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
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
The stunning Vivo V25 5G is the company’s new V-series smartphone priced under the 30k bracket. With a bold and vibrant colour-changing design, its performance orientation and advanced camera work just like its doppelganger Sibling, the Vivo “V25 Pro”. The Stylish V-series comes with a 90Hz AMOLED screen, a 5G-capable MediaTek chipset, and fast 44W charging. Moreover, it’s pretty comfortable to hold with its non-curvy edge.
First Impression:
Vivo V25, with its eye-catching Colour changing design, is attracting a lot of attention for the right reasons. With its broad edges, the handset is very easy to hold and ensures a firm grip. The display screen manages to reflect Colour from different angles making it very appealing to the eye. This Smartphone is fingerprint resistant. It has a matte finish with an enormous yet visually appealing rectangular-shaped camera module at the back. The Smartphone comes with a transparent phone case, which not only enhances the look of the phone but also protects against any chances of damage since the phone edges are very sharp. Another amazing feature of this Smartphone is its slender frame, which makes the phone as light as 180 grams. What’s inside the box? Well, the Vivo V25 bags a USB Type C Charging port and a hybrid dual SIM card slot. The switch on and off button is adjacent to the volume raiser, and a single speaker unit is at the bottom of the phone. Though, unlike the other units that we have tested with a fingerprint scan, this one has no glitches. It works just fine.
Design & Display:
As for the design & display of the phone is a concern, it did really give me a good sense of money worth. The Vivo V25 comes with a 6.44-inch AMOLED display with FHD resolution that reflects a refresh rate of 90Hz. The display offers decent viewing angles and has a scope to offer ample brightness to negate the direct sunlight, which usually objects to viewing the phone from side angles. The display comes with 1300 nits of dense brightness and 10+ HDR support, which is also Widevine L1 certified. The phone comes equipped with an amazing theme to choose from the theme store, and my personal favourite was the Ninja Girl, which really makes the display, when turned on, stand out.
Chipset & Performance & Battery:
We took the Vivo V25 through a regress performance & battery task while we were on a drive to the southern countryside of India. The Battery life of the phone was just impeccable, a 4500 mAH battery that can last up to 48 hours depending upon the usage of the phone. While we did put the phone through the regress at no charge throughout the day with the navigation on display, the battery life really impressed us. That being said, the phone is powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 900 chipset with 8GB of RAM, Android 12 OS and Funtouch OS 12 interface.
Camera:
Vivo V25 5G bags a 50 MP HD Selfie camera that produces a 50MP phone in HD mode, and the pixel mat differs in the shooting mode. The Main Camera is equipped with Triple Led Flashlight and a 64MP primary sensor with/1.8 wide & 0.7UM OIS. Also, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor accompanies this with 120-degree FOV and a 2MP macro sensor. The phone has a night mode feature which enables capturing good images in low light. The primary sensor does a great job of capturing details and colors, even in low light. It manages to capture good facial detailing and accurate skin tone. But after a couple of shots, we did manage to get some. This is why Vivo pushes its buyer towards flagship loyalty.
Verdict:
Overall the phone offers tons of tech specs and is priced in India at Rs 27,999 for the 8GB RAM variant, while the 12GB RAM option is priced at Rs 31,999. While the competitors in the mid-space segment smartphones, such as Nothing Phone 1, iQOO Neo 6, and OPPO Reno 8 5G, offer a little more than what Vivo V25 is offering. I feel that the Smartphone has missed a couple of check-lists. The handset could have featured better speakers, a 120Hz refresh rate screen, and a faster chipset. From its eye-catching color-changing design to reliable performance, vibrant screen, decent cameras and battery life, the Vivo V25 5G ticks most boxes.
Rating: 3/5-5 *
KEY SPECS:
Colour Changing GLASS that changes with sunlight and another source of UV ( Fluorite AG GLASS Design)
Camera: 64MP OIS NIGHT Camera | 8MP Super Wide Angle Camera | 2MP Super Macro Camera | 50MP Eye AF Selfie Video
8GB Expandable RAM
AMOLED 90Hz
44W Flash Charger | 4500mAH Battery Cell
Up To 1300 nits Brightness
Game Boost Mode | Liquid Cooling System | 4DGame Vibration
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
When I was handed the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED for a review, I was taken aback by its elegant display, or should I say, displays! This ‘Duo’ laptop series by Asus comes with a secondary display sitting right above the keyboard for additional functionality. But is that all? Having a second display surely sets the product apart from the market but is it enough for users to jump on and grab it at the earliest? The answer is quite complicated!
