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Motorola Moto E7 Power Review: Getting The Basics Right

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Motorola Moto E7 Power Review: Getting The Basics Right

Lately, Motorola has been trying to tap into the South Asian market. The brand made a comeback to the Nepali market last and has been updating the portfolio from time to time. Here, Moto E7 Power is the most affordable Motorola phone you could buy in Nepal. It packs some interesting features for an entry-level phone. In this review, I will be discussing all the good and bad aspects of the Motorola Moto E7 Power.

Motorola Moto E7 Power Specifications:

  • Body: 75.9 x 165.1 x 9.2mm, 200 gm, IP52 rated
  • Display: 6.5-inches “Max Vision” IPS LCD panel, 269 PPI
  • Resolution: HD+ (1600 x 720 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
  • Chipset: MediaTek Helio G25 (12nm)
  • Memory: 2/4GB RAM, 32/64GB storage (expandable up to 1TB)
  • Software & UI: Android 10 with My UX on top
  • Rear Camera: Dual-camera;
    – 13MP f/2.0 primary sensor, PDAF
    – 2MP f/2.4 macro camera
  • Front Camera: 5MP f/2.2 lens (teardrop notch)
  • Security: Physical fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted)
  • Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack, loudspeaker
  • Connectivity: Hybrid Dual-SIM (Nano), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS / AGPS / Glonass / Galileo / LTEPP / SUPL, 4G, USB Type-C
  • Sensors: Accelerometer, Proximity, Ambient Light
  • Battery: 5000mAh with 10W charging
  • Color Options: Tahiti Blue, Coral Red
  • Price in Nepal: Rs. 12,999 (2/32GB)
Buy Moto E7 Power here

Motorola Moto E7 Power Review:

Design

  • Plastic unibody with a matte finish
  • IP52 rating for dust, splash protection

Let us start with the design and feel of the device. Moto E7 Power is quite sturdy, and it does not feel cheap despite having plastic as the principal material. Motorola has gone with this matte finish that is good-looking and resistant to smudges and fingerprint marks.

On top of that, this one has an IP52 rating. While it doesn’t make the phone fully weatherproof, it will save the phone from minor splashes.

You get a trio of buttons on the right side. The dedicated Google Assistant button and the power button have textures that distinguish them from each other, with the volume rocker between them.

Still, I would have liked if Motorola had placed the Google Assistant button on the left, which is clean except for the triple-card slot. This button is placed very high, and most of the time, I would mistake it for volume up instead.

At the back, there is a left-aligned pill-shaped camera bump, a fingerprint scanner with the classic Motorola logo, and a speaker grille. The 3.5mm headphone jack is at the top, and Moto even includes a wired earphone jack in the box.

Similarly, the bottom side is home to the microphone and Type-C port. Both the in-box earphone and the Type-C port are quite rare at this price point, so kudos to Motorola.

Display 

  • 6.5” HD+ IPS LCD panel, 269 PPI
  • 1600 x 720 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio

Moto E7 Power features a 6.5-inch “Max Vision” display with a waterdrop-style notch for the selfie camera. The fact it is a budget offering is apparent with the thick bezels around the screen.

Coming to the panel, it is an HD+ IPS LCD screen, which is what most devices offer in this price range. There is an LED towards the left of the notch, which lights up whenever you receive a notification. The display produces saturated colors as the colors are set to Boosted by default. Having it set to Natural felt much better to me.

Moto E7 Power Display

Visibility becomes an issue when you take the phone outdoor, but not when indoors (which I expect you to be during the ongoing prohibitory order). The phone also has Widevine L1 certification, so that should help.

Performance

  • Octa-core MediaTek Helio G25 (12nm platform)
  • 2/4GB RAM, 32/64GB eMCP storage (expandable)

Moto E7 Power is powered by the MediaTek Helio G25 chipset that went official last year. Based on TSMC’s 12nm process, it features eight Cortex-A53 cores (@2.0GHz) and IMG PowerVR 8320 GPU (@650MHz).

You can get phones with Helio G35 for a similar price, which could look more powerful on paper. However, the overclocked GPU and CPU don’t make much difference in real-life usage.

Though the phone has a higher 4/64GB variant, only the base 2/32GB model is available in Nepal. It takes a while to open any app, and the phone struggles to keep the app in the background. So, multitasking is out of the question.

Gaming experience

MediaTek promotes its Helio G-series as gaming-oriented because of the HyperEngine technology. Thus, we had to test few games on it. Starting with Call Of Duty Mobile, I will say that the game has not been optimized well for the device. You can only play in Low graphics settings. With the refresh rate set to High, the game was smooth except for occasional lags.

Moto E7 Power Gaming

PUBG Mobile, on the other hand, can run at Balanced graphics and refresh rate. The gameplay does not seem smooth, partly because of the supported refresh rate. That being said, I did not experience much lag as I did with COD. I also noticed that the phone starts getting warmer after 30 minutes of playing these demanding games. As a result, the games turn choppy.

Less-demanding games fare a lot better. I tried games like Clash Royale and FreeFire, and the experience was much better. The latter offered more graphics settings and was smoother compared to other aforementioned FPS titles.

Software

  • Android 10 with Motorola’s My UX on top
  • Clean and ad-free UI, Near stock Android

Anyway, the software has been a great selling point for Motorola devices. Still, I feel like the company could have done better. For instance, Motorola could have opted for Go Edition instead of the full-fledged Android version, at least for the 2GB variant. Here, Moto E7 Power runs My UX on top of Android 10.

However, you do not get to enjoy much of the gestures and customization that My UX is known for. The ones that I could find on the phone were “Chop to open Flashlight” and three-finger screenshot.

You will not be getting any ads or shady notifications that you find on other “value-for-money” budget devices. There were no pre-installed bloatware apps either. You get all the Google apps, some of which can even be uninstalled (Home, Fit, Podcasts, One).

