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tech

Early sales on tech from Apple, Roku, Shark, Anker and more

by admin September 25, 2025

Now that we know October Prime Day is on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about what you may want to snag at a discount during the sale. If you pay the $139 annual fee for Prime, sale events like these are a great time to stock up on essentials and cross things off your wishlist while you can save some money.

Most discounts will be exclusively available to Prime subscribers, but there are always a few that anyone shopping on Amazon can grab. Similarly, there are always early deals in the days and weeks leading up to Prime Day, and this year is no different. Here, we’ve collected the best October Prime Day deals you can shop for right now and we’ll keep updating this post as we get close to Prime Day proper.

Best Prime Day deals: Engadget’s top picks

Apple

Apple MagSafe charger (25W, 2m) for $35 (30 percent off): The latest version of Apple’s MagSafe puck is Qi2.2-certified and supports up to 25W of wireless power when paired with a 30W adapter. The two-meter cable length on this particular model gives you more flexibility on where you can use it: in bed, on the couch, at your desk and elsewhere.

$35 at Amazon

Apple iPad (A16) for $299 ($50 off): The new base-model iPad now comes with twice the storage of the previous model and the A16 chip. That makes the most affordable iPad faster and more capable, but still isn’t enough to support Apple Intelligence.

Apple Mac mini (M4) for $499 $100 off): If you prefer desktops, the upgraded M4 Mac mini is one that won’t take up too much space, but will provide a ton of power at the same time. Not only does it come with an M4 chipset, but it also includes 16GB of RAM in the base model, plus front-facing USB-C and headphone ports for easier access.

Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M3) for $449 ($150 off): The only major difference between the latest iPad Air and the previous generation is the addition of the faster M3 chip. We awarded the new slab an 89 in our review, appreciating the fact that the M3 chip was about 16 percent faster in benchmark tests than the M2. This is the iPad to get if you want a reasonable amount of productivity out of an iPad that’s more affordable than the Pro models.

Jisulife Life7 handheld fan for $25 (14 percent off, Prime exclusive): This handy little fan is a must-have if you life in a warm climate or have a tropical vacation planned anytime soon. It can be used as a table or handheld fan and even be worn around the neck so you don’t have to hold it at all. Its 5,000 mAh battery allows it to last hours on a single charge, and the small display in the middle of the fan’s blades show its remaining battery level.

Roku Streaming Stick Plus 2025 for $29 (27 percent off): Roku makes some of the best streaming devices available, and this small dongle gives you access to a ton of free content plus all the other streaming services you could ask for: Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max and many more.

Anker 622 5K magnetic power bank with stand for $34 (29 percent off, Prime exclusive): This 0.5-inch thick power bank attaches magnetically to iPhones and won’t get in your way when you’re using your phone. It also has a built-in stand so you can watch videos, make FaceTime calls and more hands-free while your phone is powering up.

Leebein 2025 electric spin scrubber for $40 (43 percent off, Prime exclusive): This is an updated version of my beloved Leebein electric scrubber, which has made cleaning my shower easier than ever before. It comes with seven brush heads so you can use it to clean all kinds of surfaces, and its adjustable arm length makes it easier to clean hard-to-reach spots. It’s IPX7 waterproof and recharges via USB-C.

Anker Nano 5K ultra-slim power bank (Qi2, 15W) for $46 (16 percent off): A top pick in our guide to the best MagSafe power banks, this super-slim battery is great for anyone who wants the convenient of extra power without the bulk. We found its proportions work very well with iPhones, and its smooth, matte texture and solid build quality make it feel premium.

Shark AI robot vacuum with self-empty base for $230 (58 percent off, Prime exclusive): A version of one of our favorite robot vacuums, this Shark machine has strong suction power and supports home mapping. The Shark mobile app lets you set cleaning schedules, and the self-empty base that it comes with will hold 30 days worth of dust and debris.

Levoit LVAC-300 cordless vacuum for $250 ($100 off, Prime exclusive): One of our favorite cordless vacuums, this Levoit machine has great handling, strong suction power for its price and a premium-feeling design. Its bin isn’t too small, it has HEPA filtration and its battery life should be more than enough for you to clean your whole home many times over before it needs a recharge.

Best Prime Day deals on tech

Soundcore

Samsung EVO Select microSD card (256GB) for $23 (15 percent off): This Samsung card has been one of our recommended models for a long time. It’s a no-frills microSD card that, while not the fastest, will be perfectly capable in most devices where you’re just looking for simple, expanded storage.

