It goes without saying that electricity is a fundamental part of electronic goods. Without it, we wouldn’t have phones, cameras, video games or laptops, let alone electric razors. But how do these devices actually work?

Electricity is generated by a loop of wire spinning in between two magnets. The magnets create a magnetic field, which charges electrons in the air. The spinning wire sends those electrons in a particular direction, and they will travel along conductors (usually wires) until there is nothing left to conduct them. When applied to household items, electricity is either used immediately via a cord or wire (such as a light switch or corded vacuum cleaner), or it is stored in batteries for later usage. Batteries allow you to contain the electrical charge in a chemical substance, known as an electrolyte, meaning you can gain access to electricity when you need it. Over time, batteries have become more and more efficient, and they have grown smaller and smaller, too. This explains why your electronic goods work so well today!

The first electronic gadget was the electronic relay, otherwise known as an electronic switch, invented by American scientist Joseph Henry in 1835. Relays amplify or switch an electric current passing towards them, making them versatile for use in a variety of settings. Relay technology underpins the basic principle of electronics: to communicate something via electricity, be that a message for a person or an instruction for a machine. The device was used significantly in the development of the telegraph, as a way to transmit messages over long distances. From there, the same technology was used in the production of the first landline telephones, and later, in the production of the computer.

After the invention of the electronic relay, scientists progressively refined, improved and added to existing technology, to the point where today, our devices are both far smaller and far more productive. In 1897, J.A. Fleming invented the vacuum diode, which allowed for the switching on and off of electronic signals travelling in different directions. In 1947, a team of American scientists invented the first transistor, allowing for both amplification and rectification of electronic signals. Over the next two decades, researchers developed the first integrated circuit, allowing for the entire electric current to be contained to one chip. Following that, JFETs, MOSFETs, digital integrated circuits and microprocessors all came onto the electronics scene, improving the sophistication and drastically lowering the costs of electronic technology.

Each of these inventions made electronic communication far more efficient. The invention of technology like radio, in the 1890s, and touchscreens, in 1965, only made these electronic devices more sophisticated, and capable of diverse operations. Radio was the precursor to inventions like data networks, WiFi and Bluetooth, while touchscreens, which use a small amount of electronic charge to register conductive human touch, are an instrumental feature of modern smartphones, tablets and trackpads. The history of electronic devices can be seen as the history of integrating disparate inventions into a single, generally smaller, unit – and as we know, the results today are truly incredible.

You can shop for all sorts of electronic goods at iShopChangi, including mobile and smart devices, audio, video games, personal care, household items and more. Enjoy a sample of the huge collections we have on offer below and get shopping!

Mobile and smart devices

You can find a range of smartphones at the cutting-edge of the market here on iShopChangi. The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is a clear example of this. Equipped with the ultra-fast A15 Bionic chip, it’s the fastest on the market. Alongside a 6.7” Super Retina display, exceptional camera quality, and the longest battery life in an iPhone, the Pro Max is a natural go-to for those who like their bells and whistles. Those who like a smaller feel to their Apple phone can check out the Apple iPhone 13 Mini, which comes with many of the same features in a 5.4” display. Alternatively, feast your eyes on the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. This phone has been described as a computer in your pocket, as it comes with a dynamic AMOLED 2x display, 120HZ refresh rate and a touch-sensitive pen, each of which will redefine the way you interact with your smartphone.

Fitbit and Garmin are two of the leading brands for smart watches. Take a look at the Fitbit Charge 5, for instance, which comes with an optical heart rate monitor, three-axis accelerometer, built-in GPS, and monitors for vibration, temperature and oxygen saturation. Not only that — it also offers a staggering battery life of up to seven days, meaning you can go harder for longer without needing to recharge. Those looking for a slimmer watch can find what they’re looking for in the Fitbit Luxe, which comes in black graphite, white soft gold, orchid platinum and classic peony soft gold.

Garmin has had an instant impact on the watch scene since it arrived in 2003. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music easily syncs with your music streaming platforms, like Spotify, so you can play your favourite tunes with ease. This watch also comes with performance tracking and Garmin Coach, which tells you whether you’re undertraining or overexerting based on past performance. The Huawei Watch GT2 Pro is also a great alternative, fit with all the functions you’ll need in a smart watch: heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, stress test, breathing exercises, altitude barometer and more.

Huawei also sells a smartpad called the MatePad 11. With a neat application layout, optional secondary screen presentation, video editing studio and a reduced blue-light display, the MatePad 11 is a great choice for those looking for an effective tablet, be that for work or recreation. Rakuten Kobo is another major producer of tablets, with a focus on e-readers. Check out their Kobo Sage e-reader, for instance, which gives you access to an 8”, ultra-contrast screen, clear readability, a quad-core CPU and bluetooth-enabled audiobook capacity. Buy a Kobo Stylus with your purchase to ensure you never miss a thought while reading.

Audio

Audiophiles are in luck. With the best electronics from Sony, Jabra, Beats and Bose on offer at iShopChangi, the world is at your fingertips when it comes to high-quality sound.

Take a look at the slick range of bluetooth earbuds from Jabra and Bose. The Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Earbuds are  a must-see: they are waterproof, comfortable and allow you to passively isolate the noise in your environment, giving you optimal music experiences as a first. Their wireless design is convenient as well as functional, and will allow you to walk, talk, run and play music easily from the control of your phone. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, meanwhile, come with some of the world’s most effective noise-cancelling technology. According to Bose, this creates an unrivalled sonic experience, whereby you can hear details of your favourite songs which are otherwise lost. You may also check out our earphones and earbuds buying guide if you’re looking for a new pair and can’t decide which one will suit you best.

