The Tech Gift Guide: Clever Gadgets They Will Actually Use

by Sana Bun

The Tech Gift Guide: Clever Gadgets They Will Actually Use

14 Dec 2025

If you have hit that point where your brain refuses to pitch another fun-but-thoughtful present, exhale. From tech nerds and hardcore cyclists to fashion lovers, this little gift edit has something they will actually appreciate — and maybe even use.

Pop Phone

If you have a friend who is controversially nostalgic yet deeply into gadgets, the Pop Phone might be their new favourite toy. It plugs into your phone, laptop or tablet with USB-C, works as a microphone and speaker, and (crucially!) looks like a retro handset. Perfect for making a memorable appearance on Zoom calls.

Source: nativeunion.com

Compact power bank

It may not win the award for the most creative gift on the planet, but at some point, it will definitely save someone’s day. After all, humans aren’t the only ones who run out of energy at the worst possible moment — phones do too. Stick to slim, lightweight magnetic power banks that snap onto the phone and slip easily into any pocket. No need for spaceship-level power — one full charge is more than enough.

Smart alarm clock

For those who swear 2026 will be the year they wake up early and sleep better.

Choose a sunrise alarm clock for your favourite non-morning person — it imitates natural light at dawn and promises a gentle wake-up (if such a thing even exists). For troubled sleepers, there are clocks with calming soundscapes, wind-down modes, and two-phase alarms designed to help them rise well-rested.

Ice cream maker

It is definitely not the most seasonal gift on the list, but trust the process and just wait until summer hits the Middle East. While everyone else is desperately hunting for ways to cool down, your lucky recipient will be casually whipping up homemade ice cream and wondering how they ever survived without it.

For coffee lovers

Some people are never seen without a cup of coffee in hand — even at the gym, the supermarket, or a desert hike. Help them keep that streak alive with little devices that elevate their rituals. Think portable coffee makers and smart mugs that hold the desirable temperature for hours, ensuring they always have that “proper coffee”.

Vintage-inspired tech for your fashionista friend

For the fashion lover who likes their gadgets as chic as their outfits, Saint Laurent Rive Droite has gone full nostalgia in the most fashionable way possible. Cassette speakers, reloadable film cameras, slim retro headphones — all with that signature YSL attitude and surprisingly not in kidney-priced territory.

Tech that doubles as art

For those who don’t decorate their home but curate it, there is the perfect hybrid of contemporary art and clever tech: the Jeff Koons x Lexon Balloon Dog Speaker. It is a fully functional Bluetooth speaker disguised as the artist’s iconic sculpture that also delivers your favourite playlists in the background.

For sports enthusiasts

For the cyclist, athlete or runner in your life, the Oakley Meta Vanguard AI glasses are equal parts tech flex and performance upgrade.

They sync with Garmin and Strava, offer real-time stats and performance insights, shoot hands-free 3K footage, respond to voice commands, and come with open-ear speakers that keep workouts safe and multitask-friendly.

by Sana Bun