Technology

XREAL AURA vs Samsung Galaxy XR: Compare price, specs, displays, AI features, battery life, and productivity to find the best Android XR device.

The post XREAL AURA vs Samsung Galaxy XR: Which Android XR Device Is Worth Buying? appeared first on TechRepublic.

OnePlus Ace 7 and Ace 7 Pro launch with 9,000mAh batteries, built-in cooling fans, and 185Hz gaming displays. Compare specs, prices, and availability.

The post OnePlus Ace 7 and Ace 7 Pro Launch With Massive 9,000mAh Batteries appeared first on TechRepublic.

Bose’s $99 Noise Canceling Wired Earbuds have been hard to get after earning a CNET Editors’ Choice award.

Dexcom G7 15 Day arrives in Canada in November with longer sensor wear and expanded insurance coverage. Here's what users should know before switching.

The post Dexcom G7 15-Day Glucose Monitor Launches in Canada in November appeared first on TechRepublic.

Google is adding Gemini-powered autofill to Chrome using information from Gmail. Learn how it works, who can use it, and what privacy concerns to consider.

The post Google Unveils Gemini Suggested Autofill for Chrome: What Users Should Know appeared first on TechRepublic.

It’s a bad week to own crypto.

Happy Halloween to all who celebrate the spookiest time of the year. And, whether or not you'll be trick and treating this weekend, the world's best streaming services have released some must-see new movies, shows, and documentaries that you can enjoy with our without candy.

There's something for everyone, too. From the latest Minions-starring movie to a Netflix documentary about the late Matthew Perry, I'm confident one of the below recommendations will appeal to you. Enjoy — and don't eat all of your Halloween sweets in one sitting! — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

The One About Matthew Perry (Netflix)

It's rare for a documentary to headline one of our streaming round-ups. Given the subject matter, though, I suspect few would argue with The One About Matthew Perry doing so.

A docufilm about the much-loved actor best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends, it explores the man behind the Hollywood icon. With intimate testimonies from Perry's family and closest friends, The One About... offers a raw, unedited look at a star whose light shone brightly —despite his well-documented battles with drugs and alcohol — before his sudden death in late 2023.

Hopefully, The One About Matthew Perry will be a celebration of his life and legacy, and an inspirational testimony to his candidness and tireless advocacy against substance abuse. — TP

• Watch The One About Matthew Perry on Netflix

Minions and Monsters (Peacock)

Everyone's favorite, babbling yellow bean-like creatures are back. That's right, the Minions have returned for another standalone feature, this time in Minions & Monsters, which is out now on Peacock.

Set in 1927, it follows James, Ed, Henry, and company as they attempt to make a monster movie of their own amid the Golden Age of Hollywood. Unsurprisingly, things go awry pretty quickly, forcing the titular beings to save the day once more.

Praised by critics for its love letter-style approach to Old Hollywood, Minions & Monsters didn't perform as well as its predecessors did at the global box office. Is that down to Minions burnout? Who's to say, but you can see if it lives up to the hype by tuning in at home. — TP

• Watch Minions and Monsters on Peacock

The Gilded Age season 4 (HBO Max)

The Gilded Age season 4, which premieres on HBO Max this Sunday, skips ahead six months from last season's finale and sees Bertha Russell's relentless social climbing come under scrutiny.

Previously, Bertha forced her daughter Gladys into a marriage with the Duke of Buckingham to secure her social standing, causing her husband George to leave her, as he was furious with the decision. By season 4, George has completely moved out and now everyone's gossiping about their failed marriage.

Outside of Bertha's dramatic life, season 4 features real historical moments like the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in 1886, so there's a lot for period drama lovers to enjoy. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch The Gilded Age season 4 on HBO Max

Apocalypse Z: New World (Prime Video)

Zombie movies are a Halloween staple and Prime Video's got you covered with a new Spanish-language release.

Apocalypse Z: New World is the follow up to Amazon's Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End. You could even have a double bill, if you like.

This time, we follow a new protagonist as he sets out from the refuge of the zombie-free Canary Islands to the mainland (anyone else getting 28 Years Later vibes?) in search of essential supplies. It's a risky decision, and there's danger at every turn. There'll no doubt be thrills in abundance here, and I can't wait to watch it all unfold. — LB

• Watch Apocalypse Z: New World on Prime Video

Dexter: Resurrection season 2 (Paramount+)

Dexter Morgan's going through a midlife crisis in Dexter: Resurrection season 2. It's been four years since the show revival's debut outing, and there's a lot for us to catch up on even beyond what Dexter is going through on a personal level.

Indeed, the titular character is caught between two major serial killers, while his son Harrison launches a career as an NYPD homicide rookie. On top of this, expect to see some ghosts from Dexter's past, too.

Will he ever catch a break? It certainly doesn't seem that way, but it's entertaining for all of us Paramount+ viewers, at least. — LB

• Watch Dexter: Resurrection season 2 on Paramount+

Nocturne (Apple TV)

Apple has become many people's go-to streamer for top-tier television — and Nocturne is the latest offering to try to add its name to the tech giant's growing list of unmissable shows.

Billed as a gripping crime drama, the Apple TV Original stars Liev Schreiber as Jonah, a soldier-turned-homicide detective who relocates to a small Pennsylvania town alongside his family, including surrogate daughter and FBI agent Saga (Zazie Beetz). However, when they suddenly garner the attention of an imprisoned yet cunning serial killer Jurek (Stephen Graham), a twisty-turny game of cat and mouse ensues.

Episodes 1 and 2 are out now, with the final four releasing weekly up to November 27. — TP

• Watch Nocturne on Apple TV

Last One Laughing: Halloween (Prime Video)

Last One Laughing is back with a Halloween special, featuring some of the biggest names in comedy.

Returning contestants Daisy May Cooper and Lou Sanders are joined by Jack Dee, Phil Wang, Reece Shearsmith, Harriet Dyer, and Tom Allen. They're all hoping to be — you guessed it — the last one laughing and win the series. But, it's not easy, and there'll be guest stars and surprises intended to make them lose their composure.

Thankfully, we're allowed to laugh as much as we want. And host Jimmy Carr is likely to be right there with us, given his reactions from the past two seasons. — LB

• Watch Last One Laughing: Halloween on Prime Video

Ask a room of executives about agentic AI and within about ninety seconds someone will ask how many agents they ought to be running. It has become the default measure of progress: a number you can put on a slide, benchmark against a competitor, and report upwards.

It is also the wrong question.

Across the 200-plus workshops my team and I have run with enterprises in Europe and the Middle East, the organizations getting real value from AI tools are not the ones with the longest agent inventory. They are the ones who never framed the problem that way to begin with. They started by identifying a business problem or point of friction and worked backwards. Everyone else started from the technology and went looking for somewhere to put it.

There are four questions I hear constantly that are quietly steering good companies into Pilot Purgatory. Here they are, and here is what I would ask instead.

Don't ask how many agents. Ask what outcome you are improving.

Much of the last two years of enterprise AI has been about helping people work faster. Copilots that answer questions, assistants that summarize the meeting you have just sat through, tools that get you past the blank page. These are genuinely useful and I would encourage everyone to switch them on.

But speed is not the same as value, and agent count is not the same as either. No enterprise ever created value by accumulating agents. Value shows up in real business outcomes such as fewer payroll errors, faster shift scheduling, lower supplier sourcing costs, better win rates, cash collected sooner.

That is the difference between an agent and an agentic application. An agent help with an individual task. An agentic application coordinates teams of specialized agents to deliver a business outcome. If you cannot name the KPI an agent is moving, you do not have a use case. You have a demo.

Don't ask whether AI can recommend. Ask whether it can finish the job.

The most persistent confusion I encounter is between advice and execution. Plenty of systems can now sense a situation, spot the pattern and tell you what should happen next. That is real progress. It also leaves almost all of the work exactly where it was.

Take sourcing. An assistant can flag that a category is overdue for renegotiation and suggest you run an event. Someone still has to create that event, chase the responses, score them against commercial criteria, route the approvals correctly, update the contract and shepherd the whole thing to a close.

An agentic application does that work, under policy, with human oversight and approval where required, and with a record of what it did and why.

The test is simple. At the end of the interaction, is the process further forward, or do you just have a better-informed human facing the same queue?

Don't ask which model tops the leaderboard. Ask whether it understands your business.

Benchmark scores dominate the AI conversation and matter far less in the enterprise than most leaders assume. Raw model intelligence is rarely the binding constraint.

A frontier model understands procurement as a discipline. It does not understand your supplier list, your delegation-of-authority matrix, your contractual obligations, your current inventory position, or the three exceptions your finance director signed off in March. Without that, sophistication amounts to a well-argued guess.

Enterprise context is the differentiator: trusted enterprise data and business context, including the policies, approvals, transaction history, organizational structure and live process state that already sit inside your core systems. The closer agentic capabilities are to the systems where business processes, data, security, and approvals already live, the more effectively agents can understand context and act within establish controls.

Don't ask for one system that does everything. Ask how the specialists coordinate.

There is a persistent hope that enterprise AI will eventually resolve into a single, omniscient digital assistant. Businesses do not work that way, so their AI will not either.

Organizations are ecosystems of specialists: finance, HR, supply chain, service, sales, each with its own expertise, obligations and objectives. The equivalent in AI is not one agent that knows everything, but coordinated teams of agents that know their own domain and work towards a shared goal.

Hiring is a good illustration. One agent surfaces and screens candidates. Another prepares onboarding. A third confirms the budget is genuinely available. A fourth keeps the hiring manager's approvals moving. Individually, each is modestly useful. Together they move a business process from vacancy to first day. The value sits in the coordination, not the components.

Systems of outcomes

What connects all four questions is a shift in what enterprise software is actually for. For decades our applications recorded what had happened. We are now entering the era of systems of outcomes: software that reads the state of the business, reasons over it, and acts to keep work moving towards a defined objective.

That shift demands different questions from leadership. Not how many agents, but which outcome. Not can it advise, but can it execute. Not how clever is the model, but how well does it know us. Not one brain, but one team.

Get the questions right and the technology decisions become considerably easier. Get them wrong and you will assemble an impressive collection of agents, tools, and models that nobody can tie to a number that matters.

We've featured the best AI website builder.

This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

Your website says just as much about you as what your existing customers do, and that’s why you’ll want to make a good first impression. And, while it used to take months to put together a compelling website through code and toolkits, it’s now easier than it has ever been thanks to GoDaddy’s Airo AI Builder.

Airo AI Builder is a comprehensive website design tool that gives you the tools to construct a professional site, with a full commerce-ready backend, in minutes, not months, with code yours to keep so you can download it anytime.

Say It, Build It

(Image credit: GoDaddy)

If you remember the early internet, where sites were blocky, unintuitive messes built by code, you may fear that’s how your first effort will look. After all, how can you build something sleek and modern without knowing the first thing about website design?

Thankfully, GoDaddy’s Airo AI Builder removes all the friction of website construction without asking you to compromise on your ideas.

With a few prompts, Airo AI Builder can build a website, and then you can prompt it to change various elements with natural language input, while paid plans include a free domain for the first year.

Airo AI Builder is multimodal, too, meaning you can share all kinds of inspiration. Use a written prompt, drop in a file, a URL, or even use your voice to get started - Airo AI Builder does the rest, building a site in real time, and editing text and images directly doesn't use credits

Get Started for Free

New accounts include 50 free credits per month, letting you mock up your first design with no credit card info or subscription required, and paid plans start at 150 credits per month. Plus, you don’t need to lock in a plan to keep making changes — you can buy credits on a pay-as-you-go basis.

You’ll only need to switch to a paid plan once you’re ready to publish, and any remaining credits can be used to edit websites via the AI chat. Editing text and images, previews, and domain setup are all free, however.

You can also use Airo AI Builder to build a web app, single pages, databases, and logic in minutes.

Imagine a client portal that your customers can use to check updates on a job, or an online store on your own domain. Then, there are uses like portfolios, online booking for a salon, trainer, or consultant, and more.

If you do decide to step into e-commerce, then Airo AI Builder includes everything so you can build product listings, a cart, and checkout from a conversation. That means everyone from restaurateurs to client relationship builders can find a way to build an impressive site.

Airo AI Builder's Starter plan lets you kick off a website or app with a free domain for the first year, makes your code your own, and access to marketing campaigns, while the Professional plan adds analytics (payments and bookings are available on all paid plans), as well as collaborator and SEO tools. Finally, the Ultimate plan allows you to publish up to 50 apps while scaling across multiple sites. No hosting fees, no runtime charges. Just your plan, and 24/7 phone and chat support in the US.

Airo AI Builder has the lowest starting price for annual entry plans in the market.

Remember, you can get started for free now, and a paid plan will get you additional features. All of this means the entire process is hassle-free, flexible, and can help you improve your business’ visibility, too. So, what are you waiting for? Start building your idea today with Airo AI Builder!

See what you missed in Daily Tech Insider from Oct. 26–30.

The post This Week in Tech: Apple Gets Touchy as AI Clocks In appeared first on TechRepublic.

• Amazon CEO says he isn't worried about AI shopping agents like Muse
• Amazon had blocked Meta's AI agent from its ecommerce site
• Jassy says the AI agent experience is still "not great"

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has said he is not worried about the effect of AI-powered shopping agents such as Meta Muse, saying the services are still "not great".

Speaking after the company revealed yet another set of record financial results, Jassy told analysts barely any customers are using shopping agents as the experience is “still not great, nor more convenient than coming to a retailer directly.”

Jassy’s comments followed Amazon's decision to block Meta's new AI assistant, Muse, from accessing its online store in September 2026, claiming this would violate the conditions of use its customers have agreed to.

Muse is not doing the business...yet

Since its launch in September 2026, Muse has proven popular with customers, despite several examples of the service accessing information it was not supposed to.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently claimed that more than 10 million people across the US and Canada had already set up Muse, and that it had toppled ChatGPT as the top free app on the Apple App Store.

Experts have warned it may still not be up to scratch, after a security researcher found a worrying zero-day vulnerability which allowed attackers to gain access to people’s apps, such as WhatsApp or email.

Data from Surfshark also identified Muse as the most data-hungry chatbot around, outperforming all its competitors when it comes to data harvesting.

Meta has already signed up a range of top retailers, including Walmart, Best Buy and Shopify, to integrate with Muse, but Amazon has yet to join the group. The company is largely reliant on human shoppers visiting the Amazon website, where they can be exposed to advertisements and suggested products which nets the business its biggest returns.

Jassy did claim that more than 400 million customers have used Alexa for shopping in the last year, and that “customer interactions” had grown 570% year over year.

US customers using its Alexa also spent 50% more per order than those who do not use it, Jassy revealed, perhaps signaling that the service will be expanded in the coming months.

Via Fortune

We're just about to hit Black Friday madness, and retailers are already starting to launch warm-up sales. Right now, for example, you can get your hands on literally thousands of deals at Best Buy's 'DoorBOOster' sale.

Unlike the name suggests, this isn't just a simple Halloween-themed sale, but an expansive event that covers everything from the latest Apple models to high-end TVs. In short, it's a little like an early Black Friday preview in all but name.

• Browse the full Best Buy Doorbuster sale

I've been scanning through today's sale at Best Buy, and I've found over 30 excellent deals that are highly recommended if you're looking to do some early shopping. Everything is neatly sectioned out just below by category, including my overall top picks.

Highlights include the lowest price yet on the latest Google Pixel 11, the excellent Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for $198 (was $399), and the stunning LG OLED TV for $1,399 (was $2,699). These are all models that we've tested and loved here at TechRadar, and they're definitely worth it if you're looking for some quality tech.

Note that the Best Buy 'DoorBOOster' sale is set to close this Sunday, so you don't have too long to browse if you're interested. We'll almost certainly see more early Black Friday deals from the retailer over the next few weeks, so don't hesitate to check in regularly for more coverage from TechRadar.

Best Buy Doorbuster sale — quick links

• Apple: up to $500 off MacBooks & AirPods
• Appliances: up to 40% off
• Cameras: up to $1,000 off Sony, DJI & Canon
• Gaming: PS5 & Switch games from $19.99
• Headphones: Apple, Sony & Bose from $9.99
• Kitchen: up to 50% off Ninja & Breville
• Laptops: from $189
• Phones: up to $1,200 off iPhone & Samsung
• Smart home: up to 50% off cameras & doorbells
• Smartwatches: up to $200 off Apple & Google
• Speakers: up to $400 off LG & JBL
• Tablets: up to $100 off iPad & Lenovo
• Toys: up to 50% off
• TVs: from $69.98
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Dyson & Shark

Editor's picks — top deals today

We've been waiting for a decent price cut on the Google Pixel 11 — and here it is, finally. Available right now is a healthy $200 price cut across all color variations, which is a fantastic discount on this expensive device. The higher price was one of our main complaints about the Pixel 11, so this makes it an easy recommendation, considering you get the very latest chipset in this device, plus the interesting new HiLight feature. View Deal

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are a whole lot cheaper now that there's a slightly newer model in the range. That's a huge benefit because these excellent noise-cancelling headphones are easily still some of the best on the market. Not only do you get fantastic ANC performance and a comfortable fit, but the M5 also have a really nice modern design. Unlike the M6 they don't fold, but otherwise, it's a great idea to simply go for the older model and save some cash.View Deal

PowerDetect Speed cordless vacuum: was $499.99 now $199.99
The PowerDetect Speed is a fantastic cordless vacuum that's perfect for short cleans. Not only does it handle hair, fine dust, and larger debris without any issue, but you also get a really useful auto-empty dock. Our only complaint with this particular model is its short battery life, but otherwise, it's an absolute steal at just $199. View Deal

QM6K 55-inch 4K Mini-LED TV: was $799.99 now $549.99
A truly great, budget mini-LED TV, the TCL QM6K delivers vibrant picture quality along with solid gaming features for a price that won't break the bank. Upgrades here include support for 120Hz refresh rates at 4K resolution, which is perfect for gamers. This deal knocks a decent $300 off the 55-inch model, making it an appealing option for those who want a premium display at a mid-range price. View Deal

C6 65-inch OLED TV: was $2699.99 now $1399.99
The LG C6 is the successor to our best-rated TV, LG's C5 OLED, and it has a whopping $1,200 discount at Best Buy's sale. This year's OLED TV delivers more accurate, brighter colors than the C5, with powerful contrast thanks to its new Alpha 11 AI processor. The C6 also includes impressive gaming features and LG's intuitive smart TV platform.View Deal

Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle: $499.99
Nintendo Switch 2 bundles have been a rare sight in recent months, so it's good to see this customisable option available at Best Buy. As well as a console, you can also choose between a downloadable copy of either Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia, for a saving of up to $29.99.View Deal

This is the Google Pixel Watch 5's first ever price cut, and honestly? It's a pretty damn good deal overall. We think the Pixel Watch 5 is an iterative upgrade over the previous model, but it is a fantastic smartwatch for sure, We love the repairable teardrop design, and the top-tier health features like Loss of Pulse detection are great, too. Overall, a very strong contender if you want a do-it-all smartwatch.View Deal

Best Buy Doorbuster sale — Laptops

Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 540
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB

You don't always find a laptop with 8GB of memory for under $300, so this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook really stands out in Best Buy's sale. Other components are good for light use, but that bump to 8GB of RAM will really help with everyday performance and load times. It's still a fairly basic laptop, but with enough extra power to avoid dramatic slowdown when multitasking.View Deal

Processor: Intel Core 5
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB

If you just need a Windows machine to cover the basics, this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i is a great choice. It's not suitable for high-end workloads, but the combination of an Intel Core 5 chipset and 8GB of RAM will set you up nicely for simple tasks like web browsing or streaming videos. View Deal

OmniBook 3: was $799.99 now $699.99
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Snapdragon X
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB

This is a solid discount on a modern laptop powered by one of the efficient Snapdragon X CPUs. As well as excellent levels of all-around performance, this device boasts a huge all-day battery life of up to 41 hours, so you won't need to worry about being attached to a charger at all times. Storage is also solid with a 512GB SSD, so this is an impressive laptop for the price for everyday, college and business use.View Deal

OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1: was $799.99 now $699.99
Display - 14 inches
Processor - AMD Ryzen AI 5
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB

I think this OmniBook X Flip could be one of the best laptop deals in the Best Buy sale, full stop. Not only do you get a decent Ryzen 5 chipset and 16GB of RAM for a reasonable price, but this machine features a premium 2K OLED display. That's quite rare on a $600 machine, so this is definitely a solid pick for an everyday laptop if you don't need a machine with a really high-end Ryzen 7 or Core 7 chipset.View Deal

OmniBook X Flip: was $1199.99 now $832.99
Display - 16 inches
Processor - Intel Core Ultra 7
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 1TB

This powerful and versatile HP OmniBook Flip offers impressive performance for the price, with powerful components such as a modern Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, a healthy 16GB of RAM to boost performance, and a decent 1TB SSD for storage. You can comfortably handle everyday tasks, demanding work, video calls, media streaming and more with this laptop, all with the option to flip it around to a 16-inch touchscreen tablet when needed, too.View Deal

MacBook Air 13-inch (M5): was $1299 now $1149
Display - 13.6 inches
Processor - Apple M5
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB

Our reviewer called the newest MacBook Air M5 "the best ultraportable I've ever used" and awarded it 4.5-stars, so it's every bit as good as its already excellent predecessor. As well as the powerful and efficient M5 chip, the latest MacBook Air boasts a slick 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD as standard. Those are solid overall specs for all-around use, productivity, and creative tasks.View Deal

MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025): was $1999 now $1849
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Apple M5
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 1TB

Apple's powerful MacBook Pro with the latest M5 chip and a chunky 1TB of storage is on sale at Best Buy. Boasting that powerful M5 chip, a gorgeous Liquid Retina display and an impressive 18 hours of battery life, this is a complete creative workstation. We awarded this model a solid four stars out of five in our MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) review, praising the overall performance, elegant design, and long-lasting battery, but we were disappointed by the lack of a larger redesign and the overemphasis on AI features rather than other useful upgrades.View Deal

TUF Gaming A16: was $2224 now $1599.99
Graphics card: RTX 5070
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

There are a number of gaming laptops on sale at Best Buy today, but this Asus TUF is arguably the best value. It's really cheap for a machine with an RTX 5070 graphics card and Ryzen 9 chipset, although you do sacrifice a little bit of storage and RAM. Still, even with 16GB of RAM this machine will provide impressive performance across a range of titles. View Deal

Display - 14 inches
Processor - Intel Core 3
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 128GB

While this HP 14 Chromebook offers a similar level of power to the Acer above, it does come with a smaller, higher-resolution display. If easier portability and a sharper image are more important to you, then I would consider paying the little extra to get this device instead. It also has a more modern processor, which isn't dramatically more powerful, but will be better supported and more efficient for general use.View Deal

XPS 13 Laptop: was $999.99 now $799.99
Display - 13.4 inches
Processor - Intel Core 5
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB

The Dell XPS 13 has regularly been one of our favorite laptops here at TechRadar. With a 13.4-inch touchscreen display, Intel Core 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and excellent battery life, it has everything you need for solid all-around performance at work or college.View Deal

Aero X16 gaming laptop: was $1499.99 now $1374.99
Graphics card: RTX 5070
Processor: AMD Ryzen Al 7 350
RAM: 32GB
Storage: 1TB

This Gigabyte Aero X16 is easily one of the cheapest RTX 5070 gaming laptops you'll find anywhere right now. It was already quite cheap at $1,500 considering how expensive components are now, but at just under $1,400, it's an absolute steal. Not only do you get an RTX 5070 graphics card, but it also packs in 32GB of RAM and a decent Ryzen 7 chipset. View Deal

ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop: was $2299 now $1799.99
Graphics card: RTX 5070 Ti
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB

This Asus ROG Strix G16 is a great value considering you get both an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card and a Ryzen 9 chipset. In short, you'll get great performance here right out the box - if you're willing to overlook the fact that this machine does only have 16GB of RAM. Still, that won't slow down the RTX 5070 much, so I'd definitely be tempted to pick this one up.View Deal

Best Buy Doorbuster sale — Televisions

F50 Series 55-inch 4K Fire TV: was $349.99 now $199.99
This large and budget-friendly 55-inch TV from Insignia supports high-quality 4K HD resolution, has smart capabilities with the Fire operating system, and a voice remote with hands-free Alexa controls. I've picked out this size in particular as it's a great low price for the already affordable display. All this for under $200 is a solid offer for a no-frills TV of this size.View Deal

U8000H 50-inch 4K TV: was $299.99 now $229.99
If you're looking for a mid-sized budget display, Best Buy has this 50-inch 4K TV on sale for $229.99. It won't rival the premium QLED and OLED displays, but this entry-level TV from Samsung still packs a solid 'Crystal' UHD 4K processor, the easy-to-use Tizen operating system, and full HDR support. That's good value for money if you need a straightforward but capable display for your everyday viewing and media streaming.View Deal

C350 75-inch 4K Fire TV: was $729.99 now $399.99
The Toshiba C350 is getting older now, but finding a 75-inch 4K smart TV for under $400 is still an amazing deal. Toshiba's C350 is a 4K TV with HDR support, delivering solid picture quality for everyday viewing. Access to streaming apps is easy with the Fire TV OS, which has Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and more at your fingertips. It's not as powerful as many premium options, but if you're on a tight budget and want a large display, this is an excellent option.View Deal

