Google’s Threat Analysis Group has published details about a trio of newly discovered exploit frameworks that likely were used to exploit Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Defender vulnerabilities as zero days in the last few years.
The TAG team became aware of the frameworks when someone submitted three separate bugs to Google’s Chrome bug reporting system. Each of the three bugs included a complete framework for exploiting specific bugs, as well as source code. The frameworks are known as Heliconia Noise, Heliconia Soft, and Files. Heliconia Noise is a framework that includes a full one-click chain for exploiting a renderer bug in Chrome that was present in the browser from version 90.0.4430.72 to 91.0.4472.106 and was fixed in August 2021. Heliconia Soft exploits a flaw in Windows Defender, and Files is a group of exploits for Firefox on both Windows and Linux.
While looking into the vulnerabilities and frameworks, Google’s researchers discovered a script that was used to remove any sensitive information, such as server names and developer aliases, and it also contains a reference to Variston, which is a security firm in Spain. The TAG researchers believe Variston may have developed the exploit frameworks.
“Their Heliconia framework exploits n-day vulnerabilities in Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Defender and provides all the tools necessary to deploy a payload to a target device. Google, Microsoft and Mozilla fixed the affected vulnerabilities in 2021 and early 2022. While we have not detected active exploitation, based on the research below, it appears likely these were utilized as zero-days in the wild,” the TAG researchers said in a post detailing the bugs and frameworks.
Google’s research shows that the frameworks are complex and mature and capable of delivering exploits to target machines with ease. The Heliconia Noise framework that targets Chrome has several components and also a reference to a separate sandbox escape exploit. The first stage of the chain is the use of a remote code execution exploit, followed by the sandbox escape, and finally the installation of an agent on the compromised machine.
“The framework runs a Flask web server to host the exploit chain. A full infection performs requests to six different web endpoints during the different stages of the exploit chain. The file names for each endpoint are randomized during server deployment, except for the first endpoint, which is served by a URL specified in the configuration file,” the Google researchers said.
“The framework allows setting parameters to validate visitors of the web server. Customers can configure target validations based on user agent, client country, client IP, and a client identifier used to track individual visitors. If any of the validation checks fail, the user is redirected to the preconfigured redirect URL.”
Heliconia Soft, which targets the Windows Defender security tool, contains an exploit for CVE-2021-42298, a flaw that Microsoft patched in 2021. The framework uses an exploit that gives the attacker system-level privileges and only involves the download of a PDF. When the victim downloads the PDF, it triggers a scan by Windows Defender.
“In the first stage, a PDF is served when a user visits the attack URL. The PDF contains some decoy content, plus JavaScript that contains the exploit. Like Heliconia Noise, it uses the custom JavaScript obfuscator minobf. The framework code performs checks to confirm that common exploit strings (“spray”, “leak”, “addr”, etc.) are not present in the obfuscated JavaScript. The framework inserts the PE loader shellcode and the launcher DLL as strings in the exploit JavaScript,” the Google analysis says.
“The growth of the spyware industry puts users at risk and makes the Internet less safe."
The final framework TAG discovered is called simple Files, and it contains an exploit for a Firefox bug that Mozilla patched earlier this year. That vulnerability (CVE-2022-26485) was exploited in the wild before it was disclosed in March, and Google’s researchers believe actors may have been using the exploit contained in the Heliconia Files framework for several years.
“TAG assesses that the Heliconia Files package likely exploited this RCE vulnerability since at least 2019, well before the bug was publicly known and patched. The Heliconia exploit is effective against Firefox versions 64 to 68, suggesting it may have been in use as early as December 2018 when version 64 was first released,” TAG said.
“Additionally, when Mozilla patched the vulnerability, the exploit code in their bug report shared striking similarities with the Heliconia exploit, including the same variable names and markers. These overlaps suggest the exploit author is the same for both the Heliconia exploit and the sample exploit code Mozilla shared when they patched the bug.”
There is also a sandbox escape exploit for the Windows version of Firefox. Google’s TAG researchers pointed to Heliconia as an example of the proliferation of commercial surveillance tools and how dangerous they can be for many groups of potential targets.
“The growth of the spyware industry puts users at risk and makes the Internet less safe, and while surveillance technology may be legal under national or international laws, they are often used in harmful ways to conduct digital espionage against a range of groups,” the researchers said.
Apple released the iOS 16.1.2 update Wednesday. This update comes three weeks after the release of iOS 16.1.1 and more than a month after the release of iOS 16.1.
Screenshot by Zach McAuliffe/CNET
This latest iOS includes some security updates, improved compatibility with wireless carriers and improvements to crash detection in the iPhone 14 line.
