What to expect from Apple’s September 12 ‘Gather round’ event

It’s that time of year again. Apple has sent out invitations for its annual September event, where we’ll likely see a new set of iPhone devices, a new Apple Watch, and possibly a range of other devices too. The event itself is set to take place on September 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, though no matter where you live you should be able to live-stream it for yourself.

What exactly will Apple announce? We’ve been following rumors surrounding all the upcoming products for the past year, and we’ve rounded them up into this short, handy guide. Here’s everything we expect to see at Apple’s “Gather round” event.

Three iPhones

Last year, Apple unveiled the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus. This year, rumors suggest it will announce three different models again. Apple is expected to fully adopt the edge-to-edge design seen on the iPhone X for all models of the iPhone (including the notch). Thankfully, they won’t all cost $1,000. Apple will reportedly release two successors to the iPhone X, dubbed the iPhone XS, and they will be sized at 5.8 inches and 6.5 inches. Apple will also release a 6.1-inch model, which is expected to be the cheapest of the lot. It will also have an edge-to-edge display with a notch, but the main difference will stem from the use of a LCD screen instead of OLED used on the other two.

The new iPhone XS devices are expected to arrive in a new gold color model, alongside an updated processor, eSIM support, a potential Lightning to USB Type-C cable, and more. The prices are rumored to range from $650 to $1,000.

Read our iPhone XS roundup for more

Apple Watch Series 4

Just like it did last year, Apple is expected to release a new Apple Watch alongside the new series of iPhones. The Apple Watch Series 4 will retain many of the features of the Apple Watch Series 3, but it’s expected to include a display that’s larger by as much as 15 percent — making it an edge-to-edge display, like that on the iPhone X.

Other rumors about the watch indicate Apple may do away with the Wi-Fi model altogether — leaving only the LTE model (you will likely still be able to use Wi-Fi without paying for LTE with this model). It may also feature a UV sensor, and will run Apple’s latest version of watchOS 5.0.

Read our Apple Watch Series 4 roundup for more

MacBook Air

Apple has long been expected to release a new low-cost MacBook, and rumors indicate the company will introduce a refresh of the MacBook Air. The new device is expected to feature Intel’s 8th-generation processors, along with a larger display. The updated computer will reportedly get a 13-inch Retina display, and will likely feature modern ports, like USB-C.

Not much else is known about the new laptop, except for the fact that it will most likely come at a starting price of around $1,000. It’s also not totally certain the new MacBook Air will be released at this September event. Instead, it could show up in October.

Read our MacBook Air roundup for more

Mac Mini

Apple may also be planning a long-awaited refresh of the Mac Mini — and it’s about time, considering the computer was last updated in 2014. There will likely be quite a few performance upgrades. Apple will probably adopt Intel’s eighth-generation chips for the computer, and may do away with outdated hard drives in favor of only solid-state options. On top of that, while Apple may not completely revamp the design, it will likely at least update the port selection on the computer to include a few USB-C ports.

When it comes to pricing, the new Mac Mini may start in the $1,000 price range, and will range up from there. Like the MacBook Air, however, there’s no certainty that the Mac Mini will show up at the September 12 event — it may well instead be released later in the year.

Read our Mac Mini roundup for more

iPad Pro 2018

Another rumor to have popped up in recent days is that Apple will update the iPad Pro. It’ll be more than just a spec-bump too — rumors indicate Apple will give the iPad Pro the iPhone X treatment, with slimmer bezels around the screen, as well an updated A-series processor, and perhaps even a little more RAM.

With the new design, there may be no more home button, which means Face ID may replace Touch ID. That may be a double-edged sword, though, as rumors suggest Face ID might only work in vertical mode — meaning you won’t be able to dock the iPad to a keyboard and unlock it with your face. Apple may move the Smart Connector to the bottom of the iPad, so manufacturers may need to build new keyboards.

Read our iPad Pro 2018 roundup for more

AirPower

AFP Contributor/Getty Images

Apple officially announced the AirPower charger almost a full year ago, but the charger has yet to be released. When it is, AirPower will be able to charge up to three devices at a time — meaning in the evening you can plop down your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods to charger — and they’ll be good to go in the morning. It’s using unique technology that will be able to identify the products and provide the correct amount of energy needed.

