Category: Reviews

Galaxy S24 Plus – Almost an Ultra, Plus improves

Galaxy S24 series launched at the start of the year, and this year, as usual, there are three phones – S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra. What is unusual, though, are the much-needed upgrades on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus. For years, the Galaxy S series Plus phone has been nothing more than a larger base S series model with significant misses compared to the Ultra. This year, Samsung has evolved its game to the S tier with the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus.

Design

Visually, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus looks similar to its predecessor. The rear panel is still a colourful frost glass matching similar coloured flat metal sides with three similar camera islands at its rear. Banking on the display prowess this time around, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus brings a larger display in the same chassis as last year. This time, there is a 6.8-inch display with symmetrical minimal bezels all around. Samsung is simply following the quote: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The design is tried and tested, minimalistically stunning and well-designed with good weight balance. IP68 ratings and gorilla glass Victus ensure protection is top-tier, too.

Display

A major upgrade to this year’s Galaxy S24 Plus is the inclusion of a QHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED 6.8-inch display. The resolution, peak brightness of 2600nits on HDR content and the PPI count are ironically a little better than its elder sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The added resolution and brightness finally make the Galaxy S24 Plus feel like a worthy large flagship phone.

Performance

Performance in the current era of smartphones depends on two major factors – hardware and software. On the hardware side, Samsung has opted for the Exynos 2400, a 4nm SOC with 10 cores. Matching this performance is the 12GB RAM from the base variant with the capability to extend RAM when possible. Together with the better hardware performance comes an Android 14-based One UI software which is loaded pack with Galaxy AI, a version of implementing Google Gemini Pro on the Samsung S series. Samsung plans to bring Galaxy AI features to the S23 series too. Needless to say, the new chip performs like a flagship processor, and although it might fall on sheer benchmarking numbers compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Exynos 2400 holds its own, delivering snappy performance coupled with decent battery life.

Circle to search, live translate, and more AI features work seamlessly, if not perfectly and add a sense of software newness to the entire experience. There are tons of customisations, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support for multi-channel audio, calling, texting and gaming on this phone has been a charm. No matter what task is thrown at the phone, including some demanding games like GTA San Andreas, Genshin Impact, and Raji, the S24 Plus gamed like a console. The back did feel warm after an hour of gaming but nothing alarming. Samsung is promising 7 years of OS and security updates with the S24 Plus, and we believe the phone will stand the test of time, albeit with a battery replacement.

Camera

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The camera system is the same as last year, which was the same as yesteryear. Samsung has not changed the hardware on the S Plus series since S22! The 50MP primary shooter does a commendable job with auto HDR, the 12MP ultrawide camera still maintains the details and colour science of the primary camera, and the 3x telephoto camera matches the performance overall. The primary camera can shoot 8K footage while all others can do 4K 60fps. The pictures are similar to the S23 series and maintain similar depth of contrast, crispness, saturation and contrast. The selfie camera is similar too. Overall, the tried and tested camera setup is here to stay this year and 9/10 times clicks images and videos worth saving.

What is interestingly noteworthy about S24 Plus is the new image editor and enhancement tools, which are similar to the Pixel 8 pro series. The ability to create slow-motion videos out of regular videos, edit images with a simple AI-generated tap and more make this camera setup feel more usable and creatively user-friendly. Samsung has also enabled apps like Instagram and Snapchat to access their hardware and software camera features, ensuring crisp social media integration.

Battery life and Verdict

With a healthy 4900mAh battery and the capabilities of 45W fast charge, fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus covers all the flagship checkmarks. The Exynos 2400 was performing below average, but a quick software update fixed the issue, and now, it has been consistently delivering above-average battery life. A day’s heavy use or two days of medium usage are sustainable on the S24 Plus.

Samsung has finally added value to the Plus category with a crisper display, better hardware, and, overall, one of the best software implementations and improvements on any series of smartphones. With the Pixel-esque image editing features, the immense capabilities of Galaxy AI powered by Google Gemini Pro and the utmost peace of mind with over half a dozen years of software support, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is almost an Ultra smartphone without the S-Pen or that the multi-digit price tag. We absolutely recommend this year’s Galaxy S24 Plus for a premium large flagship Android experience.

Galaxy S24 Plus Specs

6.8-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED
Exynos 2400
12GB RAM + Expandable
Android 14 + One UI + Galaxy AI
INR 99,999

Honor X9b Review: Rock solid

DESIGN & BUILD

Design is an important factor that impacts your overall experience. The device has a sleek and modern look. Its slim profile and rounded edges make it comfortable to hold. Plus, it’s made from high-quality materials like glass and metal, giving it a sophisticated and elegant vibe.

