News

• Police may be able to bypass one of iOS’s strongest security features
• The revelation is from a leaked video from the GrayKey device’s creator
• It has worrying ramifications for your data privacy

A company that works with law enforcement says it has bypassed a key iOS security feature that protects your sensitive information from being extracted from your iPhone without your permission. But it could be a step backward for user privacy and the security of your personal data.

According to a report from 404 Media, Magnet Forensics — the company behind the GrayKey device police use to crack open iPhones — has developed a new workaround that lets anyone with a GrayKey sidestep Apple’s Inactivity Reboot feature, plus a whole lot more. And it’s been using this exploit since at least early 2025, when a video seen by 404 Media was dated.

Inactivity Reboot is an iOS feature that automatically restarts your iPhone if it hasn’t been unlocked in 72 hours. This puts it into a more secure state called Before First Unlock (BFU), which protects certain sensitive data with encryption keys that aren't released until you enter your device passcode. After you’ve logged in, your iPhone enters a less secure state called After First Unlock (AFU).

In a video uncovered by 404 Media, Magnet Forensics claims that it can now freeze the iPhone in AFU mode using a new device called GrayKey Preserve, and that AFU mode is apparently maintained even if your iPhone restarts. That frozen state gives GrayKey easier access to the device’s data because it is not as strongly encrypted as in BFU mode.

In addition, GrayKey Preserve — and an associated mode for the regular GrayKey called Evidence Preservation Mode — can recover materials that iOS automatically purges after a certain period, including location data, iMessages, and deleted images. “We’re gonna be able to preserve that data for an infinite amount of time,” says a Magnet employee in the leaked video.

The video did not reveal Magnet Forensics’ technical solution in detail, but an employee hinted that enabling Airplane Mode and blocking radio transmissions (including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular) could play a role. And security expert Jiska Classen told 404 Media that the new GrayKey might be manipulating iOS’s built-in clock, “slowing down time” for the cops or even “stopping the clock from ticking” entirely, thereby indefinitely preventing Inactivity Reboot and iOS’s automatic deletion workflows from running.

Apple is well-known for the security of its devices and its strong stance against weakening the protections afforded to its users. While Apple says it complies with legitimate police requests, it has actively worked to thwart tools like GrayKey from accessing iPhone data. It has also pushed back against law enforcement requests to build a backdoor into its operating systems that police can use.

Why would Apple seek to frustrate law enforcement agencies like this? Well, part of the justification Apple has given is that there’s no such thing as a backdoor that only works for the good guys. Any software flaw can be exploited by hackers, stalkers, identity thieves, and all manner of other bad actors. Given the highly private data — including credit card details, medical records, and personal photos — on billions of iPhones worldwide, that’s a serious risk Apple isn’t willing to take.

As well as that, tools like GrayKey are known to be used by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states around the world to suppress free speech and harass critics. Apple has taken its fair share of criticism for making concessions to repressive governments in countries like China and Russia, but building an iOS backdoor for them is apparently a step too far for John Ternus’s company.

In the past, Apple has worked quickly to patch exploits used by Magnet Forensics and its competitors, and there’s no doubt that 404 Media’s report will have rung alarm bells in Cupertino and prompted furious work on a fix. But the fact that this vulnerability has been actively exploited since at least early 2025 will be disturbing news for people both inside and outside Apple.

• NASA's SR-71 Blackbird has vanished from its outdoor display pole
• Satellite imagery shows the Blackbird was gone by mid-May 2026, or possibly April
• Retired engineers Mike Relja and Tim Conners declined NASA's offer to help fly the Blackbird

A Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird with tail number 844 has vanished from the outdoor exhibit at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, prompting questions about the agency's plans.

Satellite imagery obtained by Aviation Week shows the aircraft had left its pole by the middle of May 2026, and possibly even as early as April.

The aircraft left its pole months before Jared Isaacman, NASA's administrator, showed a silhouette resembling the Blackbird at the All-In Summit in Los Angeles in September.

Retired test engineer Mike Relja, now well into his seventies, said NASA offered him work roughly four weeks ago on returning the aircraft to flight, but he declined.

David Ash, a onetime Navy pilot who joined NASA in June to direct special projects, made the request but never explained the agency's motives.

“I told the guy, ‘You know, I’m too old to be doing this,’” Relja told Aviation Week. “I wish you well. I’d like to see you make it. It would be interesting. But I just don’t think you can get there from here.”

The airframe is 59 years old, and last flew on October 9, 1999 leaving a gap of almost 27 years and a long list of challenges.

Whoever takes this job should expect engines left idle for decades, cavities holding moisture and grit, and no spares after the $600 million stock was destroyed in 2007.

JP-7 fuel, triethylborane, hydraulic fluids and specialised ground carts would also need restoring, Relja said, and the last JP-7 stocks were burned in 2002.

NASA has not confirmed any plan to fly the aircraft again, and a spokesperson declined to explain why it was taken off its pole.

A similar offer was made to Tim Conners, a retired NASA test engineer, but he too declined the offer - however, he suggested that museum aircraft could supply spares, since nine Blackbirds reached exhibits with engines.

“My first thought was, ‘My god, I would drop everything [to help] …My second thought was, ‘How in the world are they going to do it? Those subsystems could be cannibalized,” said Tim Conners.

“The architecture was as simple as they could make it…It’s a big deal, but it should not be a showstopper…compared to some of the other challenges.”

When asked about the silhouette at a press conference, Jared Isaacman said, "You sure that's a Blackbird?" and didn’t clarify anything.

At the EAA AirVenture in July, journalists asked him whether he had authority to revive such an old aircraft, and his response was "That's classified."

The SR-71 cruised near Mach 3.2 at almost 85,000 feet, and NASA flew Blackbirds in the 1990s for research on propulsion, structures and sonic booms.

The Aviationist notes that no aircraft currently used by NASA can reproduce that combination of speed and altitude.

The Blackbird could also serve as a stepping stone between supersonic testing and hypersonic flight, or as a carrier for experimental vehicles, though the latter would need modifications.

Reviving a long-retired aircraft isn't unheard of, either. The F-117 left service in 2008, yet it still flies regularly for training and testing nearly two decades later.

The estimate for reactivating an SR-71 for intelligence missions, made about two years after the final flight, reached $40 million to $45 million.

Adjusting for inflation alone, that estimate would be roughly $75 million to $85 million today. The real cost would likely run higher given the need to rebuild the supply chains, spare parts, and trained crews.

Struggling with the daylight savings time change in some Aussie states? There are gadgets that can help you reset your circadian rhythm and they're discounted in Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days right now.

We're on the finish stretch of the sale, though, so I hope you don't sleep on your purchases for too long — this October Prime Day sale ends tomorrow (Monday, October 5) at 11:59pm AEDT.

• Shop Amazon's full Prime Big Deal Days sale

This shopping event gives you a great opportunity to get your Christmas gifting sorted as there are plenty of items going cheap right now — just take a look at these 10 beauties for under AU$100, but you can find more below in the dedicated section for deals under AU$100.

Plenty of record-low prices are still available as well, with some notable highlights including the Philips Baristina coffee machine dropping to AU$359; a couple of JBL Grip Bluetooth speaker colourways going for under AU$70, the Ninja Crispi Pro down to an all-time low of AU$290.70 and 63% off on the Roborock H60 Hub Plus, which is arguably the best-value self-emptying vacuum deal right now.

Pretty much every deal is Prime exclusive, so I hope you have a subscription. If not, you can sign up now and get a 30-day free trial if you're a first-time customer and you can cancel any time.

The JBL Grip plugs the gap between the smaller Clip and formidable Flip. It's a compact speaker that delivers a big sound, offers impressive protection against dust and water and has some nifty LED lighting on its rear. The Flip 7 is still our top recommendation, but with the Grip currently at the lowest price we have seen for a couple of colour options, it's a great buy. View Deal

MX Master 3S (Bluetooth Edition): was $149.95 now $89.99
The Logitech MX Master range have been some of my favourite mice of all time, thanks to the ergonomic design, multiple customisable buttons, and a second scroll wheel for horizontal scrolling (or for flicking through multiple browser tabs). This version is Bluetooth-only, meaning it doesn’t have the Logi Bolt USB dongle and a USB-C charging cable included in the box.View Deal

Vertuo Pop: was $229 now $92.15
This little pod machine is very popular among TechRadar's Aussie team. We've had past and present staff say how much they love it, and they'd even buy it at full price. With a very compact footprint and plenty of Vertuo pods to choose from, you'll get delicious coffee at just the press of a button. View Deal

These AirPods lack active noise cancellation but you still get great audio and personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking without having to pay too much. Additionally, a battery life of up to five hours on a single charge and 30 hours with the included carry case will keep you listening for longer.
Prefer noise cancellation as well? Grab the AirPods 4 with ANC for AU$185 (or 38% off).View Deal

Crispi Pro: was $499 now $290.70
I've just got me this air fryer, but I haven't started using it yet... I can't wait to cook up a storm that can potentially feed up to 10 people! Yes, its largest glass basket has a 5.7L capacity, so that's a lotta chips! There's another 2.3L borosilicate basket also in the box, so you can just cook a small portion too. And both come with lids, so you can serve in the same basket or cover and store in the fridge.View Deal

H60 Hub Plus: was $799 now $299
We've tested the slightly different H60 Hub Ultra here on TechRadar, but not this cheaper, slightly less powerful model. And yet this could be one of the best-value self-emptying stick vacuums to buy right now. For this discounted price you get a lot: up to 170AW of suction, a maximum 80-minute runtime, a free-standing self-emptying dock that has room for attachments, and a green-lit floorhead to spot tiny dirt particles. You don't need much more.View Deal

Baristina: was $599 now $359
The best entry-level bean-to-cup coffee maker has received a good discount for Prime Day. It's simple to use, taking care of the grinding, tamping and pouring for you. The porta filter will even automatically slide into position for you. Do note there's no milk frothing here, but a matching milk frother is available. Also available in black. View Deal

Instinct 2X Solar: was $769 now $379
An upgraded version of a watch we proudly awarded five stars, this handy fitness tracker features solar power charging, allowing it to last much longer than the standard model. It's a rugged wrist piece and it's intended for heavy-duty activities.View Deal

Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB): was $2199 now $1688
Our Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review called it the best Android phone ever for its powerful specs, excellent cameras, AI features and a new privacy display screen. It's also one of our picks for the best phone you can buy in Australia and we highly recommend it if you’re shopping for a top-spec Android handset. We’ve seen the S26 Ultra cheaper elsewhere before, but this discount is the lowest price we’ve seen on Amazon.View Deal

This discount matches the Blink Video Doorbell System’s last all-time low price during the last Prime Day sale in July. It’s worth noting, though, that many of the features are locked behind the AU$4.95/m Blink Basic or AU$15/m Blink Plus subscription plans, so those costs should be considered if you want video storage, person detection and more. Amazon is also offering a bundle with two Blink Mini 2K+ cameras for AU$48 or 74% off, perfect for a good starter home security system.View Deal

