Spend Less, Hear More with OnePlus Nord Buds 2 (Review)

What makes me excited about OnePlus? Well, definitely their audio products. Over the last couple of years, the brand has been making records in the audio market and has become one of the most loved brands in the mid-range segment.

I’ve been fortunate enough to experience almost every audio product OnePlus has launched since 2022. Be it OnePlus Nord Buds, OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2, or OnePlus Buds Pro 2, almost every product from the brand has entertained my soul whenever I put them on-ear or in-ear. 

Within a short span, OnePlus has carved a niche for itself in the TWS segment and being a fanboy of the OnePlus Nord Buds, I was very excited when I got my hands on the OnePlus Nord Buds 2. Let’s get in the groove and see what the newbie in the house offers!

Design

Lookwise, there are no significant changes in the design of the buds, but when it comes to the case, it’s tiny compared to the 1st gen Nord Buds and has a dotted dust-like texture on it. The brand must have avoided working on the design, as the main focus was what to update on the insides.

The pill-shaped matte-grey charging case will feel uncomfortable in a trouser pocket, but the price of the buds will suit most pockets. The touch controls on the stem, tap to play or pause music, double tap for the next track or answer/end calls, and triple tap for the previous track.

Sound

The 2nd gen Nord Buds arrives with many updates, especially in terms of sound delivery. The Nord Buds 2 effortlessly deliver on every feature it promises, unlike its predecessor – the Nord Buds, where calls can be glitchy, and distortion is common.

When it comes to sound output, the Nord Buds 2 offers a detailed sound where every vocal or instrumental element reaches its zenith. The 2nd gen buds are backed with a new BassWaveTM algorithm and a 12.4mm driver unit that dynamically enhances your sound for a balanced listening experience.

The buds offer deeper bass along with crisp and clear vocals, giving you that main character energy while listening to your favourite music. In terms of connectivity, they are easy to pair with OnePlus smartphones and iPhones as well.

App

The buds offer an Active Noise Cancellation feature with 25dB depth, but to have it under control, you must download the HeyMelody app. The listening experience they offer with noise cancellation is sharp; be it listening to music or making calls, everything comes to you without audio disturbances.

With the HeyMelody app, you can track the earphones’ battery levels and choose noise control modes – noise cancellation, off, or transparency, to enhance your audio experience. The app also allows you to elevate your audio experience further with four sound modes – Balanced, Bold, Serenade, and Bass.

Battery

The earbuds offer good battery life with active noise cancellation on, and offer you a service for slightly over seven hours on a single charge without putting them back in the case. Once you put them in the case for 15 minutes and they’ll get charged up to 60%, offering 2-3 hours of usage.

Verdict

Overall, the Nord Buds 2 has been enjoyable. The earbuds worked well with various types of audio, and the noise-cancelling feature was quite outstanding. Nevertheless, for the price of Rs 2,999, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is a reasonable device to purchase, especially if you’re looking for affordable earbuds.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite Review: Jack of All Trades

Every once in a while, you come across a smartphone which is easy to recommend. The newly launched OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is one of those cases. It looks like OnePlus is continuing its winning streak at least in India with the launch of the 11 and 11R series devices and now with this budget winner. So what exactly works with the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite? Pretty much everything, for the prize! Let’s dive in and explore the latest budget offering by OnePlus and why it has the potential to become the next big thing in the Indian market –

Design

The ‘CE’ in the OnePlus lineup stands for ‘Core Edition’ It could be simply written off as a marketing gimmick designed to package a budget device. But the CE aspect in Nord CE 3 Lite shines especially when it comes to the design. As much of the budget devices go, it also comes with a plastic back but the colour scheme here can be called this device’s USP. The variant I am using is the Pastel Lime colour which is aesthetically pleasing to look at. The company says that the vibrancy of nature inspired the new Pastel Lime variant which honestly translates very well in real-time usage of the device. At the front, we have a big 6.72-inch 120Hz FHD+ display which is not AMOLED, making it the only drawback of the Nord CE 3 Lite in my opinion. However, the colour production and overall performance of the LCD screen took me by surprise as it was a treat to look at. Interestingly, the device does not come with a Gorilla Glass at the front but rocks an Asahi Dragontail Star Glass which easily survived a few drops from a nominal height during my testing. The fingerprint sensor here rests on the right side of the device with the left side housing the volume rockers and a hybrid slim slot. The camera design for the new device is also unique in more than just one way. Overall, the design of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a winner. 