We’re reviewing the maxed-out UX8402Z version of the laptop which houses the powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX3050Ti graphics card inside. This itself makes it one of the best gaming laptops in the market. It comes with Intel 12th gen i9 processor and a dynamic 32GB RAM coupled with 1TB SSD. In my usage of nearly two weeks, I did not face any issues with the laptop’s performance as one would expect with its impressive specifications. However, the drawing factor here is the displays which left me thinking if we’re already in the future!
You get two OLED screens here; a 14.5-inch 2.8K (2880 x 1800) display and a smaller 12.7-inch (2880 x 864) as the secondary display. Both of these screens are a treat to look at. Asus has not cut any corners when it comes to the displays as the primary screen comes with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a peak HDR brightness of 500 nits. Also, did I mention both the displays are touchscreen? The displays are simply vibrant, and crisp, and produce bright colors. A deal breaker for some could be the matte finish over the secondary display which honestly, felt aesthetic to me. The main 2.8K display is a stunner, watching content on this screen makes it an immersive experience thanks to the OLED display technology.
The smaller 12.7-inch screen is housed right above the keyboard and certainly has an impact on the laptop as the keyboard is pushed right into the front of it. The keyboard’s form factor has been minimized which requires some getting used to. Whereas, the touchpad and its associated buttons are pushed into the extreme right corner which does cause some accessibility issues. It is up to you to decide if this compromise is worth it for the secondary display. With the entire lower frame of the laptop used to the teeth with the secondary display and the keyboard, there is no space for you to rest your wrist. The laptop is equipped with physical buttons which allow you to quickly switch between the primary and the secondary screen, adding functionality.
Even though it sports dual screens, the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo weighs only 1.75Kg, making it relatively thinner and lighter for a gaming-capable laptop. It comes with dark-blue refined magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis and a dimension of 323.5 x 224.7 x 19.6mm when shut close. The port selection is limited for a laptop in the premium segment. It comes with one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, one HDMI 2.1 port, a memory card slot, two Thunderbolt 4 Type C ports, and finally, a 3.5mm headphone jack. The webcam placed right above the primary display has a 720P resolution. A laptop sleeve is also included in the box which is added delight!
Performance
I was sent the laptop with best-in-class specifications which proved to be more powerful than I need for my day-to-day tasks. I felt like Jim Carrey from Bruce Almighty just moments away from singing the ‘I Got The Power!’ song in my office. My daily line of work includes churning out research-based articles and scripts which do not require much processing power. I was expecting my chrome browsers to not lag at any given point and that’s what I got. However, I did install Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered for PC to get a taste of gaming on this laptop, and as one would expect, it did not disappoint. The laptop handled the game like a champ giving high refresh rates consistently. The secondary display worked its charm as a music video screen while I was working on my daily tasks throughout the day. The touchscreen capabilities of both displays are a plus point! The battery life of this laptop is decent even with both displays on the entire time. I could get through my 8-hour shift easily with just one charge, however, the mileage may vary if you’re a heavy user.
The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED is no doubt a capable laptop, it has one of if not the best displays to offer in the market right now. But it is hard to recommend to everyone. If you’re a creator having a detailed eye for the color accuracy of your photos/videos, then this definitely is the laptop for you. This is a laptop for seasoned creators who know their way around Adobe’s apps like PhotoShop or Premiere Pro. If you’re an everyday user who browses the internet or streams YouTube/Netflix, there are ample options for you in the market!
Verdict
There is a novelty, then there is pricing! The maxed-out i9 version of this laptop which I used is priced at a whopping Rs 2,24,990. If you ask me, sure, the laptop is worth shelling out that much as it comes with multiple features which justify the pricing. But this might not be the case for everyone. If you’re not a heavy user, you can opt for the i5 variant of the laptop which is priced at Rs 1,44,990.