Nova Lite: was $45 now $32
This is an excellent budget PC controller and affordable even at full price, but let's not scoff at the AU$13 saving, shall we? Despite its price, there's plenty here to get your game on, including 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, a wired option via the Type-C port, and 10 hours of battery life. The build quality isn't the best and there's no audio jack but, for under AU$50, it's a fab buy.View Deal

Video Doorbell 2K+: was $109 now $41
Already quite affordable, this Blink video doorbell can rival anything from the more expensive Ring line, while also offering a long battery life and IP65 weatherproofing. Also included is the Sync Module that you'll need to make everything work, but you will need to take into account that it requires a Blink Subscription Plan if you want all its functions at your fingertips. Note that the 'typical price' listed was the July discount, so this is more than the displayed 7% discount.View Deal

TV Stick 4K Plus: was $99 now $45.60
This is just the previous Fire TV Stick 4K rebranded to a new name. So if you already have the original, there's no need to upgrade, but for a first-time customer, you get Wi-Fi 6 support and a fast processor so you can get to your favourite streaming content that much quicker. All Fire TV Sticks now get you access to XBox Game Pass, so you don't need a console to play if you already have a subscription.View Deal

Outdoor 4 (2 pack): was $179 now $58.99
Read our review for the full scoop, but the Blink Outdoor 4 is an affordable home security camera from Amazon with the ability to last up to two years off batteries. It comes with an easy-to-use app and fairly good camera quality via a 1080p lens, and can store video when paired with a Blink Sync module.View Deal

iO 2: was $159.99 now $56.05
If you're after a really good electric toothbrush that won't cost an arm and a leg (or some teeth), then this is it. It's an entry-level oscillating brush, which means it rotates at fast speeds and may not be ideal for people with sensitive or bleeding gums as that movement can be harsh, but it sure does remove a heck of a lot of plaque and keeps your teeth healthy. View Deal

Echo Dot (5th gen): was $99 now $59
Amazon's Echo Dot it's a great smart speaker with decent sound and Alexa built-in. It also has motion detection and can measure temperature, which is handy if you have a connected thermostat. It is a little long in the tooth now, having released in 2022, but it's a bargain at this price.View Deal

Already affordable, these wireless buds have dropped to a record-low price (outdoing the previous one by a single cent). This is excellent value considering we rate them 4.5 stars in our Earfun Air Pro 3 review, and they have active noise cancelling, premium aptX sound quality and 45 hours total play time.View Deal

A Modo Mio Jolie Evo: was $129 now $64.99
The Lavazza Jolie machines are excellent and affordable alternatives to Nespresso. This Evo model just has a single button for extracting coffee (compared to the Jolie Plus that has programmable buttons), making it oh so simple to use. If you'd like the option to froth milk, you can get a bundle with a frother too. View Deal

Blast Water Flosser: was $179.99 now $65.78
If you don't enjoy flossing the traditional way, use the power of water instead. Removing plaque using three different water pressure settings, this handy flosser will clean out those hard-to-reach gaps that your toothbrush can't. Plus, it's cordless, meaning you can take it on your travels too. Admittedly these were a lot cheaper in July (just over AU$48), but it was bestseller then, so it would be remiss of me to not include it here again.View Deal

Galaxy SmartTag 2 (4-pack): was $169 now $69
Samsung's answer to the AirTag, the SmartTag 2 works with select Samsung phones to help you find mislaid items. It has a built-in hole for easier attachments, up to 700 days of battery life and it's water-resistant. If you're always losing stuff, this is a worthy investment that drops the price of each individual tracker to a mere AU$17.25 apiece.View Deal

Freeze Wand: was $149 now $84
The Ninja Creami is great and all, but paying almost AU$300 for an ice cream maker is a lot — but this one from Cuisinart costs a fraction of the price and also takes a lot less space too! It's a versatile machine that makes ice cream, slushies, milkshakes, sorbets, and mix-ins to truly earn its space in the kitchen. You can even combine up to three flavours with three included dessert cups.View Deal

MultiPro Go food processor: was $149 now $87
This food processor's biggest drawcard is its small footprint (30cm tall and 16cm wide), making it great for those with smaller kitchens, but it also has a powerful 650W motor to help blitz foods to slice, grate, chop and knead in seconds. This is the lowest price we've seen for the MultiPro Go, and you can read the full review here.View Deal

the Aroma Style: was $109.95 now $87
This drip-style coffee maker lets you wake up to a fresh pot of coffee every morning and it will even keep it warm all morning for those cold days working from home. You can program it to brew at a specific time and even adjust the strength of your brew. View Deal

Air Circulator 460: was $179 now $94
We might be in the middle of winter, but there's no denying some parts of Australia need a good fan year round. This Vornado model creates tornado-like air flow that circulates around the room. Note that this is the smallest model in the range, ideal for bedrooms. View Deal

2000 Series: was $179 now $98
If you're after a compact model that can feed one or two people, this Philips option is great for under a hundred dollary-doos. It's been hovering around the AU$95 mark for a while, so it's quite the best deal, but it's still a discount that's hard to pass up on an air fryer with a staggering 13 preset cooking options.View Deal

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Offering poised and revealing sound, along with excellent comfort and microphone quality, this saving is one to consider if you've been on the hunt for a quality pair of earbuds. Though noise cancellation and battery life could use some work, we awarded these earbuds a TechRadar Recommends seal of approval in our Technics EAH-AZ80 review.View Deal

Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds (Black Copper): was $499 now $246
We gave these stunning earbuds 4.5 stars in our review as they have class-leading audio handling and impeccable sound quality that rivals the best wireless earbuds. With balanced sound, effective ANC and a great battery life, these Sennheiser buds will make any audiophile smile. View Deal

Offering “incredible sound”, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have all the power and quality you’d expect from a Bose-branded item while providing the benefits of an open-ear form factor. The Immersive sound is excellent, and there’s also up to seven hours of play time and up to 48 hours of standby time. They simply just work and work very well.View Deal

OpenRun Pro 2: was $319 now $227.05
Read our review for the full lowdown on why these are the ideal runners headphones. Importantly, this Pro 2 version that improves the sound quality by combining the bone conduction tech with an air conduction speaker. This discount beats the price from Black Friday last year, but is five cents more than July.View Deal

QuietComfort SC: was $499.95 now $243
Nearly as good as the gen 1 QuietComfort Ultra, the SC misses out on the Immersive Audio mode. There'll also be a little difference in sound quality as they process sound differently, but it's still excellent, as is the ANC performance. You'll also get a soft case for this foldable headphone rather than the hard one for the more expensive set.View Deal

Momentum 4 Wireless: was $579 now $240
The 5th-gen version is out now, but it's our Sennheiser Momentum 4 review that scored a full five stars, where we called these headphones "unbeatable". With active noise-cancellation, 60-hours of battery life and excellent sound quality, there are few pairs that can compete with the Momentum 4.View Deal

WH1000-XM6 (pink): was $699.95 now $513
It's a pity only one colourway is going for this price, but if you don't mind the dusty pink of Sony's latest flagship cans, you'll be in for a treat. Arguably one of the best headphones available today, there's no doubting performance here, with beautifully balanced sound and great ANC.View Deal

SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen): was $249.95 now $147.25
Clean, detailed sound, full protection against dust and water and all packaged in a gorgeous body, the Bose SoundLink Flex is a Bluetooth speaker you'll want to take with you everywhere you go, and at a pretty good price too.View Deal

Boom 4: was $229.95 now $158
This floatable Bluetooth speaker is perfect for the poolside party, with up to 15 hours of playtime and very decent 45m connectivity range. It promises bassy, punchy and yet a clear 360º soundstage.View Deal

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This is a very different Dreame R10 to the one we've previously reviewed on TechRadar, but if it performs anything like the light-coloured version that has since been discontinued, then I think this is excellent value. For not a lot of money, this appliance promises up to 45 minutes of runtime and a bendy wand to get under furniture. It even comes with a wall-mount attachment.View Deal

Cordless Vacuum with Self Cleaning Brushroll (IZ102): was $549 now $189
We haven't tested this cordless vacuum ourselves but user reviews are glowing and I think that says something. For quick and daily vacuuming, this is great and excellent value and is currently at an all-time low price on Amazon.View Deal

An incredible price on the V8 Cyclone is well worth considering. An update to the iconic V8, you get better suction (150AW over 100AW) and a bigger battery (60 minutes of runtime compared to just 40). The newer model also gets 3 suction modes as opposed to only 2 and even in low power, our tests found it to be "sucky". And it will be compatible with Dyson's upcoming self-emptying dock, which will be sold separately when released.View Deal

Arguably the cheapest Dyson available right now, the V8 Origin is pretty much the same machine as the standard V8, just with a red wand and barely any additional accessories shipping in the box along with it — which explains the lower price. Honestly, I think the standard V8 is the better buy, but if cash is tight and you really want a Dyson, this will suit you fine with up to 40 minutes of runtime.View Deal

PowerDetect Clean & Empty: was $999 now $462.10
With powerful and dynamic suction, plenty of attachments and an auto-empty charging dock, this is arguably the best value non-Dyson cordless vacuum right now. Read our review for the full scoop. Often sold around the AU$750 price point, it as low as AU$438 at the start of this sale, but this is still a great bargain on what I think is the best stick vacuum cleaner in Australia. View Deal

V16 Piston Animal: was $1349 now $899.99
This is a fantastic discount on Dyson's most powerful cordless vacuum to date, and what I like even more about it is the quick-release floorhead so you don't have to keep bending to take off or clip it back in again. For your money, you're getting 315AW of suction and a very powerful motor, a new compression dust cup that can hold up to 30 days of compacted dirt, the new anti-tangle FluffyCones floorhead with dust-illuminating light and long runtime too. If you want the latest from the popular brand, this one is it.View Deal

For not too much money, the H12 Pro FlexReach will vacuum and mop at the same time, then clean its roller mop with hot water and hot air to prevent bacterial growth and odour build up. And, as the name suggests, it can lie completely flat to clean under low-lying furniture too.View Deal

F25 Ace: was $999 now $349
This Roborock wet-dry vacuum will leave your hard floors sparkling clean thanks to powerful suction and effective cleaning. It can get up close to edges and the whole body can lay completely flat to help getting underneath tricky to reach places. This price is equal to the lowest we have seen on Amazon and is a great saving on an excellent floor washer – read our review for more info.View Deal

X40 Ultra (black): was $2799 now $712.49
Where this Dreame differs from all the others on this page is that if you don't want it to mop (do a vacuum-only run), it can drop its mop pads in the base station by itself. It's also pretty powerful and scored 4 stars in our Dreame X40 Ultra review. It's now two generations old but I'd still recommend it today, especially at this price. View Deal

Qrevo Curv 2 Flow: was $2499 now $799
We haven't tested this specific model but we were rather impressed by the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro that's not available in Australia. The Flow version has slightly lower suction (20,000Pa vs 25,000Pa) and uses a roller mop rather than dual pads which I personally prefer. It is a slightly taller bot compared to the Pro model, but if you don't have a lot of low-lying furniture, I would trust this machine based on all other impressive Roborock robovacs my colleagues and I have tested.View Deal

