As NIKE, Inc. heads into 2021, the North American sportswear juggernaut is ramping up its “Move to Zero” initiative’s efforts, as it’s producing more sustainability-focused products. The latest?: Another Nike Air Max 95 with Nike Regrind outsoles and recycled wool construction throughout the upper.
While donning fabric scraps from the production of other footwear and apparel, the forthcoming pair differentiates from previously-seen iterations of Sergio Lozano’s design with its predominantly “White” ensemble. Scarlet tones take over serrated stitching on the profiles, as well as one of the vamp overlays. Elsewhere, the mixed-materials upper dons greyscale detailing across the tongue and heel. Underfoot, the 25-year-old Air Max proposition indulges in off-white midsole tooling, while outsoles boast the colorful makeup debuted on the Nike Space Hippie line.
An official Nike.com release date is unknown, but it’s possible this pair arrives on January 7th, 2021 along with a slew of other similarly-arranged Nike Sportswear options. In any case enjoy images of the sneakers here below, and check out the Nike Chinese New Year 2021 collection when you’re done.
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Make sure to follow @kicksfinder for live tweets during the release date.
Nike Air Max 95 Crater Release Date: Jan 7th, 2021 (Thursday)
Color: White/Grey/Red
The Nike Air Force 1 Low is almost at just a year away from its 40th anniversary. Ahead of the milestone achievement, Bruce Kilgore’s design has continued reinventing itself through a mix of extreme and subtle tweaks. For its latest proposition, the once-basketball-classic adds another tally to the latter group with a “White/Dark Teal Green/ Sunset Pulse” colorway.
As with the model’s most timeless arrangement, as well as an inaugural collaboration with Supreme, much of the forthcoming pair indulges in a plain “White” color scheme. Profile swooshes and upper heel panels, however, deviate from the tonal makeup with “Dark Teal Green” contrast; an eye-catching “Pink Pulse” tone also joins the mix on the tongue label and rear. While not unveiled as part of a collection, it’s likely other beloved silhouettes from the Nike Sportswear category will don the color trifecta ahead of spring and summer in 2021.
Enjoy official images of the low-top Air Force 1 ahead, and anticipate a Nike.com launch in the first half of the new year.
For more from NIKE, Inc., check out the Air Jordan 4 “Taupe Haze” set to arrive on January 28th, 2021.
Where to Buy
Make sure to follow @kicksfinder for live tweets during the release date.
Nike Air Force 1 Low Release Date: 2021
Color: White/Dark Teal Green/Sunset Pulse
Samsung has yet to formally announce the date it will launch the Galaxy S21, but thanks to previous leaks we know it’s just two weeks away. As the year comes to a close later today, Samsung is releasing the first official Galaxy S21 teaser.
This first teaser for Samsung’s next flagship doesn’t address dates, but simply teases that a “new Galaxy awaits,” referring to the S21 series. The video mentions that the new year and new device will bring “new ways to express yourself,” possibly teasing some new camera or software features.
After those vague messages, Samsung dives into the history of the Galaxy S series with each older model transforming into the next year’s revision and with each change highlighting the biggest physical differences between each phone. For example, we can see design changes, the addition of water resistance on Galaxy S5, the curved screen of S6 and S7, the home button removal on S8, and the arrival of the hole-punch on Galaxy S10 and S20. It’s a slick little video.
Of course, we already know a lot about what the Galaxy S21 will bring to the table despite this teaser not confirming anything officially. The Galaxy S21 will have the same centered hole-punch as the S20, but with a flat display and slimmer bezels. The phone is also adopting a new camera module design on the back which melds into the frame. The leaked renders so far have been pretty gorgeous.
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If you're looking for the best TV to buy right now, it's probably been a long time since you bought your last one. You may be new to all of the current TV jargon: HDR, Ultra HD 4K, 8K, OLED, QLED, 120Hz and HDMI 2.1. I've reviewed TVs for nearly 20 years, since the days of plasma and rear projection. My focus is on finding the best picture quality for the money, whether you're looking for a top-of-the-line OLED TV or something a little less flashy.
