With the influx of gaming content creators flooding the internet and video game plays garnering millions of views across multiple portals, it is not a surprise to see a number of gaming laptops making their way to the market. While the premium gaming experience is limited to expensive laptops that can make you cash out up to Rs 5 lakhs and more, there are some capable computers that provide a considerable gaming performance at a cheaper price point. Lenovo is one such company that is offering gaming laptops at both a premium and a mid-range price point and we are here to review the latter. Before we jump on the detailed review of the IdeaPad Gaming 3i 15IAH7, here is a quick conclusion for those who do not have time – It is amazing! (for the price)
Design and Display
While buying a gaming laptop, it is only natural for people to assume that it’ll come with the best display. Well, that’s not the case here. The 15.6-inch variant of the IdeaPad 3i comes with an FHD IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate. There is no 2K or 4K display here but rather a 1080P display which is vibrant for its limitations. The design of this machine is especially eye candy that does not comes with aggressive branding all over. There’s subtle Lenovo branding on the top and the base of the laptop which gives it a sophisticated look. One additional point to Lenovo for adding ample ports to the IdeaPad Gaming 3i that include USB Type-A ports on either side coupled with major ports including a Type-C at the rear of the laptop. It comes with a vibrant 1080P webcam that was more than just good enough to attend zoom calls.
Connectivity
The IdeaPad Gaming 3i’s connectivity proved ample options ranging from Wi-Fi 6 to Bluetooth 5.0. I was easily able to connect and disconnect from Bluetooth devices experiencing little to no delay while gaming on Bluetooth earbuds. The Wi-Fi performance was top-notch having no issues in loading high-quality videos and downloading heavy files from the internet.
Keyboard and trackpad
Being a content writer, I spend my days typing away a thousand words daily. While using the IdeaPad Gaming 3i as my daily driver, I found no issues while typing on the keyboard as it is evenly spaced out making for a seamless typing experience. While I understand that the RGB-lit keyboard is the current trend and it differentiates gaming laptops from others, I found myself keeping the keyboard lights shut down as they were more of a distraction at times. While I was provided with the IdeaPad gaming mouse which was an amazing experience, I made sure to spend a long chunk of my gaming hours on the trackpad. There were no issues while using the trackpad that was worth noting.
Performance
Now, jumping on the big gun! How does this budget gaming laptop actually perform? During my extensive testing of this gaming laptop I played Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered in its entirety along with some Fortnite and Valorant sprinkled on the side. With the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti and Intel i7 12th Gen working hand-in-hand, the laptop was capable of producing some engaging gaming performance. While the lack of a 4K screen was dearly missed, the vibrancy of the display and the smooth performance made up for it. The 170W charger provided was quick to juice up the laptop during extended gaming sessions, however, I found the battery to drop too quickly while playing games for my liking.
Verdict
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i is an ideal gaming machine that strikes the perfect balance between pricing, performance, and even portability with its lightweight form factor. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop that does not burn a hole in your pocket then this is definitely the one for you!
Sony has been nailing the art of perfection since they launched WH-1000X series headphones in 2016. The 6-year-old flagship active noise cancelling (ANC) headphone series is one of the most loved and has helped the company to stay one step ahead of the competition. I spent 2-weeks getting to know the recently released Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones and realised why they’re referred to as one of the best in the segment.
Design
The WH-1000XM5 headphones are the first one in the series to receive a complete redesign, and the company has named them as a noiseless design. The slimmer and lightweight headphones are way too attractive than their predecessors. The earcups are in a flattened dome shape and can swivel sideways, while the hinge of the headband is hidden. Along with the headphones, the case also looks classy and can be flattened to half when empty.
Comfort
The earcups are made of recycled soft-fit leather padding, but they no longer collapse inwards within the headband like their predecessors, which is not quite welcome. The headphones have wide padding to accommodate all types of ears, which means anyone can wear them for hours without feeling irritated. The left earcup has two physical buttons: a power button and another to switch ANC modes like ANC, ANC off, or Ambient sound modes.
Controls
Input (touchpad) > Action
Swipe up > Volume up
Swipe down > Volume down
Swipe forward > Track forward
Swipe back > Trackback
Hold (centre) > Voice assistant
Double tap centre> Pause/resume
Cup hand > Ambient sound passthrough
Connection
You can connect the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones to your source device via Bluetooth or TRS cable and can charge the headphones by plugging into the USB-C port, which is at the bottom of the right ear. To get the most out of these headphones for your phone, you must get the Sony Headphones Connect App (iOS/Android). The app is required for features like ANC optimisation, 360 Reality Audio, a custom equaliser and, of course, to get updates.