While we’re not completely certain AirPower will see the light of day at Apple’s upcoming event, we certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see it.

Read our AirPower roundup for more

Operating system releases

Alongside new hardware, Apple will also release new software to the public. A few of those releases are all but definite. There’s iOS 12, which will be released likely on September 12 itself. You can check out our hands-on review for all the details on what’s new.

Read our iOS 12 roundup for more

Next up is watchOS 5, which is also likely to be pushed to Apple Watch users on September 12 or soon after. The new operating system boasts a few improvements to watchOS and how it works, including better health and fitness tracking, Walkie Talkie mode, Siri Shortcuts, and more. On top of that, Siri will be better at listening to your needs — you’ll no longer need to say “Hey Siri” to activate her. Instead, simply hold your wrist up to your mouth, and Siri should be listening.

Read our watchOS 5 roundup for more

Last but not last is macOS, which is being updated to macOS Mojave. It’s expected that the new macOS will be released alongside new Apple computers — meaning it’s not a certainty that the new operating system will be released at this event. Still, if it is, macOS users will enjoy a number of new features, including a new Dark Mode, a revamped App Store, and Stacks, which are automatically arranged groups of files on the desktop.

Read our macOS Mojave roundup for more

Editors’ Recommendations

• Here’s everything we know about Apple’s AirPower wireless charging mat
• Apple’s latest updates for iOS, tvOS, and WatchOS are now available
• Apple’s new MacBook Air with Intel’s 8th-gen processors expected this year
• Samsung’s Wireless Charger Duo can charge two devices at the same time
• iOS 12’s best new features

What to expect from Apple’s September 12 ‘Gather round’ event

It’s that time of year again. Apple has sent out invitations for its annual September event, where we’ll likely see a new set of iPhone devices, a new Apple Watch, and possibly a range of other devices too. The event itself is set to take place on September 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, though no matter where you live you should be able to live-stream it for yourself.

What exactly will Apple announce? We’ve been following rumors surrounding all the upcoming products for the past year, and we’ve rounded them up into this short, handy guide. Here’s everything we expect to see at Apple’s “Gather round” event.

Three iPhones

Last year, Apple unveiled the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus. This year, rumors suggest it will announce three different models again. Apple is expected to fully adopt the edge-to-edge design seen on the iPhone X for all models of the iPhone (including the notch). Thankfully, they won’t all cost $1,000. Apple will reportedly release two successors to the iPhone X, dubbed the iPhone XS, and they will be sized at 5.8 inches and 6.5 inches. Apple will also release a 6.1-inch model, which is expected to be the cheapest of the lot. It will also have an edge-to-edge display with a notch, but the main difference will stem from the use of a LCD screen instead of OLED used on the other two.

The new iPhone XS devices are expected to arrive in a new gold color model, alongside an updated processor, eSIM support, a potential Lightning to USB Type-C cable, and more. The prices are rumored to range from $650 to $1,000.

Read our iPhone XS roundup for more

Apple Watch Series 4

Just like it did last year, Apple is expected to release a new Apple Watch alongside the new series of iPhones. The Apple Watch Series 4 will retain many of the features of the Apple Watch Series 3, but it’s expected to include a display that’s larger by as much as 15 percent — making it an edge-to-edge display, like that on the iPhone X.

Other rumors about the watch indicate Apple may do away with the Wi-Fi model altogether — leaving only the LTE model (you will likely still be able to use Wi-Fi without paying for LTE with this model). It may also feature a UV sensor, and will run Apple’s latest version of watchOS 5.0.

Read our Apple Watch Series 4 roundup for more

MacBook Air

Apple has long been expected to release a new low-cost MacBook, and rumors indicate the company will introduce a refresh of the MacBook Air. The new device is expected to feature Intel’s 8th-generation processors, along with a larger display. The updated computer will reportedly get a 13-inch Retina display, and will likely feature modern ports, like USB-C.

Not much else is known about the new laptop, except for the fact that it will most likely come at a starting price of around $1,000. It’s also not totally certain the new MacBook Air will be released at this September event. Instead, it could show up in October.

