We might bit a post-CES information lull some days, however the critiques are coming in sizzling and heavy as February begins. Samsung has already debuted its newest premium telephones and we have printed just a few long-term critiques of units we have been testing for months. On this installment of the critiques roundup, we have got telephones, a wearable, a robotic vacuum and a good grill. There’s one thing for everybody this week.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely
For 2025, Samsung’s AI options are a bit extra highly effective and simpler to make use of. Nevertheless, apart from a sooner chip, a brand new ultra-wide sensor and some beauty tweaks, it appears and feels similar to final 12 months’s mannequin, which makes the S25 Extremely a much less spectacular replace than it must be contemplating it begins at $1,300.
- Glorious display
- Nice efficiency and battery life
- Anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 panels
- Slimmer bezels
- New 50MP ultra-wide sensor
- S Pen not helps Air actions
- Similar predominant and telephoto cameras as final 12 months
- Not absolutely appropriate with magnetic Qi2 equipment
- Costly
Samsung has given us the primary flagship telephones of 2025 and so they rely closely on AI options to lure customers. Sam notes that the corporate has improved these instruments, however the Galaxy S25 Extremely looks like an iterative replace because of the restricted {hardware} upgrades. “This implies numerous what Samsung centered on on this era feels extra like a bonus somewhat than a must have characteristic,” he writes. “And when you may get round 90 p.c of the telephone’s capabilities from earlier fashions, probably the most harmful factor Samsung is asking consumers to think about is why they should improve in any respect.”
Samsung Galaxy S25
The Samsung Galaxy S25 has helpful AI options and spectacular battery life, however the acquainted {hardware} and unchanged price ticket make for an unconvincing improve.
- Strong construct high quality
- Unimaginable battery life
- Smoother Gemini AI expertise
- Highly effective new processor
- Similar show because the S24
- Similar digicam sensors because the S24
- Similar worth because the S24
Just like the Galaxy S25 Extremely, Samsung leaned closely into the AI options on the common S25. Nevertheless, the corporate did not spend numerous time updating the design and main elements of this mannequin both. As Mat explains, this makes for a boring launch for the long-running flagship line. “Except you’re determined for a bump in processing energy and battery life, it might be clever to see how closely final 12 months’s fashions get discounted within the coming months,” he says.
Anker Eufy E20
The Eufy E20 is the primary robotic vacuum to show right into a cordless stick vac and a hand vacuum because of included equipment. It really works finest as a robotic, however the comfort it supplies with its transformers-style design will make this a tempting purchase for many who don’t wish to rely solely on a robovac to scrub their home.
- Shortly turns right into a cordless stick vacuum and a handheld vacuum
- Robust efficiency as a robotic vacuum
- Self-emptying base holds so much for its compact dimension
- Improved Eufy Clear app
- First rate worth for a 3-in-1 machine
- Most stick vac cleansing modes have weak suction
- Stick vac construct high quality is lackluster
- Wall mount prices additional
The Eufy E20 is a first-of-its-kind remodeling robotic vacuum. Whereas it really works finest in its core perform as a robo vac, you do have the choice of cordless stick and handheld vac configurations in the identical gadget. “Whereas Eufy isn’t a stranger to creating stable robotic vacuums, this gadget continues to be a first-gen product in my thoughts — and a stable one at that,” Valentina notes. “However it’s important to know what you’re shopping for upfront: an above-average robotic vacuum that may flip right into a just-average stick and hand vacuum.”
Oura Ring 4
Oura’s newest Ring is one of the best good ring in the marketplace. However its vary of features stays restricted by its dimension and the truth that it’s a hoop.
- Extra comfy
- Higher knowledge assortment
- Beautiful, clear app
- Requires paid subscription to make use of fundamental {hardware} options
- I am undecided why the paint jobs value additional
Sensible rings should be area of interest, however there’s one firm that stands above the remainder. With the Ring 4, Oura mounted flaws of the earlier mannequin to make sure its crown is protected in the interim. “If there’s a draw back, it’s that Oura stays perpetually constrained by the restrictions a wise ring imposes,” Dan explains. “In order for you one thing extra complete, then it’s possible a smartwatch is a greater possibility, however for the whole lot else, there’s this.”
OnePlus 13
As a substitute of specializing in AI, the OnePlus 13 packs a bunch of top-of-the-line elements into a horny chassis for a really cheap beginning worth of $900.
- Class-leading battery life
- Tremendous-bright show
- Nice efficiency
- Engaging design
- Picture high quality may very well be a contact higher
- Solely six years of software program assist as a substitute of seven
- Wants a case to totally assist magnetic Qi2 equipment
Whereas most telephone firms are centered on AI options, OnePlus determined to construct a compelling, flagship-level handset that is not overloaded with bloat. “All through the years, OnePlus has used taglines like ‘flagship killer’ and ‘extremely in each approach’ as a way of taking pictures at its largest rivals from Samsung, Google and extra,” Sam writes. “However for the OnePlus 13, it looks like the corporate simply went and made a extremely stable premium handset and not using a bunch of AI fluff.”
Weber Searwood
Weber discovered from its errors with its first good grill to make the Searwood a whole bundle.
- Dependable cooking efficiency
- Open-lid guide mode works nice
- Show is seen from a distance
- SmokeBoost solely works at 180 levels
- Wheels and legs may very well be sturdier
- No wi-fi probe possibility
Weber’s first pellet grill, the SmokeFire, was a studying expertise for the corporate. Fortunately, the longstanding model discovered from these missteps when it constructed the Searwood. The corporate’s second good pellet grill affords extra dependable efficiency, excelling at low-and-slow smoking. Weber opted for an all-new design for this mannequin, from the cooking space to the brand new show. There’s additionally a guide mode that enables for open-lid griddling and searing. And whereas there are some caveats, the Searwood is a much-improved grill in comparison with its predecessor.
Upcoming critiques: Apple, Beats, Technics and extra
In keeping with Bloomberg, Apple will debut a brand new iPhone SE subsequent week. This would be the first replace to that mannequin since 2022, and can reportedly nix the house button. The report additionally particulars specifics like a digicam notch, USB-C and the usage of Apple’s first in-house mobile modem. If the timing holds true, we’ll anticipate to start our testing shortly after the information drops.
In that very same report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman explains that Beats’ PowerBeats Professional 2 earbuds are anticipated to debut subsequent week as properly. The Apple-owned model first teased an replace to its fitness-focused mannequin with a over-the-ear hook design final September. Gurman studies that the brand new mannequin could have coronary heart price monitoring, which shall be a primary for a set of Apple earbuds. If the PowerBeats Professional 2 are certainly introduced quickly, we’ll anticipate to have a overview prepared shortly after.
I’ve bought the Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds in for testing too. These buds gained one in every of Engadget’s Better of CES awards final month and I have been desperate to get my arms… er, ears… on them ever since. Throughout a short hands-on in Las Vegas, the corporate’s newly designed Magnetic Fluid drivers supplied spectacular sound, however I am trying ahead to seeing how this set holds up throughout a full gamut of exams.