Home
News
You are here

Great last-minute tech gifts you can still get delivered before Christmas (AirPods, too!)

By Daniel Petrov

Updated: Dec 28, 2017, 2:39 PM

0comments

Great last-minute tech gifts you can still get delivered before Christmas (AirPods, too!)

You know the drill - mired in the daily routine, you put off buying Stressmas Christmas gifts for the people of interest in your life until it's too late, and you have to storm the stores for anything still available.

This procrastination is an exercise in frustration, but fret not, as we scouted the Interwebs for interesting deals on tech toys you can still get in time for landing them in the happy socks. Check them out.

#1 Apple AirPods

You didn't think you can still get Apple's evasive AirPods for Christmas, did you? Well, you can, but it will cost you. EBay used to have a listing with the regular price, and with fast shipping, but the units are seemingly gone, and there are only marked-up sets left. That's the price for being late.

Best Buy, Amazon, Sprint or Verizon are no better than Apple when it comes to delivery. The only other place you can try your luck at the regular pricing is AT&T, as the carrier seemingly still has some inventory, with promised 2-day shipping, or the AirPods are available in select stores to grab outright. Do call before you go to your local AT&T stomping ground, though, we don't want you to waste fuel and contribute to climate change for naught.

Best bet: Apple AirPods at AT&T online and in stores ($159)

Runner up: eBay ($159-$269)

#2 Moto G5 Plus 4GB/64 GB for $239.99

Display 5.2 inches 1920 x 1080 pixels
Camera 12 MP (Single camera) 5 MP front
Hardware Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 4GB RAM
Storage 64GB, microSDXC
Battery 3000 mAh
OS Android 8.1 Oreo

Instead of splurging for AirPods on eBay, you can get your bratty kid loved one a real smart phone. The Moto G5 Plus is rated the best value-for-money phone you can get in the US, and with free next-day shipping that is guaranteed to get to you before Christmas, it can't be beat as a present that will leave a lasting memory.

B&H has the 4GB RAM/64GB storage model for just $239.99, which is $60 off the regular pricing. Don't forget that besides all the specs wonders the G5 Plus fits for that price, its cellular modem is also compatible with all US carriers, including Verizon and Sprint.

Buy Moto G5 Plus 4GB/64 GB

#3 Anker 30W USB Wall Charger for $21.99

You know what would be the best present for the Apple fans with new iPhones in your life. Well, another new iPhone, but let's not deflect, as the next best thing is a fast charger for your beloved iPhone X, 8 Plus or iPhone 8 owners. These three now support the rapid charging standard that can bring their charge to 50% in half an hour, but there is no fast-charger or USB-C-to-Lightning cable in the box to let them do it. Be the savior, and get them a fast charger to go with their fast phone. If you are feeling especially generous, you can get them the respective cable from Apple, too, in true Christmas spirit.

#4 JBL Charge 3 for $119

It's in stock, and it arrives before Christmas if you choose 2-day delivery. The JBL Charge 3 got our top spot among the best Bluetooth speakers of 2017 with its combination of extraordinary, 20-hour battery life and very good sound quality, plus neat features like its water-proof rating and ability to float in water, so it does not get lost if you drop it in a swimming pool at a party. The JBL Charge 3 also supports JBL Connect, so you can easily connect and sync two speakers at the same time to have stereo sound and more depth to that music.

The JBL Charge 3 provides a lot of volume (and we mean, a LOT!) and a bass-heavy sound that many people like, and while it is not as clean and well-balanced as others, it still fares well in terms of sound quality.

#5 Amazon Echo (2nd Generation) for $79.99

The smaller (and cheaper) Echo Dot will unfortunately be back in stock on December 27, but you can still get its more capable, newly redesigned sibling as soon as tomorrow, at a price that is $20 off the regular tag. The Echo can turn smart appliances (thermostats, lighting, sprinklers etc.) on and off. You can order a pizza, get the latest sports scores, stock prices, news and weather. Alexa can also order you a ride from Uber, play streaming music, set an alarm or timer, and much more; thanks to a deal that Amazon made with Microsoft, Alexa users will eventually be able to access Cortana, and vice versa.

View Full Bio

Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.