We're somehow more than halfway through 2020 and well, it's been a wild ride. While I thought the coronavirus outbreak would slow down product releases, it was actually the opposite. Let's just say there was no shortage of devices. In fact, I'm still working through a backlog of gadgets to review.
But if there's anything this pandemic helped to solidify, it's that technology is crucial in helping us stay connected, especially when sheltering in place for months at a time.
And a lot of the new products that have launched over the last six months have been essential for the lockdown lifestyle. The Fitbit Charge 4 can help with those quarantine workouts. And the Magic Keyboard case makes working from home a lot more bearable.
Here's a list of the best nine products of the year (so far).
9. Magic Keyboard Case for iPad Pro
The Magic Keyboard case for the iPad Pro is the closest you'll get to transforming the tablet into a laptop. With a compact and sleek design, it's comfortable to use on a daily basis and travel friendly.
As you can tell by the name, it features Apple's redesigned Magic Keyboard with a scissor-switch mechanism that's super comfortable to type on. There's also a built-in touchpad, which allows you to take advantage of the trackpad features in iPadOS 13.4.
With a starting price of $299 (for the 11-inch iPad Pro), it's an expensive investment, but certainly a worthy one.
8. OnePlus 8 Pro
At $899, the OnePlus 8 Pro is the most expensive flagship phone the company has ever launched. But it's also the best smartphone from a major manufacturer for under $1,000, and a great alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus and iPhone 11 Pro.
It packs the latest Snapdragon 865 chipset, support for 5G, and a stunning 6.7-inch display (complete with 120Hz). That's in addition to the two 48-megapixel sensors and 16-megapixel selfie camera — all of which produce impressive, high-resolution photos. As the cherry on top, its 4,510mAh battery also will power you through the entire day.
7. Microsoft Headphones 2
The Microsoft Headphones 2 aren't the most aesthetically pleasing. We've actually made it known they're "significantly uglier" than competitors like the stunning Marshall Monitor II headphones and the "futuristic-looking" Bose NC 700s. But it's more what's on the inside that matters here.
Microsoft's latest headphones have excellent sound and noise cancellation (with controls for exactly how much ambient noise you want to let in), along with a long-lasting battery. I'd typically say they're a perfect office companion but during these times, they're also a great choice to drown out sound while working from home.
This audio superstar's $249 price tag is also $100 less than its predecessor. Microsoft saved you some money, too.
6. Fitbit Charge 4
It took many years and iterations, but Fitbit finally released a fitness tracker with built-in GPS. Not only can you leave your phone at home to track mileage, but you can also rest assured your distance will be tracked far more accurately. Even with the new feature, Fitbit didn't sacrifice the size or battery life of its device. It's lightweight and comfortable throughout workouts and doesn't require charging every night.
While I do have my qualms with the lack of built-in music storage, the addition of GPS was the one thing the Charge lineup was truly missing to make it the ideal fitness tracker. And, at $149, it's currently the best fitness tracker you can buy without breaking the bank.
5. Dyson Corrale hair straightener
Hair straighteners have certainly improved over the years, but only incrementally — with different types of metal plates and the ability to cycle through different temperatures. Enter the Dyson Corrale, with its cordless straightener complete with copper "flexing" plates.
Essentially, the straightener conforms to the strands of your hair while keeping the pieces locked in between the plates. This not only reduces the amount of time you spend straightening your hair but the amount of heat you're exposing it to.
But at $500, it's over twice the amount you'd pay for another high-end straightener on the market. Believe me, I am cringing as I type this but if you're the type to straighten your hair on a daily basis, then it's a necessary investment to keep from damaging your hair more than you probably already have.
4. MacBook Air (2020)
This year's MacBook Air comes with all the necessary changes: the aforementioned Magic Keyboard, the latest 10th-generation Intel Core i3 or i5 processor, and double the base storage — with a fairly affordable starting price of $999.
Even with these upgrades, Apple still made sure to keep the best parts of last year's version by including a Retina display with True Tone, a Touch ID button, and the slim, lightweight form factor.
So, while it took some time, it's safe to say the company really got it just right with this version.
3. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
While my 24 hours with the Galaxy Z Flip were heavenly, the phone didn't make this list based on specs and usage. It's more so because its design has set a precedent for all foldable phones to come.
Following the dumpster fire that was the new Motorola Razr, the Z Flip swooped in and proved the clamshell design can still be functional with a touchscreen foldable display. In addition to its stunning design, the free-standing hinge allows the phone to adapt to whatever you're doing whether it's scrolling through social media or video chatting.
Given that it's only the first-generation version, I wouldn't recommend dropping $1,500 on it quite yet. But with time, the Z Flip could very likely be worth the high price.
2. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
The Galaxy S20 Ultra is a monstrosity of a phone all around. It's way too big and feels too fragile to operate on a daily basis, but it that doesn't mean it's not impressive. Aside from the massive 5,000mAh battery and 6.9-inch display, the main appeal is its 108-megapixel camera sensor that's capable of 100x zoom.
At $1,399, it's certainly not for everyone but it's an excellent phone for the ultimate content creators. In addition to the insane camera and zoom capabilities, with stunning photos to match, it can also shoot in 8k. Lastly, its super steady function (which has been improved to cancel out sways up to 60 degrees in either direction) while recording video will make your footage look like it's straight out of a movie.
1. iPhone SE (2020)
The new iPhone SE is my favorite smartphone released so far in 2020. After four years, the company brought back its beloved compact and affordable smartphone in a major way.
For starters, it packs the same A13 as Apple's flagship iPhone 11 Pro lineup and all-day battery life. On the back is also a very capable 12-megapixel camera that takes excellent shots in both standard and Portrait mode.
But even with a starting price of $399 (and a Touch ID button), it still has a very premium feel to it that makes you forget you're even holding a "budget" phone in your hands. It's a refreshing, albeit basic option amongst the intricate and pricey smartphones currently on the market.
Of course, we still have another six months to go in 2020. And, while I'm slightly terrified of what that means for the world as a whole, I'm excited to see all the new products it'll have to offer.
