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Infinix GT 10 Pro Review: Best in Class Performance

So, this phone had been generating a lot of hype even before its launch. Led by its Nothing-inspired design, leaks and rumors had suggested one hell of a device. And to put it simply I wasn’t disappointed. The Infinix GT 10 Pro is an incredible value for money if you’re looking for a gaming phone on a budget. It may not take the best photos or have the best OS, but boy does it outperform everyone in raw numbers. This is my full review of the Infinix GT 10 Pro. But before we begin, here are the brief specifications of the phone.

Infinix GT 10 Pro Review: Specifications

  • Body: 162.7 x 75.9 x 8.1 mm , 187gm
  • Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 360Hz touch sampling rate
  • Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
  • Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 8050 (6nm Mobile Platform)
  • Memory: 8GB RAM (+ Up to 8GB Virtual RAM), 256GB storage
  • Software & UI: XOS 13 on top of Android 13
  • Rear Camera: Triple
    – 108MP primary, f/1.8, 1/1.67”
    – 2MP macro, f/2.4
    – 2MP depth, f/2.4
  • Front Camera: 32MP, f/2.5 (punch-hole)
  • Audio: Stereo speakers, Speaker Hub
  • Security: In-display fingerprint sensor
  • Battery: 5000mAh with 45W fast charging

Infinix GT 10 Pro Review:

Design 

So let me start with the head-turning design of this thing. After Nothing’s success with a transparent design, this is the first time we have seen such a similar design from a different brand! And I think it’s quite refreshing, a little inspired, yes, but I don’t have a problem with it. It’s actually nice to see a phone with such character in a sea of mostly bland designs.

That being said, the design is very polarizing. I asked my friends and colleagues if they liked how the GT 10 Pro looked. And the ones who liked it absolutely loved it while the others weren’t a fan at all. There wasn’t much in between!

The back, as well as the frames, is made of plastic, but it does not feel that cheap and feels comfortable to hold. Infinix has been generous enough to include an IP53 rating too. My unit was the ‘Cyber Black’ variant but you can also get the ‘Mirage Silver’ color option, both of which are inspired by the cyberpunk sci-fi aesthetics.

To add a bit of extra flair, Infinix has also added LED lights on the back which glow during charging and notifications. Or, you can sync the lights to your music, and have your own little music visualizer. Honestly speaking, it didn’t add much to the phone in my day-to-day use and unlike the permanent glow on the Nothing Phone (2), the notification LEDs are easy to miss. 

Display 

  • 6.67-inch OLED
  • 120Hz, 360Hz Touch Sampling

Over to the front, the 6.67-inch OLED screen is quite nice with good contrast and viewing angles. I didn’t find the color reproduction to be the most accurate though. You do get the option to change the color temperature and such from the settings but even after adjusting, I didn’t find the tuning to be very impressive.

Infinix GT 10 Pro display

In comparison, the Poco X5 Pro(review) which also has a 10-bit display as the GT 10 Pro, produces better-looking colors. But then again, this is not a bad screen to look at, at least for general usage, gaming, and even some content consumption.

You also get Widevine L1 certification here, so you can watch content in FullHD resolution on streaming platforms like Netflix or Prime Video. However, there is no HDR support yet.

In terms of brightness, this is not the brightest of screens as I could only get around 700 nits at peak with the auto brightness mode turned on. This means during sunny outdoor situations, you might face some difficulty in visibility.

The good thing is that Infinix has included 1920Hz PWM Dimming in the GT 10 Pro, so there’s less probability of headaches and such while using the phone in low brightness mode. You also get an in-display fingerprint scanner which works reliably, however, I would have preferred if it was placed a little higher.

Performance 

  • Mediatek Dimensity 8050
  • 8GB + 8GB RAM, 256GB internal storage

Talking about the performance, I am happy to tell you, it doesn’t disappoint. The Dimensity 8050 chipset in here is one of the best performers you can get at this price range. It is better than something like the Snapdragon 778G and even beats more expensive phones like the Realme 11 Pro or the Lava Agni 2 in raw numbers. 

And that benchmark score translates nicely to real-world usage as well. 

Hence, throughout my testing period, I didn’t notice any lag or stutter on casual use. The UI feels snappy and fluid and Infinix has optimized 120Hz refresh rate well too.

Software

I also appreciate how Infinix has provided an almost Bloatware-free experience here. I mean, apart from a couple of XOS family apps, you won’t find much 3rd party bloatware here at all. But if you find the “ Clean Stock Android” experience a little boring, you always have the option to install icon packs and make it look however you want. 