One thing that stands out about the Honor X9b is its large 6.78-inch edge-to-edge display. It’s perfect for watching videos or playing games, and the minimal bezels make it feel really immersive. The camera module on the back is also really stylish, with a multi-camera setup that’s been carefully designed to look perfectly balanced. The Honor X9b review unit we received has a matte finish on the rear panel, which looks great and helps prevent fingerprints.

Of course, we all know that accidents happen. The Honor X9b has reinforced glass on both the front and back, like Corning Gorilla Glass, to protect against scratches and drops. The metal frame also adds extra toughness while making the phone feel even more premium.

PERFORMANCE

The Honor X9b delivers impressive performance, thanks to its powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Gen 3 processor. Both the software and hardware are optimized well. I have used it for a week now, and the X9b is able to effortlessly handle multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications with ease. Whether I’m streaming HD content, navigating through apps, or running intensive tasks, I haven’t noticed any significant lags. However, once I complete a quick task, the device lags a bit. Additionally, the device has advanced cooling technology that prevents it from overheating during prolonged usage sessions, ensuring consistent performance even under heavy workloads.

also read: OnePlus Watch 2 Review: Evolution, Not Revolution

CAMERA

The camera user interface on the Honor X9b is easy to use. It includes modes like Pro mode, Panorama, Super Macro, High-Res, Time-Lapse, Multi-View video and Night mode. The rear camera produces 12MP output after pixel binning, while the front camera images are 16MP in size.

The Honor X9b has a new 108MP sensor that captures daylight shots beautifully. The dynamic range is better with auto HDR. The portrait mode is good, with accurate edge detection, and the 5MP ultra-wide camera is decent, but could have given a better pixel sensor. 

The night mode is helpful but takes a few seconds to process. The 16MP front camera takes decent photos but performs best in good lighting conditions. The portrait shots are good as well.

The Honor X9b is a capable device when it comes to video recording. It can record videos at a maximum frame rate of 4K 30 fps, which is impressive. Additionally, it also supports slow-motion video recording at 720p resolution with a frame rate of 120fps. This means you can capture slow-motion footage with this device, perfect for capturing action shots or creating cinematic effects.

VERDICT

Overall, the Honor X9b is a mid-range smartphone with a stylish design, long battery life, and smooth visuals. However, its inconsistent camera performance, limited software features, and lack of additional functionalities may deter users that prioritize these features.

Zebronics Pro Series Z (Review) – Just Another Gen Z Kid

Zebronics, known for its diverse range of tech products, including computer peripherals and audio accessories, steps into the laptop arena with its Pro Series Z and Pro Series Y models. Among these, the Pro Series Z catches attention for its blend of affordability and intriguing features.

Design

At first glance, the Zebronics Pro Series Z exudes an aura of elegance and sophistication. The laptop boasts a solid metal construction with a matte-finished top cover that feels reassuringly sturdy to the touch. The CNC-milled corners add a touch of refinement, reminiscent of premium offerings from established brands.

Despite its premium build, the laptop remains surprisingly lightweight, making it an ideal companion for on-the-go professionals and students alike. Furthermore, the inclusion of a plethora of ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A and Type-C, HDMI, and a microSD card slot, ensures seamless connectivity for various peripherals and devices.

Display, Keyboard, and Trackpad

The Pro Series Z features a vibrant 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with an anti-reflective finish, offering an immersive viewing experience for multimedia consumption and productivity tasks alike. While the lack of backlighting may disappoint some users, the keyboard’s tactile feedback ensures comfortable typing sessions. Additionally, the generously sized trackpad, equipped with a convenient fingerprint scanner, enhances security and ease of use.

Dolby Atmos Audio

Arguably, the most captivating feature of the Pro Series Z is its Dolby Atmos support. The laptop promises an audio experience that transcends traditional laptop sound systems. Despite the inherent limitations of laptop speakers, Zebronics has managed to deliver a remarkable audio performance. The dual-firing, bottom-mounted speakers produce rich and immersive sound, enveloping the listener in a cocoon of audio bliss. With the preloaded Dolby Access software allowing for customisable sound settings, users can tailor their audio experience to suit their preferences, whether it be for music, movies, or gaming. The result is an audio experience that rivals that of dedicated home theatre systems, elevating the overall enjoyment of multimedia content.