Audio Quality & Noise Cancelling
The headphones feature a single 30mm driver instead of 40mm like its predecessor, which made us think we would lose the signature dynamism of the WH line. Thankfully, they sound as good as the WH-1000XM4s, but not better for sure. The headphones support SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs over Bluetooth. The sound of the WH-1000XM5 headphones is dominated by strong bass but fails lavishly when it comes to delivering premium audio quality.
The ANC of the XM5 headphone is one of the best in the market and will make sure you have a great music experience. Compared to the previous generations, XM5 offer better performance in the low end and can easily beat its competitors, such as Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and Bose QuietComfort 45. I have used them at all the noisy places like local trains, busy streets etc., and they outperform everywhere as they drop off unwanted sounds by around 30 dB.
Microphone
The WH-1000XM5 headphones feature 8 microphones, double that of its predecessor XM4, and in terms of performance, they are impressive. The XM5 headphones arrive with an AI noise rejection algorithm, so you don’t have to think twice before receiving a call in noisy outdoors. The headphones offer good voice quality, and your callers can hear you clearly. There are some glitches in the headphones, which Sony could fix in a software update.
Battery Life
The company has claimed the headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours with ANC enabled and up to 40 hours with noise cancelling switched off. In our testing, the headphones lasted slightly longer than advertised in both cases, with ANC enabled and disabled. The battery life is enough for a week whether you commute for 2+ hours daily or take 3+ long-haul flights. The headphones provide about 3 hours of playback in just 3-minutes of charge.
Verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are going to be a memorable purchase and a remarkable experience if you’re someone who travels a lot, be it commuting to work or taking several work flights. We know they are expensive, and investing ₹34,990 on headphones would be too much to gamble on, but you can’t forget the reality that they’re one of the best ANC headphones on the market.
Mercedes has been a leader in the luxury car segment in India for a long time. Challengers like BMW and Audi have always been close seconds. Despite the sales chart buzz, the only 7-seater car in Mercedes-Benz India has been the Mercedes GLS. The GLS demands and commands a presence, but its sheer size and price could be intimidating. A glimpse of Mercedes-Benz’s positive sales figures in India comes from their immense pool of over 7000 pre-orders, including a sold-out GLC.
Not only is this company successful at making luxury cars, but it also commands one of the largest fleets of premium SUVs. Adding versatility, Mercedes has launched a new platform. Bringing back the B series cars, meet the new Mercedes-Benz EQB and GLB. For the first time in India, Mercedes offers a modular 7-seater platform in three fuel types and multiple SKUs.
Mini-GLS and Mini-EQS
Mercedes-Benz does not shy away from admitting the B segment launches are highly inspired by the S series. The GLB is also globally termed as the mini-GLS for the design elements, while the EQB looks similar to the global EQS SUV. What’s missing is the sheer size of their elder sibling inspirations. Both these cars are substantial in presence, almost as long as the best-selling GLC. The front fascia might look different on both cars, giving them a unique identity. The side panels on both vehicles are more or less the same, encompassing an overall length of 4,646mm, liberating a healthy 2,829mm wheelbase. The GLB also gets an optional AMG Kit accessory allowing 19-inch AMG rims with AMG steering wheel, Alcantara goodness, metal pedals and more. Thanks to the elder siblings, the GLB and EQB look friendly and welcoming without the domineer dimensions.
While the GLB follows the GLS split lamp design with neat-looking DRLs similar to the GLS, the EQB is unmistakably an EQ platform from Mercedes-Benz with a connected LED design front and rear. Sharing platforms, the EQB and GLB share the interior design with subtle changes based on the model. Our first drive cars were the top-of-the-line GLB 220d 4-Matic and EQB 300 4-Matic. Featuring AMG-styled flat-bottom steering wheels, turbine-styled AC vents, an ambient lighting package, Alcantara seats with lumbar-lateral support and more, these cars are loaded to the brim considering the segment. Based on the A-series limousine platform also featured on the GLA, the GLB and EQB stand longer than most of its competitors, including the Audi Q5!