Camera

Now, this is where most budget devices lose their ground. The expectation with cameras in this price category is usually whether the performance is passable. Luckily, the image output for the Nord CE 3 Lite with its 108MP primary lens is beyond just passable. The camera is capable of shooting some crisp images with the exception of a few shots where it misses out on key details of the subject in place. The primary shooter is coupled with a 2MP depth-assist lens and a 2MP macro lens. OnePlus claims that the device is capable of shooting 3x lossless zoom images which is arguable, to say the least. During my testing of the device, a lot of details were missed out while clicking photos on 3x zoom. The selfies here can be clicked with a 16MP shooter which produces average shots. The camera boasts a number of features like AI Scene Enhancement, Slow Motion Video, Dual Video Mode, and much more. Sadly, it cannot shoot videos in 60 frames being restrained to 1080P and 720P video at 30 fps only. Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite brings in a stable camera setup which is reliable. Check out some camera samples below – 

Performance

The greatness of the Snapdragon 695 chipset strikes again! If I had a dollar for every time a smartphone manufacturer relied on this chipset for optimum performance in the budget section then I’d be wealthy. The powerful chipset is backed by a 5000 mAh battery which can be juiced up with a 67W SUPERVOOC charger. During my testing, the device would juice up around 80 to 85% in half an hour. The combination of a big battery with fast charging is a treat for people on the go, thus making this device an ideal choice for many. We also get a 3.5mm headphone jack here which produced decent audio quality during long music sessions. The variant I tested came with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB storage. It runs on OxygenOS 13.1 which promises a smooth gaming experience. However, one does not truly think of gaming graphics extensive games on a budget device like this. Still, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite holds its ground during extensive gaming sessions without heating up noticeably.  Overall, the performance of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is smooth and commendable. 

Verdict

If you’re looking to get into the OnePlus ecosystem without having to shell out the premium midrange pricing of the OnePlus 11 then this is definitely the device for you. It comes with good performance and an above-average camera system making it a complete package.

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐

MWC Recap: Best of Mobile World Congress 2023

Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023 will go down in history as one of the busiest mobile conventions in several years. The pandemic surely took a toll on in-person events like CES and MWC in the past few years but 2023 saw a complete turnover. This year the MWC attracted over 88,500 attendees from 202 countries. GSMA Ltd’s CEO, John Hoffman revealed in an official statement that the support from partners, businesses, and policymakers exceeded their hopes and expectations. The vibrant display of mobile technology featured more than 2,400 exhibitors and over 1,00 speakers and thought leaders. With a saturation of almost every key player in the mobile industry, it was natural that the MWC brings about a slew of announcements and developments. 

Be it Google, OnePlus or Motorola, MWC 2023 saw big brands making bigger splashes in the mobile arena. Granted, not all companies introduced new devices as they focused on the advancement of mobile technologies. However, these developments are worth looking out for tech enthusiasts out there. Here is Exhibit’s special recap of (almost) everything showcased at the MWC 2023 – 

Xiaomi

Xiaomi brought its A-game during the MWC 2023 as it not just announced the global launch of the Xiaomi 13 smartphone series but also its Wireless AR Glass Discovery edition. Firstly, the company introduced the extensive lineup of the Xiaomi 13 smartphone series including Xiaomi 13, 13 Pro, and 13 Lite. Interestingly, only the Xiaomi 13 Pro has made its way to India at a price tag of Rs 79,999 and the rest of the lineup is yet to be announced in the country. The Xiaomi Wireless AR Glasses won’t be making it to the market anytime soon as they are a concept pair. They offer an immersive AR experience free of any wires and dongles. They feature two Micro OLED screens with a free-form light-guiding prism module that projects content in front of your eyes. The glasses are cool and futuristic, and we definitely cannot wait to see them in action. 

OnePlus

OnePlus is currently basking in the glory of its recent OnePlus 11 series launch which is making waves around the world. OnePlus purists are happy at the company’s return to its roots offering flagship killer devices at competitive pricing. Adding ‘Cool’ to the fire, OnePlus introduced a new concept device which brings a closed-loop liquid cooling system to smartphones. OnePlus is calling this new cooling system ‘Active CryoFlux’ and claims the system can reduce the device temperature up to 2.1 degrees. The Active CryoFlux system is based on a ceramic piezoelectric micropump which circulates fluid through a series of tubes. The back cover of the concept phone is aesthetically pleasing as it allows users to see the tubing underneath which has been illuminated. OnePlus emphasized device cooling by introducing a 45W external liquid cooler which attaches to a smartphone and improves heat dissipation. The company claims that the external liquid cooler can reduce the phone temperature by 20 degrees. OnePlus has not announced whether it will be using the Active CryoFlux system in a production smartphone as not every concept makes it to the end consumer. 

