New Pixel Devices and More: Meta Ray-Ban Display, ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X

Key Insights

• New Devices: The recent launch features the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4, and Pixel Buds 2a.
• Durability: The Pixel 10 Pro Fold boasts an IP68 rating, enhancing its durability compared to previous foldable models.
• Price Consideration: The Pixel 10 Pro Fold retails for $1,799, making it a significant investment for consumers.
• Meta Innovations: The Meta Ray-Ban Display offers exciting technology, though its chunky design may not appeal to everyone.

Techtober is a busy time for our reviews team as a deluge of new devices arrive before the holiday season. We’ve been hard at work conducting our in-depth testing, but it’s understandable if you missed a review or two over the last few weeks. Read on to catch up all the reviews you might’ve missed, including the latest trio of Google Pixel devices.

What are the latest Google Pixel devices?

The latest offerings from Google include the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4, and Pixel Buds 2a. Each device showcases cutting-edge technology tailored to enhance user experience.

These new devices emphasize innovation and usability, aiming to meet the diverse needs of consumers.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a

Earlier this month, a trio of new Pixel devices arrived for us to put through their paces. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold headlines the group, but the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a are also highly capable devices in their own categories. Senior reviews writer Sam Rutherford wrote that Google has removed one of the last remaining issues with foldable phones: durability. “The addition of proper dust and water resistance on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has removed one of the last two shortcomings of modern foldables, which is no mean feat,” he said. However, at $1,799, the price barrier is still hard to overcome for most folks.

What is the Meta Ray-Ban Display?

The Meta Ray-Ban Display is a new product that combines smart glasses with augmented reality features, aiming to enhance user interaction. While it offers exciting functionalities, it also comes with a few drawbacks.

Meta Ray-Ban Display

Meta

An exciting first-gen product, if you can get past the thick frames.

Pros

• Display is bright, clear and doesn’t feel overwhelming
• Ability to preview and zoom in with the camera makes it way easier to frame shots
• Visual feedback for Meta AI prompts is surprisingly helpful
• Neural band is very accurate and reduces reliance on voice commands

Cons

• Frames are way too thick for most people’s comfort
• Display is only compatible with a handful of apps
• Text messages can be wonky

More info at Meta

The second-gen Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses may be the best option for most people right now, but the Meta Ray-Ban Display is the more exciting product for many. If you can get past the chunky look and in-progress features, you still have to contend with limited availability and a $800 price tag. “The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, on the other hand, still look very much like a first-gen product,” senior reporter Karissa Bell wrote. “There are some really compelling use cases for the display, but its functionality is limited.”

What is the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X?

The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X is a collaboration between ASUS and Microsoft, aimed at delivering a premium handheld gaming experience. It combines powerful hardware with an intuitive software interface.

ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X

ASUS/Engadget

While its $1,000 price may be an obstacle, ASUS and Microsoft’s collaboration on the ROG Xbox Ally X has created a top-tier handheld with strong performance and better software than all of its Windows-based rivals.

Pros

• New full-screen Xbox experience
• Strong performance
• Bright screen
• Solid battery life

Cons

• Expensive
• Larger grips make it a bit bulky
• Mediocre haptics

$1,000 at Best Buy

Microsoft’s collaboration with ASUS has produced a compelling gaming handheld that’s decidedly Xbox. The combination of familiar controls and a full-screen Xbox experience give this device an advantage over its Windows-based competition. “While Microsoft’s first real foray into PC gaming handhelds isn’t upending the status quo and it’s way too early to say if this gadget will save Xbox as a whole, it is bringing some notable advancements,” Sam said. “The new full-screen experience makes launching and playing games on Windows-based devices so much more seamless that it’s kind of wild it took so long to get here.”

What are the features of the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd gen)?

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd gen) are recognized for their exceptional noise-canceling capabilities, enhanced sound quality, and efficient power management. These features contribute to their reputation as industry leaders.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd gen)

Bose/Engadget

The best noise-canceling headphones are even better with improved ANC, enhanced sound and more efficient power usage.

Pros

• Industry-leading ANC got even better
• Sound and power upgrades are substantial

Cons

• Still expensive
• Glossy finish isn’t for everyone

$449 at Amazon

Bose never leave the top few spots on our best noise canceling headphones list, but its refresh of the QC Ultra Headphones put the company firmly back in first place. Updates to active noise cancellation, sound performance, battery life and power management are enough to recommend this model over the previous version and the Sony WH-1000XM6. “Similar to the second-gen QC Ultra Earbuds over the summer, Bose didn’t make huge upgrades for the updated version of the QC Ultra Headphones,” I explained. “But what you do get here is a decent improvement over its predecessor.”

What can you tell me about the Razer Blade 18 (2025)?

The Razer Blade 18 (2025) is a high-performance gaming laptop designed for users seeking power and quality in a portable format. It features a large display and advanced graphics capabilities.

Razer Blade 18 (2025)

Razer/Engadget

The Blade 18 is a massive 18-inch gaming laptop with all of the power you’d want, alongside Razer’s excellent build quality. Just be prepared to pay a ton for it.

Pros

• Excellent performance
• Effective cooling
• Lovely 18-inch screen
• Tons of ports
• Great keyboard

Cons

• Ridiculously expensive
• Much heavier than 16-inch laptops
• No OLED or MiniLED

$2,800 at Razer

Razer’s massive 18-inch gaming laptop has impressive performance, but it’s size and limited battery life don’t offer a lot of convenience. “Personally, if I had to choose between Razer’s current lineup, I’d go with the Blade 16 so that I could actually carry it around and occasionally use it as a productivity machine,” senior reviews editor Devindra Hardawar wrote. “Not so with the Blade 18 — its short two hour and 17 minute battery life (in PCMark 10’s battery benchmark) means you’ll always need to lug around its beefy power adapter.”