Page 175 – GadgetByte Nepal

Intel’s response to its defective CPUs

Intel

Surakshya Acharya

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July 23, 2024

After months of struggle, Intel confirms that they found the issue causing their CPUs to crash. The company intends to address the processor’s ‘troublesome elevated operating voltage’ problem with a microcode patch. In this article, we will discuss about Intel’s response to its defective 13th and 14th gen CPUs

The reason behind the defect

At the end of February this year, Thomas Hannaford (Intel) confirmed that Intel Core 13^th and 14^th Gen unlocked desktop processors were experiencing issues with certain workloads. Intel now confirms that they have found the issue causing the CPUs to crash. However, this response of Intel’s to its issue is a bit vague.

A report by Hannaford says, “We have determined that elevated operating voltage is causing instability issues in some 13th/14th Gen desktop processors. Our analysis of returned processors confirms that the elevated operating voltage stems from a microcode algorithm resulting in incorrect voltage requests to the processor.”

So long story short all this issue was caused because the processors getting more voltage than usual. This extra voltage was making the processors unstable, and that problem came from a mistake in the processor’s microcode.

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The solution to the issue

Intel is now delivering a microcode patch which addresses the root cause of exposure to elevated voltages. They are continuing validation to ensure that scenarios of instability reported to Intel regarding its Core 13^th/14^th Gen desktop processors are addressed. Intel plans to release this fix to their partners around mid-August, once they’re sure it works correctly.

Intel 13th and 14th Gen Core Instability

Is Intel hiding something from us?

Although they have told us the solution to the issue, they haven’t told us the full story here. Intel has mentioned that their algorithm causing too much voltage can make CPUs unstable, but they haven’t said whether this high voltage damages the CPUs over time. They might be avoiding this topic to prevent a lot of users from trying to return their CPUs for replacements. According to Toms, the microcode patch won’t fix CPUs that are already having issues but will only stop the problem from affecting new CPUs. This makes the situation seem a bit suspicious.

Meanwhile, check our Acer Swift Go 14 OLED (2024) review video:

Asus Vivobook S 15 with Snapdragon Elite chip is finally available in Nepal

Aarohan Niraula

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July 23, 2024

0

Asus Vivobook S 15 with Snapdragon Elite chip is finally available in Nepal

While the Asus Vivobook S 16 OLED (2024) recently made its way to Nepal, the Vivobook S 15 (S5507) with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor is now official in Nepal too. This machine is a bit different from its predecessors as it now runs on an ARM chip instead of one with a x64 architecture. So let’s discuss more about the Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507), alongside its features, official price in Nepal, availability, and more.

Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) Overview

Design and Display

The design of the latest Asus Vivobook S 15 is identical to that of its other counterparts. It has the same monotone minimal finish, the CNC engraved logo on the lid, and the lay-flat hinge. It comes in an all-aluminum chassis of about 15mm thickness while weighing under one and a half kilos. This thing looks sleek, is portable, and ships in a single Cool Silver color option.

The front of the laptop is not any less impressive. It packs a 15.6-inch Asus Lumina OLED panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Additionally, the screen of the Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) offers 3K resolution, a peak brightness of 600 nits, and a 100% DCI-P3 wide color gamut. With a 120Hz refresh rate and a 0.2ms response time, this thing should feel rapid too.

Read our Asus Vivobook S15 (S5507) review

Performance

In terms of processing power, the Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) packs the new kid in the block i.e. a Qualcomm laptop processor. To be more specific, it comes with the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 chipset. This particular silicon is actually the lowest among the three options that American chipmaker offers. Despite that, it comes with 12 cores, 42MB total cache, and a peak multithread frequency of 3.4GHz. Other than that, it packs Adreno GPU and Hexagon NPU with a capability of 3.8 TFLOPs and 45 TOPS respectively.

Moving on to the additional performance hardware on the Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507), it comes with two memory and a single storage option as of now. You can either have 16GB or 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM with an 8448 MHz frequency. Meanwhile, for storage, it is a PCIe Gen 4 SSD with a terabyte capacity. The company has not clarified the upgradability of this device, however, it should be sufficient for a vast majority of people. In terms of software, this thing boots on Windows 11 Home.

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AI

While the hardware side of things is there, the chip and its AI capability are surely the major highlights of this laptop. The company proudly mentions that the Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) is its first Copilot+ PC packed with Windows AI features.

Firstly, it comes with a dedicated Copilot key for you to access the baked-in AI on this laptop. Likewise, you get “Windows Studio Effects” which does stuff like enhancing lighting and reducing noise. Next, coupled with the “Asus AiSense IR camera”, it offers nifty features like dimming the screen when you look away or locking the device when you leave your station.

Now the Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) also offers you the “Live Captions” feature that does exactly what it sounds like. Similarly, it also has “Cocreator” which sounds like generative AI as per Asus’ briefing. Lastly, you get an Asus-exclusive AI app called “StoryCube” that helps you keep your digital assets managed by sorting, editing, managing, and exporting your captured raw files.

Battery and connectivity

With all the hardware and AI stuff going on in this laptop, it isn’t surprising that it relies on a comparatively large 70Wh cell to power itself. Asus is confident that you can get up to 18 hours of battery life from the Vivobook S 15 (S5507). In the meantime, a 90W AC adapter that ships in the box will help you get your laptop back and running when it is low on charge.

Since the Vivobook has a battery on the larger end of the spectrum for a notebook, and given the efficiency of the X Elite Arm chip, we expect superb battery life rivaling MacBooks on this machine. But we’ll have to wait and see how it holds up in reality.