When it comes to headphones, it’s hard to beat Beats. Their Studio 3 Wireless Headphones come with up to 22 hours of listening time, convenient on-ear controls and, of course, a superb noise-cancelled auditory playback. You can buy them from iShopChangi in an off-white, camo sand dune colour. Bose enthusiasts can find the Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Headphones on our shelves, too, and enjoy 11 levels of noise cancellation enhanced by Bose Augmented Reality technology.

Personal care

Whether you’re looking for a toothbrush, a hair dryer or a shaver, there’s something for you among our personal care devices on iShopChangi.

For oral care, check out the Philips Sonicare HealthyWhite Sonic Electric Toothbrush, which possesses a dynamic cleaning action and angled brush head neck for gently cleaning your teeth and gums. Couple your purchase with a Panasonic EWDJ10 Oral Irrigator and say goodbye to plaque and tooth decay: with the Oral Irrigator’s unique water-flossing mechanism, you’ll have a brighter, cleaner smile in no time.

You can also find suitable electronic hair care products from Dyson and Philips. Buy the Dyson Corrale Straightener in black and fuchsia, and enjoy the benefits of exceptional straightening technology. With up to 30 minutes of cordless styling, three temperature settings and a four-cell lithium ion battery, Dyson offers a stellar product with the Corrale, which will allow you to achieve the perfect look whenever you need it. Philips, meanwhile, offers the Philips Dryer 3000 Thermoprotect hair dryer, which drops the temperature of the air by 15°C to increase the efficiency of its drying air flow. Not only that, the Thermoprotect maintains the shine and glossiness of your hair with its ionic system, which generates up to 20 million ions per drying session, keeping your hair lush and beautiful as ever. If you need a little help on which to purchase, our hair dryer buying guide will have the answers you need.

Those looking for electric shavers should take a look at the collection from Braun and Panasonic. Braun’s Series 60 60-N1000s Wet and Dry Shaver is perfect for sensitive skin, as its head is designed to adjust to the contours of each person’s unique face shape. Being waterproof, you can use this shaver in the shower or afterwards, depending on your preference. Its lithium-ion battery enables 50 minutes of shaving, which equates to approximately three weeks of shaving. For a small, elegant design, you can also check out the Panasonic Compact Portable Rechargeable Electric Shaver. This shaver easily fits in your pocket, allowing you to take it with you wherever you go. Keep it at work or home or put it in your briefcase for emergencies.

Video Games

You can also shop for your favourite gaming consoles on iShopChangi, including the much-beloved Nintendo Switch. Buy the Gen 2 Switch, and enjoy the twin benefits of home and portable gaming. For extra controllers, take home a set of Joy-Con controllers, enabling you to play with up to four people at once. While you’re at it, why not check out a few classic Nintendo games? At iShopChangi, you can buy Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, to name a few. Battle as your favourite Nintendo characters on Super Smash Bros, and learn to execute your favourite moves with finesse. Hit the racing track with Mario Kart, and see which of your friends has the best car- or bike-handling skills around. Otherwise, nothing is more soothing than Breath of the Wild for some quiet downtime on a Sunday afternoon. Take Zelda across valleys, deserts, snowy mountains and mysterious archeological sites, and make the game your own!

Household items

Buy vacuums from iShopChangi, such as the Dyson V8 Slim Fluffy+ Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. Gain access to 115 Air Watts of suction, 110,000 rpm and whole-machine filtration, constituting some of the best vacuum technology on the market. For something less expensive, take a look at the Iris Ohyama IC-SLDC8, which comes with a dust detection sensor and a cyclone stream head for dirt removal. Or, if you’re looking for a dustbuster, look no further than the Black + Decker Pivot Cyclonic Car Corded Dustbuster, which will meet all of your compact, hard-to-get-to cleaning needs.

You can shop for air purifiers and fans on iShopChangi, such as the Dyson Pure Cool Link and the Mimica by Mistral 12” High Velocity. The Cool Link removes 99.95% of particles in the air as it circulates and cools the area, which it does so by monitoring and detecting particles as soon as they arise. With a chic white silver exterior, it will also look great in your room wherever you place it. The Mimica fan, meanwhile, uses traditional fanning technology and rotation blades to deliver a seamless fanning experience. It comes with sensor touch and a remote control, giving you comfort and ease from wherever you are in your home.

Why not explore electronic home appliances for cleaning on iShopChangi? Check out the Panasonic Mini Garment Steam Iron, perfect for removing creases and odours from your clothes. Its small, easy-to-carry size is great for those looking for an iron which can be transported without fuss. For cooking and baking appliances, you can buy everything from mixers to microwaves: take a look at the Mayer 3.5L Mini Stand Mixer and the Mistral 30L Electric Oven, both of which will kit out your kitchen with all of the essentials!

What other electronic goods can I buy on iShopChangi?

Some of the other electronic goods you can buy from iShopChangi include computers, cameras and drones. You might be looking for a new computer, in which case the Asus Zenbook 14 could be just what you need. It comes with a Windows 10 Processor, 16GB of RAM, Intel Iris X Graphics, a 14” LED backlit display and a storage of 512 GB, making it one of the most beautiful, sensorily-pleasing computers on the market. Perhaps you just need a keyboard – if that’s the case, buy a limited edition Pokémon keyboard by Razer, which will meet all of your gaming desires. Or take a look at our camera collection, where you can shop for the perfect image from GoPro, DJI and Sony.

You can buy all of your favourite electronics at iShopChangi, be they home appliances, video games or personal care! Enjoy shopping through the best brands in the market, such as Apple, Huawei, Dyson, Fitbit, Nintendo, Braun and GoPro, enjoying our exclusive offerings and SG deals. Purchases of $59 or more entitle you to free delivery in Singapore, meaning that you can save on both delivery and our exclusive duty-free prices. Head online today to check out our catalogue, and see what you find!