Sony’s souped-up PlayStation 5 Pro is $100 off for the rest of today
Sony’s full suite of PlayStation 5 consoles jumped in price in August due to increased US tariffs, but now through Christmas, you can save $100 on several models. This discount is especially great if you planned to go big with Sony’s PS5 Pro, the company’s priciest, most powerful console yet. Normally $749.99, you can currently grab one at Amazon, Walmart, and Target for around $689.99. Sony’s PlayStation Direct storefront indicates that the PS5 Pro sale ends on December 25th at 3AM ET, although discounts may remain on cheaper models.
The PS5 Pro plays many games at their best resolution, while making far fewer concessions than the standard PS5 when it comes to visual effects (particularly ray tracing and shadow quality). Some games simply look better or run faster on the Pro than the base-model PS5, while others look better and run faster. That said, it’s worth noting that PS5 Pro lacks a disc drive and is thus limited to digital titles, though you can buy an optional drive for $80 if you want to attach one later.
The PlayStation 5 Pro has a bigger GPU than any other PS5 model, with twice as much internal storage as the current slim models (2TB versus 1TB). Another notable feature exclusive to the Pro is PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution), which uses AI to upscale graphics in supported games to produce a better-looking image. The difference in performance between the Pro and the base PS5 is easy to notice in several games, although it’s safe to say that there hasn’t yet been a title that makes upgrading to one a no-brainer. But if a lower price is all the encouragement you needed to upgrade, now is a good time to get one.
Read our full PS5 Pro review.
The best shows and movies to stream on Netflix in 2025
Netflix has had an interesting year. Its ad tier, introduced last year, has grown significantly, and its live TV initiative has expanded to include not only weird one-offs like hot-dog-eating grudge matches but also WWE programming. Taking KPop Demon Hunters off Sony's hands for the business equivalent of $200 in a potato chip bag also turned out to be a pretty smart move for Netflix. The animated feature about, well, demon-hunting K-pop stars, became the most watched movie in the platform's history and a global cultural phenomenon in its own right. The sing-along theatrical release sold out, songs from the movie sat comfortably at the top o …
In 2025, AI became a lightning rod for gamers and developers
2025 was the year generative AI made its presence felt in the video game industry. Its use has been discovered in some of the most popular games of the year, and CEOs from some of the largest game studios claim it's being implemented everywhere in the industry including in their own development processes. Meanwhile, rank-and-file developers, especially in the indie games space, are pushing back against its encroachment, coming up with ways to signal their games are gen-AI free.
Generative AI has largely replaced NFTs as the buzzy trend publishers are chasing. Its proponents claim that the technology will be a great democratization force in …
The Pluribus finale showed there’s a lot more to the story
It's a good thing that we already know a second season of Pluribus is on the way. Because the season finale for the show - a sci-fi drama on Apple TV, helmed by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan - made it clear that things are just getting started. The episode brought together a number of significant threads but, more importantly, opened up potentially explosive (literally) new lines of inquiry for what comes next.
Spoiler to follow for the first season of Pluribus.
First, a little reminder of how we got here. The inciting incident of Pluribus was the release of a virus of unknown, but extraterrestrial origins, that turned almost the ent …
Trump administration bars former EU official and anti-disinformation and hate researchers from US
On Tuesday, the Trump Administration followed through on a threat of retaliation targeting foreigners who are involved in content moderation. The State Department announced sanctions barring US access for former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, as well as four researchers, while issuing an intentionally chilling threat to others, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming, "The State Department stands ready and willing to expand today's list if other foreign actors do not reverse course."
One of the researchers the State Department says is banned and now deportable, is Imran Ahmed, who runs the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), an …
Apple is going to allow third-party app stores in Brazil, too
Apple is set to allow third-party app stores on iOS in Brazil next year after settling with the country's competition watchdog in a legal battle dating back to 2022, as reported by 9to5Mac.
According to a machine translation of a press release from the Brazilian regulator CADE, it has approved a Term of Commitment to Termination (TCC) made by Apple that obligates the company to allow third-party app stores and let developers use external payment systems. Warnings about third-party app stores and external payment systems must also have neutral wording.
