Daraz is back with yet another sales campaign. The online marketplace kicked off the Daraz Mall Fest on August 15 and it will last up to August 21. Users will be able to shop for products from hundreds of national and international brands with flat discounts, discount vouchers and bank discounts. In this article, we will be discussing the best tech deals up for grabs on the latest Daraz Mall Fest.
Best Tech Deals on Daraz Mall Fest
Smartphones
Xiaomi 12X
Xiaomi 12X is among the cheapest phones with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip currently on the market. The phone was initially launched at Rs. 76,999 but the price has now dropped to Rs. 71,999. You can also get a flat discount of Rs. 2,500 through the use of vouchers.
Like the Xiaomi 12X discussed above, Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is also a phone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. However, it’s a more premium offering with flagship camera features. On top of that, you are also getting a year of breakage insurance. The official price of Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is Rs. 118,998 but you can use vouchers to get Rs. 7,000 off instantly. You can even get additional discounts with pre-payment.
If you are into the Apple ecosystem, you might want to get a new iPhone. iPhone 12 is currently on sale on Daraz with a starting price of Rs. 118,900 against the market price of Rs. 120,990. It gets even more affordable with the Rs. 7000 voucher and pre-payment discount.
Apple launched the iPhone 11 back in 2019. However, it still gives newer premium Android mid-range phones run for their money even today, especially after the recent price drop. However, during the Daraz Mall Fest, you can get it for cheaper than the already-low market price.
iPads
IPads are great tools that you can use for both productivity and play. And if you are eyeing one, this might be the time. You can now get the iPad mini (6th Gen) and iPad 10.2 (9th Gen) at starting price of Rs. 54,990 and 81,990, respectively. Plus, Daraz is also offering discount vouchers of Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 4,000, respectively.
The GTR 3 Pro is Amazfit’s flagship product. It comes with all the features expected on a smartwatch and the ability to bind it to both Android and iOS products. Amazfit GTR 3 pro fluants a 1.45-inch AMOLED panel with 100 nits of peak brightness. It has 5ATM water-resistance, built-in GPS, and runs on the new ZepOS.
Amazfit GTS 2 Mini
Then there is the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini, which is targetted at more budget conscious users. It brings AMOLED screen, metal body, 5ATM water resistance, GPS tracking, and GPS tracking, all under Rs. 10,000.
Audio Accessories
Soundcore
Soundcore is the audio brand of Anker and is well known globally. It even has presence in the Nepali market, thanks to its good yet affordable products lineup.
As part of Daraz Fest Mall, the Soundcore Life P2i is now available at a discounted rate of Rs. 4,6999. The wireless earbuds come with 10mm audio drivers and two EQ modes: Bass and Podcast. It boasts battery life of up to 28 hours with the case and supports fast charging. The earbuds are IPX4 rated and features Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity.
Another Soundcore product to consider is the Life U2i wireless neckband. It is already cheap at Rs. 2,707 and use can make it more affordable with voucher and card discounts.
Mivi
Mivi is a new name in the Nepali accessory market. It’s an Indian brand founded in 2015 that focuses on value for money accessories. Mivi products to consider in this Daraz Fest Mall are Duopods F30 and Mivi Play. They are priced at Rs. 2,599 and Rs. 1,899, respectively.
In this review, I will be taking an in-depth look at the Realme Pad X. Realme’s Pad series has been home to some really good value-for-money Android tablets. Both the first-gen Realme Pad and the Pad Mini justified their value proposition perfectly. But after a couple of budget devices, Realme has stepped up its game in the tablet arena with the new Realme Pad X.
This is the first 5G tablet from the company, as well as the first one to introduce a compatible keyboard and stylus accessory. And Realme is targeting this slate towards creatives and productivity-focused users who want a tablet that can do more than just casual web surfing and multimedia consumption.
So to put that to test, I hurriedly shifted from my laptop to the Realme Pad X as soon as I got it. And lucky for me, since I was already used to Alldocube’s 2-in-1 Windows tablet, the smaller screen real estate here didn’t require much readjustment either. However, if you’re accustomed to a 15 or 16” machine, this isn’t a leap you would want to make.
Anyway, talking about the Realme Smart Keyboard, the first thing that hits the mind is that it’s quite expensive at Rs. 5,000. And I can’t say I found this thing to be that productive, to be honest. The keys themselves have nice travel distance and tactile feedback. And this is also a pretty nice keypad and a folio case 2-in-1, which means I can securely fold the tablet into a nice and secure clamshell whenever not in use. Battery life is also solid as it managed to last me a little over 10 days before requiring a fill-up.
And when you eventually need to charge it, the Type-C connector makes things rather simple. I would’ve liked it more if the folio case could position the tablet at more than one angle, but that’s not the biggest issue with this keyboard. What’s more pressing is that the Realme UI for Pad that’s baked into this tablet simply doesn’t give me the flexibility to make the most out of it.
Limited usage
I know that Android lags far behind the versatility of a Windows OS or even the iPadOS. But the very least Realme could do here is to add a desktop-like feature, similar to Samsung’s DeX or Xiaomi’s PC Mode. Android OS in itself can’t match or deliver an experience comparable to that of your regular desktop. I mean, even Realme is advertising it just for typing and a few multifunctional shortcut keys. That’s all!
Not to forget, there’s no built-in trackpad here either which means I have to carry a wireless mouse all the time. At this point, I could just switch back to my laptop and be done with it. Yeah, yeah, I could use the Realme Pencil stylus instead, I know, but… just look at this.
Hit-Or-Miss
For some reason, our unit of the stylus breaks down mid-stroke and everything you draw or sketch ends up with an uneven and unintended pattern of dotted lines. No matter what style of brush you’ve selected. So we also tried a third-party stylus from WiWu and guess what? That one worked perfectly fine!
