The wait is over. After months of rigorous testing, fierce debate, and in-depth analysis, the results for the TechRadar Choice Awards 2025 are finally in. This is our definitive list of the most innovative, powerful, and game-changing products that have defined the last 12 months.
These awards celebrate the pinnacle of achievement in consumer technology. From the smartphone in your pocket to the graphics card powering your games, we honor the devices that have pushed boundaries and set new standards.
So, let’s dive into the winners and meet the best tech of the last year.
Phone of the Year: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
In the most competitive category of all, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra stands tall as the champion. While contenders like the iPhone 16 Pro were formidable, Samsung’s forward-thinking approach to artificial intelligence gave it the winning edge.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is more than just a smartphone; it’s a complete creative and productivity suite. Its triumph is built on a few key pillars:
- AI-Powered Camera: A new “AI-Isocell” sensor delivers breathtaking low-light photography and real-time video editing capabilities that feel truly next-gen.
- Display Excellence: The Dynamic AMOLED 3X display is brighter, smarter, and more power-efficient than ever before, making everything look stunning.
- True All-Day Battery: We found its battery life genuinely lasts two full days of heavy use, a rare feat for a flagship device.
It’s a device that didn’t just meet our expectations—it redefined them, making it the best phone of 2025.
[Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review for an in-depth look]
Laptop of the Year: Apple MacBook Air (M4)
How do you improve on an industry icon? Apple provided a masterclass with the M4-powered MacBook Air. This year, the line between the ‘Air’ and ‘Pro’ models has never been more blurred.
The new M4 chip offers a monumental leap in performance, handling demanding tasks like 4K video editing and coding with silent, fanless efficiency. But the biggest upgrade is the long-awaited ProMotion XDR display. This brings an incredibly smooth, fluid, and vibrant viewing experience to the Air lineup for the first time.
For its unmatched combination of raw power, extreme portability, and phenomenal battery life, the MacBook Air (M4) is the undisputed king of laptops and the clear winner.
[See why it topped our list in the full Apple MacBook Air (M4) review]
Gaming Innovation of the Year: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080
PC gamers, this one’s for you. The award for Gaming Innovation goes to a component that redefines digital immersion: the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080.
This graphics card is the engine that will power the next generation of gaming. Thanks to its second-generation ray tracing cores and the groundbreaking DLSS 4.0 technology, the RTX 5080 makes playing the latest AAA titles in 4K at over 120fps a seamless reality. Virtual worlds are more photorealistic and immersive than ever before. While it’s a significant investment, its performance is simply peerless.
Smart Home Gadget of the Year: Aura Home Hub
The smart home category was revolutionized this year by a truly intelligent device: the Aura Home Hub. Moving far beyond simple voice commands, Aura uses ambient AI to learn your household’s routines and proactively manage your environment.
It anticipates your needs—adjusting lighting based on the time of day, optimizing your thermostat to save energy, and even integrating with smart appliances to suggest recipes. It’s the first smart hub that feels less like a tool you command and more like an invisible, helpful assistant, making it a worthy winner of our best tech award for the home.
More TechRadar Choice Awards 2025 Winners
Here’s a quick rundown of the other category leaders that represent the best tech of the year:
- TV of the Year: Sony Bravia 9, for its revolutionary Quantum Dot-OLED panel that delivered the best picture quality we’ve ever seen.
- Wearable of the Year: Google Pixel Watch 3, thanks to its suite of advanced health sensors and truly seamless software integration with the Android ecosystem.
- Audio Product of the Year: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which set a new, almost impossibly high standard for active noise cancellation.
These award-winning products aren’t just gadgets; they are signposts for the future of technology—a future defined by smarter AI, greater efficiency, and seamless integration into our lives.