Read our MacBook Air roundup for more

Mac Mini

Apple may also be planning a long-awaited refresh of the Mac Mini — and it’s about time, considering the computer was last updated in 2014. There will likely be quite a few performance upgrades. Apple will probably adopt Intel’s eighth-generation chips for the computer, and may do away with outdated hard drives in favor of only solid-state options. On top of that, while Apple may not completely revamp the design, it will likely at least update the port selection on the computer to include a few USB-C ports.

When it comes to pricing, the new Mac Mini may start in the $1,000 price range, and will range up from there. Like the MacBook Air, however, there’s no certainty that the Mac Mini will show up at the September 12 event — it may well instead be released later in the year.

Read our Mac Mini roundup for more

iPad Pro 2018

Another rumor to have popped up in recent days is that Apple will update the iPad Pro. It’ll be more than just a spec-bump too — rumors indicate Apple will give the iPad Pro the iPhone X treatment, with slimmer bezels around the screen, as well an updated A-series processor, and perhaps even a little more RAM.

With the new design, there may be no more home button, which means Face ID may replace Touch ID. That may be a double-edged sword, though, as rumors suggest Face ID might only work in vertical mode — meaning you won’t be able to dock the iPad to a keyboard and unlock it with your face. Apple may move the Smart Connector to the bottom of the iPad, so manufacturers may need to build new keyboards.

Read our iPad Pro 2018 roundup for more

AirPower

AFP Contributor/Getty Images

Apple officially announced the AirPower charger almost a full year ago, but the charger has yet to be released. When it is, AirPower will be able to charge up to three devices at a time — meaning in the evening you can plop down your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods to charger — and they’ll be good to go in the morning. It’s using unique technology that will be able to identify the products and provide the correct amount of energy needed.

While we’re not completely certain AirPower will see the light of day at Apple’s upcoming event, we certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see it.

Read our AirPower roundup for more

Operating system releases

Alongside new hardware, Apple will also release new software to the public. A few of those releases are all but definite. There’s iOS 12, which will be released likely on September 12 itself. You can check out our hands-on review for all the details on what’s new.

Read our iOS 12 roundup for more

Next up is watchOS 5, which is also likely to be pushed to Apple Watch users on September 12 or soon after. The new operating system boasts a few improvements to watchOS and how it works, including better health and fitness tracking, Walkie Talkie mode, Siri Shortcuts, and more. On top of that, Siri will be better at listening to your needs — you’ll no longer need to say “Hey Siri” to activate her. Instead, simply hold your wrist up to your mouth, and Siri should be listening.

Read our watchOS 5 roundup for more

Last but not last is macOS, which is being updated to macOS Mojave. It’s expected that the new macOS will be released alongside new Apple computers — meaning it’s not a certainty that the new operating system will be released at this event. Still, if it is, macOS users will enjoy a number of new features, including a new Dark Mode, a revamped App Store, and Stacks, which are automatically arranged groups of files on the desktop.

Read our macOS Mojave roundup for more

Editors’ Recommendations

• Here’s everything we know about Apple’s AirPower wireless charging mat
• Apple’s latest updates for iOS, tvOS, and WatchOS are now available
• Apple’s new MacBook Air with Intel’s 8th-gen processors expected this year
• Samsung’s Wireless Charger Duo can charge two devices at the same time
• iOS 12’s best new features

What’s the skinny? Apple may launch a new MacBook with ultrathin design soon

Apple may be prepping a MacBook refresh with a new ultrathin design — and it’s reportedly launching soon. No additional details about the laptop are available, but DigiTimes, which historically has a mixed record with Apple rumors, said that “Apple is also expected to unveil its new ultrathin MacBook soon” in a story highlighting a trend toward slimmer laptops with narrow bezels that was notable at the recent IFA show.

It’s unclear if the Apple notebook referenced in DigiTimes‘ report will fall under Apple’s MacBook line or if it will be part of the MacBook Air range. If in fact this notebook will fall under the MacBook range, Apple may not have a lot of room to make the laptop much slimmer than the existing MacBook models available today — it still needs to accommodate the thickness of the device’s USB-C ports.

Most recently, rumors of a new MacBook Air have been circulating, suggesting Apple will update its beloved ultraportable with a Retina display — a first for the Air line — new internals, and an updated design. By switching to USB-C ports from the standard USB-A ports on today’s MacBook Air, Apple could shave some thickness off of the design. In fact, when Apple introduced the new MacBook Pro models, it highlighted that the Pro’s uniform thickness meant that the beefier laptop was still thinner than the thickest point on the MacBook Air.

