You’ll also find a pair of other Gadget Awards winners in categories that are a little murkier than smartphones, tablets, gaming, or anything else so easily categorised. The best design and the biggest innovation are a little more ephemeral and harder to lock down. We, obviously, reckon we’ve done okay. But then, we would.

The race for next year’s Stuff winners is already well underway. Loads of tech has launched onto the market, but it’s only around the third part of the year that we’ll really, properly have a sense of who the contenders are. After that, it’s round-up-and-vote time. Stick around, we’ll nail the very best of 2026 to the wall just as soon as we can.

GADGET OF THE YEAR

NINTENDO SWITCH 2

Nine years ago, Nintendo saved handheld gaming from obscurity. Last year, it did something arguably harder: perfecting what already worked brilliantly. The Switch 2 is refinement elevated to art form – proof that sometimes the boldest move is confidently iterating rather than recklessly reinventing. And we couldn’t be more impressed by what it achieves.

It’s Nintendo’s best-built hardware to date. That 7.9in Full HD 120Hz screen transforms portable play entirely, while DLSS upscaling finally brings 4K gaming to your television. Cyberpunk 2077 running smoothly on Nintendo hardware? We never thought we’d see the day. And backwards compatibility ensures your entire library can come with you – often enhanced.

Yes, battery life isn’t great. And storage expansion costs too much. But these compromises fade against what the Switch 2 achieves: seamless hybrid gaming. The Steam Deck offers power, sure, but Nintendo’s transitions between modes are a kind of invisible magic that makes console-quality gaming truly portable for the first time.

DESIGN OF THE YEAR

SIGMA BF

Some products appeal to your logic, while others speak directly to your soul. The Sigma Bf sits firmly in the latter camp. This full-frame mirrorless camera is the most strikingly minimalist we’ve seen in years – a sleek aluminium block that makes even Leica’s famously restrained M11-D look over-engineered.

It’s all about sharp lines, with virtually no buttons and no flaps or doors – just beautifully clean metalwork that turned heads everywhere while we tested it. That uncompromising aesthetic demands sacrifice, and there’s no viewfinder or hot shoe, with slightly awkward ergonomics that kept us worried about dropping it… but the Bf isn’t engineered for practicality – it’s crafted to inspire composition. Sometimes heart should trump head, and this soul-stirring piece of Japanese elegance shows exactly why.

from R43 000 / sigmaphoto.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Apple iPhone Air

SHORTLISTED

Nikon Z6 III ● Bose SoundLink Max

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

HUAWEI MATE XT

A 10.2inch tablet that slips into your jeans pocket isn’t just clever engineering – it’s sci-fi made real. The world’s first tri-fold smartphone transforms through three configurations: 6.4in phone, 7.9in book-style device and full tablet. That Z-shaped dual hinge achieves something genuinely innovative: tablet-sized screen real estate minus the bulk.

At just 12.8mm thick when folded, the Mate XT proves tri-fold needn’t mean chunky. Yet Huawei has crammed in proper flagship cameras, 16GB of RAM and 66W rapid charging. The 16:11 aspect ratio even lets you run three apps side by side for unprecedented multitasking.

Of course, ‘the Huawei issue’ remains, and battery life can’t quite match rivals. But this is less about perfection and more about pushing the idea of what a phone can be.

R70 000 / consumer.huawei.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Apple CarPlay Ultra ● Sony RGB LED

SHORTLISTED

Eufy MarsWalker ● Porsche Wireless Charging

The post Stuff Gadget Awards Winners – Gadget of the Year (and Friends) appeared first on Stuff South Africa.

Wearable tech has morphed in recent years, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see a smart ring here at some point. Okay, it might be surprising, but at least brands are trying new form factors. The new stuff, as this batch of Gadget Awards winners shows, has a way to go before it becomes as ubiquitous as the smartwatch, fitness watch, or even just the wristwatch.

Now… watch this space tomorrow for the final update. Or just nab a copy of the most recent issue of Stuff Magazine. It’s all in there.

FITNESS WATCH OF THE YEAR

GARMIN FENIX 8 (AMOLED)

The Fenix 8 remains Garmin’s most capable adventure tool – but now elevated by some transformative upgrades. A razor-sharp AMOLED screen lifts the entire experience without sacrificing stamina, while the built-in mic and speaker unlock voice-activation and memo tools previously missing from Garmin’s multisport lineup.

