- TechRadar Choice Awards showcases outstanding tech products of the year.
- Best 9 tech products of this year’s TechRadar Choice Awards includes Microsoft Surface Laptop and so on.
The TechRadar Choice Awards 2024 showcases the most innovative and outstanding tech products of the year, celebrating excellence across a variety of categories. From cutting-edge smartphones to immersive home entertainment systems, this year’s selections highlight advancements in design, functionality, and user experience.
The awards reflect a blend of reader preferences and expert evaluations, ensuring a comprehensive view of what technology enthusiasts truly value. With 90 categories in total, the winners are determined through a combination of public voting and expert rankings, making it a true representation of the best tech in 2024.
Phone of the Year
Google Pixel 9 Pro
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is Google’s latest flagship, offering enhanced AI-powered features and an advanced camera system. Powered by the new Tensor G4 chip and supported by 16GB RAM, it handles intensive tasks, like gaming and multitasking, with improved efficiency and cooling.
This model stands out for its robust camera setup, which includes a 50MP main sensor, 48MP ultra-wide, and 48MP telephoto lenses, plus an impressive 42MP front camera that delivers high-quality photos even in challenging lighting. New software upgrades include the “Magic Editor” for effortless photo adjustments and the innovative Pixel Studio app, which creates AI-assisted images on-device.
The Pixel 9 Pro also integrates Google’s latest security features and emergency tools, like satellite SOS, making it a comprehensive option for power users and photography enthusiasts.
Laptop of the Year
Microsoft Surface Laptop
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition combines sleek design with high-performance features, making it a powerful choice for both productivity and creative tasks. With models available in 13.8-inch and 15-inch screens, the laptop features Microsoft’s AI-powered CoPilot technology, which adds smart features like live captions and Windows Studio Effects for enhanced video calls. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor, it boasts impressive performance improvements compared to previous models, particularly in battery life, delivering up to 22 hours on a full charge.
Beyond performance, Microsoft’s shift to ARM architecture enhances efficiency and aligns with its sustainability goals, emphasizing lower power consumption and easily replaceable components. Additionally, the Surface Laptop features haptic feedback on the touchpad, a range of vibrant color choices, and an ultra-slim aluminum build, cementing it as a versatile and eco-friendly option for modern users.
TV of the Year
Samsung S95D
The Samsung S95D is a standout OLED TV, incorporating Quantum Dot (QD) technology to deliver exceptional color vibrancy and contrast. Designed to enhance the viewing experience, it features a matte screen finish to reduce glare, making it ideal for bright rooms. This new anti-reflective screen preserves color clarity even in well-lit environments, although it may slightly impact black levels under certain lighting. Equipped with Samsung’s updated Neo Quantum processor, the S95D offers optimized HDR performance, achieving brightness levels that are among the highest for OLED TVs.
In addition to its visual prowess, the S95D is packed with features tailored for gaming, including HDMI 2.1 inputs, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and support for 4K at up to 144Hz, offering a smooth experience for high-frame-rate games. Samsung’s Tizen OS provides extensive smart features, including streaming apps and personalized recommendations.
Streaming Service of the Year
Apple TV Plus
Apple TV+ is a subscription-based streaming service launched by Apple on November 1, 2019. It features a library of original content, including award-winning series, films, documentaries, and children’s programming, all free of commercials. The service aims to provide high-quality entertainment, with notable titles like “Ted Lasso” and “CODA,” which have garnered significant critical acclaim and numerous awards.
Available for $9.99 per month, Apple TV+ offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. Users can access the platform on various devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and select smart TVs. Apple emphasizes original programming, releasing new content regularly, making it an attractive option for viewers seeking quality over quantity. The platform also features live sports events, adding to its appeal for fans.
