Potentially the first of its kind for any mirrorless camera system
Sigma rumored to be working on a 200mm f/1.8 telephoto prime
Full-frame lens could debut in L-mount and Sony E mount
First of its kind for any mirrorless camera system
Back in 1988, Canon introduced the EF 200mm f/1.8L USM – the world’s fastest 200mm telephoto lens. Made for Canon’s EF-mount DSLR cameras, it was discontinued in 2004. Nothing since then has come close to its unique combination of reach and speed. That might be about to change: according to online rumors, Sigma is working on a spiritual successor for the mirrorless era.
L-rumors, a source for L-mount camera system news, recently ran a story claiming that Sigma is developing a world-first 200mm f/1.8 L-mount lens for Sony E and L-mount (Leica, Sigma and Panasonic) full-frame cameras. It points out that the optical design for such a lens was patented by Sigma back in 2020. Sony Alpha Rumors carried the same story.
Neither site provides any concrete information on performance, pricing or release date, speculating only that the lens will form part of Sigma’s Sports series. Whatever the specifics, the lens – if real – would be unique among modern mirrorless glass.
No other optic offers the same pairing of prime telephoto reach and a fast f/1.8 maximum aperture. It’s a recipe that promises sharp stills with beautiful background blur, giving it appeal for sports, portrait and landscape photographers alike.Who would a 200mm f/1.8 lens be good for?
A 200mm telephoto prime might sound like a niche lens, but it’s one that has a lot to offer for sports and wildlife photographers. It gives a useful degree of magnification, bringing distant subjects significantly closer, but not so close that you can’t readily pan to follow the action from the sidelines.
It’s also a flattering focal length for portrait photography, creating an attractive compression effect where the background appears larger. That same effect gives it appeal for landscape photographers who want to create compositions which contrast specific details of foreground and background.
Prime optics famously offer faster maximum apertures than zoom lenses. This allows photographers to shoot at faster shutter speeds in low-light conditions. It also comes with the promise of soft bokeh and background blur. Both of those benefits will be maximized at an aperture of f/1.8.
As above, rumors suggest that the Sigma 200mm f/1.8 will be part of Sigma’s Sports line. That makes a lot of sense: at that aperture, sports photographers would be able to work at faster shutter speeds to freeze action indoors or under floodlights. Similarly, both wildlife and landscape photographers would be able to make use of all available light, even when shooting in dim settings.
Portrait photographers would naturally benefit, too. The lens promises to isolate subjects sharply against wonderfully defocused backgrounds. The Sigma 200mm f/1.8 would deliver the shallowest depth of field possible at that focal length for a modern mirrorless camera. That makes it a pretty compelling, if inevitably pricey and physically weighty, proposition.

Xcellent AR smart specs
Xreal One: One-Minute Review
I’ve tested my fair share of AR smart glasses in the past few years, and the Xreal One glasses might be the best smart glasses I’ve tried.
Xreal’s expertise shines through with these specs, which not only boast an impressive full-HD 120Hz OLED image with vivid colors, impressive contrast, and a 600-nit brightness, but also solid audio courtesy of Bose.
Headphones will still deliver better audio, but these smart glasses don’t feel incomplete without a pair of cans – something I can’t say of their rivals.
Though if you’re picking up the Xreal One you’ll probably also want to grab Xreal’s Beam Pro – a smartphone-like companion device that adds features like easy spatial photo capture without an iPhone 15 Pro, and two USB-C ports.
The Beam Pro starts at $199 / £189 for a model with 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM, and while it’s not technically required it compliments the Xreal One so well that it feels like you’re missing out without it.
You can also connect the glasses to a suite of compatible USB-C devices instead like most smartphones, laptops, and game consoles (though for the latter you might need an add-on HDMI adapter). It’s perfect for watching your favorite show or playing a game on a giant virtual display, or for working privately on sensitive work documents in the office, or while you’re traveling, as only you can see your screen.
At $499 / £449 the Xreal One are approaching the pricier end of the scale, but with solid specs these glasses justify their cos, and are worth picking up if you want premium performance.Xreal One: Price and availability
The Xreal One is available to buy in the UK and US from Xreal.com for $499 / £449.
This puts it at the mid-range price for AR glasses – it’s more expensive than older and more budget-friendly options like the Xreal Air 2 and RayNeo Air 3S, but less expensive than high-end standalone AR glasses like the Xreal Air 2 Ultra, and the upgraded (and soon to release) Xreal One Pro.
Value: 3.5/5Xreal One: Design
Wired USB-C connection
82g, comfy for long stretches
Electrochromic dimming shades
The Xreal One doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to Xreal’s AR glasses design. That is, at a glance it looks like a pair of sunglasses – albeit with a thick frame and large displays situated behind the lenses.
Just as on other wired AR specs the USB-C cable feeds into a port at the end of the left arm, and can be connected to a suite of USB-C devices that support DisplayPort – or to other devices with the right cables and accessories like an HDMI-to-USB-C cable.
