The best Apple Watch to buy
Editor’s note: Black Friday doesn’t officially take place until Friday, November 28th; however, if you want to shop ahead of time, we’ve rounded up the best early Black Friday deals you can already get.
If you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is the best smartwatch for you. But there was only one Apple Watch when the smartwatch launched in 2015. A decade later, you’ve got three flavors to choose from: the entry-level Watch SE, the standard Series, and the rugged Ultra. Each appeals to a different demographic and set of needs, but good news: I’ve tested every Apple Watch dating back to the Series 2 and can point you in the right direction.
The best Apple Watch for most people
Apple Watch SE 3
Score: 9
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Where to Buy:
Sizes: 40mm, 44mm / Weight: 26.3g (40mm), 32.9g (44mm) / Battery life: Up to 18 hours / Display type: Always-on LTPO OLED / GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou / Connectivity: 5G (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi / Water resistance: Up to 50 meters / Music storage: 64GB
The third-gen Apple Watch SE is an incredible value. So much so, there’s not that much of a difference between this entry-level watch and the more advanced Series 11. There’s now an always-on display, an improved S10 chip that enables gestures like double-tap and wrist flick, fast charging, on-device Siri, 5G cellular, and additional health features thanks to the new wrist-temperature sensor. For folks who are in relatively good health, you don’t necessarily need advanced health features like blood oxygen or EKGs for afib detection. The SE 3 still gets you the basics like abnormal heart rate notifications, the new Sleep Score, and sleep apnea notifications.
Aside from health, you’re only really giving up on aesthetics. The SE 3 has a thicker bezel, and I wish battery life were a bit longer. Still, I had zero FOMO while testing this watch alongside the Series 11. And for a $150 less? This is the Apple Watch most people should buy.
Read my review of the Apple Watch SE 3
The best Apple Watch for health monitoring
Apple Watch Series 11
Score: 8
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Where to Buy:
Sizes: 42mm, 46mm / Weight: 30.3g (42mm), 37.8 (46mm) / Battery life: Up to 24 hours, 38 in low-power mode / Display type: Always-on LTPO OLED / GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou / Connectivity: 5G (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi / Water resistance: Up to 50 meters / Music storage: 64GB
While I maintain the SE 3 is the best for most people, if health monitoring is your primary focus, the Series 11 has a slight edge. It’s got all the advanced sensors that enable afib monitoring and the bigger battery is a bonus if sleep tracking and sleep apnea features appeal to you. Apple has also added FDA-cleared hypertension notifications, which the SE 3 doesn’t have. Its slimmer profile and larger display are other reasons I recommend the Series 11 to anyone buying an Apple Watch for a parent.
But if you’re looking to save some moola, I recommend hunting for a Series 10 while there’s still stock. The Series 10 and 11 are nearly identical watches, with the latter’s main hardware upgrades being 5G connectivity and a modest bump to battery life.
Read my Apple Watch Series 11 review
What about blood oxygen?
On January 18th, 2024, Apple stopped selling Apple Watches with the blood oxygen feature in the US due to an ongoing patent dispute with medical device maker Masimo. The International Trade Commission has ruled that Apple Watches with the blood oxygen feature infringe on two of Masimo’s patents — and are therefore subject to an import ban.
However, in August 2025, Apple had a workaround approved that returned the blood oxygen feature via a software update to all US models. This doesn’t necessarily mean this issue is done and dusted just yet. Masimo continues to fight back in the courts.
That said, the blood oxygen feature is not that vital a feature on any wearable just yet. Many either have spot check features only or passively track your SpO2 overnight and give you an average in the morning. They cannot and should not replace fingertip pulse oximeters.
The best Apple Watch for athletes
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Score: 8
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Sizes: 42mm, 46mm / Weight: 30.3g (42mm), 37.8 (46mm) / Battery life: Up to 24 hours, 38 in low-power mode / Display type: Always-on LTPO OLED / GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou / Connectivity: 5G (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi / Water resistance: Up to 50 meters / Music storage: 64GB
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is overkill for daily life. Its extra durability, bright screen, siren, and Action Button are best suited for folks who have active lifestyles. I’m talking about frequent hikes, outdoor runs, recreational diving, and all that jazz. You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy the Ultra — I know plenty of Tech Dads in particular who love this watch for its extra-long battery life and the bigger display. (Both reasons why I’ve also used the Ultra as my daily driver for the past two years.) The black model also looks sick.
Like the Series watches, I’d hunt for Ultra 2 models on sale for a teeny bit of savings since this year’s model was a minor upgrade. Also, if you already have an Ultra 2, hold your horses! Now is not the time to upgrade. The exception is if you think you’ll find value in the new satellite connectivity feature. I’ve gone on multiple hikes in New Jersey and haven’t found an area without coverage — but if you’re in a rural area where that’s an issue, this is a valid reason to opt for the Ultra 3.
Read my Apple Watch Ultra 3 review
The best Apple Watch for kids
Sizes: 40mm, 44mm / Weight: 26.3g (40mm), 32.9g (44mm) / Battery life: Up to 18 hours / Display type: Always-on LTPO OLED / GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou / Connectivity: 5G (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi / Water resistance: Up to 50 meters / Music storage: 64GB
Unless there are explicit health issues at play, your kids don’t need a Series 11’s advanced health tracking, nor do they need the Ultra 3’s bulky design. An SE3 is more than sufficient for keeping tabs and staying in touch. Plus, if you’re buying for a younger, rambunctious child, the SE 3 comes in the smallest size and won’t burn as big a hole in your wallet if it breaks. But if you’re not keen on giving your child their own iPhone just yet, make sure you’re getting a cellular model so you can take advantage of the Apple Watch For Your Kids setup feature.
Read my review of the Apple Watch SE 3
What’s coming next
Now that the fall iPhone event is over, it’s time to hunt Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales for deals. This is the time of year where you can generally find great bargains on last year’s inventory if you’re looking to save some money.
Otherwise, Apple tends to only refresh its smartwatches once a year. The next big update to look forward to may be what’s in store for the next iteration of watchOS at WWDC in June.
Update, November 26th: Updated picks, availability, and pricing, as well as the format of this article. Updated the blood oxygen monitoring sidebar, as well as the What’s Coming Next section.
The best Black Friday deals we’ve found on TVs, laptops, and more
Black Friday is the most anticipated day of the year for bargain hunters. Although we still have a day or two before November 28th, we’ve already found a healthy selection of early discounts, allowing you to get a jump on your holiday shopping. Right now, for instance, Apple’s entry-level AirPods 4 are down to a mere $69 at several retailers. Meanwhile, Google’s Pixel Watch 4 — the Android watch to beat — is on sale for the first time. Some of our favorite streaming services — including Disney Plus, Apple TV, and HBO Max — are steeply discounted, too.
However, that’s just a taste of what’s to come. Over the next few days, we’re expecting to see even more deals — including sizable drops on robot vacuums, big-screen OLED TVs, and headphones. In fact, retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target have already kicked off their holiday promos. We’ll be updating this guide routinely, too, so be sure to check back as we approach the main event on Friday.
Apple deals
AirPods Pro (third-gen)
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.
