a new feature debuting first on the Razr Ultra: wardrobe. Over time, Photos will recognize the outfits and clothing you have and organize them all so you can get a bird’s eye view of what’s in your closet. You can then use AI to mix and match different outfits so you can see what goes with what. The feature will roll out first on Moto’s latest Razr phones before coming to other Android devices in the coming months.

🤖 Speaking of AI… Yeah, there’s still a whole bunch of AI on the Razr Ultra. From deep Gemini integration to Perplexity, Copilot, and more, there’s no lack of AI tools at your disposal on this device. There’s even a dedicated key to access it all, something Moto originally introduced last year. The company wasn’t as bombastic about AI as it was last year, but it did stress that all the same features are on board.

⚙️ A small performance bump. The new Razr Ultra uses a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the same one found in last year’s Ultra, but with better heat management and efficiency. What does that mean for you? The phone will run a tiny bit faster, which is fine given that the year-old Razr Ultra is still a very capable smartphone. However, it’s worth mentioning that Samsung is rumored to use the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the Galaxy Z Flip 8, which could lead to more impressive performance than what the Razr Ultra delivers. Regardless, the Razr Ultra is well-equipped to handle anything you throw at it today, thanks to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

🔋 The biggest battery in any flip phone. The upgrade I’m most excited about is the battery. Motorola has made an important switch from normal lithium-ion batteries to silicone-carbon batteries, which allow for higher capacities without increasing the physical size of the battery. For the Razr Ultra, that means Motorola was able to cram in a 5,000mAh battery, which is really impressive given the size of this phone. I still have to test it to see how long it’ll last, but since the Razr Ultra from last year could go a full day on a charge, I imagine the new version will have no problem delivering the same experience. Plus, you get 68W fast wired charging, 30W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

🧠 Heavy déjà vu. Every time I picked up the new Razr Ultra, it reminded me a lot of using the one from last year. Motorola didn’t make any flashy changes this year beyond the new colorways, which are very nice, but everything else sort of fades away. The battery’s bigger, there’s a new camera sensor, the screen’s a bit brighter, and the processor is a little faster. Is that enough to justify a $200 price increase? On paper, it might not seem like it, but we’ll need to wait and see how it plays out in the real world when we have our review samples.

Pricing and availability

Motorola says the new Razr Ultra will go up for preorder on May 14 at Best Buy, Amazon, and Motorola.com. It’ll launch a week later on May 21. As of now, it doesn’t sound like there will be any trade-in deals or other promotions at launch, nor will there be carrier availability, though the phone will work on any carrier in the United States.

More Moto Razr coverage

• Motorola Razr (2026) colors: see all 7 Pantone finishes

• Motorola Razr Fold officially launches May 21 for $1,900

• Moto Buds 2 Plus ANC wireless earbuds feature Dolby Atmos sound and 9-hour battery life

⬇️ 8 more stories on The Shortcut

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• ᖳᖰ The Moto Buds 2 Plus are Motorola’s latest wireless noise-canceling earbuds

• 🤹 More immersive streaming with Dolby Atmos spatial audio

• 🔋 Longer 9-hour battery life over the previous model’s 5-hour battery life

• 🔊 Sound by Bose technology supports Hi-Res Audio and LHDC

• 🤖 Moto AI Remember this feature can recall any specific details and information you tell it to record

• 📅 Available on April 30 for $149

Motorola’s new Moto Buds 2 Plus noise-canceling wireless earbuds have been seriously upgraded with Dolby Atmos sound and a much longer nine-hour battery life.

While Motorola conspicuously didn’t mention Dolby headtracking, the Moto Buds 2 Plus promise more immersive Dolby Atmos spatial sound. The only catch is that this feature only works while the Moto Buds 2 Plus are connected to a compatible Motorola device.

What’s even more impressive is that Motorola has greatly improved the five-hour battery life from the original Moto Buds+ to nine hours on the Moto Buds 2 Plus. That’s one hour longer than the battery life we’ve gotten even from the Sony WF-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Pro 3. With the battery case, the Moto Buds 2 Plus feature up to 40 hours of battery life.

The Moto Buds 2 Plus otherwise feature a new design with longer stems and a pop-top case more reminiscent of the AirPods Pro 3. Motorola teamed up with Bose for its sound technology to not only develop the Buds 2 Plus’ drivers but also its full Bluetooth suite, which includes support for Hi-Res Audio and LHDC (Low-Latency High-Definition Audio Codec). Like Dolby Atmos sound, these higher-end sound codecs only work with a compatible Motorola device.