The connectivity side of things on this laptop is no sleeper either. It comes with the latest WiFi 7 and Bluetooth v5.4 support for wireless connections. Meanwhile, the traditional i.e. wired connection is handled through two USB4s, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, an HDMI, a combo audio jack, and a MicroSD card reader.

Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) Specifications

Design and Build: Minimal design with a monotone finish on an all-aluminum chassis, MIL-STD-810H certified
Dimensions: 352.60 mm x 226.80 mm x 14.70 – 15.90 mm
Weight: 1.42 kg
Display: 15.6”, OLED, non-touch, 16:9, 600 nits HDR brightness, 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, 120Hz refresh rate, 0.2ms response time, ΔE<1 average colour accuracy
Resolution: 3K (2,880 x 1,620 pixels)
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100
Graphics: Integrated Qualcomm Adreno
RAM: 16GB or 32GB, LPDDR5X-8448
Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Webcam: FHD IR Camera (Asus AiSense)
Audio: Dual speaker with Dolby Atmos, Harmon Kardon certification, Smart Amplifier, and Asus Audio Booster
Keyboard: Full-size with dedicated numpad, single-zone customizable RGB backlighting + Asus ErgoSense touchpad
Ports: 2x USB4 (Type-C), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x HDMI 2.1 TMDS, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1x MicroSD card reader
Connectivity: Tri-band WiFi 7 + Bluetooth v5.4
Battery: 70Wh 3S1P cell with 90W AC Power Adapter
Colors: Cool Silver
Buy Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) here

Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) Price in Nepal and Availability

The official price of the Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) in Nepal is NPR 209,900 for 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD variant. With the purchase, you also get 2 years of international warranty. You can buy it from Asus-authorized stores like Nagmani International in Nepal and retailers like Hukut.

Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507)	Price in Nepal	Availability
Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD	NPR 209,900	Hukut

Meanwhile, check out our M1 vs M2 vs M3 Macbook Air comparison video:

Infinix Note 40 and Infinix Note 40 Pro review: Total bang for the buck but…

Mintu

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July 22, 2024

0

Infinix Note 40 and Infinix Note 40 Pro review: Total bang for the buck but…

Recently I used the latest Infinix smartphones and it price difference kind of boggled me. What I mean is for identical specs the difference in price doesn’t makes much sense. But before starting with this review of Infinix Note 40/ 40 pro, let me tell you something… Infinix has been doing very well globally, and it can be said they are back in Nepal as well.

Recently, the Infinix GT 20 Pro was launched as the best gaming phone under Rs. 50,000. Currently, we have budget segment phones – Note 40 and Note 40 Pro. Note 40 is priced at Rs. 27,999 (8/256GB) and Note 40 Pro at Rs. 34,999 (12/256GB).

Note 40 and Note 40 Pro are almost similar phones. The difference is that Note 40 Pro comes with more RAM, a curved display, and faster charging. So, if you are looking for more value for your money, you will find more value in the regular Note 40. Hence, I will discuss more about Note 40 than Note 40 Pro in this review.

Infinix Note 40/ 40 Pro Specifications

Specification	Infinix Note 40 Pro 4G	Infinix Note 40
Display	6.78-inch 3D-Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 550 nits (1300 nits peak), FHD+ (1080 x 2436), Corning Gorilla Glass	6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz, with in-display fingerprint sensor
Chipset	MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate	Helio G99 Ultimate (6nm)
OS	Android 14, XOS 14	XOS 14 based on Android 14
RAM	12 GB	8 GB
Storage	256 GB UFS 2.2	256 GB
Rear Camera	108 MP with 3X lossless zoom and OIS, 2 MP + 2 MP	108 MP
Front Camera	32 MP	32 MP
Battery	5000 mAh, 70W wired charging, 20W wireless charging	5000 mAh with 45W charging, 15W wireless
Sensors	G-sensor, E-compass, L-sensor, Proximity sensor, Gyroscope	G-sensor, E-compass, L-sensor, Proximity sensor, Gyroscope
Connectivity	4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2	4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Colors	Vintage Green, Tian Gold, Racing Edition (SE)	Titan Gold, Obsidian Black, Racing Edition
	Buy Infinix Note 40 Pro	Buy Infinix Note 40

Infinix Note 40 and Note 40 Pro Review

Design

1 of 3

Regarding the design, the Note 40 has a flat boxy look, which may feel a bit bulky, and its frames have a shiny finish. Overall, considering its price, it looks good, especially the gold variant I have. However, if you prefer a slimmer and more modern design with a better hands-on feel, the Note 40 Pro is better. Both phones have an IP54 rating and no headphone jack. On the back, the camera module features a fancy lighting called AI Halo Lighting, which lights up for notifications, music, and calls.

Display

Display: 6.78” FHD+ AMOLED 120Hz with in-display fingerprint sensor

The core display quality of Note 40 and Note 40 Pro is the same, except for the curves. They feature FHD+, AMOLED 120Hz screens with 10-bit color depth, 2160Hz PWM dimming, 1500Hz touch sampling rate, and TUV low blue light certification. Sunlight readability is also good. However, the display has two cons: no HDR support and no Gorilla Glass protection. To compensate, Infinix has provided an in-display fingerprint sensor, positioned slightly lower but works fine.

