The Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, is about to kick off on 5th January 2023. However, like every year, it has already created hype as most of the world’s leading tech giants have already announced what they’re going to reveal at the show. Let’s take a quick look at the major announcements before the actual event hits the shore.
Samsung
Samsung is known to play a vital role in the event and grabs the maximum attention every year. In a recently released press conference, the company unveiled the Odyssey Neo G9, a 57-inch mini-LED display sporting a 7680 × 2160 resolution equivalent to two 4K monitors in one. The massive and immersive desktop is going to be a paradise for every gamer as it offers a 240Hz refresh rate and a 1000R curved screen.
Besides Odyssey Neo G9, Samsung also unveiled its first ultrawide QD-OLED monitor – the Odyssey G95SC, which features a more subtle 1800R curved display, 32:9 aspect ratio and 5120 x 2880 resolution. The newly revealed monitors by Samsung are one of the coolest yet, but what caught most of the attention was the Flex Hybrid – a device with a 4:3 aspect ratio that expands into a 16:10 device; it FOLDS as well as SLIDES.
LG
Samsung and LG have always made CES their home pitch, but in 2023, LG looks a little slow, at least in the initial phase. Till now, the company has unveiled the Z3, G3, and C3 OLED evo series TVs, all loaded with the new α9 AI Processor Gen6. The latest evo series TVs will offer brighter displays, greater colour accuracy, a more personalized webOS experience, virtual 9.1.2 surround sound and enhanced dynamic tone mapping.
Nvidia
Nvidia has started off CES 2023 with a bang. The company, who’s a giant in designing and manufacturing graphics processing units (GPUs), has revealed the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti along with laptop versions of the GeForce RTX 40-series, which will be a part of laptops from Asus, Alienware, MSI and more.
Intel
Intel has enormous plans for CES 2023, and it can be seen how the company is exciting the products before CES hits the world. The chip-making company is expanding its Raptor Lake desktop processor lineup, which is compatible with motherboards previously used for Alder Lake CPUs. Furthermore, Intel has a long lineup of processor launches, ranging from the high-end Core i9-13900 to the budget Core i3-13100F.
Laptops
Alienware – Already trending with a massive 18-inch gaming laptop.
Asus – Revealed the ROG Strix G18 and the ROG Strix Scar 18 laptops, featuring Nvidia GeForce RTX 40-series graphics cards.
Acer – Revealed new 16-inch laptops with the latest chips from Intel.
TVs
Displace – We are going to witness the world’s first wireless TV, which is set to make a debut at CES 2023.
Samsung will launch the Galaxy S23 series in the first week of February at its Unpacked 2023 event, and as per the claims, the event will be the first in-person Unpacked since the pandemic. The S23 series consists of three premium smartphones – Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Now, ahead of the CES 2023 event, the South Korean giant confirmed the launch of a budget smartphone – the Galaxy F04. According to the teaser showcased on the e-commerce site Flipkart, the smartphone will be launched in India on 4th Jan and will be priced around ₹7,999*.
The key specifications of the Samsung Galaxy F04 include a MediaTek Helio P35 SoC, a stylish gloss design, 8GB RAM, and a 6.5-inch HD+ display. The entry-level smartphone is designed for the people who are new to the smartphone world, and as a result, it will not have 5G support.
The affordable smartphone will have dual rear cameras – 13MP + 2MP and is expected to boast a 5MP front camera for clicking selfies. The smartphone is packed with a decent 5000 mAh battery and will be available in two colour variants – Opal Green and Jade Purple.
The Galaxy F04 smartphone will be unveiled on 4th January at noon. The company has already unveiled a few products, such as a bespoke edition of kitchen appliances, the Odyssey, ViewFinity and Smart Monitor lineups, and gaming monitors ahead of CES 2023 and is planning to reveal a few more at the event.
Samsung officially tosses two budget smartphones, the Galaxy A04 and Galaxy A04e, to the Indian market. The company has decided not to partner with Amazon or Flipkart for the sale of these smartphones. They will only be available on the Samsung India website and select retail stores across India.
The budget smartphone duo sports a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD Infinity-V display with 1560×720 pixels of screen resolution. Overall, both smartphones are pretty similar except for the camera setup; the Galaxy A04 is rigged with a 50MP dual rear camera, while the Galaxy A04e arrives with a 13MP dual camera setup.
The A04 series smartphones are powered by MediaTek Helio P35 CPU and have a maximum clock speed of 2.3GHz. The Galaxy A04 is available in two variants – 4GB+64GB at Rs 11,999 and 4GB+128GB at Rs 12,999, while the A04e is available in three variants – 3GB+32GB at Rs 9,299, 3GB+64GB at Rs 9,999, and 4GB+128 GB at Rs 11,499.
The Infinity-V display of the smartphones resembles a waterdrop notch. The A04 series smartphones will come with a 5MP front camera to capture selfies and have a back depth live focus camera. Both smartphones feature Adaptive Power Saving mode and have a Type-C charger in the packaging.
The A04 series smartphones will arrive with the Android 12 full version out of the box and pack a 5000mAh battery. The A04 smartphone will be available in three colour options – Green, Copper and Black, while the A04e smartphone will be available in two colour options – Light Blue and Copper. The sale of the smartphone will begin on 20th December.
Smartwatches have finally reached the point where they can proudly call themselves SMART. Thanks to the more advanced features like displaying smartphone notifications, call and text message support, wellness tracking, monitoring your heart rate, etc.
Today, people buy smartwatches according to their needs and likes, unlike in the initial years, when people preferred smartwatches for the vivid experience and as a smart-looking alternative to traditional watches. However, over the years, one question stayed with every buyer. Which one should I buy?
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 8 is the best smartwatch out there at current times. It arrives with many new features like temperature sensing for sleep and ovulation estimates, crash detection, first responders when you’re in a crash, WR50 water resistance and new advanced workout metrics.
Sizes: 41mm and 45mm
Display: 1.9″ LTPO OLED, 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density)
Swim-Proof: Yes
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
LTE: Optional
Compatibility: iOS
Battery Life: 308 mAh
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is one of the most loved Android smartwatches, thanks to its large battery and attractive design. The smartwatch runs on a Google Wear OS 3 powered by Samsung and has many similar features to the Apple Series 8 watch.
Size: 45mm
Display: 1.40″ Super AMOLED, 450x450px resolution, 9:9 aspect ratio, 321ppi
Processor: Exynos W920 Dual-Core 1.18GHz
Compatibility: Android
Battery Life: 590 mAh
Fitbit Versa 3
If you’re looking for a fitness-friendly budget smartwatch with a minimalistic design, then Fitbit Versa 4 would be the best option for you. The smartwatch features the best step tracker in the market, 40+ exercise modes, reliable sleep-tracking, and other perks available via Fitbit Premium.
Size: 40mm
GPS: Yes
Swim-Proof: Yes
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
LTE: No
Compatibility: iOS, Android
Battery Life: 6+ days
Apple Watch Ultra
By looking at the name and price tag, you must have understood that Apple Watch Ultra smartwatch is only for some. The highly rugged watch is specifically designed for athletes and those who are into extremesports. It has safety features like Emergency SOS and the Apple Watch Ultra’s Siren.
Size: 49mm
GPS: Yes
LTE: Optional
Swim-Proof: Yes
Mobile Payments: Apple Pay
Battery Life: 36 hours
Google Pixel Watch
Google’s first-ever smartwatch arrives with a unique design and feels great on hand. The compact, light and comfortable watch is packed with loads of great tech and works brilliantly. The watch is best for fitness enthusiasts and Fitbit fans, but it does like a few necessary features.
Size: 41mm
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, LTE (optional)
Compatibility: Android 8.0 or higher
Storage: 32GB
Water resistance: 5 ATM
Battery life: 24 hours
Apple Watch (SE) 2022
With expensive smartwatches, Apple launched one budget-friendly smartwatch, the second-generation Apple Watch SE. The lightweight watch features an upgraded processor from the previous model and improved real-world battery life. The SE watch is the best Apple Watch option for most iPhone users.
The Garmin Venu 2 Plus is one of the most well-rounded smartwatches on the market. The sports-focused smartwatch has a bright AMOLED touchscreen, features preloaded workouts with animations, onboard music storage, sleep score, hiking and climbing workout modes.
