The festivities of Diwali may have come to an end and I hope you’ve had some of the best times of your life with friends and family. However, when it comes to the smartphone market in India, the festivities never seem to come to an end. Each month brings in a slew of new mobile devices and November is no different. Be it flagship or budget devices, there is definitely a device or two launching to fit each price category! So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the exciting upcoming devices launching in November 2022 in India!
Xiaomi 12T series
Both Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro made their global debuts back on October 5, 2022. The long-rumored devices are finally expected to make an entry into the Indian market in late November! The 12T sports a 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display flaunting smart features like AdaptiveSync. The standard variant is powered by the MediaTek 8100 chipset, 120Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection on top. Whereas the 12T pro houses the beast Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Both variants are coupled with up to 256GB of storage. While the 12T Pro offers up to 12GB RAM, the standard variant is limited to 8GB. The Xiaomi 12T is expected to be launched in the 50K price category, and the 12T Pro in the 60k price category.
Realme 10 4G
While 5G has become a common feature for even budget to midrange devices in India, Realme is sticking to its guns with 4G launching the Realme 10 4G this month. The company has officially revealed that will be hosting the Realme 10 launch event this month but the exact date of the same is still under wraps. Leaks around the internet claim that the upcoming device will feature a 6.5-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD screen. The refresh rate of the device is still unknown. It will be backed by the MediaTek Helio G99 SoC and sport a 50MP camera coupled with a 2MP macro sensor. The front of the device is expected to rock a 16MP shooter. It will pack a 5000 mAh battery and support 33W fast charging. The expected price of this device is said to be between 17K to 19K thus putting it in competition with the likes of Redmi Note 11 Pro 4G and Moto G72 in India.
iQoo Neo 7
Vivo’s sub-brand iQoo has just recently launched the iQoo Neo 7, the successor to the previously launched neo 6. It is equipped with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with HDR 10+ certification with Full HD+ capabilities and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The device runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ SoC paired with up to 12GB of RAM. It rocks a Sony IMX766V 50MP camera lens with optical image stabilization coupled with an 8 MP ultrawide and a 2 MP macro lens. The 5000 mAh battery of Neo 7 can be juiced up quickly thanks to its 120W charging support. Neo 7’s top model with 12GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage is priced in China at approx Rs 37,000. While the device is right now available only in China, it will be making its global launch in the coming month.
OnePlus Nord 3
OnePlus’ Nord brand has quickly become one of the front liners in the smartphone market in the midrange section. Doubling down on its Nord branding, OnePlus has unveiled the Nord N300 in the US. The budget smartphone comes with a 6.56-inch IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate. The device sports a waterdrop notch which is a first for the OnePlus brand. It comes with a 48MP main camera and a 2MP depth lens. It has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button. The 5000 mAh battery of the Nord N300 can be juiced up with 33W fast charging support. It runs on the Oxygen OS based on Android 13 sporting 4GB RAM and 64GB storage options. There is not much choice here when it comes to colors as it comes in only one shade – Midnight Jade. It is priced in the US at $228, which is roughly 19K in India. If released at the same price in India, it will make the OnePlus Nord 3 the cheapest offering by the company in the country. The new OnePlus device is expected to be launched in India in the fourth week of November.
Redmi Note 12 Series
Redmi fans are all set to receive yet another treat from the company with the launch of the Redmi 12 series. The series has officially launched in China in three variants, namely, Redmi 12, Note 12 Pro, and Note 12 Pro+. As one would expect, all three devices come with different features and are placed at different price points. The standard Redmi Note 12 comes with the latest Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor, whereas the Pro and Pro+ variants house a Dimensity 1080 chipset. Another difference between the three is that the standard Note 12 houses a 48MP primary shooter, whereas the 12 Pro sports a 50MP primary camera with OIS, and the 12 Pro+ flaunts a massive 200MP beast of a camera. The Redmi 12 series is expected to be launched in multiple price points starting at Rs 13.5K up to 25K.
Moto Edge 30 Neo
Moto will be adding yet another device to its successful Edge series with the Edge 30 Neo. The device is already available in the UK and US and now it’s time for it to shine in the Indian market. It is expected to house a Snapdragon 695 coupled with 8GB RAM and an internal memory of 128GB. The device will flaunt a P-OLD 6.28 inches display with 1080P resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The dual camera setup of the device features a 64-MP lens and a 13-MP secondary lens. In the front, the device houses a 32-MP lens. It is expected to launch in the 25k to 30K price segments in India in November.
Being an iPhone user in India is not easy when it comes to juicing up the device. I am sure a lot of iPhone users had to go through the perils of charging their devices up but not finding any person with an Apple lightning cable. People with Android devices, on the other hand, can surely get their USB-C cables due to their universal availability. Well, it looks like Apple is finally solving this issue for iPhone users by adopting the USB Type-C port with the upcoming iPhone 15.
USB-C for iPhone 15
Apple may be switching to USB Type-C from the next lineup of iPhones which means that the iPhone 15 will finally bid goodbye to the lightning port. The tech giant is clearly not very fond of this decision as it is being forced to adopt Type-C to comply with the EU law which demands the company abandon the lightning port and opt for the universal Type-C port instead.
In a new law passed, EU has mandated all phones to have USB Type-C port by 2024. Apple is currently the only smartphone manufacturer around the world that has its unique charging port. There were rumors around the web that Apple was going to remove the charging port from iPhones altogether and rely on wireless charging to comply to the EU rule, but that luckily is not the case. The company is already facing online criticism on the removal of the SIM card slot on the iPhone on USA exclusive models, thus it won’t be the brightest idea to now go on and remove the Type-C port.
Apple’s senior Greg Joswiak was the first one to address the EU mandate issue stating, “Obviously, we’ll have to comply; we have no choice.” But he also expressed Apple’s displeasure on the new law stating that replacing the lightning port with Type-C will generate a lot of e-waste. As of now, it is unknown whether only iPhones launched in Europe will arrive with USB Type-C or other parts of the world will also see this change. if the USB-C change is only exclusive to EU then one can expect the sales of EU-imported iPhone 15s in the black market to go up marginally!