Audio and Haptics

JBL tuned speakers
No headphone jacks

Both phones have a stereo speaker setup tuned by JBL. They are not super loud but are good enough for movies, reels, and music in a room. I noticed a difference in haptics between Note 40 and Note 40 Pro. The cheaper Note 40 has buzzy haptics, while Note 40 Pro’s haptics are better with an X-axis vibration motor.

Performance

Helio G99 Ultimate

There is no performance difference between these two phones. Both are powered by the Helio G99 Ultimate, a 4G chipset, not 5G. However, for the price, it is quite powerful. It is a 6nm chipset, making it efficient too. In my tests, day-to-day use was smooth, apps loaded quickly, and multitasking with 5-7 apps had no issues. For gaming, you can get around 40 fps in PUBG and 60 fps in COD and Mobile Legends. It also has a gyroscope! There is some heating while gaming, but the 40 Pro has vapor chamber cooling, reducing the heating slightly.

UI and Software

Android 14, XOS 14

UI

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Both phones boot on Android 14 out of the box and are likely to get one major OS update. It’s not bad, and thankfully, there are no ads or recommendations. One confusing thing is the status bar showing 4G/4G+/3G icon even when data is off, making it seem like data is on. It’s confusing until you get used to it. Both phones have Band 20 support and VoLTE (NTC), VoWiFi (NTC), and carrier video calling (NTC) work on both phones.

Battery and Charging

5000 mAh with 45W ( Note 40)
5000 mAh with 70W ( Note 40 Pro)

Talking about the batteries, both of these phones have a standard 5,000mAh battery, providing a standard backup. Nothing extraordinary. The Note 40 has a 45W charger, while the Note 40 Pro has a 70W charger, making the Note 40 Pro charge faster. The Note 40 charges to 100% in 1 hour and 7 minutes, while the Note 40 Pro charges to 100% in 47 minutes.

Camera

108MP +2MP+2MP

The camera setup is 108MP + 2MP + 2MP, with the extra two lenses being practically useless. Both phones have a 108MP camera, but Note 40 Pro’s is f/1.75, and Note 40’s is f/1.89.

Daytime comparison

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In daylight, images are very good on both phones with nice dynamic range, details, and colors. No oversaturation is seen. In some areas, the Pro’s camera is a bit better. Still, the Note 40’s camera is very impressive for the price.

1X and 2X portraits

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For portraits, both phones allow shots at 1x and 2x. Skin tones, details, and overall performance are very decent. There are no major complaints except it struggles with exposure in bright background light.

Selfies comparison

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In terms of selfies, both phones are decent with no significant difference between the two.

Both can do 3X in-sensor zoom. It looks nice in daylight, although details are lost when zooming.

For videos, both phones can record up to 2K 30 fps. EIS works in all modes by default on the Note 40 Pro, but not on the Note 40. Videos are more stable on the Note 40 Pro. On Note 40, you need to turn on the stabilization option, which only allows recording at 1080 60fps when enabled. There is no stabilization in selfie videos on both phones.

Infinix Note 40 and 40 Pro Review: Conclusion

So, overall, the Infinix Note 40 is a very good phone under Rs. 30,000. The display and design are good, performance is acceptable, and both wired and wireless chargers are included in the box, which is unique at this price. The software is clean, providing a good user experience, so I have no complaints. The camera performance is just okay, not the best but not bad either. Comparable to Samsung’s Galaxy A15 5G and Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 13, the Infinix Note 40 is a good balanced package under Rs. 30,000.

That being said, if you want a better design, slightly better cameras, improved haptics, faster charging, and 12GB RAM, you can get the Note 40 Pro for about Rs. 7,000 more. However, if you are spending around Rs. 35,000, in my opinion, the OnePlus Nord CE3 available for Rs. 37,000 in the market is a better product!

Infinix Note 40 and 40 Pro Review: Pros and Cons

Pros:

Wireless charging
Vibrant display
JBL-Tuned speakers
Reliable Cameras

Cons:

Average videography
Useless additional lenses
No headphone jack

Oppo announces the 4G variant of Reno12 F and retains the AI features

Raizel Tandukar

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July 22, 2024

0

Oppo announces the 4G variant of Reno12 F and retains the AI features

Oppo recently launched the Reno12 F 5G just last month. The company is now redoing the phone with a 4G-only chipset. Let’s take a look at the Oppo Reno12 F 4G in further detail while also discussing its expected price in Nepal.

Oppo Reno12 F 4G Overview

Design and Display

Aesthetically, the Oppo Reno12 F 4G looks one-to-one with its 5G variant. It has the same flat frames, flat edges, and a large camera island aligned at the centre of its upper half. This island is surrounded by what the company calls the “Halo Light”. It is basically a ring of LED lights that can be customised to sync with the music, calls, charging, and so on. The phone also comes with an IP64 rating and adds a Matte Grey shade on top of the pre-existing Amber Orange, and Olive Green colour options.

On the front, the phone sports a 6.67-inch OLED panel that covers FHD+ resolution and offers a peak refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Likewise, you also get a maximum touch sampling rate and peak brightness of up to 180Hz and 2,100 nits respectively. The Oppo Reno12 F 4G comes with AGC DT-Star2 glass over its screen to offer added protection.

Performance and AI

Under the hood, this phone packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 chip as its primary driver. It is coupled with up to 8GB LPDDR4x RAM and up to 512GB UFS 2.2 storage. The Oppo Reno12 F 4G allows you to virtually extend the memory by an additional 8GB as well. It boots on ColorOS 14.0 developed on top of Android 14.