The Moto Buds 2 also add dynamic noise-canceling that’ll automatically adapt the ANC level depending on whether you’re walking outside or just having coffee at a cafe. The actual ANC system still features the same hybrid setup with three microphones on each earbud.

Lastly, Motorola has injected the Buds 2 Plus with Moto AI, allowing users to tap on their earbuds to get a catch-up summary of their notifications and transcribe and summarize meetings. The most interesting feature, Remember This, allows users to have Moto AI commit specific details and information to memory, so they can recall them later.

The Moto Buds 2 Plus will be available on April 30 for $149.

• Up next: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 headphones and Pi8 earbuds come in new regal colors

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Kevin Lee is The Shortcut’s Creative Director. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam.

Motorola is making a big fashion statement with the new Razr lineup. The latest Razr Ultra, Razr Plus, and Razr all come in stylish finishes with unique textures and materials, helping each phone stand out effortlessly from the competiton. It’s the reason why Moto says it’s pulling in so many younger users and even managing to convert some iPhone users who want a phone that’s unique and more expressive.

For this generation, Moto is offering the Razr Ultra in two colorways, the Razr Plus in one stunning finish, and the regular Razr in four finishes. We got to go hands on with all of them to help you decide which is right for you, if you plan on picking one up.

Moto Razr Ultra (2026) colors

Pantone Orient Blue

Motorola’s flagship color for the Razr Ultra is Orient Blue, a very distinct royal blue that comes with an Alcantara-woven finish on the back. In person, the color looks almost purple due to the way the light hits the aluminum, but it’s certainly blue the moment you pick it up and glance at the fabric on the back. It’s a very bold colorway, one that certainly stands out in a crowd.

Pantone Cocoa

For those who want something a bit more toned-down but still eye-catching, the Razr Ultra also comes in Cocoa. It’s similar to the Mountain Trail finish that the previous Razr Ultra came in with its wooden veneer finish, except it’s much darker and richer. I like both finishes equally after holding them side-by-side, and compared to Orient Blue, it’s the one to get if you want something lowkey.

Moto Razr Plus (2026) colors

Pantone Mountain View

This is my favorite finish that Motorola has ever released. It’s the only color that the Razr Plus comes in, and that’s fine by me. A rich, deep, earthy green is met by a woven-inspired jacquard finish on the backplate for a subtle-yet-unique uniform. It’s hard to ace a shade of green on a piece of technology (believe me, I’ve seen a lot), but Motorola somehow pulled it off here.

Moto Razr (2026) colors

Pantone Hematite

Hematite is the closest you’ll come to something “dull” or “neutral” in the Razr lineup this year, yet it refuses to be either of those things. On the Razr, it has a darker shade of silver than we’re used to seeing on most phones. It almost reminds of the Natural Titanium color of the iPhone 15 Pro, except made of woven fabric instead of raw materials. It’s a good-looking finish, one that feels unique and yet familiar at the same time.

Pantone Violet Ice

For fans of pink tech and strawberry ice cream, this is the finish for you. Violet Ice leans into faux leather for its appearance and feel, with a rippled texture that looks like untouched hand-dipped ice cream. The gentle pink hues compliment the color-matched aluminum well, and the aesthetic is one that’s dying to be featured in your next TikTok.

Pantone Sporting Green

This flashy, race track-ready finish will resonate well with any fan of sports or bright hues. Sporting Green looks like it’s glowing in the dimmest of settings, thanks to its faux leather back that’s color-matched perfectly to the aluminum for a vibrant, eye-catching aesthetic. The green itself isn’t offensive or too aggressive; instead, it looks like it just needs the right outfit to pair with. I like it a lot, although I’m a real stickler for the earthier tones that Mountain View affords me.

Pantone Bright White in Acetate

Nine out of 10 dentists recommend Bright White in Acetate. The first thing I thought of when I saw this Razr finish was toothpaste, if only for the fragmented white and silver reflections scattered across the back. It’s a very bold color and a unique way to do a traditionally-boring white phone. If you want a color that feels fresh and new but classic at the same time, this is the one for you.

Which Motorola Razr color are you choosing?

With seven very unique finishes available, there’s a Razr aesthetic for just about everyone. Let us know in the comments which color you plan to pick up.

• Up next: After a year, the ReMarkable Paper Pro is a (slightly) better value

Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.

• 📱 Motorola will officially launch the Razr Fold on May 21

• 💰 It’ll retail for $1,899.99, $100 less than the Galaxy Z Fold 7

• 📸 Moto says the phone has the best camera on a foldable phone

• ✌️ It’ll ship in two colors: Pantone Blackened Blue and Pantone Lily White

Motorola has confirmed that the Razr Fold, the company’s very first book-style foldable smartphone, will launch in late May. After unveiling the device earlier this year at CES, the latest competitor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will finally hit store shelves on May 21. The price? $1,899.99.