L50 Ultra CE: was $2199 now $999.99
Want the latest Dreame tech? Released earlier this year, this robovac packs everything that Dreame models are good at — excellent suction, decent mopping, superb obstacle avoidance, pet-zone cleaning and so much more — into a sleek machine. OK, so it looks like all the others, but c'mon, you can't tell me the white with metallic accents don't fit into any home.View Deal

This is the robovac I would consider buying if I didn't already have a high-end Dreame machine that's been cleaning my home like... a dream. This Roborock is slimlined to crawl under furniture (no navigation puck here), and can raise not just its mop pads, but its side brush to avoid scattering and excessive tangling. Its headline act, however, has to be its cleaning prowess — our Roborock Saros 10R review didn't score 4.5 stars for nothing!View Deal

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Dedica Arte: was $299 now $196.95
This compact manual coffee machine can pour up to two espresso shots at once and features a steam wand for cafe-quality milk foaming. There's no built-in grinder, but you either use ground coffee beans or invest in a separate grinder using the cash you save with this deal. View Deal

La Specialista Arte: was $649 now $444
This gorgeous-looking, easy-to-use, bean-to-cup espresso machine is a worthy addition to any coffee lover's kitchen. It's relatively compact, too, and pours delicious espresso with little to no skill involved. Note that this is the non-Evo model, meaning it can't make cold brew. The Evo model is out of stock at the time of writing.View Deal

The Breville Bambino Plus is incredibly simple to use, and can take care of most of the coffee making process for you. Grind some beans into the porta filter, insert it into the group head and use the one-touch controls to brew. It also has a hands-free milk texturing system for expertly frothed milk, while ThermoJet technology means the machine is ready to use in seconds. There's very little you need to do to simply enjoy the results — now AU$20 more than what it cost at the start of the sale.View Deal

4400 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine: was $1199 now $738
This Philips bean-to-cup machine can make 12 coffee-based drinks, all of which are served perfectly, and can be customised to suit your tastes. We weren't too fond of its milk frothing skills in our LatteGo 4400 Series review, but at this price, I can't recommend it highly enough, even though it was AU$175 cheaper for the first half of the sale thanks to a coupon.View Deal

Luxe Café Premier: was $799.99 now $577.89
This 3-in-1 coffee machine brews quality espresso, drip coffee and even fast cold brew using its Barista Assist technology, an integrated grinder and weight-based dosing. There's a lot it can do, and it does it very well. And it's just dropped in price by about AU$11 in the Oat Milk colourway.View Deal

The Barista Express (Stainless Steel): was $999 now $599
This at-home espresso machine is perfect for hobbyist baristas and coffee connoisseurs alike and has long held a position on our round-up of the best espresso machines for good reason. This manual coffee machine streamlines the brewing process from beans to latte with its integrated conical burr grinder, steam wand and precise espresso extraction. View Deal

It's an expensive machine but we like it so much that it scored 4.5 stars in our De'Longhi Eletta Explore review. Capable of making both hot and cold coffee brews, this bean-to-cup machine produces delicious results, although it's not without its quirks. Our reviewer thought its water tank design was a little annoying and wasn't too thrilled with the two-carafe milk system, but if those aren't going to be issues for you, this could be a good investment.View Deal

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Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer (AF300): was $249.99 now $127
This is an excellent price for the air fryer we awarded five stars to in our Ninja AF300UK review. It has six easy-to-use cooking functions and a total 7.6L capacity dual drawer setup, which can cook separate foods and sync timers to finish simultaneously — perfect for a couple.View Deal

Multi Zone Air Fryer Oven: was $299 now $162.45
This big air fryer has multiple accessories to keep clean, but there's no denying this Sunbeam unit is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It's capable of cooking in separate zones, complete with separate trays to maximise the space or one huge 11.4L zone. Food is roasted to perfection, whether it's a full chicken or small portions of fries or vegetables.View Deal

DoubleStack XXXL: was $599.99 now $170.05
Securing a spot on our list of the best air fryers, our reviewer said this innovative model from Ninja was the "air fryer of my dreams". It takes a familiar double drawer design, but stacks them on top of each other, resulting in a smaller footprint. Performance is exemplary, but just make sure the food you put in isn't that big, as the drawers themselves are on the smaller side at 4.75L each.View Deal

3000 Series dual basket air fryer (9L): was $349 now $170.05
We haven't tested Philips' dual basket air fryer, but considering how much we've loved the brand's other kitchen appliances, it's hard to not make a mention of this offer. This 9L air fryer has drawers of different sizes, which makes it easy to cook a main and a side together, and promises to sync cooking times if needed. View Deal

This compact air fryer packs 1700W of power into a portable design, with two borosilicate glassware containers that serve as both frying baskets and serving dishes. The borosilicate means they can also withstand extreme temperatures, making it easy to take your favourite foods from frozen to crispy, and it's safer to use than any non-stick basket. The Crispi also comes with two removable crisping grates and two snap-on container lids for easy food-storage post-feast.View Deal

5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer Steam: was $499 now $224.20
Ever cooked with steam in an air fryer? Now you can with this Philips two-drawer air fryer. In my Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket XXL Air Fryer Steam review, I said that it cooks everything really well, but there are some caveats to keep in mind when it comes to the use of steam. Still, it's absolutely worth the investment if you want to upgrade from an old air fryer and you have the space for it.View Deal

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I have a feeling the price of this budget phone will drop but that's not a promise, it's a hope. It's still worth it at this price, as long as you don't need the most powerful phone with all the bells and whistles. We called it a "competent all-rounder" in our Samsung Galaxy A57 review, but we also noted that it will not wow you.View Deal

Phone 4a (128GB): was $649 now $537.76
We named the Nothing Phone (4a) the best overall cheap phone for its mix of good mid-range specs, unique design, clean Android UI and low price. Its cameras can be better and there's no wireless charging here, but it's to be expected for a phone at this price point.View Deal

17T (512GB): was $1199 now $889
It looks like an iPhone and can rival Apple's performance too, thanks to a powerful chipset under the hood. In fact, our tester was quite impressed with this phone in our Xiaomi 17T review, with the biggest issue being bloatware. If that doesn't bother you, we gave this one four stars.View Deal

Galaxy S26 (256GB): was $1549 now $1127
Costing less than Apple’s budget phone — the AU$1,149 iPhone 17e — the base model Samsung Galaxy S26 is a true flagship device with three camera lenses, 12GB of RAM and the full Galaxy AI suite. We've seen this dip below AU$1,000 recently, but this price is still a bargain given how much more expensive flagship phones are these days. Amazon has the Black, Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue and White colours available for this price, and you can also trade in an old phone for more savings.View Deal

Galaxy Tab A11+ (128GB, Wi-Fi): was $399 now $339
The latest in Samsung's well-received budget tablet range, the A11 picks up where the A9 left off, and at the same price too. This is the base model, with just Wi-Fi connectivity and 128GB of storage, but you can expand that easily to up to 2TB via a microSD card. If you need an Android tablet for daily use like browsing, watching videos and maybe playing a few games, this one's well worth considering, although it has been available for less than AU$300 previously.View Deal

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (2024): was $329 now $259
With more storage than the standard Paperwhite, a brighter screen and wireless charging, the Paperwhite Signature Edition is arguably better value than the base model above if you think you'll make full use of the storage and its wireless charging capabilities. If not, you're better off going with the standard Paperwhite, although its meagre discount is rather disappointing.View Deal

Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: was $419 now $334
The Kindle Colorsoft is one of the best ereaders with a colour display, even offering a feature to make the hues more vivid. While I wouldn't recommend at full price, this discount makes it a little easier on the pocket for the 32GB version that also has wireless charging.View Deal

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Art (Black): was $169 now $86.45
SodaStream is a leading name in sparkling water makers and the Art is an entry-level model that uses a retro-inspired pull lever to add CO2 to water rather than the usual button on models like the SodaStream Terra. This sparkling water maker will also get you a bottle and a gas cylinder to start, and you can purchase flavourings and get the cylinder replaced or refilled easily enough.View Deal

A welcome saving on Breville's answer to the SodaStream. Not only can you use the InFizz Fusion to carbonate water, but you can fizz any liquid you can think of — other than hot beverages of course. This nifty machine is sure to be a hit during at-home cocktail nights.View Deal

Creami Deluxe: was $449.99 now $283.10
It's got a cult-like following and two members of our own staff are massive fans. If you love your chilled desserts – ice creams, gelatos, smoothies – but want to control your calorie intake, you really should consider getting the Ninja Creami. This Deluxe edition gets you three containers, which is great value at this price, although it was over AU$50 cheaper in July.View Deal

The Ninja Slushi lets you skip the ice and still enjoy perfectly smooth icy drinks with very little effort. Whether you're craving a frappe, smoothie, or even a cheeky spiked slushi, its multiple drink modes have you covered. Check out our Ninja Slushi review for the full rundown. View Deal

Swirl by Creami: was $549 now $265.05
This is one of the better deals we have seen for the Creami lately. Read our review for more info, but you can think of it as the Creami’s upgraded sibling. It handles everything the original model does, then goes further with a built-in soft-serve unit featuring six dedicated programs.View Deal

Tower Fan 5000: was $179 now $113.05
When space is a premium and you only require cooling in a focused area, then a tower fan might be for you. This one from Philips is only 23.8cm deep and wide to fit a small space like a corner or a narrow hallway, while also standing 109.5cm tall to provide more cooling.View Deal

This fan can be used either at home, plugged in, or on the go with its built-in battery that’s rated for up to 12 hours of continuous operation. The water droplets from the misting function are ultra-fine and come from an integrated tank, so the feature also works while on the go. A built-in handle and lightweight 1.76kg body also make the FlexBreeze HydroGo easy to transport and move around.View Deal

This bladeless fan may be the priciest in this list, but this discount still makes the Shark TurboBlade Ultra a more affordable option than Dyson’s offerings. The fan can either be set horizontally to cover a wider area or vertically for more focused cooling. It comes with 10 speed options and different noise levels to suit whatever your cooling needs are.View Deal

2.5Kw portable air conditioner: was $299.99 now $239.99
This portable aircon can rapidly cool down a space of up to 20sqm while also running relatively quietly for as low as 64db. We haven't reviewed this yet, but it has dozens of 5-star user reviews for its ease of installation and effectiveness.View Deal

portable air conditioner: was $379.80 now $303.84
This portable aircon also doubles as a dehumidifier and can cool down a room of up to 30sqm, while also running at 64db during low-speed mode. TechRadar hasn't reviewed this yet, but it has a handful of 5-star user reviews praising its portability and performance.View Deal

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The Beard Hedger: was $159.99 now $119.99
Whisk away facial hair in one smooth motion using Manscaped's Beard Hedger beard trimmer. With 20 length settings, edge trimming capabilities and a fully waterproof body, you'll be perfecting your stubble in no time. We have seen this trimmer go lower in price before, but we think it's such a talented performer that we felt compelled to include it here.View Deal