The comprehensive tracking capabilities cover everything stat addicts could dream of: adaptive coaching, workout suggestions, training readiness monitoring, and round-trip routing. ClimbPro previews route elevations, offline maps handle navigation, and improved dive credentials allow exploration to 40m.

Sapphire glass and titanium reinforce the Fenix 8’s rugged credentials across all three sizes. At the same time, GPS and heart-rate accuracy remain reliable, battery life is lengthy, and smartwatch skills are genuinely top-tier – including offline Spotify, contactless payments, and Garmin Messenger. The Fenix has always been brilliant, but this generation feels even better.

R27 500 / garmin.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Coros Pace Pro ● Whoop MG

SHORTLISTED

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro ● Amazfit Active 2 ● Polar Vantage M3

SMARTWATCH OF THE YEAR

HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 PRO

The Watch GT 6 Pro claims this year’s smartwatch crown, mainly because it’s proof that world-class fitness tracking doesn’t mean sacrificing daily usability. While its design could be described as highly stylish, what truly stands out here is the stamina: this device delivers class-leading battery life of almost two weeks with normal use.
The watch provides a seamless and lag-free experience on its bright AMOLED screen – and offers reliable activity tracking with accurate GPS, making it a trustworthy partner for runs and workouts. Huawei has gone all-in on tracking improvements this year, making the Watch GT 6 Pro an essential tool for fitness fanatics of all stripes.

R7 000 / consumer.huawei.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic ● Apple Watch SE 3

SHORTLISTED

Apple Watch Ultra 3

ANALOGUE WATCH OF THE YEAR

TAG HEUER CHRONOGRAPH X ORACLE RED BULL RACING

Tag’s Formula 1 line has been around for some time, but this special edition branded with Red Bull Racing’s colours will throw some excellent Quartz Chronograph movement onto your wrist if you’ve got the cash ready. For those with even deeper pockets, the even more advanced Carrera Formula 1 Chronograph X Oracle Red Bull Racing will ask for almost double the cash. Come on, it’s an investment, after all. The 44mm case offers up titanium and a forged carbon bezel, an improved Opalin dial, and Calibre 16 movement over the ‘lower’-priced model. It may strike some as an extreme method of expressing your support for the Formula One team, but those folks just don’t understand, do they?

from R65 000 / tagheuer.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Christopher Ward C12 Loco ● Ulysse Nardin Diver AIR

SHORTLISTED

Tudor Pelagos Ultra ● Tissot PRC 100 ● Zenith GFJ ● Nomos Glashutte Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer

The post Stuff Gadget Awards Winners – Wearables appeared first on Stuff South Africa.

For Stuff‘s 2025 Gadget Awards, the winners were clear. As you’ll see, though, South Africa could have had a better set of products on hand. Sadly, the year’s very best… isn’t actually sold here. Pity, that.

Still, we came to several decisions in the end. And if you’d like to find out what our other choices were, there’s also still time to nab the current issue of Stuff. Heck, it’ll still be in stores until Friday, 20 March. After that, digital is your best bet.

IN-EAR HEADPHONES OF THE YEAR

JBL TOUR PRO 3

If Technics had gotten around to releasing its EAH-AZ100 in-ears in South Africa, this award would have seen a very different outcome. But they didn’t, so it won’t. JBL’s Tour Pro 3 buds take the award by default, just by turning up.

That doesn’t make these stylish novelties a poor choice by any means – they were just somewhat geographically beaten. Still, it’s hard to argue with the Tour Pro 3 trying something new in terms of visuals.

The storage case features a screen perfect for folks who can’t be bothered with all that ‘app’ business, bolstered by a solid audio set that’ll lift the heart of anyone who takes the term ‘high res’ seriously. Perhaps a little too seriously.

Head-tracking smarts combine with the excellent sound reproduction to a stunning experience across the board, while adaptive noise cancellation (yes, you’ll need to use the app to make the most of it) and advanced microphone tech either leave you clear as a bell or in blissful ignorance of the latest office argument.

R5 600 / takealot.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

SHORTLISTED

Sony WF-C710N

OVER-EAR HEADPHONES OF THE YEAR

SONY WH-1000XM6

When you’re already top of the noise-cancelling hierarchy, pushing things further might seem impossible. Yet Sony has managed exactly that with the WH-1000XM6s, delivering refinements to address every complaint about the XM5s while raising the bar for audio.

The headline change is the return of travel-friendly foldability – the new twisting hinge mechanism feels reassuringly solid. Elsewhere, subtle design tweaks improve wearability… and sound quality is exceptional. The upgraded 30mm carbon fibre drivers give precise clarity across every genre, while 12 microphones and a new processor create jaw-dropping ANC performance.