Meanwhile the right arm features all of the buttons. On the bottom of the arm you’ll find a Red button which when pressed switches between Anchor mode and Follow mode (which anchors the screen in space or has it follow you as you move your head), and a brightness bar – you make the screen brighter, or change the electrochromic dimming intensity between three levels.
On top you’ll find a small black ‘Quick button’ for toggling between your display and dimming settings and transparency mode – which takes away your screen and resets the lenses to clear, so you can see what’s going on around you.
There are no volume controls on the specs, so you’ll need to rely on your device’s audio controls.
During my tests I only really used them on max brightness with the dimming turned up to full, as this created the best viewing conditions, though the transparency mode toggle came in handy a few times, and when using the Xreal Ones in a dark environment it was handy to turn the brightness down a tad so there wasn’t as much glare.
To find the best fit for you there are three arm angles so you can tilt the screen, and three nose pad options, so you can have the glasses sit correctly on your face. In my testing, after adjusting the specs I was able to comfortably wear the glasses, which weigh just 84g, for hours at a time with no trouble.
The Xreal One glasses also come with a cleaning cloth and a hard carry case so you can keep them clean and easily transport them and their cable.
Design score: 5/5Xreal One: Performance
Impressive Bose audio
Full-HD, 120Hz image at 600-nit brightness
Pairs with a plethora of USB-C devices
Instead of beginning with the visual quality of the Xreal One (which is great by the way – more on that in a moment) I want to start this section by praising their audio. Normally, smart glasses audio is bordering on bad – the small open-air speakers produce a hollow sound that’s passable for watching films, but a pair of headphones often feel like a necessity rather than an optional add-on. Thanks to Bose engineered sound that’s not the case with the Xreal One specs – the audio performance is one of their best features.
They’re not perfect for music, but compared to the Xreal Air 2 there’s a stark improvement. This makes the immersive movie and TV show watching experience significantly better without requiring any headphones, meaning the specs feel like a more complete package out of the box. What’s more they seem to be less leaky than on previous models – audio can still be heard by people sitting close by, but it’s a lot better.
Now for the visuals. The Xreal One specs boast a 1080p image produced by Sony Micro-OLED displays that boast a peak 600nits perceived brightness, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 50-degree field of view.
The end result is an image that looks really good. Yes it’s only Full HD quality but the colors are beautiful, and the excellent contrast is super-handy when you’re trying to follow the action in dark scenes (though you’ll need the brightness set to max).
I’ve been using the smart specs to stream Daredevil: Born Again (it’s superb by the way), Invincible season 3 (also great), and play games using my PC and PS5 by connecting them to the specs via HDMI adapters.
The high refresh rate and low lag help to ensure that games look smooth, and it was a blast to watch the action unfold on a giant 147-inch virtual screen.
While using them with my PC I also gave the specs a whirl for working. Having your documents laid out on a larger monitor was certainly handy, but one big advantage I found was these specs are excellent for working privately, especially while traveling. I could be writing up an embargoed story on a train or flight, and because only I can see my virtual laptop screen I don’t have to worry about people looking over my shoulder and seeing any information they aren’t meant to.
I just wish the Nebula app for Mac wasn’t still in beta, and that the also in-beta Windows app was easier to find (I had to go through Reddit rather than Xreal’s own website).
While you can use the Xreal One glasses with a plethora of USB-C devices, by far your best bet is the Xreal Beam Pro. It’s a smartphone-like add-on that’s built by Xreal to be the perfect companion to its glasses, and the company has thoroughly succeeded in that regard. If your budget can stretch to purchasing the Xreal One and a Beam pro in a bundle, do it.
Performance score: 4.5/5Should you buy the Xreal One glasses?Buy it if…
You want top-end AR entertainment
These are the best AR glasses of this kind we’ve tested, thanks to their impressive sound and image quality.
You want privacy
These specs allow you and only you to see what’s on your phone or laptop screen with the right display settings, which makes them ideal for things like working on sensitive documents on your commute.
You don’t have headphones
These smart specs feature some of the best audio I’ve heard during my testing of different brands. Headphones are still better than the glasses audio-wise, but they don’t feel like a must-have with the Xreal One, as they do with other smart glasses.Don’t buy it if…
You aren’t getting the Xreal Beam Pro
Xreal’s glasses shine when paired with its Beam Pro add-on. You don’t technically need it, but it makes the specs feel like a complete package, which makes it feel more like a necessity.
You don’t have a big budget
The Xreal One are great but also pricey. There are solid and cheaper alternatives out there that you could look at instead.
You want 4K
No smart glasses yet boast 4K, so if that’s a resolution milestone you’re waiting for you’ll need to wait a little longer.Also consider
Xreal Air 2
If you want to stick with Xreal, the Xreal Air 2 or its electrochromic dimming-enhanced Xreal Air 2 Pro are both solid options that cost a little less – though expect a slightly less good image and noticeable inferior audio.
Read our Xreal Air 2 review
Meta Quest 3
While not a direct competitor to Xreal’s glasses, the Quest 3 is an XR product that you should consider if you want to experience what VR and MR have to offer – it’s simply superb.