Samsung and Apple have been going against each other for many years. While Apple has the iPhone series, Samsung has the Galaxy S series of smartphones. Similarly, while Apple has the Apple Watch series, Samsung strongly contends with its powerful Samsung Watch series. In 2022, we’re in the 5th generation of the Samsung watch. The Samsung Watch 5 Pro is a direct contender to the Apple Watch Ultra as the two are the best smartwatches the companies have to offer. However, while the Apple Watch Ultra can make you shell out up to 90K which is nearly a lakh, the Samsung Watch 5 Pro with its ‘Pro’ power costs 45K, that’s half the price as compared to the ‘Ultra’ Apple Watch. So, is going for the Samsung Watch 5 Pro at 45K worth it? Or should you go for the Apple Watch Ultra?
Functionality
Both the Ultra and Pro come with a rugged design. The Galaxy Watch 5 pro has a 45mm titanium case with a sapphire crystal display. Whereas, the Apple Watch Ultra comes with a bigger 49mm titanium case and a sapphire glass screen. The Apple Watch takes the cake here when it comes to durability. The watch can be taken for a dive! It has water resistance up to the depths of 100m and IPX6 dust resistance. Besides, the Ultra watch can also survive temperatures below zero up to 130 degrees. On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch Ultra only comes with an IP68 rating, meaning it is water resistant up to 50 meters and is not suitable for high-pressure activities. Another additional point to the Apple Watch Ultra for its 86 decibels siren which can be heard from 180m away. One gripe with the Samsung Watch 5 Pro is that it misses out on the rotating dial which was staple to the previous gen Samsung watches. Due to its big form factor, the Apple Watch Ultra registers a lot of accidental touches which could be an issue for many.
Battery
Here, the Samsung Watch 5 Pro gets a point for longer battery life with its large 590mAh battery. Samsung claims that the watch can last a user up to 80 hours of typical use. On the other hand, the Ultra battery life is limited to merely 36 hours, and 60 hours with the low power settings activated. If you’re someone who likes to get lost in the wilderness without having to worry about charging your watch then the Samsung Watch 5 pro is the best option for you! While Apple claims that the Watch Ultra comes with a 36-hour battery life, our extended testing of the device resulted in an overall usage of under 24 hours.
Battle of the OS
One cannot skip the software while comparing Samsung and Apple devices. The Watch 5 Pro is powered by Google Wear OS while the Ultra operates on Apple’s own WatchOS, as one would expect. Here, Apple’s boat floats to the shore as WearOS is just not there yet as compared to the Apple experience. The Apple Watch Ultra has better app support as it comes with a far more developed app library as compared to the Wear OS by Google. The WatchOS comes with a slew of fitness and music apps at its disposal and Google’s WearOS has a lot of catching up to you.
Pricing
We’ve already discussed the pricing of both of these devices so it ends up being your decision which one you want to go for. The 90K Apple Watch Ultra could be an expensive affair for many to spend on a watch, but Apple has not targeted this product to the everyday joe but for the extreme sports enthusiast. The Watch 5 pro on the other hand is not just for sports enthusiasts but for everyone at a price of 45K.
For the Apple Watch Ultra, buyers shell out an additional 45K. For the bumped up price, users get a dual-frequency GPS and Bluetooth 5.3. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro comes with Bluetooth 5.2. Of course, there is also the brand value of Apple that comes along with the Apple Watch Ultra which is enough for many to go for it!
Conclusion
Both the Apple Watch Ultra and Samsung Watch Pro 5 are some of the best wearable devices in the market right now. However, it ultimately comes down to the user’s preference. The Apple Watch Ultra is undoubtedly the one for heavy users who work up an appetite on the sports ground. Targeted towards extreme sports enthusiasts, the device can prove to be an asset to people who spend majority of their time outdoors. On the other hand, the Samsung Watch 5 Pro with its stylish design is surely a treat to the eyes. The Apple Watch Ultra is a clear winner in this comparison with its extensive features. Whereas, the Samsung Watch 5 Pro is well suited for people looking for a cheaper smart wearable.
