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Fitbit Versa 4 launched with minor improvements over Versa 3

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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. 

Fitbit Versa 4 Design

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.

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. 

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. 

FitBit Versa 4 Health Tracking Features

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.

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.

Fitbit Sense 2 Design

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.

Fitbit Sense 2 Sensors

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.

Fitbit App

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.

Acer Aspire 5 2022 Display 2

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.

Acer Aspire 5 2022 Gaming Review

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)

Acer Aspire 5 2022 Charger

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

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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.

Blackview Tab 13 SIMO connectivity

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.

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.

Blackview Tab 13 Design and Display

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.

OnePlus Nord N20 SE - Display 2

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.

OnePlus Nord N20 SE - Design 1

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.

OnePlus Nord N20 SE - Fingerprint Sensor

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.

OnePlus Nord N20 SE - Display 1

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.

OnePlus Nord N20 SE - Gaming

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

OnePlus Nord N20 SE - 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.

OnePlus Nord N20 SE - Design 2

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

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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.

Motorola Edge (2022) - Design, Display

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.

Motorola Edge (2022) - Performance

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.

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.

Weekly Tech Quiz #12

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Welcome to the twelfth 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!

Lenovo Legion Y70 announced with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 144Hz screen

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The new gaming phone from Lenovo, the Legion Y70, ditches on the flashy gamer aesthetics but packs top-of-the-line hardware. So, let’s look at the specs, features, price, and availability of the Lenovo Legion Y70 in Nepal.

Lenovo Legion Y70 Overview:

Design and Display

As mentioned earlier, the Legion Y70 looks totally different from the current Legion lineup of gaming smartphones. There is no RGB backlighting or any other gaming aesthetics for that matter. It’s pretty much a normal-looking phone with gaming hardware underneath.

Lenovo Legion Y70 - Design

Over on the front, the Lenovo Legion Y70 sports a 6.67” FHD+ display with LG’s P-OLED panel. The screen refreshes at 144Hz and features up to 1500Hz of touch sampling rate.

Performance and Cooling

Talking about hardware, Lenovo Legion Y70 is powered by Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. The chip is a mid-year refresh to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and offers better performance and power efficiency.

To keep it running at the top level for longer, Lenovo has opted for a 10-layer cooling mechanism with multiple graphite layers and the largest vapor chamber of any phone. Alternately, users can get an external active cooler with detachable triggers from Lenovo.

Furthermore, the phone has up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Here, you will find ZUI 14 running on top of Android 12 out of the box in terms of software.

Camera 

At the back, Lenovo Legion Y70 flaunts a triple camera setup led by a 50MP primary sensor. Accompanying it is a 13MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP depth sensor. You can even see a tiny punch-hole on the top of the screen, which means there is no side-mounted pop-up camera as in previous Legion phones. Likewise, the punch-hole encloses a 16MP selfie shooter.

Rest of the specs

Fueling the Legion Y70 is a 5,100mAh battery, and there is support for up 68W charging. For connectivity, the phone has Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2, and dual-band GPS.

Lenovo Legion Y70 Specifications:

  • Body: 163.63×77.02×7.99mm, 209 gm
  • Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED, 144Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits peak brightness, HDR 10+, Dolby Vision
  • Resolution: Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels)
  • Chipset: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
  • Memory: 8/12/16GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128/256/512GB UFS 3.1 storage (fixed)
  • Software & UI: Android 12 with ZUI 14
  • Rear Camera: Triple; 50MP OIS, 13MP ultra-wide, 2MP depth
  • Front Camera: 16MP (punch-hole)
  • Audio: Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos
  • Battery: 5100mAh with 68W fast charging

Lenovo Legion Y70 Price in Nepal and Availability

The Lenovo Legion Y70 is priced at CNY 2,970 for the base 8/128GB model and goes up to CNY 4,270 for the 12/512GB variant. We expect the Lenovo Legion Y70 to start retail at around NPR when it launches in Nepal. For now, the handset is available for pre-order in China. It will go on sale starting August 22.

Lenovo Legion Y70 Price in China (Official)  Price in Nepal (Expected) 
8/128GB CNY 2,970 NPR 63,970
12/256GB CNY 3,370 NPR 72,370
16/256GB CNY 4,270 NPR 91,270
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Poco F4 GT.

Realme C30 with Unisoc T612, 5,000mAh battery launched in Nepal

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Realme has just launched a new C-series smartphone in Nepal. Dubbed Realme C30, it’s a budget smartphone that brings a radical design to the table. So, let’s walk through the specs, features, availability, and official price of the Realme C30 in Nepal.

Realme C30 Overview:

Design and Display

Starting with the design, the C30 features a really distinctive look for a budget smartphone. It has flat frames with stripes that run across the whole rear panel. The camera island is unique in itself with a glossy rectangular module that houses a single camera in another circular cutout. 