To be fair, this doesn’t seem to be a widespread issue and I’ve seen only a handful of people mention it so far. But that still doesn’t mean Realme should get away with such poor quality control on such an expensive device. I’m pretty sure that you’d be shocked to find out that this thing costs a staggering Rs. 5,499! So yeah, if you reea….lly want a stylus to go with the Pad X, there are plenty of affordable options to shop from.
So to put my experience in nutshell, Realme’s accessories for the Pad X did not quite strike the mark for me. Besides their usability standpoint—or the lack thereof—and their hefty price tag which totals to more than half the price of the tablet is also pretty insane. And for that price and their practicality, I don’t think these accessories justify their worth.
But things take a different turn when you look at Realme Pad X as a standalone device. Without both the keyboard and the stylus to complement it. It still has that appeal for a slate that bridges the gap between casual work and play. So let’s look at it from that perspective, shall we?
Design
First off, I am quite fond of its overall heft and slim profile. It measures just 7.1mm thick and at roughly 500 grams, the tablet doesn’t feel unbearably heavy or uncomfortable to hold in hands thanks to the excellent weight distribution. But the Realme Pad X flaunts a polycarbonate build—contrary to the all-metal construction on the first-gen Realme Pad or even the cheaper Pad Mini.
So the only reason I’m guessing Realme has opted for polycarbonate material is to balance the overall weight of the device since a metal-infused build would’ve easily complicated things for an already hefty tablet.
The only letdown about this design is that it has a glossy back that catches fingerprints and smudges rather easily. So I’d recommend wrapping it around a case to avoid the hassle of cleaning the back panel every now and then. Oh, and Realme has also omitted the headphone jack here, which is a bummer.
Display
Over on the display, Realme has delivered the goods with a nearly 11-inch 2K IPS screen. Although the contrast level especially takes a slight hit in comparison to OLED panels, everything from color reproduction to their vibrancy looks real good on this display.
And this tablet has also secured Widevine L1 certification for HD playback on your favorite OTT platforms. Plus, something that wonderfully complements your streaming experience is the Dolby Atmos tuned quad-speaker setup.
The Realme Pad X has hands-down the best-sounding speakers in the lineup. It gets fairly loud and it can maintain a nice separation between vocals and instruments to let you almost hear every nuance in the tune.
Despite all this, I do have a couple of complaints about the display. You see, even though it’s a 2K screen, YouTube maxes out at 1080p streaming only. But since this is something Realme (or maybe YouTube) can fix with an OTA update, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Another point of contention for me is that the Pad X settles for just a 60Hz refresh rate. As a result, cruising through this display feels comparatively slow, especially when I am crowded with phones with no less than a 120Hz refresh rate. If not 120Hz, the company could’ve at least gone with a 90Hz screen on their most powerful tablet to date.
Battery
But this low refresh rate panel does come advantageous from a battery standpoint. Realme says the tablet’s big 8340mAh battery can provide 19 hours of video streaming, and with that benchmark, I was easily expecting a two-day battery life here.
Now, my fair share of usage daily involves listening to music on Spotify, a few sessions of PUBG Mobile, scrolling through the web, and other routine activities. And with such a regimen, I was able to get about 7-7.5 hours of screen time on this thing. But you should take note that refilling the tab requires almost 3 hours!
Performance
On the performance side of things, the Realme Pad X is powered by Snapdragon 695. We’ve seen this chip in action in several mid-range phones in 2022, so we’re pretty much familiar with its performance.
To put it briefly, it’s adequate for your casual web surfing or Instagram scrolling action. But one can easily notice slight stutters—especially when navigating through the recent menu—with a couple of lightweight and heavy apps running in the background. More so, despite having 6GB RAM plus 5GB of virtual RAM, I am surprised to see it suffer from memory management issues as well.
Realme UI for Pad
If my memory serves me right, this was not the case with the first-gen Realme Pad. So this might simply be because of the new Realme UI 3.0 for Pad based on Android 12. Hopefully, Realme can do something about it with an update or two.
Anyway, the new version of Realme’s custom skin addresses some of my major concerns about the previous interface. The software experience now feels a bit refined with customized icons, an app drawer, and the settings menu.
On top of that, there are a few neat software tricks here to make things easy on the go. You can now split the tablet’s bigger canvas between two apps with a simple two-finger swipe down the middle. Moreover, one of my favorite features in Realme smartphones—the sidebar—also makes its way to the new UI. It basically lets you use apps in floating windows, and the best part is that almost every app you have can make use of this feature. Great!
Camera
There’s also a cool new software feature for the selfie camera this time around. The Realme Pad X houses a 105° wide camera on the front that supports a feature called “Limelight” to keep you in the center of the frame during video calls and meetings. Simply put, this is Realme’s answer to Apple’s Center Stage found on iPads.
Cameras
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Back
Front
And I must say that it works quite well, and it can also keep track of more than one person in the frame. Sadly, for now, it’s only compatible with Google Duo, Google Meet, and Zoom. And not other video conferencing tools like Microsoft Teams and Messenger, unfortunately. On the other hand, the actual quality of this camera is rather average. The 13MP camera on the back can also deliver some use-able shots when taking notes and such but nothing more.
Realme Pad X Review: Conclusion
We’re now at the end of this review and I think I have shared all my experience with the Realme Pad X by now. Like I said earlier, it doesn’t really make sense as a value-for-money device when coupled with the official accessories.
And if you do decide to get it, I would only recommend the base Wi-Fi-only variant. Because as you go higher up the ladder for the 5G variant, its value proposition begins to go down. For a similar price, you can get the Xiaomi Pad 5 instead which offers a nicer display and far superior performance thanks to the flagship-grade Snapdragon 860 chipset. Likewise, the 9th Gen iPad, which is currently available in India for around Rs. 28,000 and will offer you a far superior experience in every way.
Oppo Reno 8 Pro is the successor to last year’s Reno 7 Pro. I have been using the phone for a little over a week now. And in this review, I will talk about all the things that Oppo has done right with this Reno 8 Pro and things that could have been done better, so let’s get started!
Before we begin
Honestly, I haven’t reviewed a lot of Oppo devices lately, and it’s not because the company hasn’t launched new phones. Far from it, actually.
They have a wide lineup of phones in the budget A-series, there’s the F-series in the mid-range segment, and then we have the premium-midrange Reno lineup and of course, the flagship Find X phones.
But I think most of the Oppo A and F-series devices are pretty much a rip-off! I mean, just look at the recently launched OPPO A77 and even the OPPO F21 Pro. Those are ridiculous prices for what the phones offer.
However, the Reno series is quite the opposite. I feel with this series, OPPO is going in the right direction. I really liked the Reno 7 Pro and the Reno 8 Pro builds up on that. This phone in my opinion is a very balanced offering that OPPO has put out.
Before we begin this review, let’s take a quick look at what Oppo Reno 8 Pro offers in terms of specifications.
Oppo Reno 8 Pro Specifications:
Body: 74.2 x 161.2 x 7.34mm, 183 gm, Glass back, Aluminum frame
Display: 6.7-inches AMOLED panel, 120Hz refresh rate, 125/360/720Hz touch sampling rate, Up to 950 nits brightness, Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution: FHD+ (2412 x 1080 pixels), 394 PPI, 20:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 8100-MAX 5G (5nm mobile platform)
Battery: 4500mAh with 80W wired SuperVOOC (power adapter provided)
Color Options: Glazed Black, Glazed Green
Price in Nepal: N/A (INR 45,999 for 12/256GB)
Oppo Reno 8 Pro Review
Design & Build
74.2 x 161.2 x 7.34mm, 183 gm
Glass back, Aluminum frame
The first thing that OPPO has nailed here is the design. I mean, it’s one hell of a gorgeous-looking device!
I am really digging this “iPhone- like” boxy form factor too. And what I appreciate here is that OPPO has struck a balance between good heft and a fairly lightweight body which in turn makes the phone feel premium and comfortable to hold at the same time.
Also, there are these nifty little things, like this green-accented power button, which adds to the pleasing aesthetics even more.
Oppo Reno 8 Design
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Front
Rear
Power Button
Volume Rockers
Charging Port
But the one design thing that I am not particularly awed with is this huge camera module. I think they are just out there and don’t fully compliment the design.
And I wish the buttons here were a bit more tactile. Their feedback is not bad per se, but I didn’t exactly enjoy using them that much.
Display
6.7-inches FHD+ Flexible AMOLED display
120Hz refresh rate, 125/360/720Hz touch sampling
Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection
Other than that, I am quite impressed with how significantly even and thin the bezels on this screen are. I feel like it makes quite a lot of difference when watching videos as the contents look more immersive here.
The overall quality of this display is excellent too. As expected from an AMOLED panel, it has good contrast levels and the colors appear very pleasing, thanks to the 10-bit depth and 100% DCI-P3 coverage.
I also found HDR playback to work flawlessly on all the streaming platforms. Visibility-wise, this is not the brightest screen, but it’s fair enough for indoor as well as casual outdoor usage, so I wouldn’t complain so much about it.
Performance-wise, you will not find any complaints on the Reno 8 pro actually. It is powered by the Dimensity 8100-Max chipset which is pretty much the same as the regular 8100, but with improved AI capabilities, gaming stability, and low-light video performance.
Just a few weeks back, I reviewed the Realme GT Neo 3 that comes with the Dimensity 8100 chip, and I found it to be one of the finest MediaTek chipsets out there in the premium segment. And with the Reno 8 Pro too, I got very similar results.
It is as fast as a flagship phone would perform. But more importantly, it does not heat up as much, which is something to appreciate because high-end processors like the Snapdragon 888+ or the 8 Gen 1, all suffer from heating/throttling issues.
The Dimensity 8100, however, does not have such profound issues when it comes to heating. As a result, the sustained performance levels that the Reno 8 Pro provides are quite commendable.
And thanks to 12GB RAM, even when doing heavy tasks or keeping apps in memory for a long time, the phone does not show signs of distress, while running graphics-intensive games is no trouble for this phone either.
Gaming Experience
I played Genshin Impact here and it was able to provide stable 30 fps at the highest graphics settings with little to no stutters. I will admit that playing it in the highest possible settings with 60 fps mode turned on wasn’t a smooth ride and the phone got quite hot near the camera module. But considering Genshin Impact is a very demanding game, I can cut some slack to the Reno 8 Pro.
Comparatively less taxing titles like PUBG Mobile run smoothly with a 40 fps yield in HDR graphics and Ultra Frame rates. OPPO has even optimized this game to run at 90 fps where I was able to get stable 89 fps throughout my gaming sessions.
But you have to know that OPPO is yet to optimize many games to run at 120 fps. I played Mortal Kombat and Rayman Adventures, both of which were stuck at 60 fps. However, with future updates, we can expect more games to be optimized for higher fps gameplay on this phone.
Android 12 out of the box
Anyway, OPPO has worked a lot on its software too. The phone comes with Android 12 out of the box with ColorOS 12.1 on top and the experience is actually very smooth here. I feel like when it comes to software, people are kind of harsh towards ColorOS because once upon a time it was really heavy and unpolished.
But now, it has evolved quite a lot when it comes to user experience. You can practically change the entire look and feel of the UI since you have so many customization options here. And the UI just feels so fast and fluid, so OPPO has done some good optimization as far as UI/UX is concerned.
By this, I don’t mean that OPPO’s software has become the gold standard or anything though. There still are things that it needs to improve on, such as the commitment to software updates. For the Reno series, OPPO promises just 2 years of major OS and 4 years of security updates, which is less than what other brands pledge.
Stutters
I also found this bug on the Reno 8 Pro where the phone is not able to handle switching between refresh rates that well in many apps. For instance, when turning the 120Hz refresh rate option on, the UI runs smoothly at 120Hz, but when you open apps like Facebook and Twitter, they run at 90Hz for some reason while Instagram constantly switches between 60 and 120Hz. Google Play Store, on the other hand, runs at 90Hz but feels very stuttery somehow.