COVID times brought upon a big surge in home entertainment and how films are consumed. The mainstream entertainment industry globally is now adapting to the changing audience behaviour when it comes to stepping into the cinemas to watch a film. This major change in consumer behaviour has been enabled by OTT platforms going mainstream during the outbreak. Now, the audience can be seen walking in for only event films like a Marvel project or the recently released Brashmastra which was yet another addition to the crowded superhero genre of films. Whereas, other films are quickly being directed to OTT platforms from the cinemas due to a lack of audience. One major reason for this shift in audience behaviour is being credited to people now having access to OTT platforms via televisions which provide a premium viewing experience.
The emerging pattern of changing audience behaviour suggests that people now are more than just happy to enjoy a film on their television as opposed to walking in the cinema halls. Televisions on the other hand have also upped their game by providing multiple features and high resolutions which enables users to enjoy the content in the best form. While smart televisions in India are available at multiple price points starting from as low as Rs 8K, we wanted to have a look at the flip side of the coin to find the most expensive television in the country.
Be it Samsung, LG, or Xiaomi, various tech players have introduced their offerings in the premium television market. All the below-listed televisions are the best the company has to offer at an expensive price point. Here are the most expensive televisions to buy in India:
Samsung The Wall Luxury 292-inch Ultra HD 8K Smart MicroLED TV
The Wall television series is in a class of its own. Designed specifically for either business or luxury living, The Wall TV comes with a massive 292-inch form factor. The price of the television is as big as the form factor it comes with. Samsung’s The Wall is priced at a colossal 88 lakhs, making it one of the most expensive televisions around the world. While there are overkill televisions which come at the pricepoint of crores only cause they have gold and diamonds on them, I am keeping this list exclusive to TVs priced at expensive rates for what they offer.
The Wall TV is titled such due to its microLED technology. The microLED technology transfers micrometre-scale LEDs into LED modules which resemble wall tiles. The company claims that The Wall’s microLED technology can provide two times superior colour purity and a vast colour gamut as compared to other LED displays. The 292-inch TV produces a one-of-a-kind colour output with vibrant yet natural colours. The main attraction of the television for me is the depth of less than 30 mm and the bezel-free infinity design which can blend into its surrounding like a giant frame. Not to forget that the company also manufactures a TV lineup titled ‘The Frame’, however, ‘The Wall’ is the perfect title for this gigantic 292-inch TV.
Price: ₹88,00,000
LG Signature OLED R 65
To the unversed, the ‘R’ in the title of the LG Signature OLED R 65 stands for ‘Rollable’. This is the first TV ever to come with a rollable 65-inch display. The TV with the flexible display is priced at… wait for it… a MASSIVE ₹75 lakhs! So what do you get for paying the price for a TV you can get a house for? For me, it is the futuristic form factor.
Imagine waking up in the morning and pressing a button to make your television emerge from a table-like speaker set-up! It will surely make me feel like Tony Stark aka Iron Man. The USP of the rollable TV is the flexible display itself, of course. The display can be ‘rolled into’ three different modes namely, Full View Mode, Line View Mode, and Zero View mode where the display can be entirely rolled down just to use the speaker. It comes with the support of Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos. While the television is not 8K, something one would expect in TV after spending a quarter less than a crore, the 4K self-lit panel provides crisp details and an immersive experience. Would I be interested in spending that amount on television? Hear me out, if I can feel like am living in the future with a rollable TV, why not? The LG Signature OLED R 65 is available only in offline stores and not on any online shopping portals.
Price: ₹75,00,000
LG Z2 88 (223cm) 8K Smart Signature OLED TV
the LG Z2 88-inch 8K Smart Signature OLED TV, This television is clearly the best you can get for your money and is priced at a massive amount of ₹23.50 lakhs on LG’s official website. The ultra-premium TV was an honoree of the CES 2022 Innovation Award which is a big achievement. Well, if you’re willing to shell out over 20 lakhs for your television then you must know if it is actually worth shelling out the big bucks. The simple answer is ‘Heck yeah!’
The TV comes with a vibrant self-lit 8K OLED panel. It provides deep and rich colours as 33 million pixels illuminate independently for optimum entertainment. It comes with LG’s α9 Gen 5 AI 8K processor that includes body and object-enhancing capabilities to sharpen people and objects in the frame. The TV does not come with a backlight as all pixels are self-illuminating, providing deeper blacks and the right contrast for every light setting. The presence of Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos brings the cherry on the top with immersive details. Gamers can also call this television their primary gaming screen easily as it comes with the support of NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync and VRR Support. This allows ultra-fast action in the games to appear smooth. It has the audio prowess of 80W in the front firing setting. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 are also present on the premium television.
Price: ₹23,50,000
Samsung QA85Q950TSK 85 inch QLED 8K UHD TV
You cannot talk about expensive TVs and not include Samsung as it is one of the key players. The Samsung QA85Q950TSK 85-inch comes with a Quantum 8k processor. Before I tell you about all the cool features this TV comes with, let me tell you that this Samsung TV is priced at a whopping ₹14.50 lakhs. The 85-inch TV came with an 8K panel with AI upscaling capabilities. The quantum 8K processor can upscale various sources and resolutions in 8K which always gives the viewer a premium experience. Besides the stunning 8K upscaling prowess, the Samsung TV also comes with object Object Tracking Sound+ technology. This feature tracks motion in the video and creates an immersive sound using the up-firing and down-firing speakers.
The Samsung QA85Q950TSK QLED TV also comes with Ultra Viewing Angle capabilities. This enables the viewer to see consistent pictures from every angle. Another useful feature of the TV is the ‘Multi View’ option which splits the TV screen in two, allowing viewers to watch films/shows on one side, and mirror their mobile device on the other. Apple users have an added benefit with this TV as it comes with AirPlay 2 built-in. This enables users to share content from Apple devices to the TV with ease. The 75-Inch variant of the device is priced at ₹10.50 lakhs.
Price: ₹14,50,000
LG Nano99 8K NanoCell TV
The next television on the most expensive list is all about colours! While consuming content on television, viewers can often see some colour disparities. While the blacks aren’t deep enough in some TVs, the colour saturation or production is just not right in others. LG tried to tackle this issue in their NanoCell TV series which comes with technology capable of emitting the right colours. The LG NanoCell technology, according to the company operates on Pure RGB wavelength which removes impure colours from the picture.
The company claims that NanoCell technology produces ‘Close To Perfection’ colours having a contrast modulation rate of 97.8%. The highest in its class when it comes to accurate colour production, if you wish to buy the LG NanoCell 8K TV then you’ll have to shell out ₹10,99,990. Using deep learning algorithms, the NanoCell TV can transform 2K and 4K content into 8K, enhancing the detail and definition. Talking about the definition, the TV provides optimal HDR picture quality by making several adjustments. Sports fans also have something for their interest as it can send sports alerts before, during and after games. It comes with a 60W speaker output with a 20W sub-woofer output.
Price: ₹10,99,990
Samsung 75-inch Frame QLED 4K TV
When it comes to the blend of style and technology, the Samsung 75-inch Frame QLED 4K TV definitely takes the cake. The TV comes with a swappable, snap-on picture frame which gives it a different touch altogether. The TV is marketed more as a lifestyle product which comes with a matte display designed to showcase art at its best. The Samsung Frame 75-inch QLED television was initially launched at the price of ₹4,24,900 but is currently priced at ₹2,99,990 on Samsung India’s official website.
The feature which makes it stand out from the lot is as the name suggests, the frame itself. The TV comes equipped with the ‘Art Mode’ where the frame transforms into an art display whenever you are not watching TV. viewers can choose from a library of over 1,400 artworks or add their own art pieces to reflect their unique personalities. The screensaver mode in all typical Android TV does not stand anywhere near the Art mode in Samsung’s The Frame.
Price: ₹2,99,990
Vu The Masterpiece Glo Series 4K
After going through a number of ultra-expensive television sets, I would like to acquaint you with a TV which won’t burn as big a hole in your pocket. The Vu Masterpiece Glo Series is priced at ₹1,59,990 for the 75-inch variant. While this definitely is expensive, the feature-rich TV provides an overall experience which bangs for the buck. The cinephile in me wonders at the ‘Filmmaker Mode’ feature present in the TV. The company claims to have collaborated with filmmakers like Christopher Nolan to build the feature which displays the content exactly how it was intended to be portrayed by Hollywood well-knowns.