Apple will be able to still charge fees, and the Brazilian publication Tecnoblog says in …
The Pixel 10, our favorite Android phone, is nearly 50 percent off right now
If you’re in the market for a new Android smartphone — or on the hunt for a solid last-minute gift — Google’s Pixel 10 is a great place to look. We consider it the best Android phone you can buy, and right now, you can grab it at Amazon starting at $449 ($350 off) when you use promo code PIXEL10, which drops Google’s entry-level flagship to its lowest price to date. If you prefer a better cameras or a bigger screen, Amazon is also offering the Pixel 10 Pro and the Pixel 10 Pro XL for $649 ($350 off) and $799 ($400 off), respectively, using the same code.
Google Pixel 10 (128GB)
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Google Pixel 10 Pro
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In her review, Verge senior reviewer Allison Johnson called the Pixel 10 a great, basic Android phone that offers some notable upgrades over its predecessor. It features a 6.3-inch OLED screen and a 120Hz refresh rate, along with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, making it easy to see in direct sunlight. It also includes an array of helpful AI-powered tools and a dedicated telephoto camera — a first for a non-Pro Pixel phone — which is great for capturing portrait photos.
One of the Pixel 10’s more notable upgrades, though, is the addition of Qi2 wireless charging with built-in magnets — arguably the coolest part of the device — which means you don’t need a separate case for easy and precise charging alignment. The device also includes Google’s Tensor G5 chip, which is the same one found in the pricier Pro models; however, the Pixel 10 has slightly lower RAM (12GB versus 16GB). Still, you shouldn’t notice any major differences in everyday performance, unless you’re really pushing it with heavy multitasking and serious mobile gaming.
Our main gripe with the Pixel 10 is that its main and ultrawide cameras aren’t quite as good as those on the Pro. That said, the standard Pixel produces pictures that are perfectly fine, while the telephoto camera makes for a nice addition. At its normal $799 price, we think the Pixel 10 is already a great value. At $449, it’s a dang good deal.
Read our full Pixel 10 review.
We found 30 great gifts that are on sale and will arrive in time for Christmas
You don’t need to deal with long mall lines or crowded parking lots just to wrap up your holiday shopping, but you probably already knew this. Some of the best deals are online, and even though Christmas is now a day or two away, a lot of Verge-approved gifts should still arrive on time if you order them online. You may have to pay expedited shipping in some instances; however, retailers like Amazon and Best Buy still offer fast, free shipping, depending on what you order.
We know that everyone’s wishlist looks different from the next, so we’ve got you covered with 30 gift ideas to suit gamers, music lovers, bookworms, and more. Below, you’ll find products like the latest AirPods Pro, the Meta Quest 3S, and the Kindle Paperwhite. On a tighter budget? There are many sub-$50 presents below, too.
Headphones and earbuds
AirPods Pro 3
The recently released AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors. Read our review.
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- If your recipient doesn’t need fancy features like active noise cancellation and wireless charging found in the AirPods Pro 3, Apple’s entry-level AirPods 4 are a great value at $84.99 ($45 off) from Best Buy, which is $16 shy of their all-time low price. The wireless earbuds improve upon their predecessor with better sound quality and spatial audio with head tracking, while delivering even clearer voice call quality and a more durable IP54 rating for both water and dust resistance. Read our review.
- The Google Pixel Buds 2 Pro are on sale at Amazon in select colors for $168.99 ($60 off), nearly matching their best price to date. The excellent pair of wireless earbuds are our top pick for Pixel device owners, boasting an exceptionally comfortable and secure design that’s much easier to wear than the previous version. They deliver good active noise cancellation, a top-notch transparency mode, and up to 12 hours of battery life. If you own a recent Pixel phone, you also get access to Gemini AI and head-tracking spatial audio. Read our review.
- The Beats Solo 4 are down to a new low of $79 ($120 off) in select colors at Walmart, while Amazon and Best Buy have them on sale for around $129.95 ($70 off) in a wider range of shades. The on-ear headphones don’t offer ANC, but they deliver rich bass and lossless audio over a USB-C or 3.5mm cable. They’re also platform-agnostic, supporting both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks, while iPhone users get personalized spatial audio with head tracking and Android users benefit from automatic device switching. Read our review.
CMF Buds 2A
With 12.4mm drivers, active noise cancellation, and an IP54 rating, the CMF Buds 2A offer high-end features at an affordable price. You can also customize the sound, adjust ANC levels, and find the earbuds using the Nothing X app.
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Beats Studio Pro
The latest Beats Studio Pro feature improved noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort. They also support lossless audio over USB-C, making them the first Apple headphones to do so. Read our review.
