The best tech and gadgets announced at IFA so far
Overview & Key Takeaways
The doors to Europe's largest consumer tech show haven't opened to the public yet, but there's already plenty of news coming out of IFA 2026 in Berlin, Germany. If you're already struggling to keep up with what has been announced, here are some of the best new gadgets and upgrades from the show - including […]
The doors to Europe’s largest consumer tech show haven’t opened to the public yet, but there’s already plenty of news coming out of IFA 2026 in Berlin, Germany. If you’re already struggling to keep up with what has been announced, here are some of the best new gadgets and upgrades from the show — including more competition for Apple’s MacBook Neo, an excellent portable controller for gaming-on-the-go, and a concept handheld designed to balance work and play.
To catch up on everything announced at IFA 2026 you can follow The Verge’s complete coverage right here.
Flipping the gaming laptop script, Acer’s latest concept is a Windows-based gaming handheld, similar to its Predator Atlas 8, that can transform into a tiny portable PC thanks to a swiveling design that repositions its screen atop a mini keyboard. The DualPlay Mini’s display is just 8-inches in size, which could make productivity a challenge if work involves sprawling spreadsheets, but the concept could be used for answering emails during a daily commute and then connected to a larger display at work for more demanding tasks.
The Dell 14S isn’t as thin or light as its recently launched XPS 13, but the company is looking to make this model even more accessible for students or others on a tighter budget. The laptop starts with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and those specs can be bumped to 16GB/1TB. It features a 1080P webcam with face unlock support, two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and like Apple’s MacBook Neo, will be available in four bright color options: linen, dusty rose, washed denim, and velvet green.
The $1,199 Roomba Max 875 Combo is iRobot’s latest flagship floor cleaner and introduces a new feature the company calls “SealForce.” When it detects it’s cleaning carpeting, the robovac lowers a skirt around the cleaning head to create a better seal that increases suction for a deeper clean. The Max 875 also offers up to 35,000 Pa of suction power, mopping capabilities, lidar and camera-based autonomous navigation, and the ability to climb over obstacles and thresholds up to 3.5cm tall.
Released under Jsaux’s new Voidjoy brand, the $49.99 SkyLark S1 Pro is a compact portable controller that appears to do a lot of things right. It’s got drift-resistant TMR thumbsticks that are recessed so they won’t get snagged on other devices in your bag, a pair of analog triggers ideal for racing games, and three different ways to connect to devices and consoles: Bluetooth, USB-C, and 2.4GHz. If you opt for a 2.4GHz connection, you can also pair two S1 Pros to a single transmitter and swap back-and-forth between what character you’re controlling in a multiplayer game, making it useful for parents playing with a kid who may struggle with some challenges.
Is Framework’s approach to easily repairable and upgradeable laptops finally rubbing off on other companies? Acer’s 16-inch Vero 16 offers tool-free access to several internal components including its user-replaceable SSD and battery. The company says the laptop’s processor can also be upgraded down the line, but that will require it to be sent in to an Acer service center. Pricing is still unknown, but the Vero 16 is expected to launch early next year outside North America.
If you’re lucky enough to have an original Nintendo Switch Pro controller that hasn’t succumbed to joystick drift and want to expand its capabilities, Jsaux’s new Elite Extender is an easy aftermarket upgrade. For $39.99 it attaches to the back of the controller and adds four mappable buttons that can be programmed to reproduce multiple button presses. It’s got its own rechargeable battery, but does hinder Amiibo functionality while it’s piggybacking.
