Every member of Team 91mobiles lives and breathes tech, and we encounter some amazing devices and technology on a very regular basis. While we try to remain unbiased while writing about them, we do have our own personal favourites. Here we pick our fave tech from 2023, talking about gadgets and technologies that helped improve our lives for the better this year.
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Deepak Dhingra: Qubo Smart Door Lock Elite
2023 has been a great year for tech, and choosing one device or technology that rocked my boat this year is a tough ask. I want to talk about how foldable smartphones made their presence felt this year, how wearables created waves by appearing in newer form factors (referring to smart rings), and how AI ventured into the mainstream. And as I write this, I’m sure I’ll be covering some aspects of AI in the 91mobiles Team Picks article next year. For the here and now though, I’m choosing to go with a device category that isn’t really new, but I finally bought one a few months ago and I feel it has changed my life for the better. I’m talking about smart door locks, and the one I ended up buying was the Qubo Smart Door Lock Elite, in an elegant copper finish.
For me, this device comes as something I never knew I needed till I actually got one, and now I wonder how I got by without it. Apart from a physical key, the Qubo Smart Door Lock Elite can be unlocked in a variety of different ways – RFID cards, fingerprint, PIN, or via the easy-to-use Qubo app. One can even generate short-validity PINs for emergency use, and I must admit this feature has already come in handy for me more than a few times. Qubo also launched a Wi-Fi gateway which enables voice unlock via Alexa and remote unlocking as well. Thanks to the smart lock, every member of my house, including the house help, can access the premises when needed without needing a key. I won’t be exaggerating when I tell you that none of us knows where the physical keys are kept anymore. Carrying house keys has become a thing of the past for us.
While I have a bunch of smart home devices around the house, a smart door lock is a purchase that needs proper commitment… mainly because the device needs expert installation and it’s tough to go back once you’ve committed. And I should mention that Qubo’s quick and responsive customer service helped ease the pain points. All in all, money well spent.
Worthy mentions: OnePlus Open, Insta360 Go 3
Shekhar Thakran: PlayStation VR2
As I mentioned in my review, VR gaming has always been a complicated affair for gamers and part of the reason for this has been that it never feels like just plug-and-play gaming. With the PlayStation VR2, Sony has gotten rid of the unnecessary clutter and delivered a VR gaming experience that is simply top-notch.
Apart from the technologically advanced design, the headset is fairly comfortable to wear even for long hours and the high-resolution OLED displays deliver a vibrant viewing experience. Whether we talk about the new controller design or the implementation of cameras in headset that enable a grayscale view of your surroundings, Sony deserves a round of applause for this amazing piece of tech. While we will have to wait a long time till this whole experience becomes wireless, the fact that Sony somehow managed to cut down the connectivity requirements to just one connected wire from the headset to the console is an amazing feat in itself.
As we are talking about a once-in-a-generation product, it was crucial that Sony got the fundamentals right to encourage even casual gamers to try out VR gaming, and the ease of using the VR2 does just that. Considering all these factors, it isn’t a surprise that I’ve chosen the PS VR2 as my favourite tech of 2023.
Worthy mentions: Steam Deck OLED, LG G3 OLED TV
Saloni Tandon: Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have been my only heavy-duty tech purchase this year, but they’ve blown my mind and how. After being a long-time user of their WF-1000XM4 earbuds, I wondered if there was anything that could up Sony’s noise cancellation game. But these headphones entered the scene with a bang, literally making sure you don’t hear any. These headphones have become my go-to choice, and it’s not hard to see why they’ve captured the hearts of both critics and users alike. The noise-cancelling technology, powered by Sony’s HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1, transforms the listening experience into that of a private sanctuary. I don’t mind kids in airplanes anymore. Know what I mean?
Sony’s attention to detail is also something that caught my eye, especially the Adaptive Sound Control feature that automatically adjusts to my activities. The voice assistant feature is something that I haven’t over-exploited yet, but it does add a lot of value when you need hands-free control. In a world where audio devices are a dime a dozen, Sony has produced a winner. Now if only they can move to adopting simpler nomenclature so that recommending them doesn’t take a toll on the tongue!
Worthy mentions: Noise Luna Ring, Apple Watch Ultra 2
Marcia Sekhose: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Smartphones hardly impress you anymore with the same design, features and specs in almost all devices you see these days. Foldable phones is one category that can still excite you and is slowly starting to appeal to the masses. It’s safe to say that Samsung is the pioneer when it comes to foldable smartphones. It impressed us with the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip albeit with some hiccups.
The Galaxy Z Flip, in particular, has always been a favourite with its nostalgic element and the right aesthetics to make it a pretty phone. Samsung has been improving with each model, and it seems to have almost reached perfection with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 that launched this year.
It’s got a bigger cover screen that lets you do a lot more without having to unfold the phone. You also get it in seven colour options so you have lots to choose from.
The colours are pretty and elegant with neutral tones. I was quite impressed with the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s cameras as well. It has two rear cameras and one front camera. The camera module is also subtle and not in your face like other flip phones.
