Category: Tech Reviews

Redmi Note 12 Pro Review: Midrange Winner?

The Redmi Note series has undoubtedly been Xiaomi’s trump card in the Indian market. The series has been beloved by Indian consumers for the longest time as it is usually placed in the budget segment and offers great value for the price. This time around with the Redmi Note 12 series, things were a little different. While the Redmi Note 11 Pro was introduced at ₹16,999 in India, its successor was introduced at a hefty asking price of ₹24,999 pushing it to the midrange section. So, does the Redmi Note 12 Pro justify its price? Let’s find out –

Design and Display

The Redmi Note 12 Pro sports a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with 2400 x 1080 pixels. It sports a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate. Running the device on 120Hz offers a buttery smooth experience. The display is also equipped with HDR10+ support that works beautifully for YouTube, Netflix and other OTT platforms. A rarity in this price segment is the Dolby Vision support which is a treat to the eyes while streaming content on YouTube. Adaptive refresh rate allows the device to switch between 30Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz depending on content. I watched hours’ worth of content on the Redmi 12 Pro and there was never a dull moment. The display produces punchy colours and ample brightness for an immersive viewing experience. The tiny punch-hole camera sits at the top of the screen which doesn’t intrude while watching content. Above the display rests the earpiece that also doubles as a secondary speaker. The in-hand feel of the device is superb and it’s built like a flat brick. It is just 76mm wide and 7.98mm thick weighing 187 grams which makes it easy to hold.

Performance and Camera

The Redmi Note 12 Pro runs on an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC chipset. The D1080 is paired with 6 or 8GB of RAM, the device we used was the 8GB RAM variant coupled with 256GB storage onboard. The 12 Pro also gets RAM expansion of up to 5GB of virtual memory. Sadly, the device sports Android 12 out of the box which is a disappointment. However, Xiaomi has promised an Android 13 update. With the D1080 and 8GB of RAM, day-to-day tasks like social media and streaming content on the device were a smooth ride. While playing graphics-heavy games like COD on the Redmi Note 12 Pro, some frame drops were experienced but they were negligible. Overall, the device provided a stable performance overall. It packs a large 5000mAh battery that can be juiced up with a 67W charger.

Redmi Note 12 Pro houses a 50-MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor which is its highlight. The same sensor was present in yesteryear’s multiple devices with impressive results. It also includes an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro camera. It houses a 16MP camera in the front for selfies. The primary camera of this device is capable of clicking some awesome photos with crisp details. Some over-saturation could be witnessed during low-exposure shots. Check out the camera samples of the Redmi Note 12 Pro below –

Verdict

The Redmi Note 12 is a capable device that can pretty much handle everything you throw at it. There are some features like Dolby Vision and adaptive refresh rate that are usually not present in devices at this price point. While it is a solid option for people looking for a device under ₹30K, I am not sure about it being the best value for your money.

What’s Good

  • Amazing screen with adaptive brightness
  • Battery life
  • Smooth performance
  • Dolby Vision

What’s Bad

  • Android 12
  • Bloatware

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

 

OPPO Reno 8T 5G review: Eye Candy!

The month of February will be seeing a plethora of releases in the smartphone category. While OnePlus will be launching its much-awaited OnePlus 11, Samsung will be launching the S23 series. Between the noise of big releases, OPPO has found its own voice and launched the OPPO Reno 8T 5G. The Reno series has been OPPO’s midrange champion bringing capable devices at the apt price point. Keeping true to the Reno branding comes the 8T 5G which increases the style quotient to a considerable degree. Check out what we think about the OPPo Reno 8T 5G below –

OPPO Reno 8T specifications

The OPPO Reno 8T 5G comes with the budget king chipset – Snapdragon 695. It sports a 32MP selfie camera and 108MP primary camera coupled with a 2MP depth and a 40x microscopic lens. It comes with a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display and a slim 7.7mm size. Reno 8T 5G also flaunts a 120Hz refresh rate and a 4800mAh battery that is powered by 67W Supervooc charging. It comes with 8GB RAM and 128/256GB storage options.

