Holiday shopping panic mode: engaged! With the countdown clock ticking, we’re dropping a fresh batch of reviews hotter than your grandma’s gingerbread. From cutting-edge tech to timeless treasures, and even a second opinion on a familiar face, we’ve got the intel you need to conquer your gift list. Dive in and discover your perfect presents!
Quick Overview
Apple Watch SE 3
$200 at Amazon
Apple Vision Pro M5
$3,499 at Apple
DJI Neo 2
$250 at DJI
Acer Predator Triton 14 AI
$2,500 at Acer
OnePlus 15
$900 at OnePlus
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple / Engadget
90
100
Expert Score
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple’s entry-level smartwatch has improved so much it basically delivers an experience that’s comparable to pricier Apple Watches.
Pros
- Comprehensive featureset for the money
Cons
- Relatively slower charging speed
$200 at Amazon
Want an Apple Watch without emptying your wallet? Cherlynn Low, Engadget’s managing editor, says the Apple Watch SE 3 might be your sweet spot. Forget shelling out top dollar for the latest bells and whistles. Low found the real dealbreakers weren’t the headline features of the Series 11, like blood oxygen or hypertension alerts. What truly mattered? A brighter screen that pops, a battery that lasts, and a casing that can take a beating – the kind of everyday reliability that brings genuine peace of mind. The SE 3 delivers where it counts.
Apple Vision Pro M5
Apple
78
100
Expert Score
Apple Vision Pro M5
Apple’s Vision Pro 2.0: Speed and Comfort Evolved, Ecosystem Still Confined. This souped-up spatial computer boasts blistering performance and a noticeably lighter design, making extended reality sessions less of a strain. However, the software landscape remains a sparse frontier, suggesting the Vision Pro is still more a playground for pioneering developers than a mainstream marvel for everyday users.
Pros
- Faster M5 chip
- Excellent displays
- Hand and eye tracking work well
- Support for PS VR2 controllers
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited immersive video and apps
- Relatively heavy
$3,499 at Apple
Apple’s Vision Pro gets an M5 boost, yet still screams “beta.” It’s a tantalizing glimpse into the future, shackled by an exorbitant price tag. As Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar puts it, the Vision Pro remains a breathtaking tech demo, unbound by screens, but Apple’s spatial computing dream is grounded until it cracks the affordability code.
DJI Neo 2
DJI/Engadget
94
100
Expert Score
DJI Neo 2
DJI has added impressive tech to the Neo 2 that makes it the best personal drone on the market.
Pros
- Quieter
- LiDAR obstacle detection
- Fast for a small drone
- Improved battery life
- Impressive gesture controls
Cons
- No 10-bit LogM video
- Noise carries
- Subpar low light performance
$250 at DJI
DJI’s Neo drone, infamous for its ear-splitting shriek, has evolved. The Neo 2 doesn’t just hush the noise; it’s a full-fledged upgrade, soaring to the top as the best budget drone on the market. As our own Steve Dent put it, it keeps the Neo’s beloved simplicity and safety, then layers on crucial features like obstacle avoidance and, finally, blessedly quieter operation.
Acer Predator Triton 14 AI
Acer / Engadget
90
100
Expert Score
Acer Predator Triton 14 AI
Got a hankering for a behemoth gaming laptop? The Predator Triton 14 AI probably won’t scratch that itch. But if you crave pure, unadulterated portability without sacrificing serious gaming chops, Acer’s shrunk-down marvel is a mic-drop moment.
Pros
- Super sleek design
- Innovative cooling
- Colorful OLED display
- Touchpad features stylus support
- Lots of ports
Cons
- Sub-optimal speaker positioning
- A bit pricey
$2,500 at Acer
Forget bulky behemoths! Acer’s Predator Triton 14 AI redefines gaming laptop portability. Engadget’s Sam Rutherford raves it’s not just travel-friendly; it’s a “true do-everything ultraportable,” finally delivering on the promise of gaming on the go.
OnePlus 15
OnePlus / Engadget
87
100
Expert Score
OnePlus 15
The OnePlus 15 isn’t perfect, its camera being its Achilles’ heel. However, forgive that flaw, and you unlock a powerhouse. Prepare to be dazzled by a display that redefines visual brilliance, experience performance that leaves rivals in the dust, and enjoy battery life that laughs in the face of demanding days. For sheer sensory overload and unrelenting power, the OnePlus 15 stands virtually unchallenged.
Pros
- Fast processor and display
- Long-lasting battery
- 80W charger included in the box
Cons
- Cameras could be better
- Derivative design
- Only four years of OS updates
$900 at OnePlus
The OnePlus 15: A powerhouse that stumbles in the photography department. Ignore the humdrum design and middling cameras, and you’ll find a blazing-fast processor, a stunning display, and a battery that just won’t quit. Engadget’s Igor Bonifacic sums it up: “If photography isn’t your priority, the OP15 is a contender. If OnePlus can dodge tariff bullets, this phone could dominate well into 2026.” In short, the OnePlus 15 is a gamble that might just pay off big time.
Other reviews you might have missed
Beyond the gadgets, our desks have been buzzing with high-end audio and bleeding-edge tech. I luxuriated in the plush embrace of Bowers & Wilkins’ Px8 S2 headphones – pure sonic bliss. James Trew wrestled the Rodecaster Video S into submission, putting its compact video production power to the test. Nathan Ingraham braved the world of Alexa+ with the Echo Dot Max, discovering if its smarts could overcome underwhelming sound. And Daniel Cooper? He’s lost in the modular maze of Framework’s upgradable PCs, specifically dissecting the 2025 refresh of the Laptop 16 and its RTX 5070 heart.
Forget lugging around bulky chargers! Senior reporter Amy Skorheim unearthed a gem: the Anker Laptop Power Bank. She calls it a must-have for your gear bag, packing enough power to keep you productive on the go.
Meanwhile, Sony’s PlayStation Portal got a serious shot in the arm. Devindra took the upgraded handheld for another spin, revisiting the device two years after its initial launch. Is it finally living up to its potential?
Thanks for reading Engadget review recap: Apple Watch SE 3 DJI Neo 2 PlayStation Portal and more
