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Moto G45 review: A good budget phone?

In this review, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the Motorola Moto G45, a phone I’ve been using for a week now. On paper, it looks like a solid option under NPR 25,000, but does it truly live up to expectations in real life? Let’s find out in this review

An unnecessary price discrimination?

Before we go into the specifications, I want to bring up the fact that it’s priced around INR 12,000 in India. Which converts to around NPR 20,000. But here in Nepal, it costs 25% more. So my big question is if Nepali buyers can overlook this price bump because of the phone’s features, or is this going to be a letdown? We’ll see.

Also, to give you a fair comparison, I’ve been using the Redmi Note 14 4G alongside the Moto G45, which falls within the same price range.

Moto G45 5G review: Specifications

  • Design and Build: 162.7 x 74.64 x 8.03mm, 183 gm, IP52 rating
  • Display: 6.5-inch LCD, HD+resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
  • Chipset: Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 5G (6nm)
  • Memory: 4/8GB RAM, 128GB storage
  • Software and UI: Android 14 (upgraded to Android 15)
  • Rear Camera: Dual (50MP primary, 2MP depth)
  • Front Camera: 16MP sensor (hole-punch)
  • Security: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted)
  • Connectivity: WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, 5G
  • Sensors: Accelerometer, Ambient Light, E-compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, SAR sensor, Sensor Hub
  • Battery: 5,000mAh with 18W charging (18W adapter in the box)
  • Price in Nepal: NPR 24,499 (8/128GB)
  • Check the full specifications of Motorola Moto G45 5G here
  • Buy Moto G45 here

Moto G45 review:

Design and build

  • 162.7 x 74.64 x 8.03 mm, 183 gm
  • Glass front, plastic frame, silicone polymer (eco-leather) back
  • IP52 dust/spill resistant

Okay. What I like the most about the Moto G45 is its design, which really captures the essence of recent Motorola phones like the Edge 50 and the Fusion series. The unit I’m reviewing is the “Brilliant Blue” finish, which has this smooth vegan leather finish that feels premium to the touch.

Moto G45 Design

In terms of handling, I found the Moto G45 to be much lighter and more comfortable to hold than the Redmi Note 14 4G.

For a regular iPhone 12 Pro Max user like me who has the habit of carrying a bulky phone, holding the Moto G45 made me double-check my pocket. Lol! The Moto G45 also comes with an IP52 rating, which means it can handle a little dust and survive accidental splashes when you’re caught in light rain or accidentally spill your drink onto the phone.

Display

  • 6.5-inch IPS LCD with HD (720 x 1600) resolution
  • 120Hz refresh rate, 20:9 aspect ratio
  • Corning Gorilla Glass 3

The display is where I was really left scratching my head. It’s got a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS LCD screen, and to be honest, it feels a bit like a letdown. If you’re looking for something vibrant, you’re better off looking elsewhere with an AMOLED panel. Take the Redmi Note 14 4G I’m using alongside this Moto, for example.

On top of that, this display doesn’t support HDR. Watching YouTube videos on it felt a little… meh. Plus, the brightness levels are not that impressive either. On sunny days, I had to cover the screen with my hands to get a good look at my incoming messages or the photos I’d take.

Motorola G45 Display

Thank goodness for the 120Hz refresh rate that made my TikTok and Facebook scrolling sessions super smooth! If Moto had skipped this, I might’ve had a few words to say… but hey, we’re all good! As for the chin, yeah it’s a bit on the thicker side… although it didn’t bother me much during daily use.

Once you get into the flow, you hardly notice it! I mean, come on, it’s a budget phone after all! Also folks, we get a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for protection on the good side. So yeah, the display is kind of a mixed bag here.

Performance

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm)
  • 4/8GB RAM, 128GB built-in storage (expandable 1TB)
  • Android 15

After testing the Moto G45 5G for this review, I found that its gaming performance is decent but varies significantly between different games. This phone is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chip, and in Mobile Legends, it delivers smooth gameplay with a consistent 60 fps. However, when switching to PUBG Mobile, I could only play it at a not-so-enjoyable 40 fps.

Its temperatures are perfectly fine though. And I only ever noticed the Moto G45 hitting around 35°C during my gaming sessions.

On the software side, I recently got the latest Android 15 update on my review unit of the Moto G45. Unlike Xiaomi’s HyperOS 1.0 on the Redmi Note 14 4G that comes with a lot of bloatware and ads, Motorola keeps things clean with a good Android experience free from unnecessary pre-installed apps.

And in terms of updates, Motorola has only promised a single OS upgrade and three years of os security updates. Which means… with the Android 15 update that I have already received, I only have security patches to look forward to on this thing. Sadly, no more version upgrades!