The list below represents the best TVs I've reviewed in CNET's test lab (for 2020, that's my basement), where I compare their picture quality, smart TV, design and features side by side to see which ones are most worth buying -- 4K ultra HD is nice, but TV shows still look good even if you're not watching an HDR TV. I look at things like contrast ratio, local dimming, viewing angle and uniformity, gaming input lag and refresh rate, as well as the number of HDMI ports and how well the television supports your streaming app (or apps) of choice, like Netflix, Hulu and Disney Plus. Here are my recommendations, with the following notes to keep in mind:
Unless noted otherwise, all of the prices you'll see are for 65-inch models.
The end of the year, starting around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is usually the best time to get a good deal.
If you're worried that next year's TV will have some great feature you'll miss out on if you buy a TV now, relax. TVs are generally a mature technology and our advice is that if you need a new TV now, you should get one.
This list is updated periodically.
Stay tuned
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No TV I've ever tested offers this much picture quality for this little cash. The 2020 TCL 6-Series has even better image quality than its predecessor, thanks to mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array local dimming that helps it run circles around just about any other TV at this price. It's also a solid choice for gamers with a new THX mode that combines low input lag and high contrast. As if that's not enough, the Roku TV operating system is our hands-down favorite.
What's that you say? You just want the best TV, money no object? Here you go. In my side-by-side tests, the 2020 LG CX is the best TV I've ever reviewed, with world-beating contrast, perfect off-angle viewing and excellent uniformity. If you can afford it, this LG OLED TV is the TV to get.
Aside from the TCL 6-Series above, this is the runner-up for best TV for the money. The TCL has a better picture and better smart HDTV system so it's a superior TV overall, but it's also a couple hundred dollars more expensive. If you can't afford the 6-Series, this Vizio is a very good runner-up.
If you value Sony's brand X900H is an excellent choice, with image quality on par with the TCL 6-Series and a price that's not that much more expensive. And its suite of connections is actually better than the TCL's. In winter 2020 it will get full 4K/120Hz HDMI input capability to maximize the potential of the new Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, and right now it's the cheapest TV that works with ATSC 3.0 antenna broadcasts.
Roku is our favorite platform for a live TV streaming service like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, and it's even better baked into the TV. This TCL 4-Series can't beat any of the models above on image quality -- its 4K resolution and HDR compatibility don't do anything to help the picture -- but it's perfectly fine for most people, especially at this price.
TCL's 8-Series also features mini-LED and the result is superb contrast, brightness and high dynamic range that beats the less expensive 6-Series in my side-by-side comparison. The overall image quality doesn't quite hit OLED TV levels, but it comes pretty close and costs a lot less, especially in the 75-inch size.
Samsung is the TV brand that sells more TVs than anyone and our favorite for 2020 is the Q80T series. Its sleek design stands out compared to the other TVs on this list -- although the ultra-thin LG CX OLED is even sleeker -- and it also offers excellent image quality, next-gen gaming connectivity and a great smart TV system. The TVs above are superior values but if you want a Samsung anyway, this is a great choice for gaming or watching TV shows, movies, YouTube TV and more. Read our Samsung Q80T series (2020) review.
Sarah Tew/CNET
For sizes smaller than 55 inches, and for people who value smarts over image quality, these non-4K Roku TVs make the most sense. The picture is "good enough" and the built-in smarts are superb -- just enough to watch the final season of "The Office" or "Friends" content. And the price is perfect for a kids' room or secondary room where you don't need a massive screen.
I'm pretty sure you'd be happy with any one of the TVs above, but a new set can be a big investment, so maybe you're looking for a bit more information. Here's a quick and dirty list.
In my opinion, bigger is better. Big TVs are cheaper than ever, and your money is best spent on large screen sizes rather than a slight upgrade in image quality.
If you don't like the built-in smart TV system, you can always add a media streamer. They're cheap and easy to use, and receive updates more frequently than most smart TVs. See our picks of the best media streamers.
The sound quality of most built-in speakers is terrible, so it's worthwhile to pair your new set with a sound bar or other speaker system. Good ones start at around $100. See the best soundbars.
Looking for even more info?