In October, crash detection was reportedly dialing 911 during roller coaster rides. It's unclear whether this latest update will resolve that issue.
Here's how to download the latest update.
1. Open to Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. Tap Download and Install and follow the on-screen prompts.
Nintendo has released a new trailer for its upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie. After the short teaser the gaming giant offered at the start of last month, the new clip offers a better insight into what fans can expect from the film. Not only do we hear more of Chris Pratt as Mario, but we also see Anya Taylor-Joy and Seth Rogan make appearances as Princess Peach and Donkey Kong. Oh, and the best part is that the film will include a nod to the Mario Kart series with a visit to Rainbow Road.
According to Mario and Zelda series creator Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo redesigned Donkey Kong's model for the first time since the loveable ape made the jump to 3D in 1994's Donkey Kong Country. "Some of you may have noticed, but for this movie, we seized the opportunity to give a comical personality and design reminiscent of the original character," Miyamoto said.
With the exception of Chris Pratt's voice acting, everything else about the movie seems delightful. The animation is colorful and fluid, and it's great to see so many nods to other Mario games. It's also fun to see Mario cast as a bumbling newbie. Whether Super Mario Bros. will be worth the cost of admission we'll have to wait until April 7th, 2023 to find out.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing.
The upcoming Galaxy M54 5G has shown up on Geekbench earlier today, and the benchmark entry clarifies an earlier rumor concerning Samsung’s choice of chipset for the mid-range device. Namely, the Galaxy M54 5G won’t be powered by an SoC from Qualcomm but a new Exynos solution.
The online benchmark reveals that the Galaxy M54 5G (SM-M546B) should have the same chipset that may end up powering the Galaxy A54, i.e., the upcoming Exynos 1380 SoC. A previous (wild) rumor suggested that the Galaxy M54 5G may be powered by the flagship-grade Snapdragon 888 SoC, but that seems very unlikely now.
In addition to the Exynos 1380 SoC, Geekbench reveals 8GB of RAM and Android 13, so in other words, the phone should run One UI 5.0. As for performance, the Galaxy M54 5G scored 750 points in the single-core tests and 2,696 points in the multi-core benchmarks. Take these numbers with a pinch of salt, as synthetic benchmark results for unreleased devices are subject to change.
The Galaxy M54 5G may still be many months away from hitting the market. Its predecessor, the Galaxy M53 5G, was released in April 2022. If the sequel follows a yearly release schedule, that should place the Galaxy M54 5G roughly five months away from us. Once again, this means there’s plenty of time for those benchmark scores to change by the time the phone hits the shelves.
For the time being, Samsung is busy preparing the Galaxy S23 flagships for release, presumably in February. And unlike the Galaxy M54 5G, Samsung’s next flagship may be powered exclusively by Qualcomm.
I’s officially Cyber Monday. While we’ve been tracking great Cyber Monday laptop deals all weekend, we’re about to get a spike in new discounts. We’ve picked out the best Cyber Monday deals that we’ve found so far, which include everything from Lenovo Chromebooks to Dell workbooks. Take a peak below, and happy hunting!
Cyber Monday Deals
Best Cyber Monday Laptop Deals
Lenovo Chromebook 3 — $79, was $139
One of the best Cyber Monday laptop deals is also one of the best Cyber Monday Chromebook deals around, and it’s on this Lenovo Chromebook 3. For just $79, you can snag a Chromebook that features an 11.6-inch HD display, an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC flash memory storage. It’s not a powerful laptop, but if you’re looking for something that is lightweight and easy-to-use, you’ve got the right laptop. It’s a great, affordable laptop for students with its 10 hours of battery life and a built-in HD webcam and microphone that’s perfect for studying on the go or attending classes remotely.
Asus E410 Laptop — $100, was $250
Here’s another ultra-portable and ultra-affordable option if you need a new laptop. You’ll save $150 on this Cyber Monday laptop deal and only have to pay $100 to get this Asus E410 laptop. For that low price, you’re getting a 14-inch HD display, 12 hours of battery life, an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, and 64GB of eMMC storage. Again this laptop isn’t about power. It’s about speed and portability. So it’s a perfect general, everyday-use laptop. You’ll be able to stream movies and shows on its larger screen, check your email, and get your work done while traveling. It runs on the latest version of Windows, Windows 11 (in S Mode) and it only weight 2.87 pounds.
Asus Chromebook Flip C433 — $179, was $379
Rounding out our budget-friendly Cyber Monday laptop deals is this Asus Chromebook Flip C433 laptop. Best Buy is selling this laptop for just $179, saving you $200. And paying that small price still gets you a pretty awesome 2-in-1 Chromebook. The Flip C433 comes with Chrome OS, a 14-inch Full HD touchscreen, and at 8GB this laptop has the the most RAM of any laptop on this list that costs less than $200. And because it’s a 2-in-1 laptop, you’ll get a laptop that can be set up in multiple display modes. Four to be exact: laptop, audience, tabletop, and presentation. The Flip C433 is a stylish, sleek, and modern-looking laptop, and you can have it for far less than $200.
HP Envy x360 2-in-1 — $500, was $840
Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you: You really can get a laptop that’s usually nearly $1,000 for just $500. With this HP Envy x360 2-in-1 laptop deal, you can get a mid-range quality laptop at a budget friendly price. For just $500, you’ll get Windows 11, an AMD Ryzen 5 5625U processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and a 15.6-inch FHD IPS display that is multi-touch enabled. The display also features modern-looking thin bezels all the way around, giving you more screen for your money. It’s also less than 4 pounds, but still powerful and offers a decent amount of storage. It’s portable and yet still fast and powerful enough to help you get your work done. If you’re looking at business laptops that won’t break the bank, this is the one for you.
Dell XPS 13 Laptop — $749, was $999
It has a smaller screen, but at this price and with all of its other features, you’ll hardly notice it. This Dell XPS 13 laptop is just $749 for Cyber Monday. You’ll save $250 and snag yourself a laptop that comes with a 12-generation Intel Core i5 processor, Windows 11, a spacious 512GB of SSD storage, 8GB of RAM, and a 13.4-inch FHD+ display. This laptop also boasts 12 hours of battery life, so you can work long hours or stream movies and shows to your heart’s content on its brilliant, narrow-bezel display. You’ll get everything you need and it’s still ultra portable at just 2.59 pounds. Another great, all-purpose laptop option. In fact, it made our best laptops list as our best pick under $1,000.
Apple MacBook Air (M1) — $799, was $999
Our roundup of the best Cyber Monday laptop deals wouldn’t be complete without a few Cyber Monday MacBook deals, would it? Of course not. So here’s our first one. Check out this 2020 Apple MacBook Air deal from Amazon. Surprisingly it’s far less than $1,000. That’s right: You can get this MacBook Air for just $799, and it comes with a 13-inch Retina display, an Apple M1 chip, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, a FaceTime HD camera, and a backlit keyboard. This MacBook also boasts up to 18 hours of battery life, the longest so far of any other laptop on this list. A true “work hard, play hard” laptop. If this is your first MacBook, you can’t go wrong with snapping up this deal for yourself, especially at this price.
Ramattra’s primary fire ability is a close-to-mid-range attack called Void Accelerator. Using his warlock-esque staff, Ramattra shoots a flurry of nanites at enemies. Void Accelerator has 100 bullets (or nanites), no damage fall-off, and deals extra damage with headshots. His secondary fire, Void Barrier, soft reintroduces barrier watch back into the game by creating a temporary shield onto the playing field. This barrier has 1,000 health points.
Like Dragon Ball Z’s Goku going further beyond with his Super Saiyan 3 form, Ramattra has a power up of his own called Nemesis Form. Aside from adding an extra pair of arms to the bot, a laAsura’s Wrath, Nemesis Form adds 160 points of armor to Ramattra’s health and alters his primary and secondary abilities. In Nemesis Form, Ramattra’s primary fire transforms into a Doomfist-esque punch ability called Pummel which sends out an energy wave that can pierce shields, hit multiple enemies, and cannot be negated by D.Va’s defense matrix. Nemesis Form’s secondary ability, block, does exactly what you’d expect while also reducing damage dealt to him by 75 percent. This, however, comes at the expense of Ramattra’s movement speed decreasing by 50 percent and opens him up to a well-timed flank attack since it is only effective against forward-facing attacks.
Oh. you thought it was over? Nuh-uh, Ramattra also has a projectile ability called Ravenous Vortex that shoots out a ball of nanites that both slows enemies down and pulls them toward the ground as well. Basically, think Mei’s reworked Endothermic Blaster but with the aesthetic of The Witcher franchise’s Yrden sign.
Last, and certainly not least, is Ramttra’s ultimate: Annihilation. This ultimate automatically triggers Nemesis Form and all of its random bullshit with the added bonus of an area of effect ability that summons a ring of nanobots around Ramattra that deal damage to enemies within its range and reduces incoming damage by 50 percent. Yeah, he’s gonna be a hero you’d love to see on your team and hate to see on anyone else.
