The National Innovation Center (NIC) is calling out qualified individuals to study the possibility of manufacturing electric vehicles in Nepal. This news comes almost a week after Yatri Motorcycle received mixed reactions from the public because of the pricing of their “Made in Nepal” electric motorcycles. In this post, we will be concentrating on what NIC believes will power electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal.
NIC’s vision for electric vehicles in Nepal
Dr. Mahabir Pun, Chairman of the National Innovation Center, shared NIC’s vision of electric buses in Nepal via his social media handle. NIC wants to carry out research and development in the field of supercapacitors and is looking for qualified and interested individuals for the same.
The research team will be led by Prof. Suman Koirala. If you think you are the guy for the job, you can get in touch with Dr. Mahabir Pun with the following contact details:
Once it’s successful, NIC will be looking to develop electric vehicles powered by the technology.
Technologies powering the EV
Usually, the power source of an electric vehicle is its battery. EVs come with different types of batteries of which lithium-ion is the most popular one. These batteries store energy in the form of chemicals. They have two electrodes (one positive and one negative) separated by an electrolyte. The current is created when ions from one electrolyte flow to the other. Once the battery drains, it needs recharging. The process involves reversing the flow of ions.
कसैलाई Super-capacitor को क्षेत्रमा अनुसन्धान गर्ने राम्रो आईडिया छ भने सम्पर्क राख्नु होस्। यस्तो चिज बाट छोटो दुरीको बस चल्छ। यो १० सेकेन्डमा चार्ज हुन्छ। फाइदा धेरै छ। फोटो हेर्नुस। Prof. Suman Koirala को नेतृत्वमा काम गर्नु पर्नेछ। फोन – 9841592361, इमेल [email protected]pic.twitter.com/SDXsowupnh
On the other hand, capacitors store energy in the static state. Here, two electrodes are separated by an insulating material otherwise known as dielectrics. When the two electrodes are connected to a circuit, an electric field is generated which produces current. A supercapacitor or an ultracapacitor is basically a capacitor with high capacitance and low voltage limit. One can implement it by using large electrode plates with reduced distances between them.
Merits and demerits of supercapacitors
There are multiple advantages of using supercapacitors instead of traditional batteries in EVs. First is the charging speed. The charging period for supercapacitors is in minutes which is significantly less than the hours that traditional batteries take. Also, supercapacitors don’t degrade at the same rate as batteries. Thus, they can add to the lifespan of EVs.
On the other hand, they have their shortcoming as well. They can store only a fraction of the energy that lithium-ion batteries can hold. The second problem is their discharging. Supercapacitors cannot hold a charge for long and thus are only useful for short routes where they can be recharged frequently.
Meanwhile, check out the first look of Project One (P1) electric bike. [Nepali]
Samsung has just announced the first 5G device under the M-series. The Galaxy M42 is powered by Snapdragon 750G that comes with a 5G modem. Here, we will be taking a look at the specs, features, expected price, and availability of the Samsung Galaxy M42 5G in Nepal.
Samsung Galaxy M42 5G Overview:
Here, Galaxy M42 5G is the successor to Galaxy M40 that launched two years ago. According to the reports, Samsung had to cancel the M41 last year as the display intended for the phone failed to meet the required standard.
Design and Display
Moving to the M42 5G, the device sports a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display. And for some reason, Samsung has used an HD+ panel here with an Infinity-U notch for the selfie camera. The company is yet to confirm it but it seems like the device has an in-display fingerprint scanner. If true, it will be another first for the M-series.
The back of the device features a square camera bump with an LED flash just outside of it. Galaxy M42 5G is available in two color options – Prism Dot Black and Prism Dot Gray. The phone has a glossy finish and a layered pattern which the company claims to be more comfortable to grip.
Under the hood, the M42 5G packs Snapdragon 750G. It’s a 7nm chipset that debuted last year with the Redmi 9 Pro 5G. It features two Cortex-A77 cores clocked at 2.2Ghz and six Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.8GHz. For 5G, it integrates the Snapdragon X52 modem that is also used in the higher-end chipsets like the 765G and 768G. Samsung has included Game Booster and Frame Booster features to improve the gaming capability of the phone.
Users can choose between 6GB and 8GB RAM. Both RAM variants feature 128GB of internal storage which is expandable. The device ships with Android 11 based on One UI 3.1 out-of-the-box
Camera
The square camera module at the back encloses a quad-camera setup. An LED flash resides just outside of the module. Coming to the specs, the primary camera here is the 48MP ISOCELL GM2 sensor. It is accompanied by an ultrawide sensor with a 123° Field of View. There are two additional 5MP sensors for portrait and macro shots.
This setup can record 4K videos at 30fps. Similarly, users can make use of features like Single Take, Night Mode, Hyperlapse, Super-Slow motion, and Flaw Detection. There is a 20MP selfie shooter at the front.
Rest of the specs
Galaxy M42 5G is fueled by a 5,000mAh battery that offers up to 36 hours of talk time on a single charge. A 15W charger is included in the box. The phone comes with Samsung Knox security. It also has NFC that users can use for contactless payment via Samsung Pay.
Samsung Galaxy M42 5G Specifications:
Display: 6.6-inches “Infinity-U” Super AMOLED panel
Resolution: HD+ (720x 1600 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm)
Memory: 6/8GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable)
Software & UI: Android 11 with Samsung’s One UI 3.1 on top
The price of the Samsung Galaxy M42 5G in India is INR 21,999 for the 6/128GB and INR 23,999 for the 8/128GB variant. The sale starts on 1st May. We expect the starting price of the Samsung Galaxy M42 5G in Nepal to be around NPR 37,000 when it launches here shortly.
Samsung Galaxy M42 5G
Price in India
Price in Nepal (Expected)
6/128GB
INR 21,999
NPR 37,000
8/128GB
INR 23,999
NPR 40,000
Meanwhile, check out our initial impressions of the Samsung Galaxy A52 (4G).
