Introduction
The year 2021 brought several exciting developments to the technology industry. Smartphone brands introduced powerful processors and advanced camera systems, laptop manufacturers focused on performance and productivity, and audio brands continued to improve wireless listening experiences. Meanwhile, televisions and wearables also received meaningful upgrades.
To highlight some of the year’s most notable products, TechSathi Awards 2021 recognised devices across different technology categories. The awards considered smartphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, headphones, earphones and televisions.
From the iPhone 13 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to the Apple iPad Pro M1 and LG OLED C1, the winners represented some of the most interesting technology products of 2021.
Here is a look back at the nominees and winners of the TechSathi Awards 2021.
TechSathi Awards 2021: Winners at a Glance
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Smartphone | iPhone 13 Pro Max |
| Best Camera Phone | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
| Best Gaming Phone | Realme GT Neo 2 |
| Best Affordable Phone | Redmi Note 10 Pro |
| Best Entry-Level Phone | Nokia G10 |
| Best Innovative Phone | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 |
| Best Affordable Tablet | Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 |
| Best Flagship Tablet | Apple iPad Pro M1 |
| Best Laptop | Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX582LR |
| Best Gaming Laptop | Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 2021 |
| Best Budget Gaming Laptop | Acer Predator Helios 300 2021 |
| Best Entry-Level Gaming Laptop | Acer Nitro 5 2021 |
| Best Laptop for Students | Acer Aspire 5 2021 |
| Best Laptop for Business | Asus ZenBook 14 UM4251A |
| Best Affordable Laptop | Dell Inspiron 3501 |
| Best Fitness Band | Huawei Band 6 |
| Best Affordable Smartwatch | HiFuture HiTime SE |
| Best Entry-Level Smartwatch | Mi Watch Lite |
| Best Smartwatch Design | Apple Watch Series 7 |
| Best Flagship TWS | Apple AirPods Pro |
| Best Affordable TWS | Redmi Earbuds S |
| Best Flagship Headphone | Apple AirPods Max |
| Best Affordable Headphone | Anker Soundcore Life Q10 |
| Best Gaming Headphone | Corsair VOID Pro Surround |
| Best Flagship Earphone | Skullcandy 50/50 |
| Best Affordable Earphone | Sony MDR-EX110AP |
| Best Entry-Level Earphone | Tuddrom Mo2 |
| Best 4K TV | LG OLED C1 Series |
| Best Affordable 4K TV | Xiaomi Mi TV 4X |
Smartphone Awards 2021
Smartphones remained one of the most competitive technology categories in 2021. Manufacturers focused on camera improvements, faster processors, high-refresh-rate displays and better gaming performance.
Best Smartphone 2021: iPhone 13 Pro Max
Nominees: iPhone 13 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and OnePlus 9 Pro
Winner: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
The iPhone 13 Pro Max took the Best Smartphone award. Apple’s A15 Bionic chip delivered powerful performance, while the 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display introduced ProMotion technology for smoother scrolling and animations.
The phone also offered an improved camera system, better audio and a larger battery than previous iPhone models. Its combination of performance, display quality and camera capabilities made it a strong all-round flagship.
Best Camera Phone 2021: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Nominees: iPhone 13 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Mi 11X Pro
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra won the Best Camera Phone category.
Its rear camera system featured a 108MP main sensor, an ultra-wide camera and two telephoto cameras with 3x and 10x optical zoom. Samsung also offered up to 100x Space Zoom, giving users more flexibility when photographing distant subjects.
In addition, the phone delivered strong low-light photography, detailed images and 4K video recording across its camera system.
Best Gaming Phone 2021: Realme GT Neo 2
Nominees: Realme GT Neo 2, Poco F3 GT and Black Shark 3
Winner: Realme GT Neo 2
The Realme GT Neo 2 earned the Best Gaming Phone award with its Snapdragon 870 5G processor.
It also featured a 120Hz AMOLED display and a 3D VC liquid-cooling system designed to manage heat during demanding gaming sessions. Furthermore, its dedicated GT Mode helped users access additional performance-focused settings.
Best Affordable Phone 2021: Redmi Note 10 Pro
Nominees: Realme 8, Redmi Note 10 Pro and Samsung Galaxy M32
Winner: Redmi Note 10 Pro
The Redmi Note 10 Pro stood out in the affordable smartphone category.
It featured a 108MP main camera, an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a Snapdragon 732G processor. The phone also included stereo speakers and a 5,020mAh battery.
