Welcome to the thirteenth edition of our weekly tech quiz. Take our quiz to put your tech knowledge to the test (no cheating, obviously). There are 15 questions in total, so it shouldn’t take more than 3 minutes. And the questions could be from any field—smartphones, gaming, music, and more. Let’s go!
Oppo Pad Air Review: Off To A Great Start!
Oppo Pad Air is the company’s first tablet for the global market. Still, the overall specs looked convincing enough, so I decided to test it for myself. And in this review, I will be sharing my experience of using the Oppo Pad Air for a month.
But before we begin, here is what Oppo Pad Air has to offer in terms of specifications.
Oppo Pad Air Specifications:
- Body: 245.08 x 154.84 x 6.94 mm, 440gm
- Display: 10.36-inches IPS LCD panel, 60Hz refresh rate, 71% NTSC, 360 nits brightness (typ)
- Resolution: 2K (2000 × 1200 pixels)
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm Mobile Platform)
- Memory: 4/6GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64/128GB UFS 2.2 storage
- Software & UI: Android 12 with ColorOS for Pad on top
- Rear Camera: Single (8MP)
- Front Camera: Single (5MP)
- Audio: Quad-speaker setup, Dolby Atmos
- Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, USB 2.0 Type-C
- Battery: 7100mAh with 18W fast charging
- Price in Nepal: N/A (starts at INR 16,999 in India)
Oppo Pad Air Review
Globally, the tablet market fell by 15% this year with budget Android tablets taking the biggest hit. But this is not the case with developing nations such as India and Nepal. For instance, India just recorded a healthy 65% YoY growth with the sub-20K segment growing at a staggering 142%.
Another takeaway from this is that established brands like Lenovo and Samsung are facing competition from newcomers like Lava and Realme. And after using the new Pad Air over a month for this review, I believe Oppo will join the ranks next year.
This is because it tackles the biggest problem with the budget tablet, the software. A lot of budget Android tablets are hardly anything but smartphones spirit in a tablet body. Even Realme Pad, the best-selling tablet on Flipkart right now, falls under this category. Samsung’s budget tablets fare better in this regard but they compromise big time on other specs, especially the screen.
While it’s not perfect, Oppo Pad Air shows tablet brands are looking beyond the screen, speakers, and battery. It is the first tablet from Oppo outside of China and it costs INR 17,999 for the 4/64GB variant. There is even a 128GB variant that retails for Rs. 19,999.
Software
- Android (ColorOS for Pad 12.1)
- ColorsOS 13 in 2023
Sweeping that aside, let’s start the review, starting with the thing that has impressed me the most, the software. Oppo Pad Air runs on ColorOS 12.1 based on Android 12. Contrary to what we have been experiencing on phones, ColorOS for Pad is lightweight. Except for the Oppo and Google apps, there is no other pre-installed software.
Enhancing the near-stock Android experience is the set of “special features” that allows you to make the most of the 10.36-inch screen. Some of the features are not new, not even exclusive to the Pad Air, but I really like Oppo’s implementation and the convenience to use it.
Split Screen, Flexible Windows
Take the split screen for example. You can activate it by just swiping vertically down with two fingers. You can then adjust these screen sizes and change their position depending upon your need. Or you can reduce one screen to a flexible window.
It’s quite a handy feature when you are trying to take notes. You can even paste photos directly from a window to note-taking apps. And yes, the floating keyboard helps a lot. It can be moved and resized based on your needs. When not in use, flexible windows can be moved to the site and summoned later on.
You can setup up a separate child account on Oppo Pad Air and switch to it from the top bar. This is directly open the Google’s Kids Space which you have complete control over.
The features that I have discussed so far are quite optimized and the ones I most myself using the most. There are other features that have a lot of potential but could require more optimization.
The first feature that comes to mind is the dual windows. I would love to have two instances of Chrome side by side but it is not possible yet.
Multi-Screen Collaboration
The other is Oppo’s multi-screen collaboration which is supposed to boost productivity by allowing a seamless connection between phones and tablets. I used it on my Reno 8 Pro and it worked as intended. You can have multiple apps from your phone on the tablet at the same time as well as share a clipboard and drag and drop files and photos.
The caveat here is that it is available on a very small pool of Oppo phones running on the ColorOS 12.1 and later. It doesn’t even work on my latest F21 Pro. Also, features like file transfer don’t work at all when connected to Windows laptops.
Oppo has addressed this issue in the latest version of ColorOS, which this tablet will receive in the first half of 2023. Basically, all Oppo phones (running on ColorOS 13) and Windows laptops will support this feature moving forward.
Oppo is also working on its own ecosystem so in the future you will be able to connect the tab to even more smart devices.
Design
- 245.08 x 154.84 x 6.94 mm, 440gm
- Glass front, Metal body
- 2D Texture at the back
Now, let’s turn to another highlight of the Oppo Pad Air, the design. At the back, the tablet has Oppo’s signature Glow design. It’s a textured matte finish that does a really good job of hiding fingerprints. Even after using it without a sleeve for weeks, I don’t see any scratches. So that checks out as well.
What really catches the eye is the plastic portion on top. Usually, brands do this plastic-metal design to allow Wi-Fi and LTE signals to pass. But Oppo has taken a step further by incorporating the 3D “Dune” texture.
Oppo Pad Air’s thickness is comparable to a mainstream smartphone. The weight distribution is also well balanced, resulting in a good hands-on feel.
Display
- 10.36-inch 2K IPS screen
- 10 bit color depth
Over on the front, you get a 10.36-inch 2K screen with stylus support. But since I could not find the Oppo Smart Stylus anywhere, I settled for this third-party pen from WIWU. It has noticeable latency but works nonetheless.
It’s an 8-bit panel but Oppo says it can produce over 1 billion colors thanks to its software tweaks. The pictures are sharp and the colors look decent enough. It even has Widevine L1 certification for HD streaming on Netflix. But it is still an IPS panel after all and you will encounter an LCD glow during darker scenes.
Audio
- Quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos
- No 3.5mm headphone jack
Otherwise, the display is good for content consumption. For this, you also have a quad-speaker setup which can be pretty loud, albeit with some distortion. It also lacks bass, but it should not be a problem for casual YouTube and Netflix viewing. There is no headphone jack but you can connect wireless earphones for Dolby Atmos surround sound.
One more thing: if you listen to songs from YouTube, you can do it on background, saving the battery.
Performance and Battery
- Octa-core Snapdragon 680 (6nm)
- 4GB RAM, 64/128GB internal storage (expandable)
- 7100mAh with 18W fast charging
Now onto performance. Here, Oppo has opted for the 6nm-based Snapdragon 680 which we have already seen in a lot of budget phones this year. This chip prioritizes power efficiency over raw performance. I was able to get around 7 hours of average screen time with the 71000mAh battery.
The charging process is kinda slow as it takes around 2.5 hours to go from 0 to 100%. It is because Oppo Pad Air only supports 18W of charging, though it ships with a 33W charger.
With just 4GB of RAM on board, you can experience a slight delay when opening happening apps for the first time and multitasking. Even adding 3GB of virtual RAM does little to improve the situation. Gaming is not that impressive either.
Lightweight games like Clash of Clans, and Subway Surfer work well however, you will have to turn the graphics to the lowest for a playable experience with demanding titles like PUBG: Mobile.
But it is to be expected from a tablet of this price. What is important is that it can handle online classes just fine. There is a 5MP selfie camera on the front that does okay under good lighting. At the back, there is an 8MP sensor that you can use to scan documents. If you are an educator, you can even screen-record tutorials with selfie capture.
Oppo Pad Air Review: Conclusion
This brings me to the end of this review. So, should you buy the Oppo Pad Air? To answer this, let’s look at the competition first. For a thousand bucks more, you can get the Realme Pad with better performance and an LTE option. But there are no tablet-specific software tweaks here.
The same drawback was on the Moto Tab G70 that I reviewed earlier. And I expect the same with the newly launched Moto G62 LTE, which otherwise is very similar to the Pad Air.
Then we have the Galaxy Tab A8. Samsung’s experience in making tablets and foldables is reflected well here but the specs it offers are not competitive enough for the price.
In my opinion, Oppo Pad Air is the middle ground. It is not a perfect tablet, I mean, it is hard to be at this particular price point. However, it has a decent set of specs and complementary software as well. Unless, if you expect hardcore gaming and multi-tasking, which you should not do with a budget tablet, it will fare you well, especially for school work and multimedia.
Oppo Pad Air Review: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Sturdy Build
- 2K IPS Screen
- Good software experience
- Decent battery life
Cons:
- Restricted performance
- No LTE support
- Just 18W fast charging
Redmi K50i Review: Pure Performance!
If there is one smartphone that is popular after the Nothing phone (1) right now—well at least in this part of the world—then it’s this guy, the Redmi K50i. And it’s all because of the excellent performance it offers in its class.
It costs some Rs. 25,999 in India for the base 6/128GB variant. And for this price, the K50i has some premium features onboard—the best of all being the MediaTek Dimensity 8100 chipset. If you remember, this is the same chipset you get on more expensive phones like Realme GT Neo 3 and Oppo Reno 8 Pro.
Redmi K50i Specifications:
- Dimensions: 163.64 x 74.29 x 8.87mm; 200gm
- Display: 6.6-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD, HDR10 +, 144Hz refresh rate, 270Hz touch sampling rate, Dolby Vision, HDR 10, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 8100 (5nm)
- CPU: Octa-core:
– 4x Cortex-A78 (2.85 GHz)
– 4x Cortex-A55 (2.0 GHz) - GPU: Mali-G610 MC6
- RAM: Up to 8GB LPPDDR5 RAM
- Storage: up to 128GB UFS 3.1 storage
- OS: Android 12-based MIUI 13
- Rear Camera: Triple
– 64MP primary lens
– 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens
– 2MP macro lens - Selfie Camera: 16MP
- Battery: 5080mAh with 67W fast charging
- Connectivity: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, IR
- Audio: Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, 3.5mm jack, X-axis linear motor
- Colors: Black, Silver, Blue
Redmi K50i Review:
Here, what I really like about Xiaomi and Poco is that for the past 3-4 years, they have been continuously bringing in powerful gaming phones at a relatively affordable price. We first saw this back in 2018 with the launch of the Poco F1, and then the Poco X3 Pro last year. And in 2022, we have the Redmi K50i, which also goes by the name Poco X4 GT in other parts of the world.
Also, what’s great to see with every iteration is how Xiaomi is improving them. Not just on the gaming front but also in other aspects. This makes these phones attractive not just to a niche audience like gamers, but to the general users as well! But first, let’s go over the highlight of the Redmi K50i in this review—its performance.
Gaming
- MediaTek Dimensity 8100 (5nm)
- Up to 8GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Up to 256GB UFS 3.1 storage
Here, on top of Dimensity 8100 SoC, Xiaomi also offered flagship-grade LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage on the phone. With all this, the Redmi K50i simply offers the best performance per dollar in its class. Just take a look at these benchmark scores; the K50i has way better performance than any other smartphone in a similar price range.
| Redmi K50i | Dimensity 8100 | OnePlus Nord 2T | Dimensity 1300 | Galaxy A33 5G | Exynos 1280 | ||
| Antutu v9 | 734,365 | 604,467 | 394,918 | |
| Geekbench | Single-core | 917 | 491 | 742 |
| Multi-core | 3719 | 2790 | 1900 | |
And it directly translates into gaming performance too. Titles like Genshin Impact which take a toll on the GPU can run at the highest of settings. Here, the K50i was able to achieve a stable 30fps on average with 96% stability.
Under this, you’ll find the phone getting slightly warm near the camera module. But the Liquid Cooling 2.0 solution of K50i does a pretty good job of maintaining the thermals. After 30-35 minutes into the game, we graphed the CPU and battery temperatures climb to 43ºC and 40ºC, respectively.
To further check its sustained performance, we also ran a 20-thread CPU throttling test for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 hour. Despite these demanding conditions, the K50i was able to keep its graph green with the CPU throttled to over 90% of its maximum performance in all case scenarios. So no major throttling issues and such.
Anyways, comparatively less demanding titles like PUBG Mobile can hit up to HDR graphics and Ultra frame rates. Under this, the game is playable smoothly at 40fps with 100% stability. But I know most of us would prefer smoother gameplay, so there’s also the option to play at 90 frames per second in the Smooth graphics settings.
But, for some reason, the frame rate drops to 60fps from 90fps after just 45-50 seconds into the game. So looks like Xioami is still to make a refinement here.
Newer releases like Apex Legends can also yield a stable 60fps gameplay in Normal graphics and Ultra Framerate. Since the smartphone also supports a high refresh rate of 144Hz I also played a few 120fps games. Injustice 2 is well playable at 120fps. But Critical Ops—which is also a 120fps-ready game—is restricted to just 60fps here.
Performance
Aside from gaming, the Redmi K50i is also a reliable device for your everyday tasks. The 6/128GB variant of the phone that I have with me has no issues regarding memory management. So you can expect a great multitasking experience on this device.
