February tends to be a slower month for new tech. CES is behind us, and we're looking ahead toward the big tech Spring launches from the likes of Apple, Microsoft, and more.
But here at Digital Trends, we've always got a new round of interesting, innovative, and must-buy products we're reviewing. From high-end smartphones and innovative earbuds to the mobile DAC (digital to audio converter) you never knew you needed, these are the best tech products we reviewed this month.
All the phone you'll need
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- S Pen is convenient and highly accurate
- Versatile camera takes great photos
- The latest processor for power
- Long software support
- Beautiful high refresh rate screen
- Not very fast battery charging
- Large and heavy
We're only a few months into the year, but we may already have the flagship smartphone to beat. But it's not for the faint of heart. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is a serious smartphone for the enthusiast crowd -- for those who want to push the boundaries of what a phone can do. Between the S Pen integration, highly versatile camera, and a huge 6.8-inch screen, it's got everything you need -- so long as you're comfortable with the size and slippery surface.
It might not be a significant bump up from the S21 Ultra, but if you were a previous fan of the Galaxy Note, the S22 Ultra is an obvious upgrade.
Open-back earbuds
Sony LinkBuds
- Unique, sound-permeable design
- Very good "open" sound quality
- Excellent for voice and video calls
- Wide Area Tap feature
- Wear sensors
- EQ and control customization
- IPX4 water resistance
- Poor battery life
- Not good for noisy environments
- Not very secure and may not fit some ears
- No wireless charging
- No Bluetooth Multipoint
Right now, wireless earbuds come in two primary types. The first have active noise cancellation (ANC) to block out outside sound and deliver the best possible audio quality. The second is the more standard earbuds (such as Apple's AirPods), which sacrifice sound quality for price and ease of use.
But what if you don't actually want to block out the outside world? There's where the Sony LinkBuds come in, which promise exceptional sound in an "open-back" design. The result is a much more natural sound that feels a bit more like listening to a set of speakers. It's not perfect, similar to most first-gen products, but it's hard not to applaud innovation in what is a very crowded product category.
Solid Dolby Atmos sound
Polk Signa S4 Soundbar
- Compact design
- Ultra-simple setup
- Very clear dialogue
- Excellent Dolby Atmos sound
- Great for TV-based music
- No EQ adjustments
- No Wi-Fi/AirPlay/Chromecast
- No HDMI outputs
If you want a high-quality soundbar for your living room with Dolby Atmos without completely emptying your wallet, your options are few. One of the best is the Polk Signa S4. Despite being just $399, the Sign S4 includes up-firing drivers and a wireless subwoofer, all of which deliver some very immersive sound for all your entertainment needs.
It lacks some important features and connections, but if you just want good theater-quality sound at a good price, look no further.
The sound will move you
Chord Mojo 2
- Incredible sound
- Powerful enough to drive most headphones
- Multiple device connection options
- Customizable lossless equalizer
- Long battery life
- The equalizer is complicated
- MicroUSB charging is outdated
- No MQA file playback
You might not think you need a DAC. You might not even know what a DAC is. But all you'll need convincing with the Chord Mojo 2 is to try it out. The sound it delivers is incredible, and according to our own reviewer's notes, might even make you shed a tear.
It's a mobile DAC, so it's small, and works great with your phone and most headphones. You don't need to be an audiophile to appreciate the kind of lossless audio the Chord Mojo 2 can produce, so long as you're willing to pay for it.
True G-Sync
Acer Predator X28
- Excellent color accuracy and coverage
- Nvidia Reflex and G-Sync
- 4K at 120Hz over HDMI
- Superb gaming performance
- Four USB ports, including two on the side
- OSD is a bit technical
- G-Sync adds a small premium
- No HDMI 2.1 ports
Gaming laptops tend to lack niceties in favor of raw performance. Don't get us wrong -- the Predator X28 still has Nvidia Reflex, G-Sync, 1ms grey-to-grey response time, 4K resolution, and over 120Hz refresh rate. It's far from lacking in gaming prowess.
But it also includes startling good image quality. Excellent color calibration and up to 452 nits of brightness. Such things are rare in a gaming monitor -- even an expensive one like the Predator X28. You'll pay extra for the dedicated G-Sync chip inside, and that's not something everyone will find worth the price. Still, the Predator X28 is as premium and excellent a gaming monitor as you can buy.
At-home fitness for apartment dwellers
Tempo Move
- Excellent equipment storage
- Intuitive app
- Responsive A.I. and reactive fitness tracking
- Support for up to six users under one Tempo household
- Competitively priced versus comparable options
- No Android support
- No live classes (currently)
- App can be finicky sometimes
The explosion of at-home fitness gear has led to many different approaches to solve the problem -- many of which are exorbitantly expensive and require an entire section of your living room. The Tempo Move takes a different tact.
It puts everything you need for a proper workout into a single compact package that includes weights, dumbbells, and "Core" modules -- all designed to be stowed away in a portable cabinet. The service itself uses your iPhone and some impressive A.I. tech to deliver at-home training and fitness classes, all tailored to the data gleaned from your workout style. All of this quite impressed our reviewer, who found it a particularly apt solution for apartment dwellers.
Like most of these fitness services, the $395 hardware and $40 per month service aren't cheap, but it's on par with other premium workout services.
