Oliver Haslam·

Nintendo Switch Beats iPhone X To Take TIME’s Gadget Of The Year 2017 Award

There have been some big releases from Apple this year, and now, two of those have found their way into the top ten gadgets of 2017 as announced by TIME magazine.

While the iPhone X sits pretty at number two, the Apple Watch Series 3 also makes the cut, proudly taking its place at number nine.

While the iPhone X was beaten out by the ever-popular Nintendo Switch, it did manage a higher spot than Samsung’s Galaxy S8, which sits in at number five. According to TIME, Apple’s unparalleled advanced Face ID tech helped it take a high spot over Samsung’s Galaxy S8, even though facial recognition was available as part of Samsung’s offering first.

Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, you’ll probably have a hard time getting your hands on one. And yes, Android did it first. But the iPhone X’s edge-to-edge screen and facial recognition system will undoubtedly set a new standard for phones to come. For one, Apple’s Face ID system, even despite the security concerns, is already being used in more creative ways than Samsung’s facial identification tech. Third-party apps like Snapchat and Warby Parker are taking advantage of the iPhone X’s face-mapping technology to project realistic masks over your eyes or select glasses that suit your face’s shape. That, combined with a sharp camera, long battery life, and large screen packed into a more palatable size, make Apple’s iPhone X a top pick.

While the iPhone X is one device many would expect to make such a top ten list, the Apple Watch Series 3 may be one minor surprise at number nine. However, the arrival of a new processor and, of course, cellular connectivity was enough to have TIME ready to give the updated wearable a place at the top table.

Apple’s latest smartwatch finally lets you leave your phone at home. Since it supports LTE, you can receive calls and texts on your wrist even when your phone is out of range. The third-generation Apple Watch also brings a faster processor and a new barometric altimeter for measuring activities like the numbers of stairs you climb. The Apple Watch isn’t meant to replace your phone, and just about anything you would usually use your phone for is better on a larger screen. But the freedom to leave your phone at home when you step out to walk the dog or go on a run may be just enough to persuade smartwatch skeptics that the Apple Watch is worth considering, especially for athletic types.

Other notable devices in the top ten include the Xbox One X, Amazon’s second generation Echo, DJI Spark and Microsoft’s Surface Laptop. We won’t tell you which spots they landed, we’ll let you see if you can work that out for yourselves.

(Source: TIME)

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