The experience gets even better with the well-optimized Android 12-based MIUI 13 interface. The UI experience is similar to that of other Xiaomi and Poco phones. But most importantly, I haven’t faced any software-related issues here, which is something Xiaomi phones are most prone to. Further sweetening the deal is the fact that K50i is guaranteed to receive 2 years of platform and 3 years of security updates.
Display
- 6.6-inch Full HD+ FFS LCD
- 144Hz refresh/ 270Hz touch sampling rate
Besides sheer performance, another thing that’s great about this device is its display. The K50i has a 144Hz screen with a 270Hz touch sampling rate, which results in a smooth scrolling experience and precise touch response. Plus you also get a 7-stage refresh rate support, which allows the display to switch between different refresh rate stages based on the content on the screen. But what’s great here is the quality of the screen itself.
Don’t get confused, it’s still an IPS LCD display. But Redmi has used what it calls a Liquid FFS or fringe-field switching technology that brings advantages like enhanced image quality, and wide viewing angle. From my usage, I can certainly assure you that this screen can reproduce great colors. Sometimes I even forget that this is an LCD panel while watching content on YouTube—it’s that good!
Along with that, there is Dolby Vision and HDR10 support as well. And it works perfectly fine on Netflix and other OTT platforms, so watching movies and series have been a slightly better experience. It’s not a big difference per se, but it is noticeable if you ask me.
Audio and Haptics
- Stereo speakers
- X-axis linear motor
But something that could’ve been a bit better in the K50i is its speakers. No, Xiaomi did not cut corners by including a mono speaker. The phone does have a stereo speaker setup that can get loud enough to complement your movie-binging experience.
However, its overall sound quality lacks the amount of depth I’m used to when listening to music on Spotify. Luckily you get a 3.5mm headphone jack to plug in your wired earphones.
Also, I’m really satisfied with the haptics on the Redmi K50i. Here, you get an X-axis vibration motor which feels pretty crisp and precise when you type on the screen—just the way I like it.
Design
- 8.87mm thickness, 200gm weight
- Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Now, design-wise, Xiaomi has given some good color options with the Redmi K50i. I like the Phantom Blue color among the available options, which is why I got this one. What I appreciate about this shade is that the back panel has this nice gradient effect that adds to the premium-ness of the device. And even with such a reflective finish, it doesn’t catch any fingerprints or smudges.
Of course, this is all plastic material, as we’re used to on a mid-range smartphone. But despite having a plastic build, the K50i is a bit heavier and thick phone. So it did take me a couple of days to get used to this form factor. After a while though, it gets quite comfortable on the hands—thanks to its ergonomic design. And its weight distribution is also even across the chassis, so that’s nice too.
Few Flaws
Yet, there are some flaws in its design. The most concerning of all is the placement of the SIM tray next to the microphone. There were a couple of instances where I accidentally inserted the SIM ejector pin into the microphone hole.
Xiaomi could have easily shifted the SIM tray to the left frame of the device instead. So in uncertain conditions, there are chances that you might damage this bottom microphone.
Next, the K50i lacks an official IP certification. Xiaomi has kind of democratized IP rating even in its budget phones, so I was expecting an official IP certification on the K50i as well. Sadly it misses out on this.
The company did make up for it with rubber seals on the SIM tray. But that does not give the same level of confidence to use it in wet conditions as an official IP rating would. On a positive note, Xiaomi has protected the front of the device with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Cameras
- Triple cameras
- (64MP primary + 8MP wide + 2MP macro)
- 16MP front camera
In this Redmi K50i review, let’s talk about cameras now. It’s one of those areas where I was skeptical about K50i’s outcome since a great performance often comes at a cost of below-par cameras. But I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the K50i can capture decent—if not great—pictures.
Normal
As you can see, the K50i can click some good images in well-lit conditions. The contrast is a bit high in general, but the photos still have a good amount of detail.
I also compared its cameras to the Realme 9 Pro+, and with the flagship-grade Sony sensor, Realme images have better HDR and dynamic range in some difficult situations.
Ultrawide
This is also true in ultrawide shots, and Realme photos have slightly better details. But it’s something I would not nitpick on a performance-centric phone.
Portrait
Now, the portrait is the one area where the K50i delivers strictly average results. For some reason, it turns the skin tone reddish, which looks quite unnatural.
Realme, on the other hand, maintains a good skin tone with better exposure maintenance.
Selfies
The selfies on the Redmi K50i did not impress me either. The reddish skin tone can also be seen in the selfies, and this time the photos are a bit contrasty too.
In general, the Redmi K50i struggles to maintain a good color tone when taking pictures of human subjects—whether it’s from the front or back camera. So, this is one area in which the company could improve with the next OTA update.
Nighttime
Moreover, Realme’s default images at night are also comparatively better than K50i’s, especially in low-light scenarios, thanks to its OIS-backed cameras.
But in well-lit conditions, even the Redmi K50i can take good photos with a balanced exposure. Still, there is some noise in the photos which eventually improves in the night mode. And, the details and sharpness get better as well.
Videos
As for the videos, both smartphones can record up to 4K@30fps videos. Even though Realme does not utilize its OIS module for stabilization in this mode, its videos are still more stable than the K50i.
You can achieve better stability with the steady video mode in K50i but it lowers the resolution to 1080p. Even so, the colors and contrast look better from the Realme 9 Pro+.
Similarly, for selfie video, neither of the phones offers 4K recording from the front cameras. But despite being a camera-centric phone, Realme doesn’t even provide a 1080p 60fps mode which is present on the K50i. Yet, I did find its field of view to be a bit narrower and it also struggles to maintain exposure in the background. The overall video stabilization is pretty decent though.
Battery
- 5000mAh battery
- 67W fast charging
Finally, talking about its battery backup, Redmi K50i is an easy one-day smartphone. With my routine activities, I was able to get 7-7.5 hours of screen-on time. And charging this thing is pretty efficient too since it gets juiced up via a fast 67W adapter. It charges from 0 to 50% in just 18 minutes, and a full charge takes about 50 minutes.
Redmi K50i Review: Conclusion
So, after using the Redmi K50i for the time period of this review, for the most part, I am really satisfied with it. The K50i is undoubtedly a treat for gamers looking for a reliable performer under Rs. 30,000. But, even if you choose it as your everyday smartphone, I am certain that it will satisfy you with its overall performance.
I find most reviewers complaining about the lack of AMOLED display, but I didn’t find it a deal-breaker by any means; especially considering that it’s such a nice display. Plus, despite being a performance-centric smartphone, the K50i’s primary camera can click decent photos. So I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable smartphone for everyday use.
