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Amazon updates the Echo Studio with new “spatial audio processing”

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Amazon has updated its premium Echo Studio smart speaker with several new features as well as a new color option. And in this article, we will go over the specifications, features, expected price, and availability of the Amazon Echo Studio in Nepal.

Amazon Echo Studio Overview:

To note, the Amazon Echo Studio isn’t a new launch by itself; it made its debut all the way back in September 2019. Anyway, the company says the Echo Studio is its best-sounding speaker yet, and it is now getting even better with a frequency range extension and support for Amazon’s new spatial audio processing technology. These upgrades are in addition to Echo Studio’s existing support for both Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio.

Design

The Amazon Echo Studio is a big cylindrical speaker measuring 206mm tall and 175mm wide with a weight of 3.5 kg. While it is not as big as subwoofers, the downward-firing woofer and bass aperture make it look like one. Below the rear bass port, you will find a power-in, a 3.5mm combination aux/optical port, and a USB-C port.

Amazon Echo Studio - Design, Build

The fabric-wrapped design of the Echo Studio gives it a premium appearance. On the top, a plastic ring holds the microphones and buttons for volume control, mic mute, and Alexa. Because of the distinct Alexa light ring found in Echo devices, the inner part of the plastic ring glows. Amazon has now added a new white color option called “Glacier White” to the standard Charcoal colorway.

Audio

The audio on the Amazon Echo Studio is handled by 5 speakers arranged directionally to offer positional audio. It has a 133mm downward-firing woofer with two bass ports, three 51mm midrange speakers, and a 20mm tweeter for the highs. The total output peaks at 330W and it has a 240-bit DAC with 100KHz bandwidth.

Amazon Echo Studio - Playback

Users can stream songs from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, and more. It supports lossless audio but an Amazon Music HD subscription is necessary for the best 3D spatial audio experience. According to Amazon, its new spatial audio technology closely mimics the stereo performance of a hi-fi stereo system. It is designed to deliver greater width and clarity compared to a typical stereo speaker setup. Likewise, the Echo Studio now has a richer frequency range to offer better playback in terms of clarity of the mid frequencies and deeper bass.

Rest of the specs

Since it’s an Amazon Echo product, it has Alexa support for voice control. Adding to the experience is the built-in Smart Home Hub that lets you control Zigbee-compatible devices. The Echo Studio can also adapt to the room’s acoustics to fine-tune the output for optimal sound.

Amazon Echo Studio Specifications:

  • Size: 206(h) x 175(d) mm
  • Weight: 3.5 kg
  • Audio: 3x 51mm midrange speakers, 1x 20mm tweeter, 1x 133mm woofer
  • Amplifier: 330W (Peak), 240-bit DAC, 100KHz bandwidth
  • Audio Input: Combination 3.5mm or mini-TOSLINK line in
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
  • Additional Features: Spatial Audio, Alexa, built-in Zigbee smart home hub, automatic room adaptation

Amazon Echo Studio Price in Nepal and Availability

The Amazon Echo Studio is available for USD 199.99 in the USA. Amazon products aren’t officially available in Nepal, but we can expect the price of the Echo Studio to be around NPR 29,999 if it ever launches here.

Speaker Official Price (USA) Price in Nepal (Expected) 
Amazon Echo Studio USD 199.99 NPR 29,999
    • Meanwhile, check out our review of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

    Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker with waterproof design launched in Nepal

    About a year after its official launch, the Bose SoundLink Flex is finally available in Nepal. This portable Bluetooth speaker offers up to 12 hours of music playback and it has a rugged design as well. In this article, we will go through the specs, features, official price, and availability of the Bose SoundLink Flex in Nepal.

    Bose SoundLink Flex Overview:

    Build, Design

    The rugged design of the Bose SoundLink Flex makes it an excellent portable speaker for the outdoors. It features a soft-touch silicone exterior and the grille is made of powder-coated steel. The speaker also has a fabric utility loop so that you can hook it onto a backpack or something. It is available in four color options: Stone Blue, Black, White Smoke, and Carmine Red.

    Bose SoundLink Flex - Design, Build

    The SoundLink Flex is fairly compact measuring 7.9″ wide, 3.6″ high, and 2.1″ thick, whereas it weighs around 590 grams. Additionally, it complies with IP67 standards and is therefore dustproof and waterproof. The speaker is capable of playing even when dunked in water since it simply floats when submerged.

    Audio, Connectivity

    As for sound quality, Bose SoundLink Flex delivers “high-quality audio” with its custom transducer. The built-in microphone can be used to take calls and interact with the Voice Assistant when connected via Bluetooth as well. Talking about connectivity, it uses Bluetooth 4.2 with a range of up to 9 meters.