Vivo’s gaming sub-brand announced the iQOO 7 earlier this year. The device has been repackaged as iQOO 7 Legend in India. It is accompanied by iQOO Neo5 which has been rebranded as the vanilla iQOO 7. Let’s take a look at the specs, features, expected price, and availability of the global variants of iQOO 7 and iQOO 7 Legend in Nepal.
iQOO 7 Legend Overview:
Design and Display
iQOO 7 Legend sports a 6.62-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 20:9 aspect ratio. The screen has a 120Hz refresh rate and 300Hz touch sampling rate. It also supports an instantaneous touch sampling rate of 1000Hz. The phone has a center-aligned punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. This results in a 91.4% screen to body ratio.
Additionally, the screen covers 105% of the NTSC color gamut and has support for HDR10+ display technology as well. It’s a pressure-sensitive screen with a left and a right partition.
At the back, we get to see the rectangular camera bump. The device is available with tri-color textured lines on the right side that resembles a racing track. It is to represent the partnership with BMW M Motorsport.
Performance and Memory
On the performance side of things, the new Snapdragon 888 brings double-digit improvements over its predecessor. The new chipset performs 25% better in CPU-related tasks and 35% better in GPU-related tasks compared to the iQOO 5. Additionally, iQOO has implemented a new antenna layout on this phone for better signal and reduced interference. iQOO 7 Legend uses three antennas smart switching for better results.
For cooling purposes, iQOO has included a 4096mm2 vapor chamber along with a capillary structure power pump. To aid gamers, there is Multi-Turbo 5.0 that optimizes network speed, memory, and power consumption for a better gaming experience.
Camera
The triple camera setup at the back consists of a 48MP primary camera accompanied by a 120-degree ultra-wide camera and a 13MP portrait lens. The primary camera has support for Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for steady images and videos. Some of the features of the rear camera setup include – vlog mode, Super Night View 5.0, Dark Night Vision 2.0, Panorama Night View.
Rest of the specs
Moving on, the phone has a 4000mAh battery but the charging speed is just 66W. That is a significant drop from the 120W charging on the Chinese variant of the iQOO 7. The phone has an in-display fingerprint scanner for biometrics. In terms of connectivity, it supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. The phone ships with Origin OS based on Android 11 out of the box. It has a stereo audio setup that is Hi-Res compatible.
iQOO 7 Overview
iQOO 7 sports a similar display but it lacks the pressure-sensitive partition. The rear panel also looks different as it comes with a rectangular camera bump. The AG Matte glass panel is available in two color options – Storm Black and Solid Ice Blue Blue.
The device is powered by Snapdragon 870. It is the same chipset as last year’s Snapdragon 865 but with a higher frequency Prime core. There is also a dedicated display chip that the company claims will help the device maintain stable fps. The liquid cooling system on the phone features a graphite sheet with a 6,000mm2 surface area.
The rear camera setup consists of a 48MP Sony IMX598 sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2MP monochrome sensor. On the front, there is a 16MP selfie shooter. Fueling the device is a larger 4,400mAh battery with the same 66W charging speed.
iQOO 7, 7 Legend Specifications:
Display: 6.62-inch AMOLED; 105% NTSC color gamut, HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate, 300Hz touch sampling rate; 91.4% screen ratio
Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
Connectivity: 5G network, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1/5.2, and NFC
Battery: 4,000mAh / 4400mAh with 66W fast charging
iQOO 7 and 7 Legend Price in Nepal and Availability
The price of iQOO 7 and iQOO 7 Legend in India starts at INR 31,990 and INR 39,990, respectively. The pre-order starts on May 1. If it launches here, we expect the price of iQOO 7 and iQOO 7 Legend in Nepal to start at NPR 55,000 and NPR 70,000, respectively.
After weeks of teasers, Redmi has finally unveiled its first-ever gaming smartphone. The Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition is now official in China. It comes with a flagship MediaTek processor and a bunch of gaming-oriented features. Here, we will be looking at the complete specs and features of the Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition along with its expected price in Nepal.
Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition Overview:
Design and Display
Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition (or Gaming Edition) features a 6.67-inch flexible OLED panel with an FHD+ resolution. It has support for a 120Hz refresh rate and a 480Hz three-finger touch sampling rate. The typical brightness of the panel is listed at 500 nits and there are a total of 8192 brightness adjustment level. The display can reproduce 1.07 billion colors and one can view HDR10 content on it as well.
The phone is 8.3m thick and weighs around 205 grams, which is quite impressive for a gaming phone. Like the front, the back of the phone is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. It also has an IP53 rating against dust and water spray. The camera module on the back looks a bit different compared to other Redmi K40 series devices. It’s because it now has Pulse ambient lighting that will light up in case of any notifications.
Performance and Memory
Powering Redmi’s first gaming phone is Dimensity 1200. This 6nm chipset is the best MediaTek has to offer at the moment. Talking about the chipset, it features four Cortex-A78 performance cores (1 x 3 GHz + 3 x 2.6 GHz) and four Cortex-A55 (@2GHz) efficiency cores. The cooling system on the Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition consists of graphene, graphite, and a vapor chamber.
Even before the launch, Redmi revealed the phone managed to score 724,495 points in AnTuTu v9. But it’s worth pointing out that AnTuTu v9 tends to score a device higher compared to v8. Users can choose between 6, 8, and 12GB of LPDDR4x memory. Similarly, storage options include 128GB and 256GB of UFS 3.1 memory.
Camera
The triple camera setup on the back consists of a 64MP primary camera. The 1/2” inch sensor has support for 4-in-1 pixel binning. Redmi has used a glass-plastic hybrid material for the lens which it claims performs better than a complete plastic lens.
The primary shooter is accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide sensor. It has a 120° Field of View (FOV). And the third camera is a 2MP sensor for macro photography. The device can record 1080p and 4k videos at 60 and 30 fps respectively. On the front, there is a 16MP selfie shooter that can record 1080p 30fps videos.
Rest of the specs
Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition gets its juice from a 5065mAh battery. It has support for Quick Charge 3+ and PowerDelivery 3.0. Redmi is also including a 67W PD-compatible charger in the box. The charger has an L-shaped connector so that users can game while charging the device simultaneously.
In terms of wireless connectivity, you get support for dual-SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.1. For an uninterrupted gaming experience, the phone has 12 antennas in a 360-degree arrangement.
You also get magnetic pop-up shoulder buttons like the ones in the Black Shark 4 lineup. You can map it for in-game functions. There is an X-axis linear motor that can produce over 200 vibration effects. The stereo speakers are tuned by JBL and feature Hi-Res (Wired/Wireless), and Dolby Atmos certification.
Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition is currently exclusive to China where it will be available from 30th April at a starting price of 1,999 Yuan. There is also a Bruce Lee Special Edition (12/256GB) that costs 2,799 Yuan. If the phone launches in Nepal, we expect the price of the Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition to start at NPR 45,000.
Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition
Price in China
Price in Nepal (Expected)
6/128GB
¥1999
Rs. 45,000
8/128GB
¥2199
Rs. 50,000
8/256GB
¥2399
Rs. 55,000
12/128GB
¥2399
Rs. 55,000
12/256GB
¥2699
Rs. 60,000
12/256GB (Bruce Lee Special Edition)
¥2799
Rs. 65,000
Meanwhile, check out our review of the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max.
Autel is not the first name that comes to mind when you think of drones. However, the company has been positioned as an alternative to the DJI in the drone market. And now, Autel drones are available in Nepal via Oliz Store. In this post, we will be talking in brief about Autel and the drones that are available in Nepal including their price, specs, and other info.
Autel: Brand Overview
As mentioned earlier, Autel is a brand that specializes in intelligent automotive systems and automotive electronics components. Formally known as the Autel Intelligent Technology Corp, the company has multiple child companies under its wing. One such is Autel Robotics that was founded in 2014.
Autel Robotics specializes in unmanned aerial technologies. It develops drones for both hobbyists and professionals. The company debuted the X-Star in 2015 which was then followed by the EVO series. Last year, the company also unveiled the EVO II series.
While the parent company is headquartered in Shenzhen China, the same neighborhood as DJI, Autel Robotics is based in Washington, USA. Given the recent advancement in the US-China relation, the company even introduced “Made in US” drones under the EVO II platform.
Autel Drones Available In Nepal:
Autel EVO II
The Autel EVO II comes with Sony’s 48MP sensor. It is capable of recording 4K HDR videos with 16 Exposure Values. The 10-bit color depth allows the drone to capture over 1 billion colors. In addition, users can shoot in 8K under the Hyperlapse Mode.
It is equipped with 19 sensors out of which 12 help in obstacle avoidance. EVO II can track objects in motion with its Phase Detection AF. It can also detect up to 64 objects at the same time.
The drone can fly at a maximum speed of 45mph. The maximum flight time is listed at 40 minutes. Similarly, the maximum transmission range is 5.5km.
Moving on, the EVO II Pro is the first folding drone from the company that can shoot in 6K resolution. It features a 20MP Sony CMOS sensor. Users can adjust the aperture between f/2.8 to f/11. Similarly, the ISO can be dialed up to 12,800. As with the EVO II 8K, it can also capture over 1 billion colors because of the 10-bit color support. There is the HyperLight feature with 2D and 3D noise-reducing technologies for low-light photography.
The price of Autel EVO II and EVO II PRO in Nepal is NPR 216,000 and NPR 255,000, respectively. You can buy Autel drones in Nepal at their respective price from Oliz Store.
Spotify has announced a new feature that lets users listen to Spotify music from within the Facebook app via a miniplayer. This will help people share and discover new music more conveniently, a feature that has contributed to the popularity of the platform. Today, we will be talking about this new feature in detail along with some recent changes in the subscription plans of the platform.
Spotify miniplayer in Facebook app
This is not the first time these two companies have collaborated. Even before this, users could sign into Spotify using their Facebook account. But with this, Facebook users will be able to do so much more when it comes to sharing and discovering music.
This new update introduces a new miniplayer with which users can enjoy Spotify music from within the Facebook app. You can share the music of your interest with your circle and even explain why it signifies to you. Your friends can engage on the shared music as they would with your other content on the social media platform.
How to use the new Spotify miniplayer on Facebook?
To use this feature tap, go to the Share menu by tapping on the three dots which will be on the top right of the songs you are currently streaming on Spotify. You can select Facebook and/or Facebook News Feed from within the menu. You can even add a message or note for a more personal touch.
On the other hand, other people will be able to play the music that you shared from within the Facebook app. All they need to do is tap on the Play option below the shared music and a miniplayer with playback options will appear. A consent dialog box will appear if it’s the first time using the feature. You will also be able to listen to verified artist’s music directly from the post they share on Facebook. This also works for videos uploaded to Facebook that contain licensed music.
Availability
This new feature is available in 27 countries as follows:
Argentina
Costa Rica
Israel
Paraguay
Australia
Dominican Republic
Japan
Peru
Bolivia
Ecuador
Malaysia
South Africa
Brazil
El Salvador
Mexico
Thailand
Canada
Guatemala
New Zealand
Uruguay
Chile
Honduras
Nicaragua
USA
Colombia
Indonesia
Panama
Unfortunately, Spotify is yet to announce the new feature for any of the South Asian countries. But we expect that to happen in the coming months.
Spotify announces price hike in different regions
In other news, Spotify has hiked the subscription fee on many of its plans in numerous regions. This has been the case for different European countries including the UK. In the UK, the price of the Spotify Student package has been increased to £5.99 from £4.99. The fee for the Duo plan has been bumped to £13.99 from £12.99. Likewise, for the Family plan, the new price is £16.99 compared to the previous £14.99 fee.
