Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 57, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, happy Kindle Season to all who celebrate, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)
Technology
The FCC will soon require all hearing aids and phones to work together
On Thursday, the FCC approved new regulations requiring all phone makers to make their handsets compatible with hearing aids. With the number of Americans 65 and older expected to balloon by nearly 50 percent by 2050, the rules will ensure those with hearing loss don’t have to worry about which phones will work with their hearing aids.
“Under the new rules, after a transition period, Americans with hearing loss will no longer be limited in their choice of technologies, features, and prices available in the mobile handset marketplace,” the FCC wrote in a press release.
On the flip side, the FCC also passed a requirement for hearing aid makers that effectively bans proprietary Bluetooth coupling standards in the assistive devices. So, phones must be compatible with hearing aids — and vice versa. The rule even applies to the recently approved over-the-counter hearing aids, which now include AirPods Pro 2.
Other changes include requiring all new mobile handsets sold in the US to let users raise the volume without introducing distortion. In addition, the FCC now mandates that cell phones’ point-of-sale labels clarify hearing aid compatibility and whether the handsets meet Bluetooth or telecoil coupling requirements.
The FCC worked with a consortium of cell carriers, phone makers and researchers to draft and adopt the rules. “Establishing a 100% hearing aid compatibility requirement for all mobile handsets was made possible by the collaborative efforts of members of the Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force — an independent organization of wireless service providers, handset manufacturers, research institutions and advocates for those with hearing loss,” the Commission wrote. “Members of the Task Force worked together over a period of years to reach a consensus on how the Commission could achieve its objective of requiring 100% of all mobile handsets to be hearing aid compatible.”
Technology
iPad Mini and Kindle Colorsoft are reading gadgets worth upgrading for
This week, I’ve been reading about sports betting and designer proteins and the Ford Bronco, listening to Bon Iver’s new Sable and Brian Eno’s old Music for Airports on repeat, watching Archer and Unstable, desperately trying to find a better controller for the Nintendo Switch, and finally seriously making plans to build a whole seltzer system into my kitchen counter. It’s just time.
I also have for you an unusually gadget-heavy week: new Kindles, new iPads, new retro game consoles, and much more. Oh, and I forgot to mention this last week, but The Verge is hiring for a couple of really cool jobs, including a senior tech editor and a deputy editor overseeing our reviews and commerce programs. You should apply! Can confirm this is an awesome place to work. And if you have questions about either role, hit me up.
Anyway, gadget time. Let’s do it.
(As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What are you watching / playing / reading / trying this week? What should everyone else be into as much as you are? Tell me everything: installer@theverge.com. And if you know someone else who might enjoy Installer, forward it to them and tell them to subscribe here.)
The Drop
- The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. I suspect the new Paperwhite will actually be the right new Kindle for most people (and it is really nice), but there’s something about the color model that is just so enticing. Particularly if you’re a comics reader, this thing looks like a winner.
- The new iPad Mini. I’ve always hoped Apple would decide to do something awesome and new with the iPad Mini. And Apple never does. But I love the Mini all the same, and at the very least, this one is a thoroughly modern iPad that can do every iPad thing. I’ll take that.
- The DJI Air 3S. The new midrange drone in DJI’s lineup has a bunch of nice upgrades but really only one purpose: to work well in the dark. The 3S is built to fly safer, capture better images, and return home more easily, all without being able to see very well. It sounds very fun and also like a very good way to prank your friends. I’m just saying.
- The Sonos Arc Ultra. Yeah, the app sucks, but Sonos still makes great-sounding stuff. And I think if you’re going to buy one piece of home stereo gear, a soundbar is the way. If the surround-sound tech works half as well as the company says, this one’s a winner.
- The Analogue 3D. I have been waiting for Analogue’s Nintendo 64 console for what feels like forever, and this 4K upscaling machine is exactly what I hoped it’d be. It doesn’t ship until next year, and you can’t preorder it until Monday, but I’m telling you now because I’d bet good money it’ll sell out in a hurry.
- Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara. Maybe I’m still in a 2004-y mood, so anything Tegan and Sara catches my eye, but this is a wild story: about a specific identity theft, about what happens when fandom gets weird, and so much more.
- Eater for iOS. This is exactly what I can never get Google Maps to be: just a million maps of cool, good restaurants. Eater’s taste often skews a little fancy and expensive, but I’ve rarely gone wrong trusting its recommendations. (I suppose I should disclose that Eater is part of Vox Media, as is The Verge, but also I just really like this app so far.)
- Shrinking season 2. One of my favorite shows of the last few years is back! If you haven’t watched the first season of this show that is somehow both very bleak and very funny, you should. And then you should watch the second season immediately and tell me all your thoughts. I’ll be ready.
- Super Mario Party Jamboree. I think Mario Party 64 might be my all-time most-played video game. (It’s either that or GoldenEye.) This new entrant in the series adds lots of new minigames and some really fun-looking new boards — it looks like a perfect group game.
Screen share
I think it’s still the case that Adi Robertson is the employee at The Verge who has worn the most AR and VR headsets. Is that a cool distinction or a horrifying one? Who knows! But the internet is filled with pictures of Adi wearing face-puters. Now, she runs our policy desk and is thinking an awful lot about how we ought to regulate, use, and make sense of all the technology in our lives. Also something about an election in a few weeks? Not sure what that’s about.
Here’s Adi’s homescreen, plus some info on the apps she uses and why:
The phone: Samsung Galaxy S24.
The wallpaper: My lockscreen is a rotating slideshow of my seven-month-old because I am That Mom now. My homescreen is the Continuous Monument, which is a satirical sci-fi architecture concept from the 1970s avant-garde firm Superstudio — it’s part of a series of illustrations of a huge, sterile, grid-like arcology lacing across the entire world. Sort of like a huge version of Saudi Arabia’s The Line project, except nobody was supposed to actually build it.
The apps: Libby, Google Authenticator, Amazon, The New York Times, Simplenote, Google Messages, Bluesky, Feedly, Slack, Clock, Camera, LastPass, Paprika, Phone, Wikipedia, Google Photos, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Stash2Go, Okta Verify, LibraryThing, Files, Spotify, Signal, Gmail, Firefox, Google Maps.
I have a lot of inertia in my homescreen; I kept Google Hangouts on there for months after it shut down. I also added some stuff after becoming a parent — I ordered from Amazon maybe twice a month until I had a tiny creature constantly going through diapers and formula and random items I didn’t realize babies needed.
Libby: While I fully support the idea of library-managed controlled digital lending, I can’t deny the convenient pipeline of borrowing a book from the New York and Brooklyn public libraries through Libby and having it appear instantly on my Kobo reader. You got me, public-private tech partnerships. Sometimes you’re good.
Paprika: In an era of link rot and paywalls, this is the best service I’ve found for opening a recipe on the internet, downloading a personal copy, and keeping it permanently on my phone for reference. (There’s also a desktop version.) It’s simple, no-nonsense, and includes a calendar for planning meals and an easy grocery list feature.
Stash2Go: I don’t knit as much as I used to (infants and giant needles present some obvious problems), but I’m an avid Ravelry user, and when I started knitting, this was the best third-party app I found. It maintains most of the site’s powerful pattern search options while letting me upload pictures of my projects.
Bluesky: When Twitter’s user base started splintering, I wasn’t sure Bluesky would make it! But my initial choice, Mastodon, started feeling like a chore — I’m happy for the people who love it and I hope it flourishes, my feed just filled up with one too many arguments over the ideological valence of search options and quote posts. At this point, some of my favorite Twitter communities (like tech policy Twitter) have migrated to Bluesky, and it’s become a good way to keep up with what’s going on.
LibraryThing: With absolutely no disrespect to the creator of LibraryThing: I do not like LibraryThing. I do not like the complicated sorting and annotation features I never use. I do not like that, half the time, adding a book to my library requires restarting the app. But I like keeping track of the books I’ve read, and Goodreads — with its review bombing, its harassment potential, its attempts to make me share my reading history — just feels gross. If you have a less janky alternative, please let me know.
