When ASUS sent the ROG Phone 5 for review, there was something that said it wasn’t a typical gaming phone. Be it its suave packaging or its sheer presence; the ROG Phone 5 enamoured us even before we booted it up. Having experienced ROG Phone 3 prior to this, we knew we were in for a treat. Nevertheless, after thoroughly examining it and testing its limits, here’s our review of the ASUS ROG Phone 5:
First impressions:
The phone reeks of performance, and it is made clear right from the get-go. It is equipped with heavy-duty machinery explicitly designed for gaming. It gets a 6.78” HDR10+, 144Hz, AMOLED display custom made for ROG Phone 5 by Samsung. It is one of the fastest displays available. The display is 23% brighter than the previous ROG Phone while allowing a minimum brightness of only five nits. The ROG Phone 5 gets a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform paired with up to 16GB of RAM. It is accompanied by an overclocked Adreno 660 GPU that delivers 35% better performance than the last generation of the ROG Phone.
Performance:
As if those specifications didn’t speak for themselves, the phone is a monster in gaming. It utilises an MMT design consisting of two 3000mAh batteries that allow for 65W charging while discharging will produce less heat during demanding tasks such as gaming. The 2-cell design also makes it possible to position the motherboard in the middle of the frame, creating a perfect weight balance and superior cooling solution. This ensures extended hours of gaming without the phone becoming a microwave oven!
The highlight of the phone is the AirTrigger 5 – Invisible ultrasonic buttons and Motion sensor trigger. It offers better sensitivity, better positioning (closer to edge for smaller hands) and plenty of new motion control gestures. Up to 18 specific touchpoints on the screen can be mapped (with the AeroActive Cooler 5 and ROG Phone 5 Pro or Ultimate). Owners can even use the AirTrigger 5 system outside of games to activate beneficial actions or apps with a simple squeeze motion while in portrait mode.
Verdict:
While the phone demands a respectable starting price tag of Rs 50,000, it is undoubtedly one of the best gaming devices available on the market. Although it has drawbacks such as a heavy body and an average camera, an ardent gamer would be more than happy with the performance that the ROG Phone 5 offers!
First observed on May 11, 1999, National Technology Day is celebrated every year on May 11 to highlight the achievements of engineers and scientists in the field of technology and science.
The Tests:
On May 11, 1998, India successfully launched three missiles under the name Operation Shakti led by late President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. Following the success of these three tests, two more nuclear tests were conducted on May 13, 1998. The Indian Army carried out the mission in collaboration with scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMDER).
Apart from this, India also tested its first domestic aircraft, Hansa-3 and Trishul missile, on May 11, 1998, and added another achievement to the Defence Research and Development Organisation cap.
Thus, back in 1999, India’s then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared May 11 as a day of significant achievement for the country. The day enhances a reminder of India breaching into the elite group of nations with nuclear weapons. Since 1999, the Technology Development Board (TDB) admires the day by honouring scientists-engineers and their technological innovations that have added to India’s growth on this day.
The Theme:
Every year the country celebrates the day with a different theme under the observation of the Technology Development Board (TDB); this year, the National Technology Day 2021 theme is Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future. On the National Technology Day event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi saluted and remembered the hard work and tenacity of our scientists-engineers over a series of tweets, where he also mentioned how their innovations helped our country survive better during the fight against covid-19.
In any challenging situation, our scientists and innovators have always risen to the occasion and worked to mitigate the challenge. Over the last year, they have worked industriously to fight COVID-19. I appreciate their spirit and remarkable zeal.
When a pandemic hit India, everyone looked desperately and searched online for a vaccine or at least a medical solution to fight against it. During those times, telecom operators like Jio, Airtel, and more came forward and helped-provided guidance through the caller tunes to spread awareness about the pandemic.
The Government of India launched apps like Aarogya Setu and Umang to help people diagnose themselves at home with the help of a few questions; these apps also empowered people to locate red alerted places, covid camps, vaccine centres and helped in quickly identifying infected individuals, connect with them, track who they have come in contact with, and so on. Such technological innovations helped the country in the overcoming journey.
Furthermore, the wireless thermometer guns and other similar infrared body temperature measuring devices used at checkpoints of offices, airports, hotels, hospitals, railway stations, malls, and other public places helped us recognise measuring the body temperature from a distance and turn out to be helpful during the pandemic. Along with these devices, Artificial Intelligence (AI) played a significant role in suggesting components of a vaccine by understanding viral protein structures and helping medical researchers.
