About the Column

Many readers often wonder what the editors at SSPAI have been buying lately. Through “New Stuff from the Editorial Team,” we introduce the gadgets and products our editors have recently picked up — and let them share how these new toys actually perform in real life.

Content Disclosure: Any business-related content within the “New Stuff ” section will be labeled as ‘Advertisement’ in the corresponding entry. Products sourced from “manufacturer-provided samples” are not subject to editorial interference.

@Tp: iPhone 17

• Reference price: ¥5,999

When I saw Apple finally give the iPhone 17 a high-refresh-rate display and Always-On Display, plus start with 256 GB of storage, I’ll admit — I was tempted. But my iPhone 15 was still running smoothly, without any performance issues, so the urge to upgrade wasn’t that strong. What really changed my mind was realizing I could trade in my iPhone 15 for ¥2,600. That meant I could get the new one for ¥3,399 — and with 24-month interest-free installments, it came out to just a bit over ¥100 a month. Hard not to give in.

I didn’t rush for the first-day release though. Instead, I waited until it officially went on sale, visited an Apple Store to try it in person, and then started checking the Apple Store app from time to time, hoping to catch some in-store stock.

Maybe this year’s standard model was just too popular — from late September to late October, I only saw available stock twice, and both times it was gone within seconds after I hesitated over pickup time. Then one Monday morning, half-awake, I casually opened the Apple Store app and, to my surprise, found availability at the Tianhuan store. I ordered it immediately and picked it up later that day.

Before the iPhone 15, my previous phone was an iPhone 11. Honestly, switching from the 15 to the 17 hasn’t felt as dramatic as I expected. The body and screen are slightly larger, the system feels smoother, but it doesn’t give that “brand-new experience” I felt when going from the notch to Dynamic Island.

Even though I’ve raved countless times to friends about how good the “Sage Green” looks, I still want to say it again — the green color of the iPhone 17 is truly beautiful.Initially, based on Apple’s product photos, I wanted the blue one. But after seeing both in person, I immediately chose green. It’s not as pale and understated as the iPhone 15’s color, yet it’s not too dark or saturated either. To the eye, it’s like the gentle shade of matcha with milk — soft, fresh, and quietly elegant under the light.

What surprised me most was actually the new camera control button. When Apple announced it on the iPhone 16, I thought it looked like a gimmick. But after using it, I found that in landscape shooting, it really does control almost everything — zoom, photographic style, depth, exposure — all under your thumb. It gives that satisfying one-hand control feeling, like shooting with a Ricoh GR.

The addition of AOD has also changed how I use my phone. When tracking ride-hailing or food-delivery progress via Live Activities, a quick glance tells me everything. But outside of those situations, I still prefer to keep it off.

Since I’m not too demanding about camera quality, the iPhone 15’s camera already met my needs. The iPhone 17’s improvements in photography aren’t that significant for me, but the second-generation photographic styles and new “pearl” color mode do offer something to play around with — fun to explore.

A small side note: by the end of October, offline stock for the iPhone 17 Pro was already quite sufficient. But now that the standard iPhone 17 also has a high-refresh display and AOD, the Pro model’s only remaining advantage for me is its stronger camera system. And honestly, that alone isn’t enough reason for me to pay the premium.

@Microhoo: Narwal S3 Max Island Floor Washer (Water Tank Version)

• Reference price: ¥2,261

After subsidies In recent years, floor washers have evolved rapidly — many features that once sounded futuristic are now standard. I’d been meaning to replace the “old relic” that’s been in my home for over two years with something more modern, but since it was still working fine, I kept putting it off. Then my younger sister passed her civil-service exam and was about to start living on her own.

A used floor washer seemed like the perfect match for a rental apartment. After years of using one, I’ve learned what really matters in a good floor washer: self-cleaning with hot water and hot-air drying. Most households don’t experience the kind of extreme messes that product ads like to dramatize. And compared with robot vacuums, floor washers aren’t used every day — they usually come out only for tougher jobs, like spilled oil or coffee. So, having strong self-cleaning ensures easy maintenance after use, and hot-air drying helps prevent odors or mold when it sits idle.

I ended up choosing the Narwal S3 Max Island, released just two months ago. It checked those two essential boxes, and thanks to rapid market progress, it’s also more affordable than earlier models with similar features. Taking performance and cost-effectiveness into account, it seemed like a product that would suit most households.

Its biggest highlight is the ability to mop with hot water, on top of self-cleaning with hot water. Of course, we can’t skip this year’s trendy topic — steam mopping. The old machine I retired actually had a steam function. I bought it because I’d previously used a corded steam cleaner for years, and that thing was powerful — it could wipe out grease on stoves, tables, and floors like a nuclear weapon. So naturally, I assumed a cordless washer with steam would be even better. But the reality was… disappointing. The drop in power after going cordless meant the “steam” it produced was barely warm — more like a puff of air than a burst of heat.