With partner Intel introducing new mobile-centric Amber Lake and Whiskey Lake processors late last month at the IFA show, it’s possible these processors will likely make their way into a refreshed MacBook or MacBook Air. Whiskey Lake is Intel’s line of U-series processors, and that chipset will be more suited in a MacBook Air, while the more energy efficient Y-series Amber Lake will likely be a better choice for a MacBook refresh. Historically, Apple has relied on Y-series Intel Core M processor models for its MacBook models.

At this point, it’s unclear when Apple will announce the new laptop, but it’s been previously speculated that Apple could host a Mac event in October. Another Mac favorite that Apple could update at that event could be the Mac Mini, a compact desktop that hasn’t seen any major upgrades in several years.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Apple’s new MacBook Air with Intel’s 8th-gen processors expected this year
• Apple preps production of updated MacBook Air for a 2018 launch
• Mac Mini could make a comeback this year with a rumored refresh
• New Apple MacBook may appear in September at $1,200
• A MacBook Air with Retina display and Mac Mini “Pro” could arrive this fall

Strap the Huawei Watch 2 Sport smartwatch to your wrist for $190

Track all the things.

The Huawei 4GB Leo-B09 Watch 2 Sport smartwatch is down to $189.99 at Woot. The same watch goes for $229 on Amazon and hasn’t dropped anywhere near this price since last year. We have seen deals on the Watch 2 Classic, but it’s currently sitting close to $250.

Sold by Woot, it comes with a 90-day Woot warranty and a free U.S. adapter since these watches were originally meant for Europe. You’ll also need to use your Amazon Prime membership if you don’t want to pay the $5 flat shipping fee.

This smartwatch has built-in GPS, a continuous heart-rate monitor, and a workout route tracker. You don’t even need to pair it with your phone or an app to see those features. The watch uses Huawei TruSleep to track your cycles while sleeping and make sure you’re getting the REM you want. It works with Google Assistant and NFC for both payments and a built-in voice assistant. Plus, you can use Google Play Music to download and listen to your favorite tunes. The watch has 4.1 stars based on 1,538 reviews.

See at Woot

Sony unveils two new PlayStation VR bundles just in time for the holidays

Who’s surprised?

Earlier today, Sony tore the wrapping off two new PlayStation VR bundles which will be arriving in stores within just a few weeks — just in time for the holiday season, of course. Starting at $299.99, these bundles both include two games along with the PS VR Headset and PS Camera. Though the price is comparable with previous PS VR bundles, these options include two games whereas many of the previous bundles for this hardware at these prices only included one.

Sony kicked off its announcement with the Creed: Rise to Glory and Superhot VR Bundle. Not only will it include both of those exciting VR games, but you’ll also receive the PS VR Headset, PS Camera, and two PlayStation Move controllers with its purchase. It’s worth noting however that Superhot will only be included as a digital download. The bundle will become available to buy beginning September 25 at an MSRP of $349.99 and is currently available for pre-order via Amazon.

If those games don’t seem right for you, or if the price is just a bit steep, the PS VR Astro Bot Rescue Mission and Moss Bundle is also releasing soon at an MSRP of $299.99. Both Astro Bot Rescue Mission and Moss will come with the bundle, though Moss will be included as a digital download. Unlike the bundle above, this option won’t include any PlayStation Move controllers, though it will be available for purchase just a few days later on October 2.

You’ll also receive the PS VR Demo Disc 2.0 with either purchase which offers demos of 13 great VR games.

See at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy Watch vs. Samsung Gear Sport

While Android phones are our main passion, we’re also enthralled with all things wearable tech. From smartwatches to fitness bands and more, we live and breath this stuff to help you find the gadgets that are right for you.

Galaxy Watch

Latest and greatest

$329 – $349 at Amazon

Pros

• Available in two sizes
• Much larger battery
• Optional LTE model
• Faster + more efficient processor

Cons

• Expensive

The Galaxy Watch is Samsung’s latest flagship smartwatch. It comes in two sizes, promises days of battery life on a single charge, and has a faster processor. The problem? It’s far from cheap.

