Xiaomi just announced the Xiaomi CyberDog 2 in its latest launch event in China, along with various other interesting products and offerings. This quadruped robot is the successor to Xiaomi’s CyberDog, released last year, and boasts enhanced intelligence and lifelike characteristics.
Xiaomi CyberDog 2 Overview:
The cutting-edge robot from Xiaomi is compact in design and has a major design upgrade from its predecessor. Furthermore, the 12-limbed robot weighs a mere 8.9 kilos and takes inspiration from the dog breed Dobermann.
This newest innovation in the field of robotics is equipped with Xiaomi’s proprietary CyberGear Micro–actuator. The technology provides increased torque, rapid responsiveness, and meticulous control to the CyberDog 2. On top of proprietary tech, CyberDog 2 has an impressive array of 19 sensors for vision, touch, and hearing.
Binding the bleeding edge hardware is nigh open–source programming. Thus the coding, structural drawings, and even graphical programming for its various sensing capabilities are accessible to developers. This approach was taken by the company to foster collaboration among developers and further progress the field of bio–inspired robots.
The combination of the hardware and software provides the robot with agile mobility and the ability to perform challenging manoeuvres. For example, running at a speed of 1.6 m/s, performing continuous backflips, and fall recovery.
Xiaomi CyberDog 2 Specifications:
Dimensions:
Standing: 562 x 339 x 481mm
Resting: 603 x 339 x 300mm
Weight:8.9 ± 0.5kg
CPU: 6-core NVIDIA Carmel ARM v8.2 64-bit CPU
GPU: 384-core NVIDIA Volta GPU with 48 Tensor Cores
RAM: 8GB LPDDR4x (128-bit)
Storage: 16GB eMMC 5.1, 32GB Class 10 SSD
Depth camera module: Intel Realsense D430
Hearing: 4–mic array with Xiaomi AI voice algorithm
Mobility: Dynamic balance, Fall recovery, Fall protection
Wireless Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0
Battery: 4500mAh (97.2 Wh) Lithium-ion Polymer
Battery Life: 90 minutes
Charging Time: 90 minutes
Xiaomi CyberDog 2 Price and Availability
Just like any bleeding-edge technology in the world, CyberDog 2 obviously comes with a hefty price tag. The official price is CNY 12,999 and it will go on sale in China pretty soon.
Robot
Price in China (Official)
Xiaomi CyberDog 2
CNY 12,999
Meanwhile, check out our review of Redmi Watch 3 Active.
Samsung’s latest foldables are here in Nepal, which includes the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5. And in this article, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, including its features, complete specs, and official price in Nepal.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Price in Nepal
The price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in Nepal is NPR 226,999 for the 12/256GB and NPR 239,999 for the 12/512GB model. It’s up for pre-order until August 30 through authorized stores like Hukut with exciting offers and freebies. Which includes (but is not limited to) 1-year breakage insurance and 1-time protection film replacement for free.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Price in Nepal (Official)
12/256GB
NPR 226,999
12/512GB
NPR 239,999
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Pre-Booking Offers in Nepal
As for the offers, if you pre-book the base 256GB variant of the Samsung Galaxy Fold 5, you can opt for free storage upgrade to 512GB and also get a Slim S Pen cover. Moreover, there is also the option to buy a 24″ monitor or a Galaxy Watch 6 Classic at discounted prices as well.
Free memory upgrade (to 512GB) and Slim S Pen Cover OR 24″ Essential S3 Monitor at NPR 3,000 ORGalaxy Watch 6 Classic at NPR 40,000.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Overview:
Design and Build
Okay, they’ve done it, they’ve finally done it. After four long years in the foldable industry, Samsung has finally figured out a way to design a gapless hinge on the Fold 5. Well, fifth time’s the charm, right? And thanks to the redesigned “Flex Hinge” — as Samsung calls it — it’s also about a millimeter thinner and 10 grams lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 4 that it replaces.
Those are pretty impressive stuff but it still doesn’t compare to something like the Huawei Mate X3, Honor Magic V2, or the new Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 in terms of a sleek and lightweight design. Whereas this new droplet-style hinge also means a less noticeable crease on the main display.