In the meantime, this phone despite sporting a weaker processor than its 5G counterpart, still comes with all the AI features. Such as the One Touch Eraser that allows you to remove background subjects from your photo. There is also an AI Studio that allows you to create different types of images using a photo of yours. Similarly, AI Smart Image Matting 2.0 allows you to create stickers out of the photos. Apart from the features in the gallery, the Oppo Reno12 F 4G utilises AI to maintain cellular signal in weak coverage locations as well.

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Camera and the rest

The optics department on this phone includes a 50MP primary shooter, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. The latter one will most likely never be used. Meanwhile, on the front, it packs a 32MP shooter under the centre-aligned hole-punch cutout.

In the tank, the Oppo Reno12 F packs a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 45W of wired fast charging. The phone comes with dual SIM 4G LTE as well as WiFi 5 and Bluetooth v5.0 support. Other than that, it also offers a BeaconLink feature. This allows you to make calls through Bluetooth with devices within 130 metres when there is no mobile signal.

Oppo Reno12 F 4G Specifications

Design: Flat metal frames and edges, IP64-rated
Dimensions: 163.10 mm x 75.80 mm x 7.69–7.76 mm
Weight: ~ 187 grams
Display: 6.67” OLED Panel, up to 120Hz refresh rate, 2,100 nits peak brightness, up to 180Hz touch sampling rate, 8-bit (16.7 million) colour depth, 394PPI pixel density, DCI-P3 and sRGB colour gamut, AGC DT-Star2 glass protection
Resolution: FHD+ (1080 x 2,400)
Chipset: Octa-core Snapdragon 685 (6nm)
RAM: 8GB LPDDR4x
ROM: 256GB or 512GB, UFS 2.2
OS: ColorOS 14.0 based on Android 14
Rear Camera: Triple Camera (50MP Primary + 8MP Ultrawide + 2MP Macro)
Front Camera: 32MP Camera (Centre-aligned hole-punch cutout)
Security: In-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Sensors: Geomagnetic, Proximity, Light, Gravity
Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS
Battery: 5,000 mAh cell with 45W fast charging
Connectivity: Dual SIM, 4G LTE, dual-band WiFi 5, Hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0, USB Type-C
Colour Options: Amber Orange, Olive Green, Matte Grey

Oppo Reno12 F 4G Price in Nepal and Availability

Similar to its 5G variant, the price for the Oppo Reno12 F 4G has not been revealed as of now. However, we will make sure to update it as soon as more information is available.

Meanwhile, check out our Oppo Reno12 Pro review video:

Both Intel and AMD variants of Asus Vivobook 15X OLED (2023) now available in Nepal

Aarohan Niraula

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July 22, 2024

0

Both Intel and AMD variants of Asus Vivobook 15X OLED (2023) now available in Nepal

The Vivobook 15X is the larger and beefier sibling of the popular Vivobook 14X lineup and both Intel and AMD variants of the 2023 iteration are now available in Nepal. In this article, let’s talk about the design, chipset, battery and connectivity options, and official price in Nepal of the Asus Vivobook 15X OLED 2023.

Asus Vivobook 15X OLED 2023 Overview:

Display and Design

The screen is one of the main highlights of the new Vivobook 15X OLED 2023. As the name suggests, it comes with a gorgeous 15.6-inch OLED panel. The 10-bit display has excellent colors (100% DCI-P3) and contrast (1 million: 1, Display HDR True Black 600) and comes with a number of certifications including PANTONE Validation, and TUV Rheinland. But it is still a 60Hz FHD panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Moving on to the design, the Vivobook 15X OLED carries the tried and tested look with a metallic lid and plastic base. The 1.6 kg weight and minimal thickness (under 18mm) enable a compact, and lightweight machine. But despite that, its MIL-STD-810H certification ensures durability and longevity.

Chipset and Memory

Under the hood, the Vivobook is available in Intel and AMD variants. Right now, you can either pick up the Ryzen 7 7730U model or the Core i7-1360P configuration.

The Ryzen 7 7730U is an octa-core processor with 16 threads capable of clocking up to 4.5 GHz while Intel’s P series offering is a bit more powerful and brings 12 (4P + 8E) cores, and 16 threads to the picture and a higher clock speed (up to 5.0 GHz).

The Vivobook 15X (2023) can be configured with up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 1TB of NVME SSD. But do be informed that while some models come with faster Gen 4 SSDs, others are equipped with Gen 3 SSDs.

Battery and Connectivity

Fueling the Vivobook 15X is a 3-cell 50Wh Lithium Ion battery. Asus promises 0-60% in just 49 minutes with the provided 65W AC adapter.

Talking ports, Vivobook 15X OLED 2023 features 3 USB-Type As, a single Type-C, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. Wireless connectivity includes dual-band WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.

Asus Vivobook 15X OLED 2023 Specifications:

Design and Build: Metallic lid with CNC-embossed logo
Display: 15.6″ OLED panel, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 60Hz refresh rate, 600 nits peak brightness
Resolution: FHD (1920×1080), 16:9
Keyboard: Backlit,
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7530U or Ryzen 7 7730U
Graphics: AMD Radeon
RAM: 8/16GB dual-channel DDR4 (3200MHz)
Storage: 512GB/1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
Audio: Stereo speakers
Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x HDMI, 1x audio jack
Battery: 50Wh, 65W AC adapter
Check out all the available Asus laptops alongside their price and specifications here.

