These are some of the best gadgets that got our attention this year from wearables, smartphones, speakers, and more.
That time of the year has arrived when every one of us who is a dork or dweeb will likely be dreaming about the sweetest gadgets of the year while curled up in bed. This year has seen more chips, phones, tablets, and screens released that the Esquire Gadget Zone must narrow down to make your upgrade choice or holiday shopping easier. 2022 has been a rollercoaster, one minute we were still homebound the next we could go out or just partly.
On the tech side, things have also been going at full speed with never seen aggressive rivalries between big tech giants, some coming back into the good books others not so much, where does one even begin? The Esquire’s nerd patrol has that under control with a narrow down of some of the best techs of 2022, plus a look at some of the coolest and weirdest inventions of this year.
How were these star devices picked out of the gadget world? Was a rubric, score system, or talent portion used as determining factor? Or was it all done randomly? The answer is yes to all questions. Any gadget that was released or received a major update after the last 2021 Esquire Gadget Awards was viewed as a possible candidate for this year’s award.
Apart from that, we also considered a few features of the device such as cost, technical ability, Moxy, accessibility, and the unique ‘it’ factor that is chosen by several anonymous judges. (It’s only us after a few drinks). I spent some months throughout the year playing with new technology and having fun and if anything stood out among the rest, it got an award. Without wasting a lot of words, we hand you a list of the top headphones, TVs, phones, and laptops of 2022.
Best Smartphone
- Google Pixel Pro 7
($899 AT BEST BUY)
Google finally found its bearings in the smartphone world with the Pixel 6 which came with big improvements and integrations marking a major push for the tech giant. The Pixel 7 Pro is not as a big jump as the Pixel 6 Pro was, but it is a great improvement to everything that the Pixel 6 offered. It stands out as the best-looking smartphone out there and that is a plus.
The smartphone is available in three colors, the customary black and white, and a classy mixed-color combo that we don’t usually see on the phone market. Let’s also not forget the Material You Design system that the Pixel 7 comes with which permits more customization options. Google’s main support features are also part of the package like Google Lens (with the best telephoto lens, incredible zooming potential, and a perfect mode for night photos) all running on an Android 13 OS system. If you are looking for a better time to break away from Apple it is now.
Best Affordable Smartphone
- Google Pixel 6a
33% Off Now
($299 AT BEST BUY)
($410 AT WALMART)
The 6a is among the cheapest smartphones on the market but still holds ground as a beautiful Google OS and Google-built smartphone. The phone has all the best features from our 2021 phone of the year essentials- built-in Google Lens, Material You, and customizing options for the price of $400. The price tag completes the victory package in my books.
Best Innovative Smartphone
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
($1,000 AT SAMSUNG)
With lookalike screens flooding the phone market, Samsung went a different route with its latest affordable gadget. The phone folds to fit within your palm and it’s safe to say this design is a new wave of coolness from Samsung (we needed an awakening).
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is powerful like an iPhone so can be used as the main phone or not depending on how you feel about size. Even when not fully loaded or expanded, the phone is still amazingly powerful with everything working seamlessly (tried the 120-degree angle and loved it). What came as a surprise though is the new level of technology adds that Samsung has thrown into the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Like how you can capture selfies from the cover screen and how even when the two-inch sized screen is folded you can still do amazing stuff.
Best Laser TV
- AWOL Laser TV
Now 20%
($2,799 AT AMAZON)
We are in an age where TVs that are not TVs are exactly what we call TVs now. If you are lost I was too. The thing is as much as we all love TVs they take too much space and kill our skills at interior decorating hence the Samsung Frame or projector but only a few of these can beat a Laser TV. Laser TVs work under a screen as a high-quality projector and the AWOL is one of the best with lively, crisp, 4K, and light-proof abilities. You can get a transformable TV room in front of your gallery wall by styling the AWOL with a retractable screen or if you fancy big TV (120inc) without having to think of space and weight the AWOL is the best option. Throw away your TV and get a TV.
Best Gaming
- Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld Console
($350 AT AMAZON)
($350 AT MICROSOFT)
If you thought we have enough cloud handhelds out here from the Xbox, Switch, Razor, or the Steam deck you probably were surprised as I was with the Logitech Cloud system. You can nearly stream any game including those on Steam Link, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and a lot more on this console. For a streaming device, it works absolutely perfectly, it’s easy to hold and ergonomic, and when compared to other handhelds the Logitech is smaller and is considered accessible. With access to a huge selection of games at just $350, the Logitech is reasonably affordable.
