People born in the 80s and 90s have surely seen the internet take over the way we communicate with one another. Social media and other internet avenues have transformed how people spend their time, with the majority spending it on the internet. The Internet is the only place where people can find all kinds of information on a wide range of topics. Users can indulge in the topics of their liking be it cooking or pop culture and even find a community sharing the same interest. While it has made our lives convenient, there is also a flip side to the internet with the dangers of cyber crimes. In order to raise awareness about the dark side of the Internet, Safer Internet Day is celebrated every day.
Internet surfing is a common practice these days thus it is easy for us to forget the danger it poses. Today, services like even banking and education are online which ask us to fill out sensitive information on web portals. Negligence while using the internet could result in financial loss, data leak, and /or misuse of personal information. In order to ensure internet safety, here are some rules you must follow while surfing the web:
Strong Passwords
Most people tend to use weak passwords which they can easily remember. However, it is really important for users to select complex passwords which cannot be easily guessed. When the complexity of the password is higher, the chances of it getting cracked goes down considerably. Thus it is advised for users to not use their names followed by their birthdates as their passwords. Other classic examples also include the mother’s name, the pet’s name, the significant other’s name, and more.
Two-factor authentication
Social media hacking has sadly emerged to be a common practice in today’s time where many innocent users fall prey to cyber crimes. Many social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook have the option of two-factor authentication where users can link their devices to their SIM number and/or receive security codes via mail. This enables users to get additional security for their accounts as just login and password credentials do not give access to the account. Enabling two-factor authentication on social media accounts prevents them from getting hacked easily.
Do not download files from unknown sources
I know it can be tempting to download the latest Marvel film on your phone/laptop just a day after it releases through piracy and/or torrent websites. However, doing so is only allowing viruses into your device with open hands. Consider downloading a file from shady websites as inviting someone into your house and they bringing uninvited guests along with them, doesn’t sound good right?
Use safe browsers
Some may not be aware of this but access to your web activity and data is sold to the highest bidding internet giants around the world that make millions using your data. Thus, it is really important to use a safe browser that does not save your private data. Brave and Firefox are some of the options for users looking to safely surf the internet without their data getting leaked.
Do not click on pop-ups
At this point, the record has been scratched multiple times about how internet users should not click on notorious pop-up advertisements. One can never be sure what is behind the pop-up as it can contain malware. Also, one can never be sure if the pop-up will close once you click the close window.
It was back in 2022 when the significant headlines coming from the tech industry revolved around layoffs. Major tech players like Google, Twitter, Microsoft, and more decided to let go of a big chunk of their employee force due to plummeting stocks and economic slowdown. It was expected that the tech industry would make a considerable recovery in 2023 but the first quarter of 2023 paints a different picture. Now, joining other tech players is the PC giant Dell, which is gearing up to lay off 6,650 or roughly 5% of its employees.
Dell layoffs
Dell Technologies is going through massive changes as the PC and infrastructure giant has laid off 6,650 of its employees. This amounts to roughly 5% of its global workforce of 133,000. Jeff Clarke, vice chairman and co-COO of Dell Technologies wrote a letter to employees announcing layoffs stating that the steps taken to stay ahead of the downturn impacts that enabled strong quarters in a row are now no longer enough. The message was titled ‘Preparing for the road ahead’ where Clarke revealed that growth has been declining in Dell’s primary PC business. Dell reported PC sales plummeted by nearly 30 per cent in the third fiscal quarter.
While it is confirmed that Dell will layoff a big chunk of its employee force, it is still unknown where they will occur inside the company. The structural changes being implemented are still unknown and the founder, Chariman, and CEO Michael Dell not making the layoffs announcement has raised eyebrows too.
It was previously reported that Dell was implementing several cost-cutting measures like pause on hiring and limits on travel. However, the recent letter by Dell’s COO states that the measures are no longer enough. The letter viewed by Bloomberg also states that the company views department reorganization and job reductions as an opportunity to drive efficiency. After the reduction of employees, Dell will reach its lowest employee force in about six years. According to a March 2022, only one-third of the company’s employees are US-based. The company is expected to provide further information on the financial impact of the job cuts during the fiscal fourth-quarter results on March 2.