Performance

Under the hood, the Pro Series Z packs a punch, thanks to its 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-1235U processor and ample 16 GB of RAM. While it may not boast the cutting-edge specifications of high-end laptops, it more than holds its own in everyday tasks and light productivity workloads. Whether browsing the web, streaming videos, or multitasking between applications, the Pro Series Z delivers a smooth and responsive user experience. However, for users with more demanding computational needs, such as video editing or gaming, the Pro Series Z may fall short of expectations.

The Pro Series Z laptop is loaded with an Intel Core i5-1235U processor, soaring to 4.4GHz with Turbo Boost and a 15W TDP. With options for 8GB or 16GB RAM, expandable to 64GB, and Intel UHD graphics with 8GB memory, it ensures seamless multitasking and vivid visuals. The 512GB M.2 SATA SSD, extendable to 1TB, offers ample storage. Engage in crisp video calls with the 2MP webcam, while dual-driver speakers with Dolby Atmos support immerse you in audio brilliance.

Verdict

The Zebronics Pro Series Z Laptop emerges as a commendable offering in the mid-range segment, combining solid build quality with impressive audio capabilities. While it may not cater to power users seeking bleeding-edge performance, its affordability and Dolby Atmos support make it an enticing option for students, casual users, and multimedia enthusiasts. With its sleek design, vibrant display, and immersive audio experience, the Pro Series Z showcases Zebronics’ commitment to delivering innovative and value-packed solutions to its discerning customers.

Rating

⭐⭐⭐

OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 12R: What fits your Pocket

Deciding between the OnePlus 12 and the OnePlus 12R can be challenging. Both phones are powerful, but the question is, which one is the perfect match for you? Fear not, as we have got you covered. We’ll go into the key differences between these two smartphones so you can confidently decide.

DESIGN

The moment you hold the phone, you’ll notice that the OnePlus 12R is lighter than the OnePlus 12, weighing nearly 13 grams less. Not only that, but the camera bump on the OnePlus 12 is slightly bigger and thicker than the OnePlus 12R. However, the OnePlus 12’s Flowy Emerald design looks more premium than the OnePlus 12R’s Cool Blue design. Overall, the OnePlus 12 has a more high-end feel compared to the OnePlus 12R. 

DISPLAY

Both phones displays are similar, but the OnePlus 12 has a slightly larger and crisper display than the OnePlus 12R. What’s more, the OnePlus 12 has a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, which is perfect for gamers and content creators. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 12R offers a respectable 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring a generally fluid experience. If you love watching content on your phone, the viewing experience is much better on the OnePlus 12. 

PROCESSOR

Both phones are fast, but the OnePlus 12’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor is slightly faster than the OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. Although there is no noticeable difference in day-to-day activities, the OnePlus 12 is faster on paper. Additionally, the OnePlus 12 comes with up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB storage option, while the OnePlus 12R only has a maximum of 16GB of RAM and a 256GB storage option.

CAMERA

The OnePlus 12 is known for its impressive camera capabilities. It features a 50MP primary camera, a 64MP periscope lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 48MP macro camera, making for a more versatile triple-lens setup co-developed with Hasselblad. In contrast, the OnePlus 12R has a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. The OnePlus 12 can zoom up to 120x, while the OnePlus 12R only goes up to 10x. However, if you love taking selfies, the OnePlus 12 can capture better photos with its 32MP sensor. In contrast, the OnePlus 12R can only take pictures with a 16MP sensor.

BATTERY & CHARGING:

Both phones have large batteries, but the 12R has a slightly larger capacity. However, the 12 boasts faster 80W wired charging, which allows you to quickly recharge your phone compared to the 65W charging of the 12R. The OnePlus 12 can also be charged wirelessly. It can charge any wireless charging-enabled device like an iPhone, while the OnePlus 12R can only be charged through a cable.

PRICING

The OnePlus 12R has a significantly lower price tag than the OnePlus 12, making it a tempting budget option. However, remember that a lower price often means trade-offs.

VERDICT

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your priorities. If you value cutting-edge performance, top-tier cameras, and the fastest charging, the OnePlus 12 is the way to go. However, if you’re on a budget and can live with slight performance and camera downgrades, the OnePlus 12R delivers excellent value for money.

Also read: Realme 12 Pro Review

Realme 12 Pro Review: Looking Like a Wow

Realme has announced the launch of two new devices – the Realme 12 Pro and Realme 12 Pro Plus. Both devices are the successors of the Realme 11 Pro. Realme is known for its commitment to providing the best technology and stylish design at affordable prices. We recently got our hands on the latest Realme 12 Pro and we’re excited to share our thoughts on it.

DESIGN

Design is one of the appealing features of the Realme 12 Pro series. Like its predecessor, Realme 12 Pro offers the same design but with some design improvements. Realme 12 Pro has a vegan leather finish with a camera module ring in gold colour. A golden line extends from the camera module and divides the panel into two halves, adding an elegant touch. The leather finish at the rear makes the device less slippery. Although it is not prone to fingerprints, it may accumulate visible smudges over time if used with dirty hands. You can easily clean it with a soft cloth. It’s important to keep the phone away from sharp objects like keys as they may damage the leather surface.

Moving to the front panel, the phone features a curved display with slim bezels that offers an immersive viewing experience. The punch-hole cutout on the front houses the selfie camera. The phone has a gold frame, which gives a golden aesthetic to the device.

DISPLAY

The Realme 12 Pro has a stunning 6.7-inch AMOLED curved display with minimal bezels and impressive image quality, making it perfect for watching movies and playing games. The screen brightness is decent, reaching 950 nits, lower than other devices like the OPPO Reno11 Pro. However, it’s still bright enough to use even in direct sunlight. One of the best features of the display is its touch-haptic response. When interacting with the power, back, and menu options, it feels like pressing a physical button and provides gentle vibration or feedback, especially when gesture control is enabled. This adds realism and immersion to the experience. The haptic feedback is particularly impressive when playing high-octane games, as it provides a feel for the impact and responsiveness in your hands.

PERFORMANCE

Realme 12 Pro has impressed with its design and display, but a smartphone’s performance matters in the end. Unlike Realme 11 Pro, Realme 12 Pro shifted towards the Qualcomm processor. The realme 12 Pro has a budget Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, on paper it is a mid-budget processor. Testing the Realme 12 Pro in day-to-day activities, the device performed well in various tasks like watching videos, listening to music, playing games, and using popular messaging and social media apps. Even after one week of usage, there were no noticeable lags or slowdowns in day-to-day usage. The phone did not have any heating issues except when the camera app was open for an extended period.

I had a decent gaming experience on the Realme 12 Pro. The phone remained smooth at standard settings; going to ultra settings gives noticeable lags. In standard settings, I encountered no stutters even after long gaming sessions. In benchmarking, the Realme 12 Pro performed well, achieving a single-core score of 941 and a multi-core score of 2667 on Geekbench 6.

However, the Realme 12 Pro has some drawbacks, and one of them is its software experience. The phone comes with Realme UI 5.0, which has a lot of bloatware that makes the home screen cluttered and confusing. There are pre-loaded apps that are unnecessary and unwanted.

Realme should address the bloatware issue and provide a cleaner, more streamlined software experience that allows users to choose the apps they want instead of bombarding them with not-so-useful apps. The focus should be on providing a better user experience without overwhelming notifications and pre-installed clutter.

BATTERY

The Realme 12 Pro has a 5000mAh battery and comes with a 100W fast charger. To test the battery, I played a 4K HDR video from YouTube. During the test, the phone’s battery went from 28% to 18% in just 22 minutes of playing the video. Surprisingly, the phone was only slightly warm, which is impressive considering the device’s curved display.

In my everyday use, the phone lasted a full day on a single charge with no issues. The included fast charger came in handy, as it was able to refill the battery by approximately 25% in just five minutes of charging. Overall, I’m very satisfied with the Realme 12 Pro’s battery performance.

CAMERA

It was surprising to see that the Realme 12 Pro has a 50-megapixel primary camera sensor, which is lower than the predecessor Realme 11 Pro’s 100-megapixel sensor. However, it’s essential to note that the number of megapixels doesn’t guarantee better picture quality. Despite being a mid-range phone, the Realme 12 Pro’s highlight is its 32-megapixel telephoto sensor. The device also has an 8-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 16-megapixel sensor for selfies.

Let’s discuss the camera’s performance in different scenarios. In good lighting conditions, the Realme 12 Pro takes impressive daylight shots. The images are vibrant, with rich colours and intricate details. You can appreciate the clarity and sharpness, even when zooming in to explore finer textures. Whether you’re taking photos of expansive landscapes or getting close to objects, the camera does an excellent job. For instance, the picture of the bunch of orange flowers showcases vivid and accurate colours, making the image visually captivating.

However, the camera struggles in dimly lit indoor environments. When taken to a restaurant with softer lighting, it had difficulty dealing with the direct lights facing the camera. As a result, some low-light images appeared grainy, especially when using the 20x zoom. In contrast, the camera performs better when there’s ample lighting available. The macro lens, in particular, shines in outdoor settings. The close-up image of the orange flower showcases vibrant colours and intricate details, making it quite impressive.