    Additionally, with the Party Mode, it can be connected with other Bose speakers to enhance the sound output. The PositionIQ technology present in this speaker automatically adjusts the sound based on its orientation too. That means whether the SoundLink Flex is lying flat, vertical, or in a horizontal orientation, it automatically adjusts the equalizer for an uncompromised audio experience.

    Battery

    Getting to the battery, Bose claims up to 12 hours of playback time on this speaker. And it takes about 4 hours to fill up the SoundLink Flex via the original USB-C cable included in the box.

    Bose SoundLink Flex Specifications:

    • Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2 (up to 9m)
    • Controls: Power on, Bluetooth, Volume up/down, Multi-function button
    • Battery backup: Up to 12 hours
    • Protection: IP67 dustproof and waterproof
    • Built-in microphone: Yes
    • Speaker pairing: Yes (Party Mode)

    Bose SoundLink Flex Price in Nepal and Availability

    The price of Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker in Nepal is Rs. 37,000. You can pick one up from different EvoStore outlets across the country, or order one online through their website. But considering that it sells for just $149 in the US, the SoundLink Flex is quite overpriced in Nepal

    Bluetooth Speaker Price in Nepal
    Bose SoundLink Flex Rs. 37,000
    • Meanwhile, check out our review of JBL Go 3.

    Infinix Zero 20 with 60MP OIS selfie camera, Helio G99 goes official

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    Infinix has announced a new addition to its phone lineup with the Zero 20. It comes with some interesting features at its price range. So let’s get into the specs, features, availability, and expected price of the Infinix Zero 20 in Nepal.

    Infinix Zero 20 Overview:

    Cameras

    Infinix Zero 20 Camera

    The standout feature of the Zero 20 in its price range is the selfie camera. It has a 60MP optically stabilized selfie shooter with autofocus. With this, Infinix claims that the phone is the best vlog camera in the world. Similarly, the module on the back houses a trio of cameras, which is led by a 108MP sensor. This is accompanied by a 13MP ultrawide and a 2MP auxiliary sensor. Surprisingly, the rear camera lacks OIS stabilization.

    Performance

    Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset. It’s the latest Helio G series SoC built on an energy-efficient 6nm process. However, its performance advantage over the Helio G96 or G95 is minimal since it has the same pair of Cortex-A76 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores.

    Anyways, it comes in a single configuration of 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The phone allows for virtual RAM expansion of up to 5GB but does not have a microSD card slot for storage expansion. It runs XOS 12, which is based on Android 12.

    Design, Display

    Infinix Zero 20 Design and Display

    The Zero 20 has a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 90Hz. It has a standard Full HD+ resolution with an out-of-date water-drop notch. Design-wise, it comes with a flat body with squared-off edges. Infinix refers to the back camera module as a ‘Double-loop Camera’ design. It also has a biometric fingerprint scanner on the side. The Zero 20 is available in three different colors: gold, gray, and black.

    Rest of the specs

    Fueling the smartphone is a 4500mAh battery that charges via a 45W adapter. For audio, it has a stereo speaker setup and the company has also provided a 3.5mm headphone jack.

    Infinix Zero 20 Specifications:

    • Display: 6.7″ FHD+ AMOLED
    • SoC: MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm)
    • Selfie: 60MP (OIS)
    • Rear Cameras: 108MP+13MP+2MP
    • Memory: 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, 256GB UFS 2.2
    • Battery: 4500mAh, 45W charging
    • OS: XOS 12 based on Android 12 
    • Biometrics: Side-mounted fingerprint
    • Audio: Stereo speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack

    Infinix Zero 20 Price in Nepal and Availability

    The Zero 20 costs USD 270 in a single 8/256GB configuration. We expect the price of the Infinix Zero 20 to be 40,000, if and when it launches in Nepal.

    Infinix Zero 20 Price in Europe Price in Nepal (Expected)
    8/256GB USD 270 NPR 40,000
    • Meanwhile, check out our pick for the best phones under Rs. 40,000.

    Infinix Zero Ultra with 200MP camera, 180W charging goes global

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    Last month Infinix announced the world’s first smartphone brand to offer 180W fast charging. The phone has now hit the global market. In this article, we will go through the specs, features, availability, and expected price of the Infinix Zero Ultra in Nepal.

    Infinix Zero Ultra Overview:

    180W ThunderCharge

    Infinix announced its 180W ThunderCharge in June and now, it is coming to the market with the Infinix Zero Ultra. The goal of this charging technology was to reach 50% charge in four minutes on a 4500mAh battery. Thus, it is likely that the Infinix Zero Ultra will ship with a 4500mAh cell too.