I can’t say much about the extended durability of the phone but I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something refreshing and worth the money.
Worthy mentions: Moto Razr 40 Ultra, Sony WH-CH720N
Ashish Kumar: Pixel 8 series AI features
We can discuss at length whether the Pixel 8 series is a good phone or not, but credit where it’s due — the handset’s AI capabilities are next to none (for now!). The device boasts a variety of AI editing tools that may seem redundant at first but quite useful once the magic ensues. The tools take pride in enhancing your already beautiful memories into something more exquisite without making a fuss. The beauty of the tools is that they are not restricted and easy to use. The Magic Editor, for instance, can be used on any photo irrespective of the device it has been taken.
The only requirement is that you have to have one of the Pixel 8 smartphones and the photo needs to be uploaded to Google Photos. Once uploaded, tap on the Edit button to see the magic work. It will come with a bunch of suggestions to further improve the results. The tool offers a variety of suggestions to enhance your results further. You can also play around with the tool by adjusting the subject’s placement within the frame or refining facial expressions, like directing the subject to look into the camera, smile, or make playful faces. Moreover, you have the option to entirely remove the subject from the frame, which proves particularly useful in case of unexpected photobombs.
Similarly, for videos, the Pixel 8s have the Magic Audio Eraser to remove unwanted background noise and Video Boost (exclusive to Pixel 8 Pro) to improve video quality. However, it’s worth noting that these AI tools have some caveats like they still fail to work on every photo and video. Nevertheless, it is a promising start, particularly beneficial for those less familiar with editing. Personally, I’ll be happy if other manufacturers also start incorporating similar features into their devices moving forward.
Worthy mentions: iQOO 12, LG ToneFree Fit TF7
Sanket Vijayasarathy: iPhone 15 Plus
When it comes to iPhones, you usually know what to expect. But the iPhone 15 Plus was a pleasant surprise. Apple made fewer compromises this time around, giving the iPhone 15 Plus the Dynamic Island, Type-C port, and a camera system that’s similar to the iPhone 14 Pro. To top it off, it also boasts the best battery life of any iPhone to date! I reviewed the iPhone 15 Plus a few months ago, and it has been my daily driver since then. I can safely say that it is one of my favourite devices this year.
The iPhone 15 Plus has a lot going for it: terrific performance thanks to the A16 Bionic chipset, dependable cameras for any time of the day, and the mental peace of getting relevant software updates for years. That said, two things, in particular, stand out for me. The first is the addition of a Type-C port, which makes it convenient for me to carry around just a single USB-C cable to charge the iPhone 15 Plus, MacBook Air M1, and iPad Air M1. The other is the battery life, which has been stellar, delivering close to a day and a half of battery on moderate usage, ensuring I don’t need to reach for the charger often.
Worthy mentions: OnePlus Open, Xiaomi Smart TV X Pro 55-inch
Shrey Pacheco: ASUS ROG Ally
While 2023 was a great year for games, there were but a few tech launches that really made me turn around and take note. Even folding smartphones are pretty common now if you ask me. But there was one launch that made me go “Ah, FINALLY!” That was the ASUS ROG Ally. While it was very impressive hardware-wise, that isn’t the only reason why it is my pick for the year.
You see, the Ally is currently the ONLY handheld gaming PC to officially launch in India. Sure, you can buy the Steam Deck or even the Nintendo Switch in India. But they are not official launches, so aren’t covered by warranty. As such, I would like to thank ASUS for recognising the gaming potential in the country and launching such a niche product here. Hopefully, this will be a cue for others to launch their devices here. As someone with a Nintendo Switch, I would love the option to play in local currency instead of jumping through hoops to make a payment,
Of course, hardware-wise, the ROG Ally is something any PC gamer would appreciate. Great screen, processor and some RGB lighting thrown in as well. But the main bit is that it runs Windows 11. This means almost anyone can use it (once you get used to the controls of course). Further, it can also be used to become your ultimate emulation station. As something of a retro gamer myself, this is something I can appreciate. You can even take it apart and increase storage if you want. That would void the warranty, but when has that stopped PC gamers?
In short, this ‘handy’ little PC is a great ‘ally’ to gamers in India. Yes, I wrote this sentence just to make those cringe-worthy puns and no, I will not apologise for it.
Worthy mentions: Tesla Cybertruck, Meta Quest 3, Apple Mac Mini (M2)
Abhik Sengupta: GoPro Hero 12 Black
GoPro’s Hero-series cameras may not be a creator’s first choice for shooting daily videos, but the Hero 12 Black, introduced late this year, packs surprising enhancements. From hardware improvements to refined software, it’s all about elevating the customer experience and features for creating professional videos — making it my top pick for this year.
So, you might wonder, what are these improvements? Firstly, the GoPro Hero 12 Black provides one of the best native stabilisation, much better than what most smartphones offer. This also means you won’t have to invest in expensive gimbals to capture dynamic shots. Secondly, it offers versatility in resolutions. You can shoot HDR videos at 5.3K (up to 30fps in a 16:9 aspect ratio) and 4K (up to 30fps in 8:7 and 60fps in a 16:9 aspect ratio) – perfect for different social media platforms. Lastly, it stands out as one of the rare action cameras that allows you to connect wireless earbuds for use as an external microphone.
