Samuel Gibbs Consumer Technology Editor

Our tech expert is back with an updated guide to the top-tier Android phones, from budget buys to the best for battery life

Need an Android phone, but not sure which to go for, or whether to buy new or refurbished? With lots to consider, view me as your guide as you trek through the process of picking the best handset for you.

The latest flagship Android phones come in various sizes, at different prices, and with varying hardware and software features, all powered by the fastest chips. Whether your priority is battery life, camera, screen size, software support or value for money, there is more to choose from than ever. But if you’re thinking of buying Apple instead, we have a guide for iPhones, too.

Latest satellite-free Sky TV is ready for primetime with better picture, sound and much-improved service

The latest version of Sky’s Glass smart TV is faster and looks better than its predecessor and offers a level of all-in-one convenience that makes the satellite-free pay TV one of the best on the market.

Sky Glass gen 2 is a straight replacement for the original model from 2021, which introduced Sky’s TV-over-broadband service that ditched the need for a satellite dish. The new TV comes in three sizes and you can buy the smallest 43in version for a one-off payment of £699 or £14 a month spread over four years, after which you own it.

From using the location tracker on your phone to retaining proof of purchase, steps you can take

• What to do if your phone is lost or stolen: practical steps to restore peace of mind

Headphones are a daily accessory for many, making them a tempting target for thieves. Whether they are stolen from your head or pinched from a bag, here’s what to do.

Check the headphones control app on your phone. Many of them have a function that shows where they were last connected to your phone, so you can try to track them down.

From remotely locking your phone to changing passwords, do this quickly to protect yourself and restore peace of mind

Smartphones contain the entirety of our modern lives, from photos, messages and memories to credit cards, bank accounts and all life admin, so when one gets lost or stolen it can be far worse than the cost of the actual handset.

Here’s what to do if the worst happens. Quickly taking these steps will help protect yourself against data theft, scams and fraud, and with luck could even lead to you being reunited with your phone.

New iPad has laptop-level power, reliable battery life, great video call camera and a choice of screen sizes

Apple’s iPad Air continues to be the premium tablet to beat, with the latest version featuring a chip upgrade to keep it ahead of the pack.

The new iPad Air M3 costs from £599 (€699/$599/A$999) – the same as its predecessor – and comes in two sizes with either an 11in or 13in screen. It sits between the base-model £329 iPad A16 and the £999 iPad Pro M4, splitting the difference in price and features.

Class-leading camera, top-tier chip, very long battery life, AI and quality software dominate mid-range rivals

Google’s latest cut-price Pixel offers the best bang for your buck in Android phones and is arguably better in many areas than some models costing twice the price.

The Pixel 9a starts at the same £499 (€549/$499/A$849) as last year’s equally good value model. That makes it £300 or so less than Google’s regular Pixel 9 and places it up against mid-rangers such as Nothing’s Phone 3a Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy A56.

Chip, memory and webcam upgrades are joined by welcome price cut for the top premium notebook

Apple’s much-loved MacBook Air gets even more power, a much better webcam and an unexpected price cut for 2025, making one of the very best consumer laptops even more tempting.

The company’s thinnest and lightest laptop currently starts at £999 (€1,199/$999/A$1,699) – £100 less than last year’s model – and has Apple’s top M4 chip with a minimum of 16GB of memory, making the cheapest model much more capable.