Engadget Reviews: Sony Earbuds, ASUS Duo & More – Latest Tech Tested

The tech world moves quickly and keeping pace with the latest releases can be a challenge. This week brought reviews of several noteworthy products, from Sony’s latest flagship earbuds to a uniquely designed laptop from ASUS. Here’s a roundup of recent assessments from Engadget, offering a snapshot of what’s new and noteworthy in consumer technology.

Sony WF-1000XM6

Sony continues to refine its popular 1000X series of wireless earbuds with the WF-1000XM6. While still considered among the best in the market, the newest iteration doesn’t represent a significant leap forward, particularly given increased competition. The earbuds boast full, detailed sound and a wealth of features, alongside responsive touch controls. However, Engadget’s review points to several areas where the XM6 falls short, including a higher price point, lagging active noise cancellation (ANC) performance compared to rivals, and potential fit issues with the included foam tips. Call quality also received a less-than-stellar assessment.

The WF-1000XM6 builds upon the foundation laid by previous models, which have consistently ranked highly in best-of lists for wireless earbuds. However, the review suggests that Sony isn’t decisively distancing itself from the competition this time around. Specifically, the reviewer highlighted ANC performance and voice quality as areas needing improvement, alongside the ongoing challenge of achieving a comfortable fit for all users. The earbuds are currently available at Amazon for $330.

ASUS Zenbook Duo (2026)

ASUS is pushing the boundaries of laptop design with the Zenbook Duo (2026), a laptop featuring two OLED displays and a detachable keyboard. The dual-screen approach aims to enhance productivity and convenience, and the review suggests it largely succeeds. Despite a hefty price tag of $2,100, the added functionality and portability are deemed worthwhile by Engadget’s reviewer. The laptop offers a compact design, surprisingly good battery life, and a unique form factor. The absence of an SD card slot is noted as a drawback.

According to senior reporter Sam Rutherford, the Zenbook Duo’s appeal lies in its innovative approach to laptop design. “I’m a believer that one day people will eventually embrace typing on screens with laptops just like they have for smartphones,” he stated. Even for those not ready to fully embrace on-screen typing, the laptop provides a comprehensive set of features.

Other Recent Reviews

Beyond the earbuds and laptop, Engadget also recently reviewed a remarkably small camera, the Kodak Charmera, and the Mullvad VPN. The Charmera, despite its limited image quality, has captured the hearts of editors with its retro charm and portability. The Mullvad VPN, meanwhile, is praised for its strong focus on privacy, offering a near-total privacy experience, though it does come with some trade-offs in speed and streaming site compatibility. Senior writer Sam Chapman noted that Mullvad “does privacy and does it well,” while acknowledging its limitations.