Despite being an excellent gaming smartphone, the Redmi K50i, or say the Poco X4 GT, is yet to be released in Nepal. Xiaomi recently launched the 12 Lite in Nepal as the country’s $300 import ban nears its end. As a result, the company might also be planning to launch the Redmi K50i here (we hope so). When Xiaomi brings it to Nepal, we hope the price remains as competitive as the Indian market.
Redmi K50i Review: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good LCD display
- Nice haptics
- Optimized MIUI 13
- Reliable primary camera
- Good battery life
Cons:
- Below-average portraits and selfies
- No IP rating
- Speakers don’t sound full
Samsung announces 990 PRO NVMe SSD with 55% performance gains
Samsung Semiconductor division today announced the 990 PRO NVMe SSD, which is based on PCIe 4.0. The high-performance SSD is optimized for gaming as well as other demanding tasks such as rendering, video editing, and data analysis. Let’s take a look at the Samsung 990 PRO SSD alongside its specs, features, availability, and expected price in Nepal.
Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSD Overview:
The new 990 PRO is one of the best consumer-grade SSD from Samsung. It offers the highest speed available currently via a PCIe 4.0 interface.
The SSD is rated for sequential read speeds up to 7,450 megabytes per second (MB/s) and write speeds up to 6,900 MB/s. On the other hand, the random read and write speeds come in at up to 1,400K and 1,550K IOPS, respectively. According to Samsung, the 990 PRO performs 55% better than its last-gen 980 PRO.
Power Efficiency and Cooling
The Samsung 990 PRO is built on a low-power architecture and provides 50% more power efficiency compared to its predecessor. Moreover, the heatsink version of the SSD offers additional cooling and an in-built RGB for aesthetics.
- Also Read:
As Triple-A games continue to grow in size and complexity, fast SSDs become an integral part of an immersive gaming experience. And, the Samsung 990 PRO aims to provide just that.
The SSD was able to reduce map loading time to just 1 second on Forspokem, an unreleased RPG game from Luminous Productions. At the same time, a SATA SSD loaded the same map in 4 seconds and an HDD took 28 seconds.
Samsung 990 Pro NVMe SSD Specs:
| Samsung 990 PRO | 990 PRO HS | |||
| Interface | PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0 | ||
| Form Factor | M.2 (2280) | ||
| Storage Memory | Samsung V-NAND 3-bit TLC | ||
| Controller | Samsung in-house controller | ||
| Capacity | 1TB | 2TB | 4TB |
| DRAM | 1GB LPDDR4 | 2GB LPDDR4 | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Sequential Read/Write Speed | Up to 7,450 MB/s, Up to 6,900 MB/s | ||
| Random Read/Write Speed (QD32) | Up to 1,400K IOPS, Up to 1,550K IOPS | ||
| Management Software | Samsung Magician Software | ||
| Data Encryption | AES 256-bit Full Disk Encryption, TCG/Opal V2.0, Encrypted Drive (IEEE1667) |
||
| Total Bytes Written | 600TB | 1200TB | 2400TB |
| Warranty | Five-year Limited Warranty | ||
Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSD Price in Nepal & Availability
According to Samsung, the 990 PRO will be available for purchase starting in October. The 1TB model and 2TB will cost USD 179 and USD 309 respectively. The price of the 4TB model is currently not known as it is scheduled to release next year. We expect the Samsung 990 PRO SSD to cost around NPR 25,699 for the 1TB storage variant.
| Samsung 990 PRO SSD | Price (Official) | Price in Nepal (Expected) |
| 1TB | USD 179 | Rs. 25,999 |
| 2TB | USD 309 | Rs. 43,999 |
- Meanwhile, check out our long-term review of the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
Fitbit Versa 4 launched with minor improvements over Versa 3
Two years after Google acquired Fitbit, the good ol’ wearable brand is back in the market with Sense 2 and Versa 4. The latter is a mid-range smartwatch that is largely similar to its predecessor with a few minor differences. So let’s get into the Fitbit Versa 4 specifications, features, availability, and expected price in Nepal.
Fitbit Versa 4 Overview:
Design
Visually, the Versa 4 looks very similar to its predecessor, but Fitbit has made a few changes in the design. It still has an aluminum housing, but it is 15% lighter and 10% thinner than its predecessor, making it the lightest and thinnest iteration in the Versa line.
The Versa 4, like most Fitbit smartwatches on the market, comes in a variety of color options. It is available in three shades: graphite aluminum with a black strap, platinum aluminum with a blue strap, and copper rose aluminum with a rosewater strap.
- Meanwhile, checkout all the prices and specs of fitbit smartwatches
Additionally, the haptic button from the previous model has been replaced with a more tactile mechanical one. The buttons are also brought up to make them easier to reach. As for the screen, it’s an AMOLED panel with AOD support.
- Also Read:
Features
In terms of workouts, the Versa 4 has 40 of them baked into it—up from 20 on Versa 3—including new ones like CrossFit, dance, skiing, and HIIT. There’s also a GPS module built in that allows you to track your pace and routes while jogging or running.
It also provides a Stress Management Score based on heart rate data, heart rate variability, sleep, and physical activity. You can also use it in open water or a pool as it can withstand a 50-meter deep dive.
Software
While the health-related features are similar to those of the Versa 3, the Versa 4 does introduce some new UI changes. It’s still Fitbit’s native skin, not WearOS, but it now has WearOS-inspired Tiles for customizable widgets. Unfortunately, this is only available for first-party apps.
There are also a few ‘Coming Soon’ Google features, such as Google Wallet and Google Maps. On-Wrist Bluetooth calls will also be available soon, allowing users to leave voicemails for callers since the wearable has both a speaker and a microphone.
Battery
Moreover, Fitbit claims the Versa 4 will stay up and running for up to 6 days on a single charge. Also, the smartwatch can get juiced up for one day in just 12 minutes of charging.
Fitbit Versa 4 Specifications:
- Dimensions: 38.1 x 38.1 x 11.43mm
- Materials: Aluminum case
- Strap:
Small Strap: 140-180mm
Large Strap: 180-220mm - Water resistance: 5ATM
- Display: Touchscreen AMOLED
- Charge time (0-100%): ~120 minutes
- Sensors: Device temperature sensor, Multi-path, optical heart rate sensor, Built-in GPS + GLONASS, SpO2 sensor, Altimeter, 3-axis accelerometer, Ambient light sensor
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth
- Audio: Speaker, Microphone
- Compatibility: Android 10 or newer iOS 13.3 or newer
- Battery: 6+ days Lithium-polymer battery
- Colors: Black/Graphite aluminum, Waterfall Blue/Platinum aluminum, Pink Sand/Copper Rose aluminum, Beet Juice/Copper Rose aluminum
Fitbit Versa 4 Price in Nepal and Availability
The Versa 4 costs USD 229 and is currently available for pre-order from fitbit.com. If and when the Fitbit Versa 4 is released in Nepal, we expect it to cost NPR 35,000.
| Smartwatch | Price in the US | Price in Nepal (expected) |
| Fitbit Versa 4 | USD 229 | NPR 35,000 |
- Meanwhile, check out our review of the Fitbit Versa 3.
