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Oppo to launch a smartphone with self-developed chip in 2024

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According to a reliable leaker, Oppo might release a phone with its own chipset next year. The Chinese smartphone brand is not new to designing chips, as it has already launched a couple of co-processors. However, it’s the first time Oppo is trying its hand at making a full-blown smartphone System-On-Chip (SoC). In this article, we will discuss everything we know about the rumored smartphone chip from Oppo.

History of MariSilicon Chips

MariSilicon is the name chosen by Oppo for its in-house chips. As of now, the company has self-developed two chips. The first is the MariSilicon X which was announced in 2021. It is a dedicated image signal processing NPU that Oppo has been using in its flagships, such as the latest Find X5 series.

The latest chip to come out of Oppo’s development team is the new MariSilicon Y. It is a Bluetooth chip built on an N6RF process, resulting in 66% reduced power consumption and 50% increased bandwidth.

Oppo Marisilicon X chip

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Oppo’s upcoming Smartphone SoC

While Oppo has successfully built two chipsets, none of them is a System on Chip (SoC). That is, the MariSilicon chips announced so far serve a specific function and have limited functionality outside it. They can not replace the main SoCs on smartphones — they can offload some of the tasks from the main processor for a more efficient operation at their best.

Thus, designing an SoC is still a challenging task for Oppo—even after its experience with the MariSilicon solutions. The company has reportedly assembled a team of thousands of researchers for the development of its first smartphone SoC chip.

Oppo MariSilicon X Bluetooth Pro Chip

As of now, information on Oppo’s first smartphone SoC is scarce. However, if previous rumors are to be believed, Oppo will work directly with TSMC. The two companies were said to collaborate on a 6nm chip this year, but the launch was delayed after TSMC bumped into problems with its foundries.

In addition, MariSillicon X and MariSillicon Y are based on TSMC’s 6nm and 7nm nodes, respectively. So, Oppo’s first SoC being based on a TSMC’s 6nm process is not that far off. It will debut in one of Oppo’s phones in 2024.  If successful, we might also see Oppo lending its SoC to OnePlus, Vivo, iQOO, and Realme down the years, since they are all part of the BBK Electronics umbrella.

NTC postpones 5G trial in Nepal citing lack of sufficient 5G phones

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Nepal Telecom (NTC) is in the 5G hustle for a long time now. The state-owned telco secured the spectrum for 5G back in November 2021. And after a long wait, NTC planned to begin 5G trials in the country on January 1, 2023. However, things did not go as planned, and the company has now postponed the 5G trial. Let’s learn more about Nepal Telecom’s plans and preparation for the 5G tests in Nepal.

Nepal Telecom gets approval for 5G trials

Back in June 2021, Nepal Telecom (NTC) submitted a work plan to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to start 5G trials in the country. The company had prioritized the 2600MHz spectrum and was awaiting approval from the governing body.

The board meeting of NTA then decided to provide 60Mhz frequency bandwidth to NT in its preferred 2600MHz band. This decision was made based on the working procedure for 5G trials that NTA published back in July.

After approval of work plans from NTA, Nepal Telecom imported and installed the hardware required for 5G trials. Although the process of equipment delivery and deployment took longer than expected, we now know that it is in place. According to NTC’s spokesperson Shobhan Adhikari, the 5G equipment has been installed in four locations across the country following approval from the NTA.

Trials to start in all 7 provinces

Since NTC has the necessary spectrum and infrastructure, the company is preparing to start 5G trials in four provinces in Nepal. The Ministry of Communication, Information, and Technology (MoCIT) has, however, directed the telecom operator to conduct trials in all seven provinces. As a result, the telco operator will most likely install the necessary hardware in certain locations throughout the other three provinces as well.

When asked when the trial would begin, Adhikari stated, “it will begin right after Tihar concludes.” “After Kathmandu, tests will begin in all seven provinces, in one location each, in the current fiscal year 079/80,” he added.

Latest development

However, the telecom was unable to begin the 5G trial after Tihar due to the general election of November 21. The date was then pushed further to January 1, 2023. But, NTC was still unable to begin the trial on the occasion of the new year, citing there were not enough mobile phones supporting 5G at 2600 MHz frequency.

