The Pocket-lint 2025 finest in tech awards are right here

2025 has been an uneven 12 months for tech, with a lot of the 12 months dominated by uncertainties within the AI market, price hikes in the US due to government policies, large layoffs, and giant mergers. Nonetheless, there have been some brilliant spots too, as we noticed the blockbuster launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, which went on to be Nintendo’s biggest console launch ever, and TikTok narrowly avoided being banned in the US with some intelligent authorized gymnastics.

Right here at Pocket-lint we have seen some nice tech this 12 months, from telephones to E Ink tablets, and needed to take a while to acknowledge the devices we really feel actually improved our lives in 2025:

Finest Telephone

iPhone 17

Model

Apple

SoC

A19

Show

6.3-inch 2622 x 1206 pixel decision Tremendous Retina XDR

Storage

256GB, 512GB

Ports

USB-C

Working System

iOS 26

The iPhone 17 is quintessentially Apple, combining refined {hardware} with a tried-and-true software program system, and releasing at a value level that continues to be palatable for the on a regular basis client. For the primary time on a non-Professional iPhone, the 17 ships with a sophisticated LTPO show able to refreshing at as much as 120Hz for silky-smooth scrolling, or all the way in which all the way down to 1Hz to avoid wasting on battery life. This {hardware} addition additionally permits for the inclusion of an All the time-on Show (AOD), which provides a splash of comfort to the handset.

Whereas it’s true that the iPhone 17 lacks a telephoto digicam lens for zoom images, nearly every part else in regards to the cellphone feels about as premium and meticulously crafted because it will get. The fit-and-finish right here is best-in-class contemplating the value tag, the cellphone’s 6.2-inch type issue is one thing of a goldilocks dimension for most individuals, and efficiency is lightning quick with the customized A19 chipset working under-the-hood.

After all, Apple’s new Liquid Glass aesthetic in iOS 26 is considerably polarizing from a visible standpoint, and ecosystem lock-in would possibly make or break your expertise with utilizing the system. Android purists may even nonetheless discover friction within the customization division, even when the hole isn’t as pronounced because it as soon as was. For followers of the iPhone, or for anybody trying to soar on the iPhone bandwagon for the primary time, the 17 affords up an undeniably compelling smartphone bundle from prime to backside.

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Runner-up: Google Pixel 10

Model

Google

Show

6.3-inch Actua Show 1080 x 2424 pixel decision OLED (60-120Hz)

Working System

Android 16

SoC

Tensor G5

RAM

12GB

Storage

128GB/256GB

With the Pixel 10, Google is concentrating on refinement over revolution. The flagship Android smartphone is visually just like its predecessor, which is not any dangerous factor: this can be a well-built piece of equipment, with the now-iconic digicam bar design sitting proudly on the rear of the unit’s chassis, and with a brand new 5X telephoto lens housed underneath the glass — the primary triple rear digicam setup to hit a non-Professional Pixel handset. With a 6.2-inch show panel, the system additionally has compactness going for it, too.

The addition of a Qi2 ring of Pixelsnap magnets for improved wi-fi charging and for peripheral connectivity is one other big boon for the Pixel 10, making it appropriate with Apple’s well-liked cellular MagSafe ecosystem. The handset additionally ships with Android 16 QPR1 out of the field, bringing with it a stunning new software program design language referred to as Materials 3 Expressive that I personally can’t get sufficient of.

After all, with all these professionals on deck, there have to be a catch, and within the case of the Pixel 10, that catch is the (comparatively under-performing) Tensor G5 processor powering the product. In the event you’re a heavy cellular gamer, then the Pixel 10 is decidedly not the cellphone for you, however for many Android customers, it’s a well-balanced bundle that’s genuinely exhausting to withstand. Even for iPhone loyalists, there’s quite a bit to like right here, particularly with Pixelsnap lastly bridging the magnetic ecosystem hole with MagSafe.