Asus Vivobook 15X OLED 2023 Price in Nepal and Availability

The 2023 iteration of Vivobook 15X is now available here via Nagmani International. Asus Vivobook 15X OLED 2023 price in Nepal for the Ryzen 7 variant with 16GB RAM and 1 TB SSD is NPR 115,555 while the Core i7-1360p model costs NPR 138,888.

Vivobook 15X OLED 2023	Price in Nepal (Official)	Availability
Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 15.6″ FHD OLED	Unavailable	Hukut
Intel Core i7-1360p, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 15.6″ FHD OLED	NPR 138,888	Hukut

Meanwhile, check out our video on Asus Zephyrus G16 (2023) here:

Zeblaze Thor SQ launched in Nepal with battery life up to 84 hours

Dip Khatiwada

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July 22, 2024

0

Zeblaze Thor SQ launched in Nepal with battery life up to 84 hours

The Zeblaze Thor SQ smartwatch has officially launched in Nepal, offering a range of features and functions that you might fancy. In this article, we will discuss everything about the latest Zeblaze Thor SQ, including its expected price in Nepal, specifications and availability.

Zeblaze Thor SQ Overview

Display and Design

The Zeblaze Thor SQ features a 2.13-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 410 x 502 pixels and a brightness of up to 1000 nits. The device measures 59.5 x 47.6 x 15.4 mm and weighs 50 grams without the strap. The band strap is made of fluoroelastomer, with a width of 22 mm and fits wrist circumferences between 140 and 210 mm.

Battery and Charging

The smartwatch comes with a 950 mAh battery, offering up to 84 hours of typical use time. It uses magnetic charging, which takes approximately 45 minutes to fully charge.

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Performance and Extras

Powered by the Cortex-A7MP Quad-Core CPU, the Zeblaze Thor SQ claims to offer ‘solid’ performance. It includes 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage, The Zeblaze Thor SQ supports multiple network bands, including GSM, WCDMA, LTE-FDD, and LTE-TDD. It also features Wi-Fi (2.4GHz, supporting 802.11b/g/n) and Bluetooth 4.2 for connectivity.

The smartwatch is equipped with a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope sensor, and a new OHR fusion biometric sensor. For navigation and positioning, it supports GPS, GLONASS, Baidou, and AGPS.

Zeblaze Thor SQ Specifications

Display: 2.13-inch AMOLED, 410 x 502 pixels, up to 1000 nits brightness
Dimensions: 59.5 x 47.6 x 15.4 mm, Weight: 50g (without strap)
Battery: 950 mAh, Magnetic charging (~45 minutes), Up to 84 hours typical use
Processor: SL8541E Cortex-A7MP Quad-Core CPU
Storage & RAM: 2 GB RAM + 16 GB storage
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 4.2
Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, OHR fusion biometric sensor
Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, Baidou, AGPS
Pre-book Zeblaze Thor SQ here

Zeblaze Thor SQ Price in Nepal and Availability

The official MRP of the Zeblaze Thor SQ in Nepal is NPR 15,000. The watch can be purchased from Hukut and you pre-book through this link.

Smartwatch	Price (Official)
Thor SQ	NPR 15,000

Meanwhile, watch our review of Samsung Galaxy M35 Review

Xiaomi launches Buds 5 with built-in speech-to-text feature

Raizel Tandukar

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July 21, 2024

0

Xiaomi launches Buds 5 with built-in speech-to-text feature

Xiaomi recently launched a bunch of products including their latest foldable, their first-ever flip phone, a smartwatch, a fitness tracker, and earbuds. In this article, we will delve into the details of the Xiaomi Buds 5 (not to be mistaken with the Redmi Buds 5) and also discuss its potential price in Nepal.

Xiaomi Buds 5 Overview

Audio

Xiaomi has equipped these buds with dual magnetic units allowing for wider audio coverage. However, the company does not mention the driver size present in them. Other than that, the Xiaomi Buds 5 supports Qualcomm aptX Lossless codec that supports 24-bit/48kHz HD audio with a transmission rate of up to 2.1 Mbps. Moreover, the company has partnered with Harman’s “Golden Ear Team” as well as other mainstream music platforms to fine-tune these earbuds.

Additionally, they also offer adaptive ANC, and ambient and wind noise reduction during calls by utilising their triple mic setup on each bud. You can enjoy spatial audio using these earbuds on the latest Xiaomi smartphones. In the meantime, you can use this feature with other devices such as TVs, projectors, and gaming consoles after fiddling around on the Xiaomi Earbuds app.

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Design and Features

The latest Xiaomi earbuds come in a semi in-ear fit and boast an IP54 dust and water resistance. These buds have a dual-tone finish with a glossy stem front and the rest of the portion being matte. The charging case also has a similar look to it with reflective lid and matte body. The Xiaomi Buds 5 packs a 35mAh battery on each side and a 480mAh cell in the charging case. This power reservoir offers you over six hours of independent and up to 39 hours of combined playback. The entire package comes in four distinct colours: Moon Shadow Black, Snow Mountain White, Frost Blue, and Titanium Gold.

These earbuds are equipped with the latest Bluetooth v5.4 and offer latency as low as 50ms when used with Qualcomm-powered phones. You connect them to two devices at once regardless of the smartphone brand. There are some HyperOS ecosystem perks too that you can enjoy with these earbuds. Such as a faster and more seamless pairing experience, and smart switching between devices. You can also share audio on two separate units of Xiaomi Buds 5 by connecting them to one Xiaomi phone.