As far as durability is concerned, the Fold 5 uses the same “Armor Aluminum” frame as last year. Although Samsung has upgraded to the newer Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection at the back and the cover display, which brings improved drop resistance against rough surfaces. While most of the early leaks suggested that the Fold 5 would finally get dust protection as well, it is still only IPX8 certified against water damage.
And like its predecessors, Samsung says its newest book-style foldable has been tested to survive at least 200,000 folds. Other than this, the Galaxy Fold 5 gets a couple of fresh color options this time. Including “Icy Blue” and “Cream”, while the classic “Phantom Black” finish carries on. All with a matte finish at the back alongside glossy side rails.
Coming to the display, there’s not much to look forward to here. The one on the front is this 6.2” Dynamic AMOLED panel with an HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 23.1:9 aspect ratio yet again. Whereas its main display measures 7.6” tall and gets all the goodies of the cover screen. The only notable bit of upgrade is that the Fold 5’s main display now has a peak brightness of 1,750 nits compared to Fold 4’s 1,000 nits.
And while it’s also S Pen compatible, Samsung still hasn’t managed to fit the stylus inside the phone itself. Instead, the company is offering a new “Slim S Pen Case” which — as the name implies — is pretty slim versus Samsung’s official case for the Fold 4. Oh, and the updated S Pen Fold Edition itself is 41% slimmer too.
On the performance front, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is powered by the bespoke edition of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. Like the Galaxy S23 series. Just to jog your memory, this Samsung-exclusive “Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy” chip has roughly 5% faster CPU and GPU than the regular 8 Gen 2. And complementing it all is 12GB of RAM and up to a terabyte of storage.
As for software, the phone boots on One UI 5.1.1, on top of Android 13. And it seems that Samsung hasn’t cooked up any new (at least any excitingly new) software tricks to go along with its latest foldable. That PC-like taskbar for quickly launching or switching between apps is still here and it can now hold up to four recent apps on the side. Although this feature should be coming to older Galaxy Z Folds shortly as well. And like Samsung’s other flagship phones, the Fold 5 will also be getting 4 years of OS and 5 years of security updates.
Cameras
Unfortunately, things get even worse in the camera department as Samsung has just copy-and-pasted what was there on the Fold 4. That means you’re getting the same 50MP ISOCELL GN3 primary, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens at the back with 3x optical and 30x digital zoom.
With the main and telephoto cameras retaining optical image stabilization too. You can also take selfies from either of them, but there’s a dedicated 10MP front-facing camera on the cover display and a 4MP unit hidden underneath the main display.
Rest of the specs
Despite its slimmer and lighter build quality, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 retains the same 4400mAh battery as its predecessor. But with that better-optimized Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, it should deliver relatively better screen time anyway. And when you need to fill it up again, the Fold 5 supports up to 25W fast wired charging. Alongside 10W wireless and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. In terms of security, you get a side-mounted fingerprint sensor here.
Along with the Honor 90, its Lite version Honor 90 Lite is also here in Nepal. This midrange phone comes with toned-down specs as compared to the Honor 90, including a Dimensity 6020 chip, a 90Hz IPS display, and more. In this article, we’ll walk through the specs, features, and official price of the Honor 90 Lite 5G in Nepal.
Honor 90 Lite 5G Overview:
Design and Display
As for design, the Honor 90 Lite 5G bears flat frames with curved edges. It measures 7.48mm thick while weighing just 179 grams. And looking at the back of the phone, we can see that its camera module forms a Venn diagram of sorts. Honor ships this phone in three color options: Midnight Black, Titanium Silver, and Cyan Lake.
Up front, you are greeted with a 6.7-inch LTPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate. And this FHD+ display has 1080 x 2388 pixels. Honor has provided quite thin bezels on all three sides with a slightly thicker chin on bottom side.
Performance
Running the show is a Dimensity 6020 chipset, fabbed under a 7nm process. This Mediatek SoC supports 5G connectivity and features two Cortex-A76 cores at up to 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A55 units clocked at up to 2 GHz. While handling the graphics is a Mali-G57 GPU. If all that sounded a little too familiar, it’s because Dimensity 6020 is just a rebranded Dimensity 700 from back in 2021.