What’s Good

During our extensive testing of the device, the USP of the Reno 8T 5G was undoubtedly its slim design and curved display. There’s no doubt that the curved display screams flagship even in 2023 and OPPO implements it beautifully. it is not just how the display curves but also how well it performs. Watching YouTube videos and films on OTT is a treat on this device. There’s widevine L1 support here that allows users to stream HD content on Netflix/prime. The entertainment experience on this device is only made better with its stereo speakers and the Loud ultra volume mode that boosts the audio level to 200, this is the first time I’ve seen a device do this and I am blown away.

The camera here is a 108mp primary portrait camera coupled with 2mp depth and 40x microlens that is capable of clicking some amazing shots. There’s also dual view video mode that shoots videos from both the front and back at the same time. Check out some camera samples below –

The 67W Supervooc charging is fast, however, we received an 80W charger in the box which was confusing, to say the least. The sunrise gold variant with its chameleon-like colour-changing design is a visual trip.

What’s bad

I am not saying that the Snapdragon 695 is a bad processor to any degree as many budget and midrange devices sport it flawlessly. But at a price point where other players are offering let’s say, a Dimensity 1080, this falls a little short. There are not too many bad points when it comes to the OPPO Reno 8T 5G as it’s definitely a device to flaunt but the Color OS with its out-of-the-box bloatware is a sight that sores the eyes.

Verdict

The OPPO Reno 8T 5G is a stylish device that is built for users who like to flaunt their smartphones. The ‘Eye Candy’ factor in this smartphone can easily become the sole purpose people go for it. The curved and punchy display coupled with capable performance makes up for a balanced experience with the OPPO Reno 8T 5G.

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐

IdeaPad Gaming 3i 15IAH7 Review – Budget Gaming At Its Best!

With the influx of gaming content creators flooding the internet and video game plays garnering millions of views across multiple portals, it is not a surprise to see a number of gaming laptops making their way to the market. While the premium gaming experience is limited to expensive laptops that can make you cash out up to Rs 5 lakhs and more, there are some capable computers that provide a considerable gaming performance at a cheaper price point. Lenovo is one such company that is offering gaming laptops at both a premium and a mid-range price point and we are here to review the latter. Before we jump on the detailed review of the IdeaPad Gaming 3i 15IAH7, here is a quick conclusion for those who do not have time – It is amazing! (for the price)

Design and Display

While buying a gaming laptop, it is only natural for people to assume that it’ll come with the best display. Well, that’s not the case here. The 15.6-inch variant of the IdeaPad 3i comes with an FHD IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate. There is no 2K or 4K display here but rather a 1080P display which is vibrant for its limitations. The design of this machine is especially eye candy that does not comes with aggressive branding all over. There’s subtle Lenovo branding on the top and the base of the laptop which gives it a sophisticated look. One additional point to Lenovo for adding ample ports to the IdeaPad Gaming 3i that include USB Type-A ports on either side coupled with major ports including a Type-C at the rear of the laptop. It comes with a vibrant 1080P webcam that was more than just good enough to attend zoom calls.

Connectivity

The IdeaPad Gaming 3i’s connectivity proved ample options ranging from Wi-Fi 6 to Bluetooth 5.0. I was easily able to connect and disconnect from Bluetooth devices experiencing little to no delay while gaming on Bluetooth earbuds. The Wi-Fi performance was top-notch having no issues in loading high-quality videos and downloading heavy files from the internet.

Keyboard and trackpad

Being a content writer, I spend my days typing away a thousand words daily. While using the IdeaPad Gaming 3i as my daily driver, I found no issues while typing on the keyboard as it is evenly spaced out making for a seamless typing experience. While I understand that the RGB-lit keyboard is the current trend and it differentiates gaming laptops from others, I found myself keeping the keyboard lights shut down as they were more of a distraction at times. While I was provided with the IdeaPad gaming mouse which was an amazing experience, I made sure to spend a long chunk of my gaming hours on the trackpad. There were no issues while using the trackpad that was worth noting.

Performance

Now, jumping on the big gun! How does this budget gaming laptop actually perform? During my extensive testing of this gaming laptop I played Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered in its entirety along with some Fortnite and Valorant sprinkled on the side. With the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti and Intel i7 12th Gen working hand-in-hand, the laptop was capable of producing some engaging gaming performance. While the lack of a 4K screen was dearly missed, the vibrancy of the display and the smooth performance made up for it. The 170W charger provided was quick to juice up the laptop during extended gaming sessions, however, I found the battery to drop too quickly while playing games for my liking.

