Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2024 i Stuff UK

Hello and welcome to Stuff’s epic Christmas gift guide issue! As always, we’ve come up with a massive list of original ideas that you can buy for all budgets, sorted by genre. Of course, while the basic premise is that you’ll buy these gifts for other people, in reality there’s some good fodder for your own wishlist. After all, who wants another slightly different shirt to last year’s? Elsewhere we’ve got plenty of other tech picks that will suffice for Santa’s sack – comparing the newest battery-powered smart doorbells from Eufy, Ring and Yale for starters. We’ve looked at the latest iPhones in our main review (you’ll be surprised which one is our favourite this year), done a long-term test of Apple’s Watch Series 10 (our tips feature also focuses…

Ask AI what a diva utopia looks like and it’ll probably spit out an image of Mariah Carey, Elton John and Kanye West surrounded by perfectly chilled pink champagne, a dozen white kittens and an unlimited supply of strawberry-scented toilet paper. Ask Focal, though, and you get a pair of active Wi-Fi speakers that stand slightly taller than R2-D2 (the biggest robotic diva in the galaxy) but should make much sweeter music. With 800W of total power to play with they’ll easily fill any climate-controlled room (a pleasant 21.6°C at all times, please), with Spotify Connect, AirPlay, Google Cast, Tidal Connect and Bluetooth 5.3 to please the most demanding streaming fan. The two speakers communicate via UWB tech, which means they can play your tunes wirelessly at 96kHz/24-bit, or 192kHz/24-bit…

reMarkable Paper Pro from £559/go.stuff.tv/PaperPro This 11.8in tab approaches its job slightly differently to the usual suspects… and now it’s made the transition to colour like it’s the 1970s all over again Swank space When TV switched to full colour 50-odd years ago, it brought the world to life in a way that would’ve blown the minds of those used to watching everything in black and white. And while reMarkable’s new 11.8in tablet won’t have quite the same impact on the human race, the Paper Pro’s addition of a colour screen is still significant. What sets reMarkable’s tablets apart from iPads and their ilk is the use of a Kindle-esque display based on E Ink tech – which isn’t just easier on the eye due to its lack of a…

Razer, eh? Let me guess… is it covered in LED lights? While that’s a reasonable assumption whenever Razer is involved with anything, the Freyja (€299, razer.com) is more concerned with another of your senses: touch. In case you’ve ever wished the haptic feedback you get from your console controller could be redirected through your whole body, Razer has filled this full-length cushion with six motors rather than duck feathers, so it’ll vibrate to replicate in-game events – such as the clash of swords as you duel with a demon, or the changes in terrain across a rally stage. Sounds a bit weird. Yeah, there’s no doubt it’s a slightly crazy idea – but having tried it, we’re converts. The cushion can be fixed to almost any gaming chair using the…

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max from £1199/go.stuff.tv/16ProMax What’s the story? This year the gap between the Pro and Pro Max can be measured in minuscule amounts, especially since they have exactly the same camera setup. But the Max’s 120Hz display now clocks in at a huge 6.9in. As with the Pro, the frame is still titanium but Apple has swapped out the blue colour for ‘desert titanium’ – basically gold. Is it any good? With a £200 premium over the Pro, you’ve got to really want that extra screen real estate and battery life – it feels like a real luxe decision to go Pro Max. With tweaks around the top-end Apple A18 Pro chip, that battery life is stunning: it’ll do a day and a half, and you can…

PRO-JECT AUDIO XA B This turntable prioritises stability and precision, while happening to look way classy in the process. Its 10in aluminium tonearm and damped plinth design contribute to a dynamic and detailed sound, but looks-wise it’s all about that (acrylic) base. £1099/sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk ACTIVO P1 Powered by an Astell&Kern Teraton chip, this compact digital audio player also harnesses the auditory prowess of a dual-DAC design for premium sound in a refreshingly minimalist package. Its tactile controls and simple UI help provide a user-friendly experience, with high-quality audio performance to back up its (relatively) low price. £399/amazon.co.uk MERIDIAN ELLIPSE This all-in-one streaming speaker distils Meridian’s advanced tech into a compact (and slightly menacing) all-black form. It delivers big sound with exceptional bass response, while an app takes care of setup and…