The 20-25K price segment when choosing a smartphone is definitely difficult. The price segment is saturated and has a lot to offer. However, the OPPO F21s Pro definitely stands out. OPPO is one of the brands which places an emphasis on the style factor of a design and that is where this device excels. But that’s not all as it also has a strong spec sheet backing it with a solid camera setup! Let’s see what the OPPO F21s Pro has to offer:
Display
When buying a phone in the 20-25K segments, what you expect is a vibrant AMOLED display with a high refresh rate. This is exactly what you get here. The OPPO F21s Pro comes with a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED punch-hole display with 2400x1080P resolution. During my extensive testing of the device, watching Netflix/YouTube videos was pleasing to the eyes as the punchy display produced some great colors! You also get an under-display fingerprint sensor here which is accurate and fast.
Design
This is where the device has its cake and eats it too! For my review, I was handed the ‘Dawnlight Gold’ variant of the F21s Pro and it was a treat to look at. With the dawnlight gold edition, it is difficult to make out what color is the back panel exactly as it shimmers and changes colors like a chameleon. People not looking for an eye-catching device can opt for a much more serious-looking ‘Starlight Black’ variant which has a classy black finish. OPPO is known to make stylish devices and this one is on par with the brand’s history.
Camera
The OPPO F21s Pro comes with a triple-camera setup featuring a 64MP rear camera coupled with a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP Microscopic lens. Now, that’s new! We’re used to a triple camera setup featuring an ultra-wide camera to click wider images but OPPO decided to go the opposite route to utilize the lens to click detailed microscopic images. The microscopic lens is a throwback to school days when you’d look down the microscope in the biology lab! The microscopic lens offers 15X and 30X magnification capabilities. But that is not all as it also features a stunning Sony IMX709 32MP selfie sensor which clicks some crisp photos. Another interesting feature here is the Orbit Light at the back of the camera module which acts like a notification light. The Orbit Light looks beautiful when lit!
15x microscopic view at a cricket bat grip with the OPPO F21s Pro
Performance
Under the hood, you get Qualcomm’s trusted and powerful Snapdragon 680. The processor has proved its might in many midrange devices in the past and it is surely integrated well here! The device features a large 4500mAh battery here with 33W SUPERVOOC fast charging. The F21s Pro comes with 8GB RAM with expansion up to 5GB via virtual RAM. It features ample storage with 128GB onboard which can be extended via microSD Card up to 1TB.
Verdict
The OPPO F21s Pro is a solid device that packs a punch at a decent price of Rs 22,999. The device scores good marks with its display and long battery life. An extra point for its unique design! While am not a fan of the bloatware apps present on the device, they can prove helpful to some. Overall, this is a decent device at a decent price point. This could be the device you go for this festive design!
Human senses are triggered with the varied audio and visual experiences we go through. Catering to the perception of enthusiasts in all the best visually appealing aspects, Hyundai has introduced the N-Line to one of their most successful products, the Venue. Hyundai has appealed to performance lovers’ auditory and optical senses before with the i20 N-line and now with tweaks on the Venue, the Venue N-Line is here to make it pop, bang and feel like a complete enthusiastic performance update.
Visual fantasy & an aural experience ?
Powered by the same engine as the regular 2022 Venue, the N-line produces 172 Nm torque and 120 bhp power from its 1L 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine which is mated to a 7-speed DCT with similar drive modes – Normal, Eco and Sport. There are noticeably minor updates on the Venue N-Line on the exterior. N-Line badging all across the car, along with red highlight lines in the form of stickers, add a visual flair to the overall N-line appearance. While the straight lines on the Venue 2022 make it look sophisticated, the redesigned bumpers on the Venue N-Line bring curves on the edges. Complimenting the overall design are the new skid plates at both front and rear.
The Venue N-Line also gets N-badged redesigned 16-inch diamond cut alloy wheels which are distinctively prominent. Adding safety and better control is the inclusion of rear wheel disk brakes. Visual updates include a tailgate spoiler, red highlight strips across the car’s length and breadth, and a sharply redesigned front grille with X-shaped elements and generous use of dark chrome. A relatively stiffer suspension setup makes the car’s maneuverability a lot crispier than before. The Venue N-Line retains the best aspects of the Venue 2022 like the projector headlights with built-in cornering lamps. What stands apart are definitely the new dual-pipe exhaust mufflers which offer a grunty note; this is the audio sensory that will tickle most enthusiasts.