R9 000 / sony.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 ● Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

SHORTLISTED

B&O Beoplay H100 ● Austrian Audio The Composer

AFFORDABLE HEADPHONES OF THE YEAR

APPLE AIRPODS 4

You may only get the best from the AirPods 4 when using them with an Apple device, but that’s no excuse not to love them. Voice isolation, spatial audio, and enhanced Siri interactions are just the highlights for Apple fans, helped by that H2 chip.

The listening quality proves engaging across music and podcasts alike, while the noise-cancelling tech performs admirably. The controls work brilliantly, as we’d expect from anything made by Apple.

Battery life is the main compromise, offering a mere five hours on a charge. The case brings that total up to 30 hours. Android superfans may want to inspect our runners-up.

from R2 500 / incredible.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 ● Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4

SHORTLISTED

Soundcore Sport X20

The post Stuff Gadget Awards Winners – Headphones appeared first on Stuff South Africa.

As with all of our other categories, though, we confined ourselves to the best tech a) you can buy here and b) we had a chance to fiddle with during the year. It’s part of what makes Stuff’s annual Gadget Awards presentation so tough to execute. On paper, there may be better gear out there. But that’s the problem. It’s out there. Not over here.

Ah, well. If you want to nab the remaining category winners before they appear here, you still can.

MAINSTREAM LAPTOP OF THE YEAR

ACER ASPIRE 14 AI

When you look at what Acer has crammed inside its Aspire 14 AI, the price tag makes sense. Optimised for working, either in an office or a classroom, there’s plenty behind the 14in WUXGA display worth paying for.
Intel’s Core Ultra 7 chipset, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage are just the start. Only the omission of a third-party GPU prevents this one from tackling the gaming front in addition to having a day job. All the biometrics, Microsoft’s Copilot AI (for some reason), and enough ports to make a MacBook sob into its expensive coffee just round out what Acer has on offer here. If you need your notebook to do everything except gaming, Acer’s Aspire 14 AI delivers.

from R25 000 / computermania.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook Plus ● Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x Gen 10

SHORTLISTED

Framework Laptop 13

PREMIUM LAPTOP OF THE YEAR

APPLE MACBOOK AIR (M4)

The MacBook Air remains the everyday laptop to beat. The M4 chip delivers a solid performance boost over the M3, with single-core speeds that outpace virtually everything else on the market. But the real headline? Apple finally ditched that miserly 8GB base RAM for the 16GB, which is essential for anyone running pro software.

Full support for dual external displays now works without closing the lid, the screen is still gorgeous, battery life stretches to 15 hours of intensive use, and it’s one of the slimmest laptops around.

The elephant in the room? Ridiculous upgrade costs for extra RAM or storage. But for everyday work at the base spec, nothing else comes close to this combination of power, portability, and price.

from R22 500 / incredible.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Asus Zenbook A14 ● Apple MacBook Pro (M4)

SHORTLISTED

Dell XPS 13 (9350) ● Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition ● Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED

The post Stuff Gadget Awards Winners – Laptops appeared first on Stuff South Africa.

With new brands showing up almost daily and car-charge stations cropping up at every corner, it’s arguably the best time to get into an EV in South Africa. We can’t promise that Eskom won’t fall from its pedestal in some spectacular fashion in the near future, though. If the thought doesn’t faze you, we’ve compiled a list of all the electric cars you can buy in South Africa, including price, range, and power.

BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort / Dynamic

Pricing: R340,000 / R390,000

Range: 232km / 295km

Power: 55kW

Believe it or not, this isn’t BYD’s only ‘Dolphin’ EV. Don’t let it distract from the fact that the Dolphin Surf is about as cheap as it is adorable. It still demands R340,000. Even so, this is still South Africa’s most affordable EV. It’s designed to stick to the streets, powered by a 55kW front-wheel-drive motor, and gets by with a 30kWh Blade battery that’ll land you anywhere between 232km and 295km range. Plus, it looks kinda cool.

Dayun Yuehu S5 Standard/VIP

Pricing: R400,000 / R450,000

Range: 300km

Power: 105kW

Dayun’s new Yuehu S5 SUV got its start in SA last year, thanks to the folks at Enviro Automotive, a local importer of battery-powered vehicles. The car employs a small but reliable 31.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that Dayun reckons will net 300km range on a single charge, ideal for zipping up to the nearest Makro.