The price hike is not uniform everywhere. For instance, the monthly subscription fee for Family Plan in Ireland is now €17.99 though it used to be €14.99 before the change. The company has also announced to raise the price of Family plans in the US but is yet to confirm the latest pricing.
Spotify is expected to announce price hikes for some countries in Asia and South America as well. There will be a one-month grace period before the implementation. After this, the company will automatically increase the price of said plan in the regions.
Football fans have been quick to point out that Spotify’s price hike has come just right after Daniel Ek, the founder of the platform, expressed his desire to acquire Arsenal Football Club via his Twitter handle. He already has support from Arsenal legends like Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, and Patrick Vieira for his bid.
However, we expect Spotify to reveal more about it when it shares its latest earnings on Thursday. Recently, the platform reported a loss of €125 million in a quarter despite the 150 million subscribers.
Samsung unveiled its latest premium mid-range phones, the Galaxy A52 and A72 about a month ago. Featuring a new design language and loads of new feature additions, both phones are some of the best in their price range. Here, the A72 is the more expensive of the two and we’ve already published our initial impression of the phone. After having used the device for longer, has anything changed? Let’s find that out in this review of the Samsung Galaxy A72.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Specifications:
Body: 77.4 x 165.0 x 8.4mm, 203 gm, IP67 dust/water resistant
Display: 6.7-inches “Infinity-O” Super AMOLED panel, 90Hz refresh rate, 394 PPI
Resolution: Full-HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
Like I said in my initial impression, I’m really fond of A72’s design. More specifically, the color options are fantastic this time around. Even though the phone doesn’t have a glass body, it doesn’t feel any less premium in the hand. Plus, Samsung has moved away from the glossy finish in its predecessor to a matte finish instead.
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Ports
Back
Besides offering a really good hands-on feel, this material is immune to fingerprint smudges as well. More importantly, the Galaxy A72 also boasts IP67 dust and water resistance. Getting a feature that’s usually reserved for the flagship smartphones on one that costs almost half as much is something to get excited by.
Likewise, despite weighing a little over 200 grams, I didn’t find the phone to be uncomfortable to hold since it has a balanced weight distribution. Still, since A72 has a plastic back, it will get scuffs, scratches over time. So if you’re planning on buying this phone, I strongly advise on getting a decent protective case as well.
Display
6.7-inches FHD+ Super AMOLED screen
90Hz refresh rate, SGS Low Blue Light certified
On top of the build quality, the next thing I like about the Galaxy A72 is its display. Well, I guess nobody’s surprised with this seeing how Samsung has always managed to deliver excellent displays on its smartphones. Here, you’re greeted with a big 6.7-inch FHD Super AMOLED panel. And this is a top-notch screen to look at. Moreover, the centered punch-hole cutout is pretty minimal too.
Pair this with the stereo speaker setup, content consumption on A72 is absolutely breathtaking. As a result, if your usage pattern mostly revolves around watching videos, scrolling through social media apps, then this is a good option.
Additionally, Samsung has also nabbed SGS Low Blue Light certification on this phone. That basically promises a non-fatiguing viewing experience when staring at the A72’s big screen for hours. Like the IP67 certification I mentioned earlier, this is another such feature that Samsung has directly borrowed here from its high-end smartphones.
On top of all this, Galaxy A72’s display also refreshes at 90Hz. Even though it’s not as smooth as 120Hz screens found in phones like the Redmi Note 10 Pro series, you will notice the smoothness well enough when browsing through the UI or scrolling the news feed. Contrary to the jittery 120Hz refresh rate experience on the POCO X3 despite being powered by Snapdragon 732G, Samsung’s software optimization has made sure that’s not the case here.
Moving on, A72 brags a pretty mean and capable camera setup too. While most other mid-range, premium mid-range phones feature a gimmicky quad-camera setup, Samsung has avoided that scandal. You get a 64MP primary camera alongside a 12MP ultra-wide, a 5MP macro, and an 8MP telephoto lens capable of taking 3x optically zoomed shots.
Telephoto Images
With this, Galaxy A72 is the first phone under the company’s “A” series to equip a dedicated zoom lens. At a time when almost no other brands provide a telephoto camera in their phones that cost as much as A72, Samsung has upped the game.
Telephoto
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Normal
3x Zoom
Normal
10x Zoom
Normal
30x Zoom
It can shoot 3x optical or up to 30x digital zoom photos. But I found that A72’s telephoto images looked the best up to 10x only.
Normal, Ultrawide, Macro Images
Moving on, the images from the primary lens and the ultrawide camera are excellent as well.
Normal, Wideangle
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Normal
Wideangle
Normal
Wideangle
Normal
Wideangle
There’s enough detail to enjoy and I can’t complain about their dynamic range either. As always, Samsung’s color optimization is on-point here too.
Macro
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Additionally, the macro images aren’t all that bad either. The fixed focus does complicate things when taking close-up shots but with enough patience, you might be able to take shot good macro photos.
Portrait Images
To my disappointment, the Galaxy A72 doesn’t shoot portraits from the telephoto camera. The edge detection from the primary 64MP sensor could’ve been better but the skin tone and background blue are fantastic regardless.
Portrait
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But I’m hopeful that Samsung will push an update enabling portraits from the 3x zoom lens seeing how the Galaxy S21 Ultra recently received an update for the same.
Selfie Images
Similarly, the selfies from the 32MP sensor win out in terms of the color tone and dynamic range as well.
Selfie, Portrait Selfie
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Selfie
Portrait Selfie
Selfie
Portrait Selfie
Selfie
Portrait Selfie
Selfie
Portrait Selfie
Moreover, the portrait selfie images share a similar fate.