Google

Google was not expected to bring the heat with new hardware at MWC but it surely surprised everyone by announcing new Android features. Google introduced features page zoom on Chrome for Android and noise cancellation in Google Meet. Previously, if users were to pinch-to-zoom on Android, it would pinch the entire page. As of now, Chrome Beta users can pinch-to-zoom and only increase the size of the text, images, video, and more while still retaining the original page layout. Other features include freehand PDF annotations in Drive, faster pairing of earbuds on Chromebooks, Tap-to-pay animations in Wallet, new sounds and display mode for Wear OS and much more. 

Motorola

Motorola had fans surprised as they unveiled their latest innovation at this year’s MWC. Motorola introduced the Moto Rizr at MWC which quickly became one of the most talked-about devices from the entire event. Moto Rizr is the world’s rollable smartphone featuring a 5-inch display that can be rolled up to a 6.5-inch display with just two taps. The device sticks to Moto’s staple pOLED display which expands vertically. The basic idea behind the device is to allow users to have a compact phone which can be extended when they need more screen space for content consumption, gaming and much more. Readers should note that the Moto Rizr will not be making its way to the market anytime soon as it is a prototype device. 

TCL

Though TCL is not a big player in the Indian market, it holds a significant position on the global stage. At MWC 2023, TCL announced a bunch of budget devices exclusive to the US market and two new 11-inch tablets. The TCL 40 X brings capable specifications like Dimesnity 700, a 6.5-inch 90Hz LCD display and a 50MP primary camera at the price of $200. The company also introduced its cheapest 5G device with TCL 40 XE priced at just $170. All the new mobile devices introduced by TCL feature a waterdrop notch putting them in the budget category for the US market. 

Tecno

Who would have thought that Tecno will take away all the attention from legacy players in the mobile arena? With its debut appearance at the MWC, Tecno debuted all guns blazing showcasing two new smartphones including the company’s first foldable smartphone, the Phantom V. The Tecno foldable device is also the world’s first foldable device to feature a left-right foldable design boasting the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ chipset. The smartphone also sports a 5-lens camera system featuring a 50-MP primary sensor coupled with two lenses at the back and the front. It also introduced the MegaBook S1 laptop with 13th Gen Intel Core processors. Additionally, Tecno left no tables unturned unveiling TWS earbuds, a Wi-Fi security camera, and a Wi-Fi router at MWC. 

OPPO

While the Find N2 Flip was OPPO’s premiere device to showcase at the MWC, it also unveiled a number of IoT devices like a Wi-Fi 6 router, Zero-Power Tag, MariSilicon Y Bluetooth audio SoC, Air Glass 2, and much more. The Find N2 Flip marks OPPO’s first-generation flip device featuring a 3.26-inch cover screen. It features a Hasselblad camera branding similar to the OnePlus flagship devices. One of the key elements of the N2 Flip is that it folds flat when closed. This ensures that nothing gets in between the screen when the device is in your pocket. The device comes with a large battery capacity and charges at 44W. While foldable devices are clearly a niche amongst tech enthusiasts, having more options never harmed anyone. 

Realme

Realme launched its latest flagship device, the Realme GT3 at the MWC 2023. The GT3 comes equipped with 240W charging prowess making it one of the fastest charging devices in the world. It offers the maximum charging power possible under USB-C standards as it is equipped with three maxed-out charging chipsets which work together in achieving 240W charging power. Realme claims that the device’s 4600mAh battery can be charged up fully in just 9 minutes and 30 seconds. 

Honor

Honor may have fallen in trouble in China and US legislations but that did not stop the company from bringing in the heat at the MWC. Honor took the stage to announce the global launch of its premium lineup – Magic5 Pro and Magic5. Both devices are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and support 66W wired charging. Honor also launched its first foldable device outside China titled – Magic.

Nothing Phone (2) will be powered by Snapdragon 8 series SoC

The Mobile World Congress is underway in Barcelona right now with a number of new developments in the world of smartphones being announced left and right. It was OnePlus that unveiled its OnePlus 11 Concept device which made waves on the internet. TECNO also announced its entry into the foldable phone market with PHANTOM V Fold. While smartphone leaders around the world brought their A-game revealing hardware updates to their devices, Nothing went a different route and `used MWC as an avenue to meet with vendors and other big names in the industry.

Nothing Phone (2) with Snapdragon 8 series SoC

Nothing’s Carl Pei announced at the Mobile World Congress that the Nothing Phone (2) will sport a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 series processor. This will mark the company’s first device to feature the flagship-level SoC as the Nothing Phone (1) rocked the midrange Snapdragon 778+ chipset. During the same announcement, Nothing CEO Carl Pei also revealed that the company would be launching a new product next month. Given Nothing’s track record, we won’t be surprised if it’s a new TWS.

Along with a better chipset, the Nothing Phone (2) will be getting a proper release in the US this time around, something that was not done for its predecessor. Carl shared that the US market was the company’s top priority going forward. The Nothing Phone (2) should arrive sometime late in 2023. During his conversation at the MWC, the Nothing CEO also talked about the OnePlus 11 Concept phone mentioning the device’s illuminated cooling liquid. Carl Pei also acknowledged a small company named UniHertz that has developed a ‘carbon copy’ of the Nothing Phone (1) stating he is interested in checking that device out. However, when it comes to the upcoming Nothing Phone (2), I am convinced it won’t feature the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as the company would have chosen to reveal that right away. I believe the company will go for the 8+ Gen 1 platform or lower to keep the prices competitive.

 

OnePlus unveils OnePlus 11 concept phone at MWC

OnePlus has been in an interesting spot lately with the launch of its OnePlus 11 series. The company seems to be getting its footing back after at least two turbulent years. The launch of the OnePlus 11 and 11R saw the return of the company to its original form offering flagship devices at competitive pricing. Sure, the launch of the OnePlus 11R pits the company against its very own flagship OnePlus 11 but that is something tech enthusiasts are not complaining about. besides, having a tablet and a foldable mobile device under its kitty for a near future launch, the brand is surely gearing up to make a full comeback in its best form. Building upon the momentum, OnePlus today unveiled its OnePlus 11 Concept device at MWC Barcelona.

OnePlus 11 Concept device

This won’t be the first time OnePlus dived into the concept phones arena as it previously developed the ‘OnePlus Concept One’ device which featured a disappearing camera. With the introduction of the OnePlus 11 Concept, the company aims to redefine industry standards when it comes to device cooling. The company has introduced a new cooling system titled – Active CryoFlux and the entire emphasis seems to be on this technology this time around. In simple terms, the Active CryoFlux technology brings PC-like liquid cooling to mobile devices, which is ‘cool’ to say the least. OnePlus has managed to fit two micropumps around the device’s camera region which suck the heat generated from its chipset. The heat is then dissipated via icy-cold liquid flowing through visible pipelines at the back of the device.

Picture Credit: Phone Arena

The company claims this new cooling tech allows the device to game efficiently with temperatures decreasing up to 2.1 degrees Celcius allowing the frame rate to increase by 3-4 FPS. On the other hand, the cooling tech has also been integrated during device charging where the temperature of the device is brought down by up to 1.6 degrees. As it is a concept device, the OnePlus 11 Concept will not be up for sale.

 

Review – OnePlus Buds Pro 2 – Truly Pro?

What do you need to kill time during your commute to work or when you’re bored at home? Of course, a little dose of music or the content, and to get that, you need to own good headphones or earbuds. I’ve been feeding my ears with the music on OnePlus earbuds and headsets for a year, such as Bullets Wireless Z2, Nord Buds and Nord Buds CE. However, I got a chance to try my ears at the OnePlus’ premium earbuds when we received the OnePlus Buds Pro 2.

The company entered the premium audio market with the OnePlus Buds Pro in 2021, but since then, didn’t launch any premium earbuds or headphones. The newly launched OnePlus Buds Pro 2 offers the same basic design with a two-tone finish on the buds and a matte charging case just like its predecessor. In terms of features, it brings improved features, noise cancelling, Dolby Atmos spatial audio and sound tuning by Dynaudio.

Unboxing

The premium earbuds from the OnePlus arrive in signature red and white packaging and have a mark of premiumness. Once you open the box, you see a small layered red-coloured package with a “Buds for life” slogan consisting of a user guide, safety and warranty papers, along with a note from Pete. Below that, you see the case with buds, and at the bottom, you get to see ear-tips and an OTG cable.

Available Colours

Radiant Silver, Glossy White and Matte Black

Design & Comfort

As mentioned earlier, the design of the buds looks almost identical to the OnePlus Buds Pro, while the charging case of the Buds Pro 2, the difference between the two, is almost negligible. The metal texture on the Buds Pro 2’s case is more advanced and not easy to be stained with fingerprints and features the brand logos of ONEPLUS and DYNAUDIO in the middle.

The charging case of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 fits easily in a jeans pocket, but it’s hard to guess from where it has an opening, at least during the initial days. Also, one can not open the case by using just one hand. The earbuds are a little loose, and you will need to allow them a few days to adjust. However, they’ll feel a little comfortable on your ears once you get used to it.

Connectivity

The earbuds are equipped with a BES BES2600YP flagship chip and support Bluetooth 5.3 technology along with LHDC 5.0 audio transmission (subsequent OTA upgrade), offering a more stable connection. When connecting for the first time with your phone, just long press the button inside the case and wait until your phone shows the name of the buds.

Sound Quality

The earbuds have an 11mm woofer, a 6mm tweeter, and a triple-core noise cancellation chip with a 48dB depth. It also supports the new LHDC 5.0 transmission technology, which can automatically switch between 128kbps and 1000kbps. The ANC effect in the earbuds is quite apt and can withdraw some everyday noise scenes. Overall, Buds Pro 2 are good, but definitely not at the price they’re available now.

