2022 is the year the Covid-19 pandemic finally sorta-maybe-it-has, okay, maybe it's still ongoing but not-as-deadly disease ended, but not really. And while we've all sorta transitioned back to the office, we're still indulging in our gadgets, games, and more.
This year has been great in how many cool new stuff has been released, from affordable OLED TVs, to wireless charging battery packs, to games that blew our mind. Like last year, it's incredibly difficult to just pick five products, but we think we've narrowed it down to the best possible picks.
Without further ado, here are our choices for what we think are the top 5 gadgets (and a game) of 2022.
Samsung S95B OLED TV
The Samsung S95B is the OLED TV that the South Korean firm needs to compete with rival LG, which has enjoyed much success with this self-emissive display technology. The S95B's QD-OLED (QD stands for Quantum Dot) technology uses a different way of illuminating the display (blue light source instead of the extra white subpixel found in LG OLED panels), leading to richer and brighter pictures than existing OLED TVs. In practice, the S95B looks fantastic even in its most colour-accurate, and restrained Filmmaker mode, putting up pictures that rival, and in some ways, edge out the best OLED TVs now.
Apple TV 4K (2022)
Sporting a faster A15 Bionic chip, and a smaller profile, the Apple TV 4K (2022) is also cheaper than before. It's rare that Apple cuts prices on its existing products, and the new Apple TV now goes for just S$199. And if you want more storage and an Ethernet port, it's just S$239 (128GB), down from last year's S$299 for the 64GB version. In short, this one confirm can buy.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is everything fans of FromSoftware's Soulsborne games have been hoping for since its reveal back in 2019. The developers have created a fantasy world brimming with mystery, wonder, and danger. I haven't had so much fun in an open world game since Skyrim. It's the Breath of the Wild moment for the Soulsborne games, which have become a genre of their own. For fans, it's a must-buy and their game of the year. Meanwhile, those who are new to these games, which are known for their difficulty, will find Elden Ring the most newbie-friendly of them all.
Intel 13th-gen Raptor Lake
Intel's latest 13th-gen Raptor Lake processors, the Core i5-13600K and Core i9-13900K, run hot. But they are fast, and pack more performance than AMD's latest Ryzen 7000 Series offerings. The Core i5-13600K is your value for money option at US$319 versus the US$299 Ryzen 5 7600X. Its strong multi-core and single-core performance speak for itself. The Core i9-13900K is even faster than the Ryzen 9 7900X, but you will need a strong cooler to keep temps down. The KF versions without integrated graphics cost US$20 less. You will see plenty of improvements for productivity, and content creation when upgrading to the new 13th-gen Intel Core i5-13600K and Core i9-13900K desktop CPUs from a 12th-gen chip.
Ecovacs Deebot T9+
While it is not the latest model, the Ecovacs Deebot T9+ is an excellent buy. It comes loaded with a ton of functions, including a built-in air freshener, a mopping module, app control and mapping, and an auto cleaning docking station. It's a great robot vacuum to consider if you're hunting for one. And because it's not the latest model, it's also priced cheaper, too.
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