India and Indians around the world are currently celebrating the festival of lights; Diwali. On the occasion, Apple CEO Tim Cook took to his social media and shared Diwali greetings to everyone celebrating. The Apple CEO wrote, “This photo beautifully captures why Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights. Wishing all who celebrate a holiday full of joy and prosperity. #ShotoniPhone by Apeksha Maker.” on Twitter along with a beautiful photo of diyas. Check out Tim Cook’s Diwali greetings below –
Tim Cook shares Diwali greetings
This photo beautifully captures why Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights. Wishing all who celebrate a holiday full of joy and prosperity. #ShotoniPhone by Apeksha Maker. pic.twitter.com/BhUH1MkFfS
For the unversed, this won’t be the first time Tim Cook has shared Diwali greetings for his fans around the world. The CEO of the tech giant has been sharing the festive spirit with Indian spirits for years now. One thing to note this year-round is that Tim did not share which iPhone was this photo clicked on. One can simply assume that it was shot on the iPhone 14 Pro Max as it is the latest premium offering from Apple. For his 2022 Diwali tweet, Tim Cook chose a photo clicked by Apeksha Maker who is based out of Mumbai. She is the co-founder of the ‘The House of Pixels’ company studio. A quick glance at her Instagram profile reveals that she has shot pictures on various generations of the iPhone with her recent being from the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Check out Tim Cook’s Diwali wishes through the years below –
Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali! May the light of this festival bring warmth, health and happiness to you and your families. This beautiful photo was #ShotOniPhone12ProMax by Rohit Vohra (IG: rohit_apf) pic.twitter.com/HTZlqRyqsz
Motorola is back again with yet another Edge series device. This time around, the Moto Edge 30 Fusion. This device is being called by the company as ‘world’s most elegant powerhouse’ and looking at the device’s beautifully curved display I would take that argument into consideration. However, does the device have anything new to offer besides the ‘elegant’ display? Surely!
Heating Concern
The Moto Edge 30 Fusion comes with the Snapdragon 888+ SoC which is one of its biggest drawbacks in my opinion. The chipset is famously known to have heating issues, however, Motorola claims that they have been tackled. The device now comes with a vapour cooling chamber that allows the device to stay cool for longer periods of extensive gaming and other heavy tasks. During my testing of the device, I experienced some warmth at the back of the device during the first extended Call of duty session which quickly turned into the device heating up considerably. The camera module was a point of concern for me as it would heat up much more than the device during extensive gaming.
Impressive Camera
During my extensive testing of the device I could see that while the camera produced vivid and punchy images, it has some improvement to do in noise reduction. I am hoping that the overtly noisy images from the main sensor are rectified through a software update down the line. The camera can shoot up to 8K videos but there is little to no stabilization trying to shoot one.
Beautiful Display
The colours produced by the display are vivid and the brightness at 1100 NITS is just right. Overall, no complaints about the display. The integration of edge light notifications gives the display yet another plus point! And the option to customize the Edge Light notifications is just the cherry on top of the cake.
Dolby Power
The device comes with Dolby branding on top of it which is weird, to say the least. However, I can understand why Moto decided to do that. The Edge 30 Fusion comes with a loud stereo speaker set-up that gives a multi-dimensional stereo sound. When it comes to connectivity, the device houses all 13 5G bands and WIFI 6E integration. Bluetooth 5.2 is also present here.
Clean Software Experience
The software side has been Motorola’s strong suit as they have always delivered a near-stock Android experience for its users. The device comes with Android 12 out of the box and the company has assured that it will get Android 13 and 14 updates down the line along with 3 years of security updates.
The back of the device looks ‘elegant’ as claimed by the company. It comes with a polished sandblasted aluminium frame which is fingerprint-proof. The device seriously feels premium in hand if used without a cover. But Motorola has provided a case in the box for this one. Edge 30 Fusion comes with a 4400 mAh battery which can be powered by a 68-watt charger in the box. The device heated up the first time I charged it using the 68-watt charger, but that was only just that one time.
Verdict
In conclusion, I would like to say that this is a device which should be in your consideration if you’re in the market for a mid-premium phone. While it does not come with the latest Snapdragon 8 + Gen 1 SoC, it comes with a stylish design and enough prowess to power through your day.
Rating – 3/5
8 GB RAM | 128 GB ROM
16.64 cm (6.55 inch) Full HD+ Display
50MP + 13MP + 2MP | 32MP Front Camera
4400 mAh Lithium Battery
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 + Processor
Good – Beautiful Edge Display, Near android Stock Experience, Premium Feel, Loud Stereo Set Up
I’ve taken you across the seven seas sharing the best cities in the world with 5G coverage. However, while looking over all its might and glory, one can easily lose focus on what a technological marvel it really is! It was not long ago when users could only connect to the internet via a complicated set of instructions via stationary computers. However, in 2022, one can stream a feature-length on their mobile devices using just the cellular network connection. While the use case of this technology is wide and has the potential to transform the world into a much deeper global village, it is important to understand what 5G actually is. For the unversed, here are things you should know about 5G:
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of cellular technology. The fast cellular network is designed to reduce latency, increase speed and improve the coverage of wireless services. Theoretically, 5G has a peak speed of 20Gbps. Whereas, the peak speed of 4G is only 1Gbps. The previous generations of cellular technology focused on ensuring that the coverage is stable. However, 5G takes connectivity to another level with high speed and wide coverage.
How does it work?
Wireless networks are composed of cell sites which are divided into sectors that send data using radio waves. The previous 4G cellular networks required large, power-efficient cell towers that radiate signals over long distances. 5G however, uses a large number of small cell stations that transmit signals. These small cell stations are located in places like light poles and building roofs.