So it looks like OPPO has some work set out to optimize the refresh rate in different apps. I guess the logic behind this refresh rate switching is to save battery, but OPPO has implemented that in a very random way, which I feel is a little illogical.
Battery
55W batter with 80W SUPERVOOC
Now, talking about battery life, I would rate it a solid “B+”. On medium kind of usage, I was able to squeeze out about 6 hours of screen on time during this review which in real life translates to a day’s worth of endurance for me. And I am guessing OPPO’s aggressive battery optimization and the random refresh rate switching have a lot to do with it. So yeah, the battery life is pretty decent here.
And with the 80 Watt charger you get inside the box, the phone goes from 0-100% in half an hour, which is well on par with what other brands offer these days, so there’s nothing much to talk about there.
Cameras
Triple rear camera (50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro)
32MP selfie camera (punch-hole cutout)
MariSilicon X Imaging NPU
Oppo Reno 8 Pro Cameras
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Rear Cameras
Selfie Camera
Finally, on my list of good things about the Reno 8 Pro is also its camera performance. Granted it uses the same sensors as Reno 7 Pro, the optimization has certainly improved this year. With this, the Reno 8 Pro is able to click some really impressive shots.
Normal Images
The colors are a little punchy here, but the pictures look very pleasing with good detail levels and decent dynamic range. And I found it to be reliable during all kinds of lighting conditions as well.
Even without OIS, the phone can click some sharp nighttime shots. Again, the colors are a little out there with a hint of warm hues, but the contrast and details are on point.
Night Time vs Night Mode
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Night time
Night mode
Night time
Night mode
Night time
Night mode
So, you can really rely on this camera to give you good pictures whether you want to capture scenery, a picture with your friends, or if you feel like getting creative.
More Normal Shots
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Portrait
I like the portraits from this phone too, but they tend to beautify the subjects a lot, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea. I think the portraits come out “good enough” for the general audience to like and share on social media though!
Portrait Images
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Selfies
Selfies also look quite nice. But again, the subtle smoothening is there even when you turn the beauty mode off. So the pictures come off a bit soft.
Normal vs Portrait Selfie
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Normal Selfie
Selfie Portrait
Normal Selfie
Selfie Portrait
Normal Selfie
Selfie Portrait
I also compared its cameras against the Pixel 6a and my findings comparing these cameras was that the 6a is better in terms of computational photography, like in this image where the natural bokeh behind the subject looks better and the overall color calibration looks more real to life.
Oppo Reno 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 6A
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Google Pixel 6A
Oppo Reno 8 Pro
Google Pixel 6A
Oppo Reno 8 Pro
Another example is this image of a controller where the Pixel 6a manages better exposure and dynamic range.
But what I can tell you for sure is that even though the overall camera performance on the Reno 8 Pro might not be better than the Pixel 6a, it is certainly better than the likes of other phones in this price segment like the Moto Edge 30 Pro, the Realme GT Neo 3, or even the iQOO 9 for that matter!
Videography
Okay, I have praised so many things about the Oppo Reno 8 Pro in this review so far, but there are certain aspects where it kind of under-delivers, like in terms of videography. The max you can shoot from the back cameras is up to 4K/30fps. The videos in this resolution are not bad—they’re good enough—but I think at this price point, 4K/60fps, as well as optical image stabilization, should be available.
Even for selfie videos, there’s only the 1080/30fps option, which I think is quite a bummer since video calling and TikTok are so immensely popular these days.
Ultrawide
And although the primary camera on the Reno 8 Pro is quite impressive, the ultra-wide images are just below average in terms of color reproduction, details, and overall quality. And it’s especially bad during low light conditions.
Primary vs Ultrawide
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Primary
Ultrawide
Primary
Ultrawide
Primary
Ultrawide
Audio & Haptics
Dual stereo speaker setup
No 3.5mm headphone jack
Likewise, I also didn’t find the speakers on this thing to be the most impressive either. They’re loud, yes, but the highs are very sharp here and the stereo separation is not very balanced either. So if you listen to a lot of music, its sound quality is not the most ideal.
I would have also appreciated it more if the haptics were a bit refined. I feel like it’s very bland, so typing on it is not the most pleasant experience.
Oppo Reno 8 Pro Review: Conclusion
Alright, we have now come to the end of this review and with everything I have discussed so far, the Reno 8 Pro certainly comes off as a balanced premium midrange phone. From its performance to design, display, camera, and battery, there is very little to complain about this phone. Yes, there are certainly a few things that OPPO could have done better, but those are not something that will massively ruin your smartphone experience.
Still and all, I think it would have been better if OPPO had launched a lower 8+128GB variant of this phone too. It is currently only available in the 12+256GB option, which is, more than many people might need. Had the company done that, the price of the Reno 8 Pro might have dropped to someting cheaper have been a sweet deal.
At 46,000 Indian Rupees, the Reno 8 Pro feels like a slightly pricey offering though. So I would suggest you wait and look for bank discounts or offline offers before buying this phone.
Vivo today launched its latest V-series smartphone in India, the Vivo V25 Pro. It succeeds the previously released V23 Pro, and so inherits features like a color-changing back. So, let’s get into the specs, features, availability, and expected price of the Vivo V25 Pro in Nepal.
Vivo V25 Pro Overview:
Design, Display
The main USP of the Vivo V25 Pro is its color-changing Fluorite AG Glass design. The feature is exclusive to the Sailing Blue colorway in which the back panel changes color from turquoise to blue when exposed to sunlight. Another Black color variant has a matte back.
