AMD has officially announced that it will be introducing its RDNA 2 GPU architecture to 2021 models of Tesla Model S and Model X self-driving cars. It will power the infotainment system and deliver increased computational capability to these cars.
AMD RDNA 2 GPU on Tesla Model S, Model X:
Tesla refreshed its Model S and Model X in January, and speculations claimed that AMD might power their successors’ graphics hardware. Tesla, on the other hand, made no mention of the hardware scene under the hood of these self-driving cars.
Well, AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su has now officially confirmed that both vehicles would be equipped with discrete RDNA 2 GPUs. And if you didn’t already know, this architecture powers the latest consoles from Sony and Microsoft as well. Furthermore, the new Teslas will use AMD APUs (Ryzen CPUs with built-in Radeon graphics) in their infotainment systems.
Both the Model S and X include two screens – a 17-inch Cinematic Display with 2200 by 1300 resolution on the front and a secondary screen for second-row passengers. Tesla revealed at the launch that these cars will have up to 10 teraflops of power for their new infotainment systems. It will support wireless controllers and allow you to game from any seat.
Inside Tesla’s self-driving car
Leakster Patrick Schur, known for various hardware leaks first revealed that the AMD Navi 23 RDNA 2 GPU will power the infotainment system in Model S. Furthermore, it will feature on high-end machines while the Navi 22 will cover the mid-tier market.
In a block diagram shared by Patrick, it’s clearly illustrated that Navi 23 GPU is indeed going to power the infotainment system on the Tesla Model S 2021. It has a 128-bit bus interface and four 2GB DRAM modules, cumulating to 8GB of GDDR6 memory.
In addition, the GPU has a bandwidth throughput of 224GB/s and connects with the main B2B connector through a PCIe Gen 3 and HDMI 1.4 interface. Likewise, a tweet from Tesla CEO, Elon Musk states that the infotainment system “can play Cyberpunk 2077”. That means the system has enough power to run practically all games released to date.
That was the first thought that sprang to me when I heard the news. It might be because folks may want to play a game during their lunch break or when their car is sitting idly in the charging station. Or just something to differentiate Tesla from other EVs.
Meanwhile, check out our review of Asus ROG Strix Scar 15.
Nokia C20 is the latest entry-level device from HMD Global to hit the Nepali market. In this post, we will be discussing the key specifications, features, and official price of the Nokia C20 in Nepal.
Nokia C20 Overview:
Design and Display
Nokia C20 is an entry-level phone targeted at first-time users. It features a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD panel with a V-shaped selfie notch. The bezels around the screen are quite thick. The top bezel houses an LED flash as well whereas the bottom chin encloses a Nokia branding.
As expected from a budget phone, the C20 has a polycarbonate body. At the back, there is a circular camera module and a speaker grille. The phone is 8.8mm thick and weighs 191 grams. It arrives in two colors – Dark Blue and Sand.
Here, Nokia’s C-series is not known to pack serious power. The same is the case with the Nokia C20. It comes with the Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor (28nm). It has two clusters of Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.6GHz (4x) and 1.2GHz (4x), respectively. In terms of performance, it is closer to Snapdragon 429 and Helio P22. So, do not expect much in the performance aspect.
Because of the limited power onboard, the C20 ships with the Go Edition of Android 11. The software is near-stock and it won’t bother you with unnecessary ads, notifications, and bloatware. Nokia is even promising 2 years of security updates. Ideally, the phone will receive an update every quarter.
Camera
There are two cameras on the Nokia C2—one upfront and one at the back. The rear camera uses a 5MP sensor. It is inside a circular camera bump, along with an LED flash. The selfie camera also utilizes a 5MP sensor which has an LED flash of its own.
Rest of the specs
Fueling the device is a 3,000mAh battery. Unlike most phones these days, one can remove the back cover of the phone and replace the battery. The phone has 4G connectivity, dual-SIM slot, Wi-Fi b/g/n, and Bluetooth 5.2. There is no fingerprint scanner here.
