Month: February 2022

Sony’s next State of Play hasn’t been announced yet, but we’re surely overdue for an update.

The next Sony State of Play hasn’t been announced yet. We actually just had one in February, but given that we still don’t have many PS5 games filling out the rest of the year, it’s possible we won’t be waiting long for another.

Since the series began in 2019, Sony has used State of Play to reveal The Last of Us 2 release date, debut gameplay footage for Ghost of Tsushima, and more. So, it’s always worth tuning in to the State of Play live streams if you want to be alerted to any big announcements for PS5 games and PSVR 2.

The last State of Play aired in February 23, 2023. It focused on revealing new PSVR 2 games, as well as new looks at Resident Evil 4 Remake and Street Fighter 6. Looking ahead, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 would be the next game to be showcased, and given that it’s due this year, there could be a showing in the next few months.

For now, here’s when the next Sony State of Play could happen, and what we’d like to see announced.

When is the next Sony State of Play?

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Girts Ragelis)

At the moment, we don’t have a date for the next State of Play. The last one took place in February 2023, so it’s likely we’ll be waiting a few months before the next one.

We’ve had nothing official from Sony just yet, and we’ve not seen any credible rumors or reports since then. However, we’ll keep this updated once we do.

What can we expect from the next Sony State of Play?

(Image credit: Sony)

Sony hasn’t told us a date for the next State of Play, never mind what announcements it will include. That said, we can try to take a guess at what might be covered. Given the last State of Play focused on upcoming third-party and PSVR 2 titles, we like to think that the next State of Play will focus on upcoming first-party titles.

Right now, it’s not especially clear what’s coming next beyond PSVR 2 games, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Marvel’s Wolverine aside.

Whether or not that would mean a dedicated State of Play or something that’s part of a wider slate of announcements, we don’t know. We can’t be certain about anything until Sony makes some official announcements, there isn’t usually a consistent pattern.

What was revealed at the last Sony State of Play?

The last State of Play was on February 23, 2023 and it was mostly dedicated to third-party and PSVR 2 announcements. 

Across the stream, we finally got new trailers for Resident Evil 4 Remake, as well as Street Fighter 6.

As far as the PSVR 2 is concerned, we got multiple new reveals for the new VR headset. Weird puzzle game Humanity was shown off, and even released a demo shortly after the presentation.

Missed the action live? We’ve embedded the showcase video above so you can catch up on everything you missed. 

New PS5 games: upcoming PlayStation 5 game release dates

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These are the best cheap gaming chair deals that keep you comfy for extended periods while you play.

Buying a gaming chair can be expensive, which is why we’ve brought you all the best cheap gaming chair deals right now. Some of these can still rival the very best gaming chairs while costing less than the $500 / £500 price you often see for those premium options.

Right here, we’ve looked at seats that combine support, comfort, and gaming aesthetics for less. Some of the best office chairs may offer similar features but the racerback design draws many towards the bucket style of a gaming chair instead. 

Below, we’ve included gaming chairs that mostly retail for less than $300 / £300 / AU$500. That’s a chunky sum but it’s a good figure to aim for when considering a long-term investment in a quality but more affordable gaming chair.

There are many gaming chair sales throughout the year that bring prices down even further, so there’s always a bargain to be found if you look in the right place. Once your chair is sorted, this may also be a good time to invest in a cheap gaming desk and cheap gaming monitor so you get the ultimate setup.

Best cheap gaming chair deals – Quick Links

GTPlayer Gaming Chair: was $189.99 now $99.99 at AmazonGTRacing Gaming Chair: was $149.99 now $129.99 at AmazonDowinx Gaming Chair: was $179.99 now $108.99 at AmazonSecretlab: Up to $100 off Secretlab Titan Evo gaming chairsAndaSeat Phantom 3: was $399.99 now $249.99 at AndaSeat

The best cheap gaming chair deals

The best cheap gaming chair deals

Cheap gaming chair deals: FAQs

Got anything else you want to know about before buying a cheap gaming chair? We’ve answered the most common questions here, including where to find the best gaming chair sales, whether a gaming chair is a worthwhile investment and what makes them so expensive in the first place.

Where to find more cheap gaming chair sales

If you’re after more cheap gaming chair sales, there are a number of retailers you should be keeping a close eye on. 

US:

Amazon: best for budget brandsNewegg: massive range of cheaper chairs from a range of brandsBest Buy: stocks Arozzi, Razer and AKRacing chairs with regular discountsStaples: smaller range but budget pricesSecretLab: regular discounts on top of the range chairs

UK:

Amazon: massive range of cheaper brands availableArgos: stocks X Rocker and own brand gaming chairs at great pricesSecretLab: regular discounts on high end gaming chairsCurrys: Corsair, ADX, Noble Chairs, Arozzi and more availableVery: Save on Brazen and X Rocker chairs

Are cheap gaming chairs worth it?

Cheap gaming chairs can provide the gamer aesthetic that many have fallen in love with since the DXRacer first brought the bucket into fashion. As you move up the price bracket, though, you can end up paying more for the brand emblazoned on the head cushion than the comfort you receive. You can find perfectly ergonomic chairs with plenty of adjustment options and deep cushioning for between $100 and $300 (£100 and £300), however some options just over this price bracket do still hold value in additional cooling options and high quality, breathable fabrics. 

All in all, then, cheap gaming chairs are absolutely worth it if you’re looking for a more comfortable chair with the classic racer style. If, however, you’re all about the ergonomics and don’t care too much about the appearance you might find a better price on some of the best office chairs. 

Why are gaming chairs sometimes so expensive?

In the era of Twitch branding, even gaming chair sales can’t disguise the fact that many seats are horribly overpriced. Usually, these chairs come from the bigger gaming brands who have moved for a push towards streaming advertisement through a logo stitched onto a headrest. That means gaming chairs can be expensive when a brand has taken on a life of its own through social media. In most cases, it will be easy to spot these chairs with a quick look at adjustment options, comfort levels, and cushioning support though.

Need more gaming goodies? We’ve got you covered. For a new screen, you can browse through the latest cheap gaming monitors. You can also complete your setup with a cheap gaming keyboard, cheap gaming mouse and cheap gaming headset or find somewhere to assemble everything with one of these cheap gaming desks.

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Here’s everything we know about Foundation season 2 on Apple TV Plus.

Foundation season 2 is edging closer towards its release. Apple’s hit sci-fi series will return to our screens in a few months’ time, and the next installment in the live-action adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s works is set to be bigger and bolder than its predecessor.

Before Foundation’s second season makes landfall on Apple TV Plus, you’ll want to catch up on what’s worth knowing about it. Below, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about one of the best Apple TV Plus shows‘ return. From its release window and its cast, to plot details and the series’ future, we’ve got all angles covered.

Full spoilers follow for Foundation season 1. Potential spoilers for Asmiov’s novels and Foundation season 2 are also discussed.

Foundation season 2 release date: what we know

The Vault will feature in Foundation season 2. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Foundation season 2 doesn’t have an official release date. However, it’ll debut in mid-2023 – Apple confirming as much at in the first Foundation season 2 trailer.

Before then, the show’s last big update came in February 2022, with Apple unveiling a first-look image of Lee Pace’s Brother Day verbally clashing with Jared Harris’ Hari Seldon. Well, the AI construct of Seldon’s consciousness, anyway, what with Seldon dying in the show’s second episode.

Hari Seldon and Brother Day will lock horns again in Foundation season 2. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus/Skydance Television)

Foundation season 2 trailer

Foundation season 2’s first teaser dropped on January 4. The two-minute long trailer didn’t give much away, but there’s enough we can glean from it.

For one, it’ll be set against the backdrop of the second Seldon Crisis. Viewers will remember that the first of these crises formed the backbone of Foundation season 1, so we can expect more high stakes, sci-fi action to play out in the series’ sophomore year.

Elsewhere, it doesn’t seem like Gaal and Salvor – who met for the first time in the Foundation episode 10 – will stick together, with the pair shown becoming embroiled in different storylines. This teaser is just that, though – i.e. a teaser. It only contains a minute’s worth of season 2 footage, which isn’t enough to confirm whether Gaal and Salvor team up or whether their long-overdue reunion is as brief as it’s implied.

Regardless, Foundation season 2 looks as epic, dramatic, and suspenseful as its predecessor. Color us excited.

Foundation season 2 plot

Salvor Hardin and Gaal Dornick met for the first time in Foundation’s season 1 finale. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Full spoilers follow for Foundation season 1.

