Engadget’s recent review roundup covers a wave of new gadgets, headlined by Google’s Pixel 11 series and the Pixel Watch 5, with several other devices tested across laptops, displays, cameras, and wearables. The reviews, published ahead of IFA next week, offer a mixed verdict on Google’s latest lineup, with praise for specific models tempered by concerns over pricing, design, and AI features. US consumers weighing an upgrade or a switch from Apple will find particular relevance in the assessments of the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro.
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold keeps its chunky design, and Google chose not to include all features from the standard Pixel 11 Pro, such as Pro Res Zoom. While the phone gains a new chip, faster charging, and an upgraded camera, the reviewer argued these additions may not be enough to attract shoppers outside the existing Pixel ecosystem. The Pixel 11 Pro, meanwhile, is the most powerful and feature-packed of the new models, but it costs $100 more and has less RAM than its predecessor. The reviewer noted heavy AI integration, expressing misgivings about its pervasiveness, yet conceded that Google currently does AI better than rivals, making the phone arguably the best Android option of its size and price for those who can tolerate or disable the features.
On the standard Pixel 11, the reviewer highlighted minimal changes from the prior Pixel 10 alongside the same $100 price increase, but still recommended it as the best Pixel for most people. He said it offers a significant upgrade for anyone coming from a Pixel older than last year’s model, and for iPhone owners looking to switch, it provides the best first Android experience. The Pixel Watch 5 was described as a smartwatch that will eventually be fantastic, but it currently lacks some features. Despite that, the reviewer found it does enough to justify its higher price, and none of the untested features are likely to make the watch worse.
Beyond Google, HP’s Omnibook X impressed the reviewer as a near-perfect ultraportable, missing only an SD card reader and better speakers. The laptop’s focus on fundamentals, like reliability and capability without flash, was cited as a reminder that getting the basics right can create a compelling product. Meanwhile, the Pebble Time 2 earned praise for showing restraint in an era dominated by AI, even though it likely won’t appeal to the mass market; the reviewer argued the tech ecosystem needs such a device for those wanting less from their watches.
Engadget’s team also tested other product categories over the past two weeks. An Alienware 39-inch curved gaming display was reviewed, and the writer began playing Pokémon Champions. In cameras, the GoPro Mission 1 Pro ILS and Panasonic Lumix L10 were both tested by contributing reviewers, while more niche devices included the Nimble SharePower charger and Sony’s wearable air conditioner, which kept the reviewer cool.
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