Nighttime Images
Thanks to OIS, the Galaxy A72’s nighttime photos turn out quite good. It is able to deliver photos with nice exposure and details.
Nighttime
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Nighttime
Night Mode
Nighttime
Night Mode
Turning on the night mode, you’ll notice even more details with the photos looking a bit brighter too.
Videography
Besides this, the biggest plus point of the phone is most definitely its aforementioned OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). As a result, you’ll be able to shoot stable videos that’ll look way better compared to the ones from phones with just EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization).
A72 can shoot up to 4K/30fps videos from both front and back cameras. Before I forget, the front camera doesn’t have OIS. Anyway, even the 4K/30fps videos from the rear camera turn out stable. This is one of those areas where other mid-range phones are helpless.
Battery
5000mAh battery with 25W USB-PD charging
Apart from the terrific cameras, the next thing I like about the Galaxy A72 is its battery life. Packing a big 5000mAh battery inside, the phone usually lasted me for about a day and a half. This could mainly be because of a 90Hz refresh rate instead of 120Hz and the use of an energy-efficient 8nm processor.
Even under heavy usage, I was able to get a day’s endurance, at least. Now, that doesn’t compare to the monstrous 7000mAh battery on Samsung’s own Galaxy M62 but I can’t complain about this either. Furthermore, you get a 25W fast charger inside the box itself even though the company was greedy enough to ship the Galaxy A52 with a 15W power brick.
Using the 25W USB PD charger, A72 goes from 0 to 100% in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. What’s more, you can even use this charger to juice up your PD-compliant devices like laptops or iPad.
Performance
Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G SoC (8nm)
6/8GB LPDDR4X RAM with 128/256GB storage (expandable)
Aside from the top-notch design, display, and cameras, Galaxy A72 is complemented by a well-optimized and visually appealing One UI Android skin. Out-of-the-box, it runs on One UI 3.1 based on the latest Android 11. In addition, Samsung also promises at least 3 generations of Android upgrades and 4 years of security updates on this phone—something no Chinese smartphone companies offer.
Having said that, the actual performance side of things on A72 leaves things to be desired. First off, the Snapdragon 720G isn’t a deserving chipset on a phone that costs over Rs. 50,000.
Despite all the optimization Samsung has done, the fact that 720G is available in phones that cost almost half as much, like the Redmi Note 9 Pro, speaks volumes. Plus, the same chipset can be found in Galaxy A52 that costs like Rs. 10,000 less.
Maybe if the company had gone with relatively more capable silicon like the Snapdragon 765G or the new Snapdragon 860, we wouldn’t be having this conversation in the first place. As a result, A72 is just not that powerful a phone. And if gaming’s your priority, you’re better off looking at its alternatives.
Moreover, its optical in-display fingerprint scanner isn’t as fast as the ones in the competition like the Realme X7 Pro either. By the way, we’ve already posted our detailed comparison of Galaxy A72 with the X7 Pro so if you’d want to check that out, click here. Yet, you can speed up the unlock speed by turning off the animation.
Conclusion
So that was it for our review of the Samsung Galaxy A72. Like I just said, things would’ve been so simpler if the phone had a better chipset. But unfortunately, that’s not the case. Because of this, the phone struggles to differentiate itself from Samsung’s own Galaxy A52 since the latter packs an eerily similar set of specs. From display, performance, to the primary and ultrawide cameras, things are neck-and-neck between the two phones.
Left: Galaxy A52 | Right: Galaxy A72
It’s just that you get a larger display, a bigger battery, and a 3x telephoto lens here. And for this, Samsung is asking Rs. 10K more which makes me believe that A52 is a better value for money by a long shot. Still, if you want a big smartphone experience mostly for multimedia consumption, Galaxy A72 is a decent choice in the Nepali market.
That’s mainly because the competing phones from brands like Vivo and Oppo‘s offerings are quite overpriced and therefore don’t compete against A72. Plus, even though Xiaomi has compelling phones in its arsenal like the POCO F3 or the Redmi K40, those aren’t available here. Therefore, if you’re looking to buy a decent phone under 50K, Samsung’s Galaxy A72 is the best phone—love it or hate it.
After the launch of Moto G40 Fusion and Moto G60, Motorola has launched yet another device in the revamped G-series. The new Moto G20 is a budget phone that is set to launch in Europe soon. In this post, we will be taking a look at the specs, features, expected price, and availability of the Motorola Moto G20 in Nepal.
Motorola Moto G20 Overview:
Design and Display
Moto G20 features a 6.5-inch Max Vision display with support for the 90Hz refresh rate. It’s an IPS LCD panel with an HD+ resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. That results in a pixel density of 269 PPI and a 20:9 aspect ratio. Similarly, the phone has a tear-drop notch that encloses the front-facing camera.
The body of the phone is made completely from plastic and it weighs around 200 grams. You also get an IP52 rating against dust and water sprays. There are two colors to choose from here – Breeze Blue and Flamingo Pink.
Interestingly, Motorola has opted for a Unisoc chipset which is quite rare in the mid-range price segment. The Unisoc T700 used in the G20 has been designed specifically to be used in Motorola devices. The chipset features two Cortex-A75 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores. Here, the graphics are handled by Mali G52 GPU.
The phone is available in a single memory configuration of 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage. That latter can be expanded at the expense of dual-SIM functionality.
Camera
At the back, a 48MP sensor leads the rear camera setup. It outputs 12MP photos using quad-pixel technology. The primary sensor is accompanied by an 8MP sensor with a 118˚ Field of View (FOV). There are two additional 2MP sensors for macro shots and depth information. The rear camera comes with support for Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS).
You can record FHD videos at 30fps from both primary and ultrawide sensors. You can also record videos with the macro sensor but it is capped at 720p/30fps. There is a 13MP selfie shooter on the front that can capture FHD videos at 30fps.