That’s a lot of money, but it does align with what the rest of the industry is up to. It’s the same price as the Pixel 10 Pro Fold from Google, and it’s $100 less than the Z Fold 7 from Samsung. While it doesn’t matter now, it’s also worth mentioning that this is hundreds of dollars less than what we expect the iPhone Fold to be priced at when it goes on sale later this year.

The Razr Fold is also well-equipped to put up a fight against other foldables on the market. It comes with a 6.6-inch outer display with an 8.1-inch 2K foldable screen, both of which are compatible with Motorola’s Moto Pen Pro, a $99 stylus that could be the missing link Galaxy Fold users are looking for.

Under the hood, you’ll find the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. There’s also a huge 6,000mAh battery (bigger than both the Z Fold 7 and PIxel 10 Pro Fold) with 80W fast charging and 50W wireless charging.

Where Motorola is drawing the most focus is the camera department. its 50MP Sony LYTIA 828 main camera is said to be among the best in the industry, paired with a 50MP periscope telephoto camera and a 50MP ultra-wide. Motorola says it’s ranked #1 according to DXOMARK, who has been ranking phone cameras for years. We’ll be paying close attention to how well these sensors perform when we get our hands on the device.

The Razr Fold will be sold in Pantone Blackened Blue and Pantone Lily White. Preorders open up on May 14. The phone will be available unlocked through retailers like Best Buy and Motorola.com, and eventually, it’ll come to T-Mobile, Verizon, and Xfinity Mobile.

• Up next: Logitech G G512 X review: a magical, modular gaming keyboard that’s accessible to all

Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.

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Best Buy: RIG R8 Pro HS

The Nacon RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS is a great option for those looking for a gaming headset that includes every feature you’d want, and costs less than $200. However, you’ll want to try our best Nacon RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS EQ settings to improve the headset’s stock audio quality.

Out of the box, the Nacon RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS is tuned for first-person shooters. And while that’s fine for picking out audio cues like footsteps and reload sounds, it isn’t the best for more immersive games or general media consumption. Our EQ aims to address this imbalance and also helps make the headset a little louder.

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• 🔊 Edifier M60 best EQ settings: these desktop speakers pack a punch with the right equalizer

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Don’t forget to check out our Nacon RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS review for more information about the headset.

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• 📺Google TV’s next update is coming this summer

• 📼 Create animated TV backgrounds with Veo AI video generation

• 🖼️ Veo can also add motion to still photos, turning them into short namited videos

• 🍌 Nano Banana lets you change photo backgrounds, add outfits, and other AI image edition options

• 🌅 Google Photo Remix comes to TVs to apply watercolor, oil painting, and other styles to photos

• 🤳 YouTube Shorts get homepage placement on the Google TV homepage

Displaying still artwork on your TV is so 2025, Google TV’s next update rolling out this summer lets you tap into the Veo AI video generator to create animated backgrounds for your TV.

Just like using Sora, Midjourney, or any AI video generator, you simply tell Veo a brief description of what you want to create like a cat on a skateboard. Unfortunately, a cat on the skateboard is the only example we’ve seen from Google.

So far all the Veo videos we’ve seen from Google have all the hallmarks of an AI generated video like fuzzy textures and frame-by-frame distortion. Hopefully, real life results will look better while we test new Google TVs including TCL’s 2026 line of SQD-Mini LED TVs including the TCL QM8L and TCL X11L.

Alternatively, users can use Veo to add motion to their collection of still photos, turning them into short animated home videos. The new Google TV update also can transform still photos using Nano Banana to add silly outfits or change the background to outer space. You can also use Google Photos Remix to give your still images a different artistic look like watercolor or oil painting.

Google is also making finding your images from your Google Photo library easier with Gemini. You can simply ask Google AI assistant to find a septic moment like a recent vacation or birthday and Google TV will display a browsable page of results. You can also turn any Google Photos albums into a dynamic slideshow to turn your TV into giant photo frame.

Lastly, Google TV is putting YouTube Shorts on its homepage in a new “Short videos for you” row if you want ready access to social media videos on your TV.

• Up next: Amazon Ember Artline TV hands-on review: come for 2,000+ art pieces, stay for Alexa+

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Kevin Lee is The Shortcut’s Creative Director. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam.