ADIDAS TERREX AGRAVIC 3 With a breathable upper, Lightstrike cushioning and Continental rubber outsole, these versatile and hardy kicks will let any off-track runner hit the trails with confidence, not to mention style. Offering comfort, stability and reliable grip in all conditions, they’re also made with at least 20% recycled materials. £120/adidas.co.uk SHOKZ OPENSWIM PRO These dapper bone-conduction headphones offer both Bluetooth and onboard MP3 functionality (with 32GB of storage) for swimmers who just can’t hit their PBs without listening to some angst-fuelled metal. And tell ya what, they sound surprisingly vivid. £169/uk.shokz.com VITRUVIAN TRAINER+ Sure, you could waste hours every week waiting your turn for the squat rack, or you could ditch the gym for a premium private workout at home. This cable-based platform might look like a coffee…

STEALTH C6-100 A multi-platform gaming headset that’s compatible with most major consoles and PCs, it’s the low price of the C6-100 that will most appeal to parents. A flexible mic and in-line controls, coupled with soft-foam ear-cushions and an adjustable headband, make for a comfortable fit for all ages. £15/argos.co.uk MINECRAFT BLOCK BUILDING LIGHT This interactive light lets you create custom Minecraft-inspired structures using 16 light-up blocks. With familiar elements such as earth, TNT and diamond ore to juggle, it offers unlimited customisation possibilities – perfect for providing some useful ambient light to spot any approaching creepers. £45/amazon.co.uk ROOKIE 12 BALANCE BIKE This lightweight balance bike weighs just 2.9kg, letting little ones up to 4 (or 5 if they’re smallish) learn to ride without being weighed down by a hulking…

BANG & OLUFSEN BEOPLAY H100 Available in this ‘sunset apricot’ and two other colours that are less scary to pets, these ultra-luxurious headphones blend immersive sound with typically luscious B&O design. Packing advanced ANC and optimised for Dolby Atmos, the modular construction embraces sustainability with user-replaceable parts. £1299/bang-olufsen.com TORMEK T-1 The keen amateur chef in your life will enjoy pro-grade slicy goodness at home with this knife sharpener. The low speed and precise angle setting minimise steel removal, while the fine diamond wheel handles all steel types and even ceramic blades. It comes with an 8yr warranty. £330/shop.tormek.co.uk APPLE iPHONE 16 PRO MAX Apple’s latest flagship is quite possibly the best iPhone yet – well, isn’t it always? Powered by the ridiculously fast A18 Pro chip, it offers enhanced AI…

£429/go.stuff.tv/MoGo3Pro ■ The MoGo 3 Pro jumps into a burgeoning throng of portable projectors. The next frontier in this market is 4K, of course; but while there are bigger options that will reach that resolution, the cheaper end of the market is dominated by 1080p Full HD for now. ■ Like other models like this, you can easily run it from a large (at least 65W) power bank via USB-C, which is the only way to make it truly portable. It’s ideal for setting up in a room when you just want to give some friends the ability to watch a movie but don’t want the hassle of a big projector or TV. ■ What is most clever about the Xgimi is its ability to adjust to a new location…

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1 Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max from £1099/go.stuff.tv/15ProMax This is, at least until we’ve decided how to rank the new 16 models (see p27), the best iPhone Apple has ever made. The camera revisions are great, USB-C was long overdue but is fantastic now it’s here, and the action button is genuinely useful. It’s probably only worth upgrading from the 2022 equivalent if you’re desperate for that USB port, but this Max lives up to its name. Stuff says Just a solidly sensible advance, but the new camera smarts are an absolute joy TIPS & TRICKS • Select Optimised Battery Charging to limit top-ups to 80%, keeping your battery in prime condition. • Create a Contact Poster by tapping on My Card > Edit > Edit; add a photo and…