Vivo is also keeping the curved screen real estate of its predecessor. Alongside, you get a one-piece slim frame that, according to the company, lets the phone “fit perfectly in hands.” The display measures 6.5-inch and it’s an AMOLED screen with Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
Vivo has also dropped the bathtub-like notch design of the V23 Pro in favor of a centrally-aligned punch-hole cutout. Furthermore, the screen has a fingerprint sensor for biometrics.
Performance on the Vivo V25 Pro is handled by the Dimensity 1300 SoC, which slightly improves over the V23 Pro’s Dimensity 1200. The phone will ship with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The phone also supports 8GB of extended RAM.
Cameras
The camera system on the V25 Pro is centered around a 64MP primary sensor. This is a decrease from its predecessor’s 108MP. But to compensate, the smartphone now offers both OIS and EIS stabilization for smoother video. You can also shoot night portraits and night-time OIS with the device.
Besides the main camera, the rear camera system comprises an 8MP ultrawide lens and a 2MP macro lens. Similarly, because there is only a single punch-hole on the front, there is only a 32MP selfie snapper this time. To remember, the V23 Pro makes use of its large notch to house a 50MP main and an 8MP wide-angle selfie camera.
Rest of the specs
Moving on, the smartphone gets its power from a 4830mAh battery which supports 66W fast charging. Last but not the least, it boots on Android 12-based FunTouchOS out of the box.
Vivo V25 Pro Specifications:
Body: 158.9 × 73.52 × 8.62 mm, 190 grams, AG glass back
The V25 Pro is launched in India exclusively via Flipkart and will retail at INR 35,999 for the base 8/128GB variant. We expect the price of the Vivo V25 Pro to start at NPR 65,000 if and when it launches in Nepal.
Vivo V25 Pro
Price in India
Price in Nepal (Expected)
8/128GB
INR 35,999
NPR 65,000
12/256GB
INR 39,999
NPR 70,000
Meanwhile, check out our review of the Vivo V23 Pro.
For the past 2 weeks or so, I have been using the Google Pixel 6a as my primary phone to prepare for this review. And I am really surprised by how good it is! Yes, I have seen some people writing it off because of the 60Hz display and all the bugs/security flaws onboard, but after 2 updates I have received so far, all of those problems have been fixed. And I am totally enjoying the experience on this device.
Of course, it’s not a perfect phone by any means, and there are a few shortcomings here. But the biggest hurdle for the Pixel 6a is definitely the price set by Google for the Indian market. If you look at this chart, it is more expensive in India than anywhere else in the world!
And with brands like iQOO, OnePlus, and even OPPO offering some great specs in this region, it’s obvious that Google is charging a premium price for this device. So, if you are thinking of buying the Pixel 6a, always look out for bank discounts or coupon codes. At the MSRP of INR 44,000, it’s a hard sell.
Google Pixel 6a Specifications:
Body: 71.8 x 152.2 x 8.9mm, 178gm, Gorilla Glass 3, IP67 dust/water resistant
Connectivity: Single-SIM (Nano/eSIM), WiFi 6E a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Dual-band), Bluetooth 5.2, GPS / AGPS / Galileo / Glonass / QZSS, USB Type-C, NFC, 4G LTE (VoLTE), 5G
Battery: 4410mAh with 18W fast charging (no power adapter provided)
Color Options: Sage, Chalk, Charcoal
What’s Inside The Box: Pixel 6a, SIM ejector, USB-C to USB-C cable, Quick Switch adapter, User manual and other documents
Price in Nepal: N/A (INR 43,999)
Google Pixel 6a Review:
Design & Build
71.8 x 152.2 x 8.9mm, 178 grams
Glass front/back, Aluminum frames
IP67 dust/water resistant
Anyway, let me share my experience with it starting with the design. And after all my time with this phone, I must say that I have grown to like its form factor.
It’s one of those phones that’s not too small or too big. It just… fits in the hand.
I also didn’t miss the heft which may be because of how evenly the weight is distributed. I was even surprised to find out that the back is made up of plastic here! It does feel like glass a bit but since this is plastic, you will encounter scratches on the back eventually.
So, if you are one of those who is always looking for a lucrative after-sale value, you’ll have to install a skin or use a back cover on this phone. Plus, the back also catches a lot of fingerprints and smudges, so if you happen to be someone like Monica with OCD about cleanliness, you will end up cleaning the back of this phone quite often.
Other aspects of the design are quite good too.
The camera lens doesn’t protrude as much compared to the Pixel 6, so it stays pretty flat when keeping it on a flat surface. The buttons are tactile enough, it is IP67 dust-and-water resistant, and the frames are made up of aluminum which should offer some level of protection against drops.
So overall, although the Pixel 6a might not have a gorgeous-looking design like the OPPO Reno 8 Pro or a fancy one like the Nothing phone (1), it is practical, and I am 100% sure you will love its form factor.
Display
6.1-inches FHD+ OLED panel
60Hz refresh rate
Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection
Over on the front, there is this black bezel all over the corner which could not be aesthetically pleasing. But over time, it hasn’t been a problem for me. The actual quality of this 6.1-inch screen is very good.
I used it in the natural profile which exhibits true colors, but what’s important to know is that the core quality of this OLED screen is excellent.
The contrast is superb, there’s no weird color shift in different viewing angles, and HDR streaming works flawlessly on all platforms. Brightness levels are sufficient too, so no problem glancing at messages on a bright sunny day or scrolling through the news feed at minimum brightness while in bed at night.
What about the fingerprint reader?
The fingerprint sensor placement is also just where I want it to be. And thanks to the updates I mentioned earlier, it has gotten as fast as any optical sensor out there. There have been multiple reports of the Pixel 6a’s fingerprint sensor recognizing unregistered fingers, but that issue is non-existent on our unit from day one.
The typing experience is also superb, all thanks to proper touch calibration and quality vibration motors. That being said, this display refreshes at just 60Hz and that’s kind of suicidal you may assume. If any Chinese brands or even Samsung had done this, that would have been game over!
