Page 267 – GadgetByte Nepal

Samsung announces 50MP ISOCELL GNK sensor

Raizel Tandukar

-

November 6, 2023

Samsung announces 50MP ISOCELL GNK sensor

Samsung recently announced the successor to its ISOCELL GN1 sensor. This sensor is the South Korean tech giant’s latest addition to its CMOS camera sensor family. It allows for better imaging and video recording capabilities than its predecessor. In this article, we shall discuss the Samsung ISOCELL GNK sensor, its specifications, features and availability.

Samsung ISOCELL GNK Overview

Firstly, the new ISOCELL GNK sensor has a size of 1/1.3” and an effective resolution of 8,160 x 6,144 pixels (50MP). It features a pixel size of 1.2μm and an electronic rolling shutter. The ISOCELL GNK merges four neighbouring pixels to form a 2.4μm pixel to achieve higher light sensitivity. In terms of the colour filter, it comes with a Dual Tetrapixel RGB Bayer pattern.

Samsung has collaborated with three different ISO models to enhance the HDR performance of its latest sensor. As a result, ISOCELL GNK can produce images with a dynamic range of up to 102 dB. It also features Smart-ISO Pro which helps in minimising motion artefacts. This in turn helps create images with colour depths of up to 14-bit.

Furthermore, the latest Samsung sensor offers ultra-fast autofocus. It is packed with two photodiodes per pixel which helps focus on an object in motion. It achieves this by comparing the phase difference in all four directions. In terms of video, this sensor allows 8K video recording at 30FPS without compromising the field of view. In addition, it also allows 4K @ 120 FPS and FHD @ 240 FPS video recording.

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Conclusion

The ISOCELL sensors are used in a wide range of products including computers, digital cameras, and smartphones. Companies like Redmi, and Realme have used Samsung’s ISOCELL sensor in their midrange offerings previously. Starting next year, midrange, and premium-midrange phones may feature the Samsung ISOCELL GNK sensor.

Meanwhile, check out our Google Pixel 8 review.

Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM5 earbuds are now available in Nepal

Sony
TWS

GadgetByte

-

November 6, 2023

1

Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM5 earbuds are now available in Nepal

Sony launched the WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds, which are the successor to 2021’s wildly popular WF-1000XM4 back in July. These bring some significant upgrades over their predecessors all across the board and are now available in Nepal as well. In this article, I will be discussing all the features, specifications, and official price in Nepal of the Sony WF-1000XM5.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Overview:

Design

Compared to the XM4s, these new earbuds bear a much more compact design. Sony says the WF-1000XM5 is roughly 25% smaller and 20% lighter (5.9 gm < 7.3 gm), which should make a much more comfortable fit. Moreover, these earbuds have polyurethane foam material ear tips for better comfort and seal.

The charging case has been redesigned into a more compact piece too. Sony has replaced the wide LED battery indicator on the WF-1000XM4 with a subtle circular one instead. Whereas you now get a separate button at the back for initial pairing. Just like on Apple’s AirPods. You get two color options to choose from here: Silver and Black. The earbuds are also IPX4 water-resistant and have a USB-C port for charging.

Audio

Sony WF-1000XM5 brings an entirely new 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X, for richer audio overall. It supports High-Res Audio Wireless via the LDAC codec plus Sony’s DSEE Extreme technology, enabling the upscaling of compressed audio in real-time. And the new V2 integrated processor and QN2e noise-canceling processor also enable precision 24-bit audio processing here. Other than this, it is also 360 Reality Audio certified for head-tracking function.

The earbuds come with three microphones per earbud. What’s even better is the bone conduction sensors to ensure precise voice pickup for clear calls even in noisy environments. Pair that with the AI-based Deep Neural Network (DNN) tech, Sony is promising its “best ever call quality” with the WF-1000XM5.

Battery and Charging

Even though Sony has shrunk down the physical size of the earbuds, the WF-1000XM5 is still rated to last up to 8 hours on a full charge with ANC on as its predecessor. Or 4 hours more with ANC off. It’s the same thing with the charging case as well, offering 24/36 hours of charge with ANC on/off. A quick 3-minute charge gets you an hour of playback, whereas a full charge takes 1.5 hours. It supports wired charging via the USB-C port and wireless charging as well.

