What’s a smart budget for a decent device these days? Well, you’re in luck! There are plenty of fantastic options out there that won’t break the bank. For under $500, you can get your hands on some impressive smartphones. Take the Google Pixel 4a, for instance, which packs a punch with its snappy camera and snappy performance. Or maybe the Samsung Galaxy A52 is more up your alley? It’s got a sleek design, a massive battery, and an excellent quad-camera setup. If you’re looking to upgrade your laptop game without spending an arm and a leg, consider the Acer Aspire 3. It’s a solid all-around performer with plenty of storage and RAM. Or go for the Lenovo IdeaPad 330S if you want something slim and portable. And what about tablets? The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a fantastic value for its price, offering hours of entertainment and a robust operating system.

With the tech industry experiencing a slower-than-usual pace in October, largely due to Google and Microsoft’s earlier-than-usual fall hardware announcements this year. Despite this turmoil, we’ve witnessed a diverse range of companies unveil innovative products over the past fortnight. Regardless of whether you’ve had time to devote to following Elon Musk’s recent statements, the Engadget team has recently assessed a variety of products that have hit the market in recent times. As usual, this work was delayed due to my absence last week, and consequently, the pace may seem slightly irregular.

From Meta’s Quest 3S VR headset and DJI’s Air 3S drone, to Sony’s midrange audio lineup, this week has seen a series of announcements surrounding “un-flagship” products, a category characterized by its emphasis on affordability over premium features. Why bother investing large portions of your hard-earned retirement funds in companies simply to acquire high-end devices that might not even justify their hefty price tags?

Critiques of Sony LinkBuds Match, LinkBuds Open, and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds highlight a trifecta of true wireless earbuds that promise exceptional sound quality, sleek designs, and innovative features. The Sony LinkBuds Match boast Adaptive Sound Control, which seamlessly adjusts noise cancellation levels to suit the environment. Meanwhile, the LinkBuds Open flaunt an ingenious open-listening mode that allows for ambient awareness without sacrificing audio fidelity. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds take a different approach with their proprietary noise-rejection technology, ensuring crisp sound and minimal distractions.

As sound quality standards continue to trickle down, a key takeaway from Billy’s reviews is that top-tier noise cancellation technology is now being applied to mid-range products. I must admit that I’m delighted by this news. Many of the features you’ll sacrifice if you choose to cut costs appear to include innovations like spatial audio, head-tracking, and other technologies designed to create an even more immersive and intuitive listening experience? I’m comfortable compromising on those fronts for the time being; what I really require is a professional-grade audio setup that delivers crystal-clear sound, excellent vocal reproduction, and effective suppression of ambient noise.

Though you may not be in the market for headphones, Billy’s assessment of Sony’s LinkBuds trio of gadgets remains undeniably worth taking a look at due to his meticulous testing process – he even put his ears through literal discomfort to thoroughly evaluate these unusually designed earbuds for our readers. The editors’ lament: “Why we binned ‘Why am I in ache?’ – and other abandoned headlines that could have been masterstrokes.”

The Oculus Quest is undoubtedly the company’s flagship virtual reality (VR) headset for consumers, given its impressive balance of affordability and exceptional immersion. Compared to the $3,500 Apple Pro, the $300 option is a significantly more affordable alternative. As Devindra notes, the device offers a comfortable, expedient, and seamless way for users to access Meta’s vast library of virtual reality applications and content. According to Devindra, it’s not Meta’s first $300 VR headset, but still a remarkable achievement.

The debate between DJI’s Neo and Air 3S drone models has been ongoing for some time now, with each having its own unique set of features that cater to different flying styles.

For an unbeatable price under $200, this remarkable drone offers impressive features and capabilities, making it a fantastic investment for anyone seeking a high-quality product at an affordable rate. While labeling the Neo one of the finest $200 drones may seem exaggerated, the reality is that few others in its price range can match its performance. Despite being labelled as a significant drawback by our reviewer Steve, I concede that the device’s appearance – resembling a banshee – might be perceived as a professional asset in certain circles, albeit solely for its humorous connotations. Although I initially doubted the appeal of a banshee-like drone, the prospect of capturing aerial footage worth $200 seems reasonable, especially if I could enhance the visuals with upbeat, operatic vocals.