    The phone will have a Furious Mode to charge the phone at max speed and a Normal Mode to charge it slower and at lower temperatures. The ThunderCharge system uses two 8C batteries in a series with each supporting 90W. Moreover, it also received a TÜV Rheinland Safe Fast-Charge System certification.

    Camera

    As mentioned before, the Infinix Zero Ultra boasts a 200MP primary sensor with OIS. On the other hand, the specs of the two other rear cameras are yet to be unveiled by Infinix. Similarly, it is unknown if the phone will use the Samsung ISOCELL HP1 sensor or the 200MP Omnivision alternative.

    Infinix Zero Ultra - Cameras

    Performance and Memory

    Oddly enough, the Infinix Zero Ultra is powered by a Dimensity 920 chipset which does not support a 200MP camera sensor. Thus, we can expect a dedicated ISP for the cameras or some upscaling techniques in action.

    The processor choice also puts it in a weird place as it is not a flagship chip. For comparison, Motorola Edge 30 Ultra which is another phone with a 200MP sensor features the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip. So, Infinix is clearly not trying to compete with the top-end heavy hitters.

    As for memory, the only listed configuration on AliExpress is a single 8/256GB configuration. However, we can expect more options to be revealed as the launch nears.

    Design and Display

    The Infinix Zero Ultra teaser revealed a sleek white phone with a Dmascus pattern on the rear panel. The back houses a rectangular camera module with three cameras and a flash. Similarly, the volume rockers and power buttons are located on the right side of the frame.

    Infinix Zero Ultra - Design

    Over on the front, the phone features a 6.8-inch 120Hz OLED screen with 3D curved edges with a small hole-punch cutout up top.

    Infinix Zero Ultra Specifications (Expected):

    • Display: 6.8-inch 3D curved AMOLED screen, 120Hz refresh rate
    • Chipset: MediaTek Dimesnity 920 (6nm)
    • Memory: 8GB RAM and 256GB storage
    • Software: Android 12 with XOS
    • Rear Camera: Triple (200MP OIS Primary + 13MP + 2MP)
    • Security: Fingerprint (Under-display)
    • Battery: Li-Po 4500 mAh, 180W charging
    • Color Options: Coslight Silver, Genesis Noir

    Infinix Zero Ultra Price and Availability

    The price of the Infinix Zero Ultra is set at $520 for the sole 8/256GB variant. We expect the price of the Infinix Zero Ultra to cost NPR 74,999 when it launches in Nepal.

    • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Realme GT Neo 3T.

    Google Pixel 7 Pro official with second-gen Tensor SoC, improved cameras

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    Google first revealed the Pixel 7 series and the Pixel Watch at the I/O developer conference in May. After months of waiting, the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel Watch are all here. Here, we will take a look at the Google Pixel 7 Pro along with its specs, features, expected price, and availability in Nepal.

    Google Pixel 7 Pro Overview:

    Design, Display

    The Pixel 7 Pro builds on the design language established by Google with the Pixel 6 series. The distinct and recognizable rear camera visor now has a brushed metal finish rather than the black glass seen on previous models.  Likewise, the camera cutouts are more prominent this year but besides that not much has changed. Google offers the Pixel 7 Pro in three colors Obsidian, Snow, and Hazel.

    The phone also enjoys IP68 water resistance. Google has highlighted the usage of recycled materials with 100% of the polished enclosure being made of recycled aluminum. Based on weight, 19% of the Pixel 7 Pro is made of recycled materials.

    Google Pixel 7 Pro - Design, Display

    While the vanilla Pixel 7 features a flat-screen, the Pixel 7 Pro has a bigger and better 6.71-inch curved AMOLED display. However, the curve is not as aggressive as last year. The screen has a QHD+ resolution and the LTPO technology allows the refresh rate to vary from 10Hz to 120Hz based on the content. Furthermore, the display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus.

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    Performance, Memory

    While there is not much difference externally, the internals tells a different story. Both the Pixel 7 and the 7 Pro are powered by Google’s new and improved Tensor G2 SoC which is based on Samsung’s 4nm fabrication process. The new octa-core processor includes two 2.85GHz Cortex-X1 Prime cores, two 2.35GHz Cortex-A78 Performance cores, and four 1.8GHz Cortex-A55 cores, as well as a Mali G710 MP07 GPU.

    Google Tensor G2

    When compared to the Mali G78 on the first-generation Tensor chip, the Mali G710 MP07 GPU provides a 35% boost for machine learning tasks. Overall, this new Tensor G2 SoC can run machine learning tasks 60% faster and 20% more efficiently. In addition, the new Pixel phones include an exclusive Photo Unblur feature that uses artificial intelligence to sharpen blurry images from any device.