Rest of the specs
Fueling the device is a decent 5,000mAh battery. Motorola is claiming over two days of backup on a single full charge on this phone. Moto G20 supports 10W charging via the Type-C port. Motorola ships the compatible charger inside the box too. In terms of connectivity, you get dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC.
Moto G20 ships with Android 11 out-of-the-box with the company’s My UX on top. In addition to the power button and the volume rocker, there is a dedicated button to summon Google Assistant as well. There is also a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner for biometrics.
Extra: Water repellant design (IP52 rating), Google Assistant Button
Battery: 5,000mAh with 10W charging
Motorola Moto G20 Price in Nepal & Availability
Motorola Moto G20 will go on sale in Europe starting this week for a price tag of €149. We expect the price of the Motorola Moto G20 in Nepal to be around NPR 20,000 when it launches here.
MSI is almost a household name in the world of gaming PC. Yet, the company has found little success in the non-gaming domain despite its best attempt. I don’t mean to spoil the forthcoming review but the MSI Prestige 14 Evo that I have with me right here is a pretty decent thin-and-light machine with a few imperfections.
MSI Prestige 14 Evo (A11M) Specifications:
Design&Build: Aluminum build, 12.55W x 8.46D x 0.63H-inches, 1.29 kg, MIL-STD-810G certification, 5-degree hinge
Webcam: 720p HD IR camera, No Privacy Shutter, Windows Hello certified
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 ax (2×2), Bluetooth 5.1
I/O Ports: 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x Micro SD reader, 2x USB Type-C (USB 4 / DP / Thunderbolt 4) with PD charging, 1x mic/headphone combo jack
Pricein Nepal: Rs. 173,000
What’s inside the box: Laptop, power adapter, quick start guide
MSI Prestige 14 Evo (A11M) Review:
Design
Sleek, portable design with 5-degree hinge
MIL-STD-810G military-grade durability
I’m particularly fond of how portable it is. Weighing just 1.29 kg with a thickness of 0.62-inches, I could simply pop it into my backpack and almost forget that it’s there in the first place. Considering how this is one of the biggest selling points of this machine, I’d say MSI has nailed the portability aspect. The Prestige 14 Evo comes in an all-metal build just like its predecessor. Plus, it’s available in two subtle color options that seamlessly adapt to a professional setting.
But unlike the Prestige 14 Evo of last year (A10M), the company has treated this year’s iteration with the new logo on the lid. Contrary to the classic “MSI Dragon” branding, this one’s more subtle and suitable for the target demographics.
With the sandblasted finish, it doesn’t attract nearly as many smudges either. Yet, the keyboard chassis, more specifically the palm rest area is a different story which I’ll get into in just a bit. Anyway, this laptop is available in either Pure White or Carbon Gray color options. While the former is more tempting and would’ve been my first choice, I’ve grown to like the Carbon Gray variant over time.
Thanks to its subdued blue accent throughout the edges, the MSI Prestige 14 Evo adds a bit of flair to an otherwise boring slab. There’s also a Rose Pink option but its availability is limited to select markets only. Now, it’s not a convertible laptop but you can push the hinge to a flat 180-degree. While you’d think there would be little to zero practical reasons to do so (and you’d be right for the most part), MSI has spiced things a bit with its “Flip-n-Share” feature. Just hit the F12 button to share your screen’s content with the person sitting next to you.
Thermals
You’re also getting a “special hinge” (as MSI calls it) with the Prestige 14 Evo. It raises the device by 5 degrees for a more comfortable typing experience and a more efficient cooling solution—something that this laptop desperately needs. Talking about cooling, it expectedly has a single fan solution with patterned intake vents on the bottom, with the exhaust hidden in the hinge itself.
Thermal
1 of 2
Hinge
Intake Vent
Unlike the couple of 2-in-1s that we’d recently reviewed, MSI hasn’t added a faux exhaust on the opposite side for a more symmetrical look. But honestly, I don’t care for it. However, what I am thankful for in this machine is its military-grade durability. Passing the MIL-STD-810G certification, the MSI Prestige 14 Evo is designed to survive accidental bumps and such. This has already proven its worth during my time with the device. My niece accidentally dropped that laptop from about half a meter’s height and luckily, it suffered no harm.
Port selection
The port selection on this thing is pretty decent as well. You get two USB Type-C connections on the left, both of which support DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4, and PD charging. You’ll find a solitary USB 2.0 Type-A port on the right alongside a micro SD card reader and a 3.5mm mic/headphone jack combo.
Ports
1 of 2
Left
Right
I will say MSI could’ve gone with the newer USB 3.2 standard on the Type-A port though. To sum it all up, the Prestige 14 Evo wins the top mark in terms of its design.
Display
14″ anti-glare non-touch IPS LCD panel
72% NTSC color space, 300 nits brightness
Jumping to the display side of things, it’s a standard 14” FHD IPS panel that doesn’t support touch input. MSI says it covers around 100% of sRGB or 72% of NTSC color space and from what I can tell, its color reproduction is pretty decent. Contents look sharp and vibrant enough to not distract you from the task at hand.
Yet, professional graphics designers would want something more. The company also mentions that the Prestige 14 Evo equips a “low power” panel but fails to give any specifics. Traditional laptops use a 2.5W display while the industry standard for a power-efficient panel would be a 1W screen.
While I’d like to believe that this machine features the latter, without any official info to back that claim, I can’t talk about it with absolute certainty. Regardless, this 300 nits panel doesn’t get very bright either. In a daylight setting with plenty of ambient light, you will struggle to see the screen content even at max brightness.
No display customization
Plus, MSI only sells one variant of this laptop in terms of its display so for those whose use case mostly revolves in an outdoor environment, I don’t even get to recommend a higher brightness option of the Prestige 14 Evo. Having said that, if you don’t belong to the aforementioned user group, this screen’s illumination is more than sufficient.
