Not every breakthrough in tech gets its own parade. Sometimes it's a little-known feature that quietly saves you time every day or makes a product easier to use. It might be a solution so obvious you find yourself wondering why nobody thought of it years ago.
That's what stood out most in the Currys Tech Awards 2027. Across Mobile, Computing, Entertainment, Kitchen, Connected Home & Wearables and Accessibility, our colleagues and expert panel of judges rewarded the features we can experience right now.
Here are the winners and finalists that impressed the judges this year…
Accessibility Award
The best accessibility features make products easier, safer and more intuitive for everyone to use.
Winner: NEFF Slide&Hide® Retractable Oven Door
Sometimes innovation is about removing a problem rather than adding a feature. That's one of the reasons the judges chose the NEFF Slide&Hide® retractable oven door as this year's winner.
Instead of folding down in front of the oven, the door slides neatly underneath the cavity. That means the oven’s easier to access – helpful for everyone from wheelchair users and people with visual impairment to those with dexterity challenges.
What particularly resonated with the judges was the simplicity of the solution. As one panellist noted, it's "a physical problem that's been given a physical fix".
Finalist: Microsoft Live Captions & Real-Time Text Synthesis
Microsoft's Live Captions automatically converts spoken audio into text in real time across apps, videos and meetings. For deaf and hard-of-hearing users, the benefits are obvious. But the judges also highlighted the value for people with dyslexia, neurodivergent conditions and cognitive processing differences.
Finalist: Ray-Ban Meta Glasses with Be My Eyes
Ray-Ban Meta glasses working alongside Be My Eyes can identify objects, read text, describe surroundings and connect users with live volunteer assistance when needed. The technology provides practical support that's available whenever wearers need it.
Best Mobile AI feature
2026 felt like the year when smartphone AI really came of age – totally changing the way we use our phones every day.
Winner: Google Pixel Voice Translate
Voice Translate impressed the judges because it solves a problem almost everyone understands: language barriers. Available across the newer Pixel range, the feature enables real-time translated phone conversations while preserving the sound and character of each speaker's voice. Rather than feeling like two people taking turns with a translation tool, conversations flow and feel natural.
Judges also praised the fact that processing takes place on-device, helping keep conversations private while reducing reliance on cloud services. For travel, international business and everyday communication, Voice Translate represents a real gamechanger.
Finalist: Samsung Now Nudge
From appointments to replies, Samsung's Now Nudge focuses on helping us act more quickly on information already in front of us. By recognising what's on screen and suggesting useful next actions, Samsung's Now Nudge aims to remove repetitive steps from everyday smartphone use.
Finalist: OPPO 120x Super Zoom
OPPO's AI-powered 120x Super Zoom combines advanced telephoto technology with computational photography. That means capturing distant subjects with impressive detail and clarity.
Best Mobile Feature
Clever and helpful things on your phone aren’t reserved just for AI. Here are some of the best things we’ve seen in the phone space this year.
Winner: Samsung Privacy Display
Samsung's Privacy Display directly addresses the familiar concern of checking sensitive info on public transport and wondering who else might be looking over your shoulder. By restricting side-angle visibility, it helps keep personal details safe.
The judges particularly liked the practical and straightforward solution. While we talk a lot about online privacy, we often forget about the person sitting next to us on the train. It's a simple idea, but one that solves a genuine everyday problem.
Finalist: OPPO Camera System
Created in partnership with Hasselblad, OPPO's camera hardware combines high-resolution sensors, strong zoom capabilities and colour accuracy to deliver incredible photos and video.
Finalist: ZAGG Screen Protection On Demand
ZAGG's super flexible Screen Protection On Demand system produces protectors for over 120,000 different devices while significantly reducing waste.
Best Computing AI Feature
AI has helped improve just about every area of our laptops and desktops. Here are some of the best ways it’s currently being used.
Winner: Microsoft Copilot+ PC
The judges viewed Copilot+ PCs as one of the most significant shifts in personal computing in recent years. Copilot’s dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) allow AI features to run directly on the device rather than relying entirely on cloud processing. Features like Recall, Live Captions, Cocreator and Click to Do demonstrate what becomes possible when AI is built into the operating system itself.
Finalist: Gemini Chat
Gemini's integration into Chromebook Plus devices continues to show how AI can enhance lighter laptops. From writing assistance to document analysis, it helps us complete ambitious tasks on more affordable hardware.
Finalist: 41-Hour Battery Life
Everybody wants better battery life. HP's industry-leading runtime demonstrates how advances in processing efficiency are letting our laptops go for days on a single charge.
Best Computing Feature
Some of the year's most standout computing innovation came from hardware design that really makes a difference in how we can use our laptops.
Winner: ASUS Zenbook Duo Dual OLED Touchscreens
With two full-size OLED touchscreens, ASUS Zenbook Duo gives us a dual-monitor experience on the move. Whether managing spreadsheets, collaborating on projects or creating content, the extra screen space transforms how the laptop can be used.
Finalist: Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 Design
The Yoga's flexible 360-degree hinge lets us quickly switch between laptop, tablet, tent and presentation modes. It’s a design that lets a single device adapt to all kinds of situations.
Finalist: Lenovo Yoga Slim Under 1kg
Weight rarely makes headlines, but lightweight laptops continue to push boundaries. And at under one kilogram, the Lenovo Yoga Slim balances powerful performance with portability.
Best Entertainment AI Feature
In entertainment technology, the strongest AI innovations are all about making what we already enjoy even better.
Winner: Samsung AI Motion Enhancer Pro
Fast-moving sports have always been a challenge for TVs. Samsung's AI Motion Enhancer Pro uses AI to identify important moving objects and improve clarity where it matters most. Rather than applying blanket motion smoothing across the whole image, AI Motion Enhancer Pro targets the action for clearer, more comfortable viewing.
Finalist: Samsung AI Football Mode
Designed specifically with football fans in mind, AI Football Mode adjusts the picture and audio in real time to make matches more immersive.
Finalist: LG AI Magic Remote
LG's AI Magic Remote stood out thanks to its Air Mouse functionality, voice controls and for helping us find content quickly. Minus the endless scrolling.
Best Entertainment Feature
Here’s what caught our judges’ eyes in the world of screens.
Winner: LG RGB Primary Color Pro
The judges described LG's RGB Primary Color Pro as a genuine display technology breakthrough. Instead of relying on software improvement, the technology uses dedicated red, green and blue LEDs to produce colours with greater precision.
It narrows the gap between Mini LED and OLED colour performance while keeping the bright screens that are a favourite feature of Mini LED TVs.
Finalist: LG Brightness Booster
Brightness Booster improves highlights while preserving the deep blacks and contrast OLED is known for. So HDR content is more impactful and detailed.
Finalist: LG Mini LED
Mini LED continues to push display technology forward with more precise brightness control, improved contrast and enhanced picture detail.
Best Kitchen AI Feature
AI is helping our appliances cut waste and perform better in meaningful ways. That could mean cleaner clothes and lower energy bills!
Winner: Samsung AI Wash
Laundry may not be the most glamorous application for AI, but it may be one of the most useful. Samsung's AI Wash automatically analyses fabric weight and soiling levels before adjusting water usage, detergent levels and cycle settings to suit.
Judges praised the practical combination of convenience and efficiency. It's a feature that’s making laundry that bit easier.
Finalist: Samsung AI Energy Mode
AI Energy Mode helps us monitor and reduce household energy consumption through SmartThings integration.
Finalist: LG AI Direct Drive
LG's AI Direct Drive analyses loads and adjusts washing movements accordingly. That means better fabric care with every wash.
Best Kitchen Feature
It’s not just AI that’s cooking in the kitchen. This year’s nominees included a quieter coffee machine and more delectable desserts.
Winner: Ninja Creamify Technology
Instead of churning ingredients during freezing, Ninja’s Creamify technology starts with a completely frozen block and transforms it into a smooth dessert.
The judges were impressed with both the originality of the concept and the way it has expanded what's possible with homemade frozen desserts.
Finalist: De'Longhi Silent Technology
De'Longhi's Silent Technology reduces brewing noise by up to 65%, creating a quieter experience without compromising on great coffee.
Finalist: Shark InstaChill
Shark's contact-based cooling tech provides cooling relief directly through skin contact. It’s a smart way to stay cool, especially when out and about.
Best Connected Home & Wearables AI Feature
Some of the most exciting new AI innovations are coming through wearables and smart homes. Here are the technologies our judges picked for praise.
Winner: Meta Hands-Free AI
Meta's Hands-Free AI was one of the most talked-about winners of the year. Through smart glasses, we get access to visual search, voice interaction, translation, accessibility tools and real-time assistance – all hands free. The judges were particularly impressed by the accessibility potential.
Finalist: Ring Smart Security
Connected security systems are becoming a must-have for homeowners looking for real-time alerts and remote monitoring. Ring remains one of the strongest examples of how AI can support home security.
Finalist: Amazon Smart Home Assistant
Alexa is still central to how millions of us manage connected devices, routines, entertainment and everyday planning through simple voice interaction.
Best Connected Home & Wearables Feature
From stunning sound to longer battery life, the judges loved these smart solutions.
Winner: Sonos Multi-Room Audio
Sonos Multi-Room Audio won on the night. Whether synchronising music throughout the house or giving different rooms their own soundtrack, the system gives us so much flexibility. To find out what makes it great, check out our guide to the best Sonos multi-room speakers.
Finalist: Ring Smart Doorbell
Ring got a nod in the non-AI category too. Ring smart doorbells continue to provide benefits we use every day - live video access, visitor notifications and more.
Finalist: Huawei Long Battery Life
For smartwatch wearers, battery life remains one of the most important features of all. Huawei's focus on multi-day endurance impressed the judges because it solves one of the most common frustrations associated with wearable technology.
FAQs
What are the Currys Tech Awards?
The Currys Tech Awards celebrate the products, features and innovations that have made the biggest impact across consumer technology over the past year. Rather than focusing purely on raw specs, the awards recognise technology that delivers genuine benefits for customers. From improving accessibility to solving everyday problems in smarter ways.
How are the winners selected?
350 of our expert colleagues have helped refine longlists into shortlists, teamed with a specialist panel, Winners were chosen by judges who assessed each innovation based on factors such as usefulness, originality, accessibility and real-world impact. The judges focused on how effectively a feature improves user experience – whether that’s breakthrough technologies or practical everyday innovations.
What categories were included in the 2026 awards?
The 2026 awards covered a wide range of technology categories, including Accessibility, Mobile, Computing, Entertainment, Kitchen and Connected Home & Wearables.
What technology trends emerged from this year's awards?
Three clear trends emerged from this year's awards. First, AI is becoming more practical, with winning features focused on solving everyday problems. Second, accessibility is increasingly being built into mainstream products from the outset rather than added as an afterthought. And third, hardware innovation remains just as important as software, with several winning technologies showing how clever engineering and thoughtful design can still transform our experience.
