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The OnePlus 13 is here and it seems like it might be really good.
That's the vibe you'd get from reading reviews, which dropped on Tuesday. Everyone from CNET to The Verge and TechRadar is singing the praises of OnePlus's $899 flagship, though not without some criticism along the way. Between seemingly fantastic battery life, capable cameras, and a reasonable price, reviews indicate the OnePlus 13 may be "the one to get" if you want to live outside of the Apple, Google, and Samsung ecosystem.
(Note: CNET and Mashable share the same parent company, Ziff Davis)
SEE ALSO: Dell roasted at CES for adopting Apple-like device names OnePlus 13 reviews roundupMost of these reviews are overwhelmingly positive about the OnePlus 13. Let's find out why.
Staggering battery lifeThe most noticeable constant across nearly every OnePlus 13 review is praise for its battery life. Take it from TechRadar's Philip Berne, who flatly called it "the best I’ve ever experienced from a mobile phone."
Under lab testing, TechRadar was able to get nearly three hours of juice more than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is a couple Benjamins more expensive than the OnePlus 13. Berne also noted the astonishingly fast charge speeds of the OnePlus 13, whether wired or wireless. According to Berne, wired charging got the phone past 50 percent in 15 minutes, while it could get a full charge wirelessly in an hour.
Quality cameras (for some)The OnePlus 13 sports a stylish-looking triple-camera setup on the rear, with matching 50MP standard, telephoto, and ultrawide lenses. According to most reviews, you can get some gorgeous shots out of this phone, though it may be a step behind the most expensive Apple devices. Interestingly, however, CNET's Andrew Lanxon found that the default camera settings made images look unnatural and, frankly, bad. According to Lanxon, the thing to do is switch the settings to "Master Mode," and then not touch anything else.
Doing so made colors and shadows look more natural, which Lanxon praised as being more "authentic-looking" than what the default settings produced. According to him, the standard settings out of the box is are "quite frankly ruining the images."
Intense durabilityAside from battery life, another thing nearly every reviewer took time to note was the OnePlus 13's high degree of physical durability.
To be more specific, the OnePlus 13 carries an IP69 rating, which in layman's terms means it can withstand high pressure water blasts to some extent. That's...cool, but the bigger worry for most people will be whether or not the phone can survive being submerged underwater. Good news! Thanks to its additional IP68 rating, it can. According to The Verge's Allison Johnson, she could "sleep better at night knowing that my phone will likely survive a dip in a body of water."
Disappointing support windowLastly, OnePlus has one major, objective disadvantage compared to the likes of Google and Samsung: software support. PCMag's Sarah Lord called it a "missed opportunity" by OnePlus because it only carries four years of software support, as opposed to the seven that Google and Samsung offer. Security updates also only last six years, compared to the seven that Google and Samsung provide.
Only four years of software updates for a flagship-quality phone is sure to disappoint some people who want to buy a phone and use it for a very long time. But, with every other positive quality the OnePlus 13 apparently has, maybe the gamble is worth it.
SAVE UP TO $1,000: Samsung dropped a Pro version of The Frame TV at CES, and Frame TVs are on sale at Samsung and Best Buy for up to $1,000 off now.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 75-inch The Frame QLED 4K LS03D $1,999.99 at SamsungA huge Unpacked event slated for Jan. 22 isn't stopping Samsung from participating just as hard at CES 2025. New versions of Samsung's other flagship tech products are dropping left and right, including several TVs. One release that stands out is the one that's gone viral for blending in: a Pro version of Samsung's artistic TV, The Frame.
Known for its unique usage of ambient light sensors that dim and matte-ify to appear like legitimate framed art (or blend in with the wall it's hanging on) when you're not watching TV, the new Frame Pro features a lighting system never before seen on a Frame model. We don't know the exact pricing yet, but here's what we do know.
SEE ALSO: 5 new gadgets from CES 2025 that you can actually buy right now How is the Frame Pro different from the regular Frame?The Frame Pro is the first Frame model to use Samsung's most premium QLED tech, Neo QLED. "Neo QLED" is Samsung's term of endearment for mini LED, which offer more precise lighting due to their ability to be individually controlled, and the fact that there are more of them (compared to larger LED bulbs).
These baby bulbs allow for deeper, more accurate black tones and more vibrant, more variable bright tones, coming together to produce an image that's not washed out, and much closer to what you'd see IRL. (Better brightness also means HDR support is actually worthwhile.) Note that the mini LEDs of the Pro are only lined up along the bottom of the screen rather than scattered throughout like a true local dimming arrangement, but still, it's more local dimming than what non-mini LEDs can provide.
You'll notice the difference particularly when watching movies in the dark and watching sports in the daylight. When you're not watching TV, your display options are pretty endless. Upload your own photos or use art from MoMA, the estates of Magritte and Basquiat, and more, totaling more than 3,000 curated works of art at your fingertips.
