The tryptophan fog has lifted, and we’re back in the Engadget review lab, fueled by leftover stuffing and a burning desire to clear our desks before 2025. CES looms, but before we dive headfirst into the future, take a moment to catch up on the gadgets that landed on our test benches. Need a distraction from the holiday frenzy? Consider this your curated list of must-read reviews from the past few weeks – the perfect companion for a cozy December weekend.
Quick Overview
Dell 16 Premium
$2,000 at Dell
DJI Osmo Action 6
$369 at Amazon
Nikon ZR
$2,197 at Amazon
Ooni Volt 2
$699 at Amazon
Antigravity A1
$1,599 at Antigravity
Dell 16 Premium
Dell
79
100
Expert Score
Dell 16 Premium
Dell’s 16 Premium looks as beautiful as ever, but the company’s usability issues from the XPS lineup remain.
Pros
- Sleek minimalist design
- Fast performance
- Solid keyboard
Cons
- Invisible trackpad isn’t user friendly
- Capacitive function keys disappear in sunlight
- Needs more ports
- Mediocre battery life
$2,000 at Dell
The Dell 16 Premium certainly looks the part, dripping with a design so refined it almost hurts. But beneath that glossy veneer lies a frustrating truth: beauty often comes at a cost. And in this case, that cost is both your wallet and your patience. As our senior reporter Devindra Hardawar discovered, admiring the Dell 16 Premium is like gazing at a stunning sculpture – you appreciate the artistry, but can’t quiteuseit. He yearns for practicality: a proper HDMI port, a full-sized SD card reader for seamless workflow, function keys that actually function (and stay put!). And then there’s the invisible trackpad, a design choice so perplexing it borders on cruel. The Dell 16 Premium is a head-turner, no doubt. But is it worth sacrificing usability for sheer aesthetics? That’s the question buyers will need to grapple with.
DJI Osmo Action 6
DJI
88
100
Expert Score
DJI Osmo Action 6
Forget everything you know about action cameras. DJI’s Osmo Action 6 isn’t just playing the game; it’s rewriting the rules. Boasting an industry-first variable aperture and a beefy, square sensor, this little powerhouse laughs in the face of low-light limitations and serves up social media-ready content straight out of the box. The trade-off? You’ll sacrifice some video resolution, but the question is, what matters more: raw numbers or captivating visuals? The Osmo Action 6 dares to be different.
Pros
- Clean video in low light
- Excellent battery life
- Built-in storage
- Flexible formats
Cons
- Lower video resolution than rivals
- Manual aperture control limited
- Not enough film tone settings
$369 at Amazon
DJI’s US drone woes could spill over, impacting its action cam lineup. But fear not, night owls and content creators! Our EU-based reporter Steve Dent got his hands on the Osmo Action 6 and the results are in: this camera redefines low-light action. Forget grainy, shaky footage – the Action 6’s bigger sensor and wider aperture deliver crisp, stabilized video that blows away the competition after dark. Dent raves, “It’s the undisputed king of night shooting,” and a dream come true for YouTube and TikTok junkies alike.
Nikon ZR
Nikon
87
100
Expert Score
Nikon ZR
Forget everything you thought you knew about RAW video. Nikon’s ZR isn’t just raising the bar; it’s obliterating it. Imagine cinema-quality footage, dripping with detail, from a camera that fits in your hand. That’s the ZR. It puncheswayabove its weight, delivering RAW video that embarrasses cameras costing significantly more. And unlike those cumbersome cinema rigs, the ZR boasts autofocus so slick it feels like cheating and in-body stabilization that turns shaky footage into silky smooth masterpieces. The trade-offs? You’ll need extra batteries and will miss an EVF. But trust us, the image quality is worth it. The ZR is not merely good, it’s a revolution in portable video creation.
Pros
- RED RAW offers excellent video quality
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Pro video monitoring tools
- Huge and bright screen
Cons
- Mediocre battery life
- No electronic viewfinder
- Stabilization less effective than rivals
$2,197 at Amazon
Continuing the video focus, Steve put the Nikon ZR through its paces. This camera isn’t just for video; it’s a powerhouse thanks to features like RED RAW and incredibly responsive autofocus. As Steve noted, Nikon is making a bold statement with the ZR, “finally catching up to and even surpassing its rivals for content creation.” He believes it’s a game-changer for everything from quick social media clips to in-depth documentaries and even full-blown film productions, offering impressive versatility without significant drawbacks.
Ooni Volt 2
Ooni/Engadget
88
100
Expert Score
Ooni Volt 2
Forget everything you thought you knew about electric pizza ovens. Ooni’s Volt 2 isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a complete reimagining. This isn’t your grandma’s countertop appliance. We’re talking sleek design, intuitive controls, and enough firepower to turn even the most novice cook into a pizza pro.
Pros
- Smaller than the original
- Good mix of presets and customization
- Large viewing window
- More affordable than the first-gen Volt
Cons
- Still heavy
- Only cooks 12-inch pizzas
- For indoor use only
- Exterior gets quite hot
$699 at Amazon
Ooni’s Volt 2 isn’t just an indoor pizza oven; it’s a culinary revolution. Forget the original’s quirks; this redesigned marvel delivers restaurant-quality pizza without the learning curve. Think user-friendly controls, a vibrant display, and presets that are idiot-proof yet inspire experimentation. As I discovered, the Volt 2 doesn’t just bake pizza; it unleashes a symphony of flavor, consistently rivaling (and often surpassing) your favorite pizzeria. Prepare for pizza perfection, accessible to all.
Antigravity A1
Antigravity/Engadget
83
100
Expert Score
Antigravity A1
Antigravity’s debut FPV drone is fun, unique and crammed with features. There’s no drone like it.
Pros
- Fun to fly
- Intuitive controls
- Unique features
- Crisp clean video (in good conditions)
- Great editing tools on both mobile and PC
Cons
- Setup can be finicky
- Lower video quality than traditional video drones
- Price
$1,599 at Antigravity
Antigravity, an Insta360 offshoot, has launched its debut drone, and our very own Mat Smith has already taken to the skies. The A1 drone arrives complete with controller and FPV headset for immersive piloting. Smith raves about its innovative features and impressive video quality (when the stars align). “The controls are so intuitive, and the all-encompassing view is revolutionary,” he reports. “It’s an absolute joyride for drone newbies and seasoned FPV pilots alike. If only the software glitches hadn’t crashed the party.”
Other recent reviews
This week at Engadget: Mat rekindled his strategic fires withFinal Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, while Nathan Ingraham journeyed into the depths withMetroid Prime 4. Tim Stevens, not content with one nostalgia trip, first hopped into the driver’s seat of the electric 2025 Porsche Macan, then warped back to the polygonal glory days of the Nintendo 64 via the Analogue 3D.
Thanks for reading Engadget review recap: Dell 16 Premium Nikon ZR Ooni Volt 2 and more