But since Google has optimized its UI incredibly well, I personally didn’t feel the 6a’s 60Hz screen to be choppy. Yes, 90Hz would have been nice, but I am honestly surprised to see this 60Hz not being a problem for me!
Battery
4410mAh battery with 18W fast charging
And because this is a 60Hz panel, I was able to get a good—if not great—battery life as well. Google claims this is a “one-day battery phone”, and I was able to get similar results on moderate usage! On days when I would game a lot and constantly use 4G mobile data, I had to charge the phone as soon as I reach home.
But I think they could have squeezed a bigger 5000mAh cell here, which would have improved the endurance even more. Similarly, the Pixel 6a supports just 18W PD charging and it takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to get fully charged.
So, if you are someone who has used that 65W charger on your OnePlus and Realme devices, it will take quite some patience to shift to this! But if you are someone whose experience with fast charging is just Samsung’s 25W or iPhone’s 20W solution, shifting to the 18W charger shouldn’t be that much of a problem.
Performance
Octa-core Google Tensor 5G SoC (5nm)
6GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128GB UFS 3.1 storage (fixed)
Android 12 (upgradable)
3 generations OS, 5 years of security updates
Now, another thing that I am satisfied with here is the performance. The 6a uses the same Google Tensor chipset as the more expensive Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
But what’s crucial to understand is that this chipset is more than 6 months old now, and all the issues that we saw on the Pixel 6 series earlier, like unusual overheating, unoptimized fps in games, and the likes have all been fixed during this time. And thus, we get a much more reliable performance on the 6a.
The Tensor chip still gets slightly warm under normal usage, but it’s nothing to worry about. It’s just as fast as you would expect for a phone at this price segment. And despite having just 6GB of RAM, I found the memory management to be pretty good and it can handle anything you throw at it.
Not made for gamers though
But if you game a lot, you will be better off with phones like the iQOO 9 or the OnePlus 9RT which offer a better gameplay experience in practically every title. But if you are just a casual gamer like me, it’s no problem.
I particularly enjoyed 4 finger claw grip due to the smaller form factor.
However, the Pixel 6a does get quite hot on the back under heavy gaming sessions. And in games like Genshin Impact, which is both CPU and GPU taxing, the fps stability takes a hit with heavy fluctuation which means the gameplay isn’t all that enjoyable.
That being said, I just want to reiterate that the overall performance of this year’s Pixel 6a is commendable. It’s undoubtedly a big leap over what we got on the Pixel 5a or the Pixel 4a before that. And I also don’t think many potential buyers of this phone are going to complain about its mediocre gaming stability, because the main purpose of owning a Pixel phone is for the software ordeal.
And this phone has got everything from clean UI and bloatware-free experience to years of software updates. Thanks to the custom Tensor chip, you also get a lot of benefits here that a typical Android smartphone simply cannot offer.
From improved speed and accuracy while using Google Assistant to exclusive Pixel features such as Assistant Voice Typing, Live Caption for calls, and Live Translation, these are definitely some helpful value additions that you will admire and make use of eventually.
Cameras
Dual camera setup at the back
(12.2MP main, 12MP ultrawide)
8MP selfie camera (hole-punch)
Cameras
1 of 2
Back
Front
Finally, let’s talk about its cameras! And this is the reason why I really like this phone so much. I have been using the Pixel 6a alongside the OPPO Reno 8 Pro and just started testing the OnePlus 10T. And trust me, none of these devices can capture as good images as the Pixel 6a.
Normal Images
As you can see from the daytime samples, the photos have ample details, balanced exposure, and a noticeably contrast-heavy output, but in a good way.
Normal
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The dynamic range is also a class above any midrange phones you will find in this price segment. Likewise, the closeup shots also provide good bokeh and you will instantly feel like you are using a flagship phone.
Ultrawide Images
Also, what usually happens with most premium midrange phones is that their secondary ultra-wide lens is pretty meh. There would be a lot of color shift between the wide and the ultra-wide shots, and the details and dynamic range would just be all over the place.
Ultrawide
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Wide
Ultrawide
Wide
Ultrawide
Wide
Ultrawide
Wide
Ultrawide
But not on the Pixel 6a. As you can see, the main and ultra-wide images have consistent color rendition and contrast levels. Even the details are pretty decent from the ultra-wide camera here.
Videography
As for videos, you can record at up to 4K 60 fps from the primary and up to 4K 30 fps from the ultra-wide camera. The quality, of course, isn’t as good as the Pixel 6 or 6 Pro, but what I like about its footages is that they have the same contrasty color scheme as we saw in the photos.
Selfie Images
Selfie
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Having said that, there are a few areas where I hoped the Pixel 6a’s cameras were better. And number 1: it’s the selfies. It’s alright for the price, but I think Google could have included a better sensor for nicer details and sharpness.
Lowlight Images
The second aspect is the nighttime images. Although it can capture good colors and contrast, I found the camera sensor struggling to preserve details during low light conditions.
Lowlight
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This is probably because Pixel 6a uses a very old Sony IMX363 sensor, which is quite a small image sensor that can’t capture as much light. And it is also void of features like pixel binning and stuff.
Portrait Images
Portrait
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Besides this, I think Google needs to roll out an update and fix the skin tone on the portrait shots. As you can check for yourself, it clearly messes up the subject’s skin tone. I noticed this in multiple portrait photos I took, although some of them turned out fine.
Audio
Dual stereo speakers, No headphone jack
Alright, I almost forgot to mention to you that the Pixel 6a accepts only one physical SIM and one eSIM. I have heard people complaining about the call quality and dropped calls, but on my usage, I haven’t faced such issues. And the audio quality from the earpiece is loud and clear.
By the way, this earpiece also works as a secondary speaker and there is also one downward-firing speaker for the stereo effect. The output is decently loud with not much distortion and a respectable dynamic range.