Nokia C20 Specifications:
Body: 169.9 x 77.9 x 8.8mm, 191 gm
Display: 6.5-inches LCD panel
Resolution: HD+ (1600 x 720 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: Unisoc SC9863A (8x Cortex-A55)
Memory: 1/2GB RAM, 16/32GB storage (expandable up to 512GB)
Software & UI: Android 11 (Go Edition)
Rear Camera: 5MP, LED flash
Front Camera: 5MP, LED flash
Connectivity: Dual-SIM (Nano), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS / AGPS, Micro USB 2.0, 4G LTE
Battery: 3,000mAh (removable)
Colors: Dark Blue, Sand
Nokia C20 Price in Nepal and Availability
The price of the Nokia C20 in Nepal is NPR 10,999 for the 2/32GB variant. Similarly, 1/16GB variant costs Rs. 9,999. You can buy Nokia C20 in Nepal from the company’s authorized retail stores across the country.
After announcing the Ryzen 5 5600G and Ryzen 7 5700G for OEMs back in April, AMD has officially confirmed them for the retail market during its Computex 2021 keynote. These are APUs (Accelerated Processing Unit), which means it’s a CPU and GPU in a single chip. Let’s take a look at the new AMD Ryzen 5 5600G and Ryzen 7 5700G APUs including their expected price in Nepal.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Ryzen 7 5700G Overview:
These APUs are codenamed as “Cezanne” and are aimed to soften the blow of the ongoing global shortage of discrete graphics cards which has led to enormous price hikes. Based on the specifications of these APUs, they compete with 11th-gen Intel Core i5-11600K and i7-11700K.
Performance
Starting with the mid-tier Ryzen 5 5600G, it offers 6 cores and 12 threads with 3.9GHz and 4.4GHz of base and boost clocks, respectively. Furthermore, the Ryzen 5 5600G comes with 3MB of L2 and 16MB of L3 cache. Its integrated graphics (iGPU) is relatively under-powerful than the one on 5700G. Here, AMD has fitted in 7 cores Radeon Vega 7 GPU (448 stream processors).
Moving on, Ryzen 7 5700G is an 8 cores/16 threads APU with a base frequency of 3.8GHz, which can reach up to 4.6GHz of boost clock. It has a 4MB L2 cache and a 16MB L3 cache, for a total of 20MB of cache memory. As for the graphics, it’s packed with powerful 8 cores Radeon Vega 8 GPU (512 stream processors) clocked at 2.0GHz.
AMD also says that the Ryzen 7 5700G has the “world’s fastest graphics in a desktop processor”. Furthermore, like other current-generation Ryzen CPUs, the 5600G, and 5700G are based on AMD’s Zen 3 CPU architecture—and are built on TSMC’s 7nm die lithography.
AMD claims that the Ryzen 7 5700G outperforms the Intel Core i7-11700 CPU in productivity tasks by up to 1.63 times. Similarly, in terms of gaming performance, it delivers up to 2.45x improvement over its Intel counterpart (which has Intel UHD 750 iGPU). Sadly, no performance figures were provided for the Ryzen 5 5600G.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Ryzen 7 5700G specifications:
Ryzen 5 5600G
Ryzen 7 5700G
Cores
6
8
Threads
12
16
Base Clock (GHz)
3.9
3.8
Boost Clock (GHz)
4.4
4.6
L3 Cache
16MB
16MB
Integrated GPU (iGPU)
Radeon Vega 7
Radeon Vega 8
GPU Boost Clock (GHz)
1.9
2.0
TDP
65W
65W
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G and Ryzen 7 5700G Price in Nepal
AMD says the Ryzen 5 5600G and Ryzen 7 5700G APUs will be available from August 5 for USD 259 and USD 359, respectively. We expect the price of AMD Ryzen 5 5600G and Ryzen 7 5700G in Nepal to be around NPR 38,000 and NPR 53,000, respectively when they launch here.