Dongfeng Box E2 / E3

Pricing: R470,000 / R530,000

Range: 430km (CLTC)

Power: 70kW

Like most of South Africa’s “affordable” EVs, the Dongfeng Box is a compact hatchback built to steer you away from the country’s more traditional automakers. Dongfeng’s so-called “city slicker” stands out with a claimed 430km range, though you’ll probably want to keep out the right lane on the highway — it tops out at 140km/h.

BYD Dolphin Standard / Extended

Pricing: R540,000 / R600,000

Range: 310km / 427km

Power: 70kW / 150kW

Told you. Funny names aside, this is the Dolphin you want, assuming you can afford the extra cost compared to the Dolphin Surf. Featuring a 70kW/180Nm-producing electric motor on the Standard trim, the Extended model revs that up to 150kW — enabling roughly 420km on a single charge.

Geely E5 (Aspire / Apex)

Pricing: R700,000 / R760,000

Range: Up to 430km

Power: 160kW

Geely is back, and it’s brought the all-electric E5 with it. Packed to the brim with tech, Geely’s sub-R1 million price makes it ideal for jetting around town or even off-road. It’s bolstered by what Geely calls a “Short blade” battery that’ll pull through roughly 430km on a single charge.

BYD Atto 3 Standard / Extended

Pricing: R700,000 / R784,000

Range: 345km / 420km

Power: 150kW

Continuing BYD’s streak comes the Atto 3, which has cruised SA’s streets for over two years now. It’s still one of the more competent EVs, going from 0-100km/h in just 7.3 seconds. And with a standard 50.1kWh or 60.4kWh battery pack, it’ll get you halfway to Durban from Joburg, and a bit further if you opt for the Extended trim.

GWM Ora 03 300 Super Luxury / 400 Super Luxury

Pricing: R687,000 / R776,000

Range: 310km / 420km

Power: 126kW

Oh, how far we’ve come. Back when the GWM Ora 03 turned up in South Africa, it was considered the cheapest EV. It’s still relatively affordable nearly three years on. With the competition now targeting the sub-R500,000 market, we’re keen to see what GWM pulls off next, preferably with a cheaper price tag.

GWM Ora 03 400 Ultra Luxury / 400 GT Ultra Luxury

Pricing: R806,000 / R836,000

Range: 420km / 400km

Power: 126kW

There wasn’t enough space to contain all this Ora above. These are the stats for the other variants.

Dongfeng 007 E1 530 / E1 620 / E2 540

Pricing: R800,000 / R860,000 / R930,000

Range: 580km (CLTC)

Power: 160kW / 200kW / 400kW

James Bond wouldn’t be caught dead in Dongfeng’s new 007 EV, but the average South African… might make it work. It helps that the 007 comes in under R1 million, while also packing in a 400kW motor that Dongfeng reckons will hit 100km/h in 3.75 seconds — only slightly terrifying on South Africa’s roads.

Volvo EX30

Pricing: R836,000

Range: 476km

Power: 200kW

Under the Volvo umbrella comes the EX30, the company’s cheapest EV in SA. It’s also one of the more futuristic-looking cars Stuff has had the pleasure of driving. It’s a superb daily driver, with its smaller stature helping it nip through city traffic. Range anxiety isn’t an issue for day-to-day commutes, though you’ll need to thoroughly plan your route for a trip to Durban.

Mini Aceman E/SE

Pricing: R803,400 / R942,500

Range: 350km / 380km

Power: 135kW / 160kW

Mini doesn’t concern itself with budget, and we can’t blame ’em. People are still buying the things, so it’ll continue making the things. Still, the cheapest you’ll pay to drive an all-electric Mini is in the still-too-high R800-900k range, delivering a fairly average 380km range and 160kW power we’d expect from a cheaper EV.

Mini Cooper SE

Pricing: R873,500

Range: 362km

Power: 160kW

You’re not buying the all-electric Mini Cooper SE for its outstanding EV performance. You’re buying the brand and its stunning interiors, which we admit are pretty impressive. It bloody well better be, at this price. There’s no denying that better value could be found elsewhere, with a somewhat shoddy 362km range on a single charge.

Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica / Elettrica 280 Veloce

Pricing: R800,000 / R1 million

Range: 407km / 334km

Power: 115kW / 206kW

Enter Alfa Romeo’s Junior Elettrica, a newcomer that South Africa welcomed onto its market in early 2025. With a sub-R1 million price, Alfa’s compact SUV reckons it’ll have you fired up in just 45 minutes with the 11kW AC charger, while a DC charger takes you up to 80% in less than 30 minutes. Impressive. And it looks good, too.

Changan Deepal S07 L

Price: R996,000

Range: 500km

Power: 160kW

It comes mighty close to crossing over into seven-figure territory, but Changan’s Deepal S07 L clings on with a R996,000 price. It’s actually worth it, even if you haven’t heard the name before. That’s down to the 500km range Changan claims here, even if the 160kW power is a little bit of a letdown.

The post All the electric cars you can buy in South Africa in 2026 for under R1 million appeared first on Stuff South Africa.

Of course, you didn’t have to wait to find out who won the Best of categories for gaming. We’ve had these in print for some time now. Anyone wanting to leapfrog the rest of the announcements can just…grab a copy of the magazine. The full roster of Stuff‘s Gadget Awards winners is contained within, plus a few extras that aren’t going to make it onto the web. No sinister reason, they’re just… not.

Or you can stick around. Everything should be up and ready by the end of this week… just in time for the new issue of the magazine to hit shelves. And then you can go and buy that one too. First, though… the gaming winners are…

GAMING HARDWARE OF THE YEAR

NINTENDO SWITCH 2

Nintendo’s original Switch revolutionised portable gaming in 2017 – and while the sequel feels more evolutionary, its improvements justify calling it the company’s best bit of hardware yet. The expanded 7.9in screen delivers 1080p handheld gaming for the first time, complemented by 120Hz support for high-framerate slickness. There’s HDR capability and vastly improved speakers, too.

The return to LCD disappointed some Switch OLED devotees, but the superior brightness proves more valuable for outdoor play, while DLSS upscaling brings 4K output when docked.

This is Nintendo’s priciest console launch, but the power increase means ports of Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077 can run convincingly. It all adds up to Nintendo’s most capable handheld to date.

from R12 500 / store.nintendo.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS ● MSI Claw 8 AI+

SHORTLISTED

PlayStation 5 Pro ● Evercade Alpha

CONSOLE ACCESSORY OF THE YEAR

VICTRIX PRO FS

Recreating authentic arcade experiences at home requires tournament-grade hardware, and nothing currently available surpasses this fight stick. The aluminium construction feels aptly professional, housing Sanwa Denshi components identical to those in Japanese cabinets.

These industry-standard levers and buttons deliver close to zero input latency while taking hundreds of hours of punishment. The braided USB-C cable sidesteps wireless lag concerns, and customisable LED lighting provides personalisation without excess. Prongs on the rear facilitate cable management and double as carry handles.

All this comes at considerable cost… but dedicated players in search of uncompromising performance can probably justify the outlay.

R6 500 / amazon.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Belkin Charging Case for Nintendo Switch 2 ● Razer Kitsune

SHORTLISTED

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ● Samsung MicroSD Express Card

GAMING LAPTOP OF THE YEAR

ASUS ROG STRIX SCAR 18 (2025)

Gaming laptops have always required compromise: pick power or portability, never both. Asus chose power. The ROG Strix Scar houses Nvidia’s RTX 5090, the beefiest mobile GPU you can buy, as well as one of Intel’s Core Ultra 9 monsters. That’s desktop-crushing performance in a back-bending package.

The 18in QHD+ Mini LED screen hits a glorious 240Hz and delivers perfect blacks and vibrant colours that make even demanding games look utterly stunning. Performance never falters: 100-200fps in Counter-Strike 2, smooth 60fps+ in ray-traced titles, and DLSS 4.0 working miracles on frame generation. It’s ruinously expensive, sure, but this is the gaming laptop that dominates anything and everything it tackles.

from R85 000 / rog.asus.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI ● Razer Blade 14

SHORTLISTED

MSI Katana HX ● Asus ROG Strix G16 (2025)

PC GAMING ACCESSORY OF THE YEAR

RAZER DEATHADDER V4 PRO

Finding the perfect gaming mouse feels impossible… then when one finally fits, you’ll stick with it until it falls apart. The DeathAdder has earned legendary status because it feels moulded to your hand, and with this iteration, Razer has done something remarkable: making a brilliant mouse even better without touching that form factor.

The improvements astound. New HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2 tech delivers 0.291ms average latency at 8,000Hz polling – 60% faster than previous versions – and the weight drops to just 56g despite sturdier recycled plastic construction, while battery endurance extends dramatically.

R4 500 / razer.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF

SHORTLISTED

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro ● Logitech G915 X Lightspeed ● Shure MV6

The post Stuff Gadget Awards Winners – Gaming appeared first on Stuff South Africa.

