TL;DR
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe says supervised point-to-point self-driving arrives this year on Gen 2 and R2 vehicles, with eyes-off driving in 2027.
Tech
6 Small SUVs That Depreciate The Fastest (And 6 That Hold Their Value)
Compact SUVs are the largest market segment in America according to a 2025 study by S&P Global, and competition within the segment is fierce. Long-standing favorites from the likes of Toyota and Honda go head-to-head against upstart competitors, with the best of the bunch offering a winning mix of practicality, comfort, and affordability.
With so many small SUVs on the market to pick between, buyers can afford to be choosy. There are many different factors that influence a buyer’s final decision, with depreciation being a particularly important factor for many. Most buyers would strongly prefer that their shiny new SUV doesn’t plummet in value during their ownership, although some do exactly that.
Using data from two trusted sources, we’ve compared depreciation rates from a wide range of small SUVs to pick out the models that lose value at the fastest and slowest rates. There are some common themes between models at each end of the spectrum: For example, the highest depreciating models tend to hail from luxury brands, feature electric powertrains, or both. At the other end, the models with the best value retention are offered by mass-market brands with good reputations for long-term reliability. If you’re in the market for a new budget-friendly small SUV and want to know which models to stay away from, you’ll find the answers here.
Loses value: Lexus RZ
EV technology is rapidly evolving, and as a result, the spec sheets of cars that are just a few years old are already starting to look a little dated. A good example is the Lexus RZ, which arrived in 2023. Even at launch, its 220-mile range was far from exemplary, but today, it’s even further behind its rivals. To its credit, Lexus has managed to boost the RZ’s range slightly in the intervening years, and a 2026 RZ now achieves between 264 and 301 miles, depending on trim. However, that’s still low by today’s standards: For context, a base-spec 2026 Nissan Leaf offers 303 miles between charges.
Add in the effects of battery degradation and a used RZ will offer a range that’s simply too small to be appealing to most buyers. It depreciates heavily as a result, with CarEdge estimating that RZ owners can expect to lose 60% of their initial investment after a period of five years. Meanwhile, KBB is even less positive about the RZ’s future resale value, predicting a 66% drop in value over the same period of time.
Holds value: Honda CR-V
Honda unveiled the CR-V TrailSport Hybrid trim for the 2026 model year, but even without the added dose of all-terrain capability, it’s easy to see the appeal of the popular SUV. The CR-V is affordable to buy, starting from $32,370 (including a $1,450 destination charge) for 2026, but buyers with larger budgets can spring for the top-spec Sport Touring Hybrid. The latter offers a premium audio system, a 204 horsepower hybrid powertrain, and a long list of other additional features.
As well as being more powerful than base trims, the hybrid CR-V is also more efficient. The all-wheel drive hybrid CR-V hits an EPA-estimated 37 mph combined, while the front-wheel drive version achieves 40 mpg. Add in the durable materials in the cabin, the intuitive infotainment, and Honda’s strong reputation for reliability, and the result is a car that’s a sensible choice for a huge range of buyers. That wide-ranging appeal helps keep used values high, with CarEdge estimating that a new CR-V will depreciate just 29% after five years and KBB predicting a 46% reduction compared to the original sticker price.
Loses value: Chevrolet Blazer EV
It isn’t just luxury EVs that lose value fast. The Chevrolet Blazer EV might wear a humble bowtie logo on its hood, but current data suggests that owners can still expect to lose money at the kind of rate that you’d usually see from a premium or luxury car. CarEdge puts the Blazer EV’s depreciation rate at 60% over five years, while KBB estimates that the car will be worth 67% less than it was when it was new.
The Blazer EV has proven to be unpopular with buyers from the get-go, taking the unenviable title of Chevy’s least-sold SUV in America. Even its electric sibling, the Equinox EV, has proved to be significantly more popular. That’s despite the 2026 Blazer EV featuring a range of up to 312 miles and starting from $46,495 (including a $1,795 destination fee), which is a few thousand dollars less than the price of the average new car. If you move up the trim range, things quickly get pricier, with the all-wheel drive SS trim costing north of $60,000.
Holds value: Subaru Crosstrek
The latest Subaru Crosstrek is far from perfect, but it’s an appealing option, especially in hybrid form. Its combination of affordability and all-conditions capability make it a great alternative to rivals from the likes of Honda and Toyota, and the Subaru offers similarly strong value retention to small SUVs from those brands.
Estimates for exactly how much owners can expect to receive for their 5-year-old Crosstrek vary between sources, with CarEdge suggesting the car will only depreciate 34% over that time. Meanwhile, KBB predicts a 48% depreciation after half a decade. Either way, that puts the Crosstrek towards the front of the pack for holding its value, and given its sub-$30,000 starting price, buyers will be losing very little in dollar terms.
Unlike many of its rivals, the Crosstrek is also made in America at Subaru’s Indiana assembly plant. It’s not the brand’s only American-made model either, with the Outback and Ascent SUVs also being built in the same facility.
Loses value: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
It’s made by a luxury brand with a poor reputation for long-term reliability and it’s far from cheap when it’s new, so it’s natural that the Range Rover Evoque depreciates fast. Accelerating that value loss is the fact that it’s also not very efficient, and despite its rapid depreciation, it isn’t all that rapid on the road either. The typical owner of a new Range Rover won’t mind any of those things, but for many used buyers, an aging Evoque isn’t going to be an easy sell.