If you’re champing at the bit to play Ramattra, it would be remiss of me not to mention that he’s locked behind Overwatch 2’s battle pass unless you’ve done some grinding and are a level 55 or higher player. Blizzard, if anything, is gonna monetize Overwatch for all its worth, and that includes pay/progress walling Ramattra. Personally, I await the inevitable balance patch for Ramattra to make him less overpowered than he appears on paper. You know it’s coming.
The new iPad Pro with M2 chip takes performance another step forward, but what all has changed from the previous-gen iPad Pro? Follow along for an in-depth look at what’s the same and what’s new when comparing the M2 iPad Pro vs M1 iPad Pro to help you decide what’s the best choice.
In 2021, the 11 and 12.9″ iPad Pro arrived with the powerful M1 chip, Thunderbolt connectivity, 5G for cellular models, new camera features like Center Stage, and more.
Now the 2022 M2 iPad Pro lineup brings a number of tweaks and changes, but many of them are quite minor which could push customers toward the M1 iPad Pro or even iPad Air.
Below we’ll break down all the fine details of the M2 iPad Pro vs M1 iPad Pro. We’ve also got a full comparison of the new entry-level iPad and more:
Table of contents
M2 iPad Pro vs M1 iPad Pro
Performance
The main difference between the new and old iPad Pro is the upgrade from an M1 to M2 chip.
That delivers up to an 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU (10-core vs 8-core), and a 2x boost in memory bandwidth from 50GB/s to 100GB/s.
Note: 128, 256 and 512GB models have 8GB RAM, 1TB and 2TB models have 16GB RAM.
11″ M2 iPad Pro
11″ M1 iPad Pro
12.9″ M2 iPad Pro
12.9″ M1 iPad Pro
Chip
M2
M1
M2
M1
CPU cores
8
8
8
8
GPU cores
10
8
10
8
Neural cores
16
16
16
16
Storage
128GB – 2TB
128GB – 2TB
128GB – 2TB
128GB – 2TB
RAM
8 or 16GB
8 or 16GB
8 or 16GB
8 or 16GB
Memory bandwidth
100GB/s
50GB/s
100GB/s
50GB/s
Thunderbolt/USB 4
✅
✅
✅
✅
Cellular
5G
5G
5G
5G
Outside of the slight boost in CPU and GPU performance, all the other specs like storage, RAM, Thunderbolt connectivity, and 5G remain the same between the new and old iPad Pro models.
Display
Just like the M1 12.9″ iPad Pro, the M2 12.9″ iPad Pro is the only one that features the Liquid Retina XDR display with miniLED backlighting.
Shared display features across all pro models include up to 120Hz ProMotion, P3 wide color, full laminated displays, anti-reflective coating, and True Tone.
There appears to be just one difference between the new M2 11 and 12.9″ iPad Pro display and the M1 versions – the new Apple Pencil Hover feature.
11″ M2 iPad Pro
11″ M1 iPad Pro
12.9″ M2 iPad Pro
12.9″ M1 iPad Pro
Display
11″
11″
12.9″ with miniLED
12.9″ with miniLED
Resolution
2388 x 1668
2388 x 1668
2732 x 2048
2732 x 2048
PPI (pixels per inch)
264
264
264
264
Display brightness
600 nits
600 nits
600 nits SDR, up to 1600 HDR
600 nits SDR, up to 1600 HDR
True Tone
✅
✅
✅
✅
P3 wide color
✅
✅
✅
✅
ProMotion (120Hz)
✅
✅
✅
✅
Anti-reflective coating
✅
✅
✅
✅
Fully laminated display
✅
✅
✅
✅
Liquid Retina Display
✅
✅
–
–
Liquid Retina XDR Display
❌
❌
✅
✅
Apple Pencil Hover
✅
❌
✅
❌
Connectivity and accessories
The new iPad Pro models work with the same Apple accessories as the previous-gen iPad Pro. That includes the second-gen Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio.
Some small upgrades with the M2 iPad Pro include Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi 6E.
11 and 12.9″ M2 iPad Pro
11 and 12.9″ M1 iPad Pro
Apple Pencil gen 2 support
✅
✅
Magic Keyboard support
✅
✅
5G
✅
✅
WiFi 6
–
✅
WiFi 6E
✅
❌
Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
USB-C
✅ USB 4
✅ USB 4
Thunderbolt
✅
✅
Face ID
✅
✅
Interestingly, the new iPad Pro models didn’t get a Magic Keyboard Folio as the iPad 10.