Series 9000 Prestige wet & dry shaver: was $209 now $113.53
Fitted with a flexible head, this shaver is designed to glide against the shape of your face, while onboard sensors will allow it to adapt the cutting power to your beard's length. Speaking of which, it's got 5 length settings to suit different needs and it holds its own while in the shower too. View Deal

Gleam Hair Dryer: was $169.99 now $66.47
The Dreame Gleame hair dryer is an even more affordable alternative to the bigger brands. Its motor spins at a mighty fast 110,000 RPM for fast airflow and quick drying, plus built-in ion technology results in smooth, shiny hair. Not to mention, the slim, lightweight build make it comfortable to hold. View Deal

The Oral-B iO 6 is a smart brush that can recognise your personal brushing style and provide feedback via the companion app to improve it. It also features a pressure sensor and an interactive display, as well a ring timer letting you know when to move on to a different section of your pearly whites. View Deal

Sonicare DiamondClean 9000 (2-pack): was $619 now $249
If you didn't know what a 'sonic' brush is, it's quieter and gentler than an oscillating electric toothbrush (like Oral-B). The DiamondClean 9000 has 4 cleaning modes, and one of them gets you 3 intensities. This value pack gets you a his-and-hers version, plus the glass is actually the charger.View Deal

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The Amazon Fire TV Cube combines all the benefits of a streaming device with Alexa support. It works as a smart speaker so you can control your smart home devices with it, but it also provides access to every streaming app you can think of. Throw in Dolby Vision, HDR, and Dolby Atmos, and it’s everything you could want. So why not grab a streaming device that's also a smart speaker?View Deal

This budget-friendly 2.1 soundbar is ideal for anyone looking to upgrade their TV or computer audio without spending much money. We were pleasantly surprised by how it performed in our Creative Stage Pro review, finding it delivered impressive bass and excellent volume. Given its size and price, expectations should be tempered, but for a cost-effective audio upgrade, it's ace.View Deal

SR-B30A soundbar: was $499 now $309
It's often the #1 bestselling soundbar on Amazon and that doesn't surprise me in the least. It was very well received by experts at its price point when it launched in 2023, and has remained a top option for users too. And at this price, it's a fantastic budget option with Dolby Atmos support, plenty of bass and a wide soundstage.View Deal

In our Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review, we said this soundbar rivals the Sonos Arc, which is the best Sonos soundbar we've tried. The Smart Ultra is compact, beautifully built, and offers plenty of control options to go with its wide, detailed sound. View Deal

PS-LX310BT turntable with Bluetooth: was $399 now $230
This Sony Bluetooth turntable is as fuss-free as they come with regard to setup and getting your favourite vinyl records spinning. Whether you're playing via wired or wireless speakers, it delivers a delightfully musical sound that will satisfy vinyl beginners or those looking for a more hands-off approach. Please note that this is a bigger discount than the 14% Amazon is displaying as the listed 'typical price' was the previous discounted price.View Deal

Arguably one of the most iconic turntables available right now, the Sound Burger is lightweight, works wirelessly with up to 12 hours of playtime, has Bluetooth connectivity and is easy to use. It's a fabulous entry into the world of vinyl at a fantastic price.View Deal

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Ring 4 (silver, black): was $449 now $317
We called it "nearly the perfect fitness tracker" in our Oura Ring 4 review, praising the design, ease-of-use, long-lasting battery and detailed health information it offers. This fascinating bit of tech hasn't been cheaper and, even though you need a subscription, it can be well worth it for the comprehensive health data you can get. Note that prices vary depending on colour and size, but most are discounted.View Deal

Epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition: was $1699.01 now $829
While it’s been cheaper before (having dropped to AU$684 in July this year), you get the same core functionality of the Fenix 9 — like multi-band GPS tracking, a built-in LED torch, core mapping data, and premium materials like scratch-free sapphire lenses and titanium bezels — for a much lower price.View Deal

Forerunner 265S: was $799 now $498
The 'S' in the name stands for 'small', meaning this specific Garmin was made for petite wrists and features a 42mm vibrant OLED display. You also get Multiband GPS, an intuitive menu navigation, excellent battery life, plenty of Garmin fitness features... and, oh, did I mention the OLED display?View Deal

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E1 Mini: was $239.99 now $126.99
Holding a spot on our list of the best dash cams, the Vantrue E1 is super compact, yet is capable of recording clear, detailed footage day and night. A comprehensive mobile, PC and Mac app allows for easy footage transfers and built-in GPS ensures you know exactly where any incidents take place.View Deal

A510 dash cam: was $269.99 now $170.98
We call this an "all-round surveillance solution" in our 70mai Dash Cam A510 review, due to it including both front-facing and rear-facing cameras in the box. They're quality cameras, too, recording 2.7K footage from the front and 1080p at the back, complete with wide fields of view. Built-in GPS, 360º rotation for in-car recording and easy install only add to its appeal.View Deal

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Quest 3S (128GB): was $569 now $454
This deal offers you a significant saving on the new, higher price on Meta's best 'affordable' headset, and a close second to its best ever headset according to our resident VR headset tester. In fact, he thinks it's the second-best headset anyone can buy from any brand, and it's only a more tempting offer thanks to this limited-time deal.View Deal

Please don't confuse this with the ROG Xbox Ally X, which has more powerful specs. This is the cheaper sibling that now costs AU$10 more than its July Prime Day price. However, given the price hikes across the board on all game consoles, this seems like a tempting buy right now. This was AU$799 during Amazon's Mid-Year Sale in early June, but it would be remiss of me to not list this discount here.View Deal

Legion Go S: was $1199 now $997
This handheld gaming PC has been cheaper before, dropping to the AU$899 mark but, then again, nothing really comes cheap these days. Importantly, though, this is a great performer, with a vivid 8-inch display and 144Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay. It's also rather nice looking and comfortable in the hand.View Deal

Ultimate C: was $79.95 now $46.74
Sure, it's a wired controller, but this gamepad is simple to use and durable, with drift-free hall effect analog sticks. In fact, the base of the sticks also have RGB, which is fantastic at this price. Being wired, however, means this isn't ideal for couch play, but if you're a PC gamer at your desk, it'll do wonderfully well.
[Shipped and sold by Amazon UK]View Deal

F75 Gasket Mechanical Keyboard: was $123.99 now $90.24
While we've not reviewed this 75% mechanical gaming keyboard ourselves, reviews from other reputable sources across the web are largely glowing, praising its construction quality, performance and low price. This Prime Big Deal Days discount brings the cost to a new all-time Aussie low — though note that it's only available at this price in black. Other colourways start from AU$94.23.View Deal

TH99 Pro Mechanical Keyboard: was $148.99 now $111.74
If you prefer your gaming keyboards with a numpad, this 96% option is a great alternative to the Epomaker F75 above. It's likewise accrued positive reviews (both professional and from users) and even includes a customisable colour LCD display. This price is just AU$1 more than its all-time Australian low. Also available with this discount in blue/white and pink colourways.View Deal

Boasting a 12,000dpi 'Hero' sensor, as well as 6 programmable buttons, a 250-hour battery and onboard memory for your settings, the Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse is ideal for competitive play. Want to know more? Check out our review, but not that only the blue and lilac colourways get the best discount.View Deal

G Pro X Superlight 2 Dex Lightspeed: was $299 now $188.50
One of the best gaming mice available right now, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Dex is an exceptionally lightweight and capable device, with a long-lasting battery life, five programmable buttons and a 32K DPI sensor. View Deal

AW2725Q QD-OLED (2025): was $1199 now $813.01
A nice 30% off deal on a 27-inch OLED gaming monitor, bringing it down to the lowest price we have seen on Amazon. It features a 180Hz panel capable of a 4K resolution. We awarded four and a half stars to this screen in our Alienware 27 AW2725Q review, and were impressed with its sharp visuals and HDR performance.View Deal

AW3425DW QD-OLED (2025): was $1499 now $971.22
This OLED monitor comes with a gigantic 34.2-inch curved screen that boasts a 240Hz refresh rate and a lightning fast 0.03ms response time. It’s capable of producing gorgeous darkness with DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 certification, and offers a 3440 x 1440 resolution.View Deal

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Lift: was $129.95 now $71.24
This ergonomic vertical mouse is perfect for small hands and it encourages better posture, thus reducing aches along the wrist, shoulder and shoulder blade. I use it myself (I have the white colourway) and can't recommend it highly enough, even at full price. View Deal

L24-4E 23.8-inch monitor: was $179 now $117
A 100Hz-refresh-rate monitor for just AU$100? Sign me up! This display from Lenovo may be a bit small at under 24 inches with a 1080p resolution, but it uses IPS technology for sharp image quality. This is price is the lowest we've seen this monitor go on Amazon.View Deal

The MX Keys S Combo is an excellent desk upgrade if you want a premium keyboard and mouse without paying anywhere near the usual bundle price. It combines the backlit MX Keys S with the quiet, ergonomic MX Master 3S, plus a palm rest, and both can switch between up to three devices. View Deal

K100 Air wireless gaming keyboard: was $489 now $284.88
The most striking feature of this mechanical keyboard is its thinness, but it also comes with the promise of sub-1ms latency and 8,000Hz hyper-polling. In our review we praised the K100 Air's durability, great actuation and high polling, while bemoaning the high price of this slab. And yeah: it's expensive, so good thing there's a discount.
[Shipped and sold by Amazon US]View Deal

1TB T9 portable SSD: was $549 now $369.99
I've used the T5 previously and currently use the 2TB T7 Shield, and while it's tempting to upgrade, it's still plenty fast. So just imagine how good the upgraded portable SSD will be for you if you're looking for a safe and reliable backup solution for all your files. The 1TB T9 has apparently been as cheap as AU$190 before, but that was way back in 2024. It's since hovered around this price.View Deal

Flint 3 Wi-Fi 7 Router (GL-BE9300): was $316.99 now $238.39
In our 4-star review from last year, we praised this speedy tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router for its combination of advanced hardware and flexible OS (the excellent OpenWRT) at an impressively affordable price. It's only weak spot? It lacks mesh capabilities. GL.iNet has since released a beta firmware that aims to rectify that, but we still think it's best suited to use as a single router in an apartment or smaller home. This deal is just a couple of dollars shy of its previous Australian low.View Deal

Nest Wifi Pro Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6E System: was $699 now $279
Google's Wi-Fi 6e capable mesh system is worth considering for big homes, although we've seen discounts that make this 3-pack cheaper than half price. You can position each unit around your home to create an even blanket of Wi-Fi, cracking down on dead spots.View Deal