Still for those day-to-day chores and little bit of gaming, the processor can handle it. Memory-wise, you get 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. And the phone boots on MagicOS 7.1 built on top of Android 13 out of the box.
Camera
Getting to the optics, the Honor 90 Lite 5G sports triple cameras at the back. This is headlined by a 100MP primary sensor, followed by a 5MP ultrawide and a 2MP macro unit. On the front, you get a 16MP shooter for selfies and video calls.
Fueling the smartphone is a 4,500mAh battery with 22.5W fast charging support. As for the connectivity options, the phone includes 5G, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. Furthermore, you get a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for biometrics security.
Software&UI: Honor MagicOS 7.1 on top of Android 13
RearCamera: Triple
100MP primary, f/1.9
5MP ultrawide, f/2.2, 112°
2MP macro, f/2.4
Front Camera: 16MP, f/2.45 (hole-punch)
Security: Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted)
Battery: 4500mAh with 22.5W fast charging
Colors: Midnight Black, Titanium Silver, and Cyan Lake
Honor 90 Lite Price in Nepal and Availability
The Honor 90 Lite 5G price in Nepal is set at Rs. 31,990 for the sole 8/256GB version. Hukut Store is offering Ultima Atom 192 worth Rs. 2,799 for free.
Samsung launched a bunch of new products in the latest “Galaxy Unpacked” event, including the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Tab S9 series, and the Watch 6 Series. It includes the vanilla Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic. Here, we’ll be talking about the latter, which brings back the beloved physical rotating bezel. To recall, the company ditched this in favor of a digital one on last year’s Galaxy Watch 5 series. So, let’s get into the specs, features, and official price in Nepal of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic in this article.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Overview:
Design and Display
While the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic regains a physical rotating bezel, the regular Galaxy Watch 6 has the same digital rotating bezel as its predecessor. The Classic model is available in two dial sizes: 43mm and 47mm, contrary to how the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro came in a single 45mm option only. In terms of colorways, it comes in “Black” and “Silver” options.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
1 of 2
Black
Silver
Other than this, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series has a Super AMOLED display — a 1.3-inch and 1.5-inch panel on the 43mm and 47mm dial versions, respectively — with Sapphire Crystal glass protection on top. It also features an IP68 rating and 5 ATM water resistance.
Samsung has also upgraded to Exynos W930 processor this time, which reportedly brings 18% faster performance. Complementing this 5nm-fabbed chip is 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage, while it supports Bluetooth 5.3 and dual-band WiFi. In terms of software, the Galaxy Watch 6 duo is the very first smartwatches to boot on the new Wear OS 4 platform.
Moving on, the Watch 6 Classic brings over 90 workout modes, such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, weight lifting, and more. Whereas in terms of health tracking, it includes real-time heart rate, SpO2, women’s health, blood pressure, and skin temperature measurement. To do so, it uses the same-old 3-in-1 BioActive sensor.
But Samsung says it has improved sleep monitoring this time, with more data and better suggestions. Other than this, these new smartwatches can now send you irregular heart rate notifications too. Similarly, fall detection and automatic SOS alert to emergency contacts have gotten better as well.
Battery and others
And like the vanilla Galaxy Watch 6, the Classic variant packs a bigger battery: a 300mAh unit on the 43mm and a 425mAh one on the 47mm variant. In terms of charging, it supports 10W fast charging like last year and uses the same ER-OR900 charger as the Watch 5 series. And just like its vanilla sibling, this guy can also double as a remote plus a display monitor for snapping selfies from your Galaxy smartphones. Other than that, it also supports eSIM connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Price in Nepal and Availability
You can now buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic from Hukut and other authorized stores in Nepal. The price is Rs. 64,999 for the sole 47mm variation with Bluetooth connectivity.
Redmi launched its first-ever Android tablet last year, suitably named the Redmi Pad. Almost a year later, the company has now launched the budget-friendly tab with the Redmi Pad SE moniker in Europe. This article will go into the specs, features, and expected price of the Redmi Pad SE in Nepal.
