Brad Bourque | The VergeThe Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.2026-10-13T18:33:14+00:00https://www.theverge.com/authors/bradbourque/rsshttps://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1Brad Bourque<![CDATA[The Nothing Headphone A are half off for the first time]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=10103842026-10-13T14:33:14-04:002026-10-13T14:33:14-04:00
The Headphone A keep the shape and style of Nothing’s over-ear design, but with an opaque instead of transparent case. | Photo by John Higgins / The Verge
One of the best deals we’ve seen today bundles together a great pair of headphones with a solid album. When you add the Nothing Headphone A in black or white and the CD version of the Charli XCX album Music, Fashion, Film to your Amazon cart, you’ll save 33 percent on your order, bringing the total down to $97.52. That’s lower than the best price we’ve seen for the headphones on their own, which retail for $199, and you get a free album to boot. The other colors also qualify for the discount, but have a higher starting price, so the discounted price will be higher as well.
Nothing Headphone A
Nothing’s second over-ear headphones may not offer everything found on the pricier Nothing Headphone 1, but you do get physical controls, good sound, and more than five days of battery life per charge. Their design is also a bit more discreet, for better or worse. Read our review.
We reviewed the Nothing Headphone A when they launched earlier in 2026, and praised them for their physical controls, IP52 dust and water resistance rating, and excellent battery life. They have a more subtle design than other Nothing products, opting for an opaque housing instead of the translucent shells on other Nothing headphones.
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Brad Bourque<![CDATA[The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is down to $950 after Prime Day]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=10088572026-10-09T13:41:24-04:002026-10-09T13:41:24-04:00
Amazon has the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in black with 256GB of storage discounted to $949.99, a healthy discount from its usual price of $1,399.99. This phone’s standout feature is the adjustable privacy display, which can hide your entire screen, or just portions of it, from onlookers and strangers. It doesn’t meaningfully hurt the screen’s performance otherwise, and it’s only noticeable at steep angles, and it includes a built-in stylus for writing or drawing.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung’s 6.9-inch S26 Ultra is the only model in the lineup with the new privacy display, designed to limit what people around you can see on your screen. It also includes the S Pen and upgrades the camera hardware, adding dual telephoto lenses alongside a 200-megapixel main sensor. Read our review.
Even beyond the privacy display, the S26 Ultra is an impressive flagship phone for mobile enthusiasts. The upgraded camera hardware makes a big difference when it comes to photo quality, particularly in low lighting conditions. For better or worse, it’s still a sizable phone, with a 6.9-inch AMOLED display, but it’s slimmer and more comfortable than the S25 Ultra.
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Brad Bourque<![CDATA[I only bought Pokémon Legends: Z-A during Prime Day, and it’s still on sale]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=10082122026-10-09T13:41:45-04:002026-10-08T14:48:11-04:00
Pokémon trainers gearing up for battle. | Image: Nintendo
After covering Amazon’s October sale for the last few days, only one item found its way into my shopping cart, and, lucky for you, it’s still on sale after the event’s conclusion. Pokémon Legends: Z-A for the Nintendo Switch 2 is $49.94 (usually $69.99) at Amazon. The last Pokémon game I played was Let’s Go Eevee!, and Pokémon Moon prior to that, but the unique Lumiose City setting and real-time battles in the latest game have piqued my interest.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the first game in the main series with a real-time battling system instead of the traditional turn-based formula. You’re still catching pokémon, leveling up, trading, and battling in the game’s Paris-inspired setting, but themore action-oriented battles and smooth performance (on the Nintendo Switch 2) are very welcome.
We reviewedPokémon Legends: Z-A close to its release last October, and felt like it continued the “Legends” series reputation for overhauling core aspects of the games that many find to be outdated. If you want even more content, Mega Dimension is available as paid DLC (it costs $29.99). A new Switch 2 Edition game bundle that contains the base game and DLC will drop on October 29th, 2026 for $99.99, so I suggest grabbing the game while it’s cheaper.
Updated October 9th, 2026: Marked the original Switch version as out of stock, and the Switch 2 version is now at a higher price.
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Brad Bourque<![CDATA[We found some great October Prime Day deals under $50]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=10071102026-10-07T15:51:19-04:002026-10-07T16:30:00-04:00
Anker’s 45W charger is less than $50 during Amazon’s October sale. In fact, you can get two for under $50.