The interiors are equally sporty !
Hop in the Venue N-Line, and you are greeted with an all-black interior scheme with red N-Line highlights all around the car’s interiors. The red and black theme suits the performance appeal of the vehicle and adds a sense of visual drama. There are red accents on the AC vents, knobs, and switches. The seats now get N-Line imprints with red stitching and piping. The Venue N-Line looks similar yet different from the standard Venue line-up with an all black and red theme. Though the dark interiors do make the cabin feel small, plenty of room inside along with the sunroof doesn’t make it claustrophobic. Every feature is identical to the Venue 2022, all the way from an 8-inch touch infotainment system with BlueLink, Voice Assistant support, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 4-way adjustable electric adjustments for the driver’s seat, coloured driver’s MID, wireless charger, USB A and C ports, electric sunroof and all the goodies of the Venue top-spec line-up.
Adding flair to the overall interior sportiness is the new N-Line gear knob with matching black leatherette and red elements. The foot pedals are also metal to add to the appeal. A significant change is perceived with a sportier N-Line three-spoke steering wheel which feels comparatively chunky to hold. It is functional with media controls on it and is finished in gloss black with sizable black paddle shifters tucked behind nicely. Hyundai has now added red ambient lighting which seems like a cherry on a well-baked cake. What is surprising is the absence of ventilated seats, but as performance demands weight reduction, maybe it was a calculated move. Compared to a regular Venue with ventilated seats, the power-to-weight ratio must be the reason for it. Another standard feature for the N-Line is the inclusion of a 1080p 30fps dash camera with front and rear cameras mounted beside the auto-dimming IRVM.
Does it handle well or just pops and crackles?
The Venue N-Line is a practical compact SUV making it a daily driver. The aural experience of the nicely tuned dual-pipe exhausts stuns, which sounds way sportier than the actual drive experience. Despite the city’s legal speed limits, each rev built-up sounds exciting and exhilarating. The exhaust note alone feels like they’ve added a sportier engine beneath the hood, although that’s not the case here.
Adding to the overall experience is a lightweight steering wheel coupled with a stiffer suspension setup and four disc brakes on all four tyres. The Venue N-Line has the exact power figures as the standard Venue with 7-Speed DCT, but the weight reduction in the form of regular seats compared to the ventilated seats on the Venue 2022 make the N-Line feel a tad bit snappier in the real world. The stiffer suspension setup keeps the car well planted on high-speed cornering while still being able to soak road undulations like any other mid-size SUV. This duality makes it feel more confidence inspiring than its formal-suited sibling..
The improved power-to-weight ratio is prominently evident while driving the Venue N-Line. The N-Line steering makes it a joyful experience to maneuver this car in the city traffic and equally fun out on the highways. Despite it being on any driving mode, this car sounds maddening fun when revved. The DCT performs excellently with the Turbo GDi configuration being smooth, but a slight lag in the initial power output can get a little frustrating as it wouldn’t perform as much as it sounds to be. In Sport mode, the 7-Speed DCT keeps the gears engaged right up to an invisible redline, but the most fun can be exploited from using the large paddle shifters while driving this car in sports mode. Thanks to the entire N-Line driving dynamics, it feels relatively light on its wheel yet surefooted. We dearly missed the rev counter on this car, and being digital; we hope Hyundai updates the MID in the future, at least on the N-line for that analog revving drama.
Should you consider this “N” ?
Starting at Rs. 12.16L ex-showroom, the Venue N-Line is a competitive vibe which is bound to be enjoyed by enthusiasts only. The relatively low body-to-weight ratio paired with N-Line light steering feedback, stiffer suspensions, N-Line design elements, and a nasty exhaust note makes the Venue N-Line feel sportier and sounds more invigorating than most cars of this segment on the block. If you’re out there looking for exclusivity while compromising on a few liters of petrol, the Venue N-line might just hit the right N-spot for you..
If you are holding the Galaxy Z Fold3 in your hand, you might be convinced that upgrading to the Z Fold4 might not be required by the end of this review. It’s lighter, the camera is bumped up, and the hinged mechanism is more refined and well-integrated. There is no comparison that can be thrown in since it’s a segment blurring the lines between a tablet and a smartphone. The whole gist of this version of the Z Fold – Lots of things are a little nicer; nothing is radically better.