Battery life
The 2022 iPad Pro models with M2 chip feature the same battery life as their predecessors:
10 hours of web or video use on WiFi
9 hours of web use with cellular
Storage and price
Storage remains the same between the old and new iPad Pro models. And pricing – original MSRP pricing – is also unchanged. However, keep an eye out for M1 iPad Pro discounts with the new models now available.
11″ M2 iPad Pro
11″ M1 iPad Pro
12.9″ M2 iPad Pro
12.9″ M1 iPad Pro
128GB WiFi
$799
$799
$1,099
$1,099
128GB + cell
$999
$999
$1,299
$1,299
256GB WiFi
$899
$899
$1,199
$1,199
256GB + cell
$1,099
$1,099
$1,399
$1,399
512GB WiFi
$1,099
$1,099
$1,399
$1,399
512GB + cell
$1,299
$1,299
$1,599
$1,599
1TB WiFi
$1,499
$1,499
$1,799
$1,799
1TB + cell
$1,699
$1,699
$1,999
$1,999
2TB WiFi
$1,899
$1,899
$2,199
$2,199
2TB + cell
$2,099
$2,099
$2,399
$2,399
Cameras, video, and audio
2021 iPad Pro rear-facing cameras
With the iPad Pro rear camera system, you’ve got a 12MP wide lens, 10MP ultra wide lens, LiDAR Scanner, and the True Tone flash.
On the back, you get a 12MP ultra wide lens with Center Stage support.
The only changes between the M2 and M1 iPad Pro, for now, is Smart HDR 4 vs Smart HDR 3 photos and the ability to shoot ProRes video at up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 128GB models).
11 and 12.9″ M2 iPad Pro
11 and 12.9″ M1 iPad Pro
12MP wide lens
✅
✅
10MP ultra wide lens
✅
✅
LiDAR
✅
✅
4K video
✅
✅
ProRes video up to 4K 30 fps
✅
❌
Extended dynamic range
✅
✅
Slo-mo video
✅
✅
Rear camera flash
✅
✅
TrueDepth camera with Face ID
✅
✅
Ultra wide 12MP front camera
✅
✅
2x optical zoom out
✅
✅
Smart HDR 3 photos
–
✅
Smart HDR 4 photos
✅
❌
Center Stage auto-tracking
✅
✅
4-speaker audio
✅
✅
Stereo recording
✅
✅
5 studio-quality mics
✅
✅
The iPad Pro front camera also features support for Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, and Animoji/Memoji.
Color choices remain the same with silver and space gray.
Other small differences
Two more little differences you’ll see with the M2 iPad Pro:
Braided USB-C cable in the box instead of a plastic cable
“iPad Pro” wordmark on the back instead of “iPad” on previous iPad Pro models
M2 iPad Pro space gray may be slightly lighter than the M1 iPad Pro space gray finish with the antenna line for cellular models being more muted
Apple’s space gray finishes as shown on its website. M2 on left, M1 on right
M2 iPad Pro vs M1 iPad Pro conclusion
Why buy M2 iPad Pro?
When considering all the similarities between the M2 iPad Pro and M1, you’ll probably only want to pick up the new model if you’re a pro with workflows that will benefit from the M2 chip/ProRes support or you’re just okay with spending the money on the latest and greatest from Apple.
The M2 iPad Pro is available at Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, BH Photo, and more with stock looking good across the board.
Why buy M1 iPad Pro?
When you can get the vast majority of the M2 iPad Pro feature set with the M1 iPad Pro and the processor difference not being an issue for most users, picking one up at a discount will probably be a popular move.
Also, don’t forget the iPad Air offers a compelling package at an even cheaper price than the last-gen iPad Pro. That is if you’re okay with the 11-inch size.
After a brief period of sadness, the PS5 God of War bundles have returned for Walmart's Black Friday. If you're looking for a PS5 for yourself, or as the ultimate Christmas gift, now is your chance to get one. It's the best Black Friday deal going on a PS5, and it's not really even a deal. But who cares! It's finally easy to buy a PS5.
As of right now, the only available PS5 consoles are the God of War bundles, but that's fine because let's be honest: you were going to buy that game anyway. Walmart even added a "Buy Now" button if you have an account, so you can be even faster.
Get a PS5 Right Now at Walmart
The non-bundled PS5s are available at a much higher rate than their MSRP so don't waste your time and money on those.
When the bundles first went live, you had to have Walmart+, but that's no longer the case. You can still sign up for Walmart+ for future benefits, but for the time being, PS5 is open to everyone willing to wait in a virtual line.
Walmart+ is $12.98 for a single month or $98 annually.
Does Amazon Have PS5 In Stock?