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Finest streaming stick

Winner: Roku Streaming Stick Plus

Model

Roku

Show

HDR10+

Working System

Roku OS

Downloadable Apps

Hundreds

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

Earlier this 12 months, Roku launched the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, its new and improved 4K streaming stick. At $40, it packs a punch: full 4K HDR streaming, Bluetooth audio help, and, most significantly, quick access to all of your favourite apps like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and extra, due to Roku OS’s easy, intuitive interface.

Positive, it would not have all of the bells and whistles of the Roku Extremely or the Roku Streaming Stick 4K — no Dolby Imaginative and prescient or Dolby Atmos right here — however at $40 (and sometimes on sale for as little as $20), it is an extremely succesful streaming stick.

I’ve discovered myself recommending it to mates, household, and principally anybody searching for a simple, inexpensive technique to stream in 4K. And let’s not overlook The Roku Channel, which affords over 500 free stay TV channels and can assist you scale back your streaming invoice. For its mixture of versatility, ease of use, and value, it was a simple selection for Pocket-lint’s finest streaming stick of 2025.

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Runner-up: Fireplace TV Stick 4K Max

Model

Amazon

Decision

4K

Audio codecs

Dolby Atmos

RAM/storage

16 GB

The present-generation Fireplace TV Stick 4K Max launched in 2023, however even in 2025, it is nonetheless a strong streaming system. At $60, it is pricier than the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, however you get a bunch of extras: Wi-Fi 6E help, Dolby Imaginative and prescient and Dolby Atmos, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage.

Just like the Roku stick, the 4K Max typically goes on sale, ceaselessly dropping to round $40. However that is nonetheless double the value of the Roku Streaming Stick Plus at its sale value, so if you happen to do not want all the flamboyant extras, the cheaper Roku stick is the smarter decide.

Nonetheless, on the flip aspect, in case your TV helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient and Dolby Atmos, otherwise you simply desire a extra highly effective streaming system, the 4K Max is a improbable choice, and it is turn out to be my go-to streamer for my LG OLED TV. Plus, the 4K Max is far more inexpensive than a Google TV Streamer or Apple TV. For these causes, it simply earns an honorable point out for one of the best streaming stick this 12 months.

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Finest E Ink pill

Winner: Kindle Paperwhite

Storage

16GB

Battery

As much as 12 weeks

Ports

USB-C

Show kind

Amazon’s 7-inch Paperwhite show expertise with built-in mild, 300 ppi, optimized font expertise, 16-level grey scale.

Connectivity

Helps 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz networks

Measurements

7 x 5 x 0.3-inch

E-readers shine as single-use gadgets and should defend their easy roots daily in a world riddled with do-it-all gadgets. The one e-reader that does it one of the best is the Kindle Paperwhite – amongst all e-readers and Kindle fashions alike. Its premium options aren’t frilly, and don’t include a value your pockets is bound to draw back from.

I typically declare that the fundamental Kindle is the simplest E Ink pill to advocate to informal readers, however the Kindle Paperwhite packs a couple of premium options that noticeably elevate any ebook binging. It packs the identical entry-level 16 GB as the bottom Kindle, however boasts a much bigger 7-inch show with an auto-adjusting entrance mild, heat show filter for nighttime studying, and as much as double the battery life (12 weeks on a single cost). Plus, as a poolside or bathtub reader, it has an IPX8 ranking that really protects it towards water and dirt, so I can devour my tales in peace (and get a tan whereas I’m at it).

None of its ‘premium’ options are frilly – not like the 32 GB and ineffective wi-fi charging on the Signature Editions – that solely exist to squeeze a couple of extra greenback indicators out of your pockets. If there was a throne devoted to a wonderfully priced system with subsequent to no drawbacks, the Kindle Paperwhite can be sitting proudly atop it at $160. However don’t balk at that, both – it’s nearly at all times on sale.