NTC spokesperson Shobhan Adhikari says, “We found that only a small number of mobile sets operate 5G in 2600 MHz frequency in the local market.” He added, “Firstly, we will try to identify the number of mobile sets and other devices supporting 5G in the frequency allocated and move ahead with the trial.” Now, it’s expected that it might take 2-3 weeks more for NTC to start the trial.

These trials will be conducted on Non-Standalone (NSA) architecture, which means that the 5G network will be built on top of an existing layer of 4G. Rather than building a costly 5G core, testing it using NSA architecture lowers overall costs. Nepal Telecom, on the other hand, intends to test Standalone architecture (SA) with dedicated 5G core infrastructure at a later date.

The way ahead for Nepal Telecom

Nepal Telecom will need to submit progress reports to NTA every three months. Failure in reporting any progress in infrastructure development in the said time frame could result in the revocation of the 5G license.

If Nepal Telecom adheres to all the requirements, it will have access to the 2600MHz band for free for a year. The telco won’t be allowed to charge users for 5G for this time though. After the trial period is over, the allocated spectrum needs to be returned to NTA. Similarly, the networking equipment used during the test can be utilized for the existing 4G network.

As of now, NT cannot test 5G in 800MHz or any other band that it already has. However, it will have to coordinate with NTA if it wants to do so.

No sign of approval for Ncell

On the other hand, no decision has been made on Ncell‘s request for 5G trials. The private telecom operator is also keen on operating 5G in the country but is yet to receive any kind of approval despite filing for trials months ago.

  • Meanwhile, check out our detailed video on 5G in Nepal.

iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition goes official with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

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After introducing the Neo 7 SE a while ago, iQOO has now added the Neo 7 Racing Edition to the lineup. It comes with features such as Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 120Hz AMOLED display and more. So, let’s take a look at what iQOO has to offer with the Neo 7 Racing Edition, as well as the expected price in Nepal.

iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition Overview:

Design, Display

To begin, the Neo 7 Racing Edition has a design similar to its siblings. That is, a rectangular camera island with curved back edges. Even the screen size remains the same at 6.78-inches, with a refresh rate of 120Hz. Like the Neo 7, the Racing Edition has a Pro+ display chip with features such as frame rate interpolation, image rendering, and so on.

iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition Design and Display

The maximum brightness of the screen remains at 1500 nits, and there’s also support for HDR 10+ to make use of it. Not to mention that this is a 10-bit AMOLED panel with a touch sampling rate of 360Hz and an instant sampling rate of 2000Hz.

Performance 

In charge of all things inside is a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, along with up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. iQOO has added a 4013mm2 vapor chamber with multilayer graphite sheets for heat dissipation. Similarly, there is a dual X-axis linear motor for haptics for a better gaming experience.

iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition Cooling

Backing the iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition is a 5000mAh dual-cell battery that supports 120W wired charging. With screen off, you can charge the device from 1% to 50% in just 8 minutes, iQOO says.

Others

The device’s camera hardware includes a 50MP ISOCELL GN5 sensor, which replaces the Neo 7’s 50MP Sony IMX766V sensor. The OIS support is still present in the primary lens. This is accompanied by an 8MP ultra wide and a 2MP macro camera. The hole-punch cutout on the front comes with a 16MP lens for selfies.

iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition Specifications:

  • Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1500 nit, HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR 10+
  • Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
  • Chipset: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
  • RAM: 8/12/16GB LPDDR5 RAM
  • ROM: 128/256/512GB UFS 3.1 storage
  • OS & UI: OriginOS Ocean based on Android 13
  • Back Cameras:
    – 50MP primary sensor, OIS
    – 8MP ultra-wide sensor
    – 2MP macro sensor
  • Front Cameras: 16MP sensor
  • Sensors: Fingerprint (under-display), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, e-compass, Ambient Light
  • Connectivity: 5G network, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC
  • Battery: 5000mAh with 120W charging

iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition Price in Nepal and Availability

The smartphone is priced at CNY 2,799 for the 8/128GB model. The top-of-the-line 16/512GB model costs CNY 3,599. If and when the iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition is released in Nepal, we expect the price to start at NPR 70,000.

iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition  Price in China  Price in Nepal (Expected)
8/128GB CNY 2,799 NPR 70,000
12/256GB CNY 2,999 NPR 75,000
16/256GB CNY 3,299 NPR 80,000
16/512GB CNY 3,599 NPR 85,000
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+.

