The year 2025 is delivering exciting tech and toys for South Africans to enjoy, and with so many new releases hitting store shelves, we’ve rounded up three interesting examples.
Huawei Mate XT
Price: R69 999
Well, if you love folding phones but always thought “I wish it folded again”, you’re in luck. The Huawei Mate XT has been released and is dubbed the world’s first tri-folding smartphone.
It features a massive 10,2-inch tablet-sized display that folds seamlessly into a pocket-friendly smartphone. It houses 16GBs of RAM, with the option of 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB storage variants.
No camera compromise
Cameras are where many foldables make compromises. But, Huawei says its Mate XT pioneers a 10-step adjustable physical aperture in its extremely thin and light body to counter this.
The Huawei 50MP Xmage camera system covers ultra-wide angles to 5.5x telephoto, making it easy to capture both close-up details and faraway subjects. The Ultra Speed Snapshot feature ensures fast-moving subjects are captured with stunning clarity.
Of course, the one drawback is the price. Suddenly an iPhone 16 Pro Max looks cheap at R30 000!
Instax Mini 40
Price: R2 249
Fujifilm’s latest entry-level Instax instant camera – the stylish Instax Mini 41 – has arrived in SA.
This is the follow-up to 2021’s Mini 40, an analogue camera with a classic look, that takes the retro feel of its predecessor and modernises it through a number of sleek stylistic touches.
Old-school simplicity
The camera features Automatic Light Adjustment and a Close-up Mode to help snap photos with minimal tinkering. It is powered by two AA-size alkaline batteries, which should provide enough charge to print ten packs of Instax Mini film. The camera comes with a hand-strap, while a camera case with a shoulder strap is available as an optional accessory.
In terms of speed, the Mini 41 can print a photo as soon as the shutter button is pressed, with the film developing in approximately 90 seconds. It’s incredibly light, weighing only 433g with batteries and a pack of Instax Mini film loaded.
Samsung Galaxy Ring
Price: R7 999
Samsung has launched its long-awaited Galaxy Ring in South Africa. Featuring a 7-day battery life and made with titanium, the Galaxy Ring offers serious durability despite being a high-end tech product.
Available in three stunning finishes, silver, gold, and black, the ring’s look is enhanced by LED lights that indicate the charging cycle and battery life, so users always know how much power is left with just a quick glance.
Focused on health
A focus of the Galaxy Ring is its health tracking features. Equipped with three precision sensors – an Optical Bio-signal sensor, a Skin Temperature sensor, and an Accelerometer – the Galaxy Ring provides detailed insights into your daily activities, sleep patterns, and overall health.
One downside is that the Galaxy Ring does not have NFC, therefore, no contactless payments can be made using this iteration of the device. It would’ve been a very handy addition, so unfortunately, if you’re looking to make smart ring payments, you may have to look elsewhere.