Rest of the specs

These earbuds connect to devices via Bluetooth 5.3 and on Android devices, it supports Google Fast Pair too. Other than this, the WF-1000XM5 also brings true multipoint connectivity, allowing you to pair it with two devices at the same time. For playback control, activating ANC, answering calls, and more, there’s a touch panel on both earbuds.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Specifications:

Weight: 5.9 gm (each earbud), 39 gm (case)
Water Resistance: Yes (IPX4)
Color Options: Silver, black
Sound Driver: 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X
Frequency Response:
- 20 Hz – 20 kHz (44.1 kHz sampling)
- 20 Hz – 40 kHz (LDAC 96 kHz sampling 990 kbps)
Microphone: 3 microphones on each earbud
Audio Codecs: AAC, SBC, LDAC, LC3
Noise Cancellation: Yes (with Ambient Sound Mode, Quick Attention)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
Companion App: Sony Headphone Connect (Android | iOS)
Control: Touch-sensitive area in each earbud
Sensors: Accelerometer, Bone conduction, Proximity
Battery Life: 8/12 hours continuous playback (ANC on/off)
Other Features: DSEE Extreme, 360 Reality Audio, Multipoint Connect, Speak-to-Chat

Sony WF-1000XM5 Price in Nepal and Availability

The official Sony WF-1000XM5 price in Nepal is NPR 47,000. It’s available in both black and white colorways and you can buy it in Nepal from Nepa Hima, which is the authorized distributor of Sony products in the country.

TWS Earbuds	Price in Nepal
Sony WF-1000XM5	NPR 47,000

Check out our Sony WF-1000XM5 review

Apple Watch Series 10 to bring “Hypertension” and “Sleep Apnea” detection

Dip Khatiwada

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November 5, 2023

0

Apple Watch Series 10 to bring “Hypertension” and “Sleep Apnea” detection

In the digital era, wearable devices are changing how we monitor our health. Apple’s upcoming Watch Series 10 aims to do more than just tell time; it will help safeguard your health by detecting issues like hypertension and sleep apnea, potentially challenging the skepticism surrounding other smartwatches. In this article, let’s delve deeper into this rumored Apple watch.

Apple Watch Series 10: Revolution or just a Gimmick?

What is this next Apple watch?

Mark Gurman an investigative reporter from Bloomberg L.P reveals an interesting report about Apple’s next watch. The alleged Apple watch series 10 is said to include hypertension and sleep apnea detection features. And it is safe to say it can indeed be an incredible addition and a health-caring game changer, if true.

What are Hypertension and Sleep Apnea?

Hypertension, often called High Blood Pressure, is when the pressure in the blood vessels is higher (40/90 mmHg or above) than normal blood pressure. Left unchecked, Hypertension can be fatal, and despite that it is a common problem that affects more than 1.28 Billion adults worldwide. People with hypertension may feel mild headaches or exhibit no symptoms at all. So the only way to be sure is to get one’s blood pressure checked.

Hypertension Complications — Source: CDC

Similarly, Sleep Apnea is another common condition where the breathing stops and restarts many times while sleeping, which might prevent one’s body from getting enough oxygen. Usually, healthcare providers treat sleep apnea by conducting a comprehensive sleep study and employing breathing devices like CPAP machines.

How would the Apple Watch detect Hypertension and Sleep Apnea?

Most smartwatches use various sensors, like a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, which uses infrared light sources and a photodetector at the surface of the skin to measure the volumetric variations of blood circulation. The PPG itself doesn’t measure blood pressure; it exclusively measures heart rates. However, it rather utilizes such information and gives a predictive response based on it. But in consensus, scientists seem to be quite skeptical about them. And experts have also questioned the accuracy and reliability of modern smartwatches which claims to be “health monitoring system “.

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Similarly, most smartwatches can only measure sleep quantity and quality, they work solely by relying on motion detectors, accelerometers, and various sensors. For instance, a change in heart rate during a deep sleep can be indicative of sleep disturbances. However, sleep apnea differs from your regular sleep disturbances. And common way to detect sleep apnea is usually by implementing additional sensors like SpO2 sensors, which measure oxygen saturation in the blood. Additionally, health professionals use gyroscopes, accelerometers, and even microphones to detect sleep apnea.

Apple Watch Series 10: Conclusion

Despite, the general skepticism and disapproval of health monitoring watches, Apple might be onto something big. Nonetheless, the development of the Apple watch surely will have either of two implications.

Firstly, if it manages to detect high blood pressure and sleep apnea with maximum accuracy and precision. Not only it will harness a seal of satisfaction from the general public but will also revolutionize healthcare completely.

Secondly, this gadget might just become a mere marketing ploy, a manifestation of rampant consumerism, a product disguised as a guardian of the public’s health. Furthermore, some have sometimes criticized it as a harsh commodification of healthcare.

But rather than taking a white or black stance, we can approach the topic with a more realistic view. Going by reputation alone, Apple likely won’t ship a faulty product but that doesn’t mean it going to be medical-grade tech as well. Only time will tell, and until then, we’ll keep you updated with the latest developments regarding the watch.

Meanwhile, check out our review of the Apple Watch Ultra here:

Zeblaze launches Vibe 7 Lite in Nepal with rugged design and BT calling!