Battery Life

OnePlus Buds Pro 2 earbuds offer about 10 hours of battery backup, and, along with the charging case, it can provide an additional 29 hours of battery life, in total 39 hours. The battery backup of the buds is quite good, and even after using it for two hours straight with the ANC mode turned on, the battery power drops by about 25%. In terms of charging, it takes 10 minutes to offer 3 hours of listening.

Verdict

The Buds Pro 2 offers decent performance regarding sound quality and excellent battery life, but the brand needs to focus on grip and comfort, too, especially for the buds, which are priced at 13,999/-. Budget earbuds, like OnePlus Nord Buds, are more comfy and value for money. Overall, if you want to experience ANC and premium segment buds, then only dare to invest in OnePlus Buds Pro 2.

Good

ANC

Battery Life

Bad

Comfort and Grip

Ugly

Price

Rating

⭐⭐⭐

Review – OnePlus 11 5G – Striving to Settle

When OnePlus launched its first-ever smartphone, it grabbed a lot of attention. Since then, they had a flourishing journey until they decided to hop on the flagship segment. The company had a tough 2022 as their flagship device OnePlus 10 Pro, failed to impress the consumers, but thanks to the OnePlus 10T, a mid-life revision of the OnePlus 10 Pro, a smartphone that rescued OnePlus from having a mid-life crisis and helped them to stay in the game. Now, it’s time to see what the OnePlus 11 5G brings to the table, a much-needed relief or the undesired path of downfall?

Design

OnePlus lost the tag of flagship killer a long ago, and now the company is trying hard to survive in the much competitive market. The OnePlus 11 5G arrives with IP64 equivalent protection for dust and splash resistance and few other significant changes, especially on the backside, where it has a strange-looking large camera unit but in a round shape. The phone boasts a punch-hole camera placed on the extreme left of the screen, volume buttons on the left profile, a lock key on the right, along with a comeback of an alert slider.

Display

The smartphone sports a 6.7-inch 2K resolution 120Hz AMOLED screen and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Sounds like a good display, but that’s limited to the closed doors. As soon as you walk outside in the sun, even in full brightness, you won’t be able to see what’s on your screen! The OnePlus 11 5G is the first android smartphone that arrives with LTPO 3.0 technology, which assists the phone in switching between different refresh rates in a power-efficient manner.

Cameras

The OnePlus 11 5G features a triple camera set-up of 50 MP, f/1.8, 24-mm wide lens, 32 MP, f/2.0, 48mm telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and 48 MP, f/2.2, ultrawide lens. The camera housing of the OnePlus 11 features some shimmering dust-like particles, which are quite noticeable and a bit strange. The main cameras of the OnePlus 11 5G support video shooting of up to 8K-24fps, while the ultra-wide supports 4k-30fps, and the telephoto supports only 1080P-30fps.

The main camera of the OnePlus 11 5G does a decent job of taking pictures, but it needs camera updates because the output seems more vibrant than required. The device sports a 16 MP selfie camera with Auto-HDR and allows you to shoot at 1080p-30fps. The output of the selfie camera seems better compared to the previous OnePlus smartphones. About the night mode, the device offers good results with all the colour details.

Performance

The OnePlus 11 5G arrives with Android 13 out of the box and is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the fastest available chipset in the market. The latest processor from Qualcomm glides the device through everyday chores with ease and handles heavy tasks effortlessly. The smartphone we received was loaded with 16GB RAM + 4GB VRAM with 256 GB storage. The brand offers 4 generations of OxygenOS and 5 years of security updates for the OnePlus 11 5G. The device has support for 13 5G bands, Bluetooth 5.3, and Wi-Fi 7, which will soon be available in India.

Battery

The smartphone arrives with a 5000 mAh, 100w SuperVOOC fast charger, which promises a full charge in 25 minutes and takes only 5 minutes to reach the 30% mark. When it comes to normal usages, like 2 hours of content watching, 2 hours of social media and a few things here and there, the battery lasts for about a day. However, the battery surrenders quite quickly when you use the device extensively. Overall, the battery seems good for moderate-level usage, and for heavy use, carry the brick along.

Verdict

The design language of the OnePlus 11 5G is quite good, as it has a matte finish back panel and a different camera set-up. When it comes to camera and performance, the device outsmarts the moderate requirements. While the display of the smartphone is great if you are more concerned about refresh rate, prefer to stay inside, and like to watch OTT content. However, if you are into the outdoors, heavy gaming, camera-centric and power consumption, then please look elsewhere.