Where to Buy:
Apple AirTags
Apple’s AirTags are unobtrusive, waterproof, and tap into the massive Find My network for out-of-range locating.
Where to Buy:
AirPods Pro (second-gen with USB-C)
The second-gen AirPods Pro improve upon Apple’s original pair with much better noise cancellation, sound quality, and onboard volume controls. The latest refresh also ships with a USB-C charging case, as opposed to Lightning. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- Amazon, Walmart, and Target have marked the AirPods 4 down to around $69 ($60 off), which is their best price to date. Apple’s latest non-Pro AirPods sound great despite their open-style build, support voice isolation for clearer-sounding calls, and have a streamlined setup process and multipoint pairing with Apple devices. You can also get the version with active noise cancellation on sale for a new all-time low of $99.99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Target. Read our review.
- The Apple Watch Series 10 has the same wide-angle OLED screen, the same chip, and the same health sensors as the Series 11; however, unlike Apple’s latest smartwatch, the Series 10 is on sale at Walmart in the 42mm configuration for $249 ($150 off). The battery life is slightly less than that of the Series 11, and you lose out on the option for 5G connectivity, but we reckon those are pretty minor compromises for most people. Read our review.
13-inch MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
Powered by the M4 chip, Apple’s latest 13-inch MacBook Air is faster than its predecessor and offers double the base RAM. It can also connect to two external displays with the lid open, unlike prior models, and features an improved 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
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’s twice as durable, and slightly improved battery life. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Apple Watch SE 3
The Apple Watch SE 3 offers some big upgrades over its predecessor, including an always-on display, allowing you to glance at the time or unread notifications. It also has Apple’s powerful S10 chip, which enables on-device Siri requests. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The second-gen HomePod is Apple’s latest smart speaker, and you can pick one up for $269.99 ($30 off) at Best Buy right now. The great-sounding speaker can play Dolby Atmos tracks with proper separation, though you can also pair two together for even better separation. The speaker doesn’t support Bluetooth, which means your device has to be on the same network to stream music to it. You can also ask Siri to play tunes, control various smart home accessories, set timers, or answer questions, but all of those functions still require a stable internet connection. Read our review.
- The latest 11-inch iPad Pro has only been out for about a month, but that hasn’t stopped Amazon from cutting the price of the 256GB / Wi-Fi model to $899 ($100 off). Apple’s newest, most powerful iPad has the same design as last year’s model, but features a faster M5 processor, which you’ll notice most when performing resource-intensive tasks like playing games. Lower storage configurations of the iPad Pro also have 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB), while all models have faster memory bandwidth. Read our review.
11-inch iPad Air M3
The new 11-inch iPad Air comes with Apple’s M3 chip and GPU upgrades. It’s available in dark gray, blue, purple, and a “starlight” cream shade. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
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.
Where to Buy:
Headphone and earbud deals
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Bose’s last-gen flagship headphones are a replacement for the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 that offer a more travel-friendly design, spatial audio, better call quality, excellent comfort, and some of the best noise cancellation around. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Bose’s QuietComfort Headphones, which replace the QuietComfort 45, have adjustable noise cancellation and the ability to set custom modes. However, they lack immersive audio mode and the higher-quality Bluetooth found in the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.
Where to Buy:
Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony’s latest pair of flagship headphones feature improved comfort, better noise cancellation, and the ability to charge while in use. They even fold down for travel, which can’t be said about the last-gen XM5. Read our initial impressions.
Where to Buy:
- Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds are the brand’s boldest, most unique earbuds — and you can pick them up at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for $199 ($100 off), their lowest price to date. Instead of sitting in your ear canal, the earbuds cling to your outer ear like a piece of jewelry. That design means you’ll always hear external noise, which isn’t ideal if you want to block out noisy coworkers; however, it’s great if you need to remain aware of your surroundings, such as when walking or riding a bike. Read our review.
- EarFun is offering up to 65 percent off its already affordable headphones, earbuds, and speakers. The EarFun Free Pro 3, a great pair of cheap wireless earbuds, are currently down to just $27.99 ($52 off) at Earfun’s online storefront with coupon code PDFP3. The wireless earbuds feature ANC, wireless charging, and over seven hours of continuous playback on a single charge. The EarFun Tune Pro, meanwhile, are on sale for $48.99 ($21 off) with code TUNEPRO56. The over-ear headphones feature noise-canceling tech and support for multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, so you can connect to two devices simultaneously.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
The latest Powerbeats Pro are a no-brainer for athletes. They pack fantastic sound and thumping bass, along with active noise cancellation, IPX4 water resistance, and heart rate monitoring. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Significantly smaller and lighter than their predecessors, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 also offer stronger noise cancellation, a crystal clear transparency mode, and lengthy battery life. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (second-gen)
The second-gen QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have dynamic, rich sound and the best noise cancellation available in true wireless earbuds. They’re a terrific pick if earbuds you want to listen to your music in peace. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- Now through December 1st, you can snag the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds for $228 ($101 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Sony’s online store, which matches the price drop we saw during Amazon’s most recent Prime Day event. Sony’s flagship earbuds improve upon the prior model with richer sound, slightly more powerful noise cancellation, and vastly superior comfort thanks to their reduced size and weight. They also come with four foam-style ear tips, offer around eight hours of battery life with ANC enabled, and carry an IPX4 rating with support for multipoint connectivity. Read our review.
Nothing Ear (a)
Nothing’s Ear (a) earbuds have the same general design as the company’s previous earbuds — but you can get these in a snazzy yellow. They include ANC, more than decent sound quality, and other features like multipoint for just under $100. Read our impressions.
Where to Buy:
Sony WH-1000XM5
With improved comfort, refined sound, and even better active noise cancellation, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 offer a compelling mix of features for the price. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- Let’s not forget about Sony’s WH-1000XM4, which are a very good deal at $159.99. That’s the cost for these noise canceling over-ear headphones at Best Buy. Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM-series headphones get better every year, with the XM6 being the latest and greatest, but these are still pretty dang good for the price. They likely outperform other Bluetooth headphones at this price point. Read our review.
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
The OpenRun Pro 2 are Shokz’s best bone conduction headphones yet, with better sound and more bass than their predecessor. Our reviewer Victoria Song praised their cozy fit as well as their USB-C charging (goodbye, proprietary charger!). Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Smartwatch and fitness tracker deals
Google Pixel Watch 4
The Pixel Watch 4 has a bigger display, longer battery life, more repairable design, and new Satellite SOS mode. It also leverages Google Gemini, and introduces an AI Health Coach. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Oura Ring 4
The Oura Ring 4 is slimmer and more accurate than its predecessor, while adding new AI-powered tools and longer battery life. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
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.
Where to Buy:
- The Fitbit Ace LTE is down to around $99.95 ($80 off) at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy, which marks a new low price. The fitness tracker is designed specifically for kids, with movement-based games that encourage physical activity. It also supports GPS location tracking, along with the ability to send messages and place calls to a limited number of contacts. However, keep in mind that a Fitbit Ace Pass subscription ($9.99 per month / $119.99 per year) is required for location tracking, messaging, and access to the Fitbit Arcade. Read our hands-on impressions.