Raizel Tandukar

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November 5, 2023

0

Zeblaze launches Vibe 7 Lite in Nepal with rugged design and BT calling!

Zeblaze has been gracing us with the most sought-after features in a smartwatch at an affordable price point. Recently, they have come with the Vibe 7 Lite which comes with the same attributes we love from the company. In this article, we will discuss the Zeblaze Vibe 7 Lite, including its detailed specifications, expected price in Nepal, and so on.

Zeblaze Vibe 7 Lite Overview:

Design and Display

The Zeblaze Vibe 7 Lite comes in a rugged design that features a Zinc alloy casing and buttons. It measures 49 mm x 49 mm x 13 mm in dimensions and weighs just 47 and a half grams without the straps. Furthermore, it has passed 12 military-grade tests and offers durability of 3 ATM, and IP69K.

A 1.47-inch IPS panel greets us on the front with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels, 326PPI, and Corning Gorilla Glass protection. Finally, the Zeblaze Vibe 7 comes in four different colour options: Meteorite Black, Wild Green, Desert Grey, and Electric Orange.

Meanwhile, check all the prices and specs of Zeblaze smartwatches

Performance and Features

This smartwatch comes with the Realtek 8763EW chipset under the hood. It is the same SoC that was featured on the Zeblaze GTR 3 Pro as well. It comes with all the basic watch features like time, date, stopwatch, and so on. Meanwhile, you also get a wide range of watch face customisation.

Furthermore, it comes with 100+ workout modes while tracking your health vitals such as blood oxygen, heart rate, and menstrual cycle. And, most importantly it offers Bluetooth calling capability as well as a personal assistant.

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Battery and the rest

In terms of battery, it comes with a 280 mAh lithium polymer cell that can provide you with up to 14 days of general usage. The number jumps by an additional 11 days when the battery save mode is turned on. Additionally, the Zeblaze Vibe 7 Lite can be fully charged in about 1.5 hours with the magnetic charger that’s included in the box.

In terms of wireless connectivity, it comes with Bluetooth v5.2 (BLE). It is compatible with devices running on Android 5.0, and iOS 10.0 or later versions. It also offers additional functionality through the FitCloudPro app.

Zeblaze Vibe 7 Lite Specifications

Design: Rugged design with circular dial
Materials: Zinc alloy case and buttons, Corning Gorilla Glass, Liquid Silicone (rubber) straps
Dimensions: 49.00 mm x 49.00 mm x 13.00 mm
Weight: 66.50 grams, 47.50 grams (without straps)
Display: 1.47″ IPS LCD panel, 326 PPI
Resoultion: 360 x 360 pixels
Durability: Passed 12 military-grade tests, 3 ATM, IP69K-rated
Sensors: Wrist heart rate monitor, pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope
Connectivity: Bluetooth v5.2 (BLE)
Battery: 280 mAh Lithium Polymer, Up to 25 days (Battery Saver Mode)
Charging: 1.5 hours, charging cable in the box
Features: 300+ watch faces, 100+ sports modes, Bluetooth phone call, personal assistant, smart notifications, vitals tracking, menstrual cycle tracking
Compatibility: Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+
Companion App: FitCloudPro (Android | iOS)
Colour: Meteorite Black, Wild Green, Desert Grey, Electric Orange

Zeblaze Vibe 7 Lite Price in Nepal and Availability

The Zeblaze Vibe 7 Lite price in Nepal is set at NPR 4,190. You can purchase it from our affiliate store Hukut.

Zeblaze Smartwatch	Price in Nepal (Official)	Availability
Vibe 7 Lite	NPR 4,190	Hukut Store

Meanwhile, check out our Google Pixel 8 review.

Honor X6a Review: Well, that was surprising!

Raizel Tandukar

-

November 5, 2023

1

Honor X6a Review: Well, that was surprising!

Budget phones are pretty popular in the Nepali market. However, I was never a fan of the segment. So, when I was handed the Honor X6a — truly speaking — I didn’t have much hope with the phone. But boy, did that take me by surprise! Well, kind of. More about that in this full review of the Honor X6a:

Honor X6a Review: Specifications

Design: Flat design with all-plastic body
Dimensions: 163.32 mm x 75.07 mm x 8.35 mm
Weight: 188 grams
Display: 6.56” TFT LCD Panel, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 20.15:9, 16.7M colour depth
Resolution: HD+ (1612 x 720)
Chipset: Octa-core MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm)
GPU: IMG GE8320
RAM: 4 GB or 6 GB
ROM: 128 GB + expandable with MicroSD card
OS & UI: Android 13 with MagicOS 7.1 on top
Rear Camera: Triple Camera (50 MP Primary + 2 MP Depth Sensor + 2 MP Macro)
Front Camera: 5 MP Camera (Centre-aligned waterdrop cutout)
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Recognition
Sensors: Gravity Sensor, Ambient Light sensor, Proximity sensor
Navigation: GPS, AGPS, Glonass, BeiDou, Galileo
Battery: 5,200 mAh Lithium Polymer cell with 22.5W super fast charging
Connectivity: Dual SIM, 4G LTE, Dual-band WiFi with WiFi Direct, Bluetooth v5.1, USB 2.0 (Type-C), 3.5mm headphone jack
Colour Options: Sky Silver, Midnight Black, and Cyan Lake
Buy Honor X6a here

