With the year coming to a close, it’s time to look back at CNET’s favorite gadgets of 2024.
The best gadgets of 2024
December 23, 2024 at 9:59AM
The Apple iPhone 16
CNET take: Apple’s cumulative camera and performance upgrades come together impressively in the iPhone 16, making it the ultimate general-purpose phone. 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.
Apple Watch Series 10
CNET take: 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. The wide-angle OLED screen makes it brighter when looking at it off-axis. 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 models. Overall, it’s an incredibly polished smartwatch and the best choice for most iPhone owners.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
CNET take: 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 all-around impressive earbuds that feature a comfortable fit, excellent sound, decent noise canceling, built-in voice controls and top-notch voice-calling performance. They 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