Eero 6+ Mesh Wi-Fi Router (3-pack): was $599.99 now $419.98
If you aren't keen on the Google mesh Wi-Fi system listed above, consider Amazon's own Eero 6+ three-pack instead. You should read our full review to get the complete picture, but we gave the Eero 6+ 4 stars, and noted that the Wi-Fi performance was excellent, the pricing is good and it's easy to use. View Deal

eero Pro 7 tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 7 router: was $529.99 now $397.49
The latest eero Wi-Fi 7 mesh router is down to the lowest price we have seen on Amazon. We don't have a review yet, but our friends over at Tom's Guide rated it 4-stars. It's a Wi-Fi 7 model designed for high-speed wireless and wired networks and includes dual 5GbE ports. View Deal

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Mini Smart Plug (4 pack): was $69.99 now $48.99
I've tried a fair few smart home devices in my time but not the Meross smart plugs. Still, something has got to be said about the 4.6-star rating on Amazon with some very happy customers saying it's a great product. Smart plugs are a great way to turn any gadget at home into a smart one, including lamps and kettles. Where the Meross stands out from other affordable offerings is by also featuring an energy monitor — a great way to keep tabs on your usage and save money on power bills.View Deal

Echo Hub: was $329 now $118
This 8-inch smart display will need to be wall-mounted and it gives you control of thousands of smart home devices that work over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other connectivity standards like Zigbee, Matter and Thread. You can stream video, even security footage, start routines, add widgets and a heck of a lot more you can't with a regular Echo Show — now at its lowest price yet.View Deal

Matter Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp: was $149.99 now $119.20
As of October last year, the RRP for this floor lamp was just AU$149, something that made me give it a high value score on my Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp review. Now, though, the RRP is AU$169.99 – blame inflation, I suppose — but Amazon is still sticking with the original price. What that means is this is a bigger discount than it first appears. Either way, this is one of the cheapest smart lamps you can get, one that does exactly what it promises on the tin. I have one in my bedroom and, although it's not bright, it creates lovely wall-washing effects.View Deal

Shapes (Hexagon; 9pk): was $349.99 now $191.42
It's been a while since I've seen a good Nanoleaf Shapes discount on Amazon, so I'm stoked to find this. It will make a lovely Christmas gift or you can use it to create spooky Halloween effects this month, the possibilities are endless if you want to get creative. I'm not a great fan of the Nanoleaf app itself but I can't fault the lights.View Deal

I much prefer this design of the newest Echo Show 8 smart display, now powered by a AZ3 Pro chip for better performance and 15% more screen real estate than previous generations. It's a much better smart hub now, with Alexa at your beck and call (and fingertips).View Deal

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Over 6,000 Aussie shoppers have joined me so far on my deal-hunting expedition on Amazon, and I'm very grateful for your company — hopefully I've been able to help you not just find tech you need or like, but also save you some cash in the bargain.

I'm still at it, of course, because there's a ways to go before we get to the finish line. So stick with me, dear readers, and hopefully you'll find my ongoing coverage useful.

I bought two items already, but I now have some toiletries sitting in my cart. The first big purchase of this sale was a compact air fryer for a friend's daughter who's studying at Sydney Uni and living in student accommodation. I got her the 4.2L Philips 2000 Series Air Fryer for AU$98.

My other purchase was a new electric toothbrush to replace the now-gnarly Oral-B Genius 9000 I've used for over 10 years. My new brush is the Oral-B iO 6, which is 66% off in Black (now AU$179.55).

I wouldn't mind a lightweight folding case for my Kindle Scribe Coloursoft, but the kind I want — that folds into a stand — seems rather heavy and the 11-inch device itself is already unwieldy. I think I'll just have to hold off on that one for now.

The Nespresso Vertuo Pop is the famed coffee maker's smallest machine, yet it doesn't scrimp on features. Being part of the Vertuo lineup, it uses a wider range of pods that can brew a range of coffee sizes, from single espresso all the way up to a full mug.

This machine has been one of our faves here at TechRadar ever since it launched in 2023, with a couple of my colleagues using it themselves at home and none of any complaints. It works just as you'd expect and couldn't be simpler. All you need to do is pop a pod in and press a button, the machine takes care of the rest – it's that easy.

The AU$229 RRP is already good value in my opinion, but there's a pretty good discount that sees the compact pod machine drop to just just over AU$92 for the black model.

Nespresso Vertuo Pop: AU$229 now AU$92.15

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In March this year, Dyson Australia announced the availability of the V10 Konical. While its name might suggest it's replacing the V10 Cyclone from 2018, it is, in fact, a V8 Cyclone (released last year) alternative that just happens to ship with the new conical floorhead called FluffyCones. The headline, though, is that it will work with a new self-empty charging dock that can either be purchased separately or as a bundle.

In the meantime, the similarly powered V10 remains an excellent option if you can get it at a steep discount. In 2026, I wouldn't recommend paying full price for it. It's dropped to under the AU$600 mark often enough, and is currently going for AU$529, which isn't bad at all.

Dyson V10: AU$799 now AU$529

I would say that the V10 is perfect for small homes with no pets. It will do a good job on carpets but it will struggle if you need to pick up a lot of pet hair from amongst the fibres. On hard floors, it will do a marvellous job even if you do have pets.

We've got handy guides to help you decide whether the V10 is worth your money. Check out of the follow articles for more details:

Dyson V8 vs V10: which cordless should you buy?
Dyson V10 vs V11: which is better?

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Let's face it, the built-in speakers in your laptop and monitor just doesn't sound great, and I'm sure you've been tempted to upgrade to proper speakers for your desk. Bookshelf speakers are usually my go-to over smaller ones, but the boxy design may not appeal to everyone.

But what if you can add a soundbar underneath your monitor, just like your TV in the living room? That should look sleek, and take up real estate that typically doesn't get used as it can tuck away under the monitor.

And that's where BlueAnt's Soundblade under-monitor soundbar comes in. It has 120W power and promises rich audio with deep bass, and there are plenty of connectivity options like Bluetooth or a 3.5mm Aux jack. BlueAnt is also an Australian company, if you'd like to support local.

It was down to AU$94 in July, but I think the current discounted price of AU$129 is still worth highlighting here.

BlueAnt Soundblade under-monitor soundbar: AU$299 now AU$129

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It's hardly a secret at this point that PC gaming is expensive as ever, no thanks to shortages in RAM and storage pushing up prices of the overall computing industry. In fact, it's even impacted console gaming, too, with price hikes on the PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch.

One respite, however, is that monitors are getting cheaper than ever, and this Lenovo monitor is a fantastic budget option.

While the 23.80-inch Lenovo L24-4E isn't an outright gaming monitor, it has a 100Hz refresh rate to create a smooth gaming experience if you don't mind a 1080p display, as well as crisp IPS display technology. It was down to AU$94 during July's Prime Day sale, but I think the current price is still worth considering if you don't need the latest tech for a triple-monitor setup — it would still be cheaper than a single ultrawide monitor in most cases.

Lenovo L24-4E 23.8-inch monitor: AU$179 now AU$117

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OK, not quite the discount to shout home about, but Apple offers are getting rarer since the recent price hikes. So surely this one is at least worth thinking about even if it doesn't make my main list of the best Prime Day deals this month.

9% off the iPhone 17 Pro Max saves you AU$204 on the listed price on Amazon and, honestly, I'd get this as an upgrade over the latest iPhone 18 family despite the latest flagship's variable aperture. It's a damn solid phone (I use the iPhone 17 Pro myself), with the Cosmic Orange and Silver models in the 256GB version available for under two grand.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB): AU$2,199 now AU$1,995

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The Apple Watch might be all the rage, but when it comes to proper athletic training and keeping tabs on it, no brand does it better than Garmin. One of my Aussie colleagues is a long-time Garmin user and a cyclist, so he knows exactly how good these multisport watches can be, and he's used his expertise and experience to find some of the best Garmin deals during the current sale.

See all the best Garmin deals on Amazon here

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Vacuuming isn't restricted to just spring, so of course this investment is for year-round clean floors, but buying one of the best vacuum cleaners in Australia takes a little thought since there are so many types and models to choose from. Rest assured, there's a good one for every household and I've been testing vacuums of all kinds for a decade, so I'm here to help.

I've rounded up all the best Prime Day vacuum cleaner deals on Amazon right now, cherrypicking ones we've tested or ones that offer good value from reputed brands that I'm familiar with. And let me tell you, the discounts are excellent right now! I don't even think you need to wait till Black Friday to save a pretty penny... then again, if the deals are so good right now, what will Amazon have in store for us in less than two months' time?

Whatever happens then, there's no need to overthink a vacuum purchase as I assure you, the deals are worth hoovering up (pun totally intended).

See all the best Prime Day vacuum deals on Amazon right now

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In some ways, it's good to wait till Black Friday sales kick off in Australia for purchasing big-ticket items like TVs and laptops as nearly every retailer will be vying for your attention. However, for most items available on Amazon, this year's Prime Big Deal Days sale is proving to be quite good than previous ones, so you can get a head start on your Christmas gift shopping — I would highly recommend it.

So it all depends on what exactly it is that you'd like to buy. If it's Halloween decorations or Christmas gifts, indeed shop now. For the more expensive tech, I would suggest you wait, but there's no guarantee you'll get stock later. As always, if a price suits your budget now on a product sold on Amazon AU, splurge away.

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While the Apple AirTags might be more popular on the interwebs, Samsung users can't exactly make do with those Bluetooth trackers. Enter the Samsung SmartTags. The second generation is still going strong in Australia, and they're actually cheaper to buy than AirTags.

For example, the white single-unit Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 is just AU$26 now, which in itself is a good price compared to a single Apple AirTag at AU$39. However, opt for the four-pack and the price of each unit drops even further to just AU$17.25 apiece! And that's the lowest price I've seen on either of the two brands' popular Bluetooth tracker.

So if you're a Samsung phone user, all you'll need is the SmartThings app and away you'll go.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTags 2 (4-pack): AU$169 now AU69

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We weren't particularly happy in our Dyson V16 Piston Animal review, but if you're keen on Dyson's latest and more powerful flagship cordless vacuum, it's now down to just under AU$900.

I'll be honest: it's a little disappointing when compared to the Gen5detect, but the latter is only down to AU$990 on Amazon right now, which makes the V16 the more economical option when it comes to features and specs. Our reviewer's biggest issue with the V16 was the design of the floorhead, but if that's not going to bother you overly, the new colour scheme and the easy-remove attachments might just sway you to splurge on this one.

Dyson V16 Piston Animal: AU$1,349 now AU$899.99

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I recently broke up with my Philips Series 5000 Dual Basket Air Fryer with Steam because the non-stick coating in its bigger basket was coming off. So I went with the Ninja Crispi Pro, which is down to an all-time low price, but so is the smaller and more compact Ninja Crispi.

Both come with two borosilicate dishes, which are your baskets, and with lids too. So you can safely chuck 'em in the dishwasher or serve food directly in them. You can also use them to store leftovers in the fridge. Honestly, glass is so much safer.

So if you need a new air fryer this Prime Day, I would highly recommend the Ninja Crispi or the Pro (bigger) version.

