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The best Memorial Day sales are live: Shop early deals from Amazon, Target, Best Buy and more

The best Memorial Day sales are live: Shop early deals from Amazon, Target, Best Buy and more

Yahoo23-05-2025
Our lawns are lush, daylight is lingering a little longer and if you're anything like me, you're already counting how many lazy pool days you can rack up before Labor Day. Summer's not officially here yet, but just like those chirping birds, Memorial Day sales are here. Whether you've got an adventure on your mind this weekend or just want to chill with a cold drink and zero responsibilities, this is a solid time to treat yourself — no justification needed.
Been eyeing a bigger screen for the Stanley Cup playoffs (or to show off your curated taste in digital art)? Samsung's 55-inch Frame TV just dropped by $500. Need new kicks? These top-selling Hokas are $30 off. And for those summer hangs where your beat-up canvas tote just won't cut it, there's a Kate Spade pochette going for nearly $200 less than usual.
Here are the best early Memorial Day sales worth checking out right now:
If you've been looking to get some Apple gear or upgrade a TV, now's one of the best times to score big savings before summer. Soon the sun will be setting after 8 p.m., warmer days will be on the way and you'll be glad you grabbed that MacBook Air or pair of AirPods while they were on mega sale. Some highlights:
Apple iPad 11th Gen ($299, originally $349): This is one of the best tablets you can buy, period. While we've seen this model for cheaper, it's still a good deal for the quality and performance you get — especially with features like the A16 Bionic chip, 10-hour battery life and that gorgeous Retina display.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Cancelling Headphones ($228, originally $348): These Sony headphones aren't just any old pair of cans. They boast a solid 30 hours of battery life as well as quick charging (a 10-minute charge will get you five hours of playback), so you won't be hunting for an outlet mid-listen. And with touch-sensor controls, adjusting volume or skipping tracks is as easy as a tap.
Apple iPad Mini ($399, originally $499): Traditional iPads are a bit too cumbersome for your daily routine? The smaller, more approachable iPad mini may be right up your alley. At only 8.3 inches, it's compact enough to hold with just one hand.
Samsung The Frame 55-inch 4K Smart TV ($998, originally $1,498): The original art TV that created the category is not only easy on the eyes, but easy on the wallet. (That empty wall in the living room is calling its name.) It's available in six other sizes, ranging from 43 to 85 inches, and all are on sale.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($187, originally $249): Offering premium sound, seamless connectivity and a comfy, all-day fit, these fan-favorite buds are worth it.
TCL 55-inch 4K QLED TV ($700, originally $1,000): Think Samsung is the only company making Art TVs these days? Think again (in fact, you can check out all of the Art TVs we've tested right here). This one from TCL will save you a bit of coin compared to The Frame, thanks to this $300-off steal of a deal at Best Buy.
Apple MacBook Air ($899, originally $999): This beast can handle all of the streaming, spreadsheets, writing and scrolling you can throw at it. Want to edit photos or videos? Go wild. The M4 chip can handle it.
Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth Audio Transmitter ($42, originally $55): Ever wish you could connect your earbuds to the in-flight entertainment rather than using those flimsy headphones the airline hands out? Senior Tech Writer Rick Broida calls this a "genius gadget" in his review, saying it "worked flawlessly, pairing easily with my AirPods Pro and remembering that connection from one session to the next." (Psst: You can also hook it up to the treadmill at the gym.)
There are two types of people in this world: those who love to cook and those who have the local takeout pizza place on speed dial. No shame in falling into either camp, but we'd bet those in the latter group might enjoy preparing food more if they owned the right tools. We're talking cookware that doesn't stick, knives that are actually sharp and maybe even an air fryer to keep from having to wait for the oven to preheat. Well, all of those things — and more — happen to be on sale, so go ahead and flex those culinary muscles without overexerting your wallet.
HexClad 6-Piece Hybrid Fry-Pan Set ($400, originally $532): Gordon Ramsay's an official partner of this brand, and you know how particular he is. The pans' hybrid construction combines the best qualities of stainless steel, cast iron and nonstick for a one-of-a-kind product that, according to Ramsay, "is highly versatile and cooks exceptionally well." With this starter set, you'll get the 12-inch, 10-inch and 8-inch pans, plus lids for each, and a bonus 10-inch hybrid wok — and for nearly 25% off.
Ninja Creami 7-in-1 Ice Cream Maker ($200, originally $229): Keep the treats flowing all year long with this top-rated appliance, which makes churning out customizable frozen goodies a breeze. (It's also Yahoo editor-approved — check out our review for more).
Le Creuset Signature Oval Dutch Oven, 8-Quart ($300, originally $475): If there's one thing Le Creuset is known for, it's Dutch ovens. As stunning as it is functional, this roomy pot holds enough food to feed a crowd and can go in the oven at temperatures up to 500°F. Use it to cook those cozy comfort dishes like stew, braised meat, mashed potatoes ... you can even bake bread in it. It's also ideal for deep-frying and roasting a chicken. This price is the lowest we've seen it anywhere online.
Henckels 20-Piece Knife Set ($140, originally $345): This collection has every type of blade a home cook could need, so if the ones in your drawer can barely pierce through a tomato anymore, you'll want to add this to your cart while it's down to an all-time low at nearly 60% off.
Blackstone 17" Griddle w/ Stand, Hood, Bag & Tool Set ($240, originally $300): Want to be the king of the campsite? Top dog of the tailgate? Forget the grill, the griddle is where it's at. Smashburgers, stir-fry, heck, even breakfast can all be easily mastered on a Blackstone.
Longzon 5-Stage Knife Sharpener ($10, originally $34): A dull knife just won't cut it when it comes to efficient (and safe) slicing and dicing. If you'd rather not shell out for a whole new set of blades, you can hone the ones you already have courtesy of this nifty tool. It has five settings for sharpening and polishing just about any knife in your kitchen, aside from ceramic blades.
KitchenClouds Anti-Fatigue Kitchen Mat ($13, originally $22): If you spend lots of time in the kitchen, your feet deserve a cushy surface to stand on during all of that cooking (and dishwashing). This highly rated anti-fatigue mat is made from comfy foam to help take some of the pressure off of your muscles and joints, and its nonslip bottom will stay put without sliding around.
Kelamayi Self-Cleaning Broom and Dustpan Set ($19, originally $26): This dustpan is equipped with teeth that'll dislodge clumps of hair and dirt for you, because post-cleaning cleanup is no one's idea of a good time. What is fun, however, is the fact that this duo is marked down to its best price ever.
Do yourself a favor and spruce up your home before you get too distracted by summer's charms. Bath mats that will keep your feet warm and dry as soon as you step out of the shower, an electric scrubber that practically does the cleaning for you, chairs that will quickly turn your backyard patio into an idyllic oasis ... these sales have it all.
Shark IQ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum ($248, originally $499): Robovacs come in clutch for lazy — er, I mean, efficient — cleaners. But for a completely hands-off experience? You'll want a self-cleaning model, like this popular unit. It can run up to 110 minutes per charge, and its large dust bin can hold about 60 days' worth of debris before needing to be emptied.
Olanly Extra Soft Absorbent Chenille Bath Rugs ($10, originally $15): Who wants to step out of the shower dripping wet and have the first thing your feet touch be a cold and slippery tile floor? With this markdown, you can grab one of these for less than the cost of most towels.
Khelfer Electric Spin Scrubber ($16 with Prime, coupon and code, originally $50): It's 2025; why are you using elbow grease to clean your house when you could just pick up one of these bad boys and wake up tomorrow sans back pain, especially now that it's priced at an all-time, nearly 70%-off low?
Resin Stackable Adirondack Chair ($18, originally $25): The Adirondack chair is one of those furniture items that is perfectly designed. Comfy and aesthetically pleasing, they're great around a table, pool or fire pit. These resin ones from Target have taken the original design and updated it for a more modern look, and I'm here for it.
CGK Unlimited Store Queen Size 4 Piece Sheet Set ($21, originally $42): These days, you can expect to pay a premium for quality bedding, so $15 for a set with as many rave reviews as this one is a huge win in our book. This is also the lowest we've seen this sheet set — ever!
Fab Totes Clothes Storage Bags, 6-Pack ($14, originally $25): Whether you're stowing away shorts and sundresses in the winter or puffer coats and comforters in the summer, these roomy storage bags will keep everything organized from season to season. Each one has an impressive 60-liter capacity, along with see-through front panels so you won't forget what you stashed in them.
Cozsinoor Bed Pillows, Queen, 2-Pack ($19, originally $36): Want to start your bedtime on the right foot, er, head? You'd be wise to snag this popular pair while it's down to a record low. Filled with a lofty down alternative stuffing, these plush, machine-washable pillows are moisture-wicking and promote airflow for a more comfortable slumber. Plus, they're designed to be suitable for stomach, back and side sleepers.
Whether winter did a number on your skin or you're tired of spending a fortune on in-office teeth-whitening treatments, you're in luck: There's no shortage of deals on all your beauty must-haves. For starters, this teeth-whitening pen is designed for sensitive chompers, and it's over half off.
Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Powder Foundation ($18, originally $37): This is the lowest price I've ever seen for this Amazon bestseller! The user-friendly bronzing powder contains color-correcting pigments to help even out unbalanced skin while leaving you looking natural, not like you've slathered on a ton of product.
MySmile Teeth Whitening Pen 30+ Treatment ($17, originally $40): Once a day, just twist the pen's base to release the gel into its brush-tip applicator, then "paint" it onto your chompers and leave it for 30-60 minutes. After five days, you should see a difference (i.e., as much as 10 shades whiter).
Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive At-Home Teeth-Whitening Kit ($39, originally $50): Reviewers (and this writer) can attest that this kit delivers on its pro-level, smile-brightening claims. It promises to remove up to 15 years' worth of stains from your chompers. Plus, it's designed with sensitive smiles in mind.
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream ($14, originally $20): This top-selling cream contains three restorative ceramides, moisturizing hyaluronic acid and soothing niacinamide to combat dryness and reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
Grace & Stella Energizing Eye Masks ($20 with coupon, originally $29): These patches use plant-based collagen, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the delicate skin underneath your eyes. They have a cooling effect that soothes and brightens tired eyes and help reduce puffiness, which can give you a more youthful, refreshed appearance.
Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Facial Serum ($24, originally $30): This serum contains a high concentration of Vitamin C along with tripeptides and green tea extract to help restore skin to its youthful, glowy best.
Gold Bond Age Renew Neck & Chest Firming Cream ($11, originally $16): The Gold Bond firming cream is no frills but gets the job done (the job being tighter jowls and a less reptilian neck). The formula is lightweight and on the thin side, but the product absorbs well and is gentle enough not to irritate sensitive skin.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliate ($28, originally $35): "I've tried dozens of products to reduce the appearance of my enlarged pores and banish blackheads," explains Senior Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini, "and this is by far the most effective. It's easy to use and non-irritating, and you only need a drop or two each night to see results — this 4 ounce size has lasted almost a year."
Welcome to sandals, shorts and sundresses season! Ring in the rising temps with fleece sweatpants, comfortable leggings and standout sneakers that are just as great for running errands as they are for date night and beyond.
Hoka Clifton 9 ($117, originally $145): Hokas are one of the most popular brands of walking and running shoes for a reason. With the release of the Clifton 10s, we've spotted markdowns on the Clifton 9s across a multitude of retailers — though stock is going fast. Our tip: If you see your size in stock in a color you like, nab it before someone else does.
Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant ($49-$69, originally $98): Take it from us: These are hands down the softest, comfiest leggings you'll ever wear. They're ideal for low-impact workouts or just hanging out at home. You can save up to 50% right now, but colors and sizes are selling out fast!
Anthropologie The Somerset Maxi Dress ($120, originally $168): Yahoo Initiatives Editor Julia Webb says her mom owns three of these dresses from Anthropologie and they are compliment magnets. Read her full review of the gorgeous maxi dress here, then shop one for yourself while it's down to $120. Want something with a shorter hem? A mini Somerset is also on sale, as is an uber-trendy butter yellow shirtdress version.
Anrabess Two Piece Lounge Set ($34, originally $50): Loungewear looks luxe when it's monochromatic. Even though this set is casual, it feels so sophisticated and exemplifies the rich mom aesthetic that's been trending for a while. The pale apricot hue is a dream, but there are 17 colors to shop.
Wiholl Summer Top ($12, originally $26): We found a tee that's anything but boring, and it's just as comfy as those well-worn styles you have folded in your drawer. This adorable square neck design has charming ruffled trim and slightly puffed sleeves that give it a fun, trendy vibe.
Hanes Jersey Pocket Shorts ($13, originally $19): Our readers can't get enough of these practical picks, raving about how comfortable they are for everything from puttering around the house to vacation (where those pockets will come in handy). The shorts are soft and durable, with a wide elastic waistband and a drawstring for a secure fit.
