HWZ's year in review: Top feature stories of 2024
Here are the top 10 most-read feature articles on HardwareZone in 2024, so check out what piqued our readers' interests. #hwzyir #yearinreview #hardwarezone
Note: This feature was first published on 21 December 2024.
A year in review: HardwareZone's top feature articles of 2024.
HWZ's top feature articles in 2024
Yet another year has come and gone, all in the blink of an eye, so it’s time again for our annual throwback to HardwareZone’s top content of 2024.
In this article, we’re looking at the 10 features that were the most well-received pieces on our website. Thank you all for making HWZ the leading online technology portal in Asia Pacific, and for all the support we’ve received. Here’s our 2024 Year in review, as we bid goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025.
1. Do you have everything you need for 10Gbps Internet?
Don't forget to make sure your computer can handle the faster throughput. Photo: HWZ.
Everybody wants fast internet, whether for gaming, loading streaming content quicker, or just bragging rights. Recently, we’ve seen 10Gbps broadband plans, but to get the most out of those plans, one needs to ensure that devices like computers and Wi-Fi routers can support such high throughput. If you’re not sure where to start, we've covered all the bases in a handy 10Gbps guide.
2. Does Android really have a big malware problem?
Is your phone secured? Photo: Pexels/Towfiqu barbhuiya.
Android VS iOS is a tale as old as time, and you’ll find supporters on each side loudly proclaiming their superiority. One of our writers chronicled his experience with fraudulent transactions on his credit cards, and shortlisting his Android phone as one possible attack vector.
Of course, this story most likely made our top 10 list because of the Android versus iOS debate. Still, it’s a good read, especially given the increasing number of scams and fraudulent transactions perpetrated against unsuspecting victims, and how preparedness or tech-savviness isn't the first or last line of defence against scams that are designed to get you.
3. Southeast Asia eSIM roaming guide: convenience for overseas trips
Remember when we all had to rent Wi-Fi eggs if we wanted to travel overseas? Either that or purchasing a local, physical SIM card in the destination country was a troublesome solution to our Internet needs. Pricey roaming data plans didn't quite help, either.
Enter the convenient eSIM that's easy to install, affordable, and separate from your main SIM card. In this article, we collated some of the best eSIM options for Southeast Asia. We’re sure this article was helpful for travellers since it ended up #3 on our list.
4. A perennial favourite: using robot for chores
Dyson 360 Vis Nav. Photo: HWZ.
After a long week of work, all we want to do is kick back and relax, not worry about how clean our houses are, right? That’s where robot vacuums come in, and they have certainly improved over the years. We compared some of the best models we tested to find the ultimate robot vacuum cleaner for 2024 so that you can chill at home without having to spend your precious downtime cleaning.
5. Taking nicer photos with your iPhone
Want nicer photos with your iPhone 15 Pro? Photo: HWZ.
Flagship smartphones nowadays have excellent camera systems, and the iPhones have always had great cameras. It’s no wonder you might have been wondering if you could take even nicer photos with your new iPhone. We got some tips from Singaporean photographer Yik Keat, who’s well-known for his stunning architecture and cityscape photos on Instagram, and we shared them with you in this story.
6. #SupportLocal games
Chinykian (right) with Tim Cook at the Apple Developer Centre in Singapore. Photo: Apple.
Feel-good stories are always lovely, and it’s even better when we see one of our fellow Singaporeans succeeding on an international stage. A local indie game developer, Yong Kian Chin, became the first Singaporean to have an App Store Great on Apple Arcade. App Store Great is a category in Apple Arcade that features award-winning games from the App Store that were brought over to Apple Arcade. Sinkie pwn sinkie? Not this time, folks, good vibes only.
7. First-hand experience with the Sony Xperia 1 VI
Sony Xperia 1 VI. Photo: HWZ.
Shortly after the Sony Xperia 1 VI announcement, we were fortunate to have the chance to attend a special event in Tokyo and spend some time with the new phone. From hands-on impressions to actual photo samples we retrieved off the phone, we were one of the first overseas media to publish our thoughts on the Xperia 1 VI.
Our audience has always enjoyed phone-related content, so it’s no surprise that this feature made our list.
Read our hands-on experience here.
8. Buying the new iPhone 16 series
iPhone 16 series. Photo: HWZ.
Our guide to the new iPhone 16 series phones also made the top 10. Apple and iPhone content consistently garners plenty of interest from our readers, and it’s not always clear which phone might suit your needs. That’s where we came in to break down the differences for you.
Read the article in full here.
9. Protect your data even if your iPhone gets stolen
Protect your data even if your phone gets stolen. Photo: Apple.
Data privacy concerns have been on the rise lately, and while our readers are certainly more tech-savvy than most, it’s always good to brush up on your knowledge of data privacy features that might be available to you. We dived a little deeper into what you should know about the Stolen Device Protection feature in iOS 17.3, so if you haven’t read it, you really should.
10. Best flagship wireless earbuds
Wondering what the best flagship true wireless earbuds are? Photo: HWZ.
Whether commuting to work, working out in the gym, having a meal, or having coffee alone, a pair of good wireless earbuds is a fantastic companion. It can be hard to figure out which is the best, whether in terms of active noise cancellation, sound quality or other software features, so we picked 12 of the newest top-tier models and compared them to find the best option for different situations.
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.