This is an interesting question. For Black Friday, Amazon doesn't have anything up its sleeve as far as the PS5 is concerned (at least, not that we know of). However, you can sign up for a PS5 invitation on several different PlayStation 5 SKUs listed below. From what we've seen through IGNDeals on Twitter and our own reporting, these invitations have been going out pretty quickly.
Amazon PlayStation 5 Invitations
When Does PS5 Go on Sale at Walmart for Black Friday?
Monday, 11/21 at 12pm ET at Walmart.com for Walmart+ members only
Monday, 11/21, at 7 pm ET at Walmart.com
Black Friday, 11/25, in-stores
The availability of PlayStation 5 consoles is one of the many PS5 Black Friday deals happening, although at full price it's not really a deal. But it beats scalper prices!
IGN Plus Annual Membership
Sign up during the Black Friday sale season and save 25% on an annual membership. You can also sign up for a free 30-day trial.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing.
Black Friday is typically a great time of year to pick up a new set of headphones, and this year is no exception. Many pairs we like, including several of the top picks in our guides to the best wireless headphones and best true wireless earbuds, are down to their lowest prices to date. Below we've rounded up the best Black Friday headphone deals we could find thus far, covering models from Apple, Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, Anker and more. We have a few discounts on speakers we like, too. We'll be sure to add more deals of note if they arise over the course of the day.
Apple AirPods Pro
Billy Steele/Engadget
The latest AirPods Pro are down to $200 at multiple retailers, which is an all-time low. This is $50 off Apple's MSRP and roughly $40 off the noise-cancelling earphones' street price since launching in September. We gave the AirPods Pro a review score of 88 and currently list them as the "best for iOS" pick in our guide to the best wireless earbuds. Their battery life is just average, but their sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC) are among the better options on the market, their transparency mode is superb and, per usual, they're particularly convenient to use with other Apple devices.
The second-generation version of Apple's standard AirPods are available for $79, while the third-gen model is down to $140. Both of those match the lowest prices we've seen and sit roughly $25 below the earbuds' respective street prices over the last few months. We gave the third-gen AirPods a review score of 88 last year and the second-gen pair a score of 84 back in 2019.
You'd consider one of these two if you're an iPhone owner who wants the easy pairing and tight iOS integration of any Apple headphone, but prefer an unsealed design that doesn't completely block out external noise. The third-gen AirPods in particular are one of the better-sounding unsealed wireless earbuds you can buy. Their designs still won't fit everyone, though, and there's little reason to consider either pair if you use Android.
Sony's top-of-the-line WH-1000XM5 headphones are down to $348 this Black Friday, which is $50 off their normal going rate. While that's not a massive discount, it does match the lowest price we've tracked. The XM5s are the top pick in our guide to the best wireless headphones. We gave them a review score of 95 earlier this year, praising their light and comfortable fit, powerful ANC that's particularly effective with high- and mid-range frequencies (think human voices), 30+ hours of battery life, bass-forward (but customizable) sound, improved call quality and plethora of useful bonus features.
Sony's predecessor to the XM5s, the WH-1000XM4, are also on sale at $228, which matches their all-time low and comes in about $100 off their typical street price. We still prefer the XM5 for those who can afford it, as the XM4 feels a bit bulkier on the head, has worse mic performance and doesn't sound as good out of the box (though it's similarly customizable via Sony's app). Unlike the XM5, though, the XM4's design can fold up for easier storage. Its battery life and feature set are essentially the same, too, and though its ANC isn't as adept at negating higher-frequency noises, it's still plenty effective on the whole. The XM5 also rely on an automatic ANC adjustment system, which some may prefer to avoid. We gave the XM4 a score of 94 in 2020; if you want to save some cash, it's still a good value when it's discounted to this extent.
Bose's QuietComfort 45 headphones are available for $249, which is $20 more than their all-time low but still roughly $60 off their average street price. This is an alternative pick in our guide to the best wireless headphones: Sony's models are more customizable, last longer and perform better on the whole, but the QC 45s have a more neutral sound out of the box, still-capable ANC and a design that's about as comfortable as the WH-1000XM5 without sacrificing the ability to fold up. They also use physical buttons instead of touch controls. We gave the QuietComfort 45 a review score of 86 last year.
The strengths here are similar to those of Sony's over-ear models above: upper-tier ANC, solid sound quality that can be customized, good battery life (about 8-10 hours per charge), and useful extras like wireless charging and "Speak to Chat," which can automatically pause your music while you're speaking to somebody else. Their active noise cancellation is a step behind Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds II, but their in-ear fit and foam ear tips isolate a ton of noise naturally. The main caveat is that the earpieces are rather large, so some may find them cumbersome to wear.