Recording and AI

One of the most interesting and unique features of the Xiaomi Buds 5 is that you can record real-time audio as well as phone calls by triple-pressing the stem. You can then feed the audio to the Xiaomi Earbuds app, which then uses AI to convert it into text or generate a summary. This feature can used even when the buds are in the charging case, however, the lid and the app must be open to do so. Also, only English and Chinese are supported for this feature.

Xiaomi Buds 5 Specifications

Design: Semi in-ear, stemmed, IP54-rated, dual-tone finish (buds as well as case)
Dimensions:
- Buds: 20.16 mm x 17.18 mm x 30.00 mm
- Case: 53.90 mm x 53.20 mm x 24.50 mm
Weight: 4.20 grams (Buds), 36.60 grams (Case)
Sound Driver: Dual magnet driver
Noise Cancellation: Adaptive ANC that lets human voice and horns through + Ambient / Wind noise reduction with three mics on each bud
Connectivity: Bluetooth v5.4
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, LC3 (on supported devices)
Battery: 35 mAh (Buds), 480 mAh (Case)
Playback (ANC Off, AAC, 50% Volume): Up to 6.5 hours (Buds), Up to 39 hours (With Case)
Charging: Via USB Type-C
Features: Touch controls, Multiple sound effect modes, Spatial Audio, Low Latency of up to 50ms (on phones with Qualcomm processor), Voice and Call recording for speech-to-text or summarisation, Fast pairing*, Multi-device connection, Multi-device switching*, Audio Sharing*
(* = on devices running on HyperOS )
Companion App: Xiaomi Earbuds (Android | iOS)
Colour Options: Moon Shadow Black, Snow Mountain White, Frost Blue, Titanium Gold

Xiaomi Buds 5 Price in Nepal and Availability

These earbuds launched on 19 July 2024 with a price tag of CNY 699. If the Xiaomi Buds 5 arrives in Nepal, we expect their price to be NPR 15,499.

Xiaomi Earbuds	Price in China (Official)	Price in Nepal (Expected)
Buds 5	CNY 699	NPR 15,499

Meanwhile, check out our Sennheiser Accentum Plus review video:

Xiaomi Watch S4 Sport announced with Titanium body and Esim

Surakshya Acharya

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July 21, 2024

0

Xiaomi Watch S4 Sport announced with Titanium body and Esim

After a few months of Xiaomi launching its Watch S3 with HyperOS and interchangeable bezels, the company has announced its new series- Watch S4 Sport. This smartwatch comes with a 1.43″ AMOLED screen, titanium body, and ESIM. This article covers the specs, design, price in Nepal, and availability of Xiaomi Watch S4 Sport.

Xiaomi Watch S4 Sport overview!

Design and Display

First impression? Amazing looking. The Xiaomi Watch S4 Sport features a circular design with a sturdy build. This watch is mostly suitable for high-intensity outdoor activities. The watch body is crafted from aircraft-grade titanium alloy. But to our surprise, the weight is down just to 49g.

Both the front and back of the watch are protected by sapphire glass, so you can carefreely wear this watch, without the fear of being scratched.

Talking about the strap options, the Watch S4 Sport includes silicone, rubber, nylon, and titanium alloy. The S4 Sport boasts impressive water resistance with 5ATM waterproofing and EN13319 diving certification, allowing it to be used for scuba diving up to 40 meters.

So, if you’re into adventure, this watch might be the one for you!

Battery Life and Sensor

The watch has various sensors, including a PPG sensor for heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring. Not only this, it also features acceleration, gyroscope, geomagnetic, barometric water depth, temperature, and ambient light sensors.

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The device features a non-removable Li-Po 586mAh battery, delivering impressive longevity. The LTE version offers up to 9 days of battery life with typical usage and 3.5 days with heavy usage. The Bluetooth version extends this further, providing up to 15 days of typical usage or 6 days with the Always-On Display (AOD) enabled.

Additional Features

The Xiaomi Watch S4 Sport runs the HyperOS operating system with 32MB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, offering enough space for apps and data.

In addition to this, the Watch4 Sport also enables a suite of health-tracking features, such as daily activity monitoring, women’s health tracking, fall detection, stress monitoring, breath training, and sleep analysis.

Xiaomi Watch S4 Specifications

Design: Round dial design
Display: 1.43-inch AMOLED screen, up to 2200 nits (peak)
Dimensions: 46.9mm × 46.9mm × 12.6mm(1.85*1.85*0.50 in)
Weight: 49g (1.73 oz)
Materials: Aircraft-grade titanium alloy body, sapphire glass on front and back
Resolution: 466 x 466 pixels (326 PPI)
Sensors: Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2, Depth gauge, NFC car key support: Xiaomi SU7 and Lotus cars
OS: Xiaomi HyperOS
Connectivity: eSIM support, 4G/3G, 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC
Navigation: Dual-frequency five-star GNSS positioning system with offline map navigation support
Features: 5ATM waterproof, EN13319 diving certification (up to 40 meters), 150+ sports modes, daily activity tracking, women’s health tracking, fall detection, stress monitoring, breath training, sleep and heart rate monitoring
Colour Options: Titanium(main body), silicone, rubber, nylon, and titanium alloy (strap)
Battery: Li-Po 586mAh, non-removable
- LTE version: Up to 9 days with typical usage, 3.5 days with heavy usage
- BT version: Up to 15 days with typical usage, 6 days with AOD ON Colour Options: Not specifically mentioned in the provided information

Xiaomi Watch S4 Sport Price in Nepal and Availability

The Watch S4 Sport starts at CNY 2,000 in China. The chances of this watch being launched in Nepal are unlikely, but if it does, we expect the Xiaomi Watch S4 price in Nepal to start at NPR 40,000 for the Sport versions and NPR 50,000 for the Titanium Milanese strap version.