Cameras

  • Dual camera setup at the back
  • (50MP main, 2MP macro)
  • 16MP selfie camera (hole-punch cutout)

Alright, let’s talk cameras! I’ve been messing around with the Moto G45 and the Redmi Note 14 4G, snapping pics left and right, and here’s what I think.

Daylight images

In good lighting, the Moto G45 is umm… good. That 50MP main camera gives me punchy, contrasty, and warm shots that look great considering everything.

I took some pictures with the Redmi too, and compared to the G45, I noticed how its colors looked a bit… washed out. And while neither phone has an ultra-wide lens, the Note 14 4G’s main camera does have a slightly wider field of view.

Lowlight images

The results completely flip when it gets dark. Redmi’s night shots have a yellowish tint and arguably nicer contrast, and they look punchy and lively to me. While Moto G45’s images kinda fell flat. But it depends more on the preference.

Portraits

In the portrait mode, Moto handles colors way better, keeping things natural and balanced. Redmi Note 14 4G, on the other hand, sometimes overexposes the face. Making it look too bright and washed out.

Selfies

Both phones do a solid job in the selfie part! Moto gives you a natural skin tone with a bit of smoothing. Kinda like a beauty filter that’s not too aggressive.

Redmi sometimes brightens up the face, which looks great in some cases but a little too much in others. Either way, both are selfie-approved from little ol’ me!

Videos

As for videos, you can only shoot up to 1080p 30 fps from both of them. And here, the Note 14 4G once again has a wider field of view and better stabilization, making it the clear winner.

Battery and charging

  • 5000 mAh battery
  • 18W charging (18W adapter inside the box)

Motorola G45 Battery and Charging

The Moto G45 gives you a solid full day of use unless you’re glued to your phone 24/7 (we’ve all been there). It took me about two hours to charge it fully with the 18W charger that came in the box. Not the fastest, but it gets the job done.

Moto G45 review: Conclusion

Alright.

So even though Motorola Nepal could’ve done a better job in terms of pricing, I think the Moto G45 is a solid pick under NPR 25,000. It’s lightweight, smooth to use (thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate), and its battery lasts all day. The G45’s cameras are also pretty nice, although I really wish Motorola had gone with an AMOLED display here.

Moto G45 review: Pros and Cons

Pros Cons
• Great design and build • No AMOLED display
• Decent cameras • Only 1+3 years of updates
• Smooth user experience

ZTE Blade A75 launched in Nepal with a Unisoc T606 chipset

ZTE has launched the ZTE Blade A75 in Nepal as a budget-friendly device. This smartphone comes with a Unisoc T760 chipset and a 50MP main camera. In this article, we will discuss the ZTE Blade A75 including its specifications and price in Nepal.

ZTE Blade A75 Overview

Design and Display

The ZTE Blade A75 has a simple and sleek design with a monotone finish and a 163.6 x 74.9 x 8.6mm dimension. On the back, there’s a circular camera setup with two cameras and a flash.

ZTE Blade A75 Design and Display

The front has a 6.6-inch IPS LCD that supports a 90Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels. The bezels at the bottom are noticeable while the sides are fairly slim. For security the phone includes a fingerprint sensor. It comes in  Black and Mint Green colors.

Performance and Battery

Under the hood, the ZTE Blade A75 features a Unisoc T606 chipset built on a 12nm process. This octa-core processor includes 2 Cortex A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and 6 Cortex A55 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz. The Mali-G57 handles the graphics.

Unisoc T606 Processor

The phone runs on Android 13, which is a bit behind since newer models are using Android 15. In fact, the ZTE Blade A55, which costs less than the Blade A75 features Android 14 (Go edition). For storage, it has 4GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, which is fast thanks to the UFS 3.1 technology. The battery is a 5,000mAh unit and depending on the region it can support either 10W or 18W charging.

Camera and Connectivity

On the front, the ZTE Blade A75 comes with a dual-camera setup on the back featuring a 50MP main camera and a 2MP secondary camera. For selfies, there’s an 8MP front camera.

ZTE Blade A75 Camera

Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 5, and a USB Type-C 2.0 port. For audio, the phone retains a 3.5mm headphone jack which is great for those who prefer wired headphones.

ZTE Blade A75 Specifications

  • Display: 6.6-inch IPS LCD, 90Hz refresh rate, 720 x 1612 pixels resolution
  • Chipset: Unisoc T606 (12nm)
  • Graphics: Mali-G57 MP1
  • OS: Android 13
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 256GB UFS 3.1
  • Rear Camera: 50MP main + 2MP secondary
  • Front Camera: 8MP
  • Battery: 5,000mAh, 10W or 18W charging (region dependent)
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 5, USB Type-C 2.0
  • Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Colors: Black, Mint Green

ZTE Blade A75 Price in Nepal and Availability 

The ZTE Blade A75 has been launched in Nepal with a starting price of NPR 13,999 for 4/256GB. You can purchase it from Hukut Stores.