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Smart home tech
Tapo RV30 Max Plus
Our favorite budget-friendly robot vacuum offers high-end features, including room-specific cleaning, a capable mop, carpet boost, and smart navigation. It also features an auto-empty dock.
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- The Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro X Sound by JBL is currently on sale for $134.99 ($45 off) at Amazon, which matches its best price to date. The color-changing smart lamp offers preset scenes to help you set the mood, but it also lets you create lighting effects. It’s a Bluetooth speaker as well, one that delivers decent sound and syncs with your lights. Plus, thanks to Matter support, it’ll work with all major smart home platforms, including Amazon Alexa. Read our review.
- You can grab the latest Blink Video Doorbell with a Sync Module Core at an all-time low of $29.99 ($40 off) at Amazon. The 1080p video doorbell improves on its excellent predecessor with a new head-to-toe view and more accurate motion alerts, while retaining perks like motion-activated recording, night vision, and two-way audio. And while it runs on batteries by default, you can hardwire it if you choose to.
- The Petcube Fountain is on sale for $54.99 ($25 off) at Amazon, which is its best price to date. The 57-ounce fountain uses a four-layer filtration system to help remove bacteria and other impurities from your pet’s water, and it can send alerts via the companion app when it’s time to swap in a new filter. It’s also rechargeable and designed to run only when your pet is nearby, helping to save power.
Amazon Echo Spot
Amazon’s Echo Spot smart speaker-meets-alarm clock has a 2.83-inch squared-off display for showing the time, weather, album art, and other bits of info you may want at your bedside. Unlike the original Spot, there’s no camera to worry about having in your bedroom — though it does have a mutable microphone for Alexa voice controls. Read our review.
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Echo Dot Max
The Echo Dot Max features a flat design and a redesigned sound system, which delivers nearly three times the bass as its predecessor. It also offers improved conversation detection and better noise filtering, thanks to Amazon’s new AZ3 chip. Read our review.
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Tablets and e-readers
iPad (2025)
Apple’s entry-level iPad is an excellent tablet for casual use. Its high resolution screen is great for watching video, and its A16 processor is fast enough to handle light games and productivity apps. Read our review.
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Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
Amazon’s latest Paperwhite features a larger 7-inch display and noticeably faster performance. It also boasts longer battery life than the previous model, retains IPX8 waterproofing, and includes a USB-C port. Read our review.
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- Other Kindle models are down to some of their best prices too, including the ad-supported versions of the Kindle (Best Buy) and Kindle Colorsoft (Amazon, Best Buy). The last-gen Kindle Scribe with 32GB of storage and ads is receiving the biggest discount, though, matching its best price to date starting at $279.99 ($140 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The monochromatic e-reader comes with a stylus so you can jot notes directly in Kindle books or in the built-in notebook. It also offers AI-powered tools that can summarize your notes, and its 10.2-inch, 300ppi display has adjustable warm lighting for comfortable reading day and night. Read our reviews of the Kindle Scribe (2024) and Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.
Gaming
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch LCD display, magnetically attached Joy-Con 2 controllers, backwards compatibility with most original Switch games, and exclusive titles including Donkey Kong Bananza and Kirby Air Riders. Read our review.
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PlayStation 5 Pro
The “pro” version of Sony’s PlayStation 5 has a bigger GPU, new PSSR AI-based upscaling, advanced ray tracing, and 2TB SSD (with expandable storage). The new features allow for better graphics at higher frame rates, allowing for the blending of “fidelity” and “performance” modes in some games. Read our review.
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- You can grab a copy of Astro Bot for $39.97 ($20 off) — an all-time low — at Walmart. The PlayStation 5 game stars an adorable robot on a mission to save his friends after an alien attacks his ship. The platformer draws on familiar tropes but delivers them in fresh, quirky ways, making it a delight to play. Read our review.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers
Fitbit Charge 6
The Fitbit Charge 6 features a haptic side button, an improved heart rate algorithm, turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps, and the ability to broadcast your heart rate on certain Bluetooth gym equipment. Read our review.
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Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS)
Although the Apple Watch Series 11 is the same size as its predecessor, it features a 5G cellular modem, a display that Apple claims is twice as durable, and slightly improved battery life. Read our review.