Good

Design

Bad

Expensive

Ugly

None

OnePlus Y1S Pro 55-inch review – Pocket-Friendly Premium

We’ve had the Apple ecosystem and the Samsung ecosystem but it looks like OnePlus is coming all guns blazing to build its very own ecosystem, and I am all here for it! Here is a detailed look at the newly launched OnePlus Y1S Pro 55-inch variant – 

Display

A standard expectation from a TV display is for it to be vibrant and eye-catching. The Y1S Pro delivers in that aspect with flying colors. Sure there is some tweaking in the settings one has to do for their subjective liking, but the display is capable of catering to a wide range of people and their tastes. The 4K UHD offers a wide range of customizations through its picture mode including settings like AI Picture and HDR10+. During my extensive testing of the Y1S Pro, I noticed the HDR10+ mode turned colors oversaturated with an orange tint. One can only hope this is rectified through a software update. The default picture settings offer an overwhelming cinematic experience. I watched RRR and The Greatest Showman in 4K on the Y1S Pro and it was an immersive experience, to say the least. 

Sound

In the audio arena, the Y1S Pro performs as per standard expectations. There are no audio gimmicks playing around with this television as it comes with a 24W speaker set up with Dolby Audio. There are different sound modes present in the television ranging from Standard to Surround. There is also a ‘Dolby Audio’ option which furthermore gives users the option of ‘Dialogue Enhancer’ This feature comes in handy whenever film dialogues are barely intelligible even at high volumes but the background music is blasting like a Nolan film. The dialogue enhancer feature was surely a treat. 

Settings Customization

The standard setting of the Y1S Pro provides a good enough experience but the meat on the bones is the customization liberty. When it comes to picture enhancements, this TV comes with a Gamma engine, MEMC, noise reduction, color space mapping, HDR10+ decoding, and a lot more. The AI Picture mode provides an amazing video output and the Dolby Audio mode offers users a crisp sound experience. Besides the flexibility of customization, the TV can also be controlled by the OnePlus Connect application for additional functionality. OnePlus’ in-house Gamma Engine fine-tunes the visuals to provide a dynamic color and contrast range. 

Performance and connectivity

Backed by the 64-bit Mediatek MT9216 processor and 2GB RAM, there were no lags or performance drops experienced during my testing of the Y1S Pro as one would expect. It also comes with 8GB storage to load up all your applications. For connectivity, the TV comes with 3x HDMI, 2 USB ports, and optical and Ethernet drives. There is also dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 present here. 

Verdict

At Rs 39,999, the Y1S Pro is one of the finest offerings from the house of OnePlus. It comes with a dynamic display and capable speakers that allow users to have a complete entertainment experience.

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐

First Impressions – OnePlus launched a 55” Y1S Pro 4K TV at ₹39,999

Every smartphone-making company has been driven by the idea of having its ecosystem only to have a strong base of customers and, of course, revenue. OnePlus ventured into the business of earbuds, wearables, headphones and smart TVs in recent times. The company tasted success in all fields, and to reach more people, they launched several affordable products. The list includes Nord smartphones, Nord Buds, Nord Watch and Y Series televisions.

Today, OnePlus launched a new TV belonging to the company’s Y series – a 55-inch Y1S Pro TV, a follow-up to the brand’s 50-inch Y series TV that debuted on 4th July 2022. The affordable series is popularly known for offering minimum but necessary features. The 55-inch OnePlus TV offers one of the massive screens consumers can buy for around ₹40-45k and serves the same purpose as its siblings, along with a few new features.

Design & Display

The latest addition to the OnePlus’ Y series lineup boasts a 4K display with a premium bezel-less design. It provides you with an edge-to-edge screening experience with catchy visuals. The 4K TV is delivered with a sturdy base stand and a beautiful design that accentuates the beauty of your living room.

The TV features various picture modes, such as AI picture, vivid, eye comfort, movies, HDR10+ and sports. With over a billion colours, the 4K TV offers 10-bit colour depth and outstanding colour accuracy in every frame. However, in our observations, TV works best and provides an enjoyable viewing experience only in movies and eye comfort mode.

Audio

In terms of sound quality, the TV has speakers that can produce up to 24W of audio output, and it guarantees a well-balanced sound profile for a complete cinematic audio experience without missing any details. In addition to strong speakers, the TV supports Dolby Audio, which provides you with excellent sound capabilities and a genuine surround sound experience.

Connected Ecosystem

The TV can be connected to the OnePlus Smart Watch, from where you can turn it on and off. The smart sleep control feature of the TV lets you sleep peacefully. How? Once you fall asleep while watching the TV, it will automatically turn the TV off. In addition to a smartwatch, the TV can be connected to any OnePlus Buds to enjoy the truly connected ecosystem.

Thanks to the ecosystem, the TV can be connected to the OnePlus smartphones by using the app – OnePlus Connect 2.0. You can use your OnePlus smartphone as an alternate option for a remote. The features of the app can be utilised without Wi-Fi or a data connection and allow you to cast stored videos easily.

Modes

The TV offers AI-powered visuals and has an advanced Gamma Engine, which optimizes display quality to bring every scene to life, along with ultra-clear content with dynamic contrast and vibrant colour.  Along with various other modes, the TV has a few more special modes like Gaming Mode, which enables users with the special ALLM feature (Auto Low Latency Mode) to enjoy a faster and more interesting gaming experience with lower latency levels and Kids Mode, which allows your kids to consume healthy content.

The Best Phones with 8GB RAM

The smartphone market right now is as saturated with options as the gas station convenience store! If you need a camera-centric device, you can choose from various options. A similar trend goes on for performance-centric and gaming-centric mobile devices. However, when it comes to travelling, people really need to find a device which can best suit their needs. Based on your use case and needs, smartphones can replace a professional camera, flashlight, physical maps, and much more. 

In our travel edition, I wanted to have a look at mobile devices with 8GB RAM. But what does having an 8GB RAM phone have to do with travel you ask? In my understanding of tech, having an 8GB RAM device puts users in the perfect sweet spot of stable and optimal usage. One doesn’t need to necessarily burn a hole in their pocket by spending on an ultra-premium device with 12/16GB RAM while travelling as devices with 8GB RAM can do the job just right. Here are my recommendations for the best 8GB RAM phones for your next travel outing: 

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 

Getting the most expensive device on the list away first! I don’t know how appealing you find Samsung’s ‘Flip’ design, but the compact form factor seals the deal for me. Imagine backpacking in the woods without having to worry about a big phone in your pocket. Once folded, the device adapts a small size which packs in a big surprise with its performance. The device comes with the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 coupled with 8GB RAM which makes it the perfect companion for your next outstation trip. The 3700mAh battery is the only point of concern but the device is capable of 25W fast charging. However, you do not get a charger in the box. 

The QuickShot feature in the Galaxy z Flip4 device allows users to click selfies directly from the cover display. While the device comes with water resistance, it does not allow users to expand storage through a memory card slot. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is currently priced at ₹89,999 for the 8/128Gb model. 

  • Xiaomi 12 Pro 

Xiaomi definitely has a number of offerings in mobile devices in each price segment. The company is known to provide flagship-like features for budget to midrange devices. However, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is the best the company has to offer when it comes to performance and design. The high-end devices at a considerable price, deliver in every aspect. The display of the Xiaomi 12 Pro is a 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device also comes with HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and a peak brightness of 1500 nits, enabling you to enjoy the movie you like in Full HD on your flight across borders. A big bump in the battery from the Galaxy Z Flip4, Xiaomi 12 Pro comes with a 4600mAh battery capacity. 

Whereas, the device also has powerful 120W charging to power up the device to 100% in 18 minutes. It is available in both 8 and 12GB RAM variants, making it fit your requirements. It is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor which provides a smooth performance. The Xiaomi 12 Pro is priced at ₹54,999. 

  • OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G 

For me, the last OnePlus device which lived up to the brand’s ‘Never Settle’ tagline was the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G. While I understand that the device doesn’t live up to its brand’s market disruptive history, it was a competitive device, to say the least. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is powered by the octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor, which is the only minus point in my opinion (being a biased Snapdragon loyalist of course). However, it packs an overall punch which makes one consider buying the device. So what does the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G brings to the table? 

It comes with a 90Hz refresh rate 6.40-inch display with a resolution of 1080×2400 pixels. It has a pixel density of 409 pixels per inch with an aspect ratio of 20:9. The higher variant of the device comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The camera setup offers a 64-MP primary lens coupled with 8-MP and 2-MP lenses. The front camera setup features a decent 16-MP lens. The 4500mAh battery of the device can be juiced up with the 65W SUPERVOOC charging. The 8/128GB variant of the device is priced at ₹24,999. 

  • Redmi Note 11 Pro 

Another Xiaomi device for the win! The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5g is straight-up a powerful device which provides powerful performance at a reasonable price. The premier attraction of the device for me is the beautiful quad-camera setup which houses the powerful 108-MP main camera. The main camera produces some crystal clear images, whereas the other three 8+2+2-MP lenses provide solid assistance. It comes with a powerful 5000mAh battery which can be charged up to 50% in just 15 minutes with the 67W fast charger. 

The device does not come with 5G capabilities which can be a deal breaker for people looking for future-proof devices. But it should definitely be on your list for the best 8GB RAM phones. The 8/128GB variant of the Redmi Note 11 Pro is priced at ₹20,999. 