Fitbit Sense 2 goes official with all-day stress monitoring, 40 sports mode
Almost two years after its launch, Fitbit Sense now has a successor of its own. The new Fitbit Sense 2 is a premium smartwatch with the company’s most advanced health and fitness tracking feature. In this article, we will discuss the key specs, features, expected price, and availability of the Fitbit Sense 2 in Nepal.
Fitbit Sense 2 Overview:
Design
As with all the launches under the “fall lineup,” most of the changes on the Sense 2 are internal. So, the design of Sense 2 has remained the same as the original Sense. Fitbit does claim its latest premium fitness tracker is both 10% slimmer and 15% lighter than its predecessor.
- Meanwhile, checkout all the prices and specs of fitbit smartwatches
Much of it comes from Fitbit’s decision to integrate the sensor directly onto the display rather than on the back. Fitbit has devised a unique technique that turns metal electrodes into vapor for the same.
Moreover, Fitbit Sense 2 replaces the solid-state button with a mechanical one. The company has even raised it a little, so it’s easier to reach. Likewise, the strap attachment has also been raised for added comfort.
Continuous Stress Tracking
The main highlight of the Fitbit Sense 2 is the new continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor. The sensor detects stress by analyzing the electrical conductivity of the skin. A similar sensor was introduced with the original Sense, but with the Sense 2, Fitbit has added the option to continuously track the stress throughout the day.
Fit Sense 2 uses the data from the cEDA, along with other health metrics like heart rate, heart rate variability, and skin temperature to give users a better understanding of their stress levels, stress triggers, and ways to manage them.
- Also Read:
Health/Fitness Tracking
With its ECG sensor, Fitbit Sense 2 can also detect symptoms of atrial fibrillation, but its availability varies by region. Another feature that is region-restricted is the blood glucose tracking through the app. Furthermore, Fitbit Sense 2 can track your sleep automatically and assign you sleep scores and a sleep animal based on your sleep profile.
Fitbit Sense 2 even doubles the number of supported exercises to 40. It has a built-in GPS to track your movement precisely. Also, there is automatic exercise detection for select workout modes.
Software
Interestingly, despite being owned by Google, none of the new Fitbit smartwatches (Sense 2 included) come with Wear OS. They still run on the Fitbit UI. That being said, the new Fitbit UI now comes with Tiles and an app drawer that clearly takes inspiration from the Wear OS.
Additionally, Fitbit has promised support for Google Maps and contact-less payment through Google Wallet. There is no mention of Google’s Voice Assistant, though Alexa is built-in.
Battery Life and Charging
Coming to the battery, Fitbit Sense 2 boasts 6 days of endurance on regular usage. It even has support for fast charging. As per the company, you will get a day’s worth of battery with just 12 minutes of plugging in.
Fitbit Sense 2 Specifications:
- Body: 1.5L x 1.5W x 0.45H-inches
- Band:
- Small: 5.5 – 7.1″ wrist
- Large: 7.1 – 8.7″ wrist
- Display: 1.58-inch AMOLED, Always-on Display (AoD)
- Audio: Microphone, Speaker
- Battery Backup: Up to 6 days
- Compatibility: iOS | Android
- Companion App: Fitbit (Android | iOS)
- Water Resistant: 5ATM (up to 50m)
- Features: continuous stress monitoring, 24/7 heart rate tracking, sleep stages & sleep score, Active Zone Minutes, all-day activity tracking, 40 goal-based exercise modes, workout intensity map, sleep mode, guided breathing sessions, menstrual health tracking, etc.
- Colors: Shadow Grey/ Graphite Aluminum, Lunar White/ Platinum Aluminum, Blue Mist / Soft Gold Aluminum
Fitbit Sense 2 Price in Nepal and Availability (Expected)
You can now pre-order Fitbit Sense 2 in the US via fitbit.com for USD 229.95. The watch also comes with 6 months of free Fitbit Premium subscription. We expect the price of Fitbit Sense 2 to be NPR 43,499 when it launches in Nepal.
| Smartwatch Model | Price in the US (Official) | Price in Nepal (Expected) |
| Fitbit Sense 2 | USD 229.95 | NPR 43,499 |
- Meanwhile, check out our review of the Fitbit Versa 3.
Acer Aspire 5 2022 Review: The (Almost) Perfect Student Laptop!
The Aspire 5 from Acer has always been popular among students, officers, and anyone looking for reliable performance on a budget. The 2022 iteration of the laptop is among the cheapest 12th Gen Intel laptops that you can buy right now in Nepal. So, is this laptop for you? Let’s find out in this review of the Acer Aspire 5 (2022).
Before we begin the review, let’s take a quick look at what the Acer Aspire 5 (2022) offers in terms of specifications.
Acer Aspire 5 2022 (A515-57) Specifications:
- Design & Build: Aluminum lid/plastic chassis, 362.9W x 237.8D x 17.90-mm, 1.77 kg
- Display: 15.6-inch IPS panel, Acer Comfyview (matte)
- Resolution: FHD (1920 × 1080 pixels)
- Keyboard: Chiclet keys
- Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 (Expandable up to 32GB)
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD (expandable up to 512GB)
- Connectivity: WiFi 6E AX201, Bluetooth 5.2
- I/O Ports: 3x USB Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1x combo audio jack, 1x RJ45, 1x HDMI
- Battery: 50Wh battery, 65W AC power adapter
- What’s inside the box: Laptop, power adapter, quick start guide
- Price: Rs. 92,000
The variant that I tested has the Intel Core i5-1235U with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. It retails for around NPR 92,000. If you want something even cheaper, there is also the Core i3 variant, but I decided to skip that one. That’s because not only was I looking for an affordable laptop, but also something that would age better and one that could handle some office work without any hiccup.
Acer Aspire 5 2022 (A515-57) Review:
- 362.9W x 237.8D x 17.90-mm, 1.77 kg
- Aluminum lid, plastic chassis
Design
Okay, let’s start with the design side of things. When it comes to budget laptops, a lot of brands tend to cut corners here, and Acer looks to be no exception. This plastic chassis with an aluminum-clad lid is reminiscent of the Aspire 5 (2021). Acer has changed a few things here and there, like the placement of its branding on the lid and the exhaust vent, but that’s about it.