When we were out of choice and Work From Home was the only option, during that time, technology was the only thing that helped us to secure business continuity as well as aids social distancing. Misinformation always leads to added crisis, and in a highly populated country like India, it spreads fast. Misleading information about the number of fatalities, diagnosis, treatment options, vaccines, medicines and government policies generates more panic and anxiety.
All these things result in general chaos, panic buying, price rise, and violence on the streets. In order to control and avoid such misinformation, companies like Google, Facebook, and YouTube are working tirelessly. They’re working and helping people with the correct information published by WHO or local authorities and government.
Today, we’re still at the risk of pandemic and dealing with the second wave of Covid-19, but if we follow certain guidelines, we’ll surely overcome this crisis and to execute that, we’re backed with our technology innovations, from AI to robotics, every single thing will help us to fight the pandemic.
When CEO and founder of Tesla Motors, Elon Musk, appeared and hosted an episode of a television show Saturday Night Live last weekend, he joked about various things, from his son’s name to his strange tweets, but the one thing that affected the most to the world was his anticipation of the cryptocurrency, as he joked about Dogecoin being a hustle. Due to one short segment, the cryptocurrency crashed overnight and everybody owning a crypto investment got worried, but within 24 hours, Musk tweeted SpaceX launching a Dogecoin-funded satellite to the Moon, and now, everybody is in awe.
Elon Musk, who holds a history of strange tweets, has been tweeting about the SpaceX mission and Dogecoin, but most people considered and treated it as a meme, and now for the first time, he mentioned the commercial rocket company accepting the meme-inspired cryptocurrency dogecoin as payment.
SpaceX launching satellite Doge-1 to the moon next year
– Mission paid for in Doge – 1st crypto in space – 1st meme in space
The mastermind behind the design of SpaceX said the satellite DOGE-1 would be the first crypto and the first meme in space. The DOGE-1 is a CubeSat intended to acquire ‘Lunar-spatial intelligence’ using onboard cameras and sensors. It’s being sent and paid for by a Geometric Energy Corporation company, and it’ll fly beyond the earth on a Falcon 9 rocket in the first quarter of 2022.
Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency that started off as a goofy meme, is invented by software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, who determined to create a payment system that is fun and free from traditional banking fees.
Elon Musk-led Electric carmaker Tesla Inc bought $1.5 billion worth of bitcoin in February and would soon accept it as a form of payment for its electric cars. After vouching for Bitcoin, Elon Musk now supports Dogecoin cryptocurrency, and he’s been tweeting about Dogecoin memes and referring to himself as the Dogefather.
Earlier, right after Musk describes Dogecoin as a hustle in Saturday Night Live show, the value of Dogecoin crashed severely, but when he tweeted late on Sunday about SpaceX is now accepting the cryptocurrency Dogecoin to launch an upcoming satellite named DOGE-1 to the Moon, caused the price of Dogecoin to grow by more than 30 percent immediately. Previously this year, Elon Musk tweeted ‘a literal dogecoin on the literal moon’, which also created a buzz and the price shoot up briefly.
Other details on the DOGE-1 mission, including exactly what it will do in lunar orbit, have not yet been released. However, about the Dogecoin cryptocurrency, what started as a joke is now anything but nearly 113 billion mined coins.
Nobody likes it when their computer stops responding or a vital document is locked behind a forgotten password. While there are some basic skills that every computer user has developed over the years, there are still a lot of things unknown to the masses. This is where the professional IT sector comes in.
Information Technology, however simple sounding, encompasses a vast array of topics. Nevertheless, there are some things that even professionals might not know. That said, here are some secrets the professionals don’t want you to know!
To begin with the most simple fact, Google has the answer to everything. So whenever the techies run out of options, that’s who they turn to! Not that what they search for is understandable by the layman, but even general computer users can try a few alternatives suggested by Google.
Although the private or incognito mode is the go-to option for undetected and secret browsing, it does not make the user completely invisible. However, the mode promises not to store any cookies or search history, the websites that the user visits can still track the computer’s IP address and store it if required. This IP address can be accessed by legal means and can be traced back to the user. So the next time you are browsing privately, beware!
Having mentioned Google as an all-knowing Wiseman, it would be somewhat surprising that even Google can be treacherous sometimes. Although it is legally enforced in the United States of America, Google can also share its information with other governments and authorities when required. If you would like to get a shock by how much data Google has stored about you, you can have a look via the Google Dashboard. Users can also use it to control what data they choose to share with Google.
