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Realme 12 Pro+ review: We’re talking stellar 3x portraits!

Mintu
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Realme 12 Pro+ review: We’re talking stellar 3x portraits!

Hello everyone, I’m here with a review of the Realme 12 Pro+, which has just launched in Nepal for Rs. 50,999. And for that price tag, you are getting a 3X periscope zoom lens, a Sony IMX890 main camera,  and a beautiful design. But besides that, what else is there, and how is this phone? Worry not,  I’ll share my experience regarding that in this Realme 12 Pro Plus review.

Before heading in, let’s take a quick look at the specs of the Realme 12 Pro Plus.

Realme 12 Pro+ Specifications

  • Display: 6.7″ curved-edge full-HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate
  • Chipset: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm)
  • RAM/ Storage: 8GB / 12GB LPDDR4X RAM with 128GB / 256GB  UFS 3.1 storage
  • Software: Android 14 with Realme UI 5.0
  • Camera: 50MP IMX890 main (with OIS), 8MP ultra-wide, 64MP OmniVision OV64B periscope portrait camera
  • Front Camera: 32MP sensor
  • Sensor: In-display fingerprint sensor
  • Battery and Charging: 5000mAh with 67 Watt of charging
  • Price in Nepal: NPR 50,999 (12/256GB)
  • Check out the full specs of the Realme 12 Pro+ here.

Realme 12 Pro Plus Review:

Cameras

  • Rear Camera: 50MP IMX890 main (with OIS), 8MP ultra-wide, 64MP OmniVision OV64B periscope portrait camera
  • Front Camera: 32MP

Okay as you have expected, I’m gonna start by addressing the elephant of the room here first–the cameras. Finally, someone from the pack decided to cut off the useless depth/macro sensors and provide a more functional and trendy 64MP 3X Periscope lens instead. Kudos to Realme here! (Other brands should start taking notes). The last time we saw a periscope lens on a Realme phone was on the Realme X3 SuperZoom, released back in June 2020. 

Realme 12 Pro Plus Camera

Along with the zoom lens, you get a flagship Sony IMX890 with OIS as the primary shooter and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. While upfront, there is a 32MP snapper. The camera specs look too good on paper, right? What about the real-world performance?

Portraits

The portrait game on this guy is pretty strong. It clicks the best portraits in the range, period! You get that professional camera-like vibe with enough details and sharpness.

Periscope Zoom

The 64MP periscope lens as the name implies can do 3X optical and 6X insensor zoom. And the shots are decent if not the best.  You can also go up to 120X digitally, which I wouldn’t simply recommend, because the outputs are not usable, given that this is a mid-range device.

Daylight

The daylight imageries are also on the commendable side. The initial days were not that great but Realme has provided multiple updates and the primary camera has gotten much better. The dynamic range is good while the outputs stay on a slightly poppier side, which looks pleasing to my eyes.

Ultrawide

The 8MP ultrawide unit also does a decent job. It is not good as the main camera for obvious reasons but for some casual shots, you can count on it.

Selfies

Talking of the selfies, you can snap some good-looking outputs with ease. There is a slight pinkish tone though.

Nighttime

When the sun goes down, turning on the dedicated night mode can for sure, get you better-looking images. The details are not great though as expected from a midrange phone.

Design 

  • Dimensions: 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm
  • Weight: 196grams
  • IP rating: IP65

The design of this phone is something to praise! This is not your regular vegan leather back phone, the brand has instead collaborated with designer Olliver Saveo to build it, just like its predecessor, the Realme 11 Pro+ did with Matteo Menotto. 

Realme 12 Pro Plus Design

And it does look premium. This circular camera module bears a luxury watch-like pattern with precise attention to detail. The vegan leather texture and slightly curved form factor make a really nice grip here to hold. The frame is still plastic but overall, this guy does deserve 4.8 stars for the premium attributes in the 30K segment. The IP65 rating is also worry-free for water splashes and dust protection.

And oh well, you can buy this phone in two other color options– Navigator Beige and Explorer Red editions, which look equally premium as well.

Display

  • Display: 6.7 inches AMOLED, 120Hz, 950 nits (peak)
  • Resolution: 1080 x 2412 pixels (~394 ppi density)

Coming to the front, there is a 6.7-inch curved AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution. During my usage period, I found it to be pretty vibrant and sufficient for all my daily chores and media usage. It boasts a punchy color output and can play HDR content on YouTube.

Realme 12 Pro Plus Display

But on Netflix, it only supports HD playback despite, the phone bagging the Widevine L1 certification. Maybe an update can fix this? Apart from that, the display is bright enough to use outdoors with 800nits of High Brightness Mode.

Stereo Speakers

Likewise, the stereo speakers here feel very good, I mean it’s not that of a flagship level or super loud, but you are gonna love the audio during your binge-watching sessions or streaming Spotify/YouTube Music.

120Hz is not properly optimized 

Seems all good here, doesn’t it? But wait…. despite the screen supporting a 120Hz refresh rate, Realme has not properly optimized it. I have noticed that the refresh rate stays at 120Hz only in the launcher and as soon as I switch to an app like Facebook or Instagram, it goes to 90Hz and even 60Hz while using Youtube. 

There is no 120Hz-only mode here sadly. I know, it’s all good for battery saving but capping the refresh rate on social media apps, kinda ruins a fluid experience.

Realme UI 5.0

And talking further about my experience, the Realme UI 5.0 felt just average to me. The amount of bloatware kills the vibe here. If you ask me why, it’s basically OxygenOS with all the customizations and features but filled with unnecessary apps and games. The UI can also make you download apps and games in multiple places. So, I seriously recommend you uninstall and disable those apps.

Realme 12 Pro Plus Bloatware

How’s the performance?

Let’s move to the gaming performance of this phone! The Realme 12 Pro+ is powered by a new Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC. It’s the same chip as on the Redmi Note 13 Pro and Poco X6. 

Talking of the gaming score here: PUBG runs at a stable 59 fps with no major hiccups or lags. The story continues the same with Call of Duty Mobile at 59fps stable frame rate. 

But, the Realme 12 Pro+ can’t run any high fps games past 60fps. Be it Mech Arena or a low-intensive game like Alto’s Adventure, the refresh rate is capped at 60fps which is kinda disappointing. And on Genshin Impact, despite setting it to run at 60fps, the fps is limited to 30fps, which again is a strange thing.

So, Realme is somehow restricting the chip’s performance here as it’s doing with the refresh rate thing, I’ve already mentioned! For keeping things cool, there is a 3394mm2 Vapor Chamber cooling though, which works fine.

Besides gaming, the Snapdragon 7S Gen 2 is all good for your day-to-day chores. I know, a better chipset could have made its way here but hey, the camera specs are already too good, so I let that slide in!

Battery and Charging

  • Battery: 5000mAh, 67W charging

Okay, let’s move to the battery section. Well, it gets the usual 5000mAh Lithium Polymer cell which provides a backup for a day. And to top it on, you get an in-box 67W SuperVOOC charger in the box. If you recall, its predecessor the Realme 11 Pro+ came with 100W charging.

Realme 12 Pro Plus Casual

But in my opinion, 67W is the sweet spot, charging 0-50% in 20 minutes and 0-100% in 50 minutes. It’s also good for the long run in terms of battery health.

Realme 12 Pro Plus Review: Conclusion

The Realme 12 Pro+ is a solid camera phone, there is no second thought to that. The 3X periscope camera is great and the main camera is also pretty good. Realme deserves some praise for featuring a periscope zoom lens in the midrange segment, which is nonexistent on other brand’s midrange phones. So, I’d call it a trendsetter with a gorgeous-looking vegan leather design.

The performance side could have been better though, with a more powerful chip like the a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. The newly launched Realme GT 6T has a more powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. But for someone, who’s not deeply into gaming, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 caters well in all other areas. One thing, Realme should really work on is the bloatware side. It can be uninstalled or disabled but, the UI can be more cleaner and refined. Overall, the Realme 12 Pro+ is a very decent option, if you are vouching for 3X portraits and an attractive design in the upper midrange segment.

Realme 12 Pro Plus Review: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Stellar 3X periscope lens
  • Premium design
  • Good display
  • Decent stereo speakers

Cons

  • Comes with multiple Bloatware
  • 120Hz is not optimized properly
  • Cannot run 90/120fps games

Samsung Galaxy F55 launched with Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 and vegan leather back

Raizel Tandukar
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Samsung Galaxy F55 launched with Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 and vegan leather back

Samsung launched the Galaxy M55 5G a while ago (we also reviewed the unit). In the meantime, the Galaxy F55 5G has also arrived with identical specs in India. Here in this article, we will talk about the Samsung Galaxy F55 5G, its specs, features, and expected price in Nepal.

Samsung Galaxy F55 5G Overview

Design and Display

Design-wise, Samsung has kind of reached its end goal as they have been sticking with a uniform design for all its phones across the board. So, it is quite obvious that the Samsung Galaxy F55 5G comes in that “Galaxy” design we all are familiar with. This time, the back panel here is vegan leather, which is available in both Orange and Black shades, it comes with.

Samsung Galaxy F55 5G Design and Display

On the front, it boasts a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution.

Performance

The South Korean tech giant featured its in-house Exynos 1380 chipset on 54-number phones all across the board last year. The Galaxy A55 naturally progressed to Exynos 1480 this time around. However, the Samsung Galaxy F55 5G has gone for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 instead, just, like the M55 5G.

Samsung Galaxy F55 5G Performance

Samsung has paired the chip with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

Camera and Battery

Meanwhile, the optics department is led by the 50MP camera coupled with an 8MP ultrawide and 2MP decorative macro shooter. The front camera is a 50MP shooter sitting under the Infinity-O cutout.

In the tank, you get a 5,000 mAh cell fueling the phone. It supports 45W of fast charging.

Samsung Galaxy F55 5G Specifications:

  • Display: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ Infinity-O Display, 120Hz refresh rate
  • Resolution: Full HD+ (1080×2400 pixels)
  • Processor: Snapdragon 7 Gen 1(4nm)
  • Software & UI: One UI 6.1 based on Android 14
  • Rear Camera: Triple
    – 50MP main, OIS
    – 8MP ultrawide
    – 2MP macro
  • Front Camera: 50MP (hole-punch cutout)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, 5G, GPS, VoLTE
  • Battery: 5000mAh with 45W charging

Samsung Galaxy F55 5G Price in Nepal and Availability

In India, the pricing of the Galaxy F55 5G starts at INR 26,999 for the base 8/128GB trim. We expect the Samsung Galaxy F55 5G price in Nepal to begin from NPR 44,999 if and when it launches here.