The only thing that has bugged me regarding its software is the promised number of updates. Infinix GT 10 Pro boots on Android 13 and the maximum OS update the brand has promised is till Android 14 and an extra year of security updates and nothing more!

 Gaming Performance

Anyway, gaming on the Infinix GT 10 Pro is a great experience. I found the phone cruising through games like PUBG and Asphalt 9 with no trouble at all.

Infinix GT 10 Pro Gaming

For starters, PUBG runs decently at around 85 fps with just a few stutters here and there. Capping the frame rate at 60fps however, gave me silky-smooth gameplay without any kind of thermal throttling.

COD is still not optimized to run at 90 fps but it gave me 100% stability at Very High Graphics and Max fps settings. And not just COD, I tried playing other higher fps-ready titles like Mech Arena, but sadly, they were stuck at 60 fps too.

 Now, I did test Genshin’s impact too, which started out just fine, but became choppier over time. At medium Graphic settings (and 60 fps limit), Infinix GT 10 Pro could push about 40-44 fps. But if you’re more of a fan of stability, I’d suggest capping the frame rate at 30, this way you can enjoy the game with far less stuttering.

You might also be wondering if the phone gets hot while gaming, but surprisingly, PUBG, COD, and Asphalt 9 didn’t make the device heat up so much. It was only when playing Genshin Impact that the phone showed a little sign of distress reaching about 42 degrees after half an hour into the game. 

Infinix GT 10 Pro Gaming Benchmarks

Gaming features

Infinix also provides a few other ‘gaming perks’ here, like you can remap the volume buttons as in-game triggers, you can switch performance modes, limit power for better cooling and block notifications, and such. But let’s talk a bit about their ‘Bypass Charging’ which is the most intriguing one of the bunch.

Smartphones generate a lot of heat while they are charging which could be uncomfortable especially when you want to play games while charging. But Bypass Charging on the Infinix GT 10 Pro allows you to directly power your motherboard, bypassing the battery, so your phone doesn’t heat up!

It means you can game for hours without worrying about the battery heating or running out of charge. It also has the added benefit of reducing wear and tear on the lithium cells which is good for your battery health in the long run.

I did test the feature a couple of times while playing PUBG and yes, the phone doesn’t overheat while playing games while charging the phone! The temperature only rises by a degree or two!

Battery and Charging

  • 5,000mAh battery
  • 45W fast charging

Infinix GT 10 Pro charging

Now, while we are on the topic of battery and charging, the Infinix GT 10 Pro comes with a 5000 mAh battery. With typical moderate use, I could get through the day with around 20-25 % juice remaining before I went to bed but on heavy usage with some gaming into the mix, the phone would last about 5-6 hours, which is not bad at all!

And it charges right back up too. The included 45 W adapter takes the phone from 0-70% in 30 just 30 minutes and takes about an hour to completely fill the device.

Cameras

  • 108MP Primary Camera
  • 2MP Macro
  • 2MP Depth

Infinix GT 10 Camera

Okay, lastly, let me talk about its cameras. Infinix GT 10 Pro has a 108MP camera along with 2MP macro and depth sensors. Now, when it comes to gaming devices, cameras are generally the weakest link and I had expected the same from this phone too.

Daylight Photos

But after testing its cameras, I will say that I am quite pleased with the results. I mean, I wasn’t expecting the cameras to do well, but that wasn’t the case at all. 80% of the time I got acceptable results. The pictures are not the most sharp and the dynamic range can be off sometimes, but other than that, the colors are good under good lighting conditions.

Portraits

Portraits also come out nice enough, although there is still some room for improvement while maintaining dynamic range. Also, the skin tone is a little reddish and there is a little bit of smoothening, but, they are not bad at all.

Night time

You will see it struggle to maintain exposure and sharpness during nighttime. The camera has a night mode option, but it does not help much.

Selfies

The front 32 MP camera takes decent-looking selfies with good skin tone but you might find some to be too soft or lacking in detail. 

Videos

For videos, you have a 4k 30 fps option from the rear camera while from the front you can shoot up to 2k 30 fps videos. But at these resolutions, the stabilization is not very proper and there’s this red tint in the videos too, so not the best option when it comes to videos. However, you do get EIS with 1080p 30 fps videos, and the output at that resolution is less shaky and usable. 

Infinix GT 10 Pro Review: Conclusion

 So, my verdict is quite simple. If you’re looking for a performance-centric device and don’t really care a lot about the cameras, or long-term software updates, the Infinix GT 10 Pro is definitely an ideal choice for you. I found its gaming performance to be excellent, the clean stock Android experience to be welcoming, the battery backup to be reliable, and the overall experience to be recommendation-worthy! But at the same time, I do think Infinix needs a little bit of refinement in the cameras and software updates to remain competitive in this price segment. 

