Tecno launches Camon 20 series – VFM camera centric phones

Tecno is on a launching spree. A couple of months ago, they launched the first made-in-India and affordable foldable phone, the Tecno Phantom Fold. This time around, Tecno brings something for all the content creators, camera enthusiasts and the general public alike, the Tecno Camon 20 series. The series includes three phones, the Tecno Camon 20, Camon 20 Pro and the Camon 20 Premier. The entire series is distinguishable, with a unique puzzle design throughout the line-up with different rear designs based on the model of choice.

Camon 20

Starting at just 14,999 INR, the Camon series is powered by a respectable Helios G85 coupled with a 64MP primary sensor sporting Tecno’s latest AI innovation in their camera capture software called GRBW+ Pro. Offered in base specifications as compared to the entire line-up, the Camon 20 impresses with the camera alone. The Helios G85 and the 6GB RAM are sufficient for a budget device, with HiOS based on Android 13 running on the entire new series of phones. Tecno Camon 20 also features other software enhancements and AI algorithms, making this budget camera-centric phone perform wonders in all light conditions. The large AMOLED FHD+ with an in-display fingerprint scanner and up to 256GB ROM makes this an appealing budget package. Camon 20 shall be on sale from 20th May 2023. 

Camon 20 Pro

Available in 128 and 256GB ROM, the Camon 20 series performs better with the Mediatek Dimensity 8050 processor coupled with 8GB RAM + 8GB expandable. An AMOLED 6.67-inch 120Hz panel with an in-display fingerprint sensor adds charm to the Camon 20 Pro. Also, it brings functionality like a headphone jack, a rear that looks identical to the more capable Camon 20 Premier and all the goodies of AI algorithms from the flagship phone in the series. The 128GB variant is priced at INR 19,999, whereas the 256GB variants can be had for INR 21,999. The Camon 20 Pro series will be available post 2nd week of June and looks like a promising lower-mid-range phone with impressive camera features.

Camon 20 Premier

The Tecno Camon 20 series’s flagship phone brings the best features in a rather affordable package. Like the Camon 20 Pro, this phone sports similar MediaTek Dimensity 8050, 8GB RAM + 8GB expandable, a similar large 120Hz AMOLED panel with colour accuracy and flat glossy edges. The USP of the Camon 20 Premier, which makes it interesting, is the sensor-shift stabilisation found in the iPhone Pro series. Not only does this phone sport a moving sensor for added stability and low-light capabilities, but it also features better cameras with a 50MP + 108MP (primary) + 108MP UW sensor that doubles as an excellent macro sensor. The OIS + sensor shift enables great video stability and low-light images. The launch of the premier is awaited in the last week of June, and if priced competitively, it just might be one of the best cameras on a smartphone at an affordable price.

The Camon 20 series gets 5000mAh Li-ion batteries with bundled 45W chargers. Speaking of the CAMON 20 series in India, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO of TECNO Mobile India, mentioned, “TECNO has changed gears and has started making strong inroads in the premium segment by bringing best-in-class technology in our smartphones for our users at much accessible price points. Through our CAMON portfolio, we continually strive to push the boundaries and revolutionize the photography experience. With the CAMON 20 series, we present a solution for those seeking exceptional night photography capabilities, delivering sharper and more detailed pictures in any lighting situation. This new camera-centric range of smartphones brings together innovative imaging technologies delivering advanced portrait and video capabilities that let users record those emotional motion moments in sharper detail, while its striking aesthetic design and powerful performance complete an all-around exceptional user experience.” 

 

 

We wish Tecno all the best with the Camon 20 series. We barely had time to click some pictures and videos from these phones, but our little experience showcased some promising results. We would like to see some competitive pricing on the Camon 20 Premier 5G as and when it launches by the end of June. The 6nm Dimensity 8050 and the additional expandable RAM over the DDR4x 8GB RAM, with good AMOLED panels, make an appealing case for the Camon 20 series. The hardware seems impressive, and the camera software AI algorithms are also fascinating. We hope the overall UI improves with time and updates flow as frequently as the Tecno phone launches.

In Conversation With – Siddhant Chaturvedi

Ex: An app that keeps you hooked?

Siddhant Chaturvedi Ans :Notes

Ex: Quotes you love?

SC Ans: If you think like a child, your imagination is
firm and nothing is impossible.

Ex: What is your dream road trip destination?

SC Ans: Ladakh, I’ve been there a couple of times, but I would like to go there again and again.

Ex: Going beyond the appearances of an individual, what do you notice in people?

SC Ans: Attention span, as it’s quite rare nowadays.

Ex: Describe this car (Audi Q3) in one word.

SC Ans: It’s a statement in itself

Ex: What is the most expensive gadget you’ve gifted to yourself?

SC Ans: Harley Davidson Sportster S

Ex: What three cars would you like to have in your dream garage?

SC Ans: The Hummer, Mustang (American Muscle) and G-Wagon

Ex: Define comfort in your own words.

SC Ans: Just chilling at home in my boxers. I mean,
feeling free is what it is.

Ex: Quattro (4) things you practice daily.

SC Ans: Reading, writing, watching films and
drinking a lot of water.

Ex: OTT show you’ve binged on recently?

SC Ans: Panchayat seasons 1&2

Ex:  Audiobooks or physical book copies? Which one do you prefer, and name your favorite?

SC Ans: Physical books. 21 lessons for the 21st century, Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, Raag Darbari and The Almanack Of Naval Ravikant.

Ex: If you had to give three tips to newcomers, what would they be?

SC Ans: Travel the country by train, read a lot of good books, and watch a bunch of bad films.

Ex: Do you read your comments and interact with your followers on social media?

SC Ans: Yes, I’m all ears for the feedback as it helps grow and understand audience taste.

Ex: What do you know about AI, or in particular, AI in films?

SC Ans: I play many games, and I can see it growing exponentially in the gaming industry. There’s still some time for AI to blend in with the movies, but it’s pretty close. In the future, the characters may be a mixed breed of actors and VFX.

Ex: Any experience working on sets with many automobiles and tech-related stuff?

SC Ans: Yes, my upcoming film Yudra where we have a bike chase sequence. I got to do some stunts with the bikes on my own,
which was quite thrilling. I also drove a mustang in Inside edge 2 in Georgia.

Ex: How did you prepare to go beyond the ordinary when acting in the industry?

SC Ans: I have watched many films and have done theatres which give me a bit of confidence, and with that, inhibitions fade away.

Ex: Tell us about your upcoming projects.

SC Ans: The upcoming projects are Kho Gayein Hum Kahan, which is about relationships in the social media digital age, and another is an action thriller on a crazy scale.

Ex: In a multifaceted profession, what is your mantra for commitment and versatility?

SC Ans: Keep it simple, do what you love, and never compromise with your dreams. Make smart choices only to create more choices in the long run.