Samsung Galaxy F55 5G Price in India (Official) Price in Nepal (Expected)
8/128GB INR 26,999 NPR 44,999
8/256GB INR 29,999 NPR 48,999
12/256GB INR 32,999 NPR 53,999
  • Meanwhile, check out our Samsung Galaxy A54 vs Galaxy F54 review video:

Hollyland microphones are now available in Nepal via Oliz Store

Raizel Tandukar
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0
Hollyland microphones are now available in Nepal via Oliz Store

It’s no secret that good sound is a gateway to enjoyable content. So, what can you do? Getting a good microphone is surely a place to start. And the fresh entry in the Nepali market — Hollyland, could be a good choice for you! Let’s discuss more about Hollyland, its microphones, and their price in Nepal.

Hollyland Microphones in Nepal Overview

Introduction

Hollyland is a wireless technology brand hailing from Shenzen, China. The company was established in 2013 and has been a key player in the content production market. It has a decorated portfolio including video transmission systems, cameras, monitors, wireless microphones, and wireless intercom systems.

The company aims to “make shooting infinitely easier” while “leading the industry development”.  In the process, Hollyland stepped into the international market in 2016 and bagged the Reddot Design Award and PRONEWS Award Gold Award in 2022 for its various offerings. After this, its microphones also started gaining global attraction and eventually, Hollyland entered the Nepali market as well through Oliz Store.

Hollyland Microphone

1. Hollyland LARK C1 DUO

The LARK C1 is the most affordable Hollyland microphone you can get in Nepal. It is available in two variants — Type-C and iOS. The entire package contains two transmitters, one receiver with either a USB Type-C or Lightening (male) port, a USB-A to USB-C cable, two furry windscreens, a charging case, and a storage bag.

Hollyland LARK C1 DUO

Additionally, these microphones have an omnidirectional pickup, a one-click noise cancellation feature, and a 200-metre operating range. Moreover, it offers sample rate and audio resolution of 48kHz and 16-bit respectively. You also get a 140 mAh internal battery offering eight hours of usage time.

2. Hollyland LARK M1 DUO

Next up, we have the Hollyland LARK M1 DUO which offers much of what the LARK C1 DUO offers. It does have some differences though. Firstly, the receiver comes with a USB-C female port. Meanwhile, you also get a 3.5mm TRS cable as well as a 3.5mm TRS to TRRS cable coupled with the package.

Hollyland LARK M1 DUO

3. Hollyland LARK M2 DUO

The Hollyland LARK M2 DUO is another microphone available in Nepal and is the successor to the previous entry. The audio resolution on this thing has been upped to 24-bit while the receiver has been redesigned into circular units. In the meantime, the contents in the box have also been updated.

Hollyland LARK M2 Mic price in Nepal

Now you get three different receivers one with a USB-C connector, one with a lightning connector, and a camera mount one. Other than that, it also includes four clip magnets, a back clip, and a drawstring bag.

4. Hollyland LARK MAX DUO

Finally, we have the most premium Hollyland microphone available in Nepal — the LARK MAX DUO! It offers the same sample rate and audio recording quality as the LARK M2. However, it comes with an increased transmission range of 250 metres. Additionally, you also get a touchscreen OLED as a display and for controls.

Hollyland LARK MAX DUO

Likewise, it also comes with a larger 490 mAh in-built cell with nine hours of battery life. In the box, you get two microphone transmitters, a receiver, a charging case, a 3.5mm TRS cable, two furry windscreens, two magnetic clips, and a storage back. In addition to that, you get one each of USB-C to lightning, USB-C to USB-C, and USB-C to USB-A cables.

Hollyland Microphones Price in Nepal and Availability

The Hollyland microphone price in Nepal starts from NPR 16,500 and goes all the way up to NPR 43,500. You can get these microphones through Oliz Store’s official website as well as their physical store. Other Hollyland products like wireless video transmission systems and wireless intercom systems are also available for purchase.

S.N. Hollyland Microphones Price in Nepal
1 LARK C1 DUO (Type-C) NPR 16,500
LARK C1 DUO (iOS) NPR 18,000
2 LARK M1 DUO NPR 16,500
3 LARK M2 DUO NPR 28,000
4 LARK MAX DUO NPR 43,500
  • Meanwhile, check out our best action camera in 2024 video:

Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ review: Now that’s a stylish design

Mintu
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0
Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ review: Now that’s a stylish design

I think we all can agree that the budget segment smartphones are really boring these days. The best the budget segment has to offer is the Redmi 12 and the Moto G34 and that’s about it! But what if I tell you, for under 27,000 Rupees, this phone, The Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus offers an almost mid-range experience? It has a curved AMOLED display, a nice vegan leather finish, and a 100MP camera – all packed in at an affordable price. To be fair, this is not a 5G phone, but if you are someone who doesn’t care about that and if 4G speeds are enough for you, this phone actually ticks a lot of boxes. Let me explain one by one in this Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Review.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Specifications

  • Display: 6.78 inches AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak)
  • Resolution: 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density)
  • Chipset: Mediatek Helio G99 Ultimate
  • Memory: 256GB Storage/ 8GB RAM
  • Rear Camera: 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67″, 0.64µm, PDAF 0.08 MP (AL)
  • Front Camera: 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
  • Battery: 5000 mAh, 33W charging
  • OS: Android 14
  • Speaker: Stereo
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
  • Color: Temporal Orbits, Lunar Frost, Radiant Starstream, Magic Skin 2.0 Green
  • Buy Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Here

Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Review

Design  

Okay, I’m going to begin with what I love the most about this guy: its design. Tecno has provided a vegan leather finish on the rear side which feels nice, like really nice! I love this color too, but if you don’t prefer this color, there are other options too which come with a glass back. 

Talking of the design, it’s surprising how thin this phone is and how Tecno has been able to fit in a 5000 mAh battery here. The frames here are plastic, but it look and feels very seamless. Also, look at the bezels here, they are almost non-existent and the little punch hole on the top just makes the display look very minimal.

 Display

  • Display: 6.78 inches AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak)
  • Resolution: 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density)

It’s a curved display that comes with a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel that has a 120Hz refresh rate, Full HD+ resolution, and a 1920 Hz PWM dimming. Tecno hasn’t mentioned the type of display protection here nor any sort of TUV Rheinland certification, but since this is a budget phone, I will let that slide.

Surprisingly, the display quality here is good for the price. Of course, it is not as contrast-rich or vibrant as what you get in say, premium midrange AMOLED displays, but the color reproduction and contrast are decent, much better than the IPS panels we get in a similar price range.

The 120Hz refresh rate also seems to be optimized decently here. I didn’t face much stutters here and the auto switch refresh rate switches the refresh rate from 60-120Hz pretty seamlessly most of the time. I do have to tell you that one or two times the phone would simply run at 60 Hz even with the auto refresh rate option turned on, but then it went back to running normally when restarted. So, that was a little bitter experience I had like one or two times while using this phone. 

Tecno also claims that it has 1000 nits of peak brightness as well, which of course only comes into play while watching HDR content. But the phone is bright enough outdoors so no complaints. Also, you get an in-display fingerprint sensor here which is fast enough, so, overall, I am quite happy about the display on this phone.

And despite being a curved panel, I didn’t experience a lot of accidental touches here. As expected, you do not get HDR playback support on Netflix and YouTube here but it shouldn’t be much of an issue for a budget phone, right?

Audio 

Likewise, you also get a dual stereo speaker setup, which is just decent, nothing extraordinary! It is loud enough but certainly is not 400% loud as claimed on the official site and the output is only decent.

Performance 

  • Chipset: Mediatek Helio G99 Ultimate
  • Memory: 256GB Storage/ 8GB RAM

Under the hood, the Spark 20 Pro+ packs a 6nm fabbed Helio G99 ‘Ultimate’ processor. I’m a bit confused with this “Ultimate” moniker as the official site doesn’t mention an increase of CPU or GPU clock speeds. Anyway, we know the Helio G99 is a tried and tested chipset and for a budget price, it’s a good performer.

When it comes to gaming, you can play popular titles like PUBG and Call of Duty at a stable 40fps rate. On a High fps game like Mech Arena, it managed to provide a 60fps gameplay. And a 30fps output on Genshin Impact, of course on low settings! Well, despite being a slim phone, it doesn’t overheat, so that was impressive!

And besides gaming, running the day-to-day chores on this guy seems as okay as it should be! It’s not superfluid fast, but it caters well to a moderate user with a bit of social media usage, light gaming, and multitasking with 3-4 apps at once.

UI and Software 

  • OS: Android 14

Alright, so with brands like Tecno and Infinix, the biggest concern I had previously was the software front. These brands were known to have sluggish bloatware-ridden software which didn’t provide a much refined experience.

But the HiOS 14 built here is actually nice. First of all, it comes with Android 14, which is somewhat of a slap on Redmi’s face since even their premium phones don’t come with Android 14 out of the box. Secondly, I am impressed that there isn’t much bloatware to complain about, which is really impressive for a budget Tecno phone. 

On top of that, you also get a bit of customization options here and there are no ads anywhere. It also has this feature where it mimics the Dynamic Island notifications from the iPhone. It’s visible while plugging in the charger, low battery reminder, charge completion reminder, and so on.

But still, here and there, there are some things that are not refined in the UI here, at least not as well as Samsung or even Redmi. Having said that, I do think this is a good start and if Tecno keeps improving, the future looks good for them.

However., I don’t have much information on how many years of software updates this phone will receive though!

Camera

  • Rear Camera: 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67″, 0.64µm, PDAF 0.08 MP (AL)
  • Front Camera: 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide)

Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus Camera

Okay, time to talk about the cameras. You get a triple camera setup here technically, but I’ll rule out the two from here: the two useless 0.08MP auxiliary lenses (Shaking My Head). So, the only one remains the 108MP primary camera. From this, the daylight images look like this.

As you can see, the 108MP camera captures good images under good lighting conditions. The details are good and the images look sharp. But the HDR processing can be weak in some conditions and I also feel the colors are quite on the muted side. It’s no issue if you actually prefer natural-like colors, but if you like a vibrant output, you might want to edit the pictures a little bit.

3X In-sensor Zoom

The 100MP camera is also capable of 3X in-sensor zoom too but the outputs are just “okayish”, nothing special.

Lowlight

When the sun goes down, the phone is not able to manage details. However, I found the dedicated night mode doing a great job at controlling exposure and sharpening the photos

 

Portraits

Coming to the Portraits, the Spark 20 Pro+ clicks inconsistent pictures. You get a slight pinkish skin tone with a lot of beautification and you need really good lighting to get usable shots. 

Selfies

Selfies are also on a bit oversharpened side, but it doesn’t look too bad. It clicks decent selfies for the price, I must say.

 

Videography

In terms of videos, it can shoot at 2K 30fps from both cameras. There is no OIS here but you do get EIS with 1080p 30fps recording. At 2k resolution, the quality of the videos is not bad but there is no stabilization. Even the 1080p videos are not that stable, so the Videography side of things is just okay here.

Battery

  • Battery: 5000 mAh, 33W charging

Tecno Camon 20 Pro Plus Battery

Moving on, as I mentioned before, you get a typical 5000mAh cell here which lasts for more than a day in normal usage. Even with some gaming here and there, it provided 8 hours of SOT. The 33W inbox charger tops it up in 1 hour and 25 minutes approximately.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Review Conclusion

So overall, I am honestly surprised by the Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus. I did think that the specs were too good to be true and I was expecting this phone to let me down in one aspect or the other, but no, it’s a really good offering for the price. Tecno has definitely raised the bar for how good a budget phone can be in 2024. Of course, the cameras and software need further refinement, but that’s not something a brand can achieve in a day, so I will give Tecno the benefit of the doubt.

So, overall, as I mentioned in the beginning, if you absolutely do not need 5G speeds, the Tecno Spark 20 Pro will give you a good experience at a budget price.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Review Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Vegan leather finish
  • Curved AMOLED display
  • Decent performance
  • Long-lasting battery

Cons:

  • Issues with the refresh rate.
  • Weak secondary cameras
  • Software only average

inDrive isn’t the same anymore, and it’s bad…

Raizel Tandukar
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0
inDrive isn’t the same anymore, and it’s bad…

inDrive recently entered the Nepali market officially and brought in some changes along with it. But it hasn’t worked out well so far — in fact — it has affected the company adversely. Let’s discuss more about the issues with inDrive in this article, along with our opinion on what the company should do next.

inDrive Issues Overview

A bit about inDrive

inDrive is the second-largest ride-sharing app in the world in terms of download volume. It was founded back in 2012 by a group of Russian students. Formerly, it was known as “inDriver”, standing for independent driver. It was merely a social media group before it took its modern-day form.

At this time, inDrive is absolutely huge with their services operating in 47 countries across 700+ cities. Nepal also falls within the given number, with their services starting around mid-2022.

inDrive in Nepal

When the company arrived in Nepal, the landscape of ride-sharing was a bit different. The sector was in a grey zone of legality while still being operational. Furthermore, the service was almost monopolised by the Bangladeshi brand — Pathao. It was a fully registered company that charged up to 20% commission from its riders and provided insurance to them too.

It was going to be tough for inDrive to loosen the stronghold of Pathao. For this, it took rather drastic measures. Firstly, it did not charge any commission from its riders. Hence, riders could accept as many rides as they wanted and keep all the amount they earned by themselves. This made inDrive a more attractive platform than Pathao, where they had to give away nearly one-fifth of their entire income.

inDrive Banner

Not only was it attractive for riders, but it was an attractive platform for users as well. The fare on inDrive was comparatively cheaper than Pathao. The difference could be as much as 15% less for the same route. On top of that, it allowed users to bargain and choose a rider as per their liking all while having a massive pool of riders.

A combination of these factors made it an unstoppable force, rapidly rising in popularity. But it was only a matter of time before issues with inDrive started surfacing.

Issues

While inDrive was gaining momentum as the cheaper ride-sharing platform, it was also making waves as the unsafe one. For starters, to aggressively compete in the market while keeping the operational costs low, the company was not legally registered in Nepal. Given that, it did not even have a physical office. So, if an issue arose, people simply did not know where to fall back. Therefore, the riders on the platform were simply unregulated.

This also led to cases of scamming, verbal abuse, misbehaviour, and stalking — even. There was a series of social media posts of people, especially women, sharing their bitter experiences on inDrive. In addition to all that, the company does not offer insurance either to its riders or customers. Hence, if you ever happen to get into an accident then you are on your own.

Now it’s registered

While the prevailing issues were there, the Nepal government decided to divert their focus on ride-sharing as well. The government recognised ride-sharing as a service-oriented industry and set forth criteria for its operation. The most important one is the provision of insurance to the customers. Now, inDrive was neither registered nor did it provide insurance. This led to the company and its riders into hot water. The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police started penalising inDrive riders a fine of NPR 2,000.

inDrive official launch event in Nepal

As a result, a lot of riders quit or switched to other platforms to save themselves from unnecessary fines. In response, inDrive registered itself to control the situation. Meanwhile, the company also assured that it was working to provide insurance services. However, we are yet to see any development in that matter.

BUT… issues remain

All this has led to inDrive losing its ace. As soon as it became an official company, it started charging a 10% commission to its riders. In the meantime, it is also working on regulating its platform. Sources say it has temporarily banned a lot of its riders for varying reasons. On top of all that, inDrive also charged a commission on cancelled rides as well.

Because of all these reasons, inDrive riders were distraught and have consistently left the platform. This has directly impacted the overall app experience since it has become very difficult for the users to find a rider. In the meantime, the fare has also increased compared to the past.

Looking at all this, it does not look very good for the company. And they need to do something about it very fast.

What can be done?

inDrive was a free platform for the riders for nearly two years. Thus, it was only a matter of time before it changed its strategy and started charging commissions. However, suddenly doing so was not the way to go. The company should have taken a minimal cut of preferably 5% at first. The fact that it started charging 10% without even introducing insurance did not sit right with many riders. Hence, inDrive needs to first address this issue.

They can either adjust their commission or introduce insurance as soon as possible. Another major issue is once again with the commission. The fact that riders have to pay the commission even in case of cancellation is straight-up unfair. Therefore, they need to revisit their policy in this regard. If it refunds the commissions and all this is because of a technical issue then it needs to quickly sort this issue.

Besides that, the company could also introduce insurance as an optional feature. Here, the customer or rider has the say if they want their insured rides or not. If they do they’ll have to pay an extra rupee or two like in other platforms. Meanwhile, if they don’t then they can get cheaper rides or get a more cut from it.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that inDrive is taking a serious hit in rider availability and the overall experience. The company needs to sort all this out by striking a sweet spot between taking a rider-centric and consumer-centric stance. This will allow it to retain its consumer as well as rider base and remain the same ride-sharing platform we all know and love. We hope inDrive works on its issues and solves them as soon as possible.

