We might bit a post-CES information lull some days, however the critiques are coming in scorching and heavy as February begins. Samsung has already debuted its newest premium telephones and we have printed a number of long-term critiques of units we have been testing for months. On this installment of the critiques roundup, we have telephones, a wearable, a robotic vacuum and a good grill. There’s one thing for everybody this week.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely
Engadget
For 2025, Samsung’s AI options are a bit extra highly effective and simpler to make use of. Nonetheless, apart from a sooner chip, a brand new ultra-wide sensor and some beauty tweaks, it seems and feels similar to final yr’s mannequin, which makes the S25 Extremely a much less spectacular replace than it must be contemplating it begins at $1,300.
- Wonderful 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 most important and telephoto cameras as final yr
- Not absolutely suitable 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 seems like an iterative replace because of the restricted {hardware} upgrades. “This implies a variety of what Samsung targeted on on this technology feels extra like a bonus moderately than vital function,” he writes. “And when you will get round 90 p.c of the telephone’s capabilities from earlier fashions, probably the most harmful factor Samsung is asking patrons to think about is why they should improve in any respect.”
Samsung Galaxy S25
Samsung/Engadget
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
- Unbelievable 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. Nonetheless, the corporate did not spend a variety of time updating the design and main parts of this mannequin both. As Mat explains, this makes for a boring launch for the long-running flagship line. “Until you’re determined for a bump in processing energy and battery life, it might be sensible to see how closely final yr’s fashions get discounted within the coming months,” he says.
Anker Eufy E20
Anker Eufy
The Eufy E20 is the primary robotic vacuum to show right into a cordless stick vac and a hand vacuum due to included equipment. It really works greatest as a robotic, however the comfort it supplies with its transformers-style design will make this a tempting purchase for many who don’t need to rely solely on a robovac to wash their home.
- Rapidly turns right into a cordless stick vacuum and a handheld vacuum
- Robust efficiency as a robotic vacuum
- Self-emptying base holds lots for its compact measurement
- Improved Eufy Clear app
- Respectable 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 further
The Eufy E20 is a first-of-its-kind reworking robotic vacuum. Whereas it really works greatest in its core operate 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 strong robotic vacuums, this gadget continues to be a first-gen product in my thoughts — and a strong one at that,” Valentina notes. “However you must 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
Daniel Cooper for Engadget
Oura’s newest Ring is one of the best good ring available on the market. However its vary of capabilities stays restricted by its measurement and the truth that it’s a hoop.
- Extra comfy
- Higher knowledge assortment
- Beautiful, clear app
- Requires paid subscription to make use of primary {hardware} options
- I am undecided why the paint jobs value further
Sensible rings should be area of interest, however there’s one firm that stands above the remainder. With the Ring 4, Oura fastened 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 endlessly constrained by the constraints a wise ring imposes,” Dan explains. “If you’d like one thing extra complete, then it’s probably a smartwatch is a greater choice, however for the whole lot else, there’s this.”
OnePlus 13
Engadget
As a substitute of specializing in AI, the OnePlus 13 packs a bunch of top-of-the-line parts into a pretty chassis for a really cheap beginning worth of $900.
- Class-leading battery life
- Tremendous-bright show
- Nice efficiency
- Engaging design
- Picture high quality could possibly be a contact higher
- Solely six years of software program assist as a substitute of seven
- Wants a case to completely assist magnetic Qi2 equipment
Whereas most telephone corporations are targeted 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 method of taking pictures at its greatest rivals from Samsung, Google and extra,” Sam writes. “However for the OnePlus 13, it seems like the corporate simply went and made a extremely strong premium handset with out a bunch of AI fluff.”
Weber Searwood
Weber/Engadget
Weber realized from its errors with its first good grill to make the Searwood a whole package deal.
- Dependable cooking efficiency
- Open-lid guide mode works nice
- Show is seen from a distance
- SmokeBoost solely works at 180 levels
- Wheels and legs could possibly be sturdier
- No wi-fi probe choice
Weber’s first pellet grill, the SmokeFire, was a studying expertise for the corporate. Fortunately, the longstanding model realized 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 permits 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 line 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 effectively. The Apple-owned model first teased an replace to its fitness-focused mannequin with a over-the-ear hook design final September. Gurman reviews that the brand new mannequin may have coronary heart fee monitoring, which will probably 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 received one among Engadget’s Better of CES awards final month and I have been desirous 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 provided spectacular sound, however I am wanting ahead to seeing how this set holds up throughout a full gamut of checks.