Technologies

US Adults Expected to Spend $931 on Devices This Holiday Season, CNET Survey Finds

Smartphones, laptops and TVs are at the top of wish lists

The holidays are still months away, but if you want the best deals on a new laptop or smartphone, you should probably start shopping now. According to a new CNET survey, nearly half of shoppers aren’t waiting until Black Friday and Cyber Monday to shop. Instead, they’re shopping for tech for the holidays months early to beat potential rising prices and shortages.

But is shopping early the best strategy? I spoke with CNET’s resident tech and shopping experts to find out.

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Here’s what they say you need to know about navigating early sales, finding the best deals and avoiding common pitfalls, like product shortages and hidden price hikes.

Shoppers plan to spend an average of $931 on tech this holiday season

CNET found that US shoppers plan to spend an average of $931 on tech this holiday season, and a few devices top their shopping lists. The millennial generation expects to spend more, with an average of $1,070 on tech this holiday season. Gen X plans to spend the least, with $747.

Smartphones and laptops are at the top of holiday tech wish lists

Smartphones (26%) and laptops (23%) are the top two tech gadgets most US adults are buying this holiday season. Between new features and popular releases, CNET experts shared why smartphones and laptops are sought after this year and what to know before you buy.

Smartphones

New smartphone models, including the Google Pixel 10 and Apple’s iPhone 17, are released months before the holidays. Some features, like Apple Intelligence and Gemini Nano, are limited to newer models. David Lumb, CNET’s mobile expert and reporter, says that may persuade you to buy a new phone for the holidays.

«It’s probably the time of year when consumers’ old phones start to feel long in the tooth — and with new iPhones typically released in September, they may be tempted by their extra features and capabilities.»

But don’t expect to see steep discounts on these newly released models in time for the holidays. Lumb says most brand-new phones released within the past few months won’t have great holiday deals. Sometimes Samsung doesn’t follow this trend, but Apple rarely discounts its phones. You may see a $100 discount on last year’s iPhone when the new one is released.

When’s the best time to buy? If you’re still planning to buy a new phone this year, November is the best time to look for one, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday week. Retailers will have the best deals then, but don’t expect big discounts. Some phone carriers may offer trade-in offers, but comparing deals is still best.

«The best way to save money on brand-new premium phones is to look for bundles and deals from carriers and third-party retailers like Best Buy or Amazon,» Lumb says. «And make sure you’re taking care of your old phone to get the most trade-in value, which can save you hundreds of dollars off a new one when you turn in your old one.»

There are still a few popular budget-friendly smartphones if you’re looking for a good deal but don’t need the latest and greatest.

«While this year’s new iPhone 16E stretches the idea of ‘budget’ at $600, the $429 iPhone SE released in 2022 remains the most affordable iOS phone,» Lumb says. «Android fans have far more options around the same price range, like the $499 Google Pixel 9A or $400 Samsung Galaxy A36, and into true budget territory with the $300 Moto G Power 5G, $250 TCL 60 XE NxtPaper 5G and $200 Samsung Galaxy A16.»

Laptops

Deals are available on several types of laptops, including budget-friendly options and high-performance gaming models. Depending on your needs, you can choose from plenty of laptops, but CNET recommends the M4 MacBook Air or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.

Before you buy a laptop this holiday season, Josh Goldman, CNET’s laptop expert and managing editor, recommends setting a budget and expectations first.

«The best move is to set a budget, try to stick to it and look at deals from retailers and direct from the manufacturers,» Goldman says. Most importantly, make sure you’re getting a laptop with the features and specifications you need now and in the foreseeable future.

When’s the best time to buy? Goldman says if Amazon follows its usual fall Prime Day sale, you should start to see good deals on computers then. Deals are expected to continue through Black Friday and the week of Cyber Monday. You can find the lowest laptop prices during Black Friday, but there are sales throughout the year.

«Unless you’re buying one as a gift or have an urgent need, another sale is always just around the corner,» Goldman says.

