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What Hi-Fi?

Technology

Esat Dedezade

IFA 2024 news and highlights: the latest turntables, speaker systems, headphones, projectors and more

IFA IFA 2024 Samsung LG Motorola Panasonic Sony Honor

Shot of Messe Berlin hall with IFA 100 sign outside.

IFA 2024 has officially opened its doors to celebrate its 100th anniversary. And Europe's oldest consumer electronics show is delivering a host of new technological delights and product launches.

World’s first tape recorders, colour TV broadcast, MiniDisc and Einstein: 12 highlights from 100 years of IFA

The trade show opens to the general public today, on Friday 6th September, and the four-day electronics extravaganza sees some of the biggest names in tech strut their stuff, in a bid to woo consumers and industry pundits alike.

Naturally, our roster of intrepid, caffeine-fuelled What Hi-Fi? reporters been roaming the labyrinthine halls of the Messe Berlin convention centre to bring you all the latest news, first-impression hands-ons and analytical takes. We've seen everything from new headphones and turntables, wireless speaker systems to projectors, and plenty more.

Scroll below to see our latest news and highlights of the best new tech at IFA 2024.

Hands-on reviews

IFA 2024 news and highlights

When is IFA 2024?

What is IFA 2024? Internationale FunkAusstellung Berlin is one of the biggest (and oldest) global annual trade shows for consumer electronics and home appliances.
IFA 2024 dates: Friday 6th to Tuesday 10th September
IFA 2024 location: Messe Berlin, Germany

What to expect at IFA 2024

IFA officially runs from Friday the 6th to Tuesday the 10th of September, 2024. (Image credit: IFA)

IFA 2024 welcomes an impressive array of 1800+ global exhibitors, showcasing their latest innovations across a cavernous 130,000sq m space (in which journalists are famously forever getting lost). This year's event is expected to draw more than 182,000 visitors from 139 countries, surpassing last year's attendance and further cementing IFA's international appeal.

The exhibition halls will be buzzing with activity, as 2000 brands, ranging from industry giants to innovative startups, present their cutting-edge products and technologies, with 125 speakers set to wax lyrical about all manner of tech.

We will, of course, be focusing on AV products from long-established brands such as Samsung, LG, JBL, Panasonic, Sony, Hisense, and more – while also keeping an eye out for any unusual or innovative newcomers that catch our eyes. Or ears.

Below is a collection of what we can expect to see from this year's showcase. Be sure to keep this page bookmarked, as we'll update it with all the most exciting IFA 2024 news as the week unfolds.

Anker
Anker hasn't revealed any new headphones, but it has been busy making sure your trusty phone, tablet, and other devices don't die on you in the wild. The highlight of its new charging accessory range is the MagGo 3-in-1 foldable pad – a portable Qi2 charger that unfolds into three wireless pucks. Anker also introduced a MagGo Qi2 charging stand with a flexible positioning head, new MagSafe grip cases for the upcoming iPhone 16 series, and an updated slimmer MagGo power bank. Rounding out the offerings is a new 30W MagGo power bank, with a flip-up Apple Watch fast charger.

Press conference: 05 Sep 2024, 09:30 - 10:30, Hall 3.2 / 205

Dolby
Last year, Dolby unveiled its FlexConnect system, which promises to provide an immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound experience, regardless of your speaker position or room layout. Flexconnect needs a compatible TV, along with external wireless speakers. Calibration is carried out automatically via the TV's supported built-in microphone. This year TCL has announced that Dolby Atmos FlexConnect will come to its high-end product portfolio in 2025, including the X Series. This is the second IFA in a row where the tech has yet to make it to shelves in the same year, so here's hoping the wait will be worth it.

DTS has launched a new AI-powered Clear Dialogue technology designed to help improve the clarity of dialogue on TVs. The feature uses AI-based audio processing to separate and enhance movie and TV dialogue being played on in-built TV speaker systems. It also allows for a degree of personalisation, letting users create their own profiles. While no TVs are currently confirmed to feature this tech, DTS support is common on sets by big-name makers including LG, Sony, Hisense, and Philips, so we may see implementations soon. Watch this space...

Hisense
Hisense has already revealed its brand-new OLED A85N TV ahead of IFA 2024, where we expect it to steal the spotlight on the company's stand. We are very interested in seeing how it compares with an equivalent rival like the LG C4, given its more traditional WOLED panel. Supporting both Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+, alongside HDR10 and HLG, it also has most audio formats taken care of too, in the form of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support over HDMI eARC.

