Highlights for Christmas - What technology fans want
Cell phones, tablets, VR glasses, games consoles and, and, and. The choice of potential tech gifts at Christmas is huge. In most cases, a little research is essential to keep track and find the right product. But 2023 also brought us these highlights that are hard to go wrong with.
Smartphones
Our constant companions include the usual suspects among the highlights of the year. Apple's iPhone 15 is just as impressive at the highest smartphone level as Google's Pixel 8 and Samsung's Galaxy S23. Which of them is suitable as a gift, however, depends heavily on the person receiving the gift: If they have been a loyal iOS user for years, they are unlikely to want to switch to an Android-based smartphone. You should also take into account the recipient's usage habits, as anyone who has little use for AI functions, for example, is unlikely to appreciate the benefits of a Pixel device. Whether the additional price is worth it compared to mid-range devices is then quickly questionable.
The same applies to the generally high-priced foldable phones, where a lot has happened in 2023. Motorola's slim Razr series, for example, has been well received by numerous users, while the OnePlus Open received a lot of positive expert criticism towards the end of the year. The comparatively invisible fold in the middle of the display on this device is striking. But Google also made a successful debut in terms of foldability with its Pixel Fold for a first-generation device. And then there's Samsung, which got the trend rolling in the first place and presented the fifth generation of its foldable device in 2023. The advantage of the Primus? It can also be used with a stylus pen when unfolded. Depending on the model, these styluses are available for between ten and one hundred euros.
Handhelds
Just a few years ago, the handheld market was mainly dominated by Nintendo's Switch, but now there are several providers who want to offer high-quality gaming on the go. Firstly, there is Valve with the Steam Deck, which has followed up with an OLED version in time for the pre-Christmas sales, which in most tests emerges as the winner in terms of price-performance alongside the aforementioned Switch. Also worth mentioning is the Legion Go from Lenovo, which is particularly interesting for gamers who want to play first-person games on the go with high precision. If you are not sure which handheld is best suited, you should consider the needs of the recipient. It is best to find out in advance which of the devices they would like.
XR glasses
At the beginning of June, after many years of rumors, Apple finally got down to business with the Vision Pro and presented its first model of mixed reality glasses. However, it is still too early for Christmas 2023; the glasses have still been announced for "early 2024". The hefty starting price of 3,500 dollars is likely to be a little high for a Christmas present in most cases anyway. Especially because Meta has also understood that virtual reality glasses can also be augmented reality glasses and has been offering a similar range of functions on the Quest 3 from around 600 euros since this year.
Sony's PSVR2 has been available since February 2023 and is currently available for a similar price. Augmented reality does not play a central role in the second generation of glasses for the Playstation; the focus is on local gaming on the PS5. HTC offers the XR Elite for around twice the price. It also focuses on augmented and virtual reality, but has received mixed reviews from the trade press over the course of the year: On the one hand, it is praised for its modularity and the ability to adjust diopters; on the other hand, there is still room for improvement in terms of inside-out tracking of hands and controllers as well as image quality. Here, too, you should consult with the recipient. If this is not possible, the purchase should be timed so that the right of return still applies after the gift has been given.
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- For those looking for a high-end smartphone this Christmas, the Apple iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8, and Samsung Galaxy S23 are all impressive choices at the top tier.
- If the recipient is a loyal iOS user, they may prefer the iPhone 15 as a gift, while Android users might appreciate the features of the Pixel 8 or Galaxy S23.
- In the smartphone market, Google's Pixel 8 has been praised for its AI functions, while Samsung's Galaxy S23 has been well-received for its foldability and compatibility with a stylus pen.
- For gamers on the go, the handheld market offers a variety of options beyond the original Nintendo Switch, such as Valve's Steam Deck, Lenovo's Legion Go, and the new OLED version of the Switch.
- Apple, which has been rumored to enter the XR glasses market for years, finally revealed its Vision Pro mixed reality glasses in June, but they won't be available until early 2024, making them an unlikely Christmas gift.
- Meta's Quest 3 VR/AR glasses, available for around $600, offer a similar range of functions with a lower price point than the Vision Pro.
- For virtual reality gaming on the Playstation, the HTC XR Elite is an option, although it has received mixed reviews for issues such as inside-out tracking and image quality, and it's priced higher than the Quest 3.
Source: www.stern.de
