All eyes on NVIDIA and Samsung

I do not know in the event 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 arduous at work, with Devindra testing the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 and Billy on plenty of headphones and grills. A lot for alleviating into 2025.

Earlier than I provide the full recap, I additionally wished to shout out some evaluations we printed within the later half of December, in addition to others we lately 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 a couple of 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 wished to revisit our evaluations of those techniques and their respective sport libraries, to see how properly they stack up at present.

The group additionally printed and up to date evaluations of colourful Kindles, an Intel processor, a Samsung Chromebook and extra. Here is a fast checklist, however you possibly can at all times go to our Reviews page to scroll by yourself time, in the event you favor:

ICYMI: The 12 greatest 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 lots of flagship telephones, cameras and drones on the checklist. I additionally included the 2 worst devices we ever examined, and you may simply need to guess what they’re. Or learn the article, I assume.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 overview

by Devindra Hardawar

In case you’re the form of person who’s available in the market for a $2,000 GPU, then the GeForce RTX 5090 is one thing you would possibly contemplate. It is quick, highly effective and NVIDIA’s body technology was very spectacular, based on 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 more than likely 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 evaluations

by Billy Steele

Traeger

Traeger’s Woodridge could also be its new base mannequin, however the grill is much from fundamental. The sturdy building, dependable efficiency and sensible 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 develop his experience within the house, all whereas delighting his editors with tantalizing descriptions of smoked and barbecued meals. Imagine me, I at all times need to 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 sooner or later.

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 fundamental options hinder the general expertise.

Professionals

• Wonderful 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 in opposition to the competitors. Bowers & Wilkin’s Pi8 might ship wonderful audio, however based on Billy they do not supply sufficient particular options for the cash. Actually, as he says, “$399 ought to get you much more than excellent audio.”

On the horizon: Upcoming evaluations

Our reviewers have already got items of the newest Samsung Galaxy S25 telephones and are testing them in the actual world as I write this. Units that have been introduced at CES 2025, like some headphones, laptops, sensible glasses and even LED masks are additionally making their strategy to our group members, so keep tuned for our evaluations. We’re additionally planning on some longer-term evaluations of fashionable merchandise, and welcome your suggestions on stuff 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.