The only downside of 5G I see is that its deployment has taken a slower start in India as compared to other countries. While we wait for ultra-fast 5g to hit our major cities with considerably affordable prices, here are some of the benefits of the 5th Gen cellular network:
Higher Frequency
Higher Bandwidth
Fast Mobile Internet Speed
High Data Rates
4K Streaming and Near Real-Time 5G VR Streaming
Real-Time Analytics
Effective Communication with Devices
Accurate Location Tracking
Stable Wireless Connection
While 5G has been an important development in cellular technology which has the potential to change the world, It surely has been caught up in its web of conspiracy theories. If you were using WhatsApp during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, you must have noticed a number of 5G network conspiracy theories floating around. The phenomenon of the 5g conspiracy theory was not only limited to India but also around the world as believers had even torched a number of 5G towers in the UK last year. Here’s a look at the crazy conspiracy theory related to 5G and the COVID-19 outbreak:
The Theory
There are two sides to the conspiracy theory surrounding 5G. While one says that the 5G network is responsible for the spread of COVID-19, another one claims that the new network was deployed under the cover-up of the pandemic. While both these conspiracy theories are wild, to say the least, believers were voicing their opinion about the same on mainstream social media platforms. The conspiracy theories around 5G being linked to COVID-19 were spreading faster than the pandemic itself.
The theories ran wild and soon to an ugly turn when various phone network masts were put on fire by believers. The fire to the fuel were various influencers from around the world with thousands of followers claiming the conspiracy theory to be true. These theories were detailed back being rooted in Facebook posts back from January 2020, around the time the first COVID-19 cases started to emerge. The theories later started suggesting that 5G can suppress the immune system, making people vulnerable to catching the virus. Another theory also suggested that the virus can be transmitted through the use of 5G.
The conspiracy theory around 5G spread like wildfire in India where the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) warned the public not to believe them. The department also urged the citizens to check if the 5G waves emitted in the future will be within the government’s permissible levels. DoT had also cleared out any conspiracy theories stating that mobile towers emit non-ionizing radio frequencies which are incapable of causing harm to any living cells including human beings.
Future of 5G in India
We’ve been across the world and learned about 5G and the conspiracy theories around it. But it would unfair to end this piece without talking about the future of the latest cellular network technology in India. It was back in August 2022 when Reliance Industrial Limited (RIL) held its annual general meeting. The 5G rollout date was made official during this meeting.
As per recent developments, the next-generation mobile network will begin to roll out as early as Diwali 2022. The company also plans to bring more affordable 5G phones to the market in partnership with the tech giant Google. The company stated that it will be available in the metropolitan cities of the country like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai in the first rollout. However, a nationwide rollout of 5G is also expected by December 2023 from the Jio network.
In his keynote address, Mukesh Ambani stated that he believes that digital freedom is the birthright of every Indian. Hence, 5G cannot be exclusive to just a few privileged people in society or those who live in larger cities. The RIL Chairman furthermore added that to build its pan-India True 5G network, the company has committed a total investment of Rs 2 Lakh Crores.
Readers must note that Jio 5G will use a standalone 5G as opposed to the non-standalone version of the connection which requires 4G to provide connectivity. This directly results in faster connectivity speed and reduces latency. Ambani also noted that the goal of the 5G connectivity is not to be out of reach of the masses. The company wishes to bring 5G at a rate more affordable than Jio 4G!
With such interesting developments in the 5G arena in the country, It won’t be wrong to say that Indian cities might soon start having better 5G connectivity than some international cities. With 5G being the next big tech development in India, Would you be interested in trying it out?
If you’ve been in the market to buy a premium mobile device in India, you know that the 5G hype is real! While the fast cellular network connectivity has just made its debut in India, phones with future-proof 5G capabilities have been soaring in sales. India might not yet boast an extensive 5G coverage but sure will in the near future, as early as 2023. But, we have to swallow the sour pill of our country not being there just yet! While the future of 5G connectivity in India looks bright enough to buy a 5G-supported device right away, it has already made a solid impression around the world.
In our travel edition, we wanted to touch upon how emerging cellular network technology has left its mark around the world. Here are some of the techiest cities in the world that are basking in the glory of the 5G speed!
Cities with the best 5G
While India waits its turn to see the launch of the new generation network technology – 5G, there are over 72 countries and 1947 cities that are connected with the 5G network. The COVID-19 pandemic brought upon a slowdown of sorts in the tech world globally but that did not stop 5G from adding one city to its coverage every two days! The second half of 2022 itself saw an expansion of 5G networks in places like Kenya, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Malta, and Mauritius. However, the leading in the list of 72 countries is China and the USA.
While South Korea was the first one to adapt to the 5G network, China and USA were the ones to expand it to most cities. Reports suggest that China supports 5G coverage in a whopping 356 cities in total. Whereas, the United States is gradually catching up with a coverage of 296 cities. Surprisingly, the third in the spot of 5G coverage is the Philippines with a total of 98 cities covered. Check out some of the best 5G cities below:
I don’t think any technologically sound person wouldn’t be shocked to know that China leads the race in 5G deployment. The country currently has 5G base stations in all its major cities and urban areas which is an achievement, to say the least. In early 2022, China’s official Academy of Information and Communication released the 5G deployment report of the previous year. The report stated that 5G mobile phone shipments in the Chinese market hit the 266 million units mark. This showcased the adaptability of the 5G network among the general public as it was a 63.5% increase compared to 2020. The country has over 800,000 shared 5G base stations and more than 2,300 5G industry virtual private networks. Amongst the ever-increasing nature of China’s 5G connectivity, also consists of its financial capital, Shanghai.
Shanghai, China
China’s financial hub, Shanghai had deployed 51,716 5G base stations by the end of April 2022. This amounted to a 20.8 5G base per 10,000 residents. As per reports, Shanghai has showcased an exceptional growth rate of over 65% in recent years. According to Shanghai Communications highspeed Administration, the technologically advanced city had built 8.2 5G base stations per square kilometre. China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom are some of the key players in providing 5G connectivity in China. The three operators had reported that Shanghai saw a cumulative increase of over 9.3 million 5G phone users in the city which amounts to a massive 21.3% of total 5G users in the country.