Check out our video review of the Infinix GT 10 Pro

Infinix GT 10 Pro Review: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Best Performance in Class
  • Smooth OLED display
  • Value for Money

Cons

  • Polarizing design
  • Average cameras
  • Lack of long-term software support

Alibaba, Huawei seeking CAC approval for Deepfake product development

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Recently, Huawei, Alibaba, and other Chinese tech giants requested permission from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), to develop deepfake materials. The CAC has reportedly received around 110 applications for such products. So, here, we will closely examine why companies are seeking approvals, CAC’s regulations, and the opportunities in the development of deepfake technology in China.

Chinese Tech Giants and Deepfake

What actually is Deepfake?

The deepfake is a simulated media created using artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning techniques. It involves generating highly realistic fake content, such as videos, audio recordings, or images, where the likeness or voice of one person is convincingly replaced with that of another. Deepfake technology has advanced to a point where it can make it appear as though someone is saying or doing something they never did.

Algorithms like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Autoencoders, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), and Transformer Models are used to create deepfakes.Encoder and decoder of Autoencoder Autoencoders, in particular, hold an essential role in this context. They enable feature learning, data representation, and preprocessing across a wide range of tasks and applications. It has two components involved; an encoder and a decoder. The encoder compresses the input data, capturing its important features in a compact form. Likewise, the decoder takes the compact representation from the encoder and attempts to recreate the original data from it.

So using 2 autoencoders, one trained on the reference image, and the other on the target image, you can generate a deepfake. The encoded representation of the target is fed into the decoder of the reference, resulting in an output with the target’s likeness but with the characteristics of the target image.

CAC’s rules governing Deepfake technology

In December 2022, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) established regulations regarding the use of deepfake technology. Along with Huawei and Alibaba, many other Chinese tech giants like Tencent, Baidu, and ByteDance, have also submitted applications to the CAC to develop deep fake technology, for various purposes.

The rules say that companies using deep fake technology must label their content as “deep fake.””If they fail to do so or create deep fake content without permission from CAC, authorities may investigate them, potentially resulting in fines, hefty penalties, or even a ban.”. So, to avoid such problems, these companies are asking for permission beforehand.

Chinese Tech Giants and Deepfake: The Future 

These Chinese tech giants will have the chance to continue advancing and working on their deepfake-related innovations. Once they have the necessary approvals in place, they can use deep fake technology for various purposes, including but not limited to research and development, art, advertising, education, and entertainment.

Samsung all set to introduce AMD-based GPU on mid-range Exynos 1430 and Exynos 1480 processors

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While the Galaxy S23 series featured the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, the handsets in the previous S22 series utilized an Exynos chip co-created by AMD and Samsung. Samsung’s partnership with AMD, announced two years ago, aims to develop in-house GPUs for Exynos processors. Recent reports indicate that Samsung is planning to introduce AMD GPUs in its mid-range Exynos 1430 and Exynos 1480 processors by 2024.

Exynos 1430 & Exynos 1480 chips Overview: 

According to X’s post from @Tech_Reve, Samsung is planning to integrate AMD mRDNA-based GPUs into upcoming chips. However, reportedly, the performance levels of these chipsets may not entirely meet everyone’s expectations for gaming.

Performance

The Exynos 2200 was the first to feature an AMD-based RDNA 2 GPU, generating high expectations. However, the GPU’s real-world performance fell short in most areas, giving features only in ray tracing.

The latest coming (before Exynos 1430 and Exynos 1480 hit the market) Exynos 2400 gives lower single-core CPU performance than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, with multi-core performance being somewhat similar. Reports also suggest that its GPU performance may not match that of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The Exynos 2400 could consume slightly more power for similar tasks.

In light of this, it’s likely that the upcoming mid-range Exynos 1430 and Exynos 1480 chips will feature less powerful GPUs compared to the Exynos 2200 or the forthcoming Exynos 2400. It’s also possible that features like ray tracing may be disabled in these moderate GPUs.

What to expect?

It’s been reported that the primary emphasis for these processors, the Exynos 1430 and Exynos 1480, will be on enhancing image capture capabilities and machine learning rather than gaming performance. As a result, it’s expected that these chips may not meet the expectations of gamers.

Historically, Samsung’s mid-tier Exynos chips have utilized Arm’s Mali GPUs, giving a decent performance. However, the shift to AMD GPUs could potentially bring alterations in performance, driver support, and other features. It’s a matter of waiting and observing what these new chipsets with AMD-based GPUs will bring to the table.