Speaking of Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds II, that set of noise-cancelling earbuds is currently on sale for $249, which is a $50 discount and a new all-time low. This is the "best noise cancellation" pick in our wireless earbuds guide, and indeed, no true wireless pair we've tested is as adept at muting the outside world. They're a bit bulky, and their lack of multipoint connectivity and wireless charging is still disappointing at this price, but if it's top-tier ANC you're after, this is the best you can do in this form factor.
Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 3 are on sale for $200, which isn't cheap, but still $40 off the pair's usual going rate and tied for the best price we've seen. These are the wireless earphones we recommend if detailed sound quality is your chief concern — they don't have the same bundle of useful bonus features the WF-1000XM4 can provide, but their adaptive ANC is still effective, their eight-ish hours of battery life is still solid and their default sound profile should greatly satisfy if you enjoy a boosted low-end.
Sony's LinkBuds S earphones are on sale for $128, which is about $50 below their average street price and matches their all-time low. This pair is an honorable mention in our guide to the best wireless earbuds. The WF-1000XM4 offer a more detailed sound, better noise isolation, a couple hours of extra battery life and wireless charging, but the LinkBuds S still perform well for this deal price, and its lighter, more compact design is comfier to wear over time. It recently gained the ability to connect to multiple devices at once, too, something the XM4s are also expected to receive in the near future.
Jabra's Elite 3 is on sale for $50, coming within a couple dollars of the lowest price we've tracked and undercutting the earphones' typical street price by roughly $15. We gave this pair a review score of 88 last year, and it's currently the top budget pick in our best wireless earbuds guide. The Elite 3's mildly bass-bumped sound is pleasant for the money — and now customizable after a recent update — but its lightweight, water-resistant design is impressively comfortable for any price. Battery life is solid, too, at about seven hours per charge. There's no ANC, wireless charging, auto-pausing or multipoint connectivity, but at this deal price, the Elite 3 are good enough at the fundamentals to be worth recommending for those on a budget.
This deal comes as part of a wider sale on Jabra earbuds for Black Friday. We don't recommend most of those pairs over the other picks in this roundup, but the Elite 4 Active are worth a shout at $80 — they're effectively the same as the Elite 3, but with a (just okay) ANC feature and a higher water-resistance rating (IP57 instead of IP55). We gave that pair a review score of 84 this past January.
Anker's Soundcore Life Q30 is back down to $60 for Amazon Prime members, which is $10 more than the all-time low but still $20 or so off the pair's usual going rate. At this price, but the Q30's cushy fit, 40+ hours of battery life and competent ANC performance make it an excellent value. This is still a budget set of headphones, so call quality isn't great, the build is flimsier than more expensive options and the default sound profile goes very hard on the bass by default. Nevertheless, good noise-cancellers priced under $100 are rare, and this is one of them.
Likewise, Anker's Soundcore Space A40 represents great value at its current deal price of $80, which is a $20 discount and a new all-time low. This is a compact and comfortable pair of true wireless earphones that delivers solid ANC, multi-device pairing and a strong 10 or so hours of battery life per charge. The default sound profile could use a bit more treble presence — though an EQ tool in Anker's app can help — and the noise isolation isn't quite as effective as our more premium picks above. The included touch controls are somewhat limited, too. But if you can't spend more than $100, the A40s are a great buy.
Another honorable mention in our guide to the best wireless headphones, Sennheiser's Momentum 4 is down to $293, which is their all-time low and about $50 off their recent street price. We gave this pair a review score of 82 this past August: Though its ANC and feature set can't match up to Sony's WH-1000XM5, it can get a stellar 60 or so hours of battery life per charge, and its sound quality is better out of the box.
Audio-Technica's ATH-M20xBT are available for $59 this Black Friday, which is a $20 discount and the lowest price we've tracked. This is the budget pick in our best wireless headphones guide. Clunky name aside, they offer a relatively detailed and accurate sound with impressive bass depth for the money. Multipoint connectivity and a rated 60 hours of battery life help, too. The build quality is somewhat flimsy, and the Soundcore Life Q30 are a better buy if you need ANC, but if you're on a budget and care more about sound quality in your wireless headphones, the M20xBT is worth a look.
