Tech Advisorの May 2025 の目次

Apple has introduced its latest iPhone, and it’s a huge shake-up to the iPhone line-up. It’s not an update to the £429 iPhone SE, which was last updated three years ago. Instead, it’s a new iPhone 16 model, the iPhone 16e, which comes in one size and shaves £200 off the starting price. It’s a huge leap up in capabilities over the old third-generation iPhone SE, but also a big step up in price. Now, the iPhone SE has been eliminated from the iPhone line-up, as have a number of older models. Apple no longer sells a ‘budget’ phone, just a less-expensive version of the current model. AN iPHONE 16 BY ANY OTHER NAME The new 16e has more in common with Apple’s latest iPhone 16 than with prior models.…

Several users are now reporting online that their Google Pixel phones have had an unexpected haptic feedback downgrade with weaker than usual vibrations. Users describe the vibration for both notifications and calls as more ‘hollow’ and that it is generally perceived as less strong. It is currently unclear whether the change is due to a bug or a deliberate design choice. Google itself has not commented on the matter. Also, in 2022, Google Pixel 6 users experienced a weaker vibration in their handsets. In that case, the vibration was restored to the normal strength a couple of months later.…

As we’ve come to expect, Samsung kicked off 2025 with a bang with the launch of its Galaxy S25 series of flagship phones. Or at least, it should have done. The Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra are all extremely similar to their predecessors, with Samsung opting for the bare minimum when it comes to upgrades. Understandably, many people are disappointed with the company’s apparent lack of ambition. But if you’re seriously considering the Galaxy S25+, you probably don’t already own the Galaxy S24+. (If you do, we can tell you right now: don’t waste your money on the new phone.) Instead, you’re likely to own a phone that’s at least three or four generations old, making the S25+ a much more significant step up. But when you’re paying at…

The Fire HD series has been a recurring and dependable fixture on the Android tablet scene ever since Amazon released its first model back in October 2012. Not much has actually changed since then, with each subsequent update of the tablet introducing very incremental improvements, such as a little more RAM, a few more megapixels and several changes in display size and dimensions. It’s a similar story with the latest iteration of the Fire HD 8, which (still) in its 12th generation has taken some of the specs of the now-discontinued HD 8 Plus while retaining pretty much everything else you’d expect from the series. And to be fair, there’s something reassuring about the consistency with which Amazon keeps to its tried-and-tested formula. It enables the retail giant to keep…

Getting a new phone is an exciting experience, but setting it up can sometimes be daunting, especially with so many features and options available. Don’t worry though – most Android phones will guide you step-by-step through the set-up process. Due to the interfaces that various manufacturers add, the experience may differ slightly, depending on the brand of your device and which version of Android it is running. They are all very similar though, so the instructions below should still be relevant for most of the steps. For this tutorial, we’re using Android running on a Google Pixel phone. 1. SELECT A LANGUAGE First of all your phone will ask you to select a language. This will display throughout the set-up process and all the phone’s menus, so pick the right…

Apple has released no fewer than 10 models of its regular iPad since the tablet’s initial launch in 2010. While the mini, Air and Pro models tend to get the most attention, there’s no sign of Apple ditching its standard model any time soon. Indeed, Apple has quietly updated its entry-level iPad in 2025, equipping it with the A16 Bionic chip for improved performance and efficiency. But does the new generation introduce any other changes? Here’s everything Apple has unveiled about the new entry-level iPad. RELEASE DATE Apple’s new iPad is available to buy now. PRICE The new iPad starts at £329 for the Wi-Fi model and £479 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version. Education savings offer further discounts, bringing the base model down to £309. Storage options have also…

Google has announced that it’s bringing its powerful AI Overviews to even more smartphone and web users, courtesy of Gemini 2.0. Google rolled out its Gemini 2.0 AI model about a month ago now, promising “advances in multi-modality” such as “native image and audio output”. Now the improvements brought about by Gemini 2.0 have started contributing to even better Google Search results for more people. AI OVERVIEWS GET SUPERCHARGED In a recent blog post (tinyurl.com/4tu5e4yj), Google announced that it had launched Gemini 2.0 for AI Overviews in the US. Google says you can expect faster and higher quality responses with more difficult questions involving coding, advanced mathematics and multi-modal queries. Crucially, you’ll find that Google provides its snappy AI Overviews more often for these types of queries. Google says these…