QM6K 55-inch 4K mini-LED TV: was $799.99 now $549.99
A truly great, budget mini-LED TV, the TCL QM6K delivers vibrant picture quality along with solid gaming features for a price that won't break the bank. Upgrades here include support for 120Hz refresh rates at 4K resolution, which is perfect for gamers. This deal knocks a decent $300 off the 55-inch model, making it an appealing option for those who want a premium display at a mid-range price. View Deal

U7 55-inch Mini-LED QLED TV: was $1299.99 now $749.99
This is my pick for the best Hisense TV deal in the latest Best Buy sale. You get a lot of top TV tech for the money in a reasonably sized display, including a bright and vibrant QLED panel with excellent contrast, and a high 165Hz refresh rate support for smooth images. It will excel as a TV to watch the World Cup, as well as stream all of your favorite shows and movies, and play the latest games.View Deal

C6 65-inch OLED TV: was $2699.99 now $1399.99
The LG C6 is the successor to our best-rated TV, LG's C5 OLED, and it has a whopping $1,200 discount at Best Buy's sale. This year's OLED TV delivers more accurate, brighter colors than the C5, with powerful contrast thanks to its new Alpha 11 AI processor. The C6 also includes impressive gaming features and LG's intuitive smart TV platform.View Deal

R85H 75-inch Micro RGB TV: was $2799.99 now $1799.99
The 75-inch version of Samsung's latest R85H just got its largest discount ever at Best Buy. This TV stands out for its excellent color and image quality, thanks to the array of micro RGB LEDs. That means it also boasts superior brightness and fantastic contrast, ensuring you get a smooth, sharp and vibrant image. It's an ideal all-rounder for films, movies, sports, and gaming, as it also supports 144Hz and a variable refresh rate to give you a smooth and responsive picture. It's easily one of the best premium TV deals I've seen right now.View Deal

G6 77-inch OLED 4K TV: was $4499.99 now $3499.99
The LG G6 is a pricey TV, but this flagship OLED delivers superb picture quality and unbeatable gaming performance, according to our LG G6 review. It uses a new-gen Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 OLED panel and a new Alpha 11 AI Gen 3 processor to deliver a better bright-room viewing experience than the previous model. With four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting a full suite of features, the G6 is also a fantastic gaming display.View Deal

F20 32-inch HD Fire TV: was $129.99 now $69.98
It's one of the smallest and cheapest TVs you can buy, but if that's all you need, then this Insignia F20 is very hard to beat. Definitely don't expect the best picture quality or the fastest performance, but if you just need a display for infrequent streaming in a kid's room, the bedroom, or kitchen, then it's up to the job — and it doesn't cost very much at all.View Deal

QD50 58-inch Hi-QLED 4K TV: was $399.99 now $199.99
I can't speak too much about the overall quality of this TV given we haven't had extensive testing time, but I can't deny that it's a super low price for a TV of this size. It also sports the budget version of Hisense's QLED tech, which offers superior brightness and more vivid colors, although it's not as powerful as the premium displays. Still, this is a big and cheap TV that will be ideal for general everyday viewing and streaming for someone who isn't too bothered about getting the very best picture possible.View Deal

Best Buy Doorbuster sale — Appliances

PowerDetect Speed cordless vacuum: was $499.99 now $199.99
The PowerDetect Speed is a fantastic cordless vacuum that's perfect for short cleans. Not only does it handle hair, fine dust, and larger debris without any issue, but you also get a really useful auto-empty dock. Our only complaint with this particular model is its short battery life, but otherwise, it's an absolute steal at just $199. View Deal

Pro Coffee Maker: was $59.99 now $29.99
This will never be one of the best coffee makers you can buy, but there's no denying that it is dirt cheap. It's a basic and no-frills drip filter coffee maker that can brew up to 12 cups at once, has a programmable timer so you can wake up to a fresh pot, and dishwasher-safe components that make it easy to clean.View Deal

Air Fryer Pro XL: was $179.99 now $99.99
An air fryer allows you to enjoy your favorite fried foods with less oil, and this Ninja Pro model is ideal for families who want a big but budget-friendly option. The five-quart capacity drawer is enough to make meals for the whole family, and preset functions allow for easy air frying, roasting, reheating, and dehydrating.View Deal

4 qt Touchscreen Slim Air Fryer: was $69.99 now $59.99
The Bella Pro is exclusive to Best Buy, and we have seen this four-quart model a little cheaper in previous sales. However, for under $60, this is excellent value for money if you just need a compact air fryer for a small household or kitchen.View Deal

CrushBOSS Intelligent 3-in-1 Blender: was $279.99 now $199.99
The CrushBoss is an all-in-one blender that will easily tackle all your processing needs. It comes with not just a blender, but also a food processor bowl, blender pitcher, and a blending tumbler. It's powerful, comes with plenty of blades and attachments for all types of foods, and also features a number of easy-to-use presets. View Deal

The Breville Barista Express is on par with some of the best espresso machines we've reviewed here at TechRadar. It has a higher learning curve than the average espresso machine, but it allows you to hone your coffee skills to make drinks exactly how you like them. This is a return to the record-low price for the entry-level espresso maker, and it remains a best-seller during all sales events, so it's looking like the right time for me to upgrade.View Deal

Crispi: was $179.99 now $152.99
Here's an excellent discount on Ninja's portable air fryer. This bundle includes the PowerPod lid, plus two resealable glass containers to carry your dishes until you're ready to cook. According to our testing, it cooks exceptionally quickly, is easy to use and a breeze to clean, making this one of the best air fryer deals I've seen this year.View Deal

Best Buy Doorbuster sale — Headphones & Audio

MDREX14AP Wired Earbuds: was $19.99 now $9.99
Wired earbuds are rising in popularity right now, and this is a great low price for a solid pair from Sony. You get excellent sound quality, a comfortable fit, a small and lightweight design, and an integrated microphone on the wire for making calls. All for under $10 is a bit of steal.View Deal

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are a whole lot cheaper now that there's a slightly newer model in the range. That's a huge benefit because these excellent noise-cancelling headphones are easily still some of the best on the market. Not only do you get fantastic ANC performance and a comfortable fit, but the M5 also have a really nice modern design. Unlike the M6 they don't fold, but otherwise, it's a great idea to simply go for the older model and save some cash.View Deal

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): was $449 now $369
We awarded these excellent premium headphones a full five stars in our review, thanks to the brilliant noise cancellation, excellent audio quality, and extremely comfortable design. We had nothing more to say except that they are the 'best active noise-canceling cans for the money.'View Deal

AirPods Max 2 (USB-C): was $549 now $499
The AirPods Max use an Apple-designed dynamic driver to provide high-fidelity audio – and they sound fantastic for it. Exceptional active noise cancellation, personalized Spatial Audio, and Dolby Atmos support all reinforce that. They feel good on your head as well, thanks to the knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions, so you can easily wear them for the full 20 hours of battery life if you ever want or need to.View Deal

Best Buy's latest sale has the previous-generation AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation available for $119.99 — that's just $20 more than the record-low price. These AirPods 4 feature a new comfortable design, handy controls, and Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation — alongside that all-important ANC.View Deal

AirPods Pro 3: was $249 now $199
Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds really are 100% flagship audio and the noise-cancelling quality is outstanding. Today's deal at Best Buy is the best price you can find on Apple's newest AirPods, and just $10 more than the record-low from earlier in the year.View Deal

Right now, you can grab the incredible Sony WH-1000XM6 for $80 less in the Best Buy Techtober sale, bringing them back down to the lowest price they've ever been. These headphones deliver beautifully balanced audio, top-tier touch controls, a comfortable fit, and noise-crushing ANC to block out unwanted sounds.View Deal

QuietComfort noise cancelling headphones: was $359.00 now $169
One of the best headphone deals in the Best Buy Techtober sale is undoubtedly this listing on the Bose QuietComfort. These are not only great value, but they're also incredibly comfortable with a decent level of noise cancellation. They aren't as high-end as the QuietComfort Ultra, but these are great all-rounders for the price. View Deal

We awarded the JBL Charge 6 five stars, and it currently sits atop our list of the best speakers, so I definitely want to shout out this deal you can nab right now at Best Buy. With booming sound and an easy-to-carry design, you really can't go wrong with this one if you need an all-purpose speaker.View Deal

