A big leap in wireless tech just came out of Japan! Some top telecom companies there teamed up to unveil the world’s first 6G prototype. It can zip data at a super-fast 100 gigabits per second, which is 20 times quicker than 5G. Let’s dive into this article and discuss everything we know about this 6G Wireless technology.
6G Wireless Tecnology Overview
Just Unbelievable Speed
The prototype device, made by Japan’s top telecom companies like DOCOMO, NTT Corporation, NEC Corporation, and Fujitsu, has passed its tests. It works indoors at 100 gigahertz (GHz) and outdoors at 300 GHz, reaching 100 Gbps speeds over distances up to 100 meters (328 feet).
Challenges and Opportunities
Even though hitting those speeds is amazing, there are hurdles for 6G. Using higher frequencies than 5G might mean signals don’t travel as far or penetrate obstacles as well. But, there’s a ton of promise here. Moving from 4G to 5G was mainly about handling more data, but with 6G, we’re talking about opening doors to things like holographic calls and super immersive virtual reality.
Collaboration and Research
This collaboration actually started back in 2021, gearing up for the 6G age by researching sub-terahertz devices. Each company pitched in big time. DOCOMO worked on setting up wireless systems for 100 GHz stuff, NTT made top-notch gear for 300 GHz gadgets, NEC dove into wireless systems specifically for the 100 GHz band, and Fujitsu focused on making signals stronger efficiently for both 100 GHz and 300 GHz bands.
Even though we’re seeing big strides, there’s still a long road ahead before 6G is everywhere. We’re talking about revamping cell towers and needing new phones with built-in 6G antennas. But, even with all that work, pushing ahead with 6G means we’re stepping into a whole new world of wireless communication.
Meanwhile, watch our review of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds
Speculations about the iPhone 16 started emerging, just days after iPhone 15 was released. And as we move closer to the launch of the phone, it is only natural that the rumors start piling up. Recent developments suggest that the iPhone 16 will have on-device AI and it will be the best in the class. Let’s discuss all the rumors about what the iPhone 16 series might soon bring to the table.
iPhone 16 Series Rumors Roundup
Artificial Intelligence
As more and more devices started leaning on AI as their main highlight, pressure was building on Apple to do the same. Initially, it seemed as if the company did not really care, but they did have something up their sleeve.
Apple CEO — Tim Cook mentioned that they were working on generative AI the previous and further confirmed it on the recent Apple Earnings call. He stressed that Apple has advantages that will set them apart from the competition. The advantage being Apple having full control over its hardware, software, and the integration of the two.
The iPhone makers will likely announce their take on the built-in at the WWDC event in the summer. We can expect features like more advanced image editing tools, webpage/audio summarization, and notification management. On top of that, an updated version of Siri, and an integrated chatbot called “Ajax” are also rumoured to be in the works.
When considering Apple’s typical trends, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will likely equip the current-gen Pro siblings’ SoC. However, there’s a twist this time around. Unlike the A17 Pro chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple is expected to use the more cost-effective N3E process for the basic “A17” chip in iPhone 16 and 16 Plus development.
A18 Chip with NPU Boost
Talking of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Economic Daily News says that the top-of-the-line Apple phone will likely be powered by Apple A18 silicone. This chipset is said to boast a significantly powerful NPU. This further suggests that the upcoming iPhones will indeed have AI capabilities baked into the phone itself. Moreover, Apple is expected to bump up the NPU core count in about four years since the Apple A14 Bionic chipset.
An antenna upgrade
The antenna module on the iPhone 16 will see an upgrade as well. With UMC chips, that is. Apple had been working with Qorvo for its power amplifiers for its phones. And Quorvo recently acquired another company named Anokiwave. This is the company that will be producing the chips that will now be integrated into the new iPhone’s antenna module. The said chips follow UMC’s 3DIC technology.
With this, the upcoming iPhone 16s will have improved signal efficiency and better reception capabilities. This will be crucial for powering all the AI capabilities of the phone we highlighted earlier as it requires a stable connection to operate.
Talking about the iPhone 16 Pro, it might feature a 6.27″ display size and is expected to have a slightly taller aspect ratio of 19.6:9, up from the current 19.5:9. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro Max could come with a 6.86″ display size. While there will be an increase, it may be relatively unnoticeable.
Buttons
The iPhone 16 series is anticipated to feature a new capacitive button called the ‘Capture Button,’ codenamed ‘Project Nova.’ It will be positioned slightly below the power button, replacing the mmWave cutout’s location. Whose purpose is undisclosed yet.
Alongside the Capture Button, the iPhone 16 series may feature a capacitive Action Button, codenamed ‘Project Atlas.’ This button could have a design similar to the Capture Button and might use strain gauges and a reluctance motor for haptic feedback.
Battery
The iPhone 16 may also feature stacked battery technology, which could lead to higher capacity and longer battery life (much-needed). Furthermore, specific rumors suggest the possibility of faster 40W wired charging and 20W MagSafe charging in the iPhone 16 series.
Camera
The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to feature a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens with pixel binning technology that combines the data from four pixels into one “super pixel”.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max will also sport a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera with an eight-part (8P) hybrid lens for improved image quality. There are also enhancements planned for the telephoto and ultra-wide lenses.
In 2024, both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max could incorporate periscope telephoto lenses, a feature exclusive to the 2023 iPhone 15 Pro Max due to size constraints. Also, we might get a look at a vertical camera layout similar to the iPhone 12.
iPhone 16 Ultra
There are also rumors that the iPhone 16 lineup could introduce an iPhone 16 Ultra. This handset might be positioned on the higher premium side, offering enhanced camera specs, a larger display, a portless design (yes, this is a thing), and many other features.
iPhone 16 Series Launch and Availability
When we observe Apple’s annual trend, we can certainly expect the new lineup to hit the market in September. Obviously, we don’t know the price yet. And we’ll continue to bat our eyes on new info and update the article accordingly.
Since its debut a few years ago, the Summit E16 Flip has been MSI’s flagship business and productivity laptop. The 2023 iteration has all the bells and whistles of last year— together with the performance gains of the new “Raptor Lake” processors. So, let’s get into the specs, features, official price, and availability of MSI Summit E16 Flip A13 (2023) in Nepal.
MSI Summit E16 Flip A13 Overview:
Performance and Cooling
MSI offers two variations of the Summit E16 Flip A13. The first one meets Intel’s Evo guidelines and is more of a traditional ultrabook. MSI also has a second version that trades the certification for more GPU power. The non-Evo Flip A13 comes with either RTX 4060 (A13VFT) or RTX 4050 (A13VET). In contrast, the E16 Flip Evo (A13MTX) styles for integrated Intel Iris Xe.
The new Summit E16 Flip is configurable with up to Core i7-1360P processor. Furthermore, it has Dynamic Cooler Boost technology with dual fans and heat pipes to keep the CPU cool.
Design and Display
MSI Summit E16 Flip sports a 16” IPS touchscreen with a QHD resolution. Since it’s a productivity-focused laptop, it has a 16:10 aspect ratio and support for MSI Pen. The panel refreshes at 165Hz and boasts 100% DCI-P3 color coverage. There is also an FHD version if you go with the Evo model.
The screen attaches to the metal body via a 360° hinge, which allows extra flexibility when used in tablet mode or with a pen. With the MIL-STD-810G certification on board, the metal chassis can survive a few accidental bumps.
MSI has equipped the Summit E16 Flip with enterprise-level security. This includes Windows Hello Face authentication via the IR sensor, hardware-based TPM implementation, and a dedicated Webcam Lock Switch.
There is a 1080p webcam with noise-reduction technology for your video conferencing needs. It is complemented by the quadruple mic with AI noise cancellation and stereo speakers.
Rest of the Specs
Fueling all this is a 4-cell 82 Whr Li-Polymer battery which you can charge with the provided Type-C PD charger. The Evo version features two Thunderbolt 4 ports with DisplayPort and PowerDelivery charging. In contrast, only one of the two Type-C ports on the non-Evo model supports them. Other connectivity options include USB-A, microSD card reader, and HDMI.
MSI Summit E16 A13 Specifications:
Design & Build: Aluminum build, 358(W) x 258.55(D) x 16.85(H) mm, 2.1 kg, MIL-STD-810G compliant, Ink Black
MSI Summit E16 Flip A13 Price in Nepal and Availability
Summit E16 Flip A13 is already for purchase via authorized stores in Nepal. For Rs. 215,000, you can take home the E16 Flip Evo with Core i7, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD. Ordering from authorized stores will get you a two-year warranty and a free MSI Stealth Trooper Backpack II.
TCL — a Chinese electronics company — recently introduced a massive 98-inch TV in Nepal. In the meantime, they have launched a new smartphone in the American market. In this article, we will talk about the TCL 50 XL 5G smartphone including its expected price in Nepal.
TCL 50 XL 5G Overview
Design and Display
The TCL 50 XL 5G comes in a flat monotone design with a large circular camera island on the back. It flaunts the company branding on the lower left side of the back panel. Meanwhile, the camera island sits in the top left corner. The phone ships in a single Slate Grey colour option.
On the front, you get a 6.78-inch display with an IPS LCD panel underneath. The screen spans FHD+ in resolution and comes with a 2.5D curved glass on top. Additionally, you get a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. TCL markets the screen on the 50 XL 5G as the NXTVISION technology.
Performance
Under the helm, this phone comes with the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset. This is a budget 5G chip from the Taiwanese company that comes with eight cores, 6nm fabrication, and a peak clock speed of 2.2 GHz. Moreover, the processor launched around mid-last year and focuses more on preserving the battery of the phone.
Additional performance hardware on the TCL 50 XL 5G includes 6GB memory coupled with 128GB internal memory. The company offers the NXTURBO feature which allows you to virtually double the memory of the phone. Likewise, it also supports a MicroSD card of up to 2TB as additional storage. On the software front, this phone boots on Android 14.
The optics department on this phone is led by a 50MP main camera that also doubles down as a macro shooter. The auxiliary lenses on the TCL 50 XL 5G include an ultrawide camera and a depth sensor, both of which a 2MP in resolution. Similarly, you get an 8MP camera on the front sitting under the hole punch cutout.
In the tank, the phone packs a 5,010 mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. Other than that, TCL 50 XL 5G comes with two speakers and microphones each. The speakers here offer DTS 3D Boom Sound while the mics are capable of noise cancellation. For wireless connectivity, you get a single SIM 5G cellular, dual-band WiFi 5, Bluetooth v5.3 and NFC support. On the other hand, wired connections are handled by a USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
TCL 50 XL 5G Specifications
Design: Monotone design with flat edges and 2.5D curved glass screen
Connectivity: Single SIM, 5G, Dual-band WiFi 5, Hotspot, Bluetooth v5.3, NFC, USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
Colour Options: Slate Grey
TCL 50 XL 5G Price in Nepal and Availability
The company launched its 50 series of phones back in January at CES 2024. But, now it is available for purchase at a price tag of USD 159.99 and comes with a pre-loaded T-Mobile SIM card.
Regardless, if and when this phone makes its way here, we expect the TCL 50 XL 5G price in Nepal to be NPR 25,599.
TCL 50 XL 5G
Price in USA (Official)
Price in Nepal (Expected)
6GB + 128GB
USD 159.99
NPR 25,599
Meanwhile, check out our Realme C65 5G unboxing and review video:
Level51 is bringing its 14th-generation MB series gaming laptop to Nepal with a powerful Intel Core HX processor and RTX 40 series GPU very soon. In this article, let’s take a look at the Level51 MB gaming laptop, its features and offerings, full specifications, and price in Nepal.
Level51 MB Overview:
Design and Display
Level51 MB is a creator-focused powerhouse with minimal design and gamery aesthetics. It measures 361mm x241mm x28mm to be specific and weighs about 2350 grams.
It features a 15.6” Full HD IPS screen with a fast 144Hz screen and over 100% sRGB colors. That means not only can you game at high frame rates but also dabble in creative workflows like photo or video editing.
Performance and Memory
The Level51 MB is powered by a 14th Raptor Lake Refresh core i5-14500HX CPU with 14 cores, 20 threads, and a max turbo frequency of 5 GHz. You get desktop-level performance with portability in mind.
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Right now, you can pre-order the Level51 MB with an RTX 4050 Max P GPU but there might be higher configurations available down the line. The GPU runs at its full 140W TGP and should provide sufficient horsepower for most needs.
In terms of memory, there’s an 8GB DDR5 stick by default which you can upgrade either on purchase or down the line. For files and games, you get a Gen 4 Lexar SSD with an extra storage slot inside the laptop. An additional 8GB of RAM or 500GB SSD will cost you 6,000 more rupees.
Battery and Connectivity
In the tank, you get a modest 54Wh Lithium battery which recharges via a 230W AC adapter provided on purchase. There’s a DC-in port alongside a mini-display port connected directly to the NVIDIA GPU on the rear. We also see an HDMI and a Type-C port but those two are connected to the integrated graphics.
Other ports include two Type-As, another Type-C port, separate headphone and microphone jacks, and an SD card reader. The 720p webcam is present on the top bezel while you get WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity.
Level51 MB (2024) Specifications
Dimensions, Weight: 361mm x241mm x28mm (W x D x H), 2.35 kg
I/O Ports: 1x Mini-Display port, 1x USB type-C (DisplayPort), 1x USB type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x HDMI 2.1 TMDS, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack
Level51 MB Price in Nepal and Availability
The Level51 MB gaming laptop price in Nepal starts at NPR 185,000 for the Core i5, RTX 4050 variant. But it’s up for pre-order at an asking price of NPR 170,000. You can get it via the Level51 store or Hukut.
Nepal’s first PSO Fonepay partnered with India’s NIPL to launch the historic “Cross Border QR Payment” service in September 2023! As a result of this partnership, Nepali could make and receive payments through Fonepay in India and by Indians. The partnership has now added a brand new prospect, such that PhonePe can be used in Nepal by Indians.
PhonePe in Nepal Overview
Before we get into the details of PhonePe in Nepal, let’s take a look at PhonePe itself.
PhonePe
PhonePe Group is India’s leading fintech company. They are involved in various sectors including financial services like insurance and lending and consumer tech business. Under the latter, they produced different service platforms like Pincode (hyperlocal e-commerce platform) and the Indus app store (India’s localised app store).
While the group expanded into these sectors later in time, they came into existence with — PhonePe. It is a digital payments app and the group’s flagship product. The app was launched in August 2016 and has amassed over half a billion registered users to date. Additionally, PhonePe has a payment acceptance network of 38 million merchants making it India’s leading consumer payments app. Meanwhile, on the monetary side of things, it processes over 230 million transactions daily while all these payments total over USD 1.5 trillion annually.
PhonePe showcased its services at a special event held in Kathmandu, Nepal. This event saw the presence of various influential individuals in the Nepali financial landscape. Similarly, the panel of the event included the likes of Anish Tamrakar — Chief Digital Banking Officer of Kumari Bank, Shardha Shrestha — Manager of Nepal Tourism Board, Jagdish Khadka — CEO of eSewa, and Vivek Rana — ICT/MIS Consultant of Asian Development Bank (ADB).
In the meantime, Ritesh Pai, and Diwas Kumar took the stage of the event who are CEO of International Payments of PhonePe, and CEO of Fonepay Nepal respectively. The former spoke about how this partnership would enhance the travel experience between the two countries. Likewise, Diwas Kumar highlighted that this collaboration would boost the economic growth of the countries.
Some things to note…
To note, only Indian citizens can use the PhonePe app for digital payments through UPI in Nepal on FonePay-based QR. The service had already gone live quite some months ago. Likewise, UPI stands for Unified Payment Interface, jointly developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) & Reserve Bank of India. It is a PSO (Payment Service Operator) that acts as a medium for digital transactions. Just like F1Soft’s FonePay and NCHL’s ConnectIPS in Nepal. Meanwhile, PhonePe is a digital wallet (Payment Service Provider) that uses UPI’s network. More like eSewa using the FonePay network here in Nepal.
And the cross-country payments only work on Fone-Pay based business QR (PAN-registered QR). It will not work on our personal bank account’s QR. Plus, one has to be physically present in another country, for instance, an Indian citizen must be present in Nepal to do the cross-country payment. Lastly, Nepali tourists in India will be able to make payments in India by scanning UPI-based QR codes soon. It is not available for the time being.
PhonePe in Nepal: Conclusion
Fonepay Nepal had previously partnered with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) wherein they expanded their services to India. This very partnership has now facilitated the introduction of PhonePe in Nepal. Fonepay Nepal’s CEO announced that their journey to bring cross-border payments in Nepal has come full circle. He added that Indian tourists could make payments via PhonePe in Nepal.
Just a few months after the launch of theY02, Vivo has followed up with a beefier Y02t smartphone. This budget-centric device brings a processor and memory improvement alongside a bunch of other things. And Vivo has slashed the price of this phone. In this article, let’s talk about the design, features, specifications, and the latest official price of the Vivo Y02t in Nepal.
Vivo Y02t Overview
Design and Display
In terms of looks, not much has changed from the vanilla Y02. The distinctive camera module and matte back are appealing aesthetics for a budget phone. The 2.5D flat frames and 8.5mm thickness are also untouched. Despite the attractive design, the phone is made out of plastic but that’s quite common in the budget segment.
On the display side, you get to see a large 6.5-inch LCD screen. The 60Hz panel has a standard HD+ resolution of 1600×720.
Processor and Memory
Running things at the core is MediaTek’s Dimensity P35 processor. Fabbed under a 12nm process, this octa-core SOC consists of four Cortex A53 Cores clocked at 2.3GHz and four Cortex A53 cores at 1.8GHz. Complementing the processor, you get 4GB of RAM with the option to add an additional 4GB as virtual RAM. For storing your photos and applications, Vivo Y02t comes with 64GB of storage.
Rest of the Specs
Fueling the Vivo Y02t is a 5000mAh lithium battery that supports up to 10W of charging. As for the cameras, you get the exact setup as in the Y02. The back features a single 8MP shooter in the camera island while the 5MP selfie camera is housed in the water drop notch. Connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, and Bluetooth 5.0.
Ulefone has recently unveiled two new rugged tablets: the Armor Pad 3 Pro, its flagship model, and the Armor Pad Pro. In this article, we discuss further the latest Ulefone Armor Pad 3 Pro and Pad Pro, including their price in Nepal, specifications, and availability.
Ulefone Armor Pad 3 Pro and Overview
Display and Design
Both the Armor Pad 3 Pro and Armor Pad Pro offer impressive durability features, including IP68/IP69K water resistance ratings and MIL-STD-810H certification for drop and shock protection.
The Armor Pad 3 Pro boasts a 10.36” 2K display with a pixel density of 225 PPI. The Armor Pad Pro comes with an 8-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 800 x 1280 HD+.
Battery and Charging
The Armor Pad 3 Pro stands out with its massive 33,280mAh battery, providing over two months of standby time. It also features two 1100-lumens LED lights for illumination in low-light conditions. The Armor Pad 3 Pro supports 66W fast charging and 10W reverse charging, allowing it to be used as a power bank For the Armor Pad Pro, you get a battery size of 7650 mAh with charger support of 18W.
Performance
Both tablets are powered by the MediaTek® MT8788 octa-core processor and support up to 2TB of expandable storage. Both of these Armor tablets ships with 8GB RAM with an additional 8GB of memory extension RAM. Meanwhile, the Pad Pro comes with 128GB of memory while the Pad 3 Pro features 256GB of storage.
Camera
The Armor Pad 3 Pro is equipped with a 32MP Samsung S5KGD1SP front camera and a 50MP Samsung S5KGN1SP rear camera. Meanwhile, the Armor Pad Pro boasts a Samsung camera sensor, offering a 48MP rear camera with diverse photography modes, along with a 32MP front camera. Both of these tablet offers 4G LTE support and features a 3.6mm headphone jack
Ulefone Armor Pad 3 Pro / Pad Pro Specifications
Durability:
IP68/IP69K water resistance ratings
MIL-STD-810H certification for drop and shock protection
Display:
Armor Pad 3 Pro: 10.36” 2K display (225 PPI)
Armor Pad Pro: 8-inch LCD panel (800 x 1280 HD+)
Battery and Charging:
Armor Pad 3 Pro: 33280mAh battery, 66W fast charging, 10W reverse charging, 1100-lumens LED lights
Armor Pad Pro: 7650mAh battery, 18W charger support
Chipset: MediaTek® MT8788 octa-core processor
RAM/Storage:
Armor Pad 3 Pro: 8GB RAM, 256GB storage
Armor Pad Pro: 8GB RAM, 128GB storage
Camera:
Armor Pad 3 Pro: 32MP front camera, 50MP rear camera
Armor Pad Pro: 32MP front camera, 48MP rear camera
Connectivity: 4G LTE support, 3.5mm headphone jack
Ulefone Armor Pad 3 Pro Price in Nepal and Availability
The Armor Pad 3 Pro and Armor Pad Pro will launch on May 13, 2024, exclusively on Ulefone’s AliExpress store, with pricing details revealed then. Ulefone is celebrating the launch with a Facebook giveaway where participants can win an Armor 26 Ultra and more.
Recently, another 14th-gen ultrabook landed in our office and this time, it was the Swift Go 14 from Acer. Looking at the spec sheet, you’ll find a lot of things to love about it…like the newest Core Ultra processor, fast memory, lightweight design, 1440p webcam, and more.
But having used and tested it for a week, let me tell you why you should probably skip this one, in my detailed review of the Acer Swift Go 14 (2024).
Acer Swift Go 14 (2024) Review: Specifications
Dimensions, Weight: 12.30 x 8.6 x 0.59-inches (W x D x H), 1.3 kg
Before we begin, let’s understand Acer’s confusing naming scheme. Firstly there are two different models under the Swift Go 14 tag. One carries the “SFG14-72” model number while the other has a “SFG14-73” tag. Both ship with OLED and non-OLED configurations under “SFG14-72T” and “SFG14-73T” respectively. Depending on the region, both models might / might not be available and they cost about the same. However, scouring around the internet, I found reviews of the latter (73 models) scoring higher in benchmarks and having better thermal performance. Having said that, it’s unlikely to affect your everyday usage in a very meaningful way.
Here I am reviewing the Acer Swift Go 14 (2024) SFG14-72T which ships with the Core Ultra 7 processor and an IPS touch screen for around NPR 160,000. The SFG14-73 OLED version can also be found for a similar price.
For an ultrabook, the Swift Go 14 does relatively well with its compact dimensions and lightweight design. The body is all metal with an aluminum lid so it feels decently sturdy as well.
That being said the boring look has been recycled a few times now and it just doesn’t feel as premium as the Zenbook 14 from Asus or the Macbook Air lineup.
Keyboard and Touchpad
White backlit chiclet keyboard (1.4mm travel)
Plastic trackpad (with OceanGlass coating)
The keyboard is decent for the price but somewhat low travel and mushy. Nothing out of the ordinary there but I don’t like a few other things about it. First is the tiny up and down arrow keys and second is the power button which I accidentally clicked more times than I’d like to admit. But these are minor gripes that might not affect you at all so don’t weigh these criticisms too heavily. There are two levels of backlight that you can toggle with the F11 key and a dedicated ‘Acer Sense’ key close to it.
Overall, not too shabby but I was expecting a bit more feedback from a semi-premium ultrabook. The trackpad though, feels cheap for the money.
It’s bigger (44% ↑) than last year which is definitely welcome, but there’s a wobble when clicking on the lower left and right sides which I am not a big fan of. The clicks are also a bit louder than I’d like and the “OceanGlass” coating doesn’t feel the smoothest. Workable but I prefer the glass trackpads of the Zenbook 14 OLED and Macbook Air lineup.
Display
14″ matte FHD+ (1920×1200) IPS touch display
60Hz refresh rate, 100% sRGB color gamut
375 nits brightness, ~ Gamma 2.1
The display is another letdown here. It’s a 14-inch IPS screen with Full HD plus resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. Acer also sells an OLED version with a higher 2.8K resolution and a 90Hz display. The funny part is that both these configurations are very closely priced in Nepal and you can get your hands on the OLED (SFG14-73) with a 2-year warranty and the same processor/memory configuration for just around 155-160,000 rupees.
Anyway, there are things to love about this screen like the tall aspect ratio, the touch support, and a decent color space. That being said, I can’t help but compare!
For the same price, you can get a much more vibrant and colorful OLED screen with better brightness, more colors, and contrast. Or you can choose to go for last year’s model which sells around 95,000 rupees and still features a gorgeous 90Hz OLED.
Colors and Brightness
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2023 IPS model
2023 OLED model
Performance
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU (28W TDP)
Intel Arc graphics (Integrated)
16GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
I mean how much are you really losing by going last year? Well, not much … at least in the CPU single-core department.
The Core Ultra 7 155H in the new Swift actually performs worse in single-core than last year’s Core i5-13500H model. But, it’s unlikely you’ll ever notice the difference in everyday things like opening apps, browsing the web, and streaming content.
Single Core performance
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That being said, the multi-core performance sees a decent bump here and the new chip consumes less power, and offers better battery life which might be more compelling pull factors.
Multicore
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Intel Arc graphics
That being said, the new integrated Arc graphics is a total game changer.
Grpahics
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It is almost twice as powerful as the Iris Xe in older models and you really see that difference. Even gaming is totally doable on the integrated graphics, and I was able to get playable frame rates on a game as demanding as Cyberpunk 2077.
So, it’s no surprise that titles like Counter-Strike and Valorant ran very well too. This is especially noticeable when you compare the numbers against the Iris Xe laptop where gaming was a no-go for the most part. It’s not all joyful though, as you’ll realize tearing is an issue if you opt out of using Vsync.
Gaming Results
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NPU and AI
There’s also a dedicated NPU in the new processor for AI-related things but honestly speaking, aside from a few benchmarks and features, there isn’t a lot of software that really takes advantage of this. It is used for noise cancellation during video calls, blurring the background, auto-framing the subject, and generating AI images. Hopefully, more features roll out in the future but right now it’s more of a marketing gimmick.
Memory-wise, you get 16 gigs of soldered RAM alongside a 1 terabyte Gen 4 SSD. And the read and write speeds are pretty good too.
Similarly, the 1440p webcam is also excellent for the price with good details but I would have preferred a physical privacy shutter as in the “SFG14-73” model. It would also have been nice to have ‘Windows Hello’ with facial recognition but you only get the fingerprint option on the Swift.
Audio and I/O
The speakers are really not very exciting either. They sound tiny with not a lot of bass and impact so I’d recommend using speakers or headphones while watching movies for a more immersive experience.
For that, you can plug your headphones into the 3.5mm jack on the right side of the laptop which also features a Type-A port, a micro SD reader, an LED, and a K lock. On the left, you have your Thunderbolt 4 ports, alongside an HDMI, and another USB A port. I would have preferred to have a USB-C port on either side, but it’s really more of a convenience thing and not a dealbreaker.
In terms of wireless connectivity, you get WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1, so as expected the Swift is pretty fast and scores decently in the “Speedometer 2.0” benchmark.
Battery Life
65W battery, supports 100W charging via USB-C PD
65W Type-C adapter in the box
As I said before the Core Ultra 7 isn’t the biggest leap in power but should provide better efficiency. In my day to day, I have a decent backup of 6 to 6.5 hours of writing documents, watching videos, and using some Photoshop on the side. That’s relatively good endurance for an Intel laptop so I am definitely happy in that regard.
But, if watching movies and series is what you mostly do, even last year’s OLED version will provide you with very good endurance.
That being said, the 2024 OLED (SFG14-73) model with the Meteor Lake chip is where the money is in terms of battery life. That guy managed an excellent 10 hours and 11 minutes of back-to-back video playback on a full charge which is way more than the IPS model.
Acer Swift Go 14 (2024) Review: Conclusion
So, that’s why I think you should probably skip the Acer Swift Go 14 ‘SFG14-72T’. It’s not as good as the ‘SFG14-73’ OLED model while being nearly just as expensive and it’s not as value for money as last year’s configuration.
The newer Meteor Lake chips bring improved graphical performance and better efficiency which are both very important things for an ultrabook. But paying such a premium just for those two features while losing out on a gorgeous OLED display doesn’t make sense for most folks.
JBL is one of the most popular audio accessories brands in the world. They updated their Clip, Xtreme, and GO line of products back in CES 2024. Now the company has unveiled a new lineup of speakers in India. In this article, we will discuss the JBL Authentics series in further detail including its expected price in Nepal.
JBL Authentics Series Overview
The JBL Authentics series includes three members, each carrying the “Authentics” name and separated by a number at the back — 200, 300, and 500.
Design and Features
JBL took a page out of their books for the design of the Authentics series, as these speakers share a fair share of similarities with the JBL L100 that launched back in the 70s. Given that, the entire series has the same retro aesthetic and comes with an aluminium frame and synthetic leather enclosures. On top of that, these speakers also have the classic Quadrex grille.
The JBL Authentics series comes equipped with both Bluetooth and WiFi offering wireless connectivity with your devices. Furthermore, you can stream your music through AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM), Chromecast, as well as Spotify Connect. When doing so, your music remains uninterrupted when you take a call or leave the room. In the meantime, the entire JBL Authentics series calibrates itself to deliver optimum audio performance regardless of the surface type. Moreover, these speaker features both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa while offering further controls and personalisation via the JBL One app.
In terms of the audio, all three members of the JBL Authentics series have their own thing going on.
The JBL Authentics 200 comes with a 90W digital amplifier, dual 1-inch silk dome tweeters, a 5-inch full-range mid-woofer, and a 6-inch passive radiator. Likewise, the dome tweeters remain unchanged on the JBL Authentics 300, but every other aspect gets a bump. That being said, you get a 100W digital amplifier, a 5.25-inch full-range mid-woofer, and a 6.5-inch passive radiator.
Lastly, the best of the bunch i.e. JBL Authentics 500 goes all out with a 270W digital amplifier, triple horn-loaded 1-inch aluminium tweeters, triple 2.7-inch high-excursion mid-woofers, and 6.5-inch down-firing subwoofer. Additionally, you also get dual patented JBL Slipstream ports and Dolby Atmos 3.1 channel sound support.
JBL Authentics Series Price in Nepal and Availability
The entire JBL Authentics series is available for purchase in India via official channels. You can get these speakers from a starting price of INR 44,999. If and when these speakers make their way here, we expect the JBL Authentics series price in Nepal to start at NPR 74,999.
JBL Authentics Series
Price in India (Official)
Price in Nepal (Expected)
JBL Authentics 200
INR 44,999
NPR 74,999
JBL Authentics 300
INR 54,999
NPR 89,999
JBL Authentics 500
INR 79,999
NPR 129,999
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