Colorfulkoala Dreamlux High Waisted Workout Leggings ($28, originally $34): How do we love these leggings? Let us count the ways: For starters, the material is so soft and smooth that it rivals Lululemon's, and the wide waistband provides ample support without feeling too constricting. The fabric whisks away sweat while you work out, and shoppers say they pass the squat test. Stock up while you can get double discounts!
Evaless Round Neck Short Sleeve Shirt ($15, originally $18): You're looking at the chicest $15 you'll ever spend. We love the idea of pairing this crinkly blouse with tailored trousers for an office-appropriate ensemble at work. On weekends, you can pair it with some cute jean shorts and if you're heading out for a night on the town, try it with a midi skirt for a sleek duo. Seriously, this'll go with everything.
Nike Sportswear Phoenix Fleece Sweatpants ($39, originally $70): If you love the feel of sweatpants but don't want to look like you just rolled out of bed (even if you have), this fleece pair is for you and right now they're 44% off!
On Cloudnova Form 2 ($113, originally $140): Part performance, part streetwear, the Cloudnova Form 2 doesn't scream gym shoe, but it can move. Lightweight, breathable and stylish, it's made for walking the dog, hitting the gym or just pairing with leggings for a coffee run.
Amazon: We're seeing savings of up to 70% on everything from bedding and kitchenware to tech, clothing and beauty.
Best Buy: Save up to 50% on appliances, as well as on TVs, laptops, headphones and tablets.
Nordstrom: The Half-Yearly Sale is here! Save up to 60% on Hoka, Tory Burch, Barefoot Dreams and more.
QVC: Tap the retailer's massive clearance section for savings on fashion, accessories, home essentials and more — plus, new customers get $15 off their first order of $35 or more with code HELLO15.
REI: The retailer has a plethora of great offerings during it's An: Score up to 50% off clothing, footwear, REI Co-Op brand deals and hiking items.
Target: You can always count on Target to bring the deals, including up to 35% off floor care, up to 40% off indoor furniture and up to 20% off patio and garden.
Lodge 7.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven for $55 (originally $75): "This tough-as-nails pot has 'Lodged' its way in my heart," praised Senior Deals Writer Britt Ross. "There's not much I haven't made in this thing, from pasta dishes and stews to fried doughnuts, and it's all turned out exceptionally. Its 7.5-quart capacity can fit enough to feed a crowd, and since it's heat-safe up to 500°F, I never have to worry when placing it in the oven. Its slick enamel coating makes cleanup a cinch — never more than a rinse with soap and water, followed by a quick wipe."
grace & stella Award Winning Under Eye Mask for $19 (originally $29): Don't sleep on this deal! Not only will you be left without bags under your eyes, but you'll be spending a heckuva a lot less for these collagen-, glycerin- and vitamin C-infused eye masks.
MySmile Teeth Whitening Pen for $19 (originally $40): Say cheese! Your journey to brighter teeth just got a lot easier, thanks to this whitening kit. All you do is apply the gel to your teeth via the pen for 30-60 minutes a day, and after five days, you should see a serious difference (i.e., as much as 10 shades whiter). You'll get about 30 treatments out of this pack, and at 60% off, this is one of the best prices I've seen it marked down to. Now that's something to smile about.
CAROTE 14 Pcs Pots and Pans Set for $70 (originally $110): Get unstuck with a set of slick pots and pans. This attractive 14-piece collection just about has it all: 8- and 11-inch frying pans, a 4.3-quart casserole with lid, 1.8- and 4.5-quart saucepans with lids, four pan protectors, a spatula and a mixing spoon. That's all for $70 — less than you'd pay for a single pan from many brands.
Beats Studio Pro for $170 (originally $200): These Oprah faves feature one-touch pairing, up to 40 total hours of battery life and fast-charging capabilities. If you want them at this low price, don't press pause.
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds for $120 (originally $129): If you've been holding off on buying AirPods until there's a sale, consider this the time to pounce. Now, they don't include active noise cancellation like these do, but if it's a high-quality, comfortable listening experience you're after, these earbuds more than deliver. With up to five hours of listening time per charge (and 30 hours of battery life via the charging case), you'll be able to enjoy music, podcasts, audiobooks and more with limited interruption.
Shark IQ Robot Vacuum for $248 (originally $499): Robovacs come in clutch for lazy — er, I mean, efficient — cleaners like me. But for a completely hands-off experience? You'll want a self-cleaning model, like this popular unit. It can run up to 110 minutes per charge, and its large dust bin can hold about 60 days' worth of debris before needing to be emptied. Not to mention, it's currently on sale for its lowest price yet.
Colorfulkoala Women's High Waisted Yoga Pants for $20 (originally $25): Even regularly priced at $25, these leggings would be a steal — but a discount is a discount, and you can grab certain colors and sizes of these beloved bottoms for just $20 today. That means you can snag a whopping five of these for the same price as just a single pair of similar-but-pricier options like the popular Lululemon Align leggings.
