Top picks for giftable tech
CNET EDITORS’ CHOICE
By CNET.COM (TNS) At CNET, our job is to play with all the new gadgets. It’s fun and cool, but it also gives us the serious responsibility to _gure out which ones are actually the best. Hundreds of devices and thousands of hours of testing later, we’re proud to present our Editors’ Choice awards for giftable tech.
The mobile, computing, gaming and home entertainment gear on our list represent the cream of the 2024 gadget crop. For that reason they make great gifts. Chances are someone on your list wants a new phone, Chromebook, soundbar, streaming device, smartwatch, projector or set of earbuds. Below you’ll _nd three of the ones our editors liked best.
Apple iPhone 16
Why we love it: Apple’s cumulative camera and performance upgrades come together impressively in the iPhone 16, making it the ultimate general-purpose phone.
Who is it best for? iPhone owners upgrading from a phone that’s a couple of generations old who want a better camera.
What else to know: The iPhone 16’s most notable new addition – Apple Intelligence – isn’t here yet. But if you’re upgrading from an iPhone 13 or earlier, you’ll notice a big leap in camera quality, plus you’ll get other handy features that Apple has added in recent years, like the Dynamic Island and the Action button. The iPhone 16 may not have one big standout feature, but the way all of these gradual improvements come together make it a strong choice for iPhone fans who want something faster with a better camera without splurging on the Pro.
Apple Watch Series 10
Why we love it: This is the slimmest Apple Watch yet and has a ticking second hand on some watch faces, which makes it look and feel more like a traditional wrist watch.
Who is it best for? The Apple Watch Series 10 is best for iPhone owners who want a comprehensive range of health and fitness tracking features, like sleep apnea notifications. Anyone upgrading from a Series 6 or earlier will appreciate the bigger, brighter screen and lighter feel on the wrist.
What else to know: The Apple Watch Series 10 takes a winning formula and updates it for the Apple Watch’s 10th birthday. The wide-angle OLED screen makes it brighter when looking at it off-axis and the LTPO3 technology adds a ticking second hand to the always-on display. Battery life is still rated for 18 hours, though you can push it to a day and a half with lighter use and it charges faster than earlier Apple Watches. Overall, it’s an incredibly polished smartwatch and the best choice for most iPhone owners.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Why we love it: Some users were critical of Samsung for changing the design of its earbuds, adding stems and making them more like the AirPods Pro 2. But they’re allaround impressive earbuds that feature a comfortable fit, excellent sound, decent noise canceling, built-in voice controls and top-notch voice-calling performance.
Who is it best for? Samsung Galaxy device users and Android users.
What else to know: The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro feature dual drivers – a 10mm dynamic driver paired with a Planar tweeter that enhances treble performance. They also have dual amps, which helps reduce wireless hiccups.
CNET photos / TNS