17 wardrobe essentials for men

Being well-dressed is the easiest way to show who you are. However, in a world of fast fashion, we often ignore the ever-green track and follow the trails of seasonal trends. We know fashion is fickle and going to stay for a short time, but the urge to have that trendy piece of clothing controls our minds, and we end up overstuffing our wardrobes.

FASHION Vs STYLE

Two broadly used phrases by the young generation even though they are baffled about them. Let’s make it easy, fashion is more about dressing as per the trends, while style is more about being yourself. Being in style and having certain wardrobe essentials will always help you to stay fresh, no matter the time of year.

Essentials no. 1

Pale Blue Oxford Shirt

The button-down long-sleeve Oxford shirt in a pale blue hue is a timeless option. The shirt will serve as a smart casual for any occasion, and it’s the perfect accompaniment to black or white trousers, a navy-blue suit, dark blue jeans, shorts and even a light brown chino.

Essentials no. 2

Pair of Black T-Shirts

Black colour brings confidence and is often associated with intelligence and sexuality. When styling a black t-shirt, only the sky is the limit, as it looks elegant on everyone and everything; it doesn’t matter whether you are heading to work, a party, or a date.

Essentials no. 3

Statement Jewellery

When our country was abundant and prosperous, we had men who liked to wear pieces of jewellery. Even today, we have men who like to wear a modish bracelet and a stylish ring as it adds a statement to their already hyped look.

Essentials no. 4

Grey Jeans

Black colour suits best with grey and when you’re having the heft of black coloured clothes such as shirts, and t-shirts, then you can’t avoid grey coloured jeans. When you wear black and grey together, it brings a soothing vibe to your look.

Essentials no. 5

Chelsea Boots

Many people perceive that Chelsea Boots or any boots are only made to suit cool weather, but it’s not true. One can wear Chelsea Boots on a day-to-day basis, as they’re easy to wear and look good on casual as well as formal outfits.

Essentials no. 6

Denim Shirt or Denim Jacket

When you add layers to your clothes, you automatically look dapper, and denims are best to add layers, be it a denim shirt or denim jacket. They won’t weigh you down, as they are made for all seasons, always in style, and on-trend and add a look you’ve been looking for.

Essentials no. 7

Leather Belt

Now that you have seen most of the wardrobe essentials, it’s time to hold them together with something and what’s better than a leather belt? Wearing a leather belt helps accentuate your figure, style an outfit, or add colour to an entity.

Essentials no. 8

Black or Navy Suit

Don’t underestimate the power of a suit. We often avoid buying a suit as it costs a lot of money, but it is a versatile staple for your collection. You might need a suit on a few occasions as no one really wears it casually, which sums up the value of a suit.

Essentials no. 9

Grey Joggers

You must have seen Hollywood celebrities getting papped in grey joggers. Yes, that’s where they emerge as essential. Grey joggers are easy to style and look classy when paired with mid-top sneakers, bright-coloured hoodies, sweatshirts, or even t-shirts.

Essentials no. 10

Pair of Sweatshirts

Sweatshirts are one of the must-have wardrobes in men’s essentials as they are comfortable to live in. They’re soft, warm, lightweight, and made to be a part of your lazy laundry schedule. The comfortable athletic wear can be paired with denim, shorts and joggers.

Essentials no. 11

Blue and Brown Chinos

Chinos are the preppiest legwear option out there in the market, and whether you agree or not, we all need to get a little formal in life, and chinos are best to have a business casual look. They look best when combined with sneakers or boots.

Essentials no. 12

White Sneakers

Nothing to say about white sneakers, as most of us already own one. The white sneakers trend started back in the 20th century as a street style look, and it landed in the 21st century as a wardrobe classic, and indeed, they’re not going off the trend anytime soon.

Essentials no. 13

Pair of Polo T-Shirts

If you are looking for a middle ground between button-down shirts and t-shirts, then Polos are the best, as they’re professional and offer relaxation at the same time. While shopping for polos, buy only the ones that equip you well.

Essentials no. 14

Socks and Innerwears

We often ignore the reality that socks and underwear are as crucial as outer clothing and don’t invest much time and money in them. One should own at least three pairs of socks and inner wears and should not go on with the same after 6 months.

Essentials no. 15

Bomber Jacket

Bomber jackets were initially designed as flight jackets for pilots to wear during World War II, but over the years, they earned a spot in the wardrobe essentials of men. They are warm, versatile and can be worn across the year.

Essentials no. 16

Shorts

Shorts are one of the most favoured outfits of the year as they offer the comfort you want. As a tropical country citizen, comfort and airflow are more important than the protection of the legs, and that’s where shorts get the spot in our wardrobe.

Essentials no. 17

Suede Loafers

Suede Loafers are your solution to smart-casual footwear problems, as they are comfortable and a wiser choice than sneakers as they are simple to get on and off. Suede Loafers keep your feet comfortable all day long and look stylish with both casuals and formals.

The Social Media Fiasco – View, like or dislike, they benefit

Hey, social media fanatics, welcome to our channel. Let’s discuss the Social Media Fiasco. What’s happening to the most consumed form of media across the globe? It’s 2023, and social media is more ingrained in our daily lives than ever! Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp, etc., if you are familiar with any of these social media platforms, you are at the right place. As it’s popularly known – The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance. Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It has changed how we communicate, shares information, and consume news. The role of social media in society is both positive and negative.

On the positive side, social media has allowed individuals to connect with people worldwide. It has also made it easier for people to stay in touch with friends and family living far away. Social media has also played a crucial role in the spread of information, particularly during times of crisis. For example, social media has been used during natural disasters to disseminate important information to affected communities. 

However, there are also negative aspects of social media. The constant use of social media has been linked to increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Additionally, the spread of misinformation on social media can have serious consequences. For example, false information about COVID-19 has led to confusion and mistrust among government officials and health experts. Another concern is the impact of social media on privacy. Many social media platforms collect user data, which could be sold to third parties for advertising or other purposes. This has raised concerns about protecting personal information and the potential for data misuse.

The impact of social media on society is complex and multifaceted. While it has brought many benefits, it has also created new challenges. It is essential for individuals to be aware of the potential risks and to use social media responsibly. Society must be critical of social media’s role in their lives and ensure they know the potential negative impacts. It’s also important to use the platform responsibly and to be mindful of the potential risks, such as spreading misinformation and protecting personal information. But as we scroll through our feeds, we’re increasingly confronted with a dark side to these social media platforms. From the misuse of user data to the proliferation of misinformation, nudity and inappropriate social influence, a series of scandals question the role of social media in our society. 