SEE ALSO: CES 2025: Google to bring Gemini to TVs. 3 wild things it can do.For the first time on The Frame, you can also mirror content directly from a console or cable box wirelessly using Samsung's Wireless One Connect box. Because how is it really going to look like framed art if there's a cable hanging from it?
Though Samsung did announce some new 8K TVs, the Frame Pro is still 4K. Samsung did, however, boost the Frame Pro's variable refresh rate support to up to 144Hz, making it a more viable gaming TV than the non-Pro models.
The Frame also wasn't left out of the AI treatment that its other 2025 TVs are getting. Through Vision AI, you can search things on the internet by just clicking on them on screen, enact Live Translate, or control other smart devices in your home.
How much will The Frame Pro cost?Samsung hasn't yet disclosed when The Frame Pro will start shipping, or how much it will cost. But we can guess. Taking prices of the 2024 version of The Frame into account (as well as the fact that the Pro version has an upgraded Neo QLED lighting system), it's likely that the 43-inch The Frame Pro will debut between $999.99 and $1,499.99, the 85-inch The Frame Pro will go for between $4,299.99 and $4,699.99, with the rest of the sizes scattered between.
Speaking of the older Frame models, they're on sale at Samsung and Best Buy. If you're already anticipating The Frame Pro being too pricey for your preferences, the 2024 Frames, which came out less than a year ago, are still solid art TVs. The models marked with a 🔥 are back to their Cyber Monday prices, and the ones that aren't are still within Cyber Monday range by a few hundred dollars.
Samsung 43-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)🔥
Samsung 50-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)🔥
Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,499.99 (save $500)🔥
Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)
Samsung 75-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,000)
Samsung 85-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $3,299.99 $4,299.99 (save $1,000)
Curious about what else is going on at CES? Mashable's covering the highlights in all the categories you care about.
Mashable Tech Reporter Matt Binder gave the new Xreal One Pro a test drive at CES 2025. The upgraded model from XREAL features a new chipset, larger FOV, higher max brightness, and a more lightweight design.
At the Nvidia keynote at CES 2025, CEO Jensen Huang didn't waste anytime showing off the new GeForce RTX 50 Series. Huang walked onstage carrying the graphics card to a round of applause.
This was the most anticipated moment of the Nvidia event, but not the only big announcement. The AI computing company integral to the rise of generative AI had many more cards to play at the Las Vegas tech conference. Nvidia is now building its own AI models, fueling robotics and autonomous vehicle development, and bringing some of the most powerful computing tools to the masses. Here's everything that was announced at the Nvidia keynote.
GeForce RTX 50 seriesThe big news of course was Nvidia's new GPUs, the GeForce RTX 50 Series. The graphics cards are underpinned by Nvidia's new RTX Blackwell architecture and consist of the flagship GeForce RTX 5090 as well as the GeForce RTX 5080, 5070 Ti, and 5070. The RTX 50 series is powered by 92 billion transistors, which gives it 3,352 trillion AI operations per second (TOPS) and boasts 1.8TB/s of memory bandwidth. Mashable's Chance Townsend and Alex Perry have the full details on specs, availability, and pricing, but rest assured, it's "just a beast," as Huang put it.
Cosmos World Foundation ModelsThe graphics card giant is getting into the world model game with the introduction of Nvidia Cosmos. World models are the underlying technology for robotics training. And Nvidia has made its Cosmos World Foundation Models (Cosmos WFM) available as an open license platform available on Github, granting broader access to robotics developers that previously lacked these resources or expertise. "The ChatGPT moment for general robotics is just around the corner," said Huang.
AI foundation models for RTX AI PCs, Llama NemotronNvidia also introduced AI foundation models for LLM development. AI foundation models for RTX PCs are "offered as Nvidia NIM microservices" and use the GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs. Additionally, Huang shared the top manufacturers are launching PCs that support NIM with its new graphics cards, adding "AI PCs are coming to a home near you."
Another NIM microservice announcement introduced Llama Nemotron family of LLMs. Llama Nemotron uses Meta's open-source Llama models are primed for agentic capabilities and "excel at instruction following, chat, function calling, coding and math, while being size-optimized to run on a broad range of NVIDIA accelerated computing resources," according to the announcement. Llama 3.1 Nemotron 70B is now available in Nvidia's API catalog.
Project DigitsIn keeping with the theme of empowering developers with access to powerful computing tools, Nvidia unveiled Project Digits. The device is a supercomputer about the size of a Mac mini that easily sits on a desk and plugs into a keyboard and monitor. With its GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, Digits can run up to 200-billion-parameters LLMs without the need for cloud infrastructure. And it's $3,000 a pop, which in the grand scheme of things, is a pretty accessible price point for small businesses and solo developers. Project Digits is expected this coming May.
DRIVE Hyperion AV platformNvidia has also been working hard in the autonomous vehicle department, introducing the DRIVE Hyperion AV platform, powered by the AGX Thor system-on-a-chip (SoC). DRIVE Hyperion is an "end-to-end autonomous driving platform," that includes the SoC, sensors, safety systems, and a DriveOS operating system that car manufacturers can use to build their autonomous vehicles. Nvidia also shared that Toyota joins its growing list of partners that includes Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover, and Volvo using its AV platform.
Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.
Enron wants to sell you a nuclear reactor for your home — no, of course not really.
The pranksters behind the Birds Aren't Real nonsense "revived" the defunct, famously fraudulent company in December. Now, we've gotten its first "product." Of course, it's something as ridiculous as an at-home nuclear reactor.
The company's X account released a slick, faux launch video for the Enron Egg, an at-home micro nuclear reactor that can power a house for up to ten years.
Tweet may have been deletedThe stilted delivery, pauses for applause, and cringey attempts at being cool do ring true to an actual tech presentation. And you have to give them credit for detail. The product page looks and reads quite similar to the sort of breathless copy you'd find from a tech company describing its latest phone. It promises: "Limitless Power. Perfectly Controlled."
As CNN first uncovered, Connor Gaydos — co-creator of the misinfo parody Birds Aren't Real — had his company purchase the trademark to Enron back in 2020. Now, they're doing fake products, seemingly parodying the tech industry's willingness to package dangerous ideas and products with relentless positivity.
So, no, your home will not be powered by a nuclear egg one day. But it is a good laugh.
American family life has become so challenging that U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory last year, warning that the stressors parents experience take too great of a toll on their mental health and well-being.
Enter Umi, a digital family well-being coach designed by Panasonic Well presented on Tuesday at CES, also known as the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas.
Yoky Matsuoka, CEO of Panasonic Well, told Mashable that Umi aims to improve family wellness with a unique suite of coaching services.
SEE ALSO: 3 must-know tips when using AI to streamline your home lifeImagine a parent who wants to make positive changes, like getting more sleep, eating healthier, or spending more time together as a family, but struggle with brainstorming and executing effective solutions.
Matsuoka said that's where Umi, scheduled to launch later this year, can step in. The conversational AI agent will not only make suggestions, based on the user's specific circumstances, but also offer referrals to the brand's partners, which include the meditation app Calm and the health coaching platform YourCoach. Umi will also help users create "achievable" goals paired with a daily plan and metrics.
"We wanted to build healthy habits through behavior change, to connect those, and make those things into routines," Matsuoka said.
For example, the parent who wants to do less short-order cooking for a child with selective eating tendencies could ask Umi for help, and the agent might respond with a plan to introduce a new food to that child once a month.
But Umi is also meant for multi-generational use, since so many parents are taking care of their aging parents, too. A parent who's also caring for an elder could ask Umi for help with coordinating schedules, finding specific healthcare services, and dealing with burnout. The aging parent could also chat with Umi about their needs.
Umi, however, is not designed to offer medical advice. When relevant, the platform can restrict user functions and share medical and crisis resources when necessary. A parent whose child is experiencing a mental health crisis, for example, will be directed to seek care immediately. Umi also has a built-in safety check identifying violent language.
While Umi can perform certain administrative tasks relevant to helping users set and achieve their wellness goals, it's not a digital personal assistant. Panasonic's Well division has a product for that called Yohana, which can do things like order Halloween costumes, hire a handyman, find a moving company, and research hotels.
SEE ALSO: AI apps can automate your home life, and it's more cool than scaryMatsuoka, who also oversees Yohana, wants parents to feel less overwhelmed. The name Umi means sea in Japanese, and Matsuoka liked the feelings of calmness and centering the word evoked.
Though Umi uses more than one large language model for its AI, Matsuoka specifically touts the brand's partnership with Anthropic. She noted that the LLM excelled at some of Umi's core tasks, and that she valued what she described as the company's commitment to ethical AI.
While Umi will collect highly valuable data from families about their interests, routines, and preferences, including from teens and younger users who have permission to interact with the agent, Matsuoka said that information will not be sold to third-parties. Umi also isn't trained on user data but instead fake data inspired by what real users have shared with the app so far.
When Umi launches to the public in mid-2025, it will be available via an app, then likely on desktop. Umi's pricing isn't available yet, but Matsuoka said the product's cost will be "accessible" to as many people as possible.
"This problem is not a problem of wealthy people, this is a problem of every family out there," she said.
Asus showcased a fresh lineup of AI laptops during its "Always Incredible" virtual launch event at CES 2025, including an all-new notebook called the Asus Zenbook A14.
There's a good reason why its model number looks a lot like the word "Air": Starting at just 2.18 pounds, it's the lightest Copilot+ PC ever. Asus says the Zenbook A14 achieves this feat thanks to Ceraluminum with magnesium, which takes the aluminum-ceramic hybrid released in the Zenbook S 14 and adds magnesium alloys, helping achieve an even more lightweight build overall. Asus also credits this material with the laptop's shock, smudge, and scratch resistance.
Credit: AsusThe Zenbook A14 marks more than one first for Asus, as it's also the Zenbook line's first Qualcomm Snapdragon model, offering both Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X processors, featuring a 45 TOPS NPU. In other words, it's plenty to power a Copilot+ machine, whether you're using AI features like live captions, Cocreator in Microsoft Paint, or super resolution in the photos app. The 32GB of memory on board and 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD are also there to help give you the smoothest experience possible, alongside the dual fan that keeps your machine running efficiently without getting too hot.
SEE ALSO: CES 2025: This AI nature camera wants you to be besties with your backyard plantsPerhaps even more impressively, with all that power the Zenbook A14 is still rated at up to 32 hours of offline video playback on a single charge. (For reference, the longest-lasting laptop that Mashable staff has ever tested lasted almost 23 hours per charge.) The estimated battery life for online video streaming sits at a nearly as impressive 28 hours, with web browsing clocking in last at 19 hours.
Credit: AsusOther notable features on this Zenbook include a 14-inch OLED display with 600 nits of peak brightness, a speaker system with Dolby Atmos support, and a full set of IO ports, including one USB 3.2 port, two USB 4.0 ports, one HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
On Jan. 13, the Asus Zenbook A14 will be available for purchase in the colorway Iceland gray at the ASUS Store and Best Buy for $1,099, with no preorder period. Another configuration of the laptop in the color Zabriskie beige is projected to become available for $899.99 in late winter or early spring 2025.
Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.
SAVE $30: As of Jan 7, the Soundcore by Anker Q20i Headphones are just $39.99 at Amazon, down from their normal price of $69.99. That's a discount of 43%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Soundcore by Anker Q20i Headphones $39.99 at AmazonIf you're an audiophile, the search for the perfect pair of headphones can feel neverending. But if cash is at a premium and you can't spend an arm and a leg on a pair of cans to listen to your favorite music with, that search can be even more difficult. That's why when you find a great pair of headphones that won't break the bank, you go ahead and lock them in. We've found a pair that aren't just affordable, but actually sound good, too.
As of Jan. 7, you can get the Soundcore by Anker Q20i headphones for just $39.99, down from their normal price of $69.99. That's a discount of $30, or 43% off.
SEE ALSO: CES 2025: How to buy the JLab Epic Lux Lab Edition headphonesThese headphones offer noise-cancelling features that use four microphones to reduce up to 90% of background noise so you get clear, crisp sound no matter where you're at. They feature oversized 40mm dynamic drivers, Soundcore's BassUp tech, and deliciously deep bass with crisp treble.
Listen up to 40 hours per charge with ANC turned on and up to 60 hours with the headphones in their regular mode. If you happen to run low, a quick five-minute charge will get you four more hours of battery, too. And you can customize your sound with the Soundcore app, should you choose to do so.
For less than $50, you really can't beat this deal for a pair of reliable headphones.
GET $150 OFF: Jan. 7th, order the Moto G Stylus 5G from Amazon for $249.99 and save 38%, or $150.
Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G $249.99 at AmazonA stylus expands on what a touchscreen can be, so why wouldn't you want one on your smart phone? The Moto G Stylus 5G has a stylus built right in — but that's not all, it also features a pOLED screen and 50MP camera. Sweet deal.
Take advantage of this Amazon deal to get this smart phone for $249.99, 38% off, saving $150. We think it's rather loaded for that deal price.
SEE ALSO: CES 2025 highlights: What we've seen so farThe Moto G Stylus 5G has impressive specs for its price. The phone comes with 256GB of storage, as well as quick charging and a full day of battery life.
It's loaded with a 50 megapixel camera that has optical image stabilization built in.
Right now, get the Moto G Stylus 5G for $249.99 at Amazon and get $150 off the phone.
Whether you're a digital artist always scribbling on the go, a consummate note taker, or someone who likes to bring a stylus to their mobile subway games, this phone is a great buy. Unlocked, it will adapt to whatever plan you favor.
RESERVE THE NEW SAMSUNG GALAXY AND GET $50 CREDIT AND EXTRA FREEBIES: As of Jan. 7, reserve the new Samsung Galaxy device release to get a $50 credit, access up to $1,250 of trade-in value, and enter a sweepstakes with a value of up to $5,000.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Preorder Deal Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy to get a $50 credit, up to $1,250 of trade-in savings, and more. Pre-Order HereSamsung just confirmed the 2025 Unpacked date (Jan. 22), and they're putting money on the line to make sure the new generation of Galaxy S25 devices gets all the attention it deserves. Samsung wants to be the first to put a real AI companion in your pocket. Right now, they're hyping up their next generation of releases. If you're hyped too, then don't miss this deal.
We're still speculating about what the new devices will look like and what they'll cost. This info will be unveiled at the Unpacked event in two weeks. But today's deal from Samsung allows you to reserve the newest Samsung Galaxy device. If you do so, then in two weeks you can pre-order the device and get a $50 credit.
When you pre-order, you'll also be able to enter a sweepstakes with a value up to $5,000. Additionally, when you trade in an old device (qualifying; nothing damaged, etc.) you can get up to $1,250 off the purchase price.
SEE ALSO: Samsung at CES 2025: You can't escape the smart houseThis deal has a few caveats: To take advantage of the $50 credit, you'll want to reserve the new Galaxy device now. When it releases, you'll then need to pre-order the device and pay for it. The $50 credit must then be used immediately on a separate item (we recommend planning your purchase in advance). The credit cannot be applied to a preorder.
The deal page cites up to $1,250 of savings. It's important to notice the "up to" language here, because this is the value you'll get when you trade in an old device. That value could vary drastically.
Finally, Samsung is hyping the new release with a $5,000 sweepstakes. Purchase the new device to qualify for the sweepstakes. The prize is only open to "legal US residents" over the age of 18.
Samsung has been hyping AI for a year now — as is seemingly every tech company. We had notes on the 2024 Unpacked event, but the Galaxy S24 had a few AI features we liked, like circling images to search them on Google and translations offline. We're hoping that this year's AI and foldable offerings raise the bar still higher.
In a video posted to his Facebook page on Tuesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the platform is getting rid of its fact-checkers.
"It's time to get back to our roots around free expression," Zuckerberg wrote in the video's caption. "We're replacing fact-checkers with Community Notes, simplifying our policies and focusing on reducing mistakes. Looking forward to this next chapter."
The company is also undoing changes that reduced the amount of political content in user feeds.
"Fact-checkers have been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they’ve created," Zuckerberg said. "What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it’s gone too far."
SEE ALSO: Content moderation in Trump's America is a political minefieldHe acknowledged the "tradeoff" of encouraging political posts while eliminating all fact-checkers. It's a fight against censorship, but online, as Berin Szóka, President of TechFreedom, told Mashable last month, "Censorship is just content moderation that someone doesn't like."
Many experts have noted the shift in how we speak about content moderation. As Free Press Senior Counsel and Director of Digital Justice and Civil Rights Nora Benavidez said in a press release posted after Zuckerberg's announcement, "Content moderation has never been a tool to repress free speech; it is a principle that the platforms themselves developed to promote dialogue and protect truth for users."
"While Zuckerberg characterized the platform giant’s new approach as a defence of free speech, its real intentions are twofold: Ditch the technology company’s responsibility to protect its many users and align the company more closely with an incoming president who’s a known enemy of accountability," Benavidez said in the press release.
The Real Facebook Oversight Board, an outside group named after Meta's Oversight Board, released a press release stating that this is a "retreat from any sane and safe approach to content moderation."
"All who are concerned about a slide into techno authoritarianism should be deeply alarmed by this action, as Meta further degrades the integrity of its platforms," Ben Wyskida of the Real Facebook Oversight Board wrote. "Just days ahead of the inauguration, Meta - like Twitter - is retooling to allow the Trump administration's propaganda and obfuscations to flow unchecked."
Wyskida and many others have compared Zuckerberg's move to Elon Musk's, who did the same at Twitter, now X, when he took over that platform. In return, misinformation flourished. The fear that this could happen on Meta's platforms, too — where misinformation has fueled conspiracy theories, wars, acts of violence, and radicalization across the world — is far from unfounded.
SAVE $70: The 27-inch Samsung Essential S3 curved monitor is on sale at Amazon for just $109.99, down from the normal price of $179.99. That's a 39% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Essential S3 curved monitor (27-inch) $109.99 at AmazonIf you're lucky enough to still be working from home or you spend the weekends gaming, you know the marvels of using a high-quality monitor. Whether you use it as a primary screen or a secondary monitor in conjunction with a laptop, a computer monitor is no time to skimp on features and function. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, you'll get high quality at a budget-friendly price.
As of Jan. 7, the 27-inch Samsung Essential S3 curved monitor is on sale at Amazon for just $109.99, down from the regular price of $179.99. That's a 39% discount that'll save you $70. It's also a fantastic deal considering the smaller, 24-inch model is selling for $145.69 at Amazon.
Focusing on smooth performance, the Samsung Essential S3 monitor is a great option if you've been considering a curved monitor. Not only does this give you a more focused approach to work, it provides a more immersive feel when gaming or using the monitor as your TV screen.
The 100Hz refresh rate is certainly speedy for work tasks, but it also works well for most gamers. Serious gamers, however, tend to prefer a refresh rate that gets into the 200s. But one advantage with this monitor is Samsung's inclusion of Game Mode which adjusts any game to fill the monitor's screen.
You get nice versatility with the Samsung Essential S3 monitor which has both an HDMI connection port and a D-sub option. There's also a headphone jack, if desired.
Samsung considered eye health with the Essential S3 monitor by including tech that reduces the amount of screen flicker and the level of blue light emitted.
For those looking to upgrade a home workspace or enhance the gaming experience, consider saving 39% on the 27-inch Samsung Essential S3 curved monitor. Not only does the curved shape make for a more immersive experience, the added features like eye health consideration and refresh rate make this monitor a great option at a budget-friendly price.
All of the major shopping holidays may have come and gone, but that doesn't mean the deals have disappeared. Amazon's daily deals page always has some hidden gems that are worth snagging — even if you have to sort through the noise to find them. Fortunately, we've done the hard part for you and picked out a few standout deals from top brands like Samsung and Fire TV on Jan. 7.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Don't see anything you like? Check out our picks from yesterday, Jan. 6. Many of those deals are still live, including the first big discount on the brand new Kindle Scribe.
Our top pick: Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus $189.99 at AmazonAmazon's foray into soundbars has made upgrading your home theater experience a breeze. The newest addition to the lineup, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus has a built-in subwoofer (unlike the basic Fire TV Soundbar) and offers Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume support. It also packs three full-range speakers, three tweeters, and two woofers to pump out sound in every direction. It's essentially an all-in-one sound system for truly immersive audio. If you already own a Fire TV or a Fire TV Stick, you can even use the same remote to control the soundbar. As of Jan. 7, it's down to a new record low of $189.99. That's 24% in savings.
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds FE $59.99 at AmazonEven as a lifelong Apple user, Mashable Reporter RJ Andersen recommends the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE. "The sound quality is unmatched for earbuds at this price range," she states in her review. Beyond just the fantastic sound quality, she was also impressed by the comfortable and customizable fit, solid battery life, incredible noise cancellation, and ultra low price. Regularly just $99.99, you can snag a pair of the Galaxy Buds FE for only $59.99 as of Jan. 7. That's 40% off and just $2 shy of their best price ever.
Check out our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE.
Anker Zolo Power Bank Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Zolo 30W Power Bank $15.59 at AmazonIf your phone regularly suffers from low battery syndrome, a power bank is a must. The Anker Zolo is a solid companion I can vouch for. It has a built-in USB-C cable to juice up newer phones or built-in USB-C and USB-A ports for other devices. Thanks to 30W two-way fast-charging, it won't take a million years to bring your devices back to life. Plus, thanks to its 10,000mAh battery capacity, you should be able to get a few full charges out of it before having to recharge the power bank itself. It's on sale for just $15.59 at Amazon as of Jan. 7, which is 40% off its usual price and matches its all-time low.
Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor $49.99 at AmazonIf you're zeroing in on health and wellness in 2025, don't forget about the air quality in your home. The Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor can detect particulate matter and give you real-time stats about your indoor air quality, so you know when it's time to open up the windows or run the air purifier. Using your phone, you can view the indoor temperature, humidity levels, carbon monoxide levels, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particular matter. Or, if you have an Echo device, it can connect to give you detailed readings regularly. Usually $69.99, it's on sale at Amazon for just $49.99 as of Jan. 7. That's 29% off and just $5 shy of its best price ever.
Samsung Viewfinity S6 monitor Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung ViewFinity S6 34-inch monitor $329.99 at AmazonWhether you want to enhance your work or gaming space in 2025, this deal on the Samsung ViewFinity S6 monitor can help you do so on a budget. Usually $539.99, it's down to just $329.99 as of Jan. 7. That's nearly 40% off and its lowest price on record. The ultra-wide 34-inch display with HDR10 not only looks vibrant and detailed, but also curves around you for an immersive cinematic viewing experience. Its 100Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync allow for smooth, lag-free gaming, while the built-in speakers and eye care features let you stream your favorite shows after work.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
SAVE $60: As of Jan. 7, get the Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller for $39.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 60%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller $39.99 at AmazonIt's 2025. Gaming isn't just about sitting in front of your TV or computer. You can take your favorite titles with you just about everywhere you go, thanks to cloud gaming and high-quality mobile titles. Your phone is the easiest gateway into getting your game on while out and about. And one of the best and easiest ways to improve your mobile gaming prospects is by getting a Razer Kishi V2 controller, which attaches to your phone and gives you tactile buttons to play with.
As of Jan. 7, you can get the Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller for $39.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99.99. That's a $60 discount and 60% off and you can choose between both the Android and iPhone versions of the controller, so that way everyone can get in on the fun.
Attach this controller to your phone to add analog triggers, a D-pad, programmable buttons, and a comfortable grip so you can settle in and get your game on. That way you can press buttons instead of tap them on your screen and kick back as if you're playing on a gaming handheld instead of your brick of a smartphone. Trust us, it's much more comfortable.
Compatible with over 1,000 mobile games and available for use with a variety of cloud gaming services, you can use this USB-C enabled device to turn on-the-go time into gaming time. And for this price, you really can't pass it up if you need something physical to press to enjoy your favorite titles.
Dell rebranded all of its PCs at CES 2025, and while it might ultimately be more simple to understand in the long run, everyone seemed to immediately notice some similarities to Apple's approach.
Rather than going by nonsense names like "XPS" and "Inspiron," every Dell machine will now be separated into three categories: Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max. This is, of course, very similar to Apple's approach to naming its devices. Per Bloomberg (via 9to5mac), people in the audience at Dell's CES press conference noted it verbally.
SEE ALSO: Loona is the cutest robot of CES 2025, and it's not even close“I am wondering why you guys didn’t choose something original, because you essentially have Apple’s branding here,” someone in the audience reportedly said.
That reaction was echoed online:
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedA Dell spokesperson explained the company's position to Mashable:
“Our new simplified portfolio focuses on our company brand and uses descriptive industry words for categories and tiers. These descriptive words are industry words. For example, Pro was an industry term long before Apple started using it. Pro has been used by Microsoft with Windows, AMD with Ryzen, Intel with vPro. When we use Pro, it will consistently mean professional-grade productivity. That consistency isn’t always there from our competitors, where Pro can mean different things on different products. We will make this clear throughout the customer purchasing/researching experience.”
Dell isn't wrong that Apple didn't invent the word "Pro," nor is it wrong that the new approach is simpler than the old one. However, it should be noted that within those three categories are more sub-categories (Base, Plus, and Premium) that can really get confusing. For example, you can have a Dell Premium, Dell Pro Base, or Dell Pro Max Plus, and it's not necessarily intuitive to figure out which of those is going to be the best one for you by name alone.
Perhaps within a few years we'll all get used to it. But for now, Dell is going to be the butt of some jokes, whether it likes it or not.
Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.
At CES 2025, our Tech Reporter Matt Binder spoke to NBA all-star and Chamelo ambassador about the brand's new series of color-changing smart glasses.
SAVE 20%: The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $319, down from the typical price of $399. That's a savings of $80 and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bowers & Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 wireless earbuds $319.00 at AmazonThe world of noise-cancelling earbuds is crowded. You have thousands of options to choose from if you like earbuds and want to tune out any noise that's happening around you. Instead of grabbing a sub-par pair that might be disappointing, go with a brand that's well known for exceptional sound quality. Of course, this usually comes with a steep(er) price tag, but thanks to today's deal at Amazon, you're in for a nice discount.
As of Jan. 7, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 wireless earbuds are on sale for $319 at Amazon, down from the usual price of $399. That's a 20% discount that'll save you $80. This is also the first price drop we've spotted on the Pi8 earbuds at Amazon.
Bowers & Wilkins, well known for making hi-fi speakers, aims to impress with their wireless earbuds. The flagship Pi8 in-ear Bluetooth earphones are the latest, upgraded option from the previous Pi7. Comparatively, Bowers & Wilkins mentions the Pi8 perform better in terms of battery life and sound quality, with the addition of Carbon Cone drive units, which reduces distortion and aims to capture more nuanced sound.
While using premium materials, Bowers & Wilkins also focused on a comfortable fit for all-day wear with the Pi8 earbuds. Each pair comes with four ear tip sizes so you can find the best fit.
In 2021, Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder reviewed the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7, the Pi8s predecessor and left feeling impressed, overall. "I've had a few days with the Pi7, and they're the best sounding earbuds I've tried, with a decent sound stage, and deep, convincing bass," he wrote.
Schroeder also mentioned the noise cancellation ability so was impressive, it was almost too good. "The noise cancellation works almost too good —when it was on, and the music was playing, I was unable to hear anything from the outside world," explains Schroeder. "This has a downside: I couldn't hear my daughter speaking even when I turned on the ambient pass-through feature, which uses the microphones on the earbuds to deliver outside sounds."
This means the Pi8 are likely great for those who are looking for top-of-the-line, super efficient noise-cancellation.
If you're a fan of the impressive Bowers & Wilkins speakers or are interested in a premium pair of earbuds, the specs on the Pi8 earbuds are seriously worth considering. Since this is the first price drop we've ever seen on these earbuds, today's deal at Amazon means this is a great time to scoop up the pair while saving $80.
TL;DR: Announced at CES 2025, you can pre-order the TCL QM6K QD Mini LED QLED 4K TV for $999.99 at TCL.
Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL QM6K QD Mini LED QLED 4K TV $999.99 at TCLIf you're looking to outfit your living room or any other area of your home with the latest and greatest when it comes to TVs, TCL has a crispy new option you won't want to miss out on: the TCL QM6K QD Mini LED QLED 4K TV.
As of Jan. 7, you can pre-order the TCL QM6K QD Mini LED QLED 4K TV for $999.99 at TCL now. The official release date hasn't been announced yet, but when you lock yours in now, it will ship in 4-6 weeks after it becomes available. Plus, TCL is sweetening the deal by throwing in a $599 value TCL q75H Soundbar in with your purchase. Immersive sound along with a fantastic TV? Sign us up.
SEE ALSO: CES highlight: Govee Mini Panel Lights are $35 off — jazz up any room in your homeAnnounced at CES 2025, this 65-inch TV offers fantastic visuals with LD500 precise dimming, a 144Hz refresh rate, a powerful AIPQ Processor PRO, and gorgeous colors all for less than $1,000. Its QD-Mini LED combine the benefits of both QLED and OLED, so you get an even more pixel-perfect picture with great contrast and higher peak brightness, too. Whether you're planning on gaming or watching movies and TV, it's got you covered.
GET $1000 OFF: Jan. 7th, the Samsung HW-Q990D Q-Series Soundbar and Rear Speakers combo is 50% off, get it for $997.99 and save $1000.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung HW-Q990D Q-Series Soundbar and Rear Speakers $997.99 at Woot!This is the sound system that owners of Q-Series Sony TVs dream about, and you know what, for $1000 off — dream actualized. This combo includes the 11.1.4ch soundbar, two back speakers, and a subwoofer.
While it's still pricy, at 50% off, this deal offers impeccable value. Get the Samsung HW-Q990D Q-Series Soundbar and Rear Speakers for $997.99 and save $1000.
SEE ALSO: Save $1,700 on a massive 77-inch Samsung S84D 4K OLED TVQ-Symphony is one of the big selling points here. When you pair this system with a Q-Symphony TV from Samsung, the system will coordinate all speakers to work together to create a multidimensional soundscape. That's a pretty impressive community of speakers.
The Samsung soundbar itself has 16 speakers within it, including 11 front facing speakers, 1 woofer, and 4 Dolby Atmos capable up-firing speakers. When you pair that with the included rear speakers, and woofer — and potentially connect a Q-Symphony TV — you could be hitting well over twenty speakers.
With so many speakers, the system needs to map where sounds are coming from. Thankfully, Samsung has this handled. In Game Mode Pro, the system automatically builds a 3D sonic world. Feel rivals creeping around corners by the sound of their footsteps.
Right now, the Samsung HW-Q990D Q-Series Soundbar and Rear Speakers is on sale for $997.99, for a savings of 50%, or $1000.
The system offers a few more high-end perks and will even sculpt the sound to help you hear dialogue.
SAVE $35: A 10-piece set of Govee Mini Panel Lights is on sale at Amazon for $64.99 with the on-page coupon, down from the list price of $99.99. That's a 35% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee Mini Panel Lights (10-piece) $64.99 at AmazonIt's one of the most exciting weeks for those who love new tech, as the annual CES brings on tons of announcements on tech we can look forward to this year. It's not all about the latest electric vehicles and transparent TVs, though. Some CES announcements involve really fun items you can already buy to make your home just that much more enjoyable.
As of Jan. 7, the CES-announced Govee Mini Panel Lights are on sale at Amazon for $64.99 with the on-page Govee coupon, down from the list price of $99.99 for the 10-piece option. That's a savings of $35.
SEE ALSO: CES 2025 highlights: What we've seen so farWhile the lights came on the market in November, Govee used the CES platform to officially announce the Govee Mini Panel Lights. These smart cube lights attach to your wall with an adhesive sticker, allowing you to create any shape or pattern imaginable. With a push-type connection method, you'll be able to configure (and re-configure) the lights into different shapes and patterns.
Through the Govee app, control the RGBIC lights into color patterns or choose from the over 50 scenes and music synchronization modes. The finger sketch option makes it super simple to adjust the lights' colors and lighting patterns in just a few seconds. These options make the lights perfect for a living room, bedroom, gaming room, or a kids' bedroom.
The Govee Mini Panel Lights come in a 10-piece option with a power adapter. Each adapter is capable of controlling 70 mini lights, so you'll be able to add to your collection if desired.
It's an exciting day to find a CES product already available for the public to purchase, let alone at a discounted price. That makes this 35% discount on the Govee Mini Panel Lights pretty exciting, and certainly a sign to jump on this sale price before the coupon disappears.