Xiaomi Watch S4 Sport	Price in China (Official)	Price in Nepal (Expected)
Rubber strap version	CNY 1,999	NPR 40,000
Liquid silicone strap version	CNY 1,999	NPR 40,000
Titanium Milanese strap version	CNY 2,599	NPR 50,000

Meanwhile, check our Redmi Watch 3 Active video:

Xiaomi launches Mi Band 9 with a focus on fashion as well

Raizel Tandukar

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July 21, 2024

0

Xiaomi launches Mi Band 9 with a focus on fashion as well

Xiaomi recently launched its newest foldables — Mix Fold 4 and Mix Flip. They also launched a fitness band and earbuds alongside the phones. In this article, we will look into the Xiaomi Mi Band 9 while also estimating its price in Nepal.

Xiaomi Mi Band 9 Overview

Design and Display

The Xiaomi Mi Band 9 comes in the standard pill shape that we associate with fitness bands. The housing frame on this thing is made out of aluminium alloy and ships in four different colours. It ships in Black, Silver, Blue, and Rose Gold options with a similar coloured TPU strap by default. However, you can swap it out for a plethora of different options including a leather one, a steel one, or even a pendant one. Meanwhile, there is a special edition of the Xiaomi Mi Band 9 as well, which for the first time comes in a ceramic housing. Regardless of housing choice, the watch boasts a 5ATM water resistance.

On the front, you are looking at a pill-shaped AMOLED screen that measures 1.62 inches diagonally. Furthermore, it has a resolution of 192 x 490 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate. Likewise, the screen on the Xiaomi Mi Band 9 can reach a brightness of 1,200 nits and auto-adjust the brightness depending on the lighting condition. It also dons a 2.5D tempered glass protection on top.

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Features and Battery

Apart from the obvious focus on design, it comes with high-precision sensors and Bluetooth v5.4 for all the fitness tracking and connectivity with your smartphone. You can track your heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep with this watch. The Xiaomi Mi Band 9 also comes with over 150 different sports modes. The company also introduced “Just Dance” which you can play by moving in real-time. The fitness band comes with other games too, and it boots on HyperOS.

This wearable comes with a 233 mAh battery inside that takes about an hour to fully charge. With this, the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 can last you up to 21 days on typical usage. It is compatible with devices running on Android 8.0 or iOS 12.0 and above. You can customise this fitness band and access all your data through the Mi Fitness app. It is also available in a different that supports NFC and can be used as a key or to make payments.

Xiaomi Mi Band 9 Specifications

Design: Pill-shaped with aluminium alloy or ceramic frame, 5ATM
Dimensions:
- Standard: 47.53 mm x 21.63 mm x 10.95 mm
- Ceramic: 47.50 mm x 22.73 mm x 10.95 mm
Weight (without straps): 15.80 grams (standard), 22.40 grams (ceramic)
Display: 1.62″ AMOLED, touch, 1,200 nits peak brightness, auto-brightness, AOD, 2.5D tempered glass
Resolution: 192 x 490 pixels
OS: Xiaomi HyperOS
Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyroscope optical, Heart Rate and Blood Oxygen, Ambient Light
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, NFC (Optional)
Compatibility: Android 8.0+ or iOS 12.0+
Features: 100+ watch faces, 150+ sports modes, health and sleep monitoring, games
Battery: 233 mAh, 21 days on typical mode
Charging: 100% in about 60 minutes
Companion App: Mi Fitness (Android | iOS)
Colour Options: Black, Silver, Blue, Rose Gold

Xiaomi Mi Band 9 Price in Nepal and Availability

This fitness tracker was launched in China on 19 July 2024 and is available to purchase for CNY 249. Sources report the price of variant with NFC support, and Special Edition to be CNY 299 and CNY 349 respectively. If this wearable ever makes its way into our country, we expect the Xiaomi Mi Band 9 price in Nepal to start from NPR 5,499.

Xiaomi Mi Band 9	Price in China (Official)	Price in Nepal (Expected)
Standard Version	CNY 249	NPR 5,499
NFC Version	CNY 299	NPR 6,999
Ceramic Special Edition	CNY 349	NPR 7,999

Meanwhile, check out our video list of the best budget fitness trackers in 2024:

Redmi K70 Ultra launched and it comes with a discrete graphics chip

Raizel Tandukar

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July 21, 2024

0

Redmi K70 Ultra launched and it comes with a discrete graphics chip

While the Redmi K80 series is apparently in the works, the company has topped its current flagship series with an Ultra variant. This is the fourth entry to the series after the Redmi K70E, K70 and K70 Pro. Let’s take a look at the Redmi K70 Ultra in further detail, including its expected price in Nepal.

Redmi K70 Ultra Overview

Design and Display

The Redmi K70 Ultra has flat frames which is made out of metal. This is the first time in product history that metal has been used for the frames. In the meantime, the back panel has a glass layering and is curved near the edges. So, this gives the phone a semi-curved finish overall. It has an IP68 rating and is available in three colours: Ice (Blue), Ice Snow, and Mo Yu (Black). There is a “Champion Edition” of the phone too, which comes as a result of the partnership between Redmi and Lamborghini. This edition takes its design cues from the Essenza SCV12 sports car.