Verdict

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i is an ideal gaming machine that strikes the perfect balance between pricing, performance, and even portability with its lightweight form factor. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop that does not burn a hole in your pocket then this is definitely the one for you!

Rating – ★★★★

 

Sony WF-LS900n Review: Substance Over Style!

If you’re looking for TWS in India then you know there are a number of options for you to choose from. The Indian market is saturated with wireless earphones ranging from different price points. However, it isn’t easy to find a capable TWS in the market that suits your preferences while delivering a premium performance at a considerably affordable price point. This is where Sony’s latest offering, the WF-LS900N comes in! Sony has delivered when it comes to providing users with lightweight earbuds that deliver powerful performance and pack many features, and we’re all here for it! 

Features & Design

There’s no innovation when it comes to design with the WF-LS900N as compared to its predecessor which came with an open ring design. Here, users get a familiar in-ear design in a lightweight form factor. This means that both the eartubes and the silicone eartips sit inside the ear to give a proper seal. Sony India has claimed that the wireless earbuds weigh approximately 4.8 grams in weight making them one of the lightest in the market. While using the earbuds over an extended period of time, I was surprised how the annoying ear pain staple to in-ear devices, in general, was not present here. The earbuds and their casing is made out of recycled plastic which gives a distinct rugged feel. 

There are ample features packed along with the WF-LS900N. One might expect Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and that is surely present here. Along with ANC, the WF-LS900N also offer you ambient sound or transparency mode that can be quickly enabled with a tap on the left earbud. Tapping on the right earbuds pauses/plays the music. The best feature of the WF-LS900N  for me was the option to enable ‘Quick Attention’ Here, users can simply press on the earbuds for the volume to drop quickly to have a conversation and remove the finger for the volume to return to normal. It was a novel feature that allowed me to have small talks during work hours. 

Battery Life

The WF-LS900N comes with six hours of battery life with activated ANC, as claimed by Sony. In my testing of the earbuds, the result was somewhat close to the company claim with 5 and a half hours of ANC playback. The performance can be bumped up to 9 hours of playtime by turning off ANC. The earbuds get charged up relatively quickly and have lasted me for over 2 days in light usage and a day in heavy usage. 

Sound

Everything comes down to the sound performance when we’re talking about TWS. So how well does the WF-LS900N perform? Simply put, the new Sony TWS are power performers that provide a premium sound experience with deep bass. There’s an overall balance to the sound that does lean to either flat sound or too loud. However, the balanced approach might not be for everyone, for which there are a number of customizations available in the ‘headphones Connect’ app. There’s little left to desire here when it comes to the sound quality of the WF-LS900N! 

Verdict

While the Rs 13,990 price point might be heavy for some to shell out for a TWS, we feel it is worth it. The WF-LS900N provides premium sound quality in a comfortable and light fit which makes it a worthy investment. 

Rating – ★★★★

Stick Schtick! – Nothing Ear (Stick) Review

UK-based Nothing is a newer player compared to already-established brands like Samsung or Apple. The company is just three products old but has managed to gain momentum in the consumer market thanks to its unique design. Keeping true to its transparent design theme, Nothing has now launched the Nothing Ear (Stick). While it is natural for people to think that these new earbuds are the successors of the previously launched Nothing Ear (1), I beg to differ. There are more cutdowns here as opposed to upgrades from the Ear (1) that put the (Stick) in a confusing spot. 

Design

There is only so much one can do with the design of earbuds and their case. This is where Nothing has actually excelled with the Ear (Stick). One could easily say that the design of Stick is its best attraction and the reason to buy it as it is more of a style statement as opposed to a standard case. The cylindrical case with a red, black, and white colour combination is a treat to the eyes. Whereas, the twist to open design is definitely fun and a worthy replacement for the fidget spinner for the anxious people among us. I often found myself referring to the Stick as ‘lipstick AirPods’ which is surely what they look like. The case is transparent, so the buds are always visible. The case is also predominantly white which means it is bound to get dirty, which it did! In just a few days of use, I could see the case collecting dust and losing its all-white charm.  