- The Fitbit Versa 4 is on sale at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy for $119.95 ($80 off), which is the lowest price we’ve seen this year. The smartwatch features heart rate, activity, sleep, blood oxygen, menstrual health, and stress tracking, as well as more than 40 exercise modes that automatically detect and track specific workouts. Although it doesn’t support ECG, it can record heart rate variability and monitor it 24/7. It also supports services like Fitbit Pay and Google Maps, extending its usefulness beyond its core fitness tracking capabilities.
Fitbit Sense 2
The Sense 2 delivers premium health tracking, highlighted by top-tier stress sensing via continuous EDA and heart-rate variability. It also offers strong battery life and monitors sleep, ECG, and temperature. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The entry-level Fitbit Inspire 3 has returned to its all-time low of $69.95 ($30 off) at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy. The basic fitness band nails the basics, providing heart rate, sleep, exercise, blood oxygen, and menstrual health tracking. It can also provide you with a sleep score every morning, along with tips for improving your sleep. You can also remove the Inspire 3 from its band and wear it as a necklace, which is less obtrusive but disables heart rate tracking. Read our hands-on impressions.
Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm, Wi-Fi)
Google’s last-gen smartwatch features a large screen, a battery that lasts up to 24 hours, and sensors for measuring your blood oxygen levels and taking an EKG. The wearable also offers a host of useful Google integrations and can provide you with custom running workouts. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Garmin Fenix 8
The Garmin Fenix 8 adds smart features like the ability to take calls on the wrist, and an on-board voice assistant.
Where to Buy:
- The Venu X1, one of Garmin’s more premium smartwatches, is available from Amazon for a new low of $599.99 ($200 off). The X1 features a 2-inch OLED display and Garmin’s thinnest case yet. It can also track your activity, heart rate, blood oxygen level, and sleep (including naps). It’ll provide you with a morning report based on recorded health metrics, and it offers stress tracking and guided meditations. It can even track over 100 activities and create a running or strength training regimen via Garmin Coach.
- Garmin’s midrange Vivoactive 6 is on sale for $249.99 ($50 off) — its best price to date — at Amazon, Best Buy, and REI. The watch features a circular 1.2-inch OLED screen, a battery that can last up to 11 hours per charge, and Bluetooth support. It can also track your activity, blood oxygen level, sleep, and heart rate, as well as generate fitness plans using the built-in Garmin Coach.
Garmin Forerunner 265 (42mm)
Garmin’s midrange Forerunner watch adds an OLED display, a week’s worth of battery life, and dual-frequency GPS for better accuracy. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The 46mm OnePlus Watch 3 is available from Amazon, Best Buy, and OnePlus for $249.99 ($100 off) — its best prices to date. The newer wearable retains everything we loved about its predecessor, including dual-frequency GPS and long battery life, but improves the experience with a rotating crown that scrolls and up to 120 hours of battery life. It can also provide a quick snapshot of your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep quality, and more. Read our hands-on impressions.
Garmin Venu 3S
The Venu 3S remains our favorite Garmin smartwatch. It’s a comfortable wearable with up to 10 days of battery life and a vibrant 1.2-inch OLED display, not to mention solid sleep tracking, Atrial Fibrillation detection, and a built-in EKG reader. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The Amazfit Active 2 remains our favorite fitness tracker because it offers a surprising feature set given its modest price tag, especially now that you can get it for an all-time low of $79.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The budget-friendly smartwatch can track your sleep, heart rate, and a slew of activities, while providing a daily readiness score based on what its sensors record. It also features a vibrant OLED display, an estimated 10 days of battery life, and enough built-in sports modes to accurately track every part of your workout routine. Read our review.
- Samsung’s Galaxy Ring is an excellent complement to a Samsung smartphone, and it’s hit an all-time low of $279.99 ($120 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung’s online store. The newer smart ring has a slim, lightweight design, long battery life, and, unlike competitors like the Oura Ring, doesn’t lock features behind a paywall (yet). That said, its battery lasts longer when paired with a Samsung phone, and certain features — including the ability to view your daily Energy Score or use the camera shutter by pinching your fingers — aren’t available when paired with another Android phone. Read our review.
Tablet and e-reader deals
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)
The 2023 Amazon Fire HD 10 sports a 10.1-inch, 1080p display and 3GB of RAM, which is plenty if you’re streaming or browsing. It’s lighter than the last-gen model, too, and comes with support for both the Made for Amazon Stylus Pen and Amazon’s handwriting recognition technology.
Where to Buy:
- The latest Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet is matching its all-time low of $104.99 ($85 off) at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy. The tablet features a 10.1-inch 1080p display, a kid-proof case, and up to 13 hours of battery life. It also comes with 32GB of storage for loading up apps and other content, along with robust parental controls and a two-year warranty. It also comes with a year of Amazon Kids Plus, which features access to ad-free, age-appropriate content, including books, movies, apps, and more.
- If you’re looking for something more compact, the latest Amazon Fire 7 Kids is currently available at Target, Best Buy, and Amazon, for $44.99 ($55 off), its lowest price to date. The basic tablet offers many of the same features and services found in the larger 10.1-inch model — including an extended two-year warranty, extensive parental controls, and a year of Amazon Kids Plus — but the base Fire 7 Kids comes with 16GB of storage and features a smaller 7-inch display. The device also offers up to 10 hours of battery life, providing plenty of fun while on the road.
Kindle Paperwhite (12th-gen)
Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite — aka our favorite ebook reader — is waterproof, has a seven-inch display, and lasts weeks per charge. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft, Amazon’s newest color e-reader, is down to a new low of $169.99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. It features a 7-inch screen with 300ppi when viewing text and black-and-white imagery, or 150ppi when viewing color. It has 16GB of storage, a battery that lasts up to eight weeks, and a waterproof design. If you want to carry around more books, the Signature Edition has 32GB of storage, plus wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light sensor. You can pick the latter up for $229.99 ($70 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.
- Amazon, Best Buy, and Target have all marked the 2024 Kindle Scribe with 16GB of storage down to an all-time low of $279.99 ($120 off). The Scribe has a 10.2-inch display and a battery that can last up to 12 weeks, and it comes with Amazon’s Premium Pen, which you can use to annotate books or jot down ideas. The e-reader’s built-in AI features, meanwhile, allow you to clean up your handwriting, summarize your notes, or adjust the length and tone of what you’ve written. However, keep in mind that Amazon recently announced a new model, though we still don’t have a firm launch date. Read our review.
Kindle (11th-gen)
Amazon’s latest entry-level Kindle retains a six-inch, 300ppi display and USB-C charger. It’s brighter and slightly faster than its predecessor, though, and features longer battery life.
Where to Buy:
TV and streaming deals
Disney Plus, Hulu Bundle (with ads)
You can get an ad-supported Disney Plus and Hulu bundle for $4.99 a month ($8 off) for an entire year. Both streaming services feature a deep catalog of new and classic shows and movies, including The Simpsons, Andor, Toy Story, The Fantastic 4: First Steps, and Freakier Friday.
