Christmas is fast approaching, and with it comes the usual gift anxiety. What do you get someone who has everything? Will the budget stretch? And how do you buy something that lasts rather than adding to the growing pile of discarded products?
If you haven’t already picked out the tech gifts for under the tree, we have some suggestions to get you started.
Under €100
Tile Pro
€40
When it comes to bang for your buck, Tile’s Bluetooth tags certainly earn their price tag. You can attach the Tile to your keys, bag, or even the dog if you feel so inclined.
It has a range of up to 500ft, so you can ping it from your phone if you need to find your lost item and then simply follow the sound to trace it. Outside that range, you can tap into the power of the Tile network, marking your item as lost and letting other Tile users eventually pinpoint its location.
It works with both Android and iOS devices, and can also be used to locate your phone, even if your device is in silent mode. Plus it has a replaceable battery – unlike the Tile Mate – so you don’t have to bin the entire tracker when it eventually runs out,
Other options for the around the same price are the Apple AirTag (€34), the Chipolo One (€25) and the Samsung Smart Tag 2 (€45)
Amazon Echo Pop
€60
“Alexa, play some Christmas carols.” If you know someone who might like to order a digital assistant around for a while, the Amazon Echo Pop is a good place to start. The compact Bluetooth smart speaker is designed for audio in smaller spaces, so you can put it in a bedroom or study for music, podcasts, audio books or even just as a white noise machine to help you sleep. It links in with the Alexa ecosystem too so you can control smart plugs and other connected compatible devices in the home. Now if only Alexa could manage the Christmas clear-up ...
Nokia 3210
€80
The Nokia 3210 has a lot of nostalgia value, and the updated version doesn’t disappoint. The device is the antidote to the modern smartphone, dumping the unnecessary apps and features for something that does the basics: texting, calling, even a few games. And yes, Snake is back.
The new version also has a built-in camera, although at 2 megapixels, you won’t be creating masterpieces. And it has an internet connection, so you can access some online services – just not the multitude we have become used to having at our fingertips.
€250 and under
Fuijifilm Instax Mini Link 3 photo printer
€130
Fujifilm has made the instant camera market its own in recent years, with the Instax range of devices. But don’t forget about the photo printers. The new Instax Mini Link 3 is designed to go on the move with you, with a compact design and a rechargeable battery that lasts longer than your photo sessions should.
It connects to your phone through the Instax app, allowing you to customise photos before you print. It also works with Fujifilm’s impossibly tiny (and cute) Instax Pal camera. And it’s available in three colours.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
€249
Google’s earbuds have been given a bit of a makeover. Smaller and lighter than before, the buds come in new colours (including pink) and have a new twist-to-adjust stabiliser that keeps them put when you are exercising. They have active noise cancellation and link in with Google’s Gemini AI assistant on phones so you can ask for help hands-free.
Kindle Paperwhite
€205
While the pricier Kindle Scribe doubles up as an e-ink notebook, the Kindle Paperwhite is still the favourite around here. That is generally because it is more portable for a start, with a 7in screen, and the backlight can switch from white to a more amber tone for night-time reading. You get about 12 weeks out of a single charge too, which should give you ample time to work your way through your holiday reading list. It is also water resistant, which the basic, cheaper Kindle is not.
Cricut Joy Xtra
€250
Creative people will love the Cricut Joy Xtra, a digital cutting device that helps level up your crafting sessions. It can help you create greetings cards, cut vinyl for personalising items and make your own, with settings built into the software so you don’t have to guess what you are doing. It works over Bluetooth, communicating with the Design Space software on either your phone, tablet or laptop. It’s easy to get started with too, so this time next year, everyone can have their very own personalised Christmas jumper. Whether they like it or not.
€500 and under
AirPods Pro 2
€279
Apple’s in-ear buds not only come with active noise cancelling and great audio, they now include a new feature: the ability to use them as hearing aids of sorts. The Hearing Health feature is a software upgrade that allows you to take a hearing test at home, and then use the AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid to boost frequencies, while its machine learning capabilities will adjust to the ambient noise level.
They will also help protect your hearing; in transparency mode, the H2 chip inside the buds will actively reduce louder and intermittent noise.
Oura Ring 4
€399
Step aside smartwatches: when it comes to subtle, Oura has been doing smart rings for a while and is now on to generation four of the device. This one is sleeker, made of titanium to keep it lightweight and with recessed sensors so the inside is bump-free. Those sensors give you insights into sleep, activity, stress, heart health and so on, so you can go about your daily business and drop into the Oura app occasionally to see what your body is desperately trying to tell you.
The new ring also comes with what Oura promises are smart sensing capabilities, so it will adapt to your finger and make sure you get the best signal, and the whole thing lasts about a week out of a full charge.
Nintendo Switch OLED
€365
You can’t beat a bit of Super Mario and, with the Nintendo Switch, you can take Mario and Luigi on the move or hook the console up to your TV for larger screen action. The Oled version of the console may cost a little more than the standard Switch, but for that you get a high-quality screen when you need to relinquish control of the TV. The 7in screen is vibrant, so gaming looks great, and the speakers are better. There’s an adjustable stand too, so you can play it in tabletop mode. The console also comes with 64GB of storage internally.
Dyson Airstrait
€449
Dyson may be well known for its vacuum cleaners but it also does a decent line in haircare products. The AirStrait is its version of a wet-to-dry hair straightener, using hot air to dry your hair as you clamp it between the plates to smooth it out, and technology to make sure the heat damage is kept to a minimum.
For those who struggle with their hair, this will seem like a bargain; for those who don’t, it will be excessive. Either way, this is firmly in luxury territory.
€500+
PlayStation 5 Pro
€800
Remember a few years ago when you couldn’t get hold of a PS5 unless you were willing to stake out every retailer in Ireland and promise your firstborn in exchange? Now there are not only plenty of the original consoles around, but an updated version too – the PlayStation 5 Pro.
With more powerful than the original PS5, the Pro offers an upgraded graphics chip and new technology that delivers advanced graphics. It also comes with 2TB of storage and supports wifi 7. It doesn’t include a disc drive though, so factor in that as extra if you want to play physical games.
Samsung Tab S10+
Apple’s iPad Pro may be a popular choice for tablets but if you would rather go Android, what are your options? The Samsung Galaxy Tab range has established itself as a premium alternative in the Android space, and the new S10+ is no exception. The 10.5in screen is perfect for both work and entertainment, while the support for the S Pen puts it in productivity powerhouse territory. Like all Samsung’s new devices, it supports Galaxy AI too.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
€899
Apple’s competitor for Garmin’s rugged tech has a lot of decent features, from the bigger screen inside the 49mm case and more capable battery to the customisable shortcut button and its ability to be used for diving to depths of up to 40m. The screen is brighter than its predecessor too, and it can help track down your other Apple items when you have misplaced them.
Victrola Stream Sapphire
€1,400
If you want to push the boat out, the Victrola Stream Sapphire is an option for vinyl fans who don’t mind a high-tech upgrade. The turntable will not only connect to speakers via a cable for a traditional wired set-up, but will also effortlessly slot into your home’s Sonos system – assuming you have one. The record player will stream its vinyl output to your Sonos speakers throughout your home, so you can bring your favourite music to every room. And it looks good too, which never hurts.
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