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2025-02-14
The highly anticipated fifth edition of the Times of India Gadgets Now Awards was held in a grand ceremony in Gurugram, celebrating innovation and excellence in the tech industry. The event brought together top industry leaders and influencers from some of the most prominent tech companies in India. This year’s awards spanned across 21 categories, recognizing the finest in laptops, smartphones, home audio, wearables, and more. The event was an exciting opportunity for both the jury and the public to voice their opinions, with awards being divided into two distinct categories: Jury’s Choice and People’s Choice.
The night saw an impressive list of distinguished personalities from various sectors, including CP Gurnani, the co-founder and executive vice chairman of AlonOS, and former CEO of Tech Mahindra, along with industry veterans such as Pankaj Mohindroo, chairman of the India Cellular and Electronics Association, and Prasanto Kumar Roy, FTI Consulting Advisor. The ceremony was further graced by notable figures including Olympic medalist Vijender Singh, actor Taha Shah Badussah, former hockey player Rani Rampal, and former cricketer Madan Lal.
Key Winners of the 2025 Times of India Gadgets Now Awards:
1. Best AI-powered gadget
– Jury: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
– People’s: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
2. Best Smartphone of the Year
– Jury: Apple iPhone 16 Pro
– People’s: Apple iPhone 16 Pro
3. Best Premium Smartphone of the Year
– Jury: Apple iPhone 16
– People’s: Samsung Galaxy S24
4. Best Affordable Smartphone of the Year
– Jury: Redmi Note 14 Pro+
– People’s: Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
5. Best Gaming Smartphone of the Year
– Jury: Poco F6
– People’s: Infinix GT 20 Pro
6. Best Laptop of the Year
– Jury: Apple MacBook Pro (M4 chip)
– People’s: Apple MacBook Pro (M4 chip)
7. Best Smartwatch of the Year
– Jury: Apple Watch Series 10
– People’s: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
8. Best Speaker of the Year
– Jury: Marshall Middleton
– People’s: Sony Ult Field 7
9. Best TV of the Year
- Jury: Samsung Neo QLED 4K Q990D AI TV
- People’s: Samsung Neo QLED 4K Q990D AI TV
The event showcased the most innovative and influential tech products of the year, with voters and industry leaders alike recognizing the brands that excelled in design, performance, and functionality across a variety of categories.
What Undercode Says: A Deep Dive into the Winners and Trends of the 2025 Awards
The 2025 Times of India Gadgets Now Awards underline several key trends and shifts in the tech industry that are shaping the future of gadgets and consumer electronics. From AI-powered devices to next-gen smartphones, the focus is clearly on providing consumers with cutting-edge technology that blends innovation with practicality. Here’s an analytical breakdown of what this year’s winners tell us about the state of technology and what we can expect in the coming years.
Smartphone Domination:
Apple continues to reign supreme in the smartphone category, with the iPhone 16 Pro taking home the prestigious title of Best Smartphone of the Year, both in the Jury and People’s Choice categories. The success of the iPhone 16 series further cements Apple’s position as a leader in the smartphone market, thanks to its blend of premium build quality, advanced camera technology, and seamless ecosystem integration. However, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series is a close competitor, securing the title of Best Premium Smartphone of the Year in the People’s Choice category, showcasing the growing competition in the Android ecosystem. The presence of multiple brands in both the jury and people’s choice categories, such as Redmi, OnePlus, and Nothing, highlights the increasing diversity in consumer preferences, with affordable and feature-packed smartphones emerging as viable alternatives to the premium models.
The Rise of AI and Smart Devices:
The increasing emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in tech products was clearly visible in the awards, with the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL taking the Jury’s award for Best AI-powered gadget. AI is no longer a luxury; it’s becoming an integral part of everyday tech, from photography enhancements in smartphones to smart home devices that anticipate user needs. As consumers demand smarter devices that can learn from their behaviors, the integration of AI will likely define the next wave of technological innovation.
Gaming Innovation:
Gaming gadgets are also garnering attention, with the Poco F6 and Infinix GT 20 Pro emerging as the top choices in the Gaming Smartphone category. This reflects a growing focus on mobile gaming, with powerful hardware, immersive graphics, and longer battery life becoming increasingly important for gamers on the go. The gaming laptop segment, too, saw an exciting moment with the HP Omen Transcend 14 winning the Jury’s Choice for Best Gaming Laptop. This speaks to the growing demand for high-performance laptops that cater to gaming enthusiasts, professionals, and content creators alike.
Wearables and Audio Products:
The smartwatch and audio markets are also evolving at a rapid pace. Apple continues to lead in the wearable sector, with the Apple Watch Series 10 winning Jury’s Choice for Best Smartwatch of the Year. However, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra’s recognition in the People’s Choice category shows that consumers are increasingly looking for cross-platform wearables that can offer more versatility and deeper integration with their daily routines. The TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earbud segment is another area of growth, with brands like Sennheiser and Samsung emerging as key players. As audio quality improves, consumers are placing more value on portability and ease of use, which TWS products offer in abundance.
Smart TVs and Home Audio Systems:
The dominance of Samsung in the TV category, with its Neo QLED 4K Q990D AI TV winning both Jury and People’s Choice, signals the importance of high-quality visuals and smart functionalities in the modern home entertainment experience. Similarly, the shift toward more immersive and compact audio systems is evident in the awards for Best Speaker and Best Affordable Speaker, with Marshall Middleton and Boat Stone Lumos taking the lead. The focus on home entertainment products is a direct reflection of the growing demand for devices that can transform home spaces into personalized entertainment hubs.
What Lies Ahead?
Looking ahead, the 2025 Gadgets Now Awards hint at a future where convenience, AI, and interconnectivity will drive consumer purchasing decisions. As technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the role of AI, smart devices, and mobile-first experiences will shape new trends in 2026 and beyond. The lines between various device categories—smartphones, wearables, laptops, and home entertainment systems—are blurring, with each category contributing to a larger, interconnected ecosystem of devices. Brands that successfully navigate these changes and offer seamless, high-performance experiences will continue to lead the way.
References:
Reported By: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/times-of-india-gadgets-now-awards-2024-announced-meet-the-winners/articleshow/118253929.cms
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