Feedly: I keep up with news and essays on RSS. I got a Feedly account when Google Reader shut down. It works pretty well, and I’m happy with it. I am a simple woman, set in my ways.
Wikipedia: This is my Instagram. I’ve lost hours scrolling it. My current tabs include Charlotta Bass (the first Black woman to own and operate a US newspaper), Daigo Fukuryū Maru (the Japanese fishing boat, contaminated with radioactive fallout in the 1950s, that partially inspired Godzilla), and the 1995 Raven Software first-person shooter Hexen: Beyond Heretic, which I have never played.
I also asked Adi to share a few things she’s into right now. Here’s what she sent back:
- I’m currently reading The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville. I’ve barely started, but I generally like Keanu Reeves’ taste, and China Miéville is one of my favorite authors, so a collaboration between them is too delightful a prospect to miss.
- I’m currently watching the long-awaited Adult Swim adaptation of Uzumaki. Like a lot of viewers, I enjoyed the first episode and felt a bit burned by the later animation quality decline, but so far, it’s doing a pretty good job of compressing a massive volume of creeping horror into a few hours of anime.
- I’ve just finished playing Dredge, a cozy fishing game about catching eldritch abominations to find arcane artifacts that will bring about the end of the world. I could use some more variety in the minigames and side missions, but as premises go, it’s extremely my thing.
Crowdsourced
Here’s what the Installer community is into this week. I want to know what you’re into right now as well! Email installer@theverge.com or message me on Signal — @davidpierce.11 — with your recommendations for anything and everything, and we’ll feature some of our favorites here every week. For even more great recommendations, check out the replies to this post on Threads.
“I’ve found and been playing a whole lot of Codenames, a new app version of the board game. It is incredibly well-thought-out, with lots of fun variations and cool ideas. It’s also a one-time purchase, which I really appreciate!” – Joel
“Some former Pitchfork folks started their own thing called Hearing Things and started it off with a killer playlist of the best music of the decade so far. And before anyone asks — yes, they do have a ‘blog’ section.” – Christine
“I just finished Hideo Yokoyama’s Six Four. It has to be the weirdest, most unique crime fiction I’ve ever read. Highly recommend it.” – Laszlo
“I really like DuckDuckGo AI Chat, which includes the ChatGPT, Claude, Llama, and Mixtral models, where chats are private and are never saved or used to train AI models. As a privacy-focused user, I find this really helpful.” – Shyam
“Charli XCX’s Brat remix album — the hottest guest lineup since the pandemic.” – Dariusz
“It’s dumb, overpriced, and over-engineered. I just got three of these Simplehuman trash cans for my bathrooms. It’s built like a tank, and these things will go with me to my grave.” – Brian
“Here’s a fun game you should look into: the studio is called Rusty Lake, and they have 15–20 point-and-click games that all are connected to an overall story. It deals with murder, reincarnation, and family, and they’re really good! I would start with Paradox because that’s the one I started with.” – Levi
“Discovered Netflix has a Minesweeper in their games catalog. It’s nothing special, but it’s a solid, polished version of the game, and it’s been my default mobile game for the last week.” – Justin
“Been on an Ursula K. Le Guin kick and reading The Dispossessed. It goes deep into thinking what a society based on anarchist principles would be like, plus tons of mid-century sci-fi goodness.” – Richard
Signing off
I’m sure (or at least I hope) I’m the 9,000th person to tell you to watch Cabel Sasser’s talk from the XOXO conference this year. Honestly, most of the talks from XOXO are great if you care about the internet and creativity and art and stuff, but Sasser’s was my favorite. I promise you will never guess where it’s going, and I promise it’s worth the journey. I’m working on seeing the world more like Wes Cook.
Technology
The latest Samsung Galaxy S25 leak hints at the dimensions for all three phones
The Samsung Galaxy S25 leaks continue to trickle out, and we now have what are supposedly the full dimensions of all three phones in the series: the standard Galaxy S25, the Galaxy S25 Plus, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
This information comes from the usually reliable Yeux1122 (via @Jukanlosreve), who says the standard Galaxy S25 will have dimensions of 146.94 mm x 70.46 mm x 7.25 mm. That compares to 147 mm x 70.6 mm x 7.6mm for the Samsung Galaxy S24.
