If you are confused about the reason behind this headline, I was in the same place a while ago. Taiwanese technology giant ASUS’s gaming division, Republic of Gamers (ROG) used this term to describe the quality of its latest gaming headset, the Delta S. It is supposed to be a considerable upgrade over its predecessor, the already excellent ROG Delta. But is it a significant upgrade or just an aesthetic makeover? I got a chance to confirm that.
Same same, yet different:
If you were to glance across the room at a person wearing the Delta S, you’d be forgiven if you thought it was its predecessor, the Delta. Aesthetically, apart from a few subtle updates to differentiate the newer model, the Delta and the Delta S are practically identical. However, there has been a considerable weight loss during the upgrade, with the Delta S now weighing just 300 grams. The headband has also been slimmed down but has apparently been made more durable.
While the Delta S is an update over the Delta, there are a few shortcomings. The default PU earcups have been updated with a cross-hatched texture, but the clamping force has somewhat lessened. This not only causes the bass to leak considerably but also has reduced the passive sound isolation.
Along with that, the RGB lighting has also gotten a modern touch. It is still as bright and seamless as the previous generation, but now gets an added “Soundwave” mode, which can be accessed via the lighting toggle switch on the left earcup. This Soundwave mode allows the RBG lighting to sync with your voice (if the mic is plugged in) or with the on-going soundtrack and flash according to the volume.
Operating the headphones:
The highlight of the headphones (and the possible reason for their name) is the triangular ear cups (Triangle is called Delta in Greek), which offer a snugger and more comfortable fit as compared to conventional round ones. The headphones are quite light and easy to wear and even extensive usage won’t cause too much discomfort. However, what is uncomfortable are the body-mounted volume controls. It is a rocker that doubles as a mute button, which can get quite irritating sometimes if you wish to adjust the volume in the middle of intense gameplay. It is not intuitive to handle and it took me some time to get used to, during which I was mostly unhappy with the volume control.
Above the volume control rocker is the lighting toggle switch. As mentioned above, it gets a new notch for the Soundwave mode that allows you to change the RGB lighting pattern on the go. The mic is the same AI noise-cancelling detachable unit as before and can be attached to the headphones via a 3.5mm audio jack. It does a splendid job of keeping the unwanted noise out and even has an LED indicator to tell you if you are muted. Funnily enough, I attached the mic to the 3.5mm jack on my phone and my phone detected its input! A rather fancy way of connecting an external microphone to your smartphone, don’t you think?
Case in Point: MQA!
ROG has emphasized significantly on the Delta S being the bearer of an award-winning audio technology called “Master Quality Authenticated” or MQA. It can connect to an MQA core signal on global streaming services and unfold a whole new level of audio quality. Long story short and to keep it simple, MP3 files are usually compressed to reduce their file size, which makes the song lose most of its finer elements. With MQA, the user is able to access the original file quality of the song or soundtrack and enjoy all its elements to the fullest.
However, the file size remains compact, meaning you won’t have to worry about filling up your storage after a few songs.
Confusing, right? Well, the important part is that MQA is supposed to let you enjoy “higher than CD-quality” audio on any device. When paired with an MQA decoder like the one in the ROG Delta S, the original master recording is revealed.
Honestly, there is hardly anybody who would feel a noticeable difference by the presence of MQA. For most, an immersive aural experience is satisfactory enough, regardless of the technical intricacies. Stress your ears long enough and you might begin to notice some difference (Like I did), but at that point, you’d begin to wonder if you really feel it or it is purely psychological (Like I did!). It might be a revolutionary update for ardent audio enthusiasts, but for the average gamer like me, it is just a reason to increase the price point.
Should you buy it?
There is no denying that the ROG Delta S is a masterpiece when it comes to gaming audio. However, the primary point of the Delta S being costlier than the Delta is the addition of the MQA. Now, the Delta is priced well above Rs 15,000 which implies that the Delta S will be priced even higher. Apart from that, there is no significant reason to choose the Delta S over the standard Delta. Regardless of the choice, going for a ROG Delta headset ensures that you are treated to some of the best gaming gear available in the market!
Creative Technology today announced the release of Creative Stage V2, an upgraded successor to the well-received Creative Stage which packs some nifty new features. Debuting with new audio technologies powered by Sound Blaster and sporting bigger dimensions, it offers users not only better and clearer audio, but also wider surround soundstage that delivers more bang for the user’s buck with high-quality audio at a pocket-friendly price.
The Stage V2 packs a bigger audio punch and features better connectivity than its predecessor. With the new Clear Dialog audio technology, users can hear each syllable clearly without cranking up the volume as the spoken dialogue is extracted and amplified without compromising the ambient effects. On top of that, the Surround technology adds an expanded soundstage to offer the ultimate movie experience right at the comfort of one’s home. Fitted with two custom-tuned mid-range drivers along with a powerful subwoofer, the Creative Stage V2 can fill the living room with rich audio and impactful bass that will bring users closer to the action.
Creative Stage V2 also comes with a wide range of connectivity options —TV ARC, optical, AUX, Bluetooth, and even audio streaming via USB— making it a one-stop audio entertainment system for devices including TVs, computers, mobile phones, or even gaming consoles. In addition, the soundbar is conveniently accessible via remote control, and users can switch input sources, adjust treble and bass settings as well as toggle Surround and Clear Dialog on or off with a simple press of a button. With a sleek and minimalistic design, the Creative Stage V2 can fit right into any room and be wall-mounted to deliver a truly immersive audio experience.
Creative Stage V2 is priced at the MRP of Rs 17,999 but will be available at the attractive marketing operating price (MOP) of INR 9,999 on Amazon and Flipkart around the third week of December 2020.
Hewlett Packard, or HP as it is most commonly known, has always been the go-to brand for style, functionality and reliability. Among its wide range of laptops is the latest Envy 15, which targets the professional users such as video editors, creators, and graphic designers. While it is loaded with top-notch specs, it does have its share of shortcomings. Will the HP Envy 15 make your colleagues green with envy? Find out.
Aesthetics and first impressions:
One glance at the HP Envy 15 is enough to conclude that it is indeed a professional laptop and it carries that badge with pride. Thanks to its aluminium build in a silver-metal finish, the laptop oozes subtlety and elegance. That is complemented by the stylish chrome HP logo on the display lid, while the slim bezels on the top and sides of the 15.6-inch full HD IPS display panel further enhance the sleekness of the laptop.
The bottom bezel, however, takes away some of the glamour with its rather large design. The backlit keyboard is flanked by speaker grilles on both sides (From Bang & Olufsen, particularly) that give out quite decent audio output, while the arrow keys are accompanied by a nifty fingerprint scanner. The touchpad is also quite smooth (more on that later).
Two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, a full-size HDMI 2.0 port, a USB-A 3.1 port and a microSD card reader constitute the left side of the laptop. The right side houses a headphone jack and another USB-A 3.1 port. All this is housed in a sleek case measuring 14.1 x 9.3 x 0.7 inches (LxWxH) and weighing 2.14 kg. This does seem like a lot, but it can be seen as a compact design if you consider the specs it comes loaded with.
Video and Audio:
As mentioned above, the laptop gets a 15.6-inch full HD (1920×1080 pixels) IPS, anti-glare display. Its 60 Hz refresh rate might not be in the same league as 144Hz screens, but the display is clear, crisp, and colourful nevertheless. Most colours on-screen pop out vibrantly, but it isn’t too abrasive to the eye.
HP has added a 720p webcam to the mix, which does its job as it should but is nothing to ponder over. However, the highlight of the webcam is the external shutter and microphone mute keys on the keyboard. Coming to the B&O speakers, a decently stereo surround sound can be experienced, though an immersive experience is not guaranteed.
Hardware:
I can safely say that the HP Envy 15 gets one of the best keyboards to work on. Comfortable, intuitive and well-lit, the keyboard looks as pleasing as it is to work on. The trackpad also does its job well and there is hardly anything to complain about here. If you had to be nitpicky, you could wish for a bigger trackpad, but that will only be an occasional woe rather than a regular complaint. The keys are not only well-spaced, but the back-lighting also ensures that every individual key can be clearly seen. The layout is overall quite symmetrical and pleasing to the eye.
Internals:
Armed with an Intel Core i7-10875H CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q GPU, 16GBDDR4 RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD, the laptop can take on anything that you throw at it. Be it heavy files, complex designs or intense gaming, there is nothing that the HP Envy 15 can’t handle. However, the laptop isn’t immune from heating, which it does after a while of extensive usage. It isn’t unmanageable, however, and can be overlooked as well. For the average commercial user, this laptop will fulfil all purposes and will still have the capacity for more. Nevertheless, it could offer a better performance had it been equipped with better internal components such as an Nvidia RTX series graphics card or 32GB of RAM.
Should you go for it?
Priced well above the Rs 1.50 lakh mark, the HP Envy 15 is not a casual buy for sure. But if you are willing to invest that kind of money, you will definitely be pleased with the outcome. There is not much that is left to desire for after owning an Envy 15, but that is only if you are a jack of all trades. Purpose oriented buyers such as gamers or professional video creators might want something more from it, but the Envy 15 will still carry all the tasks given to it diligently.
Being associated with one of the oldest brands in the country is a special thing and being able to be a part of history enhances the feeling so much more. To that essence, India’s oldest music label SAREGAMA is offering the Carvaan. It has more than 5000 preset songs that you can play to relive the good ol’ golden days. How can you be a part of it, you ask? Well, with the newest addition to the Carvaan family, the Carvaan Karaoke.
Now, before the teens get all pumped up and ready to sing their favourite Eminem or Drake raps, let me give you a fair warning: This Carvaan is not for anyone born after the 80s. At least it isn’t for someone who does not know about or like songs produced before the 2000s. Coming back to the Karaoke part, it does offer an extensive list of songs to let your inner singer loose! More on that later.
Unboxing happiness:
The device comes in a neat box encased in a cosy packing. Inside, apart from the Carvaan is a pair of wireless microphones and a box of goodies. Well, that is if you consider a remote, two pairs of batteries, an antenna and a charger to be so. Talking about the Carvaan itself, it features multiple modes for you to curate the music you listen to. While the genre of songs is limited to the Golden Era and prior, there are close to 5000 songs to choose from! This means that the fathers and grandfathers in the house will surely be in a jolly mood with this device.
A trip down memory lane:
Apart from the list of preset songs, the Carvaan also offers an FM/AM mode, AUX and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as WiFi usage. That can be used via a smartphone app available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The company claims that it will give access to over 15,000 songs, with hundreds more updated daily. Regardless of the choice, you are sure to be treated with a rich selection of timeless classics from singing legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Jagjit Singh and many more.
Design and operation:
The Carvaan Karaoke stays true to its family design and comes in a rounded rectangular shape. Our review unit is draped in a rich metallic red colour, which further enhances its elegance. It features four selector buttons on the front, with a small LCD screen that shows the current selection. Beside that is the prominent rotary dial accompanied by the seek buttons below it. On one side are the buttons to choose the saregama app, USB/AUX mode, FM/AM mode, and Bluetooth mode. On the other side is the singular Karaoke mode button that is accompanied by the volume selector and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Operating the device is fairly easy as it can be done from the main body itself as well as the wireless remote that it comes with.
Karaoke mode:
Addressing the elephant in the room, the Karaoke mode. At the single touch of the Karaoke button, a 9-inch TFT screen will pop up, indicating that it is time to rock! Offering a significant range of 1000 songs, the Karaoke mode will sure uplift the mode of any party. Considering it is a party of oldies that is! The songs are categorised as per artistes, actors, eras and Carvaan’s list of Top 50 karaoke hits. It also offers you a chance to save your list of favourite songs, for quick access. The menu can be scrolled through using the remote or either of the microphones that it comes with. If I had to be nitpicky, I’d say a touchscreen would have been better for easier selection.
Verdict:
As I have emphasized earlier, the Carvaan Karaoke is a perfect choice for someone who either is from the times gone by or loves the music from that era. To be considerate, it does offer an extensive and immersive experience for the list of songs it provides. It will be the perfect gift from a son to his father, for them to spend some quality time together.
HP India today announced the inaugural ‘esports Gold Quest’ scholarships at the OMEN FanFest 2020, in support of the rise of PC Gaming culture in India. The ‘esports Gold Quest” scholarship is a program that will provide gamers with the necessary financial support, equipment, skills, and exposure to help them in their quest to compete on the global stage and become future esports stars.
With esports becoming a global phenomenon, HP recognizes the need to provide Indian talent with the right set of tools and guidance to compete at the world stage and bring the country its recognition in esports. The esports Gold Quest scholarships will select three applicants and will offer them an annual scholarship worth Rs 12 lacs each, which will include a full esports kit from OMEN, a monthly salary of 50k and an international training stint.
The scholarship will be open to Indian applicants in the 16 – 20-year age group. The nationwide talent hunt program for selection will roll out in Jan 2021 with final selections in June 2021.
With gaming breaking down boundaries and merging seamlessly with popular culture, a platform was needed to showcase its rise. The OMEN FanFest accomplishes this by bringing together influential figures in the world of esports, contemporary culture and gaming enthusiasts on a common stage, and celebrates PC gaming in a manner never seen before.
Ketan Patel – Managing Director, HP India Market said, “Gaming and esports are among the fastest-growing competitive pursuits in India and globally. It is a stage on which Indian talent has the potential to compete with the best in the globe. As a market leader, we are working towards making the gaming ecosystem more inclusive for everyone, fueling the passion for gaming, and providing a launchpad for budding esports talent in the country. The scholarship program announced today is in line with our philosophy of ‘Play to Progress’ and we hope to see champions at the world stage from India soon.”
As a confluence of gaming and popular culture, the OMEN FanFest will bring together some of the biggest names in the world of esports and entertainment. These include Tirth Mehta, India’s first esports medalist; Ulrich Schulze, SVP, Product Management at ESL; Akshat Rathee, MD & Founder, NODWIN gaming, Abish Mathew- Standup Comic and other enthusiast gamers among many more.
The OMEN FanFest will also feature a contest that will offer participants the chance to become the fifth member of the HP OMEN Squad – which brings together people of diverse origins with one unifying goal to merge gaming with mainstream culture. Current members of the OMEN Squad include esports pro gamer Hellranger, professional live streamer Manasvini, gamer and content creator Ocean Sharma and stand-up comic Abish Mathew.
To further enhance the gaming ecosystem, HP is also announcing the ‘OMEN Crib’ – an entire gaming setup designed for the ultimate gameplay experience. The OMEN Crib comprises a dual monitor desk, keyboard, headset, mouse, mousepad, speakers and the OMEN gaming chair – all in a minimalist but stylish package.
Gamers stand a chance to win one OMEN Crib every week through a contest all through December exclusively on Flipkart.
The OMEN FanFest follows the recent unveiling of the brand-new range of OMEN laptops and accessories, updates to OMEN Command Center, and the HP Pavilion gaming 16. The OMEN range offers “First of its kind” hardware technologies in the industry enabling Gameplay experience to the next level and offers unmatched power without any compromise. OMEN and Pavilion PCs, and accessories provide an immersive experience to the gamers helping them stay connected, relaxed, and entertained while at home.
BoxFit, a Delhi based fitness, health & lifestyle brand recently announced the launch of its newly improvised app ‘BoxFit At Home’. The hyper-curated and live content, omnichannel distribution and a truly customer-centric approach provide BoxFit members with a holistic experience from the comfort of their homes.
Founded in 2016, the brand gained steam in its home market by taking a holistic, integrated approach to wellness. The app constitutes of a video-based fitness interface with world-class instructors providing personalized interactive workouts put together to make exercise fun and not just a chore. With the app, BoxFit offers an intrinsic experience that makes fitness entertaining, approachable, effective and convenient. The BoxFit trainers grace the screen as DJs, motivators, and entertainers curate challenges for people to compete with others and themselves in each session. Thus making this 45-50 minute group fitness workout fun and exciting. The app also features a special 1000 calories workout wherein the class will not stop till 1000 calories are burned up by the trainer and with him/her the attendees. The curriculum design allows for the creation of a variety of workouts for both novice and experienced clients alike. From Abs and Cardio to Kickboxing, the wide range of exercises are designed for one’s home-space, catering to all, without the need for any extra equipment.
Speaking on the launch, Rishi Baveja, Co-founder, BoxFit said, “This year, with the new normal, working out at home is becoming a chore that one feels the need to follow. We wish to bridge this very gap between the ‘need’ to work-out and the ‘fun’ in working-out with BoxFit At Home. We want people to feel mentally and physically uplifted on this journey with us and we’re really excited to bring it into people’s lives. We want our members to get rid of all the stress and have fun with us on our app, and well, get fit with the fun.”
Though BoxFit operates in the fitness space, it has an impact of a lifestyle brand which puts content first and is community-focused. With the launch of the ‘BoxFit At Home’ app, dynamic content is produced in rapid iteration cycles to address the constantly changing customers’ wants and needs. With this app, every class is a live event and an experience which is curated in a way that it addresses the mind and body as trainers use motivational psychology to energize the attendees.
The app will predominantly provide its members with:
Fresh Content Library: 150+ classes every single month, access to live classes daily, and an on-demand library – anytime-anywhere.
Personalized Goals: Challenges to inspire accountability, curated programmes to help members achieve their fitness goals.
Value-Added Services: More fitness horizontals, Goal-based customized meal planners.
BoxFit At Home is systemized to be the perfect blend of motivation and entertainment with its aforementioned remarkable features. The symphony of a workout is engineered to the beats of mixed hip-hop, house and commercial bangers. The music, the vibe, and the collective heartbeat of a virtual classroom come together like an opera on BoxFit At Home, and the attendees can burn up calories, feel good, and experience an endorphin high for the rest of their day at the ease of their homes with just one click.
Consumers will now be able to purchase the BoxFit At Home experience through the app on Google Play, iOS and the website at special introductory prices. The starter pack for 1-month access is available for 2499. Apart from this, customers can avail other packs: 3-months access for 6,499, 6 months for 9,999, and 12-month access for 14,999 at the best price value of 1250 per month only!
It might seem that we have seen it all this year. Highs and lows, latest in tech and automobile and whatnot. But just when we thought we had seen it all, Samsung dropped a spectacular piece of the future. Why do I say that? Because anybody who has used the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 will agree that it does not belong to this century. Well, here is my review of the latest smartphone from the Korean giant.
Touch and Feel:
The experience of using the Galaxy Z Fold 2 begins right out of the box. Quite literally. The box includes a pamphlet that says, “Change the shape of the future” and rightly so. There is also an extremely important and unmissable care instruction pamphlet, which I went through in spite of reminding myself to be absolutely careful.
The box offers a sleekly unfolded piece inside, along with the standard accessories of a 25W charger, USB cable with C-type plugs on both sides, and USB C-type earphones from AKG. Obviously, the phone is the highlight of the box and it feels lavish in the hand even before booting it up.
What’s new and what’s newer:
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a considerable upgrade over its predecessor. Its hinge has a lesser gap when folded and it now offers better structural rigidity. It also contributes to something that Samsung calls “The Flex Mode”, but more on that later. Samsung also mentions an “advanced engineering marvel,” which is essentially a brand-new internal mechanism that employs advanced elastics and a cam design. The hinge also features an internal bristle layer, which keeps it free from any foreign contaminants. Talk about being a stickler for cleanliness!
Samsung has also redesigned the phone to make it look boxier with straight-cut lines as opposed to the curvier design of the previous generation. The Z Fold 2 is also offered in a better colour palette, in a manner of speaking. The main body comes in two options that include Mystic Bronze and Mystic Black. The hinge can also be customized in different colours, including Mystic Black, Metallic Silver, Metallic Gold, Metallic Red and Metallic Blue. However, choosing that option could delay delivery.
Display(s) galore!:
Needless to say, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is incomparable with regards to the display. Look at it one way and it feels like a mini foldable tablet in your palms. Look at it in another way, and you would get the feel of using three phones simultaneously! Well, that’s considering you use the main screen in split mode.
The 6.23-inch front cover display is protected well by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus finish, while the back panel along with the main camera module gets Gorilla Glass 6 protection. Regardless, the phone is relatively fragile but that is understandable given the intricacy of design and the minuscule components.
Open the phone and a 7.6-inch display greets you. It is a Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel that offers bright colours and a crystal clear display. Its brightness is also pretty significant and using it on full brightness could make your eyes water after a while. This time around, Samsung has incorporated “glass-like” materials, which although offer better durability, make the screen sensitive to pointy objects. The main screen offers 120Hz refresh rate, while the outside screen maxes out at 60Hz.
Display settings can be altered between two modes- the default “Vivid” mode or a “Natural” mode. Users can also alter intricate parameters separately using advanced sliders. The phone also has full HDR10+ support, though it is limited to the main screen only. Samsung also got the device Widevine L1 certified, implying that apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime can offer their fullest HDR quality!
Samsung has also reinforced the screens with a soft protective layer on top of both the displays, though it is a simple external protector and not an integration of the screen itself. This, in turn, leads to trails and grooves being left behind from fingernails, which potential buyers should understand. It also leads to a little more finger traction while sliding across the screen, unlike a smooth and glossy glass finish that you would expect.
Z Fold 2’s Flex (Mode)
Coming to the aforementioned Flex Mode, it allows you to prop the phone up like a laptop and use it so. Naturally, it won’t replace the feel of using an actual laptop, but it does come with its set of UI and UX solutions. A growing number of apps are also offering extensive support for the use of the Flex Mode, but that still left me wanting for more. I would much rather prefer propping up the phone while it is entirely unfolded, a feat that I am yet to achieve. That said, the Flex Mode also allows you to use the external display for content consumption, while the rest of the phone acting as a stand.
But using the Flex Mode does call for some sacrifices. There is no way of propping the phone in a way that exposes both the main cameras as well as the outside display, in case you ever need to click a high-definition selfie. This can only be achieved if the phone is fully open, which makes it impossible to fit in a majority of the gimbals or selfie stick rigs. It is also cumbersome to hold it in that manner for a long period of time.
UI and UX:
Given that the Z Fold 2 is Samsung’s latest product, it also runs on the company’s latest One UI 2.5 Android, based on the core of Android 10. This, coupled with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage implies the phone is not only a beauty but also a beast. There is virtually no force that can stop or even slow down the phone and it can handle the heaviest of apps or tasks without breaking a sweat. Well, extensive gaming will heat the phone up slightly, but that is a universal problem that smartphone manufacturers are yet to resolve. First things first, I was greeted with Samsung’s Always-On display feature, albeit in a slightly altered manner. Now, users get the option of glancing at the display only after double-tapping on it, while its usual features of setting up a daily schedule and choosing different clock styles remain unchanged.
The home screen and app drawer are both a class apart and can be accessed from either the front screen or the main screen. As mentioned earlier, this gives the feeling of using multiple phones at once! Then there is the Bixby feed which is just a left-swipe away at all times.
Talking about dual screens, the phone has an innate ability to offer split-screen options for every application possible. This can either be had in a horizontal position or vertically.
Buttons and hardware:
When folded, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will feel quite familiar in your hand. It has the usual volume rockers on the right side, just below which is the lock button and the fingerprint scanner. Speaking of, it has a lightning-fast response and reads my finger accurately even at the slightest touch. It is also a nice change from the usual Ultrasonic under-display scanners that most Samsung flagships currently have. Honestly, I prefer the one in the Z Fold 2 over under-display scanners any day. The phone gets a single tray for the nano-SIM card and while the phone offers full 5G support, it is obviously a long-shot in India as 5G is yet to be fully established.
The speakers are also present on one side of the phone which can get troublesome while holding the phone in one manner. However, it is easily rectifiable by simply flipping the phone over. The sound output is benchmark-setting and the phone speakers alone are capable of giving you a full surround sound effect. At full volume, there is hardly any noise that can dim the output of the Z Fold 2, sans a loud ruckus or a heavy-duty speaker. The speakers complement the main screen perfectly and both combine to offer an almost theatre-like experience. That is saying something, considering it is what every modern phone aims to achieve.
Camera quality:
While the Z Fold 2 is a leader in almost all aspects of a smartphone, it slightly lacks in the camera department. Not that there is anything to with for, of course, but it borrows its camera setup from other phones in the family. The main snapper is a 12MP unit that gets Dual Pixel Phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). It is accompanied by a 12MP ultrawide lens, as well as a 12MP telephoto lens. The telephoto lens offers 2x optical zoom, along with PDAF and OIS. These goodies have been lifted straight from the Galaxy S20 though, and hence are not unique to the Z Fold 2.
However, what the phone does have unique to itself is the wide range of options available to click your perfect photograph. Not just for selfies and landscapes, but also for food photography and the likes. What’s more, the AR zone has a dedicated makeup mode with official products from leading manufacturers like Maybelline, which will allow women to preempt their perfect look without even owning the product! There is also food photography to allow you to click the perfect plate shot without letting the food go cold!
Talking about the selfie camera is easy, as there are two dedicated 10MP units for the same. One is on the cover display while the other is on the main, foldable panel. Both are housed inside snug punch holes which do not interfere with either display. They are nothing out-of-the-box but do a pretty decent job.
Power core (Battery):
Talking about the battery is a tricky one since it is basically split into two parts. Both halves of the phone have a battery pack, which totals up to roughly 4500mAh. Using the main screen for a significant amount of time on 120Hz will take a toll on the battery, but that is nothing to be concerned about. The phone lasts throughout the day regardless of the extent of the usage and lowering the settings or using battery saving options will only increase the duration.
The Z Fold 2 supports 25W fast charging, as well as 11W wireless charging. This means even if the battery somehow drains out, it won’t take long to juice right back up! The phone took slightly more than half an hour to charge up to 30% from nil, while it crossed the halfway mark within the hour. The phone will be completely charged and ready to go within a couple of hours, meaning you can binge-watch any series all night long and still go to the office with enough juice the next day.
Verdict:
While the Z Fold 2 will definitely burn a big hole in your pocket, there is hardly any other smartphone that can be considered a worthy alternative. Among all other accolades, it is the display and the sound setup that takes the biggest trophy. There is only one alternative in the form of the Huawei Mate Xs, but since both phones cost almost the same, it would be wiser to stick with the Z Fold 2.
With a price tag of ₹1,50,000, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 has to be an option to ponder over for some time. But after shelling out the bucks, it is definitely worth the price.
2004 was the year when Motorola cemented itself as a mobile master. How did it do that? With the launch of the Moto Razr, which became a style and status symbol almost instantly. Almost two decades later, the phone is back in an updated avatar. But does it have the grunt to re-establish its niche in the market, or will it fall prey to the continuously evolving and never-satisfied nature of smartphones? Let’s find out.
Prudent presence:
It might have seemed unnecessary for Motorola to launch an updated version of the already-recent Moto Razr. So why did it? To offer full 5G support! That is not all, the American manufacturer also amended some of the shortcomings of the previous Moto Razr, making it an even better phone than it already was!
In a market crowded with multiple options from leading manufacturers, what sets the Moto Razr apart? It’s not the folding screen or its sleekness. It is its versatility. Hiding under a rather old-school design is some of the most modern and cutting-edge technology available. It all begins with the boxy design and sharp edges. These have been replaced with curved glass, aircraft-grade aluminium, and a sweet, sweet chin bezel. Unlike Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip, which looks more of a compromise than a technological masterpiece, the Moto Razr 5G offers a properly foldable screen and looks good while doing it.
Since the phone has practically two modes, let me break it down for you. When folded, the primary display is a 2.7-inch unit with an 800 by 600 pixels resolution. But is that all? Of course not! The front display offers an on-screen keyboard, though any person with average or larger fingers will prefer the voice-to-text feature much more. The screen also allowed me a decent amount of app operation, though it will obviously make more sense to just flip open the phone, won’t it?
Display and dazzle:
The main screen is a 6.2-inch Plastic OLED unit with a 2K display and a 21:9 aspect ratio. It offers quite a satisfactory array of colours, and the anti-glare was sufficient for me to display all the contents even under a bright midday sun. With the fingerprint scanner moving to the back, the chin has become a lot slimmer and honestly, much more appealing as well. Even the back panels have been upgraded from plastic to Gorilla Glass 5, with the frame getting 7000 series aluminium and the hinges being manufactured from stainless steel.
Performance, par excellence:
Logically speaking, this is a purely business-oriented phone which will mostly be bought by suit-wearing, chauffeur-driven gentlemen. But did that stop us from playing games on it? Of course not! Right from Call of Duty to Candy Crush, this phone can handle it all. Not that it is meant to, but it can. Why won’t it, too? With 8GB of RAM supported by 256GB of storage, it is practically impossible for the phone to run out of, well, storage.
Eyes of the prize:
A 48MP Quad Bayer type setup acts as the primary camera, while a 16MP single camera is offered for selfies. Images are obviously of pretty decent quality, something you would expect from such a premium smartphone. The battery has also improved to 2800mAh, which is not a significant figure considering today’s standards but offers decent backup.
Smartphone, smart box!
Such a premium smartphone requires intelligent manufacturing. And that is exactly what Motorola has done. Apart from the smartphone itself, its retail box also has some unique features. For example, the plastic bottom of the box can be used as a volume booster, while the woven fabric box which contains all the accessories also doubles up as a sunglasses case! Talk about versatility! In conclusion, a price point of ₹1,24,999 means that the Moto Razr 5G won’t be a birthday gift for a 15-year-old kid. But what it definitely is, is one of the best-looking and best-performing business phones in the market, something which will immediately make people say, “The Boss is here.”
When was the last time you let your imagination run wild? When did you feel you were at your creative best? And when did you last get the chance to unleash your creativity to its fullest extent? If you are like me, the answer to the first two questions will be “many times” and for the last one, “rarely”. But after I spent some time with Acer’s ConceptD 7 laptop, my perception has definitely changed.
Initial impression:
To begin with, Acer has dedicated the laptop to designer and illustrators and it shows! It might give away its family lineage in some ways, such as its slim design might remind you of the Predator Triton or its foldable screen might remind you of the Spin 5, but let ME remind you, this is an entirely different deal! Now, Acer might offer a lot of features in its laptops but trust me, the ConceptD gets it all.
Display and Processor:
For starters, the laptop comes with a 15.6-inch 4K display, 32GB RAM, a hexacore Intel Core i7 processor, 2 TB SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphic card with 6GB memory! That packs a serious performance punch! However, that takes a slight toll on its portability as the laptop weighs north of 2 kilos. However, these specs are enough to put it miles ahead of the MacBook Pro, which is pricier than the ConceptD and offers the same, if not better features.
Post usage:
Setting itself apart from the other Acers, the ConceptD comes in a suave white colour scheme, with a warm yellow RGB backlit keyboard. This is just to bring a more comforting and professional look to it, as opposed to the wild and in-your-face design of the Predator series, or the minimalistic look of other laptops. With Acer’s claim of adding a stain-resistant coating, which protects the laptop from yellowing and getting dirty, inked or otherwise stained, there is one more reason to not be worried about the pristineness of the laptop.
Verdict:
There are hardly any laptops that can be considered as an alternative to the ConceptD 7 or even put in the same league as it. However, it is also a laptop which can never be considered a casual buy. With a price point north of ₹2 lakh, anybody purchasing this laptop must have a clear intention of its usage. Nevertheless, it will definitely be a faithful buddy at any required time and will fulfil all its duties without the slightest hesitation. If you are a creator looking to unleash your creativity, this is your chance!
It is no surprise that HyperX is dedicated to offering the best gaming experience in every way possible. With a plethora of gaming accessories in its stable, it offers not only one of the most diverse options to choose from, but also has something for everybody across a wide price range.
This time around, the gaming expert of Kingston Technologies is offering a chance for gamers to enhance their aural experience. As many would agree, an immersive sound experience is vital for enjoying any game thoroughly. Keeping this in mind, HyperX has released the Cloud Stinger Core series in India.
There is a particular reason for calling it a series of headphones. While fundamentally identical, they do have some peculiar differences. Primary of them is their distinguishing parameter between console and PC: The colour around the earcups!
Well, jokes apart, these headphones offer a class-apart aural experience regardless of the game or the gaming console. However, since HyperX does not like to discriminate, it has segregated the Cloud Stinger lineup. While all headphones are wired, there is a separate model for Xbox gamers as well as PlayStation owners. Microsoft lovers can opt for the Cloud Stinger that is officially licensed for Xbox. It comes with fabric padding and green accents around the earcups. Sony loyalists would want to opt for the PlayStation oriented headphone, which gets blue accents around the earcups.
Overall, using the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core headphones is an experience in itself. It has many easy-to-use features which further enhances the gaming experience, simply by reducing the peripheral hassle. Small features like a swivel-to-mute mic and a simple rotary dial for volume control goes a long way in helping gamers elevate their experience. Since I am a fan of fabric padding against rubber cups, I’d have to say that the rubber padding on the PC-based headphones made my ears a little sweaty. But that’s just me being nitpicky!
A starting price tag of ₹3500 might seem a little steep for some, but considering that it is a price to pay to enter the big league of gaming and use equipment preferred by gaming professionals, I’d say it is a pretty value-for-money deal!
To sum up, wearing the HyperX Cloud Stinger headphones will surely isolate you from your surrounding, as it did to me. Turn up the volume if you wish to let go of the physical world and enter the world of gaming and turn up the mic to mute your sound when your mom comes shouting from the back!