The earbuds’ design on the other hand could be hit-and-miss for many. Similar to traditional AirPods, Nothing Ear (Stick) comes with one size for all designs. The open-fit earbuds also come with Nothing’s staple transparent design that gives a futuristic look. However, the buds were large for my liking and often popped out of the ear during extended periods of usage. I definitely could not go for a workout wearing them as I feared they would just fall off. The stalks of the earbuds come with pressure-sensitive controls which work without any issues. The lack of ear tips, however, is sorely missed.

Performance 

Let’s address the elephant in the room, Nothing Ear (Stick) does not come with any form of Active Noise Cancellation. Thanks to the open-fit design, the Stick also misses out on deep bass. Nothing compensates for the lack of bass by adding the ‘More Bass’ mode in the NothingX app which gets the job to some extent. However, in its ‘Balanced’ mode, The stick produces flat music output which could be a deal breaker for many. The lack of silicone ear tips leads to a lot of background noise leaking in during your music sessions. I noticed that even while playing music at the maximum volume distant chatter of people talking was audible. This could be a good feature for people trying to be aware of their background while listening to music without relying on a transparency mode but it just did not work for me. While there are some key features missing here, Nothing Ear (Stick) manages to bring a balanced and premium sound experience. No complaints about the battery life here as it is top-notch. The earbuds lasted over 6 hours on a single full charge which is impressive. The battery life is good for up to 30 hours depending on your usage. At Rs 8.5K, the Nothing Ear (Stick) is an expensive affair as its competitors are available at a cheaper rate, but its stylish design makes up for what is missing!

Rating – ★★★★

Verdict 

Nothing Ear (Stick) is another addition to the already saturated TWS market. However, its stylish design and crisp sound quality make it a standout product.

Truly Intelligent – Noise IntelliBuds Review

When I was first handed the Noise IntelliBuds for review, I was skeptical about the promised gesture control features & voice commands of this TWS. It looked more like a gimmick than a feature that could actually work seamlessly without lags. Boy was I wrong! The Noise IntelliBuds took me by surprise and these intelligent TWS should be on your list if you’re in the market for a good wireless music experience. 

Design and Features 

When it comes to the case and earbuds design, the intelliBuds do not experiment much. The 45 grams charging case is much of a standard affair with its rectangular design. Whereas the in-ear design of the earbuds with 6mm drivers is also nothing out of the ordinary. It is the features where this TWS zooms past a lot of its competitors. Noise has partnered with the known audio company Bragi to deliver the feature-rich IntelliBuds. There are an array of features here like voice commands, gesture controls, transparency mode, and much more. 

The IntelliBuds’ gesture controls are backed by a powerful AI neural network. The company claims that the AI has been trained rigorously for weeks to detect accidental and intentional head movements. During my testing of the gesture controls on Intellibuds, the device was able to detect the movement 9 times out of 10 which is impressive. Another standout feature here is the ‘Hot Voice Commands’ where a user can simply say ‘Hey headphones’ followed by a command. For example, ‘Hey headphones, Next’, this feature also worked as one would expect and I did not face any issues with voice commands on the IntelliBuds. One thing to note here is that all these features are backed by the ‘NoiseFit Smart’ application. Users first need to download the application and calibrate the earbuds before they can start using the features. I made the rookie mistake of not downloading the app and expecting the features to work right out of the box, only to be disappointed. 

The IntelliBuds also come with the support of music sharing. The feature-heavy TWS goes a mile ahead by adding a customizable equalizer that allows users to tune the earbuds according to their liking. Some preset equalizer modes like Rock, Pop, etc. are also present here. Noise cancelation is also present here and the transparency mode works just fine. The audio output with its customizable features is overall a good experience. The audio is crisp and does not feel harsh on high volumes. A few times, the IntelliBuds would disconnect themselves and connect again which was odd, but it happened too few times to take into consideration. 

Battery

Once the earbuds are connected to the NoiseFit Smart app then they can be used to click photos and enable fast mute. The IntelliBuds are powered by a 600mAh battery case that is capable of charging up the earbuds three times. While the company claims that the earbuds last up to nine hours on a single charge, my extensive testing resulted in them lasting up to six and a half hours at full volume without transparency mode being turned on. The earbuds do take a hit on the battery performance when you’re using the gesture and voice commands regularly. Ultimately, the Noise IntelliBuds priced at Rs 4,999 is one of the best TWS in the market in that price category. 

Verdict 

At Rs 4,999 the Noise IntellBuds are one of the best TWS to buy. The smart features of the earbuds make them stand out among the bunch. The voice commands and gesture controls are a delight to use. 

Rating – ★★★

Key Specifications 

  • Speaker Driver: 6 mm
  • BT: 5.0 
  • Wireless Range: Up to 10m
  • Hot Voice Commands 
  • Smart Gesture Controls 
  • Transparency Mode

Lights up your life! – Epson LS12000B Projector Review

Let’s be real, projectors are much of a specialty product in the Indian market as they’re usually placed either in school or office settings. Only a few true cinephiles in the country set up projectors in their home setting to get the best cinematic experience and picture quality. When I was told to review Epson’s beefy beast LS12000B projector, I was taken back to my school days when going to the A/V room was something every student looked forward to. So, does this heavy-duty offering by Epson deserve to be your next home projector? To put it simply, YES! However, there are other aspects of this device one needs to consider before making a purchase as it does not come with a cheap price tag. 

Design and Functionality

The LS12000B is not really a lightweight product, it weighs over 20Kgs which makes it a rather stationary product. It is meant to be placed in one spot in your home and let rest there for the entirety of its lifetime unless you want to carry the stone of a projector around a lot. It comes with a powerful 3LCD system inside which allows it to project content even in a well-lit room without missing out on details. The picture doesn’t struggle much in a brightly lit room, but it surely stands out when the ambiance is turned dark. The design of the projector is pretty straightforward. The matte layer on top of it is truly beautiful. One standout design feature here is the powered lens cover that slides open when the projector is turned on and shuts back when it’s powered off. This allows for keeping the lens clean and also gives off a futuristic vibe. 

There is a lot of flexibility here with features like zoom, lens shift, keystone controls, and focus. If you already have a destined spot to place your projector then you won’t need to change it as the projector can adapt to the room thanks to its optical zoom. Epson has managed to tick off all the right spots with the LS12000B’s 4K HDR visuals that are crisp and vivid. I played a few action scenes from Cameron’s Avatar and was surely taken aback by its visuals. The projector is capable of scaling up to 300 inches and down to 50 inches which gives more flexibility to its users. One key aspect to note for a projector is how bright it can get and Epson is clearly not playing around here as the LS12000B is rated for 2,700 lumens. Make sure your curiosity doesn’t make you peep right into the projector lens while it’s on!

Pricing

The LS12000B is surely an expensive affair. It is priced at Rs 6 lakhs in the Indian market which puts it in the luxury tech category. However, even with that heavy price tag, it does not come with smart TV features. That issue can be quickly resolved with the help of a firestick so it’s not a grave concern.  On the other hand, there is also no speaker output here. Simply put, the LS12000B is awesome, but it is just a display. Ultimately, the LS12000B is targeted to the most indulgent cinephiles amongst us and if you’re one of them then this is definitely worth the price for you! 

Verdict 

The LS12000B is a luxury product meant for true cinephiles. While it misses out on Smart TV features and speakers, it makes up with crisp and eye-pleasing picture quality. If you want to make the perfect home theatre setup with the best quality then this is the projector for you.

Rating – ★★★★

Pixel-perfect Android flagships?Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro

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

Rating – 4.5/5

Vivo V25 5G: Stylish, Sassy, Stunning, an affordable mid-ranger with a stunning design to garner impeccable camera performance

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

 

Acerpure Cool C2 2-in-1 Air Circulator and Purifier Review

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 
  • 4-in-1 HEPA Filter – Pre-filter/ HEPA Plus+ Filter / HEPA 13 Main Filter / Activated Carbon Filter
  • Features Acerpure Life app (Support iOS and Android) 
  • Other Functions – Safety Lock / Quiet Mode / Timer Mode
  • Accessories – Magnetic Remote Control / Power Cord / User Manual / Battery
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