JBL Go 4 portable speaker for $40 (20 percent off): The Go 4 is a handy little Bluetooth speaker that you can take anywhere you go thanks to its small, IP67-rated design and built-in carrying loop. It’ll get seven hours of playtime on a single charge, and you can pair two together for stereo sound.

Anker MagGo 10K power bank (Qi2, 15W) for $63 (22 percent off, Prime exclusive): A 10K power bank like this is ideal if you want to be able to recharge your phone at least once fully and have extra power to spare. This one is also Qi2 compatible, providing up to 15W of power to supported phones.

Rode Wireless Go III for $199 (30 percent off): A top pick in our guide to the best wireless microphones, the Wireless Go III records pro-grade sound and has handy extras like onboard storage, 32-bit float and universal compatibility with iPhones, Android, cameras and PCs.

Shark Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo for $300 (57 percent off, Prime exclusive): If you’re looking for an autonomous dirt-sucker that can also mop, this is a good option. It has a mopping pad and water reservoir built in, and it supports home mapping as well. Its self-emptying base can hold up to 60 days worth of debris, too.

Nintendo Switch 2 for $449: While not technically a discount, it’s worth mentioning that the Switch 2 and the Mario Kart Switch 2 bundle are both available at Amazon now, no invitation required. Amazon only listed the new console for the first time in July after being left out of the initial pre-order/availability window in April. Once it became available, Amazon customers looking to buy the Switch 2 had to sign up to receive an invitation to do so. Now, that extra step has been removed and anyone can purchase the Switch 2 on Amazon.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

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September 25, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Arc Raiders’ devs would you like you to slam its servers with one last, open to all tech test next month

by admin September 23, 2025

With Marathon having received an indefinite delay back in June, that just leaves one game to test whether extraction shooters can make it mainstream: Arc Raiders. While this one has been cooking for a while now, it actually has a release date, October 30th. There’s been a few tests along the way, and it turns out the devs have one last one in them!

The good thing about this test – they’re calling it a Server Slam – is that it’s completely open to everyone. You don’t need any kind of access code, and despite this announcement coming with the shooter’s pre-order trailer, you do not in fact have to pre-order it either. This test is taking place between October 17th and 19th, across PC and console, and essentially it’s just to get as many people playing as possible to ensure there are no server hiccups when the game actually launches.

Watch on YouTube

Apparently this test will take place on the Dam Battlegrounds map for those in the know, and you’ll be able to get a taste of the game’s progression, crafting, and quest systems. It’s worth noting that none of this progress will carry over to the full game, so don’t get too deep into it. You’ll get a backpack cosmetic as a little treat in the full game for your troubles at least.

I’ve said it before on this site and I’ll say it again, I’m not particularly big on shooters, but I’m always curious about a burgeoning genre or subgenre. Sure extraction shooters aren’t exactly new, but they are quite hard to recommend given how easy it can be to lose progress. Not sure if I’ll be jumping in at launch, though I’ll be keeping my eye on it to see how things go at least.

Arc Raiders is out October 30th.

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September 23, 2025 0 comments

NFT Gaming

$167 Million in Solana Bagged By Major Tech Giant, What’s Coming?

by admin September 23, 2025

A few days after Pantera-backed Helius Medical announced plans to adopt a digital asset treasury strategy focused on accumulating SOL, the company has made its first major purchase, according to a CoinMarketCap report today.

For the first time, the medical device company has purchased over 760,000 Solana, worth about $167 million, at an average price of $231 per SOL. The move marks its first step toward building the previously announced $500 million Solana treasury.

Following the firm’s decision to heavily bet on the sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, investors have expressed optimism about Solana’s price potential amid growing institutional adoption.

Helius Medical further revealed that the vision behind the treasury launch is not only to hold Solana long-term, but also to explore opportunities in staking and decentralized finance (DeFi) to put its tokens to work.

With its sights set on further SOL accumulation in the near future, Helius Medical reports holding over $335 million in cash reserves allocated to the execution of its digital asset strategy.

Solana retrieves $220 mark

Amid the broader crypto market downturn, Solana’s price fell sharply, recording an intraday low of $212.80 on Tuesday, September 23rd.

While Solana experienced a heavier decline the previous day, with its price dropping over 6%, it has shown steadier price action today, flashing signals of a potential recovery after reclaiming the $220 level.