I can’t say how much new tech has improved things since then, but even with today’s claims of “large volumes of high-temperature steam,” the coverage is still limited and difficult to target precisely. Besides, my floors rarely have dried-on grime anyway. I don’t deny steam’s cleaning power, but unless a cordless unit can match the throughput of a corded one, it feels like a nice bonus — not a must-have.

That’s why the Narwal S3 Max Island appealed to me. It doesn’t chase the steam trend but focuses on overall user experience. It heats the water in the base station before sending it to an insulated tank inside the unit — rather than using an internal heating coil for “on-the-fly” heating like most competitors. Based on what I know about current battery and power limits, I trust Narwal’s approach more. Preheating water externally gives a steadier temperature, and in practice, the heat stays consistent throughout cleaning.

Let me add one thing: don’t take product claims of “90°C hot water” too literally. Those numbers represent theoretical peak temperatures. By the time the water travels through pipes, wets the roller, and reaches the floor, a lot of that heat is lost. If your roller feels “slightly warm,” around 40°C, that’s actually quite good; if it feels like room temperature, that’s average. The S3 Max Island falls in the “good” category — steady warmth, more than enough to handle most household messes.

Another benefit of the S3 Max Island’s design is the low-mounted water tank and battery, which add downward pressure while mopping. That means better contact and cleaning efficiency. The power-assist system also impressed me — pushing and pulling takes little effort, and a small wrist movement can steer the device smoothly. Combined with the lower center of gravity, it’s surprisingly light to use — easier than a regular mop, despite its size.

And then there’s the killer feature for me: Narwal cleverly added a filter basket in the dirty-water tank, inspired by a kitchen sink strainer. It catches solid debris while washing the floor, and you can just remove and empty it afterward — no messy cleanup needed.

The S3 Max Island is full of thoughtful details. For example, the removable odor-control module helps eliminate smells after cleaning oily kitchen spills — I learned that the hard way after mopping up a floor full of Guizhou sour soup. The self-cleaning comb in the base station automatically spins before every cleaning cycle to shred hair tangled around the roller. The drying system also extends beyond the roller to the dirty-water tank and filter, improving overall maintenance efficiency.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with the Narwal S3 Max Island. It may not look like a “Swiss Army knife” compared to flagship competitors, but for real-world use, it does everything you need — and does it well. It even refines the small details that make daily cleaning easier. If it fits your budget, I highly recommend putting it at the top of your list.

@CC: Fujifilm X-T30 III + Viltrox 35 mm F1.7

• Reference price: body ¥6,499; lens ¥650 (from Xianyu resale platform)

Since Fujifilm released its entry-level APS-C mirrorless X-T30 II on September 2, 2021, the product line had remained dormant for years. On October 23, 2025, it finally returned with the X-T30 III, upgrading its “4 + 4” combo (X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor + X-Processor 4) to a “4 + 5” setup with the same 26.1 MP sensor but the new X-Processor 5. That means noticeable improvements in autofocus, image processing, and AI-driven performance.

The new color option—charcoal gray—looks and feels great in person. The weekend after launch, I went to an authorized Fujifilm store listed on the official website, made a reservation, and got my hands on the first-batch unit on November 1. Around the same time, I picked up a brand-new, unopened Viltrox 35 mm F1.7 lens on Xianyu. Fujifilm also released an XC 13-33 mm F3.5-6.3 OIS lens alongside the camera, but I skipped it—too wide, too dim, too expensive, and the kit version won’t even ship until 2026.

Core hardware: compared with the previous model, the autofocus is now finally “usable,” as many Fujifilm users like to put it. It’s fast enough for most situations. It still trails Sony’s FX30 in pure speed, but if you refocus a few times, it will lock on. Image processing has also improved; video specs now match the entry-level X-M5, supporting up to 6.2 K 30 P 4:2:2 10-bit opengate recording.

ID Design: instead of the shooting-mode dial in the previous model’s upper-left corner, Fujifilm replaced it with its signature Film Simulation dial. The camera supports 20 film simulations, seven preset positions on the dial, and three customizable modes. (Sadly, the popular “NC” profile isn’t preset—you’ll have to assign it to one of your custom slots.)

The top plate uses magnesium-aluminum alloy, while the flash housing is plastic. Overall, the build feels solid—small and lightweight without seeming cheap—easily outclassing the cheaper X-M5. (The top-plate material may differ; official documentation wasn’t clear before publication.) As an entry-level model, Fujifilm has shown some genuine sincerity this time. Supply has been plentiful—many users on social media managed to get the launch batch—and the company even included a free original battery and leather case during the first-sale period, which helps offset the small-battery drawback. There’s been no major hardware downgrading either: you still get a pop-up flash, hot shoe, viewfinder, and full 6.2 K “open gate” capture. Of course, if you want a more modern body design, better materials, larger battery, or in-body stabilization, you’ll need to move up to the X-S20 or X-T50 series.

Summary: Fujifilm continues to prove its skill in supply-chain and product-line management. With limited resources, it still offers a wide range of options—from entry-level models around ¥5,000 to high-end ones above ¥10,000—each well-positioned for its market segment. As long as you can buy at list price, the X-T30 III is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a Fujifilm starter camera.