Samsung Galaxy A04e goes official with dual camera, 5000mAh battery

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After launching the A04 and A04s, Samsung has added A04e to its lineup of budget smartphones. It has the modest specs of the three smartphones in the lineup. In this article, we will go through the specs, features, official price, and availability of the Samsung Galaxy A04e in Nepal.

Samsung Galaxy A04e Overview:

Design and Display

Looks-wise, the newly announced Galaxy A04e is indistinguishable from the A04. The two phones have the same form factor and dimensions. The weight is also the same across the device. The design also looks similar, with the textured back and two independent camera cutouts.

Even on the front, you get the same outdated waterdrop-style notch. It uses a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD screen based on PLS (Plane to Line Switching) technology which is Samsung’s alternative to IPS (In-Plane Switching).

Samsung Galaxy A04e Design and Display

Performance and Memory

Samsung has not really specified the chipset in the Galaxy A04e but confirms it has eight CPU cores. However, early leaks and rumors suggest Samsung is using MediaTek Helio p35 here. This makes it the most entry-level Galaxy smartphone of 2022.

That aside, users can configure the phone with up to 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The base variant has 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. You can even expand the storage up to 1TB later using an external microSD card.

Camera

Samsung Galaxy A04e flaunts a dual camera setup at the back. Leading the line is a 13MP primary camera with an f/2.2 aperture. Accompanying it is a 2MP depth sensor for portrait shots. Furthermore, you get a 5MP selfie camera on the front, enclosed within the notch.

Samsung Galaxy A04e Camera

Rest of the Specs

Fueling the Samsung Galaxy A04e is a 5,000mAh battery. Samsung has not specified the supported charging speed, and we do not expect fast charging in a phone of this caliber either. On the bright side, A04e runs Android 12 out of the box with Samsung’s One UI Core 4.1 on top. Interestingly, there is even Samsung Knox.

Other specs are pretty much what we expect from a budget phone, including 4G LTE, Wi-Fi (2.4GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, a light sensor, and a proximity sensor.

Samsung Galaxy A04e Specifications:

  • Body: 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1mm, 188 gm
  • Display: 6.5-inch HD+ PLS LCD with Infinity-V notch
  • Processor: MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm)
  • Software & UI: Android 12 (One UI 4.1 Core)
  • Memory: 3/4GB RAM, 32/64/128GB storage (expandable up to 1TB)
  • Cameras:
    • 13MP f/2.0 primary
    • 2MP f/2.2 depth
  • Front: 5MP f/2.2 (notch)
  • Battery: 5,000mAh
  • Security: Samsung Knox
  • Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz), Bluetooth 5.0
  • Sensors: Accelerometer, Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor
  • Color Options: Black, Copper, Blue

Samsung Galaxy A04e Price in Nepal and Availability

The official price of Samsung Galaxy A04e in Nepal is Rs. 12,999 for the sole 3/32GB variant. You can now buy the Galaxy A04e from Hukut and other Samsung-authorized stores in Nepal.

 Samsung Galaxy A04e  Price in Nepal (Official)  Availability
 3/32GB  Rs. 12,999  Hukut
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core.

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE (2021) Price in Nepal [Updated]

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2021’s Predator Triton series from Acer brings a more refined design than its predecessor. This lightweight gaming laptop directly goes head-to-head against the Asus Zephyrus G14. And good news, it has finally made its way to the Nepali market. So, let’s walk through the specs, features, price, and availability of Acer Predator Triton 300 SE in Nepal.

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Overview:

Design and Display

As mentioned earlier, the Predator Triton 300 SE is a thin-and-light gaming laptop. Acer has used metal for the “Spartan-styled” chassis style. The laptop measures 1.79 x 32.3 x 22.80cm and weighs around 1.8 kg only.

Opening the lid, you are greeted with a 14-inch IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. The panel even covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut, which is not bad for a gaming laptop.

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Design

Performance and Memory

Unfortunately, you don’t have many options when it comes to the processor. In Nepal, The Triton 300 SE is available only with the 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11370H (35W TDP) CPU. It’s a quad-core processor, part of the H35-series that Intel specifically announced for portable gaming laptops.