Despite its somewhat limited appeal, a 5-year-old Evoque won’t have lost quite as much value in percentage terms as some of its rivals. Still, with predicted depreciation rates of 52% and 63% from CarEdge and KBB respectively, it’s among the poorest performers for value retention. Buyers who do decide to roll the dice on a used Evoque can at least enjoy one of the nicest cabins in the segment and a top-tier sound system, even if the threat of wallet-bruising repair bills might loom large.
Holds value: Toyota RAV4
Toyota redesigned the RAV4 for the 2026 model year, but it follows the same core formula as before. Efficiency is still one of its key selling points — in fact, it’s even more of a focus with the latest generation, which is only available as either a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. A range of trims are also available to cater to a wide spectrum of buyers, with the base trim starting from $33,495 (including a $1,595 destination fee).
Further up the trim range, the Woodland trim beefs up the RAV4’s appearance with Rigid Industries fog lights, roof rails, and all-weather floor mats. At the very top, the Limited trim offers the most comfortable, premium experience. A 2026 RAV4 Limited costs at least $44,895 before optional extras are factored in.
Buyers of all trims will be able to take comfort in the fact that the RAV4’s perennial popularity has helped earn it strong value retention rates. CarEdge and KBB are notably split on exactly how far ahead of its rivals the RAV4’s value retention falls, with the former predicting only a 28% drop in value after 5 years but the latter saying that the car will lose 51% of its sticker price. Regardless of which estimate proves more accurate in the long run, the RAV4 remains among the best SUVs in its class for holding its value.
Loses value: Jaguar F-Pace
By now, most enthusiasts will already be well aware of Jaguar’s impending all-electric relaunch. The brand’s upcoming EV has not yet hit the road at time of writing, but Jaguar dealers are still busy selling off the last of their old stock. The F-Pace SUV can still be found at dealers, with the cheapest 2026 trim starting just under $60,000 and the SVR 575 Final Edition trim costing close to six figures.
The gas engine in the base trim is slightly underwhelming given its asking price, offering 246 horsepower and a 6.9 second 0-60 mph time. The mild hybrid variant bumps those numbers up to a more respectable 395 horsepower and 5.1 seconds, but both lag far behind the Final Edition. It might be significantly more expensive, but the top-spec trim does receive a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine making 567 horsepower and propelling the car from 0-60 mph in just 3.8 seconds.
No matter whether they pick a base example or a top-spec Final Edition, buyers of the 2026 F-Pace can expect to lose most of their investment after 5 years of ownership. CarEdge predicts that the SUV will depreciate 65% after half a decade on the road, and KBB forecasts a very similar 66% depreciation rate.
Holds value: Toyota Corolla Cross
Slotting below the RAV4 in Toyota’s SUV lineup, the 2026 Corolla Cross is an entry-level crossover for buyers who want the style and practicality of an SUV but don’t want to spend a fortune. It’s equipped with a competitive amount of standard tech and offers cargo space and legroom that’s on par with most of its rivals.
It’s efficient too, with the EPA estimating that the Corolla Cross Hybrid should be capable of hitting 42 mpg on a combined cycle. In the real world, our testing saw the car average slightly less than that claimed figure, averaging around 39 mpg over the course of the test period. Prices for the non-hybrid variant start at $26,830 (including a $1,595 destination fee), while the hybrid costs around $30,000.
The Corolla Cross doesn’t win any points for driver engagement, but as a sensible, wallet-friendly runaround, it ticks all the right boxes. That sensibility appeals as much to used car buyers as it does to new car buyers, and as a result, the small SUV holds its value well. Estimates for exactly how well a new example will hold value differ, with CarEdge predicting a 30% drop in value over 5 years but KBB suggesting a 50% drop is more likely.
Loses value: Land Rover Discovery Sport
Compared to the Range Rover and Defender lines, the Discovery is the forgotten child of the Land Rover stable. Bosses have been on record discussing how the next generation of the Discovery and its smaller relative, the Discovery Sport, need to be better differentiated from the Defender. For now though, the current generation soldiers on. The 2026 model year has seen the launch of some new trims and additional options, but fundamentally it’s still the same SUV that’s been in Land Rover’s lineup for years now.
Until its relaunch, both the Discovery and Discovery Sport are stuck with high depreciation rates that reflect the fact that they’re overlooked by many buyers. Land Rover’s reliability record is also patchy at best, which doesn’t help matters. The Discovery Sport is the smaller of the two Discovery SUV models, and it’s expected to depreciate 59% after 5 years according to CarEdge and 65% over the same time according to KBB.
Holds value: Hyundai Venue
Compact SUVs don’t get much smaller than the Hyundai Venue. It’s one of the cheapest new cars you can buy in 2026, with a starting price that only just surpasses the $20,000 mark. Depreciation estimates for the car differ in their assessment of how much of its value it’s likely to retain 5 years after it leaves the lot, with CarEdge being more positive about its value retention than KBB. The first says buyers can expect to lose only 36% of their original investment, while the second predicts a 54% depreciation rate.
In dollar terms, the Venue’s depreciation is among the lowest of any small SUV even if KBB’s less optimistic depreciation rate is assumed to be true. Owners won’t spend a lot at the fuel pump either, with the EPA estimating that the SUV should hit 31 mpg combined. That translates to a fuel savings of $1,000 compared to the average new vehicle over the course of 5 years.