Runner-up: Boox Tab X C

Storage

128GB

Battery

5500mAh

Decision

B&W 300 PPI + Coloration 150 PPI

Display screen Dimension

13.3-inch 3200 x 2400 pixel decision Coloration ePaper

Processor

2.8GHz Octa-core CPU

RAM

6GB

In the event you’re searching for an E Ink pill that does greater than open books, the Boox Tab X C is just one of the best out there. This ultra-thin pill measures simply 5.3mm thick and options an enormous 13.3-inch 3200 x 2400 shade E Ink display screen, making it the proper dimension for normal duties like drawing, studying textbooks, and naturally, studying and marking up PDFs.

Nonetheless, with a customized OS powered by Android 13 and an ​​Octa-Core CPU with 6GB of RAM underneath the hood, the Boox Tab X C is able to doing much more, giving customers the performance of an iPad or laptop computer in an E Ink pill. Although this system isn’t low-cost, The Boox Tab X C earns excessive marks for being an progressive evolution of what E Ink gadgets are able to in 2025, and I look ahead to seeing how Boox continues to drive the trade ahead in 2026 and past.

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Finest gaming handheld

Winner: Nintendo Swap 2

Storage

256GB (expandable with microSD Specific playing cards)

Battery

5,220mAh

Ports

Two USB-C ports

Connectivity

Wi-Fi / Bluetooth

4K Functionality

Sure

Model

Nintendo

As a large fan of the unique Nintendo Swap, I used to be thrilled when Nintendo lastly unveiled the Swap 2 earlier this 12 months. I grabbed it on day one, and since then I’ve performed it almost daily. There’s quite a bit to unpack with the Swap 2, however the two largest enhancements over the Swap 1, in my opinion, are its efficiency and dimension.

The Swap 2 packs a way more highly effective Nvidia Tegra chipset, making video games look higher and run smoother. That is particularly noticeable in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which now run at a buttery-smooth 60FPS with considerably improved decision in each handheld and docked modes. Due to the {hardware} improve, the Swap 2 may deal with AAA video games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws, delivering spectacular visuals regardless of its compact type issue, and plenty of extra titles are coming in 2026.

Then there’s the display screen. Nintendo upgraded it to a stunning 7.9-inch 1080p show, which fully blows the Swap 1’s 6.2-inch 720p panel out of the water.

At $450, it is cheaper than different handhelds just like the Steam Deck OLED or Xbox ROG Ally, and for Nintendo followers, the expertise is leaps and bounds higher than the unique Swap. That is why it is earned its spot as Pocket-lint’s finest gaming handheld for 2025.

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Runner up: Lenovo Legion Go S

Storage

1TB

Ports

2x USB 4 (40Gb/s knowledge switch DisplayPort™ 1.4, + Energy Supply 3.0)

Weight

1.61lb

Chipset

AMD Ryzen Z2 Go

RAM

32GB 6400MHz LPDDR5X

Wi-fi Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6E 2×2 AX & Bluetooth 5.3

2025 noticed greater than a dozen handheld gaming PCs hit cabinets from the excessive finish MSI Claw 8 AI+ to the Xbox-branded ROG Ally X. Nonetheless, although these handhelds made headlines for top value tags and model identify recognition, my favourite system this 12 months is definitely the Lenovo Legion Go S, a mid-tier system that’s purposeful, inexpensive, and has all of the options you want with nothing you don’t.

This handheld can also be distinctive because it is available in two kinds: the usual, Home windows 11 model, in addition to a Steam OS choice, making it the one non-Steam Deck handheld to run the working system. With loads of choices, versatility, and a value level that doesn’t instantly make me need to cry, this under-the-radar handheld is one which I’ve been recommending all 12 months lengthy to family and friends in 2025. It could not have essentially the most superior options, transformer-like controllers, or the Xbox identify slapped on it, but when all you’re searching for is a straightforward system that performs the video games in your library, the Lenovo Legion Go S is the proper handheld.

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