Over on the GPU, you can choose between Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3060 and 3050 Ti. The latter comes with just 4GB of VRAM against the 6GB VRAM on the former.

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Display and Keyboard

Cooling Technology

Acer says it has optimized the airflow within the laptop with strategic placement of thermal foam and controlled path. Similarly, the dual-fan setup on the Triton 300 SE users the company’s 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D technology.

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Vortex Flow

Rest of the specs

Powering the Triton 300 SE is a 4-cell 60Wh battery that fuels up via a 180W power adapter. As for the wired connection, you get one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one 3.5mm combo audio jack, and one HDMI port. The Type-C port supports DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4, and USB charging as well.

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Specifications:

  • Design & Build: Metal chassis, Spartan styling
  • Display: 14-inch IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate
  • Resolution: FHD (1920×1080 pixels)
  • Keyboard: 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard
  • Processor: 11th gen Intel Core i7-11370H (4C/8T, up to 4.8GHz, 12MB Cache)
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti (4GB VRAM) / RTX 3060 (6GB VRAM)
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • Storage: 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD
  • Connectivity: WiFi 6 AX1650i
  • I/O Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1x combo audio jack, 1x HDMI
  • Battery: 4-cell 60Wh Li-ion battery

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Price in Nepal

The Predator Triton 3000 SE (2021) was initially launched at a starting price of Rs. 180,000 for the RTX 3050 Ti variant. However, it currently goes for Rs. 175,000. Likewise, the price of the RTX 3060 variant of the Acer Predator Triton SE (2021) is now Rs. 199,000  — down from the initial price of Rs. 225,000. You can buy Acer Predator Triton 300 SE in Nepal from authorized stores like ITTI.

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Price in Nepal
Intel Core i7-11370H, RTX 3050 Ti, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD NPR 180,000 175,000
Intel Core i7-11370H, RTX 3060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD NPR 225,000 199,000

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the MSI GP66 Leopard 11UG (2021).

Samsung Galaxy A03s Price in Nepal [Updated]

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Samsung Galaxy A03s is one of the cheapest Samsung smartphone you can buy in 2023 here in Nepal. So, let’s get into the specs, features, and the latest official price of Samsung Galaxy A03s in Nepal.

Samsung Galaxy A03s Overview:

Design and Display

The budget origin of the A03s is quite clear from its design. It boasts a textured polycarbonate body that is reminiscent of last year’s mid-range Galaxy phones. Upfront, you are greeted with a 6.5-inch HD+ panel with Infinity-V notch. The 720 x 1600 pixels resolution results in a 20:9 aspect ratio.

Samsung Galaxy A03s Design and Display

Performance and Memory

Inside, the phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio P35 chipset. It is built on a 12nm process and features eight Cortex-A53 CPU cores.

Benchmark results have shown it to be slightly better than Snapdragon 450 on the A02s. Talking about real-world performance, it should be similar to that of the Redmi 9C and other Helio G35-powered phones.

As for memory, there are two configurations to choose from, namely 3/32GB and 4/64GB. Users can expand the internal storage to up to 1TB using an external microSD card.

Camera

At the back, Samsung has included a triple camera setup. It consists of a 13MP primary sensor accompanied by two 2MP sensors for portrait and macro shots. On the front, the Infinity-V notch houses a 5MP selfie shooter.

Rest of the specs

Fueling the new Galaxy A03s is a 5,000mAh battery that supports 15W charging. The phone boots on Android 11-based One UI 3.1 Core and is available in three colors: Black, White, and Blue.

Samsung Galaxy A03s Specifications:

  • Body (H x W x D): 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1mm, 196 gm
  • Display: 6.5-inches PLS TFT LCD
  • Resolution: HD+ (1600 x 720 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
  • Chipset: MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm)
  • Storage: 3/4GB RAM, 32/64GB internal storage (expandable up to 1TB)
  • Software & UI: One UI 3.1 Core on top of Android 11
  • Rear Camera: Triple (with LED flash)
    – 13MP, f/2.2 primary lens
    – 2MP, f/2.4 depth sensor
    – 2MP, f/2.4 macro sensor
  • Front Camera: 5MP, f/2.2 lens (notch)
  • Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack, loudspeaker
  • Security: Fingerprint scanner (side-mounted)
  • Battery: 5000mAh (15W charging)
  • Color options: Black, Blue, White
  • Read our review of the Samsung Galaxy A03s here.

Samsung Galaxy A03s Price in Nepal and Availability

The market price of Samsung Galaxy A03s in Nepal is Rs. 15,999 and Rs. 17,499 for 3/32GB and 4/64GB variants. You can buy Samsung Galaxy A03s at a discounted price from Hukut and other authorized stores in Nepal.

Samsung Galaxy A03s Price in Nepal 
3/32GB Rs. 15,999
4/64GB Rs. 17,499
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core.

Redmi K60 Pro goes official with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 67W wireless charging

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Xiaomi is closing the year on a high note — the company recently held a huge event in China for the Redmi sub-brand. At the event, we saw a bunch of exciting launches like the Note 12 Pro Speed Edition and Redmi Watch 3. However, the event was headlined by the new K60 series, which included three new devices. So, in this article, we will discuss the Redmi K60 series in more detail, including the specs, features, expected price, and availability of the K60E, vanilla K60, and K60 Pro in Nepal.

Redmi K60 Pro Overview:

Performance and Cooling

Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Redmi K60 Pro is the brand’s latest flagship smartphone, with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. As a result, K60 Pro claims a 37% faster CPU and a 42% better GPU than its predecessor. In addition, it also has hardware-accelerated ray tracing— just in case it becomes a thing in mobile gaming.

The chip is paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. They work in tandem with Xiaomi’s self-developed multi-tasking algorithm to achieve flagship-grade scheduling and a lag-free user experience.

Redmi K60 Pro Gaming

On the software side, Redmi has implemented what it calls the FEAS 2.2 system. It improves the gaming experience through dynamic frame stabilization and enhanced visuals while doubling down on the power efficiency side of things

For sustained performance, Redmi has stacked the K60 Pro with a large 50000 sq.mm stainless steel VC with liquid cooling. In addition, the phone has a 6933 sq mm graphite heat dissipation layer with 15% higher thermal conductivity.

Battery and Charging

The phone is fueled by a 5,000mAh battery with support for 120W wired charging, thanks to the in-house Surge P1 charging chip. Thus, the phone can go from 0 to 100% in just 19 minutes. Likewise, you also get K-series’s first 30W wireless charging, and Redmi even introduced a compatible wireless charging pad that users will have to buy separately.

Design, Display, and Camera

Redmi K60 Pro sports a 6.67-inch flat AMOLED screen with a 2K resolution. It refreshes at 120Hz and boasts 480Hz touch sampling rate. The screen has a 12-bit color depth, enabling 68.7 billion colors and 100% DCI-P3 coverage. It is compatible with HDR10+, HDR Vivid, Dolby Vision formats and can get as bright as 1400 nits. Other highlights of K60 Pro include 1920Hz PWM Dimming, 360° light sensors, and an in-display optical fingerprint scanner with heart rate detection.

Redmi K60 Pro Camera

The phone is available in four color options: Green, Black, White, and Champion Performance Edition. The latter is reminiscent of the K50 Gaming Edition born out of Redmi’s partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.

Regardless of the color options, Redmi K60 Pro has the same rectangular camera module on the back. It is home to a triple camera setup consisting of a 50MP primary, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro sensor. Redmi has used Sony’s IMX800 sensor for the primary camera, pairing it with Optical and Electronic Image Stabilization mechanisms.

Redmi K60 Overview:

Next, we have the vanilla Redmi K60 which shares a bunch of attributes with its Pro model. It sports the same design and display as its Pro sibling. However, it is powered by the last year’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. Then there is the 64MP sensor replacing the Sony IMX800 as the primary camera. It has a bigger 5,500mAh battery but keeps the 30W wireless charging. It misses out on the Surge P1 chip, thus, capping out at 67W charging.

