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Fleck Powerbank Concept Turns Recycled Plastic Flakes into Portable Energy

Anyone who’s owned a smartphone knows the frustration of watching that battery percentage slip, especially when there’s no outlet in sight. Power banks have quickly become everyday essentials, always ready to rescue your phone from a premature shutdown. Despite how fast charging technology has evolved, most power banks themselves are still uninspired blocks of plastic, doing little for the environment and even less for your desk’s aesthetic.

Fleck, a wireless power bank concept, tries to turn this everyday accessory into something you’d actually want to show off, all while taking a small but meaningful step in the right direction. Instead of the typical glossy plastic shell, Fleck’s body is formed from recycled plastic flakes. This sustainable approach not only cuts down on waste, it also results in a terrazzo-like look, with colorful bits and pieces embedded throughout the case.

Designer: Ujwal I.K.

The effect is surprisingly striking, giving each Fleck power bank a unique personality. No two are exactly alike, since the flakes used in production create random patterns and color blends. It’s a bit like carrying around a work of modern art that just happens to keep your devices alive. The fun part is that the shell isn’t limited to a single type of plastic, so designers could experiment with different materials and finishes as trends and tastes evolve.

A soft silicone top adds another layer of thoughtful design, shielding the power bank from scratches or bumps and making it a little friendlier to toss into a crowded bag or pocket. The smooth, rounded edges and compact size mean it fits comfortably in your hand, striking a balance between portability and practicality. You won’t have to fumble or worry about it taking up too much space among your other daily carry items.

Fleck is designed to make charging as painless as possible, supporting both USB and fast wireless charging so you can top up your phone and smartwatch at the same time. That means less time spent searching for the right cable, and more time enjoying the freedom of truly wireless mobility. The convenience is matched by the power bank’s commitment to sustainability, giving you a subtle reminder that tech accessories don’t have to come at the planet’s expense.

At its core, Fleck is about more than just keeping your devices running. It’s a quiet statement that even the smallest objects in our lives can be reimagined with care for the environment and a sense of style. Each time you reach for this terrazzo-inspired power bank, you’re reminded that thoughtful design and eco-friendly practices can go hand in hand, making sustainability feel just a little more personal and a lot more beautiful.

The post Fleck Powerbank Concept Turns Recycled Plastic Flakes into Portable Energy first appeared on Yanko Design.

King Living’s Triple Red Dot Win: When Australian Furniture Design Goes Global

When was the last time you got excited about sitting down? I mean, genuinely thrilled about the act of planting yourself on a piece of furniture? If you’re drawing a blank, you haven’t experienced what happens when Australian design thinking meets five decades of furniture engineering. King Living just scored a hat trick at the 2025 Red Dot Design Awards, and these aren’t your average living room pieces. We’re talking about furniture that transforms at your touch, adapts to your body like it’s reading your mind, and somehow manages to look at home in both a modernist gallery and your Netflix binge-watching sessions.

The Sydney-based furniture maker walked away with three prestigious Red Dot awards for their King Cinema Recliner, Haven Sofa, and 1978 High Back Sofa. For a company that began in 1977, crafting steel-framed furniture in Australia, this triple win represents something more significant than just another trophy for the cabinet. It’s validation that furniture can be both an engineering marvel and a design statement, that comfort doesn’t have to compromise aesthetics, and that modular design can feel anything but clinical.

The Cinema Experience That Fits in Your Living Room

Let’s start with the King Cinema Recliner, because this is where technology meets comfort in ways that would make your local movie theater jealous. The star feature here is King Living’s TouchGlide technology, which sounds like something from a sci-fi movie but is brilliantly simple. Instead of fumbling for levers or buttons like you’re operating heavy machinery, you control the headrest and footrest positions with intuitive touch gestures. The recliner responds to your movements with the kind of smooth, whisper-quiet motion that makes you wonder why all furniture doesn’t work this way.

What sets the Cinema Recliner apart from the sea of home theater seating is its ability to create a genuine cinema experience without resembling the installation of actual movie theater seats in your living room. The modular design means you can configure it for intimate two-person viewing or expand it for full family movie nights. Each seat operates independently, so while you’re fully reclined and immersed in the latest blockbuster, your partner can sit upright, scrolling through their phone (we won’t judge). The genius is in how King Living has hidden all the mechanical complexity behind clean lines and premium upholstery that wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end design showroom.

 

Haven: The Shape-Shifting Sofa That Reads Your Mood

The Haven Sofa might be the most aptly named piece of furniture I’ve encountered. This isn’t hyperbole; it’s a modular system that adapts to how you want to relax at any given moment. The hidden flex mechanisms are the real heroes here, allowing you to transform the backrest from a sleek, low-profile look to full high-back support with a simple motion. However, here’s where it gets interesting: each armrest corner adjusts independently, allowing you to create asymmetrical configurations that match exactly how you prefer to lounge.

The “cloud-like comfort” description from King Living sounds like marketing fluff until you actually experience the ultra-soft seat cushions. The engineering challenge here was to create something soft enough to feel luxurious while maintaining sufficient structure to support the flexible mechanisms. The result feels like sitting on a cloud that somehow knows exactly where you need support. As a modular design, Haven can be reconfigured and rearranged without tools, making it perfect for people who can’t commit to a single furniture layout or those who regularly host gatherings that require different seating arrangements.

1978 High Back: When Classic Design Gets a Modern Brain

The 1978 High Back Sofa is what happens when you take a successful design from the 1970s and inject it with 21st-century thinking. Building on the legacy of King Living’s original 1977 Sofa, this piece manages to feel both timeless and thoroughly contemporary. The high back design addresses one of the most common complaints about modern minimalist furniture: the lack of proper head and neck support. However, instead of simply adding a taller backrest and calling it a day, King Living reimagined the entire support system.

The real innovation lies in the balance between classic aesthetics and modern functionality. The clean lines and elegant proportions wouldn’t look out of place in a Don Draper office, but underneath that mid-century-inspired exterior beats the heart of a thoroughly modern piece of furniture. Machine-washable covers mean you can actually live on this sofa without treating it like a museum piece. The modular construction allows for multiple configurations, from intimate two-seaters to sprawling sectionals that can accommodate extended family gatherings. It’s furniture that grows with your life rather than forcing you to adapt to its limitations.

The Future of Furniture is Already Here

These Red Dot wins, along with iF Design Awards for both the 1978 High Back Sofa and their Plateau Outdoor Sofa, represent more than just another trophy haul for King Living. They signal a fundamental shift in how we think about furniture design. David King put it perfectly: “These designs are a reflection of how people live today.” The emphasis on modularity and customization across all three award-winning pieces acknowledges a simple truth: our homes now serve as offices, entertainment centers, social hubs, and personal retreats, sometimes all in the same day. Static furniture has become an obstacle rather than an asset.

What’s remarkable is how King Living has maintained its Australian design DNA while expanding across New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Canada, the UK, and the United States. The Haven Sofa and 1978 High Back Sofa will soon join over 2,000 exhibits at the prestigious Red Dot Museum in Essen, Germany, proving that thoughtful, user-centered design transcends borders. In an era where we’re surrounded by smart technology and adaptive systems, King Living is showing that furniture can be intelligent without being complicated, adaptive without being gimmicky, and beautiful without sacrificing functionality.

The question isn’t whether other furniture makers will follow this lead. The question is how quickly they’ll catch up. Because once you’ve experienced furniture that actually responds to your needs, grows and changes with your life, and manages to look stunning while doing so, there’s really no going back to static seating. These three Red Dot winners aren’t just beautiful pieces of furniture; they’re a manifesto for what modern living should feel like.

The post King Living’s Triple Red Dot Win: When Australian Furniture Design Goes Global first appeared on Yanko Design.

Flat-Packed Wooden Armchair Blends Art and Function In A Deceptively Simple Design

Flat-packed furniture has become a staple for modern living, especially for anyone who’s ever tried to squeeze style, comfort, and practicality into a small space. The concept is simple: furniture that arrives as a tidy package, ready to be assembled without a truckload of tools or an engineering degree. The appeal is obvious for both city dwellers and design lovers alike, but it’s often assumed that flat-packed pieces look a little too utilitarian or blend into the background instead of standing out.

That’s where the Sedia Tonda armchair makes its entrance, refusing to settle for the usual expectations. At first glance, it’s an armchair, but linger a little longer and it starts to resemble a piece of modern sculpture. With the interplay of bold circles and clean-cut squares, the chair’s silhouette becomes an eye-catching study in shapes, almost a playful dance between positive and negative space. It’s the kind of design that sparks conversation, even before anyone takes a seat.

Designer: Edoardo Lietti

Sustainability is at the heart of Sedia Tonda’s story, and not just because it’s easy to ship or store. The chair is crafted from birch plywood, a renewable material that keeps things both sturdy and light. The wood is treated with natural pigments, available in three distinct finishes, including one with a hand-painted carmine red detail that feels both classic and fresh. Each finish lends the chair its own personality, inviting designers to imagine how it might transform any space.

What sets Sedia Tonda apart from its flat-pack contemporaries is its thoughtful approach to joinery. Instead of screws or glue, the chair relies on a clever slotting system where each element fits together precisely. This not only makes assembly a breeze, no tools required, but also means the chair can be taken apart and stacked when needed, perfect for those who value flexibility or move frequently. The joinery isn’t just a structural choice, but an integral part of the chair’s geometric appeal.

Even the details are designed to make the experience feel personal. Each Sedia Tonda comes with its own authenticity tag and a simple set of instructions, making the process of putting it together feel almost ceremonial. There’s a satisfying sense of accomplishment when the last piece slots in, transforming flat wood panels into a functional, inviting seat.

Sedia Tonda is equal parts function and curiosity, blurring the line between everyday object and artistic statement. It’s a chair that doesn’t just fill a space but invites you to think about form, material, and the way these elements shape our daily routines. Designed to catch the eye and last for generations, it’s a quiet celebration of what flat-packed furniture can become when designers treat each detail as an opportunity rather than a limitation.

The post Flat-Packed Wooden Armchair Blends Art and Function In A Deceptively Simple Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Casio Baby-G analog-digital watch brings fun design with active features

While I’ve gotten used already to wearing a smartwatch for the past few years, I still miss the days when I could wear different watches. Analog ones didn’t cost as much (well, depending on the brand of course) and had a lot of fun designs and colors. Casio’s Baby-G line was a favorite of mine and I could still remember getting my first one as a birthday gift. Over the years they have continued to make fun and stylish pieces. Their latest one is a fun blend of analog and digital coupled with an eye-catching design

The Baby-G Playful Heart BGA-10-3A stands out as a charming blend of robustness and playful aesthetics. It is characterized by a subtle yet sweet heart motif integrated into its dial design. This playful element is rendered in a contrasting color, adding a touch of whimsy without being overly saccharine. It’s a delightful detail that makes this watch feel uniquely feminine and fun.

Designer: Casio

The BGA-10-3A boasts a refreshing green resin case and band, a color that evokes a sense of energy and vitality. This vibrant base is beautifully accented with splashes of pink on the hands, index markers, and within the digital display. This combination creates a lively and youthful feel, making it a great choice for those who love to express their personality through their accessories.

This Baby-G model seamlessly blends the classic appeal of analog hands with the practicality of a digital display. The analog face provides easy readability for telling the time at a glance, while the digital window offers access to a range of useful functions. This hybrid design ensures you have the best of both worlds on your wrist. True to the Baby-G tradition, the BGA-10-3A is built to withstand the rigors of daily life. It features 100-meter water resistance, meaning you can confidently wear it while swimming, showering, or even participating in light water sports. The durable resin case and band offer excellent shock resistance, protecting the watch from bumps and accidental drops.

Beyond its stylish design and robust build, the BGA-10-3A is equipped with a variety of features that make it a practical tool for everyday use. This includes World Time features to keep track of time in different cities, a stopwatch, a countdown timer, daily alarms, a full auto-calendar, and an hourly time signal that gives you a discreet beep with each passing hour. It’s also equipped with an LED Light

The Casio Baby-G Playful Heart BGA-10-3A is an excellent choice for women (and men too) who appreciate a blend of style and functionality. Its vibrant green color and playful heart detail appeal to those with a fun and expressive sense of fashion. The watch’s durability and water resistance make it suitable for active lifestyles, while its range of features ensures practicality for everyday use, whether you’re a student, a young professional, or simply someone who values a reliable and stylish timepiece.

The post Casio Baby-G analog-digital watch brings fun design with active features first appeared on Yanko Design.

Realme GT 7 Review: Powerful Performance Meets All-Day Battery Life

Realme launched the GT 7 Pro last November as the first smartphone equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, showcasing top-tier performance. The non-Pro GT 7 followed in China this April, equipped with the Dimensity 9400+ chipset and a massive 7000mAh battery. Now, the GT 7 is making its way to the global market, though with a different chipset and some other specification changes.

The Realme GT 7 is designed to deliver strong endurance thanks to its large 7000mAh battery, providing all-day power even under heavy use. This makes it especially appealing to mobile game enthusiasts and users who demand long-lasting performance without frequent recharging. Coupled with a capable chipset and efficient hardware, the phone balances power and battery life effectively. But is the Realme GT 7 a reliable companion for both intensive gaming sessions and everyday tasks? We put it to the test to find out.

Aesthetics

At first glance, the Realme GT 7 appears nearly indistinguishable from its Pro counterpart. The similarities are so close that only a careful inspection reveals the differences. The phone is available in two striking colors: IceScene Black and IceScene Blue.

The IceScene Blue version we reviewed features a pale icy blue back panel, accented by a red highlight around the camera module. Its coloring reminds me of Scandinavian design, blending elegance with a touch of playfulness. The IceScene Black variant, by contrast, has a sandblasted texture with a gold accent on the camera island.

On the upper left of the back panel, a black rectangular camera island houses the triple camera setup and LED flash. This module sits on a subtly raised platform outlined in red, which also highlights the “Hyperimage+” branding. The red color extends to the power button, creating a cohesive design. Compared to the GT 7 Pro, the camera island is slightly narrower.

Realme has equipped the GT 7 with a graphene-based back panel for improved heat dissipation. The panel has a velvety matte texture that feels premium and resists fingerprints and smudges well. It remains visually clean even with regular use. This thoughtful material choice adds to both form and function.

In addition to the two standard colors, Realme has launched a Dream Edition of the GT 7 in collaboration with the Aston Martin Formula 1 Team. This special version features a motorsport-inspired aesthetic for fans of high-performance design. The back panel comes in Aston Martin Green with styling inspired by the nose and front wings of an F1 car. Yellow accents outline the black circular cameras and the camera island, enhancing the bold, dynamic look.

The iconic “Silver Wing” Aston Martin emblem is engraved into the back panel, adding a touch of luxury. This edition includes a themed UI and custom accessories such as a carbon fiber-patterned case, a black charger and cable, and a car-shaped SIM ejector pin. It arrives in a double-door Aston Martin Green box with a special booklet inside. As an F1 fan, I found the Dream Edition to be beautifully crafted and a genuine collector’s piece.

Ergonomics

Despite packing a substantial 7000mAh battery, the Realme GT 7 manages to maintain a surprisingly slim profile at approximately 8.3 mm and keeps its weight to a manageable 203 g. This makes it 0.3 mm thinner and 25 g lighter than the GT 7 Pro, which comes with slightly a 6500mAn battery.

The phone’s flat display and flat side frame meet a gently curved back panel that rests comfortably in the hand. The fingerprint scanner is positioned thoughtfully, and high enough on the screen to allow a smooth, intuitive transition from unlocking to interacting with the device.

Overall, the GT 7 feels solid and well-balanced, with a premium construction that enhances the user’s tactile experience. It avoids the hollow or plasticky sensation found in some mid-range devices, reinforcing its focus on delivering both performance and polish.

Performance

Realme has long been at the forefront of pushing the limits in both battery capacity and charging technology, and the Realme GT 7 continues this trend. While many flagship smartphones now feature batteries above the 5000mAh or 6000mAh mark, Realme takes it a step further with a massive 7,000mAh Titan battery, offering a significant advantage in endurance. With this larger battery, it offers impressive battery life, capable of lasting well through a full day of heavy use or a full two days of moderate use.

When it comes to charging speed, the GT 7 is no slouch, either. With a 120W wired charger, which you can get in a “first sale offer”, Realme claims that you can go from 1% to 50% in just 14 minutes. This means a quick top-up is often enough to get you through the day, with 50% equating to around 3500mAh, which is more than enough for daily use. And it takes only 40 minutes to charge from 1% to full. In my own testing, I found these claims to be accurate with the charger brick included in the box, with the phone easily providing all-day performance after a short charging session.

However, the GT 7 does not offer wireless charging, which may be a downside for users accustomed to the convenience of wireless solutions. It also lacks reverse charging, whether wired or wireless, which is a missed opportunity. On the upside, the phone supports bypass charging, which supplies power directly to the motherboard during high-power activities like gaming. This helps reduce battery wear and heat buildup, preventing unnecessary battery drain when the phone is plugged in while gaming or under heavy load.

The Realme GT 7 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400e, a slightly dialed-back version of the flagship Dimensity 9400. It is powerful enough to handle multitasking with ease, effortlessly managing heavy workloads, and multiple apps running in the background, whether you’re juggling several apps or diving into resource-intensive games.

In terms of gaming performance, the Realme GT 7 shines. I experienced no noticeable frame drops or lag during intense sessions, ensuring a consistently smooth gameplay experience, like over a few hours of Genshin Impact at the highest setting and PUBG mobile at 120 FPS, resulting in consistent frame rates. This level of performance is supported by the phone’s innovative graphene-incorporated back panel, which helps manage heat dissipation.

While the device does get warm under heavy gaming loads, it remains comfortably cool overall. Even during extended gaming sessions, temperatures rarely exceed 44°C (111.2°F), which is impressive considering the power the device is pushing. What’s interesting was that the entire back panel seemed to get warm, indicating heat dissipated through the entire back panel incorporated with graphene rather than only a localized area. That said, the phone cools down quickly once the intense load is over.

The Realme GT 7 features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2780×1264 (1.5K) and a 120Hz refresh rate. It supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, providing rich colors and deep contrast. The bezel is thin and symmetrical, adding to the phone’s sleek, modern design.

With a peak brightness of 6000 nits and a typical brightness of 1600 nits, the display remains clear and vibrant even under direct sunlight. It also supports 2160Hz PWM dimming, reducing flicker and enhancing eye comfort during extended viewing sessions. The result is a bright, vibrant screen that’s a pleasure to use for both everyday tasks and media consumption.

The stereo speakers on the GT 7 are equally great, delivering clear and balanced sound for an enhanced audio experience. Whether you’re watching videos or gaming, the audio quality complements the display, creating a well-rounded multimedia package.

For mobile imaging, the Realme GT 7 is equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup on the back, featuring a 50 MP main sensor, a 50 MP 2X telephoto lens, and an 8 MP ultra-wide camera. On the front, you’ll find a 32 MP selfie camera, designed to capture clear and detailed self-portraits. Realme offers two imaging styles, Crisp and Vibrant, you can choose from the main, telephoto, and ultra-wide cameras. This allows users to tailor image processing to their personal preferences.

The 24mm-equivalent main camera on the 1/1.56-inch Sony IMX906 sensor with an f/1.88 aperture produces sharp and colorful images with strong dynamic range, though some shots show mild over-processing and oversaturated colors. Low-light performance is equally great, with good detail retention and minimal noise. Overall, the main sensor delivers excellent results in most lighting conditions.

The 2x telephoto camera is powered by a 1/2.8-inch Samsung S5KJN5 sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. It supports digital zoom up to 20x, though portrait mode is limited to 2x magnification. Detail and clarity remain strong even at moderate zoom levels, and color consistency with the main camera is well-managed. This results in smooth visual transitions between lenses.

The ultra-wide camera offers acceptable quality for casual use. It is the weakest among all the cameras on the device, which is not unexpected for this kind of sensor. The front-facing 32 MP camera performs well, delivering solid dynamic range and sharp results for selfies.

For video, the main camera supports up to 8K at 30 FPS and 4K at 120 FPS, offering high-resolution and smooth footage. Dolby Vision is available at 4K and 1080p resolutions at both 60 and 30 FPS, enhancing color and contrast. Stabilization is strong across the board, and an Ultra Steady mode is available for added smoothness, though it limits output to 1080p at 60 FPS.

The telephoto and ultra-wide cameras are capped at 1080p video recording at 60 FPS. The front-facing camera supports 4K video at 60 FPS, producing sharp and well-balanced footage ideal for selfies and vlogs.

The Realme GT 7 runs Realme UI 6.0 based on Android 15, and as expected from a smartphone launching in 2025, the Realme GT 7 comes equipped with a range of AI-powered features. Familiar tools like AI Photo Erase, AI Translation, and AI Summary are all present, helping to streamline everyday tasks. Realme has also introduced a new feature called AI Planner, which aims to make scheduling easier by generating calendar entries from on-screen content, activated by a double tap on the back of the phone.

In testing, AI Planner proved inconsistent and often unreliable. The double-tap gesture frequently failed to activate the feature, despite trying various tapping speeds and pressures. Its ability to generate calendar events from on-screen content was also hit or miss. On one occasion, it successfully recognized flight details from a PDF and added them to the calendar. While the concept may have potential, it still requires significant refinement before it can be considered truly useful.

Sustainability

The Realme GT 7 is designed for durability, featuring an IP69 rating that guarantees resistance to both dust and water. This means the phone can withstand high-pressure water jets and is fully protected against dust ingress, making it a reliable choice for rugged environments and outdoor activities. Additionally, the device is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which provides enhanced protection against scratches and drops, further boosting its resilience to everyday wear and tear.

Realme also commits to long-term support with four years of major OS updates and six years of security updates. However, the GT 7 lacks detailed information regarding the use of eco-friendly or sustainable materials in its construction. While the device excels in physical durability, greater transparency and emphasis on environmentally conscious materials or recycling initiatives would be a welcome addition in future models.

Value

The Realme GT 7 offers strong value for its price, starting at 749.99 euros (approximately 810 USD) for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. For users needing more space, the 12GB/512GB model is available at 799.99 euros (around 865 USD). Though the Realme GT 7 is a well-rounded device, it competes in a crowded market with strong alternatives at this price point.

The Dream Edition, priced at 899.99 euros (approximately 975 USD), is offered exclusively in the 16GB/512GB configuration. It shares the same internal hardware as the standard GT 7 but includes a unique Aston Martin design, themed accessories, and a custom user interface. For fans of motorsport or those seeking a distinctive device, it presents a compelling option at no additional cost over the highest standard model.

Verdict

The Realme GT 7 stands out primarily due to its massive 7000mAh battery, delivering exceptional endurance that few competitors match. Beyond battery life, it offers a well-rounded experience with solid performance, a versatile camera system, and a vibrant display, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

For anyone looking for reliable daily performance, flexible imaging options, a great media experience, and most of all, incredible battery life, the Realme GT 7 is a strong contender. While it faces tough competition in its price range, its balanced package and extended software support make it worth serious consideration.

The post Realme GT 7 Review: Powerful Performance Meets All-Day Battery Life first appeared on Yanko Design.