China’s 5G coverage spreads across all major urban cities, over 98% county-level urban areas and over 80% township-level urban areas! It was only back in February 2022 when Nokia and MediaTek announced that they have achieved the record of the highest 5G speed ever recorded in Shanghai. The test created a record by clocking in the standalone speed of 3Gbps on a 5G mobile device, being a tech enthusiast, it does make me wonder if getting Gbps speeds in India through a 5G network is only a few years away!
Shenzhen, China
Shenzhen caused a major FOMO around the world when it declared that it was the first city in the world to have full 5G coverage. However, it did not come as a surprise as Shenzhen was already touted as the technological capital of China for a long time. The fourth-most populous city in the country is also known as the Silicon Valley of China. While it has now been dethroned by Shanghai, Shenzhen once held the record for having the most numbers of 5G base stations with a number higher than 46,000 back in 2020.
Besides being one of the widest 5G covering cities in the world, Shenzhen is also home to various global tech giants. It was once known as the ‘Factory of the world’ and houses various tech companies like Tencent (PUBG, WeChat), and smartphone and equipment manufacturers like Huawei and ZTE. The tech-forward city also houses the world’s largest drone company – DJI.
Beijing, China
One cannot talk about China’s 5G prowess and leave out Beijing. The capital city of China was the second city to have full 5G coverage in the country. While it has an impressive 5G coverage, what’s interesting is the implementation of the fast network technology. Beijing surprised the world during the 2022 Winter Olympics Games by showcasing its 5G capabilities. The event was the first Winter Olympics with full 5G coverage.
The most interesting 5G implementation was that of the 5G cloud-based broadcast technology. This enabled people to enjoy the Beijing Games event on any device synchronously as COVID-19 kept audiences outside the stadium. 5G smart ambulance was also an impressive addition to the event. Along with monitors and defibrillators, the 5G ambulances were also equipped with data collection techs like cameras and emergency gateways. 5G was used by the ambulance medical staff to transfer data and relevant information to the emergency centre. Allowing real-time updates and data sharing. The
5G railway was a welcoming experience for people trying to Livestream ultra HD videos at a speed of 350 kilometres per hour! China is currently expecting to have over 530 million users by 2023.
Now, let’s move on to the home of K-Pop, South Korea. Besides carving its place in mainstream pop culture through its music, films and TV shows, South Korea is also a hub for 5G connectivity. The Korean government played a crucial role in the global acceptance of 5GF by being the first country in the world to launch it back in 2019. The country has reportedly spent nearly $20 billion to boost connection speeds via network upgrades, resulting in over 45% of the population now using 5G.
Seoul, South Korea
Next time you’re in the capital of South Korea to attend the concert of your favourite k-Pop band, do make sure to check the 5G speed there (well, if you have a 5G device, of course!) Opensignal, the independent global standard for studying consumer mobile experience has recently reported that the average download speed through a 5G device in Seoul was clocking in at a massive 453.1 Mbps. This was faster than Kuala Lumpur which clocked in at 376.1 Mbps. When it comes to uploading speeds in Seoul, it comes in at an impressive 40.6Mbps. The fastest 5G upload speeds are enjoyed by Kuala Lumpur users at 52.8Mbps. The availability of 5G is also widespread in the South Korean capital. Users were able to access 5G in Seoul at a 43.4% rate.
South Korea is currently at a critical point in the advancement of technology. The country has proven to become an economic juggernaut having technological prowess. Seoul sits at the crux of this development being the capital, it implements a number of technological wonders which are backed by the ever-growing 5G capability.
Now, let’s jump on to the United States! Home to well-known carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon and Mint, USA is a prominent player when it comes to 5G expansion. T-Mobile 5G download speeds have clocked up at 171 Mbps in the USA. While not as fast as China’s average of 295 Mbps, it is still a competitive speed. All the major USA carriers have launched 5G and working tirelessly to expand the network nationwide. While some carriers millimetre-wave (mmWave0 technology to provide ultra-fast speeds, other carriers use a lower-band spectrum to cover a larger area. While the USA has been a hub for the growth of 5G, it has also been the hub for rather amusing conspiracy theories based on the fast-speed network. From 5g causing COVID-19 to 5G causing ‘Vaccinated People to Explode’, we’ve heard it all. We’ll explore the strangely funny conspiracy theories around 5G towards the end of this topic.
As of now, T-Mobile is the widest 5G network carrier in the USA. It switched to the nationwide network back in December 2019 which allowed it to have a winning edge over the other 5G carriers in the country. T-Mobile 5G networks cover 5,000 cities and over 200 million people. The carrier also provides an ‘Ultra Capacity’ connection which offers millimetre-wave coverage. Though, it is far more limited as compared to standard extended-range capacity networks. It was only back in June 2022 when T-Mobile announced the launch of commercial Voice-over-5G in limited areas of Portland and Salt Lake City. Let’s have a look at the techiest 5G cities in the USA:
Seattle
I know, when it comes to America, we all think of New York or California as leading tech cities, but Seattle takes the cake here! The city has cemented itself as a superstar tech hub as it houses global tech players like Amazon, Microsoft and Nintendo. It also houses a number of heavily funded homegrown startups adding more to its technological prowess.
Fun Fact: Seattle is also known as a world centre for coffee roasting, making it a somewhat coffee capital of the USA. The city houses numerous coffeehouses having a widespread coffee culture. If you ever happen to visit Seattle, don’t forget to try the delicious coffee at world-famous coffeehouses like ‘Sound and Fog’ or ‘Caffe Ladro’. And of course, the 5G download speeds in this city have clocked up to 760.9Mbps. You won’t face any network issues while trying to post Instagram stories from the said coffeehouses!
New York
“Concrete Jungle Where Dreams are Made of..” who doesn’t wanna visit New York? If you ask me, I cannot wait to stroll around the city, be it walking around Central Park or trying out the $1 pizza slice. I wanna do it all, but won’t it all be so much fun if I get access to a fast 5G connection to make it easier for me to commute through the hustling and bustling city?
Among the 30 major cities around the world, New York topped the list of cities having the highest 5G coverage. However, the city does not have an ultra-fast 5G connection. The city has an average download speed of 119.8Mbps, which surely is fast enough! Another interesting thing with the development of 5G in New York is the city’s plan to roll out 5G connectivity in the Subway transit system!