Apple iPad mini for $399 (originally $499): Traditional iPads are a bit too cumbersome for your daily routine? The smaller, more approachable iPad mini may be right up your alley. At only 8.3 inches, it's compact enough to hold with just one hand.
Lodge 7.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven for $55 (originally $75): "This tough-as-nails pot has 'Lodged' its way in my heart," praised Senior Deals Writer Britt Ross. "There's not much I haven't made in this thing, from pasta dishes and stews to fried doughnuts, and it's all turned out exceptionally. Its 7.5-quart capacity can fit enough to feed a crowd, and since it's heat-safe up to 500°F, I never have to worry when placing it in the oven. Its slick enamel coating makes cleanup a cinch — never more than a rinse with soap and water, followed by a quick wipe."
grace & stella Award Winning Under Eye Mask for $19 (originally $29): Don't sleep on this deal! Not only will you be left without bags under your eyes, but you'll be spending a heckuva a lot less for these collagen-, glycerin- and vitamin C-infused eye masks.
MySmile Teeth Whitening Pen for $19 (originally $40): Say cheese! Your journey to brighter teeth just got a lot easier, thanks to this whitening kit. All you do is apply the gel to your teeth via the pen for 30-60 minutes a day, and after five days, you should see a serious difference (i.e., as much as 10 shades whiter). You'll get about 30 treatments out of this pack, and at 60% off, this is one of the best prices I've seen it marked down to. Now that's something to smile about.
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds for $120 (originally $129): If you've been holding off on buying AirPods until there's a sale, consider this the time to pounce. Now, they don't include active noise cancellation like these do, but if it's a high-quality, comfortable listening experience you're after, these earbuds more than deliver. With up to five hours of listening time per charge (and 30 hours of battery life via the charging case), you'll be able to enjoy music, podcasts, audiobooks and more with limited interruption.
Colorfulkoala Women's High Waisted Yoga Pants for $20 (originally $25): Even regularly priced at $25, these leggings would be a steal — but a discount is a discount, and you can grab certain colors and sizes of these beloved bottoms for just $20 today. That means you can snag a whopping five of these for the same price as just a single pair of similar-but-pricier options like the popular Lululemon Align leggings.
Apple iPad mini for $399 (originally $499): Traditional iPads are a bit too cumbersome for your daily routine? The smaller, more approachable iPad mini may be right up your alley. At only 8.3 inches, it's compact enough to hold with just one hand.
Lodge 7.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven for $55 (originally $75): "This tough-as-nails pot has 'Lodged' its way in my heart," praised Senior Deals Writer Britt Ross. "There's not much I haven't made in this thing, from pasta dishes and stews to fried doughnuts, and it's all turned out exceptionally. Its 7.5-quart capacity can fit enough to feed a crowd, and since it's heat-safe up to 500°F, I never have to worry when placing it in the oven. Its slick enamel coating makes cleanup a cinch — never more than a rinse with soap and water, followed by a quick wipe."
grace & stella Award Winning Under Eye Mask for $19 (originally $29): Don't sleep on this deal! Not only will you be left without bags under your eyes, but you'll be spending a heckuva a lot less for these collagen-, glycerin- and vitamin C-infused eye masks.
MySmile Teeth Whitening Pen for $19 (originally $40): Say cheese! Your journey to brighter teeth just got a lot easier, thanks to this whitening kit. All you do is apply the gel to your teeth via the pen for 30-60 minutes a day, and after five days, you should see a serious difference (i.e., as much as 10 shades whiter). You'll get about 30 treatments out of this pack, and at 60% off, this is one of the best prices I've seen it marked down to. Now that's something to smile about.
CAROTE 14 Pcs Pots and Pans Set for $70 (originally $110): Get unstuck with a set of slick pots and pans. This attractive 14-piece collection just about has it all: 8- and 11-inch frying pans, a 4.3-quart casserole with lid, 1.8- and 4.5-quart saucepans with lids, four pan protectors, a spatula and a mixing spoon. That's all for $70 — less than you'd pay for a single pan from many brands.
Beats Studio Pro for $170 (originally $200): These Oprah faves feature one-touch pairing, up to 40 total hours of battery life and fast-charging capabilities. If you want them at this low price, don't press pause.
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I tested the AI transcription tools for iPhone vs Samsung Galaxy vs Google Pixel — here's the winner
I tested the AI transcription tools for iPhone vs Samsung Galaxy vs Google Pixel — here's the winner