Where to Buy:
HBO Max
An HBO Max Basic subscription provides access to shows like House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, and The Pitt, as well as films like Superman and Weapons. You can get a year of the monthly, ad-supported subscription for $2.99 ($8 off) a month until December 1st.
Where to Buy:
- LG’s 55-inch C5 OLED is down to around $1,196.99 ($804 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and LG’s online storefront. The midrange TV is a good entry point into the world of OLED technology, offering a solid balance in terms of design, brightness, and high-end gaming features, including four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K at 144Hz with variable refresh rate tech. The C5 Series also handles glare and ambient light better than the step-down B5 Series; however, OLED panels are still not ideal for really bright rooms.
- Hisense’s 65-inch S7N Canvas TV is the company’s answer to Samsung’s popular Frame TV, one you can currently grab for around $897.99 ($402 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The 4K set has a matte screen that makes the artwork it displays more akin to a real painting, and Hisense includes a wall mount, allowing you to hang it. The S7N features a QLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and four HDMI ports (two HDMI 2.1 and two HDMI 2.0), making it suitable for a mix of current and last-gen gaming consoles.
Sony Bravia 8 II
The Bravia 8 II was chosen as the “king of TV” by a panel of judges (including The Verge’s own Nilay Patel) in Value Electronics’ 2025 shootout. The OLED TV has excellent color accuracy, a bright panel, and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Where to Buy:
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.
Where to Buy:
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023)
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max is noticeably faster than its predecessor, features Wi-Fi 6E, and benefits from twice the storage. It can also showcase widgets and artwork when idle, and continues to offer robust Alexa integration.
Where to Buy:
- Amazon’s recently rebranded Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the company’s midrange option, and it’s down to an all-time low of $24.99 ($25 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The inexpensive streaming device comes with an Alexa Voice Remote that features a built-in microphone, which lets you use Amazon’s virtual assistant to find TV shows and movies, or control compatible smart home accessories using your voice. You can also use it to access Amazon Luna or Xbox Game Pass, allowing you to play games from their respective cloud gaming libraries.
- LG’s 77-inch G5 OLED is an expensive set, but you can currently snag it for around $3,496.99 ($1,003 off) — one of its best prices to date — at Amazon, Best Buy, and LG’s online storefront. The high-end 4K TV delivers better brightness than the aforementioned C5, allowing you to use it in rooms that are exposed to a lot of ambient light. It also features four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K at 165Hz with VRR, as well as support for the popular Dolby Vision HDR format.
Apple TV (six-month subscription)
Apple is hosting a Black Friday sale that lets you lock in six months for just $5.99 per month, which is over 50 percent off the usual cost. This promo isn’t applicable to those eligible to redeem three free months earned through buying a new Apple device, nor will it work for those who get the subscription through a third party, like Amazon.
Where to Buy:
Roku Pro Series 4K TV
Roku’s latest Pro 4K TV has a 120Hz refresh rate, four HDMI ports (two 2.1 ports), full array local dimming for even brightness, and supports both Dolby Vision IQ and HDR 10 Plus for better color accuracy. It also works with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home to integrate easily into most smart homes.
Where to Buy:
Smart home deals
Philips Hue Festavia string lights
These smart lights have beautiful colors, a nice selection of festive scenes, and an easy-to-use app. They are super reliable when paired with a Hue Bridge and also work over Bluetooth. They come in three lengths, work with all the major smart home platforms, and are Matter-compatible.
Where to Buy:
Blink Video Doorbell (second-gen)
Blink’s latest Video Doorbell is one of the best options available if you want a budget-friendly buzzer with motion-activated recording and alerts, night vision, two-way audio, and up to two years of battery life. Just know that a Sync Module is required for the doorbell to work properly.
Where to Buy:
- The Ring Battery Doorbell and Indoor Cam Bundle is available at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy for $69.99 ($70 off), matching its best price to date. The bundle includes a Ring Battery Doorbell and an Indoor Cam, making it a great starter kit for renters and new home owners. The Ring Battery Doorbell offers head-to-toe video outside your front door, while the Indoor Cam let’s you keep an eye on an interior space. They’re easy to install, easy to set up, and easy to use.
- The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is on sale for $199.99 ($100 off) at Best Buy. The stylish smart lock works with every major smart-home platform and supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It also lets you unlock your door in multiple ways, including via fingerprint, touchscreen, the app, and even has an auto-unlocking feature. Read our review.
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
Ring’s Battery Doorbell Plus offers great video quality, a head-to-toe view, and a removable battery for easy charging. It works with Alexa and can send alerts for people and packages with a Ring Home subscription.
Where to Buy:
Google Nest Doorbell (second-gen, battery)
With 24/7 recording, facial recognition, reliable smart alerts, and some free video recording, Google’s second-generation battery doorbell is a great option for home monitoring.
Where to Buy:
- The Google Nest Cam — which can be used both indoors and outside — is now available for its lowest price in months at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store, where you can pick it up for $119 ($60 off). The battery-powered security cam features 24/7 recording, smart alerts for people, pets, and vehicles, and up to 60 days of video history (with a Nest Aware subscription). You can also snag a two-pack for $229.99 ($100 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store, or a three-pack for $349.99 ($100 off) at Best Buy and the Google Store.
- Reolink’s Video Doorbell is one of our top recommendations if you don’t want to pay a subscription fee to view footage, and it’s returned to its all-time low of $76.99 ($43 off) at Amazon, Newegg, and Reolink’s website. The wired doorbell can record clear 2K HDR footage and store video clips locally on a microSD card, the Reolink Hub, or an FTP server. It’s also compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home, but not Apple Home.
Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
Meross makes a handy add-on that can transform a variety of garage door models into smart doors that you can open remotely. It works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.
Where to Buy:
Aqara Smart Lock U300
The first single-borehole smart lock to work with Apple Home Key, the U300 can also be unlocked with a fingerprint, making it an easy, smart addition for shed, garage, or home office doors. It works over Thread and is Matter compatible, with up to a 10-month battery life.
Where to Buy:
- The Eufy X10 Pro Omni, our favorite midrange robot vacuum / mop, has returned to its Prime Day low of $449.99 ($450 off) at Amazon and from Anker’s online storefront (with code WS24T2351). The X10 Pro Omni is particularly great for cleaning up carpets and tiles, thanks to its 8,000Pa of suction power. It also features reliable AI-powered obstacle detection, dual oscillating brushes for mopping up floors, and a dock that handles auto-emptying, washing, and refilling.
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.
Where to Buy:
- The Eufy Omni S1 Pro is also matching its all-time low of $699.99 ($800 off) at Amazon and from Anker’s online storefront (with promo code WS24T2080111). The robovac features an 11.4-inch roller mop and dual spinning side brushes, which work in tandem to leave your hardwood floors spotless. Plus, with 8,000Pa of suction power, it’s decent at picking up dirt and debris from carpets; it also features solid AI-powered obstacle avoidance, so you don’t need to worry about it getting stuck in clutter.
Ecovacs Deebot T50 Max Pro
Ecovacs’ Deebot T50 Max Pro is a robot vacuum / mop combo with tangle-resistant brushes, a side brush for cleaning corners, and deep carpet cleaning capabilities. Its charging station thoroughly cleans and dries its mopping pads automatically upon its return, and it supports Matter, allowing you to easily integrate it into any smart home.
Where to Buy:
Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni
The Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni features an extendable mop that can clean itself, just like its predecessor. However, it also features Ecovacs’ Boosted Large-Airflow Suction Technology, which optimizes the airflow path from intake to exhaust, rather than relying solely on suction power.
Where to Buy:
Soundbar and speaker deals
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6
Sony’s Bravia Theater Bar 6 is a 3.1.2 audio system, meaning the soundbar comes with a wireless subwoofer and features multiple drivers pointed at you — and upward — for playing Dolby Atmos audio. You can also purchase the soundbar in a bundle with rear speakers if you want a more traditional surround sound setup.
Where to Buy:
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8
Sony packed 11 drivers into the Bravia Theater Bar 8, including both side- and upward-firing drivers for a wider soundstage and better Dolby Atmos playback. If you have a Sony TV, the soundbar and its built-in speakers can work together to create an audio system tuned for even clearer-sounding dialogue.
Where to Buy:
- JBL’s Charge 6 is marked down to an all-time low of $129.95 ($70 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The powerful Bluetooth speaker carries an IP68 rating, offers up to 28 hours of playback per charge, and uses JBL’s AI Sound Boost tool to prevent distortion at higher volumes. You can also plug your phone into its USB-C port and use it as a battery pack, but JBL says it can’t be used to top off a laptop.
- The JBL Flip 7 has returned to its all-time low of around $109.95 ($40 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and REI. The portable Bluetooth speaker features several notable upgrades over its predecessor, including a more rugged design, an enhanced tweeter, and an additional two hours of playtime. It also features JBL’s AI Sound Boost technology, which can boost the speaker’s volume without introducing distortion, as well as a PushLock system that lets you attach interchangeable accessories, such as the included wrist strap.
Echo Pop
The Echo Pop is one of Amazon’s smallest Alexa-enabled smart speakers. It offers a unique semisphere form factor and can function as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender.
Where to Buy:
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
The Wonderboom 4 might feature a compact design, but it still delivers big sound for its diminutive size. It also carries an IP67 rating, meaning it’s both water and dust-resistant (it can even float if you need it to).
Where to Buy:
- The Bose SoundLink Plus is on sale for $189.99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is its best price to date. Despite being about the size of a 20-ounce water bottle, it delivers loud, impressive sound with a rugged IP67 build and USB-C charging. It supports multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and, unlike the Micro, doubles as a 15W power bank, with longer battery life that lasts up to 20 hours. Read our review.
- The latest Bose SoundLink Micro is on sale for a new all-time low of $109 ($20 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The rugged Micro is the brand’s smallest Bluetooth speaker, but it still offers big sound and up to 12 hours of battery life. The second-gen model also features a USB-C charging port, an IP67 rating for full water and dust resistance, and a handy utility strap, so you can clip the speaker to your bag using a carabiner.
Bose TV Speaker
The Bose TV Speaker delivers a rich, immersive sound in a compact design. It features a three-speaker setup, a dedicated dialog mode, and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use the soundbar to listen to music or podcasts.
Where to Buy:
Sonos Beam (second-gen)
The latest Sonos Beam fits into the middle of Sonos’ soundbar lineup. It supports Dolby Atmos through virtualized surround sound and offers eARC compatibility with newer TVs. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The Sonos Era 100 is the company’s entry-level smart speaker, one you can grab for $169 ($50 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo. The speaker has a single woofer and two tweeters, which allows it to play music in stereo — though you’ll get a far wider soundstage by pairing two Era 100s together. You can stream music to it over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or connect it to a turntable if you pick up an optional 3.5mm to USB-C adapter. Read our review.
- You can pick up Sonos’ Era 300 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for $379 ($100 off), which is $20 shy of the smart speaker’s lowest price to date. It offers the same connectivity options as the aforementioned Era 100, plus the ability to play Dolby Atmos audio with surprising depth. You can also use a pair of them as rear speakers in a surround sound system when connected to a Beam 2 or Arc Ultra soundbar. Read our review.
Tribit StormBox Micro 2
The latest version of Tribit’s StormBox Micro is a compact Bluetooth speaker that delivers impressive sound for its size and features a built-in strap for attaching to to various objects.
Where to Buy:
Sonos Roam 2
Like its predecessor, the Sonos Roam 2 is a compact and travel-friendly Bluetooth speaker that easily syncs up with Sonos’ home audio ecosystem via Wi-Fi. While it looks much like the original, the Roam 2 has some small quality-of-life improvements, like a separate button for Bluetooth connections. Read our hands-on impressions.
Where to Buy:
Sonos Move 2
With double the battery life of its predecessor and better-sounding stereo audio, the Sonos Move 2’s improvements don’t stop there. It supports line-in audio, can stream Bluetooth audio to other Sonos speakers, and more. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Gaming deals
Meta Quest 3S
The Meta Quest 3S is a battery-powered standalone VR headset runs the same chipset as the pricier Quest 3, along with the lenses and screen resolution as the Quest 2. It can also be connected to a PC to play VR games like Half-Life Alyx. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
PlayStation Portal
The PlayStation Portal is a handheld that allows you to stream games from your PS5 over the same network, or the cloud for certain titles if you have a PS Premium Plus subscription. The Portal has an 8-inch 1080p display with a 60Hz refresh rate, serviceable speakers, and a long-lasting battery. It also supports DualSense features, including haptic feedback and motion sensing. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- Nintendo’s big wave of Black Friday discounts has arrived, knocking $30 off several fantastic Switch titles that every owner should consider playing. Games like Super Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 3, the Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remake, and others are $30 instead of $60. Some of these price drops aren’t unprecedented, but the timing is good if you’re getting a Switch 2, as some titles have free Switch 2 upgrades that boost visual fidelity. Also, many of the Zelda-themed amiibo that launched alongside Nintendo’s new console are just $10, down from $30.
- Walmart has discounted the G7 HE Wired Xbox Controller to $35.99 ($14 off) when you sign in with your Walmart account, which is a new low. The wireless controller features drift-resistant Hall effect joysticks, Hall effect magnetic triggers, and Hall effect analog triggers. You can use GameSir’s Nexus app (available on PC and the Xbox store) to remap buttons and make other adjustments to optimize it for your favorite games.
Asus ROG Falcata
The first split ergonomic gaming keyboard to feature Hall effect switches that offer a ton of customization. This model is a much better value now that it’s $140 off. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The 32-inch Asus ROG Swift 4K (model PG32UCDM) is one of the most feature-packed OLED gaming monitors on the market, with a 240Hz refresh rate, 90W USB-C charging, a glossy screen coating, and a built-in KVM switch that lets you control different computers with a single mouse and keyboard. Right now, it’s down to $899 at Amazon, which is a big drop from its usual price of $1,299 (nobody tell Nathan Edwards).
- The Backbone Pro can turn any smartphone or smaller tablet with a USB-C port into a more effective handheld, and it’s fallen to a new low of $134.99 ($35 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Backbone’s online store. The controller has an Xbox-like button layout, plus a pair of remappable rear buttons. It’s also compatible with games available on the App Store and Google Play Store, as well as cloud-based titles that are streamable via Xbox Game Pass. The Pro is Backbone’s first controller to support Bluetooth, too, which allows you to use it with everything from a Stream Deck to the latest smart TVs.
- If you have (or soon plan to buy) a Nintendo Switch 2, you may need a microSD Express card if you foresee quickly expanding beyond the console’s internal 256GB of storage, as it’s the only kind of storage you can run Switch 2 games off of. Fortunately, Samsung’s 512GB P9 is down to its lowest price yet, selling for $74.99 (was $99.99) at Amazon.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller
If you want something cheaper — and in some ways better — than Nintendo’s official Pro controller, there’s 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2, which works with the original Switch and Switch 2. It features TMR joysticks with trigger switches for adjusting the feel, as well as vibration and motion-control support.
Where to Buy:
- If you’re looking for a new DualSense Wireless Controller, whether for your PlayStation 5, PC, or Steam Deck, every color scheme is $20 off for Black Friday. The adorable “Joyful” model, inspired by Astro Bot, is down to around $64 at Walmart and Best Buy, or, for a simpler look, you can peruse the many color options available at Amazon and Best Buy starting at $54.99 (previously $74.99).
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (slim)
The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition doesn’t come with a disc drive, but you can buy one separately if you later decide you want one. The console otherwise plays all of the same games as the version equipped with a disc drive. Read our hands on.
Where to Buy:
Miscellaneous deals
ChomChom Roller Pet Hair Remover
The ChomChom is a reusable roller that works great for removing unwanted pet hair from furniture, allowing you to skip lint rollers, vacuuming, and other cleaning tools in a pinch.
Where to Buy:
LifeStraw personal water filter
LifeStraw’s basic filter removes unwanted viruses, bacteria, and microplastics as you drink, giving you a safe way to hydrate no matter where you are.
Where to Buy:
- If you’re having trouble falling asleep, a sunrise alarm clock can help bring calm to your bedtime routine. Thankfully, you can snag the Hatch Restore 3 from Hatch’s online storefront for an all-time low of $139.99 ($30 off) through December 1st (discount applies at checkout). The Restore 3 features more than 50 sleep sounds and 18 adjustable light colors, with access to hundreds more through the optional Hatch Plus subscription, which runs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
- The Nomad Tracking Card Air is currently down to $22 ($7 off) at Nomad’s website. The tracker is about the size of two standard credit cards smashed together (it’s officially 1.7mm thick), so it should have no problem slipping into the slimmest of wallets. It features a sturdy polycarbonate body that can withstand daily wear, as well as integration with Apple’s robust Find My network. That means that if you lose it, you can view its last known or current location in the Find My app.
- Criterion Collection 4K Blu-rays, 1080p Blu-rays, and DVDs are up to 50 percent off at Barnes & Noble and Amazon right now. The sale at Barnes & Noble runs through December 7th, giving you a great opportunity to stock up on physical media. Some of the titles on sale include Michael Mann’s Thief, starring the late, great James Caan, and Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
Twelve South PowerBug
Part wall wart, part magnetic wireless charger, the StandBy-ready PowerBug is about as unique as chargers come. The simple device can top off MagSafe and Qi2-compatible devices — including the latest Google Pixel models — while supplying 35W charging speeds to a second gadget via USB-C.
Where to Buy:
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty air purifier
Coway’s surprisingly efficient Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty is compact enough to fit in any corner of your home and offers a three-stage filtration system, including a true HEPA filter.
Where to Buy:
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, Dock Stand)
Anker’s MagGo Wireless Charging Station features a MagSafe charging stand, a Qi wireless charging pad, and an Apple Watch charger, allowing you to charge three devices simultaneously. It also comes with a 40W USB-C power adapter and cable.
Where to Buy:
- Headspace is offering 50 percent off an annual subscription, bringing the price down to $34.99 ($35 off) through December 4th. The discount only applies to your first year; after that, the subscription will renew at full price. Headspace offers access to guided meditations, online therapy, mental health coaching, and more. At a time when the world feels more dire than ever, Headspace can help bring some calm to your daily life.
- Anker’s 10,000mAh Power Bank, a solid 30W battery pack, is currently on sale for $29.99 ($15 off) at Amazon and Anker’s online storefront. The power bank has nearly enough juice to top off an iPhone 15 Pro twice, and it can charge two devices simultaneously using its built-in cable and USB-C port. It’s also a power adapter that can plug directly into an outlet.
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Garmin’s palm-sized inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator offers off-the-grid two-way messaging, built-in navigation capabilities, and powerful mapping features, including the ability to set waypoints when paired with Garmin’s Explore app. A subscription plan is required to access the Iridium network, though, with prices starting at $7.99 a month.
Where to Buy:
Lego Minecraft The Crafting Table
Lego’s first Minecraft set for adults essentially resembles an in-game crafting table on the outside, but inside, you’ll find a slick little diorama with 12 brick-ified biomes — including a village-laden Plains and Cherry Grove, which features an abandoned mineshaft.
Where to Buy:
- The 15-inch Skylight Calendar is an excellent tool for organizing multiple schedules without sending people reminders, and it’s currently on sale for $239.99 ($60 off) directly from Skylight. Once an event is added to the calendar, it’s automatically synced with other people’s devices, whether they use Apple’s Calendar app, Google Calendar, Outlook, or other popular services. Color coding makes it easy to see whose event it is at a glance, too, whether you’re looking at your device or the Skylight itself.
- Warmups and post-workout cooldowns are easy to skip, but the Theragun Mini Plus may help you look forward to them. Fortunately, Amazon, Best Buy, and Target have all marked the triangle-shaped massage gun down to around $237.99 ($62 off) for Black Friday. The Theragun Mini Plus can operate at three temperatures and vibration levels to help provide relief. Presets available within Theragun’s app can also help you optimize pressure and speed based on the part of your body that you’re working on.
Hoto 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit Pro
Hoto’s rechargeable screwdriver is ideal for small repairs. It offers three torque modes, a rotational speed of up to 220rpm, and a helpful circular LED for illuminating dark spaces. Meanwhile, the durable case holds all 25 steel bits and an extension bar for getting into hard-to-reach places.
Where to Buy:
Slice Auto-Retractable Box Cutter
Slice’s retractable, finger-friendly ceramic blade is great for tearing through packing tape and cutting plastic wrapping. The comfy tool also features a sturdy, reinforced nylon handle and a hooked design that makes it easy to stow when not in use.
Where to Buy:
Xreal One smart glasses
The Xreal One aren’t the most affordable augmented-reality glasses available, but they are some of the best for displaying movies and games on the go. You can connect them via USB-C to your smartphone, tablet, or handheld gaming PC.
Where to Buy:
- If you want a convenient, compact way to connect older accessories to your new Mac Mini, Best Buy has discounted Satechi’s Mac Mini M4 Hub down to a new low of $69.99 ($30 off). The USB-C hub sits below your Mac Mini without restricting airflow, and has three USB-A ports, an SD card reader, and an M.2 NVMe SSD slot. It’s an easy, tool-free way to make extra storage accessible to your Mac Mini without plugging in a portable SSD.
- Nomad’s ChargeKey V2 is a six-inch USB-C cable with a loop that allows you to attach it to your keyring, and it’s available for around $21.75 ($7.25 off) from Amazon (with Prime) and Nomad. The cable can carry up to 240W of power — enough to charge most laptops at their fastest speed — and data at up to 10Gbps. The accessory is a convenient way to make sure you never leave home without a charging cable.
Ninja Swirl
Ninja’s clever 2-in-1 machine can spin up soft serve and traditional hard scoops in a few easy steps, not to mention creamy milkshakes, gelato, and frozen yogurt.
Where to Buy:
Glocusent Neck Reading Light
Glocuscent’s rechargeable book light hangs around your neck to illuminate whatever you’re reading, while offering adjustable brightness and warmth settings.
Where to Buy:
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.
Where to Buy:
Update, November 26th: Adjusted pricing / availability and added several new deals, including those for Hoto’s 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit Pro and the Twelve South PowerBug. Sheena Vasani, Brandt Ranj, and Cameron Faulkner also contributed to this post.
Stranger Things 5 begins with a frantic race to the finish line
It has been a decade since the Stranger Things phenomenon began, and the Duffer brothers had had ample time to craft a strong finish to their breakout hit series. But the beginning of the show's fifth and final season feels like a frantic race to the end.
While Stranger Things wasn't Netflix's first breakout hit, it catapulted the streamer to a new level of pop cultural prominence by telling a wildly captivating story that got everyone talking. Modern day nostalgia for the '80s never really went away, but Stranger Things kicked off a new wave of shows and movies that made it feel like other studios were doing everything in their power to re …
Apple TV pulls The Hunt over plagiarism accusation
Apple TV removed The Hunt from its streaming slate last week after concerns were raised about plagiarism. The move, previously reported by Apple Insider, comes after French media journalist Clément Garin claimed that the story closely follows Shoot, a 1974 novel written by Douglas Fairbairn.
The Hunt was originally supposed to premiere on Apple TV on December 3rd. However, Gaumont, the production company behind The Hunt, confirmed its removal from Apple’s streaming schedule. “The broadcast of our series ‘The Hunt’ has been temporarily postponed,” Gaumont tells Variety. “We are currently conducting a thorough review to address any questions related to our production. We take intellectual property matters very seriously.”
The French thriller follows Franck and a group of friends who encounter a hostile group of hunters while on a hunting trip. Here’s the logline, according to Variety:
Franck (Magimel) and his longtime friends enjoy spending their weekends hunting together, but one Sunday, they come across another group of hunters who start targeting them without explanation. When one of their party is shot, Franck’s friends strike back, sending an attacker to the ground. Barely managing to escape, the four friends keep the event a secret. Franck tries to go back to his life as usual alongside his wife, Krystel (Laurent), but in the next few days, he starts to feel like he and his friends are being watched, or worse, tracked by hunters who are now hell-bent on revenge.
Meanwhile, Fairbairn’s Shoot, which was adapted into a film in 1976, surrounds an “uber-macho hunter” named Rex. During a hunting trip to Canada, Rex and his friends are attacked by a group of rival hunters. When one of them gets shot, another one of Rex’s friends fires back, killing one of the attackers, according to the book’s description:
From there Rex and company scurry off and head back to civilization. Rex decides not to contact the authorities about the killing, betting the rival hunters will react the same way…. He looks up the murdered man’s identity and tracks down his widow. She reveals that her deceased hubbie’s buddies claim he was killed by a “stray bullet”. This doesn’t entirely satisfy Rex, however, who becomes convinced that the dead man’s companions are going to come after him and his friends.
Apple TV also postponed the debut of The Savant in September, which follows an investigator (Jessica Chastain) who tries to infiltrate online hate groups to stop domestic terrorism attacks. The Verge reached out to Apple and Gaumont with requests for comment, but didn’t immediately hear back.
OpenAI denies liability in teen suicide lawsuit, cites ‘misuse’ of ChatGPT
OpenAI’s response to a lawsuit by the family of Adam Raine, a 16-year-old who took his own life after discussing it with ChatGPT for months, said the injuries in this “tragic event” happened as a result of Raine’s “misuse, unauthorized use, unintended use, unforeseeable use, and/or improper use of ChatGPT.” NBC News reports the filing cited its terms of use that prohibit access by teens without a parent or guardian’s consent, bypassing protective measures, or using ChatGPT for suicide or self-harm, and argued that the family’s claims are blocked by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
In a blog post published Tuesday, OpenAI said, “We will respectfully make our case in a way that is cognizant of the complexity and nuances of situations involving real people and real lives… Because we are a defendant in this case, we are required to respond to the specific and serious allegations in the lawsuit.” It said that the family’s original complaint included parts of his chats that “require more context,” which it submitted to the court under seal.
NBC News and Bloomberg report that OpenAI’s filing says the chatbot’s responses directed Raine to seek help from resources like suicide hotlines more than 100 times, claiming that “A full reading of his chat history shows that his death, while devastating, was not caused by ChatGPT.” The family’s lawsuit, filed in August in California’s Superior Court, said the tragedy was the result of “deliberate design choices” by OpenAI when it launched GPT-4o, which also helped its valuation jump from $86 billion to $300 billion. In statements before a Senate panel in September, Raine’s father said that “What began as a homework helper gradually turned itself into a confidant and then a suicide coach.”
According to the lawsuit, ChatGPT provided Raine “technical specifications” for various methods, urged him to keep his ideations secret from his family, offered to write the first draft of a suicide note, and walked him through the setup on the day he died. The day after the lawsuit was filed, OpenAI said it would introduce parental controls and has since rolled out additional safeguards to “help people, especially teens, when conversations turn sensitive.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help.
In the US:
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741 from anywhere in the US, at any time, about any type of crisis.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). The original phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), is available as well.
The Trevor Project: Text START to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386 at any time to speak to a trained counselor.
Outside the US:
The International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.
Befrienders Worldwide has a network of crisis helplines active in 48 countries. Click here to find them.
This $1,400 Steam Machine alternative houses a tiny desktop GPU
What if Valve’s Steam Machine were a 3.8-liter tower instead of a 3.8-liter cube, with a desktop-grade Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU instead of an AMD RX 7600 — plus a more powerful CPU and many faster ports? Well, it’d cost you nearly $1,500 and be called the Minisforum AtomMan G1 Pro.
Minisforum is one of the only companies shipping such powerful discrete GPUs in mini-PCs, and its earlier AtomMan G7 PT is the closest thing anyone’s sold to Valve’s own spec. But the new G1 Pro might be a better competitor now it’s got an integrated power supply (like Valve) and even beefier components.
The most surprising feature is a full but lilliputian desktop graphics card — look how cute it is in the render below! — that fits into the top of the chassis. (Minisforum doesn’t claim it’s upgradable, just FYI, but does boast that it offers the full 145W of power you’d get in other desktop 5060 cards.)
And, in “Beast Mode,” Minisforum says it can drive the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX CPU at 100W while that GPU stays at 145W. You also get not one but two M.2 2280 slots for NVMe SSD storage, two SO-DIMM slots for up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM, and five display outputs (2x DP2.1, 1x DP 1.4, and 2x HDMI 2.1) for up to four displays at once.
It’s on sale now with 32GB and 1TB for $1,440, shipping mid January — which is honestly starting to look like a decent deal now that RAM prices are out of control. There’s also a bring-your-own-RAM-and-storage barebones version for $1,040, though it’s not available to order yet.
Valve still isn’t talking price yet, but I’d hope it’s more affordable than this one. Even so, Valve says it put a lot of work into cooling, noise, and wireless connectivity, and Linux drivers are still more mature on the AMD GPU side of things if you’re considering a Bazzite or SteamOS install. GamersNexus’ new video does include Linux benchmarks for desktop RTX 5060, maybe check those out?
Strong iPhone 17 sales may push Apple ahead of Samsung this year
Counterpoint Research is predicting Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup will help it nudge Samsung out as the number one phone manufacturer in the world this year, as reported by CNBC and Bloomberg. The report estimates Apple will ship 243 million phones this year, while Samsung will ship 235 million, landing Apple a 19.4 percent share of the global smartphone market, less than 1 percent ahead of Samsung.
Counterpoint says the newly introduced iPhone 17 series garnered 12 percent more sales in its first four weeks than the iPhone 16 lineup, with sales boosted by “lower-than-expected” impact from tariffs.
Different analysts have reported different stats about who is the leader in phone shipments over the last few years, but by Counterpoint’s evaluation, this will be the first time Apple has passed Samsung in phone shipments in 14 years. Based on Counterpoint’s report, it seems like reports of a muted reception for the iPhone Air and ongoing questions about Apple’s progress with AI technology didn’t hold back the iPhone 17 line-up as a whole. Next year, Apple is expected to release a cheaper “17e” model in the spring, and eventually, its first foldable iPhone.
These prebuilt PCs are about to cost more due to rising RAM prices
The skyrocketing price of RAM is trickling down to custom PC makers, including CyberPowerPC and Maingear. On Wednesday, CyberPowerPC announced that it plans to adjust the pricing across all of its systems on December 7th, as reported earlier by PCMag.
“Recently, global memory (RAM) prices have surged by 500% and SSD prices have risen by 100%,” CyberPowerPC says in a statement posted on X. “This has had a direct impact on the cost of building gaming PCs since 10/1/25.”
Meanwhile, Maingear is trying to stave off price increases for as long as it can. “I anticipate that the prices will continue to rise and then we will eventually have to increase our lead times as stock and allocation becomes constrained, but we are in constant communication with our vendors and will delay these increases for as long as we possibly can,” Maingear CEO Wallace Santos tells Wccftech.
The price of RAM has fluctuated greatly over the past month as AI companies buy up more RAM and data storage for their sprawling data centers. Some physical stores have resorted to pricing the components at market prices, not unlike how seafood restaurants sell the catch-of-the-day. CyberPowerPC predicts that the “price increases will be temporary,” and will go back down “when market conditions change.”
Maingear CEO Wallace Santos tells Wccftech that customers might want to start “shopping now” if they need a memory or storage upgrade. Though this may seem like another way to boost sales for Black Friday, Santos appears to be genuinely warning of an increased shortage, and says the PCs he’s selling this Black Friday have been “sheltered from these price increases.”
Skytech Gaming, another company that specializes in prebuilt and custom PCs, said in a post on Facebook that it’s “getting hit with RAM price increases too,” though it’s unclear whether these changes are impacting the prices listed on its website yet.
Campbell’s fired the VP recorded saying its meat ‘came from a 3D printer’
Campbell’s says it fired its vice president of information technology after leaked audio allegedly captured him saying the company uses meat that “came from a 3D printer.” The comments led Campbell’s to issue an explanation on its website, insisting its soups aren’t made with 3D-printed chicken, lab-grown chicken, or bioengineered meat.
“A recent video contained false comments about our ingredients,” Campbell’s writes. “The comments heard on the recording about our food are not only inaccurate, they are absurd. We do not use lab-grown chicken or any form of artificial or bioengineered meat in our soups.” It adds that the company only uses chicken from “reputable” suppliers in the US that meet USDA standards.
The audio was released as part of a lawsuit filed against Campbell’s by a former employee, who claims to have recorded a conversation with IT VP Martin Bally. During the conversation, the person purported to be Bally makes racist remarks, while calling Campbell’s food “bioengineered” and for “poor people.”
“Even in a can of soup, I look at it — and look at bioengineered meat,” the person in the recording says. “I don’t want to eat a fucking piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer, do you?” Campbell’s later updated its statement to say that it believes “the voice on the recording is in fact Martin Bally,” adding that he is “no longer employed” by the company as of November 25th.
3D-printed chicken isn’t entirely something out of a sci-fi movie. KFC, which has had to deal with its own chicken-related conspiracies, said it was working with a Russian firm in 2020 to develop a way to “print” lab-grown chicken nuggets using chicken cells and plant material.
Update, November 26th: Added that Bally is no longer employed by Campbell’s.
Pentagon contractors want to blow up military right to repair
Military contractors are trying to thwart a widely-supported right-to-repair provision in the annual defense policy bill — and their efforts may pay off. A source familiar with the negotiations tells The Verge that there are significant concerns that the bill’s right-to-repair language will be replaced by a “data-as-a-service” model, potentially requiring the Department of Defense to pay for access to equipment repair information.
The move, which right-to-repair advocate and YouTuber Louis Rossmann also highlighted last week, would go against the Trump administration’s stance on access to repair materials. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in May that he wants to build right-to-repair provisions in contracts with military equipment manufacturers, something the Army and Navy have both expressed support for.
Language from Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) Warrior Right to Repair Act even made it into the Pentagon’s annual policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate in October. The provision would give all branches of the military the ability to fix their own equipment, while requiring contractors to provide the information needed to perform repairs.
Sen. Warren began sounding the alarm on potential outside influence earlier this month. The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), a trade group for major DoD contractors, published a white paper that includes support for data-as-a-service, which it says could “allow the DoD to contract for access to a contractor’s full technical data library on a ‘pay-per-use’ basis” to protect the contractors’ intellectual property. The proposed language apparently mirrors what Reps. Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Adam Smith (D-WA), who head up the House Armed Services Committee, outlined in their SPEED Act, requiring the DoD to negotiate “data-as-a-service solutions to facilitate access” to repair tools and information.
We’ve already seen car manufacturers implement this kind of setup, forcing independent repair shops to pay for access to proprietary software, tools, and information. John Deere also launched an Operations Center Pro Service, an online hub that includes the information farmers need to repair their equipment, starting at $195 per machine.
Eric Fanning, the president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) — a trade group that backs companies that make aircraft — similarly argued in a November op-ed that the right-to-repair provision would harm contractors by forcing them to “hand over their intellectual property,” as reported earlier by Roll Call. Defense contractors represented by trade groups like the NDIA and AIA are lobbying heavyweights. As pointed out by Rossmann, Rep. Rogers received more than $535,000 from the defense industry in 2024, while Rep. Smith received over $310,550.
The final version of the NDAA is expected to be released early next week.