WhatsApp goes PG

The strict protections rely on a six-digit PIN generated by the parent. The kid, obviously, shouldn’t know the PIN. Certain features — like Meta AI, status updates, location sharing, view-once messages, and disappearing messages — will be walled off on protected accounts. Messaging is still allowed, though only saved contacts will be able to do so. The account’s profile picture, account info, and ‘last online’ status will also be blocked for non-contacts.

Parents will be regularly notified about changes to the account, like when a new contact is added or when their child exits a group chat. Should an unknown number attempt to contact the account, a message request will first be sent to the parent account to await approval. WhatsApp once again assures parents that messages are end-to-end encrypted, meaning that nobody — not even WhatsApp — can read them. Yeah, about that…

Read More: WhatsApp ‘Plus’ could be Meta’s latest money-grubbing scheme

Parents may have to wait before they can set one of these up, however. Meta noted that the rollout, beginning today, would be a gradual one — possibly making parents wait a few months. When it does arrive, parents will need to have their own device handy, as well as their child’s to start. First, install WhatsApp on the kid’s phone.

From there, the parent must agree to the Ts & Cs before hitting More options and selecting Create a parent-managed account. Enter the child’s phone number, and verify their age. Tap Continue, and a QR code should appear on-screen. The parent must scan this using their device and follow the link into WhatsApp. Hit Agree and continue. This is the bit where you create a secret six-digit PIN. Confirm it, and tap Done.

Finally, head back to the child’s device to complete the setup. Then punch in the parent PIN and hit Continue.

The post WhatsApp rolls out parent-managed accounts – here’s how to set one up appeared first on Stuff South Africa.

There will be new TVs landing in South Africa in the months and weeks to come, but our winners here (first seen in Stuff‘s Gadget Awards print issue) are just waiting for you to stick them in your car. Or, more likely, have them delivered. A 65in screen doesn’t fit very easily into the back of a hatchback. Trust us, we’ve tried. Sometimes you have to remove the seats. It’s messy.

PREMIUM TV OF THE YEAR

SAMSUNG 65S90F

It’s always been a two-horse race between Samsung and LG for this position, and this year the Galaxy maker has pulled ahead. Its OLED tech has jumped forward, putting it on even or better footing with… everyone else.

Highlights sparkle with intensity while colours remain pure and accurate, creating depth that makes rivals look flat. Shadow detail and gradation remain exceptional even during fast motion, thanks to Samsung’s NQ4 AI Gen3 processor, which also facilitates 4K AI upscaling for your boring 1080p content.

Gamers benefit from a 144Hz refresh rate, four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports and incredibly low input lag. Whether watching 4K Blu-rays, streaming Dolby Vision content or gaming on an Xbox Series X, every frame renders with stunning dynamism. The speakers are weak, and the interface prioritises ads and AI over usability, but neither diminishes what is simply the best picture quality currently available.

From R43 000 | samsung.com/za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Skyworth 65SXC9800 ● LG OLED65G5

SHORTLISTED

Hisense U8Q ● TCL 65C8K ● LG OLED42C5

MIDRANGE TV OF THE YEAR

LG OLED55C5

LG’s OLED screen tech has always been excellent right through its line of devices, meaning that you can grab some truly impressive visuals in the mid-range without laying out more than twice the price of admission. LG’s Alpha 9 AI processor Gen9 ramps up the South Korean company’s 4K upscaling skills, but there’s one more secret weapon – improved brightness.

OLED is notorious for not being bright enough, but the C5 has taken a page from LG’s premium range and ramped up the lighting, helped in no small part by that new-generation Alpha 9 processor. AI-powered voice recognition is on board and, if you really must, LG has installed an AI-powered chatbot to talk you through setting up your shiny new C5 OLED.

from R24 000 | lg.com/za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

LG QNED86 ● Samsung The Frame

SHORTLISTED

Hisense S7N ● TCL P8K ● LG Nano86PVA

AFFORDABLE TV OF THE YEAR

TCL 55C6K

It’s become incredibly easy to recommend TCL’s budget lineup in recent months, with the 55C6K being the perfect combination of affordability and tech for those with limited cash flow. The company’s panel tech has leapt ahead since we first saw these in SA. The direct-lit QLED panel delivers rich, natural colours with impressive dark performance, while Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support bring depth and detail punching well above the price tag. TCL’s software is a pleasure to use, and the Google TV-based interface provides effortless access to all the main streaming apps. The slim design adds a quality feel, too.

