We could bit a post-CES information lull some days, however the evaluations are coming in scorching and heavy as February begins. Samsung has already debuted its newest premium telephones and we have printed a couple of long-term evaluations of units we have been testing for months. On this installment of the evaluations roundup, we have telephones, a wearable, a robotic vacuum and a sensible grill. There’s one thing for everybody this week.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely
For 2025, Samsung’s AI options are a bit extra highly effective and simpler to make use of. Nonetheless, except for 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 ought to be contemplating it begins at $1,300.
- Glorious display screen
- Nice efficiency and battery life
- Anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 panels
- Slimmer bezels
- New 50MP ultra-wide sensor
- S Pen now not helps Air actions
- Identical fundamental and telephoto cameras as final yr
- Not totally appropriate 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 appears like an iterative replace as a result of restricted {hardware} upgrades. “This means a lot of what Samsung focused on in this generation feels more like a bonus rather than a must-have feature,” he writes. “And when you can get around 90 percent of the phone’s capabilities from previous models, the most dangerous thing Samsung is asking buyers to consider is why they need to upgrade at all.”
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.
- Stable construct high quality
- Unbelievable battery life
- Smoother Gemini AI expertise
- Highly effective new processor
- Identical show because the S24
- Identical digicam sensors because the S24
- Identical 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 loads 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. “Unless you’re desperate for a bump in processing power and battery life, it would be wise to see how heavily last year’s models get discounted in 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 offers 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 loads for its compact measurement
- Improved Eufy Clear app
- First rate 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 additional
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. “While Eufy isn’t a stranger to making solid robot vacuums, this device is still a first-gen product in my mind — and a solid one at that,” Valentina notes. “But you have to know what you’re buying upfront: an above-average robot vacuum that can turn into a just-average stick and hand vacuum.”
Oura Ring 4
Daniel Cooper for Engadget
Oura’s newest Ring is the most effective sensible ring available on the market. However its vary of features stays restricted by its measurement and the truth that it’s a hoop.
- Extra snug
- Higher information assortment
- Beautiful, clear app
- Requires paid subscription to make use of primary {hardware} options
- I am undecided why the paint jobs price additional
Good 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 secure in the intervening time. “If there’s a downside, it’s that Oura remains forever constrained by the limitations a smart ring imposes,” Dan explains. “If you want something more comprehensive, then it’s likely a smartwatch is a better option, but for everything 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 lovely chassis for a really affordable beginning worth of $900.
- Class-leading battery life
- Tremendous-bright show
- Nice efficiency
- Engaging design
- Photograph high quality may very well be a contact higher
- Solely six years of software program help as a substitute of seven
- Wants a case to completely help magnetic Qi2 equipment
Whereas most cellphone corporations are targeted on AI options, OnePlus determined to construct a compelling, flagship-level handset that is not overloaded with bloat. “Throughout the years, OnePlus has used taglines like ‘flagship killer’ and ‘ultra in every way’ as a means of taking shots at its biggest rivals from Samsung, Google and more,” Sam writes. “But for the OnePlus 13, it feels like the company just went and made a really solid premium handset without a bunch of AI fluff.”
Weber Searwood
Weber/Engadget
Weber discovered from its errors with its first sensible grill to make the Searwood a whole bundle.
- Dependable cooking efficiency
- Open-lid handbook mode works nice
- Show is seen from a distance
- SmokeBoost solely works at 180 levels
- Wheels and legs may very well 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 discovered from these missteps when it constructed the Searwood. The corporate’s second sensible pellet grill presents 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 handbook 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 evaluations: Apple, Beats, Technics and extra
In keeping 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 using 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 could have coronary heart price monitoring, which might be a primary for a set of Apple earbuds. If the PowerBeats Professional 2 are certainly introduced quickly, we’ll anticipate to have a evaluate prepared shortly after.
I’ve obtained the Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds in for testing too. These buds received one in every of Engadget’s Better of CES awards final month and I have been desperate to get my fingers… er, ears… on them ever since. Throughout a quick 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 exams.