Then we have the larger Galaxy S25 Plus, which will apparently measure 158.44 mm x 75.79 mm x 7.35 mm. The dimensions of the current Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, for comparison, are 158.5 mm x 75.9 mm x 7.7mm.
Lastly, there’s the largest of the lot, the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The dimensions of this handset are said to be 162.82 mm x 77.65 mm x 8.25 mm, and those measurements compare to 162.3 mm x 79 mm x 8.6 mm for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Matching previous leaks
Final detailed dimensions of the Galaxy S25 seriesS25 146.94 x 70.46 x 7.25 mm(* S24 147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6mm)S25 + 158.44 x 75.79 x 7.35 mm(* S24 + 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7mm)S25 U 162.82 x 77.65 x 8.25 mm(*S24 U 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6mm)Source: yeux1122October 19, 2024
As you can see from those comparisons, there’s not going to be a whole lot of difference in terms of sizes for next year’s models – though each one is going to be thinner than the Galaxy S24 model it’s replacing.
They’re also more or less the same as the measurements that have been mentioned in previous rumors, adding to the likelihood that these figures are right. The phones are expected to be revealed in January, a year after the Galaxy S24 series.
Just a couple of days ago we saw a leaked image featuring dummy units of all three Galaxy S25 phones, another indicator that the shapes and sizes will match up with the current models (though perhaps have slightly thinner bezels).
There remains some debate about the internals of the Galaxy S25, the Galaxy S25 Plus, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra, however – with most rumors now suggesting they’ll all come running the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.
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Technology
These are my favorite leather iPhone 16 cases
If you’ve bought an iPhone 16, you’ll know that there are hundreds of cases for the iPhone 16 series. Whether it’s the regular iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Pro, or even previous iPhones, an entire ecosystem is dedicated to building the best accessories for the iPhone 16.
Sure, you can buy something from Apple, and for many years, the company offered many cases in its stores. And it still has a range of items in a range of materials, except for one: leather.
Thankfully, there’s an alternative. Many companies offer leather cases — including Mujjo, which has great sustainability chops — but none have the variety of cases that Nomad does.
The naked leather case alternative for the iPhone
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a big phone, and while I love the more compact iPhone 16 Pro as my day-to-day iPhone, I sometimes go for the bigger iPhone. I’ve already written about the best thin case for my iPhone 16 Pro, but for the Pro Max, I wanted something different.
How do you make the big iPhone truly stand out from the rest, especially since it lacks the vibrant pop of the regular iPhone? Enter the Nomad Magnetic Leather Back.
It’s the leather equivalent of a Dbrand skin, and a way to truly make your phone stand out. The magnetic attachment isn’t perfect, but it’s fun and unique. It’s ideal if you want an almost-naked experience, as there’s no case around the sides. It’s a slim leather back for your phone, and it probably won’t protect your phone that much in a drop. Still, if you want to spruce up your iPhone while adding as little bulk as possible, it’s a fun and unique solution.
The more traditional leather iPhone case
The Magnetic Back isn’t for everyone, and there are times when I prefer a proper leather case instead. This is where Nomad’s traditional leather case comes in; it’s the leather iPhone case that Apple should have made, and it’s the perfect replacement for Apple’s own.
Nomad’s lineup is a little confusing, and the product you receive differs in a few key ways. If you’re going for the modern leather case like the one seen here, you’ll get a leather back reinforced by a plastic frame that offers eight feet of drop protection. The traditional leather case takes a full wrap approach but lacks the protection rating.
Both styles also come in several shades, and I like the lighter English Tan Nomad Leather. Not all options are available for each iPhone 16 model, although if you have the iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max, you should be able to choose from the widest selection.
To Horween, or not to Horween?
Nomad is unique as it has two distinct leather styles: Horween Leather and “Our New Leather.” They are vastly different and appeal to two entirely different sets of people, and which one you should buy depends on what’s more important to you.
