By Mark Mathen Victor || The Sun
What gadget outlets promote most during festive sales, tech worth buying for next year
During year-end holiday and festive sales, tech stores around the world are known to push certain categories harder than the rest.
Shoppers often see steep discounts on items such as smartphones, laptops, TVs, gaming consoles, small smart-home gadgets and headphones.
Retailers know these are high-demand items, especially among a growing base of tech-savvy shoppers, gift buyers, teens and young adults.
Tech that sells most
➤ Smartphones
New or last-year models get heavy discounts as makers make room for new releases. Many buyers use holiday deals to upgrade especially younger adults who treat phones as essential for communications, streaming, everday tasks and social media.
Retailers spotlight “money-off” phone bundles, trade-in discounts or include freebies, which are a particularly strong draw for budget-conscious buyers and the typical deal-seeking Malaysian.
➤ Laptops and tablets
As students finish semesters or plan holidays, discounted laptops and tablets become hot sellers. Entry-level and mid-range machines often see notable price drops, making them attractive to students, freelancers or anybody needing a bang-for-buck upgrade.
Televisions and streaming gear Big-screen TVs and media-streaming devices, useful for holiday movie nights or family gatherings, often perform well. Stores promote these heavily, often bundling with streaming-service subscriptions or accessories, making them appealing gifts.
➤ Gaming consoles and accessories
Consoles, gaming headsets, controllers and recent games spike in popularity around holidays. The younger crowd often see this period as ideal to grab gaming gear at discounted prices.
➤ Headphones and earbuds
Due to the widespread demand for affordable and premium headphones among students, commuters and remote workers alike, retailers highlight deals on noise-cancelling, wireless or budget-friendly models.
➤ Smart-home gadgets and accessories.
Items such as smart speakers, smart lights, wearables, portable chargers and Bluetooth devices often get marked down. Their lower price points and gift appeal make them attractive for first-time tech buyers or as Christmas gifts.
Pc hardware and laptops are popular during end-year holiday sales.
Tech appeals, best deals
Retailers push these categories because they preserve margin by combining room for discounting, high demand and gift appeal. TVs, gaming kits, headphones and smart home gadgets appeal to younger buyers and families wanting gifts or to upgrade existing gear affordably, while smartphones and laptops remain staples in everyday life.
The sale timing also plays a role: many tech manufacturers release new models near year-end or early next year. This creates pressure to clear older stock, leading to discounts that are steeper than usual. For consumers, this means old but capable gear becomes affordable at holiday prices.
Retailers often spotlight bundles or value-adds, making holiday offers more compelling than regular deals.
Here are some tips to get the best deals this holiday and festive season:
➤ Compare older models and current ones to check if the discount justifies buying now or waiting.
➤ Assess your actual needs. If you only browse the web or study, a budget laptop might do better than a high-end one.
➤ For gifts, headphones, smarthome gadgets or accessories often deliver good value for money.
➤ Read the fine print, as sometimes free “bundles” involve subscriptions or conditions that change value or even lock you into a certain plan.
➤ Get rid of the “buying because it is cheap” mentality. Only buy if you really need or will use the gadget.
Source: tech-items-holidays-sales-push-2025
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of Kritik.com.my. As an open platform, we welcome diverse perspectives, but the accuracy and integrity of contributed content remain the responsibility of the individual writer. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented.