All eyes on NVIDIA and Samsung

I do not know when you can imagine it, however we’re quick approaching the tip of January. And I wish to kick off the primary overview recap of 2025 by acknowledging how busy it is already been. CES 2025, which to me appeared to go on for a 12 months, now feels prefer it occurred months in the past. We have witnessed TikTok disappear and return, a brand new president get sworn in and Samsung launch new phones. Even with all that is been occurring, our reviewers have been exhausting at work, with Devindra testing the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 and Billy on quite a few headphones and grills. A lot for relieving into 2025.

Earlier than I provide the full recap, I additionally needed to shout out some opinions we revealed within the later half of December, in addition to others we not too long ago up to date. This text usually goes out each two weeks, however with the vacations, CES and Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked, we needed to skip just a few editions. In that point, I did not get the possibility to let you know all about our re-reviews of gaming consoles that have been launched years in the past, like the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5. We needed to revisit our evaluations of those programs and their respective sport libraries, to see how effectively they stack up in the present day.

The crew additionally revealed and up to date opinions of colourful Kindles, an Intel processor, a Samsung Chromebook and extra. Here is a fast listing, however you may all the time go to our Reviews page to scroll by yourself time, when you choose:

ICYMI: The 12 finest devices we reviewed in 2024

In case you missed it, in lieu of a typical overview recap, we revealed an inventory of the 12 highest-rated products we reviewed final 12 months. Spoiler alert: there have been a number of flagship telephones, cameras and drones on the listing. I additionally included the 2 worst devices we ever examined, and you may simply must guess what they’re. Or learn the article, I suppose.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 overview

by Devindra Hardawar

For those who’re the kind of person who’s out there for a $2,000 GPU, then the GeForce RTX 5090 is one thing you may contemplate. It is quick, highly effective and NVIDIA’s body technology was very spectacular, in keeping with Devindra. However for the remainder of us with precise, fairly sized budgets, the corporate’s highest-end providing might be out of attain. We’re almost certainly setting our sights on the $550 RTX 5070, and I await our overview to see how totally different a product that prices about $1,500 much less can be.

Traeger Woodridge and ThermoWorks RFX opinions

by Billy Steele

Traeger

Traeger’s Woodridge could also be its new base mannequin, however the grill is much from fundamental. The sturdy development, dependable efficiency and good grilling options enable this grill to punch above its weight.

Professionals

• Sturdy construct high quality
• Dependable efficiency
• Helpful Wi-Fi options
• Handy design touches

Cons

• Base mannequin lacks superior options
• No Tremendous Smoke mode
• No pellet sensor
• Cabinets and storage are add-ons

$862 at Amazon

Grills and cooking equipment proceed to get an increasing number of high-tech. And Billy continues to increase his experience within the house, all whereas delighting his editors with tantalizing descriptions of smoked and barbecued meals. Consider me, I all the time must feed myself earlier than beginning an edit, and I stay barely jealous that I haven’t got the house for a devoted grill just like the Traeger Woodridge. However as I learn Billy’s items, I’m quietly making notes on what I would prefer to get for myself at some point.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 overview

by Billy Steele

Bowers & Wilkins

The Pi8 is an audio improve over final 12 months’s Pi7, however common ANC efficiency and solely fundamental options hinder the general expertise.

Professionals

• Glorious audio readability
• Enhanced bass
• Dependable multipoint connectivity

Cons

• Costly
• ANC efficiency
• No superior options

$389 at Amazon

Billy’s been busy, that is for certain. As our resident audio guru, he just about spends most of his days with the newest set of headphones in his ears, seeing how they fare not simply in every day use but additionally towards the competitors. Bowers & Wilkin’s Pi8 might ship glorious audio, however in keeping with Billy they do not provide sufficient particular options for the cash. In truth, as he says, “$399 ought to get you much more than excellent audio.”

On the horizon: Upcoming opinions

Our reviewers have already got models of the newest Samsung Galaxy S25 telephones and are testing them in the true world as I write this. Gadgets that have been introduced at CES 2025, like some headphones, laptops, good glasses and even LED masks are additionally making their solution to our crew members, so keep tuned for our evaluations. We’re additionally planning on some longer-term opinions of well-liked merchandise, and welcome your suggestions on stuff you’d prefer to see us tackle! Transferring ahead, Billy Steele can be taking up this roundup, so I depart you with this extraordinarily applicable and related picture to recollect me by.