Headphones of the Year
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds represent a pinnacle in high-fidelity audio within the true wireless earbud market. Priced at approximately $399, they are designed for audiophiles seeking an exceptional listening experience. The Pi8 features 12mm carbon cone dynamic drivers, derived from the acclaimed PX8 over-ear headphones, ensuring rich and detailed sound across a wide frequency range. With effective active noise cancellation (ANC) and a unique smart charging case, users can enjoy up to 20 hours of total playtime, while the earbuds themselves offer 6.5 hours on a single charge.
Connectivity is versatile, supporting aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs, which deliver superior sound quality, especially when paired with high-resolution audio sources. The Pi8 also boasts an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance, making them suitable for various environments. Overall, they stand out not only for their audio performance but also for their innovative features and elegant design.
Game of the Year
Balatro
Balatro is a unique roguelike deck-building game developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack, released on February 20, 2024. The game blends traditional poker mechanics with innovative gameplay elements, allowing players to create powerful decks and utilize a variety of “Joker” cards to alter the rules of poker in exciting ways. With over 200 collectible items and 150 Jokers, each offering distinct abilities, players can craft diverse strategies to tackle challenges and enhance their gameplay experience.
Set in a pixel art style, Balatro encourages both seeded and unseeded runs, providing a dynamic environment where players can explore synergies and tactics. Its fast-paced nature has led to positive reception from critics, who have praised its addictive gameplay and intricate mechanics. Following its success on consoles and PC, a mobile version was released in September 2024, quickly becoming a top-selling game on mobile platforms.
Health and Fitness Product of the Year
Samsung Galaxy Ring
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is a cutting-edge smart ring designed for health and fitness tracking. Made from durable titanium, it features a sleek, concave design that is both lightweight and comfortable, weighing between 2.3 to 3.0 grams. With an IP68 rating and 10ATM water resistance, the ring can withstand water exposure, making it suitable for swimming and daily wear. It includes several health sensors, such as a heart rate monitor, skin temperature sensor, and accelerometer, enabling it to track sleep patterns, daily activities, and workouts.
The Galaxy Ring offers up to a week of battery life on a single charge and comes with a transparent charging case that supports wireless charging. Importantly, all its features are accessible without subscription fees, differentiating it from competitors like the Oura Ring. Priced at approximately $399, it targets users looking for an unobtrusive way to monitor their health while integrating seamlessly with Samsung’s ecosystem.
Camera of the Year
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
The Canon EOS R5 Mark II, launched in July 2024, is a high-performance full-frame mirrorless camera designed for hybrid professionals, blending impressive resolution and video capabilities. Equipped with a 45MP stacked CMOS sensor, it delivers stunning image quality and fast performance, supporting continuous shooting at 30 frames per second. One of its standout features is the Dual Pixel Intelligent AF system, which offers enhanced subject tracking, including advanced eye-control autofocus that allows users to shift focus simply by moving their eyes.
The R5 Mark II significantly improves upon its predecessor’s video capabilities, offering 8K recording at 60 frames per second and 4K at up to 120 frames per second, while addressing previous overheating issues with an innovative cooling system. This camera is built for durability, featuring a magnesium alloy body and weather sealing, making it suitable for various shooting environments. Overall, it represents a substantial upgrade for photographers and videographers alike.
Home Device of the Year
Dyson Supersonic Nural
The Dyson Supersonic Nural is an advanced hair dryer that combines cutting-edge technology with innovative design, enhancing the hair drying and styling experience. Featuring a powerful Dyson Hyperdymium motor, it generates a high-velocity jet of controlled air, significantly reducing drying time while minimizing heat damage. The standout feature is the smart Nural sensor technology, which includes a Scalp Protect mode that automatically adjusts temperature based on the distance from the scalp, ensuring safety during styling.
Additionally, it boasts attachment learning, which remembers your preferred settings for each styling attachment, and a pause detect function that reduces heat and airflow when the dryer is placed down. With five specialized attachments, including a redesigned Wave+Curl diffuser and a flyaway attachment, the Nural is engineered for versatility across different hair types and styles. It is priced around $500, reflecting its premium status in the hair care market.
