For technology, 2024 was the year of vacuum cleaners, whether robots or not. Never seen so many home products at specialized fairs, with IFA in Berlin which seemed to have become a huge megastore for the smart home. While TVs are marking time trying to relaunch themselves with screens that exceed 100 inches (and LG is also focusing on transparent displays), smartphones have emerged from the depression of six quarters of negative sales thanks to artificial intelligence, a trend which heralds the arrival of increasingly personal assistants on the phone. In practice: AI Agents will have everything contained in a user’s device in their hands in real time, so each smartphone will be truly unique.
In the meantime, here is our very personal ranking of the year, without giving rankings: in short, the 10 things that struck us. Ranging across everything tech has done and asking for forgiveness from the inevitable excluded.
Motorola edge 50 neo
The excellent work done in recent years has brought the brand, now owned by Lenovo, back to achieving double-digit market shares in Italy. The collaboration with Pantone makes the devices colorful and unique, and if the frontman is the foldable razr 50 ultra, the edge 50 neo model deserves a special mention: light, with a nice display, a super camera, a recognizable design. And all this for a price of just over 400 euros.
Huawei Watch GT 5
While waiting to relaunch itself in Europe on the smartphone market, Huawei has focused on the smartwatch market. The result is having surpassed Apple and Samsung in shipments, if we consider global numbers. The results have arrived here too, first with the Watch Fit 3, more sporty and economical, and then with the top of the range GT 5, enhanced by new fitness and health sensors and with a real (and luxury) watch design ). It also works with iPhone and Android smartphones, has up to 14 hours of battery and has a version dedicated to golfers.
Apple iPad Mini
For Apple it has been a year of announcements, especially regarding artificial intelligence. The iPhone 16 has innovated little compared to the 15 (while obviously remaining the most desired among the top of the range, especially the 16 Pro Max), the Macs have increasingly powerful chips, the Vision Pro remains for now, as well as a viewer, a future vision. And so, going back a little, the new version of the iPad Mini has revived a project that seemed abandoned. The format and use of the digital pen gave it a new life. Which seems convincing to us.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Arriving as always at the beginning of the year, the S24 series brought a preview of some Google AI functions which then also appeared on the Pixels. And therefore the “Circle and search” which immediately takes you from the image to the search engine to find out what you are looking at, up to the translation of a phone call in real time. A little cumbersome at first, but with development that led to more fluid use. Obviously, given that these features have gradually appeared on other Android smartphones, it’s not just these: the Galaxy S24 Ultra is – precisely – ultra in performance, display and camera. And the S25 is coming soon.
OPPO Reno 12
Those who love to have fun with photos have found something for themselves in what has been defined as an AI Phone. And in fact OPPO’s Reno line, in addition to being very popular with so-called creators, offers a series of even nice functions to create beautiful and extravagant images. With the gem of being able to open the eyes of those who kept them closed at the moment of the click. If we then add to this an Oled display, the product deserves a full rating.
Xgimi MOGO 3 Pro
If TVs struggle a bit, projectors have found space in homes and even outside. For example, MoGo 3 Pro mixes design, functionality and portability in just 1.1 kg. The product is light and compact and offers intelligent functions combined with cinematographic images and sounds (surround). The USB Type-C port allows you to power it with a power bank for on-the-go use. And the high-quality LED light source with a brightness of 450 ISO lumens guarantees sharp images up to a 120-inch screen. Even outdoors.
Sony ULT Power Sound Wear
Specialist in high quality audio products, Sony launched the Ult Power Sound line in 2024, designed primarily for a gaming audience and with a sound power full of ultra-defined details even at the highest volumes. The Wear wireless headphones, in addition to 3 design colors, offer noise cancellation and multi-device connection. As they say, everything “for the music”.
Logitech Ultimate Ears Miniroll
Speaking of music, the Logitech speaker line has expanded to this model which weighs only 279 grams but has incredible power. Suitable for taking out for a walk, it is waterproof, dustproof and shockproof. It features advanced technology with a custom driver, bass radiators and extensive equalizer adjustment. Thanks to Auracast technology, you can connect an unlimited number of them for parties, thanks to a Bluetooth range of 40 meters and up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Roborock Qrevo MaxV
Robot vacuum cleaners may all look the same, but some are less equal than others. For example, Qrevo MaxV stands out for its solid design and a charging base, the robot equipped with advanced functions such as washing clothes with hot water up to 60°C, drying with hot air and automatic emptying of the dust tank. The robot’s mops are capable of rotating up to 200 revolutions per minute and can rise up one centimeter to adapt to different surfaces, such as carpets and hard floors. Note the advanced system composed of LiDAR and Reactive AI sensors: the result is that the product bypasses up to 62 different objects including pets, and can also be used as video surveillance with two-way audio.
Netatmo Omajin Wireless Video Camera
What do you want from a camera to monitor your home? It is simple to install and has excellent definition. This is the case of the wireless video camera from the Omajin line, Netatmo’s most pop.
It has a modern design, records videos in high definition, distinguishes between people, animals and objects to send targeted notifications, has an SD card included in the package and is equipped with two-way audio. And without wires it looks good on everything.