Los Angeles
Hollywood’s home, celebrities to spot in the wild, multiple tourist attractions and ultra-fast 5G, Los Angeles has it all! It was only back in February 2022 when T-Mobile had extended its coverage across the city with a big investment of $100 million. The mobile network company now covers nearly 95% of its user with the ultra-fast 5G. T-Mobile installed a state-of-the-art 5G System during the 2022 Superbowl to give users a taste of its ultra-fast 5G. The network had clocked in peak download speeds of a whopping 1.5Gbps.
COVID times brought upon a big surge in home entertainment and how films are consumed. The mainstream entertainment industry globally is now adapting to the changing audience behaviour when it comes to stepping into the cinemas to watch a film. This major change in consumer behaviour has been enabled by OTT platforms going mainstream during the outbreak. Now, the audience can be seen walking in for only event films like a Marvel project or the recently released Brashmastra which was yet another addition to the crowded superhero genre of films. Whereas, other films are quickly being directed to OTT platforms from the cinemas due to a lack of audience. One major reason for this shift in audience behaviour is being credited to people now having access to OTT platforms via televisions which provide a premium viewing experience.
The emerging pattern of changing audience behaviour suggests that people now are more than just happy to enjoy a film on their television as opposed to walking in the cinema halls. Televisions on the other hand have also upped their game by providing multiple features and high resolutions which enables users to enjoy the content in the best form. While smart televisions in India are available at multiple price points starting from as low as Rs 8K, we wanted to have a look at the flip side of the coin to find the most expensive television in the country.
Be it Samsung, LG, or Xiaomi, various tech players have introduced their offerings in the premium television market. All the below-listed televisions are the best the company has to offer at an expensive price point. Here are the most expensive televisions to buy in India:
Samsung The Wall Luxury 292-inch Ultra HD 8K Smart MicroLED TV
The Wall television series is in a class of its own. Designed specifically for either business or luxury living, The Wall TV comes with a massive 292-inch form factor. The price of the television is as big as the form factor it comes with. Samsung’s The Wall is priced at a colossal 88 lakhs, making it one of the most expensive televisions around the world. While there are overkill televisions which come at the pricepoint of crores only cause they have gold and diamonds on them, I am keeping this list exclusive to TVs priced at expensive rates for what they offer.
The Wall TV is titled such due to its microLED technology. The microLED technology transfers micrometre-scale LEDs into LED modules which resemble wall tiles. The company claims that The Wall’s microLED technology can provide two times superior colour purity and a vast colour gamut as compared to other LED displays. The 292-inch TV produces a one-of-a-kind colour output with vibrant yet natural colours. The main attraction of the television for me is the depth of less than 30 mm and the bezel-free infinity design which can blend into its surrounding like a giant frame. Not to forget that the company also manufactures a TV lineup titled ‘The Frame’, however, ‘The Wall’ is the perfect title for this gigantic 292-inch TV.
Price: ₹88,00,000
LG Signature OLED R 65
To the unversed, the ‘R’ in the title of the LG Signature OLED R 65 stands for ‘Rollable’. This is the first TV ever to come with a rollable 65-inch display. The TV with the flexible display is priced at… wait for it… a MASSIVE ₹75 lakhs! So what do you get for paying the price for a TV you can get a house for? For me, it is the futuristic form factor.
Imagine waking up in the morning and pressing a button to make your television emerge from a table-like speaker set-up! It will surely make me feel like Tony Stark aka Iron Man. The USP of the rollable TV is the flexible display itself, of course. The display can be ‘rolled into’ three different modes namely, Full View Mode, Line View Mode, and Zero View mode where the display can be entirely rolled down just to use the speaker. It comes with the support of Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos. While the television is not 8K, something one would expect in TV after spending a quarter less than a crore, the 4K self-lit panel provides crisp details and an immersive experience. Would I be interested in spending that amount on television? Hear me out, if I can feel like am living in the future with a rollable TV, why not? The LG Signature OLED R 65 is available only in offline stores and not on any online shopping portals.
Price: ₹75,00,000
LG Z2 88 (223cm) 8K Smart Signature OLED TV
the LG Z2 88-inch 8K Smart Signature OLED TV, This television is clearly the best you can get for your money and is priced at a massive amount of ₹23.50 lakhs on LG’s official website. The ultra-premium TV was an honoree of the CES 2022 Innovation Award which is a big achievement. Well, if you’re willing to shell out over 20 lakhs for your television then you must know if it is actually worth shelling out the big bucks. The simple answer is ‘Heck yeah!’
The TV comes with a vibrant self-lit 8K OLED panel. It provides deep and rich colours as 33 million pixels illuminate independently for optimum entertainment. It comes with LG’s α9 Gen 5 AI 8K processor that includes body and object-enhancing capabilities to sharpen people and objects in the frame. The TV does not come with a backlight as all pixels are self-illuminating, providing deeper blacks and the right contrast for every light setting. The presence of Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos brings the cherry on the top with immersive details. Gamers can also call this television their primary gaming screen easily as it comes with the support of NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync and VRR Support. This allows ultra-fast action in the games to appear smooth. It has the audio prowess of 80W in the front firing setting. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 are also present on the premium television.
Price: ₹23,50,000
Samsung QA85Q950TSK 85 inch QLED 8K UHD TV
You cannot talk about expensive TVs and not include Samsung as it is one of the key players. The Samsung QA85Q950TSK 85-inch comes with a Quantum 8k processor. Before I tell you about all the cool features this TV comes with, let me tell you that this Samsung TV is priced at a whopping ₹14.50 lakhs. The 85-inch TV came with an 8K panel with AI upscaling capabilities. The quantum 8K processor can upscale various sources and resolutions in 8K which always gives the viewer a premium experience. Besides the stunning 8K upscaling prowess, the Samsung TV also comes with object Object Tracking Sound+ technology. This feature tracks motion in the video and creates an immersive sound using the up-firing and down-firing speakers.