ZTE Blade A75 Price in Nepal (Official) Availability 
4/256GB NPR 13,999 Hukut

ZTE Blade A55 launched in Nepal with a 6.75-inch screen and a 13MP camera

ZTE has introduced five new phones to the Nepali market and here we’ll be focusing on the ZTE Blade A55 which is a budget-friendly phone featuring a 6.75-inch screen and a 13MP camera. Let’s dive into everything we know about the ZTE Blade A55, including its specs and price in Nepal.

ZTE Blade A55 Overview

Design and Display

The ZTE Blade A55 has a simple, monotone finish with dimensions of 167.7 x 77.4 x 8.5mm. On the back, it features a large rectangular camera island that houses the 13MP main camera, an LED light an AI camera, and one of them seems to serve more as a gimmick than anything useful. The phone comes in Mint Green, Starry Black, and Sunset Orange shades.

ZTE Blade A55 Design and DisplayThe front of the device boasts a 6.75-inch display with a 720 x 1600 pixel resolution and an 84.7% screen-to-body ratio. While the bezels on the top and bottom aren’t too thick they are noticeable. For added security, there’s a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Performance and Battery

Under the hood, the ZTE Blade A55  features the octa-core Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset with four Cortex A55 cores clocking at 1.6GHz and another four Cortex A55 cores at 1.2GHz. For graphics, it uses the IMG8322 GPU and on the software side, the device runs on Android 14 (Go Edition).

Unisoc SC9863A1 Chipset

With 4GB of RAM, users have the option of choosing between 64GB or 128GB of eMMC 5.1 storage which should be enough for basic daily tasks and light media consumption. On the battery end, the ZTE Blade A55 is equipped with a 5000mAh battery that supports 10W wired charging. It uses a USB Type-C 2.0 charging port, making it compatible with modern charging standards.

Camera and other features

For photography, the ZTE Blade A55 comes with a 13MP rear camera that includes an auxiliary lens and an LED flash. The camera can record videos at 1080p at 30fps so it’s capable of decent video quality for casual use. On the front, you get an 8MP camera for selfies.

ZTE Blade A55 Camera

Other features include Bluetooth 5.2 for better connectivity, Wi-Fi 802.11 support, and a 3.5mm audio jack for your headphones.

ZTE Blade A55 Specifications

  • Dimensions: 167.7 x 77.4 x 8.5mm
  • Display: 6.75 inches, 720 x 1600 pixels, 84.7% screen-to-body ratio
  • Chipset: Unisoc SC9863A1 (Octa-core)
  • Graphics: IMG8322
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 64GB/128GB eMMC 5.1
  • OS: Android 14 (Go edition)
  • Rear Camera: 13MP (Main) + Auxiliary lens + LED flash, 1080p@30fps video recording
  • Front Camera: 8MP
  • Battery: 5000mAh, 10W wired charging
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 802.11
  • Audio: 3.5mm audio jack
  • Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
  • Color Options: Mint Green, Starry Black, Sunset Orange

ZTE Blade A55 Price in Nepal and Availability

The ZTE Blade A55 has been launched in Nepal with a starting price of NPR 11,999 for the 4GB/64GB variant.

ZTE Blade A55  Price in Nepal (Official) Availability 
4/64GB NPR 11,999 Hukut
4/128GB NPR 12,999 Hukut

ZTE Nubia V70 Launched in Nepal at a budget pricing

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ZTE has launched the Nubia V70 in Nepal, offering budget-friendly specifications. The device features a Unisoc chipset, a high-refresh-rate display, and a triple-camera setup. This article will discuss everything about the latest ZTE Nubia V70, including its price in Nepal, specifications, and availability.

ZTE Nubia V70 Overview

Build and Display

ZTE Nubia V70

The Nubia V70 comes with a glass or leather back panel and supports dual SIM cards. It features a 6.7-inch HD+ IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Performance

The phone is powered by the UNISOC T606 chipset, built on a 12nm process. It has an octa-core CPU with Cortex-A75 and Cortex-A55 cores, paired with a Mali-G57MP GPU. Meanwhile, ZTE offers the Nubia V70 in two storage variants: 128GB and 256GB, both with 8GB RAM. It runs MyOS 14 based on Android 14.

Cameras

The rear camera setup consists of a 50MP wide lens, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 0.08MP auxiliary sensor. The front camera has a 16MP sensor for selfies and video calls.

Battery and Charging

A 5,000mAh Li-ion battery powers the device, supporting 22.5W fast charging via USB Type-C. The phone retains a 3.5mm headphone jack and comes in Stone Gray and Jade Green color options.