Take, for instance, the screens; the hinge and bezels are a little smaller than on the Fold3, making the 6.2-inch cover screen more operationally practical. It has a 2316 x 904 resolution and a 23.1:9 aspect ratio – a little wider than the Fold 3’s 2268 x 832 display with a 24.5:9 ratio. Texting and typing on the keyboard require a lot more concentration, and if I kept hitting the wrong keys, I would blame my wider thumb.
The main screen still measures 7.6 inches like last year’s, now with a 2176 x 1812 resolution and 21.6:18 aspect ratio compared to 2208 x 1768 and 22.5:18. The screen is humongous from smartphone standards, and a slight shift in aspect ratio really doesn’t make any big difference. All the screens (inner & outer) offer up to 120Hz refresh rates, so scrolling is very smooth and refined.
The ZFold 4 has a 4400mAh battery and lasts a whole day easily with heavy usage, but more than a day is asking for trouble. There’s no change to wired charging speeds at 25W, but wireless charging has been fastened at 15W versus 11W. There is a small catch though you will have to use Samsung’s own fast wireless chargers. To be honest, for a serious multitasking folding phone, this is the only game in town and is a unique proposition.
Powering the Galaxy Z Fold 4 across all regions is Qualcomm’s new 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset. There isn’t a version of the device with an Exynos alternative, a change from Samsung’s release strategy with S-series phones, and that’s a good thing. Gorilla glass Victus+ and 18% stronger flexible glass are welcome additions.
Overall, the phone has 5 cameras with an in-display 4MP camera as well, but the main 50MP camera has innate capabilities both during day and night. The 12MP Ultrawide sensor and 10MP telephoto, this time with OIS like the primary camera, bring 3x optical and 30x digital zoom. The improved camera algorithms similar to something named Ultra at the end brings improved camera performance in all lighting conditions.
One UI running on 12GB DDR5 RAM based on Android 12L brings software enhancements like no other phone. While operating, what is intuitive is a desktop-style taskbar that stacks up all the most commonly used apps and sits at the bottom of the screen. It can also be pulled up when you’re in other apps, allowing you to open multiple apps simultaneously without jumping back to the home screen.
Weight-wise, it’s not too bulky; though it looks like a heavier gadget, it still holds a brag factor at the dinner table, and you will always proudly keep it in the centre of everyone’s attention. If you’ve been sitting on the bench and waiting to dive into the fold revolution, then it’s a good time to do that with the ZFold4, or maybe wait for it to come out with another iteration and hopefully with a wider screen for ease of typing without folding out. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted, and plonking down Rs 1,54,999/- means you are already living a life!
The SUV craze has spread like wildfire across territories. They offer practicality, space, comfort, a sense of achievement and in some cases more features than your yearly grocery list. The number of SUVs sold in 2020 was close to 25000, amounting to 22% of the Indian automotive industry. In 2022 this number will come up to 49,000, nearly double the amount in 2020. Currently, the SUV market share is over 41%, and estimated growth is up to 65,000 units by 2025. Catering to the skyrocketing demand for SUVs and premium SUVs in the Indian automotive market, Hyundai has launched their flagship premium SUV in India, known as the Hyundai Tucson. This one is a global bestseller product for Hyundai, and we explore this premium SUV in Nandi Hills, Bangalore. Our drive was made exciting as we drove through windy scenic roads in both the trims offered by Hyundai.
Lightweight yet strong chassis
Hyundai claims a strong body structure with the hot-stamping application. The body is made of 26.4% mild steel, 17.7% high-strength steel, 15.6% hot stamping, 40.3% advanced high-strength steel and extended application of as high as 74% overall. This rigid, lightweight chassis is aided by HTRAC – All Wheel Drive System with Multi-Terrain modes. Modes include SNOW, MUD, and SAND. While this global bestseller is offered in multiple drivetrains globally, including a hybrid, India gets two options. The first one mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission is a 2.0L petrol engine that produces 156 ps and 192 Nm torque. And finally, a much more robust 8 Speed Automatic Transmission operated 2.0L Diesel engine produces 186 PS and an enthusiastic 415 Nm torque. India gets the LWB – long wheelbase version as standard.