Gear Sport

Budget pick

$247 at Amazon

Pros

• Looks and feels great
• Has 90% of the Galaxy Watch’s features
• More affordable

Cons

• Only available in one size
• No LTE support

2017’s Gear Sport is still a great gadget. It shares many of the Galaxy Watch’s features, including built-in GPS, waterproofing, and Samsung Pay. If you need LTE or maximum battery life, however, it may not be for you.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch is the smartwatch to get if you want the very latest the company has to offer, but if you’re okay sacrificing about 10% of the experience, the Gear Sport has many of the same features for a lot less money.

Which watch is for you?

While there are a few things that distinctly separate the Galaxy Watch from the Gear Sport, the watches have more in common than you might think.

From a software perspective, you’ll be met with the same general experience. The Galaxy Watch is running a slightly newer version at Tizen 4.0 compared to Tizen 3.0 on the Gear Sport, but the overall look and feel is pretty much the same. You’ve got access to the same apps, watch faces, and user interface. The Galaxy Watch does have some software tricks that the Gear Sport doesn’t have, such as Bixby Voice, but Samsung’s proven to do a good job in the past with updating its older wearable tech to newer software that’s come out following its release.

The two watches also both have built-in GPS for tracking your runs/walks without needing to carry your phone, NFC chips for Samsung Pay, waterproofing, heart-rate sensors, and rotating-bezels around the display that can be used for navigating the various menus and apps.

If so much is similar between the two, what does the Galaxy Watch do to justify its higher price?

For starters, the battery life is much better. The 472 mAh battery inside the 46mm Galaxy Watch is rated for 4+ days of use on a single charge. The battery inside the 42mm Galaxy Watch is actually smaller than the Gear Sport’s, but the newer processor should still offer similar, if not better, endurance.

Also, if you want to be able to receive notifications and make calls on your smartwatch without having to always be connected to your phone, only the Galaxy Watch has an LTE model.

Samsung Galaxy Watch

Latest and greatest

$329 – $349 at Amazon

The very best smartwatch Samsung offers.

With a huge battery and support for LTE, the Galaxy Watch is the most powerful wearable in Samsung’s lineup. It’s expensive, yes, but you do get what you pay for.

Samsung Gear Sport

Budget pick

A fully-featured watch that costs a lot less.

$247 at Amazon

If you don’t mind charging your watch every night and can live without LTE, the Gear Sport is a great pick. It has almost every feature the Galaxy Watch does but costs a lot less.

The new Snapchat Spectacles are here, and they look like normal sunglasses

Time to go on a Snapstreak.

Snapchat Spectacles have always been neat, but they’re about to get a whole lot cooler. Snap just rolled out two new styles of Snapchat Spectacles, called Veronica and Nico.

These feature the same things as the Spectacles 2 did. They basically record 10-second clips of video, which you can upload to your Snapchat account. You can also capture a photo with ’em. They’re great for recording events, adventures, vlogs, or just your day-to-day life. There’s a light to indicate when they’re recording so you’re not a super-creep, and there are a few different effects the lenses can lend to your photos and videos. They’re water-resistant, and they sync wirelessly with Snapchat when your phone is nearby.

The one drawback with Snapchat Spectacles has always been the design. They weren’t exactly fashionable, they were heavy, and they were very obviously Snapchat Specs. The new styles look like traditional sunglasses, and the lenses are polarized too. Even the charging case is more nondescript. Veronica and Nico sell for $199.99. You can get them at some Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus stores or order them online via Snapchat.

See at Snapchat

Honor 8X and 8X Max announced, coming first to China

Both phones are officially launching on September 11.

Honor’s been absolutely dominating the mid-range smartphone space this year, and after announcing the Magic 2 as its flagship phone for 2018, the company’s going back to its bread and butter with the newly announced Honor 8X and 8X Max.

Starting first with the Honor 8X, the phone features a glass and metal construction with a 6.5-inch FullView display that offers a 91% screen-to-body ratio. The 19.5:9 form factor is common with today’s flagships, there’s a resolution of 1080 x 2340, and because this is 2018, there’s a notch at the top.

Inside the 8X you’ll find the HiSilicon Kirin 710 processor, 4 or 6GB RAM, 64 or 128GB of internal storage, and a large 3,750 mAh battery. There are two rear cameras (20MP + 2MP) and a 16MP selfie camera. Android 8.1 Oreo is present out of the box and has EMUI 8.2 running on top of it.