Redmi K60 Design

Redmi K60E Overview:

It is the first E-suffixed smartphone in the Redmi K series. It is meant to be the cheaper alternative to the K60 Pro and K60. Still, it packs a premium chipset in the form of MediaTek Dimensity 8200, first used on the Vivo S16 Pro. As a result, it comes with the last-gen LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. At the first glance, the 6.67-inch AMOLED screen looks just like its bigger siblings, but it is a 10-bit panel with just 1200 nits of brightness. That said, it gets to boasts the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection.

At the camera department, there is a triple camera setup with a 48MP primary sensor, 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro sensor. The battery is slightly bigger at 5,500mAh. It retains the 67W charging of the vanilla K60 but has no wireless charging support.

Redmi K60E Design

Redmi K60 Series Specifications:

Redmi K60 Pro  K60  K60E  
Display  6.67” 2K TCL AMOLED, 120Hz, 12 bit, 1400 nits 6.67” 2K Samsung AMOLED, 120Hz, 8 bit, 1200 nits
Chipset  Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 MediaTek Dimensity 8200
Memory  Up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
Up to 512GB UFS 4.0
8/12GB LPDDR4x RAM
128/256GB UFS 3.1
Software & UI  MIUI 14 based on Android 13
Rear Camera  Triple:
50MP Sony IMX800, OIS/EIS
8MP Ultrawide
2MP macro
Triple:
64MP primary, OIS
8MP Ultrawide
2MP macro
Triple:
48MP primary, OIS
8MP Ultrawide
2MP macro
Front Camera  16MP (punch-hole) 20MP (punch-hole)
Audio  Stereo Speakers, Dolby Audio, Hi-Res Audio
Security  In-display fingerprint scanner (Optical)
Connectivity  5G (SA/NSA), Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3
Battery  5,000mAh 5,500mAh
Fast Charging  120W wired (Surge P1) 67W wired
Wireless Charging  30W Wireless charging N/A

Redmi K60 Series Price in Nepal (Expected)

The Redmi K60 series will go on sale in China on December 31. Currently, it is up for pre-order with the price starting at CNY 2,399, CNY 2,499, and CNY 3,599 for the K60E, vanilla K60, and Pro models, respectively. If the Redmi K60 series launches in Nepal, we can expect the price of K60E, K60, and K60 Pro to start at NPR 54,999, NPR 62,499, and NPR 81,999, respectively.

Redmi K60 Series  Price in China (Official)  Price in Nepal (Expected) 
K60E 8/128GB CNY 2,199 NPR 54,999
8/256GB CNY 2,399 NPR 59,999
12/256GB CNY 2,599 NPR 64,999
12/512GB CNY 2,799 NPR 70,499
K60  8/128GB CNY 2,499 NPR 62,499
8/256GB CNY 2,699 NPR 66,999
12/256GB CNY 2,999 NPR 74,999
12/512GB CNY 3,299 NPR 81,999
 

K60 Pro

8/128GB CNY 3,299 NPR 81,999
8/256GB CNY 3,599 NPR 89,999
12/256GB CNY 3,899 NPR 96,999
12/512GB CNY 4,299 NPR 106,999
16/512GB CNY 4,599 NPR 114,499
  • Meanwhile, check out our unboxing and review of the Redmi Note 12.

NTA makes customs duty mandatory on phones gifted from abroad

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A few months after its soft launch, Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) is finally going full swing in Nepal from Poush 15, 2079 (December 30, 2022). And now, NTA has issued a notice stating that phones gifted from abroad will only be registered into MDMS in Nepal after declaring customs on it.

This provision isn’t applicable to a single handset brought for personal use. And you’ll only need to declare it as such at the airport’s customs office. Absolutely free of charge. On the other hand, if a person brings more than two phones from abroad, those handsets will be confiscated.

You can read our detailed report on MDMS, including its pros, cons, registration process, and more here.

NTA to charge customs duty on phones gifted from abroad

Previously, people were freely allowed to bring an extra handset with them (besides their primary phone) when entering Nepal. Whereas some bad actors exploited this system by bringing in more than two handsets as well. But since MDMS is coming into full effect from Friday at last, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has made its procedure of checking goods in hand carry or baggage more strict.

So in the case of a single phone that wasn’t previously registered into MDMS, you’ll need to declare it as a “personal usage device” at TIA’s customs office, free of charge. No customs or purchase bill required. You can then go on to register your phone into MDMS at this site by acquiring the permission slip/invoice from the customs office. Alongside other documents like passport, visa, IMEI number(s), and such.

Smartphone IMEI

But if you have an extra phone with you that you intend to gift your friends, relatives—or just use yourself—things get a little complicated. First off, you’ll need to declare the handset in customs by paying a certain fee based on the purchase bill of the device. That’s 2.5% for bar phones and 5% for smartphones, on top of the usual 13% VAT. Only then you’ll get an invoice from the customs office that’s necessary to register the phone into MDMS. And in case you have a third phone (or more), the airport will now confiscate them.

What happens if I don’t register the phone into MDMS?

After NTA soft launched MDMS on Bhadra 30, 2079 (September 15, 2022), it was announced that all phones in use (with a Nepali telco’s SIM card) before Bhadra 30 had already been recorded into the system. No matter how those devices got into Nepal (i.e. through official channels or grey markets).

NTA Customs Duty Gifted Phones - Notice

But if you have been using a phone that was gifted to you from abroad after Bhadra 30, then you must register it by following all the proper procedures mentioned above. NTA warns that starting Poush 15, it won’t register such gifted phones that haven’t been declared at customs. And such phones will be barred from using telecom services in Nepal after 15 days of use.

That means you’ll be able to enjoy WiFi, apps, and other functions on those phones just fine. But not Nepali SIM cards. So no cellular connectivity at all, including phone calls, messages, or mobile data.

How do I know if my phone is registered in MDMS?

To verify if your handset has been officially recorded in the system, visit “mdms.nta.gov.np“. There, simply type in the 15-digit IMEI number of your phone to know its status. By the way, you can know your phone’s IMEI number by dialing *#06#. This information is available inside the phone’s settings as well.

What the MDMS Bylaw 2075 says

According to MDMS Bylaw 2075, individual importers will need to register the IMEI/ESN/MEID number of their handset into MDMS. However, if someone uses an unregistered device through SIM or RUIM cards of Nepali telecom operators, a denial of service notification will be sent to the handset after 15 days from its first detection on a Nepali network.

Yet, it will not be applicable for phones subscribed to non-Nepali networks. Such phones will be allowed to enjoy roaming services in Nepal without the system’s intervention. Still, if the roamer is suspected of any criminal activity, MDMS will be able to track/block those devices.

  • Watch: MDMS in Nepal, explained!

Meta appoints Httpool by Aleph as authorized sales partner in Nepal

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There is a piece of good news for all Nepalese digital marketers and local businesses that use Meta’s platform to grow their reach. The company has appointed Httpool by Aleph as the authorized sales partner in Nepal. Nepali advertisers and marketing agencies will now have access to better consultation and technical support because of Meta’s local presence.

Meta’s local presence in Nepal

Meta has appointed Httpool by Aleph as its authorized sales partner in Nepal, and it’s not the first time the two companies are working together. Httpool by Aleph has been part of the Meta Authorized Sale Partner (ASP) program, starting in 2018. Brands part of the Meta ASP program get to work with local clients as an extension of the global sales team.

“We are thrilled to bring in Httpool by Aleph as Meta’s Authorized Sales Partner in Nepal and believe that with their robust market insights and expertise, we will offer improved support for local businesses and agencies to further unlock their potential growth,” said Jordi Fornies, Director of Emerging Markets for APAC at Meta.

As of now, Httpool by Aleph has contracts with Meta in regions ranging from Africa and Central East Europe to Asia-Pacific. It is already operating locally in over 30 different countries, like India, Bangladesh, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

Httpool by Aleph Global Presence

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How can Nepali advertisers benefit from Meta’s ASP program?

And now, Nepal is part of the growing list. As a national sales partner, Httpool will offer Nepali advertisers and agencies in-country assistance, strategic direction, and expertise across different products and platforms within Meta. It also plans to organize training and workshops to promote new skills to help them make the most of Meta and its products — as it does with other international clients.

“As the Authorized Sales Partner for Nepal, Httpool by Aleph enables in-market support and consulting for advertisers.”

Httpool will set up an office in Kathmandu to oversee all the operations in Nepal. It will serve as the sole direct point of contact for Meta’s services in Nepal. This includes all of Meta’s apps, products, and platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Nepali advertisers and marketing agencies will no longer need to trade in international currency. With Httpool by Alph as the authorized sales partner, all the billing will now be in Nepalese Rupee. Likewise, they can now get technical support and business consultation in local languages.