Technology has risen as a great saviour of man, controls a cardiac defibrillator, and uses and uses it to induce ventricular fibrillation, a potentially lethal condition. They can also read sensitive medical information stored on the device and change it at will.
With each purchase of a brand-new computer comes the mandatory addition of anti-virus software. However, not even the best software available in the market can save your computer from the worst online threats. The solution? Protect and encrypt your data as much as possible. It is not that anti-virus software is completely useless, but it is better to take extra precautions.
Keeping all the negativity aside, the last secret is a good one. It might even be lifesaving. Whether your mobile phone has a GPS chip or not (which is almost impossible considering modern smartphones), your device can still act as a homing beacon. The network that the phone catches comes from a nearby cell tower. These towers can be used to triangulate any device’s position within a few hundred meters. Although it does not give the exact location, even getting an idea of the proximity can prove crucial sometimes.
Now that you are armed with this information, go out and explore the world of information technology! It would be best to leave it to the professionals, don’t you think?
Summer has arrived and we’re already struggling with it; due to global warming and extreme heatwaves, many parts of the world are supposed to undergo one of the hottest summers in recent years. Along with scorching summer, humans are also worried about the Covid-19 pandemic and its newly developed mutants.
While several vaccine facilities are available now to beat the pandemic, and there are plenty of traditional ways to beat the heat, for instance, diving into the ocean or a pool, travelling to the nearest hill stations. However, in these harsh times, we can’t do much as staying home is the best alternative we have, and in order to save ourselves from the wrath of the pandemic, we must have to follow the rules.
Nevertheless, it turns out there are a lot of innovative gadgets available online to keep you cool and occupied at home during these untimely days, plus there’s nothing quite like the excitement of buying a brand new gadget. With that in mind, here’s a compiled list of gadgets that could be beneficial for you.
DJI FPV drone:
When all of us were trying to cope with the new normal, the DJI team was working on the gadget, which will help us see the world through its eyes. DJI launched a new FPV drone a few months ago that records up to 4K videos at 60fps. The FPV system was initially designed for the drone racing industry, and it consists of the DJI FPV Air Unit Module, DJI FPV Camera, DJI FPV Goggles, and DJI FPV Remote Controller.
The intriguing new breed of drone radiates the view from its camera to a headset back on terra firma that means its first-person view allows you to see what the drone sees, which means you can roam around and enjoy the outer world without even walking out of the house. The drone also provides an incredibly immersive flying experience; thanks to the fantastic DJI FPV Goggles, it also features equally compelling video footage from the forward-facing camera.
The DJI FPV is mainly aimed at shooting mesmerised FPV 4K video, and it has the ability to shoot still images at a primary level; the drone is easy to fly in Normal mode and suitable for beginners who’re trying their luck at flying for the first time.
The DJI FPV can shoot 4K video up to 60fps and shoot 1080p at 120fps. The drone has a maximum flying range of 10 KM, and it can move at a top speed of 140kmph and reach 0-90 kmph in just two seconds. The biggest advantage of buying an FPV drone is that it makes you feel like you’re flying along with the drone, making it the coolest gadget to have these days.
HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset:
HyperX is one of the big names in the gaming world, and its newly launched HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset offers an excellent, straightforward gaming experience. Every hardcore gamer wants the right gear to make a difference in the world and stay at the top of the game. Amongst all the gaming abettors, the one that matters most to the gamer is a good headset.
The current situation in the world has given us a chance to do something that we always dreamed of, and being a gamer, if you’re looking for a gaming headset that sounds good, works efficiently on multiple platforms, and offers enough comfort throughout the day, then the HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset is the best bid you got. The Cloud II Wireless looks and feels almost identical to the wired Cloud II, with its aluminium body, a flexible headband and oval-shaped black plastic earcups that feature solid memory foam cushions covered in soft leatherette.
On PC, the Cloud II Wireless provides optional 7.1-channel simulated surround sound into HyperX’s Ngenuity software, which also manages other HyperX peripherals like the QuadCast S microphone. One can hear all the major and minor sounds while playing the game, like sounds of footsteps, rustling grass and much more. The HyperX Cloud II priced at ₹12,990.00, is one of the market’s finest headsets.
Vaonis Vespera Smart Telescope:
If you’re not a big fan of binging a series or don’t like to spend your time late-night chatting, then here’s something that might grab your attention during the night. Since childhood, we all wondered about stars and always wanted to see them a little closer, some of us went far away and discovered them, but most of us are still wondering about them. But with the launch of the Vaonis Vespera, now we can reach out to space right from our very balconies.
Vaonis, a French startup that raised eyebrows in 2018 when it debuted the pricey, sci-fi robot-looking Stellina smart telescope, revealed an affordable telescope Vespera, in CES 2021. Innovative and fully automated Vespera can be your new observation station; it’s a perfect combination of telescope and camera. Vespera has the same sleek, futuristic design as its larger counterpart Stellina but it is more affordable than its predecessor, also looks more compact in size and weighs only 5 kgs, making astronomy even more accessible to aspiring enthusiasts.
Vespera displays images on a smartphone, and the telescope is controlled via a mobile app. Vespera offers pretty nice views of the night sky but compromises some of its abilities. However, it successfully maintains the image quality compared to Stellina’s images. These telescopes are easy to use and operate; they needn’t require any virtual setup at all. It stands 15 inches tall, making it easy to carry around during camping trips. Get a Vespera to cherish your stargazing wish and stay cool and occupied at home.
Logitech StreamCam:
If somehow you’ve managed to turn your lockdown pastime into a fruitful side hustle by streaming it over the internet, and now you’re looking for an upgrade to take your content to the next level, then here’s a gadget that will take care of your further streaming. The Logitech StreamCam is created with aiming at streamers and content creators. It’s an ideal starting package for live streamers, with a versatile 1080p60 webcam, screen and table stands, and flexible video processing software.
The StreamCam offers smart autofocus to stop losing focus in the middle of streams and videos. The auto-exposure of Logitech StreamCam is finely tuned, so you look your best in all types of lighting conditions. The StreamCam is a smartly designed boxy camera in a graphite or white colour that measures about 2.3 inches in height, 1.9 inches wide, and 2.4 inches deep, with a five-foot cable ending in a USB-C plug.
The front of the camera highlights the Logitech logo on the bottom and an indicator LED in the upper right corner. The camera has two flexible mounting options, one for monitors and laptop screens that features the ability to tilt and pan, and another is a small tabletop tripod that allows you to set up the StreamCam on any flat surface. The innovative auto-framing features keep you always in the middle in all your streams and videos; it also offers premium and vibrant audio performance, which helps your audience receive authentic sound.
WAKEcup Self Cleaning Water Bottle:
Nowadays, hygiene is the key to staying safe and healthy, but maintaining hygiene is always tricky as it takes much time and energy. However, in a world of modern technology, some options will take care of your hygiene at a remarkable level, and WAKEcup’s new Self Cleaning UV Water Bottle is one of them. The WAKEcup Ultraviolet Light Water bottle gives you pure drinking and hence peace of mind with its Innovative UV-C technology.
The WAKEcup 550ml water bottle has an ultraviolet light in the lid that promises to clear 99.99 per cent of the bacteria, viruses, and mould that you might have missed while scrubbing. Click on the UV activation button, and after 3 minutes, your water will be pure and clean, leaving no germs, odour or taste. The self-cleaning water bottle is beneficial for everyday use and weekend campings where you’re not sure about water quality. The double-walled UV bottle can contain 550ml of hot or cold liquid, keeping water cold for 12 hours and hot for 4.
The UV bottle comes in rich matte black stainless steel, with an UltraViolet WAKEcup logo. It works on a USB rechargeable Lithium battery and stays up to a month on a full charge. Also, if all of these benefits didn’t excite you to buy one of them, you should know that for every product sold, 10% of the profits are donated to the Marine Conservation Society to support their vital work protecting marine habitats and campaigning and against plastic pollution.
The second wave of covid-19 thrusts us back into our homes, and mission work from home begins again. Now, looking at a maximum number of professionals working from home, everyone needs and wants to own the best laptop to finish off work and enjoy their extra hours with their family or with their other ventures. So, whether you’re looking for a laptop with massive battery life or one with a magical crisp display, here is our list of top 5 laptops for work from home culture:
Dell XPS 13 (9300)
Specifications
CPU
8th generation Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM
8GB-16GB
Storage
256GB – 1TB SSD
Screen
13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4k (3840 x 2160)
We’re beginning our list with an expertly designed Dell XPS 13 (9300) that combines tremendous power in a stylish thin, and stunningly small body. The award-winning 13.3″ laptop offers a Full-HD+ display, and it is powered by 8th generation Intel Core i5 and i7. The laptop boasts over 12 hours of battery life, and the webcam is now placed right above the screen that helps you attend video calls more smoothly. The i5 variant of the Dell XPS 13 features 8GB RAM with a 512GB SSD is priced at Rs 1,50,990, while the i7 model features 16GB RAM with a 1TB SSD is priced at Rs 1,95,790; the prices are hefty, but with all the features it stands tall in front of its other competitors.
Apple’s newly refreshed Apple MacBook Pro 13″ is powered by the new M1 processor and sets the benchmark for performance and battery life. If you’re a video editor and looking to decorate your editing table, then MacBook Pro 13″ is one of the best options you have in the market, as it works splendidly with FCP, Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and more. Along with a magic keyboard, retina display and all other premium features, the new MacBook Pro 13″ provides an exceptionally well battery that keeps the device running for a long time. The 8GB memory and 256GB storage configuration model costs Rs 1,22,900.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
Specifications
CPU
Quad-core 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-i7
Graphics
Intel® Iris™ Plus
RAM
Up to 16 GB
Storage
Up to 512GB
Screen
13.5″ / 15” Touchscreen PixelSense™ Display
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is the most traditional laptop you would see in the market but it promises fast performance, premium design and a touch screen experience. It has been redesigned from the inside out to impact productivity. The laptop is powered by the latest 10th Gen Intel Core™ Processor with improved graphics and up to 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage. It has an exceptionally well-designed keyboard and trackpad, and it only takes about an hour to reach 80% of the battery, and when charged fully, it lasts up to 11 hours. The prices start at Rs. Rs 1,01,990 for the 128GB storage variant, and move up to Rs 1,27,990 for the 256GB.
HP Spectre x360
Specifications
CPU
Intel Core i7-1065G7
Graphics
Intel Integrated UHD Graphics 620
RAM
8GB
Storage
512GB SSD
Screen
13.30-inch
HP Spectre x360 is a convertible laptop from HP that raises the bar with the chipmaker’s latest innovations, including Thunderbolt 4 ports and an 11th Generation Tiger Lake processor with Iris Xe integrated graphics. It gulps up everyday work tasks with smooth operations with its 10th-generation 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 processor. The battery life is good and stays long for up to 10 hours. If you’re looking for a modern laptop with the best features, this one should be on your wishlist as it is one of the best laptops for day-to-day work. HP Spectre x360 prices start from Rs. 121,499.
Lenovo ThinkPad E15
Specifications
CPU
Intel Core i5-10510U / Intel Core i7-10210U
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics
RAM
Up to 32GB
Storage
Up to 2TB SSD + Up to 2TB HDD
Screen
15.6”, Full HD (1920 x 1080), IPS
Lenovo has done an excellent job of overcoming the profile and the weight of the Lenovo ThinkPad E15; it is an unofficial successor of the ThinkPad E590. The plastic-made laptop has a terrific keyboard and display, and it also provides various options for upgradability. The Intel Core i5-10510U / Intel Core i7-10210U powered laptop stays a little down when it comes to battery life but manages to stay alive for up to 8 hours. If you’re running low on a budget or trying to save some money for lockdown life, this one will fulfil your both wishes as the ThinkPad E15 prices start at Rs. 59,490.
Do you remember all those attention-seeking gadgets the millennial generation used to have in their childhood? If you remember them, then you’re one of the good duns of memories, and if you don’t, then no worries, I’m going to take you on a nostalgic walk down memory lane, resembling some of the most desirable and most unique gadgets from the last few decades that has been outdated now by their talented cousins. Here is a list of 9 devices that will take you back to the world of millennials:
Camcorders
The earliest camcorders were tape-based, portable, and self-contained devices used to record videos without any film, which at that time was the most beneficial feature. When companies like Sony, Kodak and Panasonic launched their Camcorders in the market, almost everyone drooled over the device, from first-time parents to aspiring filmmakers, and started making videos. Nowadays, Canon is the only major manufacturer to announce new consumer camcorders (which happened in the CES 2017) due to their less demand in the current market.