The Beats Fit Pro are down to $160, which beats (heh) the pair's usual going rate by $30 and is only $7 more than the lowest price we've seen. We gave the Fit Pro a review score of 87 last year, and it's now the "best for workouts" pick in our wireless earbuds guide. It carries many of the same benefits as any set of AirPods — "Find My" tracking, easy pairing and fast switching with Apple devices, hands-free Siri, etc. — in a smaller, sportier, and more secure-fitting design. Their slightly bass-boosted sound profile is great, and unlike AirPods, their feature set isn't totally limited if you use an Android phone. That said, the ANC is merely serviceable by comparison, there's no wireless charging and their case is a little chunkier. There are no built-in volume controls, either.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro, meanwhile, are down to $150, which matches their all-time low. Typically, these earbuds retail between $180 and $200. The Powerbeats Pro launched all the way back in 2019, but if you want AirPods-style pairing and Siri control in an around-the-ear hook design, they still have value. There's no ANC, their half-sealed fit isn't ideal for audio performance and their case is comically huge, but they stay secure on the move, and their 9-11 hours of battery life is fantastic. Just note that there's no formal IP rating, so they may not be ideal for consistently intense activity.
Beats' Studio Buds are on sale for $90, which matches the lowest price we've tracked and is about $35-40 below their average street price. We gave these earphones a review score of 84 last year, praising their fast-pairing with Apple devices, compact and easy-to-wear design and fairly neutral sound profile. Their five-ish hours of battery life (with ANC on) is middling, though, and the included ANC and transparency modes, while fine, aren't as effective as most of the other picks above. The Soundcore Space A40s are better, but if you specifically want a more Apple-friendly pair of true wireless in-ears for less than $100, the Studio Buds aren't a bad alternative.
Google's Pixel Buds Pro are still down to $150, which comes in about $35 below their usual street price and ties the lowest they've been. This is the "best for Android" pick in our guide to the best wireless earbuds, as the Pixel Buds Pro offer AirPods-esque integration with their manufacturer's OS, particularly if you use one of Google's own Pixel phones. Their punchy sound and ANC are pleasing, too, though not superlative in the context of the wider true wireless market. The included transparency mode isn't great, either. Still, we gave the earphones a review score of 87 in July, and they're an easier sell at $150.
Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, meanwhile, is an alternative pair we like that plays nicer with Samsung phones. If you have one of those, note that the Buds 2 Pro are down to $180, which isn't an all-time low but still $45 less than usual.
Normally retailing around $20, JLab's Go Air Pop wireless earphones are currently down to just $10 at Walmart. We highlighted these budget buds in our recent audio gift guide. There's no ANC, they're made of cheap plastic and their audio quality can't compete with what's available in pricier buds, but you still get on-device controls, IPX4 water resistance, eight-hour battery life and perfectly passable sound, all in a colorful design. Also, they're $10! If you need a backup set of wireless earbuds, they're hard to fault.
JBL's Flip 6 speaker is on sale for $90 for Black Friday, which is the lowest price we've seen for it. The device earned a spot in our best Bluetooth speakers list for its overall solid sound quality, durability and volume for its size. Its cylindrical design lets you sit it lengthwise on a table, or prop it up on its end if you're pressed for space. We also like its carrying strap, which makes it easier to take around with you, and its raised, easy-to-identify buttons.
The Charge 5 is a worthy upgrade from JBL's Flip 6, and it's down to $120 for Black Friday. We've seen it drop this low before, but this is still an all-time low. It has a bigger sound and longer battery life than the Flip 6, plus a USB-C port with which you can charge other devices like your smartphone or tablet.
The Echo Studio is a bigger and louder version of the standard Echo smart speaker, built to deliver hi-res audio. It's usually $200 and doesn't often go on sale, but for Black Friday, it's $45 off the list price. We gave the Studio an 88 in our review, saying Amazon had finally nailed the audio element of its smart speaker lineup. With the larger build and speaker array, it's clear Amazon is trying to compete with other smart speaker manufacturers like Sonos and Bose with this one, and for the most part, it does a fine job of it.
Amazon has so many Echo options, it's hard to keep track. This is the latest generation of the original Echo, the first smart speaker that brought Alexa into homes to handle everything from setting timers and telling jokes to controlling smart home devices. It's usually $100, but Black Friday deals have knocked 50 percent off of it, bringing it down to only $50.
Google's competition for Amazon's Echo is the Nest Audio, and it remains one of our favorite smart speakers you can get right now. For Black Friday, you can pick one up for half off or only $50. We gave it a score of 87 when it first came out for its smooth audio quality, attractive design, tight integration with the Google Assistant and the ability to pair two together for stereo sound.
Like its name and appearance suggests, the Echo Dot is the smallest member of the Echo family, a speaker meant to unobtrusively bring Alexa's capabilities to more places in your home. Right now it's down to $25, which is 50 percent off its usual $50 price and a first-ever discount for the latest generation. Released last month, this model includes an upgraded speaker along with a temperature sensor that can pair up with your smart thermostat.