Loses value: Cadillac Optiq
As previously mentioned, luxury cars tend to depreciate fast, as do electric vehicles. The Cadillac Optiq is both a luxury SUV and an electric vehicle, and so it’s no surprise that it sheds value pretty rapidly. It’s still a relatively new model, but estimates generally agree on how much it can be expected to lose over five years. CarEdge predicts a 57% drop in value, while KBB forecasts a slightly larger loss, at 61%. That’s not shockingly bad for an EV, but it’s still more than most other small SUVs.
We tested the Optiq shortly after it was launched and found it to be a typical Cadillac in all the ways that matter: It was quiet, comfortable, and well appointed inside, without much of the over-the-top gadgetry that some of its rivals offer. Like virtually all new cars, it still has a prominent infotainment screen, but we found it generally straightforward to operate and not too intrusive. Aside from the odd omission, like the Optiq’s lack of Apple CarPlay compatibility, we didn’t find much to dislike about the smallest Cadillac EV.
Holds value: Honda HR-V
The HR-V is Honda’s SUV equivalent of the Civic, with shared underpinnings and a similarly affordable price tag. We spent time with the car at the launch of the current generation and liked its interior and standard equipment levels, although we found the sound of its CVT to be grating when the SUV was driven on the highway. Noisy transmission aside, the HR-V is a good entry point into Honda’s SUV lineup, and as a bonus, it looks less cheap than its price tag would suggest.
Buyers can expect the HR-V to hold its value well over its first 5 years on the road, but like many of the top performing small SUVs here, estimates differ on just how much it will be worth. According to CarEdge, the HR-V will lose 31% of its sticker price over that time, while KBB suggests that a deprecation rate of 48% is the more likely scenario. Individual factors like mileage and condition can also play a significant part in resale value, but overall, the HR-V remains towards the top of its class.
How we selected these small SUVs
Every platform uses a slightly different methodology and different datasets to predict how fast a new vehicle will lose value, so to gain a balanced overview of predicted depreciation rates, we averaged data from two trusted sources. We based our picks for this list on the mean average of predicted depreciation rates from CarEdge and KBB, with each of our fast depreciating picks losing 55% or more of their initial value over their first five years on the road. Our top picks for value retention are each forecast to depreciate an average of 45% or less, putting them towards the very top of their segment.
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Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
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Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for June 16, 2026.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: Worker who sticks a thick mix on bricks
Answer: MASON
6A clue: Volvos or VWs
Answer: AUTOS
7A clue: “Wow, that’s wild!”
Answer: CRAZY
8A clue: Peaceful place
Answer: HAVEN
9A clue: Key above ~ on a Mac
Answer: ESC
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: ___ 1 (speed of sound)
Answer: MACH
2D clue: Emanating glow
Answer: AURA
3D clue: Fend (off)
Answer: STAVE
4D clue: Seeps slowly
Answer: OOZES
5D clue: Boy band with the 2000 hit “It’s Gonna Be Me”
Answer: NSYNC
offbeat
Worried that an unexpected strike could take out critical orbital systems, Pentagon researchers want to know how fast the industry thinks it could launch replacements
War may never change, but its domains evolve, and DARPA is looking for ideas to ensure space infrastructure destroyed in future orbital skirmishes can be rapidly replaced.
DARPA, on Friday, put out a request for information for an initiative to develop what it’s calling Rapid Reconstitution of Space Capabilities.
“Other nations seek to position themselves as leading space powers while undermining the stability and tranquility that allows space to benefit all nations,” DARPA said, suggesting that the US would never dare deploy space weapons that could destabilize the tranquility of Earth orbit.
“Space is an increasingly contested environment, presenting a multitude of threats to U.S. space assets,” DARPA added. “Therefore, there is a strategic need to be able to quickly respond to disrupted assets and reconstitute degraded space capabilities.”
While we don’t know if the US has any weapons in space – we asked but didn’t get a response – other countries certainly are striking an aggressive posture.
Both Russia and China have reportedly blown up their own defunct satellites in recent years to demonstrate their space warfare capability, and the US Space Force has noticed what appears to be China experimenting with orbital satellite dogfighting maneuvers. The US has also accused Russia of developing anti-satellite weaponry that may or may not involve orbital nukes, leading the US to update its fleet of satellites designed to keep an eye out for potential nuclear launches.
“U.S. competitors are implementing a sustained effort to develop a broad range of offensive counterspace capabilities through a variety of anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, including direct attacks on satellites, jamming and spoofing of signals, and continued cyberattacks on satellite and ground infrastructure,” DARPA noted in Friday’s announcement.
Pointing to the 2023 Space Force tactically responsive space exercise Victus Nox, which saw the USSF launch a space vehicle into orbit just 27 hours after getting the word, DARPA said it wants more of the same, but hopefully faster.
“DARPA Strategic Technology Office seeks information supporting technical solutions and operational concepts and strategies to enable rapid, responsive, cost-effective reconstitution of any lost or degraded space capabilities resulting from attacks,” DARPA explained, adding that it’s not looking for anything more than ideas at this point, but is willing to entertain anyone in the US with a good idea, be they laboratory or private outfit.
According to the announcement, DARPA wants ideas that would get degraded operations restored in “hours to weeks,” and offer the same turnaround time for cases of surging demand as well as asset loss.
“Possible solutions could be realized with reconfigurable, software-defined, multifunctional, and multi-mission payloads, as well as proliferated/mesh architectures and rapid on-orbit deployment concepts,” the Pentagon research arm said.
“Rapid space capability reconstitution is a complex task,” DARPA added, so don’t expect this research to move anywhere near the speed of DARPA’s eventual rapid reconstitution rockets.