A better feature set, more flexibility and superior picture performance over its rivals make this the cheap TV to buy. Maybe TCL’s competition should be taking notes from the folks who are pulling ahead.

R10 000 | tcl.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Samsung 55U8000F

SHORTLISTED

JVC NQ7145 ● Toshiba M450RP ● Volkano 50in 4K Smart LED TV

SOUNDBAR OF THE YEAR

SAMSUNG Q990F

Half a decade ago, Samsung set the standard for a mainstream Dolby Atmos soundbar with the Q900. This year’s Q990F proves the formula still works: it’s home cinema heaven.

The 11.1.4 system deploys 23 speakers across a main bar, a subwoofer and twin compact rear surrounds – with no audio cables required. The redesigned cubic sub delivers bass that seems to just ‘exist’ throughout your room rather than coming from a single point. The seamless interplay between components creates top-tier clarity, separation, and imaging, while upward-firing drivers make the most of Atmos mixes.

This is ideal for anyone whose inner interior designer won’t permit a full separates system, delivering the realism of spatial audio without the need to sacrifice room space.

from R16 000 | samsung.com/za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Sonos Arc Ultra ● Marshall Heston 120

SHORTLISTED

Hisense AX5100Q ● TCL S522W ● Sony HT-A3000

The post Stuff Gadget Awards Winners – TVs appeared first on Stuff South Africa.

The annual Stuff Gadget Awards don’t just look at the very top of everything. Each entry includes the devices that sit just below the top rung of the ladder. These are gadgets that were ever-so-nearly there. The winners just did something slightly better, in most cases.

It’s often a close contest, so if your budget doesn’t stretch past R40k (or even past eight grand), there are likely more affordable choices that are very nearly as good. There’s more than one space on a podium after all. For now, let’s see who’s on top of this one.

PREMIUM TABLET OF THE YEAR

ASUS ROG FLOW Z13

When you think of advanced tablets, you’re probably not thinking about Windows 11. Yet, here we are. The RoG Flow Z13’s aluminium unibody houses a gorgeous 13.4in 16:10 display that’s sharp and colour-rich – perfect for both work and binge watching. The Republic of Gamers moniker suggests a better use case.

An AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chipset with 32GB of RAM flies through creative apps, games, and split-screen multitasking. And Asus’ software handles multiple apps with typical Windows aplomb, making productivity genuinely effortless – while the optional keyboard and stylus boost its work/play credentials even further. Battery life is class-leading thanks to a 70Wh cell, and 130W charging gets you topped up in a jiffy. For most people, this is everything a tablet should be – for gamers, it’s nigh on perfection.

from R43 000 / store.asus.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Apple iPad Air (M3)

SHORTLISTED

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+

AFFORDABLE TABLET OF THE YEAR

APPLE IPAD (2025, A16)

Why choose an Android tablet when there’s an iPad sitting right over there? The newest version of Apple’s entry-level delivers specs and styling that challenge higher-grade rivals, at a price that means you might actually buy one. The build quality is typically solid, so much so that you’ll wonder why you waited so long to take the plunge.

The 11in display impresses with its sharpness, while the Apple A16 chipset delivers smooth performance and even the 12MP rear camera puts in a good showing. We’re still not going to use it, but it’s there if you need it. Yes, we have minor quibbles – it’s only super affordable in its base configuration. You’ll see the price skyrocket as you add storage and features. But if you’re just looking for a WiFi-capable time-waster, this is the one to pick.

from R7 700 / incredible.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro)

SHORTLISTED

Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+

The post Stuff Gadget Awards Winners – Tablets appeared first on Stuff South Africa.

Just a few words on Stuff‘s winners from the previous cycle. As with many categories of tech, there may well be better products out there. But they’ve got one serious failing — they’re not sold in South Africa. No speciality importers, no local presence, no easy availability from Amazon.com? No award, we’re afraid. And, if something is only available by importing it yourself, it had better outrank the best locally-available kit by a bit before we’ll give it a win.

We could say we don’t make the rules, we just enforce them. That’s not true, though. For the Stuff Gadget Awards, we do make the rules. And enforce them. Only the fact that we can’t summarily execute the guilty keeps us from being just like Judge Dredd. Pity, that. We do like the motorcycle. Anyway, here are the smartphone winners for 2025.

PHONE OF THE YEAR

APPLE iPHONE 17 PRO MAX

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the best powerhouse phone of 2025, and a better buy than any other offering in the latest Apple lineup.