Now playing:Watch this: TCL 6-Series: Best TV for the money in 2020
An expanded foldables lineup. More 5Gphones. Smarter gadgets. Computers, TVs, home appliances and a host of other devices. Maybe even lower prices. After a crazy 2020, the coming year could be one of Samsung's busiest yet.
To take advantage of the opportunity 2021 brings, the South Korean company needs to be bolder to regain its status as an innovation powerhouse, while also delivering on its promises to make consumers' lives easier.
Already, the company's head of mobile has given a glimpse of what Samsung has in store. Tae-moon Roh, Samsung president and head of mobile communications, said in a mid-December blog post that his company will expand its foldables lineup and make the devices more "accessible," likely a polite way to say cheaper. It also will put more emphasis on camera and video capabilities, and bring features from its Galaxy Note devices, like S Pen support, to its upcoming Galaxy S21 phones.
Now playing:Watch this: Galaxy Note 20 vs. Ultra: Which should you buy?
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"We have never believed in a one-size-fits-all mobile experience, and we never will," Roh said in the blog post. He added that Samsung is working on "revolutionary advancements" in 5G, artificial intelligence and the internet of things to reset the boundaries of what mobile can do and to let consumers "tailor their mobile experiences to fit their lives -- not the other way around."
If those topics sound familiar, it's because Samsung largely targeted the same areas in 2020. Samsung was one of the first companies to dive into 5G and foldables, though those bets haven't yet paid off. There aren't enough compelling reasons for consumers to need one of the 20 5G phones Samsung has introduced, and its foldables are too expensive to sell in high numbers. Despite the millions Samsung's sunk into AI, its devices aren't much better at talking to each other or interacting with their owners. And though the coronavirus pandemic created the opportunity to put the smart home at the center of everyone's life, Samsung has been slower than Google and Amazon to make the internet of things a reality. Even with four Unpacked mobile events -- Samsung's flashy product showcases -- the company wasn't top of mind for most consumers in 2020.
"Samsung was just forgotten for a lot of the time," Creative Strategies analyst Carolina Milanesi said. "It lost a little bit of that cool factor it used to have."
Still, Samsung's lineup hasn't created the buzz that tech products like Apple's new 5G-enabled iPhone 12 devices have managed to generate. In 2021, the company will have to find a way to capture attention in a world that won't look like the one when 2020 began. Samsung may get its first chance with an earlier-than-normal Unpacked event that's expected on Jan. 14, a month ahead of the usual schedule.
A whole new world
Like its competition, Samsung is grappling with the novel coronavirus pandemic and the impact that's having on consumers. When COVID-19 first started spreading, worries about the illness caused a dramatic slowdown in phone purchases as people around the globe decided the device they had was good enough. Demand eventually recovered as new 5G phones began to hit the market, but not soon enough to boost Samsung's Galaxy S21 sales. Computers and TVs have been hot items with people stuck at home, and appliances are purchases consumers can put off only so long. Samsung has benefited from surging demand for all of those products.
Discover the latest news and best reviews in smartphones and carriers from CNET's mobile experts.
In 2021, Samsung plans to expand the lineup of devices crucial to its future, specifically foldables. It will possibly kill off those that don't fit with its vision, like the Note family. The first glimpses of Samsung's plans for mobile in 2021 will come at Unpacked.
Samsung is expected to launch three new Galaxy S devices in January. The new S21 models will likely be the 6.2-inch S21, the 6.7-inch S21 Plus and the 6.8-inch S21 Ultra. The devices are expected to look largely the same but have bigger camera modules, boosting their photo and video capabilities. Overall, those devices aren't expected to be major overhauls from their predecessors.
Unpacked could also mark Samsung's expansion into new areas, including Tile-like smart trackers.
Samsung likely won't shake up pricing for the Galaxy S lineup. But it could make bigger changes with its other devices, including its foldables.
Hello foldables, goodbye Note?
Samsung, like most tech companies, has struggled to sell its pricey smartphones during the pandemic. While Samsung was one of the first companies to release a phone with 5G, Huawei quickly surpassed it in shipments. The Chinese handset maker became the biggest smartphone vendor in the world in the second quarter, the first time in nine years that Samsung or Apple hadn't held the title.