    As for memory, the Pixel 7 Pro ships with 12GB of RAM, and buyers can choose between 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB of storage. Unfortunately, there is no microSD support for storage expansion.

    • Meanwhile, read all the prices and specs of Google products here

    Software

    The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are the first phones to boot on Android 13 out of the box. In addition, they will pack some Pixel-exclusive features like direct audio message transcriptions on Google Message, Clear Calling, and Speech Enhancement among others. The phones also feature Cough and Snore detection.

    The security on the phone is handled by the Titan M2 chip. To improve online security, the devices will get Google One VPN in the near future at no extra cost. Also, the phones will get at least 5 years of security updates.

    Cameras

    The Google Pixel 7 Pro features a triple camera array on the back. The main camera module is a 50MP sensor with the option for 4-in-1 binning. It also has optical image stabilization and electronic stabilization. The Pixel 7 Pro’s 12MP ultrawide camera has a 125.8° field of view. The ultrawide also has autofocus this year, allowing for macro shots.

    Google Pixel 7 Pro - Cameras

    Moving on, the third rear camera is a 48MP telephoto sensor with 5x optical zoom. Over on the front, it has a 10.8MP selfie shooter with a 92.8° field of view. The phone is capable of taking 4K videos at 60fps as well as 10-bit HDR videos. To enhance the camera experience on third-party apps, Google has partnered up with the likes of TikTok and Snapchat. Thanks to the machine learning capabilities of the Tensor G2, the Pixel 7 Pro now features a cinematic blur mode as seen on recent iPhones.

    Rest of the specs

    The Pixel 7 Pro has a 5,000mAh battery with wired and wireless charging support. Google claims that the phone can be charged up to 50% in about 30 minutes using the official 30W USB-C charger. Furthermore, it supports reverse wireless charging. According to Google, the new ‘Extreme Battery Saver’ can provide up to 72 hours of battery life.

    The handset has an in-display fingerprint scanner and face unlock for security. In terms of audio, it has stereo speakers and a 3 microphone setup for noise suppression.

    Google Pixel 7 Pro Specifications:

    • Body: 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mm, 212 gm
    • Display: 6.7-inches LTPO OLED panel, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR, Gorilla Glass Victus
    • Resolution: QHD+ (3120 x 1440 pixels), 19.5:9 aspect ratio
    • Chipset: Google Tensor G2 (4nm), Titan M2 security coprocessor
    • Memory: 12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128/256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 storage
    • Software & UI: Android 13
    • Rear Camera: Triple (LED flash);
      – 50MP f/1.85 primary, OIS
      – 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, 125.8-degree FoV, autofocus
      – 48MP f/3.5 telephoto, 5x optical zoom, Super Res Zoom up to 30x, OIS
    • Front Camera: 10.8MP f/2.0 ultrawide, 92.8-degree FoV (punch-hole cutout)
    • Audio: Stereo speaker setup
    • Security: In-display fingerprint sensor (optical), Face Unlock
    • Sensors: Accelerometer, Ambient Light, Barometer, Gyro, Magnetometer, Proximity
    • Connectivity: Dual-SIM (Nano, eSIM), WiFi 6E (802.11ax) with 2.4/5/6GHz, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / QZSS, USB Type-C, 4G LTE, 5G, Google Cast
    • Battery: 5000mAh with fast charging, wireless and reverse wireless charging (no adapter provided)
    • Colors: Obsidian, Snow, Hazel
    • Check out the full specifications of Pixel 7 Pro with comparisons here.

    Google Pixel 7 Pro Price in Nepal and Availability

    The Google Pixel 7 Pro price in Nepal is NPR 69,999 in the unofficial market.

    Google Pixel 7 Pro Price in Nepal (Unofficial)
    12/128GB NPR 69,999

    Google Pixel 7 goes official with Tensor G2 chip, slimmer design

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    Google just launched its flagship series at the latest Made By Google event. Of the two new phones announced, the Pixel 7 is the most modest one. In this article, we will be discussing the key specs, features, expected price, and availability of the Google Pixel 7 in Nepal. 

    Google Pixel 7 Overview:

    Design, Display

    Google has built the Pixel 7 around a 6.3-inch OLED display. This actually makes the phone smaller than last year’s Pixel 6 which had a 6.4-inch panel. The new phone is also thinner and lighter at 8.7mm and 197 grams, respectively.

    Talking about the display, it’s a flat FHD panel with a peak brightness of 1400 nits. Unlike the Pixel 7 Pro, the vanilla model has a non-LPTO panel refreshing at 90Hz. Pixel 7 has HDR support and has Gorilla Glass Victus protection on top.