The Vu Masterpiece Glo Series 4K comes with an Armani Gold 4.1 speaker with a subwoofer built in. The 100W sound system coupled with the subwoofer makes the additional requirement of sound systems obsolete. Another key feature of the TV comes with a far-field microphone for hands-free voice searches. The TV can be given commands from a distance as opposed to having a remote nearby to give voice commands.
Price: ₹1,59,990
Xiaomi Mi QLED Q1 4K
The final TV in the list comes from Xiaomi. The Xiaomi Mi QLED Q1 TV is touted by the company as the ‘Theatre of Tomorrow’, and looking at the powerful specs priced at just ₹1,29,999, it is definitely worth having a look at. The 75-inch TV comes with a 4K Ultra resolution with a refresh rate of 120Hz. For connectivity, there are 3 HDMI ports which can connect to the latest gaming consoles and set-top boxes. 2 USB ports and Bluetooth 5.0 are also present here.
Xiaomi had disrupted the Indian TV market by saturating it with 4K televisions at a competitive price. With the QLED TV, the company has attempted to do the same by pricing it a little lesser than the competition. The Quantum Dot display is coupled with a powerful sound system. It comes with a 6-speaker set-up with 30W output. The picture quality is also top-notch as it comes with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG.
Google recently launched Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro with Android 13 out of the box, and now Samsung is about to turn the game with the release of the Android 13 One UI 5.0 update to the Galaxy S22 series. The new firmware will come with a number of features like an improved lock screen, widget stacking, clever multitasking gestures, text recognition in the Gallery, a Privacy Hub and many more.
The firmware, along with the complete roadmap of the OneUI 5 are expected to release by the end of October. Thanks to the firmware, it would make Android 13’s arrival a month faster compared to the previous year’s OneUI 4 update, which came in November. The public rollout will start soon, but it will take time to roll out the update throughout the world, be it an OneUI 5 or the Android 13 update.
Once the beta program ends, the Galaxy S22 users will get the Android 13 and One UI 5.0, maybe around the end of November. Till now, the company has released four beta updates based on One UI 5.0 for the Galaxy S22, and according to trusted tipsters, there could be another beta release before the final version rolls out.
Along with the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S21, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are expected to get Android 13 and One UI 5.0 before 2023.
If you are holding the Galaxy Z Fold3 in your hand, you might be convinced that upgrading to the Z Fold4 might not be required by the end of this review. It’s lighter, the camera is bumped up, and the hinged mechanism is more refined and well-integrated. There is no comparison that can be thrown in since it’s a segment blurring the lines between a tablet and a smartphone. The whole gist of this version of the Z Fold – Lots of things are a little nicer; nothing is radically better.
Take, for instance, the screens; the hinge and bezels are a little smaller than on the Fold3, making the 6.2-inch cover screen more operationally practical. It has a 2316 x 904 resolution and a 23.1:9 aspect ratio – a little wider than the Fold 3’s 2268 x 832 display with a 24.5:9 ratio. Texting and typing on the keyboard require a lot more concentration, and if I kept hitting the wrong keys, I would blame my wider thumb.
The main screen still measures 7.6 inches like last year’s, now with a 2176 x 1812 resolution and 21.6:18 aspect ratio compared to 2208 x 1768 and 22.5:18. The screen is humongous from smartphone standards, and a slight shift in aspect ratio really doesn’t make any big difference. All the screens (inner & outer) offer up to 120Hz refresh rates, so scrolling is very smooth and refined.
The ZFold 4 has a 4400mAh battery and lasts a whole day easily with heavy usage, but more than a day is asking for trouble. There’s no change to wired charging speeds at 25W, but wireless charging has been fastened at 15W versus 11W. There is a small catch though you will have to use Samsung’s own fast wireless chargers. To be honest, for a serious multitasking folding phone, this is the only game in town and is a unique proposition.
Powering the Galaxy Z Fold 4 across all regions is Qualcomm’s new 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset. There isn’t a version of the device with an Exynos alternative, a change from Samsung’s release strategy with S-series phones, and that’s a good thing. Gorilla glass Victus+ and 18% stronger flexible glass are welcome additions.