Ninja Crispi: AU$299 now AU$178
Ninja Crispi Pro: AU$499 now AU$290

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• Neurable One is the next-gen 'Brain-Computer Interface' headphone
• Aiming to make brain insights 'a continuous, effortless part of everyday life'
• At $499 (around £379; AU$720), again, they're priced for the mainstream

Neurable and I are like old friends by now. The company's excellent, brain-scanning, forward-thinking headphones are filed in my own gray matter under "Tells Me Things I Need to Hear, But Sometimes Find Tough to Take".

Neurable's cans are, in one sense, like the aunt who mentions at the dinner table that you're clearly not sleeping enough/eating properly/getting outside regularly because you look pale. Yes, you probably need to be told these home truths, but it's… a lot.

Why does Neurable put me in mind of a concerned family member? Oh, because in 2024, the company's MW75 Neuro headphones told me a lot I didn't know I needed to know about my focus levels, and last year's Neurable WM75 LT added daily cognitive snapshots, real-time burnout detection, and weekly brain age tracking — all while shaving 44g in weight and $200 in price from the proposition.

And I wasn't a stranger to Neurable's desire to read our minds via headphones even before then. I'd been following the partnership between Neurable and Master & Dynamic since July 2023, and TechRadar's coverage of Neurable extends back almost a decade, when the Michigan specialist was fashioning 'Brain-Computer Interface' (BCI) software for the VR space in 2017.

Now, and with a notable aside at CES 2026, where my colleague tried Neurable's prototype gaming headset with HyperX, designed to make you better at Valorant, the company is back with a 2026 update, simply called Neurable One.

Further, unlike previous offerings from the pioneering wearable specialist, these weren't built around Master & Dynamic headphones at their core, but built from the ground up…

Of course, plenty of headphones and earbuds do more than just pipe music into your ears now: Apple's top-tier AirPods offer hearing tests and heart-rate monitoring, for example — and smartwatches routinely track our steps, sleep and other physical health markers. But very few consumer wearables can really get to grips with our most vital organ: our brain. I've tried Neurable headphones, and these cans can.

So, what makes Neurable One different? This next-generation brain wearable is built into new-look premium headphones. They're still at the $499 price point, though, so the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are actually a lot dearer, at their MSRPs of $799 / £629 / AU$1,299 — and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are direct rivals, at $449 / £449 / AU$699.

This time, Neurable tells me they're "designed to make real-time brain insights a continuous, effortless part of everyday life". OK, but how? Well, as with previous models, Neurable One combines audio and active noise cancellation (you know, regular headphone stuff) with continuous brain tracking to help the wearer "understand when they’re at their cognitive best, when to protect their focus, and what may be quietly wearing them down". And the fact that it's all happening within a familiar-feeling, everyday set of over-ears is what makes it fuss-free.

However, Neurable's 2015 co-founder and CEO, Dr. Ramses Alcaide (an electrical engineer and neuroscientist with a Ph.D. and M.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan), tells me that this particular iteration gives users a "more complete picture" of how their brains respond throughout daily routines, with hardware and software now designed together, in-house, to create a more seamless experience.

Crucially, the insights now come to life through a newly built iOS and Android app, which, according to Neurable's press release, "translates brain activity into real-time insights across cognitive states, including focus, cognitive load, cognitive speed, and brain battery". And new for the Neuro One is a "Brain Battery" reading (like checking your phone's remaining juice, but for your mind) and "Alpha Peak Frequency", aka your strongest resting rhythm or "the HRV for the brain".

The lighter design should also make Neurable One extra comfortable too, even with those familiar 12 EEG sensors still integrated into the ear pads to enable continuous brain tracking as their wearer listens, works, or rests.

"We got a lot of feedback — I remember from yourself included — that sometimes you forget to turn on a session, right?" Dr. Alcaide said to me at our product briefing, adding, "You want a seamless experience. So now Neurable One enables passive recording. You can use them just as normal headphones, and the software can still track your brain activity just like your Whoop or your Fitbit or any other type of wearable device."

"The key thing is, this doesn't read your brain; it reads the electrical activities and shifts that happen in your brain. I think that's a really key distinction because that's what separates this from invasive surgical kinds of systems."

You can monitor and relay your cerebral health (to your brain, once again) in these three key ways. First off: real-time feedback. "Focus Sessions" (or how I learned that my focus isn't always A-Grade at work) now come in three flavors, depending on your activity and what you'd like to learn — whether trying to get a task done, chill out, or even take a nap. And data will show when, say, your attention begins to drift.

At the same time, "neuroadaptive audio" can be deployed to respond to changes in cognitive state (it might up the volume a touch if you're flagging to up the productivity, or lower it if they sense you've drifted off) and "Smart Brain Break" notifications will identify signs of mental fatigue and suggest you step away.

The idea is that post-session insights will help identify patterns — when and how you focus, rest, and recover best.

Second: understanding your cognitive battery. This is where the Neurable app really steps in, bringing multiple cognitive signals together to offer a more complete picture of how your brain's performing and how much reserve you may have left. Neurable's press release says that Brain Battery "provides a live view based on factors including sleepiness, stress, and cognitive load, while Alpha Peak Frequency (APF) measures the frequency of a user’s strongest resting brain rhythm". Essentially, these metrics provide more context for your cognitive performance throughout the day.

Finally: noting patterns over time. Neurable One's weekly and monthly reports should turn one-off readings into longer-term insights. Think consistent check-ins to identify patterns in your cognitive signals, including the times when you typically perform at your best.

Here's a — potential — rub. It concerns what I recently covered as the great privacy revolt, or people pushing back on products that want to know a little too much about us. Enter Neurable's "Brain Data Banking". This is a new feature that records and stores brain activity whenever the headphones are worn with the app open, creating a continuous history of your cognitive performance.

The good part is that rather than relying only on individual sessions or snapshots, users can build a long-term record to understand how their cognitive patterns change over time, even if they forget to load up a session. The less good part is that if you're anything like me, you just thought, "OK but where is this delicate data of mine being stored — and how is it being used?"

Here, we should not be concerned. Dr. Alcaide has spoken at the AI for Good summit in 2024. "I think that we're definitely leading the industry on this," he said.

"One thing is that we came from a laboratory, so we already follow strict standards on data privacy and security from that perspective," he says. "Two, the data is collected on device, it's encrypted on device, then sent to your phone, and then from there, already encrypted, it gets sent to our servers.

"Now, what's really key there is that we separate the ID of the individual and the data into two separate servers. So we never know how to connect those two things together. We process that data, we send it back to you, you own it — you can delete it, you can do whatever you want with it."

"All of this was designed because my co-founder is actually a neuroethicist and a data policy expert. A lot of the bills that you see on neuro rights, his input is essentially in some of those bills because of the work that he does."

It's not hard to see the goal: Neurable’s vision is to make brain sensing a seamless part of the kit you already use every day, bringing cognitive insights into your life without extra equipment or disrupting your existing routine. And I cannot wait to test them — so watch this space.

Neurable One is available in the United States for a retail price of $499 (which is around £379 or AU$720). For more information, please visit neurable.com.

The TCL QM7L is difficult to review. Largely because it’s basically the same TV as the TCL QM8L we recently reviewed but at a cheaper price point with fewer dimming zones and lower peak brightness. Outside of that and the fact that it has a more limited version of Dolby Vision, it’s functionally the same.

If you were to put the two TVs side by side, you would probably be tempted to go for the TCL QM8L and shell out over the extra five hundred bucks, assuming you’re going for the 65-inch size.

But that is a lot of money and the differences are minor enough that I think the TCL QM7L is one of the best TVs in terms of value, especially if you still want a somewhat premium experience. There are plenty of decent TVs under a grand, of course, but this TV is a step above those.

Despite the lower specs compared to some of TCL’s other offerings, the TCL QM7L is still impressive with up to 2,100 local dimming zones, up to 3,000 nits at peak brightness, TCL’s anti-halo and color enhancing tech, and AI features such as the imperfect generative voice assistant in Google Gemini. The sound is still provided by Bang & Olufsen and the refresh rate (and passthrough from HDMI ports) is high enough that it will make for one of the best gaming TVs for those trying to strike a balance between premium performance and price.

• Release date: April 2026
• 55-inch: $999.99
• 65-inch: $1,299.99
• 75-inch: $1,499.99
• 85-inch: $1,999.99
• 100-inch: $2,999.99

The TCL QM7L is an exercise in value. To be clear, there are many cheaper options available from TCL, even mid-range offerings such as the TCL QM6K, but this TV inches a little closer to premium flagship territory but with a still somewhat comfortable price tag.

Released at the same time as the TCL QM8L and TCL X11L (April 2026), the TCL QM7L hits a lower price point with a range starting at $999.99 for its smallest size (55-inch) and ending at $2,999.99 for its biggest (100-inch). If you want something on that smaller 55-inch end, the TCL QM7L is the only way to go, as the TCL QM8L and TCL X11L aren’t available in that size.

Screen type

SQD Mini-LED

Refresh rate

144Hz

HDR support

HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ

Audio support

Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, DTS:X

Smart TV

Google TV

HDMI ports

4 (1 eARC, 2x HDMI 2.1 @144Hz, 2x HDMI 2.0 @60Hz)

Built-in tuner

ATSC 3.0

Closer to 100% is better. Taken using a colorimeter and test pattern generator.

A lower score is better. Taken using a colorimeter and test pattern generator.

Lower is better. Taken using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Video Signal Lag Tester.

• Has Dolby Vision IQ
• Google Gemini is useful but flawed
• Uses proprietary Halo Control System for anti-blooming

The TCL QM7L is fully featured with support for HDR and spatial audio, as well as the ability to adjust screen brightness according to ambient light, aka Dolby Vision IQ. While not as powerful as Dolby Vision 2 Max, which adjusts colors on a much deeper level, it still does a great job in making things easier to see whether you’re in a dark room or sunnier room like where I had this TV set up. Even with glare from the outside or light fixtures, I’m still able to make out everything that’s happening on the screen.

Also worth mentioning here is the use of Google Gemini. It’s implemented the same way as I’ve experienced on every other Google TV. It’s informative, conversational (with a nice range of different voice timbres), and almost well executed. Like most learning language models right now, which it is, it’s flawed in the information it pulls up as I’ve come across a few mistakes including where to stream certain content (this won’t be an issue if you’re pulling up something well known like a Disney movie). I also don’t like the fact that I can talk to it and it will respond to commands, but I can’t get it to open and play content.

At least the TCL QM7L still utilizes the brand’s Halo Control System for limiting blooming and Deep Color System for a wider range of colors.

• Features Score: 4 / 5

• Screen almost as good as more expensive models
• Good control of blooming
• Image quality is very good, but just lacks a little depth

The TCL QM7L is basically a slightly worse version than the QM8L, which, in turn, is a slightly worse version of the X11L. But, let me be clear, that doesn’t make it bad. The differences are much less noticeable if you can’t A/B(/C) these TVs, while the price difference is fairly substantial.