The Korean company's 2021 phone lineup may offer more price points, including more affordable foldables. Roh said the company is "expanding [its] portfolio of foldables, so this groundbreaking category is more accessible to everyone." That's almost assuredly code for lower prices, which could help lure consumers to what are currently budget-busting devices. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 retails for $2,000, while the Galaxy Z Flip with 5G costs $1,450.
Samsung could keep the older generations of its foldables around at lower prices, as well as introduce new and cheaper designs as it tries to help the devices break out of their tiny niche. Still, its rivals, like LG, will move beyond just foldable displays in 2021. LG is expected to show off a phone with a rollable display, similar to its rollable TVs.
Galaxy Z Fold 2: Samsung's most luxe foldable phone yet
Samsung will have to make sure it doesn't overwhelm buyers with too many choices. One way it can do that is by trimming its phone lineup. As it expands foldable options, Samsung could also kill off the Galaxy Note.
"It's hard for Samsung to justify the Galaxy S21 and a Note 21 when they outwardly look very similar," Strategy Analytics analyst Ken Hyers said. "If the market for ulta-premium [phones] is limited and you don't want to crowd it with too many of these products, the Note series seems to be the one that made the most sense to cut."
Samsung's Note has struggled to stand out for the past several years. When the big-screen devices debuted in 2011, they created a new category of devices that straddled the line between tablets and smartphones. So-called phablets were first mocked, then copied. Now the phablet category no longer exists, and it's nearly impossible to buy a phone that comes with a small screen. Apple's iPhone SE is one notable exception.
Along with packing in the biggest display possible, Samsung's Note had two other selling points: it came with an S Pen stylus, and it featured the highest-end specs possible. When Samsung's first foldable, the Galaxy Fold, debuted in 2019, the Note lineup no longer had the flashiest components or biggest screen. The Note's main differentiator from Samsung's flagship Galaxy S lineup and its Galaxy Z foldables became the stylus.
In his blog post, Roh noted that Samsung is "excited to add some of [the Note's] most well-loved features to other devices in our lineup." That could be a hint the stylus is coming to the Galaxy S21, removing the last differentiator for the Note.
Smarter gadgets?
In previous years, Samsung has had one of the biggest booths -- and flashiest press conferences -- at CES. In 2020, the buzziest news of the show was a secretive artificial intelligence company created by a Samsung executive, and its Neon "artificial humans" emerged from Samsung Technology and Advanced Research Labs (STAR Labs) before Neon became its own company. Though the technology wasn't included in any Samsung products, Neon made a splash.
Samsung also had a cute robot, called Ballie, at the show. The idea was for the robot, which looks like a big tennis ball, to serve as a companion that follows its owner around and responds to commands. At CES 2019, Samsung showed off four different types of robots for consumers.
Like nearly all major technology companies, Samsung is making a big push in artificial intelligence. The technology, which gives devices some ability to act on their own, is seen as the next big wave of computing -- the way we'll interact with our gadgets in the future. Instead of swiping on our phone screens, we'll talk to our devices or to ever-listening microphones around our homes and offices. The ultimate promise for the AI is to predict what you want before you ask.
Samsung's major push with AI in its devices has revolved around its Bixby voice assistant, which first arrived in 2017's Galaxy S8. The digital assistant has since made its way to smart TVs, refrigerators, washers, air conditioners, speakers and more. Samsung previously aimed to put Bixby voice controls into every device it sells by 2020. But the company hasn't talked much about Bixby over the past year, and the tech is viewed as lagging behind Amazon's Alexa, Google's Assistant and Apple's Siri. The Galaxy Home smart speaker Samsung started talking about three years ago hasn't materialized as an actual product.
Instead, Samsung appears to have put its AI efforts into features that work behind the scenes, like improved camera technology, or into robots that wow audiences but little else. Ballie was possibly the cutest example of Samsung's AI push, but the company hasn't said anything more about the robot. (Similarly, Neon could have proved popular as people stayed at home during the pandemic but it isn't available for consumers.) Samsung could use its CES 2021 press conference to show off more robots even though it would be better served focusing on how its devices work well together.