Fans of Isaac Asimov’s novel series may think they know where Foundation season 2’s story will go, but the source material can’t be relied upon. The show’s creators used the books as a basis for Foundation’s TV adaptation but, by the end of season 1, the show had diverged from the story in the novels.

Still, there are plenty of unresolved plot threads and new material to explore. Based on comments made by the cast and crew, we have a few pointers about how they might be concluded and/or examined in greater detail.

Showrunner David S Goyer told Collider that answers to some of season 1’s open-ended questions will be resolved in future seasons, saying: “If there’s a question that we haven’t answered, there’s a reason why we haven’t answered it. It’s not because we forgot about it. It’s ‘watch this space.'”

Goyer has been open about how certain season 1 events may impact its successor, too.

One of the biggest moments was the revelation that Brothers Dawn, Day, and Dusk – portrayed by Cassian Bilton, Lee Pace, and Terrence Mann – are not identical clones of Cleon I. After Eto Demerzel (Laura Birn) killed Dawn’s current incarnation due to genetic differences that made him an impure clone, it’s revealed all of Cleon’s clones are genetically unique. An anti-Empire resistance group, which included Dawn’s ex-lover Azura, had tampered with the DNA of Cleon I’s host body decades earlier, meaning none of the Empire’s current rulers are identical clones of Cleon I.

Speaking to Newsweek, Goyer teased what this shock reveal may mean for this triumvirate in Foundation season 2.

“Part of the fun of the show moving forward [is] we’ll be seeing how different the various Cleons are,” Goyer said. “It’s part of the jazz that we’re playing with Terrence, Cassian, and Lee because, even though they’re the same actors, some of the characters are going to be very different. One of the things that’s exciting about this monkey wrench, that’s thrown into the Genetic Empire, is what does that do when you introduce chaos into that system?”

For Pace, the Great Spiral pilgrimage Day undertook in episode 8 foreshadowed the season 1 finale’s big reveal. Speaking to The Wrap, Pace said: “He [Day] looks at his brothers and especially his younger brother [Dawn], who is now shown to be different in all of these ways, and is basically screaming ‘Me too’. I feel the same way you feel. I know we are living under this fantasy that we are all the same man, and I know better now. I can’t un-see what I’ve seen. I can’t forget. I can’t believe that I am Cleon. I have to now believe that I am this person after what I’ve experienced. I think it forever changes the culture inside the dynasty.”

The other major plot point from the season 1 finale confirmed a series-long fan theory: Salvor Hardin (Leah Harvey) is the daughter of Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell). Season 1’s final scene is reserved for their overdue meeting – albeit 138 years into the future. Gaal froze her embryo in episode 2 and that fertilized egg went on to become Salvor, who lives on Terminus over a century later. The only reason Gaal and Salvor eventually meet is because of the show’s time travel elements, as well as Gaal occasionally entering cryostasis for decades at a time.

While Goyer was coy about whether the duo’s relationship will potentially grow – the season 2 teaser suggests their meeting with be fleeting – he provided some context about how Gaal may react to Salvor’s declaration. And, given their respective time travel adventures, how Gaal is strangely younger than her daughter when they’re reunited.

“The story of Gaal and Salvor… I would say the closest analogy would be if someone gave up a child at birth and didn’t even know what happened to them,” Goyer told Newsweek. “And then one day that adult child knocks on their door and says, ‘Hey, mom’. What’s a little different is that, at least biologically, Salvor’s a few years older than Gaal, which is one of the fun things that you can only do in science fiction. I think Salvor’s about 26 or 27 years old, and Gaal is only about 23 years old, 22 years old.”

Hari Seldon’s digitial construct will return in Foundation season 2. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Hardin additionally told TVLine: “These two characters are complete strangers and we’ll get to dive into how they navigate this new relationship, as well as the world around them bringing new challenges [in season 2]. They both have traveled years into the future, and for all they know, everything they knew has been left behind. They, potentially, only have each other left. It’s a profound emotion to contemplate, but it is something that requires time to process. Whether or not they have the luxury of time is another question entirely.”

What about the Second Foundation, which fans of Asimov’s book series already know about? As Hari Seldon teased in season 1’s final episode, he set up two Foundations at opposite ends of the galaxy – one which the Empire knows about and one it doesn’t. Season 2, then, should take us to this Second Foundation, which is teased in the first trailer.

“It’s definitely something we’re going to explore,” Goyer told Newsweek. “I didn’t bring it up just to not mention it again. One of the other things about the Second Foundation in the books is that the Second Foundation also largely develops off-screen, at least in the original trilogy. It appears almost as a deus ex machina. And I thought, for viewers of the show, that wouldn’t be playing fair, that we had to see the Second Foundation develop.”

As the trailer reveals, the second Seldon Crisis will form a large part of the second season. The alliance that eventually formed between Terminus, Thespis, and Anacreon in season 1 allowed the trio of outer-rim planets to navigate the First Crisis. But, as Hari’s AI construct told their populations in episode 10, more challenges will be on the way. The books give some indication about what the second crisis is, but it’s unclear if Goyer and company will use it ad verbatim or make some creative alterations.

Foundation season 2 cast

Brother Dusk and Brother Dawn may be at odds again in Foundation season 2. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Here’s who’s returning for Foundation season 2:

Jared Harris as Hari Seldon
Lee Pace as Brother Day
Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick
Leah Harvey as Salvor Hardin
Laura Birn as Eto Demerzel
Terrence Mann as Brother Dusk
Cassian Bilton as Brother Dawn

Season 2 will introduce new characters, too. In October 2021, Goyer confirmed more live-action incarnations of characters from Asimov’s novels will show up.

“With season two, our audience will get to visit more of Asimov’s indelible characters and worlds, including Hober Mallow, General Bel Riose, and all the Outer Suns,” Goyer explained. “We’re playing the long game with Foundation and I’m grateful to my partners at Apple and Skydance for entrusting me with this epic. Buckle up. We’re about to fold some serious space.”

In a separate announcement, Apple confirmed the identities of 10 new individuals, including those mentioned by Goyer, and actors who will portray them:

Isabella Laughland (Harry Potter) as Brother Constant, a cheerfully confident claric whose job is to evangelize the Church of the Galactic Spirit across the Outer Reach
Kulvinder Ghir (Goodness Gracious Me) as Poly Verisof, High Claric of the Church of the Galactic Spirit. Whip-smart and sardonic, he’s also a terrible drunk – intelligent enough to see the path he’s on, but too cynical to change
Sandra Yi Sencindiver (The Wheel of Time) as Enjoiner Rue, the beautiful, politically savvy consigliere to Queen Sareth. A former courtesan to Cleon the 16th, Rue parlayed her status to become a royal counsellor
Ella-Rae Smith (Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw) as Queen Sareth of Cloud Dominion. Used to being underestimated, Sareth employs it to her advantage, charming her way into the Imperial Palace with biting wit, all while on a secret quest for revenge
Dimitri Leonidas (Centurion) as Hober Mallow, a master trader with a sarcastic personality and questionable morals, who is summoned against his will to serve a higher, selfless cause
Ben Daniels (Jupiter’s Legacy) as Bel Riose, the last great general of the Superliminal Fleet and would-be conqueror of the Foundation. Bel is noble to a fault, but his fealty to the Galactic Empire is waning
Holt McCallany (Mindhunter) as Warden Jaegger Fount, the current Warden of Terminus and guardian of its citizens against external threats
Mikael Persbrandt (Sex Education) as The Warlord of Kalgan, a monster of a man, coiled with muscle and possessing powerful psychic abilities, and fueled by hate in his quest to take over the galaxy
Rachel House (Cowboy Bebop) as Tellem Bond, mysterious leader of the Mentallics
Nimrat Kaur (Homeland) as Yanna Seldon

Interestingly, Poly Verisof, The Warlord of Kalgan, Bel Riose, and Hober Mallow are the only four characters who appear in the books. The other six, Yanna Seldon included, are entirely new creations for Foundation season 2.

Will Foundation return after its second season?

Gaal Dornick will play a significant role in Foundation season 2. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Apple has only renewed Foundation for another season, but we’d be shocked if more aren’t forthcoming. Speaking to Lovin Malta in January 2021, Goyer revealed his ambitions to tell Foundation’s vast and epic tale – which spans one thousand years of fictional human history – across 80 episodes.

Goyer also confirmed (via Collider) that he initially pitched an 80-episode story to Apple before they greenlit the show’s first run of episodes. And, if Foundation runs for eight seasons, Goyer already has the show’s ending in mind.