ZTE Nubia V70 Specifications

  • Display: 6.7-inch HD+ IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh rate
  • Processor: UNISOC T606 (12nm)
  • CPU: Octa-core (2 x Cortex-A75 1.6GHz, 6 x Cortex-A55 1.6GHz)
  • GPU: Mali-G57MP
  • RAM & Storage: 8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage
  • OS: MyOS 14 based on Android 14
  • Rear Camera: 50MP (wide) + 2MP (depth) + 0.08MP
  • Front Camera: 16MP
  • Battery: 5,000mAh, 22.5W fast charging
  • USB: USB Type-C
  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Yes
  • Colors: Stone Gray, Jade Green

ZTE Nubia V70 Price in Nepal and Availability

The ZTE Nubia V70 is available in Nepal at the following prices:

Device Name Price in Nepal (Official)
ZTE Nubia V70 (8/128GB) NPR 16,999
ZTE Nubia V70 (8/256GB) NPR 18,999
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra

Is Apple reinventing Wearable Technology?

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As a tech enthusiast, I’ve been closely following Apple’s latest developments in wearable technology. And 2027 is the year I feel will be a big one for the Cupertino-based giants, as it is set to introduce innovative devices that could significantly change how we interact with our technology. The upcoming Apple Watch models are particularly intriguing, with integrated cameras designed to do much more than traditional wearable devices. This article will discuss more about the upcoming wearable technologies Apple has set out to bring about, including the Apple Watch with AI Cameras.

Apple Wearable Technology Rumors.

Apple Watch with AI Cameras?

apple watch

The new Apple Watch will feature cameras that go beyond simple photography. Instead, these cameras are engineered to scan surroundings and provide real-time, AI-generated contextual information. Apple is exploring two design approaches: standard models might incorporate under-display or discrete camera cutouts, while the Apple Watch Ultra is expected to have a visible camera module positioned near the Digital Crown, which can enable quick and precise object scanning.

AirPods: What about it?

Complementing the Apple Watch, the company is also developing AirPods with infrared cameras. These aren’t just audio devices anymore; they’re evolving into sophisticated tools for spatial audio experiences and gesture-based controls. The integration of augmented reality capabilities suggests Apple is thinking beyond the traditional boundaries of wearable technology.

In-House AI

Perhaps most significant is Apple’s strategic shift towards developing in-house AI systems. By moving away from third-party AI models, the company aims to create a more integrated and potentially more private technological ecosystem.

The Future of Wearable Technology

While the company has a history of transforming nascent technologies into mainstream products, these devices must overcome significant hurdles like privacy concerns, high costs, and potential consumer skepticism. Their market breakthrough depends not just on impressive technical capabilities, but on demonstrating clear, tangible value that solves real-world problems in ways current devices cannot. The next few years will reveal whether these innovations become another revolutionary Apple product or remain an interesting but ultimately niche technological experiment.

ZTE Blade V70 arrives with 108MP camera and Nubia AI

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ZTE launched a moderately-specced smartphone globally. However, the company does not seem very excited about the phone either, as it does not even mention what chipset it runs on. Regardless, let’s discuss the ZTE Blade V70, including its price in Nepal.

ZTE Blade V70 Overview

Design and Display

Talking of the design, the ZTE Blade V70 looks like a wanna-be iPhone. It has flat frames and edges and a squircle camera island with circular cutouts. The phone’s back panel is what the company calls “Starlight AG Glass”. It ships in three colours — Glacier Green, Stardust Grey, and Sunshine Gold.

ZTE Blade V70 Design

For the display, the ZTE Blade V70 has a 6.7-inch unit with HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. No other information about the screen is available. However, taking the phone’s other specs into account, it is likely an LCD panel.

Camera and AI

The Blade V70’s main highlight is — definitely — its camera and AI, and ZTE spends most of its time talking about them. The primary shooter here is a 108MP unit with a 1/1.67” sensor. There are two additional cameras at the back, but they do not seem relevant as the company does not mention anything about them. In the meantime, you get a 16MP snapper on the front.

Moving on to the AI side of things, it seems mostly limited to photos and tampering with them. We have the Magic Eraser that does exactly what it sounds like. Then there is Magic Editor which allows users to select a photo’s subject and move them around within the image. Other features include Magic Lens (OCR), Organisation and Storytelling, Best Take, Magic Unblur, Photo Search, AI Face Stickers, Portrait Light, and so on.

Performance

As I mentioned earlier, ZTE does not specify which processor it has powered the Blade V70 with. It is apparently an octa-core processor with a peak clock speed of 2.0GHz. There are a lot of chipsets that match the provided description. Hence, it is impossible to tell exactly which one it is. But if I were to guess, some offering from UNISOC or Helio G80-series seems to be the most likely candidate.