As the name implies, the Honor 8X Max is a larger version of the 8X. The design is mostly the same, but the notch in the 7.12-inch 1080 x 2244 display is much smaller and adopts the “waterdrop” style we’re expecting for the OnePlus 6T.

The Kirin 710 has been replaced by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636, and while the available RAM and storage remain the same, the battery is considerably bigger at 5,000 mAh. A Snapdragon 660 model has also been announced, but it won’t go on sale until October.

As for pricing, here’s what we’re currently looking at:

Honor 8X

• 4GB RAM + 64GB storage — ¥1399
• 6GB RAM + 64GB storage — ¥1599
• 6GB RAM + 128GB storage — ¥1899

Honor 8X Max

• 4GB RAM + 64GB storage — ¥1499
• 4GB RAM + 128GB storage — ¥1799

Both phones are launching in China on September 11 and will expand to “overseas markets” in October.

Honor 10 review: Iridescent, incredible, imperfect

Get the 2019 Complete Computer Science Bundle for just $39

“Computer programming is the industry of the future.” If you have heard someone say that, it’s time to look at a calendar and realize that the future is here. Computer Science is a growing industry that is constantly involving and because of that, computer programmers always have to learn new things. If you’re looking to get a start in the industry, or you’re even looking to just switch jobs, you may notice a lot of employers asking for qualified coders in multiple languages meaning you have a lot of learning to do.

Learn how to code and land a new job in 2019! Learn more

The problem is courses alone can costs you hundreds of dollars and going back to school isn’t always possible. The good news is you can learn everything you need to know with online courses at your own leisure, and without putting a strain on your budget!

The Complete Computer Science Bundle will give you the knowledge and skills you need to program in most of the major languages such as Java, CSS, Python, and more!

This great bundle gives you lifetime access to over 100 hours of course material spread across over 800 lessons.

Here’s a quick look at the courses included in this bundle:

• An Easy Introduction to Python
• Scalable Programming with Scala and Spark
• Break Away: Programming And Coding Interviews
• The Web Development Omnibus: jQuery, AngularJS and ReactJS
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• Using Elasticsearch and Kibana
• From 0 to 1: Spark for Data Science in Python
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• Software Testing Omnibus: Sikuli, Selenium, JUnit and Principles of Testing
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Save 97% on lifetime access to this great bundle! Learn more

Normally this bundle would cost over $1000, but if you buy right now through Android Central Offers you will receive the entire bundle for only $39!

Stop waiting for that job promotion or career change to fall into your lap and start learning everything you need to be a programming genius!

Which LIFX bulb should you buy?

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe and work from our homes. Many of us have an affinity for smart light bulbs, and test as many as we can to help you pick the right ones.

Out of LIFX’s selection of smart light bulbs, the LIFX Plus is the best option for those looking to buy. It not only provides smart controls and a wide range of colors but it has infrared to aid in night vision for any security cameras you might have.

Our Pick

LIFX Plus

• $60 at Amazon

The best bulb in town

$60 is a lot to spend on a light bulb, but the LIFX Plus is bright enough to fully light a room at 1100 lumens, and even illuminates night vision security cameras by emitting infrared light that’s invisible to the naked eye.

Who should buy this bulb?

The biggest difference between the LIFX Plus and the Color 1000 is the Plus’s infrared emission, which invisibly illuminates dark areas for infrared-detecting security cameras — perfect for distant spots in a camera’s field of view, like the outer perimeter of your yard. If you don’t have security cameras, you probably don’t need the LIFX Plus and are better off buying the cheaper Color 1000.

Is it a good time to buy this phone?

Yes! While LIFX regularly adds new products to its lineup, like the Tile and Z LED Strip, it rarely refreshes or replaces its existing selection. Now’s just as good a time as ever to buy the LIFX Plus.

Reasons to buy

• Doesn’t require a hub
• Infrared helps security cameras see in the dark
• 16 million possible colors
• LED rated for 22 years

Reasons not to buy

• Expensive
• Doesn’t work with dimmer switches

The best smart bulb money can buy

Smart bulbs are one of the easiest ways to get into home automation, since they’re relatively affordable and fit into any standard E26 light socket, making for an easy conversion from traditional bulbs. The LIFX Plus is the most feature-packed bulb in LIFX’s lineup, and moreover, it’s the best smart bulb on the market.