Getting in on the Prime Day action doesn’t have to result in an empty wallet. Just as we found a couple handfuls of goodies that are under $25, there are plenty of deals during Amazon’s October sale that are $50 or less, many of which offer a lot of practical value. Everything from chargers to coffee makers are discounted until 3 AM ET on October 8th, 2026, so you only have a few hours to take advantage of some of these deals.
For the full range of deals, make sure to head over to our main roundup, where we’ll keep updating prices and stock into the evening.
LEGO Star Wars The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter
This 412-piece set features the Mandalorian’s reconstructed Naboo starfighter, with minifigs for Din Djarin, Grogu, and Peli Motto.
The EasySMX S10 is our favorite Switch 2 controller for people who don’t want to spend twice as much on Nintendo’s option. It offers an excellent take on HD rumble, along with amiibo support and the ability to wake the Switch remotely.
A smart plug adds functionality to an existing gadget rather than replacing it. Once the plug is connected to your Wi-Fi network and a gadget, you can turn it on and off using an app. TP-Link’s Tapo smart plug supports Matter, so you can add it to whichever smart home platform you use.
Anker’s latest single-port USB-C charger offers up to 45W of power, foldable prongs, and a front-facing “smart display” that lets you see the charge level, power flow, and other useful information at a glance.
Attending a live concert? You can protect your hearing with Loop’s Quiet 2 earplugs. They pack up to 24dB (SNR) of noise reduction and come with four eartip sizes, allowing them to accommodate a range of ear shapes.
Amazon’s Echo Dot is an affordable way to add a smart speaker to your space. The small, powerful speaker offers surprisingly robust sound, and it’s great for controlling smart home devices, including those compatible with Matter. The Dot also offers faster response times than its predecessor, and it can act as an extender for an Eero Wi-Fi system. Read our review.
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max is noticeably faster than its predecessor, features Wi-Fi 6E, and benefits from twice the storage. It can also showcase widgets and artwork when idle, and continues to offer robust Alexa integration.
The last-gen JBL Go 4 has been around for a bit, but the pocket-sized Bluetooth speaker still delivers with up to seven hours of runtime, dual device connectivity, and an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. You can also pair it with other Go 4 speakers for bigger stereo sound, if desired.
The Tile can help you keep track of your personal belongings from up to 350 feet away, which is 100 feet more than its predecessor. The handy location tracker is also platform-agnostic and can send SOS alerts, though only if you pay for Life360’s Gold subscription ($14.99 a month).
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the first game in the main series with a real-time battling system instead of the traditional turn-based formula. Its more action-oriented battles and smooth performance on the Nintendo Switch 2 are very welcome.
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Brad Bourque<![CDATA[The Meta Quest 3S gets a rare discount during October Prime Day]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=10068102026-10-07T15:33:12-04:002026-10-07T14:00:00-04:00
The Meta Quest 3S features inside-out tracking for standalone functionality almost anywhere. | Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
Until the end of Amazon’s October sale later tonight, you can grab the 128GB Meta Quest 3S for just $297.49 (usually $349.99) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. While the lenses and displays aren’t quite as sharp as the Quest 3, the underlying chipset is the same, and this is a much more reasonable price for casual VR gaming and movies. In other words, it’s a big upgrade over the Quest 2. You’ll also get three months of Horizon Plus, which gives you access to a huge library of games.
Meta Quest 3S
The Meta Quest 3S is a battery-powered standalone VR headset that has the same chipset as the pricier Quest 3, but with the same lenses and screen resolution as the Quest 2. In addition to being able to play many games from the Meta Store, it can also be connected to a gaming PC to play VR games like Half-Life Alyx.Read our review.
If you buy the headset from Amazon, the deal also includes the “Cardboard Monkenaut” cosmetic set for Gorilla Tag VR, as well as 2,000 “Shiny Rocks” to spend on other in-game items. This popular multiplayer game is free to play on Quest headsets, and will have you chasing friends or matchmade players through the trees in a high-flying game of tag.
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Cameron FaulknerBrad Bourque<![CDATA[It’s your last chance to save on our favorite October Prime Day deals]]>https://www.theverge.com/1006610/the-best-october-prime-day-tech-deals-we-found2026-10-07T20:25:13-04:002026-10-07T13:45:47-04:00
Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event will end at 3AM ET on Thursday, October 8th. Many of the best deals are still happening, and it’s possible that more than a few of them will stick around even after the sale is over.
Our team cross-referenced shopping sites with our own reviews and buying guides, and found around 100 deals on some of the Verge staff’s favorite gadgets. Prime subscribers will get access to the most deals, though many of them are price-matched at retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target.
Apple’s latest Mac Mini is just as small as the last-gen model, but more powerful. The M6 chip is about 20 percent faster than the M4. Read our review.
The iPhone Air is Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet at 5.6mm, featuring a 6.5-inch ProMotion display, a 48MP fusion camera, and an 18MP front camera with Center Stage support. But its single rear camera and “meh” battery life mean it’s not for everyone.
The iPhone 16E is the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE, bringing flagship-level performance for less than the standard 16. We really wish it included MagSafe for $599, but those upgrading from older iPhones will probably be satisfied with what’s included.
While it won’t charge your Switch 2 any faster than the cheaper Belkin option, the clever battery-meets-kickstand with a built-in display simply looks better.
Samsung recently increased the price of all its S26 phones, but you can get the best of the bunch, the S26 Ultra, at one of its best prices of the year. Read our review.
If all you want is great sound, strong noise cancellation, and physical buttons to navigate, you can’t do better than the Bose QC headphones at this price. Read our review.
Anker’s 25,000mAh power bank sports two built-in USB-C cables (one of which is retractable), plus one USB-C and USB-A port. It tops out at 165W when charging two devices simultaneously, or 130W when charging three or four.
The passport-style Z Fold 8 is the closest thing to an iPhone Duo on the Android side, at least in the US. It’s an awesome phone at its biggest discount to date. Read our review.
If you like to yap on the phone, these earbuds yield the best call quality of any we’ve tried (it’s not even close), and they sound great for music, too. Read our review.
While not as head-turning of a foldable as Samsung’s Z Fold 8, the Ultra delivers better camera quality. It’s cheaper than ever right now. Read our review.
Roku’s latest Ultra streamer has built-in ethernet, a rechargeable voice remote with backlit buttons, and AirPlay 2 support. You can also control it with Amazon Alexa through a compatible smart speaker. The Roku Channel app lets you stream over 400 free live TV stations, plus exclusive movies like Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
Roku’s Streaming Stick Plus supports 4K playback and features a slim design, so it won’t block nearby ports. It plugs straight into your TV’s HDMI port and can be powered by your TV’s USB port, so you don’t need an additional plug. It also comes with Roku’s Voice Remote, giving you hands-free control.
The WiiM Mini makes it easy to wirelessly stream music from your phone, a streaming service, or other local storage to existing speakers you already have. It supports AirPlay 2 and a variety of streaming services.
The Sub 4, while not cheap, is the best sub for your Sonos setup. It can sit upright, or you can lay it down to fit under a couch or entertainment system.
The latest Sonos Beam is a compact soundbar that supports a virtual Dolby Atmos effect and can stream music from a plethora of services. Read our review.
The Omni delivers small, but welcome improvements over the 2022 Nova Pro, most notably a true platform-agnostic design that works with all consoles. Read our hands-on.
While the S26 isn’t particularly impressive in any way, it’s one of the most affordable (yet most powerful) flagship phones you can currently get. Read our review.
The Pixel 11 recently debuted at $899, but it recently got a whopping $150 price cut for the 256GB version. It’s the cheapest way to try Google’s new software features. Read our review.
If you value better picture quality and trust that Google might improve on the HiLight LED feature, the Pixel 11 Pro is the one to get, and it got a big discount for Prime Day. Read our review.
Apple’s new iteration of its priciest, most powerful headphones deliver minor updates for first-gen owners. But those who are jumping in will especially appreciate their big, bold sound. Read our review.
Roku’s latest Pro 4K TV has a 120Hz refresh rate, four HDMI ports (two of which are 2.1), full-array local dimming for even brightness, and support for both Dolby Vision IQ and HDR 10 Plus for better color accuracy. It also works with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home, making it easy to integrate into most smart homes.
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is Amazon’s first note-taking e-reader with a color screen. It features an 11-inch display, a slimmer design, an improved interface, an updated stylus, and a new AI-powered search feature that can quickly summarize documents.
The third-gen Kindle Scribe 32GB is even bigger than its 10.2-inch predecessor; it offers an 11-inch display with 300ppi resolution and the same great battery life that Kindles are known for.
Amazon’s last-gen Kindle Colorsoft features a color E Ink screen, offering similar performance to the new 2026 model. It also offers eight weeks of battery life and a 7-inch display that’s great for comics and graphic novels. Read our review.
The last-gen Kindle Paperwhite received a nice discount for Prime Day. It has the same screen as the new model, so you aren’t missing out on much. Read our review.
A new version of the Fit Pro wireless earbuds, which are upgraded with a redesigned wing tip that Beats says is 20 percent more flexible, a smaller case, and other advantages.
The latest Powerbeats Pro are a no-brainer for athletes. They pack fantastic sound and thumping bass, along with active noise cancellation, IPX4 water resistance, and heart rate monitoring. Read our review.
Despite the familiar design, there were plenty of upgrades in the latest Studio Pro, including noise cancellation, transparency mode, and lossless USB-C audio. Here’s our review.
Powered by Apple’s new M5 chip, the latest MacBook Airs are more powerful than prior models and offer double the base storage (512GB). They also support faster wireless standards, specifically Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Read our review.
For a slightly bigger MacBook Air, the 15-inch version is the one to get. It offers similar performance, but its battery is larger, and it has more speakers.
The seventh-gen iPad Mini comes with Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds. Read our review.
Bose’s SoundLink Max improves on the smaller Flex with true stereo sound — and very powerful sound at that. It’s got a removable handle for easy transport, and there’s an aux input for playing audio when you want to listen at a higher quality than what Bluetooth can deliver. Read our review.
For something between Bose’s SoundLink Flex and the Max, the Plus strikes a good balance with booming bass, loud volume that doesn’t get distorted, and an easy-to-clean design. Read our review.
The second-gen SoundLink Flex builds on the original with more intuitive controls, including a new play / pause button. It also adds adjustable EQ and support for higher-quality audio via AAC and aptX, while retaining a rugged IP67-rated design and the ability to pair two speakers for stereo sound.
A slick 2-in-1 charger that can charge your magnet-friendly iPhone or Pixel at a relatively speedy pace. Its extra charging pad supports AirPods, the Apple Watch, and other Qi-ready accessories.
An affordable color-accurate monitor that can easily connect to a MacBook or Windows machine that has USB-C video support. It’s a good price for a fully-featured 1440p monitor.
Xreal’s most affordable set of USB-C display glasses yet. They lack three degrees of freedom, but are otherwise an awesome value for gaming or watching movies with your own huge, private screen. Read our hands-on.
Get you a smart lock that has a digital peephole, and that can be unlocked with a wave. This is a nice discount off its original $400 price. Read our review.
Roborock’s first roller-mop robot vacuum, the Curv 2 Flow, features flagship specs at a midrange price, including excellent mopping, a retractable mop cover, 20,000Pa suction, AI-powered obstacle avoidance, and a compact design.
Roborock’s Saros 20 stands out for its ability to climb tall thresholds, avoid obstacles with impressive accuracy, and clean under low furniture thanks to its slim design. It also combines powerful 36,000Pa suction with great spinning mop pads, which is why we recommend it for homes with multiple floor types and tricky transitions between rooms.
This innovative new smart lock uses the U1 ultra-wideband (UWB) chip in many iPhones and Apple Watches to automatically unlock your door as you approach. It will also work with the new Aliro standard and be compatible with Android phones for hands-free unlocking.
The G400 was the first wired-only video doorbell to work with Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video feature. It has solid specs for the price, and includes a chime to sound indoors.
The Restore 3 features more than 50 sleep sounds and 18 adjustable light colors, with access to hundreds more through the optional Hatch Plus subscription, which runs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
Described by our writer Andrew Liszewski as “terrible,” the Charmera is still worth getting if you want a keychain camera that’s a ton of fun to use. Read our coverage.
A smart plug adds functionality to an existing gadget rather than replacing it. Once the plug is connected to your Wi-Fi network and a gadget, you can turn it on and off using an app. TP-Link’s Tapo smart plug supports Matter, so you can add it to whichever smart home platform you use.
TP-Link Tapo 2K Outdoor pan/tilt wired floodlight camera
A semi-affordable (subscription-free) outdoor security camera that supplies both a floodlight and a pan/tilt design so that you can easily track visitors.
If you’re itching to locally host photos, files, videos, and more instead of paying for cloud storage, this entry-level NAS from Ugreen is discounted. You’ll just need to pack it with NAS-ready HDDs.
The Apple Watch SE 3 is a major glow-up, adding an always-on display, wrist-temperature sensor, a more powerful processor, and fast charging. Read our review.
The AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors. Read our review.
While not the fastest wireless charger at this price, Anker’s unique, UFO-styled 3-in-1 charging puck unfolds with pads for a phone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch.
Anker’s powerful Nano international travel charger is great if you have a lot of USB-C gadgets to keep charged. While it lacks an AC plug, it supplies a screen that shows how much power you’re pushing to each port.
Anker’s latest single-port USB-C charger offers up to 45W of power, foldable prongs, and a front-facing “smart display” that lets you see the charge level, power flow, and other useful information at a glance.
These smart lights have beautiful colors, a nice selection of festive scenes, and an easy-to-use app. They are super reliable when paired with a Hue Bridge and also work over Bluetooth. They come in three lengths, work with all the major smart home platforms, and are Matter-compatible.
Philips Hue bulbs can be pricey, which is why the company’s four-pack of Essential A19 bulbs are a great buy. They’re cheaper, costing less now during Prime Day than usual. They have adjustable colors, brightness, and can be controlled with Bluetooth or with a Hue Bridge (sold separately).
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus carpet cleaner
Bissell’s Little Green is handy, but doesn’t cut it for big jobs. If you have pets and a lot of carpet to clean, this is one of the most powerful upright carpet cleaners in its price range.
It’s a Lightwall. What more do you need to know? Fine, it’s a curtain of lights that’s 8.5 feet wide and 6.2 feet tall with 1,536 LEDs. You can program them to show anything you want.
The outdoor lamp post light boasts full support for Google Assistant, Alexa, and Matter, so you can easily incorporate the lights into your smart home setup.
The color-changing Govee Table Lamp 2 is an especially great pick for grads looking to make a new space feel like home. With adjustable warmth and brightness, plus lights that sync to music, it’s easy to set the mood for relaxing, focusing, or partying. It can also be controlled with voice assistants or a simple tap for added convenience.
This 10,000mAh power bank is one of the best ones available at this price. It has a built-in USB-C cable, and it’s MagSafe-ready, supporting up to 25W wireless charging speed for recent iPhones. Read our coverage.
A new third-person adventure game made by several developers responsible for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Dawnwalker is similar in terms of its branching storyline and great side quests, but unique with how vampirism affects gameplay.
A 2800-lumen light that can illuminate your desk area for video meetings, close work, and other uses. It includes a desk clamp to make it easy to fix to your working surface.
One of the most well-rounded Android gaming handhelds you can buy is the Retroid Pocket 5. It has a gorgeous 5.5-inch OLED screen, a PS Vita-like design, and enough power to play games up to the PS2 era thanks to its Snapdragon 865 processor.
Google’s latest smartwatch that launched in August has already had a big price drop. While the fourth iteration is cheaper, this model has superior GPS and gesture controls. Read our review.
Nothing’s first pair of over-ear headphones feature a retro transparent design and high-end features like active noise cancellation, spatial audio with head tracking, and plush ear pads. They also feature a paddle button that allows you to control music playback. Read our review.
The Xeneon Edge is a multipurpose touchscreen for your PC that gives you easy access to controls, various metrics, and widgets of your choosing through Corsair’s marketplace.
$1,000 doesn’t usually get you all that much in a laptop these days, but it does during October Prime Day. This model has a 14-inch OLED screen, 16GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a capable Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU.
A screen-free device for kids that plays songs or stories when you tap collectible Tonie figures on the top of it. It’s for entertainment, but can double as an alarm.
An incredible value if you want one of the most comfortable right-handed wireless mice currently available. This price applies to the black or white versions.
A teleprompter is a luxury. They help you make it look effortless to look at your camera as you read from a script or a chat log. Elgato’s option includes a small screen and a mirror, the latter of which allows you to see what you need to look at without breaking eye contact with viewers.
This wall adapter can deliver up to 140W when you’re using just one of its four ports. But even with to four gadgets, it can divvy up 140W so each gets a good amount of power.
If you want to bring your home theater to the next level, the Samsung Q990F is the answer. The Q990 series has been at the top of best lists for years, and for good reason. It delivers an excellent Atmos experience with clear dialogue and booming bass to fully immerse you in whatever you’re watching.
The hourglass-shaped Sonos Era 300 is designed from the ground up for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. It supports the same Bluetooth and line-in features as the Era 100.
Those in need of a capable, compact, and somewhat affordable Windows laptop should consider the Aspire Lite 14. It’s an ARM-based machine with 16GB of speedy RAM, half a terabyte of storage, and a slick design.
The OpenRun Pro 2 are Shokz’s best bone conduction headphones yet, with better sound and more bass than their predecessor. Our reviewer Victoria Song praised their cozy fit as well as their USB-C charging (goodbye, proprietary charger!). Read our review.
The Meta Quest 3S is a battery-powered standalone VR headset that has the same chipset as the pricier Quest 3, but with the same lenses and screen resolution as the Quest 2. In addition to being able to play many games from the Meta Store, it can also be connected to a gaming PC to play VR games like Half-Life Alyx.Read our review.
A powerful tablet that can turn into a laptop when you purchase the keyboard+trackpad accessory. This model features an OLED screen, the Snapdragon X2 Elite, 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. Read our coverage.
Launched in late July, the Sleepbuds 2 have a small design that’s ideal for side sleepers. They can supply audio with 14 hours of battery life, and even a private alarm that’ll wake you (and not others in bed).
Fujifilm’s stylish Instax Mini Evo is the best instant camera overall. With it, you can choose which photos to print, while also boasting good image quality.
While a relatively minor upgrade over the C5 if you’re getting a 65-inch or smaller screen, the 77- and 83-inch C6 utilize an improved Tandem OLED screen with incredible brightness.
Microsoft Surface Pro (13-inch, Snapdragon X2 Elite)
The latest Surface Pro is speedy and elegant, with a 13-inch OLED touchscreen and the Snapdragon X2 Elite processor. It doesn’t include a keyboard, though.
The latest iteration of Apple’s iPad Air features an M4 processor and better connectivity under the hood, resulting in great performance whether you’re gaming or doing AI-related tasks. Read our review.
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 13 is a fun gift for students starting a new chapter. It prints credit card-sized photos in seconds, and the new self-timer makes it easier to snap group photos with friends.
Apple’s entry-level iPad is an excellent tablet for casual use, even if it is getting a little long in the tooth. Its high-res screen is great for watching video, and its A16 processor is still fast enough to handle light games and productivity apps. Read our review.
The XM5 deliver better audio and noise cancellation than the XM4 (and even the refreshed XM4C that cost more), though they aren’t as compact. Read our review.
Sony made subtle improvements to every facet of the WH-1000XM6, from sound quality to ANC performance, while wisely bringing back the foldable, travel-friendly design last seen on the XM4.
The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds have top-notch noise-canceling performance with excellent, balanced sound, if you can get a good seal in your ears. Read our review.
Fantastic audio and great design are hallmarks of Nothing earbuds, but the Ear 3 push the boundaries with a case that can record audio. Read our review.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the first game in the main series with a real-time battling system instead of the traditional turn-based formula. You’re still catching pokémon, leveling up, trading, and battling in the game’s Paris-inspired setting, but themore action-oriented battles and smooth performance (on the Nintendo Switch 2) are very welcome.
Apple’s AirPods 4 are last-gen wireless earbuds, but they’re still great. The hard, plastic buds feature improved audio over the third-gen model, along with deep iOS integration and spatial audio with head tracking. Read our review.
LG UltraGear Glossy OLED gaming monitor (27-inches)
The 27GX704A-B is a glossy OLED monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate, G-Sync compatibility, HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort input, and other nice-to-have features.
This ultrawide (21:9) QHD OLED gaming monitor has a 280Hz refresh rate, a fast response time, and a slick design. It’s tough to get more OLED for your money than with this model when it’s discounted.
The Cricut Joy 2 is a compact cutting and drawing machine that can give you craft room an upgrade. It’s great for making bookmarks, cards, and stickers, and it’s easy to use. Read our hands-on.
The discounted Ninja Slushi produces up to 88 ounces of smoothies without using any ice. It can keep drinks cold for up to 12 hours, with five temperature presets for dialing in your experience.
The G309 is an inexpensive, dual-mode wireless gaming mouse that punches well above its weight. It’s equipped with the same Hero 25K sensor and hybrid optomechanical switches found on pricier models, along with up to 600 hours of runtime over Bluetooth. It’s also the cheapest Powerplay mouse you can get, if you want to skip the whole charging thing altogether.
Updated October 7th, 2026:Updated pricing on a variety of deals, added new deals.
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Brad Bourque<![CDATA[The best robot vacuum and mop deals during October Prime Day]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=10060592026-10-06T16:43:00-04:002026-10-06T18:00:00-04:00
The Dreame X60 Ultra in action. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
Spending too much time constantly sweeping and mopping? If you have the money to delegate those chores to a robot cleaner, you could save a lot of personal time. Thankfully, it’s cheaper than usual to buy a robot vacuum / mop hybrid during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, and some of our favorite models are discounted. The deals aren’t just for Amazon Prime members either, with other retailers like Best Buy and manufacturers getting in on the action, as well.
That being said, if your floors are already squeaky clean, make sure to check out our roundup of over 100 deals from Amazon’s October sale.
Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow
Roborock’s first roller-mop robot vacuum, the Curv 2 Flow, features flagship specs at a midrange price, including excellent mopping, a retractable mop cover, 20,000Pa suction, AI-powered obstacle avoidance, and a compact design.
Roborock’s Saros 20 stands out for its ability to climb tall thresholds, avoid obstacles with impressive accuracy, and clean under low furniture thanks to its slim design. It also combines powerful 36,000Pa suction with great spinning mop pads, which is why we recommend it for homes with multiple floor types and tricky transitions between rooms.
Our pick for the best robot vacuum-mop if you have all hardwood floors is the Narwal Flow 2. A superb mop with a wide flat roller pad and an excellent vacuum, the Flow 2 also has top-notch navigation and obstacle detection. Its sleek base station is also less of an eyesore than most.
The Dreame X60 Ultra leverages a pair of AI-assisted cameras to help it navigate obstacles and ensure a thorough, consistent cleaning. It’s only 3.13 inches tall, so it can sneak under low surfaces that some other robot vacuums can’t.
The Eufy Omni C28 combines excellent mopping performance with a small self-cleaning dock that’s well suited for apartments and other smaller spaces. It navigates around furniture and into tight areas with ease, while its roller mop does a great job cleaning hard floors.
Dreame’s budget-friendly L40s Ultra has storage for up to 100 days of dust, and can clean its own mop pads. The auxiliary climbing wheels help it navigate thresholds and rug edges with ease.
A budget robot vacuum and mop without a multifunction dock. It has AI-powered obstacle avoidance, sonic mopping, auto mop lifting, and an auto-empty dock.
The Deebot X8 Pro Omni is an excellent roller mopping bot that extends to clean along backboards and furniture. It’s also a powerful vacuum with great obstacle avoidance, a small dock, and a convenient self-cleaning brush system.
The Matter-compatible SwitchBot K11 Plus is ideal for small apartments, bedrooms, and home offices. It can easily navigate around chair and desk legs and into tight spaces that most other bots miss. It also features a commendable 6,000Pa of suction power — which is great for this price point — and works well on both hardwood and carpet.
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Brad Bourque<![CDATA[Save on MacBooks, iPads and Apple Watches during October Prime Day]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=10056622026-10-06T14:46:49-04:002026-10-06T15:30:00-04:00
The MacBook Air laptops are among the discounted Apple products. | Photo: Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge
Amazon’s October Big Deal Days are underway (lasting through tomorrow night), and we spotted a ton of Apple products and accessories in the sale, ranging from laptops and headphones to desktops and more. Some of the deals are only for Prime members, but other retailers are often matching or beating Amazon’s prices, and we’ll continue to update our coverage as we spot those deals.