Cameras

  • Dual camera setup at the back
  • (12MP primary, 2MP macro)
  • 5MP selfie camera inside the notch

There are three cameras on the Moto E7 Power, two on the back and one on the front. The rear camera setup consists of a 13MP primary shooter and a 2MP macro camera.

Normal Images

I would say the shots from the 13MP primary camera look good, but only when there is ample light. They are not sharp but I won’t say they are horrible either. For better results, I recommend you turn on the HDR.

The quality deteriorates as the day transitions into the night, and there is no dedicated night mode to help you either. The photos lack detail and are full of noise.

Portrait Image

Coming to the portraits, they are decent for the price. The images are not sharp. You can adjust the blur intensity before taking the picture.

 

Selfie Images

Similar is the case with the 5MP selfie shooter.

The photos are not sharp. They look soft, but the overall quality is decent for the price segment.

Macro Images

Moving on, the shots from the 2MP macro camera lack detail and sharpness.

Therefore, it is there just to make up the numbers.

Audio, Call Quality

  • Single speaker, 3.5mm audio jack

Moving on to call quality, I had no problem making and attaining calls on the Smart Telecom network.

Coming to the audio, the single speaker on E7 Power is moderately loud, but it sounds grainy. It is on the back of the phone where it’s most likely to be blocked when placed on a flat surface. Thankfully, there is a wired earphone in the box that I found myself using most of the time because of the higher quality compared to the speaker.

Battery

  • 5,000mAh battery with 10W charging (Type-C)

Likewise, the battery is among the strongest suits of the Moto E7 Power. The 5,000mAh battery provided me a screen-on time of 7 hours on average. I used the device for things like YouTube, social media browsing, and light gaming.

Therefore, on normal usage, it should easily last a day of usage. It is great to see Motorola offer Type-C charging on an entry-level device like the E7 Power. A 10W adapter comes in the box. Still, the phone takes an excess of 3.5 hours to go from 0 to 100%.

Conclusion

To conclude, Motorola has gone for the basics with the Moto E7 Power. The device comes with a sturdy yet elegant design with great battery backup and a clean, ad-free UI.

The 2GB RAM variant falls short on performance because of the chipset limitation and full-fledged Android. So, if you’re thinking of getting the phone, be sure to buy the 4/64GB variant.

Aspects like camera, performance, and charging speed left us wanting more, but it is typical of phones in this price range.

  • Watch our video review of the Moto E7 Power (Nepali).

Moto E7 Power Review: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Attractive matte design
  • Decent display quality
  • Near stock, ad-free Android UI
  • Supports both 4G bands in Nepal
  • Earphones provided in the box
  • Great battery endurance

Cons:

  • Falls short on performance
  • 2GB RAM is insufficient
  • Limited My UX features
  • Slow 10W charging

Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 Review: An Underwhelming Experience

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Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 Review: An Underwhelming Experience

Back in April, Nokia launched two new products in Nepal. One was a wireless speaker (SP-101) while the other was a headphone (E1200). Of the two, I have been testing the Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 for a while now, and I’ll be sharing my experience with this portable speaker in this review.

Before starting this review, let us take a quick look at the official specification listing of the Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101.

Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 specifications:

  • Body: 86 × 50 mm, 160gm
  • Design: Compact, travel-friendly design
  • Driver: 43 mm audio driver
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 
  • Audio: Integrated microphone for calls
  • Buttons: Volume control, play/pause, power
  • Battery: 800mAh battery, up to 4 hours of wireless playback
  • Port: Micro-USB charging
  • Others: Can link with two speakers for stereo output
  • Price: Rs. 3,999
Buy Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 here

Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 Review:

Here, it is essential to know that not all Nokia products come from the same manufacturer. By signing up for Nokia’s branding licensing, a company can have its name and logo on its products. In India, for instance, Flipkart sells Nokia TVs, whereas RichGo offers audio accessories in China and other markets.

The Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 comes from HMD Global. Having used a couple of its phones in the previous year, I expected the speaker to be well-built above all else. And, for the most part, this holds true.

Design and Build

  • Small, circular form factor
  • No official IP certification

Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 comes in a small round body. The speaker grill is located on the top and is covered with mesh fabric material. HMD Global chose a rubber-like material for the bottom, which I don’t believe was properly glued in our unit.

Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 Power and Pair Buttons

I wouldn’t be surprised if it starts coming off after few months of use. The speaker has a short, black cord that users can use to carry the speaker around. Furthermore, it weighs just 160 grams making it easy to take it with your most places.

If you’re a color snob, the SP-101 could disappoint because it’s only available in the black color option. Having more youthful choices would have added to the appeal of the speaker.

Likewise, it also lacks a dust/water-resistance certification. For a portable speaker, I think this is quite the crucial feature to lack. At the very least, Nokia has included a flap cover to protect the charging port.

Connectivity

  • Bluetooth 5.0, No auxiliary input

On the connectivity front, the speaker uses Bluetooth 5.0. I used it with my phone and a Windows laptop and had no issues with connectivity.

The pairing process is rather simple too. You can long press the power button to turn on the speaker. Then, turn on Bluetooth on your phone and hit connect. The speaker automatically connects to previously paired devices as well.

In my time with the Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101, I did not experience any disconnection or interruption. Although there is no 3.5mm headphone jack, you can still connect two of them for stereo audio.

Controls

  • Volume, playback control, power button

Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 Buttons

Moving on, this speaker has four buttons in total. They are divided into two groups of two, each on the opposing side of the speaker.

On one side, there is a power key and a play/pause button. Meanwhile, there is a volume up/down button on the opposing end. Long-pressing these buttons will allow you to skip tracks as well.

Audio Performance

  • 43mm audio driver

The speaker has a 43mm audio driver. You can notice the passive radiator on the bottom of the device. What I found from my tests is that its sound quality isn’t all that good, even for a budget speaker.

However, it is loud enough for small to medium-sized rooms. Bass lacks thumping. In addition, the instrument separation is not that good. Most of the time, the vocals are clear, except at high levels when they begin to crackle. It can be aggravating at times.

Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 Passive Radiator

Moving on, the speaker has a built-in microphone that you can use to make phone calls. With this, you can also activate the virtual assistant on your phone. The call quality is decent but it does not have noise cancellation of any sort.

Battery

  • 800mAh battery, Up to 4 hours of playback
  • Micro USB port, No fast charging support

Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 packs an 800mAh battery, which Nokia claims can last for up to four hours of playback. Interestingly, at least for me, each full charge provided 5 hours of average backup. That’s great!

Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 Charging Port

On the other hand, Nokia is still old-fashioned when it comes to charging. The company chose a micro USB port instead of Type-C. And because of the round design, you might struggle to find the correct position of the port. Likewise, the charging indicator gets easily blocked by the cable. The entire charging process takes an excess of 2 hours.

Conclusion

So, let’s conclude this review of the Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101. For me, the best part of this speaker is its battery backup. I was able to get more playback time than what the company has promised to provide.

In addition, it has a microphone built-in, which works well considering it’s a budget device. And that’s about it—nothing else stands out. The speaker is not loud enough and has quality issues. It’s difficult to endorse SP-101 when competing brands provide similar or better experiences at comparable prices.

Nokia Wireless Speaker SP-101 Review: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Decent design language
  • Great battery backup
  • Portable form factor
  • Cord for added portability
  • Bluetooth 5.0 connection
  • Built-in microphone

Cons:

  • Sub-par audio quality
  • No dust/water resistance
  • Unrefined build quality

Nokia G10 with Helio G25, up to 3 days of battery life goes official in Nepal

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Nokia G10 with Helio G25, up to 3 days of battery life goes official in Nepal

Nokia has officially launched yet another budget phone in Nepal, the Nokia G10. With a slightly less powerful Helio G25 processor onboard, this is an affordable alternative to the Nokia G20 which is already available in Nepal. So, let’s get into the specs, features, official price in Nepal, and availability of the Nokia G10.

Nokia G10 Overview:

Design and Display

Nokia G10 has a similar design language as its expensive sibling. It features a textured back with a circular camera layout. The front has a V-shaped notch with small bezels on the side, whereas there’s a significant chin with a “Nokia” branding.

Nokia G10 Front Back

G10 flaunts a 6.5-inches HD LCD screen with a 2.5D cover glass. It has a 1600 x 720 pixels resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio.

Performance

As aforementioned, the G10 is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G25 chipset. This silicon supports MediaTek’s HyperEngine technology for enhanced memory management. Complementing Helio G25 is 3/4GB of RAM, and 32/64GB of internal storage.

You can further expand its memory up to 512 GB via an external SD card. Like it is with other Nokia phones, the G10 ships with stock Android 11 as well—although it’s not a part of the Android One program.

Camera and Battery 

In terms of optics, it has a triple-camera setup at the back. There’s a 13MP main camera along with a 2MP depth and 2MP macro sensor. On the front, the V-shaped notch holds an 8MP selfie shooter.

Nokia G10 Camera

Fueling the device is a large 5050mAh battery. Nokia claims up to 3 days of battery life with this setup. There’s no fast charging support here and the company provides a 10W power adapter inside the box.

Rest of the specs

Aside from that, Nokia G10 has a dedicated 3.5mm audio jack and a single bottom-firing speaker setup. For biometrics, it uses a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. The phone is available in two color configurations: Blue and Dusk.

Nokia G10 Specifications:

  • Body: 164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm, 194 gm
  • Display: 6.5-inches IPS LCD, 2.5D glass, 20:9 aspect ratio 
  • Resolution: HD+ (720 x 1600 pixels)
  • Chipset: MediaTek Helio G25 (12 nm)
  • Memory: 3/4GB RAM, 32/64GB storage (expandable up to 512GB)
  • Software: Android 11
  • Rear Camera: Triple (13MP primary, 2MP macro, 2MP depth)
  • Front Camera: 8MP (teardrop notch)
  • Battery: 5050mAh Li-Po cell, 10W charging (Type-C)
  • Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack, Single speaker setup
  • Security: Fingerprint (side-mounted), Face unlock
  • Others: Google Assistant button, Accelerometer, Proximity, Ambient light sensor
  • Color Options: Blue, Dusk

Nokia G10 Price in Nepal and Availability

The price of the Nokia G10 in Nepal is NPR 16,999 for the sole 4/64GB variant. You can buy Nokia G10 from different Nokia authorized retail stores across Nepal.

Nokia G10 Price in Nepal
4/64GB NPR 16,999
  • Meanwhile, check out the review of the Vivo iQOO 7.

Leica’s first smartphone, the Leitz Phone 1 is a rebranded Sharp Aquos R6

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Leica’s first smartphone, the Leitz Phone 1 is a rebranded Sharp Aquos R6

Leica has officially launched its first phone, which is called the Leitz Phone 1. It sports a 1-inch camera sensor, which we originally saw on the Sharp Aquos R6. Like its inspiration, the Leitz Phone 1 is also exclusive to Japan.

Leica Leitz Phone 1 Overview:

If you’re unfamiliar with Leica, it is a premium camera, lens manufacturer. In the smartphone world, it is most well known for its partnership with Huawei for the company’s premium phones. Leica has now launched its first smartphone—Leitz Phone 1, which shares most of its specifications with Sharp Aquos R6.

Design and Display

The company isn’t afraid to admit that the Leitz Phone 1 is a rebranded Aquos R6. The external design is said to be inspired by “Leica’s DNA,” implying that the device has seen little rework from its Sharp counterpart. At the back, there’s a circular camera bump with a Leica-branded lens cover.

Leica Leitz Phone 1 Front Back

Likewise, the device flaunts a 6.6-inch IGZO OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate. It features a matte black glass cover on the “Leica Silver” metallic body. Splashes of water or even full-on immersion won’t damage the phone as it has IP68 certification for water/dust resistance. Leitz Phone 1 measures 9.5mm in thickness and weighs around 212 grams.

Performance

As mentioned earlier, its hardware is similar to the Aquos R6. Thus, Snapdragon 888 chipset’s presence is unquestionable here. Memory-wise, you get 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of internal storage that can be extended up to 1TB.

Moving on, Leitz Phone 1 boots on Android 11 with Leica’s own custom user interface called “largely monochrome” on top. That doesn’t imply the phone isn’t in color. Instead, default applications like the camera app have desaturated menus and buttons.

Camera and Battery

In terms of optics, the Leitz Phone 1 has a large 1-inch 20MP sensor with a 19mm equivalent focal length. The circular camera array allows for the installation of a metal lens cover, simulating the feeling of using a professional Leica camera.

Leica Leitz Phone 1 Camera with cap

On the front, there’s a 12.6-megapixel selfie snapper. Fueling the device is a 5000mAh battery that charges via the Type-C port onboard.

Leica Leitz Phone 1 Specifications:

  • Build: Black color, 9.5mm thick, 212gm
  • Display: 6.6-inch Pro IGZO OLED, 2730 x 1260 pixels, 2000 nits (peak), 240Hz refresh rate (variable)
  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm)
  • Rear Camera: 20MP 1-inch CMOS sensor, 7-element f/1.9 Leica Summicron lens, 19mm equivalent focal length
  • Front Camera: 12.6MP (punch-hole cutout)
  • Memory: 12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 256GB UFS 3.1 storage (expandable up to 1TB) 
  • Operating System: Android 11 with Leica’s custom UI
  • Battery: 5,000mAh with Intelligent Charge 2.0
  • Security: Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max under-display fingerprint sensor

Leica Leitz Phone 1 Price and Availability

Leica Leitz Phone 1 is a SoftBank-exclusive smartphone in Japan that costs JPY 187,920 (~ USD 1,700). The phone will be up for pre-order from June 18 and will be available for purchase in late July. However, there is no mention of the phone’s global availability yet.

Smartphone Model Price in Japan
Leica Leitz Phone 1 JPY 187,920 (~ USD 1,700)
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of Mi 11X vs iQOO 7.

Motorola Defy (2021) launched with a rugged design and enterprise-level features

GadgetByte
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Motorola Defy (2021) launched with a rugged design and enterprise-level features

Motorola is reviving its Defy series of smartphones after almost a decade of dormancy. It will now host a new lineup of rugged phones. For this, Motorola is collaborating with Bullitt, the company behind Cat phones. The first entry to come out of this partnership is Motorola Defy (2021). Here, we will discuss the key specs, features, expected price in Nepal, and availability of Motorola Defy (2021).

Motorola Defy (2021) Overview:

As mentioned earlier, this phone has a rugged design. However, from the inside, it is a lot like the Motorola G9 Play that is already available in Nepal.

Design and Display

To start with, Motorola Defy features a 6.5-inch HD+ screen. It is protected by a thick layer of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The phone has a waterdrop notch on the top and has substantial bezels. It is usable even with wet fingers.

Moving on, Motorola Defy has a rugged plastic build. The company has sealed the housing twice to avoid water damage. The phone is IP68 certified and thus, can survive in water of 1.5m depth for up to 35 minutes. In addition, it has military-grade certification (MIL-SPEC 810H) against extreme temperature, vibration, and tumbles. Motorola says that Defy can survive a drop of up to 1.8m.

Performance and Memory

Under the hood, it packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 662 processor. This silicon is based on the older 11nm process and features 4x Cortex-A73 and 4x Cortex-A53 CPU cores. The chipset is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. Users can expand the storage by using an external MicroSD card.

Camera

The square camera bump at the back houses the triple camera setup. Its 48MP primary camera shoots 12MP photos by default using 4-in-1 pixel binning. Accompanying it are two 2MP auxiliary lenses for macro and portrait shots.

Motorola Defy 2021 Camera Module

On the front, there is an 8MP shooter for selfies and video calls.

Rest of the specs

Fueling the phone is a 5,000mAh cell, which supports 20W TurboPower charging over the Type-C port. Motorola is claiming up to 2 days of battery backup on this phone.

The company is also targeting enterprise-grade customers with Defy (2021). The phone is part of the Android 10 Enterprise program and supports features such as zero-touch for mass deployment and management. There is also a programmable shortcut key with “Push to Talk” mode.

Motorola Defy (2021) Specifications:

  • Design: Reinforced PCB, textured, lanyard
  • Display: 6.5″ HD+ panel, Gorilla Glass Victus (0.5mm recess), Usable with wet fingers
  • Rear Camera: 48MP primary, 2MP depth, 2MP macro
  • Front Camera: 8MP (teardrop notch)
  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm)
  • Memory: 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (expandable)
  • OS: Android 10 (2 years of update)
  • Battery: 5000mAh, 20W TurboPower
  • Connectivity: 4G, VoLTE, VoWi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Type-C, NFC
  • Protection: IP68 certification, MIL-SPEC 810H, -25°C to +55°C operable temperature
  • Extra Features: Android Enterprise, Zero-Touch, Programmable Key with Push to Talk

Motorola Defy (2021) Price in Nepal & Availability

Motorola Defy 2021 will be available in select European and Latin American markets within the next few weeks for the price of EUR 329. There is not much demand for rugged smartphones in Nepal. Still, if Motorola Defy (2021) makes its way into Nepal, we expect its price to be NPR 42,000.

Motorola Defy (2021) Price in Europe Price in Nepal (Expected)
4/64GB EUR 329 NPR 42,000
  • Meanwhile, check out our comparison between Mi 11X and iQOO 7.

Ultra-thin film transforms standard glasses into night-vision goggles

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Ultra-thin film transforms standard glasses into night-vision goggles

Scientists have developed a new ultra-thin film for ordinary glasses that lets people see in the dark. The film uses tens of nanometre-scale crystals that convert infrared light into visible pictures.

Ultra-thin film lets glasses see in the dark :

Researchers believe that the film can be fitted into an ordinary glass and can aid in eliminating the problem with compromised visibility at night. The idea is still in its early stages, but experts believe that it has the potential to transform the lens industry.