Then again, America just minted the world’s first trillionaire, and he’s a space guy – maybe ask him how to launch rockets quickly? Surely his ideas would be grounded in good sense, right?
alternative_right shares a report from The Hill: The FBI released an urgent security warning to the public about a fast-acting scam targeting Microsoft 365 users on Teams, Outlook and OneDrive. The agency warned that the hacking platform Kali365 seeks out OAuth device codes, allowing scammers to sneak past multi-factor authentication codes, and without the need for a password, to access Microsoft accounts. Scammers will send a phishing email impersonating a trusted document-sharing service with a device code and instructions on how to verify, according to the FBI.
“Kali365 lowers the barrier of entry, providing less-technical attackers access to AI-generated phishing lures, automated campaign templates, real-time targeted individual/entity tracking dashboards, and OAuth token capture capabilities,” the FBI stated. The platform is sold to scammers with a $250 per month subscription. The FBI, which first detected Kali365 in April, described the hacking platform as an “emerging Phishing-as-a-Service platform.” Hackers with limited skills can access advanced phishing tools through the platform, according to NordPass.
Tech
Rivian CEO says supervised point-to-point self-driving will arrive this year, and he’s comparing it directly to Tesla’s FSD
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the company will ship supervised point-to-point self-driving on all of its second-generation vehicles and the R2 later this year, describing the capability as “very similar to Tesla’s FSD.” Speaking at the Masters of Scale event in Anaheim on Thursday, Scaringe laid out a three-stage autonomy roadmap: supervised point-to-point driving in 2026, eyes-off unsupervised driving in 2027, and a commercial robotaxi service with Uber beginning in 2028.
The announcement represents a significant jump from Rivian’s current driver-assistance system. Universal Hands-Free, which rolled out in late 2025, handles steering and speed on roughly 3.5 million miles of marked roads in the US and Canada. It does not navigate turns, traffic lights, roundabouts, or parking lots.
Point-to-point driving would extend the system’s capabilities to handle complete journeys from origin to destination, similar to what Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Supervised already attempts. The leap from highway lane-keeping to full urban navigation is the hardest problem in autonomous driving, and no company has solved it without significant constraints.
“Later this year, we’ll have full supervised point-to-point, which will be very similar to Tesla’s FSD,” Scaringe said. “And that’ll roll out to all of our Gen 2 vehicles and, of course, R2.” He did not specify a month or quarter for the rollout, and Rivian has not publicly demonstrated the point-to-point system in an uncontrolled environment.
The comparison to Tesla is deliberate but architecturally inexact. Tesla’s FSD relies exclusively on cameras, while Rivian’s platform integrates 10 external cameras, five radar units, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and a high-precision GPS receiver. Rivian began delivering R2 SUVs earlier this month, and future R2 models will add a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor and the company’s custom RAP1 processor, a 5nm chip delivering up to 1,600 trillion operations per second.
The pricing undercut is sharper than the technology comparison. Rivian’s Autonomy+ package costs $2,500 as a one-time purchase or $49.99 per month, compared with Tesla’s FSD at $8,000 or $99 per month. Whether the lower price reflects a competitive strategy or a difference in capability remains to be seen, given that Rivian’s point-to-point system does not yet exist as a shipping product.
Rivian’s autonomy software is built around what the company calls a Large Driving Model, a foundational AI system trained end-to-end through reinforcement learning. The LDM maps raw sensor input directly to vehicle trajectory, analysing multiple driving paths and selecting the optimal one using a technique called Group-Relative Policy Optimization. The approach mirrors the end-to-end neural network philosophy Tesla adopted with FSD v12, though Rivian’s multi-sensor hardware gives the model a wider range of input data to work with.
The 2027 eyes-off milestone is where the roadmap becomes commercially consequential. Supervised driving, regardless of how capable, still requires a human to watch the road. Tesla has been promising unsupervised FSD for years and has pushed the timeline repeatedly, most recently to Q4 2026 at the earliest. Scaringe has said Rivian targets Level 3 autonomy by 2028 and Level 4 by 2030, timelines that no autonomous driving company has consistently met.
The commercial centrepiece of the roadmap is the $1.25 billion deal with Uber announced in March. Uber committed an initial $300 million investment, with the remainder contingent on Rivian hitting autonomous performance milestones through 2031. The deal calls for Uber or its fleet partners to purchase 10,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis, with an option for up to 40,000 more beginning in 2030. Commercial deployment is planned for San Francisco and Miami in 2028, expanding to 25 cities by 2031.
Those targets depend on Rivian achieving something it has not yet demonstrated: a vehicle that can drive itself without human supervision. The company’s Gen 3 autonomy platform, which will power the robotaxi programme, is still undergoing validation. The initial R2 production run launched without the Gen 3 hardware, meaning the robotaxi-grade vehicles are at least one hardware generation away from production.
Scaringe framed the self-driving push as essential to Rivian’s long-term economics. The company posted a net loss of $3.63 billion in 2025 despite achieving its first full-year positive gross profit at $144 million. Autonomy, if it works, transforms the revenue model from selling cars to operating a transportation platform. But the gap between announcing a roadmap at a conference and shipping a reliable autonomous system is where most self-driving timelines have historically broken down.
In case Microsoft Flight Simulator is a little too realistic for your tastes, there’s a new way you can take to the virtual skies. Google Earth has a flight sim mode of its own, and it can now be accessed by anyone globally via their browser. Android Police spotted a social media post from the Google property announcing this update.
