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 need 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 yr, 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 various headphones and grills. A lot for relieving into 2025.

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

The crew additionally printed and up to date opinions of colourful Kindles, an Intel processor, a Samsung Chromebook and extra. Here is a fast checklist, however you may at all times 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 printed an inventory of the 12 highest-rated products we reviewed final yr. Spoiler alert: there have been numerous flagship telephones, cameras and drones on the checklist. I additionally included the 2 worst devices we ever examined, and you may simply must guess what they’re. Or learn the article, I assume.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 overview

by Devindra Hardawar

Should you’re the type of individual that’s available in the market for a $2,000 GPU, then the GeForce RTX 5090 is one thing you may think about. 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, moderately sized budgets, the corporate’s highest-end providing might be out of attain. We’re most definitely 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 will likely 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 way from primary. The sturdy development, dependable efficiency and good grilling options enable this grill to punch above its weight.

Professionals

• Sturdy construct high quality
• Dependable efficiency
• Useful 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 increasingly more 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. Imagine me, I at all times 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 in the future.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 overview

by Billy Steele

Bowers & Wilkins

The Pi8 is an audio improve over final yr’s Pi7, however common ANC efficiency and solely primary 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 positive. 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 could ship glorious audio, however in keeping with Billy they do not supply sufficient particular options for the cash. In truth, as he says, “$399 ought to get you much more than very good 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. Units that had been introduced at CES 2025, like some headphones, laptops, good glasses and even LED masks are additionally making their option to our crew members, so keep tuned for our evaluations. We’re additionally planning on some longer-term opinions of widespread merchandise, and welcome your suggestions on belongings you’d prefer to see us tackle! Transferring ahead, Billy Steele will likely be taking on this roundup, so I go away you with this extraordinarily applicable and related picture to recollect me by.