  • Meanwhile, check out our unboxing and review of the Redmi Note 12.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition official with Snapdragon 778G, 67W charging

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Before the Redmi Note 12 series goes global next month, Xiaomi has added another device to the lineup. The newly launched Note 12 Pro Speed Edition is the sixth phone in the lineup. It was announced at an event in China, alongside the much-awaited K60 series and other accessories. So, let’s dive into the details about the Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition, including the official specs, features, expected price, and availability in Nepal.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition Overview:

Design and Display

The looks and design of the new Speed Edition are in line with the rest of the Note 12 Pro series. Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition sports flat frames with rounded corners. There are no curves elsewhere, just like on the Note 12 Pro. We get a rectangular camera module at the back, but with a slight difference. The LED flash is round and placed toward the top, in contrast to the bottom left position on the rest of the Note 12 series.

Over on the front, there is a 6.67-inch OLED screen with a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. It is an FHD+ screen with support for 120Hz refresh rate. As a cost-saving measure, Redmi has placed the fingerprint scanner on the side of the Note 12 Pro Speed Edition, despite the phone having an OLED screen.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition Design

Performance and Memory

What really sets the new Speed Edition apart from other Redmi Note 12 series phones is the processor. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 778G 5G, the same chip found in popular mid-rangers like the Xiaomi 12 Lite and Galaxy A52s . Based on a 6nm process, the Snapdragon 778G brings a three-tier core architecture with 1x Cortex-A78 Prime (@2.4GHz), 3x Cortex-A78 Performance (@2.2GHz), and 4x Cortex-A55 cores (@1.9GHz).

All in all, the phone should perform better than the Dimensity 1080-powered siblings, making it worthy of the Speed Edition moniker. Moving on, the chip is paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. It is also among the first Redmi phone to ship with MIUI 14 based on Android 13. To recall, all previous Note 12 series phones came pre-installed with Android 12-based MIUI 13.

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Camera

Over on the photography front, Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition’s triple camera setup is headlined by a 108MP primary sensor. Unlike the Note 12 Pro and Pro+, this one lacks Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Accompanying it are an 8MP ultrawide and a 2MP macro sensor. Likewise, you get a 16MP selfie camera housed inside a punch-hole cutout on the front.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition Camera Setup

Rest of the specs

Finally, Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition packs a 5,000mAh battery and supports 67W charging via the Type-C port. Redmi even includes a compatible charger inside the box. The phone is compatible with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 networks.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition Specifications:

  • Body: 162.91 x 76.03 x 7.9 mm, 181 gm
  • IP Rating: Yes, IP53
  • Display: 6.67-inches OLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 10-bit color depth
  • Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), 402 PPI, 20:9 aspect ratio
  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm mobile platform)
  • Memory: 6/8/12GB LPDDR4X RAM, 128/256GB UFS 2.2 storage (fixed)
  • Software & UI: Android 13 with Xiaomi’s MIUI 14 on top
  • Rear Camera: Triple (with LED flash);
    – 108MP, f/1.88 Samsung ISOCELL HM2
    – 8MP, f/2.2 ultrawide sensor, 119° FoV
    – 2MP, f/2.4 macro sensor
  • Front Camera: 16MP sensor (hole-punch cutout)
  • Audio: Dual stereo speakers, Headphone jack, Dolby Atmos Audio
  • Security: Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted), Face unlock
  • Battery: 5000mAh with 67W wired charging
  • Color Options: Midnight Black, Shimmer Green, Lite Pink

Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition Price in Nepal (Expected)

As of now, Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition is limited to the Chinese market, where it starts at CNY 1,699 and goes all the way up to CNY 1,999. If it launches in Nepal, we expect the price of the Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition in Nepal to start at NPR 42,499.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed Edition  Price in China (Official)  Price in Nepal (Expected) 
6/128GB  CNY 1,699 NPR 42,499
8/256GB  CNY 1,799 NPR 44,999
12/256GB  CNY 1,999 NPR 49,999
  • Meanwhile, check out our unboxing and initial review of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+.