Engadget Names Pixel 11, iPhone 18 Pro, and Mac mini M6 as 2026 Top Picks
Engadget has released its preliminary Best of 2026 awards, highlighting the Google Pixel 11 and Apple iPhone 18 Pro as top smartphones. The list also features the Apple MacBook Neo as the best affordable laptop, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo for gaming, and the Sony A7R VI as the best overall camera. Notable omissions include several categories awaiting late-year releases, while rising RAM costs have impacted pricing across multiple categories.
Key points
- Google Pixel 11 wins Best Android Phone for its 5x telephoto camera, Tensor G6 processor, and useful software features like Rambler.
- Apple iPhone 18 Pro takes Best iPhone, praised for variable aperture cameras, improved thermal management, and new color options.
- Apple MacBook Neo is named Best Affordable Laptop, offering premium build quality at $600 despite a $100 price increase due to RAM costs.
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo wins Best Gaming Laptop, featuring dual 3K OLED screens and an RTX 5090 GPU, starting at $4,500.
- Sony A7R VI is the Best Overall Camera, offering a 67-megapixel sensor with 30 fps RAW bursts and 8K video capabilities.
Background
Engadget's 2026 awards follow a year of significant hardware releases, including the iPhone 17 series and various Android flagships. The current awards reflect a market where rising component costs, particularly RAM, have driven up prices for laptops and desktops. Previous coverage noted the diverse flagship field in 2026, with the iPhone 17 and Pixel 11 being key contenders. The current list acknowledges that some categories, such as best earbuds and foldable phones, are withheld until late-year product launches are reviewed.
Why it matters
These awards provide a consolidated view of the year's most significant consumer technology releases, highlighting how iterative updates and premium features define the current market. The emphasis on rising costs, particularly for RAM, underscores the economic pressures affecting the tech industry. The selection of devices like the Pixel 11 and iPhone 18 Pro reflects a focus on practical improvements and camera capabilities, while the inclusion of niche items like the Breville Eye Q Toaster shows the expanding scope of smart home technology.
What to watch
Engadget plans to update its Best of 2026 list in the coming weeks to include categories such as best earbuds, headphones, foldable phones, and smart glasses. These additions will depend on the release and review of anticipated products in the final quarter of 2026. The company will also reassess current winners to ensure they remain recommended at their current prices, given ongoing market fluctuations.
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