It’s worth noting that any subject can be zoomed very closely. The phone can capture tiny grain from a Relax case of my iPhone 15. You can achieve good image quality by zooming in on objects, giving you added flexibility to capture close-up shots without relying solely on the macro lens.

The Realme 12 Pro features a 32-megapixel telephoto 2x Optical zoom lens. Although the 2X is optical zoom, it can go up to 20X digital zoom. However, the quality of the picture degrades the more you zoom. My experience with the Zoom mode was underwhelming. However, it is a helpful feature that Realme still packs on a budget smartphone.

Realme 12 Pro 20x

Realme 12 Pro 0.6x
Realme 12 Pro 20x

Another issue I encountered is that even when I thought I had captured the image perfectly, it turned out blurry after processing. This was especially noticeable in low-light settings. The camera struggles to maintain sharpness and clarity in challenging lighting conditions.

VERDICT

The Realme 12 Pro is a device that offers a lot to its users. It has a visually stunning design, an immersive display, and reliable performance. The device offers a smooth user experience across various tasks, including multimedia consumption and gaming, without any noticeable lags or slowdowns. The battery life is impressive and can easily last a full day, and the included fast charger adds to the convenience. However, the camera performance of the Realme 12 Pro is a mixed bag. While it excels in capturing vibrant and detailed images in good lighting conditions, it struggles in dimly-lit environments. Additionally, the software experience falls short with Realme UI 5.0, as it is cluttered with bloatware and unwanted notifications, which can affect the overall user experience. Despite these shortcomings, the Realme 12 Pro still manages to impress with its attractive design and reliable performance. It is a solid mid-range option for users looking for a visually appealing device with satisfactory performance.

 

moto g24 power (Review) – Budget Breakthrough

The POWER series of Motorola has made a triumphant comeback in India with the launch of moto g24 power. The successor to the moto g23 promises a slew of enhancements, boasting a 90Hz screen, and the colossal 6000mAh battery that has become synonymous with the Power series. After a three-year hiatus since the g10 power launch in 2021, anticipation is high – could this be the reigning champion among 4G smartphones below the 10k price spectrum?

Display & Design

The moto g24 power captivates from the get-go with its expansive 6.56-inch HD+ 90Hz LCD screen, delivering a pixel-rich resolution of 1600 × 720 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The display’s vibrancy and brightness, reaching up to 537 nits peak brightness, offer an immersive visual experience. The phone features a punch-hole screen housing a 16-megapixel camera and a top earpiece that doubles as a secondary speaker.

Despite missing HDR support, the phone compensates with a variety of colour adjustment options. The moto g24 power’s matte finish and IP52 dust and water resistance ratings add a touch of sophistication to its slim 8.99mm frame. The clever integration of a fingerprint scanner into the power button, along with strategic button placements and thoughtful design elements, contribute to an overall user-friendly and stylish package.

Camera

The camera of the moto g24 power includes Night Vision, Portrait, Panorama, Scan, Slow Motion, and Timelapse. Daylight shots exhibit commendable dynamic range, utilising Quad Pixel technology to deliver crisp 12.5MP output. While lacking an ultra-wide lens, the 2MP macro camera provides serviceable close-ups. Portrait mode showcases impressive edge detection, and the 16MP main camera captures striking images. Video recording at 1080p/30fps with EIS ensures smooth footage, complemented by the Slow Motion option and the ability to shoot 720p videos with the 2MP camera.

Performance

Under the hood, the moto g24 power is fueled by the robust MediaTek Helio G85 Octa-Core SoC, a powerhouse crafted on the 12nm architecture. Featuring Dual 2GHz Cortex-A75 + Hexa 2GHz 6x Cortex-A55 CPUs, this chip seamlessly manages day-to-day tasks, from social media perusal to document handling and smooth YouTube video playback. While multitasking with numerous background apps might encounter a slight hiccup, the Helio G85 excels in casual gaming. 

Battery Life

The moto g24 power boasts a colossal 6000mAh battery – a standout feature in its price bracket. Even under the duress of dual 4G connectivity and multimedia indulgence, the phone guarantees a full day’s endurance, extending beyond two days with moderate use. The 33W fast charging capability proves its mettle, reviving the device from 0 to 100% in a brisk 1 hour and 40 minutes, with an impressive 0 to 50% charge achieved in just 45 minutes using the bundled 33W fast charger.

Verdict

Priced at Rs. 8,999*, the moto g24 power is a budget gem that checks nearly every essential box. Boasting a spacious HD+ 90Hz display, a capable processor, impressive daylight camera performance, stereo speakers, and enduring battery life, it delivers a compelling package. The processor might not break speed records, and the weight leans towards the heftier side, but these nuances are overshadowed by its overall commendable and manageable features. In the budget segment, the moto g24 power emerges as a solid contender, offering a satisfying blend of performance and affordability.

Pros

  • Android 14 out of the box
  • Good build quality
  • Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos

Cons

  • Helio G85 SoC

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Master Of All, Jack Of None Sony WF-1000XM5 Evolves, But How?

Sony nails it when it comes to their headphones but is still trying innovations with their TWS. Remember the cool-looking Sony wf-1000xm4? They were bulky, but the 6mm drivers were absolute bangers in some tunes. The xm5 improves the design, making them slightly more approachable, but the new 8mm drivers made me listen to more music than I usually do for a review.

Design

The newer design is a welcomed iteration of the wf-1000xm series. The older design was bulkier and heavier than the rounded and relatively lightweight XM5. The case, too, is redesigned, and it retains wireless charging. Overall, the new design can be summarised in one word – smooth. The Sony wf-1000xm5 is excellent to use visually and physically as a pair of daily audio drivers.

Audio performance

Here is where I had to listen to this pair for the longest time. The new 8mm drivers are different from the older 6mm drivers. Sony has managed to keep the sound stage as impressive as the earlier XM4, and just about every frequency is tuned perfectly for a relatively louder, clearer-sounding pair of earphones. My biggest issue was the excursion from the newer pair compared to the older ones. The 6mm drivers of the xm4 produce deeper bass, while the 8mm drivers of the xm5 produce a much tighter bass that audiophiles would appreciate. This is the pair’s highlight; it has become so precise that it seems like a pair of flat monitor speakers unless you customise it.

The software is king here. Overall, you still get that fantastic spatial audio, an AI that maps your ear canals through the camera and creates an audio graph to suit your ears. Only proceed to use these earphones with the software. They improve the sound by many folds and have some neat tricks to track your usage, upload settings to the cloud and link to your Sony account for easy pairing. Ambient sound control, the ability to pair with two devices simultaneously and DSEE extreme with a 5-step equalizer and ten positive or negative step clear bass settings allow the best audio fidelity with a wide range of codec support. ANC is suitable for most scenarios and can sometimes struggle thanks to the seal created by the newer foam + plastic tips; it is a hit or a miss for most users. Mic quality, call quality and battery life were excellent.

Battery

The earphones were always used with ANC on, and I could not kill them even after using them for 8+ hours on some days. I’ve used these earphones for more than 90+ hours, and they have never managed to die on me yet. The battery life claimed is surpassed, with a quick charge from the case and the case’s capability to charge relatively fast with wireless charging ability. The case can charge these units twice, and unless you are on a multi-day trek, there are barely any chances the Sony wf-1000xm5 would run out of juice.

Verdict

Sony wf-1000xm5 is a definite evolution in all aspects, but the new drivers leave me wanting more bass excursions in life. Don’t get me wrong, I am nitpicking. In isolation, these are absolute masters of all and jacks of none. They have some of the most amazing sound quality in all genres of music, and this time around, they shall also appeal to the audiophile audience.

OnePlus 12 Review: Flagship For Masses

Price: 64999
Rating:

The OnePlus 12 is a much-awaited smartphone that is popular for offering high-quality features at an affordable price. However, in recent years, OnePlus has swayed from its path and lost its position as the best in the market. With the OnePlus 11, the company made a comeback. But can the OnePlus 12 set a new benchmark for flagship performance? Let’s discover.

Design

Let’s begin with the design. The OnePlus 12 5G is almost identical to its predecessor, the OnePlus 12. However, there are some minor upgrades. The camera ring is bigger and thicker, and a new pattern finish feels very similar to the Oppo Reno11 Pro which we reviewed recently. The phone has a premium look and feel, with a glass-metal fusion and a green matte finish that resists fingerprints. The glossy metal chassis that meets the circular camera module provides more structure to the design.

In terms of buttons and ports, the OnePlus 12 5G has an IR camera on the top, power button and volume rockers on the right side, alert slider on the left, and the SIM card slot, USB Type-C charging port, and speaker system at the bottom. The phone comes with a case and a screen guard in the box.

Display

The OnePlus 12 5G has a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a dynamic screen refresh rate of 120Hz, 1440 x 3168 pixels resolution, and a peak brightness of 4500 nits. It supports HDR10+ technology and has an in-display fingerprint sensor. The display is bright and accurate, even in harsh sunlight, and the fingerprint sensor is quick and reliable.

