Smartphones & Gear

Gear Diary’s Best of IFA 2018 Awards

The annual IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin covers about 160,000 square meters and almost 2,000 exhibitors. Whether it was on the floor, at a press conference, at the media-only Showstoppers event, or in private meetings, we scoured IFA to find the latest and greatest to make up Gear Diary’s Best of IFA 2018 list.


Nomad Offering a 30% Labor Day Flash Sale; Check It Out!

Whether it’s the Nomad USB-C Cable (read the review), the 4-in1 USB C Cables, the Nomad Battery Cable (read the review) or the new Nomad Slim Wallet with Tile Tracking (read the review) we are consistently impressed by the products Nomad continues to roll out. They’re great but not inexpensive but today, you can save big!  


First Impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Note9

Samsung first introduced the Galaxy Note series in 2011 with a huge stylus-driven 5.3″ screen and a direct appeal to power users who wanted more than current small-screen devices could offer. Today a variety of smartphones with screens larger than 5.3″ are available bearing a ‘Plus’, XL or other monikers to differentiate them.






Alcatel 3V is a Huge, Powerful Android Phone at a Remarkably Low Price

Over the last few years, phones have gotten bigger and bigger. And their prices have increased to match their size. Seriously, who ever thought a premium phone would sell for over a $1000? Fortunately, phones like the Alcatel 3V have arrived. They are big, but at just $150, they don’t have a price that matches their size.


Mophie Powerstation Plus XL: Perfect for All Portable iOS Devices

If you asked me which battery pack has been my longest-running favorite, I’d tell you it’s the mophie powerstation XL that I bought in 2017; it’s been all over the world with me several times. Now, I have a new mophie powerstation plus XL in my backpack, and since I’m predominantly on an iPhone X these days, it’s absolutely perfect.




Bose QuietComfort 20 In-Ear Headphones Review

Bose is often regarded as the go-to choice for noise-canceling headphones and earbuds and their recent QuietComfort 20 headphones are no exception. Boasting one of the most comfortable headphones I’ve worn in years, they offer truly impressive noise-cancellation.


Braven BRV-XXL: A Portable Boombox That’s Ready to Party!

For the longest time, it seemed like the portable speaker trend was headed toward smaller and more compact speakers, but you know what? Big spaces need big sound, and that’s just what you’ll get with the Braven BRV-XXL. It’s not a small speaker by any means, but the sound it puts out makes bringing it along worth it!


The Honor 7S: An EU Smartphone That Won’t Bust Your Budget

Want a smartphone, but don’t want to pay more than £99? If you are in one of the areas where it’s available, you can do just that with the Honor 7S. Available in Mexico, Columbia, Serbia, South Africa, Egypt, the Philippines, and parts of Europe, the Honor 7S strips away many flagship expectations to inexpensively deliver a smartphone experience.


WITTI Design CANDI Wireless Charger ‘Stands’ Out in the Crowd

With Apple finally jumping on the wireless device charging bandwagon, most of the phone users in the world can now take advantage of this cool inductive charging technology. The Qi wireless standard seems to have become the most popular of these and one of the newest chargers offering this is the CANDI from WITTI Design.



Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC Power Pack: Redesigned and Ready to Power

Are you looking for a high-capacity battery pack that can charge your laptop, tablet, DSLR camera, phone, and almost anything else you might carry? Take a look at the redesigned Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC Power Pack. It has two USB Type-C ports, 2 USB Type-A ports, an AC outlet, wireless charging, and it includes all the cables you might need!


Belkin ScreenForce TemperedCurve Screen Protection for iPhone X Review

I’m the person who drops their iPhone often — not some simple 1 or 2′ drop, but a hard drop on the corner or face that would shatter a phone’s screen or ding a corner. For drop protection, I keep my phone in a protective case; for the screen, I’m using the Belkin ScreenForce TemperedCurve Screen Protection for iPhone X.


ION Audio Tiki Sounds Perfect for Outdoor Entertaining

Recently we enjoyed the new Surf waterproof Bluetooth speaker from ION Audio, but for those times when we want to enjoy the patio or entertain friends or family, the pool may not be an option. Introducing the Tiki Sounds Outdoor Illuminated Speaker system.



Scosche BoomBottle MM Is Great for a Summer Full of Music Fun

We recently looked at the Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge and the Speck Presidio Mount Case designed to take advantage of its magnetic wireless charging. The Scosche BoomBottle MM is part of the same line. It is a Bluetooth waterproof speaker with magnets to hold an iPhone in a Speck Presidio Mount or attached steel plates in place; it’s awesome.