ZTE Blade V70 Chip

Other than that, the phone packs 8GB RAM that can be boosted by an additional 12GB virtually. You get 256GB worth of on-device storage which you could expand to 1TB externally via a microSD card. The thing boots on MyOS 14 which is based on Android. Lastly, it has a 5,000 mAh cell with 22.5W fast charging support.

ZTE Blade V70 Specifications

  • Design: Flat frames and edges, Matte finish, Sparkling sand texture
  • Display: 6.70-inch, LCD*, 120Hz refresh rate
  • Resolution: HD+ (720 x 1,600)
  • Chipset: Unnamed octa-core processor with 2.0GHz clock speed
  • RAM: 8GB + 12GB extendable
  • ROM: 256GB + 1TB expandable via microSD card
  • OS & UI: Android 14 with MyOS 14 on top
  • Rear Camera: Triple Camera (108MP Primary + 2x auxiliary lens of unspecified resolution)
  • Front Camera: 16MP Camera (Centre-aligned hole-punch cutout)
  • Battery: 5,000 mAh cell with 22.5W fast charging
  • Color: Glacier Green, Stardust Grey, Sunshine Gold

ZTE Blade V70 Price in Nepal and Availability

The ZTE Blade V70 price has not been revealed yet.

Acer Go Air launches with 14-inch 2.2K display

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Acer has introduced the new 14-inch Acer Go Air positioning it as a Windows alternative to the MacBook Air with Intel Core CPUs. This article will cover the specifications of the Acer Go Air and its expected price in Nepal.

Acer Go Air Overview

Design and Display

Acer’s latest laptop is a super-thin notebook designed for professionals looking for a Windows alternative to the MacBook Air. The Go Air is incredibly portable weighing only 999 grams and has a magnesium-aluminum alloy body. The hinge can open up to 180 degrees letting the display lay flat on the surface.

Acer Go Air Design

For the screen, it features a 14-inch IPS display with a 2240 x 1400 resolution. It has full sRGB color coverage which makes it great for color accuracy (perfect for creative work). Additionally, it includes DC dimming to reduce eye strain, a 16:10 aspect ratio for more screen space, and an 88% screen-to-body ratio for better viewing. Plus, the anti-glare coating is excellent for both indoor and outdoor use.

Performance and Features

Under the hood, the Go Air is powered by either an Intel Core i5-210H (with four performance cores) or the Core i7-240H (with six performance cores). These chips are kept cool with dual 6nm heat pipes and large fans. Both are solid choices for handling everyday tasks with ease.

Acer Go Air Display

For memory, it packs 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM providing plenty of speed and multitasking power. The 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD ensures fast data acces which gives quicker load times and better overall performance. The device is powered by a 60W battery.

In terms of connectivity, the Go Air comes with three Type-C ports; one for data transfer and another fully functional port. Additionally, there’s an HDMI 2.0 port, a USB-A port, and a headphone jack. However it doesn’t include an Ethernet port so you’ll need to rely on WiFi 6 for wireless internet connections.

Acer Go Air Specifications

  • Display: 14-inch IPS, 2240 x 1400 resolution, full sRGB, 16:10 aspect ratio, 88% screen-to-body ratio, anti-glare
  • Chassis: Magnesium-aluminum alloy, ultra-thin, weighs 999 grams
  • Hinge: 180-degree hinge
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-210H (4 performance cores) or Core i7-240H (6 performance cores)
  • Cooling: Dual 6nm heat pipes, large fans
  • RAM: 32GB LPDDR5
  • Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
  • Battery: 60W
  • Ports: Three Type-C (one data-only, one fully functional), HDMI 2.0, USB-A, headphone jack
  • Connectivity: WiFi 6

Acer Go Air Availability and Price in Nepal

Go Air has been launched in China with a starting price of 5,299 yuan for the Core 5 model. For now, this laptop is exclusively available in China so if the Acer Go Air launches in Nepal we can expect its price to be around NPR 105,000.

Acer Go Air Price in China (Official) Price in Nepal (Expected)
Core 5 CNY 5,299 NPR 105,000
Core 7 CNY 5,699 NPR 110,00

Samsung Galaxy A56 review: Iterative but enough?

Hello everyone, Pratima here! And one thing we all know is that Samsung’s flagship S-series lineups have been a tremendous success – the S23 Ultra, last year’s S24 Ultra and the newly launched S25 Ultra – all were and are awesome flagship phones!

Similarly, their A series phones are also very popular among consumers with the brand launching A26, A36, and A56 recently. The latter is their most expensive A-series phone yet, and for the last few days, I have been daily driving the A56 to bring you the full review! But before I get to that, let’s take a quick peek at its specs!