If each season comprises 10 episodes, Foundation might run for eight seasons. However, its continual renewal will depend on whether audiences continue to tune in. Apple is notoriously guarded about releasing viewing figures for its in-house movies and TV shows – so much so that no data for Foundations season 1’s episodes, or any of its movies and TV shows, is publicly available.

So Foundation season 2 is coming, but its future is unknown past that point. Its first season found its feet with each episode and, providing its successor can improve on the series’ first outing, it should be renewed by Apple during (or after) Foundation season 2’s release. If it fails to attract viewers, though, Foundation may not survive past its second season.

For more Apple TV Plus content, read our guide on all things Ted Lasso season 3. Alternatively, check out our Apple TV Plus review, everything we know about Severance season 2, or get the lowdown on the best Apple TV Plus movies.

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Here’s everything you need to know about Loki season 2 on Disney Plus.

It doesn’t look like Loki season 2 will debut on Disney Plus in mid-2023 after all. The wildly popular Marvel TV series was set to arrive in the next few months but, based on reports that Marvel has tweaked its 2023 release schedule, it’ll launch later than expected.

That said, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) show could be with us in Q3 2023 instead, according to one of its stars. There’s plenty more in the way of recent news and rumors about the forthcoming Disney Plus series, too, for you to catch up on. Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up everything worth knowing about Loki’s second season in this guide. Below, you’ll find more details on its cast, story, how it’ll impact the MCU moving forward, and more.

Major spoilers follow for Loki season 1 and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Potential spoilers also follow for this Marvel Phase 5 TV show.

Loki season 2 release date

When is Loki season 2 going to be released? (Image credit: Disney Plus/Marvel Studios)

Loki season 2 doesn’t have an official release date. It was set to arrive by mid-2023 but, in a recent update on the Disney Plus Originals website, it’s now listed as “coming soon”.

That was all we knew about the show’s next entry until March 24, anyway. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Owen Wilson, who plays TVA Agent Mobius, suggested it could launch in August or September. Here’s hoping he’s right.

Eric Martin – who helped to pen half of Loki season 1’s episodes – serves as season 2’s showrunner, while Moon Knight directing duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead helm the show. Season 1 head writer Michael Waldron has returned as an executive producer, while composer Natalie Holt is also back to create another hauntingly beautiful score.

Loki season 2 trailer

Waiting for a Loki season 2 trailer like… (Image credit: Disney Plus/Marvel Studios)

There’s no trailer yet, but Loki season 2’s first footage debuted during Marvel’s D23 Expo 2022 panel.

The sizzle reel begins with Hiddleston’s Loki greeting someone but he begins to glitch out in the same way that characters in Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse do.

Next, Loki chisels away at a TVA wall to unearth a massive, bronze face of Kang the Conqueror (or one of his variants) before we cut to Loki meeting Ke Huy Quan’s unnamed TVA employee. A quick shot of Sylvie listening to music is then shown, before Loki and Mobius – dressed in tuxedos – are seen attending a black tie event alongside numerous Loki variants. Before we get an explanation about why so many have *ahem* assembled, the teaser ends with Loki falling through a TVA building.

Loki season 2 cast

Loki and Mobius will reunite in Loki season 2. (Image credit: Marvel/Disney)

Major spoilers follow for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Here’s Loki season 2’s cast list so far:

Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Owen Wilson as Agent Mobius
Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ravonna Renslayer
Jonathan Majors as Victor Timely
Eugene Cordero as Casey
Tara Strong as Miss Minutes
Ke Quy Huan as TBC
Rafael Casal as TBC
Kate Dickie as TBC

Tom Hiddleston, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Owen Wilson, and Sophia di Martino are all back. Ke Huy Quan (Indiana Jones, Everything Everywhere All at Once) and Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones) have joined the cast, and we’ll discuss what their roles could be in a moment.

Eugene Cordero’s scene-stealing TVA employee Casey returns and has been bumped to a series regular. Tara Strong, who voiced Miss Minutes in season 1, has also confirmed she’ll be back (via PopVerse). Based on season 1’s ending, Wunmi Mosaku should also return as Hunter B-15, with Loki running into an alternate reality version of her character (along with Mobius) at a different Time Variance Authority (TVA).

Potential spoilers for Loki season 2’s cast follow.

Per Deadline, Rafael Casel’s unnamed character will have a major role to play. MCU insider DanielRPK (via MCU News) suggests Casal is portraying a rogue TVA agent, who escapes into the 1970s and becomes a movie star. 

Online speculation also points at Dickie being Loki season 2’s primary antagonist, who could have something to do with Casel’s villainous TVA employee. Industry leaker MyTimeToShineHello suggests Dickie will play an “evil general” whose army of TVA agents destroy any new timelines in the wake of He Who Remains’ death in season 1. Lastly, MyTimeToShineHello also claims Ke Huy Quan’s character will be called Ouroboros, who is the main tech guy at the TVA.

Jonathan Majors, who played Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man 3, will also appear – but not as the time-traveling warlord.

In Quantumania, Kang was seemingly killed by Ant-Man and the Wasp, with the villain being sucked into the multiversal power core of his Time Chair. Unless Kang pulls a Darren Cross/Yellowjacket move and returns (either as himself or another villain, like Cross’ MODOK), we shouldn’t expect to see him again.

So, who will Majors play in Loki season 2? One of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania‘s post-credits scenes confirms he’ll play another Kang variant called Victor Timely, an early 20th century inventor and industrialist. In the comics, Victor Timely travels to 1901 to found the town of Timely in Wisconsin and turns it into a technology-rich city. We suspect this will form the basis of Loki’s second season, with Victor acting as an antagonist (major or secondary) to Loki and Mobius, who time portal to the town to track this variant down.

Why do we say Victor Timely might not be the show’s next major villain? Based on Quantumania‘s other post-credits scene – the Council of Kangs one – we could see multiple iterations from this Kang gang turn up, including Immortus, Rama-Tut, and Scarlet Centurion. Maybe season 2 will feature multiple Kangs, then, which will give Loki and company some serious headaches. According to The Cosmic Circus, we’ll see more of Majors’ Kang variants than we should expect, so we could be right on the money with our theory.

Editor’s note: the last four paragraphs in this section were written before Jonathan Majors was arrested over domestic abuse allegations on March 25. It’s unclear how this will impact his MCU future and acting career in general. We’ll update this section with more news when we have it.

Loki season 2 plot

Loki and Sylvie should team up again in Loki season 2. (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)

Unsurprisingly, plot details are scarce. However, the cast has teased some elements of Loki season 2’s plot and themes.

Per Entertainment Weekly (EW), Tom Hiddleston says it’ll focus on “the battle for the soul of the TVA”, adding that it’ll pose the questions “Who am I?” and “Where am I?”. That “soul of the TVA” aspect takes on greater significance now with the Council of Kangs being introduced, and the potentially ensuing battle between them, Loki’s rebel crew, and Kate Dickie and Rafael Casal’s antagonistic characters.

We might find out more about the inner workings of the TVA, too, with Hiddleston telling Marvel.com that the “moral complexity” of the TVA is a fascinating subject. It was only touched upon in season 1, so we could get a better look at how it functions, its values, and the moral compass of its work force. 

In a chat with Entertainment Tonight, Mbatha-Raw also said: “[In season 2] selfishly, Renslayer makes it out of the TVA, which I’m really excited about. Fans are in for a real treat because the show is bolder and more surreal. And, in many ways, goes to some bigger, bolder places than season 1.”

It seems Loki season 2 will examine the character’s emotional side in greater detail, with executive producer Michael Waldron telling Deadline’s Hero Nation podcast: “It felt like we had new emotional ground to cover with Loki. That’s the only way into season 2. We absolutely found that. It’s a great continuation of that story that feels different from season one and hopefully will subvert expectations.”

Don’t expect any plot leaks from Owen Wilson this time around, though (he has seemingly leaked season 2’s release month, however!). Speaking to Variety, Wilson confirmed he’d had his knuckles rapped by Marvel for revealing his character had a moustache before season 1 arrived, which led fans to work out that he was playing Agent Mobius.

Potential spoilers for Loki season 2 follow.

Jonathan Majors is expected to appear in Loki’s second season. (Image credit: Disney Plus/Marvel Studios)

It appears one episode will be set in the 1970s, with Loki and Agent Mobius dressed in tuxedos in the teaser shown at D23 Expo 2022. Elsewhere, leaked photographs show a McDonald’s restaurant will be a key location (per TikTok user Joel Sutton).

Plot wise, one of Loki season 2’s early storylines should deal with Loki turning up at a different TVA. 