Camera

Moving on to the camera, the OnePlus 12 has a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 64MP periscopic lens. The front camera is a 32MP selfie camera. The primary camera performs well in bright outdoor light, with vibrant colours, ample depth, and detail. In indoor lighting, the images are slightly warmer in tone. The periscope lens has 3x optical zoom, but digital zoom maxes out at 120x, compromising details. The selfie camera produces natural-looking images but misses out on depth and details when multiple subjects are in the image.

Performance

The OnePlus 12 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 system-on-chip (SoC), which offers a smooth and lag-free experience. It runs on the latest Android 14-based OxygenOS 14.0, which has an easy-to-use interface but comes with a few bloatware apps like Netflix. The phone can handle daily tasks, as well as streaming movies and shows, without any lag.

Battery

The OnePlus 12 5G has a 5400mAh battery and supports 100W SuperVOOC and 45W AirVOOC fast charging technology. The battery lasts a day or more with everyday usage, including answering calls, emails, and messages, and four to five hours of OTT and social media time. It takes only 30 minutes to charge the phone completely.

Verdict

The OnePlus 12 is a top-of-the-line smartphone that offers a range of premium features at an attractive price point – a hallmark of the company since its inception. The phone boasts a bright display with an in-display fingerprint sensor, capable cameras, and a smooth user interface. It also looks and feels luxurious, delivering flagship-level performance for Rs 64,999. While the camera could improve, the OnePlus 12 5G remains an excellent choice for anyone searching for high-end performance.

HP Omen 16-xf0060AX Gaming Laptop Review: A Powerful Performer

Price: INR 1,34,999/-

HP continues to refine its gaming laptop lineup with the Omen 16, a big-screen but streamlined mobile gaming rig in the middle of the price/performance spectrum. Our review configuration is an all-AMD affair with a Ryzen 7 7840HS processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, making it a great choice for serious gamers. However, there are a few drawbacks to consider before you pull the trigger on this purchase.

Design and Build Quality

The HP Omen 16 has a sleek and professional design that is not too flashy. Its matte black chassis is fingerprint-resistant and looks great. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, and the RGB lighting adds a nice touch. The trackpad is also large and responsive.

In terms of build quality, the OMEN 16 feels sturdy and the hinges are tight. I am confident that this laptop can withstand a few bumps and bruises.

Display

The HP Omen 16 boasts a 16.1-inch FHD display with a refresh rate of 165Hz. The colours are accurately represented, and the viewing angles are satisfactory. However, the display’s resolution is below average for a laptop of this specs. It would have been better if it offered at least a QHD display. Additionally, the screen’s brightness is on the lower side, with just 300 nits. This may make it difficult to see the screen clearly in a well-lit room, and one may have to turn up the brightness level all the way.

Performance

Let’s start with the positive aspect of this laptop: its performance. It’s a powerhouse, capable of running demanding games like Call of Duty: Warzone at max settings with Ray Tracing ON and still getting over 60 FPS. The Omen 16 also handled Battlefield 2042 and Grand Theft Auto 6 without issues. Even games like PUBG and Fortnite run smoothly on this machine.

The Ryzen 7 7840HS processor is a real workhorse with a maximum clock speed of up to 5.1 GHz. The 16GB of DDR5 RAM makes multitasking a breeze. I could open over 30 Chrome tabs and play games without experiencing any lag. The RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is a decent-budget-level card that provides excellent gaming and creative work performance.

Battery Life

It’s important to note that the Omen 16’s battery life isn’t optimal for serious gaming, lasting approximately 3 hours in our battery life test. While this is typical for most gaming laptops, playing less graphic demanding tiles will ensure a little longer battery life on the go.

VERDICT

The HP Omen gaming laptop powered by AMD is a highly capable machine that can run even the most demanding games smoothly. However, the display’s low brightness and the short battery life may be a letdown for some users. While the Omen 16 is a decent option for a gaming laptop, there are better choices available in the market.

RATINGS: 3 out of 5 stars

Pros:

  • Powerful performance
  • Sleek and professional design
  • Excellent build quality
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Good selection of ports

Cons:

  • Low resolution display
  • Short battery life

Samsung Launched Galaxy S24 series unpacked with Galaxy AI

Samsung has just released three new mobile devices – the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24. These phones offer new mobile experiences with the help of Galaxy AI. The Galaxy S series is set to change how mobile devices empower users. With AI integrated into nearly every experience on the Galaxy S24 series, it enables barrier-free communication with intelligent text and call translations.

TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, said,

The Galaxy S24 series transforms our connection with the world and ignites the next decade of mobile innovation. Galaxy AI is built on our innovation heritage and deep understanding of how people use their phones. We’re excited to see how our users around the world empower their everyday lives with Galaxy AI to open up new possibilities.

