I’m a technology writer and these were my 18 biggest gadget releases of 2025 – how many did you catch?

Some might recall 2025 for events like the Blue Origin spaceflight or a memorable Coldplay concert, but it will likely be remembered as the year personal technology made huge advancements.

Fueled by progress in artificial intelligence, many companies have been pushing the boundaries of technology this year, setting new records for gadgets, devices, and gaming consoles.

Smartphone companies like Samsung and Apple are constantly trying to make their phones slimmer, while wearable devices are focusing on becoming more durable. This trend extends to children’s technology too, as seen with the redesigned Toniebox audio player, which now includes new features.

After reporting on all the major tech news this year – everything from small updates like the 16e to the highly anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 – I wanted to compile a list and highlight how many improvements and new releases we’ve seen over the past year.

Plus, if you’ve yet to treat yourself to a new device this year, there’s still time.

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The biggest tech releases of 2025 – and how to buy them in the UK

Nintendo Switch 2

The new Nintendo Switch launched in June and quickly became a hit, selling over 6 million units worldwide in just two months. Several features drove its popularity: a redesigned, larger console, updated Joy-Cons, and access to new games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. It also offers more storage space and supports up to 4K resolution when connected to a TV.

AirPods Pro 3

The next generation Apple AirPods Pro 3 have been in the works for a while, and we expect significant improvements, especially in sound quality and comfort, approaching what you’d get from over-ear headphones.

During their WWDC 2025 presentation, Apple revealed exciting new features coming to iOS 26 for AirPods, and we’re already seeing them in the Apple AirPods Pro 3. These improvements include automatically pausing audio when you drift off to sleep, expanded head gesture controls, and the ability to control your iPhone or iPad remotely. The new AirPods also boast a faster H3 chip for better noise cancellation, and can even monitor your heart rate and temperature – no Apple Watch needed!

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reMarkable Paper Pro Move

Earlier this year, reMarkable released a new version of its popular paper tablet, the reMarkable Paper Pro Move. This portable e-paper device is a more compact version of the reMarkable Paper Pro, which was their first model to offer color.

This tablet is incredibly compact, measuring only 7.3 inches – it’s about the size of a large smartphone or a small notebook and fits comfortably in your hand. Like other reMarkable devices, it offers a natural, paper-like writing experience, but now includes a vibrant colour screen and adjustable brightness, making it ideal for reading.

Toniebox 2

The Toniebox 2 is the newest version of the popular audio player for kids. It features a refreshed look with new colors, but keeps the same kid-friendly design that’s easy for little hands to hold. It’s even easier to squeeze, with softer edges, and includes a colorful Light Ring that helps kids enjoy interactive games.

Tonieplay is a fantastic new addition to the Toniebox 2! It lets kids enjoy stories, challenges, and games with characters they love – like those from PAW Patrol, Winnie the Pooh, and even the Toniebox’s own Lalalinos.

iPhone 17 Pro

Since its launch, the iPhone 17 Pro has been incredibly popular. People love its striking new colors – like orange and navy – as well as features like Apple Intelligence and its dramatically improved battery life, which can last up to 37 hours. The camera has also seen major upgrades, including an 8x optical zoom, a high-resolution 18MP front camera, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom. Plus, the new iPhone can record video using both the front and back cameras at the same time.

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2)

AI glasses are the newest innovation in wearable technology, and the second-generation Meta Ray-Bans are currently leading the way. These glasses offer all-day battery life, a high-quality 12MP ultra-wide camera, built-in Bluetooth speakers, and the ability to record in 3K video – all conveniently built into a pair of glasses you wear on your face.

Oura Ring 4 Ceramic

Oura recently updated its Ring line with beautiful new ceramic models. You can now get them in four colors: Midnight (blue), Cloud (white), Tide (teal), and Petal (purple). The ring tracks key health metrics like heart rate, temperature, and breathing, and also includes features for tracking periods and monitoring your fitness activities. It can measure distance, pace, and calories burned during workouts like running, swimming, and cycling.

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Garmin consistently delivers top-quality fitness trackers, and the new Venu 4 is expected to be their best yet. It precisely monitors a wide range of activities – from golf to daily steps – and provides detailed health data, including calories burned, sleep patterns, ECG readings, and blood oxygen levels. Plus, the battery lasts up to 10 days, and you can even wear it while swimming.

Nothing Headphone (1)

The Nothing Headphone (1) are Nothing’s first headphones with noise cancellation. They feature custom 40mm drivers for great sound, immersive 360-degree audio, and comfortable, mouldable leather earcups. Staying true to the brand’s style, they have a unique, see-through design that lets you see the technology inside.

LEGO Death Star

Inspired by the famous space station from the Star Wars films A New Hope and Return of the Jedi, this detailed set contains over 9,000 pieces and costs around £900. It lets fans recreate scenes from the movies within six layers of rooms, including the trash compactor, Emperor Palpatine’s throne room, Princess Leia’s cell, and the Imperial shuttle hangar – plus many other memorable locations.

This set comes with 38 minifigures, featuring all the key characters and villains. It also includes a tractor beam that can be attached and ‘fired’.

iPhone 16e

The iPhone 16e is Apple’s latest budget-friendly model. I recently purchased mine during Amazon Prime Day and, as an iPhone user looking for a good deal, I was impressed with everything it offers for a lower price than the more expensive iPhones. It has a single 48MP camera that takes great photos, and the battery easily lasts over 18 hours.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google has updated its Pixel phone lineup this year with three new models: the Pixel 9, the larger Pixel 9 Pro, and the second-generation foldable, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold stands out with impressive features, including a 48MP camera, a battery that lasts over a day, and Google’s powerful Gemini AI.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 Edge is their slimmest and lightest phone to date, measuring just 5.8mm thick and weighing 163g. It features Samsung’s distinctive linear camera design and comes in three colors: Titanium Silver, Titanium Jetblack, and Titanium Icy Blue.

ASUS Rog Ally X

The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are new handheld gaming consoles created with Asus and Microsoft. They feature a simple Xbox interface and a comfortable design. The standard ROG Xbox Ally has an AMD Ryzen Z2A processor, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. The upgraded ROG Xbox Ally X boasts a more powerful AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of memory, and a larger 1TB of storage.

These new Xbox handhelds are based on the Asus ROG Ally, and both models offer a small boost in performance compared to the original versions.

Nothing Phone (3)

The new Nothing Phone (3) has a redesigned look, including a unique Glyph Matrix on the top right that lights up to show you incoming notifications. It’s also significantly more powerful than the previous model, the Nothing Phone (2), with a 36% faster processor, an 88% more powerful graphics chip, and a 60% boost in AI performance.

Samsung Galaxy Watch8

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is crafted from aluminum and is Samsung’s thinnest watch to date – a remarkable 11% slimmer than the Galaxy Watch 7. It also features a display that’s 50% brighter than the previous model. The watch is available in classic graphite and silver finishes.

Apple MacBook Air (M4)

Apple recently updated its MacBooks with the new M4 chip, which is their fastest processor to date. This allows for stunning visuals – the MacBook Air can now display a billion colors – and significantly improved performance, up to twice as fast as previous M1 models. Features like the 12MP camera with Centre Stage also keep you clearly visible during video calls, even if you’re moving. Overall, these are Apple’s most powerful laptops yet.

OnePlus Watch 3

The OnePlus Watch 3 is a stylish new smartwatch featuring a high-quality stainless steel case and a strong, polished titanium bezel. It can quickly assess your overall health – checking breathing and blood levels, among other things – in just one minute. Plus, it offers up to five days of battery life and is now available in a fresh Emerald green colour.

2025-12-09 20:48