My unit here is a Midnight Black variant with a 4GB + 128GB configuration. This handset retails for NPR 17,490 and comes with a silicone case, charging cable, and a power brick included in the box.

Honor X6a Review

Design and Build

Dimensions: 163.32 mm x 75.07 mm x 8.35 mm
Weight: 188 grams
Material: All plastic build

When I unboxed the pack and saw the phone’s design, I was quite impressed. It looks premium for the most part — the awkward-looking flash gives it off. But other than that, the overall build is pretty sturdy. It has flat edges which didn’t feel the most comfortable when holding, but, slapping the case on it fixes that pretty easily.

Thanks to its matte finish, it’s quite resistant to smudges. However, it is prone to collecting dust and dirt around its massive camera cutouts. It took me some time to get used to its side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Other than that, the Honor X6a is pretty balanced weight-wise as well — it slips in and stays in your pocket pretty comfortably.

Display

6.56” TFT LCD Panel, 20.15:9 aspect ratio
HD+ (1612 x 720), 90Hz Refresh Rate, 16.7M colour depth

The screen of the phone is quite vibrant and good to look at. The viewing angles are decent as well. Similarly, talking of the bezels, you won’t notice them for the most part — except for its bulky chin.

Scrolling through your feed is usually quite smooth. However, there are noticeable stutters here and there, due to which it doesn’t feel like you’re looking at a 90Hz display. Other than that, typing on it and performing gestures feels alright. The haptics on this phone are pretty poor though, which is unfortunately not out of line for a budget device like this. You can fiddle around and set the haptics as per your liking, so it isn’t something to sweat over per se.

Camera

Rear Camera: 50 MP Primary + 2 MP Depth Sensor + 2 MP Macro
Front Camera: 5 MP Camera

Now this is where the phone caught me by surprise! Generally speaking, the camera is pretty good. So much so, that an iPhone user colleague of mine was thoroughly impressed with the photos it captured. This isn’t to say that the camera is absolutely phenomenal — I’d be lying if I said that.

Daytime

Taking photos in the daytime, and in well-lit areas during the night results in pretty-to-look-at images. However, it starts getting all hazy once you zoom in. So, even though the camera is a 50MP sensor, it doesn’t seem to tap into its full potential. The phone struggles with HDR images. And, you can see it working hard to process it if you open the image as soon as you capture it.

Daytime

1 of 4

Similarly, the images are a bit oversharpened and a bit oversaturated. I like poppy colours in my photos, so I will not complain about the saturation part. However, if you like your images raw, you need to bear that in mind.

Portrait

The portraits this phone produces are decent. The edge detection on the Honor X6a is pretty good as well. It can over-brighten the background at times, but nothing to throw you off.

Portrait

1 of 3

Night Shots

Now, this is where the camera crashes down to the ground. The night photos are all over the place. In well-lit conditions, the photos are okay at best, but, it struggles to capture the details. And, the images plummet down to grains in low-light conditions.

Night-time

1 of 4

Selfie

On the front, the Honor X6a comes with a single shooter that’s only a 5MP — so asking too much would be criminal. Nevertheless, it keeps up fairly, in my opinion. The results are similar to the rear camera — good images in daytime and well-lit environments at night, and grainy in lowlight conditions.

Selfies

1 of 5

Talking of the macro lens, well, it’s there. That’s all I can say about it. And, in terms of video, it does what it promises. It records in 1080p at 30 fps, but the results are extremely shaky. So, all in all, Honor X6a’s camera gives up when its limits are tested, however, it will give you decent-looking photos for the most part.

Performance

CPU & GPU: Octa-core MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm) + IMG GE8320
Memory & Storage: 4 GB + 128 GB

The camera was quite good and I didn’t have any issues with performance during regular usage either. It was mostly smooth, so I thought, why don’t I put this phone to a real test? For the sake of this review, I pushed this phone to its limit, and I must say it kept up — kind of. It was not designed to play games on obviously. Well, at least not smoothly.

Note: You need to turn on the performance mode in the settings or the game might not even load. Now that’s out of the way, let’s move on with the games.

I played different levels of demanding games on this phone. Starting with the obvious choice — Candy Crush Saga! Some stutters here and there, and a few force closes — it was okay, nothing I’d stress over. Then I tried playing Dream League Soccer on it at the highest graphics and FPS. You can play it, all right, but it takes forever to load. So, I found myself enjoying the game on the lowest settings and highest FPS, and accepting the fun of janky graphics.

Lastly, I also tried playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang on it, cause why not? And again, it is playable, but there is a substantial amount of lag, so much so that it’s frustrating. But, hey, it’s a budget phone, what more to expect?

Battery

Battery: 5,200 mAh Lithium Polymer cell
Charging: 22.5W super fast charging

Now the battery is one of the strongest suits of the Honor X6a. This phone has a cell that is on the larger side when it comes to capacity, and coupled with a rather battery-efficient chipset — the battery life is bonkers! This phone gave me two full days of backup on moderate usage. I was surfing the internet, playing games here and there, and clicking a photo or two during this time.

The charging isn’t half bad either. Well, let me pull out my notes — erm. So, this phone charged from 8% to 100% in about 1 hour and 23 minutes. This is a decent charging speed. In the review process, I noticed the Honor X6a takes its sweet time to juice up at first and later picks up the pace. The other thing I noticed was that the decimals being shown when you plug this phone is a sham! I felt lied to, but also found it quite funny at the same time.

Honor X6a Review: Conclusion

All in all, the Honor X6a is a decent offering at the price range with its highs and lows. The battery backup is excellent, the cameras are okay. And, the performance — it’s liveable with. It is good for folks who are looking for a phone with general usage in mind like surfing the internet, snapping some photos, and playing some light games here and there.

However, if you wish to get some more performance out of your phone then going with something like Redmi 12 or even the cheaper Redmi 12C is a good idea. Additionally, I am always sceptical about the longevity of budget phones, and this one is no different. Nonetheless, check out our list of best smartphones under NPR 20,000 to find the best deals in a similar price range.

Honor X6a: Pros and Cons

Pros

Well-designed
Good Camera
Great Battery Life

Cons

Compromised performance
Stutters here and there
Significant quality drop in low-light photos

Tecno launches 2023 iteration of Spark Go in Nepal

Raizel Tandukar

-

November 5, 2023

0

Tecno launches 2023 iteration of Spark Go in Nepal

Tecno Mobile, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer has the latest iteration of its Spark Go smartphone in Nepal. Rashly speaking, it is an entry-level device with somewhat outdated specs. Regardless, we will delve into the specs, features offered, the official price of the Tecno Spark Go 2023 in Nepal, and more.

Tecno Spark Go 2023 Overview:

Design and Display

The Tecno Spark Go 2023 has a pretty generic design with a rounded rectangle shape and flat edges. It has a squircle camera island that houses two camera lenses, and a fingerprint sensor. Additionally, it features diagonal patterns on the back and measures 163.86 x 75.51 x 8.90 mm in dimensions. The Tecno Spark Go 2023 comes in four color options: Endless Black, Uyuni Blue, Nebula Purple, and Orange.

In terms of display, we have a 6.6-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels. Furthermore, it boasts a 120Hz touch sampling rate and can achieve 490 nits of peak brightness.

Performance

Tecno hasn’t gone into the specific chipset featured in the Spark Go 2023. However, it appears to be the quad-core MediaTek Helio A22 (12nm). The phone comes in three different memory and storage configurations: 3 GB + 32 GB, 3 GB + 64 GB, and 4 GB + 64 GB. Meanwhile, it also offers 3 GB of RAM extension (via virtual RAM), and 256 GB of storage expansion via MicroSD card. Lastly, Tecno Spark Go 2023 ships with HiOS 12 based on Android 12.

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Camera and the rest

In the optics department, we get a dual-camera setup consisting of a 13MP primary lens and an auxiliary unit as well as a dual flash on the back. Likewise, the front side features a 5MP selfie camera housed in the waterdrop notch. Fueling the smartphone is a 5,000 mAh battery with 10W charging support.

The Tecno Spark Go 2023 offers 4G LTE, WiFi 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth v5.0, GPS, USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack as connectivity options.

Tecno Spark Go 2023 Specifications:

Design: All-plastic body, Flat edges, Diagonal patterns on the back
Dimensions: 163.86 mm x 75.51 mm x 8.90 mm
Display: 6.6” IPS LCD Panel, 120Hz Touch Sampling Rate, 480 nits peak brightness
Resolution: HD+ (720 x 1612)
Chipset: Quad-core MediaTek Helio A22 (12nm)
RAM: 3 GB, 4 GB + 4 GB extendable
ROM: 32 GB, 64 GB + 256 GB expandable with MicroSD card
OS & UI: Android 12 with HiOS 12 on top
Rear Camera: Dual Camera (13 MP Primary + Auxillary Camera)
Front Camera: 5 MP Camera (Centre-aligned waterdrop cutout)
Security: Back-mounted fingerprint sensor
Sensors: G-sensor, Ambient Light sensor, Proximity sensor
Navigation: GPS
Battery: 5,000 mAh with 10W charging
Connectivity: 4G LTE, WiFi 2.4GHz, Bluetooth v5.0, USB 2.0 (Type-C), 3.5mm headphone jack, NFC
Colour Options: Endless Black, Uyuni Blue, Nebula Purple, and Orange