Prepare for takeoff. ✈️ Flight simulator is now available globally on web to all users. https://t.co/jV5ZW7BZeW
We’ve recently added many our most powerful professional desktop features to web. Elevation profiles, new import types, but there’s always been one other feature… pic.twitter.com/s11NDaCx60
— Google Earth (@googleearth) June 12, 2026
Google Earth seems to be the area where the massive company remembers that tech can be cool and downright fun. In 2024, it added an option for seeing historical recreations of select times and places. This is the sort of clever curio we love, and Google delivered even more the following year.
Once you have Google Earth open, go to Explore Earth, then the Tools menu to find the Flight Simulator mode. There’s an FAQ for you newbie virtual pilots to help you get acclimated to the Google Earth simulation. Just bear in mind two caveats. For one, this is an experimental feature, so you might have some wonky moments with the flight simulator. And second, Google wants to be very clear that this isn’t enough to put you in the cockpit of an actual 747: “The flight simulator is designed for casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training,” it notes. Happy travels!
Retroid has brought back the 12GB RAM configuration of the internet-famous Pocket 6, returning it to the lineup at the same $279 price point as the discontinued version.
The original 12GB RAM variant was pulled from sale earlier this year after Retroid cited the rising cost of RAM and storage, leaving the Pocket 6 available only in its 8GB RAM configuration.
However, the updated model comes with the catch of reduced internal storage. That storage reduction is the most consequential change in the new configuration, with the returning 12GB model shipping with 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage rather than the 256GB that the discontinued version carried, effectively halving the built-in capacity at an unchanged retail price.
The new variant also arrives with a more limited set of options than the original, restricted to a single control layout with asymmetrical thumbsticks, meaning buyers who prefer the symmetrical D-pad Top arrangement will need to step down to the 8GB RAM version to get that configuration.
Colour availability has narrowed as well, with the 12GB RAM model offered only in Black, 16Bit, and Silver, dropping the Light Purple and Orange options that were available on earlier Pocket 6 configurations sold through the official Retroid store.
Retroid also announced the returning model through its official Discord channel rather than a formal press release, confirming the device is in stock and available to ship immediately, which places it ahead of competing handhelds such as the AYN Thor and Odin 3 that are currently operating on pre-order timelines.
The new 12GB RAM Pocket 6 is priced at $279 and remains exclusive to the official Retroid website, with the device confirmed in stock and ready to ship immediately.
Fluance has built its reputation by walking the line between affordability and performance, offering a wide range of powered speakers, passive loudspeakers, and turntables aimed at listeners who want better sound without wandering into boutique audio bankruptcy. The new $799.99 Fluance RT87 turntable pushes that formula further, arriving as the company’s most advanced record player to date with a dual plinth construction and a choice of moving magnet cartridges.
That matters because the entry-level turntable category is no longer a sleepy corner of the hi-fi market. Fluance, U-Turn Audio, Pro-Ject, Rega, and Audio-Technica are all fighting for the same growing audience: vinyl buyers who want real performance, clean industrial design, upgrade potential, and pricing that does not require explaining a “lifestyle purchase” to another adult. With the RT87, Fluance is clearly trying to move higher up the food chain without abandoning the value equation that made the brand relevant in the first place.
“With the RT87, we wanted to push every aspect of high-fidelity playback performance further, from vibration isolation to tonearm precision,” said Justin Koetsier, Product Manager at Fluance. “Every decision behind this turntable was made with musical accuracy in mind. As more listeners demand higher-resolution analog systems, the demand is no longer just for a turntable, but for a platform that allows the stylus to retrieve the clearest possible signal from the groove.”
Dual Plinth Construction
The RT87’s most distinctive physical attribute is its newly developed dual-plinth architecture, designed to isolate key signal-path components from unwanted resonance and environmental vibration. The motor is mounted independently on the lower plinth, while the tonearm and cartridge assembly sit on a decoupled upper plinth, separated by precision conical isolators.
The physical separation created by the RT87’s dual-plinth construction is designed to reduce the transfer of motor-borne resonance and external vibration before it can reach the stylus. The dense wood plinths are also intended to help damp mechanical resonance within the chassis. If properly implemented, this type of isolation can support more stable groove tracking, a lower noise floor, and improved clarity across the soundstage.
The Tonearm
The RT87 features a 9-inch carbon fiber tonearm designed for low resonance, high rigidity, and precise stylus control. Its straight-arm geometry and 230 mm effective length are intended to trace a controlled arc across the record surface, helping reduce tracking error when properly aligned. The tonearm supports cartridges weighing 5 to 9.5 grams.
Adjustable Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA)
This feature enables listeners to fine-tune cartridge alignment for optimal stylus contact and enhanced detail retrieval, while a removable headshell makes cartridge upgrades and adjustments simple, giving listeners the flexibility to evolve their setup over time.
Two Premium Cartridge Options
The Fluance RT87 is available in two configurations, each fitted with a premium moving magnet cartridge. The Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML version uses a Microlinear stylus and offers a 3.5 mV output, making it the more detail-focused option, particularly for listeners concerned with groove tracing and inner-groove distortion.
The Ortofon 2M Blue version uses a nude elliptical stylus and delivers a higher 5.5 mV output, giving it a stronger signal into a MM phono stage and a different tonal balance. These are not interchangeable flavors of the same cartridge; the AT-VM95ML and 2M Blue have distinct output levels, stylus profiles, and sonic personalities.