The Samsung QA85Q950TSK QLED TV also comes with Ultra Viewing Angle capabilities. This enables the viewer to see consistent pictures from every angle. Another useful feature of the TV is the ‘Multi View’ option which splits the TV screen in two, allowing viewers to watch films/shows on one side, and mirror their mobile device on the other. Apple users have an added benefit with this TV as it comes with AirPlay 2 built-in. This enables users to share content from Apple devices to the TV with ease. The 75-Inch variant of the device is priced at ₹10.50 lakhs.
Price: ₹14,50,000
LG Nano99 8K NanoCell TV
The next television on the most expensive list is all about colours! While consuming content on television, viewers can often see some colour disparities. While the blacks aren’t deep enough in some TVs, the colour saturation or production is just not right in others. LG tried to tackle this issue in their NanoCell TV series which comes with technology capable of emitting the right colours. The LG NanoCell technology, according to the company operates on Pure RGB wavelength which removes impure colours from the picture.
The company claims that NanoCell technology produces ‘Close To Perfection’ colours having a contrast modulation rate of 97.8%. The highest in its class when it comes to accurate colour production, if you wish to buy the LG NanoCell 8K TV then you’ll have to shell out ₹10,99,990. Using deep learning algorithms, the NanoCell TV can transform 2K and 4K content into 8K, enhancing the detail and definition. Talking about the definition, the TV provides optimal HDR picture quality by making several adjustments. Sports fans also have something for their interest as it can send sports alerts before, during and after games. It comes with a 60W speaker output with a 20W sub-woofer output.
Price: ₹10,99,990
Samsung 75-inch Frame QLED 4K TV
When it comes to the blend of style and technology, the Samsung 75-inch Frame QLED 4K TV definitely takes the cake. The TV comes with a swappable, snap-on picture frame which gives it a different touch altogether. The TV is marketed more as a lifestyle product which comes with a matte display designed to showcase art at its best. The Samsung Frame 75-inch QLED television was initially launched at the price of ₹4,24,900 but is currently priced at ₹2,99,990 on Samsung India’s official website.
The feature which makes it stand out from the lot is as the name suggests, the frame itself. The TV comes equipped with the ‘Art Mode’ where the frame transforms into an art display whenever you are not watching TV. viewers can choose from a library of over 1,400 artworks or add their own art pieces to reflect their unique personalities. The screensaver mode in all typical Android TV does not stand anywhere near the Art mode in Samsung’s The Frame.
Price: ₹2,99,990
Vu The Masterpiece Glo Series 4K
After going through a number of ultra-expensive television sets, I would like to acquaint you with a TV which won’t burn as big a hole in your pocket. The Vu Masterpiece Glo Series is priced at ₹1,59,990 for the 75-inch variant. While this definitely is expensive, the feature-rich TV provides an overall experience which bangs for the buck. The cinephile in me wonders at the ‘Filmmaker Mode’ feature present in the TV. The company claims to have collaborated with filmmakers like Christopher Nolan to build the feature which displays the content exactly how it was intended to be portrayed by Hollywood well-knowns.
The Vu Masterpiece Glo Series 4K comes with an Armani Gold 4.1 speaker with a subwoofer built in. The 100W sound system coupled with the subwoofer makes the additional requirement of sound systems obsolete. Another key feature of the TV comes with a far-field microphone for hands-free voice searches. The TV can be given commands from a distance as opposed to having a remote nearby to give voice commands.
Price: ₹1,59,990
Xiaomi Mi QLED Q1 4K
The final TV in the list comes from Xiaomi. The Xiaomi Mi QLED Q1 TV is touted by the company as the ‘Theatre of Tomorrow’, and looking at the powerful specs priced at just ₹1,29,999, it is definitely worth having a look at. The 75-inch TV comes with a 4K Ultra resolution with a refresh rate of 120Hz. For connectivity, there are 3 HDMI ports which can connect to the latest gaming consoles and set-top boxes. 2 USB ports and Bluetooth 5.0 are also present here.
Xiaomi had disrupted the Indian TV market by saturating it with 4K televisions at a competitive price. With the QLED TV, the company has attempted to do the same by pricing it a little lesser than the competition. The Quantum Dot display is coupled with a powerful sound system. It comes with a 6-speaker set-up with 30W output. The picture quality is also top-notch as it comes with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG.
I get it, the latest iPhone 14 pro models are worth an upgrade! The new notch is definitely something I would like to flaunt on people but it comes with a hefty price tag. Let’s keep the pro models on the side, the standard iPhone 14 will also run up a high price for you as upgrades are not cheap. Knowing that the newer iPhones and flagship Android devices come with that price tag, one could simply choose to hold back on their device for another year or two. Annual mobile device upgrades are not a strict requirement unless you’re a tech junkie. So, for people who are looking to preserve their phones for a longer period of time, here are some tips and tricks:
Remove unrequired apps and photos
After using a mobile device for an extended period of time, users start complaining about lags and stutters. In the majority of cases, this happens due to the storage and RAm capabilities of the device getting maxed out. An average user might not check if their storage is running out which results in the phone becoming less responsive and slow. This could force the user to consider an upgrade as opposed to clearing out the storage. Please make sure that any unnecessary apps, photos, texts and documents are removed from the device.
Power Down!
Does your laptop keep running day in and out for months? Probably not. People do not keep their laptops running 24/7 but show no mercy to their mobile phones. Readers should know that your mobile phone is similar to a computer in multiple ways, this means that it does require to shut down and take a breather now and then. Allowing your phone to shut down for a few minutes every week will allow it to run more efficiently and extends its life.
Replace your battery
Why spend a huge amount of money to upgrade your device if you can spend marginally less and fix your battery? Mobile phone batteries come with a certain number of charge cycles. As the number of these charge cycles keeps increasing, the battery becomes less efficient. Swapping your battery every two years helps in retaining the longevity of the device. Many phone insurance plans usually cover battery swap prices. Whereas, iPhone users can get battery swaps done through Apple’s official service providers making it a stress-free experience.