Overall, it offered a strong combination of display quality, camera hardware and performance for its price segment.
Best Entry-Level Phone 2021: Nokia G10
Nominees: Xiaomi Redmi 9A, Narzo 50i, Realme C12 and Nokia G10
Winner: Nokia G10
The Nokia G10 received the Best Entry-Level Phone award.
It featured a 6.5-inch HD+ display, a MediaTek Helio G25 processor and a triple rear camera setup. Its 5,050mAh battery was another major highlight, offering extended battery life for everyday use.
Best Innovative Phone 2021: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
Nominees: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, Huawei P50 Pocket and ZTE Axon 30
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 won the Best Innovative Phone category.
Its foldable clamshell design made it one of the most distinctive smartphones of the year. It also introduced a 120Hz foldable main display, a larger cover screen and stereo speakers.
Moreover, its compact folding design made it easier to carry than conventional large-screen smartphones.
Tablet Awards 2021
Tablets continued to serve as alternatives for entertainment, education and productivity. In 2021, Xiaomi and Apple offered two notable options at different price levels.
Best Affordable Tablet 2021: Xiaomi Mi Pad 5
Nominees: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, Lenovo Tab K10 and Xiaomi Mi Pad 5
Winner: Xiaomi Mi Pad 5
The Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 won the Best Affordable Tablet award.
It offered a WQHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, four speakers with Dolby Atmos support and Xiaomi’s MIUI for Pad software.
Its combination of display quality, sound and processing performance made it a strong option for entertainment and everyday productivity.
Best Flagship Tablet 2021: Apple iPad Pro M1
Nominees: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE, Apple iPad Mini and Apple iPad Pro M1
Winner: Apple iPad Pro M1
The Apple iPad Pro M1 received the Best Flagship Tablet award.
Its biggest highlight was Apple’s M1 chip, which also powered several Mac computers at the time. The tablet combined powerful processing with a Liquid Retina XDR display and ProMotion technology.
As a result, it offered enough performance for creative applications, multitasking and demanding productivity tasks.
Laptop Awards 2021
Laptop categories recognised devices for different users, including professionals, students, gamers and budget-conscious buyers.
Best Laptop 2021: Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX582LR
Nominees: Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX582LR, Apple MacBook Pro and Dell XPS 15
Winner: Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX582LR
The Asus ZenBook Pro Duo UX582LR won the Best Laptop award.
Its standout feature was the secondary ScreenPad Plus display, which provided additional workspace for multitasking and creative workflows. The laptop also featured an Intel Core i9 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics and a 4K OLED main display.
Best Gaming Laptop 2021: Asus ROG Strix Scar 15
Nominees: Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 2021, MSI GE76 Raider 10UH and Asus Zephyrus G15
Winner: Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 2021
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 2021 took the Best Gaming Laptop award.
It combined an AMD Ryzen 9 processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics. Additionally, its 15.6-inch Full HD display supported a 300Hz refresh rate and a 3ms response time.
The laptop also featured an optical-mechanical keyboard with per-key RGB lighting.
Best Budget Gaming Laptop 2021: Acer Predator Helios 300
Nominees: Asus Zephyrus G14 2021, Acer Predator Helios 300 2021 and Asus TUF Dash F15
Winner: Acer Predator Helios 300 2021
The Acer Predator Helios 300 2021 won the Best Budget Gaming Laptop category.
It featured an 11th-generation Intel Core i7-11800H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics. Its 15.6-inch QHD display also supported a 165Hz refresh rate.
Best Entry-Level Gaming Laptop 2021: Acer Nitro 5
Nominees: Acer Nitro 5 2021, Asus TUF F15 and HP Pavilion Power 15
Winner: Acer Nitro 5 2021
The Acer Nitro 5 2021 received the Best Entry-Level Gaming Laptop award.
It paired an 11th-generation Intel Core i5 processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics. It also featured a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate.
Best Laptop for Students 2021: Acer Aspire 5
Nominees: Asus TP412FA, Acer Aspire 5 2021 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 i5 2021
Winner: Acer Aspire 5 2021
The Acer Aspire 5 2021 won the Best Laptop for Students category.
It featured an 11th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of DDR4 RAM and a 15.6-inch display. Its expandable memory and storage options also made it a practical choice for everyday study and productivity.
Best Laptop for Business 2021: Asus ZenBook 14 UM4251A
Nominees: HP Envy 13 2021, Asus ZenBook 14 UM4251A and Acer Swift 3 2021
Winner: Asus ZenBook 14 UM4251A
The Asus ZenBook 14 UM4251A earned the Best Laptop for Business award.