Familiarly Merc on the inside
Mercedes-Benz uses different quality materials and textures with soft-touch leather, metal accents and LED elements on hard plastic, albeit in better quality. The centre console features a floating 10.25” touch infotainment system loaded with MBUX (connected car features and voice commands – Hey Mercedes) and a 4-Matic info-clad 10.25” MID. The functional centre column also brings rollable shutters to reveal a wireless charging pad, 12V connector, USB Type-C port, drive select metal knobs, HVAC controls in see-through design, a touch panel with wrist rest and a deep powered pocket that doubles as the arm-rest. There are multiple bottle holders, and the cabin feels functional yet sumptuous, thanks to the quality materials and ambient LED treatment. The GLB gets a matte aluminium finish on the AC vents, while the EQB features a body-coloured matte finish on the front AC vents.
The middle-row and third-row seats get USB Type-C charging ports with additional recline angles and adjustments for leg space on the middle row. The middle-row armrest also houses rollable cup holders in a 40,20,40 split-seat configuration. The 50-50 third-row seats are best suited for preteens and pets when required. With all the seats up, the powered tailgate liberates 130L boot space, 500L on folding the third row and up to 1055L on folding both rear rows. Limited by space, Mercedes includes a puncture repair kit instead of a spare wheel for emergencies. Breathing more space into the interiors is a two-way panoramic sunroof.
Impressive when steady and rolling
Safety first, the entire line-up gets seven airbags, with curtain extensions for the third-row passengers. Apart from a 5-star global NCAP rating, these cars also feature TPMS, HAC, lane keep, brake and driving assists with two high-resolution cameras. Mercedes offers the GLB in 200(P), 220d(D) and 220d 4-Matic(D) + AMG Kit. The EQB 300 receives the top-tier GLB treatments as standard for the electric powertrain. The 1332cc Petrol engine churns 163HP and 250Nm mated to a 6-Speed AT in front-wheel drive. The 2.0L Diesel variants 220d and 4-Matic bring healthy 400Nm and 190HP on tap for a livelier driving experience. The GLB 220d sprints 0-100Km/h in 7.6 secs while the EQB achieves the same in 8 secs despite the battery weight gains.
Drivers can choose from Eco, Sport, Comfort and Individual settings. We prefer the Individual settings as it allows versatile setup, like setting the engine and steering response to Sport mode, while the suspensions soak bad roads in Comfort mode. The seats are positioned in a commanding position, and the split A-pillar adds a good view of the road. While the GLB offers a round steering wheel, our top-tier unit featured the AMG flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, a standard on the EQB. Shifts are precise on the GLB 220d, while the exact change between various recuperation options on the EQB. The suspensions and ground clearance of 155mm make the drive comfortable and relatively carefree in normal driving conditions.
The GLB 220d like to be ringed around, and the satisfactory performance is on tap throughout the rev bands. There is some body roll movement, but the overall rigid architecture of the chassis allows for reasonable body control. Despite the additional weight of 469 kg batteries, the EQB with single-gear ASM on the front wheels and PSM driving the rear wheels churns a healthy 229HP and 390Nm of relatively instant torque compared to the GLB. Compare this figure with a better centre of gravity due to the batteries in the floor; the EQB feels nimble.
Mercedes-Benz has bought one of their B series best NVH levels on the market. The GLB gets audible when driven enthusiastically, but the engine and cabin are satisfactorily refined. The EQB gets additional motor insulation, cabin insulation and noise-reduction tyres to make the electric cabin feel silent enough to meditate. What also helps relax are the tonnes of advanced driver assistance features on both the GLB and EQB. From lane keep assist to emergency braking and more, the driving assist feature list can easily rival cars boasting an ADAS level 2 system. The EQB’s 66.5kWh battery is rated up to 423 Km (WLTP) range. Driving the EQB through twisties and highways, it has decent regenerative capabilities, and real-world figures will easily touch upwards of 350 km. This car also supports 100kW DC and 11kW AC charging. Mercedes provide the latter as a complementary accessory for initial buyers. Mercedes claims a 10-80% charge at 100kW in 32 mins. Expect our 50kW chargers to charge this car to the same levels in about an hour. An 11kW AC charger will charge the car from 10-100% in 6 hours and 25 mins. Not bad!
Verdict
Overall, the use of materials, utility options, insulation, and driving dynamics on the 7-seater Mercedes GLB and EQB make them a surprising addition to the already populated Mercedes SUV line-up. Mercedes-Benz India provides an eight-year warranty on the batteries of EQB and the engine + transmission of the GLB series. This warranty is also transferable, and this platform, offered in petrol, diesel and electric, seems like a good filler in the 7-seater luxury car segment. Indian units will be imported from Mexico and sold as CBU. We expect pricing for the GLB and EQB to start from 65L, and despite that price tag, the GLB and EQB are unique value luxury propositions.