AMD Cezanne APU
Price in the US
Price in Nepal (Expected)
Ryzen 5 5600G
USD 259
NPR 38,000
Ryzen 7 5700G
USD 359
NPR 53,000
Meanwhile, check out our video of gaming PC build under $1000.
As per ITU’s 2019/20 report, Nepalese are paying up to 1.81% of their PCI (Per Capita Income) on voice and data plans. It is among the most expensive in South Asia, second only to Afghanistan. No wonder when Binod Chaudhary promised free voice calls and data at half the price, it was pandemonium. However, having failed to acquire a unified license from the government, the company has now shifted its focus to cable internet. In this post, we have outlined the internet plans, price, and availability of CG Net fiber connections.
CG Net Home Internet Plans:
CG Net is a service by CG Communications Limited, which is one of the 112 companies that are part of CG Corp Global. With the slogan “Speed that Matters”, CG Net has been claiming to offer fast internet at affordable rates for the consumers, and it is finally here. The company has just released the pricing for home-based plans.
Keeping the fast internet promise, CG Net is providing 120Mbps plans to its customers—which is the highest bandwidth internet available to residential users in Nepal. Until this, the crown was jointly held by Vianet and Classic Tech‘s 100Mbps internet plans. In the table below, we have compared CG Net’s 120Mbps internet plans with the highest-bandwidth plans from other ISPs.
Free NetTV (12 months), Free NetTV Prime (3 months)
Free ViaTV
Note: These prices are exclusive of 13% VAT.
One-time charge
CG Net’s 120Mbps plan isn’t only cheaper, but the company is also providing flexibility to subscribe to monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, or annual plans. You do not get that from the premium offerings from the other two ISPs.
Let’s take a look at the one-time installation charge as well.
1 month
3 months
6 months
Installation Charge
Free
Drop Wire Charge
Free
Single Band Router
Rs. 2,500
Rs. 2,000
Rs. 1,500
Refundable Deposit
Rs. 500
1 month
3 months
6 months
12 months
Dual Band Router (Optional)
Rs. 3,500
Rs. 3,000
Rs. 2,500
Free
Note: These prices are exclusive of 13% VAT.
CG Net is not taking any charge for installation and drop wire for any of the plans, but you will have to pay for routers. There is no additional cost for a dual-band router in the yearly plan though. To compare, Vianet currently charges NPR 3,100 for its 5GHz Wi-Fi add-on while Worldlink offers it for free.
FUP Policy
CG Net has also been pretty transparent to detail its Fair Usage Policy (FUP).
FUP Level
Data Usage Quota
FUP Speed Policy
Original Data Bandwidth
Up to 1900 GB
120Mbps (original speed)
Level 1
1900 – 2000 GB
50% of original speed
Level 2
2000 – 2100 GB
30% of original speed
Level 3
Upwards of 2100 GB
10% of original speed
CG Net Coverage
That being said, CG Net does not cover a lot of areas—for now. The ISP is currently providing services around Jawalakhel, Jhamsikhel, and Harihar Bhawan area. But that is to be expected from a company as young as CG Net. Thankfully, it plans to expand to all three districts in Kathmandu Valley within a year. CG Net’s head office is located at Trade Tower Business Center in Thapathali.
But unlike other major ISPs, CG Net has not bundled IPTV service with its internet subscription in the initial stage. However, we expect the company to be working on that too. Another thing to look out for is customer service. We will have to see how well it is able to handle the sure-shot influx of subscribers. You can inquire about CG Net installation by visiting this link.
Nepal Telecommunication Authority has been declining the unified license to CG Telecom citing that the company has not completed all of the legal procedures. The problem here is the license fee. NTA is asking CG Telecom to pay NPR 20 billion in advance for the license. However, the latter wants to pay it in installments claiming that the Doorsanchaar Ain allows it to do so.