Its lightweight design, AMD Ryzen 5 processor and Full HD display made it suitable for professionals who needed portability and everyday performance. The comfortable keyboard was another useful feature for people who regularly work with documents and emails.
Best Affordable Laptop 2021: Dell Inspiron 3501
Nominees: Asus VivoBook 15 X515JA, Acer Aspire 5 2021 and Dell Inspiron 3501
Winner: Dell Inspiron 3501
The Dell Inspiron 3501 won the Best Affordable Laptop award.
It featured an 11th-generation Intel Core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX330 dedicated graphics. It also came with 8GB of RAM and a 15.6-inch Full HD display.
Wearable Awards 2021
Smartwatches and fitness bands continued to grow in popularity in 2021. The awards recognised products that offered useful health tracking, everyday features and distinctive designs.
Best Fitness Band 2021: Huawei Band 6
Nominees: Fitbit Charge 4, Huawei Band 6 and OnePlus Band
Winner: Huawei Band 6
The Huawei Band 6 won the Best Fitness Band award.
Fitness bands offered a simpler and more affordable way to monitor everyday activity compared with full-featured smartwatches. The Huawei Band 6 stood out among the nominees as a fitness-focused wearable.
Best Affordable Smartwatch 2021: HiFuture HiTime SE
Nominees: Amazfit Bip U, Realme Watch S and HiFuture HiTime SE
Winner: HiFuture HiTime SE
The HiFuture HiTime SE received the Best Affordable Smartwatch award.
It featured a 1.72-inch HD IPS display, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity and a 200mAh battery. It also offered a 24-hour heart-rate monitor and IPX5 water resistance.
Best Entry-Level Smartwatch 2021: Mi Watch Lite
Nominees: Haylou Smart Watch LS02, Aqfit W11 and Mi Watch Lite
Winner: Mi Watch Lite
The Mi Watch Lite won the Best Entry-Level Smartwatch category.
It featured a 1.4-inch square display, 11 workout modes, heart-rate monitoring and sleep tracking. It also included breathing exercises, making it a useful option for users looking for basic fitness and wellness features.
Best Smartwatch Design 2021: Apple Watch Series 7
Nominees: Apple Watch Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Winner: Apple Watch Series 7
The Apple Watch Series 7 won the Best Smartwatch Design award.
Its larger display and rounded edges gave it a refreshed appearance. Apple also improved screen durability and introduced IP6X dust resistance alongside WR50 water resistance.
The larger screen allowed users to view more information, including more text in messages and notifications.
Audio Awards 2021
Audio products received several awards across flagship and affordable categories. The winners included wireless earbuds, over-ear headphones and traditional wired earphones.
Best Flagship TWS 2021: Apple AirPods Pro
Nominees: Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, Sony WF-1000XM3 and Apple AirPods Pro
Winner: Apple AirPods Pro
The Apple AirPods Pro won the Best Flagship TWS category.
They featured Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode and Apple’s H1 chip. These features made them a strong option for users looking for wireless audio with noise control and convenient Apple-device integration.
Best Affordable TWS 2021: Redmi Earbuds S
Nominees: Redmi Earbuds S, Realme Dizo GoPods D and Accurate TWS HX03
Winner: Redmi Earbuds S
The Redmi Earbuds S received the Best Affordable TWS award.
They featured 7.2mm audio drivers, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and an IPX4 water-resistance rating. Their physical buttons also provided a simple way to control playback.
Best Flagship Headphone 2021: Apple AirPods Max
Nominees: Sony WH-1000XM4 and Apple AirPods Max
Winner: Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max won the Best Flagship Headphone award.
They featured 40mm dynamic drivers, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode and Adaptive EQ. Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking also added a more immersive listening experience.
Best Affordable Headphone 2021: Anker Soundcore Life Q10
Nominees: Anker Soundcore Life Q10, Remax RM-805 and Digicom DG-W6
Winner: Anker Soundcore Life Q10
The Anker Soundcore Life Q10 earned the Best Affordable Headphone award.
Its 40mm drivers and BassUp technology focused on delivering strong bass. It also offered up to 60 hours of battery life and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
Best Gaming Headphone 2021: Corsair VOID Pro Surround
Nominees: Corsair VOID Pro Surround Premium Gaming Headset and Logitech G332 SE Stereo Gaming Headset
Winner: Corsair VOID Pro Surround Premium Gaming Headset
The Corsair VOID Pro Surround won the Best Gaming Headphone category.
Its 50mm audio drivers and surround-sound-focused design aimed to provide an immersive gaming experience.
Best Flagship Earphone 2021: Skullcandy 50/50
Nominees: Skullcandy 50/50, Apple EarPods with Lightning Connector and Moshi Mythro C USB Type-C Earphone
Winner: Skullcandy 50/50
The Skullcandy 50/50 received the Best Flagship Earphone award.
It featured 11mm drivers and a tangle-free cable design. The earphones also included an in-line microphone and a 3.5mm gold-plated connector.
Best Affordable Earphone 2021: Sony MDR-EX110AP
Nominees: JBL T210, Tuddrom T1 and Sony MDR-EX110AP
Winner: Sony MDR-EX110AP
The Sony MDR-EX110AP won the Best Affordable Earphone award.
It featured 9mm dynamic drivers, an in-line microphone and a 3.5mm audio connector. Its simple wired design made it suitable for everyday listening.
Best Entry-Level Earphone 2021: Tuddrom Mo2
Nominees: Tuddrom Mo2, Remax RM-510 and Redmi Earphones
Winner: Tuddrom Mo2
The Tuddrom Mo2 received the Best Entry-Level Earphone award.
It featured 10mm drivers, 21-ohm impedance and a lightweight design. Its 120cm TPE cable also offered a practical wired listening option.
Television Awards 2021
Television categories recognised both premium home entertainment and affordable 4K options.
Best 4K TV 2021: LG OLED C1 Series
Nominees: LG OLED C1 Series, Samsung QLED Q Series and Sony 4K TV 55X80J
Winner: LG OLED C1 Series
The LG OLED C1 Series won the Best 4K TV award.
Its OLED panel delivered individually controlled pixels, while the fourth-generation α9 AI Processor 4K handled image processing. The television also supported Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos, NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility and HDMI 2.1 gaming features.
With support for 4K resolution, a 1ms response time, VRR and ALLM, the C1 series also offered features suited to gaming.
Best Affordable 4K TV 2021: Xiaomi Mi TV 4X
Nominees: Mi TV 4X, CG 4K UHD TV A Series and TCL 4K UHD TV 55P615
Winner: Xiaomi Mi TV 4X
The Xiaomi Mi TV 4X received the Best Affordable 4K TV award.
It offered a 4K HDR display, Android TV, Google Assistant and integrated streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Its combination of smart TV features and accessible pricing made it a notable option in the affordable 4K television segment.
Final Verdict: Looking Back at the Best Tech of 2021
The TechSathi Awards 2021 highlighted how quickly technology was evolving across different product categories.
In smartphones, the iPhone 13 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra demonstrated the growing importance of processing power and camera technology. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 showed how foldable designs could become more practical for everyday users.
The laptop and tablet winners also reflected the demand for better performance, displays and productivity features. Similarly, wearable and audio products focused on making everyday technology more convenient.
Finally, the LG OLED C1 and Xiaomi Mi TV 4X represented two different approaches to home entertainment: premium picture quality and affordable smart features.
These awards offer a snapshot of the products that stood out in 2021. Although technology has continued to advance since then, looking back at these winners shows how many of today’s popular features began taking shape during that year.
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SEO Title: TechSathi Awards 2021: Best Smartphones, Laptops & Gadgets
Slug: techsathi-awards-best-tech-2021
Focus Keyword: TechSathi Awards 2021
Excerpt: Take a look back at the TechSathi Awards 2021, featuring the best smartphones, laptops, tablets, wearables, audio products and TVs of the year.
Meta Description: Explore TechSathi Awards 2021 winners, from iPhone 13 Pro Max and Galaxy S21 Ultra to top laptops, wearables, headphones and TVs.
Categories: Tech News, Smartphones, Laptops, Wearables, Audio, Television
Tags: TechSathi Awards 2021, best tech of 2021, best smartphones 2021, best laptops 2021, best tablets 2021, best camera phone 2021, best gaming phone 2021, iPhone 13 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Realme GT Neo 2, Redmi Note 10 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, Xiaomi Mi Pad 5, Apple iPad Pro M1, Asus ZenBook Pro Duo, Asus ROG Strix Scar 15, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple AirPods Pro, Apple AirPods Max, LG OLED C1, Xiaomi Mi TV 4X
Editorial note: This article is a retrospective based on the original TechSathi Awards 2021 results. Product prices and specifications mentioned in the original award coverage reflect the information available at that time and should not be treated as current retail information.