“Each cartridge brings its own character to the RT87,” said Justin Koetsier, Product Manager at Fluance. “Whether listeners prioritize warmth, detail retrieval, or overall musicality, both options were selected to fully showcase the capabilities of the platform.”
High-Mass Acrylic Platter
For improved playback stability, the RT87 uses a thicker and heavier 22 mm, 4.1-pound anti-static acrylic platter. Compared with the 16 mm, 3-pound acrylic platter used on the RT85 and RT85N, the new platter adds both thickness and mass, which should increase rotational inertia and may help reduce speed instability. Fluance also claims the acrylic construction helps damp unwanted resonance and reduce static. The belt-drive system supports 33⅓, 45, and 78 RPM playback speeds, and the RT87 also includes auto-stop functionality.
Traditional Connectivity
Fluance takes a traditional connectivity approach with the RT87. There is no built-in phono preamp, USB output, or Bluetooth connectivity, so the turntable is aimed at listeners who plan to use a conventional analog setup. The RT87 provides a standard phono-level output with a ground connection. To connect it directly to an integrated amplifier or stereo/AV receiver, that component needs a dedicated MM phono input. If it does not, an external MM phono preamp must be connected between the turntable and an available line-level input on the amplifier or receiver.
Comparison
In the following chart, we have compared the Fluance RT87 with their popular, but lower-priced RT85N and the popular Denon DP-500BT at a similar RT87 price point, which includes built-in Bluetooth.
| Brand/Model | Fluance RT87 (2026) | Fluance RT85N (2021/2022) | Denon DP-500BT (2026) |
| Product Type | Turntable | Turntable | Bluetooth Turntable |
| Price | $799.99 | $549.99 | $899.99 |
| Turntable Type | Belt Drive | Belt Drive | Belt Drive |
| Speed | 33 1/3 RPM 45 RPM 78 RPM |
33 1/3 RPM 45 RPM |
33 1/3 RPM 45 RPM 78 RPM |
| Speed Variation | 33 – 0.08% 45 – 0.06% 78 – 0.01% |
0.10% | Not Indicated |
| Wow and Flutter | 0.06% | 0.07% | 0.1% (WRMS) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Weighted) | 70 dB | 68 dB | 62 dB |
| Weight of Platter | 4.1 lbs (1.85 kg) | 3 lbs (1.56 kg) | Not Provided |
| Height of Platter | 0.86 inches (22 mm) | 0.62 inches (16 mm) | Not Provided |
| Auto-Stop | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tonearm Type | Static Balanced, Straight | Static Balanced, S-Type | Static Balanced, S-Type |
| Supported Cartridge Weight | 5 g – 9.5 g | 5 – 7.5 g | 5 – 13 g |
| Tonearm Material | Carbon Fiber, One-Piece Tube | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Overhang | 0.73 inches (18.5 mm) | 0.76 inches (19.2 mm) | 0.6 inches (16mm) |
| Effective Tonearm Length | 9.06 inches (230 mm) | 8.82 inches (224 mm) | 8.7 inches (220mm) |
| Pivot to Spindle Distance (NEW SPEC) | 8.33 inches (211.5 mm) | Not Indicated | Not Indicated |
| Headshell Offset Angle (NEW SPEC) | 24° | Not Indicated | Not indicated |
| Connectors | Tiffany Style RCA (24k Gold-plated) | Tiffany Style RCA (24k Gold-plated) | Standard RCA |
| Phono Preamp | – | – | Yes |
| Phono Cartridge | Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML, or Ortofon 2M Blue |
Nagaoka MP-110 | Denon CN-6518 |
| Bluetooth | – | – | Yes |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 6.3 x 16.5 x 14.25 inches
16.0 x 42.0 x 36.2 cm |
6 x 16.5 x 14.25 inches
14.6 x 41.9 x 36.2 cm |
4.65 x 16.8 × 14.1. inches
11.8 x 42.6 × 35.7 cm |
| Weight | 21 lbs (9.5 kg) | 16.76 lbs (7.6 kg) | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
The Bottom Line
The under-$1,000 turntable category has become one of the more competitive corners of hi-fi, and Fluance is clearly trying to move beyond its value-driven comfort zone with the RT87. At $799.99, this is not just another RT85 variant with a different cartridge bolted to the headshell. The RT87 adds a dual-plinth chassis, a thicker 22 mm acrylic platter, a 9-inch carbon fiber tonearm with VTA adjustment, 78 RPM playback, auto-stop, and the choice of either the Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML or Ortofon 2M Blue moving magnet cartridge.
That makes the RT87 more focused than many of the lifestyle-driven turntables now crowding this price range. Fluance is not chasing Bluetooth, USB ripping, app control, or plug-and-play convenience here. There is no built-in phono preamp, no wireless output, and no USB connection, which means buyers will need an amplifier or receiver with a proper MM phono input, or a separate outboard phono stage.
Those omissions will matter to anyone looking for an all-in-one vinyl solution. The Technics SL-40CBT and Denon DP-500BT offer more modern convenience, while Pro-Ject, Rega, and U-Turn continue to fight hard on tonearm design, speed control, build quality, and upgrade paths. But the RT87’s argument is different: spend the money on the mechanical parts that matter most to analog playback and leave the digital extras outside the plinth.
That makes the Fluance RT87 a more serious step up for listeners who already own, or plan to buy, a proper phono stage. It is less convenient than some of its rivals, but also more purpose-built. For the dedicated record listener who wants cartridge flexibility, better isolation, and a more substantial platform without crossing the $1,000 line, the RT87 looks like Fluance’s most credible turntable yet.