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- The 40mm Apple Watch SE 3 with GPS is down to its all-time low of $199 ($50 off) at Walmart. Despite being Apple’s entry-level smartwatch, it’s one of the best wearables we tested this year, offering impressive upgrades like an always-on display and improved durability. You don’t get EKGs, a blood oxygen sensor, or hypertension detection, but you do get sleep apnea notifications and Apple’s powerful S10 chip, which enables on-device Siri requests and Apple’s nifty gesture controls. Read our review.
Streaming devices, TVs, and soundbars
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Google’s terrific TV Streamer (4K) is the company’s best attempt at a streaming device yet, with built-in ethernet, an excellent interface, and smart home compatibility with both Matter and Thread. Read our review.
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- You can purchase the second-gen Sonos Beam for $369 ($130 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is one of its better prices to date. The soundbar supports Dolby Atmos through its virtual height channels as well as HDMI eARC. It also doubles as a smart speaker with Bluetooth support and compatibility with Amazon Alexa, allowing for hands-free control. Read our review.
- Hisense’s 55-inch U8QG is on sale for $727.99 ($772 off) at Amazon, while the 65-inch is down to an all-time low of $949.99 ($548 off) at Amazon. The mini-LED TV offers an array of gamer-friendly features, including a snappy 165Hz refresh rate, three HDMI 2.1 ports, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to prevent screen tearing. It’s also great for watching TV shows and movies, with full-array local dimming to reduce blooming, as well as support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Plus, it offers an impressive maximum brightness of 5,000 nits and runs on Google’s easy-to-use TV platform, providing quick access to all the major streaming apps.
Other great gadgets you can still gift
Hoto PixelDrive
Hoto’s latest electric screwdriver delivers an adjustable 6Nm of torque, along with a built-in pixelated display that lets you check the battery life and other info.
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2024 Tile Pro
The latest Tile Pro is its most capable Bluetooth tracker to date. It has a wider range than its predecessor and offers a user-replaceable battery. It’s platform-agnostic, and can send SOS alerts if you pay $14.99 per month for its Life360 Gold subscription.
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- Apple’s two-meter-long MagSafe Charger is on sale for $39.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, while the one-meter model is down to $29.99 ($10 off). Those are among the best prices we’ve seen on the magnetic charger, which supports 15W MagSafe and Qi2 charging. When paired with a 30W USB-C power adapter, it can also deliver up to 25W to compatible iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 models, as well as the iPhone Air.
- You can buy the Glocusent Bookmark Style Reading Light in multiple colors for $12.99 ($6 off) at Amazon, which is one of its better prices to date. The clip-on USB light offers adjustable warmth and brightness, providing a soft glow that makes it easy to read at night without waking anyone nearby.
Anker Laptop Power Bank
Anker’s 25,000mAh power bank sports two built-in USB-C cables (one of which is retractable), plus one USB-C and USB-A port. It tops out at 165W when charging two devices simultaneously, or 130W when charging three or four.
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Apple AirTags
Apple’s AirTags are unobtrusive, waterproof, and tap into the massive Find My network for out-of-range locating. Read our original review.
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Update, December 23rd: Updated pricing / availability and removed several deals that will no longer arrive before December 25th. Brandon Widder also contributed to this post.
Samsung’s 2026 gaming monitors promise 6K, 3D, and up to 1,040Hz
Samsung is breaking new ground with its 2026 lineup of gaming monitors, with the Odyssey 3D G90XH becoming the first to feature a 6K display with "glasses-free 3D." The new monitor comes with a 32-inch IPS panel, offering real-time eye-tracking that "adjusts depth and perspective" based on your position, along with a speedy 165Hz refresh rate that you can boost to 330Hz with a Dual Mode feature that switches to 3K.
The 2026 Odyssey 3D is an upgrade to the display Samsung revealed during CES last year, which comes with a smaller 27-inch display and a lower 4K resolution. We've seen a few other 6K monitors from Asus, Dell, and LG, though they …
007 First Light’s release date gets shaken up
IO Interactive has delayed the release of 007 First Light, its upcoming James Bond origin story game, by two months. 007 First Light will now be released on May 27th, 2026.
According to an announcement about the delay:
007 First Light is our most ambitious project to date, and the team has been fully focused on delivering an unforgettable James Bond experience, bringing together breathtaking action, globe-trotting, spycraft, gadgets, car chases, and more. As an independent developer and publisher, this decision allows us to ensure the experience meets the level of quality you players deserve on day one.
The game is progressing well and …