AI for the Holidays: The Tech Gifts Topping Wish Lists

With the 2025 holiday season here, the buzz isn’t just about the lights – it’s about the algorithms. Artificial Intelligence has graduated from a novelty to a daily utility, from quietly powering much of the technology that touches our daily life to the logistics of package deliveries this holiday season.

It is estimated that while more than half of U.S. adults now knowingly use AI on a regular basis, the reality of our integration is much deeper. In fact, industry experts suggest that nearly everyone interacts with AI daily – whether they realize it or not – through recommendation engines, fraud detection, or spam filters.

 Most new phones from the major brands are now being delivered with AI installed – offering one of the critical differentiators for customers deciding on which phone could be right for them.

The Gift of AI: Top Tech for 2025

If you are looking to put the power of AI directly into someone’s hands (or onto their wrist), this season’s flagship devices are more capable than ever. The hardware of 2025 isn't just faster; it's smarter, anticipating our needs before we even voice them.

Here are three standout options that define the "AI-first" generation of tech:

1. Samsung Galaxy S25: The Organized Life

The Galaxy S25 has moved beyond simple voice commands to true "Cross-App" intelligence. Powered by Google Gemini, this phone acts less like a device and more like an executive assistant. Simple questions, circle to search, can lead to quick answers while simple voice commands or just text on your phone can be easily transferred to calendar or note updates, keeping yourself organized.

Imagine a scenario where you are planning a holiday party. You can Circle to Search a recipe on a webpage and simply tell your S25, "Add the ingredients to my shopping list and block off time on Sunday to cook this." The AI handles the context, navigates the apps, and executes the tasks seamlessly.

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: The Health Guardian

Wearables have taken a massive leap forward this year. The Galaxy Watch 8 utilizes advanced AI to provide a holistic view of your health, moving beyond simple step counting to complex cardiovascular assessments.

The watch features "Bedtime Guidance," an AI system that doesn't just track how long you slept, but analyzes your circadian rhythm and vascular load to tell you why you are tired and exactly when you should go to bed tonight to recover. For the fitness buffs, the AI "Running Coach" adapts in real-time, preventing injury by monitoring your form and fatigue levels during a workout. It is a gift that offers peace of mind as much as it does connectivity.

3. Google Pixel 10: The Contextual Genius

Perhaps the most talked-about feature of the 2025 holiday tech lineup is the Pixel 10’s Magic Cue. This feature represents a shift from "asking" AI for help to AI "offering" help.

If you receive a text message from a relative asking, "What time does your flight land on Christmas Eve?", Magic Cue instantly scans your Gmail for the itinerary and presents the answer as a one-tap suggestion. You don't have to leave the chat, open your email, or search for the confirmation number.

Furthermore, the Pixel 10’s Camera Coach ensures you capture the holiday memories perfectly. Instead of just filtering a photo after the fact, the AI analyzes the scene in real-time, guiding you to adjust your angle or lighting before you even snap the shutter.

The Verdict: It’s Time to Upgrade

The divide between "using AI" and "not using AI" is rapidly disappearing. The choice now is whether to use devices that harness this power to make life easier, or to stick with tech that requires manual labor for every task.

This pervasive tech isn’t just for tech giants; it’s the secret weapon for conquering the holiday rush and the perfect upgrade for the loved ones on your list.  Head over to verizon.com/deals to check out our holiday offers on these and other AI-powered devices.

If you’ve read this far, there’s one last thing you should know. If you still think you’re not touched by AI on a daily basis, you just have been. The first draft of this article was written by an AI program before the Verizon communications team reviewed and edited before publishing.