1 Sony WF-1000XM5 £190/go.stuff.tv/WFXM5 The WF-1000XM5 in-ears are significantly smaller than the XM4s, which were already a lot more compact than their predecessors. And yet Sony has still squeezed even larger drivers inside each earbud, along with the firm’s best active noise-cancelling yet. The feature list is as extensive as ever, and they’re priced to compete with Bose’s best. Add in decent battery life and a strong app, and you won’t find anything more well-rounded for less. Stuff says Excellent noise-cancellation, a comfy fit and simply stellar audio TIPS & TRICKS • Sony’s eartips are great, as long as you use the right size. Be sure to try all four included in the box. • 360 Reality Audio upmixing can add a sense of space to tunes, but not every…

1 Garmin Edge 1040 Solar £470/go.stuff.tv/EdgeSolar Ideal for multi-day adventures and training camps, the Edge 1040 Solar harnesses the sun’s power for a massive 45hrs of riding time on one charge. It has all the mapping, navigation and training firepower you’ll ever need, including accuracy-boosting dual-band GPS, best-in-class route planning and detailed training insights via Garmin Connect. The screen could be brighter, but we love the custom ride profiles that make it easy to exploit all that performance data. Stuff says A do-it-all beast of a bike computer with unrivalled battery life, reliable GPS and useful training smarts 2 JLab JBuds Air Sport £45/go.stuff.tv/JBudsAirSport The third-gen JBuds Air Sport seriously flex JLab’s value muscle: with a solid earhook fit, custom EQ, an ambient awareness mode plus rapid charging and Tile finder…

1 Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max £2199/go.stuff.tv/AmbeoMax Utterly convincing Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D sound, ample power and lots of inputs mean no other soundbar currently available can perform sonic feats with the solidity and confidence of this Sennheiser. The sheer room-filling scale of its sound is remarkable – and the more affordable (but still hugely powerful) Plus version is also worth a look. Stuff says The Ambeo Soundbar Max is a big unit but the sound it makes is bigger still 2 Sonos Arc £699/go.stuff.tv/Arc Don’t expect this soundbar to do everything a multi-speaker Dolby Atmos setup can do, but its up-firing and side-firing drivers give a real sense of cinematic scale. There’s also a much more affordable Ray model. Stuff says Big-screen sound for your big-screen binges 3 Roku Streambar £120/go.stuff.tv/RokuStreambar…

1 Amazon Echo (4th Gen) £110/go.stuff.tv/Echo4Gen Having morphed from a cylinder to a sphere, the latest Echo is an excellent newsreader, weather forecaster, personal assistant and intercom straight out of the box; but it’s now also a capable speaker and a very accessible smart home hub. It doesn’t sound as good as the Sonos Era 100 for listening to music, but it’s significantly smarter and considerably cheaper too. Stuff says An all-round upgrade that makes the Echo a smarter speaker than ever TIPS & TRICKS • The Echo’s built-in Zigbee hub can hook up hundreds of smart home devices without a bridge. • Pair a compatible thermostat and the Echo’s temperature sensor can activate the heating. • Alexa Flash Briefings deliver bursts of news or trivia; choose from a wide…

1 GoPro Hero12 Black £288/go.stuff.tv/GoPro12 The Hero12 Black is a fantastic first action camera and a solid upgrade for anyone with a Hero9 or earlier. GoPro has brought back the same sensor first introduced on the Hero11 Black but made it even easier to use, adding HDR video, a 1/4in tripod thread and Bluetooth mic recording to the mix. That’s refined a solid system – and while this isn’t a low-light champ like DJI’s Action 4, its class-leading stabilisation, upgraded audio and pro features make it the most accessible action cam around. Stuff says An iteration rather than a revolution, this is a seriously powerful and intuitive camera 2 DJI Mini 4 Pro from £616/go.stuff.tv/DJIMini4Pro This is definitely the best sub-250g drone we’ve reviewed, and its safety features, auto flight functions…

Pay just £45.99 for 13 issues, saving up to £61 on the full price* Receive a pair of JLab JBuds Mini earbuds worth £39.99 They’ll have each issue delivered directly to their door… …and never miss an issue of the world’s greatest gadget mag TWO EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE ONLINE shop.kelsey.co.uk/XMAS24STU (You can scan the QR code on the left) CALL US 01959 543747 Please quote XMAS24STU Hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm (calls charged at your standard network rate) Offer ends 24 December 2024 Terms and conditions: UK continuous payment offer: You will pay £45.99 every 12 months. One-off payment offer: You will pay £55.99 for 13 issues. Gifts are only available for UK customers. Gifts available on selected offers. Gifts are subject to availability and while stocks last. Gifts will not be…