This allows for the purchase of low-cost, lightweight night vision goggles. For instance, the night vision goggles used by the military and police are far bulkier than standard goggles.

Development

Scientists from Australian National University (ANU) and Nottingham Trent University have been jointly working on the project. As per the research team, the ultra-compact technology doesn’t require any power source to operate.

“We have made the invisible visible,” said Dr. Rocio Camacho Morales, ANU’s lead postdoctoral researcher.

Ultra-thin film demo representation
Image: Nanometre-scale crystals that are hundreds of times thinner than human hair.

The thin film can convert infrared light, which is typically invisible to the human eye, into a crisp image. Even from a distance, you can see clear images in front of your eyes.

Likewise, the film comprises hundreds of nanometer-scale crystals composed of gallium arsenide semiconductors. These minuscule crystals can change the color or frequency of the light that travels through the film, converting infrared photons into images visible to the eye.

Tests

During the test of film, it produced green visuals similar to those observed when wearing night-vision goggles. According to an ANU physics professor, the prototype device uses the film to control light in a unique way that is distinct from night vision goggles.

Furthermore, the goggles convert the infrared lights by creating electrons whose signals change to a usable image that humans can see.

Ultra-thin film in glass samples
Image: Samples with the film on the lens

Dragomir Neshev, ANU professor in physics says that “This is the first time anywhere in the world that infrared light has been successfully transformed into visible images in an ultra-thin screen.”

Dr. Mohsen Rahmani, Associate Professor at Nottingham Trent University who led the study, believes that it will now be simpler to see in the dark.

  • Meanwhile, check out our comparison of Mi 11X vs iQOO 7.

OnePlus 9 Long-Term Review: Better Value Than OnePlus 9 Pro?

Pratima Adhikari
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OnePlus 9 Long-Term Review: Better Value Than OnePlus 9 Pro?

Here, I am going to be sharing our long-term review of the OnePlus 9. While I’ve been busy testing so many midrange phones that have launched in 2021 so far, one of our team members who is also a OnePlus enthusiast was tasked with using the OnePlus 9 as his daily driver for 2 months. Okay, let’s get into it.

OnePlus 9 Specifications:

  • Body: 74.2 x 160 x 8.7mm, 192 gm, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
  • Display: 6.55-inches Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz Refresh Rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate, 1100 nits, HDR10+, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
  • Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio, 402 PPI
  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm Mobile Platform)
  • CPU: Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 680 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 680 & 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 680)
  • GPU: Adreno 660
  • Memory: 8/12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128/256GB UFS 3.1 storage (fixed)
  • Software & UI: Android 11 with OxygenOS 11 on top
  • Rear Camera: Triple-camera;
    – 48MP, f/1.8 Sony IMX689 primary sensor
    – 50MP, f/2.2 Sony IMX766 ultra-wide, freeform lens
    – 2MP, f/2.4 monochrome lens
  • Front Camera: 16MP f/2.4 Sony IMX471 sensor (punch-hole)
  • Audio: Dual stereo speakers, Noise cancellation, Dolby Atmos
  • Security: Optical in-display fingerprint sensor, Face unlock
  • Sensors: Accelerometer, Electronic Compass, Gyroscope, Ambient Light, Proximity, Sensor Core, Flick-detect
  • Connectivity: Dual-SIM (Nano), WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Dual-band), Bluetooth 5.2, GPS / AGPS / Glonass / Galileo / Beidou, USB Type-C, NFC, 4G LTE, 5G
  • Battery: 4500mAh with 65W fast charge (15W wireless charging)
  • Color options: Winter Mist, Arctic Sky, Astral Black
  • Price in Nepal: Rs. 104,999 (12/256GB)
Buy OnePlus 9 here

OnePlus 9 Review:

Performance

  • Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G SoC (5nm)
  • 8/12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128/256GB UFS 3.1 storage (fixed)
  • Android 11 with OnePlus’ OxygenOS 11 on top

Okay, let’s start with the performance side of things. As expected, the company has not made any compromises here compared to the more expensive OnePlus 9 Pro.

OnePlus 9 - Design 2

Hence, it delivers as good a smartphone experience as relatively more expensive devices. Yet it feels like OnePlus has cheaped out a little bit in terms of the vibration motor as its haptics is not as good as the 9 Pro. Regardless, we are yet to encounter even the slightest hint of stutter in this Snapdragon 888-powered beast—no matter the intensity of the workload.

Plus, it does not heat up as much as the 9 Pro either. I don’t mean to say the OnePlus 9 stays cool under every condition but I have experienced its cooling solution to be slightly more effective than the 9 Pro while playing games or shooting 4K videos and such.

Gaming experience

Moving on. As with all the other phones with this flagship chipset, the OnePlus 9 is able to handle even the most graphics-intensive titles like Genshin Impact smoothly in the default settings. But, cranking up the settings to 60 fps, the gameplay is still fairly smooth although it introduces few jitters every now and then.

However, the bigger caveat here is that the phone heats up beyond 42-43ºC surface temperature under this. So, we recommend you stick with the default setting in Genshin Impact for a stable and comfortable gaming experience.

OnePlus 9 - Gaming

During this review, we also played our fair share of PUBG Mobile on the OnePlus 9. Here, the phone maintained a stable 40 fps in the highest of settings. And thanks to the incredibly low touch latency of 240Hz, the gameplay on this phone is further elevated.

However, to differentiate it from the Pro model, the company has skipped the “Hyper Touch” feature here that can bump the screen’s touch response all the way to 360Hz. Such petty compromises from OnePlus have become so common in the past couple of years that I can’t say I’m surprised.

On top of the discounted touch sampling rate, OnePlus has failed to bring 90fps gameplay in PUBG Mobile on this year’s flagship phones like on the OnePlus 8 series. As a result, the newer models can only hit a maximum of 60fps in extreme frame rates and HDR graphics.

Heating issue?

Plus, as I mentioned earlier, the OnePlus 9 does heat up while gaming. A couple of recent updates have minimized the issue to some extent, but it looks like Snapdragon 888 is the bigger culprit here.

Gaming aside, normal day-to-day task on this 120Hz refresh rate screen has been a great experience. The company’s OxygenOS is really well implemented and we’ve had no issues concerning sluggishness or stutters while scrolling, multitasking, and the likes here.

OnePlus 9 - 9 Pro - Design
Left: OnePlus 9 | Right: OnePlus 9 Pro

The only thing I am slightly disappointed by is that OnePlus has been pretty slow with monthly updates on its phones since both the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are still running on May’s security patch while we’re already halfway past June.

In comparison, Samsung has been doing incredibly well in this regard and I desperately hope OnePlus raises its software update game. Besides this, the company has also made other compromises here.

More compromises

For instance, the Indian variant of the OnePlus 9 only supports two 5G bands at a time when cheaper phones like the Realme X7 Max bring seven 5G bands. To note, the global variant that we have with us supports well over ten 5G bands. I think this regional variation is most likely to keep the prices lower in India since the global variant is 20-25% pricier than what OnePlus 9 costs in India.

Design & Build

  • 74.2 x 160 x 8.7mm, 192 grams
  • Gorilla Glass 5 (front/back), plastic frames
  • No IP certification for dust/water protection

And not to forget that it does not have any IP rating either—well, that’s not entirely accurate. The frustratingly exclusive truth here is that the OnePlus 9 buyers in the US who purchase it from T-Mobile are indeed privy to IP68 certification. And no market else.

On top of this, it comes with plastic frames which I think is yet another letdown considering comparatively affordable phones like iQOO 7 Legend and the Mi 11X Pro brag metal frames.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the OnePlus 9 has a really impressive ergonomic design. It’s handy and with the flat display, we’ve had no issues regarding accidental or ghost touches here either. Also, it’s quite lightweight too. So unlike other bulkier phones, it’s not a struggle using the OnePlus 9 for a longer duration.

Despite all this, if we had to rate its looks, well I would only give it a B+. That’s because the phone does not look and feel like a premium device. Instead, it looks like any other mid-range phone out there, especially this glossy Arctic Black variant that we have. OnePlus seriously could have done so much better in this regard!

Older-gen Gorilla Glass 5

Also, like the 9 Pro, the company has gone with the older-generation Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back instead of the Gorilla Glass Victus, which is Corning’s latest and greatest offering. Our unit hasn’t suffered from scratches yet, but I think they could have at least settled for the Gorilla Glass 6 if not the Victus.

Display

  • 6.55-inches FHD+ Fluid AMOLED display
  • 120/240Hz refresh/touch sampling rate
  • 1100 nits peak brightness, HDR10+

Anyway, we have little to complain about the display though. While it doesn’t get as bright as that on the 9 Pro, it is bright enough under any kind of harsh lighting situation.

Do note that this 6.55” AMOLED screen is not QHD. Yet, its FHD resolution is still top quality. Plus, with the ever-so-optimized software, we have never faced laggy UI transition or jerky interface, which we’ve frequently encountered on Xiaomi or Realme phones. This is one of the few things great about OnePlus phones!

OnePlus 9 - 9 Pro - Display
Left: OnePlus 9 | Right: OnePlus 9 Pro

However, it misses out on the DC dimming feature which was present on the OnePlus 8 series. Regardless, watching videos on this phone has been an enjoyable ride. Plus, its stereo speakers are as good as those on the 9 Pro which further adds to the content-consumption experience. They’re loud with really balanced mids and highs.

This AMOLED screen is also house to an optical in-display fingerprint sensor which is expectedly fast and accurate. Still, OnePlus could have placed the sensor a little higher, but over time you will get used to it.

Cameras

  • Triple-camera setup at the back
  • (48MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 2MP mono)
  • 16MP selfie camera (punch-hole cutout)

Alright, now let’s talk about the cameras. I have already emphasized at length on how OnePlus created unnecessary hype around its partnership with popular camera maker Hasselblad in my review of the OnePlus 9 Pro, so I don’t want to beat a dead horse here.

Anyhow, this phone borrows the 48MP Sony IMX689 primary sensor from the 8 Pro. But the good news is that it gets the same 50MP ultra-wide free form lens like the 9 Pro and completing the setup is an underwhelming 2MP monochrome sensor. For this review, we compared the cameras of the OnePlus 9 against those on the 9 Pro.

Normal Images

Now, because the OnePlus 9 introduces the same Hasselblad color calibration, compared to its Pro sibling, normal daytime images look almost similar.

In some instances, the OnePlus 9 has a slightly saturated output but most of the time, you’ll have a difficult time pointing out the differences. The level of detail and dynamic range is pretty similar too.

However, since the phone does not have OIS, there are certain instances when it does not behave well as a point-to-shoot camera should. So, if you are shooting a moving subject, the OnePlus 9 fails to lock focus quickly, thereby resulting in blurred artifacts which is not the case with the OnePlus 9 Pro.

Nighttime Images

Likewise, during nighttime, thanks to the lack of OIS and a slightly inferior sensor, low-light images look muddy and grainy when zoomed in. As evident from these photos, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s normal nighttime shots retain better details and less noise.

With the Nightscape mode turned on, details improve significantly though. Still, most of the time, the OnePlus 9 Pro does a better job.

Wideangle Images

Ultra-wide nighttime images from both phones have similar performance, be it under normal or Nightscape mode.

The daytime ultra-wide photos are also pretty close.

Plus, its free-form lens helps reduce distortion around the edges here. But just like the images from the primary camera, sometimes, it leans a bit more on the saturated side.

Portrait Images

Moving to the portraits, well we’ve liked what OnePlus has done here. The subject focus is nice and edge detection is good as well.

The only difference lies in the skin tone which is a little yellowish on the 9 Pro and pinkish on the OnePlus 9. Regardless of the color tone, both look pretty good in my eyes.

Selfie Images

Selfies from both phones turn out similar too, courtesy of the same 16MP sensor. This is us nitpicking but the OnePlus 9 Pro does maintain highlights slightly better.

Still, there’s nothing much distinguishable in most instances. However, there have been a few occasions when the OnePlus 9 wasn’t able to manage exposure like in this picture here.

Selfie Videos

In terms of selfie videos, well, just like the 9 Pro, this phone can only shoot 30 or 60 fps videos in 1080p resolution. The footages are stable and their quality is decent as well.

But again, with a premium phone like this one, I think OnePlus should have offered higher resolution options as well. Nevertheless, the audio pick-up from the microphone sounds good enough for vlogging and such.

Videography

At the back, its video capabilities are almost identical to the 9 Pro, except for a 4k 120 fps option which is absent here. It still features 8k 30 fps mode though and the quality is almost similar on both phones.

Surprisingly, the 4k 60 fps videos also result in a similar performance, so that’s great. But sometimes, the lack of OIS is dearly missed in dimly lit or low lighting situations where it falls victim to slight jerks while its Pro sibling manages to deliver relatively stable output.

OnePlus 9 - Design 1

Overall, I must say that the OnePlus 9 is a good camera phone. It is more or less similar to the expensive OnePlus 9 Pro and is far ahead compared to other Snapdragon 888-powered phones like the Mi 11X Pro and the iQOO 7 Legend when it comes to the cameras.

Still, the problem here is that despite the Hasselblad partnership, aspects like inferior color, shadow processing, and inconsistency across lenses are still prevalent. Even after more than 2 months of the release of these phones, OnePlus has failed to fix these issues.

Battery

  • 4500mAh battery with 65W fast charging

So, what did we miss? Hmm, oh yeah, the battery. Under a typical usage with the refresh rate set to 120Hz at all times and the Ambient display turned on, we managed to squeeze out just 5 hours of screen-on time throughout the review period from the 4500mAh battery of the OnePlus 9. This translates to less than a day’s endurance for me. And that’s strictly average battery life in my books.

OnePlus 9 - 9 Pro

One of the reasons for this could also be from the lack of LTPO backplane technology. You see, unlike the Pro variant, the OnePlus 9 can’t dynamically toggle between the screen’s refresh rate between 1 to 120Hz.

What this ultimately means is that the screen is unnecessarily taking up more power even when you’re interacting with static content—compared to how the 9 Pro can dial it down up to just 1Hz for optimum power consumption.

Also, you will notice quite a significant battery drain with the Ambient display turned on. During our usage, we noticed around 7-10% battery drain overnight. So, if you prioritize battery life more, you should consider turning it off.

Charging speed

But since it supports 65 Watt fast charging like the 9 Pro, the OnePlus 9’s dual 2250mAh cell jumps from 0 to 100% in around 30 minutes only. However, I was quite annoyed to see the phone’s Indian variant losing the wireless charging capability entirely while the global model features a mediocre 15W charging speed. I think they could have at least offered a 30W wireless charging.

Conclusion

Okay, time to wrap up this review of the OnePlus 9. As you might’ve guessed, our verdict on the device is that it’s a pretty good phone for the price and I would probably pick it over the 9 Pro because it’s more value-oriented and that’s what OnePlus is all about.

OnePlus 9 - Display

Having said that, I feel like OnePlus has priced it 10-15% more than what feels justifiable. For instance, the phone lacks OIS, a telephoto lens, LTPO technology, an IP rating, and it has plastic frames. So, because of all this, buyers might be tempted to go with the cheaper alternatives like Mi 11X Pro or the iQOO 7 Legend, which practically offer similar specs as the OnePlus 9.

  • Watch our video review of the OnePlus 9.

OnePlus 9 Long-Term Review: Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Excellent, optimized performance
  • Ergonomic design language
  • Bright, vibrant display quality
  • Decent battery life, fast charging

Cons:

  • Lacks an official IP certification
  • Plastic frames on a premium phone
  • Indian variant has only two 5G bands
  • Sub-par cameras for a flagship phone

Honor Earbuds 2 SE launched with ANC and up to 32 hours of battery life

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Honor Earbuds 2 SE launched with ANC and up to 32 hours of battery life

Alongside the launch of the Honor 50 series of smartphones, the company also unveiled its new TWS earbuds – the Honor Earbuds 2 SE. These in-ear earbuds feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and impressive battery life. So, let’s dig into the specs, features, availability, and expected price in Nepal of Honor Earbuds 2 SE.

Honor Earbuds 2 SE Overview:

Design

To note, this is Honor’s first set of earbuds after its separation from Huawei. The Earbuds 2 SE comes in a stem design and silicone tips to secure it into your ears. It has a glossy finish and fits in a rectangular charging case.

Honor Earbuds 2 SE Design

Each bud weighs about 5.5 grams and is IPX4 certified for water resistance. Honor Earbuds 2 SE comes in two color options: Magic Night Black and Iceland White

Features

In terms of specs, the Earbuds 2 SE brings Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). It is driven by a moving coil unit with a 10mm polymer composite diaphragm. Similarly, like with many Honor earbuds, it features a transparency mode that allows you to listen to ambient sound without removing the earbud.

Furthermore, there is a low-latency gaming option that is only available on devices running Magic UI 4.0 or higher. When making calls, it brings a dual microphone AI call noise reduction feature that employs beamforming technology to decrease background sound like wind noise.

Battery and Controls

The earbuds pack a 55mAh cell each and Honor is promising up to 10 hours of listening time with ANC turned off or 7.5 hours with ANC enabled. The charging case, on the other hand, contains a 410mAh battery and can provide up to 32 hours of playback. Its USB-C connector also supports fast charging. According to Honor, a 10-minute charge will provide 4 hours of listening time.

Honor Earbuds 2 SE Controls

You can operate it via capacitive touch controls built into the stem of both earbuds. A double-tap on either the left or right earpiece will play/pause music or accept/end a call. Similarly, long-tapping on either earbud activates or deactivates ANC and transparency mode. 

Honor Earbuds 2 SE Specifications:

  • Weight: 47g (with case)
  • Sound Driver: 10mm 
  • Battery: 55mAh (earbuds), 410mAh (case)
  • Water Resistance: IPX4 certification
  • Music Time:
    • Earbuds: Up to 10 hours (ANC off) / Up to 7.5 hours (ANC on)
    • With case: Up to 32 hours (ANC off) / Up to 24 hours (ANC on)
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
  • Control: Touch
  • Noise Cancellation: ANC
  • Color options: Magic Night Black, Iceland White

Honor Earbuds 2 SE Price in Nepal and Availability

Honor Earbuds 2 SE is up for pre-order in China where its price is CNY 469 (~ USD 73). We expect the price of Honor Earbuds 2 SE earbuds in Nepal to be around NPR 10,000 if and when it launches here.

TWS Earbuds Price in China Price in Nepal (Expected)
Honor Earbuds 2 SE CNY 469 NPR 10,000
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds.

Google Messages finally supports end-to-end encryption, but it’s far from perfect

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Google Messages finally supports end-to-end encryption, but it’s far from perfect

For years, Apple has been ahead of Google when it comes to privacy features. But, Google is finally trying to catch up. Earlier this year, the company announced an iOS-like feature for Android, allowing users to opt out of app tracking. Now, it has rolled out end-to-end encryption globally for Google Messages.

End-to-end encryption on Google Messages

It sure sounds shocking, but Google Messages, the default messaging app for Android, did not have end-to-end encryption before this. It even managed to avoid the spotlight when there was a public outcry against WhatsApp’s latest privacy policy.

What is end-to-end encryption, anyway?

Before we go any further, let us understand what end-to-end encryption is. End-to-end encryption (or E2EE) is a security feature that protects your messages by turning them into meaningless code, which conceals the original content.

Reversing the process requires decrypting the message using a key, which is only available to the sender and receiver. Thus, even if the message is stolen during the transmission, the content will be protected from the unwanted actor.

End to End Encryption

It is not just about hackers trying to steal your messages. E2EE protects you from the SMS app itself (though it depends upon implementation). Technically, SMS apps can read your messages if they do not have E2EE enabled. Some apps backup your chats using third-party cloud services. These services can technically read those backup files in absence of E2EE.

Late to the party

Google first announced end-to-end encryption last year. Users had to opt for Google Messages beta to be able to test it. The feature is now getting a global rollout. In this regard, Google is late to the party as almost all major messaging services have had E2EE for some time now. This includes Apple’s iMessage and third-party apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal.

Google’s E2EE Implementation

According to Google’s White Paper, Google Messages uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) across RCS (Rich Communication Services) servers for encryption. Thus, E2EE is only possible when both users are using Google’s RCS client and have E2EE enabled for the particular conversation. Enabling E2EE will add a lock in the send icon.

Google Messages E2EE Overview

In addition, both the sender and recipient must be on active Wi-Fi or mobile network. If the recipient is offline, the message will be stored in a server until the user gets online. In the case of the sender, s/he needs to go online or fall back to traditional SMS/MMS (without E2EE) to send a message.

Google End-to-End Encryption: Limitations

Still, there are limitations to the end-to-end encryption on Google Messages. To start, it is not yet available in group messages. Also, you will have to pay special attention if you use a Wear OS smartwatch. Message synchronization between Google Messages and Wear OS happens over Bluetooth and Google Cloud. E2EE is not available on the latter. Thus, you will have to disable Cloud Sync manually to prevent breaches during synchronization.

  • Meanwhile, check out our comparison between Mi 11X and iQOO 7.

Nepal Electricity Authority to start installing one lakh smart meters in Kathmandu

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Nepal Electricity Authority to start installing one lakh smart meters in Kathmandu

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has proposed a variety of initiatives to provide smart meter connections to consumers. NEA will now deploy about one lakh smart meters through two distribution centers in Kathmandu. This will eventually be extended throughout the country.

NEA smart meter connection:

The government started the project to provide smart meters to the residents of Kathmandu back in 2019. NEA‘s officials then began visiting individual homes to gather information for the devices. Now, it has begun replacing the old meter connections in the Maharajgunj and Ratnapark distribution centers’ vicinity with smart ones.

The implementation took place as part of the project called “Kathmandu Valley Smart Metering Project (KVSM)”. With the help of 94 crores in loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the authority has already distributed 52,000 smart meters in the valley. There are altogether 97,000 consumers in the region.

smart meter

According to project chief Rabindra Shrestha, the project was disrupted for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is now running smoothly. China’s Pingo and Wisdom company got the contract for smart meters.

Furthermore, the government intends to expand the project throughout the Kathmandu Valley using a concessional loan from the ADB. NEA plans to connect 3 lakh 75 thousand households to smart meters in the first phase.

What does a smart meter do?

Smart meters allow for real-time data monitoring of a household’s energy consumption. This will allow NEA to take meter readings remotely, eliminating the need for an NEA staff to visit consumers’ homes. The authority requires a radio-frequency channel to send all of this information.

Moreover, NEA can even remotely connect and disconnect the power supply. Consumers, on the other hand, may track their consumption in real-time and even sell excess energy generated by the house’s solar panels.

RF battle with NTA 

NEA has submitted an application to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology for a dedicated radio-frequency. However, NTA has sought a fee of Rs. 2 billion for a frequency range between 393 and 398.5MHz. On the contrary, NEA claims that it should be given free of charge in accordance with international practices.

Instead of paying such a hefty fee, the authority prefers to stick with their present strategy of employing meter readers.

NEA smart meters for all

Nepal Electricity Authority will now issue smart meters to all consumers. Previously, such connections were only available to three-phase and TOD (Time Of Day) consumers, but smart meters will soon be available to single-phase consumers as well. For this, NEA has invited tenders for the purchase of 500,000 units of smart meters.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (2021).
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