    Google Pixel 7 Design and Display

    Like the front, the back is also protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. Google has also added a fingerprint-resistant coating on top. The frames are made of aluminum and it is from here that the camera bar originates. There is an IP68 rating against dust and water.

    Performance and Memory

    Under the hood, the Pixel 7 packs the same second-gen Tensor chip as its Pro sibling. The new Tensor G2 chip is built on top of Samsung’s 4nm chip. It is an octa-core chip with two Cortex-X1, two Cortex-A78, and four Cortex-A55 cores. Handling the GPU is the ARM Mali-G710. 

    Google Tensor G2

    Like last year, the focus is on AI and machine learning tasks. Google says the new chip is 35% better in machine learning tasks than its predecessor. The chip is paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128/256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. 

    Camera

    The redesigned camera back of the Google Pixel 7 is home to a dual camera setup. This is headlined by a 50MP primary camera that uses pixel binning. The main camera has Laser Detect Auto Focus (LDAF) and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). It is accompanied by a 12MP ultrawide camera with a 114-degree Field of View.

    • Meanwhile, read all the prices and specs of Google products here

    Over on the front, the center-aligned punch-hole encloses a 10.8MP selfie camera with fixed focus and f/2.2 aperture.

    Google Pixel 7 Camera Module

    Battery 

    Fueling the new Pixel 7 is a 4,355mAh battery that Google says can last up to 24 hours. The phone supports wired and wireless charging of up to 21W with Google 30W USB-C and 2nd Gen Pixel Stand. Both need to be bought separately. Likewise, you can even charge the phone up to 12W using a Qi-certified wireless charger.

    Google Pixel 7 Specifications:

    • Body: 73.2 x 155.6 x 8.7mm, 197 gm, Glass-metal hybrid build, IP68 rated, Gorilla Glass Victus back
    • Display: 6.3-inches “Smooth Display” OLED panel, 90Hz refresh rate, up to 1400 nits of peak brightness (1000 nits HDR), Gorilla Glass Victus
    • Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio, 416 PPI
    • Chipset: Google Tensor G2 (4nm Mobile Platform), Titan M2 security coprocessor
    • Memory: 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128/256GB UFS 3.1 storage (fixed)
    • Software & UI: Android 13
    • Rear Camera: Dual (with LDAF sensor, LED flash);
      – 50MP, f/1.85 primary sensor, OIS
      – 12MP, f/2.2 ultra-wide camera, 114º FOV
    • Front Camera: 10.8MP f/2.2 sensor (punch-hole cutout)
    • Audio: Stereo speaker setup, No 3.5mm headphone jack
    • Security: In-display fingerprint sensor (optical), Face unlock
    • Sensors: Accelerometer, Ambient Light, Barometer, Gyro, Magnetometer, Proximity
    • Connectivity: Dual-SIM (Nano), WiFi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) with 2.4/5/6GHz, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS / AGPS / Glonass / Galileo / QZSS, USB Type-C, 4G LTE, 5G
    • Battery: 4355mAh with 21W fast charging (no adapter provided)
    • Color Options: Lemongrass, Snow, Obsidian

    Google Pixel 7 Price in Nepal and Availability (Expected) 

    The price of the Google Pixel 7 starts at USD 600 for the 128GB variant while the 256GB variant costs around USD 700. Google is offering free Pixel Buds Pro on each pre-order. We expect the price of the Google Pixel 7 in Nepal to start at NPR 84,999 when it launches here.

    Google Pixel 7  Price in the US (Official)  Price in Nepal (Expected) 
    128GB USD 600 NPR 84,999
    256GB USD 700 NPR 96,999
    • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Google Pixel 6.

    Google’s long-awaited Pixel Watch is finally here with Wear OS 3

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    After a long wait, Google has officially unveiled its first smartwatch, the Pixel Watch. The wearable debuted alongside the Pixel 7 smartphone line. Here is all you need to know about the Google Pixel Watch along with its expected price in Nepal.

    Google Pixel Watch Overview:

    Design, Display

    The Pixel Watch has a doomed, circular display inspired by the surface of a water droplet. According to Google, this design makes the bezels disappear (although it has quite chunky bezels) and does not interfere with a sleeve or shirt. The 1.2-inch AMOLED screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and is housed in a stainless steel housing.

    Google Pixel Watch Design and Display

    The case measures 41mm in length and 12.3mm in thickness. It is also very light, weighing only 32g (without straps), and is water resistant up to 5ATM (50 meters). The wearable is available in three different colors: black, silver, and gold.

    Compared to other smartwatches, the straps on the Pixel Watch are held securely in place by a twist-and-lock mechanism. There are different band styles to choose from: the standard Active band, the Stretch and Woven band, and the Metal and Leather bands.