The lack of a fresh design would not have been a problem if Acer had worked on strengthening the existing design though. As things stand, the Aspire 5 (2022) feels a little clumsy, even for a budget laptop.
Keyboard Flex
Its keyboard deck also has a lot more flex than I’d like. Then again, this is something you should be able to overlook since the flex is hardly noticeable when typing in real life. The keys feel a little mushy—yes—but it’s nothing I can’t live with.
Sadly, my unit doesn’t offer backlighting, while there are other models of the Aspire 5 (2022) with a backlit keyboard. So, if you’re someone who works at night or in a dimly lit room a lot, this is something you should know.
But what I appreciate is that Acer has given a dedicated Numpad here, which is getting harder to find even on 15 or 16” Ultrabooks these days!
That aside, I’m pretty impressed with this trackpad. It’s relatively large and responsive, and I also did not have any problem with gestures here. But just like the keyboard backlighting, my unit of the Aspire 5 doesn’t include a fingerprint reader either.
Display
- 15.6″ non-touch matte FHD panel
- 45% NTSC, 200 nits of brightness
Now, before I talk about its display, I gotta address this rather alarming issue. While that keyboard deck flex is pretty dismissable, I simply can’t ignore the gap between the screen and the plastic bezel. It’s likely that in the long run, dust and similar small debris can accumulate there, which could cause some damage to the screen.
As expected, the actual quality of this 15.6” screen is average at best. I mean, it’s not the brightest or the most vibrant display out there, but I had no trouble using it indoors for things like editing documents or streaming YouTube videos.
However, if you’re into graphic design and stuff, then you’ll want to look elsewhere because the Aspire 5 (2022) color coverage is too low. Also, the low contrast ratio and poor viewing angles of my unit make me believe it’s a TN panel, so watch out for that as well.
One more thing. Acer has still used a 16:9 aspect ratio here, at a time when 16:10 displays are getting common even on budget laptops.
I’m not suggesting this is a dealbreaker or anything, but that tiny bit of extra vertical screen space makes quite a difference if you’re a programmer who has to review long lines of codes or just someone who does a lot of reading.
Webcam, Speaker
Its bezels on the Aspire 5 (2022) are also pretty thick and the one on the top houses an HD webcam, whose quality is fine for an entry-level laptop I’d say—especially when you’re in a well-lit room.
And the bottom-firing speakers are good enough for binging Netflix or casually listening to music, but nothing too fancy. I would have also liked it more if it got a little louder but budget laptops aren’t known for their outstanding audio anyway.
Performance
- Intel Core i5-1235U CPU (10C/12T, up to 4.4GHz)
- Integrate Intel Xe graphics (80 EU)
- 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Okay, let me now talk about the most exciting aspect of the Aspire 5 2022, which is definitely the performance. Compared to the Core i5-1135G7 on its predecessor, the new 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U CPU brings significant improvements.
First and foremost, it introduces a hybrid architecture with two performance cores with hyperthreading and eight efficiency cores, taking the total core count to 10. In contrast, the i5-1135G7 is just a 4-cores / 8-threads CPU.
And as you can see from these Cinebench results, the generational performance gap is night and day—with around 22% higher single-core and a massive 77% higher multi-core score on Cinebench R23. It even outshines the new M2-powered MacBook Air in the single-core test!
Benchmarks aside, the Acer Aspire 5 is no slouch in real-life performance as well. I had no problem carrying out my regular office chores on this thing, which includes writing and editing scripts alongside multiple Chrome tabs opened at once. Even when adding Photoshop into the mix for some light editing, I never encountered stutters or any kinds of slow-downs.
I believe this can also be a good option for college students getting into the world of programming. I was pretty impressed with the fluidity of this laptop when running some small C# projects on Visual Studio 2022.
Upgradeability
But if you are serious about coding, I’ll recommend using the extra SO-DIMM slot to upgrade the RAM from 8 to 16GB, since IDEs like Visual Code are known to be memory hoarders. And let’s be honest, you will have multiple Stack Overflow tabs open in the background most of the time as well, so you’re gonna want that additional RAM.
Gaming Performance
On the other hand, I’m equally impressed with the cooling system of Aspire 5 (2022). The laptop never really got hot in my daily usage and I did not even hear the fan kick in until I tried playing some games. But since this guy does not have a dedicated graphics card, I restricted the gaming test to a few CPU-bound games at low settings only.
On CS: GO, it managed 84.4 fps on average with 36 fps 1% low. I did notice a few stutters here and there, but that didn’t impact the gameplay by a lot. Same thing on Valorant with the average and 1% low fps hitting 92 and 55.8 respectively. I also played FIFA 22 here which ran at a consistent 60 fps on average.
So yeah, the Aspire 5 (2022) can handle some lightweight games, but don’t expect anything more.
Okay, while the Aspire 5 remains cool enough under regular usage, its cooling system shows its limits when gaming. After three back-to-back sessions of Valorant, I recorded the surface temperature around the WASD keys at 40°C.
Acer’s dual-fan setup directly opens to the bottom right portion of the screen, and that area gets as hot as 48°C under continuous gaming sessions. This gives me yet another reason to fear for the display’s safety in the long run!
Battery and Charging
- 3-cell 50Wh Li-ion
- 65W AC power adapter (round-pin)
On to the battery now, the Aspire 5 (2022) comes with a 50Wh cell, which lasted me around 5 hours on average. I mostly used it under the Performance mode using the Function+F shortcut, and you can get slightly longer screen-on-time under the Silent or Normal profiles.
The laptop fuels up through a traditional 65W round-pin charger that comes in the box. But you can avoid the hassle of carrying it around for a more compact PD charger instead since it has a Thunderbolt 4 port. You can even use it to connect to an external monitor if required.
Ports and Connectivity
- Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Apart from this, there are three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, one HDMI, an ethernet port, and a Kensington lock slot. As for wireless connectivity, it even supports the latest WiFi 6E standard, but of course, you’ll also need a WiFi 6E compatible router to make the most out of it. Then there is the usual stuff like Bluetooth 5.1 to connect wireless peripherals.
Acer Aspire 5 (A515-57) 2022 Review: Conclusion
Okay, that brings me to the end of this review. I believe it’s an easy recommendation for students or freshers who are looking for a reliable daily driver on a budget.
First and foremost, the Intel Core i5-1235U CPU brings significant performance gains over its predecessor. And things like Thunderbolt 4 and WiFi 6E are hard to find on a 600-dollar laptop too. You can even upgrade the memory down the line in case your workflow ever gets more intense.
But that’s not to say it is without flaws—especially in terms of the build quality and display. You can definitely find last-gen laptops with better specs in this regard, but that means they miss out on that sweet-sweet 12th Gen power.
