New year's resolutions are just the kind of chore you don't need after a week of relaxing excess – so this year we're committing to 'tech resolutions' instead.
These friendlier, less intimidating commitments involve using gadgets or apps to nudge your life in the right direction. Or they can simply help you survive the brutal month that is January. Best of all, they all involve tech.
The tech resolutions below don't involve giving up indulgences or hitting gyms. Instead, they're a mix of ideas from the TechRadar team on how they'll be using gadgets, apps or a mix of the two to try new hobbies, save money or just have a blast with new board game discoveries in early 2025.
There are guides on how to slash your streaming bills, set up your iPhone 16 to take better photos in 2025, and use Notion to plan your new year. But there are also fun side quests, like how to rediscover the joy of CDs and one writer's advice on the best cheap gadgets to raise your bread-making game.
Whichever part of your tech life needs a shot of new year's enthusiasm, you'll find some valuable nuggets of advice below. And if it inevitably all goes wrong, you can always blame the gadgets...
The money savers
1. I'm slashing my streaming bills by 71% in 2025 with subscription hopping – here's how
Our streaming bills have quickly become bigger than Elon Musk's ego – it's time to take action. TechRadar contributor Esat Dedezade has broken down how he's embracing 'subscription hopping' in 2025 to save hundreds on his bills.
The tactic involves a little planning, but fortunately we've done all of that for you – including a 'cheat sheet' that shows all of the biggest shows landing on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus and more in the first few months of 2025, so you can quickly create your own plan. Trust us, you'll feel extremely smug afterwards.
- Read the full story: I'm slashing my streaming bills by 71% in 2025 with subscription hopping – here's how
2. I review EVs for a living – here are 5 ways I'm cutting my charging bills in 2025
Owning an EV can be an expensive business, not least because of pesky depreciation. But whether you've bought new or second-hand, there is one thing you can control – charging costs.
TechRadar's EV expert Leon Poultney, who spends roughly 72% of his life on the road in electric cars, has broken down all of his top tips for saving cash on EV charging in 2025. And no, it doesn't involve buying a solar farm.
- Read the full story: I review EVs for a living – here are 5 ways I'm slashing my charging bills in 2025
3. YouTube Premium is the only digital subscription I'm keeping for the whole of 2025 – here's why
YouTube Premium has so many hidden benefits that it may well be the best-value streaming subscription out there. That's the compelling argument made by TechRadar contributor David Nield, who describes why it's the only digital subscription he's keeping for the whole of 2025.
As he describes, YouTube Premium isn't just about getting respite from ads (although that is one major benefit). It also brings a host of bonus, like YouTube Music – which could convince you to ditch a separate music streaming service.
- Read the full story: YouTube Premium is the only digital subscription I'm keeping for the whole of 2025 – here's why
The fun boosters
4. Why I’m skipping the PS5 Pro in 2025 and upgrading my gaming PC instead
Our PS5 Pro review was enough to convince TechRadar contributor Darren Allan to skip the console and make a different gaming plan for 2025 – and it involves cables.
That's because this particular Plan B is built around hooking up a gaming PC in another room to a living room TV. A not inconsiderable task, but one that means saving lots of cash on a PS5 Pro – and ultimately creating a better gaming setup.
- Read the full story: Why I’m skipping the PS5 Pro in 2025 and upgrading my gaming PC instead
5. I’m swapping Spotify for CDs in 2025 with the affordable Fiio DM13 – here’s why
Do you have a tower of dusty CDs at home that audibly grumble every time you open Spotify? So does TechRadar contributor and CD hoarder Tom Wiggins, but he has a plan to put that right in 2025.
The Fiio DM13, a modern Discman tribute act, is the key to this particular tech resolution. And it means riding the mid-90s comeback and living like it's the height of Britpop, with even better sound quality.
- Read the full story: I’m swapping Spotify for CDs in 2025 with the affordable Fiio DM13 – here’s why
6. How to step up your stargazing game in 2025 on the cheap, according to the space experts
Stargazing and astrophotography are both fine new year's resolutions. Partly because of the whole deep sense of peace and wonder thing, but also because they're an excuse to try out new tech.
That tech doesn't have to cost the earth though, as TechRadar contributor and space fan Becca Caddy describes in this helpful guide to getting started with affordable telescopes and astro-snapping with your phone in 2025.
The tech upgraders
7. I’m a photographer – 5 ways to set up your iPhone 16 to take great photos in 2025
Looking to take better photos with your iPhone in 2025? This guide from TechRadar's former cameras editor will help set you up.
While it's mainly focused on the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro (including their new Camera Control button), a lot of the tips also apply to older iPhones that are running iOS 18.
It's now possible to get the experience and results of a traditional compact camera from your iPhone – here's how to do it.
- Read the full story: I’m a photographer – 5 ways to set up your iPhone 16 to take great photos in 2025
8. 5 reasons why I'm finally upgrading to Windows 11 in January
Yes, it's finally time – Windows 11 might be a magnet for online criticism (justifiably so, in many cases), but TechRadar computing writer Darren Allan explains why he's going to be upgrading to Microsoft's OS as the new year begins.
And no, it isn't just because the sands of time are running out for Windows 10 – there are also now positive reasons to upgrade, including some much-needed interface improvements.
- Read the full story: 5 reasons why I'm finally upgrading to Windows 11 in January
9. I used Notion to run my life in 2024 – here are 5 ways to get started with the free version this year
You may have heard Notion popping up a lot in 2024 and wondered what on earth it does. Well, TechRadar contributor and Notion convert Lloyd Coombes is here to tell you how he harnessed the productivity app's powers to organize his life this year – and how you can follow his lead in 2025.
While Notion's paid tiers are used by many businesses, the free version is surprisingly powerful for personal projects – and that's the one our handy starter guide is focused on.
10. Want to finally crack the gym in 2025? This app has changed my workouts forever
Okay, we said we'd steer clear of gym workouts in this list of tech resolution ideas, but we had to make an exception for the Fitbod app.
Whether you're looking to get into weight training in 2025 or just build a gym habit that actually sticks, TechRadar contributor Lloyd Coombes explains why Fitbod has been such a powerful ally for his fitness quests in 2024...
- Read the full story: Want to finally crack the gym in 2025? This app has changed my workouts forever
January survival
11. I'm a huge board games fan – here are the 7 best ones to help you survive January
In our book, a new year's resolution can be as simple as finding a way to get through the harsh realities of January – and there are few better ways of doing that than by pretending the Christmas holidays haven't ended with some brilliant board games.
Some call it denial, others a wholly necessary response to the least fun month of the year – and TechRadar's Hamish Hector (our resident board game nerd) is firmly in the latter camp. Join him as he takes you on an uplifting tour around the finest board games you can buy right now.
- Read the full story: I'm a huge board games fan – here are the 7 best ones to help you survive January
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