What a ride 2024 has been! From AI innovations to powerful processors, this year has seen tech brands pushing new boundaries. We’re talking smartphones that think for you, speakers that turn any room into a concert, and laptops that double as powerhouses for work and play. The best of tech in 2024 wasn’t just about utility — it was a celebration of meaningful innovation with a bit of swagger. Let’s dive in!

Smartphones

Shines bright

Google Pixel 9 Pro

From a stellar camera to great battery life for a feature-heavy smartphone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL really stood out in a hyper-competitive flagship line-up. The best aspects of the phone are not only the tech specs but also the rich, varied user experience, and AI-driven functionalities that Google now offers — leaving almost no room for complaint. Even the slipper build from the last 2 years is gone with this model which delivers some of the best smartphone photography we’ve seen this year.

Shutter ready!

Apple iPhone 16 Plus

What I love about the iPhone 16 Plus is not having to pay super-premium prices to access almost all the new flagship features — both with its software and hardware.

This eye candy sports the new Camera Control button, along with new photographic styles, and endlessly customisable tone, palette and colour tweaks. It also features Apple Intelligence which brings along the first set of AI-driven experiences onto the iPhone. This, coupled with a capable A18 processor, makes it a smooth multitasker, with all the allure of a flagship, without being the expensive choice of the lot.

Productivity partner

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

While its foldable formfactor and stylus compatibility have always been a plus for productivity needs, this year saw a slew of AI features on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. Those who like using big foldable for work, business and travel will love the new Live Translate feature, as well as the AI Composer that kicks in when you’re writing emails or Gemini-powered reply suggestions when you’re checking messages. This “phablet” gets stuff done and lets you play when you’re not focusing on work.

Flip ‘n go!

Moto Razr 50 Ultra

A flip phone you’d love to flaunt! A smartphone with deeply customisable features for the cover screen, it also elevates the user experience on the 4-inch display.

It’s packed with games — something other brands haven’t been able to do on their cover displays in the flip form factor yet. It lets me customise the flip-open action to answer or end phone calls. In Tent mode, it lets me display my dog’s photos as an auto-shuffle album on the cover display. The Google Gemini integration helps get information quickly and type snappy responses to messages and emails with ease.

Audio devices

Party starter

Sony ULT Field 7

Designed for the most happening parties, the Sony ULT Field 7 speaker packs in some punchy bass, and lighting effects to go with it! While it’s not the lightest portable speaker around, you can technically carry it from one venue to another. The device lets you connect to a mic for karaoke nights, or the guitar for you and your friends to groove along. The USP of the speaker though is the dedicated ULT button which amps up the bass with a single press. ULT1 amps up the lower-frequency bass while ULT2 pushes punchy bass.

Home-grown headphones

Sonic Lamb

While technically a late 2023 entrant into the market, Sonic Lamb remains the most innovative Indian headphone this year.

With four experience modes that you can toggle through — Hear, Feel, Immerse and Beast, this headphone also packs in a sub-woofer to make audio more immersive. ‘Hear’ is ideal for classical and instrumental music, along with podcasts, audiobooks, calls, and meetings. ‘Feel’ lets you experience the beat in the music and has the subwoofer system kick into action softly. It offers a fairly balanced sound profile, great for a wide genre of music including metal, rock, jazz, and more. ‘Immerse’ is aimed at bass heads and is also great for listening to some EDM, hip-hop or rap. ‘Beast’ is ideal for gaming as things explode, rumble and boom around you.

Wireless wonder

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Known for its high-fidelity acoustics, the Apple AirPods Pro2 now focuses on hearing health as well. Apart from a new Loud Sound Reduction feature, the ear tips have also been redesigned to provide passive noise reduction. A new Hearing Test feature expands the ability for users to quickly check their hearing from the comfort of their home in minutes. And finally, the device also brings in a unique Hearing Aid capability for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. Using the personalised hearing profile from the Hearing Test, this new feature seamlessly transforms AirPods Pro into a clinical-grade hearing aid.

Laptops and Tablets

A powerful Pro!

Apple MacBook Pro (M4)

While there has been no design overhauls in the latest MacBook Pro (M4), Apple has managed to take care of any complaints users might have had with last year’s edition. There’s the choice to upgrade to a nano-texture display which offers a non-reflective matte finish. The keyboard and touchpad continue to feel spacious on this 14-incher, which now sports a 12 MP centre stage camera. The new webcam brings ‘Desk View’ to the MacBook where it shows me as well as any realia I have on my desk as part of a meeting or presentation. The device supports Apple Intelligence, and has upgraded battery life, which delivers almost 24 hours of video playback at a stretch!

Tablet tales

OnePlus Pad 2

With an impressive 12.1-inch display and a powerful set of speakers, the OnePlus Pad 2 had me hooked for quite some time this year. There’s Dolby Vision integration along with six stereo speakers that make for an excellent multimedia experience — be it movies, shows, or games. Pair it with the fairly lightweight OnePlus Smart Keyboard for easy writing and editing on the spacious keyboard layout. The new Open Canvas feature on the tab lets me view up to three different apps simultaneously. And, there’s also There’s a handy Recording Summary feature built into the voice recorder now, which easily summarises my interview and meetings recorded.