In the season 1 finale, Loki found himself in a TVA that he recognizes, but none of its employees (including Mobius) know who he is. Clearly, He Who Remains’ death – at Sylvie’s hands – causes the Marvel multiverse’s various timelines to start intersecting – events known as Incursions, as explained further in Doctor Strange 2 – which are already causing havoc across the MCU.

It seems, then, that Loki will tell Mobius and company about Kang (and his variants) and ask for their help to stop them. As Ant-Man 3’s second post-credits stinger shows, at least Mobius agrees to aid Loki. We don’t expect them to be completely successful, however, with the Council of Kangs installed as the main antagonist of the Multiverse Saga (i.e. MCU Phases 4, 5, and 6).

Loki and Sylvie have a lot to work out, relationship wise. (Image credit: © Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.)

Elsewhere, industry insider DanielRPK (via the Marvel CineVerse Twitter account) suggests a new temporal concept called the Time Loom will play an integral role in explaining the TVA’s formation and how it exists outside of time and space. Could this tie into Victor Timely’s role in the show?

As for He Who Remains, will he reappear? Seeing as he was killed by Sylvie in season 1’s finale, no – but we’ll definitely see other Kangs, including Victor Timely. Based on the Council of Kangs post-credits scene in Ant-Man 3, a few other big Kang variants might show up in Loki season 2, such as Mr Gryphon (owner of Qeng Enterprises, whose headquarters showed up as an Easter egg in Loki episode 5).

Speaking of Kang, Renslayer has a close relationship with the time-traveling evil genius in Marvel comics. But, chatting to Digital Spy, Mbatha-Raw admitted she wasn’t sure about the direction of Renslayer’s character arc, saying: “Honestly, I genuinely don’t know where it’s going. I feel like there’s so much potential, especially when you’re dealing with time, as Renslayer does, you know?”

As for Sylvie, what role will she play in the show’s next outing? We’re unsure, but leaked images suggest she’ll be working at the McDonald’s restaurant we mentioned earlier, which is where Loki and Mobius track her down to. Are they trying to recruit her or are they simply looking for some vital information on how to find Victor Timely? We’ll find out soon.

Finally, could Mobius’ wish about owning a jet-ski come true in Loki season 2? A leaked image (per Reddit) shows filming taking place at an undisclosed location adorned with jet-ski advertising. Here’s hoping Mobius gets to ‘jet’ off into the sunset this time. You know, if season 2 is the show’s final installment.

Loki season 2: how will it impact the MCU?

Loki’s TV show has a lot to answer for in the MCU. (Image credit: Marvel/Disney)

Marvel fans already know how important Loki season 1 has been for The Multiverse Saga. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige doubled down on that in September 2022, saying Loki’s second season connects all three phases together (per Marvel.com), so it’s possible a third season could be greenlit for Marvel Phase 6.

Regardless of whether that’s in the offing, the impact of Loki and Sylvie’s actions is already being felt. Spider-Man: No Way Home was affected by multiversal events, while Doctor Strange 2 examined the multiverse in greater detail. The first season of What If…? was also loosely connected to Loki’s first season, based on its exploration of alternate versions of MCU characters and the dimensions they inhabit. Lastly, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania finally introduced Kang the Conqueror and set up the events of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which should arrive in 2025.

As for upcoming MCU projects, Loki season 2 could tie into the Fantastic Four’s MCU debut. Comic fans will know that Kang is linked to Doctor Doom, the infamous Fantastic Four villain. So it’s plausible that they could battle Doctor Doom and a Kang variant in their first MCU adventure, which launches in November 2024.

Loki featured in an episode of Marvel’s What If…? animated anthology series. (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney)

Armor Wars, which will star Don Cheadle as War Machine/James Rhodes, might link to Kang if Marvel decides to bring Iron Lad (another Kang variant) into the equation. In the comics, Iron Lad is the pseudonym of Nathaniel Richards, the descendant of Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards, who winds up becoming Kang Prime, aka the first iteration of Kang the Conqueror and his many variants.

Additionally, Armor Wars will follow on from Secret Invasion, another Marvel TV show launching in 2023, so Loki season 2 could also affect the Nick Fury-led series. Multiple Marvel leakers claim Loki season 2 could even impact Deadpool 3, with the multiverse offering a potential route into the MCU for the Merc With a Mouth and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.

X-Men 97, a long overdue sequel to the beloved 1990s-era animated series, could have ties to the MCU’s multiverse as well. If Deadpool 3 isn’t a route into the MCU for everyone’s favorite mutants, maybe this show will usher them in through a multiveral portal like those seen in Loki’s TV show. It seems, then, that Loki season 2 (and its predecessor) have a lot to answer for when it comes to the multiverse’s arrival and its wider impact on the MCU.

For more MCU-based content, find out how to watch the Marvel movies in order. Alternatively, read up on where Loki season 1 was placed in our Marvel Phase 4 ranked article.

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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth continues the story set out in FF7 Remake. Here’s what we know so far.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the sequel to 2019’s Final Fantasy 7 Remake. For a while, the game didn’t even have a title, but now we know what it’s called, and that it’s the second game in a trilogy. For now, it’s only launching on PS5.

When Final Fantasy 7 Remake launched back in 2019, many had expected it to be a straight-up remake of the original game. What’s exciting is that by the end of that game, the story had changed drastically when compared to the original’s. This means that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth could go pretty much anywhere in terms of its story.

For now, we’ve only received one trailer for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but it was certainly an intriguing look at what’s to come. Thanks to some developer comments, we also know a little bit about the story, and the gameplay. Read on for everything we know about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth so far.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: cut to the chase

What is it? The sequel to Final Fantasy 7 Remake

When can I play it? “Next winter” (December 2023 – March 2024)

What can I play it on? PS5

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth release date and platforms

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2, officially called Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, will release “next Winter” for PS5. This generally means the period of December – March, meaning that we could be waiting until 2024. This release window was confirmed during a special Final Fantasy 7 25th Anniversary Celebration stream on June 16, 2022. During the stream, it was also confirmed that Final Fantasy 7 Remake is being released as a trilogy of games, with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth serving as the second distinct game in the series.

Unfortunately for PS4 owners, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth won’t be a cross-gen release like the first part. We expect, however, that, like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Rebirth will also arrive on PC at a later date once its PlayStation exclusivity runs out. Though, this hasn’t been confirmed. It’s unlikely to come to Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, for at least a few years. After all, two years since the release of Remake Part 1, it’s still not arrived on Xbox consoles.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth trailer

Latest trailer

During a special Final Fantasy 7 25th Anniversary Celebration stream on June 16, 2022, Square Enix shared a first-look trailer for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Giving us a brief look at gameplay, this footage offered a fresh look at Cloud Strife, Zack Fair, and Sephiroth. This is currently the only trailer we have so far for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

You can hear a voiceover from Aerith too, which alludes to key events from the original PS1 game. It’s a very famous moment in Final Fantasy 7 and there’s no guarantee it’ll happen again in Rebirth, but this may prove spoilery for some as a result. Check it out, below:

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth gameplay

(Image credit: Square Enix)

We had our first look at gameplay as part of a trailer that was revealed during a special Final Fantasy 7 25th Anniversary Celebration stream back on June 16, 2022. It’s pretty brief and features Cloud and Sephiroth walking side by side through a forest. At present, no combat has been shown off yet.

Aspects of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade’s Intermission chapter could feature in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2, according to the game’s co-director. Speaking with The Washington Post (via VGC) in July 2021, Naoki Hamaguchi said that some of the combat and gameplay enhancements introduced in Intergrade will likely be in Part 2, more specifically, Yuffie and Sonon’s team-up moves from Intermission. 

“I am rather satisfied with this final form, in which the strategic element of the command-based battle from the original co-exists with the real-time, action-oriented battle,” he said. “Additionally, with ‘Intermission,’ there’s another element introduced: combo moves where Yuffie and Sonon team up … which makes for a different feel in battle strategy. I would like to leverage these, including other elements we tried out in ‘Intermission,’ in our next story.”

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth story and setting

(Image credit: Square Enix)

In terms of story, we don’t know much about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. If it were more of a straight-up remake, then it’d be a lot more clear cut in terms of where we’ll be going in the sequel. At the end of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Cloud and the gang had cleared through the Midgar section of the original game. The story fractured at this point, but of we follow the events of the original game, the team will be heading out into the wider world.

According to a blog post in which co-director Motomu Toriyama speaks about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the Whispers from the last game aren’t going to be able to keep the timeline in order this time around.