Market Availability of Exynos 1430 and Exynos 1480 chipsets

Samsung plans to officially announce the Exynos 1430 and Exynos 1480 chipsets in early 2024, and these chips may come in the Galaxy A15 and Galaxy A55 smartphones, respectively.

What is QD-OLED in TVs and how does it differ from regular OLED?

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When it comes to TVs, OLED is often the first thought in our minds. In the past, OLED ruled the TV market with stunning picture quality and unique pixel lighting. Now, as technology advances, new choices like QD-OLED are emerging for TV enthusiasts. So, here we are to discuss the OLED and QD-OLED displays for TVs along with the different features they offer to distinguish themselves.

OLED versus QD-OLED Overview:

Several manufacturers (mainly LG, others are Sony, Panasonic, and more), produce OLED TVs, particularly using W-OLED (White OLED) technology, while Samsung is the only notable player investing in QD-OLED technology.

OLED display manufacturing

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays are manufactured through a process that involves depositing organic materials onto a substrate to create the individual pixels that emit light. The devices with OLED ensure high-quality displays with vibrant colors, high contrast ratios, and low power consumption. Still, OLED devices have a hard time getting really bright, which can cause reflections and glare in rooms with a lot of light.

OLED technology

QD-OLED display manufacturing

QD-OLED, or Quantum Dot Organic Light-Emitting Diode, is a display technology that combines the strengths of two technologies: OLED and Quantum Dots.

QD-OLED-technologyIn the manufacturing process, organic materials are deposited onto a substrate, just like in OLEDs, forming pixels that emit light. Yet, what sets QD-OLED apart is the addition of a layer containing quantum dots after the initial OLED layers are in place. What’s more to it is, that QD-OLED tackles OLED’s brightness challenge by involving quantum dots.  Quantum dots are tiny semiconductor nanocrystals that absorb blue light and then emit red and green light, resulting in a wider range of colors and enhanced color precision on the display.

Reasons behind Samsung’s avoidance of OLED technology?

As for Samsung, they have avoided using OLED technology in their TVs, probably, due to OLED’s limited lifespan and scalability challenges, especially for larger screens. In a conventional OLED display, a white light source is used, and this light is subsequently filtered through color filters, which means, most of the light cannot reach your eyes. OLEDs have great viewing angles but may lose quality at extreme angles.

Samsung initially focused on developing its own display technology called QLED (Quantum Dot LED) which is positioned as a competitor to OLED. In addition to this, Samsung has also explored QD-OLED, which is a blend of OLED and quantum dots. Their decision to avoid OLED TVs is likely part of their strategy to differentiate themselves in the market and prioritize their proprietary display technologies.

However, QD-OLED burnout remains a concern due to higher brightness offerings along with gradual pixel degradation and the potential image retention over time. As a result, there is a competitive dynamic between QD-OLED and traditional OLED technologies.

Are QLED and MiniLED the substitutes for OLED?

OLED displays have a peak brightness limitation when compared with certain other display technologies such as QLED and Mini LED.

MiniLED technology, employing numerous tiny LEDs as self-emissive backlighting, offers brightness control and localized dimming, surpassing OLED. It reduces burn-in risks and lifespan concerns associated with OLED. Although not as thin as OLED, MiniLED displays provide high luminance and improved contrast.

QLED (based on traditional LCD panels enhanced with quantum dots) displays have advantages over OLEDs, including higher peak brightness, better performance in well-lit environments, and reduced risk of burn-in. QLEDs use quantum dots to enhance color accuracy and brightness in traditional LCD panels, however, it does nothing for contrast and black levels. That’s how the need for QD-OLED is introduced.

Quantum Dot Enhancement Film
QLED display

These factors have attracted Samsung’s attention, impacting their display choices.

While MiniLED and QLED technologies offer advantages such as high brightness and reduced burn-in risks, they are not direct substitutes for OLED. Each technology has its own strengths and limitations, and the choice depends on specific preferences and requirements. OLED has the power to achieve perfect blacks, infinite contrast ratios, and faster response times, resulting in image quality.

History of OLED and QD-OLED TVs

Sony made the first OLED TV ever, the XEL-1. People really liked regular OLED (W-OLED) TVs from LG, Sony, Panasonic, and Philips before QD-OLED came along. These brands were the popular choices, and OLED was the favorite.

In 2022, Samsung changed things with the S95B TV. This was their first TV using QD-OLED tech. It fixed OLED’s problem with brightness, measuring a peak of 1,060 nits. While other display technologies exist, the features provided by QD-OLED cannot be matched: reduced burn-in risks, higher brightness levels, enhanced color accuracy, and more.

