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February was a relatively terse month, yet still fruitful. We had some hits, like Apple’s Powerbeats Pro 2. Apple also released the iPhone 16e, an “essential” iPhone with the same A18 processor and Apple Intelligence features as the regular iPhone 16 but for $200 less. We liked Razer’s handheld console dock and the SCUF Valor Pro, which made us believe in high-end—and lower-priced—gaming controllers. We also really enjoyed this Genki 7-in-1 power strip, which is cute and extremely functional. And even though the Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti didn’t deliver on its initial price point promise (let’s blame everyone else), it impressed us in the lab.
Everything else felt flat. The HTC Vive Focus Vision is a big nah. The Lenovo Legion S Go had some high points but didn’t perform on par with the rest of its rivals. The ReMarkable Paper Pro was also kind of meh at its high price. And even though the Galaxy S25+ is an impressive smartphone, couldn’t it have just been the Ultra?
Razer Handheld Dock Chroma
Razer’s $80 dock for handheld consoles is pretty great. We tried it out with the Lenovo Legion Go S, which we didn’t like so much. But Razer’s Handheld Dock Chroma helped out with the experience a bit. Even the app that it installed turned out not to be a hassle, which is just as much a surprise to you as it was to us.
Apple Powerbeats Pro 2
If you like running, you will love Apple’s new Powerbeats Pro 2. This new generation improves on everything its predecessor did not have. It has a slimmer, ergonomic design, longer battery life, wireless charging, and active noise canceling. There’s also easy Siri integration, and the case is quite cute, even if it is a little bulky. For $250, you can’t go wrong with a pair of these, as long as you don’t mind the lack of equalizer settings.
Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti
Nvidia’s RTX 5070 Ti is an impressive graphics card. It was supposed to be an entry point for gamers who wanted to enter at the $750-$500 price point, but it will cost you a little more because of how wonky the market is right now. If you can find it close to its MSRP, you won’t be disappointed by the card in your machine.
SCUF Valor Pro
The $100 SCUF Valor Pro feels and performs like a $200+ controller. The only slight drawback for folks might be its relatively small D-Pad, which hovers around the same size as the usual Xbox wireless controller and can be rough to handle. But if you don’t notice it, you’ll see everything else about the Valor Pro that makes it feel as professional-caliber as its name alleges.
Genki Moonbase Power Strip
This one is fun. The Genki Moonrise really does put all other power strips to shame. It looks super cool under the desk or on top of it. The 7-in-1 charging hub has three “nodes” featuring AC plugs. There are also four USB-C ports, and the whole power strip comes alive with RGB lighting.
Apple iPhone 16e
Apple’s iPhone 16e is not the end-all, be-all iPhone. Instead, it’s the essential of everything Apple wants you to have from its walled-off ecosystem. The iPhone 16e prioritizes the software experience, Apple Intelligence, and the rest of the perks of being in the ecosystem. You won’t get a camera phone that zooms far or a screen that shines as brightly as the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup. However, the iPhone 16e will be a worthy choice for anyone who needs a “simple” iPhone or an easy entry point into the walled garden.
