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Still Youthful’s Christmas Guide

As we enter the month of December we can hear the sounds of cash registers opening around the globe… clearly Christmas is just around the corner. Like every year, you probably aren’t quite sure what to get for that special someone, or perhaps your unsure about that cheeky present to yourself. In that case, you’ve come to the right place! Welcome’s to Still Youthful’s Christmas Gift Guide.

Wearable Technology 

Wearables technology has been a big hit so far in 2015 and is definitely topping wish lists. If you’re thinking that some wearable tech for Christmas is the way to go, then you should definitely look into these Smart Watches and Fitness Trackers.

  • The Apple Watch is hard to ignore. With a fantastic build quality it integrates fairly seamlessly with iPhones. The built in heart rate sensor is great for fitness and the range of apps available offer a lot of varying functionality.
  •  For the Android users among us, you might want to consider the Samsung Gear S2. It has a similar feature set to the Apple Watch, and is a strong choice if you don’t own an iPhone (Note: the Gear S2 doesn’t work with iPhones).
  • If your looking for a dedicated fitness tracker, then check out the Fitbit Charge HR. The Fitbit Charge tracks steps, distance, calories, and has a built in optical heart rate sensor, so can always check your pulse.
  • You also might want to consider the Garmin Vivofit 2, as you don’t have to charge it on a weekly basis. It is able to measure steps, distance, calories etc., but uses a traditional coin battery, so you wont have to charge it for a full year. It also has an “always-on” display, making it easier to track the time and your progress.

Smartphones

There are so many smartphones available; it can be hard to pick one that is right for you. If you already own a model within a particular series, such as an earlier iPhone model, you might want to consider getting the latest iPhone instead of a Samsung, as you might not be able to transfer over all of the purchases you have made on the different system.

We also highly recommend that you purchase a protective case for the new smartphone, to avoid any unfortunate accidents. 

Quick list of best smartphones available:

  • Apple iPhone 6S or the iPhone 6S Plus, the latest iPhone models, which come with an exclusive new feature known as the 3D Touch. If you want to have the bigger version, it will cost you a little bit more.
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 5. The Note 5 gives an incredible 5.7inch display, and gives you a stylus for those who love to draw.
  • Google Nexus 6P. The metallic Nexus 6P happens to be the first of the android series to have the latest OS, the 6.0 Marshmallow, and looks fantastic.
  • Microsoft Lumia 950 and the 950XL. The first smartphones to run on Windows 10, you essentially have the power of a pc within the phone.

Tablets

First, have a quick look at our tablet-buying guide, and remember to keep in mind the screen size, which OS system your familiar with, and what the intended uses are for the tablet.   

  • iPad Pro. One of the largest tablets available, you might be looking into this if your considering replacing your laptop, but comes at an expensive price tag.
  • Microsoft Surface Pro 4. The Surface Pro 4 is a clear choice for those who desire a laptop replacement, as you can detach the keyboard and reattach with ease. This model gives an improved performance, and the redesigned keyboard and stylus improve the experience.
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S2. If your in the market for a smaller screen, then the Galaxy Tab 2 is your best option, as it has a fantastic HD display, and happens to be the thinnest tablet available.
  • iPad Air 2. The standard iPad, which comes with a great design, and will enable anyone who owns an iPhone to easily adjust to the bigger screen.

Laptops

Do make sure to have a look through our Laptop buying guide, and remember that there are different types of laptops, such as the Apple MacBook series, and the hybrid laptops. Make sure you consider what is going to be the best option for the person using the laptop.

Laptops you should consider:

  • Apple's MacBook Pro Retina. The current model from 2015 still uses the Retina display, but adds some neat features including newer specs, improved processors, and the Force Touch Trackpad.
  • The Microsoft Surface Book. Microsoft’s first attempt at the laptop, this laptop/hybrid tablet happens to give you many improvements over the Surface Pro, and is a worthy contender to the MacBook Pro series.
  • HP Stream 11. If price happens to be an issue, then you might want to have a look at the HP Stream 11, for it will still give you the full Windows 10 experience and a decent battery life, without the pricy entry fee that most laptops require.
  • Dell XPS 13. This option will give you a display that is almost borderless, thanks to its edge-to-edge design. This model comes in two options, being a touch version, and a non-touch option.  

After going through this list, we have hopefully given you an idea of what is available and worth considering, and key points to remember when purchasing the item for the Christmas period.