Apple has already announced several new devices in 2026 and we’re busy reviewing them all. In this installment of our bi-weekly roundup, we look at the “regular” Galaxy S26 and the Dell
apple macbook neo
Apple
- $599!
- premium design
- amazingly bright screen
- good performance
- Excellent keyboard and trackpad
- only 8GB RAM
- With up to 512GB storage
- Only two USB-C ports
The highlight of Apple’s initial device flood was the $599 MacBook Neo. The company is finally giving us what we’ve been asking for: a low-cost Mac laptop that’s good enough for most people. Senior journalist Devindra Hardawar said, “This is a $599 computer that can handle basic workloads well, yet it looks like one of the company’s most expensive notebooks.” “Most importantly, it offers more speed, a brighter screen, and an overall better user experience than any competing $600 Windows PC.”
apple iphone 17e
apple/engadget
The iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills way into the Apple ecosystem.
- better portrait photography
- MagSafe and fast wireless charging are welcome
- A19 is a powerful processor
- brand new pink
- The display is out of date
- Single camera setup is limited
The MacBook Neo wasn’t the only affordable device Apple announced recently. The company also launched the iPhone 17e, which also costs $599 and offers an affordable option for iOS devotees. “The name ‘iPhone’ carries its own premium, and the iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills way into the Apple ecosystem,” said managing editor Cherlyn Low.
The rest of the new Apple gear
The remainder of new Apple devices were primarily chip upgrades. The company added the M4 to the iPad Air, which deputy editor Nathan Ingraham still argues is the best Apple tablet overall. Apple also put the M5 chip inside the MacBook Air and the M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon in the MacBook Pro. Our staff says both of those laptops are among the best options in their respective categories.
We also tested Apple’s claims on Studio Display XDR, where we found that the higher price may be suitable for professionals who require supreme color accuracy and high brightness.
Samsung Galaxy S26
Samsung/Ngadget
Samsung’s smallest flagship phone is a solid and secure addition to the Galaxy series. However, it remains very similar to its predecessors.
- big battery
- A flagship phone that isn’t too big
- More AI assistant options
- Same as last year’s S25
- cameras can be improved
- entanglement integration is limited
The Galaxy S26 Ultra may be getting the most attention so far in Samsung’s 2026 lineup, but the “regular” S26 is capable in its own right. However, now it is time for a major update on this model. “There’s nothing wrong with this safe, solid Android phone, but you can pick up last year’s S25 and get 99 percent the same experience for $99 less,” said UK bureau chief Matt Smith.
Dell XPS 16 (2026)
dell/engadget
The XPS 16 has almost everything you could want from a premium 16-inch productivity laptop and is a worthy flag bearer for one of the most iconic notebook series of all time.
- perfect design
- full performance
- Beautiful OLED display
- solid battery life
- a little expensive
- keyboard needs tuning
- no sd card reader
Dell did a 180 after killing its XPS brand last year. Enter the XPS 16. Thankfully, the first devices after the failure show an expected return to form, albeit with a problem. Senior journalist Sam Rutherford said, “My one complaint is that I wish Dell would bring back the chiclet-style keyboard found in early 2020 models.” “However as long as the company can release updated software to fix the lingering problems I encountered, what’s out there is good enough.”
But wait, there’s more
If portable projectors are more your speed, reporter Steve Dent put the Soundcore Nebula P1i through its paces. Matt also spent some time with the Nothing Phone 4A Pro, which is undoubtedly the most uniquely designed handset we’ve tested this year. Finally, Sam used an upgraded version of Belkin’s Switch 2 Charging Case to keep his gaming handheld protected and topped up in transit.
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