Best Buy Doorbuster sale — Tablets and phones

iPad A16 (2025): was $449 now $399
The brand-new Apple iPad A16 is down to its lowest-ever price in the Best Buy sale, so it's worth taking advantage of if you have an eye on the latest Apple slate. The biggest upgrade over the previous-generation model is the A16 chip for faster performance. You also get double the storage, with 128GB standard, a sharp 11-inch Liquid Retina display, and solid 12MP front and back cameras.View Deal

iPad Air 11-inch (M4): was $749 now $649
The iPad Air hits the middle ground between power and affordability while still offering many of the same features and capabilities as the much pricier iPad Pro range. It has an attractive 111-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone support, which means it looks good in all lighting conditions — including outdoors. It's not quite as compelling a buy after a price hike, but still a good option for work and creatives.View Deal

iPad Pro 11-inch (M5): was $1199 now $1149
There's a decent $100 saving on the latest iPad Pro 11-inch at Best Buy, which we'll have to take after the recent price hike on Apple's tablets. Even at this higher price, you get the brand-new M5 chip, high-quality tandem OLED display and 256GB as standard. Expect this to be one of the better offers we see on the tablet until later in the year.View Deal

We've been waiting for a decent price cut on the Google Pixel 11 - and here it is, finally. Available right now is a healthy $200 price cut across all color variations, which is a fantastic discount on this expensive device. The higher price was one of our main complaints about the Pixel 11, so this makes it an easy recommendation, considering you get the very latest chipset in this device, plus the interesting new HiLight feature. View Deal

The iPhone Air is one of a kind. Apple's first thin-and-light flagship measures just 5.6mm thick, boasts the powerful A19 Pro chipset, and sports a beautiful 6.5-inch display. It's as fast as a Pro in daily use, and while its battery life isn't quite so impressive, you won't find a better iPhone for this price.View Deal

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: was $2099.99 now $1899.99
You can get a $300 discount when buying the Fold 8 Ultra at Best Buy. That equals the biggest flat saving available on the latest flagship foldable and is a great option if you don't have an existing phone to trade in. This high-end foldable was awarded an impressive 4.5-stars in our review for its thin design, super-fast performance, and excellent cameras.View Deal

AirTag 4 Pack (2nd generation): was $99 now $69
The best-selling Apple AirTag is on sale for $89 during Best Buy's sale. A great way to track a child's backpack or luggage, the AirTag can be attached to anything you don't want to lose, and your iPhone can locate it.View Deal

Portable power stations are useful for everything from keeping your broadband running during a power cut to powering equipment away from a convenient socket. The Anker Solix S2000 fits both roles, combining a substantial battery with a relatively compact upright design.

What impressed me most, though, was how little fuss it involved. It handled repeated sessions with a 1,200W wet/dry vacuum straight out of the box, while the accompanying app was easy to set up and refreshingly clear about what its settings actually do.

Anker Solix S2000: specifications

(Image credit: Future)

Specification

Details

Battery capacity

2,000Wh

Battery chemistry

Lithium iron phosphate, also known as LFP or LiFePO₄

Continuous AC output

1,500W total

UK mains outlets

Four Type G sockets: two front, two rear

USB-A

One port, up to 12W

USB-C

Two ports: up to 15W and 100W

Shared USB limit

USB-A and 15W USB-C share an 18W maximum

Standard AC charging

Up to 1,150W

Solar charging

Up to 400W through the XT60i input

UPS transfer time

Approximately 10ms, manufacturer-rated

Dimensions

208 × 282 × 323.3mm

Weight

16.2kg

Warranty

Five years

Specifications are manufacturer figures; socket layout and port labels were also checked against the UK review unit.

Design and connections

The S2000 has an understated appearance: a dark grey enclosure, rounded edges and a glossy front panel. It looks perfectly at home beside a desk, although mine was soon earning its keep around DIY equipment.

Its upright shape gives it a reasonably small footprint. At 16.2kg, however, “portable” still involves a deliberate lift. Moving it between rooms or taking it out to the garden is one thing; carrying it a long distance is another.

The UK version has four proper Type G sockets, split evenly between the front and rear. That arrangement makes sense. You can keep regularly connected equipment plugged in behind the unit, leaving the front sockets available for things you connect occasionally.

There is a trade-off: you’ll need access to both sides if you want to use every socket. Bear that in mind before squeezing it into a tight space, and leave the ventilation clear.

The USB connections sit above the display. The 100W USB-C port is the one to choose for a compatible laptop, while the other USB-C connection is limited to 15W. They look similar, so it’s worth checking the labels.

The screen puts the remaining battery percentage front and centre, alongside input and output wattage and an estimated remaining time. That gives you the information you need without reaching for your phone.

Performance: a proper day’s work

My S2000 arrived with a 59% state of charge. Rather than charging it fully before doing anything useful, I put it straight to work powering a 1,200W wet/dry vacuum.

Between approximately 10am and 5pm, I used the vacuum repeatedly in sessions lasting around five to ten minutes. The Anker handled those sessions without any problems, and by the time I finished, it still showed 13% remaining.

To be clear, that was intermittent use across a seven-hour working day, rather than seven hours of continuous vacuuming. Even so, it was a useful practical test: repeated use of a fairly demanding appliance, starting with little more than half a battery.

The benefit was simple. I could get on with the job without running an extension lead back to a mains socket, and the power station had enough charge to cover the work I needed to do.

This wasn’t a controlled capacity test. I didn’t record the vacuum’s total running time or measure the energy delivered at the socket, so it wouldn’t be fair to calculate an efficiency figure from the percentage drop.

What I can say is that it coped comfortably with this particular vacuum and pattern of use.

The main limitation is the 1,500W continuous output. Battery capacity tells you how much energy is stored; output determines which appliances it can run. A large battery doesn’t automatically mean it can power a typical high-wattage UK kettle or several demanding tools together.

Check appliance ratings, allow for starting demands, and remember that the output limit is shared across the AC sockets.

Charging options

(Image credit: Future)

For everyday charging, the S2000 connects directly to the mains using the supplied AC cable. There’s no separate external power brick to find space for.

During one charging session, the front display showed approximately 1,068W going in. An app screenshot taken during charging showed around 1,077W, with UltraFast charging switched off. These are snapshots rather than a timed charging test, but they show a substantial charging rate in normal use.

There’s also an app-controlled UltraFast option when a quicker turnaround matters.

Away from home, the S2000 supports compatible solar panels and vehicle charging, provided you have the correct cables and accessories. Solar input is capped at 400W, with Anker specifying a maximum open-circuit voltage of 60V. Panel compatibility matters as well as the connector.

Those alternatives add flexibility, although a normal car accessory socket will be much slower than mains charging. Think of it as a way to replenish charge while travelling, rather than expecting a quick refill of a 2kWh battery.

The app: easy to set up, easy to understand

(Image credit: Future || Anker)

The app was one of the nicest surprises.

Finding it in the Google Play Store was straightforward, as were signing in and getting started. The S2000 was detected straight away, added without difficulty and ready to control. An iPhone version also appears to be available, although my experience here was with Android.

The main screen presents the battery percentage, temperature, charging estimate and power flow clearly. You can see what’s happening at a glance.

More useful still is the depth of control. There are multiple UPS and power-management modes, charging timers, adjustable AC charging power and battery charge limits. You also get AC output scheduling, a countdown to switch the sockets off, screen controls and power-usage history.

Crucially, the explanations are good. Rather than leaving you to decipher a vaguely named mode, the app helps you understand what a setting does and decide whether it suits your needs.

Some power-station apps make configuration feel like educated guesswork. Here, the guidance makes the extra features more approachable, particularly if this is your first battery system.

Backup power and everyday use

The UPS function adds another potential role: keeping suitable equipment powered when the mains fails. Anker quotes a transfer time of around 10ms, although I haven’t independently measured that or tested compatibility with individual computers.

For a home office, the combination of rear sockets, battery monitoring and configurable operating modes is appealing. You can leave equipment connected and manage the unit without constantly handling it.

FutureFutureFutureFutureFuture

For more off-grid essentials, we've tested the best portable power stations.

• Garmin's CEO Cliff Pemble mentioned the components crisis during Garmin's quarterly earnings call with investors
• Garmin had a cache of components and memory bought cheaply before the crisis hit, but now it's buying memory at "significantly higher" prices
• Pemble said pricing is "one of the things [Garmin] can look at", referring to increasing device costs

If you want to pick up the best Garmin watch, you'd be wise to do it soon, because the company's CEO Cliff Pemble has revealed that pricing changes aren't off the table due to the rising costs of electronic components.

During the company's quarterly earnings call, in which Garmin's C-suite speaks to its investors, CEO Cliff Pemble said that while the company is having a good year, he sees some headwinds in its near future.

The RAM crisis is a shortage of memory, as most of the available stock is being bought up to cope, in part, with the massive expansion of AI and the drive to build data centers. This leaves a shortage of memory for consumer devices such as computers and phones, which is driving up costs for device manufacturers.