Unlike similar options from competitors like Phillips, LIFX bulbs don’t require a hub to control.

The LIFX Plus gets extra bright at 1100 lumens — easily enough to light up even larger rooms with a single bulb, though if need be, you can buy additional bulbs and assign them to a room to easily control multiple LIFX lights at once. You can choose from any of 16 million colors, both through the LIFX app and by using your voice, since the LIFX Plus integrates with Google Assistant, Alexa, and HomeKit, and even Cortana.

You can choose between two form factors for the LIFX Plus: the A19, and the BR30, which each direct light differently. To be clear, these aren’t different versions of the bulb — they’re the same price and have the exact same features and specs — but the BR30 with its wider shape and reflector is better suited for use outdoors or in ceiling lights. For floor lamps and most other fixtures, the A19 is a better fit for most people.

While $60 sounds like a lot to spend on a bulb (and don’t get me wrong, it definitely is), the LIFX Plus is rated with a 22.8-year lifespan, and includes a 2-year warranty in case anything goes wrong early on.

Alternatives to the LIFX Plus

The LIFX Plus is may be the best bulb around, but the infrared capabilities that give it the Plus moniker are wasted if you don’t also have a security camera. There’s no reason to spend more to get a feature you won’t be able to use, especially if you plan on buying more than one bulb, so one of LIFX’s cheaper options may be a better fit for you.

Runner-up

LIFX Color 1000

Essentially the LIFX Plus without infrared.

$50 at Amazon

The standard LIFX bulb, otherwise known as the Color 1000, is completely identical to the LIFX Plus save for a lack of infrared light. If you don’t own a night-vision security camera, this is the smarter purchase.

Just like the LIFX Plus, the Color 1000 is available in either A19 or BR30, and can even be purchased in a four-pack if you’re ready to outfit more than one room with smart bulbs.

Value Pick

LIFX Mini

A smaller, cheaper bulb that fits better in lamps.

$35 at Amazon

An even cheaper option, the LIFX Mini doesn’t get quite as bright as the other bulbs at 800 lumens, but its 250-degree beam angle spreads light around more of the surrounding room.

If you don’t mind sacrificing a bit of brightness, the LIFX Mini has most of the same features as its pricier siblings; it’s still rated for nearly 23 years and emits 16 million colors. This is a perfect fit for desk lamps, kitchen lights, and other small fixtures.

Bare minimum

LIFX Mini White

Smart lighting without all the color.

$35 at Amazon

If you just want the convenience of a smart bulb but don’t care about the myriad of colors, the Mini White is the absolute cheapest bulb in LIFX’s catalog.

The LIFX Mini White doesn’t change colors, instead of sitting at a comfortably warm 2700K, but you can still adjust the brightness levels and turn the light on or off through the LIFX app or your voice assistant. This cost-effective, no-frills option makes the most sense for those looking to replace every bulb in the house with LIFX.

Bottom line

The LIFX Plus is the perfect full-featured option for shoppers who already own a night-vision security camera, or at the very least plan on buying one. It may be expensive at $60, but no other smart bulb can match its combination of brightness, wide range of colors, and infrared output.

If you aren’t interested in security cameras, though, the Color 1000 will give you the same experience for $10 less, and the LIFX Mini gets even cheaper — especially if you go for the white-only version.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Hayato Huseman is a recovering trade show addict and associate editor for Android Central based out of Indianapolis. He can mostly be found complaining about the cold and enthusing about prog metal on Twitter at @hayatohuseman. Got a tip or inquiry? Drop him a line at hayato@mobilenations.com.

Daniel Bader is the Managing Editor of Android Central. As he’s writing this, a mountain of old Android phones is about to fall on his head, but his Great Dane will protect him. He drinks way too much coffee and sleeps too little. He wonders if there’s a correlation.

Tom Westrick is a U.S.-based freelancer. He’s been poking and prodding at Android phones since 2011, and covering various topics for Android Central since 2017. He can often be found with multiple laptops in his backpack and a cup of iced tea in his hand. Follow him on Twitter at @TomWestrick1.