If you’re looking for TWS in India then you know there are a number of options for you to choose from. The Indian market is saturated with wireless earphones ranging from different price points. However, it isn’t easy to find a capable TWS in the market that suits your preferences while delivering a premium performance at a considerably affordable price point. This is where Sony’s latest offering, the WF-LS900N comes in! Sony has delivered when it comes to providing users with lightweight earbuds that deliver powerful performance and pack many features, and we’re all here for it!
Features & Design
There’s no innovation when it comes to design with the WF-LS900N as compared to its predecessor which came with an open ring design. Here, users get a familiar in-ear design in a lightweight form factor. This means that both the eartubes and the silicone eartips sit inside the ear to give a proper seal. Sony India has claimed that the wireless earbuds weigh approximately 4.8 grams in weight making them one of the lightest in the market. While using the earbuds over an extended period of time, I was surprised how the annoying ear pain staple to in-ear devices, in general, was not present here. The earbuds and their casing is made out of recycled plastic which gives a distinct rugged feel.
There are ample features packed along with the WF-LS900N. One might expect Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and that is surely present here. Along with ANC, the WF-LS900N also offer you ambient sound or transparency mode that can be quickly enabled with a tap on the left earbud. Tapping on the right earbuds pauses/plays the music. The best feature of the WF-LS900N for me was the option to enable ‘Quick Attention’ Here, users can simply press on the earbuds for the volume to drop quickly to have a conversation and remove the finger for the volume to return to normal. It was a novel feature that allowed me to have small talks during work hours.
Battery Life
The WF-LS900N comes with six hours of battery life with activated ANC, as claimed by Sony. In my testing of the earbuds, the result was somewhat close to the company claim with 5 and a half hours of ANC playback. The performance can be bumped up to 9 hours of playtime by turning off ANC. The earbuds get charged up relatively quickly and have lasted me for over 2 days in light usage and a day in heavy usage.
Sound
Everything comes down to the sound performance when we’re talking about TWS. So how well does the WF-LS900N perform? Simply put, the new Sony TWS are power performers that provide a premium sound experience with deep bass. There’s an overall balance to the sound that does lean to either flat sound or too loud. However, the balanced approach might not be for everyone, for which there are a number of customizations available in the ‘headphones Connect’ app. There’s little left to desire here when it comes to the sound quality of the WF-LS900N!
Verdict
While the Rs 13,990 price point might be heavy for some to shell out for a TWS, we feel it is worth it. The WF-LS900N provides premium sound quality in a comfortable and light fit which makes it a worthy investment.
UK-based Nothing is a newer player compared to already-established brands like Samsung or Apple. The company is just three products old but has managed to gain momentum in the consumer market thanks to its unique design. Keeping true to its transparent design theme, Nothing has now launched the Nothing Ear (Stick). While it is natural for people to think that these new earbuds are the successors of the previously launched Nothing Ear (1), I beg to differ. There are more cutdowns here as opposed to upgrades from the Ear (1) that put the (Stick) in a confusing spot.
Design
There is only so much one can do with the design of earbuds and their case. This is where Nothing has actually excelled with the Ear (Stick). One could easily say that the design of Stick is its best attraction and the reason to buy it as it is more of a style statement as opposed to a standard case. The cylindrical case with a red, black, and white colour combination is a treat to the eyes. Whereas, the twist to open design is definitely fun and a worthy replacement for the fidget spinner for the anxious people among us. I often found myself referring to the Stick as ‘lipstick AirPods’ which is surely what they look like. The case is transparent, so the buds are always visible. The case is also predominantly white which means it is bound to get dirty, which it did! In just a few days of use, I could see the case collecting dust and losing its all-white charm.
The earbuds’ design on the other hand could be hit-and-miss for many. Similar to traditional AirPods, Nothing Ear (Stick) comes with one size for all designs. The open-fit earbuds also come with Nothing’s staple transparent design that gives a futuristic look. However, the buds were large for my liking and often popped out of the ear during extended periods of usage. I definitely could not go for a workout wearing them as I feared they would just fall off. The stalks of the earbuds come with pressure-sensitive controls which work without any issues. The lack of ear tips, however, is sorely missed.
Performance
Let’s address the elephant in the room, Nothing Ear (Stick) does not come with any form of Active Noise Cancellation. Thanks to the open-fit design, the Stick also misses out on deep bass. Nothing compensates for the lack of bass by adding the ‘More Bass’ mode in the NothingX app which gets the job to some extent. However, in its ‘Balanced’ mode, The stick produces flat music output which could be a deal breaker for many. The lack of silicone ear tips leads to a lot of background noise leaking in during your music sessions. I noticed that even while playing music at the maximum volume distant chatter of people talking was audible. This could be a good feature for people trying to be aware of their background while listening to music without relying on a transparency mode but it just did not work for me. While there are some key features missing here, Nothing Ear (Stick) manages to bring a balanced and premium sound experience. No complaints about the battery life here as it is top-notch. The earbuds lasted over 6 hours on a single full charge which is impressive. The battery life is good for up to 30 hours depending on your usage. At Rs 8.5K, the Nothing Ear (Stick) is an expensive affair as its competitors are available at a cheaper rate, but its stylish design makes up for what is missing!
Rating – ★★★★
Verdict
Nothing Ear (Stick) is another addition to the already saturated TWS market. However, its stylish design and crisp sound quality make it a standout product.
When I was first handed the Noise IntelliBuds for review, I was skeptical about the promised gesture control features & voice commands of this TWS. It looked more like a gimmick than a feature that could actually work seamlessly without lags. Boy was I wrong! The Noise IntelliBuds took me by surprise and these intelligent TWS should be on your list if you’re in the market for a good wireless music experience.
Design and Features
When it comes to the case and earbuds design, the intelliBuds do not experiment much. The 45 grams charging case is much of a standard affair with its rectangular design. Whereas the in-ear design of the earbuds with 6mm drivers is also nothing out of the ordinary. It is the features where this TWS zooms past a lot of its competitors. Noise has partnered with the known audio company Bragi to deliver the feature-rich IntelliBuds. There are an array of features here like voice commands, gesture controls, transparency mode, and much more.
The IntelliBuds’ gesture controls are backed by a powerful AI neural network. The company claims that the AI has been trained rigorously for weeks to detect accidental and intentional head movements. During my testing of the gesture controls on Intellibuds, the device was able to detect the movement 9 times out of 10 which is impressive. Another standout feature here is the ‘Hot Voice Commands’ where a user can simply say ‘Hey headphones’ followed by a command. For example, ‘Hey headphones, Next’, this feature also worked as one would expect and I did not face any issues with voice commands on the IntelliBuds. One thing to note here is that all these features are backed by the ‘NoiseFit Smart’ application. Users first need to download the application and calibrate the earbuds before they can start using the features. I made the rookie mistake of not downloading the app and expecting the features to work right out of the box, only to be disappointed.
The IntelliBuds also come with the support of music sharing. The feature-heavy TWS goes a mile ahead by adding a customizable equalizer that allows users to tune the earbuds according to their liking. Some preset equalizer modes like Rock, Pop, etc. are also present here. Noise cancelation is also present here and the transparency mode works just fine. The audio output with its customizable features is overall a good experience. The audio is crisp and does not feel harsh on high volumes. A few times, the IntelliBuds would disconnect themselves and connect again which was odd, but it happened too few times to take into consideration.
Battery
Once the earbuds are connected to the NoiseFit Smart app then they can be used to click photos and enable fast mute. The IntelliBuds are powered by a 600mAh battery case that is capable of charging up the earbuds three times. While the company claims that the earbuds last up to nine hours on a single charge, my extensive testing resulted in them lasting up to six and a half hours at full volume without transparency mode being turned on. The earbuds do take a hit on the battery performance when you’re using the gesture and voice commands regularly. Ultimately, the Noise IntelliBuds priced at Rs 4,999 is one of the best TWS in the market in that price category.
Verdict
At Rs 4,999 the Noise IntellBuds are one of the best TWS to buy. The smart features of the earbuds make them stand out among the bunch. The voice commands and gesture controls are a delight to use.
Let’s be real, projectors are much of a specialty product in the Indian market as they’re usually placed either in school or office settings. Only a few true cinephiles in the country set up projectors in their home setting to get the best cinematic experience and picture quality. When I was told to review Epson’s beefy beast LS12000B projector, I was taken back to my school days when going to the A/V room was something every student looked forward to. So, does this heavy-duty offering by Epson deserve to be your next home projector? To put it simply, YES! However, there are other aspects of this device one needs to consider before making a purchase as it does not come with a cheap price tag.