Market watchers remain largely unfazed by the ongoing downturn, anticipating a major rally in the near term, particularly for Solana.

Solana continues to attract institutional interest thanks to its robust infrastructure for large-scale business use. Its momentum is not solely driven by speculation but also by real-world adoption and expanding use cases.

In recent weeks, Solana has made significant strides in the DeFi ecosystem as users increasingly stake funds within its network amid surging engagement.

Boasting speed, low fees, and scalability, Solana enables investors to maximize returns through regular spot trading as well as exclusive DeFi opportunities, including lending, building, and staking.

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September 23, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

$3,800 Flights and Aborted Takeoffs: How Trump’s H-1B Announcement Panicked Tech Workers

by admin September 22, 2025

After a six-week work trip Xiayun, an employee at a semiconductor company in Silicon Valley, had landed at her hometown in China for vacation when she saw the news about H-1B visas. On Friday afternoon, US president Donald Trump signed a proclamation saying that any H-1B visa holder’s entry into the US will be “restricted, except for those aliens whose petitions are accompanied or supplemented by a payment of $100,000.” The news left Xiayun and hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers scrambling to figure out how they’d be impacted and whether, if they were abroad, they should return before Sunday, when the new rule was set to take effect.

Xiayun, who asked to use her online alias and not mention her employer’s name in the story to avoid being identified, claims she started receiving communications from her manager asking her to consider returning as soon as possible to avoid being charged the fee. Before she even met her family at the airport, she says she already decided to fly back to the US as soon as possible. She only stayed in Urumqi for two hours before hopping on the next flight back to California.

“I had looked forward to the opportunity of traveling with my parents for a long time, but the reality is, I can’t leave behind my husband, my cat, my house, my friends, and my job in the US,” she tells WIRED.

H-1B is one of the most common work visas, issued to skilled workers seeking temporary residence in the US as long as three years, with the possibility of renewal providing continuing employment. In 2019, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) estimated that there were over 580,000 immigrants holding H-1B visas in the country. Silicon Valley companies are the program’s biggest users, according to data collected by USCIS on the employers who had the most H-1B visas approved every year. In Fiscal Year 2025, the top companies sponsoring for new H-1B visas included Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google.

By Friday evening, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon had sent urgent communications to foreign employees, according to emails reviewed by WIRED, advising them to return to the states before the Sunday deadline set in the proclamation.

Conflicting messages poured out of the White House, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and other government social media accounts. “Things are changing every hour, every 30 minutes,” says Steven Brown, an immigration attorney at Reddy Neumann Brown PC. Lutnick claimed the $100,000 fee would be charged annually, others said it’s a one-time charge; the original proclamation did not exempt current visa holders, but the follow-up announcements did. The contradictions and new developments left legal immigrant workers, their families, and employers unsure what to believe over the past weekend.

WIRED talked to six H-1B visa holders who made last-minute decisions to return to the US from vacation or work trips before the new policy took hold. All of them requested to be identified with only their first or last names in this story, fearing that speaking out against the administration will cause retribution. While explanations posted by the administration on Saturday afternoon clarified that most H-1B visa holders who were outside of the country at the time did not actually need to rush back, by then they claim they had already lost thousands of dollars in changing their travel plans and spent two days in emotional stress.

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September 22, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Big Tech Tells H-1B Workers Not to Leave Country Due to Trump’s New Policy

by admin September 21, 2025

Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday that his administration will impose a $100,000 annual fee on H1-B visa applications, which allows foreign laborers in specialty occupations to work in the United States, has sent industries and governments into a spiral of confusion. With the policy set to go into effect Sunday, Big Tech companies are reportedly telling H-1B holders in their workforces to either remain in the United States or return from overseas before the new policy is enacted, according to CNBC.

According to the report, Amazon sent a memo to its employees advising workers on an H-1B or H-4 visa holders (given to dependent family members of H-1B workers) to return from overseas before 12:01 a.m. ET on September 21. Microsoft reportedly sent out a similar message, warning its employees that the Trump administration’s policy is “structured as a travel restriction” and international travel could put their worker status at risk. It advised H-1B visa holders to cancel future travel plans and remain in the US “for the foreseeable future.”

Tech firms are by far the biggest users of the H-1B visa program. Five of the top six employers of H-1B workers are Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google, according to data from Citizenship and Immigration Services. Under the new rules, which would require either the H-1B visa holder or their sponsor to pay $100,000 annually to keep the work permit active, Amazon could, in theory, be staring down a $1 billion bill every year to keep the more than 10,000 H-1B visa holders it currently employs in its workforce.

But tech is also far from the only industry that counts on specialized labor from overseas. According to the Business Standard, over 30% of medical residents in the United States are international graduates, and between 10,000 to 43,000 residency spots are currently filled by H-1B visa holders. There is an ongoing doctor shortage in the country that was expected to worsen without new restrictions. The Association of American Medical Colleges projected a shortage of 20,200 to 40,400 primary care doctors by 2036, prior to the new H-1B fees.

It’s not just industry players freaking out, either. Foreign governments are scrambling to respond to the new policy, with little lead time to sort through all the details. “This measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families. Government hopes that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the U.S. authorities,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. South Korea’s foreign ministry also said it is sorting out the potential implications for Korean workers, per CNBC.

The Trump administration, as has become customary for its policy prescriptions, is spending the day trying to sort out the ill-defined information it initially provided. Axios reported that officials have clarified the new H-1B visa fees won’t apply to existing holders of valid visas re-entering the country, so workers should be able to get back to the country without getting hit with a $100,000 fee. Reportedly, the fee won’t go into effect until the next cycle of new applicants to the H-1B program. Whether visa holders want to risk taking this administration at its word is another question.

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September 21, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

AI the New Tech Stack

by admin September 20, 2025

The Internet Computer ICP$4.7556, a blockchain project that has sought to differentiate itself from rivals, is doubling down on its pitch as the go-to network for on-chain artificial intelligence (AI).

This could be the beginning of a new tech stack – one in which AI, not humans, becomes the primary developer of applications, according to Dominic Williams, founder of Internet Computer developer Dfinity.

Williams argued that while crypto prices remain driven largely by market mechanics – treasury operations, liquidity games and speculation – the underlying technology will eventually force a reckoning in an interview with CoinDesk.

“In the long run, markets begin to reflect realities on the ground,” he said. “But as yet you’re not seeing what’s happening with Internet Computer reflected in ICP’s price.”

Running AI on-Chain

The Internet Computer first demonstrated neural networks running as smart contracts in April last year, starting with image classification and later facial recognition, Williams said.

While those were relatively simple models compared to large language models – the kind that power AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini – they were proof of concept: that AI can run natively on a blockchain. No other network has achieved this, Williams pointed out, despite the chatter about “decentralized AI.”

Where others rely on off-chain infrastructure like Amazon Web Services, ICP seeks to integrate the full AI development and execution stack on-chain. Williams describes this as “a self-writing internet” – a system where users describe what they want, and an AI delivers it as a working application, hosted directly on Internet Computer.

The bigger idea, Williams said, is that AI itself will replace much of today’s developer workflow. Instead of humans writing code, configuring databases and maintaining servers, an AI could spin up applications instantly, update them continuously and ensure resilience through blockchain-based guarantees.

This reframes the blockchain not just as a settlement layer for tokens, but as the optimal environment for AI-generated applications. ICP’s design, with features like “reverse gas” – the model where developers pay for the computational costs of their applications, rather than requiring end users to pay a transaction fee – removes the need for firewalls or database migrations that plague traditional infrastructure.

“AI is developing these apps hundreds of times faster than humans could,” Williams said. “And because there are no system admins standing by, you need the guardrails only blockchain can provide.”

Williams pointed to early hackathons where ordinary people used AI on ICP to build apps: from a crowdsourced pothole-mapping platform, to a tool for generating wills and health directives.

The vision is that such tools could proliferate in the millions. Entrepreneurs, small businesses and even NGOs could create customized apps without technical expertise, paying for usage with fiat while crypto tokens underpin the system behind the scenes.

Price Action Still Lagging

Despite these developments, the ICP token has yet to see sustained momentum. It briefly rallied when AI integrations were announced last year, but has since traded more in line with broader market sentiment than with user adoption.

Williams accepts this disconnect but predicts that markets may catch up very soon.

“This could be the first time Web3 actually outcompetes Web2 technologically, without a token incentive in sight,” Williams said. “The shock will be when people realize they can just talk to an AI, and a blockchain app appears at a URL.”

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September 20, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

US Tech Giants Race to Spend Billions in UK AI Push

by admin September 17, 2025

Microsoft and Nvidia have unveiled plans to invest up to $45 billion dollars into the UK economy, in a move that will bolster the building of more data centers as well as research and development into artificial intelligence.

The investment comes as US president Donald Trump travels to Britain, where he is expected to announce a US-UK tech deal alongside UK prime minister Keir Starmer.

As part of the agreement, Microsoft has committed to invest $30 billion in AI infrastructure over the next four years. The company claims this is the largest financial commitment it has ever made in the UK and will make up more than two thirds of the total investment announced into the UK this week, timed to Trump’s visit.

“We are focused on British pounds, not empty tech promises,” Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president, told journalists in a virtual briefing ahead of the announcement today. “We will be good for every cent of this investment.” Half of the money will go to capital expansion— “all new money, all new investments,” Smith claimed—whereas the other half will go to efforts like a partnership with the data center business Nscale, to finance and use its facilities.

Nvidia, for its part, has pledged to spend up to $15 billion on AI-related R&D efforts in the UK. The chipmaker will not invest directly into building out the infrastructure, instead acting through its partners CoreWeave and Nscale.

This announcement comes alongside a new joint venture from Nvidia, Nscale, and OpenAI today, which plans to “strengthen the UK’s sovereign compute capabilities” through an AI infrastructure partnership called Stargate UK. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang traveled with Trump to the UK during his state visit this week.

“Stargate UK ensures OpenAI’s world-leading AI models can run on local computing power in the UK, for the UK,” said OpenAI in a statement. OpenAI will provide up to 8,000 GPUs in the first quarter of 2026 with the potential to scale to 31,000 GPUs over time. As part of the agreement, OpenAI says Nscale is set to significantly expand its capacity across a number of sites in the UK, including Cobalt Park in Newcastle, which will be part of a newly designated AI Growth Zone in the northeast.

“This historic commitment from Nscale shows how the UK can build the future of AI, together with our partners from the US,” Nscale CEO Josh Payne said in a statement. “It’s only by building world-class AI infrastructure that we will stay competitive in the global race.”

When asked to characterize Microsoft’s relationship with Nscale, Smith said simply, “We write the check, and they spend the money.”

Smith was quick to claim that the company did not get a request from the Trump administration to make an investment announcement. “We have had many conversations with the UK government, including with folks at Number 10, as you would expect, and those have been going on for months,” he said.

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September 17, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Save on tech from Apple, Beats, Anker and others

by admin September 16, 2025

October Prime Day will be here soon on October 7 and 8, but as to be expected, you can already find some decent sales available now. Amazon always has lead-up sales in the days and weeks before Prime Day, and it’s wise to shop early if you’re on the hunt for something specific and you see that item at a good discount.

Prime Day deals are typically reserved for subscribers, but there are always a few that anyone can shop. We expect this year to be no exception, and we’re already starting to see that trend in these early Prime Day deals. These are the best Prime Day deals you can get right now ahead of the event, and we’ll update this post with the latest offers as we get closer to October Prime Day proper.

Best Prime Day deals: Early sales to shop now

Apple

Anker 622 5K magnetic power bank with stand for $28 (42 percent off): This 0.5-inch thick power bank attaches magnetically to iPhones and won’t get in your way when you’re using your phone. It also has a built-in stand so you can watch videos, make FaceTime calls and more hands-free while your phone is powering up.

Anker MagGo 10K power bank (Qi2, 15W, ultra slim) for $60 (25 percent off): A 10K power bank like this is ideal if you want to be able to recharge your phone at least once fully and have extra power to spare. This one is also Qi2 compatible, providing up to 15W of power to supported phones.

Anker MagGo 10K power bank (Qi2, 15W) for $72 (20 percent off, Prime exclusive): One of our favorite power banks, this 10K brick has a built-in kickstand and a small display that shows you the battery’s remaining charge.

Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go speaker for $23 (34 percent off): This small Bluetooth speaker gets pretty loud for its size and has decent sound quality. You can pair two together for stereo sound as well, and its IP67-rated design will keep it protected against water and dust.

Anker Soundcore Space A40 for $45 (44 percent off): Our top pick for the best budget wireless earbuds, the Space A40 have surprisingly good ANC, good sound quality, a comfortable fit and multi-device connectivity.

Levoit Core 200S smart air purifier for $70 ($30 off): This compact air purifier cleans the air in rooms up to 140 square feet and uses a 3-in-1 filter that removes microscopic dust, pollen and airborne particles. It has a mobile app that you can use to set runtime schedules, and it works with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.

8BitDo Pro 2 controller with travel case for $40 (34 percent off, Prime exclusive): We generally love 8BitDo controllers, and the Pro 2 has been one of our favorites for a long time. This model works with Switch 2, Steam Deck, Android and more, plus it has Hall Effect joysticks and a slew of customization options.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for $200 (20 percent off): These Beats earbuds have a hook design that will be good for anyone who wants the most secure fit while doing strenuous workouts. They also have a built-in heart rate monitor and up to 45 hours of battery life with their included charging case.

Amazon Fire TV Cube for $100 (29 percent off): Amazon’s most powerful streaming device, the Fire TV Cube supports 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision content, Dolby Atmos sound, Wi-Fi 6E and it has a built-in Ethernet port. It has the most internal storage of any Fire TV streaming device, plus it comes with an enhanced Alexa Voice Remote.

Paramount+ Essential for $30 for one year (50 percent off): Not technically an Amazon deal, but worth mentioning: New and returning subscribers can get half off one year of Paramount+. That brings the ad-supported Essential plan down to just $30 for the year, and the Premium plan down to $60 for the year. A subscription will give you access to NFL content on CBS and UEFA Champions League, along with shows like South Park, Tulsa King, Tracker, Ghosts and more. The discount runs through September 18.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

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September 16, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

How AI Is Upending Politics, Tech, the Media, and More

by admin September 15, 2025

In an increasingly divided world, one thing that everyone seems to agree on is that artificial intelligence is a hugely disruptive—and sometimes downright destructive—phenomenon.

At WIRED’s AI Power Summit in New York on Monday, leaders from the worlds of tech, politics, and the media came together to discuss how AI is transforming their intertwined worlds. The Summit included voices from the AI industry, a current US senator, a former Trump administration official, and publishers including WIRED’s parent company, Condé Nast. You can view a livestream of the event in full below.

Livestream: WIRED’s AI Power Summit

“In journalism, many of us have been excited and worried about AI in equal measure,” said Anna Wintour, Condé Nast’s chief content officer and the global editorial director of Vogue, in her opening remarks. “We worry about it replacing our work, and the work of those we write about.”

Leaders from the world of politics offered contrasting visions for ensuring AI has a positive impact overall. Richard Blumenthal, the Democratic senator from Connecticut, said policymakers should learn from social media and figure out suitable guardrails around copyright infringement and other key issues before AI causes too much damage. “We want to deal with the perfect storm that is engulfing journalism,” he said in conversation with WIRED global editorial director Katie Drummond.

In a separate conversation, Dean Ball, a senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and one of the authors of the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan, defended that policy blueprint’s vision for AI regulation. He claimed that it introduced more rules around AI risks than any other government has produced.

Figures from within the AI industry painted a rosy picture of AI’s impact, too, arguing that it will be a boon for economic growth and would not be deployed unchecked.

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September 15, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Get Ready for the Holiday Tech Splurge: US Adults Expected to Spend $931 on Devices, CNET Survey Finds

by admin September 15, 2025

The holidays are still months away, but if you want the best deals on a new laptop or smartphone, you should probably start shopping now. According to a new CNET survey, nearly half of shoppers aren’t waiting until Black Friday and Cyber Monday to shop. Instead, they’re shopping for tech for the holidays months early to beat potential rising prices and shortages.

But is shopping early the best strategy? I spoke with CNET’s resident tech and shopping experts to find out.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source on Chrome.

Here’s what they say you need to know about navigating early sales, finding the best deals and avoiding common pitfalls, like product shortages and hidden price hikes.

Many US adults (59%) are interested in purchasing tech devices this holiday season. Smartphones (26%) and laptops (23%) are at the top of shoppers’ lists.
The average US shopper plans to spend $931.18 on tech devices this holiday season, and millennials plan to spend $139 more.
Over half (59%) plan to shop Black Friday sales to save money on holiday tech purchases, followed by comparison shopping (37%).
Half of shoppers plan to shop for tech early (August to October), but a quarter plan to shop in November.
Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) have shopping concerns about purchasing consumer tech this holiday season, including rising prices and tariffs.

Shoppers plan to spend an average of $931 on tech this holiday season

CNET found that US shoppers plan to spend an average of $931.18 on tech this holiday season, and a few devices top their shopping lists. The millennial generation expects to spend more, with an average of $1,070.57 on tech this holiday season. Gen X plans to spend the least, with $747.02.