Due to a new aluminium frame opening up brighter colour finishes, it’s been given a glow-up – quite literally. But more importantly than that, performance sees a major leap, with the all-new ‘vapour chamber’ heatsink successfully keeping the beefy A19 Pro chip cool. This results in higher performance for longer periods during demanding tasks like 4K video capture and gaming, and nicely complements the upgraded graphics capabilities.

The display is exceptionally impressive, capable of reaching 3000 nits for clear visibility in direct sunlight. While the aluminium frame might raise durability concerns, the screen is protected by Ceramic Shield technology, now offering around triple the scratch-resistance of older models. Yes, it’s frightfully expensive, but given its upgraded camera and supreme spec sheet, the 17 Pro Max is truly a phone that can do it all.

from R30 500 / incredible.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra ● Huawei Pura 80 Pro

SHORTLISTED

Apple iPhone 17 ● Honor Magic7 Pro ● Apple iPhone Air

MID-RANGE PHONE OF THE YEAR

HONOR 400 PRO

The Honor 400 Pro is the phone that made us question whether we still need flagship devices. Honor has created something truly special here: a mid-ranger that skimps on almost nothing while delivering nearly everything that makes the brand’s top models so appealing.

The 400 Pro’s 6 000mAh battery beats most others on the market currently, but that’s just the start. That 6.7in OLED display hits 5000 nits of peak brightness, making outdoor viewing effortless, while the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate keeps everything smooth. Camera performance is exceptional: the optically stabilised 200MP main sensor produces sharp, well-balanced shots that hold their own against pricier rivals, while the camera setup excels after dark. This is a flagship phone in all but price.

from R18 000 / honor.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Apple iPhone 16e ● Realme 12+ 5G

SHORTLISTED

Honor 90 ● Apple iPhone 16e

AFFORDABLE PHONE OF THE YEAR

OPPO A5 PRO

Oppo has nailed it with the A5 Pro, delivering a budget handset that packs in premium features out of keeping with its price tag. It’s another example showing you don’t need to spend big to get a premium experience. Solid waterproofing, hitting IP68/IP69 before you take it out of the box and make it do things out in the wild.

The 6.67in IPS LCD is a great addition too, with its 120Hz refresh rate and 1000-nit peak brightness. Camera performance? The 50MP main shooter and backup lens (don’t ask, just check the cash total on your receipt) delivered detailed shots that hold their own. Performance from the Dimensity 6300 feels effortless, while the 5800mAh battery confidently lasts multiple days. An absolute gem for those looking for longevity on a budget.

from R7 000 / incredible.co.za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Samsung Galaxy A56 ● Poco X7 Pro

SHORTLISTED

Honor 400 ● Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+

CAMERA PHONE OF THE YEAR

HUAWEI PURA 80 ULTRA

The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra secures our phone photography award by taking a sheer ‘brute force’ approach. Its masterful combination of heroic hardware with nuanced, characterful processing means we couldn’t really pick anything else.

At its core is its 1in Ultra Lighting lead sensor, which captures outstanding shots in all situations and delivers bokeh blur that other flagships can’t match. This is paired with two high-pixel-count zoom lenses to give a near-lossless range of 13mm to 213mm. The company’s former Leica partnership provides the backing for advanced colour science, low-light performance is superb, and the video capabilities are top-tier. For serious photographers, any drawbacks Huawei’s tech division may suffer are easily worth ignoring for snaps of this quality.

from R38 000 / consumer.huawei.com

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Huawei Pura 80 Pro ● Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

SHORTLISTED

Xiaomi 15 Ultra ● Samsung Galaxy Z Fold ● Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

FOLDABLE PHONE OF THE YEAR

SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD7

Samsung has finally given foldable fans almost everything they asked for. The Z Fold7 represents a monumental generational upgrade, shedding the bulk that held back previous Folds at the same time as adding the photographic prowess they were crying out for.

This is a genuinely slim device – it feels like a conventional smartphone in your pocket. Those expansive screens feature narrower bezels and more sensible proportions, making the outer display finally comfortable for typing. The crease, meanwhile, is almost invisible.

And the camera upgrade is transformative. By borrowing the S25 Ultra’s 200MP main sensor, Samsung has propelled the Z Fold7 to the very summit of the foldable photography leaderboard.

from R49 700 / samsung.com/za

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Honor Magic V5 ● Motorola Razr 60

SHORTLISTED

Oppo Find N5 ● Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7

The post Stuff Gadget Awards Winners – Smartphones appeared first on Stuff South Africa.