Tom's Guide

time5 hours ago

  • Tom's Guide

I tested the AI transcription tools for iPhone vs Samsung Galaxy vs Google Pixel — here's the winner

This article is part of our AI Phone Face-Off. If you're interested in our other comparisons, check out the links below. Long before AI was a buzzword included in every handset's marketing material, a few lucky phones already offered automatic transcripts of voice recordings. But the arrival of on-device AI has extended that feature to more phones and more apps, including the Phone app itself, while also adding auto-generated summary features to the mix. All three of the major smartphone makers — Apple, Google and Samsung — offer some type of voice recording app on their flagship phones with real-time transcription as part of the feature set. Those phones now record and transcribe phone calls, too. And summary tools that tap into AI to produce recaps of conversations, articles, recordings and more have become commonly available on iPhones, Pixels and Galaxy S devices alike. But which phone offers the most complete set of transcription and summarization tools? To find out, I took an iPhone 15 Pro, Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 Plus loaded with the latest available version of their respective operating systems, and put each device through a series of tests. If you need a phone that can turn your speech into text or cut through a lengthy recording to bring you the highlights, here's which phone is most up to the job. I wrote out a scripted phone call, handed one copy to my wife and then scurried outside to call her three separate times from the iPhone, Pixel and Galaxy S device. By scripting out our conversation, we could see which on-board AI provided a more accurate transcript. And after each call, I took a look at the AI-generated summary to see if it accurately followed our discussion of rental properties in the San Francisco Bay Area. The iPhone's transcript was the most muddled of the three, with more instances of incorrect words and a lack of proper punctuation. The biggest misstep, though, was mixed up words that my wife and I had said, as if we had been talking over each other. (We had not.) Because I was calling someone in my Contacts, though, the iPhone did helpfully add names to each speaker — a nice touch. The transcripts from the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 Plus were equally accurate when compared to each other. Samsung displays its transcripts as if you're looking at a chat, with different text bubbles representing each speaker. Google's approach is to label the conversation with 'you' and 'the speaker.' I prefer the look of Google's transcript, though I appreciate that when my wife and I talked expenses, Galaxy AI successfully put that in dollar amounts. Google's Gemini just used numbers without dollar designations. As for the summaries, the one provided by iPhone accurately summed up the information I requested from my wife. The Galaxy AI summary was accurate, too, but left out the budget amount, which was one of the key points of our discussion. Google's summary hit the key points — the budget, the dates and who was going on the trip — and also put the summary in second person ('You called to ask about a rental property…"). I found that to be a personal touch that put Google's summary over the top. I will point out that the iPhone and Galaxy S25 Plus summaries appeared nearly instantly after the call. It took a bit for the Pixel 9 to generate its summary — not a deal-breaker, but something to be aware of. Winner: Google — The Pixel 9 gave me one of the more accurate transcripts in a pleasing format, and it personalized a summary while highlighting the key points of the conversation. I launched the built-in recording apps on each phone all at the same time so that they could simultaneously record me reading the Gettysburg Address. By using a single recording, I figured I could better judge which phone had the more accurate transcript before testing the AI-generated summary. The transcript from Samsung's Voice Recorder app suffered from some haphazard capitalization and oddly inserted commas that would require a lot of clean-up time if you need to share the transcript. Google Recorder had the same issue and, based on the transcript, seemed to think that two people were talking. The iPhone's Voice Memos app had the cleanest transcript of the three, though it did have a handful of incorrectly transcribed words. All three recording apps had issues with me saying 'nobly advanced,' with the Galaxy S25 Plus thinking I had said 'nobleek, advanced' and the iPhone printing that passage as 'no league advanced.' Still, the iPhone transcript had the fewest instances of misheard words. As for summaries, the Galaxy AI-generated version was fairly terse, with just three bullet points. Both the Pixel and the iPhone recognized my speech as the Gettysburg Address and delivered accurate summaries of the key points. While getting a summary from the iPhone takes some doing — you have to share your recording with the iOS Notes app and use the summary tool there — I preferred how concise its version was to what the Gemini AI produced for the Pixel. Winner: Apple — Not only did the iPhone have the best-looking transcript of the three phones, its summary was also accurate and concise. That said, the Pixel was a close second with its summarization feature, and would have won this category had it not heard those phantom speakers when transcribing the audio. Why keep testing the transcription feature when we've already put the recording apps through their paces? Because there could come a time when you need to record a meeting where multiple people are talking and you'll want a transcript that recognizes that. You may be in for a disappointing experience if the transcripts of me and my wife recreating the Black Knight scene from 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' are anything to go by. Both the Galaxy and Pixel phones had problems recognizing who was speaking, with one speaker's words bleeding into the next. The Pixel 9 had more than its share of problems here, sometimes attributing an entire line to the wrong speaker. The Galaxy had more incorrectly transcribed words, with phrases like 'worthy adversary' and 'I've had worse' becoming 'where the adversary is' and '5 had worse,' respectively. The Pixel had a few shockers of its own, but its biggest issue remained the overlapping dialogue At least, those phones recognized two people were talking. Apple Intelligence's transcript ran everything together, so