Google Pixel 6a Review: Conclusion
So, to conclude this review, I really really enjoyed my time with the Google Pixel 6a. I honestly didn’t expect it to be this good! Just before I started using this phone, I kept thinking that this review might turn out to be a rant of sorts, because, on paper, the Google Pixel 6a isn’t a good deal by any imagination. At least when you look at the specs.
It has a plastic body, a 60Hz screen, and sluggish charging for a whopping INR 44,000! But despite all this, I am genuinely impressed!
Of course, you can find phones like the OnePlus 9RT or the iQOO 9 with superior hardware specs, but I am 100% confident that none of them can match the experience and camera quality of the Pixel 6a. And one more thing. I hope to see Google address the exorbitant pricing issue in markets like India sooner than later.
One of the ways it can do this is by manufacturing Pixel phones in India itself, which should keep the price down by a significant amount. But whether Google wants to aggressively expand its smartphone business in this part of the world remains to be seen. But seeing how good the Pixel 6a is, I really want that to happen soon!
Samsung Odyssey family has been home to the company’s flagship gaming monitor. The Odyssey Ark joins the lineup as the world’s first 55-inch 4K curved gaming display with a 165Hz refresh rate. So, let’s go through the Samsung Odyssey Ark’s specifications, availability, and expected price in Nepal.
Samsung Odyssey Ark Overview:
Display
Samsung initially showed us this monitor at CES 2022, and it is now available for mass shipment. Going over its primary USP, the display, it’s a 55″ mini-LED powered panel with 1000R curvature and 4K resolution. You can also rotate it, which according to Samsung adds a new level of immersion.
Odyssey Ark Design
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Landscape
Portrait
Best of all, it has a cockpit mode that allows users to flip the entire display vertically for multitasking and a completely different experience.
Likewise, the display has a 165Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and a built-in chipset to upscale video to 4K for the best gaming experience. It also supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and has features such as a Game Bar for adjusting the display aspect ratio (16:9 / 21:9 / 32:9).
Another notable software feature is the Gaming Hub, which allows you to access popular PC and console games as well as leading streaming services all in one spot. A Multi View feature allows up to four apps to be split over the screen.
Furthermore, the Odyssey Ark has four corner speakers and two center woofers that can provide 60W of audio output. They are Dolby Atmos-tuned, and AI Sound Booster produces a three-dimensional sound field to immerse you in the game world.
Rest of the specs
There are no I/O ports integrated into the display for connectivity. Instead, like with its Frame TV, Samsung includes a separate one-connect box with all of the necessary interfaces, including four HDMI 2.1 connectors, two USB ports, one headphone jack, and an ethernet port. A 200 x 200 mm VESA mount may be used to wall mount the monitor.
Samsung Odyssey Ark Price in Nepal and Availability
The Odyssey Ark is now available for pre-order on the official website for USD 3500. Customers who pre-order can save $300. If the Samsung Odyssey Ark makes it to Nepal, we estimate it to cost NPR NPR 460,000.
Gaming Monitor
Price in the US
Price in Nepal (Expected)
Samsung Odyssey Ark
USD 3500
NPR 460,000
Meanwhile, check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 after 1 year.
A few months ago, Poco unveiled the company’s cheapest phone, M4 5G, in India. The phone has now made its global debut with few changes in the camera department. In this article, we will discuss the specs, features, expected price, and availability of Poco M4 5G in Nepal.
Poco M4 5G Overview:
Performance and Overview
Poco M4 5G is powered by Dimensity 700 chip which comes with a dedicated 5G modem. This is the biggest change coming from M3 to M4 5G. Poco M4 5G supports a total of 7 5G Bands in India, whereas there is a total of 12 5G bands on the global version.
Moving on, Poco M4 5G is available in two memory configurations. The base variant features 4GB of RAM paired with 64GB of internal storage. The higher-end variant comes with 6GB of RAM and double the storage.
Design and Display
Poco has even experimented with the design of the Poco M4 5G. The slate on which the cameras reside now expands across the width of the phone. You can also notice a textured-like finish on the rear panel. Poco also has a name for this new design—Hypnotic Swirl. Color options include Power Black, Cool Blue, and Yellow.
As for the in-hand feel, Poco M4 5G comes with flat frames with curved edges. It measures 8.9mm in thickness and weighs around 200 grams.
Over on the front, you get a 6.58-inch LCD screen with an FHD+ resolution. It sports a waterdrop-style notch which makes it look outdated compared to its predecessor which had a notch.
But if you can look past it, you are getting a 90Hz screen with a 240Hz touch sampling rate. In addition, it even has Gorilla Glass 3 protection and an official IP52 rating.
Last year’s Poco M3 had only three cameras as it ditched the ultrawide module entirely. Now, Poco has removed one more sensor, leaving just two on the M4 5G.
Poco M4’s camera specs will vary depending upon the region. The Indian variant features a 50MP primary camera, paired with a 2MP depth sensor, whereas the new global version replaces the former with a 13MP snapper.
Likewise, the global variant comes with a 5MP selfie camera. For comparison, the Indian version of the Poco M4 5G has an 8MP sensor.
Battery
Poco M4 5G gets its juice from a 5,000mAh battery. It’s smaller than the 6,000mAh cell on the M3 but comes with the same 18W fast charging tech. But Poco includes a 22.5W power brick in the box. Likewise, it even supports 5W reverse charging that you can use to charge your accessories.
The phone runs Android 12 out of the box with MIUI 13 on top. Other notable features of the M4 5G include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and Hi-res audio certification.
POCO M4 5G Specifications:
Body: 76.09 x 163.99 x 8.9mm, 195 gm, Polycarbonate build, IP52 rated
Display: 6.58-inches IPS LCD panel, 90Hz refresh rate, Up to 240Hz touch sampling rate, Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G (7nm Mobile Platform)
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face unlock
Battery: 5000mAh with 18W fast charging (22.5W adapter provided)
Color Options: Cool Blue, Power Black, POCO Yellow
Poco M4 5G Price in Nepal and Availability (Expected)
The price of Poco M4 5G in the global market starts at EUR 219. It is soon expected to launch in Nepal as well. As such, we expect the price of Poco M4 5G in Nepal to start at NPR 22,500.