- Watch our review of the Acer Aspire 5 (2022).
Acer Aspire 5 2021 (A514) Review: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 12th Gen performance on a budget
- Rich connectivity options
- Options for future upgrades
- Decent battery life
Cons:
- Dismal build quality
- Dull display panel
- Speakers are not great
Blackview’s new tablet offers internet connectivity without WiFi or SIM
Blackview is not a new name in the Android smartphone market. The company is best known for its rugged devices. Yet, it recently released a tablet, called the Tab 13 which provides internet connectivity without the use of WiFi or a SIM card. So, let’s get into the specs, features, availability, and expected price of the Blackview Tab 13 in Nepal.
Blackview Tab 13 Overview:
Internet without WiFi?
So the most interesting feature of the Tab 13 is its ability to access the internet without a working WiFi or SIM. For this, Blackview has partnered with SIMO, a leading network operator, that provides internet coverage without SIM or WiFi.
To use it, users must first register in the SIMO app or website and purchase a package that meets their needs. While SIMO coverage is available in over 135 countries, users in the EU, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Japan can currently only use this service.
- Also Read:
Performance
Anyways, the tablet is powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 chipset and 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM. It does, however, have a slower eMMC memory protocol and comes in a sole 128GB of storage.
Software-wise, it is pre-loaded with Android 12-based Doke OS P 3.0. There’s even a PC mode that allows you to use the tablet as a replacement for your desktop computer. It can also be paired with an external keyboard magnetically.
All of this is fueled by a 7280mAh battery that, according to the manufacturer, can provide 5.5 hours of continuous gaming.
Design, Display
The Tab 13 has a 10.1-inch display with Full HD+ resolution and 300 nits of brightness. The display is certified by TUV Rheinland for low blue light and there’s even a 16:10 aspect ratio to improve your content streaming experience. Likewise, you get a dual-speaker setup for audio.
Furthermore, the tablet has a boxy design with a matte finish on the back. The rear panel also has a protruded module that houses a dual camera setup of a 13MP primary and 0.3MP auxiliary lens. Similarly, for selfies, there is an 8MP camera on the front.
Blackview Tab 13 Specifications:
- Display: 10.1-inch IPS LCD panel, Full HD, 300 nits
- Chipset: MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm)
- Memory:6GB LPDDR4X RAM, 128GB eMMC 5.1
- Rear Camera: Dual (13MP Primary, 0.3MP Secondary)
- Front Camera: 8MP
- Audio: Dual speakers
- Battery: 7,280mAh
- Security: Face unlock
- Colors: Lunar Silver, Twilight Blue, Space Grey
Blackview Tab 13 Price in Nepal and Availability
Tab 13 is available for purchase for USD 150. But you can get it for USD 133.99 through Blackview’s limited promotional offer here. If the Blackview Tab 13 ever makes it to Nepal, we expect it to cost around NPR 23,000.
| Tablet | Price (Official) | Price in Nepal (Expected) |
| Blackview Tab 13 | USD 150 | NPR 23,000 |
- Meanwhile, check out our review of the Realme Pad Mini.
OnePlus Nord N20 SE Review: The Bad, The Worse And The Ugly
In this review, I’ll be discussing the latest budget phone from OnePlus, the Nord N20 SE. This is the cheapest OnePlus phone that you can buy on the market right now. And what’s happening with OnePlus lately is that they are expanding their smartphone portfolio. If you are someone who’s into tech, you probably know this already.
They have evolved from making premium to mid-range and even budget devices now. And amidst this evolution, OnePlus is becoming more like OPPO, and this phone is a prime example of how the company is changing its strategy.
OnePlus Nord N20 SE Specifications:
- Body: 75.03 x 163.74 x 7.99mm, 187gm
- Display: 6.56-inches IPS LCD, 60Hz refresh rate, DC dimming
- Resolution: HD+ (1612 x 720 pixels), 269 PPI, 20.1:9 aspect ratio
- Chipset: MediaTek Helio G35 4G (12nm)
- CPU: Octa-core:
– 4x Cortex-A53 (2.30 GHz)– 4x Cortex-A53 (1.80 GHz)
- GPU: PowerVR IMG GE8320
- Memory: 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB eMMC 5.1 storage (expandable)
- Software & UI: Android 12 with OxygenOS 12.1 on top
- Rear Camera: Dual (with LED flash);
– 50MP, f/1.8 primary sensor
– 2MP, f/2.2 depth sensor - Front Camera: 8MP, f/2.0 sensor (teardrop notch)
- Audio: Stereo speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face unlock
- Sensors: Accelerometer, Geomagnetic, Gravity, Light, Proximity
- Connectivity: Dual-SIM (Nano), WiFi 5 a/b/g/n/ac (Dual-band), Bluetooth 5.3, GPS / AGPS / Galileo / Glonass / QZSS / BDS, USB Type-C, 4G LTE (VoLTE)
- Battery: 5000mAh with 33W fast charging (33W power adapter provided)
- Color Options: Celestial Black, Blue Oasis
- What’s Inside The Box: Nord N20 SE, SIM ejector, USB-A to USB-C cable, Protective case, User manual and other documents
- Price in Nepal: Rs. 23,499 (4/64GB)
OnePlus Nord N20 SE Review:
We knew OnePlus to be a brand that sold only flagship devices at very competitive prices. But in 2020 they entered the mid-range segment with the Nord series.
That very Nord series has also started catering to the budget segment now. And honestly, I am not particularly thrilled about this change.
OnePlus is losing its brand identity
We already have seen a few mid-range offerings in the Nord lineup like the OnePlus Nord CE 2 and Nord CE 2 Lite this year, which, weren’t the best-in-class devices. But they were still decent devices, so I didn’t step back when recommending them.
But this phone, the OnePlus Nord N20 SE, has very uninspiring specs and is ridiculously priced too. It comes with the 3-year-old MediaTek Helio G35 chipset, an HD display, and a dual camera setup with no ultra-wide lens! All for which the company is asking $199 in the global market and some Rs. 23,500 here in Nepal. At this price, the Nord N20 SE does not make any sense.
An OPPO rebrand
- 75.03 x 163.74 x 7.9 9mm, 187 grams
- Glass front, Plastic back/frames
Now, this is a phone that is targeted toward the offline market. And the funny thing is that it’s the exact replica of the OPPO A77 4G that was recently launched in Nepal, India, and other parts of the world. Since it’s a rebranded OPPO phone, you can its design is really good, which is exactly what OPPO is known for.
So, it looks like OnePlus’ new strategy for budget phones isn’t to sell them at competitive specs and competitive pricing, which is what they are known for. At this point, they are just selling their brand name.
Yes, we as tech reviewers have criticized OnePlus a lot lately because of the whole OnePlus-OPPO merger. But what I have found is that OnePlus still has an excellent brand image in the eyes of general consumers. And I think OnePlus is taking advantage of that with this phone.
I mean, look at the design, it looks pretty amazing. And it is really well built too with this boxy form factor.
Honestly, this does not look like a budget phone at all! The design has a very modern approach with a matte finish and these camera modules complement the overall aesthetics as well. So, when someone goes to an offline mobile store and the shopkeeper shows him this phone, he will definitely be in awe of the OnePlus Nord N20 SE. I would too.
Beyond mediocre display
- 6.56-inches HD+ IPS LCD panel
- 60Hz refresh rate
- No Gorilla Glass protection
But internally, this phone has crappy specs for the price. Just look at the display, it has an HD+ resolution, which is not even AMOLED. And it refreshes at just 60Hz. If you look at the competition, they offer a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, AMOLED screen, and a Full HD resolution.
In some cases, you even get an in-display fingerprint sensor! But here, the display quality is just NOT upto the standard. Plus, there’s also the outdated waterdrop notch here! So, the Nord N20 SE feels like you are using a budget phone from 2018.
Sluggish performance
- Octa-core MediaTek Helio G35 4G SoC (12nm)
- 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB eMMC 5.1 storage (expandable)
- Android 12 with OxygenOS 12.1 on top
Now, I started using this phone a few days back and I have installed a few of my regular apps here. And it already feels sluggish.
So yeah, it does not even feel like you are using a OnePlus phone here. I also tried playing PUBG on this thing and guess what? It’s not playable at all! I think for the price, this is the worst value for money performing phone right now!
Sub-par cameras
- Dual camera setup at the back
- (50MP main, 2MP depth)
- 8MP selfie camera (teardrop notch)
I have also clicked some pictures with the OnePlus Nord N20 SE and you can see that they are not very inspiring. And its dual camera setup is completed by a depth sensor, not an ultra-wide lens! You do get a 50MP primary lens, but Helio G35’s subpar image processor has surely contributed to producing average results.
Even selfies and videography-wise, it is not very impressive. I think, at this price range, getting phones like Redmi Note 11, Galaxy F23, or Realme 9, you will get a much, much better camera, compared to the OnePlus Nord N20 SE.
One silver lining, the battery
- 5000mAh battery with 33W charging
In terms of battery, you get a standard 5000mAh battery with 33W charging which other brands also provide. And with such a low-powered processor and HD+ screen, you can expect very good battery life from this phone though!
OnePlus Nord N20 SE Review: Conclusion
So wrapping up this review, as I said in the beginning, the OnePlus Nord N20 SE is a pretty bad offering for the price. I only have been using this phone for a day or two and even so, I simply can’t recommend it.
It is similar to what my verdict for OPPO’s budget A-series phones has always been, which is “don’t ever buy the OPPO A-series”. And this is yet another OPPO A series phone in disguise. And the sad thing is that people might be deceived into buying the Nord N20 SE based on its looks and OnePlus’ brand value.
The reality, however, is that there are much better products at similar prices out there with superior specs in almost all aspects. So, do share this review with your friends and family to prevent them from making a big mistake buying this phone!
- Watch our video review of the OnePlus Nord N20 SE
OnePlus Nord N20 SE Review: Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Attractive design
- Decent battery endurance
Cons:
- Terrible value for money
- Everything else except design and battery life
Motorola Edge (2022) launched as world’s first phone with Dimensity 1050 chip
Motorola has updated its Edge lineup with the new Motorola Edge (2022). This upper midrange phone debuted in the US and is the first smartphone to pack the Dimensity 1050 chipset. So, let’s look at the specs, features, excepted price, and availability of the Motorola Edge (2022) in Nepal.
Motorola Edge (2022) Overview:
Design and Display
Motorola has not brought drastic changes when it comes to design. Moto Edge (2022) is available in a sleek Mineral Gray color and measures 7.99mm in terms of thickness. The power button and volume rockers are on the right-hand side. Additionally, the Edge is IP52 certified.
For display, Motorola uses a 6.6″ OLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. It has a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, HDR10+ certification, and a 20:9 aspect ratio. Motorola Edge (2022) has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner instead of an in-display one that was on its predecessor.
Performance
Performance on the Motorola Edge (2022) is handled by the Dimensity 1050. As aforementioned, it is the first phone to ship with this processor. The Dimensity 1050 is based on a 6nm process and comprises two Cortex-A78 clocked at 2.5GHz, and six Cortex-A55 cores with 2.0GHz clock speed. The Mali-G610 GPU handles graphics.
On the Motorola US site, the handset is currently listed in only a single memory configuration with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Motorola also offers free 100GB of Google One storage for a year.
- Also Read:
Camera
The triple rear camera system on the Motorola Edge (2022) is led by a 50MP sensor with OIS. Accompanying the sensor is a 13MP ultrawide camera with 120-degree FoV which also doubles as a macro shooter. Finally, there is also a depth sensor. For selfies and video conferences, there is a 32MP sensor up front.
Rest of the specs
A 5,000mAh cell with up to two days of battery life powers the Motorola Edge (2022). The phone supports 30W wired and 15W wireless charging. You have a stereo speaker setup with Dolby Atmos for audio. Unfortunately, it does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
For connectivity, the Motorola Edge (2022) has mmWave 5G, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E, and GPS. It also has NFC capabilities. It, like its predecessor, only accepts a single SIM card.
Motorola Edge (2022) Specifications:
- Body: 160.86 x 74.24 x 7.99mm, 170 gm
- Display: 6.6-inch OLED, 144Hz refresh rate, HDR 10+, 10-bit, DCI-P3 color space
- Resolution: Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels)
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6nm)
- Memory: 8GB RAM, 256GB storage
- Software & UI: Android 12 with My UX
- Rear Camera: Triple; 50MP OIS, 13MP ultra-wide/macro, depth sensor
- Front Camera: 32MP (punch-hole)
- Audio: Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos
- Battery: 5000mAh with 30W fast charging, 15W Wireless
Motorola Edge (2022) Price in Nepal and Availability
The Motorola Edge (2022) is available in the USA for USD 499. The first sale will be through T-Mobile. After the promo period, the phone is said to cost USD 599. Details about global availability are yet to be revealed. We expect the Motorola Edge (2022) to be sold for around NPR 71,999 if it launches in Nepal.
| Motorola Edge (2022) | Price in USA (Official) | Price in Nepal (Expected) |
| 8/256GB | USD 499 | NPR 71,999 |
- Meanwhile, check out our review of the Motorola G52.