Despite all the controversies, CG Telecom has already invested heavily in the sector. The company entered the scene in 2013 with the acquisition of a rural telecom operator. They have even announced partnerships with companies like Life Cell (Turkey) and Huawei. It has also been compared to India’s Jio because it promises to provide free voice service and internet data at half the price.
So, what do you think of CG’s entry into the ISP market with CG Net? Are you willing to switch to it when it becomes available in your region?
Meanwhile, check out Worldlink Mobility’s free WiFi in Nepal.
As the government has announced the implementation of the Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) in Nepal, there has been a widespread assumption that phones purchased through grey channels will not work. However, that is not entirely the case. Even after the system goes live from Shrawan 1, phones purchased from India/Dubai/US, or imported as gifts, and through other grey channels can continue to function normally. Here, we’ll be discussing the effect of MDMS on the existing grey phones in Nepal.
MDMS effect on grey phones:
The government and Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) have clearly initiated the implementation of MDMS to diminish grey channel infatuation. This will definitely assist the economy of the country to flourish since legally imported phones will contribute to 13% VAT and 2.5% excise duty.
Moreover, as the grey market diminishes, more job opportunities will be created in the mobile sector which will further boost the economy of the country. Before we go any further, let’s understand why the grey market exists in Nepal.
Reasons why the grey market exists
There are certain factors that ultimately made many of us (as a consumer) opt for smartphone imports via unofficial grey channels. The first and foremost reason has to be the overpricing of most phones that arrive in Nepal. And because we share an open border with India where the prices are lower, Nepalese are directly motivated to purchase from a grey channel.
The delayed launch comes next. Compared to our neighbouring countries and the western market, smartphone companies launch their devices pretty late here. For example, the iPhone 12 series officially arrived in Nepal two months later as compared to the US and India. So, domestic smartphone enthusiasts don’t get to play with the newest gadgets quite on time. And once again, we’re left to look at the grey market.
The third reason why the grey market exists is that some of the products don’t launch here in Nepal. And most of them are usually valued-oriented smartphones with an exceptional price-to-performance ratio. Hence, customers are tempted to buy such devices.
For example, Xiaomi’s Mi 10i didn’t launch in Nepal but sold in thousands of units via the grey channel in the country as it offered great specs at a mid-range price (5G Snapdragon 750G, 120Hz display, 108MP camera under Rs. 35,000).
Here are few recently launched excellent phones that are available in the global market but didn’t arrive in Nepal:
Following the implementation of MDMS, smartphone brands in Nepal can decide which model to launch and which not to. Plus, they now have 100% control over their price. As a result, no matter what, buyers will have to settle among the available phones—which may have exorbitant pricing. This could create a closed and monopolistic market where the customers will ultimately suffer the most.
On the other hand, the government hasn’t released a detailed blueprint outlining how the system works for grey devices. Consider the following scenario: someone arrives in Nepal and brings a handset as a gift, or tourists have their smartphone purchased in their own country. Is the system worth it if they are unable to use that particular device? Certainly not. So, the government should institute an appropriate procedure to get the gadget authorized for usage in Nepal.
While we have discussed the downsides of MDMS, there are also beneficial components to them.
1. Proper tax collection
One of the primary reasons for imposing MDMS is to ensure that the government collects the allocated tax (13% VAT and 2.5% excise duty) from every phone that enters the country officially through national distributors (importers). If the device is purchased in Nepal via official channels, the buyer directly pays all taxes and other add-on costs.
However, phones bought on the grey market are exempt from this requirement. So, since the system will abolish the import of phones illegally, that will directly result in an increased volume of legal imports. And this will ultimately help the government regulate smartphone import taxes to the proper extent.
2. User security
Following that, the handsets purchased on the grey market will not have their IMEI number registered in NTA’s database. If your phone gets lost or stolen, the authorities will be unable to locate it. But that won’t be the case for phones that arrive through the official channels.