Honor's Magic V3 folding smartphone will be officially unveiled at IFA, complete with Samsung bants (Image credit: Honor)

Honor
Honor officially unveiled the Magic V3 – the world's thinnest inward-foldable smartphone — ahead of its global launch on September 5th. It measures a remarkably svelte 4.35mm when unfolded and 9.2mm folded, and the company has even gone as far as engraving a minuscule apology to Samsung Galaxy Z Fold owners on the handset's hinge, in a not-so-subtle dig at its Samsung rival. We are hoping to wrap our hands around its thin frame in person, and are looking forward to seeing how video content is presented on its large unfurled display.

Press conference: 05 Sep 2024, 14:00, Hall 6.2B / Inspiration Stage

LG
LG has revealed a rather attractive ThinQ On AI-powered home hub for controlling an array of connected smart devices. It is, apparently, matter-certified for maximum compatibility; we're not sure what the real-world benefits are over existing smart speaker setups, but that's precisely what we'll strive to find out at LG's stand in Berlin.

Motorola
This year, Motorola and Telcomdis join forces to showcase Motorola Sound – a range of products that will, according to a release, include immersive wireless speakers, and headphones. We're not sure entirely what these will be as of yet, but will find out the full details in person during the show.

Onkyo has announced the TX-RZ30, a new AV receiver priced at $1199 / £1199. Launching in October, it features 100W of Class A/B amplification per channel, Dirac Live Room Correction Full Bandwidth, and IMAX Enhanced support. The receiver offers extensive connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with aptX HD, and support for various streaming platforms. It's Roon Tested too, and even includes a Sonos port for integration with Sonos systems. A special audio mode for Klipsch Reference Premier speakers adds to its versatility.

Panasonic
Panasonic has unveiled new wireless headphones and earbuds for IFA goers. The RB-M600B over-ear headphones feature XBS Deep technology for enhanced bass, Bluetooth 5.3 with multi-point smarts, an impressive 65-hour battery life, and hybrid ANC. The RZ-B120W wireless earbuds also incorporate XBS Deep tech, with 7mm dynamic drivers, Bluetooth 5.3, 6.5 hours of listening time (plus 19.5 hours from the case), and IPX4 water resistance.

Samsung
Samsung mostly focused on its "AI For All" vision at IFA 2024, demonstrating how AI can enrich users' lives. On the home entertainment front, it unveiled The Premiere 7 and 9 Projectors, offering 4K resolution and AI-powered technologies for optimal viewing. Samsung also announced that new AI TVs and select 2023 models will receive Tizen OS upgrades for seven years. Nice.

Press conference: 05 Sep 2024, 11:00 - 12:00, City Cube

Samsung's QN990C 98-inch 8K TV was revealed at IFA 2023 (Image credit: samsung)

Sennheiser
Last year, Sennheiser launched a more compact and affordable version of its iconic Ambeo soundbar, the aptly named Ambeo Mini. The company also revealed two new shades for its superb Momentum 4 headphones (Denim and Black Copper). Details are relatively scarce for what it plans to launch at this year's show, but there is confirmation that it will be showing off its TeamConnect Bar, which is good news for those into meeting/conferencing speaker solutions, we suppose.

Sony
While Sony Europe is officially on the IFA 2024 exhibitor list, there is no word on what the company will be showing off. We are hoping to be pleasantly surprised with new audio products at the very least, and will definitely be swinging by the Sony stand to see what's on the cards.

Technics has unveiled its first active wireless speaker system called the SC-CX700. Priced at £2399 / €2499 and available from October 2024, it features Wi-Fi and Google Cast connectivity, support for popular music streaming services, and an HDMI ARC input for playing nice with your TV. It also includes a newly developed single coaxial driver unit with a lightweight ring tweeter, powered by Technics' proprietary JENO-Engine amplifier.

Xgimi
Last year, Xgimi's Horizon Ultra was the brand's biggest reveal, launching as "The World’s First 4K Long-Throw Home Projector with Dolby Vision." This year, the company has confirmed it will unveil the MoGo 3 Pro portable projector and Aura 2 projector at its event on 6th September.

Yaber has unveiled its latest flagship projectors, the K3 and K3 Pro. The K3 Pro stands out with its included subwoofer, addressing a common weakness in projector audio. Both models feature a JBL-tuned sound system, 1080p resolution with a 40-inch to 200-inch projection size, and 1600 ANSI lumens brightness. They include automatic calibration features, an integrated Google TV streaming system, and Yaber's proprietary NovaGlow picture-enhancing and CoolSwift temperature control systems.

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