Let’s start with Instagram, the once-photo-sharing platform owned by Facebook, which has been at the centre of several controversies. Humans are getting better at tricking AI. There’s borderline nudity when you scroll and wide-spread video categories for people of different interests to flood something that matches their psychological and emotional consciousness. Researchers have found that this is, in fact, the most commonly used drug-like service which gives you short doses of dopamine. Mind you, we do not have an unlimited source of dopamine in our brains. Think of it like your energy. Every on your screen that makes you smile or feel something good or disastrously wrong consumes your daily power. Result – The more you scroll, the more you crave. The more you scroll, the more you are depleted from your brain’s happy hormones. This is a significant concern in viewers of all age categories resulting in widespread anxiety, depression and loneliness. AI algorithms are well-defined to be user-specific while also being addictive. Instagram has also been criticised for its role in promoting unrealistic and harmful beauty standards. The platform has been accused of promoting a culture of perfectionism, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and negative body image.

The most common form of addiction is repetition. Did you find yourself getting bored, instantly reaching out to your phone for some information, and then noticing minutes passed as you scrolled your favourite channels or random videos? In recent years, the platform has been criticised for not doing enough to combat nudity, hate speech and online harassment. Many users have reported feeling unsafe and unwelcome on the platform, and there have been calls for Instagram to do more to combat this addiction. Additionally, Instagram has been scrutinised for not doing enough to protect the well-being of its younger users, who risk developing mental health issues due to the pressure of maintaining a perfect online persona. Twitter, another popular social media platform, has faced its fair share of controversies. The platform has been criticised for not doing enough to combat misinformation. The CEO has a funny bone and particularly in the USA’s Presidential elections blunder. False and misleading information was spread through Twitter, which led to confusion and mistrust among the electorate. 

YouTube is one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, with over 2 billion monthly active users. However, the platform has been plagued by several controversies in recent years, leading many to question whether it is a viable and safe place for users. One of the most significant issues with YouTube is the proliferation of fake news and conspiracy theories on the platform. A report from the New York Times found that YouTube’s algorithm tends to promote sensational or controversial videos, regardless of their accuracy. This has led to spreading misinformation on the platform, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Limiting 4K content and thousands of ads, sometimes larger than the actual video, do Youtube a fantastic free service with its idiosyncratic elements. The platform has been criticised for not doing enough to remove hate speech and harmful content. YouTube’s advertising problem is also worth mentioning. The platform has been criticised for allowing ads to run on videos that contain hate speech or other offensive content. This has led to several major brands pulling their advertising from the platform, causing a significant loss of revenue for YouTube. In addition to these issues, YouTube has also been criticised for handling children’s content on the forum. The company has faced several legal challenges over collecting data on children and the inappropriate content found on the platform.

In conclusion, YouTube is a social media platform plagued by many controversies in recent years. From spreading fake news and conspiracy theories to hosting hate speech and harassment, the platform has faced several challenges that have led many to question its viability and safety for users. While YouTube and others have made some efforts to address these issues, it remains to be seen whether these changes will be enough to regain the trust of its users. Other social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and LinkedIn have also faced similar controversies. Misusing user data, spreading misinformation, artificial idols, nudity and the proliferation of hate speech in many forms, like personal attacks, are issues that affect all social media platforms.

Hope is a waking dream

The good news is that many social media companies are starting to take these issues more seriously. Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and other platforms have begun to invest in new technologies and tools to combat misinformation, and many have pledged to improve transparency and user privacy. However, more needs to be done. Social media has the power to connect us, inform us, and bring us together. But it can also be used to divide us, deceive us, and harm us. It’s time for social media companies to take responsibility for their impact on our society, for people to be more aware and for governments to step in with more robust regulations.

In conclusion, social media has become an integral part of society, but it is essential to be aware of the potential negative impacts and use it responsibly. It has the power to connect people and share information, but it’s important to be mindful of the potential risks and use it to benefit society as a whole. Ultimately, it’s up to us, the users, to be more critical and selective about the information we consume and share on social media and to push for more accountability from the companies that control these powerful platforms. We must use these platforms with caution and consciousness and demand that these companies take more responsibility for their platforms’ impact on our society. Use social media responsibly. Conscious choices will safeguard many unconscious life decisions.

Auto news from CES 2023

Every year, the world gathers for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which is kind of like the Auto Expo for electronics and technology. Although we typically get a sneak peek at upcoming technology, several automakers frequently use CES to reveal their newest technology, concepts, and even new models. The top auto news stories from CES 2023 are listed here. This year’s CES is no exception when it comes to some crazy mind boggling concepts and other automotive news.

Sony Afeela

The Japanese technology behemoth Sony will produce EVs, although this is not really surprising given that Sony has already shown off two prototypes at prior CES conferences. The Afeela, however, is a brand-new sedan that was created in collaboration with Honda this time. Although the Afeela’s technical specifications are all secret, we do know that deliveries will start in 2026 and that the sedan will come equipped with cutting-edge technology, including AI assistance and autonomous capabilities.

Volkswagen ID.7

The ID.7, Volkswagen’s first electric sedan, has been presented with its camouflage still on. It will join the brand’s wide range of electric vehicles in 2023. The vehicle will compete against Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 and Tesla Model 3 with a potential range of about 700 kilometres. The ID.7 will have the longest range of any Volkswagen EV when it is introduced. In addition to these technologies, the sedan has augmented reality heads-up and a 15-inch touchscreen with all the necessary functionality.

BMW i Vision Dee

One of the most daring proposals from the German company has been introduced by BMW. According to BMW, the I Vision Dee (Digital Emotional Experience) is a car that can converse with its owners and even convey feelings. It also has body panels that can instantly change colours, enormous kidney grilles with built-in displays, and a windscreen that serves as a sizable display. The new concept car is packed with features, and it may represent the direction the company will take in terms of technology and design.

Volvo EX90

At CES 2023, Volvo unveiled the EX90 flagship electric SUV and said that deliveries will start in early 2024. It will be available with a 111kWh battery pack that has a 600 km maximum range and 517 PS maximum output (WLTP). It has a 14.5-inch touchscreen inside that supports 5G and has Google OS preinstalled. The EX90 receives a variety of safety features like eight cameras, a radar system, and LiDAR in typical Volvo flair and as the company’s flagship EV.

Nvidia GeForce Now Cloud Gaming For Cars

We’re not sure how to react to the news that cars will soon be able to use Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud gaming services. To offer a complete gaming experience to cars, the brand is collaborating with automakers including Hyundai, BYD, and Polestar. Technical details are being kept under wraps, but Nvidia claims that while waiting inside the car or while the car is charging, passengers may use a controller to play more than 1000 games, including AAA titles. In essence, this implies that you can play The Witcher 3 while your car is charging.

Dodge Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept

Dodge unveiled its Ram 1500 Revolution Battery-electric Vehicle (BEV) Concept at CES 2023, which offers a view into the future and highlights how the sector’s top truck brand can once more transform the pickup truck business. Innovative features that will be found in future Ram trucks, and in particular on Ram’s electrification journey, are on full display in the cutting-edge Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept.

In order to better serve its customers, Ram will distinguish itself by delivering a variety of fully electric alternatives, including the Ram 1500 BEV in 2024, which will redefine the market. In the upcoming years, the complete Ram line-up will provide electrified solutions with ground-breaking, cutting-edge technology.

 

Living the Cyborg LIfe

Is blood glucose monitoring the newest craze among athletes? Customers can purchase intrusive sensors from Ultrahuman to be implanted into their arms, where they will use a smart app to continuously check their blood glucose levels. The ultimate result is real-time advice on how to improve one’s lifestyle, together with a vast ecosystem of knowledge relating to metabolic health. After testing the Ultrahuman M1 for two weeks, we’d like to talk about how our lives have changed.

Ultrahuman uses Abbott’s Freestyle Libre 2, which has been on the market since 2019, as its glucose sensor. Additionally, many diabetics use it to keep an eye on their blood glucose levels. There is nothing to worry about because the technology is tried and true, right? However, I find it unsettling to imagine a thin, flexible filament in my skin.

It goes without saying that I had mixed emotions before to the cyborg experiment, especially since I had already looked at too many images of the sensor. I’ll leave it up to you to decide if that’s fortunate or not.

So I worked up the confidence to insert the chip into my arm after putting the sensor in the applicator. Just how did I feel? Absolutely nothing! I was a little concerned about the needle being trapped somewhere during the first two days, especially at night. But in daily life, neither when exercising nor while sleeping, I was unaware of the 0.4-millimetre thin filament in my skin. I only ever got caught on the couch once, giving me a brief feeling of being bitten by an insect. Overall, my fears were unjustified, and Ultrahuman also provides strong plasters to protect the sensor.

By tapping my new sticker with the phone, the sensor and app were first paired. The app cautioned me that the readings could be erroneous for the first 24 hours, but it held me in suspense for another two hours while waiting for the sensor to be fully calibrated. I encountered zero connectivity issues with the sensor and smartphone throughout the review period.

Using a chocolate bar in between meals to circumvent the calorie counter app is more difficult with Ultrahuman. Any food with a significant amount of sugar, even a few grapes or two figs, will cause the Ultrahuman app to send a push notification: “Your blood sugar is currently increasing. What did you consume?”

Now, the software assigns a score to each food item depending on how it affects blood sugar levels. The software uses your personal top lists of the greatest and worst foods to create the best food lists for you. The intriguing aspect of this is how various foods cause varied reactions in various bodies. For one person, what is healthy may induce blood sugar spikes and crashes in another.

Score and Metabolic Vectors

The Ultrahuman app assigns a score between 1 and 100 to each day based on measured data, tracked activities, and diet. Of course, the crucial factor in this situation is the percentage of the day that you spend within the desirable blood glucose range of 70 to 110 mg/dL. However, it’s also crucial to prevent peaks and valleys in the level; a smooth uphill and downward gradient is optimal.

How can this be done? The software continuously explains everything while in use and offers fresh suggestions. For instance, if there is a surge, the app suggests taking a walk after eating or taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar first.

The programme also contains metabolic vectors in addition to the daily score. This depiction of your performance in the three categories of focus, longevity, and athleticism. The less your blood sugar fluctuates, the more focused you are. Your longevity increases with the number of peaks and the amount of time your blood sugar is at its ideal level. And it’s obvious that consistent exercise and healthy blood sugar levels are beneficial for your athletic score.

Additionally, you’ll receive an estimate of your daily HbA1c level, which can help determine if you have diabetes, prediabetes, or neither. The app provides daily tests as well as long-term averages and a summary of your metabolic fitness.

Conclusion

Two weeks spent living as a cyborg

The sensor stopped functioning as expected and stopped producing results exactly two weeks later. I feel like I’ve been robbed of a sense since this shelf life is restricted for hygiene reasons. My body served as a laboratory for two weeks, and the results motivated me more than wearing any other fitness tracker before to be disciplined about exercise and especially food.

I consider the Ultrahuman M1 to be one of the most exciting technological advancements of the last 15 years, and I’m really interested in how blood glucose monitors will become more widely used and advance our understanding of nutrition and fitness in the next years. The utility of fitness wearables will advance dramatically at the latest when blood glucose testing operates with adequate optical precision and hence becomes slightly more accessible to the general public.

Best smartphones of 2022 – A listicle of the best phones from INR 10k-100K

Smartphone launches have been a never-ending epidemic for the past few years. Smartphones have become so good that most phones, irrespective of their price tag, are sufficient for most users. The number of smartphone users is still astounding in China at 865.04M. India is the second largest smartphone market in the world, with 606.57M active users. This makes smartphone manufacturers value our shores more than ever. Here is a list of all recommended smartphones under each price category. 

Under INR 10K

Redmi A1 

Performance

Quad Core, 2 GHzMediaTek Helio A22 2 GB RAM

Display

6.52 inches (16.56 cm)269 PPI, IPS LCD

Camera

8 MP Primary CameraDual LED Flash5 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAhMicro-USB PortNon-Removable

Realme C33

Performance

Octa-core (1.82 GHz, Dual Core + 1.8 GHz, Hexa Core)Unisoc T612 4 GB RAM

Display

6.5 inches (16.51 cm)270 PPI, IPS LCD60 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 0.3 MP Dual Primary CamerasLED Flash5 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAh Micro-USB Port

Infinix Note 12

Performance

Octa-core (2.4 GHz, Dual Core + 2 GHz, Hexa Core) MediaTek Dimensity 810 6 GB RAM

Display

6.7 inches (17.02 cm)393 PPI, AMOLED60 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 2 MP Dual Primary CamerasQuad LED Flash16 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAh Fast Charging USB Type-C Port

Moto G32

Performance

Octa-core (2.4 GHz, Quad Core + 1.9 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 680 4 GB RAM

Display

6.5 inches (16.51 cm)405 PPI, IPS LCD90 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash16 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAhTurbo Power ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Samsung F13

Performance

Octa core (2 GHz, Quad Core + 2 GHz, Quad core)Samsung Exynos 8 Octa 850 4 GB RAM

Display

6.6 inches (16.76 cm)400 PPI, PLS LCD60 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 5 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash8 MP Front Camera

Battery

6000 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Poco M5

Performance

Octa-core (2.2 GHz, Dual Core + 2 GHz, Hexa Core)MediaTek Helio G99 6 GB RAM

Display

6.58 inches (16.71 cm)401 PPI, IPS LCD90 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash8 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Under 20K

Redmi Note 11Pro+ 

Performance

Octa-core (2.2 GHz, Dual Core + 1.7 GHz, Hexa Core)

Snapdragon 695

6 GB RAM

Display

6.67 inches (16.94 cm)

395 PPI, AMOLED

120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

108 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary Cameras

LED Flash

16 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAh

Turbo Charging

USB Type-C Port

Realme 9 Pro

Performance

Octa-core (2.2 GHz, Dual Core + 1.8 GHz, Hexa Core)Snapdragon 695 6 GB RAM

Display

6.6 inches (16.76 cm)400 PPI, IPS LCD120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash16 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAhDart ChargingUSB Type-C Port

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite

Performance

Octa-core (2.2 GHz, Dual Core + 1.7 GHz, Hexa Core)

Snapdragon 695

6 GB RAM

Display

6.59 inches (16.74 cm)

401 PPI, IPS LCD

120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

64 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary Cameras

LED Flash

16 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAh

Super VOOC Charging

USB Type-C Port

Moto Edge 20 Fusion 

Performance

Octa-core (2.4 GHz, Dual Core + 2 GHz, Hexa Core)MediaTek Dimensity 800U 6 GB RAM

Display

6.7 inches (17.02 cm)393 PPI, OLED90 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

108 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash32 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAhTurbo Power ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Samsung Galaxy M53

Performance

Octa core (2.4 GHz, Dual Core + 2 GHz, Hexa Core)

MediaTek Dimensity 900

6 GB RAM

Display

6.7 inches (17.02 cm)

393 PPI, Super AMOLED Plus

120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

108 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP Quad Primary Cameras

LED Flash

32 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAh

Fast Charging

USB Type-C Port

Under 30K

Poco F4

Performance

Octa-core (3.2 GHz, Single Core + 2.42 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 870 8 GB RAM

Display

6.67 inches (16.94 cm)395 PPI, AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash20 MP Front Camera

Battery

4500 mAhSonic ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Redmi K50i

Performance

Octa-core (2.85 GHz, Quad Core + 2 GHz, Quad core)MediaTek Dimensity 8100 6 GB RAM

Display

6.6 inches (16.76 cm)407 PPI, IPS LCD144 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash16 MP Front Camera

Battery

5080 mAhTurbo ChargingUSB Type-C Port

iQoo Neo 6

Performance

Octa-core (3.2 GHz, Single Core + 2.42 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 870 8 GB RAM

Display

6.62 inches (16.81 cm)398 PPI, AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash16 MP Front Camera

Battery

4700 mAhFlash ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Samsung A52S

Performance

Octa-core (2.4 GHz, Single Core + 2.2 GHz, Tri core + 1.9 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 778G 8 GB RAM

Display

6.5 inches (16.51 cm)405 PPI, Super AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

64 + 12 + 5 + 5 MP Quad Primary CamerasLED Flash32 MP Front Camera

Battery

4500 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

OnePlus Nord 2T

Performance

Octa-core (3 GHz, Single Core + 2.6 GHz, Tri core + 2 GHz, Quad core)

MediaTek Dimensity 1300

8 GB RAM

Display

6.43 inches (16.33 cm)

409 PPI, AMOLED

90 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary Cameras

Dual LED Flash

32 MP Front Camera

Battery

4500 mAh

Super VOOC Charging

USB Type-C Port

Moto Edge 30

Performance

Octa-core (2.5 GHz, Single Core + 2.2 GHz, Tri core + 1.9 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 778G Plus 6 GB RAM

Display

6.5 inches (16.51 cm)405 PPI, P-OLED144 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 50 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasDual LED Flash32 MP Front Camera

Battery

4020 mAhTurbo Power ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Bonus (Sale prices)

Samsung S20FE

Performance

Octa core (2.84 GHz, Single Core + 2.42 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)

Snapdragon 865

8 GB RAM

Display

6.5 inches (16.51 cm)

405 PPI, Super AMOLED

120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

12 MP + 8 MP + 12 MP Triple Primary Cameras

LED Flash

32 MP Front Camera

Battery

4500 mAh

Fast Charging

USB Type-C Port

iQoo 9 SE

Performance

Octa-core (2.84 GHz, Single Core + 2.42 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 888 12 GB RAM

Display

6.62 inches (16.81 cm)398 PPI, AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

48 MP + 13 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasDual-color LED Flash16 MP Front Camera

Battery

4500 mAhFlash ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Under 40K 

Xiaomi 11T Pro

Performance

Octa-core (2.84 GHz, Single Core + 2.42 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 888 8 GB RAM

Display

6.67 inches (16.94 cm)395 PPI, AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

108 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP Triple Primary CamerasDual-color LED Flash16 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Realme GT Neo 3

Performance

Octa-core (2.85 GHz, Quad Core + 2 GHz, Quad core)MediaTek Dimensity 8100 12 GB RAM

Display

6.7 inches (17.02 cm)394 PPI, AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash16 MP Front Camera

Battery

4500 mAhSuper Dart ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Nothing Phone (1)

Performance

Octa-core (2.5 GHz, Single Core + 2.4 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 778G Plus 8 GB RAM

Display

6.55 inches (16.64 cm)402 PPI, OLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 50 MP Dual Primary CamerasLED Flash16 MP Front Camera

Battery

4500 mAhQuick Charging 4.0USB Type-C Port

iQoo 9 series

Performance

Octa-core (3 GHz, Single Core + 2.42 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 888 Plus 12 GB RAM

Display

6.56 inches (16.66 cm)398 PPI, AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

48 MP + 13 MP + 13 MP Triple Primary CamerasDual LED Flash16 MP Front Camera

Battery

4350 mAhFlash ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Moto Edge 30 Fusion 

Performance

Octa-core (3 GHz, Single Core + 2.42 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 888 Plus 8 GB RAM

Display

6.55 inches (16.64 cm)402 PPI, P-OLED144 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 13 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash32 MP Front Camera

Battery

4400 mAhTurbo Power ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Samsung S21 FE

Performance

Octa core (2.91 GHz, Single Core + 2.81 GHz, Tri core + 2.2 GHz, Quad core)

Samsung Exynos 2100

8 GB RAM

Display

6.4 inches (16.26 cm)

403 PPI, Dynamic AMOLED

120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

12 MP + 12 MP + 8 MP Triple Primary Cameras

LED Flash

32 MP Front Camera

Battery

4500 mAh

Fast Charging

USB Type-C Port

Under 50K 

Vivo X80  

Performance

Octa-core (3.05 GHz, Single Core + 2.85 GHz, Tri core)MediaTek Dimensity 9000 8 GB RAM

Display

6.78 inches (17.22 cm)388 PPI, AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash32 MP Front Camera

Battery

4500 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Xiaomi 12 Pro 

Performance

Octa-core (3 GHz, Single Core + 2.5 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 8 GB RAM

Display

6.73 inches (17.09 cm)521 PPI, AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP Triple Primary CamerasDual-color LED Flash32 MP Front Camera

