Apple already announced a lot of new devices in 2026 and we\u2019ve been busy reviewing them all. In this installment of our bi-weekly roundup, we revisit the MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e and more, in addition to the \u201cregular\u201d Galaxy S26 and Dell XPS 16. There\u2019s even more than those gadget to catch up on, so sit back, relax and cozy up to some fresh reviews.<\/p>\n
Apple MacBook Neo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/uu\/api\/res\/1.2\/29XX6jprxNKx5o0Obm2QqA--~B\/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u\/https:\/\/d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net\/images\/user-uploaded\/macbookneo-ec.jpg\")
<\/p>\nApple<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nThe MacBook Neo is the best $599 laptop we\u2019ve ever seen. The only downside is you\u2019re stuck with low storage and 8GB of RAM.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n- $599!<\/li>\n
- Premium design<\/li>\n
- Surprisingly bright screen<\/li>\n
- Decent performance<\/li>\n
- Excellent keyboard and trackpad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\n- Only 8GB of RAM<\/li>\n
- Maxes out with 512GB storage<\/li>\n
- Only two USB-C ports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The main attraction for Apple\u2019s early device deluge was the $599 MacBook Neo. The company is finally giving us something we\u2019ve been begging for: a low-cost Mac laptop that\u2019s good enough for most people. \u201cIt’s a $599 computer that can handle basic workloads just fine, all the while looking like one of the company’s more expensive notebooks,\u201d senior reporter Devindra Hardawar said. \u201cMost importantly, it delivers more speed, a brighter screen and an overall better user experience than any competing $600 Windows PC.\u201d<\/p>\n
Apple iPhone 17e<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/uu\/api\/res\/1.2\/Gi1nbg1SdccvITMf9nnIOg--~B\/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u\/https:\/\/d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net\/images\/user-uploaded\/iphone17e-rec.jpg\")
<\/p>\nApple \/ Engadget<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nThe iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n- Improved Portrait photography <\/li>\n
- MagSafe and faster wireless charging are welcome <\/li>\n
- A19 is a solid processor <\/li>\n
- Pretty new pink color<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\n- Display is outdated <\/li>\n
- Single camera setup is limiting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The MacBook Neo wasn\u2019t the only affordable device Apple announced recently. The company also debuted the iPhone 17e, which is also $599 and offers an economical choice for iOS devotees. \u201cThe name \u201ciPhone\u201d carries its own premium, and the iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem,\u201d managing editor Cherlynn Low said.<\/p>\n
The rest of the new Apple gear<\/h2>\n
The remainder of the new Apple devices were primarily chip upgrades. The company added the M4 to the iPad Air, which deputy editor Nathan Ingraham still argues is the best Apple tablet overall. Apple also put the M5 chip inside the MacBook Air and the M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon in the MacBook Pro,. Our staff maintains that those two laptops are among the best choices in their respective categories.<\/p>\n
We also tested Apple\u2019s claims on the Studio Display XDR, where we discovered the high price could be worth it for pros who need supreme color accuracy and high brightness.<\/p>\n
Samsung Galaxy S26<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/uu\/api\/res\/1.2\/uiQkDKMP11gFZj.aSDO4Rg--~B\/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u\/https:\/\/d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net\/images\/user-uploaded\/s26-rec.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSamsung\/Engadget<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nSamsung\u2019s smallest flagship phone is a solid if safe addition to the Galaxy series. However, it\u2019s far too similar to its predecessors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n- Bigger battery<\/li>\n
- A flagship phone that isn’t huge<\/li>\n
- More AI assistant options<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\n- Too similar to last year’s S25<\/li>\n
- Cameras could be improved<\/li>\n
- Perplexity integration is limited<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The Galaxy S26 Ultra may get the bulk of the attention in Samsung\u2019s 2026 lineup thus far, but the \u201cregular\u201d S26 is capable in its own right. However, it\u2019s time for bigger updates on this model. \u201cThere’s nothing wrong with this safe, solid Android phone, but you could pick up last year’s S25 and get an experience that’s 99 percent the same for $99 less,\u201d UK bureau chief Mat Smith said.<\/p>\n
Dell XPS 16 (2026)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/uu\/api\/res\/1.2\/OZqSOokCvWaBTTg2APv69w--~B\/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u\/https:\/\/d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net\/images\/user-uploaded\/xps16-rec.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDell \/ Engadget<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nThe XPS 16 has nearly everything you want from a premium 16-inch productivity laptop and it’s a worthy flagbearer for one of the most iconic notebook lines of all time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n- Exquisite design<\/li>\n
- Ample performance<\/li>\n
- Beautiful OLED display<\/li>\n
- Solid battery life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\n- A bit pricey<\/li>\n
- Keyboard needs tuning<\/li>\n
- No SD card reader<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Dell pulled a 180 after nixing its XPS brand last year. Enter the XPS 16. Thankfully, the first devices after the fiasco show an expected return to form, albeit with one issue. \u201cMy one complaint is that I wish Dell would bring back the chiclet-style keyboards we got on models from the early 2020s,\u201d senior reporter Sam Rutherford said. \u201cThough as long as the company can release updated software to fix the ghosting issues I’ve encountered, what’s on there now is more than good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
