Engadget names first Best of 2026 winners, reviews Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and more

The first round of winners covers categories decided entirely by review scores, Engadget said. The highest-rated device in each category receives the top prize. A few categories remain unfinalized because Apple events and other anticipated product announcements are expected this fall. Engadget also said it is still testing new products before an October onslaught, including Apple's long-rumored smart display, the latest Amazon tablets and a new Surface laptop.

Engadget senior reviews editor Sam Rutherford reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. Engadget noted that it does not test many Android tablets these days, partly because of the proliferation of budget and midrange models, but Samsung's premium slate runs Google's operating system. Rutherford said the device can be difficult to wrap your head around. Its 14-inch display is absolutely massive, he said, and the only thing bigger than its screen is its price.

Engadget revisited Dell's entry-level XPS 13 after its earlier review found that the base model's 8GB of RAM was not enough for Windows 11. Sam Rutherford tested a midrange specification and found that spending a little extra will make users a lot happier. He said there is an argument that if a laptop runs so much better with 16GB of RAM, the 8GB model should not even exist. But he appreciated that there is an option for those on tight budgets, even if it is far from an ideal solution.

For screenless fitness trackers, Engadget tested the Qalo SL-1 from silicone ring maker Qalo. Senior editor Daniel Cooper said that if the SL-1 were cheaper, he would have more positive things to say about it, because it could easily be seen as a My First Whoop. At this price, however, he said there are better alternatives, even when factoring in additional subscription fees.

Engadget also reviewed the Una GPS watch. Smart watches have never been the most repairable devices, at least for DIY fixes, but Una's GPS watch moves in that direction by allowing users to swap out components such as the back cover, display and battery as needed. Daniel Cooper said producing a wearable that is affordable, modular and comically easy to repair is no mean feat these days. On that basis alone, he said, Una has already done far more than the rest of the tech industry and has made the titans of wearables look bad in the process.