The Redmi Note series has undoubtedly been Xiaomi’s trump card in the Indian market. The series has been beloved by Indian consumers for the longest time as it is usually placed in the budget segment and offers great value for the price. This time around with the Redmi Note 12 series, things were a little different. While the Redmi Note 11 Pro was introduced at ₹16,999 in India, its successor was introduced at a hefty asking price of ₹24,999 pushing it to the midrange section. So, does the Redmi Note 12 Pro justify its price? Let’s find out –
Design and Display
The Redmi Note 12 Pro sports a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with 2400 x 1080 pixels. It sports a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate. Running the device on 120Hz offers a buttery smooth experience. The display is also equipped with HDR10+ support that works beautifully for YouTube, Netflix and other OTT platforms. A rarity in this price segment is the Dolby Vision support which is a treat to the eyes while streaming content on YouTube. Adaptive refresh rate allows the device to switch between 30Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz depending on content. I watched hours’ worth of content on the Redmi 12 Pro and there was never a dull moment. The display produces punchy colours and ample brightness for an immersive viewing experience. The tiny punch-hole camera sits at the top of the screen which doesn’t intrude while watching content. Above the display rests the earpiece that also doubles as a secondary speaker. The in-hand feel of the device is superb and it’s built like a flat brick. It is just 76mm wide and 7.98mm thick weighing 187 grams which makes it easy to hold.
Performance and Camera
The Redmi Note 12 Pro runs on an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC chipset. The D1080 is paired with 6 or 8GB of RAM, the device we used was the 8GB RAM variant coupled with 256GB storage onboard. The 12 Pro also gets RAM expansion of up to 5GB of virtual memory. Sadly, the device sports Android 12 out of the box which is a disappointment. However, Xiaomi has promised an Android 13 update. With the D1080 and 8GB of RAM, day-to-day tasks like social media and streaming content on the device were a smooth ride. While playing graphics-heavy games like COD on the Redmi Note 12 Pro, some frame drops were experienced but they were negligible. Overall, the device provided a stable performance overall. It packs a large 5000mAh battery that can be juiced up with a 67W charger.
Redmi Note 12 Pro houses a 50-MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor which is its highlight. The same sensor was present in yesteryear’s multiple devices with impressive results. It also includes an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro camera. It houses a 16MP camera in the front for selfies. The primary camera of this device is capable of clicking some awesome photos with crisp details. Some over-saturation could be witnessed during low-exposure shots. Check out the camera samples of the Redmi Note 12 Pro below –
Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 is a capable device that can pretty much handle everything you throw at it. There are some features like Dolby Vision and adaptive refresh rate that are usually not present in devices at this price point. While it is a solid option for people looking for a device under ₹30K, I am not sure about it being the best value for your money.
Mobile photography is an ever-growing landscape in the tech industry. over the years, we have seen a number of smartphone brands collaborating with mainstream camera makers worldwide to take mobile photography to the next level. There is no denying that mobile photography in its current state does not compare to the quality of DSLR cameras and there is a big gap to bridge. However, smartphone manufacturers making efforts to make phone photography better with collaborations with camera pioneers is definitely a step in the right direction. Xiaomi India has now announced a long-term strategic partnership with German camera maker Leica to develop innovative solutions in the smartphone camera module segment.
Xiaomi x Leica
Xiaomi India and Leica Camera have announced a long-term partnership revolving entirely around mobile imaging. According to an official statement, the aim of this collaboration “is the joint development of innovative solutions in the smartphone camera module segment as well as the optimization of optical performance. The strategic alliance between Xiaomi and Leica Camera AG demonstrates the passion to continuously push the limits of what is technologically possible. In addition to innovative strength and premium standards, the two companies are united by the commitment to uncompromising quality. The collaboration between Xiaomi and Leica provides fantastic opportunities. Both are global brands with a clear focus on the entire customer journey and successfully engage with their customers across multiple languages, cultures, channels, and devices.”
According to the official statement, Xiaomi and Leica’s partnership aims at bringing advanced camera capabilities to the smartphone photography arena. The partnership aims at pushing the boundaries of mobile photography with Leica providing expertise in optical engineering, design, imaging software, and consumer experience to help Xiaomi achieve the best imaging prowess. The statement reads – “Xiaomi has been making breakthroughs in the smartphone photography space and has extensive experience in the research and development of imaging systems and AI algorithms. Leica brings its comprehensive expertise in optical engineering, design, imaging software and consumer experience related to the art of photography to the partnership. Leica supports Xiaomi in its efforts to achieve the best possible imaging results in the field of smartphone photography – and to take it to the next level of quality. The globally recognised expertise of Leica is based in large parts on its ability to guarantee the tightest tolerances on the market. This justified claim to excellence is of course also an integral part of the technology partnership with Xiaomi and is implemented in the production processes of the camera modules to ensure supreme quality.”