Wearables, which use comparatively little memory compared to a phone or a computer, have so far largely escaped unscathed. Even when Apple raised prices across the board, it didn't do so for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. However, that reprieve appears to be over.

According to the transcript of Garmin's Q3 earnings call, as published on The Motley Fool investment website, Pemble said that Garmin has been spared because it bought a lot of surplus stock at the old prices, but the company is now buying components at prices "significantly higher than last year".

"Our results will soon reflect the higher cost of memory and other raw materials which have increased significantly since last year, driven by both high demand and limited supplies."

Does this mean price increases?

Later in the call, Pemble said: "Definitely pricing is something that, you know, when I mentioned the mitigations that we can use, it is one of the things that we can we can look at.

"It is one of the tools that we have, but we do not overfocus on one particular thing, and we try to get the best balance of all the different ways that we can mitigate cost increases in our supply chain in order to achieve an outstanding result.

"I would probably just remind people that a little more than a year ago now, everyone was faced with higher supply chain costs really driven by tariffs. And that was something that we were able to navigate because of the diversity of our business and our vertical integration and our ability to create products that people want."

It sounds like Pemble is hoping that Garmin's diverse portfolio of products and services can offset an Apple-style price increases for its smartwatches and other gadgets, but he stopped short of ruling it out. We'll have to wait and see what 2027 brings.

Are you looking for a Garmin watch, but not sure what to get? Take our quiz below to find your perfect smartwatch.

Most mini PCs we test have the same sort of look. Little black boxes or Mac mini-style silver designs. Acemagic's X3 does things a little differently: styled like a Nintendo Entertainment System, it's quick enough for work and light gaming, while bringing a big dose of nostalgia.

For a very limited time, the Acemagic Retro X3 is $509 (was $799) at Acemagic when you use the code RETRO40. That's the cheapest I've ever seen this mini PC, which comes equipped with an eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 H255 chip, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, and 512GB SSD.

• Best for: Retro gaming fans and home users who want a compact, capable Windows PC with a design that stands out.

• Why we like it: We're big Nintendo fans here at TechRadar Pro. So of course, this classic retro-themed "console" one catches the eye. On top of some good specs for the price, the mini PC also features Radeon 780M graphics, a fast USB4 port, two M.2 slots for adding storage, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.

• What you need to know: While you can expand storage, memory is soldered to the board here. And if you're more of a SNES fan, check out the higher-spec but higher-priced Acemagic X5.

The Retro X3 pairs an eight-core, 16-thread AMD Ryzen 7 H 255 with Radeon 780M integrated graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, and a 512GB SSD, with a second M.2 slot for more storage. Ports include USB4, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, 2.5G Ethernet, and six USB-A ports, and it ships with Windows 11 Pro. The step-up Retro X5 has a 10-core Ryzen AI 9 365, Radeon 880M graphics, 32GB of memory, a 1TB SSD, and dual 2.5G Ethernet.

Use promo code RETRO40 to get $40 MORE off. View Deal

Why we recommend it

Acemagic has built a following for affordable mini PCs - we included the K1 as our top mid-range pick in our guide to the best mini PCs we've tested. But the Retro X3 is its most eye-catching yet, with a gray shell and red power button that’ll take anyone who grew up with an NES straight back.

We haven’t tested it ourselves, but we previously covered the initial launch and welcomed the hardware boost inside its retro casing when it launched. In Notebookcheck’s review, it delivered solid, stable performance with low case temperatures, though the fan got clearly audible under heavy load and the 16GB of memory is soldered, so you can’t upgrade it later.

Price Context & Historical Value

At $509 with code RETRO40, the Retro X3 is cheaper now than it was the last time we checked back in September, where it was priced at $539. For comparison, it's discounted at Amazon right now for $575 (was $639).

The Retro X5 is a different story, since $1,099 is a lot to pay for a mini PC, even one with a faster Ryzen AI 9 chip and 32GB of memory. Unless you need the extra power, the X3 is the better buy.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Acemagic Retro X3 if... you want a compact Windows PC for everyday work, streaming, and light or retro gaming, you love the retro console look, or you’d like to add storage later through the spare M.2 slot.

❌ Skip the Acemagic Retro X3 if... you need more than 16GB of memory, since it’s soldered and can’t be upgraded, you want a near-silent PC under heavy load, or you’d rather not wait for a pre-order to ship.

• See all mini PCs at Acemagic.

Following just behind Currys earlier this week, the Argos Black Friday sale has also just started, promising a whole month of deals across tech, gaming, appliances, homeware, toys, and more. I've done my usual thing and taken a look through to bring you all of the biggest offers and the best deals — check out my 14 top picks from Dyson, Shark, Garmin, Samsung, and more.

• Browse the full Argos Black Friday sale

One standout offer at this early point in the sale is this JBL Charge 6 for £129.99 (was £169.99). That's a solid saving on the portable speaker we awarded a full five stars for its booming sound and easy-to-carry design. It's so good, in fact, that we gave it a top spot in our best speaker buying guide.

Just like other retailers, Argos is also offering a 'Price Guarantee' on select products throughout its Black Friday sale. It means that any item displaying that badge will not fall any further in price before December 25. If for some reason it does, you will receive an Argos voucher for the difference.

Given that Argos has said its Black Friday sale will run for a whole month, there will almost certainly be more deals added over the next few weeks. I'll keep an eye on the sale and will add more recommendations from myself and the TechRadar team as we spot them.

Argos Black Friday sale — quick links

• Appliances: up to 20% off fridges & dishwashers
• DIY: up to 30% off tools & outdoor
• Fitness: up to 50% off exercise equipment
• Furniture: up to 50% off
• Gaming: up to 50% off games & accessories
• Headphones: from £19.99
• Health & Beauty: up to 50% off GHD & Philips
• Kitchen: up to 50% off small appliances
• Laptops: from £149
• Phones: up to £250 off Samsung & Honor
• Toys: up to 50% off
• TVs: from £149
• Vacuums: Shark & Dyson from £99.99

My 14 top deals from the Argos Black Friday sale

We awarded the JBL Charge 6 five stars, and it currently sits atop our list of the best speakers, so I definitely want to shout out this deal you can nab right now at Argos. With booming sound and an easy-to-carry design, you really can't go wrong if you're shopping for a powerful and capable portable speaker.View Deal

It's not every day that we see such a massive discount on a top-rated Garmin smartwatch. The Venu 4 is the ideal all-rounder, excelling in usability, performance, and design. What's better than all of that? Well, it's our pick for the best Garmin smartwatch at a record-low price.View Deal

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: was £219 now £169
The latest Pro version of Samsung's earbuds lineup is a real step up according to our 4.5-star review — and this is a new lowest-ever price. I have a pair and agree, as they offer fantastic sound quality, impressive noise cancellation, and a classy design. Features in the app are genuinely useful if you want to customise the sound and level of noise cancellation to your liking. As far as premium buds for Android users go, these are tough to beat.View Deal

20,000mAh Power Bank: was £27.99 now £18.67
A power bank is always a handy item to have — and this is a low price for a large-capacity and easily portable one from Belkin. The brand makes a lot of portable chargers, cables, and other related equipment, so you can expect good quality and performance, all for this super-cheap price in the Argos Black Friday sale.View Deal

IY143HUK Vacuum Cleaner: was £229.99 now £150
You get a lot for your money with this affordable stick vacuum from the top brand Shark. It has a runtime of up to 40 minutes, an anti-allergen complete seal, and comes with a crevice tool attachment. It's a good choice of cordless vacuum for most users and multiple floor types, so if you need a capable vacuum, I'd recommend it at this discounted price.View Deal

U8000H 58-inch 4K TV: was £419 now £329
Here's a good low price for a basic TV. This 58-inch Samsung display supports high-quality 4K resolution and offers an easy-to-use interface for accessing all the major streaming apps. You can expect competent yet not exceptional image quality and performance, but that may be all you need for general everyday viewing – especially if you're on a tighter budget.View Deal

For homes where small spills and stains are a regular problem, this Vax SpotWash could be a smart buy while it's half-price at Argos. You get a handful of useful attachments included to tackle different types of problems and pet messes in your home or car, as well as a small bottle of cleaning solution to get you started.View Deal

Quantum 650: was £129.99 now £89.99
The JBL Quantum series is an impressive lineup of gaming headsets, and this is a solid deal for one of the mid-range options. You get 50mm carbon dynamic drivers for powerful audio quality, a detachable mic with excellent background noise filtering, a lightweight design to ensure comfortable gaming sessions, multi-compatibility, and all the handy customisation and sustainability features that Quantum gear is known for.View Deal