Galaxy AI brings intelligent technology to enhance every part of life, especially communication. Galaxy S24 makes it easier than ever to overcome language barriers. You can chat with someone from another country or book a reservation while on vacation in another country with Live Translate – two-way, real-time voice and text translations of phone calls within the native app. It doesn’t require any third-party apps, and on-device AI ensures conversations are kept private.

With Interpreter, live conversations can be instantly translated on a split-screen view so people standing opposite can read a text transcription of the other person’s words. It even works without cellular data or Wi-Fi.

Chat Assist can help perfect conversational tones for messages and other apps to ensure communication sounds as intended, like a polite message to a coworker or a catchy phrase for a social media caption. AI built into Samsung Keyboard can also translate messages in real-time in 13 languages. In the car, Android Auto will automatically summarize incoming messages and suggest relevant replies and actions, like sending someone your ETA, so you can stay connected while staying focused on the road.

The organization also gets a big boost with Note Assist in Samsung Notes, featuring AI-generated summaries, template creation that streamlines notes with pre-made formats, and cover creation to make notes easy to spot with a brief preview. For voice recordings, even with multiple speakers, Transcript Assist uses AI and Speech-to-Text technology to transcribe, summarize and even translate recordings.

The Galaxy S24 series takes the fundamental benefits of the phone into the future with online search. The phone marks a milestone in search history as the first phone to debut an intuitive, gesture-driven Circle to Search with Google. With a long press on the home button, users can circle, highlight, scribble on, or tap anything on the Galaxy S24’s screen to see helpful, high-quality search results. Users can ask more complex and nuanced questions, and generative AI-powered overviews can provide helpful information and context pulled together from across the web.

Galaxy S24 series’s ProVisual Engine is a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools that transforms image-capturing abilities and maximizes creative freedom at every step, from setting up a shot to sharing it on social media. Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Quad Tele System, with a new 5x optical zoom lens, works with the 50MP sensor to enable optical-quality performance at zoom levels from 2x, 3x, and 5x to 10x magnification thanks to the Adaptive Pixel Sensor. Images also show crystal clear results at 100x with enhanced digital zoom.

With upgraded Nightography capabilities, photos and videos shot on Galaxy S24 Space Zoom can capture brilliant pictures in any condition, even when zoomed in. The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a larger pixel size that captures more light in dim conditions, now 1.4 μm, which is 60% bigger than the previous model. Blur is reduced on Galaxy S24 Ultra with wider optical image stabilizer (OIS) angles and enhanced handshake compensation. When recording videos, both front and rear cameras are equipped with Dedicated ISP Blocks for noise reduction, and Galaxy S24 analyzes gyro information to distinguish between the filmer’s movement and the subject’s. This allows for more effective noise removal and clear videos even in the dark and far away.

The Galaxy S24 offers an incredible smartphone experience with an improved chipset, display, and other aspects. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform is equipped in every Galaxy S24 Ultra and is optimized for Galaxy users. The chipset provides better NPU improvement for AI processing. All three models of the Galaxy S24 have a 1-120 Hz adaptive refresh rate that improves performance efficiency. The Galaxy gaming experience is also more powerful due to hardware and software improvements. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has an optimal thermal control system with a 1.9 times larger vapour chamber, which improves device surface temperature and maximizes sustained performance power. Ray tracing features enable life-like visuals with superior shadow and reflection effects. The Galaxy display is the brightest ever, reaching a peak brightness of 2,600nit and delivering improved outdoor visibility with Vision Booster. The Galaxy S24 series also has design enhancements, with slimmer and even bezels. The Galaxy S24+ has a 6.7-inch display, and the Galaxy S24 has a 6.2-inch display, with larger screen sizes within nearly the same specifications. The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 6.8-inch flatter display and now supports the same level of QHD+ found on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S24: As the most affordable variant, the base S24 has 6.2-inch FHD+ display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, 8GB RAM, 128/256/512GB storage, 4000mAh battery with 25W charging, and a versatile triple camera headlined by a detailed 50MP main sensor.

Samsung Galaxy S24+: Sitting in the middle, the S24+ has a roomy 6.7-inch QHD+ display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12GB RAM, 256/512GB storage, 4900mAh battery with 45W charging, and the same triple camera array as the S24.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Living up to its name, the S24 Ultra is the utmost premium model with a huge 6.8-inch QHD+ display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, 12GB RAM, 256/512GB/1TB storage, 5000mAh battery with 45W charging, and quad camera topped by an upgraded 200MP primary wide camera sensor paired with both 10MP and 50MP telephoto zooms.

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