Design and Functionality
The LS12000B is not really a lightweight product, it weighs over 20Kgs which makes it a rather stationary product. It is meant to be placed in one spot in your home and let rest there for the entirety of its lifetime unless you want to carry the stone of a projector around a lot. It comes with a powerful 3LCD system inside which allows it to project content even in a well-lit room without missing out on details. The picture doesn’t struggle much in a brightly lit room, but it surely stands out when the ambiance is turned dark. The design of the projector is pretty straightforward. The matte layer on top of it is truly beautiful. One standout design feature here is the powered lens cover that slides open when the projector is turned on and shuts back when it’s powered off. This allows for keeping the lens clean and also gives off a futuristic vibe.
There is a lot of flexibility here with features like zoom, lens shift, keystone controls, and focus. If you already have a destined spot to place your projector then you won’t need to change it as the projector can adapt to the room thanks to its optical zoom. Epson has managed to tick off all the right spots with the LS12000B’s 4K HDR visuals that are crisp and vivid. I played a few action scenes from Cameron’s Avatar and was surely taken aback by its visuals. The projector is capable of scaling up to 300 inches and down to 50 inches which gives more flexibility to its users. One key aspect to note for a projector is how bright it can get and Epson is clearly not playing around here as the LS12000B is rated for 2,700 lumens. Make sure your curiosity doesn’t make you peep right into the projector lens while it’s on!
Pricing
The LS12000B is surely an expensive affair. It is priced at Rs 6 lakhs in the Indian market which puts it in the luxury tech category. However, even with that heavy price tag, it does not come with smart TV features. That issue can be quickly resolved with the help of a firestick so it’s not a grave concern. On the other hand, there is also no speaker output here. Simply put, the LS12000B is awesome, but it is just a display. Ultimately, the LS12000B is targeted to the most indulgent cinephiles amongst us and if you’re one of them then this is definitely worth the price for you!
Verdict
The LS12000B is a luxury product meant for true cinephiles. While it misses out on Smart TV features and speakers, it makes up with crisp and eye-pleasing picture quality. If you want to make the perfect home theatre setup with the best quality then this is the projector for you.
Spider-Man is my favorite superhero character from all of Marvel and DC lore. Peter Parker represents all of us in some way by trying to strike a balance between his normal and superhero life. When the Spider-Man game by Insomniac had initially released on PS4, I was skeptical of it being a cash grab. The past superhero-related games had left a sour taste in my mouth, with the exception of the Batman: Arkham series. However, I was taken by surprise at how wonderful the game was. It perfectly blends the story and spectacle staple to a Spider-Man story, creating an immersive experience for the player.
The PC Experience
I was definitely confused when the announcement of the game for the PC platform was made. I was convinced that players will not have a good experience with the game on PC as it felt like a perfect fit for the PlayStation controller. I am glad to say that I was completely wrong! Spider-Man’s swing is definitely one of the finest movements ever seen in any gameplay and controlling it via a keyboard and mouse felt smoother to me than on the PlayStation. Marvel’s Spider-Man was undoubtedly a visually pleasing game on the PS4 that was then given a bump in performance with PS5. However, on the PC platform, with the right specifications, one can squeeze out everything the game has to offer at the performance level.
I played this game on an Intel i9 12th Gen system sporting the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti coupled with 32GB RAM. There was never a question of whether the game would play well on this system, but about how well it will perform! I was surprised to see that it consistently provided 4K gameplay without any lags and dropping the resolution down to 1080P made it smooth like butter. With the correct specifications, there is no doubt that Marvel’s Spider-Man will perform excellently on PC.
Story
Marvel’s Spider-Man does not waste any time in showing the character’s origin story as it has been told and retold many a time in pop culture. While the game has been out for years, I won’t be diving into spoilers as everyone deserves to experience this gameplay and the story afresh. The Spider-Man we see in this game is an already-established friendly neighborhood hero who is trying to balance his life. He works as an apprentice to Dr. Otto Octavius and the dynamics of their relationship are also explored. Spider-Man’s classic characters like Mary Jane and Aunt May are also present here. There is also a heartwarming Stan Lee cameo that makes you go ‘aww’. To simplify the plot, it is Spider-Man’s ultimate battle against the sinister six. Sony was keen to introduce the Sinister Six back with Andrew Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man series but did not get to do so due to the lukewarm response to the franchise’s second installment. However, with Insomniac’s game, Sony finally brought Sinister Six from comic book pages to the screen. Another element of the game that feels like a well-fleshed-out character itself is New York City. There is a lot to do in downtown Manhattan in this game and completing the side quests gets you different gadgets and suits. And how can one forget the suits? The suits here are beautiful and something a Spider-Man fan can only dream to see in live-action. The fight sequences could feel repetitive after a point but they lead to a cinematic conclusion that keeps you hooked till the end. Ultimately, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is a treat for all Marvel and gaming fans in general! Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is priced at Rs 3,999 on major retail platforms.
Rating – ★★★★
Verdict
Friendly neighborhood Spider-Man swings his way to your PC! The game is as fun on the PC platform as it was on PlayStation. With its indulgent visuals and story, Marvel’s Spider-Man should be on your list of games to play. This is surely one of the best Spider-Man adventures ever portrayed in pop culture which even casual fans will enjoy!
If you’re in the market to buy a smartwatch in the 5K price range then you’ve got a number of options to choose from. But if that watch comes from the OnePlus brand then it is the cherry on top! The company has now managed to build a strong sub-brand with its Nord line of products and the OnePlus Nord Watch definitely delivers when it comes to functionality and usability. But does this watch stand out from all the others in the saturated budget smartwatch segment? Almost!
Design
The OnePlus Nord Watch comes in a rectangular form factor with curved corners as opposed to the OnePlus watch with its circular dial. The watch comes with a vibrant AMOLED display which is the first standout feature of this device. The display produces punchy colors in a 1.78-inch size at a 60Hz refresh rate that makes it a treat to the eyes. As one would expect, the device also comes with a button placed at the side that can be used to navigate through the watch. The button is also capable of rotating but it doesn’t do anything on the functional side. It makes me wonder why OnePlus decided to add a rotating button as opposed to a fixed one. Anyways, the body of the watch is made of a combination of zinc alloy and plastic which surely comes off as premium. I was handed the ‘Deep Blue’ color of the watch which looks pretty, to say the least, and also attracts eyeballs. The strap of this watch is easily detachable which makes it easier for users to swap it out but the one provided by OnePlus is surely good.
Performance
If you’re the kinda user who likes to install third-party apps on your smartwatch then this one is not for you. The OnePlus Nord Watch runs on a Real-Time operating system which prevents third-party apps to be installed. The performance aspect is where this smart device takes a back seat as it misses out on a few features that its competitors flaunt. It does not have Bluetooth calling and an always-on display which are some of the most prominent features for people looking for a smartwatch. I am not fond of watches but was wearing this one during my extensive testing and showed it around to my pals. Most of them were surprised about the fact that it does not come with a Bluetooth calling feature. Additionally, it also does not come with built-in GPS so your outdoor workouts cannot be tracked with this watch.
Keeping the gripes aside, the Nord watch does have a beautiful interface with 100+ customizable watch faces. While it misses out on an always-on display, the rise-to-wake feature works reasonably fine. There are also over 105 sports modes built-in the device that is surprisingly accurate in tracking. The built=in sensors to track sleep, steps, stress, and Sp02 work seamlessly. The addition of women’s health tracking is also something OnePlus deserves a point for.
The OnePlus Nord watch deserves applause for its battery prowess. It features a 230mAh battery that can keep the device juiced up for 10 days. In my testing of the device, it was certainly powered up over 10 days on moderate usage. The N-Health app designed to work with the Nord watch also works perfectly with little to no issues.
Verdict
While missing out on key features like Bluetooth calling and always-on display, the OnePlus Nord watch makes up for it with its powerful battery backup. It is a good purchase for people with tight budgets as it certainly does not come off as cheap looking. It is heavy on features while light on the pocket making it an overall performer as your next smartwatch.
Google has finally launched the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro in India. When was the last time we saw the flagship Pixel devices in India? We tested both these phones, and here are our impressions on the 60K Pixel 7 and the 89K Pixel 7 Pro.
Finessed design
As Indians, we did not get a chance to experience the immediate predecessor to these newer Pixel devices apart from the Pixel 6a, which is a brilliant smartphone for the price. The Pixel 7 is a more mature design than the 6a, with a brush metal finish on the uniform camera housing, albeit with a noticeable depth. Put these phones anyhow, and they will never wobble, infact they rest at a very comfortable glance for anyone who uses the Pixels. The Pixel 7 Pro takes a modern approach and brings curved edges on the relatively larger display with improved hardware.