Tecno Spark Go 2023 Price in Nepal and Availability:

The Tecno Spark Go 2023 price in Nepal is NPR 11,990 for the 4/64GB trim. You can purchase the smartphone from Hukut and authorized stores in Nepal.

Tecno Spark Go 2023	Price in Nepal (Official)	Availability
4/64GB	NPR 11,990	Hukut

Meanwhile, watch our IQOO Z7 Pro VS Motorola Edge 40 comparison video

Sony X80L 4K Ultra HD Smart TV makes its way to Nepal!

Raizel Tandukar

-

November 5, 2023

0

Sony X80L 4K Ultra HD Smart TV makes its way to Nepal!

Sony, is one of the best, if not “THE best”, television manufacturer companies worldwide. The unauthorised seller of Sony in Nepal — Allure International, recently introduced the X80L line of TVs here. In this article, we will discuss the Sony X80L TV series in detail, including its specifications, official price in Nepal, and more!

Sony X80L TV Series Overview

Design and Display

The Sony X80L TV series is available in three sizes here in Nepal — 55”, 65”, and 75”. Despite its large screen stature, it only measures 72 mm in thickness, barring the 75” variant that measures an extra millimetre. Furthermore, these TVs weigh 15.90 kg, 21.70 kg, and 32.20 kg respectively to their sizes. The device comes with a slim T-shaped wedged stand and a standard remote, all in black colour.

Talking of the main component of the TV — its display — it comes with an LCD panel with a Direct LED backlight. All the variants of the TV come in 4K resolution with 3,840 x 2,160 pixels and a Flush Surface bezel design. Moreover, it has a refresh rate of 50Hz while supporting frame dimming as well.

Picture and Audio

Firstly, the Sony X80L TV series is powered by the in-house 4K HDR Processor X1. It is coupled with TRILUMINOS PRO and Live Colour Technology for colour enhancement. Meanwhile, it comes with a 4K X-Reality Pro for clarity enhancement. It also offers HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision compatibility alongside 8 different picture modes.

On the other hand, the audio of the Sony X80L is handled by two 10W X-Balanced, Bass Reflex Speakers. It supports DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Audio, as well as Dolby Atmos audio formats. Meanwhile, the television also offers the Room Compensation acoustic auto-calibration.

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Software and the rest

The Sony X80L runs on Android TV operating system with 32GB onboard storage. Thus, this television offers access to the internet, the ability to install apps via the Play Store, Google TV features, and so on. You also get additional features for Sony PlayStation 5. Furthermore, it supports dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth v4.2 wireless connectivity. However, it only supports WiFi Direct on 2.4GHz frequency.

It also has an ethernet port for wired internet connection. In addition, it has four HDMI ports, two USB ports, one headphone jack, one digital audio output port, one RF connection input port, and one composite video input mini jack for wired connections. Lastly, it also comes with BRAVIA CAM optionally in select countries.

Sony X80L TV Series Specifications

Design: Slim build with Flush Surface bezel design
Sizes Available: 55”, 65”, and 75”
Dimensions (without stand): 1233 mm x 713 mm x 72 mm (55”), 1452 mm x 836 mm x 72 mm (65”), 1675 mm x 962 mm x 73 mm (75”)
Weight (without stand): 15.90 kg (55”), 21.70 kg (65”), 32.20 kg (75”)
Display: 54.60” / 64.50” / 74.50”, LCD Panel, Direct LED backlight, 50Hz, Frame Dimming
Resolution: 4K (3,840 x 2,160)
Picture Processor: 4K HDR Processor X1
Storage: 32GB onboard
OS: Android TV
Speaker: 2x 10W Bass Reflex Speaker, X-Balanced
HDR Compatibility: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
Audio Format: DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Audio, Dolby Atmos
Connectivity: Dual-band WiFi, 2.4GHz WiFi Direct, Bluetooth v5.2
Ports: 4x HDMI ports, 2x USB ports, 1x Headphone jack, 1x Composite Video Input mini jack, 1x Digital Audi output port
Colour: Black

Sony X80L TV Series Price in Nepal and Availability

The Sony X80L TV Series is available in 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”, and 85” worldwide. However, we are only getting the 55”, 65”, and 75” variants here in Nepal. They are available to purchase at authorised retailers all over the country as well as through the official website of Allure Nepal. The Sony X80L TV series price in Nepal starts from NPR 118,000.

Sony X80L TV	Price in Nepal
55-inch	NPR 118,000
65-inch	NPR 160,000
75-inch	NPR 236,000

Meanwhile, check out our DJI Mini 4 Pro review

Vivo TWS Air2 launched with 3D spatial audio and 36 hours of playback

TWS
Vivo

GadgetByte

-

November 5, 2023

0

Vivo TWS Air2 launched with 3D spatial audio and 36 hours of playback

Vivo announced the new TWS Air2, the successor to the TWS Air launched earlier this year. This upgraded pair of earbuds brings improvements over the older one—that too with a cheaper price tag. So, let’s get over the specs, features and expected price of the Vivo TWS Air2 in Nepal.

Vivo TWS Air2 Overview:

Design

The Vivo TWS Air2 design quite resembles the first generation of this series. It uses the same half-in-ear design with a stem design. Also, the lightweight build continues with 3.6 grams weight as its predecessor.

Same with the charging case! It looks a lot like the TWS Air but with a curved case lid. Even the color options are the same: Blue and White. Nonetheless, there is one thing they have improved upon, i.e., the IP rating (IP54 compared to IP52).

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Audio

The TWS Air 2 boasts 14.2mm driver units. These wireless earphones offer 3D spatial audio and DeepX 3.0 stereo sound. As for audio codecs, you get AAC and SBC built-in, plus the company has stuffed in LC3 codec this time. Not only that, the latency can go as low as 55 ms with the low-latency mode.

Battery and the rest

For battery life, the new Vivo TWS Air2 can fuel up for 6 hours at maximum on a single charge. Additionally, the charging case provides 30 hours of playback for a combined life of 36 hours. Further, with support for fast charging, the case backs up 2 hours of playtime in just 10 minutes.

Additional features include Bluetooth 5.3, quick pairing, dual connection support, and Find My Earbuds.

Vivo TWS Air2 Specifications:

Fit: Half-in-ear
IP rating: IP54
Driver: 14.2mm; 3D spatial, DeepX 3.0 stereo
Codecs: AAC, SBC, LC3
Mics: 2
Connectivity: Bluetooth v5.3
Game mode: 55 ms
Battery: 29mAh (earbuds), 420mAh (Case)
Charging: Type-C fast charge (10 minutes of charge = 2 hours)
Features: Quick pairing, Touch controls, Dual Connection support, Find my earbuds
Colors: Blue, White

Vivo TWS Air2 Price in Nepal and Availability

The company has launched the earbuds in China for CNY 150. Hence, we expect the Vivo TWS Air2 price in Nepal to be NPR 3,400 if and when it launches here.

Vivo	Price in China (Official)	Price in Nepal (Expected)
TWS Air2	CNY 150	NPR 3,499

Meanwhile, check out our review of the Vivo V27.

Oppo launches A2 with 12GB of RAM and a 5000 mAh battery!

Raizel Tandukar

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November 4, 2023

1

Oppo launches A2 with 12GB of RAM and a 5000 mAh battery!

Oppo launches a new addition to their A2 series of phones after the Oppo A2x and Oppo A2 Pro! This latest offering from Oppo fits right in between the two smartphones released previously. In this article, we will discuss the new Oppo A2 in detail, including its expected price in Nepal, features, and specifications.

Oppo A2 Overview

Design and Display

The Oppo A2 is a rounded rectangular phone with a flat design. It is available in three colour options, each with its distinct patterns on the back. Here, the black colour option has a glittery finish whereas the green colour variant has a lined pattern. Similarly, the purple-coloured option has frosty patterns on the back. Moreover, the Oppo A2 also secures an IP54 dust and water rating.

On the front, we are looking at a 6.72” LCD panel with a centre-aligned hole-punch camera cutout. It boasts a resolution of 1,080 x 2,400 pixels as well as 680 nits of peak brightness. Furthermore, it offers a refresh rate of 90Hz and a touch sampling rate of 180Hz.

Performance

The Oppo A2 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 processor. It is an octa-core processor built on a 7nm fabrication process. Similarly, it comes in a single 12 GB LPDDR4x memory option. On the other hand, the Oppo A2 offers two storage options: 256 GB and 512 GB, with an option to further expand the storage via a MicroSD card. Meanwhile, on the software side of things, it comes with ColorOS 13.1 on top of Android 13.

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Camera and the rest

In terms of optics, it features a dual-camera setup on the back, the primary of which is a 50MP shooter with f/1.8 aperture. It is then coupled with a 2MP depth sensor to help out with the portrait shots. In the meantime, the Oppo A2 features an 8MP selfie camera.