Cole Kan/CNET/Getty Images

Smartphones and laptops are at the top of holiday tech wish lists

Smartphones (26%) and laptops (23%) are the top two tech gadgets most US adults are buying this holiday season. Between new features and popular releases, CNET experts shared why smartphones and laptops are sought after this year and what to know before you buy.

Cole Kan/CNET/Getty Images

Smartphones

New smartphone models, including the Google Pixel 10 and Apple’s iPhone 17, are released months before the holidays. Some features, like Apple Intelligence and Gemini Nano, are limited to newer models. David Lumb, CNET’s mobile expert and reporter, says that may persuade you to buy a new phone for the holidays.

“It’s probably the time of year when consumers’ old phones start to feel long in the tooth — and with new iPhones typically released in September, they may be tempted by their extra features and capabilities.”

But don’t expect to see steep discounts on these newly released models in time for the holidays. Lumb says most brand-new phones released within the past few months won’t have great holiday deals. Sometimes Samsung doesn’t follow this trend, but Apple rarely discounts its phones. You may see a $100 discount on last year’s iPhone when the new one is released.

When’s the best time to buy? If you’re still planning to buy a new phone this year, November is the best time to look for one, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday week. Retailers will have the best deals then, but don’t expect big discounts. Some phone carriers may offer trade-in offers, but comparing deals is still best.

“The best way to save money on brand-new premium phones is to look for bundles and deals from carriers and third-party retailers like Best Buy or Amazon,” Lumb says. “And make sure you’re taking care of your old phone to get the most trade-in value, which can save you hundreds of dollars off a new one when you turn in your old one.”

There are still a few popular budget-friendly smartphones if you’re looking for a good deal but don’t need the latest and greatest.

“While this year’s new iPhone 16E stretches the idea of ‘budget’ at $600, the $429 iPhone SE released in 2022 remains the most affordable iOS phone,” Lumb says. “Android fans have far more options around the same price range, like the $499 Google Pixel 9A or $400 Samsung Galaxy A36, and into true budget territory with the $300 Moto G Power 5G, $250 TCL 60 XE NxtPaper 5G and $200 Samsung Galaxy A16.”

Laptops

Deals are available on several types of laptops, including budget-friendly options and high-performance gaming models. Depending on your needs, you can choose from plenty of laptops, but CNET recommends the M4 MacBook Air or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.

Before you buy a laptop this holiday season, Josh Goldman, CNET’s laptop expert and managing editor, recommends setting a budget and expectations first.

“The best move is to set a budget, try to stick to it and look at deals from retailers and direct from the manufacturers,” Goldman says. Most importantly, make sure you’re getting a laptop with the features and specifications you need now and in the foreseeable future.

When’s the best time to buy? Goldman says if Amazon follows its usual fall Prime Day sale, you should start to see good deals on computers then. Deals are expected to continue through Black Friday and the week of Cyber Monday. You can find the lowest laptop prices during Black Friday, but there are sales throughout the year.

“Unless you’re buying one as a gift or have an urgent need, another sale is always just around the corner,” Goldman says.

TVs are also on holiday shopping lists

One in five (20%) shoppers is considering buying TVs this holiday season. While CNET tracks weekly TV deals and lists the best TVs of this year, it’s still a prime time to buy now.

When’s the best time to buy? David Katzmaier, CNET’s resident TV expert and senior editorial director, says the best time to start shopping for one is usually around Black Friday. Deals will continue through the holiday season, leading up to the Super Bowl in February. You may still find deals during the fall Prime Day or other early sales.

Katzmaier recommends using a price tracker, like Keepa, for historical pricing and to spot a good deal. Keepa is one of several websites with a browser extension to track Amazon product prices. Experts also recommend CamelCamelCamel.

“That way, when it goes on sale, you know how deep the discount really is and you can pounce if it’s a good deal. Waiting is usually the best strategy and when the TV hits an all-time low, go for it,” Katzmaier says.

However, the more substantial discounts are usually on the more expensive TV options because they cost more, but you can still find good offers on other models.

“The best deals we find are often midpriced models — neither super budget nor really high-end — that go on sale during Black Friday,” Katzmaier says. “Those are also the kinds of TVs that do the best in our reviews.”

Shoppers are concerned about buying tech for the holidays

Nearly nine in 10 (87%) of shoppers are worried about purchasing tech this holiday season.

By the numbers, over half (52%) are worried about tariffs and rising prices on tech they plan to buy, while 48% worry about finding quality tech at an affordable price. Other concerns include shoppers being able to afford new tech (38%), going into debt or straining their finances to purchase devices (26%) and availability and shortages (23%).

The concerns are valid. Holiday tech shopping may not be smooth sailing for some popular tech devices, like video gaming consoles and smartphones. Here’s a closer look and what CNET experts are seeing.

Over half of shoppers are worried about rising prices and tariffs

With over half of shoppers worried about rising prices and tariffs, Russell Holly, CNET’s shopping expert and director of commerce, has seen plenty of evidence that suggests tariffs on personal electronics and home tech will affect prices during sales this year. However, you can get ahead of some price hikes on personal and home tech essentials.
“Things like AA batteries, replacement batteries for AirTags and even kitchen necessities like dishwasher tabs will reduce possible price gouging later,” Holly says.

Goldman says that it’s less about tariffs for many retailers. There are other economic factors impacting prices.

“We’ve seen some small price increases, but several manufacturers we’ve asked about the impact of tariffs have said the increases are more about general inflation and that sometimes newer tech just costs more, which is true,” Goldman says. “Sometimes you have to wait a couple of years for the latest and greatest to become more affordable.”

Nearly half are worried about finding tech at an affordable price

Bridget Carey, CNET’s consumer tech expert and editor, advised shopping with caution and not buying the first device you see, especially if you’re concerned about finding quality devices at a good price. More paid social media influencers and AI-generated search results are skewing top recommendations, which may not be the best or accurate, she says. That’s why she recommends taking an extra few minutes to do your research to save money and frustration from a device you’re unhappy with.

“Before making a large purchase, it’s more important this year to find reviews written by independent, trusted sources to weed out the junk — or just to help you find the right brand for your needs,” Carey adds.

Expect shortages on popular tech items

Some popular newly released items may face shortages this holiday shopping season, especially if there’s a good deal. That’s a concern that nearly 1 in 4 (23%) have. If there’s a must-have item on your list, like the highly anticipated iPhone 17 or the Nintendo Switch 2, don’t wait to buy it if it’s in stock and you can afford it. That’s because waiting for lower prices may mean missing out on the item altogether.

For example, Carey predicts that the Nintendo Switch 2 may be tighter on supply as December approaches.

“Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser told CBS there would be a steady supply of Switch 2 units coming throughout the year. But our CNET Switch 2 restock tracker has found stores regularly going out of stock, so I would shop sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment,” Carey says.

Half of US adults are shopping for tech ahead of the holiday season

Cole Kan/CNET/Getty Images

Thinking about holiday shopping before Halloween may sound odd, but Carey recommends planning your shopping list now.

“With the cost of tech increasing, you’ll want to be prepared to jump on any sale you see in October and early November. Black Friday isn’t just one weekend anymore — it starts in October.” But you’ll still want to keep an eye out for sales after October and pay attention to return policies just in case you find a better deal.

CNET found that half of tech shoppers plan to shop early — September and October — to ease some of their shopping concerns. Still, most shoppers (25%) plan to wait until November, and 6% will wait until December.

How US adults are trimming costs on consumer tech and services

Close to nine in 10 (89%) shoppers plan to use various strategies. Shopping on Black Friday is the most popular money-saving method (59%). Other popular methods include comparison shopping (37%), shopping during Fall Prime Day and competing retailer sales (34%), shopping refurbished or pre-owned tech (23%) and shopping earlier (22%).

If you’re comparing prices, especially during sales, Holly advises making sure you’re getting a deal.

“Tools like CamelCamelCamel.com will show you the price history of a product, so you know whether the sale is genuine and how tariffs have affected the price over the course of this year,” Holly says. “You can also verify discounts through CNET’s Deals page, where we actively track discounts to make sure you’re getting the lowest price.”

So when’s the best time to buy tech and appliances?

Holly adds that Black Friday sales focus on entertainment and popular gifts. It’s also a good time to shop for TVs, eBikes and gaming accessories. Fall sales before Black Friday typically focus on home appliances, laptops and emergency preparedness.

“The best strategy for making sure you’re getting the best deals is to prioritize more practical life improvements first and be ready for entertainment purchases closer to the end of the year,” said Holly.

Methodology

CNET commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,395 US adults, of whom 1,369 were interested in purchasing consumer tech products or services this winter holiday season. Fieldwork was undertaken Aug. 20-22, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).

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September 15, 2025 0 comments