COMPACT COMPANIONS The sensitive sphere Apple HomePod Mini Most smart speakers can control a connected thermostat; only Apple’s actually knows what’s hot, thanks to its built-in temperature and humidity sensor. A full-range driver and dual passive radiators help you heat things up in another sense, and it’s stereo-pairable. £99/apple.com The discerning disc Google Nest Mini Google’s dinkiest speaker is neat and cheap enough that you could stash a few throughout your home, while beefed-up bass gives this second-gen model punchier feedback. The first question to ask it? How they recycle the plastic bottles to make its fabric wrap. £49/store.google.com The clever clock Amazon Echo Spot Add this Alexa speaker to your bedside table and you’ll wonder how you ever managed with just a Hello Kitty alarm clock. Besides keeping an…

XGIMI MOGO 3 PRO Cinema can go anywhere with this portable projector. Packing 450-lumen brightness, a built-in adjustable stand and Harman Kardon speakers, it can transform any blank wall into a pop-up entertainment hub. The 130° stand and automatic alignment smarts let it create perfect screens up to 120in, and you can run it from a 65W USB-C power bank. £429/xgimi.com LOGITECH KEYS-2-GO 2 Versatility meets portability in this tablet-friendly keyboard that’s compatible with multiple devices and operating systems. A built-in cover protects it in transit, and scissor-switch keys provide comfy typing. There’s even a row of shortcut keys along the top. £80/logitech.com ONEPLUS PAD 2 Superb battery life, fast charging and excellent productivity features define OnePlus’s high-end Android tab. A 12.1in 3K display with a slick 144Hz refresh rate…

PICO 4 ULTRA Pico’s latest VR headset offers quite stunning mixed-reality gaming with dual 32MP cameras. You can access SteamVR and 2D games via PC, or enjoy standalone VR apps — now with full-body tracking (courtesy of new trackers, sold separately) for increased immersion. £529/argos.co.uk SANDISK POKEMON MICROSD CARD These officially licensed Nintendo Switch microSD cards feature beloved Pokemon designs, making them infinitely more exciting (and giftworthy) than any other slice of memory. With read speeds up to 100MB/s and write speeds up to 90MB/s, they ensure quick game loading and smooth performance. from £30/shop.sandisk.com WOOJER VEST 3 Few things will elevate a VR experience more than this vest, which uses powerful haptics to let you feel when and from which direction you’re getting shot, speared or tackled. It’s a…

MODRETRO CHROMATIC This Game Boy-inspired handheld marries classic design with modern enhancements, all in a delectable rainbow hue of colour options. With a sunlight-readable 160x144 display, a magnesium alloy body and compatibility with original cartridges, it’s perhaps the ultimate AAA-battery-powered tribute to portable gaming’s golden age. £155/modretro.com FIIO DM13 Yes, vinyl and cassettes have seen a mighty resurgence, but who’s to say they should have all the nostalgic fun? FiiO’s beautifully crafted portable CD player delivers retro charm with modern features, offering aptX HD Bluetooth and USB audio, to breathe new life into all those old CDs you can’t find. £179/fiio.com ORANGE PYRAMID SYSTEM We challenge you to find an amplifier that more closely resembles a pharaoh’s burial monument than Orange’s zany centrepiece. With Bluetooth, RCA and aux inputs, and…

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£229/go.stuff.tv/P100 ■ Available in simple black or white, there’s no getting away from the fact that these are big headphones. They’re among the bulkiest I’ve experienced, and the hard case feels like a suitcase compared to any cans that fold (these don’t). ■ However, they’re actually not that heavy – 55g less than the Apple AirPods Max. What’s more, the build quality is excellent and their eco credentials are pretty good too, with user-replaceable earpads and battery. If there is a little negative, it’s that the headband isn’t the softest. But I was still able to wear them for many hours straight. ■ Cambridge says these ’phones can do 100hrs with the ANC off, but probably a more important figure is 60hrs with ANC on. It’s still there or thereabouts…