Redmi Pad SE Overview:
Design and Display
The core of the Redmi Pad SE centers on an 11.0″ LCD display featuring a 90Hz refresh rate, with peak brightness reaching 400 nits. The resolution is FHD+ (1200 x 1920 pixels), offering a 16:10 aspect ratio. Talking of the build, the tablet has an all-metal unibody construction, weighing 478 grams.
Performance and Memory
The Pad SE is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, manufactured on a 6nm process. This setup is paired with an Adreno 610 graphics processor. Redmi has offered three memory configurations: 4/6/8GB of RAM with the same 128GB storage capacity. You can expand the storage through the microSD card slot. Furthermore, it boots on the Android 13 operating system with MIUI 14 For Pad on top.
On the optics side, this tablet comes with a dual-camera setup: a 5MP ultrawide front camera with an f/2.2 aperture, and an 8MP wide rear camera with an f/2.0 aperture. Notably, the tablet incorporates the FocusFrame functionality, which ensures that subjects remain centered and well-tracked during video calls.
Battery and rest of the specs
The Redmi Pad SE gets its juice from an 8,000mAh battery charged via USB-C at up to 10W, delivering up to 21 hours of video playback and 12 hours of gaming. For connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and Redmi Stylus compatibility. The device lacks LTE support, and a fingerprint scanner, but will include quad speakers with Dolby Atmos.
Redmi Pad SE Specification:
Body: 255.53 x 167.1 x 7.36 mm, 478 gm, ~82.2% screen-to-body ratio
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (Dual-band), Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C
Battery: 8000mAh with 10W fast charging
Color Options: Graphite Gray, Mint Green, Lavender Purple
Redmi Pad SE Price in Nepal (Expected)
In Europe, the Redmi Pad SE’s pricing begins at EUR 199 for the base 4/128GB. We can expect the Redmi Pad SE price in Nepal to start from NPR 28,000 when it launches here.
Samsung has launched its latest flagship smartwatch lineup, the Galaxy Watch 6 series, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, and Tab S9 series. Here, we’ll be talking about the vanilla Galaxy Watch 6, which brings the power of the Exynos W930 chip and Wear OS 4. Without further ado, let’s get into everything about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, including its specs, features, and official price in Nepal.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Overview:
Design and Display
The Galaxy Watch 6 lineup includes two models: the Galaxy Watch 6 and the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. And while the “Classic” variant is bringing back the beloved rotating bezel, the vanilla Galaxy Watch 6 doesn’t look all that different from its predecessor. It is still sturdy with an aluminum build and Samsung ships it in two color options: Graphite and Gold.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
1 of 2
Gold
Graphite
Likewise, Galaxy Watch 6 arrives in 40mm and 44mm options; both with Bluetooth and 4G configurations. The display here is 20% larger with 30% slimmer bezels than its predecessor. You get 1.3-inch and 1.5-inch sAMOLED panels on the 40mm and 44mm models respectively. To keep those scratches and water damage at bay, Samsung has provided Sapphire Crystal glass and a 5ATM rating on this watch. Likewise, the company has also simplified the way to change straps this time around.
The Watch 6 is powered by the recently announced Exynos W930 chipset. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi, and is built on a 5nm process; similar to Exynos W920. However, for wireless communication, the new chipset only works with the support of RF chipset.
The chip is coupled with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. Samsung promises 18% faster performance on the Watch 6. As for the software, it boots on Wear OS 4 with Samsung’s One UI 5 Watch skin on top.
Health tracking
The Watch 6 Classic brings in all those health tracking modes, including real-time heart rate, SpO2, women’s health, blood pressure, and skin temperature measurement. Thanks to the 3-in-1 BioActive Sensor. You can also get irregular heart rate notifications now, while Samsung has emphasized improved sleep tracking this time as well. With detailed analysis and sleep coaching features.
What’s even more useful is the safety features such as fall detection and SOS emergency dial. Getting to the sports modes, the Watch 6 covers over 90 workout modes, such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, weight lifting, and more.
Moving on, the Watch 6 gets a bigger battery as well. Compared to a 284mAh and 410mAh battery on last year’s Galaxy Watch 5, its successor gets a 300mAh and 425mAh cell for the 40mm and 44mm variants, respectively. As for charging, it supports 10W fast charging like last time. Other than this, the Galaxy Watch 6 can also double as a preview screen and shutter button for snapping selfies via select Samsung phones.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Price in Nepal and Availability
The official price of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 in Nepal is Rs. 44,999. It is available in a single 40mm WiFi-only model. You can buy it from Hukut and other authorized stores in Nepal.
If the rumors are true, Apple will be unveiling the Watch Series 9 anytime soon. Based on a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s upcoming collection of smartwatches will introduce minor improvements. However, there are ongoing efforts behind the scenes to develop a significant upgrade called “Watch X” to mark the smartwatch’s series 10th anniversary. This article will discuss the possible upgrades in upcoming smartwatches and the potential introduction of the special Apple Watch X.
Apple Watch X Series Overview:
Apple smartwatches these days
In recent times, Apple’s smartwatches have seen comparatively fewer upgrades compared to their iPhones. For instance, the previous Series 8, launched last year, introduced a body temperature sensor, while prior improvements included a larger screen. Going back a bit further, the Series 6 featured a faster chip and a blood-oxygen reader.
Hence, Apple’s strategy involves not yearly upgrades to tempt people to buy new watches. It aims to attract newcomers to smartwatches and those with older models, including users of Samsung and Fitbit wearables. Because of this, the design evolution of the Apple Watch has been gradual, with all watches looking alike from Series 4.
Looking ahead, the Apple Watch Series 9, anticipated to be revealed alongside the upcoming iPhone 15 on September 12, will probably have enhancements only in processor speed and fresh color choices.
According to reports, Apple’s designers are planning big improvements, like a microLED screen for better colors and clearer display, and adding technology to measure blood pressure for Watch X. They’re also working on making the Watch X’s case slimmer and rethinking how the bands attach. Right now, bands slide into the watch and lock. This setup works with different models; even so, it uses space that could fit a bigger battery or more parts. Hence, Apple will probably be using the magnetic system to attach bands instead.
When will the Apple Watch X be ready to buy?
Apple entered the smartwatch market in 2015, and now that the 10th anniversary is approaching, there’s speculation that the Watch X might be released in either 2024 or 2025. Until then, Apple is likely to make small updates to the other models to maintain customer interest in their products.
Xiaomi recently launched the Pad 6 lineup with vanilla and a Pro model. Adding to the lineup is the newly launched Pad 6 Max. Presently, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Max stands as one of the largest tablets available. Here, in this article, we will explore the details surrounding the Xiaomi Pad 6 Max, including its specifications, features, availability, and anticipated price in Nepal.
Xiaomi Pad 6 Max Overview
Design and Display
The Xiaomi Pad 6 Max features a massive 14” display (62% larger than its predecessor) with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The tablet has a metal unibody design that is 6.53mm thick and weighs 750 grams.
It offers a color-accurate screen for tasks like photo editing and accommodates up to four apps simultaneously for multitasking. The tablet is available in Black and Silver color options. There is the Gorilla Glass 5 used for protection.
Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
Just like the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro, this guy features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. Fabbed under the 4nm process, this octa-core processor features a prime Arm Cortex-X2 core clocked at 3.2 GHz, three Cortex-A710 performance cores at 2.75 GHz, and four Cortex-A510 efficiency cores at 2.0 GHz.
The Xiaomi Pad 6 Max, much like the Pad 6 Pro, comes with up to 16GB RAM (8GB as base configuration). It has storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB. The tablet boots on Android 13 with Xiaomi’s MIUI 14 skin on top.
Camera and Audio
The tablet comes with a 20MP front camera positioned at the center of one side, and it has a LED indicator for when the camera is being used. On the back, there’s a 50MP camera paired with a 2MP secondary sensor. Moreover, the tablet is equipped with eight speakers that support Dolby Atmos for better gaming and video streaming audio. It also has a 4-microphone array that can focus on one person or capture voices from all directions in group chats.
