best gadget 2020

Image via Adobe Stock

Year in review: The best consumer gadgets of 2020

Here’s a look at some of our favourite devices and gadgets from 2020.

best gadget 2020

Image via Adobe Stock

It was an interesting year on the tech front, despite us living through a worldwide pandemic. While large corporations took a knock, others managed to exploit employees and make a profit in the process.

In a year that feels like it’s been a decade, we turned to everyday gadgets to get work done, to connect with our loved ones, to entertain ourselves or just to get through the day.

We’ve had to deal with the world changing, our schedules changing and adapt to what we now define as “the new normal”. Needless to say, some of these gadgets have played a huge role to keep us sane.

I’ve reviewed a fair share of devices this year. Here are some of my favourites.

Best consumer gadgets of 2020

Best flagship phone: Huawei P40 Pro

At the top of my list for 2020 is the Huawei P40 Pro. So much so that I’ll put my money where my mouth is and upgrade to the P40 Pro when the times comes. My favourite part (of any phone, really) is the camera.

Other than being equipped with one of the best cameras currently on a phone, in my humble opinion, the Huawei P40 Pro revolutionises mobile photography by unleashing the full potential of AI photography/.

Photos are processed at a higher rate, making it ideal for taking photos of fast-moving subjects, such as children and pets. It’s still a pity to lose out on all the Google services, but I can live with that.

Also read: Use Phone Clone to copy apps to your Huawei P40 Pro — Here’s how

Best budget phone: Samsung S20 FE

This was a tricky one to choose, as Samsung also released three new budget devices for their A-series in January, as well as their flagship devices: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, the Galaxy Z Flip, and the S20+ and S20 Ultra.

However, at the end of the day, we believe that the Samsung S20 Fan Edition deserves to be on this list. It is a flagship device selling for a fraction of the cost, and it’s stylish and trendy to boot.

The Galaxy S20 FE is equipped with 4 500mAh battery, 6GB of RAM and the snappy Snapdragon 865 processor. It supports wireless charging, too, and is IP68 water-resistant.

Of course, no Samsung device would be complete without the beloved Single Take feature. Single Take enables you to shoot for up to 15 seconds and then let your phone do all the hard work.

Best smartwatch: Huawei Watch GT 2e

Huawei has an entire series of smartwatches fit for every occasion. The recently launched Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro is without a doubt the most powerful in the series. It’s a behemoth to balance your life.

However, the smartwatch that made it my personal list of favourites, is the Huawei Watch GT 2e. In fact, I love this watch so much, I bought my own over Black Friday when the prices were slashed considerably.

The Huawei Watch GT 2e has a 46cm case with a unibody design. Not only is it a technological marvel but a fashion statement as well. It is minimalist and robust with a sandblasted surface.

It has 100 sports modes, all of which are all tracked and recorded in the Huawei Health app. If you’re on another device, simply download the Huawei AppGallery before you install Huawei Health.

Also read: Galaxy Watch 3 review: A stylish, feature-packed Samsung smartwatch

Best earbuds: Galaxy Buds+

There were so many to choose from this year. The Huawei Freebuds i3 came in a close second. While most would probably prefer Samsung’s newer Buds Live, I opted for the Galaxy Buds+ instead.

It provides superior sound performance while also doubling up on battery life. It is the perfect addition to the true wireless earbud market and has a distinctive aesthetic as well.

The Galaxy Buds+ ship with multiple tips to help you find the perfect fit; and as a result, offer good isolation. Along with the choice of the in-ear design, the earbuds block a fair amount of external noise and focus on the music.

AKG has also tuned the Galaxy Buds+, and the focus is on a more natural sound than the sometimes bass-heavy alternatives on the market. The sound is clear with crisp treble and expansive sound.