If you’re anything like me, you’ve already started mentally budgeting for the best upcoming gadgets launching later this year. Every few months, tech companies drop something that makes last year’s gear feel ancient, and 2025 is shaping up to be one of those years where everything hits at once. I’ve been glued to leaks, press events, and insider forums, and a few of these products genuinely have me excited to open my wallet.
1. Apple iPhone 17 Ultra
Apple is expected to shake things up significantly with the iPhone 17 lineup this September. The rumored “Ultra” model replaces the Plus tier, and early leaks suggest a thinner titanium body with a redesigned camera bar running horizontally across the back.
What has me most interested is the A19 Pro chip paired with 12GB of RAM, which should make on-device AI features actually usable instead of gimmicky. If Apple delivers on the ProMotion display upgrades and the rumored 48MP front camera, this could be the biggest iPhone redesign since the iPhone X. I’m cautiously optimistic, which for Apple, is saying a lot.
2. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Samsung’s foldables keep getting better, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 arriving around July could finally nail the form factor most of us have been waiting for. Rumors point to an even slimmer profile, possibly under 10mm when folded, and a wider cover screen that actually feels like a real phone.
The inner display might jump to 8 inches with improved crease reduction. Samsung has also been working on a new hinge mechanism that should feel more solid over time. If they bring the S Pen back into the body and keep the price under $1,800, I think this is the year foldables go mainstream. I’ve used every Fold since the 3, and each generation fixes the thing that annoyed me most about the last one.
3. Meta Quest 4
Meta has been quietly building toward something big in VR, and the Quest 4 is expected to land in the fall. Based on leaked specs, we’re looking at pancake lenses with a significant resolution bump, eye tracking built in, and a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 3 chip that should make standalone VR feel closer to PC-quality.
The thing I’m personally watching for is mixed reality performance. The Quest 3 already impressed me with passthrough quality, but it still felt like looking through a camera feed. If Meta can sharpen that experience and keep the price around $500, this headset could pull in people who’ve been on the fence about VR for years. I’ve recommended the Quest 3 to dozens of friends, and “almost but not quite there” is the feedback I keep hearing.
4. Sony PlayStation 5 Pro Slim
Sony hasn’t officially announced this, but multiple credible leakers suggest a slimmer PS5 Pro variant is coming before the holiday season. The current PS5 Pro already delivers noticeable graphical improvements over the base model, but that console is still a brick on your entertainment center.
A slimmer redesign with better thermal management would make it a much easier recommendation. I’m especially curious whether Sony includes a disc drive this time or doubles down on digital-only. For anyone who skipped the PS5 Pro at launch because of the size and $700 price tag, this refresh might be the sweet spot. I grabbed the Pro at launch, and while the performance is real, the size genuinely bothers me every time I look at my shelf.
5. Google Pixel 10 Pro
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro should arrive in October with the new Tensor G5 chip, which is reportedly the first Tensor fully designed in-house rather than being based on Samsung’s Exynos architecture. That’s a huge deal for performance and efficiency.
Camera improvements are expected too, with a rumored variable aperture main sensor that adapts to lighting conditions more aggressively than anything we’ve seen on a Pixel before. Google’s computational photography is already best-in-class, so pairing better hardware with their software magic could produce something special. I’ve used a Pixel as my daily driver for three years running, and the camera alone keeps me from switching.
6. Apple AirPods Pro 3
The next AirPods Pro are likely coming alongside the iPhone 17 in September, and the rumors around these are genuinely interesting. We’re hearing about built-in health sensors, potentially including heart rate monitoring through the ear canal, plus improved hearing aid functionality building on features Apple introduced last year.
Audio quality upgrades with a new H3 chip are expected too, along with better adaptive noise cancellation. The current AirPods Pro 2 are already excellent, so Apple needs to justify the upgrade. If health tracking works reliably, these become more than just earbuds. I wear my AirPods Pro for about six hours daily, so anything that adds health monitoring to time I’m already wearing them feels genuinely useful, not gimmicky.
7. DJI Mini 5
DJI has dominated the consumer drone market for years, and the Mini 5 should arrive sometime in the second half of 2025. Leaks suggest a slightly larger sensor, possibly 1/1.3 inch, while still keeping the drone under the 249-gram registration threshold.
Improved obstacle avoidance on all sides and longer battery life around 40 minutes would make this a serious tool, not just a toy. I’ve flown the Mini 4 Pro extensively, and while it’s incredible for its size, the video quality still falls short of the Mavic series in low light. If DJI closes that gap while maintaining the portability, the Mini 5 becomes the only drone most people ever need. The best upcoming gadgets launching later this year aren’t always flashy, and sometimes the iterative improvements matter most.
8. Samsung Galaxy Ring 2
Samsung’s first Galaxy Ring divided opinions, but the second generation arriving this summer could fix the biggest complaints. A slimmer design, more accurate sleep tracking, and reportedly longer battery life pushing past seven days are all on the table.
The original Galaxy Ring felt like a solid first attempt with room to grow. If Samsung improves the companion app and adds more actionable health insights instead of just raw data dumps, this becomes a real alternative to a fitness band. I wore the first Galaxy Ring for three months, and while the comfort was excellent, the software felt half-baked. Version two has a real opportunity here.
9. Nintendo Switch 2
This is arguably the most anticipated gadget of the entire year. Nintendo officially revealed the Switch 2 in early 2025, with a launch confirmed for June. It features a larger 8-inch LCD screen, magnetic Joy-Cons, and significantly upgraded processing power courtesy of an Nvidia custom chip.
Backward compatibility with original Switch games is confirmed, which is a massive win. The real question is whether third-party developers will bring current-gen titles to the platform now that the hardware can handle them. If we see games like GTA 6 running on the Switch 2, even at reduced settings, that’s a huge deal. I’ve pre-ordered mine already. The original Switch is one of my most-used gadgets of the past decade, and I’m ready for the next chapter.
10. Dyson OnTrac 2
Dyson entered the headphone market with the OnTrac in 2024, and a second-generation model is rumored for late 2025. The original had phenomenal noise cancellation and unique modular ear cushions, but the sound quality divided audiophiles.
If Dyson tweaks the sound profile and improves the companion app’s EQ options, the OnTrac 2 could compete seriously with Sony and Bose. The build quality of the original was already premium. Sometimes tech companies nail the hardware first and refine the experience second, and Dyson fits that pattern perfectly. I tested the original OnTrac for a few weeks, and the noise cancellation genuinely rivaled the WH-1000XM5. The sound just needed more warmth.
Best Upcoming Gadgets Launching Later This Year: Honorable Mentions
A few more products deserve a quick shout. The OnePlus 14 is expected with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 and incredible fast charging. Garmin’s rumored Fenix 9 could bring an AMOLED display to their toughest watch line. And Sonos is reportedly working on a new portable speaker that improves on the Roam 2’s battery life significantly. Any of these could easily make the main list depending on final specs and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of the best upcoming gadgets launching later this year is most worth waiting for?
That depends on what you use most. For phone users, the iPhone 17 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro both look exceptional. For gamers, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a no-brainer since it launches in June. If you care about health tech, the AirPods Pro 3 with health sensors could be the most impactful product on this list for everyday life.
Will the Nintendo Switch 2 play original Switch games?
Yes, Nintendo has confirmed backward compatibility with physical and digital Switch games. You’ll be able to play your existing library on the new hardware. Some games may even receive performance boosts on the Switch 2, though Nintendo hasn’t detailed exactly how that will work for every title yet. Keep your game cards handy.
Are foldable phones reliable enough to buy in 2025?
They’ve come a long way. I’ve used foldable phones daily since 2022, and durability has improved dramatically with each generation. The Galaxy Z Fold 7’s new hinge design should make the crease less noticeable and the mechanism more durable over years of use. If you’ve been hesitant, 2025 might finally be the right time to jump in.
When do most of these gadgets actually launch?
The timeline varies. The Nintendo Switch 2 hits in June, Samsung’s foldables and Galaxy Ring 2 likely arrive in July, Apple’s products come in September, and the Pixel 10 Pro follows in October. DJI and Meta tend to announce in the fall as well. Holiday season is when everything converges, so budget accordingly if you want more than one.
Should I wait for these gadgets or buy current models now?
If you need something right now, current-generation products are still excellent. But if your current device works fine and you can wait a few months, several of these upgrades, especially the iPhone 17 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro, represent meaningful generational leaps rather than minor refreshes. Patience usually pays off in tech.
Conclusion
2025 has an absurdly good lineup of gadgets coming, and the hardest part is honestly going to be choosing where to spend your money. I’ve got my eyes on the Switch 2 and the iPhone 17 Ultra personally, but every product on this list has something genuinely compelling about it. Which one are you most excited to get your hands on?
