By Anuj Bhatia, Shruti Dhapola and Nandagopal Rajan

This was the second year of the pandemic and technology continued to be the savior, helping millions of people around the world work from home and stay safe even while staying entertained and connected. As businesses had time to Incorporating features to reflect the needs of the pandemic, many practical devices have been announced over the past year. Some even came with a human touch and turned to simplicity as a core offering, even as others pushed the boundaries of what can be done. Here's our list of the best devices of 2021, based on our hands-on experiences.

Smartphones: power, intelligence and innovation iPhone 13 Pro MaxThe iPhone 13 Pro Max is a master class in improving an already so good product. It's not radically different from its predecessor, but it still works, thanks to features like a improved high refresh rate display, more battery life and an improved camera setup. The A15 Bionic chip that powers the iPhone 13 Pro Max makes it the most powerful smartphone on the market. Over the years, with the iPhone 13 Pro Max it seems like Apple is sending a warning to manufacturers of high-end video cameras. The iPhone 13 Pro Max can record cinematic video, which can then be edited on the phone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 32021 will be the year Samsung perfected the foldable form factor. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is unlike any other smartphone on the market and offers users extra screen real estate that promises more productivity. The Z Fold 3 was always destined to become the benchmark in foldable smartphones, but no one knew it would become so refined this year. The biggest surprise, however, was the Galaxy Z Flip 3 aimed at those that they preferred a phone that shrunk when not in use. But what really worked in the Flip 3's favor was its price, making this forward-thinking phone a bit more affordable for consumers.

Apple iPhone 13The iPhone 13 offers both performance and value, a rare and difficult combination to achieve. On paper, it looks like an incremental upgrade to last year's iPhone 12, but the iPhone 13 is more polished than any smartphone typical high-end. It's a no-nonsense phone with better cameras and battery life improvements and without the bells and whistles of the Pro series that would have meant extra cost for people who will never use those features.

Samsung Galaxy A52 5GAt a time when mid-range phones started to seem mundane and predictable, the Galaxy A52 5G added some zing. With the Galaxy A52 5G, Samsung came up with a phone that tried to strike a balance between price , features and design. Although not a true flagship, the A52 offers everything a consumer expects from a great mid-range premium phone. Its specs and features sound incredible: a 120Hz high-refresh display, a solid the camera, IP67 waterproof and dustproof certification, capable processor and good battery life. The A52 put the fun back in mid-range phones.

Redmi Note 10 Pro MaxEvery year the Redmi Note series sets a new standard in the sub-Rs 20,000 range, and 2021 was no different. With the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, the company introduced a 108MP camera and a macro camera, both of which performed exceptionally well given the price range this phone operates in. More importantly, the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max got a 120Hz AMOLED, giving it another edge over the competition. Overall, It remained the reliable phone to consider in the sub-Rs 20,000 segment.

OnePlus Nord 2OnePlus had plenty of deals this year, but none were as popular as the Nord 2, the brand's second budget offering. The Nord 2 was a no-nonsense phone that was expected to attract newer, younger customers for OnePlus, which has pushed further into the premium segment with its top-of-the-line offerings. The Nord 2 was a good successor to the segment, offering everything one could expect at that mid-range price.

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