Powering the tablet is a 10,000mAh battery that offers up to two days of regular usage on a single charge. Charging is efficient with the included 67W charger, taking only around 30 minutes to reach 50% capacity and approximately 68 minutes to charge fully. The Pad 6 Max also supports reverse charging at 33W, allowing you to use it as a power bank for smaller devices. Additionally, the tablet features a hibernation mode that preserves battery life for over 40 days when used occasionally.
Additional Accessories
An optional stylus is available for the tablet, featuring a durable tip and a low 5ms latency for drawing or writing. It can also serve as a virtual laser pointer for presentations. To optimize its use, consider pairing it with a case featuring a kickstand, such as the official keyboard case.
The keyboard, in this case, comes with full-sized keys and a spacious trackpad. Importantly, the keyboard is detachable, allowing typing from a distance while the tablet remains on its kickstand.
Currently, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Max is exclusive to the Chinese market, with no details about its global launch yet. The entry-level model, offering 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, carries a starting price of CNY 3,800, which will be approximately at price NPR 72,000 when available in Nepal. The keyboard case and stylus are available separately, each priced at CNY 800 and CNY 500, respectively.
Only yesterday, during Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun’s annual speech event in Beijing, Xiaomi unveiled a range of new products, among which is the new Band 8 Pro. It is clearly the successor to last year’s Band 7 Pro with some improvements. In this article, we will discuss all the features of this newly introduced Xiaomi Band 8 Pro along with its specifications, availability, and expected price in Nepal.
Xiaomi Band 8 Pro Overview:
Design and Display
The Xiaomi Band 8 Pro is a sleek and lightweight device, measuring about 10mm in thickness and weighing 22.5 grams (without the wristband). Its 1.74-inch AMOLED display has a 336 x 480 pixels resolution resulting in a 336 PPI. Xiaomi has also upped the refresh rate to 60Hz, matching the smoothness of the vanilla Band 8.
With a 5ATM water-resistance rating, the watch can be confidently worn while swimming or in the rain without worrying about damage. The design features skin-friendly and antibacterial TPU material, as well as leather straps for added style.
Battery and Charging
The smartwatch has a 289mAh battery that can be fast-charged in just 80 minutes. Once fully charged, it can last up to 14 days, making it a convenient choice for those who want longer battery life without frequent recharging.
The new Xiaomi Band 8 Pro retains all basic smart functionalities like weather, schedules, call alerts, and calendars while introducing a new user interface. The band also has Xiaomi AI voice assistant for the Chinese market.
Furthermore, with health and fitness tracking features like heart rate tracking, blood oxygen saturation monitoring, 24/7 sleep tracking, female health tracking, reminders, and alerts, it covers a wide range of health and convenience features.
It excels in activity tracking with support for over 150 sports modes and offers a diverse selection of 100+ watch faces. Also, it’s compatible with the Mi Fitness app for Android and iOS users. The Mi Band supports GNSS, NFC, and Bluetooth 5.3, further enhancing its connectivity capabilities.
The Xiaomi Band 8 Pro is up for sale in China through the Mi stores and authorized retail outlets. There are two variants: the TPU wristband version is available at the price of CNY 399, which is approximately USD 54 or NPR 7,200 (expected) if it comes to Nepal, and the leather wristband version is available for 449 yuan (CNY), around USD 68 or NPR 8,300 (expected price for Nepal).
Xiaomi Band 8 Pro
Price in China (Official)
Price in Nepal (Expected)
TPU wristband version
CNY 399
NPR 7,200
Leather wristband version
CNY 449
NPR 8,300
Meanwhile, check out our review of the Xiaomi Band 8.
We are surrounded by tech more than we have ever been. From watches to glasses to rings, everything now relies on technology. We already have smart devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches as our daily companions. And now, smart rings are taking over. But what exactly are they, and what do they do? In this article, we learn about what they do, what they are used for, their working mechanism, and also their benefits and drawbacks.
What are Smart Rings?
For ease, you can think of a tiny computer on your finger – that’s what the little guy is, a computer. This computerized accessory is small in size, but they are equipped with an advanced body of sensors and can do many things, just like the bigger devices you own.
These sensors gather all sorts of data – your heart rate, sleep patterns, and whatnot – which is then transferred to an app on your paired device, like your smartphone, using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC. It’s like having a personal data courier on your finger.