    Four-year-old chipset

    Google Pixel Watch is powered by a four-year-old Exynos 9110 chipset, which was previously seen in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3. It is accompanied by a Cortex M33 co-processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage.

    On the software front, it runs on the company’s own Wear OS 3.5 platform. Here you can swipe in either direction to view Tiles for different activities,  swipe up to access notifications, and swipe down to quickly change settings. There are also Pixel Watch-exclusive and customizable watch faces.

    Furthermore, as expected from the Wear OS, it provides direct access to a slew of Google apps, including Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Photos, and others. You also get a new Google Home app that allows you to control your smart home appliances directly from your wrist.

    Health and Fitness 

    Google is leveraging the expertise of Fitbit (which it acquired last year) for health and wellness features. You’ll be able to connect the watch to the Fitbit app and use features like Active Zone Minutes and sleep tracking. The watch tracks your heart rate continuously and has 40 workout modes to choose from. It can also take ECG measurements but does not support blood pressure monitoring as of now.

    Google Pixel Watch Health Sensors

    Google Pixel Watch comes with an SOS feature that alerts trusted contacts when you’re in an emergency or feel unsafe. The watch, however, must have an active data connection for this feature to work. There’s also a Fall Detection feature that detects if you’ve fallen and automatically connects you with emergency services.

    Rest of the specs

    Moving on, the wearable is said to provide one-day battery life with its 294 mAh battery. For charging, it uses a USB-C port. Likewise, the connectivity option includes Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, NFC, and GPS.

    Google Pixel Watch Specifications:

    • Dimensions: 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm
    • Weight: 36g (without band)
    • Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, 320ppi, up to 1000 nits brightness, Ambient light sensor, Always-on display
    • CPU: Exynos 9110 SoC, Cortex M33 co-processor
    • RAM: 2GB
    • Storage: 32GB
    • Battery: 294mAh, USB-C charging
    • Connectivity: 4G LTE, UMTS, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo
    • Durability: 5ATM
    • Software: Wear OS 3.5
    • Health sensors: Optical heart rate sensor, Multipurpose electrical sensor, Blood oxygen sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Altimeter, Compass
    • Audio: Built-in speaker
    • Mobile payments: Google Wallet
    • Workout detection: Yes

    Google Pixel Watch Price in Nepal and Availability 

    The Pixel Watch will be available in two versions: one with Wi-Fi only and one with Wi-Fi + 4G LTE connectivity. The latter costs USD 399, while the Wi-Fi-only model costs USD 349. If and when the Google Pixel Watch is released in Nepal, we expect the price to start at NPR 55,000.

    Google Pixel Watch  Price in the US  Price in Nepal (Expected)
    Wi-Fi USD 349 NPR 55,000
    Wi-Fi + 4G LTE USD 399 NPR 65,000
    • Meanwhile, check out our review of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

    The new Xiaomi 12T Pro is the company’s first 200MP camera phone

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    After the China-exclusive Xiaomi 12S series, the company has now globally launched the 12T series of smartphones. The new Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro are powered by MediaTek and Qualcomm’s flagship chips, respectively, while also bringing “pro-grade cameras”. Let’s check out the official specs, features, availability, and expected price in Nepal for the Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro.

    Xiaomi 12T Pro Overview:

    Cameras

    The biggest highlight—and probably also the biggest differentiator—of the Xiaomi 12T Pro lies in its camera system. While both the 12T and 12T Pro feature the same 8MP ultrawide and a 2MP macro shooter, they host a different primary camera. In case of the Xiaomi 12T Pro, it has an optically-stabled Samsung ISOCELL HP1 200MP main sensor.

    Xiaomi 12T Pro - Cameras

    Using 16-in-1 pixel binning, it takes 12.5MP shots by default. The company has also developed something called “Xiaomi ProCut” that can deliver up to five different images out of a 200MP shot; all without compromising in terms of details. For portraits, it also supports 2x in-sensor zoom which is basically digital zoom, by the way. Other exclusive features on the “Pro” model include “Xiaomi ProFocus”, “Motion tracking focus”, and more. Up front, the Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro feature the same 20MP selfie camera.

    Performance

    Besides the main camera, the 12T Pro is powered by a more powerful processor as well. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip inside has been complemented with 8/12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 128/256GB of high-speed UFS 3.1 storage.

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

    The phone still runs on Android 12-based MIUI 13 whereas Xiaomi has also promised 3 generations of OS and 4 years of security updates for the 12T series. On the cooling front, Xiaomi says the 12T Pro uses an improved heat dissipation system with a vapor chamber that’s 65% larger and with 125% higher thermal material coverage compared to last year’s Xiaomi 11T Pro.