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1 OnePlus Open £1499/go.stuff.tv/Open The Hasselblad camera system in the Open is the best of any folding phone, taking impressive photos across all conditions. Neither of the two screens feels like a compromise, and with its flat sides this phone is easy to hold: on paper the 11.7mm profile is skinny, although that doesn’t account for the hefty camera bump. OnePlus’s UI is fantastically optimised for multitasking, while its 67W charging and long-lasting battery are a boon; the one thing it can’t offer is wireless charging. Stuff says  Cheaper than its main rivals and brilliantly well made, the OnePlus Open is the finest foldable phone yet 2 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 from £1033/go.stuff.tv/ZFlip6 Samsung’s little clam shell finally has the camera hardware and battery to match the Galaxy S24. It keeps…

Most albums are over long before the battery in your headphones dies – but if you’re a fan of American band Bull of Heaven, whose longest song lasts over 6 months, you might want to invest in Marshall’s latest wireless cans. They’d need plugging in just a fraction of the way through Blurred With Tears And Suffering Beyond Hope, but the Monitor IIIs’ 100hr battery life with noise-cancelling turned off (or 70hrs with it on) will mean you hear more of it than with most other pairs, while a 15min charge adds an extra half a day. Whether that’s a good thing or not depends on how you feel about avant-garde music, but you can always put on some Phil Collins after a month or so instead. Elsewhere there’s support…

RUARK R610 £1199/go.stuff.tv/R610 Why do I have an overwhelming urge to put on some flares? Sounds pretty groovy, man, and it’s probably something to do with the immaculate 1970s vibes that are emanating from this music system. Back in the days when Abba didn’t only perform as holograms and the Atari 2600 was the games console to have, self-contained music centres were the gateway to becoming a proper hi-fi nerd. Fortunately, Ruark’s resurrected version has had its insides updated, even if from the outside the R610 looks like it still considers Kraftwerk to be the pinnacle of experimental modern music. Ha! What a jive turkey. Hey, don’t be fooled by the R610’s threads. Besides, audio gear didn’t have 5in colour TFT screens in the ’70s so it’s not all old-school.…

£tba/lotuscars.com OMG, please tell me this is real. Sorry, it’s a concept… for now. The design is certainly radical, with two of the three seats slotted in behind the driver, and it’s also innovative: Lotus says it has slashed the number of materials used compared to most cars, making liberal use of recycled carbon fibre. Have they got as far as actually making it go? Well, there are some tempting highlights on the performance front – even if they’re hypothetical at this point. There’s all-wheel drive, single-speed transmission and a whopping 986bhp of grunt, which would be able to propel the Theory 1 from 0 to 62mph in under 2.5secs. Top speed is 199mph, so more than adequate for the average trip to Aldi. And the 70kWh battery pack should…

Apple’s biggest new iPhone feature of 2024 wasn’t even available when the handsets went on sale. Apple Intelligence is a suite of AI tools for iOS, only just rolling out in the US and coming soon to the UK. And it won’t even be complete then, with some extra features due later. It’s easy to update, of course, and is just one of many aspects that I’d normally consider in a review. The problem is that Apple has put so much effort behind associating Apple Intelligence with its 2024 iPhones that it’s a challenge to just forget about it. But, though I’ve had a play with an early version, I’ve decided not to consider it here – it’s just too early to tell whether it will be a benefit worth…

THE MATRIX - ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SCORE This expanded 25th-anniversary release of Don Davis’ score features 18 tracks curated by the composer, complemented by new anime-inspired artwork by Yuko Shimizu – a must-have for fans of the legendary sci-fi action movie. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to follow the white rabbit. Again. £32/resident-music.com HISENSE 65U8N This ultra-bright 4K TV packs the power of 1600 Mini LED local dimming zones and Quantum Dot technology. Translated, that means incredibly vibrant images, with black levels that can genuinely rival OLED tellies. Impressive stuff. It also has a 144Hz refresh rate. £1499/amazon.co.uk SALTER POPCORN MAKER This fuss-free popper creates up to 10 cups of low-cal popcorn in just 3mins. With 1200W of power, it’s perfect for movie nights. The machine has a…

TIMES ROAM Made in Italy using sustainable bio-acetate, these sunglasses have a flexible strap integrated into the arms, letting you easily hang them around your neck when the sun goes in. Fitted with Zeiss polarised lenses, they fold flat to sit comfortably under your jacket when not in use. £115/wearetimes.com STUART & LAU CARY BRIEFCASE Made from waterproof DuraLite fabric with recycled Eco-Twill lining, this case balances sustainability with grownup style. Features include a removable laptop sleeve, umbrella slot and concealed AirTag pocket. It’s shipped in 100% recyclable packaging, and 1% of every sale is donated to green causes. from £253/stuartandlau.com MEACODRY ARETE TWO At first, second or even third glance, a dehumidifier may seem like a strange idea for a Christmas present. But while it may look like a…

DJI NEO FLY MORE COMBO DJI’s lightest drone weighs just 135g and has fully enclosed propeller guards for safety. Intuitive controls include palm takeoff and landing, while its multiple shooting modes encourage the creative juices to flow. It’s ideal for vlogging, but can also capture 12MP photos to liven up your social media feeds. £300/dji.com ANCHOR IN THE LANDSCAPE This exquisite photography book by Adam Broomberg and Rafael Gonzalez documents the raw beauty of Palestinian olive trees, some of them thousands of years old, in a rapidly changing (and that’s an understatement) landscape. £40/mackbooks.co.uk LOGITECH MX CREATIVE CONSOLE Serious snappers and vid-shooters spend hours post-shoot tweaking and editing. And doing all those edits with a regular mouse and keyboard is no fun. Enter the MX Creative Console, a customisable combo…

BURTON GOODS LOGAN LEATHER CUFF This Apple Watch band is the perfect present for those living their best cattle rancher lives. Made from full-grain leather with stainless steel hardware, it has a tapered cuff design for comfort and comes in four colours, so you can match their favourite Stetson. $100/burtongoods.com RING BATTERY VIDEO DOORBELL This smart doorbell offers 1440p HD video with colour night vision and a wide field of view, to help ensure you don’t miss Santa prowling around looking for an alternative to chimney entry. Other notable features include two-way talk, customisable motion zones and quick replies for fending off salespeople. £100/en-uk.ring.com RS No9 SPEAQUA BARNACLE VIBE 3.0 This Bluetooth speaker offers powerful audio in a floatable form, complete with the Rolling Stones’ famous logo. With 8GB of…

Eufy Video Doorbell E340 What’s the story? Eufy’s newest smart battery doorbell (which can also be wired in) has two cameras: a front-facer for people and a down-pointer that gives a view of the floor in front of your door. The double delights don’t stop there either: it also features dual motion-sensitive lights for enhanced security and night vision. Is it any good? The double view is an absolute gamechanger, and what’s particularly smart is the way it tells you if anyone approaches a parcel left on your step. The 2K visuals are super-clear and you even get a decent view at night, aided by those lights. App connectivity is great, with instant notifications, easy two-way conversations, pre-programmed quick replies and locally stored recordings (of up to 8GB) with no…

THE BASICS Get set Whether or not you’re new to Apple Watch and watchOS 11, spend time nosing around in Settings. Good places to start are Display & Brightness (to adjust text appearance and toggle the always-on display), App View (for grid or list options) and Passcode (to unlock with your iPhone). Explore new apps Bit of a surfer? Go to App View and open Tides to monitor nearby tidal patterns. On holiday? Try Translate: speak into the watch and your words will be converted into another tongue; play it back so as not to embarrass yourself. There’s also Music Recognition, a renamed Shazam, because someone in Apple’s naming team is very dull. Check your vitals The Vitals app is another newcomer. Wear your watch at night and it’ll measure…

from £399/go.stuff.tv/WatchS10 DAY 01 It’s new Apple Watch time, and this year does feel like a bit of a rebirth to mark a decade since Apple’s wearable first appeared. In that time, it’s gone from being promoted as a fashion accessory to its current status as a fitness and health gadget that you can wear all the time. While the Watch Ultra (which I usually wear) hasn’t had an upgrade this year, the Series 10 has had a slimming redesign, and it’s with some glee that I take it out of the white box. And as I put it on, it’s clear that this one does feel very different – not only from the Ultra, but also from Apple’s previous, markedly weightier designs. Beyond squeezing out a few extra hours,…