To look at the TCL QM7L specifically, a TV that offers up to 2,100 local dimming zones (TCL doesn’t publish the local dimming zones per size), up to 3,000 peak nits of brightness, and TCL’s anti-halo and color enhancing tech, it looks pretty good on paper. Its color accuracy has a Delta E of 2.6, which is on par with other mid-range premium-ish TVs (closer to zero is better). Similarly, its P3 color coverage of 95% is also in the same range as the TCL QM8L, X11L, and Hisense U7. The LG C5 is 99% (100% is best) P3 color coverage for comparison.

Where the TCL QM7L’s lower price tag shows up in terms of picture quality is in brightness and luminance. Its SDR peak of 463.3909 nits in standard mode is about 9% less bright than the QM8L. Its luminance benchmark is likewise just a little lower.

In terms of peak HDR brightness, the QM7L's peaks of 2,270 nits and 2,419 nits HDR brightness (in Filmmaker and Standard respectively) are much lower than the QM8L's (which registered 3,719 and 3,771 in the same Filmmaker and Standard modes), but still very good for a TV in this price range.

Benchmarks don’t necessarily always tell the story, but they line up with what my experience has been using the TCL QM7L. Namely, that the picture quality is 97% of what one gets with the QM8L.

Whether I was watching a TV show or a movie with lots of vibrant colors or even a YouTube video, the image was sharp with great motion clarity. Thanks to TCL’s Halo Control System, any kind of blooming or halo effect was kept at bay. A rewatch of Soul helped confirm that, particularly the scene where the main character, Joe Gardner, first wakes up in the afterlife as an illuminated human-shaped blob on a mostly black background. With TVs that experience serious blooming, you can see a whole cloud around him where you really shouldn’t. And here, it’s barely discernable.

The colors look great as well. Coco also got a rewatch (I have some go-to’s for certain testing if that’s not clear) and all the vibrant colors depicted in the land of the dead have the vibrancy one would want to see when watching a movie from this.

And The Batman made for a good showcase of the TCL QM7L’s clarity during busy scenes with a lot of motion. I like to use the Penguin chase scene for testing since it’s raining the whole time, there's some shaky cam, and an explosion as well as all the actual chasing. Everything came through clearly on this TV — I even felt like I could see the rain clearly. You could pause at any moment and have a snapshot clear enough to use a screenshot for this article.

Because of all the HDR support, I feel like I can see details in shadows. But this TV has a more limited Dolby Vision (Dolby Vision IQ vs Dolby Vision 2 Max) than its more expensive siblings. I think between that and the slightly lower brightness, the image this TV gives just feels a little flatter than the QM8L. It’s almost as good, and, in a vacuum, it would be hard to find fault with this TV. But those various slight limitations keep the screen from having quite the depth of better (and more expensive) TVs.

• Picture quality score: 4.5 / 5

• Detailed high-end and full mid-range good enough to skip soundbar
• Not a lot of low-end and has narrow soundstage
• Limited amount of settings for finetuning

Most people focus on picture quality and how it improves from budget to mid-range TVs and beyond — and they should! But probably what I enjoy most when leveling up is not the improved HDR response, brightness, and color accuracy, but using a TV with sound quality good enough to skip a soundbar.

On the TCL QM7L, the sound quality is much the same as on the TCL QM8L, insofar that it’s tuned by Bang & Olufsen and the mid-range is not hollowed out like it is on cheaper TVs. Budget rivals always seem to sound thin like there’s no mid-range and shrill as if the highs have been boosted to make up for that. I might be exaggerating there, but not by much.

Now, there’s not much in the way of low-end, especially in the sub-bass region. So if you want that wall-shaking home theater experience, you’ll still need an external audio system capable of providing that. The same goes for any surround sound or spatial audio, though the TV does support all the necessary formats for one to experience them through an attached external system. I will say that there’s no internal virtualized spatial audio, which the TCL QM8L does have.

Outside of that, the mid-range has plenty of presence so that dialog is easy to hear and the sound is fairly balanced, though I do find it a slightly too mid-forward for a TV. On top of this, there's a dialog mode that works decently at boosting the specific mid-range frequencies for those who might be a little hard of hearing.

The high-end offers good clarity so that I can hear the detail in violins and such in instrumental scores playing during a dramatic scene in a movie — or British police procedural as plenty of that has been played on this TV.

I will say that the soundstage is a bit narrow — something I didn’t expect on a 75-inch TV. So while I do hear some side-to-side movement in audio tests like those on YouTube or a scene from Top Gun: Maverick where I should hear planes whizzing by, it’s not as wide as it should be. Like the lack of low-end, this doesn’t really take away from the enjoyment of the audio here, but does hamper its immersiveness.

As far as audio adjustments go, the sound settings menu is pretty minimal with just a treble and bass slider as a loudness setting, a few audio modes (Movie, Sports, Game, etc.), and a toggle for whether the TV is mounted or on stands. I do appreciate that Bang & Olufsen’s unique EQ wheel is available here for some more fine-tuning, though I would have preferred a five, seven, or even ten-band EQ instead.

• Sound quality score: 4 / 5

• Adjustable center base with cable management
• Two HDMI 2.1 ports
• Battery-powered remote is straightforward and on the slimmer side

The TCL QM7L follows quite closely in the same mold as the QM8L. It has a center base that can be adjusted to different heights, but only during installation. It also has a removable backplate that comes off for cable management, just like the QM8L.

The bezels on the TV are thin as is the TV itself, measuring 2.2 inches thick, not to mention it’s pretty light, weighing 39.70 lbs without a stand (43.90 lbs with a stand) for the 65-inch size. If you’re looking to mount your TV, I think the TCL QM7L’s physical size and weight make it ideal for doing so.

While there is a good selection of ports — there are a couple USBs, an ethernet, optical, and RF input — this is one place where the cost cutting shows up, namely with the HDMI ports. Instead of having four 2.1 HDMI ports, which support 4K @ 120Hz, the TCL QM7L has two, with HDMI ports 3 and 4 being the slightly older 2.0 HDMI ports that are capped at a 60Hz refresh rate.

The remote for the TCL QM7L is TCL’s standard battery-powered model, with streaming app hotkeys, a talk button, and the directional dial. It’s not quite as small as a Roku remote but it’s slim enough to feel comfortable to hold.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

• Uses Google TV with a bias towards Google content
• Plenty of free content through multiple streaming apps
• Navigating the TV menu is straightforward and intuitive

The TCL QM7L, like the other new TCL TVs that have come out in 2026, use Google TV as the interface. That means that the layout when using the TV is as follows: quick links at the top of the screen, a rotating banner of highlighted / sponsored content with a focus on Google-based apps, followed by rows of various types of more specific content, such as “Top Picks,” “Apps,” “Continue Watching,” and “Free Live TV” to name a few.

Regarding that last one, there’s plenty of free content on offer through Google TV Freeplay, as well as TCLTV+ and plenty of it is mostly syndicated content. Thankfully, there’s plenty of decent stuff there, and not just bottom of the barrel ‘my neighbor is a chicken and is trying to kill me’ type schlock.

Because this is a Google TV, there are a number of screens to go through for setup, meaning it's not quite plug-and-play — though this seems to be typical of every TV I come across these days. Still, the time required to get from turning on to watching something is probably about ten minutes. A lot of the prompts are regarding how to interface with Google Gemini and consenting to a more personalized experience — essentially whether you’re okay with the TV sending information back to Google about your watching habits… and possibly whatever it hears from you talking.

Navigating the menu is pretty straightforward. Pressing the settings icon on the remote pulls up quick settings where there’s a link to see all the settings. Some TVs have the intelligent or AI based settings squirreled away into a separate category, but that’s not the case here and navigation is better for it. For instance, turning on “Dynamic Brightness,” which automatically adjusts the backlight according to what’s on the screen is listed with all the other brightness-related settings. Easy-peasy.

• Smart TV & menus score: 4.5 / 5

• Up to 144Hz refresh rate
• Gaming-specific features like AMD Freesync Premium Pro
• Game bar on demand

After spending some time gaming on the TCL QM7L, the only real limitations are directly related to the picture quality — the same limitations one experiences with any other content. The image is a little flatter than on the QM8L because of the more limited dimming zones, lower peak brightness, and more limited Dolby Vision.

But if you’re not comparing this TV to more expensive TVs like the QM8L, it’s impressive. Maybe its HDR isn’t at the level of the QM8L or X11L, but it’s there and it still allows me to see detail in shadows — something that’s important in gaming. And, of course, the Halo Control allows a clear delineation between dark and light pixels that are right next to each other.

I played a number of games through a Playstation 5 on this TV and, whether it was Madden ‘26 or Star Wars: Outlaw, the picture was sharp and the action was smooth. I didn’t experience any stuttering or jitters. And even when creeping in the shadows, I was also able to see everything on the screen clearly.

After all, the TV's 144Hz refresh rate is more than enough for smooth, crisp motion handling during gaming. It also helps that the TCL QM7L comes with some features focused on frame rates. For instance, AMD Freesync Premium Pro is on hand to match the frame rates between the TV and the source, while the Game Accelerator 288 feature upscales the fps to twice the amount.

And since two of the HDMI ports are of the 2.1 variety, they support 4K @ 120Hz passthrough, allowing you to make the most of current consoles like the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X.

I also appreciate how easy it is to pull up the Game Bar — the gaming-specific settings menu — just by holding down the hamburger button on the remote (the button with the three horizontal line icon). When pulled up, I could turn on a crosshair, adjust gaming-specific picture modes, and see an FPS counter.

• Gaming score: 4.5 / 5

• Almost gets to flagship territory on a smaller budget
• Cheaper alternatives don’t look or sound as good
• Great option for those wanting an almost premium experience

Whether you consider the TCL QM7L great value might depend on your own budget and what you’re looking for in a TV. In terms of TCL’s offerings though, it is a good deal. The step down from what the TCL QM8L offers is not significant for day-to-day use, unless you’re a stickler for a completely premium experience, yet you save about $500 when comparing the 65-inch sizes. The QM8L goes for $1,799, while the QM7L goes for $1,299.99 at that size.

TCL does have more affordable TVs though, like the TCL QM6K (the review is for last year’s model, but this year’s only received a very minor update). And the QM6K has a lot to offer for those trying to keep under a thousand for a TV, with a 65-inch going for $999.99. But it’s much more limited than the TCL QM7L, most notably having worse audio quality and a lower peak brightness.

If we look at the competition, something like the Hisense U7 — which goes for $699.99 for a 65-inch TV — hits a lot of the same beats. It’s a Google TV with hands-free control via Google Gemini. Its sound quality is pretty good for a TV and it has a fast refresh rate. But its screen isn’t quite as good.

So what does this all mean? Basically, this TV is good value if you’re still trying to reach for a premium TV watching experience.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

The TCL QM7L is feature-filled including the somewhat flawed Google Gemini, not to mention all the HDR and spatial audio support one could need.

4 / 5

Picture quality

It might not have the depth of its more expensive siblings, but this TV looks very good thanks to a combination of good color coverage, Dolby Vision IQ, and TCL’s Halo Control System.

