T3 Awards 2018 are GO, and the number of categories is bigger than ever. Just as T3 has expanded its remit beyond core mobile, gaming and computer tech, so have the Awards… Although all the nominees are undoubtedly grounded in tech.
The Awards will be on September 27 2018 at a totally new venue, where black tie will not be required, although disco trousers might… We're taking over London's legendary Ministry of Sound for one night, and it. Will. Be. LARGE.
There are a nice, round 50 categories this year covering everything from TVs to Tefals and Bluetooth speakers to smart fans. To kickstart proceedings, here are the nominees in four of the key categories, plus all the other categories that we shall be ploughing through. Good luck to all our nominees.
Gadget of the year
Apple iPhone X
Apple's next-gen phone changed how flagship mobiles look, and introduced the world to animated emojis.
Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung's latest range-topper continued the very fine work of the S8 (and S7 and S6 and…)
Amazon Echo Spot
Arguably the best Echo to date, this is tiny, yet can handle video calling, and connect to an external speaker for your musical enjoyment. It's also got a very fresh look.
Microsoft Xbox One X
Do you crave ultimate power? Then this is the only game in console town right now.
Sonos One
Great speaker, great home AI (Alexa is built in), 200 quid. Now that is hard to resist…
Dell XPS 13
The latest refinement of Dell's top laptop out-MacBook-Pros the MacBook Pro. As used by Michael Douglas in Ant Man and The Wasp, no less…
Oculus Go
VR that's ready for home and away, with no need for wires or holding your smartphone in front of your face…
Apple HomePod
Apple's first speaker for years blows away the competition when it comes to audio quality
Huawei P20 Pro
The device that took Huawei from disruptor to champion, the P20 Pro is a textbook 2018 flagship phone
Phone of the year
iPhone X
Still holding its value months after release, can it defeat the array of newer phones in this list?
Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung has won this Award for the last 3 years. Can the S9 make it 4?
Huawei P20 Pro
Has to be a good outside bet for the smartphone gong…
Google Pixel 2 XL
And finally, Google gets own-brand mobiles just right.
OnePlus 6
Another former 'challenger brand' that's now won the right to sit at the top table
HTC U12+
HTC continues to turn out beautifully designed phones for mobile connoisseurs.
LG G7 ThinQ
LG delivered in no uncertain terms when it came to screen, audio and camera, here.
Honor 10
Can a phone be nominated for Best Mid-price Phone and Best Phone? Turns out it can…
Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium
Sony kept things ticking over before an anticipated 5G reboot next year with this typically fast, efficient phone with an expert camera eye.
Brand of the Year
Which of these big hitters had the most bigly hittingest year of all? That's what we'll be deciding over the next month… The nominees are as follows:
Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Samsung, LG, Sony, and Huawei
Retailer of the Year
In this category, Amazon, John Lewis, Currys, AO, Richer Sounds and eBuyer go mano-a-mano to be crowned Sultan of Shops. From multi-national behemoths to the UK's favourites, from online-only to bricks and mortar, these are the shops that rocked 2018.
Tech Personality of the Year and Tech Legend
Previous winners have included everyone from Lord Sugar to Stephen Fry to Gary Numan to Mark Zuckerberg (!) Who will join these prestigious ranks in 2018?
And these are the other categories to be decided…
We will be burning the midnight oil – and then some – to decide everything from which of the latest Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones is the best, to what device we most favour when it comes to keeping our garden lawns in shape. Not that there's much point doing that now it's all turned to crunchy straw.
• Best Laptop in association with AO.com
• Tech Innovation for the Future in association with Honor
• Innovation of the Year
• Best Gadget under £100 (media partner: The Sun)
• Best Luxury Tech
• Best Video Streaming Service
• Best TV
• Best TV Platform
• Best TV Audio Product
• Best Bluetooth Over- or On-Ear Headphones
• Best Bluetooth In-Ear Headphones
• Best Bluetooth Speaker
• Best Multiroom Speaker
• Best Hi-Fi Product
• Best Smart Home Tech
Best Connected Lighting
• Best Connected Security in association with Express VPN
• Best Connected Energy Product
• Best Home Networking Tech
• Best Mid-Range Phone
• Best Mobile Accessory
• Best VPN
• Best Gaming Laptop
• Best Gaming Accessory
• Best Compact, DSLR or CSC Camera
• Best Lifestyle Camera
• Best Fitness Wearable
• Best Running Headphones
• Best Home Fitness Tech
• Best Bike
• Best Car
• Best Car Gadget
• Best Travel Tech
• Best Personal Grooming Tech
• Best Watch
• Best Home Appliance
• Best Oven
• Best Dishwasher
• Best Vacuum Cleaner
• Best Washing Machine
• Best Small Appliance
• Best Garden Tech
• Best Home Air Improvement Tech
• Best Fridge
Best Laptop
Dell XPS 13
Microsoft Surface Book 2
Asus Zenbook UX310UA
HP ENVY x2 4G
Apple Macbook Pro with Touch Bar
Lenovo Yoga 920