Pricing

QD-OLED technology is still very new, so there aren’t many TVs or monitors with it yet. Samsung and Sony have a few models, and Dell and other PC companies have QD-OLED gaming monitors.

For a long time, LG was the main company making big OLED displays. Even if you bought an OLED TV from other brands like Sony or Vizio, LG probably made the screen.

QD-OLED TVs are more expensive than regular OLED TVs, which are easy to find and not as pricey. Having said it, Samsung is improving in QD-OLED mass production offering reduced prices in comparison to the initial launch of TVs in early 2022.

Conclusion on OLED versus QD-OLED

While W-OLED TVs still have a presence, QD-OLED technology is preferred nowadays. In my opinion, QD-OLED is the winner. It offers better picture quality than regular OLEDs could only hope for. So, I believe QD-OLED is the future while saying goodbye to traditional OLED.

OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Review: A TWS you might want to buy!

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OnePlus recently launched the Nord Buds 2 in the Nepali market with a price tag of NPR 6,199. I tested this TWS for more than a week. And in this OnePlus Nord Buds 2 review article, we’ll walk through the audio, battery, and overall performance aspects.

OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Specifications:

  • Driver: 12mm dynamic driver
  • Frequency: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
  • Battery: 41mAh (each earbud), 480mAh (case)
  • Music Time: 7 hours (with ANC off), 36 hours (with charging case)
  • Charging: Wired (USB-C)
  • Controls: Touch
  • Active Noise Cancellation: Yes (up to 25dB)
  • IP Rating: Yes (IP55 dust and splash resistant, earbuds only)
  • Color: Thunder Grey and Lighting White
  • Companion App: HeyMelody (Android | iOS)
  • Price in Nepal: Rs. 6,199
  • Buy OnePlus Nord Buds 2 here

OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Review:

Design and Build

Let’s start with the design of the Nord Buds 2. It takes a lot of cues from the original Nord Buds and bears the same flat stem design– which is not that attractive, to be honest. A sleek stem design is better any day– at least for me. Still, the Lighting White option looks good though. OnePlus sells this guy in the Thunder Grey color option too. 

The charging case is also similar and has a matte finish to avoid fingerprints and smudges. Although the earbuds are made of plastic, it doesn’t look cheap. And yeah, you get an IP55 rating on the TWS, which is okay for minor water splashes and sweat.

Pairing the buds…

For pairing, you’ll need to download the HeyMelody App on your Android/iOS phone. With the Buds 2, you get a pairing button on the back, which you need to press to pair after opening the lid. If you own a OnePlus phone, the pairing process is quite seamless as it supports OnePlus Fast Pair. But still, having the HeyMelody app is still beneficial for updates, EQ profile adjustments, and more.

Audio

Now, let’s talk about audio performance—the Nord Buds 2 packs  12.4mm titanium-coated drivers. Regarding codecs, you get both SBC and AAC codecs. Speaking of the audio, the Nord Buds 2 produces superb bass alongside a balanced sound. The bass doesn’t dominantly overpower the mids and highs thankfully. While the vocal clarity is quite on the very decent side. You can control the music playback with taps on the dedicated circular area on the buds. Which can also be customized via the HeyMelody app.

OnePlus Nord Buds 2

 

To cancel the background noise, you get Active Noise Cancellation support here—which works well on my usage time. OnePlus claims up to 25dB of ambient noise reduction. Along with that, you get transparency and normal mode, which are fine as well.

Moving on, the HeyMelody app lets you tune the sound profile to your preference. So, there’s no problem if you are all about the bass, no treble. Or you can keep those treble high and base down low!

OnePlus Nord Buds 2 heyMelody App
HeyMelody

Gaming and Calls

For gaming, there’s a dedicated gaming mode that reduces latency, although there are still noticeable audio lags, especially in games like PUBG. So, it’s decent for casual gaming but not ideal for competitive gaming.

Getting to the call quality, the Nord Buds 2 performed surprisingly well on indoor usage through its dual mic setup. If you are somewhere in a noisy environment, you might want to use your phone’s mic instead. This midrange TWS is not simply made for that!

Battery

Now, let’s talk about battery life. The earbuds offer solid battery backup. At full charge, you can get around 6 to 7 hours of playback at 50% volume. If you use ANC, it’ll last about 4 hours. Additionally, a quick 10-minute charge can provide 4-5 hours of usage. So, there’s no need to worry about battery life.

OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Battery

Conclusion

Okay, let’s get to the conclusion. For a price tag of 6,199, you’re getting balanced audio with a slighter emphasis on the bass and ANC. It is a bit overpriced in Nepal as compared to India where it’s available at INR 3000 (NPR 4800). Besides that, the battery life is great. An in-ear detection and Google fast pair support would have been icing on the cake though.

OnePlus Nord Buds 2 TWS

OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Review: Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Balanced audio with good bass
  • Great battery life
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Customizations and software updates via the HeyMelody App

Cons

  • No in-ear detection
  • No Google Fast Pair support
  • Pricing could have been better

JBL Soundgear Sense earbuds announced with ‘OpenSound Technology’ and removable neckband.

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Alongside the new Live headphones, JBL also announced the Soundgear Sense True Wireless Stereo earbuds with their new “Open Sound Technology”. In this article, let’s glance at the features, specifications, and expected price in Nepal of the JBL Soundgear Sense earbuds.

JBL Soundgear Sense Overview

Design

JBL Soundgear Sense Buds Design

These TWS buds feature an open design with ear hooks. They also come with a detachable neckband that you can use for added security during workouts or jogging.

Soundgear Sense buds allow users to hear their surroundings while listening to their favorite artists. This is helpful for athletes, joggers, and cyclists who want to enjoy music but not at the cost of total isolation. You can even use them during exercise thanks to their IP54 dust and splash rating. 

“Features such as Ambient Aware are so popular in our TWS earbuds that we wanted to take this to the next level and create a naturally open design that provides a true connection with the outside world,” – Carsten Olesen, JBL.

They are available in Black and White color options.

Sound

For sound, these buds use JBL’s OpenSound Technology with air conduction. They are equipped with 16.2mm audio drivers and come with touch controls. You can tune the sound to your needs using the JBL Headphones App for EQ adjustments and audio profiling. 

JBL Soundgear Sense buds feature Bluetooth 5. 3 and have LE support. Furthermore, they support Bluetooth Multipoint for connecting to multiple devices at a time. They can last for up to 6 hours on a single charge and a quick 15-minute charge adds up to 4 additional hours of playtime.

JBL Soundgear Sense Specifications:

  • Driver: 16.2mm
  • Waterproof: Yes, IP54 dust and splash-resistant
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
  • Audio Codecs: Unspecified
  • Playback Time: 6 hours (buds), 24 hours (with charging case)
  • Port: USB Type-C

JBL Soundgear Sense Price in Nepal and Availability

The Soundgear Sense earbuds are available for purchase via JBL’s website with a price tag of GBP 130. If they do make their way here, we expected the JBL Soundgear Sense TWS earbuds price in Nepal to be around NPR 26,999.

JBL TWS earbuds Price in the UK Price in Nepal (Expected)
Soundgear Sense GBP 129 NPR 26,999

Tecno Phantom Ultimate unveiled as a concept rollable phone

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Tecno Mobile recently released a video on their YouTube channel showcasing a rollable smartphone concept. Adding to its Phantom line of phones, the Tecno Phantom Ultimate expands from 6.5-inch to 7.1-inch in a matter of seconds. But before getting your hopes high and everything, let me clarify that this is just a concept phone for now.

Tecno Phantom Ultimate Overview:

As seen from the video, the Phantom Ultimate has a ridged texture at the back. Similar to something we’ve seen a lot of budget phones from Realme and even something like the infamous RED Hydrogen One. The phone also has three camera bumps, although it appears to have four camera lenses. The central bump has an interesting ring-like enclosure within it, which could be the LED flash.

TECNO PHANTOM Ultimate Rear

As expected, Tecno has put a big emphasis on the screen of Phantom Ultimate. The excess part of the screen that tucks back in also acts as a secondary screen, and it can display things like date, time, and battery level. There’s a dedicated button to expand the screen, while that’s possible with a three-finger-swipe gesture too. In terms of technical aspects, the screen measures 6.55” when rested. Or 7.11” in about 1.3 seconds when rolled out.

Tecno Phantom Ultimate is said to pack a new “high torque” powertrain and a “single-drive motor system” to achieve the roll speed of the screen. Additionally, the screen itself is said to be a “Dynamic LTPO” display with a resolution of 2296 × 1596 pixels. The screen is said to cover 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and can achieve a peak brightness of 1,100 nits.

TECNO PHANTOM Ultimate with rollable screen

What are “concept phones” actually?

Concept phones are a working prototype of phones with some sort of technology that’s not ready for the masses yet. And it can be seen more as a proof of concept instead. Companies have made all sorts of concept phones from cameras with electrochromic glass, detachable parts, transparent phones, and so on.