“As it says at the end of the game ‘The Unknown Journey Will Continue’, and Cloud and his friends will be on that journey for a while yet,” co-director Motomu Toriyama says in the final installment of Square Enix’s FF7 Remake blog series (opens in new tab). “From here on in the Whispers cannot act to maintain the destined timeline, so fans can look forward to seeing what kind of future awaits the team.”

In an interview with The Gamer in July 2021, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2 co-director Naoki Hamaguchi touched on what players might be able to expect from the game in terms of its world-building and map. “I understand that there are lots of fans out there who want to see a world map,” Hamaguchi explained, “and we want to challenge ourselves to leverage the breadth of the world in the next game of the overall project, so you can expect great things to come”.

If Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth follows the events of the original game, then we might just see locations like Kalm, Wutai Village and the Gold Saucer.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth news

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Microsoft states that FF7 Rebirth may not come to Xbox consoles
While we do know that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will only launch on PS5, it was hoped that the game could then head to Xbox. According to comments by Microsoft (via Eurogamer), Sony has “entered into arrangements with third-party publishers which require the ‘exclusion’ of Xbox.” The report then goes on to offer examples of what games Microsoft is talking about, which includes FF7 Remake.

For now, there’s been no confirmation as to whether these ‘exclusion’ agreements are real. It’s worth noting that Final Fantasy 7 Remake still hasn’t come to Xbox platforms, despite having released in April, 2020. 

Work on Part 3 has started
In a Tweet (opens in new tab), Nomura also revealed that development on Rebirth has been “progressing rapidly” since the studio adopted a new development structure, meaning that work on Final Fantasy Remake Part 3 has already begun.

“A title of this scale in which everything is interconnected even before production began is truly rare,” Nomura wrote. “In fact, some development has already begun on the third title. I myself have started on the development and am working towards the completion of the series.”

These are the upcoming games to keep your eye on

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From its original TV shows to app details, here’s everything you need to know about HBO Max.

HBO Max has been taking on the big players in the US streaming market since it launched in May 2020. Nearly three years on, the platform boasts one of the strongest content line-ups out there. 

Pulling together movies from the immense Warner Bros. back catalog, the prestige TV shows traditionally associated with the HBO brand, and much more, HBO Max’s line-up is strong enough to compete with rival services like Netflix and Disney Plus. 

In terms of TV shows, that means critically acclaimed HBO classics like The Sopranos, Succession and its latest hit The Last of Us sitting alongside hit comedies like Rick and Morty, Friends, and South Park. Meanwhile, movie fans can enjoy everything from DC Comics adaptations (The Dark Knight, The Suicide Squad, and beyond) to Studio Ghibli’s beloved film range.

If you’re curious about HBO Max and want to know whether the service is worth $15.99 a month (without ads), this guide is a great place to start. We explain everything you need to know, including what HBO Max is, how much it costs, what you can watch and much more. 

Where is HBO Max currently available?

House of the Dragon began streaming on HBO Max in August 2022 (Image credit: HBO)

After originally launched exclusively in the US, HBO Max expanded to the Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland) as well as Spain and Andorra in 2021. In March 2022, the streamer was rolled out in 15 more European territories, including Portugal, Poland, the Netherlands, and Croatia. 

UK audiences don’t currently have access to HBO Max. However, HBO signed a four-year contract with UK broadcaster Sky in 2019, allowing the latter to air certain HBO-produced movies and TV shows. HBO Max, then, isn’t likely to arrive across the pond before that partnership potentially concludes in 2024, though there are rumors that it’ll be renewed before it runs out. 

The absence of HBO Max in the UK doesn’t altogether deprive British viewers of HBO-produced content. Many of the studio’s biggest properties are available to watch through a compatible Sky or Now TV subscription, with only a few movies and TV shows proving exceptions to the rule. 

The complexion of HBO Max and its availability looks set to shift dramatically in 2023. The platform’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), is planning to combine HBO Max with Discovery Plus to form a new super streamer sometime this year, so HBO Max as we know it may only continue to exist for a matter of months. 

Explaining how this new streamer will prove to be greater than the sum of its parts, WBD executive JB Perrette said in August 2022: “HBO Max has a competitive feature set, but has had performance and customer issues. Discovery Plus has best-in-class performance and consumer ratings, but more limited features. Our combined service will focus on delivering the best of both.”

The exact nature of this combined service is unclear, but it’s safe to assume that all of HBO Max’s content will be shifted onto WBD’s new super streamer when it eventually launches.

How much does HBO Max cost?

There are plenty of reasons to serve the popcorn on HBO Max. (Image credit: Shutterstock / Ascannio)

Two HBO Max subscription tiers are currently available. After a recent price increase, the main, ad-free tier costs $15.99 (around £13 / AU$23) per month, while a cheaper, ad-supported tier costs $9.99 (around £8 / AU$14) per month. 

The latter offers access to the same library of movies and TV shows, but subscribers aren’t able to download content for offline viewing. Video quality is also capped at 1080p.

That main $15.99 price puts HBO Max at the more expensive end of the streaming service spectrum. By comparison, Disney Plus prices are $7.99 (with ads) or $10.99 (without ads) / £7.99 / AU$11.99 per month. Meanwhile, Netflix’s standard tier costs $15.49 / £10.99 / AU$16.99 per month. To learn more and compare the service to the competition, check out our dedicated HBO Max price guide. 

It’s also worth noting that all existing direct HBO subscribers get HBO Max for free, as well as those subscribed to the channel via the following:

Altice One
Atlantic Broadband
Apple TV
AT&T TV
AT&T U-verse
Cox
DIRECTV
Optimum
RCN
Spectrum
Suddenlink
Verizon FIOS
WOW!
Xfinity
Hulu

Incidentally, if you’re also subscribed to HBO through a third-party app or service (see the following list), the HBO Max help site says subscribers get HBO Max ad-free for nothing: Amazon Appstore, Apple, Google Play, Roku Channel Store, Samsung TV, WarnerMedia, Consolidated Communications, Liberty, North State, Optimum, Service Electric Cablevision, Verizon Fios, and Ziply Fiber. 

Those subscribed to HBO through AT&T-related services can also watch HBO Max content for no additional cost. AT&T now has a dedicated page on deals that include access to the streamer.

How long this arrangement will last, though, is unclear. As alluded to above, WBD executives have said that HBO Max subscription prices will almost certainly head “north” in the coming months following the launch of the company’s new combined streamer, while the ad load on HBO’s cheaper, ad-supported subscription tier could potentially double.

The revelations were made during WBD’s recent Q3 earnings call with Wall Street analysts, and came after the company reported lower-than-expected results. Evidently, WBD is planning to respond to the slowdown by putting a premium price tag on the company’s still-unnamed combined streamer, which is rumored to launch some time in 2023 . We’ll update this page when we know more about how the move will affect HBO Max pricing.

Is there a HBO Max free trial?

Sorry, folks in the USA – while you could once have tried HBO Max for seven days before committing, that option is no longer available. Having said that, if you’re accessing the streamer in a country that has only recently gained access to the service, HBO may still be offering a free trial. Take a read of our HBO Max free trial article for more.

HBO Max movies: what’s worth watching?

Dune is one of the many movie highlights available on HBO Max. (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Pricey as it is, HBO Max is pretty phenomenal when it comes to movie selection. While Netflix’s movie library always has a bunch of highlights from other studios (check out our pick of the best Netflix movies), the base HBO Max is working from comprises many amazing movies from Warner Bros’ history, meaning you get a massive range of DC Comics movies – from Batman (1989) to Joker, The Dark Knight and Aquaman – straight out of the box. 

Genre movies are generally very well-repped on HBO Max, too, with The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix trilogies currently available to stream. Take a look at our dedicated guide to the best HBO Max movies for our top-tier choices or our new HBO Max movies list for the latest additions. 

One of HBO Max’s bespoke channels features Studio Ghibli movies, giving subscribers access to every animated film from the legendary studio behind Spirited Away, with the exception of the brilliant Grave of the Fireflies. Another channel is TCM (Turner Classic Movies) and, while it’s not quite as specialist as The Criterion Channel, you won’t be short of classics to enjoy, such as Citizen Kane and All The President’s Men. 

Basically, you’ll never run out of things to watch on HBO Max. While subscribers in 2023 will no longer get access to day-and-date movie releases (which saw the likes of Dune and The Matrix Resurrections released directly onto the streamer in tandem with their theatrical debuts), HBO Max still gives Netflix and Disney Plus more than a run for their money when it comes to blockbusters. Newer movies like The Batman continue to arrive on the platform around 45 days after their theatrical release, too. 

HBO Max shows: what’s streaming?

Succession‘s eagerly anticipated fourth and final season debuts on HBO Max on March 26. (Image credit: HBO)

Obviously, HBO’s original series are at the core of the offering here, with everything from The Wire and The Sopranos to Game of Thrones and Chernobyl.

But HBO isn’t just known for its riveting dramas. Comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Veep are here, along with documentaries like McMillions and The Case Against Adnan Sayed. HBO’s rich history of stand-up specials is also showcased, with some of the biggest comedians in America represented. 

What’s more, older shows on the platform from Warner’s archive (and beyond) help supplement HBO’s TV offering. Rick and Morty‘s first four seasons can be streamed, while HBO Max has the exclusive rights to show Friends and South Park in the US. The Big Bang Theory, The Middle, Young Sheldon, The Nanny, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air are among the sitcoms you can enjoy on the service.

You’ll find loads of great animated shows, too. Batman: The Animated Series is a classic from the ’90s, and it’s joined by the Superman show, as well as the more futuristic Batman Beyond. If you’re craving anime, Crunchyroll has a channel on HBO Max that offers a broad selection, while access to Cartoon Network encompasses shows like Steven Universe and Dexter’s Laboratory. Check out our best HBO Max shows list for more recommendations on the platform’s TV highlights.

Import shows include the original UK version of The Office, crime drama Gomorrah and recent seasons of Doctor Who, though the BBC’s Time Lord is heading to Disney Plus some time in 2023 following a new agreement. 

Euphoria has been one of HBO Max’s edgiest – and most acclaimed – dramas of recent years. (Image credit: HBO)

And finally – and, for many, most importantly – HBO Max has a suite of original series that just can’t be rivalled by the likes of Netflix and Prime Video. Succession (whose fourth and final season kicks off on March 26), Euphoria, House of the Dragon, Raised by Wolves, The Flight Attendant, and Search Party are just a few of the streamer’s premium TV gems – and then there’s the small matter of The Last of Us TV show, which has been a major topic of watercooler conversation during the early months of 2023.

It’s not yet clear how WBD’s upcoming super streamer will manage HBO Max’s stellar TV offering, but we’d wager that the platform’s biggest shows will make the transition to this new on-demand offering. 

HBO Max vs HBO: what’s the difference?

HBO has trimmed its streaming options down to just HBO Max and HBO as of 2023 – mostly to avoid confusion. The difference simply comes in the range of programming subscribers have access to. By subscribing to just HBO, you’ll get every original series the premium channel is known for, as well as its movies. But HBO Max gets you more than double the content – including the likes of Friends, Adult Swim, kids’ entertainment, and HBO Max’s own range of originals.

Really, there’s no reason to get HBO over HBO Max – they cost the same, and you get more stuff with the latter. 

HBO Max devices and apps: how can you stream it?

There’s no shortage of specialist channels on the HBO Max platform. (Image credit: Future)

Here is the list of officially supported devices you can use with HBO Max. There’s no limit to how many devices you can use with the streaming service but, for security reasons, the number of simultaneous streams permitted is capped at three.

PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5
Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X
Roku (OS 10.0 and later)
Cox Contour 2 and Contour Stream Player
iOS (12.2 or later)
Android (5.0 or later)/Android TV
Chromecast
Apple TV 4K or HD
Chrome/Firefox/Microsoft Edge
Xfinity X1 and Flex
Samsung Smart TVs (2016 onwards)

HBO Max app features explained

There are plenty of ways to personalize HBO Max to suit your tastes. (Image credit: HBO Max)

HBO Max lets you download content for offline viewing. It also has a PIN system for parental control, personalized profiles, and brand-based content hubs similar to how Disney Plus categorizes Star Wars movies and Marvel movies. As mentioned earlier, these include TCM, Studio Ghibli, DC, Crunchyroll, Looney Tunes, and Sesame Workshop. 

Subscribers also have the option of ‘co-viewing’ homepages that represent the tastes of multiple people in your home. The homepage has themed selections of content to enjoy, too, if you’re a little sick of Netflix’s algorithmic recommendations.

Does HBO Max support 4K streaming?

Yes. HBO Max launched support for 4K streaming on a selection of 4K-compatible devices (see the list below) in December 2020 – though you’ll have to be subscribed to the ad-free tier of the service to benefit. 

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube
Android TVs, including: AT&T Streaming Box
Apple TV 4K
Xbox Series X
Sony PS5
Google Chromecast Ultra and Chromecast with Google TV
Roku Ultra 4800x, Roku 4k TVs, Roku Premiere, and Roku Streaming Stick+
Xfinity X1 (Xi6) and Flex

Could HBO Max win the streaming wars?

Is HBO Max the world’s best streaming service? (Image credit: monticello / Shutterstock.com)

HBO is a name synonymous with prestige TV, from groundbreaking shows like Oz and The Sopranos through to Game of Thrones and Chernobyl. With HBO Max, that association is still a massive asset. In the age of peak TV, HBO has more than held its own, producing the likes of Succession, Euphoria and Mare of Easttown while remaining at the center of the TV conversation.

That status is what HBO Max is building (or rather, has built) upon: the best TV of the last two decades, coupled with every major brand Warner can throw at it. Not all streaming services will survive this content war, but HBO Max has a lot in its corner, especially with its big investment in blockbuster movies.

It’s already a great streaming service – the question is whether its originals make it stand out in an overpopulated US streaming landscape, especially when the price of entry is still relatively high. For our money, HBO Max’s TV offering does indeed make the streamer worth the price – but WBD’s ambitious on-demand plans for 2023 have put HBO Max in an uncertain position for the future.

If you’d like to research some other streamers, have a look at our guides to Peacock TV, Paramount Plus, and Hulu.

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Two excellent carriers – however, both are extremely different and we’re breaking down each one right here.

Mint Mobile vs Verizon is a real battle of the giants. On one side, we’ve got the plucky upstart carrier Mint Mobile – a newcomer that’s quickly established itself with some of the best prepaid phone plans on the market. On the other, we’ve got Verizon, an established industry veteran with one of the most expansive 5G networks around.

As you’ll see, both carriers have advantages, but they operate in very different ways indeed, and they appeal to very different types of user too. On this page, we’ll compare each carrier’s offerings in detail to help you decide which is right for you. To start, let’s run down the main features and cost of each service, starting with a general overview of what you can expect from each.

Mint Mobile vs Verizon: at a glance

As you can see from our quick Mint Mobile vs Verizon features comparison above, Mint generally offers a much more stripped-down plan, but at a lower baseline cost. Verizon, meanwhile, offers excellent streaming perks and resolutions, but at a price – and you’ll need to sign up for a lengthy contract too. 

The case for Mint Mobile

First things first, Mint Mobile is a prepaid carrier and therefore tends to offer plans that are a lot cheaper than the big carriers such as Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Generally speaking, with Mint Mobile you’ll pay a lot less on average each month with the added benefit of being able to change your plan more frequently. While Mint does require you to buy multiple months of data upfront, there’s no associated contract required like with certain Verizon plans.

As a rule of thumb, Mint Mobile’s $30 per month unlimited data plan costs about half of what you’d pay on average for an unlimited data plan at Verizon. However, as a prepaid plan, you’ll be subject to what’s called ‘deprioritization’ with Mint Mobile, which means that T-Mobile (the network that Mint uses) may slow down your speeds if the local area is network. This isn’t a cut-and-dry issue as it depends heavily on the local area – and certain cheaper Verizon plans are also subject to deprioritization to a lesser extent.

Mint Mobile’s unlimited data plan also features a soft 5G data cap of 45GB. While this has recently been bumped up from 35GB, if you do exceed this allowance on a monthly basis your data speeds will be reduced down to 128KB/s. Certain Verizon plans are also subject to this, although the soft data caps tend to be a little more generous (the Unlimited Welcome plan has 50GB).

The case for Verizon

On the whole, the biggest selling point of any major carrier (Verizon included) is that you get direct access to the network from the company that actually runs it. Put simply, you’ll get prioritized access to the network as a preferred customer, meaning you won’t be subject to any slow-downs on your data if the local area is busy. This is particularly the case with the premium Plus plan, which gets unlimited access to the premium (fastest) ultra-wideband 5G network at Verizon. 

Verizon plans tend to be pretty pricey if you opt for one of the flagship unlimited data plans, but you do tend to receive other perks to sweeten the deal. As of 2023, you can now pick and select perks to include with your plan – these include streaming service subscriptions like Disney+, extra mobile hotspot allowance, international roaming, and Walmart+ memberships. Unfortunately, you do have to pay extra for your perks but you have the choice to forgo them completely if you’d prefer to keep things simple.