About the lens: The 35 mm focal length (equivalent to 52.5 mm full-frame) is one of the most versatile primes you can get—ideal for portraits, street shots, landscapes, and detail work. If your composition feels off, take two steps forward or back and you’ll be fine. Compared to Fujifilm’s pricey native lenses, the Viltrox 35 mm F1.7 delivers surprisingly good optical performance and decent build quality for a fraction of the cost. It’s become my go-to walk-around lens.

@鲸鱼鱼: OnePlus Ace 6

• Review unit provided by the manufacturer

When I heard our company had received a review unit of the OnePlus Ace 6, the little gamer in me couldn’t resist—I claimed it immediately.

My first impression? It looks great and feels even better. Compared with earlier Ace models, the Ace 6 is much closer to my aesthetic taste. The design is simpler, the metal frame gives it a premium touch, and the overall build quality feels close to a flagship. The rounded corners and smooth edge transitions make it comfortable to hold. The frosted AG glass on the back, in this “Flash White” colorway, feels silky and refined—a balance between visual appeal and tactile pleasure.

Performance-wise, the phone debuts with a 165 Hz, 1.5K display. Theoretically, that means faster visuals and response times—but honestly, I can’t see a huge difference with the naked eye. Among the games I play, only TFT Mobile currently supports 165 fps; PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings are still adapting and max out at 120 fps for now. Still, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 “Ultimate Edition” chip, I can max out graphics and effects without worrying about heat or battery drain. There’s even a “Super Evolution” mode for TFT, and network optimization built into the chipset keeps 5G speeds stable—even in elevators—so I don’t have to return from lag only to finish last.

When performance is cranked up, cooling and battery life matter even more. The phone’s “Glacier Cooling System” performs excellently. After long gaming sessions, the back feels warm but never hot, and it cools down quickly once you exit the game—honestly more stable than my mood. The 7,800 mAh dual-cell battery is another highlight. Twenty minutes of Honor of Kings at max graphics drains only about 4%. And with 120 W SuperVOOC charging, it can fully recharge in around 45 minutes. Plug it in while you shower or eat, and it’s ready to go again—definitely a gamer’s best friend.

Outside of gaming, everyday use is just as smooth. The new ColorOS 16—nicknamed “the Dove of smartphone UIs” for its silky animations—really lives up to the name. Its AI-powered features, like “Xiaobu Memory,” can automatically collect gaming guides from Xiaohongshu and Bilibili, which is dangerously convenient for a gamer like me. The camera system, though not on par with flagship imaging phones, is still perfectly capable for daily snapshots.

In short, if you value raw performance, gaming smoothness, and an excellent display, the OnePlus Ace 6 is a solid option.

@路中南: Bean Bag Sofa

Reference price: ¥370

After spending a few days at a colleague’s place, I found myself wanting a bean bag sofa. My impression of them had always been that they cost over a thousand yuan, but now they’re everywhere online for just three or four hundred. I wasn’t familiar with any of the brands, but after checking reviews, they all seemed reliable. I ended up choosing one from Luckysac, shipped from Xiaoshan, Hangzhou—it arrived the next day.

PS. I bought this about a month ago, and during the Double 11 sale, the same SKU dropped to just over ¥300.

A bean bag sofa that you can sit, lie, or even meditate on isn’t anything new, right? That’s what I thought too—until I realized how much the product category has matured. Many of the concerns I used to have have already been solved. Take cleaning, for example: a bean bag sofa is basically a big, soft lump filled with tiny plastic beads. These days, most brands have figured out “particle separation.” Inside the sofa, there’s now a woven inner bag—kind of like a laundry mesh—that holds all the filling. When you need to wash the outer cover, you can simply zip the inner bag closed to separate it. No mess, no chaos, and since the inner bag stays hidden inside the sofa, you don’t even need a separate storage sack.

The inner bag is huge—once filled with beads, it feels like a full burlap sack. But this design also adds flexibility. For example, it makes after-sales support easier. Since this was my first time buying one, I overestimated the size of my living room and ordered one that was too big. The customer service staff instructed me to separate the filler, then sent me a smaller cover so I could refill it myself. The filler beads may age over time, and since I now had extra left over, the rep told me to keep them as spares—saving both of us the trouble of future replacement shipments.

After switching to the smaller cover, I realized I preferred a softer feel, so I removed some of the beads to adjust the firmness. It’s surprisingly convenient to fine-tune the fill level yourself. Of course, the bean bag isn’t just for me—my cat, the “black pig lord,” loves it too. He sinks right in, squints his eyes, and sometimes even circles around impatiently when I sit there too long, as if telling me to get off his throne. There are some downsides.

The one I bought uses a “milk velvet linen” fabric in warm gray. It’s a bit hot for summer and easy to sweat on, though perfectly fine for winter.There are also two other fabric options, VOSS and ARNE, but I have no idea what those actually feel like—and I’m not sure if the seller would sell an extra cover separately. Also, this sofa has a leather logo printed on it (see top left image), which is quite unsightly.