London — The Stuff Awards 2025 have crowned the Nintendo Switch 2 as Gadget of the Year, a decision that reflects both consumer demand and industry strategy. The hybrid console, with its 7.9‑inch Full HD 120Hz screen and DLSS upscaling for 4K gaming, represents refinement rather than reinvention. Backwards compatibility ensures continuity, while compromises in battery life and storage expansion highlight the tension between innovation and practicality.
The Design Award went to Sigma BF, a full‑frame mirrorless camera stripped to minimalist essentials. Its trapezoid aluminium body, devoid of buttons and flaps, prioritizes aesthetic purity over ergonomics. Highly commended was Apple’s iPhone Air, a 5.6mm titanium flagship that sacrifices camera versatility for extreme thinness.
The Innovation Award recognized Huawei’s Mate XT, the world’s first tri‑fold smartphone. With three configurations—phone, book‑style device, and full tablet—it pushes boundaries of portability and multitasking. Apple CarPlay Ultra also earned praise for seamlessly integrating in‑car systems, while Sony’s RGB LED prototype promised a dramatic shift in TV display technology.
Other highlights included Nothing’s Headphone 1, which turned transparent ear cups into a fashion statement, and LG’s G5 OLED, which delivered blazing brightness without sacrificing black levels. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 was highly commended for finally making foldables genuinely portable.
From an investigative lens, the Stuff Awards reveal more than consumer trends. They underscore how tech giants balance risk and reward: Apple betting on ultra‑thin design, Huawei on futuristic form factors, Sony on display disruption, and Nintendo on perfected iteration. Each award reflects strategic positioning in a market where innovation must be both bold and commercially viable.