You’ll also get up to 4K HD video streaming, depending on which plan you choose, which means Verizon’s a great option if you’re looking to stream content in the highest possible quality while on the go. This is a crucial difference versus Mint Mobile in particular, which caps out streaming quality at 480p for video. 

And lastly, as a larger carrier, Verizon also offers really great deals on handsets for anyone signing up for a new line on an unlimited data plan. For example, the best Verizon deals can score you things like free iPhones, the latest Samsung Galaxy devices, plus cash bonuses for switching – which can really offset the cost of Verizon’s expensive unlimited data plans. With Mint, you either have to bring over an unlocked device, or buy one outright at the Mint Mobile phones page.

(Image credit: Verizon)

Coverage, coverage, coverage

It’s worth noting that both Verizon and Mint Mobile run on completely separate networks. This means your data speeds and call reception will vary depending on how well your local area is covered with either carrier.

As you’ve probably already guessed, Verizon runs its own network, whereas Mint Mobile utilizes T-Mobile’s greater network as a subcarrier. Both Verizon and T-Mobile have excellent nationwide coverage on paper, although you’d be wise to check into each network’s site (Verizon, T-Mobile) and enter your zip code to see how well you’re covered. It’s also worth asking around in your local area to see how existing customers are faring with their carriers.

If you don’t get tip-top coverage in your area, it’s probably worth excluding that particular carrier from your choices – it is, after all, no use paying for all that 5G data if you can’t use it due to patchy reception. 

Also, if you have an unlocked device, you may find that it’s not compatible with either Verizon or Mint Mobile. You can check whether your existing device is compatible with Mint Mobile over at this page and at Verizon at this page.

Verdict

Comparing Mint Mobile and Verizon is like comparing apples and oranges: both are great options, but they each suit very different types of users. If you’re looking to cut down your bills drastically, then you simply can’t beat Mint Mobile for value. Mint’s unlimited plan at just $30 per month is under half the monthly price of the basic Verizon Welcome Unlimited, and arguably offers a better range of perks thanks to its included mobile hotspot allowance.

However, Verizon’s plans are a better choice for anyone who wants a premium data plan that ticks all the boxes in regard to streaming and service. You’ll have completely uncapped 5G data speeds depending on your plan, 4K video streaming, and your choice from an excellent selection of perks. Just make sure you’re ready to lay down some serious cash – and sign up for a three-year contract.

What other carriers should I check out?

If you like the sound (and lower price) of Mint Mobile, but need to use the Verizon network for coverage reasons, we recommend Twigby. The service has a roaming agreement on Verizon’s network and offers basic prepaid plans for as little as $10 per month currently. 

Another good alternative for Mint Mobile, especially if you’re looking for family cell phone plan options, is Boost Mobile – a service that offers a three-line unlimited plan for just $30 per month, with access to a customer perks scheme too. For more excellent options, head over to our cheap cell phone plans article for more.

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Both Mint Mobile and T-Mobile offer a compelling range of plans – but which one is best when you compare price, perks, and features?

Mint Mobile vs T-Mobile is a question that’s no doubt in the minds of many a cell phone user over the past few months, given the incredibly high-profile ads campaign of the former. Both being on the same network makes them directly cross-compatible too – which begs the question, which one’s best for you?

On one side is Mint Mobile, a smaller service that we rank at the very top of our best prepaid phone plans guide. On the other, T-Mobile, a well-established phone plan giant that specializes in offering some of the best unlimited data plans around.

In short, both are going to appeal to a very different type of user and both have advantages and drawbacks. To help narrow down which is for you, we’ve put together this direct Mint Mobile vs T-Mobile to see how they stack up when it comes to price, features, speed, and service – including a handy verdict and summary at the bottom of the page.

Mint Mobile vs T-Mobile: at a glance

Pricing

If you’re strictly on a budget, then Mint Mobile is definitely the cheaper of the two options on average. For a single-line user, for example, you’ll generally be looking at paying about half ($30 versus $60pm) for Mint Mobile’s unlimited data plan versus the similar Essentials Unlimited plan at T-Mobile. You do, however, get slightly less 5G data allowance on Mint Mobile (45GB vs Essential Plan’s 50GB). 

Where things start to weigh in T-Mobile’s favor is with its excellent family data plan options. Like most major carriers, T-Mobile will give you a discount on each line if you have multiple signed up for one plan. Unlike most major carriers, however, T-Mobile actually throws in the third line for free, which makes its three to four-line options particularly competitive. With three lines on your account, you’ll pay just $90 a month for the Essentials plan and $130 for the Go5G plan – the latter of which includes 6 months of Apple TV+ and a free Netflix Basic account.

It’s worth noting here that Mint Mobile does actually have its own family plan, which is a relatively recent addition at the carrier. It’s not completely analogous to T-Mobile’s as you don’t get a per-line discount based on how many lines you add. You do, however, get each line at the cheapest (yearly) rate while only having to pay for three months at a time. It’s a handy addition to the carrier’s current roster of perks as it can cut down the associated red tape of holding multiple accounts and make the prepaid payments easier to manage. 

Features, speed and service

As we’ve already hinted at, and covered in the comparison table above – T-Mobile offers the most feature-laden plans out of the two carriers, but at a significant cost. 

Depending on the plan you’ll be scoring things like a free Netflix account, basic international roaming, and the ‘T-Mobile Tuesdays’ perks scheme, which gives you access to in-store discounts and giveaways. In comparison, Mint Mobile plans are pretty stripped-down affairs, although you do still get the basics like mobile hotspot allowance and free WiFi calling.

Speed-wise, both carriers are offering 5G data plans and operating on the greater T-Mobile network. Put simply, both should get comparable speed and service, although it’s worth noting that as a prepaid carrier, Mint Mobile is subject to what’s called ‘deprioritization’. This essentially means that your data speeds may be slowed down if the local area is busy as T-Mobile will always prioritize its own customer’s data speeds primarily over those of sub-carriers running on its network. This is a relatively complex issue that may or may not be a big deal depending on your local area. It’s also worth noting that some T-Mobile plans are also subject to slower speeds after a certain data allowance is exceeded (50GB on essentials).

It’s also worth noting that as an MVNO Mint Mobile doesn’t participate in the large carrier roaming agreements, which can mean worse coverage in areas that aren’t specifically covered by T-Mobile network towers. With T-Mobile, if you’re in an area with poor coverage the service will essentially ‘borrow’ coverage from AT&T or Verizon and visa versa.

T-Mobile’s nationwide coverage (Image credit: T-Mobile)

What about T-Mobile prepaid?

As well as its more well-known ‘postpaid’ unlimited plans, T-Mobile also has a number of prepaid plans to check out for those who want a plan on the service, but want to spend a little bit less. The current T-Mobile prepaid plans lineup ranges from a basic 10GB plan for $40 per month to a more premium ‘Unlimited Plus’ data plan for $60 per month, all of which are available with a multi-line saving (much like the postpaid T-Mobile options).

Generally speaking, if you’re thinking about going prepaid, Mint Mobile looks like the strongest option right now for sheer bang for the buck. Possible deprioritization issues aside, Mint Mobile’s basic unlimited plan absolutely smokes the T-Mobile Unlimited Plus plan for outright value. At $30 per month, it’s half the price and still features the same mobile hotspot allowance. 

The only scenario where we could see someone opting for a T-Mobile prepaid plan over Mint is if they didn’t want to pay for multiple months of data at once. As previously mentioned, Mint Mobile’s cheapest average prices can only be had if you buy a whole year of service at once. If you can get past the lump sum upfront, however, Mint is much cheaper in the longer run.

Verdict

Both Mint Mobile and T-Mobile are absolutely awesome carriers, but they’ll definitely each appeal to a different type of user. For those who are really on a budget, and don’t mind having just the basics, then Mint Mobile is absolutely the way to go. While T-Mobile is comparatively good value versus the other big carriers (especially with its family plans), you simply can’t get the same sort of reasonable data allowances and rock-bottom prices at this carrier versus what Mint offers.

On the other hand, for those who want a truly unlimited plan, no deprioritization,  and HD video streaming, then T-Mobile is going to offer just that. You will, of course, be spending about double for a single-line plan at Mint, but Mint Mobile simply doesn’t offer things like unlimited priority data or HD streaming, so it’s a fairly easy decision if that’s what’s important to you.

What other carriers should I check out?