The month of February will be seeing a plethora of releases in the smartphone category. While OnePlus will be launching its much-awaited OnePlus 11, Samsung will be launching the S23 series. Between the noise of big releases, OPPO has found its own voice and launched the OPPO Reno 8T 5G. The Reno series has been OPPO’s midrange champion bringing capable devices at the apt price point. Keeping true to the Reno branding comes the 8T 5G which increases the style quotient to a considerable degree. Check out what we think about the OPPo Reno 8T 5G below –
OPPO Reno 8T specifications
The OPPO Reno 8T 5G comes with the budget king chipset – Snapdragon 695. It sports a 32MP selfie camera and 108MP primary camera coupled with a 2MP depth and a 40x microscopic lens. It comes with a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display and a slim 7.7mm size. Reno 8T 5G also flaunts a 120Hz refresh rate and a 4800mAh battery that is powered by 67W Supervooc charging. It comes with 8GB RAM and 128/256GB storage options.
What’s Good
During our extensive testing of the device, the USP of the Reno 8T 5G was undoubtedly its slim design and curved display. There’s no doubt that the curved display screams flagship even in 2023 and OPPO implements it beautifully. it is not just how the display curves but also how well it performs. Watching YouTube videos and films on OTT is a treat on this device. There’s widevine L1 support here that allows users to stream HD content on Netflix/prime. The entertainment experience on this device is only made better with its stereo speakers and the Loud ultra volume mode that boosts the audio level to 200, this is the first time I’ve seen a device do this and I am blown away.
The camera here is a 108mp primary portrait camera coupled with 2mp depth and 40x microlens that is capable of clicking some amazing shots. There’s also dual view video mode that shoots videos from both the front and back at the same time. Check out some camera samples below –
The 67W Supervooc charging is fast, however, we received an 80W charger in the box which was confusing, to say the least. The sunrise gold variant with its chameleon-like colour-changing design is a visual trip.
What’s bad
I am not saying that the Snapdragon 695 is a bad processor to any degree as many budget and midrange devices sport it flawlessly. But at a price point where other players are offering let’s say, a Dimensity 1080, this falls a little short. There are not too many bad points when it comes to the OPPO Reno 8T 5G as it’s definitely a device to flaunt but the Color OS with its out-of-the-box bloatware is a sight that sores the eyes.
Verdict
The OPPO Reno 8T 5G is a stylish device that is built for users who like to flaunt their smartphones. The ‘Eye Candy’ factor in this smartphone can easily become the sole purpose people go for it. The curved and punchy display coupled with capable performance makes up for a balanced experience with the OPPO Reno 8T 5G.
After multiple speculations, leaks and massive hype, the Samsung S23 Series has finally launched globally and in India. Tech giant Samsung held its first ever in-person event in three years in San Francisco titled ‘Unpacked’ where it unveiled its flagship S23 series. This time around the S23 series consists of three smartphones: Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23 Plus, and the standard Galaxy S23. Here is everything you need to know about the Galaxy S23 series launched by Samsung –
Samsung S23 Ultra
Starting off with the ‘Big Daddy’ in the S23 series: The S23 Ultra. The powerful Ultra variant in this latest series comes with a 200MP F1.7 Super Quad Pixel camera. It houses the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 series processor which enhances both the gaming and day-to-day performance with more than 40% faster GPU. The S23 Ultra houses a 6.8-inch QHD display with a 3088×1440 resolution. This Dynamic AMOLED 2X display comes with a 120Hz refresh rate. When it comes to storage options the S23 Ultra is available in 8+256/ 12+256/ 12+512/ 12+1TB variants respectively. It houses a 5000mAh battery with Super Fast Charging 2.0 support. Talking about the cameras, there’s a 12MP Dual Pixel camera capable of night selfie and spring an AI Object-aware engine. Besides the mammoth 200MP lens, the S23 also comes with a 10MP (3X) Telephoto lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP Telephoto (10x) lens respectively. It’ll be available in Phantom Black, Green, Cream, and Lavender colour options.