Xiaomi’s top-of-the-line smartphone once again gets a global launch and the 15 Ultra claims to be the pinnacle of mobile photography. It has a lot to live up to following the excellent Xiaomi 14 Ultra, as well as strong competition from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. Like many 2025 flagships, it’s not an overhaul in any way compared to its predecessor, but the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is one of the best phones you can buy, and not just in terms of photography – and whether you decide to buy the optional Photography Kit, which is its superpower. These refinements on an already brilliant phone come at the same price, £1,299 with double the storage by default than key rivals. DESIGN On…

The OnePlus Watch 3 has a tough act to follow after the Watch 2 showed that OnePlus was serious about making a good Wear OS smartwatch to rival the Google Pixel Watch 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. We got a smartwatch that has helped to redefine expectations of what battery life should and can be on a Google-based smartwatch, all while delivering that Wear software in a mostly pleasing fashion. For the OnePlus Watch 3, it’s about bringing the smartwatch more in line with Apple, Samsung and Google, adding serious health monitoring features as it pushes that battery life a bit further. That’s exactly what it’s achieved, making the latest OnePlus Watch 3 an even more accomplished smartwatch. DESIGN The design language and approach in general to the…

The iPad Air is one of the most popular tablets on the market, offering a perfect balance of power, portability, and price. With Apple’s track record of rolling out significant improvements with each new model, the seventh generation iPad Air was highly anticipated. The wait is finally over as Apple has quietly launched the latest iPad Air, bringing a powerful M3 chip and an updated Magic Keyboard. Even without a grand event, the announcement marks a significant upgrade to the iPad Air line, promising better performance compared to the iPad Air (2024). RELEASE DATE The new iPad Air is available to buy now. PRICE Apple has maintained its pricing structure for the new iPad Air. The 11-inch model starts at £599, while the 13-inch option starts at £799. Pricing for…

Another year, another trip to Barcelona to wade through seas of suited executives to find exciting products at MWC25. Mobile World Congress is the most exciting tech trade show for us at Tech Advisor. It’s where all the latest and greatest smartphones, tablets, wearables and more launch and get shown off ahead of hitting the shelves. As usual, we have a team of editors on the show floor searching for the best and most innovative devices. We’ve seen it all and carefully selected what is worthy of our coveted ‘Best in Show’ award. 1. XIAOMI 15 ULTRA It’s more of an iterative upgrade this year but that’s the overall trend for 2025 and Xiaomi has made some nice upgrades to the 15 Ultra. An upgrade to the Snapdragon 8 Elite…

It took a few years to arrive, but Apple finally updated the iPad mini late in 2024. While it might be a niche size, the iPad mini makes for a perfect tablet for many users. This latest model, the iPad mini (7th gen) as it’s commonly known, arrives with a nearly identical design to its predecessor and a very Apple asking price starting at £499. So why buy the new iPad mini? Well, it’s arguably the most powerful small tablet money can buy with Apple’s A17 Pro chipset but let’s see what else it has to offer. DESIGN As mentioned at the top, the latest iPad mini (7th gen) looks almost identical in its design to the 2021 model. In fact, it comes in the exact same chassis, so you’ll…

Need a new phone? You’ve come to the right place. With new handsets launching left, right and centre, it can be difficult to keep track of what’s worth buying. Your decision is easier if you want an iPhone – Apple only releases a few handsets each year, meaning your options are relatively limited. Your choice of Samsung Galaxy phones is more widespread, though it makes things simpler if you’re set on Samsung. But what if you’re considering any phone, including all Android phones? Your decision gets a lot more difficult, which is where this guide comes in. We review every phone that’s worth buying – that’s over a hundred every year – but only the absolute best make the grade here. If you’re looking for something more affordable, see our…