T-Mobile as a network has no shortage of excellent sub-carriers (MVNOs) to consider. First up is Metro by T-Mobile, which offers slightly cheaper prepaid plans all around versus its parent company, but still retains a few perks like free music streaming and Amazon Prime membership on the more expensive plans. At a baseline of $40 per month for the 10GB/mo plan, Metro sits somewhere in the middle in regards to value. Boost Mobile is another great choice with plans starting at $15 per month for the 15GB plan. Competitively priced versus Mint, Boost also features a basic unlimited data plan for $25 per month, albeit with slightly less mobile hotspot and 5G data allowance versus its competitor. 

If you’re looking for more great alternatives, we definitely recommend heading on over to our best cheap cell phone plans guide for an exhaustive list of options. 

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We’re breaking down sister carriers Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile in a head-to-head, which’ll come out on top?

As sister companies, both Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile offer some of the best cheap cell phone plans on the market right now – especially when it comes to bang for the buck. They both operate similarly, with flexible buy-in-bulk multi-month plans, generous data allowances, and 5G data speeds as standard on all plans.

As we all know, Mint Mobile is the carrier that’s really making waves right now thanks to its high-profile ad campaigns, but that doesn’t mean Ultra Mobile doesn’t offer some great plans in its own right. In this article, we’re going to give you the low-down on how these two prepaid phone plans differ and who they’re generally looking to cater to. If you’re on the fence, we’ll also weigh in with an overall verdict on which one we think is the best for most users too.

Two excellent prepaid carriers

Plans, coverage and pricing

Both Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile have pretty similar ‘buy-in-bulk’ pricing schemes where you’ll get the best deal overall if you commit to a longer service period. While there are still no service contracts to sign, you will, for example, get the lowest monthly rate on average with each service if you sign up for a yearly plan.

Ultra Mobile does, however, have the option for a single-month plan – which is more like what you’d expect from a traditional prepaid carrier. This one’s great if you simply need a temporary SIM card for a burner device since you can simply pay $15 upfront and get a full month of service. In comparison, you have to spend at least $45 to get the cheapest SIM on Mint Mobile for a 3-month plan.

Where Mint Mobile does shine, though, is for those longer-term plans – especially if you’re a more data-hungry user. You’ll generally get bigger data allowances for less cash at Mint, especially when it comes to the unlimited data plan, which is $10 a month cheaper than the same plan at Ultra Mobile. 

Both being T-Mobile carriers, coverage will essentially be the same regardless of which service you pick. If you’d like to see what coverage is like in your area, then you can use T-Mobile’s own coverage checker right here. 

Winner: draw

Perks and features

Again, on the surface, both carriers offer very similar perks and features overall, with 5G data speeds where applicable, free mobile hot-spotting, and unlimited talk and text.

Things do however start to differentiate when you look at things like international calling – of which Ultra Mobile puts more of a focus on with its plans specifically. 

For example, While you do get free calling and texting to Mexico and Canada with Mint, Ultra on the other hand offers free calling and texting to over 80 international destinations. This again makes it a great choice if you’re an international visitor who’s looking for a temporary SIM card for your device.

Ultra Mobile also has a “data my way” option that enables customers to tailor their download and upload speeds to their liking. This is essentially like a type of data-saving feature that in theory will help you stretch out that data allowance as much as possible. 

Mint Mobile on the other hand has some great features for families in particular. As of May 2022 Mint Mobile’s family plan supports up to five lines at a time and allows you to get each line at the cheapest (yearly) rate while only having to pay for three months at a time. It’s a handy addition to the carrier’s current roster of perks, although not a deal breaker by any stretch of the imagination.

Winner: draw

Mint Mobile vs Ultra Mobile: the bottom line

Even though the two services are extremely similar on paper, it’s easy to see both these carriers cater to two different types of cell phone users. If you’re looking for a cheap single-month plan to use in a burner device or need international calling, then there’s really no competition here – Ultra Mobile is the best choice. 

That said, for most domestic users in the US, Mint Mobile will offer vastly better value overall when it comes to long-term plans with bigger data allowances. Since the use case for Ultra Mobile is quite niche, we’d generally say Mint Mobile is the better choice for most people right now.

Winner: Mint Mobile

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Both Mint Mobile and Tello are great choices when it comes to prepaid cell phone plans – which one’s best for you, however?

Mint Mobile and Tello are both very popular choices right now for those looking to cut their monthly cell phone plan bills right down to size. Put simply, they’re both very cheap for what they do – but which is better? As you’ll see in our direct comparison just below they are in fact quite different and should appeal to a certain type of user specifically.

If you’re on the fence, or simply doing a bit of research before you commit, then we’re covering what we think are the main selling points of each carrier just below as well as how they shape up on important criteria. Both carriers feature heavily on our cheap cell phone plans and prepaid phone plans buyers guides – so we’re definitely fans of each. By the end of this article, however, you should have a definite idea of which is best for you.

At a glance: two great prepaid carriers

Coverage and pricing

Both Mint Mobile and Tello both operate on the T-Mobile network, so it should be a fairly dead-even heat when it comes to your local coverage. Tello historically operated on the Sprint network (and some SIM cards still do), but that’s being phased out now, so all new SIM cards issued should be operating on the T-Mobile network.

Where these two carriers diverge, however, is on their pricing models – which are very different. Mint Mobile tends to have slightly higher prices than Tello and operates a buy-upfront ‘multi-month’ system where you buy upwards of a year of service at a time. The catch here is the longer your plan is, the cheaper the average monthly rate, so be prepared to pay upfront for a whole year’s service if you want to save as much cash as possible.

Tello, on the other hand, has a much more flexible pay-monthly system where you’ll only pay for a month at a time. This has one huge advantage – you can easily switch up your data allowances on a monthly basis if your needs change, plus it’s also a lot cheaper upfront. There are also Tello promo codes that can help cut costs. XXXX

Winner: draw

Data allowances

Both carriers off a generous line-up of different monthly data options and the prices are erringly similar these days. Mint Mobile used to have a slight edge in bang-for-the-buck when talking about data allowances but the gap has massively narrowed as of mid-2023.

Where Mint arguably edges ahead is in the fine print – especially with the unlimited data plans. Both are neck-and-neck in regard to pricing ($30 for Mint, $29 for Tello), but Mint Mobile has a larger data cap allowance at 45GB versus 25GB at Tello. If you go over this monthly limit, your 5G data speeds will revert to 2G, so it’s worth keeping this in mind if you’re a particularly data-hungry user. 

Outside of unlimited plans, it’s also cheaper to go with Mint if you’re looking for a plan in the range of around 10GB to 15GB of data per month. $25 per month will get you 15GB of data at Mint versus 10GB at Tello, so it’s the better choice if you’re willing to pay for a year upfront. You can, however, get an overall cheaper plan at Tello if you just want the basics – just $10 a month for 1GB of data with unlimited minutes and texts.

Winner: Mint Mobile

Perks and features

Being prepaid carriers, you’re generally going to get around the same level of perks with both Mint Mobile and Tello – and be subject to deprioritization when the local T-Mobile network is busy. 

In short, both are pretty stripped-down affairs, and you won’t be getting things like free streaming service subscriptions with either.

Both do however feature 5G data speeds standard on all plans (until you hit your cap), and free mobile tethering too. Tello seems to have a slight edge in video rendering, with no cap on the quality, whereas Mint Mobile caps its video streaming out at 480p on its unlimited plan (no cap on other plans).

Tello also features free international calling to over 60 countries, whereas you’ll only get free calling to Mexico and Canada with Mint Mobile. This one’s definitely a more niche feature overall, but for some, it’s going to be a huge bonus and a major draw for them to go with Tello.

Winner: Tello

Flexibility

Tello definitely has the edge if you think you’ll need a bit of flexibility with your plan. As we’ve already covered above, you’ll only pay for a month at a time with Tello and the design-your-own-plan system means it’s easy to add or subtract any allowances you’ll need on a monthly basis. Not being tied down for multiple months at a time also means it’s relatively easy to abandon your plan with no incurred losses if you’re not satisfied with the service.

Winner: Tello

Verdict

Both Mint Mobile and Tello are absolutely fantastic cheaper alternatives to the likes of T-Mobile if you’re looking for a stripped-down prepaid plan for the essentials. In our eyes, however, each will definitely appeal to a different type of user. 

If you’re looking for overall value on a slightly more data-heavy plan then you’re definitely going to want to go with Mint Mobile in our opinion. In short, while you’re paying larger sums upfront and with less flexibility, you’re generally getting a more generous data allowance overall.

If you’re looking for just the basics, however, then you will be able to get a cheaper prepaid plan at Tello. You’ll also be able to change up your plan in short order should you need more data down the line too, which makes it a great choice if you’re not sure about how much you’ll need.

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