NEW Straight outta testing and into our rankings. BARGAIN BUY A proper steal. Worth owning regardless of cashflow. UPDATE Time changes everything, including Stuff Top Ten entries. HOW WE RATE Always fair and accurate, our reviews are scored from 1 to 5 and might get one of these awards too: For selected products that are rated with four stars but stand out from the pack. A step up in approval, this can only be awarded to five-star products. Our highest accolade is given out just a few times a year in each key category.…

1 Google Pixel 8a from £419/go.stuff.tv/Pixel8a In recent years, Google’s cheaper ‘a’ models have dominated the mid-range phone market. They’ve delivered outstanding value by including many of the brand’s flagship features (think amazing cameras and slick software) and cutting corners where you’re less likely to notice. And the good news is, that’s still true of the Pixel 8a, which looks and feels almost identical to the full-on Pixel 8 and performs almost as well. It really is astonishing how good the cheaper Google phones are for photography. Stuff says Once again Google proves you don’t need to spend over £500 to get a great phone 2 OnePlus Nord 4 from £479/go.stuff.tv/Nord4 If you don’t want a Pixel 8a with its excellent camera, this is the next best thing. That’s not the…

1 Apple Watch SE from £208/go.stuff.tv/AppleWatchSE The SE is easily the best-value Apple Watch. It tracks sleep and all the exercise you need, supports Apple Pay, works great with your iPhone and… what more do most people require? The user experience is broadly identical, and while the screen bezels are a bit larger than on the Series 9 it’s hard to tell them apart without getting right up close. Note also that your SE will now be carbon-neutral if you take it with a Sport Loop (unless you choose one of the fancy multicoloured options). Stuff says Offers most of the full Apple Watch experience for a whole lot less cash 2 Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra £524/go.stuff.tv/GWUltra There are no prizes for guessing what inspired the Galaxy Watch Ultra: this is…

1 Apple iPad Pro (M4) from £999/go.stuff.tv/iPadProM4 The latest iPad Pro gets incredible power, using a processor that isn’t even in a Mac yet, while being slimmer than before. The performance gains are quite staggering… and the only question is, why has Apple upgraded the Pro quite so much? It offers a level of capability that most people won’t ever need – so this is really a powerhouse for the 1% who edit or design with the stylus. And for them, the talented Pencil Pro is also a serious upgrade on the standard Pencil. Stuff says This really takes iPad power to the next level, even if iPadOS still needs more multitasking clout 2 Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra from £1199/go.stuff.tv/TabS9Ultra If you like it big, you’ll love this tab. The…

1 Fujifilm X-T50 £1199/go.stuff.tv/XT50 The X-T50 is a wonderfully compact mirrorless camera with a distinctive top plate covered in control dials – including one dedicated to Fuji’s excellent film simulations. On paper it should deliver identical image quality to the flagship X-T5 – both have the same sensor and image processor after all – and that is absolutely the case: the 40MP sensor captures amazing detail, noise is well maintained as ISO levels creep up, and sharpness is on point across the frame. Stuff says A brilliant camera that puts Fuji’s fine film simulations front and centre TIPS & TRICKS • With film simulations on a dedicated dial now, it’s worth setting a custom button to adjust ISO. • Switch from mechanical to electronic shutter and you can rattle off…

What’s the line again? “If you see a stylus, they blew it.” Ha! Take that, Nintendo! That was a Steve Jobs line about smartphones. But further back in 2004, the stylus was an innovation in games consoles. As was a two-screen setup, which recalled the Donkey Kong Game & Watch. And with the bottom display also being a touchscreen, Nintendo was challenging game creators to try new things. Blew it? Hardly: it sold over 150 million units… though you did get to ‘blow it’ in a more literal sense when games asked you to, say, make pan-pipes play on screen. Sorry… what? Remember, this was a console about bucking conventions. Sure, it had a D-pad, buttons and triggers, but Nintendo wanted to once again position itself in the market as…