Price & Availability
The Fluance RT87 is available now in Natural Walnut, Piano White, and Piano Black with a choice of an Audio Technica AT-VM95ML or Ortofon 2M Blue phono cartridge for $799.99 at Amazon or Fluance.
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JBL is not done feeding the party speaker machine in 2026. Following the PartyBox On The Go 2 Plus, the company has added two more portable party speakers to the lineup with the new JBL PartyBox 330 and PartyBox 130.
Both models arrive with upgraded woofers, new tweeters, deeper bass extension, and clearer highs, along with JBL’s AI Sound Boost and Smart EQ to help optimize playback across different tracks. That matters in this category, where “loud” is easy and “loud without sounding like a shopping cart full of Bluetooth regrets” is the harder trick.
The design has also been updated, with a new hexangle profile, curved front grille, redesigned lightshow, and a simplified top control panel built around a single dial for volume, sound modes, and lighting effects. Available in Black or White with orange accents, the PartyBox 330 and 130 look like JBL is pushing the line toward a cleaner, more modern identity without forgetting the main job: make the room, backyard, beach, or basement move.
JBL PartyBox 330
At its core, the JBL PartyBox 330 uses dual 6.5-inch woofers and delivers 280 watts of total output power. Making their PartyBox debut, twin PEN dome tweeters bring technology used in JBL’s professional concert systems, with the goal of producing cleaner, more detailed highs that can cut through the mix when the volume climbs.
JBL also includes AI Sound Boost with Smart EQ Mode, which adjusts playback to help keep the sound balanced across different tracks. The redesigned cabinet adds a new profile, ripple-effect side panels built from miniature JBL horn shapes, and a reinvented beat-synced lightshow because, apparently, standing still in the corner was never part of the brief.
Battery life is rated at up to 18 hours, while a 10-minute Fast Charge can provide up to 2 hours of playback. The battery is also replaceable, so users can charge a spare and swap it in when the party outlasts the first pack.
For easier transport, the PartyBox 330 includes a telescopic locking handle and wide all-terrain wheels. The IPX4 splashproof rating adds protection against splashes, making it suitable for poolside use, patios, and outdoor gatherings.
Dual mic and guitar inputs support karaoke, sing-alongs, and basic live performance use. JBL has also added an optical TV input, USB-C for lossless audio, and Bluetooth for wireless streaming from smartphones and tablets.
Auracast support allows users to pair multiple compatible JBL speakers, making it easier to expand coverage for larger spaces or bigger crowds.
JBL PartyBox 130
For those looking for a more compact PartyBox model, the JBL PartyBox 130 delivers up to 200 watts of output power. It uses upgraded 5.25-inch woofers and 25mm silk dome tweeters, with JBL promising stronger bass and clearer highs from the smaller cabinet.
The PartyBox 130 also includes a redesigned lightshow with strobe edge lighting and dynamic visual effects. Battery life is rated at up to 15 hours, while a 10-minute Fast Charge provides up to 80 minutes of additional playback.
A redesigned foldable carry handle makes the 130 easier to move, and its IPX4 splashproof rating adds protection against splashes and light spills. Like the PartyBox 330, it includes mic and guitar inputs, Bluetooth streaming, and Auracast support for connecting multiple compatible JBL speakers.
EasySing Mics
To get more out of the PartyBox 330 and PartyBox 130, JBL also offers EasySing Mics as an optional accessory. They add karaoke-focused features for users who want to use either speaker for sing-alongs, parties, or casual live performance.
Pro Tip: JBL EasySing Mics are not included with the PartyBox 330 or PartyBox 130. They require a separate purchase.
The JBL EasySing Mics provide real-time, AI-powered vocal removal from tracks while maintaining clear, balanced audio. Users can adjust the vocal level to 25%, 50%, or fully removed. The EasySing algorithm enhances live vocals with Voice Boost for improved high-frequency clarity, along with reverb, echo, and noise suppression.
The JBL EasySing Mic Mini is a new compact version that provides a pocket-sized solution for singing and content creation. It includes Voice Boost for high-pitch support and AI-based noise suppression to reduce background interference.
Comparison
| JBL Model | PartyBox 330 | PartyBox 130 |
| Product Type | Party Speaker | Party Speaker |
| Price | $629.95 | $449.95 |
| Power Output (total) | 280 W | 200 W |
| Speaker Drivers | 2 x dual 6.25″ Woofers 2 x 25mm PEN dome Tweeters |
2 x dual 5.25″ Woofers 2 x 25mm silk dome Tweeters |
| Product Height | 26.1 inches | 22.6 inches |
| Weight | 37.7 lbs | 24.9 lbs |
| AI Sound Boost | Yes | Yes |
| Smart EQ Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Light Show | Yes | Yes |
| Playtime | Up to 18 hours | Up to 15 hours |
| Fast Charge | 10 min = 2 hrs | 10 min = 80 min |
| Handle | Telescopic | Foldable |
| IP Rating | IPX4 splashproof | IPX4 splashproof |
| Inputs (Wired) | Dual mic
Dual guitar inputs USB-C lossless audio Optical input 3.5mm aux |
Dual mic
Dual guitar inputs USB-C lossless audio Optical input 3.5mm aux |
| Inputs (Wireless) | Bluetooth 6.0 | Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Auracast™ | Yes | Yes |
| JBL EasySing Mic Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| JBL One App | Yes | Yes |
The Bottom Line
The PartyBox 330 and 130 push JBL deeper into the portable party speaker category with more power, upgraded drivers, Auracast support, mic and guitar inputs, splash resistance, replaceable batteries, and updated lightshows. The 330 adds more output and longer battery life, while the 130 offers a smaller, less expensive option that still keeps the core PartyBox feature set intact.
