Ultimate Christmas tech wishlist

Numerous excellent tech products launched in 2024, including smartphones, smartwatches, and gaming equipment, could make ideal Christmas gifts.

Tech devices can be a great source of entertainment and can improve people’s quality of life, two key qualities of a great present.

The world’s tech giants — including Apple, Huawei, and Samsung — rolled out regular annual updates of their most popular products. Some of these came with iterative but highly welcomed improvements.

Others featured more substantial changes, like Huawei’s Mate XT, the world’s first triple-folding phone display.

The year was particularly kind to gamers, with some very powerful hardware hitting the market.

Among the most anticipated launches of the year was Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro.

The mid-generation refreshed console offers a GPU with 67% more compute units and 28% faster memory than the regular PS5. It also packs more than double the storage with a 2TB capacity.

Sony has punted the Pro’s improved ray-tracing support, new AI upscaling tech, and the ability to play more titles at 60 frames per second with a resolution of 4K as its standout features.

Several new portable gaming PCs, including the impressive Asus ROG Ally X, also rolled out.

MyBroadband compiled a list of the best tech products released in the past year or so, which we also believe would make great Christmas gifts.

We chose products covering a wide range of price points — starting at less than R500.

However, in case 2024 was your lucky year or you happen to be the first South African to win the Afrikaans version of “Who wants to be a millionaire?,” we also accommodated those with gift budgets well over R50,000.

Below are our 15 recommended tech products released in the past year, which we believe

The pricing shown is the recommended retail figure but this may be slightly higher or lower depending on your preferred retailer or promotions.

Samsung Galaxy Tag 2 — R499

Ideal for those who regularly lose their keys, wallets, or pets, the second version of Samsung’s Bluetooth-powered smart tracker benefits from a vast local network of Galaxy devices.

Apple AirPods 4 — From R2,499

The latest iteration of Apple’s more affordable earbuds is powered by a new chip with upgraded microphones. Active noise cancellation is also available for few extra hundred rands.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 — From R4,559

The fourth WearOS-powered Galaxy Watch might not offer revolutionary upgrades, but it is regarded as an excellent refinement in a tried-and-tested product line.

Meta Quest 3s — R7,799

Meta’s new affordable virtual reality headset provides an excellent entry point to more immersive gaming and general entertainment.

Apple Watch Series 10 — R9,999

Packing a bigger and brighter display, faster charging, and smarter health measuring algorithms in a lighter and thinner case, what more could an Apple user want from a new smartwatch?

Xbox Series S 1TB — R9,999

The highly popular budget console option gets a storage upgrade and colour change, with the added benefit of fooling those who don’t pay attention that you own the more powerful Series X.

PlayStation 5 30-year Anniversary Edition — R12,499

The perfect nostalgia-inducing showpiece for your millennial grey home.

Asus ROG Ally X — R17,999

The most well-reviewed portable gaming system of the year. Never again miss that jump while going for a bathroom break.

PlayStation 5 Pro — R19,499

If owning a regular PS5 is not enough of a flex already. Still cheaper than a gaming PC with the same performance. Just remember a stand and disc drive are not included.

Microsoft Surface 11 Pro — R29,999

A sleek and compact system for professionals, with the big benefit of excellent battery life and not being locked into Apple’s walled garden — as long as you can live with constant, unsolicited Bing ads.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 — R30,999

Samsung’s latest top-end booklet-style foldable does not change all that much from its predecessors but improves in some areas that were lacking for another more fine-tuned offering.

Apple MacBook Pro M4 16-inch — R54,999

The undisputed champion of professional laptops, like all MacBook Pros from the M1 version.

Huawei Mate XT — R104,000

The world’s only triple-folding phone comes at a bit of premium from local smartphone importers, but it will net you a guaranteed conversation started for at least a few years.

MSI Titan 18 HX A14VI — R149,999

The most expensive laptop available in South Africa pulls absolutely no punches — with a Core i9 chip, RTX 4090, 128GB RAM, 8TB SSD storage, and a 4K 120Hz MiniLED display.

TCL 115-inch Premium QD-OLED — R399,999

What better way to watch the Springboks win the 2027 World Cup than the biggest TV that a regular household can buy without providing details of a register business.