If your sights are set beyond what Apple makes, our main roundup has over 100 of the best deals from October Prime Day, and we’re keeping it updated throughout the sale.
iPhone Air
The iPhone Air is Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet at 5.6mm, featuring a 6.5-inch ProMotion display, a 48MP fusion camera, and an 18MP front camera with Center Stage support. But its single rear camera and “meh” battery life mean it’s not for everyone.
The iPhone 16E is the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE, bringing flagship-level performance for less than the standard 16. We really wish it included MagSafe for $599, but those upgrading from older iPhones will probably be satisfied with what’s included.
Powered by Apple’s new M5 chip, the latest MacBook Airs are more powerful than prior models and offer double the base storage (512GB). They also support faster wireless standards, specifically Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Read our review.
The 15-inch Apple MacBook Air features improved performance and better connectivity than the previous generation, and better speakers than the 13-inch model.
The seventh-gen iPad Mini comes with Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds. Read our review.
A slick 2-in-1 charger that can charge your magnet-friendly iPhone or Pixel at a relatively speedy pace. Its extra charging pad supports AirPods, the Apple Watch, and other Qi-ready accessories.
The Apple Watch SE 3 is a major glow-up, adding an always-on display, wrist-temperature sensor, a more powerful processor, and fast charging. Read our review.
The AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors. Read our review.
Apple’s entry-level iPad is an excellent tablet for casual use, even if it is getting a little long in the tooth. Its high-res screen is great for watching video, and its A16 processor is still fast enough to handle light games and productivity apps. Read our review.
Apple’s recently-updated Mac Mini packs surprising performance into a small package, and the discount helps offset a generational price bump. Read our review.
The newest generation of Apple Watch packs in a variety of upgrades, like faster charging and updated sensors, alongside new Siri and AI features. Read our review.
Apple’s AirPods 4 are last-gen wireless earbuds, but they’re still great. The hard, plastic buds feature improved audio over the third-gen model, along with deep iOS integration and spatial audio with head tracking. Read our review.
The Apple Pencil Pro arrives with new features like Find My support so you can find the stylus when it gets lost, as well as new creative capabilities like squeeze gestures and the “Barrel Roll” gyroscope.
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Brad Bourque<![CDATA[The Sonos Beam 2 soundbar is $140 off]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=10041802026-10-06T10:24:35-04:002026-10-06T15:00:00-04:00
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 in white. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar is on sale for $359 at Amazon and Best Buy during October Prime Day, a healthy $140 discount from its usual price, and $10 lower than the previous Prime Day price. The biggest draw here may be obvious — its native connectivity to other Sonos products — though it’s also a really nice upgrade from your TV’s built-in speakers.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
The Beam isn’t as powerful as the Sonos Arc, nor can it match the flagship soundbar’s Dolby Atmos immersion bubble. But you still get room-filling surround sound for less money — and the Beam ties into the Sonos ecosystem for added convenience. Read our review.
Notably, the latest version of the Beam also adds Dolby Atmos support, albeit without upward-firing drivers to help complete the experience. Compared to the Beam Ultra that’s $699 that has those drivers, the Beam virtualizes the effect to give you a little taste of how Atmos sounds with a pricier system. It also supports eARC for shared power and volume controls with your television, so you won’t need multiple remotes.
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Brad Bourque<![CDATA[Anker’s 100W universal charger is a great travel gadget for $64]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=10043392026-10-06T11:12:53-04:002026-10-06T13:00:00-04:00
The Anker Nano 100W travel adapter with its folding prongs. | Image: Anker
For frequent travelers who like to pack light, the Anker Nano 100W universal travel adapter packs multiple USB ports and is equipped with the ability to adapt to outlets in over 200 countries and regions with its US, UK and EU plugs. During October Prime Day, it’s only $63.99 (usually $79.99) at Amazon.
Anker Nano 100W universal travel adapter
Anker’s powerful Nano international travel charger is great if you have a lot of USB-C gadgets to keep charged. While it lacks an AC plug, it supplies a screen that shows how much power you’re pushing to each port.
The adapter has four total USB ports, with two USB-C that support up to 100W when used individually, an additional USB-C for another device, and a USB-A port for good measure. The exterior screen lets you check your charging power and status at a glance, and the prongs fold away neatly for packing the charger away before takeoff or when you leave the hotel.
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