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G Specifications:

  • Display: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O Display, 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass Victus+
  • Resolution: Full HD+ (1080×2400 pixels)
  • Processor: Exynos 1580 (4nm)
  • Software & UI: One UI 7.1 based on Android 15
  • Rear Camera: Triple
    – 50MP main, OIS
    – 12MP ultrawide
    – 5MP macro
  • Front Camera: 12MP (hole-punch cutout)
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, 5G, GPS, VoLTE
  • Battery: 5000mAh with 45W charging
  • Color Options: Olive, Graphite, Light Gray
  • Price in Nepal: Rs. 65,999 (8/256GB), Rs. 70,999 (12/256GB)
  • Check out the full specs of the Samsung Galaxy A56 here.
Buy Samsung Galaxy A56 here

Samsung Galaxy A56 Review

A Solid Build

  •  158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm, 202 grams
  • Glass front/back, Plastic frames
  • IP67 dust/splash resistant

Let’s start this review with the positives first and here the design is top-class. There’s an aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on both the front and the back, you get a more likable camera module, and the overall design aesthetics just feels like you are carrying an expensive phone. I also like this OLIVE color variant that I have with me. The fingerprints & smudges are less visible here!

Samsung Galaxy A56 Review - design

It’s thinner and much lighter than last year’s A55 too, hence it feels really good in the hands. Although these edges could have been less sharp for a more comfortable grip. Samsung also hasn’t missed out on the official IP67 dust and water resistance, which is almost as good as the IP68 rating we get with the S25!

Top-notch display

  • 6.7-inches FHD+ OLED panel
  • 120/240Hz refresh/touch sampling rate
  • Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection

However, I think Samsung could have done better with the bezels on the front. It’s quite thick especially if I keep it side by side with the S25 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy A56 Review - display2

I also think Samsung should now be going with a faster fingerprint sensor. This one just isn’t very fast! Other than that, the display here is really good.

The color reproduction, white balance, and warmth are so good, it will offer you a great multimedia experience – Be it while watching Instagram reels, YouTube videos, or Netflix. BTW, you do get HDR 10 play back support in both Netflix and Amazon Prime! The brightness is also reasonably good. It can reach 1200 nits in HBM, which isn’t a record-breaking number, but the sunlight legibility is decent and it can get super dim too.

Performance

  • Octa-core Exynos 1580 (4nm)
  • 8/12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 256GB UFS 3.1 storage

The one area where I am surprised with the Galaxy A56 is the performance. It uses the in-house Exynos 1580 chipset, about which I initially thought Why Exynos again? Because the Exynos chipset in the past always used to perform slowly and used to overheat a lot!

Galaxy A56 Review - Antutu V10

But this year’s Exynos 1580 is on the right trajectory. It’s a good improvement over last year’s Exynos 1480 and is also slightly better than the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and 7s Gen 3. Plus, I have never noticed it getting warm, it stayed cool while I was gaming for more than 30 minutes or performing wildlife stress tests.

The OneUI smoothness

  • OneUI 7.1 based on Android 15
  • 6 years of OS and 7 years of security updates

And with the new One UI 7, everything feels respectably smooth. Indeed, it feels smoother than the VIVO V50 and even the Nothing Phone 3(a) Pro. The 120Hz is quite optimized and the whole UI feels refreshing – the multitasking tray, the notification panel, the charging animation, everything.

However, one thing you ought to know is we don’t have all the One UI 7 features here as compared to the S25 Ultra. For eg, the Now Bar I loved so much on my S25 Ultra has very limited functionality, I can’t trigger Gemini by long pressing the power button, it opens Bixby and I have to swipe from here to access Gemini, the AI features are also quite low, and it doesn’t work as well too. Plus, there is no AI summary, AI translation and even grammar check here.

Definitely not meant for gaming!

Samsung Galaxy A56 Review - gaming

Another aspect that is a potential deal breaker for some users is the Gaming performance. Here, PUBG mobile only runs at 30 fps, yes, just 30 fps, but with future updates, it should get support up to 60 fps, but still not as good as other phones at a similar price bracket.

Some good things about the Exynos

How’s the Battery Life?

  • 5000mAh battery with 45W fast charging

The battery life situation is also a solid B+, but I wish Samsung had opted for a Si-Ca battery here and included a 6000mAh unit instead of a 5000mAh unit.

Samsung Galaxy A56 Review - Charging

Chinese companies are ahead in this aspect since they are using 6000-6500mAh cells on their mid-range phones, and there are even rumors that Honor is going to launch a phone with a 7800mAh battery in the Honor 400 series!

What’s nice is we get 45W charging support here, up from 25W, and with this, it refills much faster, if you have the compatible PD adapter and 5A cable.  (0 to 60% in 30 mins, 100% in 1 hour 5 mins)

Cameras

  • Triple camera setup at the back
  • (50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro)
  • 16MP selfie camera

Ok, let me now talk about things where Samsung could have done better, and the camera is one aspect where I do think Galaxy A56 should be doing much better considering the price. Sadly, we do get the same hardware as last year, with the only change being the 12MP Selfie camera, which now gets a bigger sensor.

Hence, I found the camera performance to be just “B+” or “A-”. First of all, I think Samsung should have included a 3X telephoto lens here. Maybe they could have borrowed that from the S24 FE – that 10MP 3X lens, which would have resulted in much better portraits.

Daylight

Right now, its 50MP camera crops the photos digitally to 2X for portraits and if I zoom in on these photos, it’s not very sharp! Although the skin tone and bokeh look fine.

Regular daytime Photos are also nice most of the time. It has vibrant colors and accurate white balance, but I have been in situations where I think photos from this phone could have been brighter. Just look at this photo I shot with the A56 and VIVO V50. Vivo’s output is brighter.

Ultrawide

The Ultra-wide camera is also nothing exciting either. You do get a wider field of view, but in challenging situations, there are shadow-crushing and sub-par dynamic range issues!

Lowlight

And when I am clicking photos during the nighttime, there is this issue with the Night Mode. Both the main and ultra-wide camera’s photos in night mode have desaturated and bizarre output! Hopefully, this will be solved with an update.

Selfies & Videos

Likewise, there is no 4K 60fps recording option from all the lenses. However, I must admit that the 4K 30fps footages come out decent, with good enough stabilization, skin tone, and colors. Selfies are also pretty nice! I found it to process skin tone better than what we got on the A55.

Samsung Galaxy A56 Review: Conclusion

So, overall, given everything, if I have to rate Galaxy A56 out of 10, it would be an 8 out of 10 for Nepalese consumers. Samsung is a veteran in the smartphone industry and they know people are still going to pay that premium for a Samsung phone even if it’s not the most bang for buck on paper specs.

Samsung Galaxy A56 Review - IP

Plus, Samsung is one of the few brands that’s got the technical ability to provide 6 years of updates even on their mid-range phone, they have the most retail outlets/service centers, and they have the easiest no-cost EMI available wherever you are from – all thanks to the Knox security.

So, it’s a much SAFER & easier option to get for most users, as compared to the Nothing Phone 3(a) Pro, Honor 200 Pro, OnePlus 13R, or any other Chinese phones out there – which might offer better value! That’s the harsh reality!

Samsung Galaxy A56 Review: Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Premium Build
  • Gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED panel
  • Reliable main camera
  • Fluid software

Cons

  • Exynos 1580 is not for gaming
  • Ultarwide camera needs to be optimized
  • No telephoto lens at this price point

Mobile Banking vs Digital Wallets: What to choose?

I recently found myself comparing mobile banking and digital wallet apps on my phone. While my bank’s app requires several steps to complete even simple transactions, the wallet app lets me pay bills with just a few taps. Using mobile banking and digital wallets can be a personal choice, but on a personal level, using wallets simply feels more light while mobile banking feels heavy with all the processes. In this article I will discuss the digital payment landscape in Nepal, comparing mobile banking vs digital wallets to help you understand which option might work best for you.

The Digital Payment Revolution in Nepal

Only a person wearing blinders would fail to notice that Nepal’s financial landscape has transformed dramatically over the past decade. What started with the introduction of the first digital wallet around 2009 has now evolved into a competitive market with multiple players. The COVID-19 pandemic especially accelerated this shift as we all needed contactless payment options during lockdowns.

ime pay khalti esewa

Increased smartphone availability, improved internet coverage, and easier banking access have contributed to this growth. According to Nepal Rastra Bank Payment Systems data, digital transactions increased by an impressive 300% between 2020 and 2023. Currently, over 12 million Nepalis use digital wallets, with eSewa leading the market, followed by Khalti and IME Pay.

Digital Wallets: My Go-To for Daily Transactions

I use digital wallets for most of my quick payments. These platforms allow me to store money digitally and conduct various financial transactions. They’ve shown significant growth, with wallet users increasing by nearly 24% in fiscal year 2080/81 to reach over 23 million. During this period, transactions worth 31 billion 302 million rupees were processed through wallets.

When I use digital wallets, I appreciate:

  • The convenience of completing transactions in just a few clicks
  • The speed of payments for utilities, mobile recharges, and merchant payments
  • The rewards and cashbacks I receive

I primarily use eSewa, which was Nepal’s first digital wallet launched in 2009 and now has over 8 million users. I’ve also tried Khalti, known for its rewards, and IME Pay, but not more often than others.

Enhanced verification and transfer security

One aspect of digital wallets that I find useful is the verification process. When using eSewa, I can see if I’m sending money to the right person before completing the transaction. The app shows the recipient’s name before I confirm, which helps prevent mistakes.

With mobile banking, I sometimes find it harder to verify the recipient since the app mainly shows the account number rather than a name confirmation. This simple verification feature in digital wallets brings the kind of convenience I appreciate for everyday transactions.

The Power of Shared Wallets

Digital wallets also make it easier to share expenses with friends and family without transaction fees. For group expenses like trips or shared bills, we can use a single digital wallet account that everyone has access to.

This approach helps avoid the fees that often come with bank-to-bank transfers. When family members need to send each other money for shared expenses, using a digital wallet eliminates those extra costs. For families and friends managing joint expenses, this feature makes digital wallets particularly useful in Nepal.

Also Read: Khalti and IME Pay Merger: A threat to eSewa?

Mobile Banking: Choice for Larger Transactions

When I need to make larger transfers or access comprehensive banking services, I turn to mobile banking. Unlike digital wallets that require preloading money, my mobile banking app gives me direct access to my bank account.

Mobile banking handles substantially larger transaction values – NPR 3.73 trillion in the last fiscal year compared to digital wallets’ 31.3 billion rupees. This suggests that many Nepalis prefer mobile banking for significant transactions.

I value mobile banking for:

  • Direct access to my account without preloading funds
  • Higher transaction limits for major purchases
  • Access to loans, fixed deposits, and other financial products
  • Bank-level security with multiple authentication layers
  • Seeing my complete financial picture in one place

Mobile Banking or Digital Wallet – How I Choose Between the Two

I’ve developed a simple system for deciding which platform to use:

I choose digital wallets when:

  • I need quick payments for everyday transactions
  • I want to take advantage of rewards and cashbacks
  • I’m making utility bill payments or mobile recharges
  • I need to share expenses with others without transaction fees
  • I want clear verification of who I’m sending money to

I opt for mobile banking when:

  • I need to make larger transactions
  • I want direct access to my full bank balance
  • I require comprehensive banking services beyond payments
  • I need the highest level of security for important transactions

Mobile Banking vs Digital Wallets: The Future As I See It

Both systems will likely continue to evolve and coexist. QR-based payments have grown remarkably, with transactions increasing by over 113% in the last year. New developments like Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services could also change how we manage our finances.

While mobile banking seems positioned to handle larger transaction values due to its structural advantages, digital wallets will likely continue to excel in convenience, accessibility, fee-free sharing capabilities, and transaction verification.

Xiaomi Mijia Smart Audio Glasses 2 launched with updated frame and durability

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Xiaomi’s Mijia brand offers a multitude of products and accessories quite at budget pricing. Now the subbrand has unveiled a new smart audio glass with some interesting features. In this article, we’ll walk through the specs, features, and expected price of the Xiaomi Mijia Smart Audio Glasses 2 price in Nepal.

Xiaomi Mijia Smart Audio Glasses 2 Overview:

Design 

In terms of design, the new Mijia Smart Audio Glasses 2 features some design refinements. This new smart wearable is now sleeker and more comfortable to wear, thanks to the frame being just 5mm thick. Compared with the last gen, it is now 26% thinner at the narrowest point and 30% thinner at the widest. On top of that, it weighs only 27.6 grams.

Xiaomi Mijia Smart Audio Glasses 2

Likewise, it is sturdy too, Xiaomi has used an advanced “piano steel ultra-flexible hinge” which is durable enough even after 15,000 bends. Moreover, the glasses feature a second-generation quick-release system with a hinge design that is 70% smaller, enabling effortless one-handed lens swapping. The available frame styles include five options: metal aviator, hybrid browline, classic Boston, hybrid aviator, and deep-space titanium.

Audio and Features

Let’s address the audio section of this wearable. Mijia says it has upgraded the audio performance with an optimized acoustic structure. There is a four-microphone array offering better noise reduction too and enhanced call clarity. Furthermore, users can activate a new privacy mode from the Mijia Glasses app to reduce sound leakage as well.

Xiaomi Mijia Smart Audio Glasses 2 Features

Holding the temple triggers instant voice recording, eliminating the need for a phone. To maintain privacy, an indicator light turns on whenever the recording is active. These smart glasses also boast IP54-rated dust and water resistance, voice assistant integration, and real-time audio streaming.

Battery

Lastly, you get up to 12 hours of music playback, 9 hours of talk time, and 12 days of standby. It charges via a 2C magnetic charging tech that does the full charge in just one hour. Similarly, a 10-minute charge will provide four hours of listening time.

Xiaomi Mijia Smart Audio Glasses 2 Price in Nepal and Availability

Mijia is beginning the crowdfunding campaign on March 10 with a special price of CNY 999. If it ever makes its way here, we expect the Xiaomi Mijia Smart Audio Glasses 2 price in Nepal to be NPR 21,999.

Smart Glass Price in China (Official) Price in Nepal (Expected)
Xiaomi Mijia Smart Audio Glasses 2 CNY 999 NPR 21,999