Handsome or pretty – Choice is yours
Hyundai Tucson has been in the international market for some time, but there is nothing in its price range in India that looks alike. The front smiling large grille with dark chrome design neatly integrates with nickel chrome metallic semi-deposition inside the 5-point Parametric hidden LED and DRL lens. With the DRLs off, the entire unit looks like a single piece of design mimicking a significant smile. At 4,630mm, the new Tucson has grown significantly more than its predecessor. The wheelbase is more extensive at 2,755mm and is a considerable upgrade from its 2016 avatar. Camouflaging this large SUV is a series of design choices by the Hyundai design team and engineers to make Tucson look premium yet sporty. Complementing the design is the choice of multi-toned elements like a matte silver window sill that ends in an aerodynamic style at the rear. The design makes this large SUV feel more friendly and compact with visual illusions created by sharp lines.
The most appealing section of this beauty is the connecting rear-LED with unique diamond-cut elements making this SUV prettier in real life. It extends on both sides of the car and makes this rear element a timeless piece of design which will age well. There’s a subtle Tucson batch with a hidden rear wiper under the spoiler. Matte grey skid plates and boxed-out wheel arches add character to the Tucson. Many design elements with creases, lines and cuts make this car feel true to a concept design. The sharp-cut design elements also translate into the large 235 section 18-inch dual-tone diamond-cut alloys, with a full-size spare alloy wheel in the trunk. The powered tailgate liberates 540L of cargo space with three levels of gate adjustments. It can be extended to 1860 litres with dedicated levers in the trunk to enable 60:40 split-folding second-row seats. The boot gets a guidance light and extra 12V sockets for added functionality.
Technophile inside, sharp outside
Hyundai always offers its customers top features, and the flagship hits the ball right out of the park. Onboard computers in Tucson provide innovative features like Home to Car (H2C), where simple vocal commands to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant can operate your car. Voice commands could include, “Alexa, turn on my car’s AC”, “Alexa, turn on my car’s AC, “Alexa, find my car”, “Alexa, check my car’s fuel level”, and “Alexa, lock my car doors.” Advanced connectivity also allows Smartwatch connectivity with TIZEN, iOS and Android.
Bluelink app offers 60+ connected features, and the car infotainment setup can improve with time thanks to OTA – Over-The-Air updates for the system and map. Tucson also gets Hyundai’s most advanced Voice Control for Seat Ventilation, Sports (Cricket, Soccer), Sunroof, and climate control, while the Voice Assistant has 104 embedded voice commands.
The large 10.25″ HD infotainment system is India-specific yet global UI supports -10 regional + 2 international languages, including English, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, Punjabi, Malayalam, Telugu, Oriya, Gujarati and Korean. Apart from these, the 8-speaker premium Bose sound system can accompany your drive with six built-in ambient nature symphonies, including an open-air café, rainy day, snowy village, warm fireplace and calm sea waves. There’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but Hyundai has missed the mark by not making these wireless. With OTA updates, these wired features may go wireless in the future.
The minimalistic cabin feels classy with soft-touch plastic, textured soft-touch fabric and multi-toned colours. The seats on our cars were light beige, making the cabin feel roomier. A smart one-touch panoramic sunroof accentuates the roof-line of the cabin. Apart from the usual wireless phone charger, the large 10.25-inch touchscreen and touch-sensitive controls keep the central dashboard neat. The overall cabin feels like a cockpit with the large 12.3-inch floating MID displaying ample information, including TPMS. The gear Knob is chunky and yacht-inspired, while the steering feel is perfectly round, chunky enough to get a sense of this large vehicle and also comes with ample buttons to control the MID and infotainment setup. The soft lid of the central arm-rest reveals open enough space to house your smaller pets.
Both the front seats get electric adjustments, with the driver seat getting 10-way adjustments while the co-passenger seat is getting 8-way adjustments and two memory seat functions. There is also a chauffeur mode on the front passenger seat walk-in device that enables left rear seat passengers to recline and adjust the front seat to their liking from the rear with the help of electric buttons on the front left seat. Overall the design is ergonomically designed to aid the driver. Even the front ventilated and heated seat controls are integrated into the central arm-rest. Advanced climate control technologies ensure a remarkably comfortable cabin atmosphere with dual-zone climate control with Multi-Air Mode and a hidden type AC vent with diffuse mode. This feature is inspired by aircraft. A diffuse button sits in the centre console along with drive select modes – Eco, Normal and Sport. All the buttons feel tactile and perceive a sense of quality associated with a premium feel.