if you're working off that recording, you've got a lot of editing in your future. With this test, I was less interested in the summarization features, though the Pixel did provide the most accurate one, recognizing that the dialogue was 'reminiscent' of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail.' The Galaxy AI-generated summary correctly deduced that the Black Knight is a stubborn person who ignores his injuries, but wrongly concluded that both speakers had agreed the fight was a draw. The iPhone issued a warning that the summarization tool wasn't designed for an exchange like this and then went on to prove it with a discombobulated summary in which the Black Knight apparently fought himself. Winner: Samsung — Galaxy AI had easier-to-correct errors with speakers' lines bleeding into each other. The Gemini transcript was more of a mess, but the summary nearly salvaged this test for Google. Of all the promised benefits of AI on phones, few excite me more than the prospect of a tool that can read through email chains and surface the relevant details so that I don't have to pick through each individual message. And much to my delight, two of the three phones I've tested stand out in this area. I'm sad to say it isn't the Galaxy S25 Plus. I found the feature a bit clunky to access, as I had to use the built-in Internet app to go to the web version of Gmail to summarize an exchange between me and two friends where we settled on when and where to meet for lunch. Galaxy AI's subsequent summary included the participants and what we were talking about, but it failed to mention the date and location we agreed upon. Both the Pixel and the iPhone fared much better. Gemini AI correctly listed the date, time and location of where we were going to meet for lunch. It even spotted a follow-up email I had sent en route warning the others that I was running late. Apple Intelligence also got this feature right in the iPhone's built-in Mail app. I think the Pixel has the better implementation, as getting a summary simply requires you to tap the Gemini button for all the key points to appear in a window. iOS Mail's summary feature lives at the top of the email conversation so you've got to scroll all the way up to access your summary. Winner: Google — The Pixel and the iPhone summarized the message chain equally well, but Google's implementation is a lot easier to access. In theory, a summary tool for web pages would help you get the key points of an article quickly. The concern, though, is that the summary proves to be superficial or, even worse, not thorough enough to recognize all the key points. So how do you know how accurate the summary is? I figured to find out, I'd run one of my own articles through the summary features of each phone — this article about the push to move iPhone manufacturing to the U.S., specifically. I mean, I know what I wrote, so I should be in a good position to judge if the respective summary features truly got the gist of it. Galaxy AI did, sort of, with its summary consisting of two broadly correct points that the Trump administration wants to move phone manufacturing to the U.S. and that high labor costs and global supply chain automation are the big roadblocks. That's not horribly inaccurate, but it is incomplete, as the article talked more about the lack of dedicated assembly plants and equipment in the U.S. The iPhone's summary — appearing as a tappable option in the menu bar of Safari — was a little bit more detailed on the key roadblock, while also noting the potential for rising prices of U.S.-built phones. However, the summary provided via Gemini AI is far and away the most substantive. It specifically calls out a push for reshoring, notes what Apple already produces in the U.S., and highlights multiple bullet points on the difficulties of U.S. phone manufacturing. Winner: Google — Summaries don't always benefit from being brief, and the Galaxy AI-generated summation of my article hits key points without sacrificing critical details and explanations. You can read that summary and skip my article — please don't, it would hurt my feelings — and still get a good grip on what I had written. Sometimes, notes can be so hastily jotted down, you might have a hard time making sense of them. An ideal AI summary tool would be able to sort through those thoughts and produce a good overview of the ideas you were hoping to capture. If you remember from our AI Writing Tools test, I had some notes on the new features in iOS 26 that I used to try out auto-formatting features provided by each phone's on-device AI. This time around, I tried out the summary features and found them to be generally OK, with one real standout. Both Galaxy AI and Apple Intelligence turned out decent summaries. When I selected the Key Points options in Writing Tools for iOS Notes, the iPhone featured a good general summation of changes in iOS 26, with particular attention paid to the Safari and FaceTime enhancements. Other descriptions in the Apple Intelligence-produced summary were a bit too general for my tastes. I did like the concise descriptions in the Galaxy AI summary, where my lengthy notes were boiled down to two bullet points summing up the biggest additions. It's not the most detailed explanation, but it would work as an at-a-glance synopsis before you dive into the meat of the notes themselves. Gemini AI on board the Pixel 9 struck the best overall mix between brevity and detail. Google's AI took the bullet points of my original notes and turned them into brief descriptions of each feature — a helpful overview that gets to the heart of what I'd be looking for in a summary. Winner: Google — While Galaxy AI scores points for getting right to the point in its summary, the more useful recap comes from Gemini AI's more detailed write-up. If we had restricted these tests to transcripts, it might have been a closer fight, as both Apple and Samsung held their own against Google in converting recordings to text. But throw summaries into the mix, and Google is the clear winner, taking the top spot in four of our six tests. Even in the tests where the Pixel was bested by either the iPhone or the Galaxy S25 Plus, it didn't lag that far behind. Some of this comes down to what you prefer in a summarization tool. If it's concise summaries, you may be more favorably inclined to Galaxy AI than I was. Apple Intelligence also shows some promise that would benefit from fine-tuning to make its tools easier to access. But for the best experience right now, Google is clearly the best at transcription and summarization.