Samsung S23 and S23+
Both the S23 and S23+ are pretty much the same devices except for the size and battery capacities. While the S23+ houses a 4,700mAh battery, the S23 is limited to a 3,900mAh capacity. Whereas, S23 comes with a 6.1-inch FHD+ display and the S23+ sports a bigger 6.6-inch FHD+ display. Both devices come with 2340×1080 resolution with Super Smooth 120Hz resolution. The Plus and standard variant house the same camera modules that include a wide 50MP F1.8 lens coupled with an Ultra-Wide 12MP and 10MP Telephoto (3X) lens. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset rocks both devices for optimum performance. However, the devices are limited to 8GB RAM variants ranging from 128GB to 512GB storage variants. The refreshed camera module puts emphasis on night photos/videos as all three models come equipped with Night Selfie, Night Portraits, and stable Night Video capabilities.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget 2023 today i.e February 1, 2023. The new budget announced major changes in various duties and taxes which results in some items getting cheaper and others being costlier. A major development in the new budget includes the government’s plans to boost the production of smartphones and TVs in India by incentivizing manufacturers. However, it’s not just the manufacturers who’ll benefit from the incentivizing as it will also translate down to the end consumers receiving cheaper tech products like mobile phones and TV. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamam revealed that the govt plans to provide relief to both smartphone and TV manufacturers by reducing customs duty on key components.
Relief for smartphone and TV manufacturers
In the budget speech, Sitharamam revealed that mobile phone production in India has seen a major increase from 2014-15. As per the minister, mobile phone production in India reached 31 crore units valued at Rs 2,75,000 crore in the last financial year. This is a significant increase from 5.8 crore units valued at Rs 18,000 crore in 2014-15. In order to accelerate smartphone production in India, govt will reduce custom duty on the import of certain parts along with camera components of the phone. The relaxation of customs duty for lithium-ion cells is also being retained for 2023-24.
Here is what Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamam said during Budget 2023 –
“As a result of various initiatives of the Government, including the Phased Manufacturing programme, mobile phone production in India has increased from 5.8 crore units valued at about ` 18,900 crore in 2014-15 to 31 crore units valued at over ` 2,75,000 crore in the last financial year. To further deepen domestic value addition in manufacture of mobile phones, I propose to provide relief in customs duty on import of certain parts and inputs like camera lens and continue the concessional duty on lithium-ion cells for batteries for another year.”
Additionally, the Finance Minister also revealed that customs duties on several parts of open cells of TV panels will also be slashed by 2.5 per cent. Whereas, basic customs duty on electric chimneys has been upped by 7.5 to 15 in order to boost domestic manufacturing of the product.
So you’ve finally brought home the television of your dreams, the one you’ve been eyeing for the longest time. Congratulations! However, just buying the Smart TV you’ve had on your radar is not entirely enough if you want to get the best viewing experience. But worry not as we have you covered, here are five essential add-ons for your television-
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
Most Smart TVs in the market come equipped with Android features. However, the native OS experience may not be up to the mark for every user. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K comes at a price that challenges the competition by a big margin while offering top-notch features like 4K Ultra HD streaming with Dolby Vision for the best viewing experience.
Who does not enjoy a crystal clear sound experience while watching content on their TV? The Sony HT-A3000 is not only a capable soundbar for loud and clear sound but also provides an immersive experience with its 3.1 channels. Users can also boost their surround sound experience by adding optional rear speakers and subwoofer respectively.
While everyone does not have the gaming bug, people interested in immersing in graphic-rich games cannot stay away from the best gaming consoles. Right now, the Sony PlayStation 5 holds that spot in the market. The PS5 comes with fast loading speeds thanks to an ultra-fast SSD. It also allows higher immersion with the help of haptic feedback and 3D audio.
If you’re bumping your television up with a soundbar and/or the Amazon Fire TV Stick then I am sure you will have a lot of remotes to deal with. It is easy to misplace and lose your remotes when you have multiple of them to control multiple devices. This is where the Nutcase Designer Wooden Remote Stand for Home comes in handy.
Smart LED TV backlights allow your television to get the smart party look. The lights come with a Bluetooth control and remote control both in order to ease its controls. However, the cherry on the top is the mic that syncs the lights with the music/films for an immersive experience.
The recent moviegoing experience is often overshadowed by event films like marvel and DC blockbusters which are predominantly sci-fi in nature. The genre keeps pumping out these visually overwhelming films that are m mostly backed by captivating CGI characters battling each other somewhere in Space or mostly in the USA. While it is easy to look over the sci-fi genre as popcorn flicks that entertain the masses, there are some hidden gems lurking inside that definitely deserve your attention.
Our relationship with the digital world is rapidly changing. The prominence of AI and machine learning is seemingly beginning to reach the mainstream thanks to tools like ChatGPT. As we all know, films and any form of art actually is a reflection of the society that either showcases people a mirror or predicts the future in some form or the other. The changing landscape of the world surely hasn’t reached the point where a Tony Stark-Esque billionaire is building his very own Ultron in his backroom science lab (or maybe there is? but it surely begs us to ask the question – What if?