Furthermore, we have a 5,000 mAh battery powering the entire unit. It also supports 33W of SuperVOOC fast charging. It offers dual-SIM support along with 5G, dual-band WiFi, and Bluetooth v5.1 wireless connectivity. Similarly, it offers a wired connection via USB-C and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Lastly, it offers biometric support with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Oppo A2 Specifications

Design: Flat design with unique patterns on the back
Dimensions: 165.60 mm x 76.00 mm x 7.99 mm
Weight: 193 grams
Display: 6.72” LCD Panel, 90Hz refresh rate, 180Hz touch sampling rate, 680 nits peak brightness
Resolution: FHD+ (1,080 x 2,400)
Chipset: Octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 6020 (7nm)
RAM: 12 GB LPDDR4x
ROM: 256 GB / 512 GB UFS 2.2 + Expandable with MicroSD card
OS & UI: Android 13 with ColorOS 13.1
Rear Camera: Dual Camera (50 MP Primary + 2 MP Depth Sensor)
Front Camera: 8 MP Camera (Centre-aligned hole-punch cutout)
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Durability: IP54-rated
Battery: 5,000 mAh with 33W SuperVOOC fast charging
Connectivity: Dual SIM, 5G, Dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth v5.1, USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
Colour Options: Black, Green, and Purple

Oppo A2 Price in Nepal and Availability

The Oppo A2 is available for pre-order in China and will begin shipping on the 6th of November. The phone is priced at CNY 1,699 and CNY 1,799 for the 256 GB and 512 GB variants respectively. Thus, if and when it arrives here in Nepal, we expect the Oppo A2 price in Nepal to be around NPR 37,199.

Oppo A2	Price in China (Official)	Price in Nepal (Expected)
12 GB + 256 GB	CNY 1,699	NPR 37,199
12 GB + 512 GB	CNY 1,799	NPR 39,399

Meanwhile, check out our Infinix Zero 30 review:

New Intel Graphics driver brings HUGE performance gains for gaming

Intel

Aarohan Niraula

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November 3, 2023

0

New Intel Graphics driver brings HUGE performance gains for gaming

It’s no secret that one of the biggest limiting factors of Intel’s newer GPUs has been on the software side. Although these GPUs ran modern titles relatively well, the same could not be said about older games based on previous versions of Direct X. Thankfully, a recent Intel Graphics Driver seems to have addressed some of this and the company reports MASSIVE gains in performance for some titles which we’ll be taking a look at here.

Intel Graphics Driver: Overview

The Intel Graphics Driver ‘31.0.101.4952’ for Intel Arc A-Series graphic cards and Intel Iris Xe Graphics was made available a few days ago. And this ~700MB driver might be a game changer if you own an Arc Series Intel card like the Arc A770 or the Arc A310 or own an Intel CPU with integrated graphics. Here’s why.

Support for newer titles

This new Intel graphics driver brings support for some new games including the popular FPS shooter Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. Other than that, you can also play games like The Talos Principle 2, Robocop: Rogue City, Star Ocean II R, and “Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name” on your Intel A series card now.

Performance optimization

Besides new games, supported titles also see a performance boost anywhere from a respectable 10% on ‘Total War: Warhammer’ to an astounding 750% on ‘Halo: The Master Cheif Collection’.

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Here are all the games and improvements that Intel reported on.

Guild Wars 2* (DX11)
- Up to 53% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
Halo: The Master Chief Collection* (DX11)
- Up to 750% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Enhanced settings
Sid Meier’s Civilization V* (DX11)
- Up to 6% average FPS uplift at 1080p with High settings
Total War: Warhammer* (DX11)
- Up to 10% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
Lost Ark* (DX11)
- Up to 15% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Very High settings
Warhammer: Vermintide 2* (DX11)
- Up to 16% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Extreme settings
Sniper Elite 3* (DX11)
- Up to 37% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
World War Z* (DX11)
- Up to 113% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
Euro Truck Simulator 2* (DX11)
- Up to 27% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
Yakuza 0* (DX11)
- Up to 154% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare* (DX11)
- Up to 20% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
Alien: Isolation* (DX11)
- Up to 9% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
Far Cry* Primal (DX11)
- Up to 14% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
Far Cry 5 (DX11)
- Up to 14% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
Far Cry New Dawn (DX11)
- Up to 11% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings

Intel Driver 31.0.101.4952 Support

Aside from the A series discrete GPUs, this driver also applies to Intel Iris Xe graphics. That includes integrated graphics on Intel CPUs from the 11th-generation Tiger Lake chips to new 14th-generation CPUs. Intel Graphics Driver 31.0.101.4952 is only available for Windows 10 and Windows 11.

If you have an eligible system, you can download the Intel Graphics Driver 31.0.101.4952 here.

Meanwhile, check out our video on the HP Spectre x 360 with the Intel Arc 370M :