Nokia 3310
Nokia 3310 has the honour of having excellent strength, it’s been 20 years since its launch, but still, the phone is famous for its durability and often features in the many internet memes. In November 2015, the Nokia 3310 was picked as one of the first three ‘National Emojis’ for Finland, referred to as the unbreakable. It was one of the first phones to have customized Xpress-on covers, and it also featured the hugely popular game Snakes. The phone was re-launched in 2017 with a colour display, 2 MP camera and micro-SD slot.
DVD Players / Portable DVD Players
Ever get caught watching some adult stuff on the DVD player, or have you ever dealt with the stuck DVD? Back then, people used to rent DVDs for days or two and used to enjoy newly released movies at home, but the Netflix Generation will never understand this kind of life. Some of the fortunate ones used to own Portable DVD players, a very rare gadget in India, but the relaxation after freeing the jammed DVD from a home-based DVD player always hit differently.
Walkman/Discman
People always prefer zoning out for me time; nowadays, they turn on Spotify, and back then, they used to own Walkman/Discman for some musical pleasure. Walkman or Discman was a portable cassette or CD player that allowed people to listen to the music of their choice on the go. Heading out to college with the Walkman was considered one of the coolest things as it automatically gets the attention one is looking for. Sony and Panasonic were the prominent Walkman/Discman makers at that time.
Video Games
We often scream our hearts out and talk about PUBG and other new-age games just because generation next is getting addicted to them but have you forgotten about your addiction to Video games? Come on, we all used to own and loved playing a Video game, be it Super Mario, Duck Hunting, Soccer or Contra; we spend most of our childhood days and summer vacations around them, don’t you count it as an addiction? Some of the popular companies which manufactured Video Games were Nintendo, Sony and Sega.
Cassette Tapes
Before the arrival of CD’s in the market, every Indian house cupboard used to hold at least 30 different cassette tapes, mainly Bollywood hits and devotional songs. If you still dig your attic or storeroom, you’ll find a handful of them. Cassette tapes are composed of a polyester-type plastic film with a magnetic layer, and they remained well-known for particular applications like car audio, personal stereo and telephone answering machines.
Film Cameras
The smartphone generation will never understand what it was like to click hundreds of pictures on a film camera and wait for a week in excitement to see the results, which turns out to be pathetic, most of the time. Yes, it’s true! Believe it or not, for most millennial, film cameras were just a one-day gig, especially a birthday photoshoot gadget. Today, the old film cameras of a golden era are more expensive than some of the full-frame DSLR cameras.
CDs
Generation X may have seen the Burning car but have you guys heard about burning CDs? Hold on, it’s not actual burning, but burning metaphorically. Nowadays, we have HDD, SDD, pen drives and other external storage devices, but back in those days, people used to store important data, music mixes and favourite movies on CDs, and to do that, they must have to drag the files they wish to burn from work in progress to the CD drive’s window.
Wired Telephones
Last but not least, wired telephones. Almost everyone from the millennial generation pranked their friends or random people by calling them during odd hours; it was such a happy moment for us, definitely not for the receiver. However, they are still in use at some of the old government and private offices; having them at home was a different kind of thrill, especially when you’re a popular school brat. Those were the days, my friend.
Just a few years ago, people used to walk around malls-showrooms to gaze at luxury watches, some of them were secretly saving money to buy one of the watches, and then the real gangster arrived, in the form of Smartwatches and changed the world of wearables.
With every new launch, their popularity increases, be it fitness or a style statement, and people started looking at smartwatches more than ever since but buying a smartwatch that suits you the best is still a headache. And that’s why I’ve come up with five things you need to know before buying a smartwatch! Roll it out before you spend your hard-earned money on them.
Phone Compatibility & Operating System
All the smartwatches are designed to serve as companions to a smartphone, but compatibility plays a significant role in choosing the right one. For example, if you’re eying for an Apple smartwatch, you should know one thing: Apple Watches only works with iPhones.
So, the first thing you should check is whether the smartwatch you’re planning to buy is compatible with your existing smartphone or not. Furthermore, you should know, there are mainly three types of OS in smartwatches:
WatchOS, which is the operating system used only by the Apple Watch.
Tizen OS, which runs on Samsung Galaxy smartwatches.
WearOS, which belongs to Google and supports Android as well as iPhones devices. To know whether your smartphone is compatible with WearOS, just go to g.co/WearCheck from your smartphone browser.
WearOS by Google works fine with smartwatches from Fossil, LG, Huawei and others. Notably, it works well with iPhones too, but with limited features only. Bottom line, Fitbit smartwatches are also compatible with both Android devices and iPhones.
Display
In our eyes, an average wristwatch enhances into a smartwatch when it substitutes its familiar face and routine hands with a touch screen, and for that matter, the display becomes a crucial factor.
Most smartwatch makers use a colourful LCD screen or AMOLED display, which let you access photos, apps and other content in more elegant colour and tend to be livelier but shortens the battery life. Meanwhile, OLED displays are found in the Apple Watch as well as in the Samsung Galaxy Watch. Some smartwatch makers use OLED displays instead of LCD; it obviously increases the price but unloads an extra weight from your wrist.
Battery Life
A Smartphone’s battery is an essential feature one should inspect before buying a smartwatch as battery life still remains one of the biggest complaints about smartwatches. However, smartwatch makers are trying hard to develop the solution and improve the devices’ efficiency; I hope they’ll soon come up with a good one.
Most Apple Watches and WearOS devices last for two days, while other smartwatches can last five to seven days, but they usually have fewer features and lower-quality displays. So, analyze your everyday usage and basic needs along with battery consumption, then decide which one is better for you.
Features
Preferring a touchscreen smartwatch over a touchless one ultimately depends on one’s choice but opting for a touchscreen has its limitations, as it can be difficult to select items on a smaller touch display. Apple smartwatches land with a dual approach, as they provide a touch display, a digital crown and a side button on the right side, which makes them one of the most relevant watches. If you’re buying a smartwatch with WearOS, then be prepared to spend some extra time swiping to get to other apps.
Some smartwatches can serve as an extension of your phone, while the rest are marketed as health-focused devices, like the Fitbit Versa 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3. If fitness and daily activities are on top of your list, you should look for which smartwatch offers a heart rate monitor, GPS (to track your runs), and sleep monitoring features.
Furthermore, look for customized and pre-loaded apps to get the most out of your smartwatch. However, keep in mind that using GPS will have a substantial impact on battery life. Many smartwatches have NFC chips inside, which means you can use them to pay for your things; Apple has Apple Pay, whereas WearOS has Android Pay (only available in a few smartwatches). Also, Samsung has its self developed mobile payment system, Samsung Pay, which works on all of its newest models; consider all these features before buying a smartwatch.
Most smartwatch makers offer a customization option, choice of straps and swappable bands to keep you updated with fashion and style. For example, Apple smartwatches allow you to choose your preferred dial shape, band colour and face colour before purchasing.
Watches like the Apple Watch Series 4 or later offer a fall detection feature, where if the watch senses you take a hard fall and don’t get up, then a pre-selected person and the emergency services will be informed automatically, caretaker at your wrist.
Pricing
The best smartwatches generally cost between ₹25,000 to ₹45,000, while mid-range smartwatches cost between ₹10,000 to ₹20,000. With high price comes advanced fitness, music and communications features, and some of them come with onboard GPS, music storage, and NFC, which budget devices generally lack.
If you’re looking for an entry-level smartwatch, companies like Realme have a very affordable smartwatch range that starts under ₹4,000. Also, Boat is coming up with its Xplorer edition, which offers plenty of features on a pocket-friendly budget. Ultimately, everything depends on your preference, choice and, of course, the budget.
Bridging the gap between the world of affordable and fully loaded feature-rich smartphones is a tough task, but for our readers, we’ve made it simple. Our list of top 10 smartphones under Rs 15000 offers a solid mix of devices with top-notch performance and value for money. The following list will give you a detailed look into the best smartphones on the market under Rs 15000.
The Redmi Note series family has been massively popular in India. Their new addition Xiaomi Redmi Note 10, is one of the best smartphones under Rs 15000 price range. The compact phone doesn’t get the 108MP camera or the 120 Hz refresh rate. Still, it offers overwhelming features along with decent looks and stable performance, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 678 SoC and 6GB RAM.
Realme Narzo 20 Pro is the first device in the Narzo series that gets a Pro shield. Equipped with an aspect ratio of 20:9 and a screen resolution of 1080 x 2400 Pixels, the phone features a stunning design. It is available in two attractive shades: Black Ninja and White Knight. If you’re looking for a budget gaming phone, then Narzo 20 Pro deserves to be in your cart, as the phone is targeted at gamers and comes with a 65W Super Dart charger.