Samsung Transparent Concept phone

These phones are produced to test the feasibility of the cutting-edge technology of the companies, rather than generating revenue from it. Such unorthodox technology may turn out to be the norm in the near future. For example: foldable phones were limited to being concept phones not too long ago, but they are now commercially available.

Concept of rollable phones

A rollable phone sounds very futuristic and bleeding age — even today — but this is not the first time we have heard of a rollable phone. Oppo showcased a similar rollable phone a few years back in the form of Oppo X 2021. Whereas even Apple and Samsung have been rumoured to be fiddling with the idea of rollables.

Tecno Phantom Ultimate Availability

As aforementioned — before getting your hopes high — I should remind you that the Phantom Ultimate is a “concept phone”. Thus, it’s unclear if Tecno ever plans to commercially produce it. Even Tecno themselves say the phone is “set to unroll the future” in their official unveiling video.

  • Meanwhile, check our comparison between Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and OPPO Enco Air 3 Pro

Fake AMOLED display on the Asta Wolf Phoenix smartwatch! Here’s how!

Recently launched Nepalese Accessories brand, Asta Wolf, has left a positive impression on most people. But unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case with us. Though we have quite a few things to say about the brand, I’ll stick to talking about their (Asta) Wolf Phoenix smartwatch and its fake AMOLED screen in this article. 

What’s wrong with Asta Wolf Phoenix?

For starters, the Wolf Phoenix is an affordable yet feature-rich smartwatch priced under NPR 4,000 rupees. It comes with SPO2 tracking, a heart rate monitor, a steps tracker, app support, and more. But the main selling point of the Phoenix is its ‘AMOLED’ display. Mind you, finding an AMOLED screen on a smartwatch at this price point is a pretty sweet deal. So naturally, I was excited to try it out as soon as I could. But my delight quickly turned to disappointment when I realized the screen was definitely NOT an OLED one.

LCD vs AMOLED 

LCD displays use a backlight to produce images, while OLED displays have LEDs that light up individual pixels. This means that OLED displays can turn off those individual pixels to produce true deep blacks, while LCD displays can only block the backlight to produce (less) dark colors. They also have richer colors and better color accuracy at low brightness. However, Asta Wolf Phoenix has an LCD panel instead of an AMOLED one.

When I tried out the Phoenix smartwatch, the colors felt off, there was bleeding on the edges, and it didn’t feel like an AMOLED at all. So, just to be 100% sure, I set the watch face to black wallpaper and tried it out in a dark room. The result was as expected, the screen displayed a lightish grey color but it was not pitch black. 

Likewise, we also conducted the microscope pixel testing using our high-res macro lens (Sigma 70mm Macro) and found out the black portion on the Phoenix watch had lights turned ON, indicating it’s an LCD panel. As such, the Wolf Phoenix Smartwatch doesn’t have an AMOLED panel.  

Asta Wolf still claiming that Phoenix has an AMOLED screen 

The sad thing is the company is still claiming that Asta Wolf Phoenix has an AMOLED panel on its social media including Daraz Q&A and Review section. They have even claimed to come up with a “Certification” from their vendor in the coming days. This is pure arrogance and just not acceptable. A brand is misleading consumers into buying a product that is not what it claims to be. 

Phoenix smartwatch QnA

I am a little disappointed in Daraz too. Asta Wolf launched as a Daraz-exclusive brand so they needed to do their due diligence as well. They are promoting a brand without verifying the claims it’s making, which ultimately affects the consumers.

Daraz has built up consumer trust via reliable service and ease of use. However, such carelessness can quickly undermine that hard-earned reputation and damage trust. This AMOLED fiasco on the Asta Wolf Phoenix is just an example. There must be systems in place to ensure consumer fraud doesn’t foster in coming days. 

The False Marketing

I am surprised by some of the tech influencers as well. None of the videos I watched had any bad things to say about Asta Wolf Phoenix.

Likewise, there are a lot of paid promotions on platforms like TikTok which features influencers who had nothing to do with tech. A food blogger reading vague specs of a Bluetooth speaker or a comedian talking about a battery health-protecting power bank doesn’t exude confidence in the buyer.

I understand what Asta Wolf is doing for marketing, but I expected ‘influencers’ to do at least a little bit of research which is clearly lacking here. Even some tech YouTubers got it wrong this time around which makes me question the integrity of tech content I have been consuming for the last few years.

The Aftermath

Everyone who got the Phoenix in hopes of an AMOLED screen was cheated and hence deserves a refund or some kind of compensation. I also want Asta Wolf to discontinue the Phoenix completely to prevent further damage. And to other upcoming Nepali OEM brands, let this act as a lesson. A lesson not to mislead consumers, no matter how ‘affordable’ your product is. So, that’s all I had to say about the Asta Wolf Phoenix fake AMOLED scandal.