TVs are also on holiday shopping lists

One in five (20%) shoppers is considering buying TVs this holiday season. While CNET tracks weekly TV deals and lists the best TVs of this year, it’s still a prime time to buy now.

When’s the best time to buy? David Katzmaier, CNET’s resident TV expert and senior editorial director, says the best time to start shopping for one is usually around Black Friday. Deals will continue through the holiday season, leading up to the Super Bowl in February. You may still find deals during the fall Prime Day or other early sales.

Katzmaier recommends using a price tracker, like Keepa, for historical pricing and to spot a good deal. Keepa is one of several websites with a browser extension to track Amazon product prices. Experts also recommend CamelCamelCamel.

«That way, when it goes on sale, you know how deep the discount really is and you can pounce if it’s a good deal. Waiting is usually the best strategy and when the TV hits an all-time low, go for it,» Katzmaier says.

However, the more substantial discounts are usually on the more expensive TV options because they cost more, but you can still find good offers on other models.

«The best deals we find are often midpriced models — neither super budget nor really high-end — that go on sale during Black Friday,» Katzmaier says. «Those are also the kinds of TVs that do the best in our reviews.»

Shoppers are concerned about buying tech for the holidays

Nearly nine in 10 (87%) of shoppers are worried about purchasing tech this holiday season.

By the numbers, over half (52%) are worried about tariffs and rising prices on tech they plan to buy, while 48% worry about finding quality tech at an affordable price. Other concerns include shoppers being able to afford new tech (38%), going into debt or straining their finances to purchase devices (26%) and availability and shortages (23%).

The concerns are valid. Holiday tech shopping may not be smooth sailing for some popular tech devices, like video gaming consoles and smartphones. Here’s a closer look and what CNET experts are seeing.

Over half of shoppers are worried about rising prices and tariffs

With over half of shoppers worried about rising prices and tariffs, Russell Holly, CNET’s shopping expert and director of commerce, has seen plenty of evidence that suggests tariffs on personal electronics and home tech will affect prices during sales this year. However, you can get ahead of some price hikes on personal and home tech essentials.
«Things like AA batteries, replacement batteries for AirTags and even kitchen necessities like dishwasher tabs will reduce possible price gouging later,» Holly says.

Goldman says that it’s less about tariffs for many retailers. There are other economic factors impacting prices.

«We’ve seen some small price increases, but several manufacturers we’ve asked about the impact of tariffs have said the increases are more about general inflation and that sometimes newer tech just costs more, which is true,» Goldman says. «Sometimes you have to wait a couple of years for the latest and greatest to become more affordable.»

Nearly half are worried about finding tech at an affordable price

Bridget Carey, CNET’s consumer tech expert and editor, advised shopping with caution and not buying the first device you see, especially if you’re concerned about finding quality devices at a good price. More paid social media influencers and AI-generated search results are skewing top recommendations, which may not be the best or accurate, she says. That’s why she recommends taking an extra few minutes to do your research to save money and frustration from a device you’re unhappy with.

«Before making a large purchase, it’s more important this year to find reviews written by independent, trusted sources to weed out the junk — or just to help you find the right brand for your needs,» Carey adds.

Expect shortages on popular tech items

Some popular newly released items may face shortages this holiday shopping season, especially if there’s a good deal. That’s a concern that nearly 1 in 4 (23%) have. If there’s a must-have item on your list, like the highly anticipated iPhone 17 or the Nintendo Switch 2, don’t wait to buy it if it’s in stock and you can afford it. That’s because waiting for lower prices may mean missing out on the item altogether.

For example, Carey predicts that the Nintendo Switch 2 may be tighter on supply as December approaches.

«Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser told CBS there would be a steady supply of Switch 2 units coming throughout the year. But our CNET Switch 2 restock tracker has found stores regularly going out of stock, so I would shop sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment,» Carey says.

Half of US adults are shopping for tech ahead of the holiday season

Thinking about holiday shopping before Halloween may sound odd, but Carey recommends planning your shopping list now.