Horween Leather comes from a partnership with the synonymous company from Chicago; the Nomad Leather is from Dannish Tannery Ecco. The former is made by hand, is softer, and develops a patina much faster, while the latter uses computers to ensure a more consistent and uniform design that develops a patina slowly over time.
Horween Leather has a stronger leather smell, while the Nomad Leather is less fragrant. Having tried both styles, I love the richness of the Horween Leather, but I prefer the Nomad Leather as it doesn’t scratch or mark as easily.
It’s all about the leather, leather, leather
If you want an Apple accessory made from leather, there’s a strong chance you’ll find a Nomad option. I’ve had a few of these, and they’re all fantastic. The Passport Wallet Pen Edition is a great way to store your passport when traveling. There are also a few great options for wallets, cardholders, and cases for the Apple Watch and AirPods.
There is also a range of other leather iPhone cases. I’ve tried the leather folio case, and the detachable magnetic clasp is a novel approach to designing a folio for everyone. Similarly, there’s a huge selection of Apple Watch bands. From the traditional Modern Leather band to the Modern Slim Band, there’s a lot to choose from.
Apple may no longer make leather iPhone cases, but when Nomad’s options are this good, that’s fine.
Technology
Why Android Is Leading the Mobile Gaming Movement?
Gaming only continues to prove its success as an entertainment medium as it moves from strength to strength. As developers and studios find more immersive and inclusive ways to play, the world of video game entertainment makes its way into more people’s lives.
It is no longer the hobby of computer fanatics and children, as it slowly becomes a mainstay of many homes. This is in no small part due to the range of gaming experiences offered by Android mobile devices, such as tablets, smartphones, and smartwatches. This handheld and affordable tech has created unique and innovative ways to play for many new players.
The advent of Android gaming
In the early days of video games, a large computer was needed. The software would often demand clunky hardware that could set the player back a significant amount of money. As hardware developed, however, and became more commercially available, computers grew smaller, featuring much more in people’s homes, offices and schools.
Going handheld
Now we have smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and many other android devices in our pockets and homes. These versatile pieces of tech are capable of playing a huge range of games, from quick cookie cutter games like Candy Crush, to much loved 3D RPGs, and even online casino games, such as the ones available in this guide, offering players a variety of no-deposit bonus options for an exciting gambling experience.
Android devices have brought the capabilities of gaming to many people who would probably never have touched a console before. Quick, simple, and easy to understand games have opened up mobile gaming for millions across the world, bringing more players than ever to the format.
PC gaming
With the introduction of commercially available computing came the ability to play computer games at home. However, they were still a niche entertainment, requiring some level of computing knowledge, and were reserved mostly for enthusiasts. Gaming was still something that existed mostly in the realms of arcades and computing culture.
The introduction of the console
However, when arcade boxes were made smaller, and consoles finally hit the market, gaming all of a sudden became something that could exist, unobtrusively, in the family TV room. Gaming was here to stay. Despite the meteoric rise in popularity from this point, it was still seen as an entertainment for children.
More than a few titles
There are many Android games out there to be played on phones and tablets that have become household names.
1. Pokémon GO: Use your smartwatch to track nearby Pokémon, hatch eggs, and collect items.
2. Minecraft: Receive notifications about game events and chat messages.
3. Candy Crush: Connect the various candies to earn points and bonuses.
4. Ingress: Track portals, capture territories, and receive mission updates.
5. Asphalt 9: Legends: Receive notifications about races, challenges, and social interactions.
What makes Android so special
Android has pioneered the movement in mobile gaming, allowing developers and tech companies alike to focus on gaming. Unlike Apple, Android is a much more open software, allowing developers significantly more freedom to create what they want.
Affordability
One of the driving forces behind the rise of the gaming population, especially through mobile platforms, is the affordability of many Android devices. Of course, it is possible to spend a small fortune on the top of the line, flagship Android models, but it isn’t necessary.
Many Android phones are the preferred brand due to their price. They can be picked up cheaply, especially when compared to the cost of a console or PC. With their current hardware, even cheap Android devices are capable of playing a huge array of games.
Emulation and software
Many tech companies, such as Apple, are very protective of their code and software. This ensures that they have a stranglehold on any new programs that are released. By doing so, they can monitor quality, but also take a cut of any profits. Android, on the other hand, is very open with its software, encouraging developers to release updates, programs, and tweaks to improve the base code.
By doing so, it becomes very easy to develop games for Android devices. Companies can create full and immersive games that can be enjoyed on tablets, mobile phones, and even smartwatches, without having to fight against locked software and restrictions.
This open sourced approach to the hardware has allowed huge leaps and bounds in gaming. We are even seeing classic games, previously only available on console, being played on the hardware available in tablets and phones. Emulation of many of the much loved titles on various pieces of android hardware is all possible due to their approach to their code.
More than just phones
Android runs in the background of many pieces of tech around us. Everything from smart fridges to TVs use the Android operating systems to function. This brings a new element to gaming that we didn’t see until the rise of the mobile and Android focused revolution.
Connected
Using Android along with a few other key elements has created environments for seamless gaming. Using a few different Android devices gives us the ability to have a whole new level of connectivity. Smartwatches, in particular, have added a fascinating new way to interact with our favourite games.
Feature | Benefits |
Notifications | Receive alerts about game events, challenges, and social interactions. |
Quick Actions | Access frequently used game functions, such as inventory management or character customization, with a simple tap. |
Companion Apps | Enjoy additional features and content that complement the smartphone game. |
Fitness Tracking | Monitor your gaming activity and progress towards fitness goals. |
In the clouds
With cloud storage, it has become common to store data, such as save files, in the cloud. This means that when we are done playing a game on a tablet, for instance, it now becomes possible to start your daily commute, and continue where you left off on your mobile phone or smartwatch. The beauty of the Android gaming future is availability, mobility, and interactivity.
The future of Android gaming
I have no doubt that as Android continues to improve their software and are used on better and better hardware, the horizons will only broaden.
Even now, Android is being used in some of the most cutting edge gaming hardware, such as VR and AR experiences. Due to the open source nature of their hardware, they will often be the first choice for developers looking to get into the mobile gaming sphere.
Technology
AAAAAAH! Phasmophobia haunts consoles this month
Phasmophobia was one of the chief reasons a lot of gamers lost so much sleep during the pandemic. Now it’s finally headed to consoles after four years of frightening the hell out of us.
Kinetic Games’ ghost hunting game is heading to PlayStation 5, PS VR2 and Xbox Series X/S on October 29. Players on consoles and PCs through Steam can explore haunted places together in online sessions and discover the highest octave their voices can hit. Kinetic announced the game’s console release last year but unforeseen delays forced the studio to push back the date.
Since the game is launching on consoles just before Halloween, Kinetic Games is also holding a special in-game event. Teams will receive a special Halloween goal in which all teams playing on all platforms will work together to “permanently unlock the Blood Moon weather.” The achievement comes with a special badge and trophy and more reasons to scream your head off in future matches.
Phasmophobia is an addictive and horrifying four-player exploration game that came to life on PCs in 2020. As part of a team of ghost hunters, you’re dispatched to a haunted location to investigate and determine what type of horrifying soul is dispatching the living to the realm of the dead. Each team member uses various pieces of ghost hunting equipment and ethereal artifacts to determine the type of spirit doing the haunting and other required criteria about the entity, capture evidence of its presence and sometimes even make contact with the entity.
These ghosts and otherworldly creatures don’t just make doors slam shut and yell “Boo!” before scurrying off into the shadows. There are 20 different types of entities like banshees, demons wraiths and revenants that can call out your name in the darkness, drive down your sanity and even kill your ghost hunter if you’re not careful.
Technology
Want to save money on printing? Canon sells the world’s cheapest original ink by the bottle
When it comes to printers, the price of ink cartridges often becomes a major factor for both home and office users. While a cartridge might appear affordable at first glance, the real cost lies in how much ink you’re getting for your money.
The price of an ink cartridge can be deceptive – as a cartridge that costs $20 may only contain 2ml of ink, which might print around 100 pages. In contrast, a $50 cartridge could contain 20ml of ink, enabling you to print 1,000 pages. While the $20 cartridge seems cheaper, it may end up costing more in the long run due to the need for frequent replacements.
To help shed light on the true cost of printing, I surveyed 100 ink cartridges using publicly available information from the official websites of four major brands: HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother.
The hidden costs of Ink cartridges
To accurately analyze the long-term cost of printing, we assessed the price per litre of ink rather than focusing on the upfront cartridge cost. This approach provides a clearer picture of how much users will spend over time, as it factors in the volume of ink and the total number of pages each cartridge can print.
Among the 100 cartridges surveyed, 31% were classified as cheap (< $1000 per litre), 51% as affordable (between $1000 and $5000), and 18% as expensive (> $5000). Interestingly, Canon and Epson each held a 35% share of the cheap ink data, with HP making up the remaining 30%. This suggests that all three brands ensure they have affordable options available.
However, Canon emerges as the leader in affordability, offering the world’s cheapest original ink by the bottle.
The Canon GI-290 stands out with a price of only $171.29 per litre, making it the most affordable option on the market. Additionally, Canon’s GI-25 series sells for just $9.99 per cartridge, translating to a price of $270 per litre making it also one of the most affordable in the surveyed data. These low prices highlight Canon’s focus on providing cost-effective printing solutions, especially for consumers who print frequently and want to minimize their ink expenses.
While HP is often perceived as a cheap brand, the data tells a different story when you look at the cost per litre of ink.
HP dominates the affordable ink category, with 53% of its cartridges falling between $1,001 and $5,000 per litre. Canon follows with 43% in this range, while Epson and Brother contribute just 2% each. Interestingly, 18% of the surveyed inks are expensive and HP takes the entire 18%. This means that the American tech company produces some of the most expensive ink cartridges in the world.
Although HP cartridges often sell for between $20 to $60, the price per litre can be extraordinarily high, making these cartridges some of the most expensive to use over time. For example, the HP 65 and 67 Tri-Colour cartridges have a staggering price per litre of $9,995 and $9,495 respectively, the highest in the entire dataset.
While some cartridges may seem expensive upfront, they can offer significant savings for users who print in high volumes.
Cartridges like the HP 32XL and Canon GI-290 have an exceptionally low price per page, effectively bringing the cost down to $0.00 in some cases. These cartridges are ideal for consumers who need to print large quantities of documents or photos, as they reduce the need for frequent cartridge replacements and save money in the long run.
High-capacity cartridges such as the Epson T636100 and Canon PFI-1000, which hold between 700ml and 800ml of ink, are also excellent choices for high-volume users. Though these cartridges have a higher upfront cost, their large capacity reduces the frequency of replacements and minimizes long-term costs.
Another interesting trend from the data is that black ink cartridges generally offer a lower cost per page and per litre compared to color cartridges.
Black ink is more commonly used for everyday document printing, which explains its lower cost. However, consumers who require color printing, such as for photos or graphics, face a much higher price per litre. For instance, color cartridges like HP 902 and Canon CL-276 have a much higher price per litre, especially for magenta, cyan, and yellow inks.
Users with frequent color printing needs may want to consider brands like Epson, which offers more affordable options for color ink. The Epson T664220-S cartridges in cyan, magenta, and yellow, for example, are priced at around $177 per litre, making them a reasonable option for those needing a balance between black and color ink costs.
The analysis reveals distinct strategies among the four brands: HP offers products across all three price categories—cheap, affordable, and expensive—but its high price per litre for some cartridges indicates a focus on short-term affordability at the expense of long-term savings. Canon, on the other hand, prioritizes cheap and affordable inks, making it the best choice for cost-conscious consumers. Epson primarily targets the cheap ink market, while Brother plays a smaller role overall, offering fewer options across the price spectrum.
If you print large volumes of document or you run a small business that requires heavy printing, then ink tank printers are the way to go. They are designed for designed for large volume of printing, offer lower costs per page and you do not need to refill regularly.
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