Samsung Elec Q2 profit likely to drop 39% on weak AI chip sales
Samsung Elec Q2 profit likely to drop 39% on weak AI chip sales

Yahoo

time10 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Samsung Elec Q2 profit likely to drop 39% on weak AI chip sales

By Heekyong Yang SEOUL (Reuters) -Samsung Electronics is expected to forecast a 39% plunge in second-quarter operating profit on Tuesday, weighed down by delays in supplying advanced memory chips to artificial intelligence chip leader Nvidia. The world's biggest maker of memory chips is projected to report an April-June operating profit of 6.3 trillion won ($4.62 billion), its lowest income in six quarters and fourth consecutive quarterly decline, according to LSEG SmartEStimate. The prolonged weakness in its financial performance has deepened investor concerns over the South Korean tech giant's ability to catch up with smaller rivals in developing high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in artificial intelligence data centres. Its key rivals, SK Hynix and Micron, have benefited from robust demand for memory chips needed for AI, but Samsung's gains have been subdued as it relies on the China market, where sales of advanced chips have been restricted by the U.S. Its efforts to get the latest version of its HBM chips to Nvidia certified by Nvidia are also moving slowly, analysts said. "HBM revenue likely remained flat in the second quarter, as China sales restrictions persist and Samsung has yet to begin supplying its HBM3E 12-high chips to Nvidia," said Ryu Young-ho, a senior analyst at NH Investment & Securities. He said Samsung's shipments of the new chip to Nvidia are unlikely to be significant this year. Samsung, which expected in March that meaningful progress over its HBM chip could come as early as June, declined to comment on whether its HBM 3E 12-layer chips had passed Nvidia's qualification process. The company, however, has started supplying the chip to AMD, the U.S. firm said in June. Samsung's smartphone sales are likely to remain solid, helped by demand for stock ahead of potential U.S. tariffs on imported smartphones, analysts said. Many of its key businesses including chips, smartphones and home appliances continue to face business uncertainty from various U.S. trade policies including President Donald Trump's proposal for a 25% tariff on non-US-made-smartphones and the July 9 deadline for "reciprocal" tariffs against many of its trading partners. The U.S. is also considering revoking authorisations granted to global chipmakers including Samsung, making it more difficult for them to receive U.S. technology at their plants in China. Shares in Samsung, the worst performing stock among major memory chipmakers this year, have climbed about 19% this year, underperforming a 27.3% rise in the benchmark KOSPI. ($1 = 1,363.3600 won)

Samsung Elec Q2 profit likely to drop 39% on weak AI chip sales
Samsung Elec Q2 profit likely to drop 39% on weak AI chip sales

Yahoo

time10 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Samsung Elec Q2 profit likely to drop 39% on weak AI chip sales

By Heekyong Yang SEOUL (Reuters) -Samsung Electronics is expected to forecast a 39% plunge in second-quarter operating profit on Tuesday, weighed down by delays in supplying advanced memory chips to artificial intelligence chip leader Nvidia. The world's biggest maker of memory chips is projected to report an April-June operating profit of 6.3 trillion won ($4.62 billion), its lowest income in six quarters and fourth consecutive quarterly decline, according to LSEG SmartEStimate. The prolonged weakness in its financial performance has deepened investor concerns over the South Korean tech giant's ability to catch up with smaller rivals in developing high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in artificial intelligence data centres. Its key rivals, SK Hynix and Micron, have benefited from robust demand for memory chips needed for AI, but Samsung's gains have been subdued as it relies on the China market, where sales of advanced chips have been restricted by the U.S. Its efforts to get the latest version of its HBM chips to Nvidia certified by Nvidia are also moving slowly, analysts said. "HBM revenue likely remained flat in the second quarter, as China sales restrictions persist and Samsung has yet to begin supplying its HBM3E 12-high chips to Nvidia," said Ryu Young-ho, a senior analyst at NH Investment & Securities. He said Samsung's shipments of the new chip to Nvidia are unlikely to be significant this year. Samsung, which expected in March that meaningful progress over its HBM chip could come as early as June, declined to comment on whether its HBM 3E 12-layer chips had passed Nvidia's qualification process. The company, however, has started supplying the chip to AMD, the U.S. firm said in June. Samsung's smartphone sales are likely to remain solid, helped by demand for stock ahead of potential U.S. tariffs on imported smartphones, analysts said. Many of its key businesses including chips, smartphones and home appliances continue to face business uncertainty from various U.S. trade policies including President Donald Trump's proposal for a 25% tariff on non-US-made-smartphones and the July 9 deadline for "reciprocal" tariffs against many of its trading partners. The U.S. is also considering revoking authorisations granted to global chipmakers including Samsung, making it more difficult for them to receive U.S. technology at their plants in China. Shares in Samsung, the worst performing stock among major memory chipmakers this year, have climbed about 19% this year, underperforming a 27.3% rise in the benchmark KOSPI. ($1 = 1,363.3600 won) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

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