«With the cost of tech increasing, you’ll want to be prepared to jump on any sale you see in October and early November. Black Friday isn’t just one weekend anymore — it starts in October.» But you’ll still want to keep an eye out for sales after October and pay attention to return policies just in case you find a better deal.

CNET found that half of tech shoppers plan to shop early — September and October — to ease some of their shopping concerns. Still, most shoppers (25%) plan to wait until November, and 6% will wait until December.

How US adults are trimming costs on consumer tech and services

Close to nine in 10 (89%) shoppers plan to use various strategies. Shopping on Black Friday is the most popular money-saving method (59%). Other popular methods include comparison shopping (37%), shopping during Fall Prime Day and competing retailer sales (34%), shopping refurbished or pre-owned tech (23%) and shopping earlier (22%).

If you’re comparing prices, especially during sales, Holly advises making sure you’re getting a deal.

«Tools like CamelCamelCamel.com will show you the price history of a product, so you know whether the sale is genuine and how tariffs have affected the price over the course of this year,» Holly says. «You can also verify discounts through CNET’s Deals page, where we actively track discounts to make sure you’re getting the lowest price.»

So when’s the best time to buy tech and appliances?

Holly adds that Black Friday sales focus on entertainment and popular gifts. It’s also a good time to shop for TVs, eBikes and gaming accessories. Fall sales before Black Friday typically focus on home appliances, laptops and emergency preparedness.

«The best strategy for making sure you’re getting the best deals is to prioritize more practical life improvements first and be ready for entertainment purchases closer to the end of the year,» said Holly.

Methodology

CNET commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,395 US adults, of whom 1,369 were interested in purchasing consumer tech products or services this winter holiday season. Fieldwork was undertaken Aug. 20-22, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).

Technologies

This Two-Faced Watch Band Lets You Hide an Apple Watch Under Your Rolex

The $418 Smartlet literally bridges the gap between your elegant analogy and your nerdy smartwatch.

The Consumer Electronics Show is never short on ambitious ideas, but Smartlet may be one of the more unusual ones this year: a modular watch strap that lets you wear a traditional mechanical watch and a smartwatch on the same wrist, simultaneously. One on top of the other.

The Paris-based startup announced Smartlet at the 2026 CES in Las Vegas, pitching it as a solution for people who love the look of an analog watch but also want the practicality of a smartwatch for notifications, fitness tracking and mobile payments. Instead of choosing between the two, Smartlet’s system lets you mount an old-school timepiece on the front of your wrist while hiding a smartwatch or fitness tracker on the underside.

The stainless steel strap starts at $418 and doesn’t include a smartwatch or a mechanical watch. What you’re really buying is the strap system, which is compatible with most major smartwatches and fitness trackers, including Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin models, Fitbit Charge devices and Whoop. On the analog side, it supports watches with lug widths from 18 to 24 mm, which includes high-end models from brands such as Omega, Tudor, TAG Heuer and Rolex.

The idea comes from founder David Ohayon, who says he was tired of having to play favorites every morning, choosing between his analog and Apple Watch. Smartlet, in theory, offers the best of both worlds, letting you toggle from fitness nerd to polished executive with the flick of a wrist.

In practice, it raises some serious questions, the biggest one being bulk. Smartlet says the system adds between 9 and 12 mm of height to the underside of the wrist once a connected device is attached. As someone who already manages to scratch watches without trying, the idea of strapping a second device to the underside of my wrist, where it regularly comes in contact with desks, armrests and tabletops, sounds like a walking nightmare.

There’s also the aesthetic. Smartlet is clearly aimed at what it calls the «modern gentleman,» with marketing language that leans heavily into luxury watch culture and phrases like «from the boardroom to the weekend.» Translation: This is a watch for wealthy men who want to show off their investment piece without sacrificing their gym gain tracking.