Since its launch in early September, I’ve been using the GoPro Hero 12 Black for multiple shoots – be it in the studio, outdoors, or underwater. You can explore some of these videos on my Instagram as well. I am also looking forward to the release of the GoPro Quick desktop app, which will hopefully have all the AI-backed editing features. There’s obviously scope for improvement, but for now, it can be a great companion if you’re an upcoming creator.
Worthy mentions: OPPO Enco Air3, OnePlus Pad
Ramneek Singh: UPI Lite
While UPI has been around for quite some time now, what impressed me the most this year is UPI Lite. For the uninitiated, UPI Lite is a watered-down version of UPI that only works for making payments of up to Rs 500 per transaction.
The best part of making small and routine payments via UPI Lite is that the payment transactions don’t show up in your bank account statement which could otherwise result in a long and cluttered mess, making it difficult to find important transactions. Furthermore, it carries the convenience of sending money without entering a UPI pin.
UPI Lite comes as a dedicated section within UPI apps such as Google Pay, Paytm, and BHM that can hold up to a total amount of Rs 2,000. This is the reason why transactions don’t show up in the user’s bank statement as everything happens on the device. I found myself topping up my UPI Lite account only once a month which was sufficient for my needs while providing a streamlined experience thanks to the no-PIN functionality for quick payments on the go.
Unlike digital wallets, UPI Lite works for sending money to any UPI-registered mobile number and businesses which will land directly into their bank account. Just recently, UPI Lite has gained the ability to make payments in offline mode and through tap-and-pay via NFC which I’d love to try in the future.
Worthy mentions: OnePlus Open, OPPO Enco Air3 Pro, Bing AI Image Creator
GS Vasan: Sony WH-1000XM4
I always wanted to own a pair of these Sony cans. The latest ones were a little pricey for me, so I went with the 1000XM4s. I bought it this past summer because I needed something to block out the noise coming from the desert cooler in my room whilst I was working or watching something. This pair does a fabulous job of killing the ambient sounds and the sound from it is like a chef’s kiss. It has high-end specs and supports high-res codecs, and the output is very detailed and nuanced. I can tune out from the real world and immerse myself in the world of movies or music. It also aids me in focussing whilst I am working or reading something. Even if I am not listening to anything, I just put them on. The ANC, the soft earpads and the light build all enable this. The multi-connect feature is also very convenient. All in all, this has been one of my best tech purchases this year.Sai Krishna: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has to be the best the smartphone world has to offer in 2023. It is undoubtedly a perfect productive partner that one can buy this year. It neatly balances every segment of a smartphone, be it the gorgeous Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display which makes consuming content or gaming a delight, the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that can handle your everyday taks, gaming and quite literally anything you throw at it, and an impressive set of cameras, which are quite capable of producing great images in any lighting condition.
The inclusion of S-Pen with Wacom tech makes it a bliss to take down important notes on the go and also comes handy when you need to sign any documents. Thanks to its large form factor, you get a good 5,000mAh battery, which easily lasts an entire day. There were times when I didn’t have to reach out for a charger for a day and a half straight. I have used the phone for a good portion of the year and not once it has disappointed me. This is why the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has to be my top pick of the year.
Worthy mentions: iPhone 15 Plus, OnePlus Open
Vivek Chauhan: Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic remains a top-tier smartwatch, with minimal changes from the previous Watch 5 Pro. The display is noticeably larger without compromising the overall size, and the performance has seen significant improvements. It introduces some new features, including a temperature sensor, and brings back the appreciated rotating bezel. The sensors are notably accurate. The watch excels in providing comprehensive data while maintaining a subtle and stylish design. For a smartwatch, it fulfils all necessary expectations. After using it for a while, I can say that I am satisfied with its performance and features. The device has met my expectations and proven to be a reliable companion in my daily activities.
Worthy mentions: Google Pixel 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Dhruv Joshi: Motorola Edge 40 Neo
Motorola has been on an upward trajectory lately with its impressive budget and mid-range offerings, and one particular device truly amazed me in more than one way. I gifted the Motorola Edge Neo 40 to my beloved mother, and careful consideration went into what was possibly my most significant purchase since I started earning. I extensively researched reviews and user comments on various mid-range smartphones within my budget. The result of this research was the Edge 40 Neo. While it may not boast the best cameras, battery, or performance, it reliably delivers in all crucial metrics with some noteworthy highlights, such as its crisp pOLED display with a super-smooth refresh rate of 144Hz, its impressive design, super-fast charging speed, and a capable primary camera.
The purchase was an overall satisfactory experience for me, and the intended recipient of the device absolutely loved the gift. Special praise was given to its eye-catching design and colour, as well as the simplicity of the clean UI of Motorola devices, something she had grown accustomed to as a previous user of a Motorola smartphone.
Worthy mentions: JBL Tune 770NC, Logitech G402 Hyperion
