Exhibit Tech Magazine Archives

OnePlus Pad Vs Xiaomi Pad 5 – The battle of the best Android tablets

If you are looking for an excellent tablet that serves as a healthy companion to your already large phones, there are only so many good options in India. Samsung makes excellent AMOLED tablets, but those are priced in similar categories as the iPads and the sheer iPad OS features, ecosystem locks, and restricted customisations are in a niche of their own. Xiaomi launched its Pad 5 almost two years ago, and this year it finally has competition from OnePlus. I bought the Pad 5 during its first sale and have been using it ever since. It has got several updates and is running the on the latest MIUI 14 OS based on Android 13. There is a significant price difference between the two, but how good is the new OnePlus Pad vs Xiaomi’s offering from two years ago? Let’s find out.

Design and built – Two different approaches

The Xiaomi Pad 5 features what you would consider an iPad Pro design form factor. It’s a polycarbonate matte-finish rear design with a camera island familiar to Xiaomi phones during the launch year. The rounded rectangle design is excellent to hold in hands from different angles and feels symmetrical. Overall it’s a tried and tested design with tactile buttons and relatively thicker bezels. Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support stereo switching based on the tablet’s orientation. At 511 gms, the tablet does feel tiring to hold when gaming for long, but a stand can solve this issue for most tablets. At 11 inches in a 16:10 aspect ratio, the physical dimensions are smaller than the OnePlus Pad.

The OnePlus Pad has an exciting design with a 2K 11.61-inch display. Despite weighing more than the Xiaomi Pad 5, at 550 gms, the OnePlus Pad feels slimmer to hold thanks to the clever design. Both the tablets miss a headphone jack, which is a huge turn-off. So they had the space to fill in 4 speakers in both tablets but could not make room for a little headphone jack? OnePlus expects you to use this tablet in landscape mode for most of your usage. Hence, the cameras are also placed in landscape orientation at their rear and upfront.

Display – 500nits of goodness

Why does one take a tablet? It has to be their display. In 2021, Xiaomi offered the Pad 5 with 500 nits of brightness IPS 2.5K+ panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The content looks rich, and display settings allow ample customisations on both tablets. In isolation, these tablets provide excellent video viewing performance coupled with great audio quality from Dolby Vision and Atmos support on both these tablets. The OnePlus Pad hits the ball right out of the park with support for a 144Hz refresh rate and a similar 2k resolution with similar 500 nits of brightness. OnePlus also offers various customisation options on the display as per your liking, which are more or less similar to Xiaomi Pad 5.

The real difference arises when one watches HDR content. Playing the same content next to each other reveals that the Xiaomi Pad 5 does good black levels, but then again, it suffers insane black crush issues. A thing reminiscent of 2021 Xiaomi devices in India, my Xiaomi Mi 11x has this black crush issue when playing HDR content. The OnePlus Pad, on the other hand, does not produce the same HDR brightness levels or deep black contrasts, but overall is the better display among the two for overall content consumption. Games and HDR content have no issues in the darkest areas, while the extra screen estate brings an increased immersive experience. On standard videos, you cannot go wrong with either of the tablets with sharpness, colours and saturation.

Performance – More than satisfactory

Considering that the Xiaomi Pad 5 was launched in the year 2021, it bought a balanced performance with the Snapdragon 860. It’s a 7nm SoC and has been performing flawlessly since the time I own the Xiaomi Pad 5. I have been gaming on this tablet ever since, and with updates, the tablet has become more efficient, if not powerful. The 6GB RAM + 3GB expandable is enough in most scenarios, but MIUI could get aggressive at RAM management, especially with gaming apps in the background.

OnePlus Pad is powered by a 4nm Mediatek Dimensity 9000 processor with 12GB RAM + 4 GB expandable. This one performs flawlessly and at times, better than the Snapdragon 860 in the Xiaomi Pad 5. This is apparent, especially during gaming; you can carry much higher frames and graphics settings in comparison. For example, Call of Duty mobile allows 120fps on the OnePlus Pad compared to a max of 90fps on the Pad 5. RAM management is similar to Xiaomi Pad 5, though games tend to reload if put in the background for more time than necessary. Overall, the wireless connectivity with dual-band WiFi on both pads is impressive, with the OnePlus Pad scoring high on WiFi 6 support and Bluetooth 5.3 compared to Bluetooth 5 on the Pad 5. Every app opens and performs excellently on these tablets.

OS – Tables turn

Performance shall only be as good as the software it runs on. This applies to both the Xiaomi Pad 5 and the OnePlus Pad. OnePlus Pad runs on the Oxygen OS 13.1, and apart from flexible Windows settings, nothing resembles anything special for the tablet. OnePlus needs to improve on this and provide an OTA update specifically for the OnePlus Pad. This feels like Color/Oxygen OS displayed on a large screen. The Xiaomi Pad 5 takes the cake in the software department. The tablet is feature loaded with gestures, multitasking capabilities with up to 5 windows running together, a dock accessible in most apps irrespective of the orientation and much more. MIUI 14 on the Pad 5 eliminates all the bloatware usually associated with affordable Xiaomi devices and brings a neat usage experience tailored to the tablet form factor.