  • Vivo V25 Pro 5G 

The 8GB RAM devices carry a ‘Pro’ tag with them in the market. This tag looks justified to me as the smartphones do provide some of the best features without going past the ₹50K mark. The Vivo V25 Pro 5G is one such device. It comes with the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset with 8GB RAM which makes it a complete performer. Whereas, the 64-MP primary camera is the cherry on top. 

Vivo V25 Pro 5G comes with a 6.56-inches bezel-less display with a refresh rate of 120hz. It comes with a battery capacity of 4840mAh which can be charged with a 66W fast charging system. It comes with non-expandable 128GB internal storage. The powerful 64Mp camera is backed by an 8-MP wide angle and 2-MP macro lens. Whereas, the 32-MP front camera shoots crisp images. The Vivo V25 Pro 5G is priced at ₹35,999. 

  • OnePlus 10T

Placing the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G above the OnePlus 10T in the list is as shocking to me as it is to you. However, while the flagship offering by OnePlus is definitely one of the devices to consider, it failed to impress me as it has little to no upgrades from its predecessor the OnePlus 10 Pro. In fact, it has a few downgrades like the lack of the Hasselblad branding and the downgraded display resolution. But there are a few plus points to the device which make it an optimal choice for some users. The USP of the device for me is the ultra-fast charging of a whopping 150W which can top up its 4,800mAh battery in mere 20 minutes. 

The OnePlus 10T is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which is the latest and most powerful offering by Qualcomm to this date. The powerful processor is blacked by the 8GB RAM but the storage options are limited to 256GB as it does not support expandable storage. You should also note that the 8GB RAM variant is exclusive to the 128GB storage options. The 256GB storage option is available for the 12/16GB RAM variants. Instead of a Hasselblad camera, the OnePlus 10T comes with a 50-MP main Sony IMX766 lens coupled with an 8-MP Ultrawide camera and 2-MP macro lens camera. Whereas, the selfie camera has EIS support at 16-MP. It is priced at ₹49,999 for the 8/128GB variant. Whereas, the overkill 16GB and 256Gb variant is priced at ₹55,999. 

  • Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

This is personally my favourite device on the list. Having used it for nearly a year before accidentally breaking it off, I do have some experience with the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G which is majorly positive. The only negative point I see for the device is that it was released back in March 2021, making it over a year old in the Indian market which could be a deal breaker for many. However, yesteryear’s flagship device with this year’s midrange prices is not a deal I would like to pass on. 

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G comes with the Snapdragon 865 chip, which might be slightly older, but it is definitely powerful. It comes with 8GB of LPDDR5-type RAM which is considerably faster. It comes with Samsung’s flagship staple Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The impressive camera setup includes a 12-MP f/1.8 wide-angle primary camera with an 8-MP telephoto lens and another 12-MP ultra-wide lens. The selfies can be shot with the powerful 32-MP camera which produces some of the best selfie shots. The internal storage can also be extended using a microSD card up to 1TB. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FEis priced at ₹29,999. 

  • Motorola Edge 30 Fusion 

I have used the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion for over two weeks and can confirm that it is a powerful device. Keeping aside a few gripes I had with the device, like the heating issue, the new Moto midrange flagship comes with one of the RAM management features in all of the devices listed here. Getting the drawback out of the line first, it comes with a Snapdragon 888 Plus chipset which is known for its heating issue. While using the device, I noticed it heating up during gaming sessions and charging. But it was not a deal breaker for me. 

The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion comes with a 6.55 inches P-OLED display with a resolution of 1080×2400 pixels. The key feature of the device for me is the beautiful 144Hz screen which comes with a partial always-on-display. The camera of the device features a 50-MP wide-angle main lens accompanied by a 13-MP Ultra-wide camera and a 2-MP Macro camera. Motorola has equipped the front of the device with a 32-MP shooter for selfies and video calls. The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is priced at ₹39,999 for the 8/128Gb variants. 

  • Nothing Phone 1 

The Nothing Phone 1’s light-up back is clearly a flex. For years as manufacturers have focussed more and more on the front of the device, Nothing took a different approach and went with a stylised back side which comes with the glyph interface, The transparent backside of the device comes with flashing light strips that beat rhythmically to the beats of a ringtone or other notifications. But, the device is not just a LED light show as it comes with power-packed insides too. 

The Nothing Phone 1 comes with a powerful Snapdragon 778G+ chipset which is far more than just capable of multitasking and gaming. It comes with a powerful dual-lens camera set up with a primary lens of 50-MP and another 50-MP ultra-wide lens. The front of the device is equipped with a 16-MP selfie shooter. The 4500mAh battery is powered by fast charging capabilities. The Nothing Phone 1 can be purchased at ₹33,999 for the 8/128GB variant, whereas, the 8/256GB variant is priced at ₹36,999. The 12GB RAM variant is also available for this one priced at ₹39,999.

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