This curiosity among humans surely will not be explored for the longest time but there are films that have charted this territory really well. In our 17th anniversary special edition, we wanted to have a look at all the best sci-fi films that sadly remained underrated. Check them out right now –
Snowpiercer (2013)
Bong Joon Ho definitely won all the laurels and even an Oscar for his film Parasite but it was long before that when he directed the post-apocalyptic thriller Snowpiercer. It was based on a French graphic novel and revolves around humanity losing its battle against global warming which results in another ice age. The remnants of humanity take to a self-sustaining circumnavigational train which has a segregated class divide in it. Besides being an interesting sci-fi film, it also is a chilling portrayal of the class divide and how it might stay prevalent even at times of a global wipeout.
Edge of Tomorrow (2013)
Edge of Tomorrow is undoubtedly one of the most underrated films ever by Tom Cruise. The sci-fi time loop film actually ended up being loved more on home video than in the theatres which is surely a tragedy given how good it actually is. It is a smart spin on two sci-fi tropes that are time travel and alien invasion that barely loses its touch through the entire runtime. Plus the lead pair Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt are surely a treat to look at through the crisp runtime of nearly two hours.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
I remember walking into a theatre to watch Blade Runner 2049 as a college student and scratching my head the entire time to figure out what was going on. It was only half a decade later when I revisited the film and understood the underlying themes of existentialism it so beautifully portrayed. The film revolves around Ryan Gosling’s character K who is charged with retiring machines. Here, machines are more human than the people who mercilessly order their deaths. His path soon becomes intertwined with Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) and the two are forced to team up to solve a mystery.
Annihilation (2018)
Paramount studios did not do right by this film as it was released in February, a month that is not associated with blockbusters to any degree in Hollywood. The result? Annihilation became an uncelebrated addition to the list of forgettable sci-fi films when it actually deserves the opposite of it. The film made its way to Netflix just three weeks after its theatrical release where the OTT audience surely appreciated it. The film revolves around a group of explorers entering a mysterious zone where plants and animals are rapidly mutating due to an alien presence.
The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
Another Emily Blunt sci-fi film makes its way to the underrated list. What can we say? She’s a phenomenal actress still waiting for her mainstream appreciation. The film revolves around a United States congressman David who discovers his ‘Free Will’ decisions were actually being dictated by a mysterious group known as the ‘Adjustment Bureau’. When one of the events of David’s life does not go as planned by the bureau, his life goes haywire. The film is not just a fantastic sci-fi watch but also has undertones about secret societies and the notorious Illuminati.
Minority Report (2002)
For a film released in 2002, the Steven Spielberg directorial Minority Report was undoubtedly way ahead of its time. The film was surely a box office success when it was released 21 years back making $358 million against a budget of $102 million. However, its prevalence in recent times stays fairly underrated. The Tom Cruise starrer is set in the year 2054 where a specialized police department titled ‘Precrime’ arrests criminals before a crime is committed by them using a foreknowledge technology called ‘Precogs’. While the film’s main theme sounds pretty straightforward, it dives deep into the mind-bending concepts of determinism, free will, government interference, and citizen freedom.
Arrival (2016)
When we think about an alien invasion film, our perception leans towards over-the-top action entertainers like Republic Day. However, director Denis Villeneuve wanted to bend people’s expectations with Arrival and successfully did the same. The film dives deep into the contemplative nature of an alien invasion rather than an apocalyptic one and emphasizes forming contact with the extraterrestrial. Amy Adams leads the way in this film as a linguistic professor tasked with forming contact with the aliens.
Dune (2021)
Maybe if Dune did not release in the middle of the pandemic then it could’ve received a greater box office reception. However, it failed to get the cash registers ringing as expected even with an amazing critical response. The film is based on Frank Herbert’s novel Dune and primarily covers only the first half of the book. A sequel is in the making and will be released in 2023. Set in the distant future, the film revolves around the noble House Atreides being forced to go to war against the hostile desert planet of Arrakis.
Ex Machina (2014)
Alex Garland’s directorial debut was made on a humble budget of $15 million and managed to not just double its money at the box office but also earn two Academy nominations. The film revolves around the story of a young programmer named Caled who is selected in a lottery to participate in a top-secret experiment revolving around an AI. The film revolves around the AI learning what it means to be a human.