Ninja's space-saving air fryer is down to a good price ahead of Black Friday, so now's the time to buy the popular and well-rated appliance — especially if you have minimal space on your countertop. We loved it at TechRadar, scoring it full marks in our Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer review and even putting it in our best air fryer buying guide. Well-built and great-looking in any kitchen, it offers five cooking levels across two drawers and two racks, while the 7.6L capacity is ideal for medium to big families.View Deal

The JLab Go Air Pop Plus are small and incredibly cheap but pack in a lot of key features and surprisingly strong sound for the price. There’s a long battery life of over eight hours, while the charging case adds an extra 24 hours. On-ear controls are reliable and they sound better than anything else in this price range. If you’re on a tight budget, these are a great buy.View Deal

Argos has slashed £250 off the latest Samsung Galaxy S26 for Black Friday. This flagship Android smartphone scored an impressive four stars in our review thanks to its stellar screen, excellent battery life, and strong all-around performance. It's a great buy if you want a capable all-around smartphone.View Deal

V8 Cyclone: was £379.99 now £229.99
Designed to be simple to use yet powerful and versatile, the Dyson V8 is well-suited for all homes – even if you have pets shedding hair around your living space. It has two different power modes with fully sealed filtration, which traps 99.99% of microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns. A de-tangling motorbar easily removes ground-in dirt too. If this is your first Dyson, you’ll be amazed and alarmed at how much dirt it sucks up. This offer is a good price for one of the manufacturer's more affordable models that also comes with a selection of handy accessories.View Deal

Display - 14 inches
Processor - Intel i5
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 256GB

If you want a good value Windows laptop, then this configuration of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a strong buy. It features an Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD to ensure good performance for general home use. I'd say it's a good option if you're on a budget and need a basic laptop for everyday use, college, admin tasks and light work.View Deal

P6L 65-inch 4K TV: was £429 now £399
If you want a cheap big-screen TV, then this TCL P6L is a good choice from the latest Argos sale. Expect decent, if unspectacular, picture quality and performance, but with all the handy smart features and streaming apps you might need within easy access. It's a reasonable price for a large TV from a solid budget brand like TCL.View Deal

• Attackers allegedly stole $6.36 billion from Binance in a record-breaking cryptocurrency exchange breach
• Investigators linked the attack to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, exploiting access from a compromised engineer
• Binance said customer funds remain safe, while authorities and partners froze billions in stolen assets

Cybercriminals, allegedly from an infamous North Korean hacking organization, have gained access to one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges on the planet - Binance - and in less than half an hour withdrew $6.36 billion worth of different tokens.

Security researchers TRM Labs said the attack was carried out by a group called TraderTraitor, which it describes as “North Korea’s premier hacking unit”.

“We base this assessment on robust on and off-chain intelligence sources,” TRM Labs said in a report, noting that TraderTraitor is part of Lazarus Group, North Korea’s state-sponsored threat actor blamed for some of the biggest crypto heists in history, with the FBI blaming it for the $1.5 billion Bybit hack that took place on February 21, 2025.

Gone in 20 minutes

Binance’s experts, as well as independent researchers, are still piecing together what happened, so information might change throughout the day(s). What we know so far is that a DevOps engineer had their laptop compromised, which was confirmed by Richard Teng, Binance co-CEO, in a LinkedIn post.

“That gave an attacker access to a service container, where they submitted unauthorized withdrawal transactions,” he said.

Right now, no one really knows what exactly happened and what it means that a DevOps engineer’s laptop was compromised. However, we do know that Lazarus is famous for running operations DreamJob and Contagious Interview, in which they set up fake companies and fake jobs, and then approach software engineers working on crypto projects. They entice them with lucrative job offers and exciting opportunities, and sneak malware during the multiple interview rounds.

But Binance’s security measures are more robust than that, and simply installing malware on one device could not have sufficed. Teng confirmed that, too, saying “the attacker did not simply use one engineer's permissions, and this was not a single "one-click" action. It involved a more complex attack process.”

Funds are SAFU

TRM Labs said the attackers pulled funds from 10 different chains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Tron, Solana, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, Avalanche, and Polygon. The Ethereum chain was the hardest one hit, losing roughly $3.79 billion. It could be because of the chain’s smart contracts feature, which allowed the attackers to keep withdrawing funds as they were landing into the wallet.

Binance is one of the biggest and most popular cryptocurrency exchanges on planet Earth, and as such it holds billions of dollars in user funds. This attack, however, did not target user funds, but rather Binance itself. This was confirmed by both Teng and TRM Labs, with the co-CEO saying “your funds are safe”, and “Binance will cover all losses from the SAFU fund and company funds.”

In response to the attack, Binance temporarily restricted deposits and withdrawals. Numerous users took to X this morning to say their transaction requests were denied. The police and other relevant entities were notified, and around $3 billion were already frozen on-chain, apparently.

Tether, Circle, Ripple and World Liberty Financial froze about $2.67 billion in stablecoins, TRM Labs confirmed, while Arbitrum's Security Council froze 8,426 ETH and 74.6 million ARB on its network, for a total of roughly $2.7 billion.

What’s particularly interesting about this incident is how the market responded. In 2013, when Mt.Gox (at the time the biggest crypto exchange in the world) got hacked for $450 million, it was considered a “black swan” event, sending bitcoin down by more than a third (35%) in a few weeks. The 2025 Bybit hack sent BTC down approximately 7.5%. In response to the Binance hack, BTC dropped a measly 6.7%, which is just another Friday in the crypto world.

Phishing incoming

Trouble always comes in pairs, and this Binance hack will most likely be no exception. Security researchers NordVPN are warning users that other hacking groups might try to take advantage of the news to target users with phishing emails.

“Another risk is criminals exploiting the confusion and fear among crypto owners on other platforms. An email claiming your funds are at risk, a fake support account offering help or a message urging you to move your cryptocurrency to a ‘safe wallet’ could be an attempt to steal from you,” said Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN.

“Check updates through the Binance app or a website address you already trust. Avoid links in unsolicited messages, and never give anyone your password, verification codes or wallet recovery phrase. Pressure to act immediately should be a reason to pause and verify the request.”

“These steps can reduce the risk of someone taking over your account, but they cannot prevent a breach of the platform itself. Cryptocurrency firms typically have watertight cybersecurity, as they are digital-first businesses, so if one can be involved in the biggest hack in history, it shows just how lucrative a single flaw can be.”

• T-Mobile has rejected the idea of sharing its network with Starlink
• The company's CEO argues that satellite is an "inferior" technology to what T-Mobile currently uses
• Verizon and AT&T have also turned Starlink down

For all its lofty ambitions, Starlink Mobile doesn’t seem to be getting anywhere fast. SpaceX recently announced plans to build “the world’s most advanced mobile network” using its Starlink satellites, but satellites alone won’t cut it — the service also needs ground-based infrastructure and enough spectrum to power it, neither of which Starlink really has.

So its initial plan seemed to be to launch an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) by partnering with T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T and gaining access to their infrastructure.

However, all three of those names have rejected SpaceX’s proposition, with T-Mobile’s CEO, Srini Gopalan, recently going so far as to say in an earnings call (via WCCFTech) that "satellite is an inferior version of FWA with even more constraints in terms of things like what is the size of the beam."

No need for satellites

(Image credit: SpaceX)

FWA, or fixed wireless access, is what carriers often use to bring broadband to homes and other static locations in rural areas, combining a router with a 5G or 4G signal, rather than using fibre optic cables.

FWA exists in urban areas too, but it’s particularly useful where conventional broadband struggles. So, essentially, Gopalan is arguing that satellite connectivity is a worse option, even in many rural and hard-to-reach areas, than FWA.

On top of that, Gopalan claims that “two-thirds of our FWA customers come from dense urban areas. We see huge growth opportunities in those areas still, all under the fallow capacity model. So we don’t really see a synergistic opportunity with satellite providers.”

All of which could be a big problem for SpaceX, as it’s likely the company will have to rely primarily on its satellites for now. Though with its plans to launch 15,000 new satellites, lease 80,000 cell tower sites, and possibly install cellular base stations on existing Starlink dishes, it could still deliver a viable mobile network — and a threat to the big three — eventually.

I’ve been playing Final Fantasy Resonance for the past few weeks, and it is a delightful love letter to the Final Fantasy series — a beautiful turn-based role-playing game (RPG) that blends new and old across its gameplay and aesthetics to create an adventure I have adored every second of.