But wait, there\u2019s more<\/h2>\n
If portable projectors are more your speed, contributing reporter Steve Dent put the Soundcore Nebula P1i through its paces. Mat also spent some time with the Nothing Phone 4a Pro, which is undoubtedly the most uniquely designed handset we\u2019ve tested this year. Lastly, Sam used an upgraded version of Belkin\u2019s Switch 2 charging case to keep his gaming handheld safe and topped up in transit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\nApple<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The MacBook Neo is the best $599 laptop we\u2019ve ever seen. The only downside is you\u2019re stuck with low storage and 8GB of RAM.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
- \n
- $599!<\/li>\n
- Premium design<\/li>\n
- Surprisingly bright screen<\/li>\n
- Decent performance<\/li>\n
- Excellent keyboard and trackpad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
- \n
- Only 8GB of RAM<\/li>\n
- Maxes out with 512GB storage<\/li>\n
- Only two USB-C ports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The main attraction for Apple\u2019s early device deluge was the $599 MacBook Neo. The company is finally giving us something we\u2019ve been begging for: a low-cost Mac laptop that\u2019s good enough for most people. \u201cIt’s a $599 computer that can handle basic workloads just fine, all the while looking like one of the company’s more expensive notebooks,\u201d senior reporter Devindra Hardawar said. \u201cMost importantly, it delivers more speed, a brighter screen and an overall better user experience than any competing $600 Windows PC.\u201d<\/p>\n
Apple iPhone 17e<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n<\/p>\nApple \/ Engadget<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nThe iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n- \n
- Improved Portrait photography <\/li>\n
- MagSafe and faster wireless charging are welcome <\/li>\n
- A19 is a solid processor <\/li>\n
- Pretty new pink color<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
- \n
- Display is outdated <\/li>\n
- Single camera setup is limiting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The MacBook Neo wasn\u2019t the only affordable device Apple announced recently. The company also debuted the iPhone 17e, which is also $599 and offers an economical choice for iOS devotees. \u201cThe name \u201ciPhone\u201d carries its own premium, and the iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem,\u201d managing editor Cherlynn Low said.<\/p>\n
The rest of the new Apple gear<\/h2>\n
The remainder of the new Apple devices were primarily chip upgrades. The company added the M4 to the iPad Air, which deputy editor Nathan Ingraham still argues is the best Apple tablet overall. Apple also put the M5 chip inside the MacBook Air and the M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon in the MacBook Pro,. Our staff maintains that those two laptops are among the best choices in their respective categories.<\/p>\n
We also tested Apple\u2019s claims on the Studio Display XDR, where we discovered the high price could be worth it for pros who need supreme color accuracy and high brightness.<\/p>\n
Samsung Galaxy S26<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n<\/p>\nSamsung\/Engadget<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nSamsung\u2019s smallest flagship phone is a solid if safe addition to the Galaxy series. However, it\u2019s far too similar to its predecessors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n- \n
- Bigger battery<\/li>\n
- A flagship phone that isn’t huge<\/li>\n
- More AI assistant options<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
- \n
- Too similar to last year’s S25<\/li>\n
- Cameras could be improved<\/li>\n
- Perplexity integration is limited<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The Galaxy S26 Ultra may get the bulk of the attention in Samsung\u2019s 2026 lineup thus far, but the \u201cregular\u201d S26 is capable in its own right. However, it\u2019s time for bigger updates on this model. \u201cThere’s nothing wrong with this safe, solid Android phone, but you could pick up last year’s S25 and get an experience that’s 99 percent the same for $99 less,\u201d UK bureau chief Mat Smith said.<\/p>\n
Dell XPS 16 (2026)<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n<\/p>\nDell \/ Engadget<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\nThe XPS 16 has nearly everything you want from a premium 16-inch productivity laptop and it’s a worthy flagbearer for one of the most iconic notebook lines of all time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n- \n
- Exquisite design<\/li>\n
- Ample performance<\/li>\n
- Beautiful OLED display<\/li>\n
- Solid battery life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
- \n
- A bit pricey<\/li>\n
- Keyboard needs tuning<\/li>\n
- No SD card reader<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Dell pulled a 180 after nixing its XPS brand last year. Enter the XPS 16. Thankfully, the first devices after the fiasco show an expected return to form, albeit with one issue. \u201cMy one complaint is that I wish Dell would bring back the chiclet-style keyboards we got on models from the early 2020s,\u201d senior reporter Sam Rutherford said. \u201cThough as long as the company can release updated software to fix the ghosting issues I’ve encountered, what’s on there now is more than good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
But wait, there\u2019s more<\/h2>\n
If portable projectors are more your speed, contributing reporter Steve Dent put the Soundcore Nebula P1i through its paces. Mat also spent some time with the Nothing Phone 4a Pro, which is undoubtedly the most uniquely designed handset we\u2019ve tested this year. Lastly, Sam used an upgraded version of Belkin\u2019s Switch 2 charging case to keep his gaming handheld safe and topped up in transit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n