Battery

4600 mAhHyper Charging 4.0USB Type-C Port

Google Pixel 7

Performance

Octa core (2.85 GHz, Dual Core + 2.35 GHz, Dual core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Tensor G2 8 GB RAM

Display

6.3 inches (16 cm)418 PPI, OLED90 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 12 MP Dual Primary CamerasDual LED Flash10.8 MP Front Camera

Battery

4355 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Samsung S22

Performance

Octa-core (3 GHz, Single Core + 2.4 GHz, Tri core + 1.7 GHz, Quad core)

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

12 GB RAM

Display

6.8 inches (17.27 cm)

501 PPI, Dynamic AMOLED

120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

108 + 12 + 10 + 10 MP Quad Primary Cameras

LED Flash

40 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAh

Fast Charging

USB Type-C Port

Apple iPhone 12 

Performance

Hexa Core (3.1 GHz, Dual Core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Apple A14 Bionic 4 GB RAM

Display

6.1 inches (15.49 cm)457 PPI, OLED60 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

12 MP + 12 MP Dual Primary CamerasDual LED Flash12 MP Front Camera

Battery

2815 mAhFast ChargingLightning Port

Under 60K

Apple iPhone 13 

Performance

Hexa Core (3.23 GHz, Dual Core + 1.82 GHz, Quad core)

Apple A15 Bionic

4 GB RAM

Display

6.1 inches (15.49 cm)

457 PPI, OLED

60 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

12 MP + 12 MP Dual Primary Cameras

Dual LED Flash

12 MP Front Camera

Battery

3227 mAh

Fast Charging

Lightning Port

iQoo 9 Pro 

Performance

Octa-core (3 GHz, Single Core + 2.5 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 12 GB RAM

Display

6.78 inches (17.22 cm)518 PPI, AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 50 MP + 16 MP Triple Primary CamerasDual LED Flash16 MP Front Camera

Battery

4700 mAhFlash ChargingUSB Type-C Port

OnePlus 10 Pro

Performance

Octa-core (3 GHz, Single Core + 2.5 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 8 GB RAM

Display

6.7 inches (17.02 cm)526 PPI, Fluid AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

48 MP + 50 MP + 8 MP Triple Primary CamerasDual LED Flash32 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAhSuper VOOC ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Samsung S22+

Performance

Octa-core (3 GHz, Single Core + 2.4 GHz, Tri core + 1.7 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 8 GB RAM

Display

6.6 inches (16.76 cm)390 PPI, Dynamic AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 12 MP + 10 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash10 MP Front Camera

Battery

4500 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Under 80K

Apple iPhone 14 

Performance

Hexa Core (3.23 GHz, Dual Core + 1.82 GHz, Quad core)Apple A15 Bionic 6 GB RAM

Display

6.1 inches (15.49 cm)457 PPI, OLED60 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

12 MP + 12 MP Dual Primary CamerasLED Flash12 MP Front Camera

Battery

3279 mAhFast ChargingLightning Port

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Performance

Hexa Core (3.23 GHz, Dual Core + 1.82 GHz, Quad core)Apple A15 Bionic 6 GB RAM

Display

6.1 inches (15.49 cm)457 PPI, OLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

12 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP Triple Primary CamerasDual LED Flash12 MP Front Camera

Battery

3095 mAhFast ChargingLightning Port

Samsung Galaxy Flip 3

Performance

Octa core (2.84 GHz, Single Core + 2.42 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 8888 GB RAM

Display

6.7 inches (17.02 cm)426 PPI, Dynamic AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

12 MP + 12 MP Dual Primary CamerasLED Flash10 MP Front Camera

Battery

3300 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Samsung S21 Ultra 

Performance

Octa core (2.9 GHz, Single Core + 2.8 GHz, Tri core + 2.2 GHz, Quad core)Samsung Exynos 210012 GB RAM

Display

6.8 inches (17.27 cm)516 PPI, Dynamic AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

108 + 10 + 10 + 12 MP Quad Primary CamerasLED Flash40 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Vivo X80 Pro Plus

PerformanceOcta core (3.2 GHz, Single Core + 2.75 GHz, Tri core + 2 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 18 GB RAM

Display 6.8 inches (17.27 cm)516 PPI, AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera 50 + 48 + 12 + 8 MP Quad Primary CamerasLED Flash32 MP Front Camera

Battery 4700mah Flash ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Under 100K

Apple iPhone 14 Pro 

Performance

Hexa Core (3.46 GHz, Dual Core + 2.02 GHz, Quad core)Apple A16 Bionic 6 GB RAM

Display

6.1 inches (15.49 cm)461 PPI, OLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

48 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash12 MP Front Camera

Battery

3200 mAhFast ChargingLightning Port

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Performance

Hexa Core (3.23 GHz, Dual Core + 1.82 GHz, Quad core)Apple A15 Bionic 6 GB RAM

Display

6.7 inches (17.02 cm)457 PPI, OLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

12 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP Triple Primary CamerasDual LED Flash12 MP Front Camera

Battery

4352 mAhFast ChargingLightning Port

Samsung Galaxy Flip 4

Performance

Octa-core (3.2 GHz, Single Core + 2.75 GHz, Tri core + 2 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 18 GB RAM

Display

6.7 inches (17.02 cm)426 PPI, Dynamic AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

12 MP + 12 MP Dual Primary CamerasLED Flash10 MP Front Camera

Battery

3700 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Samsung S22 Ultra 

Performance

Octa-core (3 GHz, Single Core + 2.4 GHz, Tri core + 1.7 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 12 GB RAM

Display

6.8 inches (17.27 cm)501 PPI, Dynamic AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

108 + 12 + 10 + 10 MP Quad Primary CamerasLED Flash40 MP Front Camera

Battery

5000 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Moto Razr 2022

Performance

Octa-core (3.2 GHz, Single Core + 2.75 GHz, Tri core + 2 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 18 GB RAM

Display

6.7 inches (17.02 cm)393 PPI, P-OLED144 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 13 MP Dual Primary CamerasLED Flash32 MP Front Camera

Battery

3500 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

Above 100K

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Performance

Hexa Core (3.46 GHz, Dual Core + 2.02 GHz, Quad core)

Apple A16 Bionic

6 GB RAM

Display

6.7 inches (17.02 cm)

460 PPI, OLED

120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

48 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP Triple Primary Cameras

LED Flash

12 MP Front Camera

Battery

4323 mAh

Fast Charging

Lightning Port

Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 

Performance

Octa-core (3.18 GHz, Single Core + 2.7 GHz, Tri core + 2 GHz, Quad core)Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 12 GB RAM

Display

7.6 inches (19.3 cm)373 PPI, Dynamic AMOLED120 Hz Refresh Rate

Camera

50 MP + 12 MP + 10 MP Triple Primary CamerasLED Flash10 MP + 4 MP Dual Front Cameras

Battery

4400 mAhFast ChargingUSB Type-C Port

 

Tech this week

What time is it? It’s time for some tech news. Did you know that Google, the name is actually a product of a hasty spelling mistake? Larry and Sean aimed to register Googol, a mathematical term for the number 1 followed by a hundred zeros. Sean accidentally registers the word Google, and it is what it is. Let’s get to the news. 

Elon finally bought Twitter

On Thursday night, Elon Musk finally bought Twitter, and reports say many top management authorities at Twitter are now searching for new jobs. These include the CEO, CFO, people who mislead the number of bots on the platform and the one authorizing Donal Trump’s account ban. The hip entrepreneur entered the Twitter office with a bathroom sink, symbolizing the term “let that sink in” and also twitted “ the bird is freed”. 

Global price increase 

Apple is silently increasing its hardware and software solution prices. Subscription services have seen an inflation in their charges across Apple services, including Apple Music, Apple TV+ and Apple One. Some countries have also witnessed price increases on iPads and Macs. Nothing ear (1), the first product from Nothing, has also seen as much as a 50% price increase in some markets right before the launch of their Nothing ear stick, a relatively new and affordable variant with a different form factor. I hope they stick to the pricing in the future. Steam, a popular gaming service, has also increased its regional pricing in some parts of the world to almost 450% hike in game prices. As if PC gaming was not an expensive hobby with insane GPU prices! Global price increase needs to be combated with a global pay increase. Share this with your company heads. After blocking 4K content on Youtube to Premium users, Youtube has increased the prices of Youtube Premium subscriptions in some countries. What is happening to the world? 

WTF? There’s a new Nvidia 3060

After the backlash on RTX 4080 and Nvidia pulling out in time, RTX 4090 has witnessed some insane claims. One of the only cards to enable high fidelity 4K and 8K gaming, the power connector cannot handle the amount of power required to juice tasty frame rates from the 4090, burning some connectors across the globe. Nvidia has addressed a couple of buyers who posted this on social media, but a 1.55 lakh rupee card with burnt connectors is not cool. In another news from Nvidia, some countries witnessed a soft launch of Nvidia’s popular 3060 variants with an 8GB VRAM 128-bit bus rate instead of the usual 12GB 192-bit bus rate. This move comes as competition to Intel’s newest ARC GPU releases earlier this month or maybe an offering to gamers on a budget. Whatever it is, thank you, Intel! 

Shutterstock partners with OpenAI DallE 2 

Did you know that Gettyimages recently banned the use of AI-generated images? Contrary to their move, Shutterstock has partnered with OpenAI DallE 2, and soon users will be able to generate images based on text commands. Shutterstock has also agreed to pay creators a certain sum of money for training the AI when creating newer images. Not too long ago, a similar AI won an award for the best image creation on a platform, and now it is time for Shutterstock to come up with crazy DallE2-created images. What is your take on AI-generated art? Is it still art if thousands of algorithms created it?

Gaming improves cognitive performance in kids

A recent study on the JAMA network performed by ABCD Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development on 2217 children has shown that kids who regularly play video games are better at problem-solving, memory management, impulse reactions and many other tasks, including academic achievements, as compared to kids who do not play video games. Allowing kids to play video games and other games profoundly impacts their brain development. Only if this study were done during childhood would we not be scolded as much over gaming. Kids watching this video, share this news with your parents. 

Xbox Series S – Limiting frame rates for everyone 

Some game developers are not happy developing games for the Xbox Series S. According to them; the limited capabilities are hindering them from providing more performance in games being developed for the Xbox Series S. Microsoft has made it mandatory for developers to make games compatible with both the Series X and S. Gotham Knights is a prime example of this shortcoming, as the developers clearly stated in a tweet that the game runs on 30FPS even on the more powerful Series X only to ensure compatibility with the Series S. What’s the point of upgrading to a having a massive 4K high refresh rate display when the games are being limited by one puny console?

Photonic chip – the fastest internet chip as of now

A single photonic chip has made a world record by transferring 1.84 petabytes of data per second over a 7.9Km fibre optic cable. That’s like moving all the files across the globe in less than 10 mins! I am still stuck with a few hundred megabytes per second here in India. Researchers from Japan, Denmark and Sweden, managed to split infrared signals into multiple light sources and then combine them together as one on the receiving end.

Amazon data centres in the UK and Ireland get new diesel generators.

Following an energy crisis in UK and Ireland, Amazon data centres in Dublin are installing 105 high-power diesel generators as backups. It is estimated that this data centre is responsible for over 14% power consumption of the entire Dublin. 

Intel’s 13th generation i9 breaks an 8-year-old frequency world record 

AMD FX 8370 set a world record back in 2014 by overclocking to an insane 8722.78Mhz. Intel’s latest i9-13900K managed to set a new world record by overclocking to a mind-bending 8812.85Mhz, nearly double the core clock speed offered in the retail packaging. Finally, after taking a beating from similar retail-priced AMD competition, Intel has managed to garner a win in some departments. Good job, Intel, on making something such powerful and power-hungry. 

Samsung has started development on a smart ring.

Smart wearables come in all shapes and sizes. Samsung is currently developing a smart ring with all the necessary features of a fitness tracker snuggly packaged in a neat ring. Be careful to accept a proposal as a smart ring, as it could spike your heart rates and trigger an emergency service SOS. Would you wear a ring when the occasion calls for dressing neat, well time shall reveal. 

Stadia’s service ended, but the gaming did not. 

After Google announced that they were pulling the plug on Stadia streaming services, people playing games on the platform are backed by game developers. As a piece of good news, game developers are offering free copies with free save backups for everyone playing their games on Stadia as a platform. These free copies are provided to all the Stadia gamers based on their choice of gaming platform, and also cloud saves are offered as transferable entities to continue gaming on the platform of your choice. Do we even trust Google with anything with the rate at which they keep shutting down services? 

These were all the happenings of the week. Let us know what you think about the tech happenings across the globe. Stay tuned as we bring more tech news next week. 

 

Minimalist home audio nirvana |Your ears deserve quality music|

Audio is an essential part of our experience, apologies to those unable to listen to the beauties of art by humans and nature. Our home entertainment setup is complete with a set of good-quality audio solutions. As much as most of us desire the best of the best, with amplifiers, mixers, and optical audio cable mess to enjoy the creator’s audio source to the best of our human ability, most of us love the cleaner, simpler solutions. Would that be a compromise? 

Thanks to development in technology over the years, the compromises are definitely reduced with better-quality audio solutions. Audio quality becomes a subject of desire the moment you listen to audio solutions like speakers, headphones or earphones better than anything you have ever experienced. Simple audio solutions keep the cable mess at bay and are great additions to many homes, available in multiple shades, shapes and sizes. 

Desire a minimalist home theatre solution?

The craze for 5.1 and 7.1 audio speaker solutions seems immortal. Thanks to most of our OTT services and amazing television technology supporting the best of Dolby Atmos, DTS-X and more audio solutions, it makes sense to invest in a full-blown theatrics audio experience when consuming media on your comfortable sofa. Something like a sound bar with three audio channels, two wireless surround sound satellites and wireless sub-thumping lows add to the overall experience; audio solutions can be minimalistic. Add to the fact that most of these are nowadays available in white, and a soundbar and sub-based solutions amplify the audio experience a home needs. 

What’s the best minimalistic audio solution?

Sometimes, you listen to and enjoy music, don’t you? We all do. While many speakers around the room offer a great movie and series-watching experience, music is best enjoyed on quality bookshelf speakers. It may sound weird that how can a pair of speakers be better than multiple speakers spread across the room? Powered bookshelf speakers have had a technological leap by the time you read this line. Not only are they relatively minor in size, defying their size versus audio quality and volume, but they also are great minimalistic audio solutions for every room in your house. They are not limited to the main entertainment area around your largest television. Stereo speakers with good audio quality are sometimes the most optimal, minimalistic audio nirvana required to uplift your home entertainment. 

Invest in quality audio solutions. And remember, there is always the best in your budget, but sometimes, just like your television, audio solutions are once in many years investment. An investment in quality home audio entertainment with multiple audio source connectivity, wireless connectivity and, most importantly, excellent audio quality is a must-experience. 

Pixel-perfect Android flagships?Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro

Google has finally launched the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro in India. When was the last time we saw the flagship Pixel devices in India? We tested both these phones, and here are our impressions on the 60K Pixel 7 and the 89K Pixel 7 Pro. 

Finessed design

As Indians, we did not get a chance to experience the immediate predecessor to these newer Pixel devices apart from the Pixel 6a, which is a brilliant smartphone for the price. The Pixel 7 is a more mature design than the 6a, with a brush metal finish on the uniform camera housing, albeit with a noticeable depth. Put these phones anyhow, and they will never wobble, infact they rest at a very comfortable glance for anyone who uses the Pixels. The Pixel 7 Pro takes a modern approach and brings curved edges on the relatively larger display with improved hardware. 

The interesting parts include the symmetrical band design on the metal edges of the camera bands and a contrasting finish on the buttons. The glossy metal band of the Pixel 7 Pro has matte-finished buttons, and the matte-finished camera band on the Pixel 7 has shiny metal buttons. We still miss the accented buttons, but this is a nice touch nonetheless. Overall the design is very well thought out and brings a level of sophistication expected from a tech giant. We still are unaware of the abrupt cutout on the Pixel 7 Pro. Let us know if you know anything about it, as we cannot access the same. 

Gorilla glass Victus and IP68 ratings protect both these phones, allowing flagship-grade protection. The OLED display differs on both these phones as the Pixel 7 has an FHD+ 90Hz panel, whereas the Pixel 7 Pro gets a QHD (1440P) LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Both these displays can get sufficiently bright with 1000+ nits brightness and, even more, viewing HDR content. Both felt super smooth in their leagues with the beauties of Android 13 optimisations and added features on the Pixel devices. For flat-screen lovers, the Pixel 7 makes a compelling choice. Still, a slightly curved larger display with additional camera hardware and software turns the Pixel 7 Pro into a flagship competitor from the house of Google. Surprisingly, the Pixel 7 packs a smaller battery than the Pixel 6a at 4355mAh, while the Pixel 7 Pro packs a 5000mAh battery. Both these phones support 20-23W charge speeds with wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities. Battery life is decent and lasts through a day with ease. AI Adaptive battery optimisation increases battery life within a week of usage. 

Balanced performance 

Google has updated the Tensor SoC with a new processor named G2. Compared to the earlier 5nm chip, this new chip brings an updated privacy core T2 with slightly overclocked cores and a better GPU. We found that the Mali GPU upgrade from G-78 to G-710 brings stable performance even when gaming. Even when gaming, smooth animations and balanced performance make these genuinely feel like flagship contenders. The fingerprint sensor is quick to identify, and Google allows basic face unlock like most Android devices. 

UI animations and memory management are on par with most flagship devices, with no performance hiccups. Overall, the performance is better than the older SoC and brings a balanced performance update. Camera sensor performance and clicks process faster, and the overall experience of using a Pixel is slightly overclocked. An additional rear light sensor makes the sensor count 35 compared to 34 sensors on the Pixel 6a. 

Best camera algorithm on any phone

Apart from iPhones, Samsung and other flagships, the only series of phones that prove to be excellent camera-centric options is the Pixel series from Google. More than the hardware, the years of machine learning and AI algorithms make a Pixel phone appealing. Google has finally moved from the 12MP sensors to improved hardware with a 50MP primary sensor on both phones, a slightly better 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and an additional 48MP telephoto sensor on the Pro. Google hardware and software algorithms work in tandem to click some mind-blowing images in any lighting conditions. All the images and videos are top-notch, with improved post-processing and better hardware. These are one of the best camera-centric smartphones of the year. Pixel post-processing retains details and contrast, sometimes better than phones that cost almost twice as much. For photos, these are top-tier, but for videos, although better with additional Cinematic blur (portrait mode in videos) and OIS with EIS options, Google needs to bring a few OTA updates to improve video quality.

Verdict 

At the prices for the Pixel series, these phones are definite contenders for your money. If you are someone who wants a no-nonsense, iPhone-like experience using an Android, the Pixel series brings the best of Google hardware and software experience. Additional features are built-in smaller packages across the UI of these Pixel phones. Software features like unblur a blurred photo, magic eraser, location tagging other Android devices and dozens of small but intuitive animations and unique Pixel features hard to find on a feature-loaded flagship are interesting, to say the least. The Pixel 7 Pro brings the best of all worlds in a stylish package. It’s an entire Pixel experience enhanced for Android users. 

Specs:

Pixel 7 – 6.1-inch 90Hz AMOLED FHD+ up to 1400nits 

Pixel 7 Pro – 6.7-inch 120HZ LTPO AMOLED QHD up to 1500nits

Tensor G2 SoC

Android 13

Camera Pixel 7 – 50MP primary, 12MP Ultrawide, 10.8MP front camera

Camera Pixel 7 Pro – 50MP primary, enhanced AF 12MP Ultrawide/Macro, 48MP 5x Optical telephoto, 10.8MP front camera

Price – Pixel 7 – INR 59999

Pixel 7 Pro – INR 84999

Good – Best Pixel iteration, upgraded cameras 

Bad – Limited memory options 

Ugly – Tensor G2 falls short against SD 8+ Gen 1 and Apple Bionic SoC

Rating – 4.5/5

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