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    Design and Display

    Getting to the design, the Xiaomi 12T Pro is a pretty big phone. It is 75.9mm wide, 8.6mm thick, and weighs about 205 grams. While there is no IP certification of any sort here, the 12T Pro does have quite a premium build quality. It brings a glass-sandwich design with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5 protecting the display. The phone is available in three color options: Blue, Silver, and Black.

    As for the display, you’re looking at a 6.67″ AMOLED panel with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to 480Hz touch sampling rate. Xiaomi calls it a “CrystalRes” display for its sharper 1220p resolution. The 12T Pro’s screen also boasts a few flagship features like Dolby Vision, Adaptive HDR, SGS Low Visual Fatigue certification, and more. And since this is also a 12-bit display, the 12T Pro can produce over 68 billion colors. Xiaomi has even gone with an in-display fingerprint scanner this time.

    Others

    Moving on, the Xiaomi 12T Pro has a powerful set of stereo speakers tuned by Harman/Kardon that supports Dolby Atmos audio. It is fueled by a large 5000mAh battery with support for 120W fast charging. Xiaomi says it can fuel up the phone in just 19 minutes. And to ensure safety during such fast charging speeds, Xiaomi has used 9 thermal sensors and a total of 42 safety features. And its battery can reportedly survive up to 800 charge cycles without degrading the battery health.

    Xiaomi 12T Overview:

    On the other hand, the regular Xiaomi 12T shares most of its specs with its “Pro” sibling. Including the design, display (except for the Dolby Vision support), battery, and charging solution. As for the performance, it enjoys MediaTek’s Dimensity 8100-Ultra chip instead of the latest dragon from Qualcomm.

    MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Ultra - Illustration

    This 5nm chip is still flagship-grade, even though it uses older CPU architectures like Cortex-A78 and Cortex-A55. It is also limited to just 8GB of RAM, while the phone is available with 128 or 256GB of storage. To note, the 8100-Ultra is pretty much the same as the standard Dimensity 8100, but with a few custom tweaks from Xiaomi. Apart from this, the Xiaomi 12T’s biggest difference compared to the 12T Pro is also its primary camera. Compared to the 200MP main shooter on the Pro, this guy uses a Samsung ISOCELL HM6 108MP sensor instead.

    Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro Specifications:

    Xiaomi 12T Xiaomi 12T Pro
    Body 75.9 x 163.1 x 8.6mm, 202 gm 75.9 x 163.1 x 8.6mm, 205 gm
    Display 6.67” CrystalRes AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 480Hz touch sampling rate, 12-bit colors, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
    Resolution 2712 x 1220 pixels, 446 PPI, 20:9 aspect ratio
    Chipset MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Ultra 5G (5nm) Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 5G (4nm)
    Memory 8GB LPDDR5 RAM 8/12GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Storage 128/256GB UFS 3.1 storage (non-expandable)
    Software MIUI 13 (based on Android 12)
    Rear Camera
    • 108MP main (OIS)
    • 8MP ultra-wide
    • 2MP macro
    • 200MP main (OIS)
    • 8MP ultra-wide
    • 2MP macro
    Front Camera 20MP f/2.24 sensor (hole-punch cutout)
    Audio Dual stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos audio
    Security In-display fingerprint scanner
    Sensors 360° Ambient light, Accelerometer, Color temperature, E-compass, Flicker, Gyroscope, IR blaster, Proximity
    Connectivity Dual-SIM (Nano), WiFi 6 (dual-band), Bluetooth, GPS / A-GPS / Galileo / Glonass / BeiDou / NavIC, USB-C, NFC, 4G LTE, 5G
    Battery 5000mAh with 120W HyperCharge support
    Colors Silver, Blue, Black

    Xiaomi 12T Pro Price in Nepal and Availability

    Xiaomi 12T series will be available from October 13 in Europe. It’ll start at EUR 599 for the regular Xiaomi 12T, while the 12T Pro costs EUR 749. As such, we expect the price of the Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro in Nepal to start at NPR 67,000 and NPR 84,000 respectively, if and when they launch here.

    Smartphone Model Price in Europe Price in Nepal (Expected)
    Xiaomi 12T (8/128GB) EUR 599 NPR 67,000
    Xiaomi 12T Pro (8/128GB) EUR 749 NPR 84,000
    • Meanwhile, check out our review of the iPhone 14 Pro Max

    Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro goes global with metal body, built-in GPS, NFC

    Xiaomi first launched its first Pro smart band in China back in July. After months of waiting, it is finally available in the global market. So, let’s walk through the full specs, features, expected price, and availability of the Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro in Nepal.

    Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro Overview:

    Design

    As its name gives it away, Smart Band 7 Pro is the most advanced fitness band from Xiaomi. It is also called the Mi Band 7 Pro in China and other regions.

    Nonetheless, the band sports a metallic frame that is available in two colors: Light Gold and Graphite Grey. The rest of the watch is made of plastic. The band is 11mm thick and weighs around 20.5 grams. You can even take it to a swimming pool as it has 5ATM certification.

    Xiaomi ships the Band 7 Pro with a TPU wristband. However, you can even buy leather-like silicone straps separately.

    Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Pro Design

    Measuring 1.64-inch, Mi Band 7 Pro’s display is larger than that of the regular Mi Band 7 and Redmi Smart Band Pro. It is a 2.5D curved rectangular glass screen with a 70% screen-to-body ratio and 326 PPI pixel density.

    Furthermore, Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro supports over a hundred watch faces, automatic brightness adjustment, and an Always on Display mode.

    Fitness / Health Tracking

    Like most fitness bands, Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro comes with an optical PPG sensor. This allows the band to support 24-hour heart rate and continuous blood oxygen monitoring. It can even warn users if their SpO2 level drops too low and suggest breathing exercises accordingly.

    Furthermore, the watch has 117 sports modes, including 14 professional ones. Mi Band 7 Pro can track your workouts more accurately as it comes with a 5-satellite GPS navigation system.

    XIaomi Mi Band 7 Pro Silicone Straps

    Smart Functions

    You can bind your Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro to newer Android and iOS devices. The fitness band can then alert you of incoming calls and other notifications. In addition, you can even schedule reminders, check weather forecasts, and control music playback and camera.

    It even has Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. Sadly, you don’t get the NFC support, which is currently exclusive to the Chinese model.

    Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Pro Specifications:

    • Body: 44.7 x 28.8 x 11 mm, 20.5gm (without strap)
    • Strap: Removable TPU straps (130~205mm)
    • Display: 1.64″ AMOLED panel, 2.5D curved
    • Resolution: 280 x 456 pixels resolution, 326 PPI
    • Connection: Bluetooth BLE (5.2)
    • Compatible with: Android 6.0, iOS 12, and above
    • IP Rating: 5ATM water-resistance
    • Functions: Alarm, Camera Shutter, DND, Heart Rate Monitor, Notifications, Sleep Tracking, Step Counter, Blood Oxygen, Women’s Health
    • Sports Modes: 117 (14 professional)
    • Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyro, PPG heart rate, Ambient Light Sensor
    • Companion App: Mi Fitness app (Android | iOS)
    • Battery: 235mAh, Up to 12 days (typical)
    • Charger: Proprietary Magnetic charger (1 hour)

    Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro Price in Nepal (Expected)

    The price of Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro in Europe starts at EUR 99. We expect the price of Xiaomi Band 7 Pro to be NPR 12,999 if and when it launches in Nepal.

    Smart Fitness Band  Price in Europe (Official)  Price in Nepal (Expected) 
    Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro EUR 99 NPR 12,999
    •  Meanwhile, check out our full review of the Xiaomi Mi Band 6.

    Samsung introduces “world’s first 17″ slidable display for PC”

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    With years of expertise in the display sector under its belt, Samsung has unveiled a slidable screen technology for computers. The new Samsung Slidable PC Display extends from 13″ to 17″ and Samsung is working with Intel to bring out the viability of the display.

    Samsung Slidable PC Display Overview:

    Intel’s 2022 Innovation Forum brought us a lot from Intel, but Samsung surprised us by demoing its unique PC display at the same event. Samsung calls this screen, which can convert from a 13-inch to a 17-inch display, “the world’s first 17-inch slidable display for PC.” At the event, we saw Samsung Display CEO JS Choi demonstrate the display’s transformation.

    Samsung Rollable PC Screen Demo

    Unlike Samsung’s foldable displays, this slidable display rolls along the rails and can be extended just by pulling it apart. The screen’s sliding mechanism made few audible sounds while maxing out at 17-inch and also while being pushed back into the 13-inch form factor.

    “Foldable is gone”

    Aside from this, this display also had a visible crease where the sliding mechanism starts. This form factor can unlock many possibilities for computing in terms of the user interface, portability, and more.

    To achieve this, Samsung is working with Intel to introduce features and abilities to best utilize this form factor.

    Samsung Slidable PC Display Launch And Availability

    While Samsung commercially offers folding displays on devices like the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip, we will not be seeing a slidable display on a consumer-grade device any time soon.

    The Samsung Display CEO persisted that the company is working closely with Intel in order to figure out ways to add value to the slidable/rollable form factor.

    • Meanwhile, check out our long-term review of the Galaxy Z Fold 3.