While it might have its roots in a now defunct mobile gacha game — Brave Exvius — don’t hold that against it. The only holdover is the core story. Everything else, from the gameplay to the wide world map to explore to the visual style, has been overhauled — the pay-to-play elements are gone too; all unlocks are completely free

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release date: October 26, 2026

The end result of this total rebuild is a classic-feeling RPG that is somehow just as at home among 2026’s gaming lineup as it would have been among one from decades ago.

There are some tweaks I’d make here and there: mostly to Visions, and to the story that’s a little predictable, but neither of these issues has sapped the joy from what is easily among the best Nintendo Switch 2 games I’ve played this year (it’s also releasing on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS5 and PC).

(Image credit: Square Enix)Back to basics

After spending decades finding ways to mix up the turn-based action it popularized, Final Fantasy Resonance returns the series to a much more classic interpretation of it. When it’s their turn to act your party and enemies get to make a basic Attack, spend MP to perform some kind of special Skill action like casting a spell, Summon a powerful esper to fight by their side, or use an item from the party’s bag — with the order characters go determined by their speed.

It facilitates a slower and more tactical approach to engaging enemies than the action-focused gameplay of more modern Final Fantasy entries, which pairs nicely with Resonance’s less traditional combat mechanic: Stagger.

Dealing enough damage to your foes that’s a flavour they’re weak to will fill their meter and Stagger them — they’ll lose their go that turn if they haven’t acted yet, will take more damage until the next round, and whoever staggered them will get a second action.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

If you Stagger every enemy at once, you enter a Sweeping Stagger — your whole party will get a second action, and you’ll be able to deliver a powerful Resonance attack. This sees one of your equipped Visions rush forward to deliver a cinematic finishing blow — showcased by a 3D cinematic that briefly takes you out of the game’s HD-2D style.

Resonance isn't just Final Fantasy meets Octopath Traveler. It might seem that way based on my description so far — seeing as it borrows Octopath’s visual identity and a core aspect of the series’ Break and Boost system

Best bit

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Exploring the game world to find secret items or hidden bosses always feels so rewarding. Especially later on, when you unlock the airship. There are several secrets I found out of pure curiosity, and it felt so fulfilling to be rewarded for hunting around.

But besides the nuances of Resonance’s Stagger system, which make it different from what Octopath offers, you’ll also find this game’s plot is quintessential Final Fantasy — more on that in a moment — and it takes a different approach with its Job / Class system through Visions. They feel more like weapons you swap in and out than a Class you’ll want to perfect and stick with.

Visions are (mostly) manifestations of the core Final Fantasy games’ protagonists which aid your party in combat: performing the Resonance attacks I mentioned earlier, but also unlocking a separate list of actions and abilities for the party member they’re equipped to. Most skills you’ll only have access to while the Vision is actively deployed, but there are also permanent unlocks to earn by mastering a Vision — letting you mix and match aspects of Visions on a single party member to craft your ideal champion.

As I mentioned, this will feel a lot like Jobs from other Square Enix titles, but because so much of a Vision’s identity is lost from your character when you unequip it — most permanent Mastery unlocks are more generic, yet still useful, abilities like improving stats — I’ve found it better to see Visions as Equipment. Before entering a tough fight, you might want to swap out your loadout to best suit the challenge ahead — such as equipping your party with water attack dealers when facing off against a fiery foe.

(Image credit: Square Enix)A medley or overstuffed buffet?

Taking everything I’ve said so far, you might fear Final Fantasy Resonance would turn out to be a mess.

It combines aspects of several games (Octopath Traveler, Brave Exvius, and classic Final Fantasy). It jumps between 3D and HD-2D visuals across different cinematics. There’s just over two dozen Visions to master, each their own skills to augment the base abilities your party develops. You can call forth powerful Summons to deal even more damage to your foes. There’s a giant map to explore, bursting with secrets to discover in every corner. There are main quests and side missions to complete over tens of hours, as well as secret boss fights and a coliseum to become the champion of.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

It’s a lot, yet Final Fantasy Resonance never felt like a mess.

Square Enix shows a mastery of the HD-2D art style. The world's environments are stunning, character sprites are expressive, and there are some amazing 2D spectacle across the game’s cutscenes and attack animations. The animatics feel fan-made in a good way — full of expression, and getting as much as possible from the medium.

The flashes of 3D work surprisingly well to augment special moments. Rather than feeling incongruous, the 3D Vision Resonance attack and Esper Summon cinematics give these abilities an appropriately otherworldly aspect.

Games which let you throw everything and the kitchen sink at your enemies have a habit of feeling too easy. However, playing on Expert difficulty, I found fights (especially boss fights) were a challenge — one I could overcome, but not without playing tactically. Button mashing and praying won’t save you here.

These different abilities also built up gradually over time. This let me get to grips with systems before some new aspect was thrown into the mix.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

And when the gameplay is so engaging, and the visuals so beautiful, I had no problem adventuring back and forth to complete side quests and seek out every secret hiding in the world.

Close to perfection

If I must find fault with Final Fantasy Resonance, it would be in two areas.

The first is that while I love a lot of the Visions system, it struggles for much of the mid-game because it focuses too much on the main Final Fantasy protagonists who are (let’s face it) pretty samey. This is showcased by the fact that the majority of them are classified as Commando or Breaker types.

The precise builds and abilities do change, but for example there aren’t many supportive Healers amongst them — meaning building out a dedicated support character in your party is a little tough at times as you’ll either need to stick with a Vision you’ve mastered, or accept your party will be multi-classing early on.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Given how useful some Mastery abilities are, you’ll want to multiclass to some extent (Tronn’s ability to halve MP costs is one you need to unlock for as many characters as possible as soon as possible), but given the game says the Vision system offers you the freedom to customize the party however you want, I was a little disappointed that the reality doesn’t quite match this.

Secondly, I’d say the plot is Final Fantasy in its purest form. There are crystals, war between ancient mystical powers and new age technology, sacrifice for the greater good, twists and turns that reveal secrets about the characters’ and the world’s past, and an awful lot else that is a little cliché.

The story is certainly good enough to keep me engaged; it's just nothing special.

Though as I’ve said, neither of these gripes kept me from adoring Final Fantasy Resonance. Every time I sat down to write this review I had to force myself to not reach over for my Nintendo Switch 2 to play another five minutes — and like any good game my attempts to set time limits on myself never succeeded in keeping my play sessions shorter than a few hours at a time.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

While it is available on several consoles and PC, my Nintendo Switch 2 has been superb. If you have a choice, this is where I’d recommend playing, as it runs so smoothly, it’s easy to chip away at quests while on the go, and you can still enjoy a beautiful big-picture experience when the handheld is docked.

Should you play Final Fantasy Resonance?Play it if…

You miss classic Final Fantasy
Resonance is the best Final Fantasy game I’ve played in years, in all the best ways. It feels both new and old and is sure to delight long-time fans of the series.

You love Octopath Traveller
There’s a lot of Octopath in this game, yet Resonance still feels unique enough to scratch the HD-2D itch without feeling samey.

You want a long, but not too long, RPG
Unlike some RPGs that can stretch into the hundreds of hours, most players will finish Resonance and its side quests somewhere between 30 and 50. Still long enough to sink your teeth into, but not have it take over your life.

Don’t play it if…

You hate turn-based combat
Not everyone enjoys the tactical ebb-and-flow of a turn-based RPG. If that’s you this game isn’t for you.

You hate exploration
While not as vast as an open-world game, Final Fantasy Resonance is full of hidden secrets to find across its overworld, and dungeons. If you prefer a more linear adventure you might not get as much out of this experience as you could.

You’re tired of cliché fantasy stories
The Final Fantasy Resonance story feels like an amalgamation of every FF game to come before. It’s not bad, but the twists and turns are frequently predictable which can disappoint gamers who love a good story.

Accessibility features

Besides the features built into your console of choice, Final Fantasy Resonance has no accessibility features baked into it.

However, as a turn-based RPG, gameplay can be as slow as you need. It doesn't matter if you take five seconds, five minutes, or five hours to lock in an action, and unlike games such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, there are no active parry or dodge mechanics that require precise timing on the player's part.

(Image credit: Square Enix)How I reviewed Final Fantasy Resonance

I reviewed Final Fantasy Resonance for around 30 hours on my Nintendo Switch 2. Predominantly, this was with base system hardware in handheld mode — plugging away on trips, my commute, and while relaxing on the couch — but I did experience the big-screen docked mode for several hours on my 4K Fire TV (relying on an 8BitDo Ultimate 2 controller for inputs).

In all modes, the game ran smoothly, and I never regretted my decision to play the game on the least powerful system it’s launching on.

First reviewed October 2026

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