4.5 / 5

Sound quality

The sound quality, provided by Bang & Olufsen, is good enough to skip getting a soundbar, though there’s not much low-end.

4 / 5

Design

There’s little to find fault with this TV with the highlights being an adjustable center stand, two HDMI 2.1 ports, and thin bezels.

4.5 / 5

Smart TV and menus

Using Google TV as an interface, this TV is intuitive to use with plenty of free content. Just be aware that its suggestions are going to be biased toward Google-hosted content.

4.5 / 5

Gaming

Between the 144Hz refresh rate, AMD Freesync Premium Pro, and Game Bar, this TV has all the makings of a great TV for gaming.

4.5 / 5

Value

While the TCL QM7L isn’t cheap, it offers great value, especially compared to the more premium TVs it almost reaches in terms of performance and features.

4.5 / 5

You want an almost premium TV at mid-range prices
The TCL QM7L is, experientially, not that far below the QM8L, (which itself is a step below the flagship X11L), but it’s quite a bit cheaper. Ideal if you want to upgrade but are trying to stay closer to mid-range prices.

You care about blooming
This is common across TCL’s mid-range and premium TVs, but this TV does a great job of minimizing blooming — something you invariably get to some degree with brighter mini-LED TVs.

You’re a gamer
Whether it’s the almost premium screen, 144Hz refresh rate, 2.1 HDMI ports, Game Bar, or AMD Freesync Premium Pro, this TV has all the bonafides for a great gaming experience.

You want the best
This TV is great, but it’s two steps below TCL’s finest and, if you really have that attention to detail, you might notice the lower (but still great) quality picture.

You expect a lot out of hands-free control
Google Gemini has a lot of good to it, but it’s an imperfect voice assistant, which makes its hands-free control an exercise in frustration, especially if you need it due to an impairment.

TCL QM7L

Roku Pro Series (2025)

TCL QM6K

TCL QM8L

Price (65-inch)

$1,299.99

$899.99

$999.99

$1,799

Screen type

SQD Mini-LED

QLED

Mini-LED

SQD-Mini LED

Refresh rate

144Hz

120Hz

144Hz

144Hz

HDR support

HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ

Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HLG

Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG

HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ

Smart TV

Google TV

Roku

Google TV

Google TV

HDMI ports

4 (1 eARC, 2x HDMI 2.1 @144Hz, 2x HDMI 2.0 @60Hz)

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

4x HDMI 2.1

Roku Pro Series (2025)
The Roku Pro Series (2025) is a little more expensive, but comes with a lot of the same features, has a similarly fast refresh rate for gamers (though no game bar), and has a unique shadowbox design that makes it sit flush on the wall when mounted, making it the better TV for that situation. Read our full Roku Pro Series (2025) review.

TCL QM6K
The TCL QM6K is just as good value if you’re looking for a mid-range TV for almost budget prices. Of course, this means it’s about a level down in every regard, particularly the audio, but it still has a relatively great picture quality with vibrant colors, good contrast, and a lack of blooming. Read our full TCL QM6K review.

TCL QM8L
The TCL QM8L is only a tiny bit better a TV than the TCL QM7L while being a just a bit more expensive, thanks to a better screen with higher brightness and more local dimming zones. It might otherwise be functionally the same TV, but it does come with Dolby Vision Max. Read our full TCL QM8L review.

• I used the TCL QM7L for a couple weeks
• Tested with both TV, movies, music, and games

I used the TCL QM7L SQD MiniLED TV regularly for a couple weeks. I tested it using streaming shows, movies, music, and games (via PS5). I went through the various features, particularly the hands-free Google Gemini, to see if it work as advertised. I also spent time listening to the audio, as well as paying attention to the picture quality.

After spending some time with this TV, it’s my humble opinion that this TV is ideal for those who are looking for a premium TV but want to pay closer to mid-range prices.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years, from laptops through keyboards to speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

• First reviewed: October 2026
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, October 2 (game #943).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… A figment of your imagination

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• SNOT
• MONTH
• HIRE
• SPREE
• THRILL
• OTHER

• Spangram has 12 letters

• First side: bottom, 1st column

• Last side: top, 6th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

The answers to today's Strands, game #944, are…

• MIRAGE
• ILLUSION
• CHIMERA
• SPECTER
• PHANTASM
• SPANGRAM:WILLOTHEWISP

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

WILLOTHEWISP was a spangram I didn’t see until the end of what was quite a long game featuring plenty of interesting and well hidden words.

After getting MIRAGE right away I was expecting an easy game, but far from it. Instead, I labored onwards and needed a mid-game hint, which delivered the enigmatic word CHIMERA.

Will-o-the-wisp is a ghostly flickering light seen over bogs, swamps, and marshes at night — a trick of the light that spooks and entrances, not to be confused with a 1970s British children's cartoon series called Willo The Wisp, about a blue ghost voiced by Kenneth Williams and a snooty cat based on Noel Coward. Yes, really.

• SHIFTY
• COVERT
• DEVIOUS
• STEALTHY
• FURTIVE
• SPANGRAM: SNEAKINGAROUND

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

• British XV Excalibur robotic submarine has now launched an American Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo
• Project Broadsword completed its first weapon integration test in seven months
• Engineers mounted the 3,700-pound Mk 48 torpedo externally beneath XV Excalibur’s hull

The US Navy and Royal Navy have launched an American Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo from the British XV Excalibur uncrewed submarine during testing in Scotland.

Held on September 13 2026, the launch took place at the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Centre under Project Broadsword, approved only seven months earlier.

It examined whether an American weapon could be integrated with a British autonomous underwater vessel through compatible mechanical, electrical and software systems.

AUKUS is a security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States covering cooperation on advanced military capabilities.

Its second pillar, known as AUKUS Pillar II, focuses on developing and sharing advanced capabilities including artificial intelligence, autonomy, quantum technologies and advanced undersea systems.

Project Broadsword is part of this technology-focused cooperation, with the latest trial applying allied interoperability to an American weapon and British uncrewed underwater vessel.

Approved in February 2026, Project Broadsword brought together the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office (DONRCO), OPNAV N97, Royal Navy, Defense Innovation Unit, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport and industry partners.

The project connected the Mk 48 with XV Excalibur, an extra-large uncrewed underwater vessel designed for autonomous or remotely controlled operations.

Unlike a conventional attack submarine, Excalibur does not have traditional internal torpedo tubes, so engineers mounted the approximately 3,700-pound weapon externally beneath its hull.

That configuration allowed the teams to conduct the launch while testing the interfaces required between the American torpedo and British underwater platform.

Excalibur had already been used by the Royal Navy as a mobile underwater laboratory for testing technologies and future payloads.

In 2025, the vessel was remotely controlled in British waters from a command centre in Australia, approximately 10,000 miles away.

Those tests gave the Royal Navy experience operating an uncrewed underwater platform without placing personnel aboard the vessel during its missions.

“This successful test marks a historic first for allied undersea warfare…validates our shared vision for true interchangeability,” said Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations.

“By integrating weapons, payloads, and mission architectures across allied platforms, we are increasing the flexibility, scale, and combat power of our combined forces and ensuring they are ready to meet the strategic demands of tomorrow.”

The test showed that a U.S. weapon could be integrated with a British uncrewed platform rather than requiring both systems to develop exclusively around individual systems.

Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher, Director of Submarine Programs, described the launch as an important early step toward developing greater interoperability for autonomous undersea systems.

The US Navy plans to continue the work through Project CUTLASS, using Anduril's Dive-XL platform for the next stage of development.

The follow-on effort will examine payload integration, command and control systems, and operational scenarios involving uncrewed underwater platforms.

The Navy said this work will further develop the use of autonomous underwater vessels with different payloads and mission systems.

The September launch completed the Broadsword proof-of-concept, while CUTLASS now moves the effort toward additional integration and operational testing.

Further trials will determine whether the approach can support other weapons, platforms and mission configurations beyond the system used during Broadsword.

• Register.si logged 46,066 new .si domains in September 2026 compared with 3,515 in August after Trump said the US would call AI "superintelligence"
• Registrations have continued to accelerate to over 12,600+ a day at the time of writing, as an increasing number of registrants lock in key domain names with the registrar
• The rename was telegraphed by Truth Social polls from September 19, and Netcraft found speculative .si buying happening before the speech aired

Slovenia's national domain registry has spent the past two weeks absorbing a wave of demand thanks to an unexpected boon.

US President Donald Trump recently told the UN General Assembly that the United States would now call artificial intelligence "super intelligence," or SI, because the word artificial "makes it sound fake."

This has prompted buyers around the world to pile into .si, the country code of the small European nation where First Lady Melania Trump was born.

The First Lady was born in Novo Mesto in 1970, when Slovenia was still a Yugoslav republic, and Netcraft notes that she and Barron Trump both hold Slovenian citizenship. The coincidence ironically exists only because Slovenia was assigned SI when SL had already gone to Sierra Leone.

Register.si, in a screengrab of the site, registered only 3,515 domains in August 2026, while one day saw the website register as many as 12,491 across 92 domain registrars, even as the site shows 46,066 registrations at the time of writing, indicating an impressive 13.1x increase monthly or pro-rated, a 106x increase when compared with an average day in August.

The monthly numbers might be even more impressive if one considers the statement of the Register.si spokeswoman, Klara Herman, to the BBC, where she stated that "44,000 web addresses with the .si suffix had been registered in September, compared to less than 2,000 in August - an increase of more than 2,100%".

One could, however, argue this isn't a complete surprise: on September 19, Trump posted a poll on Truth Social offering Superior, Extreme, or Supreme Intelligence as replacements for AI, two of which abbreviate to SI.

On September 21, he promised in a post that he would "only encourage AI or SI (SUPER INTELLIGENCE)!", and a second poll pitting super against superior intelligence drew more than 50,000 votes. This also sparked a betting spree: a Polymarket contract on whether Trump would rename AI by September 30 opened on September 20 and drew $151,000 in bets by September 23.

The obvious beneficiary for now seems to be the state of Slovenia, though at a limited scale; Register.si still charges every registrar the same €10 per domain, and the registry has said media speculation about millions in earnings for Slovenia has "no real basis".

Domain Name Wire estimated roughly €300,000 in additional September revenue for the state, though that number may be dated, given the current total stands at 46,066 domains or €460,660 and may be even higher. Anguilla, by contrast, earned around $32 million from .ai in 2023, more than 20% of government revenue, according to IMF figures cited by Foreign Policy,

The less obvious, but considerably more lucrative, play is speculative buying of potentially high-value domain names should the trend catch on, to flip for a high multiple (100x, 1000x, or even higher in certain cases) on transfer.

The more interesting question is what SI could eventually mean, and whether it is one used by the rest of the world. The White House fact sheet says the order directs agencies to use Super Intelligence and SI in official communications and "to no longer acknowledge" the old terms, but it applies only to executive branch documents outside statute. It has no say in whether the nomenclature actually catches up with or replaces AI in an industry that has far more pressing concerns to address than its own name.