The pocket-friendly smartphone Xiaomi Poco M3 128GB flaunts a sleek design, high-resolution screen, big battery, and good camera performance. The smartphone comes with a textured leather cover coating at the back that offers a nice grip and makes the smartphone fingerprint-resistant. Also, The smartphone boasts a best-in-class pixel density of 395 ppi along with a 60 Hz panel. Needless to say, it is the best smartphones under Rs 15000.
The Galaxy M series helped Samsung re-establish its name in the market. With a 90Hz screen, Samsung Galaxy M12 has turned out to be a great choice for budget smartphone buyers The phone is powered by a 6000 mAh battery that features a 15W fast charging support and a bezel-less display. The smartphone is available in 2 variants, 4GB RAM-64GB storage and 6GB RAM-128GB storage. Samsung M12 competes against some of the strong offerings from Xiaomi and Realme.
The Redmi Note 9 Pro is a solid smartphone available for under Rs 15000. The value-for-money phone comes with a stunning camera setup on both sides and a massive battery with 18W fast charging. The phone has Perfectly adequate performance courtesy of the Snapdragon 720G chipset featuring an octa-core processor. The phone comes with 3 variants – 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage, 4GB RAM and 128 GB storage, and 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage. However, the 6 GB RAM version costs you about Rs 16,999.
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power 6GB RAM is midway between the Redmi Note 9 and Redmi 9 Prime in terms of price point. The smartphone arrives with an extensive number of features and specifications. The stellar battery life and dual stereo speakers’ inclusion help the phone stand out from the rest in the given price range. It is a suitable option for users looking for exceptional cameras, massive battery life, and a great processor set up.
The OPPO A53 is one of the best budget smartphones under Rs 15000 smartphone, and what makes it to our list is its 90Hz display and great battery life. However, the device’s pixel density and screen resolution are relatively less compared to other smartphones within the same range. In addition to the above, the phone offers a punch-hole display, a 13MP triple camera setup, Snapdragon 460 SoC, and a 5,000 mAh battery.
The latest Realme 8 smartphone looks good, well finished, and overall like a great device to get your daily operations streamlined, with its powerful chipset and 8GB RAM. The phone is loaded with a 64MP Primary Camera, an 8MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera, 2MP Macro Camera, and another 2MP Depth Lens on its rear side. The device has good battery life that easily lasts for more than a day, even after several hours of gaming, a casual photography session, and a bit of social networking.
Samsung recently introduced its new Galaxy F series with the Galaxy F41 to compete in the budget smartphone segment. The phone has a triple camera setup on the rear side. A 32MP selfie shooter on the front is capable of taking good snaps under any lighting condition. The Galaxy F41 comes with a huge battery and a Super AMOLED display. Also, the Dolby Atmos speakers of the device making it one of the best smartphones under Rs 15000 for music lovers.
Relying heavily on the Made in India factor, Micromax’s comeback phone the In 1 offers exceptional features in the budget segment. The smartphone is equipped with a triple camera setup on its rear with a 48MP primary lens accompanied by a 2MP macro lens and another 2MP depth lens. Along with all the features, Micromax promises guaranteed Android updates for two years and monthly security patches.
South Korean tech giant LG has called for a curtain on its smartphone division after sustaining years of losses. The electronics innovator might not have had the best run in this segment, but it has surely left a lasting mark.
The company announced its withdrawal from the smartphone segment via a prepared statement that it released on its website. It states that it intends to focus on other businesses that will provide new experiences and value for consumers.
LG has not been able to compete with the mobile segment’s mainstream names like Samsung, Apple or its recently growing competitor, OnePlus. Nevertheless, LG brought out innovative models to the market, some of which even started a new trend. Models such as the LG Wing and the LG G8X ThinQ are truly unique smartphones that we may never see again.
LG G8X ThinQ
The company has promised to fully honour its product limited warranties and continue to provide software, security updates and replacement parts as per applicable regulations and contractual obligations.
Users can purchase LG mobile phone accessories (battery, charger, power cable, headsets, etc.) through existing purchase channels according to existing products’ life span. For other 3rd party accessories (case, protective film, etc.), supply may be limited based on the supplier’s inventory situation.
Smartphones are fast becoming a dire necessity for commonfolk, and manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to innovate and invent interesting features to stay at the top of the game. Samsung recently launched multiple models spanning multiple price ranges, while OnePlus is aiming to be a flagship killer by offering premium features at a pocket-friendly price. Gaming, too, is gaining prominence as a stand-alone segment, and big boys like Asus are placing their bets on phones like the Asus ROG Phone 5.