• 😬 Sony may have added similar DRM checks to the PS5 in a recent update to the ones that almost killed the Xbox One

• 👀 As part of a new March 2026 firmware update, Sony has allegedly added a background check for newly purchased games to check if the copy being booted is legitimate

• 🤔 Sony hasn’t acknowledged the issue yet, but has a previous history with game-breaking console issues, such as the issue with the internal CR2032 battery killing the console’s internal clock, which stopped games from running

• 😐 It also echoes the large backlash Microsoft faced with the Xbox One, which was originally going to ship with very strict DRM, before it reversed the decision

Sony may have just added similar DRM checks to the PS5, similar to the ones that almost killed the Xbox One over a decade ago.

That’s according to the discovery of a new online check-in from game preservation sources ‘Does it play?’ on X, which states tha, as a result of some new March 2026 firmware, “newly-purchased PS4 games now show a 30-day valid licence timer”. Strangely, this also affects PS5 titles, although it “only shows an error when starting a game”.

The suggestion is that Sony has added a background check for newly purchased games (from March 2026 onwards) to detect whether folks are booting a legitimate copy of a game, with a 30-day grace period should your console be offline.

In response, PS5 users have posted evidence of chat conversations with official PlayStation customer support about the issue, although to no avail, as the agents they spoke with didn’t seem to be fully briefed on the situation.

Fans have also compared this current DRM issue to a prior issue with the PS5 that left some games unable to function if the console’s internal CR2032 coin cell battery failed, which killed the machine’s internal clock. After quite the uproar, Sony eventually rolled out system updates to fix it.

It also echoes similar issues that occurred with the Xbox One launch over a decade ago, where Microsoft faced a monumental backlash against its initial idea to ship the console with strict DRM, with daily internet check-ins to check the legitimacy of games. Eventually, it reversed its decision.

Sony has also allegedly refused to acknowledge the current issue, according to some fans, which ‘Does it play?’ responded to, noting that Sony denied the existence of the CR2032 issue publicly, only to fix it a couple of weeks later. Let’s hope it’s a little more forthcoming on this latest potential problem.

Up next: Xbox Project Helix price will be affected by the memory crisis, new CEO admits

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 😬 New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has admitted that the upcoming Project Helix’s price will be affected by the ongoing memory crisis

• 📈 In a new interview, Sharma has stated that memory costs will impact both “pricing” and “availability” of the console

• 🤷‍♂️ She also refused to give a proper launch timeline for the device, given that “the world’s pretty dynamic”

• 💰 The ongoing memory crisis has severely affected the likes of Valve and Sony in recent months, with availability concerns of new hardware and price rises

New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has admitted that the price of Microsoft’s upcoming Project Helix, the codename for the next Xbox console, will be affected by the ongoing memory crisis.

In an interview with Stephen Totilo’s Game File (as spotted by Game Developer), Sharma was asked if memory shortages would impact the “timeline” of the next-gen hybrid console.

In response, she stated that memory costs will affect both “pricing” and “availability” of the console, and denied sharing a launch timeline for the device, given that “the world’s pretty dynamic.”

This news comes after an open letter from Sharma and Xbox’s EVP Matt Booty noted that one of the gaming division’s key goals is to “deliver Project Helix to lead in performance and play your console and PC games” as it mulls over how to revive Xbox’s fortunes with the potential return of exclusive games and more besides.

The memory crisis has already heavily affected the hardware industry, not only raising component prices for SSDs, RAM and GPUs, but having the knock-on effect of messing around with everyone from Valve to Sony.

For instance, it’s pretty well documented that it has played havoc with the Steam Machine’s price, plus Valve’s refusal to commit to a release date for both the Steam Machine and Steam Frame beyond the vague “2026” window.

Likewise, on the console side, Sony has cited “continued pressures in the global economic landscape” for its recent hefty PS5 price rise that saw the PS5 Pro rise to $900, and the PS5 Standard and Digital models rise to $650 and $600, respectively.

As well as affecting pricing, Sharma also stated that the memory crisis will affect the availability of Project Helix, which is why Microsoft hasn’t committed to a hard and fast release date or even a window just yet.

The hybrid console is currently tipped to release in either 2027 or 2028, by which time the memory crisis could leave hardware in an entirely different place, although we’ll have to wait and see as to how all of this affects Xbox’s grand hardware plan.

