Tech Glossary
Plain-English explanations of 59 terms we use across our reviews and guides.
5
The fifth-generation mobile network with faster speeds and lower latency than 4G.
A
Artificial intelligence — computer systems that simulate human intelligence, from chatbots to image generators.
A smartphone display type with self-lit pixels for deep blacks and vivid colours; commonly used on premium phones.
Active Noise Cancellation — headphones or earbuds that use microphones to cancel ambient noise.
Average Revenue Per User — a business metric often used in telecom and app reporting.
B
Milliampere-hour — the unit that measures a battery\u2019s charge capacity; higher generally means longer runtime.
The frame around a display. Thin bezels are a design priority on modern phones and TVs.
The Bluetooth standard version used by devices for short-range wireless audio and data transfer.
A component that limits overall performance, e.g. a CPU that holds back a fast GPU in gaming.
An article that helps readers choose the right product for their budget and needs.
C
Central Processing Unit — the main processor that executes instructions on a device.
A small amount of fast memory that stores frequently used data to speed up the device.
A laptop that runs ChromeOS and relies mostly on web apps and cloud storage.
A cable with a central conductor and shielding, used for TV and broadband connections.
D
Pixels on a display that stay one colour permanently and do not change.
A video connection standard for monitors, supporting high resolutions and refresh rates.
An HDR format that adapts brightness and colour scene by scene for more lifelike video.
F
Frames Per Second — how many images a screen or game renders per second; 60 FPS feels smooth.
The low-level software stored on a device that controls its hardware.
G
Graphics Processing Unit — the processor that renders images, video and games.
A data rate of one billion bits per second, common on modern broadband and Wi-Fi.
H
High Dynamic Range — a video format with wider brightness and colour range than standard video.
A metal part that draws heat away from chips to keep a laptop or console cool.
The unit of frequency; a 120Hz display refreshes 120 times per second for smoother motion.
I
An LCD panel type known for wide viewing angles and accurate colours.
Internet Service Provider — the company that supplies your broadband or mobile data.
K
The core of an operating system that manages hardware and software communication.
L
An LCD television backlit by LEDs; the most common and affordable TV type.
The delay before data transfer begins; low latency matters for gaming and video calls.
Lithium-ion — the rechargeable battery chemistry used in nearly all modern gadgets.
M
The component in a microwave oven that generates the microwaves.
One million pixels; a 50MP camera captures images made of about 50 million pixels.
The device that converts your internet connection into a signal your router can use.
N
Near Field Communication — used for contactless payments and quick pairing.
The standard physical SIM card size used in modern smartphones.
The background noise level in audio gear; lower is better for clean sound.
O
Organic Light-Emitting Diode — a display with per-pixel lighting for perfect blacks.
Running a component faster than its factory setting for extra performance.
P
The display layer of a screen; types include IPS, VA and OLED.
The smallest dot of light on a display; more pixels mean sharper images.
The physical connections on a device — USB, HDMI, headphone jack and more.
The chip that powers a device; also called the CPU or SoC.
Q
Quad High Definition — 2560×1440 resolution, sharper than Full HD.
R
Random Access Memory — short-term memory for apps currently running; more means smoother multitasking.
How many times a display updates per second, measured in Hz.
The number of pixels on a screen, e.g. 1920×1080 (Full HD).
The device that shares one internet connection with all your home gadgets over Wi-Fi.
S
Solid State Drive — fast storage with no moving parts, standard in modern laptops.
System on a Chip — combines CPU, GPU and modem on one chip, like Snapdragon or Dimensity.
T
Thermal Design Power — how much heat a processor produces, in watts.
A chip slowing itself down to avoid overheating under sustained load.
U
Ultra High Definition — 3840×2160, also called 4K.
The reversible connector standard now used for charging and data on most gadgets.
V
An LCD panel type with strong contrast and deep blacks, common on TVs.
Variable Refresh Rate — a display that syncs its refresh rate with a game for tear-free motion.
Airflow through a device\u2019s chassis; good ventilation keeps laptops and consoles cool.
W
The sixth Wi-Fi generation with faster speeds and better performance in busy homes.
Charging a device by placing it on a pad — no cable required.
E
A digital SIM built into the phone, letting you switch carriers without a physical SIM card.