Overall, the phone has 5 cameras with an in-display 4MP camera as well, but the main 50MP camera has innate capabilities both during day and night. The 12MP Ultrawide sensor and 10MP telephoto, this time with OIS like the primary camera, bring 3x optical and 30x digital zoom. The improved camera algorithms similar to something named Ultra at the end brings improved camera performance in all lighting conditions.
One UI running on 12GB DDR5 RAM based on Android 12L brings software enhancements like no other phone. While operating, what is intuitive is a desktop-style taskbar that stacks up all the most commonly used apps and sits at the bottom of the screen. It can also be pulled up when you’re in other apps, allowing you to open multiple apps simultaneously without jumping back to the home screen.
Weight-wise, it’s not too bulky; though it looks like a heavier gadget, it still holds a brag factor at the dinner table, and you will always proudly keep it in the centre of everyone’s attention. If you’ve been sitting on the bench and waiting to dive into the fold revolution, then it’s a good time to do that with the ZFold4, or maybe wait for it to come out with another iteration and hopefully with a wider screen for ease of typing without folding out. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted, and plonking down Rs 1,54,999/- means you are already living a life!
Tech enthusiasts from around the world gathered in Berlin, Germany, for the IFA 2022 tradeshow. The consumer tech tradeshow was opened to the public on September 2, 2022, after a hiatus of two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the fair was restricted to professionals in 2020, it was entirely called off last year. As a result, exciting new tech products have now been unveiled by tech giants like Samsung, Lenovo, Nokia, etc. The following is a comprehensive look at the new tech products introduced at IFA 2022:
Nokia
HMD Global announced four new Nokia-branded devices at IFA 2022. While two of the smartphones announced at the event are 5G Snapdragon devices, the other two consist of a budget-friendly tablet and a phone based on the Unisoc chipsets. The Nokia X30 5G and G60 5G are both based on the Snapdragon 695 SoC, and both the devices sport Android 12 out of the box, with the company promising 3 years of major updates. The affordable Nokia C31 is a 4G device packing a powerful 5,050mAh battery coupled with a 10W wired charging prowess.
The budget-friendly Nokia T20 tablet also saw an upgrade with the announcement of the Nokia T21. The tablet houses a Unisoc T612 chipset along with an 8,200mAh battery. Besides this, Nokia has introduced a new subscription model called the ‘Nokia Circular’. The subscription model enables users to hold on to their respective Nokia devices for longer in return for eco-friendly rewards. The subscription model also offers accidental damage coverage, theft/loss coverage, and replacements for no additional charge.
Samsung
While Samsung launched its new mobile devices earlier this summer, the tech giant used IFA 2022 as an opportunity to showcase connectivity and sustainability through its electronic devices. Samsung aims to build an ecosystem that promotes product lifecycle and prioritizes sustainability from manufacturing to disposal. The company showcased a washing machine in collaboration with Patagonia, a global outdoor brand. The company claims that its newly introduced washing machine reduces the impact of microplastics. The most impressive showcase of Samsung at the IFA 2022 tradeshow was the Odyssey OLED G8 gaming monitor. The monitor has a slim thickness of 3.9mm and a 34-inch form factor.
Lenovo
Lenovo had one of the most impressive showcases at the IFA 2022, where the company introduced a bunch of new devices. The most innovative of the bunch was a pair of AR glasses called Glasses T1. The AR glasses can connect to any smartphone and give users a virtual display. Besides, Lenovo introduced the ThinkPad X1 Fold model jumping on the foldable tech trend. It sports a large 16-inch OLED display which can fold down to a small 12-inch laptop. The laptop also includes up to 12th Gen Intel Core U9 i7 and i5 processors, 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 1TB of PCle Gen 4 SSD storage.
Other exciting tech
IFA 2022 gave tech giants an opportunity to showcase exciting tech products, one of which is the JBL Tour Pro 2 TWS earbuds. This device is claimed by the company to have the ‘world’s first smart charging case’. The case features a 1.45-inch LED touchscreen display which can be used to perform multiple functions like checking calls, notifications, and controlling the playback. LG, on the other hand, introduced the world’s first bendable OLED television. Sony also followed suit and announced the Xperia 5 IV, their compact flagship phone.
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.