Ad Astra (2019)
There are only a few sci-fi films that are based on the psychological genre. The film revolves around an astronaut who ventures into space research in order to find his lost father. The film will remind viewers of the animated film Wall-E where humanity’s greed has driven it beyond just Earth and onto the Moon.
Her (2013)
Before Joaquin Phoenix ruled the box office with his spine-chilling performance in the film Joker, he made us believe that humans and artificial intelligence can be deeply in love. Her is a refreshing take on the dystopian world trope as it showcases a tender viewpoint of what ‘smart’ devices are capable of. The film is beautiful and packed with raw emotions that are sure to make you tear up.
Lucy (2014)
Scarlett Johansson’s Lucy was made on a modest budget of $40 million but ended up earning a massive $463 million at the global box office. Johansson plays the character of Lucy in the film that gains psychokinetic powers after a bag of drugs is absorbed into her bloodstream. The film explores the limitations of our brain and what can happen once it is unlocked.
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Moviemaking bigshots James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez joined forces to make Alita: Battle Angel. The film was an adaptation of one of the most beloved mangas of all time. While James Cameron was set to direct the film, he got busy directing the super-successful Avatar franchise.
Gravity (2013)
Gravity managed to bag 7 Oscar wins including Best Directing and Editing, however, still remains criminally underappreciated by the general audience. The film revolves around Dr Ryan Stone on her first space mission who meets with an accident.
The Adam Project (2022)
It is a tragedy that a film featuring Ryan Reynolds, Zoe Saldana, and Mark Ruffalo remains underrated. The film revolves around a time traveller/fighter pilot Adam Reed stealing a jet in order to go back to 2018 and save his wife’s life.
Looper (2012)
Looper is packed with action, thrill and sci-fi mixed in a time loop setting. The film is based in a distant future where time travel exists but can only be afforded by the rich as it’s a luxury. Whenever a mob wants to get rid of someone, it sends the target into the past where the protagonist is hired to finish the job.
High Life (2018)
Robert Pattinson has featured in a number of whacky films before he picked up the mantle of Batman. High Life revolves around the character of Monte and his daughter who struggle to survive in space. While its IMDB rating stands at an abysmal 5.8, it surely is one of the best sci-fi films of all time.
It was in late November 2022 when the ViewSonic X2 projector launched in India, five months after its global release. The projector is placed sweetly right over the entry-level segment for a price of Rs 1,43,517, however, its launch price was up to Rs 2,25,000. With the X2, ViewSonic has put heavy emphasis on smart features for viewing content and gaming thanks to its low input lag. So, does the ViewSonic X2 actually make up for a capable entertainment experience? The answer is definitely yes! Check out the detailed review below –
Features
The ViewSonic X2 is a native 1080P projector with a short throw lens. It is packed with 3100 Lumens on the 1080P resolution that allows it to produce bright images under even fairly lit room conditions. It is packed with HDR10 and ViewSonic’s native Cinema SuperColor+ technology that allows the projector to produce vibrant colours. In the title of this review, I’ve called the ViewSonic X2 a ‘Versatile King’ and that is due to its flexible installation settings, connectivity options, and ample ports like USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI. However, what seals the deal to make it one of the best overall performers in the projector market are the premium Harman Kardon speakers that are loud and crisp. The software experience on the other hand is fairly average as the X2 houses an app store of unknown origin. Users can sideload app stores like Aptoide which works with no issues. However, the native app store does offer apps like Netflix for your streaming pleasure. Special mention for its included remote as the backlit feature is aesthetically pleasing.
Performance
During my extensive testing of the ViewSonic X2, I watched hours’ worth of content. Its lightweight form factor made it easy to be carried from the office to my home and back from time to time which was definitely a plus point. The Full HD content produced by the ViewSonic X2 is clear, sharp, and vibrant. However, the out-of-the-box colour calibration did need some work before it was a smooth ride. It has six picture modes for both HDR and SDR which are labelled as Brightest, TV, Gaming, Movie, User 1, and User 2. Most of the content I watched on the projector was done through streaming applications. The highlight of my streaming experience on the ViewSonic X2 was binge-watching the original Home Alone trilogy on Christmas Eve. The in-built Harman Kardon speaker is surely a treat to the ears as it is capable of producing rich and loud sound even in outdoor settings.
Verdict
There is a lot to love in the ViewSonic X2 projector as it provides a number of features at a reasonable price. There is surely a lot of room for improvement in its apps and app store functionality but can be looked over thanks to its overall cinematic experience.