On the front, the phone dons another collaborative unit in the form of the C8+ display, which is co-developed by Xiaomi and TCL Huaxing. This screen stretches 6.67 inches diagonally on the Redmi K70 Ultra and offers 1.5K resolution, a peak brightness of 4,000 nits, a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, and a touch sampling rate of up to 480Hz. Additionally, it is also capable of an instantaneous touch sampling rate of up to 2,160Hz and PWM dimming of 3,840Hz. The screen is protected by Xiaomi Longjing Glass which has grown 35% harder than the glass used on Redmi K60 Ultra.

Performance

The performance on the Redmi K70 Ultra is being led by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset. This processor is so powerful that it overtakes the base Dimensity 9300 by over 15% in the AnTuTu score. The vanilla model previously held the top position in terms of AnTuTu score. Both processors have a similar internal architecture, however, the “+” model has a higher peak clock speed of 3.4GHz compared to the 3.25GHz on the base variant. This processor also comes with MediaTek NPU 790 to handle on-device AI like when taking notes, videos, etc.

Talking of configurations, this phone is available in five different options. Those being 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 512GB, 16GB + 1TB, and 24GB + 1TB. The latter is only available for the Champion Edition while the regular model can have any of the remaining four memory and storage combo. Furthermore, the Redmi K70 Ultra houses a 5,000 m² vapour chamber cooling system to keep things cool and smoothly running. Software-wise, it boots on in-house Xiaomi HyperOS.

Dedicated Chips

The phone also has a bunch of other dedicated chips. The highlighting one among them is the D1 chip, which is basically like the discrete graphics card we see on laptops. This chip comes with a 12nm fabrication and takes the computing load off the primary processor. This allows the Redmi K70 Ultra to maintain high frame rates, image quality and brightness during heavy gaming sessions.

There are Surge P2 and G1 chips as well which handle fast charging and battery management respectively. Likewise, the Redmi K70 Pro is equipped with Xiaomi Pengpai T1 that boosts its signal reception. As per the company, this chip boosts the phone’s WiFi and Bluetooth performance by 12% and GPS accuracy by 20%.

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Camera and the rest

As the Redmi K70 Ultra is a performance-heavy phone, the cameras on this thing aren’t a primary focus. However, it does have a 50MP primary shooter with the Sony IMX906 sensor backing it up. The auxiliary lenses on this thing aren’t anything to marvel at though. It comes with a respectable 8MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro lens which is more or less, just a filler. On the front, it has a 20MP portrait camera for selfies and facial recognition.

In the tank, it has a large 5,500 mAh battery with 120W charging support. It supports two SIM cards, both of which can operate on 5G. Additional wireless connectivity on this thing includes WiFi 7, Bluetooth v5.4 with high-res codecs, NFC, and six-way navigation with up to four frequency support. Lastly, it also has an optical fingerprint sensor sitting under the screen and a stereo speaker setup.

Redmi K70 Ultra Specifications

Design: Flat metal frames, curved glass back panel, IP68-rated
Dimensions: 160.38 mm x 75.14 mm x 8.39 mm
Weight: 211 grams, 212 grams (Champion Edition)
Display: 6.67” C8+ Panel, up to 144Hz refresh rate, 4,000 nits peak brightness, up to 480Hz touch sampling rate, up to 2,160Hz instantaneous touch sampling rate, 3,840Hz PWM dimming, 12-bit (68.7 billion) colour depth, P3 colour gamut, Xiaomi Longjing glass protection
Resolution: 1.5K (1,220 x 2,712)
Chipset: Octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm)
Graphics: Immortalis-G720 MC12 GPU + D1 discrete graphics chip (12nm)
RAM: 12GB or 16GB, 24GB (Champion Edition), LPDDR5x
ROM: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB, UFS 4.0
OS: Xiaomi HyperOS based on Android 14
Rear Camera: Triple Camera (50MP Primary with Sony IMX906 sensor + 8MP Ultrawide + 2MP Macro)
Front Camera: 8MP Camera (Centre-aligned hole-punch cutout)
Security: In-display optical fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Sensors: Optical distance, 360° front and rear dual light, acceleration, ambient colour temperature, e-compass, gyroscope, IR blaster, Flicker sensor
Navigation: GPS (L1 + L5), GLONASS (G1), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b), BeiDou (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), QZSS (L1 + L5), NavIC (L5)
Battery: 5,500 mAh Lithium-ion Polymer cell with 120W super fast charging
Connectivity: Dual SIM, 5G, Dual-band WiFi 7, Hotspot, Bluetooth v5.4, USB Type-C
Colour Options: Ice (Blue), Clear Snow, Mo Yu (Black), Champion Edition: Green, Orange

Redmi K70 Ultra Price in Nepal and Availability

This phone was announced on 19 July 2024 in China and starts at CNY 2,599. The K-series phones have not made it outside their motherland for a long time now, and it seems the case will remain unchanged for this one as well. Given that, the likeliness of this phone arriving in Nepal is next to none. However, if it does arrive here by any chance, we expect the Redmi K70 Ultra price in Nepal to start at NPR 57,499.

Redmi K70 Ultra	Price in China (Official)	Price in Nepal (Expected)
12GB + 256GB	CNY 2,599	NPR 57,499
12GB + 512GB	CNY 2,899	NPR 63,999
16GB + 512GB	CNY 3,199	NPR 70,999
16GB + 1TB	CNY 3,599	NPR 79,499
24GB + 1TB (Champion’s Edition)	CNY 3,999	NPR 88,499

Meanwhile, check out our Redmi 13 5G review video: