Samsung Ad
Home Blog Page 126

OnePlus Pad launched in China alongside Ace 5 Series!

0

OnePlus has launched the OnePlus Pad alongside the Ace 5 series in China. Funnily enough, it’s a bit different than the original OnePlus Pad (review) that launched last year. This article will talk everything about the latest OnePlus Pad, including its expected price in Nepal.

OnePlus Pad Overview

Display

OnePlus Pad Design

The OnePlus Pad has an 11.6-inch LCD display with a 2800×2000 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. It features a 7:5 aspect ratio and a peak brightness of 700 nits. The tablet is 6.29mm thick and weighs 533g. It comes in Tundra Green and Deep Space Grey.

Performance

The tablet is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset with Cortex-A715 and Cortex-A510 cores and a Mali-G615 MC6 GPU. It also includes a 34,615mm² graphene cooling area. To recall, the original OnePlus Pad came with a slightly more powerful Dimensity 9000 processor.

The tablet runs ColorOS 15 and supports NFC-based quick connectivity and cross-ecosystem file sharing. It also includes AI tools for productivity and education.

Camera and Battery

The OnePlus Pad has an 8MP front and rear camera. It comes with a 9520mAh battery and supports 67W fast charging.

OnePlus Pad Specifications 

  • Display: 11.6-inch LCD, 2800×2000 resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, 7:5 aspect ratio, 700 nits peak brightness
  • Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8350, Cortex-A715 and Cortex-A510 cores, Mali-G615 MC6 GPU
  • Cooling: 34,615mm² graphene cooling area
  • Software: ColorOS 15 with NFC-based quick connectivity and AI tools for productivity
  • Cameras: 8MP front and rear cameras for basic imaging and video calls
  • Battery: 9520mAh with 67W fast charging
  • Dimensions: 6.29mm thickness, 533g weight
  • Colors: Tundra Green, Deep Space Grey

OnePlus Pad Price in Nepal and Availability

OnePlus Pad is priced from CNY 1999. Early buyers will receive a complimentary stylus. If it makes it here, we expect its price in Nepal to start at no less than NPR 49,999.

Variant Official Price (CNY) Expected Price (NPR)
Base Model CNY 1999 NPR 49,999
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Xiaomi 15

OnePlus Ace 5 Pro is also official with Snapdragon 8 Elite

0

The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro was launched alongside the vanilla Ace 5, which we have covered in a separate article. In this article, we will focus specifically on the Ace 5 Pro and its expected price in Nepal.

OnePlus Ace 5 Pro Overview

Performance

The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It offers up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. The device runs on Android 15-based ColorOS 15. It uses a “double ice core VC” and chip air duct for cooling. The device includes an X-axis linear motor, stereo speakers, multi-functional NFC, IR blaster, and Wi-Fi 7.

Display

OnePlus ace 5 pro dessign

It features a 6.78-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display with a 2780×1264 resolution and a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. It supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

Camera

The rear camera setup includes a 50MP primary with OIS, 8MP ultrawide, and 2MP macro. The front camera is 16MP. The phone has a 6,100 mAh battery with 100W fast charging and bypass charging.

OnePlus Ace 5 Pro Specifications

  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR5X
  • Storage: Up to 1TB UFS 4.0
  • Operating System: Android 15-based ColorOS 15
  • Display: 6.78″ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED, 2780×1264 resolution, 4500 nits peak brightness, Dolby Vision, HDR10+
  • Rear Camera: 50MP primary (Sony IMX906, OIS), 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro
  • Front Camera: 16MP
  • Battery: 6,100 mAh, 100W charging, bypass charging
  • Cooling: “Double ice core VC” and chip air duct
  • Additional Features: X-axis linear motor, stereo speakers, multi-functional NFC, IR blaster, Wi-Fi 7
  • Colors: Purple, Black, White (ceramic finish edition)

OnePlus Ace 5 Pro Price in Nepal and Availability

Available in Purple, Black, and White (ceramic finish edition), the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro starts at CNY 3,399. Here is the full pricing list with expected pricing in Nepal.

Variant Price (CNY) Price (NPR)
12GB/256GB CNY 3,399 NPR 73,990
12GB/512GB CNY 3,999 NPR 87,050
16GB/256GB CNY 3,699 NPR 80,520
16GB/512GB CNY 4,199 NPR 91,404
16GB/1TB CNY 4,699 NPR 102,288
Ceramic edition (16GB/512GB) CNY 4,299 NPR 93,580
Ceramic edition (16GB/1TB) CNY 4,799 NPR 104,465
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Xiaomi 15

OnePlus Ace 5 is official with Qualcomm SD 8 Gen 3!

0

OnePlus has unveiled two new smartphones, the OnePlus Ace 5 and the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro, offering high-end specs and similar designs, with a few notable differences. In this article, we will discuss more specifically about the latest OnePlus Ace 5, including its expected price in Nepal. 

OnePlus Ace 5  Overview

Display

OnePlus Ace 5

The Ace 5 features a 6.78-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display, with a resolution of 2780×1264. It supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for improved color and contrast. 

Performance and Storage

The Ace 5 comes with the Snapdragon 8 Gen with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. The Ace 5 is powered by a 6,415 mAh battery with 80W charging.

Cameras

The Ace 5 and Ace 5 Pro both feature a 16MP front camera and a rear setup with a 50MP primary camera (Sony IMX906 with OIS), an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro sensor.

Additional Features

The Ace 5 lacks the gaming Wi-Fi chip as compared to the pro but still offers 120 FPS gaming support. It comes with stereo speakers, an IR blaster, and multi-functional NFC.

OnePlus Ace / Ace 5 Specifications

  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR5X
  • Storage: Up to 1TB UFS 4.0
  • Operating System: Android 15-based ColorOS 15
  • Display: 6.78″ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED, 2780×1264 resolution, HDR10+
  • Front Camera: 16MP
  • Rear Cameras:
    • 50MP primary (Sony IMX906, OIS)
    • 8MP ultrawide (112° FOV)
    • 2MP macro
  • Battery: 6,415 mAh, 80W charging

OnePlus Ace 5 Price in Nepal and Availability

The OnePlus Ace 5 starts at CNY 2,299 for the 12GB/256GB variant. It is also offered in a ceramic edition with higher prices.

Variant Price (CNY) Price (NPR)
12GB/256GB CNY 2,299 NPR 41,692
12GB/512GB CNY 2,799 NPR 50,758
16GB/256GB CNY 2,499 NPR 45,289
16GB/512GB CNY 2,999 NPR 54,365
16GB/1TB CNY 3,499 NPR 63,396
Ceramic edition (16GB/512GB) CNY 2,899 NPR 52,541
Ceramic edition (16GB/1TB) CNY 3,399 NPR 61,658
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Xiaomi 15

Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro launched in Nepal

0

Anker has launched the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro wireless headphones, featuring advanced active noise cancellation (ANC). This article will discuss everything about the upcoming Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro, including its expected price in Nepal. 

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro

Design and Battery

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 pro design

Anker has also focused on the charging case design. The case includes a display and a touch bar, enabling users to adjust settings without needing a separate app. The display shows the charging status. Users can expect a battery life of 40 hours with intermediate charges.

Sound Quality and ANC 

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro headphones utilize a dual-driver sound system. This system includes a 10.5-mm driver for bass and a tweeter for clear highs. Additionally, the headphones feature six microphones to enhance call quality and reduce wind noise. They support spatial audio and come with IPX5 certification for water resistance.

These headphones use seven sensors, including six microphones and a barometer, to provide strong noise reduction. The ANC system recalibrates every 0.3 seconds, allowing the headphones to quickly adapt to changing sounds in the environment.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro Specifications

  • Drivers: 10.5mm driver, a titanium-coated tweeter
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, supports AAC, LDAC, and SBC codecs
  • Noise Cancellation: Active Noise Cancelling with Adaptive and Manual modes
  • Sound Customization: Soundcore app with 22 EQ presets
  • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours per charge (ANC off), additional 40 hours with charging case
  • Charging: USB-C and Qi wireless charging
  • Color: Glossy Black, Glossy Light Blue, White
  • Durability: IPX5 rated
  • Buy Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro here

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro Price in Nepal and Availability

The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro price in Nepal is 19,999 as part of the introductory offer. Otherwise, its MRP is NPR 24,999. You can purchase the TWS from Hukut.

TWS Price in Nepal (Official) Availability
Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro NPR 19,999 Hukut

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max

Acer Aspire 5 (2022) Price in Nepal 2025 [Updated ]

0

You can buy the Aspire 5 powered by 12th Gen Intel laptops in Nepal for a relatively affordable bargain. Let’s take a look at the Acer Aspire 5 (2022) in more detail, including its specs, features, latest price, and availability in Nepal.

Acer Aspire 5 (2022) Overview:

Design and Display

Let’s start with the design. There is hardly any change made to the chassis of this year’s Aspire 5 laptop. Acer has continued the same-old formula of a plastic body with an aluminum lid. The latter is available in multiple colors. However, the availability depends upon the region.

Acer Aspire 5 (2022) Color Options

The hinge on the Acer Aspire 5 (2022) elevates the keyboard deck to a certain degree. Opening the lid, you are greeted with an LCD screen with an 81.18% screen-to-body ratio. While you can choose between 14″ and 15″ screen sizes, only the FHD version is available in Nepal so far.

Performance and Cooling

Under the hood, you get the latest 12th Gen Intel CPU based on the new hybrid architecture. Thus, the new 2022 version performs considerably better than the Acer Aspire 5 2021. The base variant of the Acer Aspire 5 (2022) comes with the Core i3-1215U with 4 Efficient-cores and 2 Performance-cores. You can opt for the Core i5-1235U, which brings 8 Efficient-cores and 2 Performance-cores.

All the Acer Aspire 5 (2022) laptops come with Intel Iris Xe graphics. However, few of them even have dedicated NVIDIA GPUs like the MX550.

Acer Aspire 5 (2022) Cooling Setup

Acer Aspire 5 (2022) adopts a dual-fan cooling setup with dual-copper pipes to keep its core temperature in check. Acer has even included an air-inlet keyboard for more heat dissipation. Users can switch between multiple cooling/performance modes by pressing Fn+F.

Memory Options

As for memory, Acer Aspire 5 (2022) starts at 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD. However, Acer offers plenty of upgrade options. The dual-SODIMM memory slots can be configured with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM. Likewise, the presence of an additional vacant SSD slot means you can upgrade the storage up to 2TB.

Acer Aspire 5 (2022) Display

Rest of the specs

Fueling the Acer Aspire 5 (2022) is a 3-cell 48Wh battery, and it ships with a 65W round-tip power adapter. Talking about ports, you get three Type-A, one Type-C, HDMI, ethernet, and a 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack. For wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

Acer Aspire 5 (2022) Specifications:

  • Design & Build: Aluminum lid/plastic chassis
  • Display: 14/15.6-inch IPS panel
  • Resolution: FHD (1920 × 1080 pixels)
  • Keyboard: Chiclet keys
  • Processor:
    • Intel Core i3-1215U
    • Intel Core i5-1235U
    • Intel Core i5-12450H
  • Graphics: up to NVIDIA MX350
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4 (Expandable up to 32GB)
  • Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD (Expandable up to 2TB)
  • Connectivity: WiFi 6 AX201, Bluetooth 5.2
  • I/O Ports: 3x USB Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1x combo audio jack, 1x RJ45, 1x HDMI
  • Battery: 48Wh battery, 65W AC power adapter
  • Read our review of the Acer Aspire 5 (2022)
  • Check out the latest Acer laptop price list in Nepal.

Acer Aspire 5 (2022) Price in Nepal and Availability

The price of Acer Aspire 5 (2022) in Nepal starts at Rs. 50,000 for the i3-1215U and goes up to Rs. 93 .599 for the i5-1335U with MX550 Graphics.You can get the different configurations through the Hukut Store.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Acer Aspire 5 (2022). 

Samsung unveils “AI Hybrid Cooling Technology” that gives more storage and efficiency

A cool refrigerator with AI features from Samsung is on the way. This latest innovation in refrigeration technology is the AI Hybrid Cooling Technology which promises to provide more efficient and precise cooling than our regular refrigerator. Let’s take a deep dive into what makes this new fridge a game-changer.

Samsung’s AI hybrid cooling technology

Samsung introduces an exciting hybrid cooling system that combines two powerful technologies: a traditional compressor and a semi-based Peltier module. This dynamic duo offers something that no regular fridge can match.

The Peltier module, a small but mighty thermal control unit, can both “cool” and “warm”, making it the perfect partner for the compressor. When the fridge is under pressure, say after you store a big bunch of hot leftovers or the summer heat the Peltier module kicks in to assist the compressor in keeping everything chilled. But in day-to-day use, the fridge relies on its AI-powered inverter compressor to maintain optimal cooling with minimal energy consumption.

Samsung's AI fridge

Say goodbye to temperature fluctuations

One of the standout features of this new fridge is its Hybrid Precise Cooling system, which smooths out temperature fluctuations during defrost cycles. This is particularly crucial for preserving food quality, as temperature change can often cause spoilage. With this technology, food like pork and salmon stays fresh for longer up to 1.4 times and 1.2 times longer, respectively.

More space, less mess

By swapping out the traditional heating elements for the Peltier module, Samsung frees up valuable interior space. The result? A generous 900-liter capacity, providing 25% more usable space than traditional fridges. And because the shelves are 60mm deeper, you’ll find you have an extra 13.8% more room for everything from oversized containers to that extra six-pack of your favorite drink.

AI featured refrigerator from Samsung

In fact, the fridge even accommodates an additional 1/9 of a 355ml beverage can compared to standard fridges. So, whether you’re storing a week’s worth of groceries or just extra cans of soda for a party, this fridge has you covered.

Samsung’s AI Hybrid Cooling Technology Availability

Samsung is planning to release this massive technology somewhere in 2025. The chances of this refrigerator making its way to Nepal are close to nil.

Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Price in Nepal [Updated 2025]

10

GNext Communications Pvt Ltd., the sole authorized distributor of Apple products in Nepal, officially launched the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in November of 2016. With the iPhone 8 launching in September, the company is offering cash discounts on the price of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in Nepal. Here are the official prices of the latest iPhones in Nepal:

iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus Price in Nepal (UPDATED):

iPhone 7 Price in Nepal:

  • 32GB – Rs. 75,000 (Out of Stock)
  • 128GB – Rs. 95,500 (Out of Stock)
  • 256GB – Rs. 95,500 (Out of Stock)

iPhone 7 Plus Price in Nepal:

  • 32GB – Rs. 1,05,000 (Out of Stock)
  • 128GB – Rs. 1,19,000 (Out of Stock)
  • 256GB – Rs. 1,32,000 (Out of Stock)

Where to Buy iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in Nepal (Offline Stores): 

According to GNext, you can buy the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in Nepal from 8 authorized resellers. Plus, the good news is you can also get yourself an iPhone from outside the Kathmandu Valley. There are 3 retailers outside Kathmandu– 1 in Butwal, 1 in Biratnagar, and 1 in Birtamod. Here is the list of authorized resellers:

  • Evo Store, Kathmandu Valley (9801304561)
  • Futureworld, Kathmandu Valley (9849404974)
  • Oliz Store, Kathmandu Valley (9861060000)
  • New Sonu Mobile, Kathmandu Valley (9751093612)
  • Apex Digital, Kathmandu Valley (9801813415)
  • Computer Sales Center, Butwal (9857030163)
  • H.D. Enterprises, Biratnagar (9802023165)
  • Quality Computer, Birtamod (9852671548)

Where to Buy iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus in Nepal (Online Stores): 

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Specifications:

iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Plus
4.7-inches Retina HD Display 5.5-inches Retina FullHD Display
A10 Fusion C 64bit Quad Core A10 Fusion C 64bit Quad Core
32/128/256GB ROM, 2 GB RAM 32/128/256GB ROM, 3 GB RAM
iOS 10.3.3 iOS 10.3.3
  • 12MP back camera with OIS, f/1.8 aperture lens
  • 7MP front camera
  • 12MP back camera with Wide-angle (28mm, f/1.8, OIS)  and telephoto Lens (56mm, f/2.8)
  • 7MP front camera
1960mAh battery 2900mAh battery

Why Buy the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus in Nepal from authorized retailers?

1. VAT BILL

You get a VAT bill when you buy an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus in Nepal from GNext authorized resellers. I don’t need to tell you much about the advantage of having a VAT bill- you are smarter than me! One perk of VAT bills is that you know it’s legal!

2. IMEI Registered

Furthermore, the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are pre-registered by the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) if you buy them from authorized retailers. There are a lot of advantages to registering your smartphone’s IMEI  at NTA; one is the ability to claim or track your phone in case you lose it. Also, NTA  recently announced that all customers must register the IMEI number of their smartphones, otherwise, your phone might be blocked.  Moreover, in case you bought an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus in Nepal already, find out if your iPhone is genuine.

3. Warranty

All the authorized retailers will give you one year of warranty (replacement warranty on factory defects and Nepal-authorized warranty on software and hardware). But, remember, the warranty will not cover Physical or Water damages.

4. EMI

I know, you want an iPhone7 or iPhone7 Plus as soon as possible but you are worried about not having all the cash right now. Well, these retailers might be able to help you with it. According to Evo Store, if you are a credit card holder of NABIL, Global IME, NIBL, Laxmi, Himalayan, or Siddhartha Bank, you can buy an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus with a 12-month EMI plan. For detailed information, please contact respective stores.

Finally, if you want an iPhone, get one! But, only from the places that will make your investment worthwhile and safe– with warranty, VAT bill, and IMEI registration.

Gadgetbyte Nepal Best Phone Awards 2024: Vote and Win!

0

Hello Gadgetbyte readers and well-wishers! It’s the end of the year and we need YOUR help to decide whom to crown for the ‘Gadgetbyte Nepal Best Phone Awards 2024’.

Make sure to scroll down and login with your personal email before you vote.

Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 launched in China with a sleek design and long battery life!

0

Huawei has introduced the FreeBuds SE 3, ahead of its expected launch next year. The latest model brings several improvements in both design and performance. In this article, we will discuss the features, specifications, and Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 price in Nepal.

Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 Overview

Design and Audio

The Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 maintains the same design as its predecessor, the FreeBuds SE 2. However, the charging case now features a leather-like texture, compared to the polycarbonate finish of the SE 2. The earbuds have a sleek, glossy finish and are available in two colors: White or Black with silver accents, while the case is available in Streamer Gold and Interstellar Black.

Moreover, each earbud weighs just 3.8mm. Huawei has added physical buttons to the case for manual paring while it pairs automatically the first time you open the case.

Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 design

Furthermore, the earbuds are equipped with 10mm dynamic drivers, delivering sound with a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz. Additionally, they have an IP54 rating, meaning they are resistant to water splashes and dust.

Battery and Connectivity

In terms of battery life, each earbud houses a 41mAh battery, while the charging case is equipped with a 510mAh cell. It takes 60 minutes to fully charge the case providing up to 42 hours of total use. While fully charged earbuds can provide 9 hours of continuous playback on their own. A quick 10-minute charge delivers up to 3 hours of music playback, which is perfect for when you’re in a hurry.

Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 compatibality

For connectivity, the FreeBuds SE 3 supports Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring a stable and reliable connection. The earbuds also feature a touch sensor for easy control like double-tapping to play or pause music and triple-tap to skip tracks.

 

Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 Specifications:

  • Design: Half-in-ear, IPX5 rating
  • Audio Driver: 10mm dynamic driver
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4
  • Battery Life: Up to 42 hours with the charging case; 9 hours of continuous use
  • Battery Capacity:
    • Earbuds: 41mAh
    • Charging case: 510mAh
  • Charging Port: USB Type-C
  • Color:  Streamer Gold and Interstellar Black (Case), White or Black with silver accents (earbuds)

Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 Price in Nepal and Availability:

The Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 has launched for a starting price 199 yuan in China. So when it makes it here, we can expect the Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 price in Nepal to be NPR 4,000.

TWS Price in China (Official) Price in Nepal (Expected)
Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 CN¥ 199 NPR 4,000

Revisiting Namaste Pay, A Terrible Beginning and Where’s it Now?

Let’s roll back to 2021. We hear news about a government-backed Digital Wallet arriving with the highest paid-up capital and unique features. Which was the ability to use your SIM’s balance as the wallet balance and an offline USSD mode. Well, it did arrive but faced tons of backlash at the launch date. It is still live on both Playstore and Appstore but how’s it in the current phase? In this article, I’ll share the story of Namaste Pay from the beginning to the ongoing.

Namaste Pay in 2024:

The initial news was promising!

Back to the scene of 2021, eSewa, and Khalti had already tightened their presence while IME Pay was on the way to grab its spot. In the meantime, Namaste Pay was planned to be the government’s triumph card in the growing digital wallet market. After all, it was backed up by Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) with the highest paid-up capital ever for an e-wallet— 40 crore Nepali rupees! That’s a huge amount for sure as eSewa, the leading wallet has 10 crore Nepali rupees as paid-up capital. So, it carried a huge potential to compete in the market.

Plus, the integration of SIM’s balance into the wallet balance was also in the news. Well, Namaste Pay was supposed to launch alongside Nagarik App on the occasion of National ICT Day 2021 but it got delayed due to technical issues.

The Half-baked (Terrible) Launch

Finally, on September 2021, Nepal Digital Payments Company Limited (NPDC) finally unveiled a Beta version of the app on September 14, 2021, for Android devices only. But… it was a disappointing launch. I remember trying to sign up for the wallet from my Redmi K20 Pro booting on Android 11 but to no avail. This was definitely an unappealing experience for a FinTech-loving guy like me. And turned out, that the same issue was prevailing for most devices in the market. All I could do was register my name, date of birth, gender, ID type, and ID number through the offline *500# USSD code, devoid of using the app.

Namaste Pay Digital Wallet Launch

The most anticipated wallet for that time was not compatible with Android 11 devices while some Android 10 phones were able to sign up. But for them as well, the experience was extremely buggy. On top of that, the frequent app crashes, not being able to verify KYC and whatnot! To sum up, the launch of the Beta version was a terrible failure for such an ambitious project backed up by the government. Plus, NRB’s policy also didn’t allow merging the SIM balance and Wallet balance. This turn-off at the launch was enough for many customers to not try this app again.

Did the situation get better?

As a patient user, I was keen to give the app a second try. The signup issues were fixed on the September 14, 2021, update finally. And yeah, I was finally able to sign up via the app. But, the UI experience and everything felt average to me. Note the word “Average”, because it was not terrible by any means.

There were not enough bank options to link and loading money was a hassle too. I recall you could only do that with a Rashtriya Banijya Bank (RBB) account, Kamana Bikash Back, and other two banks which my faint memory couldn’t remember now. But I can recall, I did load funds via my RBB account. Likewise, the offline USSD mode was at least working very fine on my NTC SIM. Do note, that it doesn’t support Ncell SIM.  I could just dial *500#, put in my PIN, and access a completely offline wallet service. It allowed me to recharge my own number, transfer my balance, and so on. Overall, this very feature was pretty handy when I was outside without any internet to top up my balance.

Offline USSD Mode on Namaste Pay

The app finally breathed fresh air on 21 January 2022 with a major update, revamping its UI/UX, and mainly making you able to load money from 40 plus banks and financial institutions, using ConnectIPS. It was a major turning point for Namaste Pay, bidding farewell to the old buggy UI. But the scars of a failed launch were already deep enough to pull off new users.

It Did Try!

After the 21st Jan update, the government-backed digital wallet was confident enough to allure new users, launching offers and new features. For example, Festive Offers, the option to buy NTC and Ncell Data packs, integrating Smart QR service, Spilt Bills feature, Flight tickets buying options, and such in the year 2022.

It continued launching offers and features in 2023 as well. The most notable addition was joining the FonePay ecosystem for QR payments in June 2023, a much-needed feature as FonePay QRs technically rule over the digital payments scene in Nepal. It followed with the Loyalty Points System in August. It also managed to bag the “Most Innovative Digital Wallet Deployment Award” in November 2023. But was that enough for the competition? It certainly was not.

Namaste Pay in 2024

And it’s almost 2025 now but let’s talk about my experience of using Namaste Pay in 2024. After not using it for almost 9 months due to PIN issues, I finally decided to give it a go again in December. It was after my PIN issues got resolved pretty quickly after sending a text message to their WhatsApp/Viber number.

Namaste Pay Features in 2024

The app looks pretty neat and clean now. You get all the major payment options like electricity, drinking water, flight tickets, internet, landline, TV, remittance, and such. Loading funds is also pretty easy, you can do it in four different ways: e-banking. mobile banking, connect IPS and cards. There is a broken marketplace section as well. As far as I can recall, it was working somewhere in 2023. Meanwhile, the loyalty points is still functional.

Namaste Pay Loading Fund Options Banks
Fund Loading Options on Namaste Pay

And recharging your any number gets you 2% cash back. Overall, it seems a very decent digital wallet to use but the bank linking option is where it frowned me. It’s 2025 almost and Namaste Pay has only five banks to link: Global IME Bank, Nepal Bank, Laxmi Sunrise Bank, Jyoti Bikash Bank, and Rastriya Banijya Bank. This is enough to harness the reluctance for a new user to try it, let alone the heavy competition, which I’ll talk about in the following section.

Namaste Pay Bank Linking Options
Bank Linking Options

The Digital Wallet Market is too Competitive!

Of course, the terrible half-baked launch was already enough for its name to be forgotten by most. In the current scene, the reason why Namaste Pay has not succeeded is the already competitive digital wallet scene. I don’t possess the exact data about the total number of Namaste Pay users but it is known for all that eSewa, Khalti, and IME Pay are on the top charts for years now.

Digital Wallets in Nepal

Despite the app being fine now, it is very hard for Namaste Pay to compete against the aforementioned top players. This fact is also backed up by the presence of dozens of other digital wallets in the market. As of Kartik 2081 B.S., there are 26 Payment Service Providers (PSPs) in the scene. Which is a lot for a small country like Nepal. Most users are going to stick with one or two wallets/mobile banking apps. And this creates even more reluctance for a new user to try Namaste Pay in 2024.

A FinTech enthusiast like me wouldn’t bother trying new payment apps but it’s surely not a piece of cake for others. Registering, getting the KYC verified and such are hassles for most people. Plus as I have already mentioned, most of them are hooked up with eSewa, Khalti, or IME Pay already.

Should you try Namaste Pay in 2024/25?

Okay so well, if I have to recommend Namaste Pay in 2024/25 to a new user, I’d say it’s 50-50. I mean, the app works very fine with good features but the bank linking option is very scarce for a 2024/25 standard. I hope, Namaste Pay will bring in more soon.

The one major prospect I see in this platform is the offline USSD mode. Which is its key USP by the now. In case you don’t know, Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB) has already published a study report on the USSD-based Payment Systems for Nepal in October 2024. It has mentioned a case study on Namaste Pay’s USSD mode too. In the conclusion part, NRB is hinting towards not mandating every digital wallet to adopt this feature.

Namaste Pay Offline USSD Mode

So, as a sole wallet with a USSD feature, it’s a good chance for Namaste Pay to enhance and improve it. After all, the ability to use a digital wallet offline and even via a keypad phone is fascinating anyway. But, I’d like to aware you that the offline USSD code is only supported in NTC SIM.

I still believe Namaste Pay can be fostered as it has the highest paid-up capital and backup of big government entities like RBB and NTC. But politics play a major role too, so, if everything goes sound in the management, operational and direction part, it might compete well against others! If you care to give it a go, you can download the app here: (Android) and (iOS).