So, what if your existing phone(s) is from the grey market?
Before you start to panic, don’t. Even if you bought your phone from unofficial channels, it will continue to function as it is now—on one condition. You should compulsorily register your device in the NTA database to avoid any future complications.
Verdict: Let’s create a win-win situation
All the strategies that NTA has in the works to reduce the effects of the grey channels in the country are commendable. However, as there are two sides to every coin, the responsible authority should also endeavour to resolve the contradictory scenario we outlined above.
The government of Nepal should also think from the consumer’s point of view and assure us believe that this is indeed a fair implementation. They could perhaps impose a nominal amount of TAX to buyers who opt to use mobile phones bought from abroad. For example, if a relative or a friend gifts me an iPhone 13 which has been imported from the US, there should be a provision of a certain fee to whitelist such phones.
Meanwhile, check out our video on what to do if your phone is stolen or lost:
Xiaomi has announced its latest fast charging solution. The new HyperCharge technology solidifies the company’s position as the leader in the world of fast charging. It supports 200W wired and 120W wireless charging. Here, we will be learning more about Xiaomi HyperCharge Technology in detail.
Xiaomi HyperCharge Technology
The company shared a video demonstrating the breakthrough charging technology via its social media handles. The video shows the HyperCharge technology in action on a modified Mi 11 Pro with a 4,000mAh battery.
Using the wired charging method, the phone went from 0 to 10% in just 44 seconds. It only took 3 minutes for the phone to get to 50%. It took additional 5 minutes to get to 100%. Thus, Xiaomi’s new 200W wired HyperCharge Technology can fill a 4,000mAh smartphone battery in just 8 minutes.
This is more than twice as fast as Oppo’s 125W Flash Charge that fills up a similar-sized battery in 20 minutes.
Similarly, 120W wireless HyperCharge technology is an improvement over last year’s 80W Mi Wireless Charging. The latter could charge a 4,000mAh cell to its maximum capacity in 40 minutes. The latest charging tech gets the job done in just 15 minutes instead.
In the demo video, the HyperCharge wireless charging got the modified Mi 11 Pro to 10% in just one minute while hitting the 50% mark in 7 minutes. It took the charger additional 8 minutes to wrap up the charging process—so 15 minutes in total.
Is it market-ready though?
The answer is no, so don’t expect to see a commercial device with 200W wired charging and 120W wireless charging capability anytime soon. These types of demos are more of a way to secure bragging rights among smartphone brands. In addition, it is also a great way to keep customers and investors happy and invested in the company.
Currently, iQOO 7 is the only device that even ships with a 120W charger, and that too in the company’s home country of China only. Xiaomi did launch the Mi 10 Ultra with a 120W charger last year but retracted back to 67W with the new Mi 11 Ultra.
Mi 11 Ultra also charges wirelessly at 67W. It is an upgrade from 50W wireless charging on its predecessor. Huawei Mate 40 Pro is another device that has 50W wireless charging.
Meanwhile, check out our gaming PC build under $1,000.
Realme entered the smart TV segment with a couple of TVs under the Realme Smart TV moniker. Now, the company has added two more devices to the lineup. Compared to last year’s models, the new entries have higher resolution and ship with more features. Let’s take a look at the key specs of the new Realme Smart TV 4K, along with their expected price in Nepal.
Realme Smart TV 4K Overview:
As mentioned earlier, the new Realme Smart TV 4K arrives in two screen sizes – 43-inch and 50-inch. These edge-to-edge displays have 2.6mm thin bezels. More importantly, both TVs boast a 4K resolution and 1.07 billion colors.
Likewise, they have a 178º viewing angle. Realme Smart TV 4K supports Dolby Vision too and features Chroma Boost Picture Engine for color production.
Powering these TVs is an undisclosed MediaTek chipset. All we know is that it has four CPU cores. It is paired with 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The TV ships with Android 10 out-of-the-box. As a result, it has Google Play Store, Chromecast, and Google Assistant built-in.
In terms of audio, there’s a quad-speaker setup with a combined output of 24W. They even support Dolby Atmos and DTS surround sound. The remote comes with dedicated buttons for Google Assistant and popular streaming services like Netflix and YouTube.
For I/O, the Realme Smart TV 4K comes with three HDMI ports (including one with ARC output), two USB 2.0, one AV out, one Ethernet, and one Tuner port. It has Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi in terms of wireless connectivity.
Specifications:
Display: 43/50-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) LED panel
Realme Smart TV 4K will go on sale in India starting June 4 where its price is INR 27,999 and INR 39,999 for the 43-inch and 50-inch model, respectively. The company has not launched any of its TVs in Nepal yet. However, if Realme Smart TV 4K launches in Nepal, we expect its price to start at NPR 50,000.
According to the official listing, the high-end M1 iMac 2021 offers an additional GPU core, two extra USB-C ports, Touch ID, Gigabit Ethernet, and more color options over the base model. What it doesn’t reveal is that the two variants come with different cooling solutions as well. Thus, they are certain to hit different performance levels even though Apple doesn’t advertise them as so. Let’s discover the performance gap between base vs high-end M1 iMac.
M1 iMac: Base vs high-end variant
Apple has not been open about the difference in cooling setup between the two configurations. Every electronic device converts some portion of the energy it draws into heat. This heat, if not dissipated properly, can eventually limit the performance of that device.
Here, the cooling mechanism on the base variant consists of a single fan and a heat sink. On the other hand, there are two fans of the high-end model. In addition, it also has a heat pipe for effective heat transmission.
Thus, though both iMacs have the revolutionary Apple M1 chip underneath, the base model will not be performing to the level of its more expensive sibling. To demonstrate the difference between the two, YouTuber Max Tech performed a series of tests, which we have discussed in detail below.
Geekbench 5
Single Core
Multi Core
Compute
Base
1,748
7,582
19,873
High-end
1,736
7,631
21,525
As the table reflects, there is not much difference between the two devices here. This is expected, as Geekbench does not push the machine to its limits.
Unlike 3DMark Life Extreme, this test lasts longer and puts more stress on the GPU cores. Even before the test, the core temperature of the base model was higher than the high-end model.
During the test, it was apparent that the base variant was running hotter, with its temperature reaching up to 91º Celsius. The fan was also operating at its max capacity, whereas the ones on the high-end were barely above idle.
Thus, if you plan to run graphics-intensive tasks for a long period on the M1 iMac, thermal throttling brings down the performance on the base variant, whereas this won’t be much of an issue on the high-end variant.
Cinebench R23
Moving on, Cinebench R23 puts 100% load on the CPU cores and as CPU tends to draw much more power than GPU, the difference between the two variants is clear here.
Base
High-End
Score
7,002
7,722
Core Temperature
94º
88º
CPU Power
10.3W
15W
CPU Clock Frequency
2.5GHz
3.2GHz
Fan Utilization
100%
50%
Starting off, the dual-fan setup is much more effective as it keeps the CPU cores at 88º Celsius at half its maximum capacity. On the other hand, the single fan solution, even at its full speed, reaches 94º Celsius. Thus, it suffers from throttling.
The high-end variant scored 7,722 points in this test with its CPU operating at 3.2GHz the whole time. In contrast, the CPU on the base model could only hit 2.5GHz resulting in 7,002 points.
As you can see from the table above, you will be getting better performance when it comes to tasks like photo editing and video editing with the high-end model too. In addition, it will run quieter and cooler than the base model.
Base iMac vs High-End M1 iMac: Conclusion
To conclude, if your workload consists of heavy photo/video editing, 3D rendering, and so on, getting the high-end iMac makes more sense. It costs $1,499 and $1,699 for 256GB and 512GB storage, respectively.
However, if you do not do such intensive tasks on your computer, then the base iMac will do just fine—if you are also okay with other limitations as mentioned on Apple’s website.
Meanwhile, check out our gaming PC build under $1,000.
Realme’s X7 lineup has a new member. The company hosted an online event today to announce the arrival of Realme X7 Max 5G in India. It is actually the rebranded Realme GT Neo for the Indian market. Let us look at the specifications and features of Realme X7 Max, along with its expected price in Nepal.
Realme X7 Max 5G Overview:
Design and Overview
The phone features a 6.43-inch Samsung-made Super AMOLED screen with a left-aligned selfie cutout. This FHD+ panel has 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut. It also supports a 120Hz refresh rate, a 360Hz touch sampling rate, and up to 1000 nits of peak brightness.
The rear panel has a matte finish. A glossy stripe passes through the rectangular camera bump to give it a dual-tone finish. It even has a “Dare to Leap” branding but Realme has toned it down by a lot compared to what we’ve seen on the Realme 8 series. The phone is 8.4mm thick and weighs around 179 grams.
Performance
Like with the X7 and X7 Pro, Realme has turned to MediaTek for the processor in the X7 Max. Here, the phone is powered by Dimensity 1200, which is the best SoC in the Taiwanese chipmaker’s arsenal right now. It is a flagship chipset based on TSMC’s 6nm process. It features four Cortex-A78 power (1+3) and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. Realme has even collaborated with Asphalt 9 for this phone.
The Vapour Cooling system on the X7 Max comes with a steel-copper composite, which Realme claims offers better strength and efficiency compared to the copper structures.
At the back, Realme X7 Max flaunts a 64MP triple camera setup. The primary camera here uses Sony IMX682 sensor. For reference, the X7 Pro has Sony IMX686. Moving on, there is an 8MP ultrawide camera. Completing the setup is a 2MP sensor with a macro lens.
With this setup, users can record 4K videos at 60fps. There is no Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), but Realme has included UIX Max Stabilization. Likewise, the 16MP selfie camera upfront can record 1080p videos at 30 fps.
Rest of the specs
Fueling the device is a 4,500mAh battery. It is of the same size as that on the X7 Pro, but it charges slower at 50W. Still, it can get you from 0 to 100% in just 15 mins. X7 Max also has a dual stereo speaker with Dolby Atmos audio.
It even has a 3.5mm headphone jack, the lack of which was a major criticism for the X7 and X7 Pro. The phone ships with the latest Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11.
Realme X7 Max 5G will go on sale in India from June 4 where its price is INR 26,999 for the 8/128GB model, while the 12/256GB variant costs INR 29,999. If it arrives here, we expect the price of Realme X7 Max 5G in Nepal to start around NPR 45,000.
Realme X7 Max 5G
Price in India
Price in Nepal
8/128GB
INR 26,999
NPR 48,000
12/256GB
INR 29,999
NPR 53,000
Meanwhile, check out our review of the Realme X7 Pro.
Yesterday, the Nepalese government unveiled its budget allocation for the fiscal year 2078-79 with a total capital of NPR 1647.57 billion. In terms of the IT industry, the government has included programs such as broadband expansion, e-governance, startup loans, and many more. Furthermore, the 2078-79 budget for the ICT sector also focuses on youth empowerment.
2078-79 budget on ICT sector:
Education
Laptop at 1% Interest
Let us begin by discussing the proposal for pupils and the educational system as a whole. The finance minister announced that the government has decided to provide loans of up to NPR 80,000 (at 1% interest) to students over the age of 16 for the purchase of a laptop. The loan must be returned within two years and is only available to students enrolled in government institutions.
University & portal for students
Moving forward, the government will enhance its dedicated portal named Sikai Chautari to expand the reach of education through the internet. Students from any school or location are welcome to participate and learn.
Finance minister Mr. Bishnu Prasad Paudel also announced that the Madan Bhandari Technical University in Kavre would open its doors in the coming fiscal year. Furthermore, the administration intends to establish technical schools at all local levels.
Loan to graduates
To encourage the nation’s young entrepreneurs, the government will grant loans of up to NPR 2.5 million to startups at 1% interest rates. To qualify for startup financing, graduates must provide an academic certificate as proof.
In addition, startups will also get an exemption on profit tax for five years from the date of their establishment.
Free internet & SIM
The government plans to provide free internet access to all community schools throughout the country. Within the next fiscal year, 60 percent of community schools will have a free broadband internet connection. In addition, students who are 16 years or more will be eligible to get a free SIM card.
For citizens
The government of Nepal has put up a number of proposals to expedite the process of manual or time-consuming operations.
Digitized land-management
A while ago, we came to know about Mero Kitta and NeLIS, a digital initiative that provides land-related services like map print, plot register print, and fieldbook print. Now, it appears that the government is ready to take it to the next level.
In the coming fiscal year, the government plans to digitize the majority of its land-related processes. This eliminates the need to personally visit the Malpot office and complete the necessary paperwork.
Nagarik app
The full version of the Nagarik app was launched on May 3 and the government has vowed to add numerous services to the platform. To that end, Mr. Paudel stated that major services (such as bill book renewal, Malpot, and so on) would be shifted to the Nagarik app.
Vehicle tracking
A few years ago, the Nepal government introduced the notion of embossed number plates for automobiles. However, in practice, the implementation has been limited to a small number of vehicles.
Furthermore, the government has raised the same subject again and stated that radio frequency-equipped (RFID) embossed number plates will be provided for vehicles starting next fiscal year. In addition, the driver will get an electronic license which will help to track his/her movement or location.
QR benefits
Starting with the next fiscal year, you will receive a 10% VAT refund on products purchased and paid for with a QR code. The add-on incentive will encourage the digitization of the payment process. In addition, the government has also chosen to incorporate QR codes into passports.
Unified national payment
As per the plans of the government, a national payment switch will come into operation shortly, which will integrate various online payment gateways and provide a unified platform for online transactions. The project is currently being worked on by Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL).
NTV global version
NTV, Nepal’s first television station, will be adding a new channel to its lineup. The channel, dubbed “NTV World,” will be one-of-a-kind in order to expand Nepalese content beyond the country’s borders.
Tele-medicines
With this initiative, people living in rural places will be able to access healthcare services through electronic media. However, the service is not solely for the remote areas, but the government’s goals are primarily to focus on rural regions of the country.
In telecommunication
The approach under this category involves the growth of 4G networks, the introduction of MDMS, fiber expansion, and other initiatives.
MDMS Implementation
MDMS is a term that will directly affect the majority of Nepali smartphone consumers. Short for Mobile Device Management System, this system assures that the smartphone, feature phones, or tablets will only enter Nepal through official channels.
On the contrary, MDMS will block any and all such devices that arrive via unofficial channels like grey markets. As a result, they will be inaccessible to network connectivity throughout the country. The system will come into effect from the beginning of Shrawan. Find more about it here.
Nepal Telecom shares to the public
Another fascinating piece of news announced during the budget speech might be of interest to investors in the share market. The government-owned telecom company, Nepal Telecom has decided to distribute 22% of the company share to the general public who are using the NT’s mobile, landline, or internet services.
In EVs
Last but not the least, the 2078-79 budget for the ICT sector has several proposals that aim to expand the country’s electric vehicle scenario. Through Sajha Yatayat, at least 100 electric buses will come into operation in Kathmandu Valley within the fiscal year.
Furthermore, the government plans to lure the top 10 EV companies in the world to manufacture/assemble their electric vehicles in Nepal. And the most exciting news of them all has to be the elimination of excise duty on the import of EVs—alongside reduced custom duty.
It will undoubtedly make things easier for local EV companies like Yatri to grow and establish themselves in Nepal.
Meanwhile, check out our gaming PC build under $1,000.