Read our Meta Quest 3 reviewHow I tested the Xreal One glasses
I spent a few weeks testing the Xreal One specs for different use cases – gaming, entertainment, and productivity. I mostly used them at home on my couch, in bed, or at my desk, but I also made sure to take them with me on a couple of flights I took, and also used them during my commute a few times to get a sense of their capabilities in different environments.
I hooked them up to my PC, PS5 and smartphone (a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6), but my main connected device of choice was the Xreal Beam Pro. It’s the ideal companion for Xreal’s AR smart glasses, and worth picking up if you’re buying the Xreal One.
how we test.
First reviewed March 2025

Ajinomoto makes ABF, a key insulating material used in CPUs and GPUs
Ajinomoto is best known for MSG but it also makes semiconductor material
It dominates production of the ABF insulating film used in GPUs and CPUs
The company plans 50 percent capacity boost with more investment by 2030
Ajinomoto is a Japanese company best known for producing MSG, or monosodium glutamate – the ubiquitous flavor enhancer commonly used in food, especially in Asian cuisine.
As one of the world’s largest MSG manufacturers, the company is often closely associated with the ingredient – the name “Ajinomoto” actually translates to “essence of taste” in Japanese.
Right about now, you’re probably wondering why this is on TechRadar Pro, right? Well, it’s because Ajinomoto is set to massively expand its investment in the semiconductor sector.Increasing ABF production by 50%
A report from Nikkei Asia claims the Japanese food and biotech company plans to boost production of Ajinomoto Build-up Film (ABF), a key insulating material used in the packaging of advanced CPUs and GPUs, where it helps ensure thermal stability and electrical insulation.
First developed using the company’s expertise in amino acid chemistry (you can read the whole history here), ABF is now essential for high-performance semiconductor substrates and Ajinomoto holds over 95% market share in its category.
Nikkei Asia says Ajinomoto has already spent 25 billion yen over the past two years to expand production at its facilities in Gunma, northwest of Tokyo, and in Kawasaki, but it is now looking to increase ABF production capacity by 50%.
“We will invest the same amount or more by 2030 as demand increases”, President Shigeo Nakamura, who took on the role in February 2025, said in an interview with Nikkei Asia.
“We are also exploring establishing new bases”, he added, although this expansion is expected to remain within Japan.
Ajinomoto’s ramping up of ABF isn’t a surprise, given that Nakamura previously worked in research and played a key role in the development of the company’s electronics materials division.
“We expect sales of electronics materials, mainly ABF, to grow at an annual rate of more than 10% through 2030”, Nakamura told the news site.
“We will continue to meet needs by evolving ABF to a more highly functional form that supports high-performance semiconductors in the long term.”

Also, Amazon has started an invite system for those looking to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2. We don’t see this often, but all current iPhone models, save.
We don’t see this often, but all current iPhone models, save for the new 16e, are up to €190 off at Amazon (it varies by model and by storage capacity).
This means that the vanilla iPhone 16 starts at €800 for a 128GB unit, while the iPhone 16 Plus is €75 more. We have detailed comparisons to help you pick the right model: iPhone 16 vs. 15, iPhone 16 Plus vs. 15 Plus, iPhone 16 vs. 16 Plus and iPhone 16 vs. 16 Pro.
Then there are the two Pro models, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Naturally, we have relevant comparison articles for those too: iPhone 16 Pro vs. 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro vs. 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. 15 Pro Max. The two 15 Pro models are no longer available (aside from, maybe, leftover stock in some stores), but it’s a good reference for those looking to upgrade.
The Apple iPhone 16e only has small discounts, but that’s not surprising given how new it is and Apple’s general aversion to discounts. Here is how it compares to the iPhone 16.
Above, we compared the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus to the 15 and 15 Plus, but the older models are only around €60 less than the new models, so they are not worth it.
Motorola unveiled the first of its next generation of Edge phones, the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion. Sporting a quad-curved OLED display on the front (6.67”, 1220p+, LTPO 120Hz, 10-bit, GG 7i) and a vegan leather or textile-like back with Pantone colors this phone looks more stylish than its price tag may suggest.
Despite its quad-curved LTPO display, this is a mid-ranger with a Dimensity 7300 chipset and 5,200mAh battery (68W charging). It has expandable storage and stereo speakers, but no 3.5mm headphone jack. The cameras feature a 50MP main (1/1.56”, OIS) and a 13MP ultra-wide on the back, plus a 32MP selfie camera (with 4K 30fps video recording available on the front and back).
Nintendo revealed specs for the long-awaited Switch 2 handheld console. It’s bigger than its predecessor with a 7.9” LCD – a 1080p HDR10 panel with 120Hz refresh rate and VRR – and features a new Nvidia chipset with DLSS and ray tracing support. While it’s mainly a portable console, the upgraded chip promises 4K @ 120fps gaming in docked mode.
The Nintendo Switch 2 will be available later this year, but you may want to reserve one early – Amazon UK has an invitation system with the note that this is a “high-demand item with limited quantities”.