Up next: Steam Controller review roundup: ‘a massive improvement over the flawed original’

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• ⚰️ Brazilian manufacturer Bignotto released a promotional video showcasing a range of Nintendo-themed coffins for characters including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Princess Peach

• 🥚 The coffins feature each character’s colors and recognizable logos, such as Mario’s “M” hat or Yoshi’s egg

• 😅 The red coffin design can be easily switched between Mario and Toad, and the green one between Luigi and Yoshi, by simply changing the featured logo

• 👀 Nintendo’s lawyers are likely reviewing the footage, as the company is notoriously protective of its IP

Here’s something you don’t see every day: Nintendo-themed coffins. A Brazilian manufacturer has shared a promotional video that shows off its range of coffins, which include Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Princess Peach-style designs.

As you can see in the videos, the coffins come adorned in the colors of each classic Nintendo character, and even feature a prominent, recognizable logo such as an M hat for Mario and an egg for Yoshi.

Cleverly, the red coffin can work for either Mario or Toad by simply switching the logo, and the same trick works for the green one, which can be used for either Luigi or Yoshi.

Brazilian urn and coffin manufacturer Bignotto has a bit of a reputation for creating flamboyant resting places. The company has made Barbie and Fairly OddParents coffins in the past, as seen on its Instagram page, but these Nintendo-themed coffins are on another level.

Obviously, Nintendo’s lawyers are probably reviewing the footage of these coffins as we speak, as the company is notoriously protective of its IP. It probably didn’t help that Bignotto shared the video with some remixed Super Mario Bros. music.

Would you like to be buried in one of these Super Mario-style coffins? Actually, don’t answer that.

Up next: dbrand’s Joy-Lock Controller Holder for Switch 2 provides a new ergonomic option for players

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• Nvidia introduces a new 12GB RTX 5070 Laptop GPU

• 50% more video memory than the original 8GB RTX 5070 introduced last year

• Upgraded 12GB RTX 5070 should perform closer to the higher-tier RTX 5070 Ti

• Nvidia tapped into a new denser memory supply to avoid RAM shortages

• Gaming laptops with the new 12GB RTX 5070 start arriving June 2026

Nvidia slipped in a surprise 12GB RTX 5070 laptop GPU announcement in between its GeForce Drivers update today.

This new 12GB Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU adds 4 more gigabytes of video memory over the existing 8GB model, which has been available since last year. More video memory on any GPU is always a good thing, and this should also allow the new 12GB Nvidia RTX 5070 to punch up closer to the graphics performance of the higher-end 12GB RTX 5070 Ti laptop GPU.

Nvidia hasn’t released any other specs, but this new RTX 5070 should feature the same 4,608 CUDA cores and 128-bit memory interface.

A GPU maker adding a higher video memory option in the middle of RAMageddon might seem impossible, but Nvidia has stated its dipped into a new memory architecture to make this possible. The 12GB RTX 5070 comes with denser 24 GB G7 memory modules featuring 3GB chips. All of Nvidia’s previous 16Gb G7 modules featured only 2GB chips packed into 16Gb G7 memory modules.

By using this new memory supply, Nvidia has effectively side-stepped the memory shortage hitting the market now. This should (hopefully) lead to better, low-priced gaming laptop options – but that remains to be seen until new laptops with this higher-memory GPU start arriving this June.

• Up next: As MacBook Neo demand soars, Apple faces ‘massive dilemma’ with its inventory

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Kevin Lee is The Shortcut’s Creative Director. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam.

• 🆕 dbrand has launched the Joy-Lock Controller Holder for Switch 2

• 🎮 It provides an ergonomic option for using Joy-Con 2 controllers when the console is docked or in tabletop mode

• 🤝 The holder has an adjustable, lockable hinge and a magnetic attachment, and works with the Killswitch 2 grips

• 💰 The Joy-Lock Controller Holder costs $19.95

dbrand: Joy-Lock Controller Holder

If you love the Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 controllers but also want to use them when the console is docked or in tabletop mode, dbrand has released a new accessory that works in tandem with its Killswitch for Switch 2 grips.

The Joy-Lock Controller Holder has an adjustable hinge that lets you find the most comfortable angle, and features a magnetic attachment, like the Switch 2 itself, so it clicks on and off with ease. You don’t need to remove the Killswitch 2 grips either, which is a nice touch.

Thanks to the sturdy ratchet mechanism, you can lock in your preferred position, and at $19.95, it’s significantly cheaper than the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which costs $89.99.

Those who have already ordered a Killswitch 2 for Switch 2 case can save $5 on the Joy-Lock Controller.

Alongside the Joy-Lock Controller, dbrand is also releasing some new retro-color matched skins, which cost $14.95. I must say, they look rather fetching.

dbrand recently relaunched its infamous Touch Grass skin, which also included a new Blue Sky skin design.

Up next: Steam Deck 2 release date isn’t close, though Valve says it’s ‘hard at work’ on the next handheld

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.