Realme C30 Design and Display

This is accompanied by a LED light. It will be available in Lake Blue and Bamboo Green colors. 

The device’s front features a 6.5-inch HD+ display IPS LCD panel with a dewdrop notch. As expected from a budget phone, the C30 does not have a higher refresh rate. However, you do get 120Hz touch sampling rate support. 

Performance

Powering the smartphone is a Unisoc T612 chipset paired with up to 3GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 32GB of UFS 2.2 storage. It boots on the Realme UI Go edition based on Android 11. 

Moreover, the device gets its juice from a 5000mAh battery. It gets 10W charging support via a micro USB port. 

Rest of the specs

Camera-wise, the C30 has an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The connectivity option includes 4G, single-band WiFi, and Bluetooth 5.0. You also get a dedicated microSD card and 3.5mm headphone jack support.

Realme C30 Specification:

  • Body: 164.1 x 75.6 x 8.5mm, 182gm
  • Display: 6.5-inches IPS LCD panel, 120Hz touch sampling
  • Resolution: HD+ (1600 x 720 pixels)
  • Chipset: Unisoc T612 (12nm)
  • Memory: 2/3GB LPDDR4X RAM, 32GB UFS 2.2 storage (expandable)
  • Software & UI: Realme UI Go on top of Android 11
  • Rear Camera: Single (8MP)
  • Front Camera: 5MP
  • Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Battery: 5,000mAh, 10W fast charging
  • Colors: Lake Blue, Bamboo Green

Realme C30 Price in Nepal and Availability

The official price of Realme C30 in Nepal starts at Rs. 13,499 for the 2/32GB variant. Realme even offers a 3/32GB and a 4/64GB variant, priced at Rs. 14,499 and Rs. 15,999, respectively. You can buy Realme C30 from

Realme C30  Price in Nepal (Official)  Availability 
2/32GB Rs. 13,499  Hukut 
3/32GB Rs. 14,499
4/64GB Rs. 15,999
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of Realme 9.

Budget-friendly Benco V62 officially launched in Nepal

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In a time when entry-level smartphones are getting rarer, Benco has just launched one in Nepal. Benco V62 comes with modest specs and has an affordable price tag. So, let’s look at the specs, features, official price, and availability of Benco V62 in Nepal.

Benco V62 Overview:

Design and Display

Benco V62 is built around a 6.1-inch LCD screen. It’s an HD+ display with a waterdrop notch for the selfie camera. As expected, the bezels around the screen are quite noticeable, contributing to the 85% screen-to-body ratio.

The back of the Benco V62 is made of plastic with a “wave” pattern on top. It houses the camera module with a shiny plate and halo rings enclosing the sensor. The phone weighs around 170 grams and is 9.4mm thick.

Benco V62 Design

Performance and Memory

Under the hood, Benco V62 packs the Unisoc SC9832e chipset, based on a 28nm process. It has a quad-core CPU with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.4GHz. Likewise, the graphics are handled by Mali T820 GPU.

Benco has paired the chip with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The latter can be expanded via a microSD card slot.

Camera

Benco advertises the V62 as a dual-camera phone. However, there is hardly any mention of the second sensor. The primary camera has an unspecified Sony sensor with a 1.4μm and an f/1.7 aperture. Over on the front, there is a 5MP sensor for selfies and video calls.

Benco V62 Camera Setup

Rest of the Features

Fueling the Benco V62 is a 3,500mAh battery and there is no fast-charging support. There is a physical fingerprint scanner at the back for biometrics. The phone runs on Android 11 Go. For connectivity, Benco V62 comes with 4G, Wi-Fi b/g/n, and Bluetooth.

Benco V62 Specifications:

  • Display: 6.1″ HD+ (1560 x 720) LCD
  • Processor: Unisoc SC9832e (28nm)
  • CPU: Quad-core (4x 1.4GHz Cortex-A53)
  • GPU: Arm Mali T820
  • Rear Camera: 12MP primary (1.4μm pixel, f/1.7 aperture)
  • Front Camera: 5MP sensor (waterdrop notch)
  • Memory: 2GB RAM, 32GB storage (expandable)
  • Battery: 3,500mAh Li-poly cell
  • Security: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, Face Unlock
  • Sensors: G-sensor, Light, Proximity
  • Connectivity: 4G, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth
  • Colors: Blue, Greenish Silver

Benco V62 Price in Nepal and Availability (Official)

The official price of Benco V62 is Rs. 10,499 for the sole 2/32GB variant. It is available in Blue and Greenish Silver color options.

Benco V62  Price in Nepal (Official) 
2/32GB Rs. 10,499
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of Google Pixel 6A.