But you can check out our opinion on the brand’s other shenanigans here :

JBL Live 670NC and Live 770NC headphones announced with True Adaptive ANC and JBL Spatial Sound

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JBL just added two new headphones to its midrange lineup: the Live 670NC and the Live 770NC. Under the hood, they are the same device with a different ear design but more on that later. For now, let’s get right into the design, specifications, and price in Nepal of the JBL Live 670 NC and Live 770NC. 

JBL LIVE 670NC and 770NC Overview

Design 

Both headphones sport an attractive design with a lightweight comfortable build. Live 670NC are On-Ear headphones with smaller cups whereas the Live 770NC are larger Over-Ear headphones. They are available in Black, White, Blue, and Rose colors. 

JBL Live 670NC and 770N design

Features

Both headphones come with 40mm dynamic drivers and support True Adaptive ANC and Smart Ambient technology. The drivers are also equipped with JBL Spatial Sound Technology for a fuller surround sound.

You can optimize your listening experience by customizing your audio profile with Harman’s Personi-Fi 2.0. Besides that, the JBL Live headphones support MultiPoint Bluetooth and auto-pause/play. They feature Bluetooth 5.3 and will support LE Audio via a future update.

They are equipped with 2 beamforming microphones for crisp call quality. Live 670NC and Live 770NC have up to 50 hours of playback with ANC (up to 65 hours without ANC). And if you do run out of juice, a quick 5-minute charge can you give an additional 4 hours of playback.

JBL Live 670NC and 770NC Specifications:

  • Weight: 
    • Live 670NC: 219 grams
    • Live 770NC: 256 grams
  • Headphone Type: 
    • Live 670NC: on-ear
    • Live 770NC: over-ear
  • Driver Unit: 40mm, dynamic
  • Impedance: 32Ω
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20,000 Hz
  • Frequency Response (Bluetooth Communication): 2.4 GHz – 2.4835 GHz
  • Input: Audio jack
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
  • Codecs: Unspecified
  • Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
  • Playback Time: 50 hours (ANC on), 65 hours (ANC off)
  • Charging: 3 hours
  • Features: True Adaptive ANC, JBL Spatial Sound, Bluetooth Multipoint

JBL Live 670NC and 770NC Price in Nepal and Availability

These Live headphones are now available for purchase from JBL’s website with a starting price tag of GBP 120. If they make it here, we expect JBL Live 670NC and 770NC price in Nepal to be around NPR 29,000 and NPR 35,000 respectively.

JBL Live Headphones Price in the UK Price in Nepal (Expected)
Live 670NC GBP 120 NPR 29,000
Live 770NC GBP 160 NPR 35,000

Nepali tech company Yarsa Tech launches NIZI Power 12V!

We have all been prone to a few hours of power cuts lately with all the upgrades to our power lines happening right now. With this Nepali problem comes a Nepali solution! NIZI Power 12V from Yarsa Tech! In this article, we’ll get into the specs, features, and official price of NIZI Power 12V in Nepal.

NIZI Power 12V Overview:

Company Overview

Before stepping into the product details, let’s learn about the company first. Yarsa Tech is a sister company to Yarsa Games, that has produced banger games popular among Nepali folks such as Ludo and Call Break. It is an electronics company as well as a Research and Development lab based in the lake city of Nepal — Pokhara. This consumer-based electronics manufacturing company has produced innovative products such as Junkiri and AudiQR. Adding to the list of their impressive portfolio of products is NIZI Power 12V!

NIZI Power 12V Overview

NIZI Power 12V is a power bank designed to provide backup power to electronic devices during power outages. This power bank boasts a monstrous 8,800 mAh cell, able to provide 6 to 8 hours of backup.

Yarsa Tech Nizi Power 12V Specs

This product is really a jack of all trades, able to power a variety of different devices. It is able to power routers, cameras, CCTV systems, door control systems, attendance systems, network equipment, security systems, etc. In addition, it can even provide power to our personal devices like mobile phones and tablets.

 

Yarsa Tech NIZI Power 12V Price in Nepal and Availability

The Yarsa Tech NIZI Power 12V price in Nepal is NPR 3,000 with a 1-year warranty in addition. You can buy NIZI Power 12V directly from their website.

Yarsa Tech NIZI Power 12V Price in Nepal
NIZI Power 12V रु. 3,000
  • Meanwhile, you can check our Problems with Nepali OEM Brands video.