With the surge of the pandemic innovation took center stage, technology taking the forefront line in recent days will know, it has been an exhausting year for technology. Since the year is nearing its end it’s right to say we are in a safe space to celebrate the gadgets that made our year a little brighter and more manageable. From a speaker made to last a decade to a golden folding phone and the long-awaited revival of an iconic desktop computer, this is our pick of the best tech 2021 had to offer.
MACBOOK PRO
At 7 million Ugandan shillings It’s no great overstatement to say that some tech enthusiasts were calling for a full MacBook Pro do-over the moment Apple announced its last redesign in 2016. Come 2021 and there were no such protestations towards the next iteration of this beloved laptop for creatives. From its pixel-perfect Liquid Retina XDR display to the immense power of its maker’s new M1 Pro and Max chips, the latest MacBook Pro raises the bar for what to expect from a portable computer. Best of all? It resurrected the beloved MagSafe magnetic charging tech.
SONOS ROAM
It may have taken a hot minute to get here, but Sonos’ first proper portable speaker was well worth the wait. A constant travel companion on our sojourns out of town and around the Great British outdoors, it’s sleek, sturdy and packs a proper sonic punch. Plus, it slots neatly into our existing Sonos setup at home. This speaker can be purchased at only 650,000ugx.
SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FLIP 3
Market price at 3600000ugx The age of the folding phone is upon us and Samsung's Z Flip series is by far and away the design that's stolen our heart amidst a field of wildly inventive (and occasionally naff) contenders. By avoiding the need to embrace a bumper-sized aesthetic, the Flip 3 is eminently pocketable while its two-tone pastel design is a real charmer. Admittedly it does sacrifice a little in the way of camera performance to achieve hit such a slender look, but otherwise this handset delivers on the telephonic essentials while being an unparalleled head-turner.
NINTENDO SWITCH OLED
Only gamers can understand this. Costing 1100000ugx Truthfully, there isn’t all that much difference between the Switch OLED and the console that preceded it four years earlier bar a fancy kickstand and that bigger seven-inch OLED screen. When said resplendent display has such a transformative effect on the likes of Metroid Dread and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
IMAC
Despite the world's mandatory embrace of WFH protocols, we weren't quite sure as to the iMac's relevance in 2021 when this major redesign landed in April. That was of course until we sat this delightful slab of screen and M1-powered innards on our office desk, and the whole thing made total sense again. This is a wonderful luxury that eases your productivity while elevating your home decor
NOTHING EAR (1)
The innovation of the ear ware has over the time grown. Such is their ceaseless ubiquity, it takes a lot for a new pair of wireless earbuds to impress us these days. So credit where it’s due to Nothing and its supremely affordable Ear (1) buds. Aside from their striking transparent design, these in-ears sport solid active noise cancellation abilities and a comfy fit. Better still for the eco-minded, they’re carbon neutral certified to boot.
POLAROID NOW+
The idea of a Bluetooth-connected Polaroid has been around for a good while now and the Now+ proves it’s just as beguiling as ever. What sets this new model apart from the pack is a slew of creative filters and app-bound manual controls allowing those who know a thing or two about photography to really eke the best out of this chunky snapper.
BANG & OLUFSEN LEVEL
This was a vintage year for handsome speakers, but the most resplendent to our eyes was Bang & Olufsen’s Level. Dripping with Scandi chic thanks to its wooden grille and modular internals, this portable boom box has been designed so that it can be upgraded over the course of its lifespan for unprecedented longevity. Naturally, as well as looking the part this B&O effort sounds superb too.
IPHONE 13 PRO
Still our go-to smartphone after all these years. If anything, 2021 saw the iPhone further extend its dominance over a somewhat winnowing field of rivals. With a silky-smooth ProMotion display, delightfully versatile camera and much-improved battery life, the 13 Pro absolutely nails the necessities we demand from any new handset as well as offering all the usual luxuries that come with being locked into Apple’s walled garden
SONY XR-55A90J
Having pioneered the invention of OLED panel tech, LG's TVs have long ruled supreme when it comes to sheer bang for your buck. If you won't settle for anything less than the absolute audiovisual best, then this year it's a Sony set that's most deserving of your cash. Benefitting greatly from the upgraded Google TV smart interface as well as genuinely impressive sound, it's a telly that elevates OLED into dizzying new heights.