And while it may not be the most practical, or budget-friendly solution for most people, Smartlet is one of those highly niche, standout products that had us doing a double take at this year’s CES.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Dec. 25 #662

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Dec. 25, No. 662.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle has a holiday theme, and if you know a certain Christmas carol, you’ll quickly determine which words to hunt down. Some of the answers are difficult to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Carolers count.

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Five golden rings.

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

RIMS, HIMS, MARS, CHIME, CHIMES, MADS, DATE, DIAL, WAIL

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

LORDS, MAIDS, SWANS, LADIES, PIPERS, DRUMMERS

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is CHRISTMASDAYS. To find it, look for the C that’s three letters down on the far-left row, and wind across.

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Toughest Strands puzzles

Here are some of the Strands topics I’ve found to be the toughest in recent weeks.

#1: Dated slang, Jan. 21. Maybe you didn’t even use this lingo when it was cool. Toughest word: PHAT.

#2: Thar she blows! Jan.15. I guess marine biologists might ace this one. Toughest word: BALEEN or RIGHT.

#3: Off the hook, Jan. 9. Similar to the Jan. 15 puzzle in that it helps to know a lot about sea creatures. Sorry, Charlie. Toughest word: BIGEYE or SKIPJACK.

Technologies

Judge Blocks Texas App Store Age-Check Law

A preliminary injunction found the Texas law, set to begin Jan. 1, is «more likely than not unconstitutional.»

A new Texas state law set to take effect on Jan. 1 would have required app stores to implement age verification processes. But the law has been put on hold, at least temporarily, by a federal court judge.

As reported by the Texas Tribune, Senate Bill 2420, also known as the Texas App Store Accountability Act, is the subject of a temporary injunction issued by US District Judge Robert Pitman.

Pitman said in his decision that the law as written is broad, vague and «more likely than not unconstitutional.» However, he also wrote the court «recognizes the importance of ongoing efforts to better safeguard children when they are on their devices.»

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The Texas law, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in May, requires app store operators — including Apple, Google, Nintendo, Steam and more — to build age verification processes for the storefronts and to only allow downloads to minors who obtain parental consent. The injunction is a ruling in an October lawsuit filed by the Computer & Communication Industry Association.

CCIA senior vice president Stephanie Joyce said in a statement, «This Order stops the Texas App Store Accountability Act from taking effect in order to preserve the First Amendment rights of app stores, app developers, parents, and younger internet users. It also protects parents’ inviolate right to use their own judgment in safeguarding their children online using the myriad tools our members provide.»

Other individuals and the advocacy group Students Engaged in Advancing Texas also filed suits over the law, the Texas Tribune reported.

App Store Accountability Act

The bill author, State Senator Angela Paxton, said the bill was meant to give parents «common sense tools to protect their kids and to survive court challenges by those who may have lesser priorities.»

The language of Texas Senate Bill 2420 does not only include mobile app stores from Apple or Google, but any «website, software application, or other electronic service that distributes software applications from the owner or developer of a software application to the user of a mobile device.»

By that definition, websites with links to browser games or mobile game consoles with download options would fall under the Texas law as written. The law also defines mobile devices as including phones and tablets, as well as any other handheld device capable of transmitting or storing information wirelessly.

The parental consent aspect of the law requires those under 18 to have an app store account affiliated with a parent or guardian to purchase or download applications.

Age verification elsewhere

In an effort to keep adult materials out of reach of minors and to protect children from potentially harmful content and interactions, tech companies have been compelled by law or through legal action to verify the age of users.

Roblox, which has a huge audience of minors, began rolling out stricter age verification after investigations and lawsuits hurt its reputation as a safe gaming space. Australia is perhaps the most large-scale example of a government restricting access to online content. In December, Australia began restricting social media access to those 16 and older. Reddit recently challenged that law.

In the US, age verification laws have primarily targeted adult sites. Texas already has a law on the books that requires adult sites to age-block their content. The Supreme Court upheld that law in a June ruling. The UK has also enacted age restriction rules for adult sites as have other US states.