The interesting parts include the symmetrical band design on the metal edges of the camera bands and a contrasting finish on the buttons. The glossy metal band of the Pixel 7 Pro has matte-finished buttons, and the matte-finished camera band on the Pixel 7 has shiny metal buttons. We still miss the accented buttons, but this is a nice touch nonetheless. Overall the design is very well thought out and brings a level of sophistication expected from a tech giant. We still are unaware of the abrupt cutout on the Pixel 7 Pro. Let us know if you know anything about it, as we cannot access the same.
Gorilla glass Victus and IP68 ratings protect both these phones, allowing flagship-grade protection. The OLED display differs on both these phones as the Pixel 7 has an FHD+ 90Hz panel, whereas the Pixel 7 Pro gets a QHD (1440P) LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Both these displays can get sufficiently bright with 1000+ nits brightness and, even more, viewing HDR content. Both felt super smooth in their leagues with the beauties of Android 13 optimisations and added features on the Pixel devices. For flat-screen lovers, the Pixel 7 makes a compelling choice. Still, a slightly curved larger display with additional camera hardware and software turns the Pixel 7 Pro into a flagship competitor from the house of Google. Surprisingly, the Pixel 7 packs a smaller battery than the Pixel 6a at 4355mAh, while the Pixel 7 Pro packs a 5000mAh battery. Both these phones support 20-23W charge speeds with wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities. Battery life is decent and lasts through a day with ease. AI Adaptive battery optimisation increases battery life within a week of usage.
Balanced performance
Google has updated the Tensor SoC with a new processor named G2. Compared to the earlier 5nm chip, this new chip brings an updated privacy core T2 with slightly overclocked cores and a better GPU. We found that the Mali GPU upgrade from G-78 to G-710 brings stable performance even when gaming. Even when gaming, smooth animations and balanced performance make these genuinely feel like flagship contenders. The fingerprint sensor is quick to identify, and Google allows basic face unlock like most Android devices.
UI animations and memory management are on par with most flagship devices, with no performance hiccups. Overall, the performance is better than the older SoC and brings a balanced performance update. Camera sensor performance and clicks process faster, and the overall experience of using a Pixel is slightly overclocked. An additional rear light sensor makes the sensor count 35 compared to 34 sensors on the Pixel 6a.
Best camera algorithm on any phone
Apart from iPhones, Samsung and other flagships, the only series of phones that prove to be excellent camera-centric options is the Pixel series from Google. More than the hardware, the years of machine learning and AI algorithms make a Pixel phone appealing. Google has finally moved from the 12MP sensors to improved hardware with a 50MP primary sensor on both phones, a slightly better 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and an additional 48MP telephoto sensor on the Pro. Google hardware and software algorithms work in tandem to click some mind-blowing images in any lighting conditions. All the images and videos are top-notch, with improved post-processing and better hardware. These are one of the best camera-centric smartphones of the year. Pixel post-processing retains details and contrast, sometimes better than phones that cost almost twice as much. For photos, these are top-tier, but for videos, although better with additional Cinematic blur (portrait mode in videos) and OIS with EIS options, Google needs to bring a few OTA updates to improve video quality.
Verdict
At the prices for the Pixel series, these phones are definite contenders for your money. If you are someone who wants a no-nonsense, iPhone-like experience using an Android, the Pixel series brings the best of Google hardware and software experience. Additional features are built-in smaller packages across the UI of these Pixel phones. Software features like unblur a blurred photo, magic eraser, location tagging other Android devices and dozens of small but intuitive animations and unique Pixel features hard to find on a feature-loaded flagship are interesting, to say the least. The Pixel 7 Pro brings the best of all worlds in a stylish package. It’s an entire Pixel experience enhanced for Android users.
Specs:
Pixel 7 – 6.1-inch 90Hz AMOLED FHD+ up to 1400nits
Pixel 7 Pro – 6.7-inch 120HZ LTPO AMOLED QHD up to 1500nits
Tensor G2 SoC
Android 13
Camera Pixel 7 – 50MP primary, 12MP Ultrawide, 10.8MP front camera
Camera Pixel 7 Pro – 50MP primary, enhanced AF 12MP Ultrawide/Macro, 48MP 5x Optical telephoto, 10.8MP front camera
Price – Pixel 7 – INR 59999
Pixel 7 Pro – INR 84999
Good – Best Pixel iteration, upgraded cameras
Bad – Limited memory options
Ugly – Tensor G2 falls short against SD 8+ Gen 1 and Apple Bionic SoC