Poco M4 5G
Price in Europe (Official)
Price in Nepal (Expected)
4/64GB
EUR 219
NPR 22,500
6/128GB
EUR 249
NPR 26,500
Meanwhile, check out our review of the Poco M4 Pro 5G.
JBL Flip 6 is the newest addition to the Flip lineup, offering IP67 water resistance and more than 12 hours of battery life. The speaker is finally available for pre-order in Nepal. In this article, we will look at the specifications, features, availability, and price of the JBL Flip 6 in Nepal.
JBL Flip 6 Overview:
Design
Compared to its predecessor, the JBL Flip 6 has undergone a redesign. The speaker now has a bolder JBL logo and smoother edges. According to JBL, the bold design represents bold audio.
Because it is dust and waterproof, the speaker is suitable for any environment, including a pool or a skatepark. Furthermore, the available colors are grey, black, teal, blue, and red.
The audio setup of the JBL Flip 6 is comprised of two passive radiators for deep bass, a woofer, and a dedicated tweeter. It has a dynamic frequency response range of 63Hz to 20KHz and outputs 20W.
For connectivity, JBL has gone with Bluetooth 5.1 and the speaker supports PartyBoost as well. PartyBoost allows the user to connect two or more compatible speakers.
The user can also use the JBL Portable app to tweak the sound of the JBL Flip 6. Besides, the speaker can be connected to up to two devices simultaneously.
Fitted with a 17.28Wh battery, JBL claims music playtime of more than 12 hours. The battery charges fully in just about 2 and a half hours via USB Type-C.
The Type-C port offers protection against damage and notifies the user in case of contact with moisture.
JBL Flip 6 Specifications:
Body: 17.8 x 6.8 x 7.2cm, 550 gms
Output: 20W
Frequency Response: 63Hz – 20 kHz
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
IP Rating: IP67 dust-and-waterproof
Battery: 17.28Wh Li-ion
Backup: Up to 12 hours
Charging: Type-C port (100% in 2.5 hours)
Color Options: Blue, Black, Grey, Teal, Red
JBL Flip 6 Price in Nepal and Availability
The JBL Flip 6 is currently available in Nepal for NPR 16,500. You can buy your Flip 6 from official dealers like Hukut Store.
Harman Kardon, a well-known maker of audio accessories, has released two speakers in Nepal. These are the Onyx Studio 7 and Citation 200, two premium speakers from the firm. So, let us have a look at the specifications, features, availability, and expected price of the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 and Citation 200 in Nepal.
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 Overview:
Design
The main attraction of Onyx Studio 7 is its design. The speaker has a spherical body with a metal ring around it that gives it a space-like vibe, similar to Saturn’s rings.
The ring cleverly doubles as a handle for carrying. You may also use the handle as a stand to prop up the speaker on flat surfaces. As fascinating as it appears, this added appeal adds to the device’s weight since it weighs 3.295 kg.
Inside you get two 1-inch tweeters and a single 4.8-inch woofer that has a rated power output of 50W and a frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz.
The Onyx Studio 7 is Bluetooth 4.2 compliant, but only supports the SBC audio codec. The speaker can wirelessly connect with another Onyx Studio 7 to form a pair. The company promises a battery life of up to 8 hours with an 11.70Wh battery.
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 Specifications:
Dimensions (W x H x D): 268.0 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm
Weight: 3.295 kg/ 7.26 lbs
Transducers: 1 x Woofer (120mm), 2 x Tweeter (25mm)
Rated Output Power: 50 W RMS
Frequency response: 50 Hz — 20 kHz (-6dB)
Signal-to-noise ratio: > 80 dB
Bluetooth version: 4.2
Battery: 11.70Wh (up to 8 hours)
Charging: 5 hours
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 Price in Nepal, Availability
Similar to the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7, Citation 200 is sold by EvoStore in Nepal and costs Rs. 41,000.
Speaker
Price in Nepal
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
Rs. 41,000
Harman Kardon Citation 200 Overview:
Design
Next up, Citation 200 is another beefier speaker from Harman Kardon. The outer cover is made of fiber and weighs 2.85 kg. It, like Studio 7, features a carrying handle, but this time the leather covering is held in place by metallic buttons.
Since it has IPX4 water-resistance rating, the speaker can endure light rain. There are LEDs integrated into the front of the speaker that light up when you alter the volume or invoke Google Assistant.
The control panel is located on the top of the speaker and includes power on/off, Bluetooth pairing, and volume controls, as well as a button to play/pause music, stop timers and alarms, and trigger the voice assistant.
Audio
Citation 200 has a 25mm tweeter and a 120mm woofer for audio. They combine to deliver a 50W of output with a frequency range of 40Hz to 20kHz. You can even pair two of these to create stereo sound.
Furthermore, there are two microphones on the aforementioned control panel to allow you to communicate with your Google Assistant. Since the speaker supports WiFi 5, it can also be connected to the internet. You can link it over Bluetooth with your primary device.
Harman states that the speaker’s battery life is around 8 hours. Charging using a USB-C connector takes about 3 hours.
Harman Kardon Citation 200 Specifications:
Dimensions (W x H x D): 178 x 219 x 172mm
Weight: 2.85 kg
Transducers: 1 x Woofer (120mm), 1 x Tweeter (25mm)
Rated Output Power: 50W RMS
Frequency response: 40 Hz — 20 kHz (-6dB)
Signal-to-noise ratio: > 80 dB
Bluetooth version: 4.2
Battery: 4800mAh (up to 8 hours)
Charging: 3 hours
Harman Kardon Citation 200 Price in Nepal, Availability
Just like the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7, the Citation 200 is available to purchase in Nepal from EvoStore and has a price tag of Rs. 61,000.
Welcome to the eleventh 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!