Roh, in his mid-December blog post, said Samsung will have more ahead in artificial intelligence for mobile in 2021. The company has been "working hard to expand highly advanced on-device AI capabilities within the Galaxy family, enabling our devices to continually learn from daily activities and routines to take better pictures and videos, maximize battery life and storage space, optimize displays and much more," Roh wrote. "We're planning to expand these personalized capabilities to every facet of Galaxy's product portfolio to empower people to be productive and do all the things they enjoy."
Now Samsung has to make its new offering live up to that promise.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus may have been revealed in new leaked images, revealing its layout and the possibility that it could do away with the waterfall curves the series is known for – or perhaps be so slight that they’re barely rounded at all.
The photos come courtesy of leaker Mauri QHD, who tweeted a trio of images that show the front and back of the alleged S21 Plus. The handset depicted has a punch-hole for the selfie camera in the center-top of the display, thin bezels, a volume rocker and lock button on the right side, and on the back, the triple rear camera array in a cutout we’ve come to expect from previous leaks.
S21+ ?i never leak images,but a friend sent me these, so hey.. pic.twitter.com/npjamUSlThDecember 29, 2020
The new images align with prior leaks of supposedly official renders and marketing pics, but this is the first time we’re seeing alleged photos of the front of the phone (a prior leak showed the rear of the S21 Plus and S21 Ultra). While the new photos could end up being inaccurate, they line up with prior rumors enough to suggest this is the layout we’re going to see when the S21 line is revealed on January 14.
CES 2021: everything we're expecting at the all-virtual tech show
Was the Samsung Galaxy S21 release date just teased by Samsung itself?
Samsung Galaxy S21: 5 big facts we've got left to learn
What’s changed from the S20 to the S21?
We’ve relied a lot on rumors, leaked specs and possible renders to paint a picture of the upcoming S21 phones, so – assuming the images are accurate – it’s a big deal to see a real-world version of the handsets for the first time. And... not much has changed from the S20 to S21.
The biggest difference lies in the rear camera suite, which seemingly keeps the 12MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 64MP telephoto trio used in the S20, per a prior rumor, but may lose the time-of-flight depth sensor. Perhaps this will be made up by software.
Otherwise, the S21 might differ from its predecessor in its main display, which could lose the curves that the S-series is known for. It’s hard to tell from the new photos, though there’s a telltale vertical line of reflection on the edges of the screen that indicate a rounded edge.
In any case, the curves look far more subtle than the sides of other phones that have adopted similar ‘waterfall’ designs, like the Motorola Edge Plus. We’ll have to wait for more images to leak to confirm or refute our suspicions before the phone comes out on January 14, 2021.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday requested a nine-year prison term for Samsung’s de facto chief, Lee Jae-yong, during his bribery retrial, where Lee apologized and vowed not to be implicated in similar allegations in an apparent plea for leniency.
The case is a key element in an explosive 2016 scandal that triggered months of public protests and toppled South Korea’s president. A ruling on Lee could send him back to prison on charges that he bribed former President Park Geun-hye and her longtime confidante to get the government’s backing for his push to solidify his control over Samsung.
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The retrial comes as Lee faces immense pressure to navigate Samsung’s transition after his father and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-Hee died in October.
A team of prosecutors led by independent counsel Park Young-soo demanded the Seoul High Court sentence Lee to prison. They said Samsung “more actively sought unjust benefits” than other businesses with regard to the 2016 scandal. The prosecutors said Samsung, which is South Korea’s biggest company, should “set the example” for efforts to root out corruption.
“Samsung is a business group with overwhelming power, and there is even a saying that South Korean companies are divided into Samsung and non-Samsung ones,” the prosecutors said in closing comments. “The rule of law and the egalitarianism principle ... are meant to punish those in power and those with the economic power in line with the equal standard.”
Prosecutors also asked the court to sentence three former Samsung executives to seven years in prison and another former executive to five years.
Lee, 52, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, was sentenced in 2017 to five years in prison for offering 8.6 billion won ($7 million) in bribes to Park and her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil. But he was freed in early 2018 after the Seoul High Court reduced his term to 2½ years and suspended his sentence, overturning key convictions and reducing the amount of his bribes.
