IFA is always a monumental event, but this year felt bigger than it has in the past. While it may not hold a candle to the likes of CES in terms of size, the show always serves as a launch pad for new home, audio, and tech. I saw dozens of announcements for the latest and greatest gadgets from some of the industry’s biggest brands. Aesthetics appeared to be a significant focus this year, as tech companies look for new ways to compete in saturated industries. Curious about what was launched at the show? IFA flew me out to Berlin to check out all the exciting announcements in person.
A Foldable Phone That’s No Thicker Than a Bar Phone
One of the largest – or shall I say thinnest – new tech products from the show comes from Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor, which unveiled its latest foldable phone, the Honor Magic V3. What’s so special about the Magic V3? Well, it’s the thinnest foldable phone on the market right now. When closed, the device is only about as thick as the iPhone 15 Pro Max. That’s a pretty incredible achievement. Open the phone and you’ll get a sleek tablet, which is super helpful for productivity on-the-go. The device won’t be available in the United States, but it will come to Europe, so it’s not a launch exclusive to China. For the thinnest foldable phone you can get in the United States, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the go-to phone to get.
New Headphones From Beyerdynamic and AKG
A few different pro audio brands are making a deeper commitment to those in the general consumer space. Both Beyerdynamic and AKG unveiled new headphones designed to compete with the likes of the Sony WH1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Beyerdynamic’s model is called the Aventho 300 and offers a 50-hour battery life, support for modern tech features like Bluetooth Multipoint, and more. They will be priced at $399 upon launch next month.
AKG’s new headphones are the AKG N9 featuring an extended battery life up to an impressive 100 hours with noise cancellation turned off. They even come with a 2.4GHz dongle. That’s right, the headphones support Bluetooth connectivity, wired listening, and listening through a 2.4GHz connection. What’s more, the dongle can be stored right in one of the earcups. All that and more advanced features soon to be available for $349.
TVs That Blend Into Their Environment
IFA 2024 marked the year of competition for the Samsung Frame TV. Both Hisense and TCL have been incredibly competitive when it comes to the budget and midrange TV space, and now they’re bringing that fighting spirit to the world of TVs that better blend into their environments. Neither of the TVs were released at the show, but they were front-and-center at each company’s respective booths.
The TVs are priced a little differently, with the TCL NXTFRAME coming in at $1,499.99 for the 55-inch model, and the Hisense CanvasTV sitting in at $1,299.99 – though a cheaper 55-inch model is expected soon. They do both have a matte glass display that simultaneously reduces glare and makes art looks natural when not in use. Like the Samsung The Frame TV, their image quality technologies are still in the works, which leaves me hoping for more. It would have been nice to see more refined televisions that also offer the best display tech currently on the market. That said, with a little more competition out on the field, hopefully Hisense, TCL, and Samsung will start competing a little more for their art-focused electronics.
Kodak Has Crossed Over Into Speakers
The Kodak name is getting stretched across a surprising number of product categories. Over the years, the company has changed hands on multiple occasions and now exists as a ubiquitous brand name licensed to other entities for the sake of nostalgia. Seemingly, one of those manufacturers builds speakers and even smartwatches. I cannot speak to the quality or performance as I only caught a glance, but at least they’re eye-catching!
An “E-Paper” Smartphone
Looking for a way to make your phone a little easier on the eyes? E-Paper could be the way to go. At IFA 2024, TCL launched its latest and greatest “E-Paper” device, the TCL 50 Nxtpaper smartphone. Like the new art-focused TVs, the 50 Nxtpaper offers a matte anti-glare glass on the front under which the display can be found and has a dimmable backlight for a more natural look. The phone’s side toggle engages what TCL calls “Max Ink Mode.” This basically turns the screen black and white in addition to muting notifications. It’s reminiscent of E Ink, and while it’s not quite the same effect, it still looks quite good – plus, it might offer some respite for eyes plagued by phone addiction.
DJI’s $200 Drone
DJI is the biggest name in drones, and now, you can get a DJI device for as little as $199. The DJI Neo is a miniature model with numerous smart features built into it, including a follow mode and the ability to capture fun little videos. The machine takes off and lands straight from your hand, and is very lightweight. It doesn’t come with a controller, but it does work with DJI’s current-generation controllers for those who already have one or don’t mind buying one separately. If not, users may also control it through the DJI app, where you can tweak the settings on a whim.