What’s missing? EasySing microphones are optional, not included, and neither model is pretending to replace a serious PA system. But for parties, outdoor gatherings, karaoke, casual performances, or buskers who need portable amplification without a complicated setup, the PartyBox 330 and 130 make a practical case at $629.95 and $449.95, respectively.
Pricing & Availability
The JBL PartyBox 130 and 330 will be available for presale starting June 7, 2026. Shipping is expected to start on June 28, 2026.
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Total Wireless, formerly known as Total by Verizon, is a prepaid, no-contract wireless provider with unlimited data covered by the Verizon 5G network. Total Wireless Total 5G Unlimited plan has unlimited data, talk, and text, along with a five-year price guarantee—meaning it won’t get jacked up after a trial period, guaranteeing you get unlimited data at a low price. Total Wireless has also introduced unlimited data on Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network that promises to be up to 10 times faster than the median download speeds of other providers.
Whether you have to have the newest iPhone 17, or are more of an Android phone person, we wanted to highlight the best Total Wireless promo codes and discounts that will make anyone happy!
50% Off With BYOD at Total Wireless (No Promo Code Required)
My phone bill is always way more expensive than I think it will be, and it doesn’t help that phone contracts can be confusing and difficult. Total Wireless makes it easy, with incentives like free items and price-lock discounts. Right now, you can get 50% off the Total 5G Unlimited plan when you bring your own phone (aka ‘Bring Your Own Device’). These plans start at as low as $20 per month, with taxes and fees included.
Total Wireless Discount: 15% Off
To get this Total Wireless promo code for 15% off, all you have to do is sign up for the Total Wireless newsletter and get 15% off on your first phone purchase. Plus, with the newsletter, you’ll get exclusive Total Wireless offers and promotions delivered to your inbox to save even more and get up-to-date on the latest drops.
Save up to $250 on Select Devices When You Switch to Total Wireless
Total Wireless wants to thank you for switching. Right now, you can get a free Galaxy A36 5G when you switch to a Total 5G or 5G+ unlimited plan. Or, you could choose to get up to 4 free Moto G Stylus 5G phones when you switch to the Total Base 5G Unlimited plan (or higher). They have tons of other promos going on too, so there’s something no matter your taste. Right now, if you switch, you’ll get up to $250 off select devices, including the iPhone 13 for $50 ($249 off), a free Samsung Galaxy, or a free Samsung Galaxy A25 5 (originally $180), and so much more.
Loop in Friends, Get a Month Free
Total Wireless also has a loyalty program; when your friend gives you a referral code to join, you’ll get a free month of service upon joining. Once you make the switch to Total Wireless and join Total Rewards, as long as you enter your friend’s code within 14 days of activation, you’ll both receive 5,000 points, which is enough for a $50 service plan.
Fin raised $250m in debt in March to help fund its AI agents and make 650 new hires.
Salesforce is purchasing Irish customer agent unicorn Fin for approximately $3.6bn, marking the latest in a series of acquisitions aimed at strengthening its enterprise AI capabilities.
Fin was founded as Intercom in 2011 by CEO Eoghan McCabe, chief strategy officer Des Traynor, chief engineer Ciaran Lee and David Barrett, who worked as a front-end developer at the company before departing in 2018. The company changed its name to Fin – after its AI customer agent platform – last month.
The company’s core offering is Fin, an AI service agent that resolves end-to-end customer queries across channels including live chats, email, WhatsApp, phone and Slack. The AI agent is powered by the company’s proprietary AI model called Apex, purpose-built for customer support.
The company said that it surpassed $400m in annual recurring revenue in March, with Fin alone set to reach the $100m revenue mark.
Fin’s wide-ranging customer base includes companies such as Anthropic, cloud company Snowflake and crypto prediction platform Polymarket. More than 30,000 companies use Fin’s products.
The acquisition comes a few months after Fin raised $250m in debt to help fund its AI agents. The company, at the time, said that it planned to make 650 new hires across offices in Dublin, London, Berlin, Sydney, Chicago and San Francisco this year.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Fin to Salesforce as we enable every company to become an agentic enterprise,” said Marc Benioff, the CEO and chair of Salesforce.
“Fin brings proven agent technology, a deep commitment to customer success, and an incredible AI team that will complement Agentforce with powerful service agent capabilities.”
Salesforce’s AI platform Agentforce grew 205pc, hitting $1.2bn in annual recurring revenue in its fiscal quarter ending in May. Fin’s AI package is expected to help Salesforce provide organisations with improved autonomous resolution and reduced cost-to-serve.
McCabe said that “this is a major win for consumers of the world”.
“Our technology has defined this category and set the new standards for what great customer service looks like today,” he said.
Salesforce announced its intention to acquire Berlin-founded digital experience platform Contentful earlier this month.
Last summer, the company acquired enterprise cloud data management business Informatica in an $8bn deal to integrate the tech into its AI platform Agentforce.
In October, it acquired automation platform Regrello, followed by Qualified, an agentic AI marketing solutions provider, this April.
Salesforce shares are up more than 1.5pc today (15 June), but overall has dropped around 35pc over the past year.
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