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The winter solstice is upon us, which means that Christmas is next up — and that the clock for timely gift-giving is nearly expired. If you're gifting for a tech fan, something from Apple, Google, Samsung or another big brand is always at the top of the list. But be prepared for sticker shock once you look at the price tags for their latest and greatest devices. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a gift for someone that has all the cachet of a brand they know and love.
Apple, Samsung, Sony and other big tech companies all have affordable gear that comes in at $100 or less, you just have to know where to find them. These are some of our favorites, but remember: you can often find alternatives that are just as good (and sometimes better) than these. However, for the people in your life for which brand names really do matter, these gifts will speak to them.
Everyone can use more ways to charge up their smartphone and Apple’s latest MagSafe charger pad is a good option for iPhone users — particularly anyone who recently upgraded to the latest handset. The new model supports up to 25W fast-charging for iPhone 16 devices when paired with a 30W or 35W adapter, and it’s compatible with other Qi and Qi2 accessories. Yes, that means it can also be used with the latest AirPods that support MagSafe, so they’ll get a secure grip when powering up most of their Apple gear with this pad. It comes in both 1m and 2m cable length options, and whichever you choose, you’ll come in at under the $50 mark.
iPhone users need look no further than Apple AirTags for keeping track of their belongings. Setup is a breeze thanks to their deep integration with iOS, and once labeled in the Find My app, they can check in on the location of their keys, wallet, backpack, luggage or anything else they decide to adhere the tracker to. And if their lost item is within close range, the AirTag can ring to make it easier to find or they can use the ultrawide band connection on their iPhone to get directions right to it. Just remember that AirTags (annoyingly) do not have built-in keyring holes, so you may want to include an AirTag holder or case with your gift if you think your recipient could benefit from one.
The new Google TV Streamer takes everything great about the original Chromecast and ups the ante. The wedge-shaped set-top box supports 4K video with HDR, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, plus Dolby Digital and Atmos audio. And it goes without saying that all of the major streaming services are supported here, too, so your giftee can use it to binge-watch Netflix, Max, Disney+ or the newest YouTube channel they’ve subscribed to. The Android TV interface is one of the easiest to use, and in our testing, we found it to be the most equal-opportunity TV OS when it comes to recommendations for new content to watch (whereas others, like Fire TV devices from Amazon, tend to favor the parent company’s content). All of this is packaged with a handy remote that makes navigating the UI super simple, and if your recipient ever loses their remote, they can push a button on the back of the streamer to make it ring so they can (hopefully) find it.
A Nest camera makes a good gift for Google Assistant fans, but also anyone else who has yet to dive into the world of home security. The indoor cam is particularly useful because it will let them keep an eye on the inside of their home when they’re at work, on vacation or otherwise occupied. This camera is smart enough to recognize people, pets and vehicles, so they can use it to monitor their furry friends or point it out a window to see who’s pulling up their driveway when they’re not at home. It can send motion alerts to their phone, and it supports 1080p video recording and two-way audio.
Samsung fans have their answer to the AirTags in the company’s SmartTag 2. We consider it to be the best Bluetooth tracker for Samsung smartphones, and it has one of our favorite designs of any tracker. The oval-shaped fob has a large keyring hole built in, but Samsung also sells cute holders that have a keychain on them as well in case you think your giftee would prefer it. Once set up, this device will keep track of their belongings in the SmartThings Find app, and it’ll alert them if they leave their items behind at a coffee shop or library once they get too far out of range.
This Samsung wireless charger will give them space to power up their Galaxy handset and either a compatible Galaxy Watch or pair of wireless earbuds. It supports up to 15W of power for fast charging, and its slim, compact design will make it easy for them to find a place for it on their nightstand or their work-from-home desk. It also has a built-in LED indicator light that will change colors to let them know when their devices are still powering up and when they’re ready to go.
Sony has so many solid products in the headphone and earbud space, and the WF-C510 are some of the newest (and some of the most affordable). These $60 wireless earbuds come in three colors, have an IPX4 water-resistance rating and up to 11 hours of listening time on a single charge. While they don’t have active noise cancelation, they do have transparency mode, which will make it easier for them to wear the buds all day even weaving in and out of conversations. Top that off with multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and you have a pair of earbuds that pack a lot of value into a small, inexpensive package.
Sony’s XB100 portable speaker packs a punch for such a small device, making it a great gift (stocking stuffer even?) for almost anyone. It provides strong sound with deep bass, and it includes a sound diffusion processor for a more expansive profile. Its diminutive design has an IP67 rating, making it dust- and waterproof, and its built in strap makes it even more portable. Along with its 16 hours of battery life, your giftee will be able to use this speaker in all different situations, for long stretches of time, thanks to its built-in mic that allows it to double as a speakerphone.
Sure the Switch 2 is probably coming out next year, but you probably have someone in your life who’s still thoroughly enjoying their current Nintendo Switch. This fun carrying case will let them take their handheld anywhere they want with extra style and protection. Its molded to fit any of the Switch consoles, including the OLED Switch or Switch Lite, and it has extra pockets to hold things like a pair of earbuds or a few physical game cartridges. Plus, they’ll enjoy the star motif on the outside even more when it glows in the dark after being exposed to light.
If you know someone who just got a Meta Quest 3S and spends more time in virtual reality than actual reality, the Elite Strap would make a good gift for them. It’s a flexible, adjustable headstrap that improves the ergonomics of wearing a pair of goggles strapped to your face for hours on end. It reduces the pressure the headset puts on their face and helps to better distribute the weight of the whole system. A gift like this could prevent them from constantly adjusting and fiddling with their headset, giving them more time to enjoy the VR game they’re playing or the immersive workout experience they want to have.
Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.
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