  • Meanwhile, read our article on the best ride-sharing apps in Nepal as well.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ goes official in Nepal with curved AMOLED screen and Helio G99 SoC

Dip Khatiwada
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0
Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ goes official in Nepal with curved AMOLED screen and Helio G99 SoC

Tecno has launched the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ in Nepal with a gorgeous-looking curved AMOLED panel, Helio G99 SoC, and more. In this article, let’s dive into discussing the recently released Tecno Spark 20 Pro+, its official price in Nepal, Specifications, features, and more.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus Overview

Design and Display 

The Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ comes in a visually attractive design with a curved finish. Additionally, its IP53 rating ensures resistance to dust and splashes. The Spark 20 Pro+ will be available in visually appealing color options, including Temporal Orbits, Lunar Frost, Radiant Starstream, and Magic Skin 2.0 Green. The latter option comes with a vegan leather back panel. While the rest come in a dual-tone finish the second and third options feature some eye-catching patterns. 

Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Design

Featuring a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, the Spark 20 Pro+ delivers a vibrant visual experience with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1000 nits. The 1080 x 2436 pixel resolution and an impressive 89.0% screen-to-body ratio contribute to an immersive display. The inclusion of an Always-On display enhances user convenience.

  • Meanwhile, check all the prices and specs of Tecno smartphones here

Performance

Running on the latest Android 14 operating system, the smartphone is equipped with a powerful MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate chipset. The octa-core CPU, comprising 2x slightly higher than 2.2 GHz (overclocked) Cortex-A76 and 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55, ensures smooth and efficient performance, complemented by the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU.

Mediatek Helio G99 4G Chipset
Helio G99

With a spacious internal storage of 256GB and 8GB of RAM, the Spark 20 Pro+ provides ample space for apps, multimedia content, and multitasking. Users can further expand storage using microSDXC cards.

Cameras

The device features a main camera setup with a 108 MP wide lens (f/1.8 aperture) and a 0.08 MP auxiliary lens. Quad-LED flash and HDR support enhance photography, while video recording capabilities include 1440p@30fps and 1080p@30fps. The 32 MP wide lens selfie camera, equipped with Dual-LED flash, supports 1080p@30fps video recording.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Cameras

Audio and Connectivity

The Spark 20 Pro+ promises an immersive audio experience with stereo speakers and advanced audio features, including 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res and hi-res wireless audio. Connectivity options encompass Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, GLONASS,  NFC, and FM radio. The device is equipped with a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.

Battery and Charging

Fueled by a robust 5000 mAh non-removable battery, the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ ensures extended usage. The 33W wired charging capability adds a quick and efficient charging solution for users on the move.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Specifications

  • Display: 6.78 inches AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak)
  • Resolution: 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density)
  • Chipset: Mediatek Helio G99 Ultimate
  • Memory: 256GB Storage/ 8GB RAM
  • Rear Camera: 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67″, 0.64µm, PDAF 0.08 MP (AL)
  • Front Camera: 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
  • Battery: 5000 mAh, 33W charging
  • OS: Android 14
  • Speaker: Stereo
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
  • Color: Temporal Orbits, Lunar Frost, Radiant Starstream, Magic Skin 2.0 Green

Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus Price in Nepal and Availability

The Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus price in Nepal is NPR 26,990 for the 8/256GB trim. You can buy this phone from Hukut and other authorized platforms in Nepal.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Price in Nepal (Official) Availability
8GB + 256GB NPR 26,990 Hukut Store
    • Meanwhile, watch our Tecno Camon 30 Premier review video:

    MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) with Core Ultra 7, RTX 4060 is now available in Nepal!

    Aarohan Niraula
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    MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) with Core Ultra 7, RTX 4060 is now available in Nepal!

    Just about a week ago, MSI introduced a whole bunch of its gaming laptops and its ‘Claw’ handheld to the Indian market. Unsurprisingly, we have started to see some of those machines make their way to Nepal pretty quickly. In this piece, let’s take a look at the MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) with the latest Core Ultra 7 processor, its unique offerings, full specifications, price in Nepal, and availability.

    MSI Cyborg 15 (2024) Overview: 

    Intel Core Ultra with AI 

    The new Cyborg 15 AI is powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155H based on the more advanced Intel 4 process. It features 16 (6P+8E) cores, 22 threads, and can boost up to 4.8GHz. Besides that, the integrated Iris Arc graphics is also (up to) twice as powerful as its Iris Xe counterpart. 

    Intel Core Ultra Processor

    Core Ultra lineup also brings a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for accelerated AI-centric tasks. Intel’s ‘AI boost’ paired with MSI’s proprietery ‘AI Engine’ will ensure efficient use of laptop resources based on the application in use, enhancing the overall user experience. Of course, we can’t forget about Window’s ‘Co-Pilot’ AI which can help summarize articles on the web, assist you in writing emails, and generate images on the fly. All this + AI features in the default ‘Paint, Snipping Tool, and Photos’ software are going to benefit from the dedicated NPU. 

    Graphics and Memory 

    You can configure the 2024 edition of the Cyborg 15 with either an NVIDIA RTX 4050 or an RTX 4060 GPU. The latter with 8 GB of GDDR6 VRAM has made its way to Nepal but there’s a twist. The 4060 in the Cyborg 15 AI (A1VFK) is limited to just 45W (that too with Dynamic Boost) so you aren’t getting the best bang for your buck power-wise.

    MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) Graphics

    Regardless, there are 2 RAM slots supporting up to 96GB of 5600MHz DDR5 memory and a single M.2 slot for a Gen 4 NVME SSD.

    Design and Display 

    Aesthetically, there’s lots to love about the MSI Cyborg 15 (2024). It brings a futuristic-looking translucent chassis with a clean lid and 4-zone RGB keys. The top protrusion features an HD webcam while the bottom of the machine features branded vents. The whole package is under 2 kilos making it suitable for gaming on the go. 

    MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) Display

    On the display side, it’s a typical 16:9 15.6” Full HD screen. It’s an IPS panel with support for up to 144Hz refresh rate.

    Battery, Connectivity, Extras

    Fueling the Cyborg 15 (2024) is a modest 54 Wh battery powered by a 120W adapter. There’s a Type-C with support for Display-Port, two USB 3 Gen 1 type-A ports, gigabit ethernet, and HDMI. Similarly, you get WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity.

    MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) Ports

    MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) features two 2W speaker units with DTS audio and a 3.5mm jack on the left. 

    MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) Specifications 

    • Design and Build: Translucent design, plastic design
    • Dimensions: 359.36 (W) x  250.34 (D) x 21.95~22.9 (H) mm
    • Weight: 1.98 kg
    • Display: 15.6-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio, IPS-level, Anti-glare finish, 144 Hz refresh rate,
    • Resolution: FHD (1920 x 1080)
    • Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
    • Graphics:
      • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 (45W, 6GB VRAM)
      • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (45W, 8GB VRAM)
    • RAM: 16GB DDR5-5600, dual-channel; Up to 32GB expandable
    • Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
    • Webcam: 720p HD camera
    • Audio: 2-speaker system with DTS audio
    • Keyboard: Backlit Chiclet Keyboard 4-zone RGB
    • Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort / Power Delivery, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x RJ45 port, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1x RJ45
    • Connectivity: WiFi 6E + Bluetooth v5.3
    • Battery: 54Wh Battery + 120W AC Adapter
    • Learn the full specifications of the MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) here.

    MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) Price in Nepal and Availability 

    The all-new Cyborg 15 is now available for purchase in Nepal. MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) price in Nepal is NPR 180,000 for the Core Ultra 7, RTX 4050 variant with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD while the RTX 4060 variant costs a little extra at NPR 190,000.

    MSI Cyborg 15 AI (2024) Price in Nepal  Availability
    Core Ultra 7 155H, RTX 4050 (45W), 16GB, 512GB, 15.6” FHD 144Hz NPR 180,000 Hukut
    Core Ultra 7 155H, RTX 4060 (45W), 16GB, 512GB, 15.6” FHD 144Hz NPR 190,000 Hukut

    • Meanwhile, check out our video on the best budget gaming laptops in Nepal: 

    Xiaomi Redmi 13 4G leaks are now online hinting at a 108MP camera

    Dip Khatiwada
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    0
    Xiaomi Redmi 13 4G leaks are now online hinting at a 108MP camera

    Rumors have surfaced online claiming Xiaomi is preparing for the upcoming Redmi 13 4G, a predecessor to the Redmi 12 4G. While not officially confirmed, some specs have been leaked according to popular leakers on X( formerly Twiter). In this article, we will discuss the upcoming Xiaomi Redmi 13 4G, including its rumors, leaks, and launch date.

    Xiaomi Redmi 13 4G Rumors Roundup 

    Display

    The Redmi 13 4G might have a 6.79-inch screen with a 90 Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth viewing experience. The device will likely come with a plastic frame and a plastic back. We also don’t expect an AMOLED screen, so it might just be the good old IPS LCD panel.

    Redmi 13 4G Display and Design

    Camera 

    According to rumors, the Redmi 13 4G might have a 108 MP main camera, up from 50 MP in the Redmi 12 4G. It’s speculated to come with dual cameras, but no confirmation on optical image stabilization yet.

    Performance

    It’s rumored that the Redmi 13 4G could have the MediaTek Helio G91 Ultra chipset, improving its speed and graphics compared to the previous model. Moreover, the upcoming smartphone might feature memory up to 8 GB and storage up to 256GB.

    Battery and Charging

    Rumors suggest the Redmi 13 4G could have a large 5,040 mAh battery and support 33 W wired charging, promising longer battery life and quicker charging times.

    Xiaomi Redmi 13 4G Price in Nepal and Launch Date 

    There’s no confirmed release date yet, but industry insiders guess it could be in the next few months. It’s speculated that the base model could cost €199 with 6 GB RAM, while a higher-end model might be €229 with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. So when it arrives here, we expect the Redmi 13 4G to cost somewhere around NPR 23,000.

    • Meanwhile, watch our review of Tecno Camon 30 Premier 

    Redmi A3x launched in Pakistan with glass back design at budget price

    Dip Khatiwada
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    0
    Redmi A3x launched in Pakistan with glass back design at budget price

    Redmi has officially introduced the Redmi A3x to international markets, starting with Pakistan. This new smartphone offers a design similar to the Redmi A3 and similar specifications. In this article, we will discuss the latest Redmi A3x, including its expected price in Nepal, specifications, and more.

    Redmi A3x Overview

    Design and Display

    The Redmi A3x features a glass back with a circular camera setup, similar to the Redmi A3. oth the front and back of the smartphone are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. On the Black and Green models, the camera is accented with a golden ring, while the White model has a silver ring around the camera. The front of the device includes a 6.71-inch IPS LCD HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the display incorporates DC Dimming technology as well. 

    Redmi A3x Display

    Performance

    Under the hood, the Redmi A3x replaces the MediaTek Helio G36 processor found in the Redmi A3 with a Unisoc T603 processor. The device comes with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 1TB via a MicroSD card. 

    Camera

    Redmi A3x Camera

    The Redmi A3x is equipped with an 8MP dual AI camera on the rear, accompanied by an auxiliary lens. For selfies and video calls, the smartphone has a 5MP front-facing camera. 

    Software and Battery

    The device runs on an Android 14-based operating system, which includes the latest features and updates from Android. It is powered by a 5000 mAh battery, which supports 15W fast charging.

    For security, the Redmi A3x includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The smartphone also retains a 3.5mm audio jack.

    Redmi A3x Specifications

    • Display: 6.71-inch IPS LCD HD+ with 90Hz refresh rate
    • Chipset: Unisoc T603
    • Memory: 3GB RAM
    • Storage: 64GB, expandable up to 1TB via MicroSD card
    • Rear Camera: 8MP dual AI camera with an auxiliary lens
    • Front Camera: 5MP
    • Battery: 5000 mAh with 15W fast charging

    Redmi A3x Price in Nepal and Availability

    The Redmi A3x with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage is priced at PKR 18,999 in Pakistan. When it arrives here in Nepal, we expect the Redmi A3x to cost around NPR 11,000.

    Smartphone Price in Pakistan Price in Nepal
    Redmi A3x PKR 18,999 NPR 11,000

     

    • Meanwhile, watch our review of Acer Swift Go 14 OLED

    MSI Sword 16 HX (2024) launched with 14th gen HX CPU and RTX 4070 GPU

    Mintu
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    0
    MSI Sword 16 HX (2024) launched with 14th gen HX CPU and RTX 4070 GPU

    MSI introduced a bunch of its gaming laptops to India a couple of months ago which included the new Sword 16 HX (2024) and Sword 17 HX (2024) with redesigned chassis and new chipsets. Since these machines have made their way here now, let’s discuss the MSI Sword 16 HX and Sword 17 HX in detail, including their specifications, prices in Nepal, and availability. 

    MSI Sword 16 HX 2024 Overview:

    Design and Display

    To begin with, the Sword 16 HX 2024 brings in a typical MSI gaming laptop vibe. The Dragon as the official MSI logo sits at the back while opening the lid gets to the 24 Zone RGB keyboard. You get highlighted WASD keys for those gamers.

    Talking of the display, MSI has provided two options here. Users can choose a 16-inch QHD+ panel with a 240Hz refresh rate or a 16-inch FHD+ screen with a 144Hz refresh rate. The former also boasts 100% DCI-P3 color gamut support.

    Core i7-14700HX Processor

    Handling the chores from the core of the MSI Sword 16 HX is an Intel Core i7-14700HX processor. This is technically a 14th-generation CPU, albeit from the Raptor Lake Refresh, not from the Meteor Lake moniker. It features 20 cores, 28 threads, and a boost frequency of 5.5GHz. In the graphics department, you can choose up to RTX 4070 GPU with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM.

    MSI Sword 16 HX 2024 Cooler

    Likewise, there is a dedicated MUX switch for directly using the discrete graphics. Keeping the thermals in check is MSI’s Cooler Boost 5 which includes 2 fans, 5 thermal pipes, and 6 exhausts for effective cooling.

    Battery, I/O and Connectivity

    Fueling the gaming machine is a 4-cell 65Wh battery with 200W fast charging support. Moving to the I/O ports, the gaming laptop houses 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, 3x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 port, 1x HDMI 2.1 port, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 1x RJ45 ethernet port. Wireless connectivity options include WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

    MSI Sword 16 HX 2024 Specifications:

    • Dimensions: 359 x 266.4 x 21.8-~27.7 mm (W x D x H), 2.3 kg
    • Color Options: Core Black
    • Display: 16″ IPS-Level, 100% DCI-P3, 165/240Hz
    • Resolution: QHD+ (2560 x 1440 pixels), FHD+ (1920 x 1200 pixels)
    • Keyboard: 24 zone RGB
    • Processor: 14th gen Intel “Raptor Lake Refresh” Core i7-14700HX
    • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 / RTX 4060 / RTX 4070
    • RAM: up to 64GB DDR5 RAM
    • Storage: 1×1 M.2 SSD slot (NVMe PCIe Gen 4), 1×1 M.2 SSD slot (NVMe PCIe Gen 5)
    • Audio: 2x 2W speaker
    • Battery: 4-cell 65 Watt-hours
    • Power Supply: 200W Adapter
    • Webcam: HD webcam (30fps @ 720p)
    • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 ax 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
    • Learn about the full specifications of the MSI Sword 16 HX (2024). 

    MSI Sword 16 HX 2024 Price in Nepal and Availability:

    The 16-inch variant of the Sword laptop is now available for purchase in Nepal. MSI Sword 16 HX 2024 price in Nepal is NPR 2,03,000 for the Core i7, RTX 4050. You can get it with a standard 1-year warranty via retail stores like Hukut.

    Gaming Laptop Price in Nepal (Official) Availability
    MSI Sword 16 HX 2024 (Core i7-14700HX, RTX 4050, 16GB, 1TB, 16″ WUXGA 144Hz) NPR 2,03,000 Hukut
    • Meanwhile, you can check our Asus Zephyrus G16 Review.

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