Camera – They exist

OnePlus thinks we use the tablet in landscape orientation and never turn it to portrait mode like we never consume digital magazines or read articles online in comfortable portrait modes. Nonetheless, the camera placement is questionable. If you’re right-handed, you will smudge the rear and front cameras on the OnePlus Pad by simply holding the tablet. The best part is that the front 8MP with motion tracking and the rear 13MP camera are decent enough for use. Do not expect any phone-level performance from either tablet, but here are some photos and videos for your reference.

Accessories – Promises

Apart from chargers, the additional accessories for OnePlus Pad include a magnetic keyboard with a mouse pad that supports gestures. This accessory is worth 8K INR, making it a perfect small productive machine on the go. The typing experience is excellent for a tablet accessory, and the mouse pad is generous enough for the form factor. There’s also a stylus for all the creatives out there, which costs 5K INR and is nothing as impressive as the Apple Pencil or the Samsung S-pen but does its job well and charges magnetically via the OnePlus Pad. Xiaomi, on the other hand, has disappointed big time with its accessories options, there is only the Pen that can be had for 6K INR and brings 240Hz touch sampling with pressure points, but there is still no keyboard case available. Bluetooth keyboard is the only option as of now for the Xiaomi Pad 5. I hope they bring promised accessories with the next iteration; that said, isn’t it high time?

Battery and charging

The Xiaomi Pad 5 has a generous 8720mAh battery which charges via the bundled 33W charger. The OnePlus Pad has a 9510mAh battery which charges at 67W via the bundled 100W charger. The OnePlus Pad charges faster and lasts longer thanks to its efficiency and the Mediatek Dimensity 9000 4nm processor. If the Xiaomi Pad 5 lasts about 2-3 days over gaming, video consumption and music listening, the OnePlus Pad can easily surpass that time by almost 12 more hours than the Pad 5.

Verdict

The OnePlus Pad is definitely the one to get among the two if you are in the market for a great Android tablet. The Xiaomi Pad 5 was launched almost two years ago and still serves as an excellent value proposition for people strictly on a budget. In a world where flagship phones cost twice as much as these tablets, the OnePlus Pad brings flagship performance in a significant form factor. It is worth the additional asking price compared to the Xiaomi Pad 5. I am a Xiaomi Pad 5 owner, and the OnePlus Pad impresses with the hardware but desperately needs good tablet-oriented software. An exemplary job OnePlus on your first tablet. Xiaomi, it’s time for the Pad 6!

Conversations With – Devita Saraf, VU India

Q1. Describe yourself in three sentences.

I’m a Marwari, and there is a business in my blood. I believe in the equality of women and opportunities for all because I’m a Mumbaikar. Lastly, I’m an Indian, so I believe humanity and kindness are above money and power.

Q2. What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?

Sociology. You need to learn more about society and people to find opportunities for change and improvement.

Q3. One thing you believe is essential for sustained growth.

Good health and stable wealth.

Q4. One book that you love and the one you’ve bookmarked?

The Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership by Steven Sample.

Q5. Leadership quotes that inspire you

“It is better to be feared than to be loved if one cannot be both.” – Niccolò Machiavelli

Q6. What is your unique way of maintaining a work-life balance?

Hang out with the people who expand your mind and your heart.

Q7. Significant learning in the past couple of years?

Being open-minded to reinventing yourself and being relevant to newer generations.

Q8. Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?

I want to try the Notion app for OKRs.

Q9. What is your technology detox?

Deleting social media apps from my phone from Monday to Friday.

Q10. If money was not a bar, what piece of tech and automobile would you own?

I believe in owning tech and automobile companies, not just the product.

In Conversations With – Mr Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India

Q1. Describe yourself in three sentences.

I am a fun loving person who loves motorcycles and everything to do with them. I take great pride in punctuality and am always open to experimenting with new things, the latest of which is learning to ride on the racetrack.

Q2. What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?

One of the most important subjects aspiring leaders should concentrate on is the willingness to be a good listener. Always be open to feedback and allow your colleagues to express themselves. It’s only when you listen clearly, you can lead clearly.

Q3. One thing you believe is essential for sustained growth.

Attention to detail is critical. It’s the simplest yet most overlooked aspect in a person’s quest for growth.

Q4. One book that you love and the one you’ve bookmarked.

I like “Beyond the Last Blue Mountain”, the biography of Mr JRD Tata. In fact, biographies are one of my favourite genres, and I have recently bookmarked Valentino Rossi: MotoGenius by Mat Oxley and Mick Doohan.

Q5. Leadership quotes that inspire you

“Live Life a little dangerously” – JRD Tata

Q6. What is your unique way of maintaining a work-life balance?

I am the first person to reach the office, so I always start my day slightly early, enabling me to finish on time and leave work to spend time with family.

Q7. Significant learning in the past couple of years?

I come from an automobile background, but I was not riding big bikes until I joined Ducati. I learnt how to ride big bikes in multiple circumstances – I rode to Spiti and back on the Multistrada, started attending track days on the Panigale V4, and sometimes commuted to work on a Scrambler. The idea is to adapt and place myself in the rider’s shoes to understand our clients’ psyches.

Q8. Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?

I am old school, so I don’t use many apps except Apple notes and the MS Outlook calendar.

Q9. What is your technology detox?

I love to listen to my favourite music on my Apple + Bose ecosystem. It works wonders for a good night’s sleep.

Q10. If money was not a bar, what piece of tech and automobile would you own?

I would love to buy a Ducati Superleggera V4, a Lamborghini Urus, or a Ferrari Purosangue!

In Conversations With – Guru Randhawa

With his soulful voice, catchy tunes, and engaging lyrics, Guru Randhawa has taken the Punjabi music industry by storm and has won the hearts of millions of fans not just in India but across the globe. Besides being a musician, he is a tech-savvy individual who has leveraged the power of technology to reach out to his fans and grow his fan base, along with experimenting with new-age music production techniques.

His ability to blend traditional Punjabi folk music with contemporary pop beats is a testament to his innovative spirit and willingness to embrace new technologies. In this exclusive interview, we delve deeper into Guru Randhawa’s journey as a musician and his thoughts on the intersection of music and technology. We explore the various aspects of his work that have made him a household name in the Indian music industry.

Exhibit: What was it like working with Kapil Sharma on your latest song?

Guru Randhawa: It is always great working with artists whom you admire. Kapil Paaji has been a dear friend since I’ve known him. I love his work, and it was great to collaborate with him on his debut song. While I was shooting for Kapil Sharma’s show, we discussed the idea of making a song together, and I’m glad to see it come to life. The response has been really great as well.

Ex: How do you think the driving experience has changed over the years as technology and electric vehicles have become more prevalent?

Guru: I think advances in fields of technology are happening at a rapid rate, and the future of cars is electric. In fact, we see a lot of that in developed countries, and it’s making its way to IndiGuru: Driving cars has indeed become a seamless experience with assistance like ADAS and many more.

Ex: Out of all your songs, which one holds the most emotional value for you?

Guru: My recent song, “Alone”, is very emotional, and I’m currently enjoying that.

Ex: Are there any songs or albums you think are particularly suited for driving, and why?

Guru: I like listening to soundtracks of Hans Zimmer, I enjoy Weekend’s music on drives, some Punjabi legends, and trying out new artists as well.

Ex: You’ve been in the music industry for over a decade now. How has the journey been? And what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting out?

Guru: Yes. I’m grateful for everything. God has been kind, and it’s all a blessing! I’m thankful to my fans for their undivided support. Honestly, I’ve grown so much as an individual and artist. Overall, it’s been an enriching experience for me and very special too. As I said, I started my career as an independent artist and always kept at it. I believe one should never give up, keep putting in that effort, and love what you do, even if it is challenging. Consistency transcends into success.

Ex: How does the experience of driving a car compare to performing on stage or recording music?

Guru: Yes, both activities involve adventure and thrill. Sometimes both are really relaxing as well. Each day is a new experience that I look forward to.

Ex: You’ve collaborated with many different artists over the years, from Pitbull to Jay Sean. Who would you like to work with next, and why?

Guru: I would love to collaborate with Bruno Mars because I absolutely love his music.

Ex: Your music often blends traditional Punjabi sounds with modern beats and rhythms. How do you balance these two influences in your work?

Guru: I think it comes to me naturally, maybe because I was born in a village in Punjab and later moved to Delhi for higher studies. So I think both places have had their influences on my music and style.

Ex: Your song “Lahore” became a massive hit, with over 1 billion views on YouTube. Did you expect it to become so popular, and what do you think made it resonate with so many people?

Guru: Well, I think it is the simplicity of the song that makes it easier for people to connect.

Ex: You’re known for your energetic live performances. How do you prepare for a show, both mentally and physically?

Guru: Yes, of course, we work hard on our live shows regarding a set list, rehearsals and production. Not just for live shows, but otherwise, on a regular basis, I take care of my health.

Ex: Do you think there is a connection between music and driving, and if so, how would you describe it?

Guru: Yes. Music has a connection with everything. It’s the rhythm of life. It enhances the state of mind and is the best company while driving. I like listening to my songs first in the car, which gives me the right feel about them.

Acer x Mercedes – Gaming Becomes Mobile

If you’re anywhere in the PC gaming scene then you surely know about the Predator gaming laptop series by Acer. The Predator series is known to be one of if not the best gaming laptops around the world and we at Exhibit use a number of Predator machines as our daily driver’s thanks for their dependability. Our extensive testing of the Predator Helios 300 has only left us amazed with its gaming performance.

Being a car enthusiast and frequent traveller, a big chunk of my time I spent with cars, and sadly sitting in a car playing games is a hassle in itself. But what if I told you that a new car on the market allows you to play games right on its screen? That’s right!

The latest EV by Mercedes, the AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is a one of its kind luxury offering that widens the horizons of what an electric car can provide its customers.

The Sedan EV has a height of 1515 mm and a width of 1926 mm. The exterior of the car is eye-catching, especially its front, which features a dual light band coupled with the front bonnet that beautifully overlaps the wings. The digital lamps are bright and feature 1.3 million pixels per headlamp which are enough to light up your way effectively.

The brightness of the digital lamps is furthermore enhanced and controlled by the Adaptive high beam assist plus, which features an anti-dazzle continuous high beam. The rear light band features a 3D helix design, and the tailgate opening features that classy Mercedes Star badge. The light game does not end here, as the car also features an illuminated aesthetic door handle that adds to the overall appeal of this sexy-looking car.

When I talked about gaming at the beginning, I told you that a new car in the market allows people to play games on its screen. Well, that’s none other than, the Mercedes AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ which offers MBUX Hyperscreen where you can play Tetris, Pairs, and Sudoku.

The Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ offers a battery backup of up to 500 kms in one go, while the Predator Helios 300 offers a battery backup of up to 5 hours and 30 minutes. The interior of the car is designed with a sporty touch. It features an AMG performance steering wheel in crisp Nappa Leather that feels good to hold, it also features AMG sports pedals for your ease. The highlight of the interior is definitely the Hyperscreen, that’s 141 cm wide and has AI capabilities to learn driver behavior. It also features 7 co-driver profiles for content individualisation. Thus, you and your loved ones can all gain an individual experience while driving this car.

Another interesting factor is the profile log-in that can be accessed with fingerprint, face, or voice! It is an OLED screen that is backed by Gorilla Glass protection. Besides, the driver need not get overwhelmed by this screen itself as their attention can always be focused on the road. The Head Up Display allows you to locate all the information about your speed, range, and other important information on the front itself without having to look down at the display; that’s definitely something we’ve seen in sci-fi films!

What we have here is also an option to set your car’s interior lighting as per your mood with active ambient lighting. But it’s not the people in the front seat who have all the fun, as people sitting behind can also retain all the control with the help of the MBUX tablet.

Talking about the performance of this car – It features AMG Dynamic Select driving modes that can be set to Moderate, Comfort, balanced, Sport+, Powerful, Dynamic, and more. That’s enough driving modes to make the kid in you happy. It comes with fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive which means the system continuously distributes and drives torques between the front and rear axles depending on the driving situation.

The car’s torque is checked 10,000 times per minute and adjusted whenever necessary. It features over 350+ sensors like 12x ultrasonic sensors, moisture sensors, 4x module mode radar, LiDAR, multiple cameras, and much more. We are sure you’ve heard about fast charging on phones, but Mercedes offers it on a car with 30-minute fast charge in DC charging that can take the car from 10 to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes. It can support 200 Kw of max charging with a range of over 500 kms.

The whole reason behind people going for EVs is because they’re good for the environment, and Mercedes has hit the ball out of the park with its new offering, as the majority of its elements have been sourced from recycled products ranging from steel to cable ducts and even the floor coverings.

When a brand like Mercedes brings its A-Game to the EV car market, the result is the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+. The car is designed to cater to both the adult and the kid inside you, which makes it a perfect package for EV enthusiasts.

The car is without a doubt, designed for tech enthusiasts who wish to own a luxury EV that is ahead of its curve. In contrast, the Acer Predator 300 is designed for working professionals who are into gaming on weekends. The car and the laptop bring a style statement to your life by offering features of the best of both worlds!

AIWA bolsters Luxury Acoustics range, launches 3 New Category Leading Portable Speakers

9^th February 2023 l New Delhi: Bolstering its coveted Luxury Acoustics Range of Speakers, Aiwa India today announced the launch of 3 new class-leading products under its impressive Audio portfolio – Aiwa MIX- 440 Enigma Beta, RS-X 100 & RS-X 150 Natsukasii Pro.

AIWA’s newest products in the highly successful ‘Luxury Acoustics’ category are designed to meet the needs of avid audiophiles and hard-core music enthusiasts who are looking for exclusivity, luxury, and high-quality sound. The new stylish & high-performance range stays true to the Brand’s promise of perfect products for those who don’t like to settle for the ordinary. All 3 products can be used indoors and outdoors as they are portable and come with high-power rechargeable batteries. The speakers further enrich a range that comprises versatile form factors from Retro to Wooden Built to luxurious leather finish to exquisite metallic build. Taking the legacy forward for more than seven decades, technology and innovation have been the core strengths of AIWA products.

AIWA MIX-440 Enigma Beta Portable Bluetooth Speaker: MRP 54,990

Born to Thrill! Exceptionally Versatile & Dynamic Speaker. The younger sibling of Aiwa’s best-seller MI-X 450 Enigma truly outperforms with Best-In-Class Audio Experience. They were packed with True Wireless Stereo for high-quality output. A new league of its own with a BASS++ sound profile. High-performance portable speaker comes with an elegant & commanding character and comes equipped with best-in-class features and software high-resolution supporting 24-bit music quality audio over Bluetooth 5.0. Enigma Beta comes with two passive bass radiators (front+ back) for the even distribution of sound. This speaker also comes with a Type – C charging point that enables 4 hours of charging time and 9 hours of playback time, powered by a 15000 mAH Li-ion battery delivering a strong 80W of powerful Sound. The Speaker also comes packed with a cordless MIC for Karaoke enthusiasts. There is also a digital control panel, and a 3.5mm AUX–IN. The Speakers also have TSW Multi-Link technology as a standard, allowing consumers to link multiple products in tandem.

AIWA RS-X 150 Natsukasii Pro Portable Retro Bluetooth Speaker: MRP 33,990

For those who don’t like to compromise. Upgrade to a Better Experience with Aiwa RS-X 150 Natsukasii Pro. Premium Retro looks with Seriously Good Sound Output, Features a Rich Speaker with Japanese Technology at the core. The Speaker comes with triple Drivers for deep distribution of sound. This speaker also features a Type – C charging point that enables 2 hours of charging time and 12 hours of playback time, powered by a 6000 mAH Li-ion battery delivering a solid 60W of pristine Sound.

AIWA RS-X 100 Natsukasii Pro Portable Retro Bluetooth Speaker: MRP 27,990

RS-X 100 Natsukasii Pro is tuned to Amaze the audiophile in you. Captivating Retro Styling with Seriously Good Sound Output, Compact and Built with Japanese Technology at the core. Like its elder sibling, it also features triple Drivers for deep distribution of sound, a Type – C charging point that enables quick charging and 9 hours of playback time, powered by a 4000 mAH Li-ion battery delivering a solid 40W of rich Sound.

Speaking on the launch, Mr Ajay Mehta – MD, Aiwa India said “We are overwhelmed with the response to our Luxury Acoustics Speaker Range. This has been the most successful range of products for Aiwa and the brand has been able to compete and establish its footing in the elite high-end speaker bracket comprising iconic international brands. We are proud to say that our consumers and channel partners have been highly appreciative of our products and we hope to continue building the ‘Aiwa Cult’ further with exciting products over the next few years. These products kick off new years’ portfolio for Aiwa India and we are ready with a number of exciting launches through the year.”

Consumers can buy the speakers on www.aiwaindia.com and also on Croma, Reliance Digital, and Select Partner Stores.

About AIWA

Founded in 1951, Japan-based Aiwa has established itself as a pioneer in the consumer electronics space and is considered one of the most recognizable brands in the personal audio segment. Best known for its speakers, boomboxes, and stereo systems, the company is also known as the creator of the iconic cassette tape recorder. The company was a leading manufacturer of audio products, including headphone stereos, mini-component stereo systems, portable stereo systems, minidisc players, CD, and cassette players, and car stereo systems throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The brand has returned to various key markets across the world, including India, with several devices using cutting-edge technology and innovative designs towards meeting the growing demand from consumers worldwide. The companies have a renewed commitment to designing and manufacturing cost-effective and high-quality consumer electronics accompanied by world-class after-sales service throughout the regions where it is present. Through its office in New Delhi, AIWA India Regional Headquarters (AIN-RHQ) has been established to manage all aspects of the AIWA brand and all AIWA products in India. AIWA India, as it is now called, is fully committed to designing, and manufacturing cost-effective and high-quality consumer electronics, including those that hoist the banner of ‘Made in India’, accompanied by a world-class after-sales service throughout the country.

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

Top 10 new games announced at Gamescom 2022

Gamescom 2022 had a lot of announcements. We are not including the Lies of P, Callisto Protocol, or Outlast trials, as these were announced way before the show. Nonetheless, the number of games teased is plenty to desire a current-gen console or upgrade one’s PC for that crisp detailed game plays.

Dune Awakening

The trailer that we got for dune awakening doesn’t give us anything in terms of gameplay, we do know it’s an open-world survival MMO, and apparently, that’s going to put thousands of players on every instance of the planet. the trailer showcases a hero taking on a giant sandworm. it was a pretty impressive piece of, well, probably CGI, to be completely frank. Still, Dune Awakening could be an intriguing title if it indicates what it may look like. We don’t have an official release date for this game; we do know it’s coming to pretty much all major platforms, so we will keep our eyes open.

Everywhere

The ex-GTA producer Leslie Benzies’s new company announced a game called Everywhere. Everywhere is a pretty vague concept, isn’t it? So, of course, they would issue a press release clarifying what the game is! Everywhere seamlessly blends gameplay, adventure, creativity and discovery in an all-new multi-world gaming experience that redefines how players connect in the digital world around them, which is crystal clear now. In the course of the trailer, you see a large number of different things that seem like third-person shooting, a lot of sci-fi, and maybe even a little racing. There’s a lot when they say Everywhere. Let’s not get hyped over something vague. There’s a lot of top-notch talent on top of Leslie Benzies, a former GTA producer, and it seems like they’re not shying away from colour and possibly genre.

Moonbreaker

A new miniature building turn-based digital tabletop strategy game. this one comes to us from Unknown Worlds, the developers behind Subnautica. It’s a tabletop game like Warhammer 40k, and you get to make miniatures and paint them. And the painting is a big part of Moonbreaker like there’s some element that is just weird in a good way. Somebody interested in that would be more attracted to building miniatures, so there’s a kind of tactile inertia or life that they give the figurines in a battle. Which is appealing, but again it’s quite weird. It’s got a different charm and is landing in early access on September 29th.

7. Atlas Fallen

The gameplay actually kind of reminded me of final fantasy xv. I don’t know if the entire game will take place in a desert, but I do like the desert setting combined with the characters. The character design is just fantastic it reminds me of old-school final fantasy; that’s probably why, obviously with a completely different, more modern style sensibility. What we saw within this little CGI movie is something that could play out within the game. It could end up being a really interesting take on a sort of fast-paced magical action game where you’re holding up bridges and fighting big monsters.

6. Lords of the Fallen

A kind of soft reboot sequel to the 2014 Lords of the Fallen. The original was a pretty successful game, and you’d think it’d be a sequel. It’s kind of been up in the air, so it’s also probably not the project that was announced as Lords of the Fallen two back in 2014. The Lords of the Fallen takes place a thousand years after the original, so it’s an effective reboot for the most part. It’s definitely got the look of a souls/borne type game. The story will involve exploring interconnected realms. Umbrella and axiom, apparently the realms of the living and the dead, the original was also a souls-born souls-like type. It looks like we’ll have to wait to find out when the game hits all major platforms sometime in 2023.

Killer Clowns from outer space

The producer of Friday the 13th, the game it’s a multiplayer horror game. First, Killer Clowns, outer space is a silly franchise. It’s a horror franchise but a silly one, and it should, in all actuality, make for a silly horror experience. Let’s be clear: the weapons in Killer Clowns from outer space could be a lot more fun than the weapons on Friday the 13th. it’s going to land on all major platforms in early 2023.

4. Destiny 2 – Lightfall

To be frank, now we know what the next expansion for destiny will be; it’s a cyberpunk one. The final battle in the light versus dark saga has Kallus coming back, fighting side by side with the witness attempting to destroy the traveller, and apparently, it’s on Neptune in a cyberpunk city. There is also the addition of a grappling hook in the strand subclass. It seems like an attempt to breathe a little bit of life into Destiny 2 after it’s been going on for a long time.

Where winds meet

This looks like a game looking to compete with the ghosts of Tsushima. It is a very different-looking game like it evokes the idea of the ghost of Tsushima, but the aesthetic is also very Chinese. You can actually choose occupations in this game. Like becoming a doctor, or an architect, you can even become a very good orator, a public speaker who can convince NPCs to follow them. These are intriguing additions to an open-world stealth combat game. it sounds like there’s a lot of freedom, and that’s what the developers kept emphasizing when various other people interviewed them. If this turns out to be something where you can do a whole bunch of stuff, and the combat turns out to be as good as it looks in the trailer, take my money!

Phantom Hellcat

An absolutely fantastic-looking hack-and-slash. There’s a ton of visual style here in phantom hellcat. It’s a 2d platformer that transitions into this 3d really close quarters, almost like platinum games looking hack and slash stuff, and that sounds fantastic to me. That is a combination of two types of games, and again it’s something that looks absolutely great.

Dead Island 2 and High on Life

This game was announced almost eight years ago. It would be easy to assume that a game announced eight years ago wasn’t happening, even though there have been few clues that it’s still being developed throughout the years. It looks like a hack-and-slashy type of first-person shooter with zombies. We know what Dead Island is at this point, and if they managed to wow us with Dead Island 2, nothing like it.

Sharing the number one spot is High on Life, a Rick and Morty-voiced and world-based Sci-Fi first-person shooter. The world is filled with interactive sarcasm, and the most intriguing part of the gameplay is talking weapons with a personality of their own. For instance, the starting pistol is based on Morty, while the crazy knife, which does multiple other things like grappling, etc., has a personality like a death-crazed Rick. Great to see this level of interactive madness getting one High on Life.

Hyundai Tucson – A premium SUV with an impressive set of features│Hyundai Tucson – First Drive

The SUV craze has spread like wildfire across territories. They offer practicality, space, comfort, a sense of achievement and in some cases more features than your yearly grocery list. The number of SUVs sold in 2020 was close to 25000, amounting to 22% of the Indian automotive industry. In 2022 this number will come up to 49,000, nearly double the amount in 2020. Currently, the SUV market share is over 41%, and estimated growth is up to 65,000 units by 2025. Catering to the skyrocketing demand for SUVs and premium SUVs in the Indian automotive market, Hyundai has launched their flagship premium SUV in India, known as the Hyundai Tucson. This one is a global bestseller product for Hyundai, and we explore this premium SUV in Nandi Hills, Bangalore. Our drive was made exciting as we drove through windy scenic roads in both the trims offered by Hyundai.

Lightweight yet strong chassis

Hyundai claims a strong body structure with the hot-stamping application. The body is made of 26.4% mild steel, 17.7% high-strength steel, 15.6% hot stamping, 40.3% advanced high-strength steel and extended application of as high as 74% overall. This rigid, lightweight chassis is aided by HTRAC – All Wheel Drive System with Multi-Terrain modes. Modes include SNOW, MUD, and SAND. While this global bestseller is offered in multiple drivetrains globally, including a hybrid, India gets two options. The first one mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission is a 2.0L petrol engine that produces 156 ps and 192 Nm torque. And finally, a much more robust 8 Speed Automatic Transmission operated 2.0L Diesel engine produces 186 PS and an enthusiastic 415 Nm torque. India gets the LWB – long wheelbase version as standard.

Handsome or pretty – Choice is yours

Hyundai Tucson has been in the international market for some time, but there is nothing in its price range in India that looks alike. The front smiling large grille with dark chrome design neatly integrates with nickel chrome metallic semi-deposition inside the 5-point Parametric hidden LED and DRL lens. With the DRLs off, the entire unit looks like a single piece of design mimicking a significant smile. At 4,630mm, the new Tucson has grown significantly more than its predecessor. The wheelbase is more extensive at 2,755mm and is a considerable upgrade from its 2016 avatar. Camouflaging this large SUV is a series of design choices by the Hyundai design team and engineers to make Tucson look premium yet sporty. Complementing the design is the choice of multi-toned elements like a matte silver window sill that ends in an aerodynamic style at the rear. The design makes this large SUV feel more friendly and compact with visual illusions created by sharp lines.

The most appealing section of this beauty is the connecting rear-LED with unique diamond-cut elements making this SUV prettier in real life. It extends on both sides of the car and makes this rear element a timeless piece of design which will age well. There’s a subtle Tucson batch with a hidden rear wiper under the spoiler. Matte grey skid plates and boxed-out wheel arches add character to the Tucson. Many design elements with creases, lines and cuts make this car feel true to a concept design. The sharp-cut design elements also translate into the large 235 section 18-inch dual-tone diamond-cut alloys, with a full-size spare alloy wheel in the trunk. The powered tailgate liberates 540L of cargo space with three levels of gate adjustments. It can be extended to 1860 litres with dedicated levers in the trunk to enable 60:40 split-folding second-row seats. The boot gets a guidance light and extra 12V sockets for added functionality.

Technophile inside, sharp outside

Hyundai always offers its customers top features, and the flagship hits the ball right out of the park. Onboard computers in Tucson provide innovative features like Home to Car (H2C), where simple vocal commands to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant can operate your car. Voice commands could include, “Alexa, turn on my car’s AC”, “Alexa, turn on my car’s AC, “Alexa, find my car”, “Alexa, check my car’s fuel level”, and “Alexa, lock my car doors.” Advanced connectivity also allows Smartwatch connectivity with TIZEN, iOS and Android.

Bluelink app offers 60+ connected features, and the car infotainment setup can improve with time thanks to OTA – Over-The-Air updates for the system and map. Tucson also gets Hyundai’s most advanced Voice Control for Seat Ventilation, Sports (Cricket, Soccer), Sunroof, and climate control, while the Voice Assistant has 104 embedded voice commands.

The large 10.25″ HD infotainment system is India-specific yet global UI supports -10 regional + 2 international languages, including English, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, Punjabi, Malayalam, Telugu, Oriya, Gujarati and Korean. Apart from these, the 8-speaker premium Bose sound system can accompany your drive with six built-in ambient nature symphonies, including an open-air café, rainy day, snowy village, warm fireplace and calm sea waves. There’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but Hyundai has missed the mark by not making these wireless. With OTA updates, these wired features may go wireless in the future.

The minimalistic cabin feels classy with soft-touch plastic, textured soft-touch fabric and multi-toned colours. The seats on our cars were light beige, making the cabin feel roomier. A smart one-touch panoramic sunroof accentuates the roof-line of the cabin. Apart from the usual wireless phone charger, the large 10.25-inch touchscreen and touch-sensitive controls keep the central dashboard neat. The overall cabin feels like a cockpit with the large 12.3-inch floating MID displaying ample information, including TPMS. The gear Knob is chunky and yacht-inspired, while the steering feel is perfectly round, chunky enough to get a sense of this large vehicle and also comes with ample buttons to control the MID and infotainment setup. The soft lid of the central arm-rest reveals open enough space to house your smaller pets.

Both the front seats get electric adjustments, with the driver seat getting 10-way adjustments while the co-passenger seat is getting 8-way adjustments and two memory seat functions. There is also a chauffeur mode on the front passenger seat walk-in device that enables left rear seat passengers to recline and adjust the front seat to their liking from the rear with the help of electric buttons on the front left seat. Overall the design is ergonomically designed to aid the driver. Even the front ventilated and heated seat controls are integrated into the central arm-rest. Advanced climate control technologies ensure a remarkably comfortable cabin atmosphere with dual-zone climate control with Multi-Air Mode and a hidden type AC vent with diffuse mode. This feature is inspired by aircraft. A diffuse button sits in the centre console along with drive select modes – Eco, Normal and Sport. All the buttons feel tactile and perceive a sense of quality associated with a premium feel.

The rear seat experience of the Tucson is excellent with rear AC vents, Type-A illuminated USB ports, deep recline angles on the seats and a large arm-rest with cup-holders. Thanks to bright leather seats, the premium feel of the multi-toned cabin with minimalistic yet functional design approaches, and one of the most prominent panoramic sunroofs, the Tucson interiors are a great abode on wheels.

Hyundai SmartSense

Hyundai has included level 2 ADAS driver assistance on their flagship. They call it Hyundai SmartSense. It’s a combination of a front camera, front radar and rear radar. Overall, there are 19 ADAS level 2 features enabled by Hyundai SmartSense. Some of these features include – Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist + Junction Turning, Front collision warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Safe Exit Warning (SEW), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Smart Cruise Control with Stop & GO (SCC with S&G), Lane Following Assist (LFA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW) and Surround View Monitor (SVM). The 360-degree cameras are sharp at resolution and enable dynamic parking assist lines for added convenience.

Drive impressions

Petrol trim: Hyundai Tucson gets a 2L petrol engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission churning 156PS and 192Nm. The power delivery on the petrol trim is linear, and power builds gradually as the revs build. The lightweight steering feedback makes manoeuvring this car in the city a child’s play while the steering satisfactorily weighs up as speeds rise. Eco mode dulls down all the responses and almost feels like the valet mode in the car. Normal is the best of both worlds, while Sport mode makes responses a bit tighter, including the heft on the steering wheel. Impressive bits include good insulation on the engine bay, keeping engine NVH levels to their minimum and overall cabin NVH levels as silent as physically possible. Suspensions perform at par for Indian road conditions, and the car manages to gulp most road undulations. Ride quality is supple and further enhancing the confidence are non-intrusive ADAS features.

First seen in the Alcazar, the turn indicators work in tandem with the 360-degree cameras to give a real-time side view on the MID console. The ambient lights are soft and offer tons of customizability. Vanity mirrors with individual light buttons and extended sunshades bring versatility to an overloaded technophile Hyundai Tucson. The Bluelink app makes remote car operations, real-time usage information, GPS features, remote unlock, and engine controls. The only thing missing here is the summon feature we see on Teslas. The gear shifts are seamless and refined, but the car’s responses take a while to get going with sudden throttle responses. Drivers sit with a commanding view of the road, and the large front windshield with large door windows enables a massive point of view. On the go, the 18-inch wheels perform great and four disc brakes with a big safety net brake on a dime. Tucson manages to lose its sense of weight when on the go, thanks to clever engineering, which enables a straightforward approach and ease of driving a premium SUV.

Diesel trim: Most of our overall feel of the chassis, body weight and minimum body roll with excellent body control remain the same on the diesel trim. But, we guess this to be the bestseller among the two trims thanks to a healthy 400+ NM torque accessible from the lower rev range and throughout all rev bands enabling 186PS of power. This added power is managed by an intuitive 8-speed AT transmission, which is smoother and more responsive than the petrol version. The diesel feels enthusiastic when driven, accentuating with Sport mode. Even in Normal mode, the diesel is peppy to drive in comparison. The NVH levels on the diesel are as impressive as the petrol trim. Almost no vibrations are felt inside the cabin, even when revving and driving this car at triple-digit speeds.

Hyundai Premium Assurance

Hyundai offers an unlimited kilometre 3 Years warranty with 30 000 km complimentary maintenance. They also assure 3 years of roadside assistance with 3 years Bluelink / Map subscription and 1 Shubhaarambh (Home Visit).

Verdict

In our brief drive, this car managed to hide its volume with excellent engineering. It’s easier to drive than its competition. Hyundai Tucson is Hyundai’s flagship model in India, making a bold statement for itself with the plethora of features offered. Both the trims offer great value to the end consumer and assure a car that shall stand the competition of the time. If you are in the market looking for an upgrade to your existing car or want a chunk of the insanely growing SUV market, the Hyundai Tucson is one attractive option with enough tech to keep your next generation happy. The ADAS is non-intrusive and the overall package exudes a sense of sporty premium appeal.

2.0L Petrol – 156PS | 192Nm | 6-speed AT

2.0L Diesel – 186PS | 415Nm | 8-speed AT

ADAS level 2 – 19 safety features

360-degree cameras

60+ Bluelink features

3 years unlimited warranty

Price: INR 27.70L Ex-showroom

LG Gram 17 + View Display – Weight? What weight!

LG’s Gram series of laptops was always known for its insane lightweight laptops. Not only did they defy their perception of weight, but they were also excellent productive machines. Continuing their legacy, LG has improved their Gram series for 2022. This laptop tends to defy physics at 1.4kgs for the LG Gram 17-inch. We test the LG Gram 17, and an additional Type-C powered 16-inch WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS View Display.

Productivity perfected

LG Gram 17 weighs a mere 1.4 kgs and comes with a relatively small 65W Type-C charger. The minimal bezels and bright IPS panel dominate the display area with WQXGA (2560×1600) resolution. Sharp enough for a display this size. Complementing the Gram 17 is a WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS panel called View Display. In an era of a multi-monitor setup, the Gram with View Display makes for an attractive matte-finish mobile workstation. The styling is subtle, with a gram logo on the lid and LG branding below the massive display. The gram logo on the LHS below the keyboard and subtle Intel Evo logo keep things minimalistic yet classy.

Above the display sits a 720P camera alongside an IR camera. LG has done some software trickery with the Glance feature. More on that later. The keyboard is a full-fledged backlit chiclet keyboard with three levels, off, low and high. Ports include an HDMI 2.0 port, two Thunderbolt 4 (type-C) ports, and a headphone jack on the left. There’s a Micro-SD card reader, two USB Type-A 3.2 ports and a Kensington lock on the right. A pair of stereo speakers are placed facing the bottom and could easily get blocked on soft surfaces but sound decent for the laptop size.

Lightweight chassis with heavyweight performance

Powered by the latest 12th generation Intel Evo i5-1240P octa-core processor with 16 threads, a blazing fast 5200Mhz 8GB DDR5 RAM, quality 1TB SSD, Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 powered by an 80Wh battery, the LG Gram 17 is a beast wearing a well-fit suit. Everyday productivity is handled like a breeze. Iris(R) Xe graphics unit does a decent job when required. The hardware is more than capable of running Windows 11 Home edition efficiently and comes bundled with Office applications for easy productivity.

The key press is satisfying on the laptop, and a sizeable gesture-supported touchpad makes the right moves. The View Display is 16-inches and super styled with a brush metal finish; it supports the exact same resolution as the laptop and has seamless connectivity through its thunderbolt 4 ports. The Gram 17 and View Display is configured in a 16:10 ratio, making them apt productivity combinations. The laptop has some additional features and applications to make it ready to use immediately.

The most exciting feature is Glance, a privacy tool that uses LG Merametrix hardware and software to blur the display when someone else is peeping at your display or when you are not looking at your laptop. It’s an interesting take on privacy and security. There are other features in Glance, including Smart Pointer that tracks your eyes to bring the pointer where you’re looking, Snap Window that moves your privacy to the display you are staring at, smart player to pause media when you’re not paying attention and many other smart features. Considering this series is usually preferred as productivity machines, this is an excellent tool for professional and personal use. The View Display gets an Alcantara finish case that doubles as a stand.

Verdict

LG’s latest Gram series brings better hardware, software and design in a similar yet fantastic lightweight package with updated ports. Couple that with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a slim, stylish View Display with sturdy built, and this combination is a perfect multi-monitor mobile setup.

Rating – 4.5/5

12th Gen Intel Evo i5-1240P

5200Mhz DDR5 RAM

1TB reliable SSD

Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211

80Wh Battery, 65W Type-C charging