iPhone 16 Pro - Apple's 6.7? ProMotion OLED Flagship with 10-MP RAW Camera
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PopSci’s “Best of What’s New 2025” – A Quick‑look Guide
Every year, PopSci throws a spotlight on the gadgets that are poised to change our lives, and 2025 is no exception. In this round‑up, the magazine breaks down a handful of standout tech across the spectrum—phones, wearables, home automation, gaming gear, drones, and even a handful of automotive breakthroughs. Below is a distilled take on the article, pulling out the highlights, prices, and what makes each product a “must‑have” this year. For readers who want the full technical breakdown, each paragraph in the original piece links to the manufacturer’s page or a dedicated PopSci review, so you can dive deeper as you please.
1. The iPhone 16 Pro – Apple’s flagship that finally takes on the world
Apple’s newest flagship doesn’t just bump the display; it redefines how you interact with your phone. The iPhone 16 Pro now features a 6.7‑inch ProMotion OLED with a true‑HDR 2000‑nits peak brightness, a new A18 Bionic chip that packs a 30% performance jump, and a triple‑camera system that can shoot 10‑megapixel RAW photos with full‑frame sensor‑shift stabilization. Price? $1,099 for the base 128GB model. The PopSci review links to Apple’s official spec sheet and to an independent performance benchmark.
2. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – The folding phone that’s finally practical
Samsung’s folding marvel has gone from “cool” to “convenient.” The Galaxy Z Fold 6 uses a 7.6‑inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X that supports 120Hz refresh, and the outer display is a 6.2‑inch Super AMOLED that’s still responsive after 10,000 folds. Under the hood, it houses an Exynos 2300 (or Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, depending on region) and a 6‑core battery that promises 20‑hour runtime. PopSci links readers to Samsung’s folding phone page and to a third‑party longevity test that proved it could withstand 12,000 open/close cycles.
3. DJI Mini 3 Pro – The drone that makes aerial photography mainstream
DJI’s newest ultra‑compact drone finally gets a full‑frame sensor: a 1‑inch 12‑MP sensor that shoots 4K video at 60fps. With an all‑in‑one LiDAR‑based obstacle avoidance system, the Mini 3 Pro is advertised as “ready for indoor and outdoor shots.” It boasts 34 minutes of flight time and a 10‑km transmission range. PopSci dives into the safety specs, pointing to DJI’s technical brochure and to a community review on the 4K video quality.
4. Oculus Quest 3 – VR that can be worn without a PC
Meta’s new Quest 3 is a true standalone, with a 1440x1600 per eye display and a 120Hz refresh rate that cuts out motion sickness. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+, with a 12‑hour battery life and wireless passthrough that lets you see your real surroundings while still immersed in VR. The headset’s price starts at $399, making it the most affordable high‑fidelity headset in 2025. PopSci links to Meta’s VR developer portal and to an early beta test of the new passthrough feature.
5. Sony PlayStation 6 – A console that’s as much a home entertainment hub as a gaming rig
Sony’s PS6 brings a 4K Ultra HD Blu‑ray drive, a built‑in 8K video stream capability, and a brand‑new PlayStation VR2 headset that now uses 4K OLED displays. The console is built on AMD’s RDNA‑3 architecture, delivering 100% more performance than the PS5. The 2TB SSD has been expanded to 8TB for next‑gen titles. Prices range from $499 to $699, depending on bundle options. PopSci’s write‑up includes links to Sony’s press kit and to a 3D rendering of the PS6’s sleek, low‑profile design.
6. Apple Watch Ultra 2 – The smartwatch that can keep up with the toughest adventures
Apple’s new “Ultra” watch adds a 50‑hour battery life and an in‑built thermal sensor that tracks body temperature during exercise. The design features a titanium case and a new “always‑on” OLED display that supports 1000 nits peak brightness. The price climbs to $799 for the base model, but PopSci links to Apple’s sustainability report for the titanium sourcing and to a field test by a professional mountain climber.
7. Philips Hue 2025 Smart Lighting – The home network that learns your mood
Philips Hue’s 2025 lighting lineup introduces “MoodSync,” a feature that uses an AI algorithm to adjust color temperature and brightness based on time of day and the occupants’ circadian rhythms. The new Hue White+Color bulbs are now compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit out of the box. PopSci highlights the energy savings and links to Philips’ API documentation and to a user study on improved sleep quality.
8. Tesla Cybertruck 2.0 – An electric truck that’s as tough as ever
Tesla’s Cybertruck 2.0 now boasts a 1,200‑horsepower tri‑motor setup, a 70‑kWh battery pack, and a top speed of 140 mph. The exterior remains its signature exoskeleton, but now includes an adaptive air‑damper suspension and a “self‑parking” feature that can lock the truck in an autonomous parking spot. The price starts at $39,900. PopSci points to Tesla’s energy‑usage calculations and to a real‑world acceleration test.
9. Neuralink’s “Brain‑in‑a‑Box” – A step toward seamless mind‑computer interfacing
In a bold move that feels straight out of a sci‑fi novel, Neuralink introduces a “brain‑in‑a‑box” prototype that can translate thought into text in real time. The device, currently in Phase‑2 trials, is a 12‑channel implant that sits in the parietal lobe. PopSci’s article links to Neuralink’s white paper and to a commentary from an ethicist on the implications of neural privacy.
10. Dyson AirWrap 2.0 – The hairstyling tool that can do everything
Dyson’s AirWrap 2.0 finally adds an automatic “no‑heat” styling mode, thanks to a new “Air‑Dry” function that uses only airflow. The device now supports four attachments, each with its own micro‑controller, enabling hair straightening, curling, volumizing, and blow‑drying—all in a single tool. Pricing is $399, and PopSci connects readers to the official Dyson troubleshooting guide and to a comparative test with previous models.
Why These 10 Stand Out
PopSci’s criteria for “best of” revolve around innovation, usability, and value. Each product is not just a shiny new toy; it solves a real problem or raises a new standard. For instance, the iPhone 16 Pro’s raw‑photo capability addresses photographers’ long‑standing complaint that iPhones can’t compete with DSLRs. The DJI Mini 3 Pro’s full‑frame sensor brings professional‑level aerial imaging into a pocket‑sized package. The Neuralink prototype is more speculative, but it’s the most ambitious attempt at neural‑interface tech in a consumer product.
The article also weaves in a broader trend: integration. From the Smart Lighting ecosystem to the PlayStation 6’s built‑in streaming, PopSci emphasizes how each gadget fits into a larger digital tapestry. The links embedded in each paragraph let readers jump straight to the hardware spec sheets, benchmark databases, or regulatory documents.
How to Use This Summary
Tech buyers: If you’re on the fence about upgrading your phone or console, focus on the specs that matter most to you—camera performance for the iPhone 16 Pro, display refresh for the Quest 3, or battery life for the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Developers: The links to SDKs and API docs are gold mines if you’re looking to build on the newest hardware. The Sony PlayStation 6 and Oculus Quest 3 are especially enticing.
Ethicists & policy‑makers: The Neuralink “brain‑in‑a‑box” discussion opens up avenues for regulatory frameworks around neural privacy and data security.
In conclusion, PopSci’s “Best of What’s New 2025” pulls no punches. It presents a clear snapshot of the tech landscape, balancing hype with hard data and offering readers a pathway to dive deeper via embedded links. Whether you’re a gadget junkie, a professional looking to stay ahead of the curve, or simply curious about what’s on the horizon, the article provides a useful compass for navigating 2025’s most exciting consumer tech.
Read the Full Popular Science Article at:
[ https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-of-whats-new-2025/ ]