On the other end of the spectrum, Steve has also analyzed both and , which are capable of valuing you at a significantly higher cost. Canon’s EOS R5 II has undergone significant enhancements, closing the gap with Sony’s top-tier offerings while introducing innovative features such as eye-controlled autofocus, a game-changer for photographers seeking seamless focus control. It’s still premature to rely on this information. When you have the means to invest in cutting-edge technology, you can indulge in bleeding-edge innovations that often come with an unpredictable performance – part of their allure lies in the thrill of experiencing the untested and potentially unreliable.

Despite initial reservations, Dan’s concerns were alleviated through open discussion, ultimately leading to a mutual agreement that the topic merited an exceptional rating. While the reMarkable Paper Professional may stand out as an excellent e-paper writing tool boasting a colour display, its status remains unchallenged even in light of recent announcements. While Per paper is renowned for its rich coloration, it has also gained recognition for its improved speed and reliability throughout the process.

Notably, the attention to detail in blending handwritten notes with typed text creates a genuinely natural note-taking experience. Notwithstanding its deviation from the typical formula of offering high-end features at an affordable price, I find myself strongly inclined to explore ways to procure the approximately $600 required to acquire the Paper Professional device with the specifications Dan advocates for.

Phoenix Springs and Neva critiques

Despite not being a hardcore gamer myself, I’m fascinated by the world of video games and enjoy learning more about them through Jess’s insights. Recently, she penned reviews of a sci-fi thriller and a dreamy platformer, her vivid descriptions leaving me eager to explore each title as she so eloquently conveys her enthusiasm. While Phoenix Springs may be fortunate enough to have a knowledgeable reporter on board, the publication’s overall appeal is further enhanced by its focus on my preferred genres of science fiction and thriller, which I find thoroughly captivating. Meanwhile, Neva’s artwork is undeniably stunning in its own right. I’ve recently found myself wondering whether I’ll ever manage to dedicate the time required to explore new video games, yet I’ve still taken the opportunity to add these two titles to my ever-growing list of ones to try.

Upcoming critiques: On the horizon

The Engadget team indulges in their passions, and when it comes to crafting our annual gift guide, we’re excited to share the products that have captured our hearts and imaginations, both personally and professionally. Numerous individuals have a strong affinity for electronic readers and digital writing tablets. I’m eyeing one of the latest Kindle models released this week, specifically the Colorsoft. As product availability is uncertain until later this year, I’ll continue to covet the reMarkable Paper Professional with enthusiasm. What’s lurking beneath the hood of Amazon’s hardware division is a mystery even Panos Panay, its chief, may not fully reveal – aside from his penchant for Diet Coke, which we discovered shared during an insightful conversation.

A vast majority of individuals identify as millennials, who harbor a deep affection for vintage gaming, often characterized by their nostalgia-tinged fondness for retro gaming experiences.

Aaron Souppouris, our government editor, sat down with the pioneers at Analogue to explore their story in a fascinating piece that reveals more about.

Last week, Apple surprised the tech world by unveiling a revamped version of its flagship device, boasting enhanced storage capabilities and a more powerful A17 Bionic processor. The technology will also support Apple’s intelligence capabilities, and while it may seem like a minor enhancement, my colleagues and I still appreciate the idea of a compact pill-like device. Without a larger canvas, its artistry was severely limited.

Introduced recently, several issues have been added to our assessment list, alongside those from new products such as the Google TV Streamer and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which debuted in the past few weeks. As we approach November and all the holiday shopping that comes with it, let’s hope the hardware launches proceed smoothly without a hitch. Despite the lack of an Apple event for Macs, we’re still eagerly awaiting a potential surprise announcement similar to Humane’s AI Pin reveal last year. As we trudge along, bathed in the warmth of nostalgia, our hearts yearning for a simpler era to return.