Protect the screen
One of the most vulnerable yet the most important component of your mobile device is its screen. Screen cracks are a common thing for phones to go through yet it doesn’t make it any less painful. Users should make sure that their mobile screens are protected with the help of a tempered screen protector. While tempered glass does not entirely ensure that your phone screen will survive a big drop, it sure brings in added protection. Other things to consider to maintain your device for a long time are investing in a sturdy phone case, cleaning your ports, and keeping the best charging practices.
The smartphone market right now is as saturated with options as the gas station convenience store! If you need a camera-centric device, you can choose from various options. A similar trend goes on for performance-centric and gaming-centric mobile devices. However, when it comes to travelling, people really need to find a device which can best suit their needs. Based on your use case and needs, smartphones can replace a professional camera, flashlight, physical maps, and much more.
In our travel edition, I wanted to have a look at mobile devices with 8GB RAM. But what does having an 8GB RAM phone have to do with travel you ask? In my understanding of tech, having an 8GB RAM device puts users in the perfect sweet spot of stable and optimal usage. One doesn’t need to necessarily burn a hole in their pocket by spending on an ultra-premium device with 12/16GB RAM while travelling as devices with 8GB RAM can do the job just right. Here are my recommendations for the best 8GB RAM phones for your next travel outing:
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
Getting the most expensive device on the list away first! I don’t know how appealing you find Samsung’s ‘Flip’ design, but the compact form factor seals the deal for me. Imagine backpacking in the woods without having to worry about a big phone in your pocket. Once folded, the device adapts a small size which packs in a big surprise with its performance. The device comes with the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 coupled with 8GB RAM which makes it the perfect companion for your next outstation trip. The 3700mAh battery is the only point of concern but the device is capable of 25W fast charging. However, you do not get a charger in the box.
The QuickShot feature in the Galaxy z Flip4 device allows users to click selfies directly from the cover display. While the device comes with water resistance, it does not allow users to expand storage through a memory card slot. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is currently priced at ₹89,999 for the 8/128Gb model.
Xiaomi 12 Pro
Xiaomi definitely has a number of offerings in mobile devices in each price segment. The company is known to provide flagship-like features for budget to midrange devices. However, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is the best the company has to offer when it comes to performance and design. The high-end devices at a considerable price, deliver in every aspect. The display of the Xiaomi 12 Pro is a 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device also comes with HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and a peak brightness of 1500 nits, enabling you to enjoy the movie you like in Full HD on your flight across borders. A big bump in the battery from the Galaxy Z Flip4, Xiaomi 12 Pro comes with a 4600mAh battery capacity.
Whereas, the device also has powerful 120W charging to power up the device to 100% in 18 minutes. It is available in both 8 and 12GB RAM variants, making it fit your requirements. It is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor which provides a smooth performance. The Xiaomi 12 Pro is priced at ₹54,999.
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
For me, the last OnePlus device which lived up to the brand’s ‘Never Settle’ tagline was the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G. While I understand that the device doesn’t live up to its brand’s market disruptive history, it was a competitive device, to say the least. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is powered by the octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor, which is the only minus point in my opinion (being a biased Snapdragon loyalist of course). However, it packs an overall punch which makes one consider buying the device. So what does the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G brings to the table?
It comes with a 90Hz refresh rate 6.40-inch display with a resolution of 1080×2400 pixels. It has a pixel density of 409 pixels per inch with an aspect ratio of 20:9. The higher variant of the device comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The camera setup offers a 64-MP primary lens coupled with 8-MP and 2-MP lenses. The front camera setup features a decent 16-MP lens. The 4500mAh battery of the device can be juiced up with the 65W SUPERVOOC charging. The 8/128GB variant of the device is priced at ₹24,999.
Redmi Note 11 Pro
Another Xiaomi device for the win! The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5g is straight-up a powerful device which provides powerful performance at a reasonable price. The premier attraction of the device for me is the beautiful quad-camera setup which houses the powerful 108-MP main camera. The main camera produces some crystal clear images, whereas the other three 8+2+2-MP lenses provide solid assistance. It comes with a powerful 5000mAh battery which can be charged up to 50% in just 15 minutes with the 67W fast charger.
The device does not come with 5G capabilities which can be a deal breaker for people looking for future-proof devices. But it should definitely be on your list for the best 8GB RAM phones. The 8/128GB variant of the Redmi Note 11 Pro is priced at ₹20,999.
Vivo V25 Pro 5G
The 8GB RAM devices carry a ‘Pro’ tag with them in the market. This tag looks justified to me as the smartphones do provide some of the best features without going past the ₹50K mark. The Vivo V25 Pro 5G is one such device. It comes with the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset with 8GB RAM which makes it a complete performer. Whereas, the 64-MP primary camera is the cherry on top.
Vivo V25 Pro 5G comes with a 6.56-inches bezel-less display with a refresh rate of 120hz. It comes with a battery capacity of 4840mAh which can be charged with a 66W fast charging system. It comes with non-expandable 128GB internal storage. The powerful 64Mp camera is backed by an 8-MP wide angle and 2-MP macro lens. Whereas, the 32-MP front camera shoots crisp images. The Vivo V25 Pro 5G is priced at ₹35,999.
OnePlus 10T
Placing the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G above the OnePlus 10T in the list is as shocking to me as it is to you. However, while the flagship offering by OnePlus is definitely one of the devices to consider, it failed to impress me as it has little to no upgrades from its predecessor the OnePlus 10 Pro. In fact, it has a few downgrades like the lack of the Hasselblad branding and the downgraded display resolution. But there are a few plus points to the device which make it an optimal choice for some users. The USP of the device for me is the ultra-fast charging of a whopping 150W which can top up its 4,800mAh battery in mere 20 minutes.