The Versatility of Smart Rings
Health and Fitness
Many smart rings can track your physical activities, heart rate, sleep patterns, and more, making them a convenient fitness friend.
Digital Payments
Ok now, something different than what a smartwatch can do. Some Smart Rings come with NFC technology, transforming them into personal contactless payment tools. Just tap and go, simplifying the shopping experience.
Online Security
We now know how much data protection is important, and so do the smart rings. For an extra layer of security, they support two-factor authentication to biometric methods like fingerprint scanning and facial recognition. Basically, these rings keep our digital world safe.
Smart Home Control
The smart rings help us adjust the home’s lighting or temperature with a gesture of our hand. They can do this by connecting to our smart home devices. You might think that a simple home speaker can do this, what do I need one for? It is because they can do more. Just continue reading.
Access Control
Acting as a digital key, smart rings can unlock doors at your home, car, or office, providing a secure and convenient alternative to traditional keys and cards.
Transit Pass
If your country has a system of travel pass, then you can simply tap your ring at public transportation terminals, and you’re good to go. No more hassle searching for the pass in your bag. This feature is not useful in Nepal because the travel pass system is yet to be introduced here.
Working Mechanism of Smart Rings
Smart Rings operate through various advanced technologies, among which one is NFC (Near Field Communication). It is a wireless link that lets devices communicate when put together in a short distance. NFC is familiar with smartphones, laptops, transport cards, access cards, and digital wallets like Apple Pay.
Another technology that’s in there is sensors. Not all rings have similar sensors; the companies house those in whichever they want in their particular smart rings. These sensors, such as heart rate monitors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, EDA sensors, SpO2 sensors, glucose sensors, and NTC thermistors, are customized based on the desired features.
Furthermore, Bluetooth helps the information from the sensors in the smart ring transfer and connect with an app on your smartphone. Depending on how fancy it is, it will show you the data in a user-friendly format, or it also gives you advice depending on the result.
Benefits of Smart Rings
Practical Wearable with better battery life:
Smart rings are subtle yet super useful tech in the world of wearables. They do have technological power, although they are not as flashy as smartwatches or big fitness bands. Most of them also come with better battery life than other wearables. That means less hassle and more time enjoying the perks of your ring.
Stylish but functional
What’s really cool about smart rings is how they bring together fashion, smart wearables, and fitness tracking. They’re like stylish jewelry with state-of-the-art technology and advanced bio-trackers. So, you do not need to sacrifice your personal styling.
Drawbacks of Smart Rings
Despite their advantages, smart rings do come with certain limitations.
Restricted Display Functionality:
Smart rings are quite small, and they usually don’t have screens. This means you’ll need to use a connected smartphone to see and interact with the information. While they’re really good at some things, their small size also means they can’t store or process as much data as bigger wearable devices can.
Cost Consideration:
Also, because smart rings pack a lot of fancy technology into such a small size, they can end up being more expensive than regular wearable gadgets. This might make people think twice, especially when they’re looking at all the cool things different rings can do and trying to decide if it’s worth the cost.
Adaptation Challenges:
For some of us, adding smart rings to our everyday routines might not be as smooth as butter. It could take a bit of time and get used to. Plus, when it comes to picking the right smart ring, things like finding the right size and style that really matches what you like can be a bit tricky. As these smart ring choices keep growing and changing, finding one that fits just right – both in how it works and how it looks.
If you are a tech geek, you can obviously buy it to enjoy its rich features. But I would say that smart rings aren’t essential like smartphones or even smartwatches. However, they can bring some added benefits and enjoyment to your life. They offer a range of useful features, such as health tracking and contactless payments that can make certain tasks easier and faster. Although they are not necessary, they can surely enhance your lifestyle by combining functionality and style in a unique way. Ultimately, the decision to use them depends on your personal preferences and how much you value the extra features they provide.
Meanwhile, check out our video on the best budget fitness trackers of 2023.
The keyboard, in this case, comes with full-sized keys and a spacious trackpad. Importantly, the keyboard is detachable, allowing typing from a distance while the tablet remains on its kickstand.