Last year, the Supreme Court returned the case to the high court, ruling that the amount of Lee’s bribes had been undervalued. It said the money that Samsung spent to purchase three racehorses used by Choi’s equestrian daughter and fund a winter sports foundation run by Choi’s niece should also be considered bribes.
During Wednesday’s court session, Lee’s lawyers said the basic nature of the 2016 scandal was about ex-President Park’s abuse of power that infringed upon the freedom and property rights of businesses. The lawyers said Lee and the other ex-Samsung executives embroiled in the scandal weren’t able to resist the pressure by Park and Choi and that they and Samsung didn’t receive any special favors from Park’s government.
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Lee apologized over the case, saying that “everything is my fault” and that “I deeply repent and am ashamed of myself.” Lee said he’ll never engage in any activity that can cause misunderstanding and pledged to focus on making contribution to South Korean society.
Lee also reiterated his earlier promise not to pass the management rights to his children and to stop suppressing employee attempts to organize unions.
The Seoul High Court is to issue a ruling on Jan. 18, according to South Korean media reports.
In September, prosecutors separately indicted Lee on charges of stock price manipulation, breach of trust and auditing violations related to a 2015 merger between two Samsung affiliates that helped strengthen Lee’s control over the group’s crown jewel, Samsung Electronics.
Lee’s lawyers denied the charges, calling them “one-sided claims.” They say the 2015 merger was “normal business activity.”
Kobe Bryant was a larger-than-life icon that affected the game of basketball in so many different ways. Off the court, he was one of Nike's top athletes and had numerous signature shoes with the company. However, prior to his death in January, Bryant reportedly was pondering branching out on his own and starting his own shoe company.
Shervin Pishevar, an entrepreneur and co-founder of Virgin Hyerloop, revealed via Twitter on Tuesday that Bryant had spoken to him in late 2019 about potentially starting his own sneaker company that would've been called "Mamba."
According to Pishevar, Bryant was unhappy with the direction that Nike was heading with his signature line of shoes. Bryant believed that the sales of his signature shoes had taken a hit in recent years and blamed Nike for the decline. In addition, Pishevar shared a few images that his sneaker design team showed Bryant at their meeting in December of 2019 -- weeks before Bryant's death -- regarding the "Mamba" shoe company.
The shoe that Pishevar and his team showed Bryant was a slip-on sneaker and featured a snake-like texture, likely paying homage to Bryant's "Black Mamba" moniker.
Nike hasn't commented on Pisheavar's claims.
Bryant's joined Nike in 2003 after leaving a deal with Adidas. His first signature Nike shoe was released three years later.
The new self-lacing Air Jordans are finally on sale for $500.
Nike announced the Air Jordan Adapt 11 back in November as an update to the classic shoe on the 25th anniversary of the first Jordan sketches. They're the first in the Jordan brand to include Adapt self-lacing technology, which Nike has been testing since at least 2016, and Chief Design Officer of the Jordan Brand Martin Lotti calls "the best of Nike technology."
The tech works using a Nike app connected to the sneakers using Bluetooth.
Using the app, the wearer can control the laces and the color of the small lights on the side.
The app can change both the color and the flashing pattern of the lights. Nike says the app will have a "Jordan-flavored interface."
With these features, Lotti calls the Jordan 11 Adapt the "most personalized Jumpman shoes to date."
Nike is selling the sneakers for $500, hundreds less than the brand's first self-lacing shoes.
Nike's first self-lacing pair, the HyperAdapt 1.0, debuted in 2016 for $720. In 2019, the Nike Adapt BB was only $350, but it wasn't part of the popular Jordan brand.
Nike, like other sports and atheisure brands, has grown this year. Nike beat analyst expectations, reporting 9% growth for the second quarter, "driven by strong double-digit growth in NIKE Direct, as well as growth in Sportswear and the Jordan Brand."
Air Jordans have been popular for years, but they've seen an uptick on reseller sites this year in the "year of Jordan." ESPN's Michael Jordan docuseries "The Last Dance" is at least partially responsible for the increased demand, which has shown to be somewhat pandemic proof, as the shoes tend to grow more valuable as they age.
For now, it remains to be seen if the new design will show up on sneakerhead reseller sites at inflated prices.
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