The OnePlus 10T is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which is the latest and most powerful offering by Qualcomm to this date. The powerful processor is blacked by the 8GB RAM but the storage options are limited to 256GB as it does not support expandable storage. You should also note that the 8GB RAM variant is exclusive to the 128GB storage options. The 256GB storage option is available for the 12/16GB RAM variants. Instead of a Hasselblad camera, the OnePlus 10T comes with a 50-MP main Sony IMX766 lens coupled with an 8-MP Ultrawide camera and 2-MP macro lens camera. Whereas, the selfie camera has EIS support at 16-MP. It is priced at ₹49,999 for the 8/128GB variant. Whereas, the overkill 16GB and 256Gb variant is priced at ₹55,999.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
This is personally my favourite device on the list. Having used it for nearly a year before accidentally breaking it off, I do have some experience with the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G which is majorly positive. The only negative point I see for the device is that it was released back in March 2021, making it over a year old in the Indian market which could be a deal breaker for many. However, yesteryear’s flagship device with this year’s midrange prices is not a deal I would like to pass on.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G comes with the Snapdragon 865 chip, which might be slightly older, but it is definitely powerful. It comes with 8GB of LPDDR5-type RAM which is considerably faster. It comes with Samsung’s flagship staple Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The impressive camera setup includes a 12-MP f/1.8 wide-angle primary camera with an 8-MP telephoto lens and another 12-MP ultra-wide lens. The selfies can be shot with the powerful 32-MP camera which produces some of the best selfie shots. The internal storage can also be extended using a microSD card up to 1TB. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FEis priced at ₹29,999.
Motorola Edge 30 Fusion
I have used the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion for over two weeks and can confirm that it is a powerful device. Keeping aside a few gripes I had with the device, like the heating issue, the new Moto midrange flagship comes with one of the RAM management features in all of the devices listed here. Getting the drawback out of the line first, it comes with a Snapdragon 888 Plus chipset which is known for its heating issue. While using the device, I noticed it heating up during gaming sessions and charging. But it was not a deal breaker for me.
The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion comes with a 6.55 inches P-OLED display with a resolution of 1080×2400 pixels. The key feature of the device for me is the beautiful 144Hz screen which comes with a partial always-on-display. The camera of the device features a 50-MP wide-angle main lens accompanied by a 13-MP Ultra-wide camera and a 2-MP Macro camera. Motorola has equipped the front of the device with a 32-MP shooter for selfies and video calls. The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is priced at ₹39,999 for the 8/128Gb variants.
Nothing Phone 1
The Nothing Phone 1’s light-up back is clearly a flex. For years as manufacturers have focussed more and more on the front of the device, Nothing took a different approach and went with a stylised back side which comes with the glyph interface, The transparent backside of the device comes with flashing light strips that beat rhythmically to the beats of a ringtone or other notifications. But, the device is not just a LED light show as it comes with power-packed insides too.
The Nothing Phone 1 comes with a powerful Snapdragon 778G+ chipset which is far more than just capable of multitasking and gaming. It comes with a powerful dual-lens camera set up with a primary lens of 50-MP and another 50-MP ultra-wide lens. The front of the device is equipped with a 16-MP selfie shooter. The 4500mAh battery is powered by fast charging capabilities. The Nothing Phone 1 can be purchased at ₹33,999 for the 8/128GB variant, whereas, the 8/256GB variant is priced at ₹36,999. The 12GB RAM variant is also available for this one priced at ₹39,999.
We’re living in the ‘Smart’ age. We have smartphones to experience the world behind a screen, smart watches to track our health, and even smart refrigerators to track all the details of the food stored inside them. So, it is only natural that our air circulation system also becomes smart. How long do we rely on ceiling fans which just move around in a similar fashion known for decades, why not move on to something smarter? That’s where the Acerpure Cool C2 2-in-1 Air Circulator and Purifier jumps in!
I was genuinely surprised when I saw Acer’s smart air purifier and circulator. My first ever laptop as a school student was an Acer hence I have always associated the brand with laptops and monitors. However, having a quick look at the company’s website cleared all assumptions. So how good is Acer’s 2-in-1 air purifier? I’d say it’s solid!
Design
Besides its air purification prowess, the C2 comes with a sleek and modern design. In my opinion, it is a futuristic design that can easily compare to sci-fi characters. I call it Wall-E! Or even R2-D2 at times. The design is surely aesthetic as it comes in white color and has a cylindrical form factor. The compact design places its filters at the side and bottom and the air calculator is placed on the top which looks like the head of a robot. Taking its compact design into consideration, the C2 surely has enough power to circulate air throughout a small room.
LCD display & Remote
C2’s LCD display and remote definitely deserve a segment in the review for its functionality options. The mini display showcases a number of details like PM2.5, GAS, smart mode, lock mode, Turbo, or Wi-Fi. However, the most important information over here is the dust and gas status. To the unversed, PM2.5 are tiny particles in air pollutants. The display comes equipped with a Gas Status which can indicate the level of volatile organic compounds. The status is indicated in three different colors green, yellow, and red (good, moderate, poor). All the modes on the air purifier/circulator can be accessed on the device itself but we also have a compact remote here. The small remote can be used to adjust the settings of the C2 and can be conveniently placed behind the device as it is also magnetic.
Performance
There is a difference between an electric fan and an air calculator. While the C2 comes with capabilities to circulate the air through the side and up/down movements, it is not enough to cover up a big room. Users can control the direction of the airflow with 90 degrees up and down swings and 80 degrees left to right. However, in my usage I kept the air circulator fixed at one angle as it proved to be more efficient that way. The company claims that it can circulate clean air up to 12 meters and that surely is true for its turbo mode. One thing to note here is that with turbo mode usage, the C2 becomes considerably loud, which is the opposite of its advertised quiet circulation.
Verdict
At a price of Rs 12,990, the C2 should be on your list if you’re in the market for a good air purifier. I mention an air purifier and not an air circulator or a fan cause the device is not up to the mark in that arena. Sure it has a distant airflow that can circulate around the room but it is only applicable to people living in colder places. People living in warm places cannot simply rely on the C2’s air circulation capabilities.
Good
Easy setup and cleaning
Bad
Pricing
Ugly
Limited air circulation power
Specifications
Airflow Distance up to 12m
Smart Sensors like Gast Sensor (VOC) and Laser Particle Sensor PM1.0 & PM2.5