The rear seat experience of the Tucson is excellent with rear AC vents, Type-A illuminated USB ports, deep recline angles on the seats and a large arm-rest with cup-holders. Thanks to bright leather seats, the premium feel of the multi-toned cabin with minimalistic yet functional design approaches, and one of the most prominent panoramic sunroofs, the Tucson interiors are a great abode on wheels.
Hyundai SmartSense
Hyundai has included level 2 ADAS driver assistance on their flagship. They call it Hyundai SmartSense. It’s a combination of a front camera, front radar and rear radar. Overall, there are 19 ADAS level 2 features enabled by Hyundai SmartSense. Some of these features include – Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist + Junction Turning, Front collision warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Safe Exit Warning (SEW), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Smart Cruise Control with Stop & GO (SCC with S&G), Lane Following Assist (LFA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW) and Surround View Monitor (SVM). The 360-degree cameras are sharp at resolution and enable dynamic parking assist lines for added convenience.
Drive impressions
Petrol trim: Hyundai Tucson gets a 2L petrol engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission churning 156PS and 192Nm. The power delivery on the petrol trim is linear, and power builds gradually as the revs build. The lightweight steering feedback makes manoeuvring this car in the city a child’s play while the steering satisfactorily weighs up as speeds rise. Eco mode dulls down all the responses and almost feels like the valet mode in the car. Normal is the best of both worlds, while Sport mode makes responses a bit tighter, including the heft on the steering wheel. Impressive bits include good insulation on the engine bay, keeping engine NVH levels to their minimum and overall cabin NVH levels as silent as physically possible. Suspensions perform at par for Indian road conditions, and the car manages to gulp most road undulations. Ride quality is supple and further enhancing the confidence are non-intrusive ADAS features.
First seen in the Alcazar, the turn indicators work in tandem with the 360-degree cameras to give a real-time side view on the MID console. The ambient lights are soft and offer tons of customizability. Vanity mirrors with individual light buttons and extended sunshades bring versatility to an overloaded technophile Hyundai Tucson. The Bluelink app makes remote car operations, real-time usage information, GPS features, remote unlock, and engine controls. The only thing missing here is the summon feature we see on Teslas. The gear shifts are seamless and refined, but the car’s responses take a while to get going with sudden throttle responses. Drivers sit with a commanding view of the road, and the large front windshield with large door windows enables a massive point of view. On the go, the 18-inch wheels perform great and four disc brakes with a big safety net brake on a dime. Tucson manages to lose its sense of weight when on the go, thanks to clever engineering, which enables a straightforward approach and ease of driving a premium SUV.
Diesel trim: Most of our overall feel of the chassis, body weight and minimum body roll with excellent body control remain the same on the diesel trim. But, we guess this to be the bestseller among the two trims thanks to a healthy 400+ NM torque accessible from the lower rev range and throughout all rev bands enabling 186PS of power. This added power is managed by an intuitive 8-speed AT transmission, which is smoother and more responsive than the petrol version. The diesel feels enthusiastic when driven, accentuating with Sport mode. Even in Normal mode, the diesel is peppy to drive in comparison. The NVH levels on the diesel are as impressive as the petrol trim. Almost no vibrations are felt inside the cabin, even when revving and driving this car at triple-digit speeds.
Hyundai Premium Assurance
Hyundai offers an unlimited kilometre 3 Years warranty with 30 000 km complimentary maintenance. They also assure 3 years of roadside assistance with 3 years Bluelink / Map subscription and 1 Shubhaarambh (Home Visit).
Verdict
In our brief drive, this car managed to hide its volume with excellent engineering. It’s easier to drive than its competition. Hyundai Tucson is Hyundai’s flagship model in India, making a bold statement for itself with the plethora of features offered. Both the trims offer great value to the end consumer and assure a car that shall stand the competition of the time. If you are in the market looking for an upgrade to your existing car or want a chunk of the insanely growing SUV market, the Hyundai Tucson is one attractive option with enough tech to keep your next generation happy. The ADAS is non-intrusive and the overall package exudes a sense of sporty premium appeal.