Apart from this, I have no complaints regarding the viewing angles here. I couldn’t notice any screen bleeding either. Moreover, it also inherits an anti-glare coating so using it in rooms with multiple light sources has been no problem. Still and all, seeing this as a business and productivity-grade machine, I wish MSI had opted for a wider 16:10 aspect ratio instead of sticking to the plain old 16:9 standard.
After all, there’s more than enough room to make that possible. Simply cut down the bottom bezel and trim down the one on the top. Boom! The side bezels are fairly slim for a 2021 laptop though. With this, the company claims that the Prestige 14 Evo achieves a nearly 90% screen-to-body ratio. Additionally, the screen does flex a bit but I wouldn’t worry about it.
Keyboard
Backlit chiclet-style keyboard (white)
1.5 mm key travel distance
Moving on, I’ve enjoyed typing on this laptop so far. Its chiclet-style keys are well spaced out and are almost impervious to any degree of rattles. 1.5mm key travel still remains my personal favorite and the Prestige 14 Evo’s keyboard embodies the same travel distance. As a result, I’ve had very few mistypes throughout the review period on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo.
On top of this, its 5-degree hinge has also amplified the typing experience. But if you’re someone who favors a flat layout instead, you’d want to skip this. Still, the angle of elevation isn’t that high to result in any fatigue or discomfort to the wrists. Besides, the keys are quiet too—some of the quietest ones I’ve used lately.
It does feel a little soft although I don’t have a problem with that. Yet, I did notice slight flex in the keyboard chassis but only with significant pressure, so nothing to worry about.
As expected, these are backlit as well and you can choose from 3 levels of illumination. I like how turning it on accentuates the silver-gray underlining in the keys. Looks pretty unique. You can also lock the function key and there are helpful LED indicators on volume and microphone usage. I would’ve liked one on the webcam as well, but it is what it is. All in all, I’m quite happy with Prestige 14 Evo’s keyboards. If I really had to nitpick, the one thing I would’ve done differently is separate the Function and the right control key.
Trackpad
Glass trackpad, silky smooth to touch
Windows Hello-certified fingerprint reader
Another one of Prestige 14’s fortes is this ultra-wide trackpad. On top of its sheer size, this track is silky smooth to touch. Makes me want to scroll away and do nothing else. Anyway, this glass trackpad has integrated left/right keys.
1 of 2
Trackpad
Fingerprint Reader
While they click well enough, I just wished the key distance was a little shorter. It also gets pretty loud and the key travel distance makes it feel almost plasticky. Other than this, this trackpad handles multi-finger gestures including pinch-to-zoom perfectly. Despite its wide layout, I rarely encountered an instance of accidental touches and MSI deserves a pat on the back for this.
But what I don’t appreciate is the fingerprint reader integrated into the trackpad itself. On top of creating an effective dead zone, its placement is pretty awkward too. We’d complained about this on our review of the Summit E15 as well. Also, this Windows Hello-certified biometrics option sometimes fails to recognize your finger if it’s even slightly sweaty/wet.
Webcam
IR HD camera (no privacy shutter)
Windows Hello login certified
For your video calling needs, MSI has installed a 720p IR webcam on the top. There is no dedicated privacy shutter here which is a little disappointing. Oh, and this one’s Windows Hello-certified too so you have a couple of secure authentication options here. Regardless, its quality is strictly average but passable for a laptop. The footage comes off grainy and the subject looks a little soft too. In addition, its audio pickup isn’t anything exceptional either.
Audio
2x 2W bottom-firing speaker setup
Likewise, Prestige 14 Evo’s audio quality won’t blow you away either. It has a bottom-firing stereo speaker setup whose left/right separation isn’t half bad, to be honest. Even though it doesn’t get quite as loud as you’d want, I feel it to be adequate for an average-sized room. Thanks to the elevated hinge, the audio output gets a healthy room to breathe.
Listening to it at full volume, the sound quality is pretty admirable. There is hardly any distortion to be heard and with a keen pair of ears, you’ll be able to enjoy some detail in the audio as well. Nonetheless, don’t expect an immersive listening experience on this laptop though. While it is more than sufficient for general content consumption, you will want to pair it with a decent Bluetooth speaker for an elevated level of audio output.
Performance
Intel Tiger Lake Core i5-1135G7 (28W TDP)
Iris Xe integrated graphics, No discrete GPU
16GB LPDDR4X RAM, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Okay, let’s finally get into the performance side of things. Powering the MSI Prestige 14 Evo is the latest Intel Tiger Lake-U processor. Our review unit houses the Core i5-1135G7 CPU inside which has been paired with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB M.2 NVME PCIe Gen4 SSD. This variant goes for around $1,100 in the US but it’s a bit expensive here in Nepal, retailing at NPR 173,000.
Soldered RAM
In terms of upgrades, there’s not much you could do here since the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard. Thankfully, if you don’t find 16 gigs enough for your use case, there is a 32GB option as well. Additionally, for those who want more power, this laptop also comes with an Intel Core i7-1185G7 CPU. Unfortunately, MSI doesn’t ship either configuration with a dedicated GPU this iteration.
Considering how last year’s Prestige 14 was available with NVIDIA’s GTX 1650 as well, the company’s decision to skip it completely seems unsettling and rightfully questionable. By now, we know how impressive Intel’s Iris Xe integrated graphics is. Still, it’s no match for team green’s GTX series of GPUs.
With a spacious 16GB of RAM at play on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo, I didn’t encounter a single instance of memory management issue during this review. The device can keep things intact even after switching back to an app after leaving it idle for a while. Weirdly enough, I did notice a couple of instances when the laptop refused to wake up after automatically going to sleep. Therefore, I’ve had to force restart the device to get into it. Not sure if it’s device-specific or whether Microsoft is to blame here.
PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Moving on, I’m pretty impressed with its PCIe Gen4 SSD too. Apps install and open up quickly here. Just look at the CrystalDiskMark score. Nice! I clocked my routine applications like Adobe Photoshop CC 2021 and LibreOffice Writer to open at an average of 8.4 and 1.7 seconds, respectively. Let’s look at a few more benchmark scores:
CrystalDiskMark
Read (MB/s)
Write (MB/s)
SEQ1M Q8T1
4979.26
2509.57
SEQ1M Q1T1
2493.42
2506.68
RND4K Q32T1
666.08
390.01
RNK4K Q1T1
52.26
255.95
Cinebench R23
CPU: Multi-Core
5769
CPU: Single Core
1027
MP Ratio
5.61x
Geekbench5
CPU: Single Core
1395
CPU: Multi-Core
5402
Compute (OpenCL)
15465
Unigine Heaven
(FPS: 25.3, Score: 637, Min FPS: 6.7, Max FPS: 59.8)
API: OpenGL
Multi-monitor: Disabled
Quality: High
Anti-aliasing: x2
Tessellation: Extreme
Fullscreen: Yes
Stereo 3D: Disabled
Resolution: System
GFXBench
1440p Aztec Ruins OpenGL (High Tier) Offscreen
45.3965 fps
1080p Car Chase Offscreen
105.743 fps
1080p Manhattan 3.1 Offscreen
138.703 fps
1080p ALU 2 Offscreen
431.987 fps
1080p Driver Overhead 2 Offscreen
134.021 fps
1080p Texturing Offscreen
97.3221 fps
You might already know by now that my main usage doesn’t consist of any demanding tasks. Simply browsing the web, using word processing apps, and light photo editing should be a piece of cake for this machine, right? RIGHT? Alas, the MSI Prestige 14 Evo struggles at meeting such a basic computing requirement.
That’s not to say that it frequently stutters or anything. Instead, this Ultrabook has a terrible thermal solution. It heats up quite easily and quite fast. For something that should stay covert in an office setting, the Prestige 14 Evo’s compromised cooling system forces you to turn on the loud fan every now and then.
Multiple user profiles
There are multiple user modes to choose from under the “MSI Center for Business & Productivity” and I opted for the Balanced option. Additionally, you can also choose between the High Performance, Silent, and Super Battery modes which are pretty self-explanatory. Surprisingly, even the Silent mode doesn’t get adequately quiet.
Because of the aforementioned heating issue, keeping my hands on the keyboard chassis would be a challenging experience. Even with the fan working its best, the laptop doesn’t cool down as quickly or as much. Remember when I said how the concern regarding smudges on the palm rest area is a different story? Yeah, the moisture from my palm would ultimately stick to the keyboard chassis, thereby resulting in visible smudges.
The MSI Center also has an application optimizer option that supposedly tunes system resources accordingly. But I couldn’t notice any difference in actual performance level when turning it on/off.
Can you game on this thing?
If you don’t mind the heat (which I don’t think anyone could), you can even enjoy a couple of games or two on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo. Playing Valorant with Low graphics quality and V-Sync, anti-aliasing turned off, I managed to get an average of 78-80 fps.
There were a couple of instances of stutters but that’s totally negligible. On the other hand, CS: GO gives a playable 79-83 fps at Low graphics with MSAA and FXAA turned off. But let me reiterate, this is by no means a gaming machine and I wouldn’t suggest you turn up the heat, literally.
Battery
52 Watt-hour Li-Po battery
65W AC adapter inside the box
When it comes to battery life, I’ve got bad news here as well. Now, this is really shocking considering its “Intel Evo” certification. If you didn’t know, this Intel standard (previously Project Athena) promises faster performance, simplified connectivity, etc. And one of such promises is 9+ hours of battery life on FHD displays. However, not once did the Prestige 14 Evo didn’t deliver this on my usage.
This laptop comes with a 52 Watt-hour battery which sounds fairly large for a 14” laptop. But the best I could squeeze out of this machine was around 6 hours of battery life, with the most disappointing number clocking at just 4 hours.
Like I mentioned earlier, my usage consisted of editing documents on LibreOffice Writer with light editing on Adobe Photoshop and 7-8 Chrome tabs open in the background. Moreover, I kept my brightness at 43-45%. So, seeing let down on the battery front has been a real disappointment.
Charging up the battery is pretty quick though. Using the 65W AC adapter, the laptop climbs to 75% in an hour while getting to 100% takes about 50 minutes more. To enhance battery health, there’s also an option to stop the charge at 50 or 70% under the MSI Center.
Conclusion
Wrapping up this review, the excellent portability of MSI Prestige 14 Evo is ultimately haunted by its lackluster thermal performance and the compromised battery life. For a laptop that costs over a thousand dollars, these shortcomings are just too big to label it as a viable machine for anyone. But hey, if you just want a lightweight machine and your use-case doesn’t include anything mildly demanding, and if MSI were to push an update fixing the heating issue, I could see the Prestige 14 Evo being a decent choice.
Watch our video review of the MSI Prestige 14 Evo.
People’s attraction towards electric vehicles is growing every day, as it naturally should. From their eco-friendly nature to other benefits, this is the future. And now, Doohan, an electric vehicle manufacturer from China is set to launch the Doohan iTank in Nepal. So, let’s look at the specs, availability, and expected price of the Doohan iTank in Nepal.
Doohan iTank Overview:
The iTank is a three-wheeler that will accelerate from 0 to 28 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds. Its 26Ah lithium removable batteries output 62 miles. It also has a 50:50 weight balance and a low center of gravity, as well as a reversible lithium-ion battery that can charge in 6 hours.
In terms of design, it features side-deflecting dual front wheels to help the scooter while tilting on tight turns without toppling over or letting the rider lose control.
The dual front wheel is the most intriguing aspect of this vehicle. Doohan’s front dual-wheel system stands out with an aviation-level wrought aluminum front suspension and a sturdy steel chassis. Furthermore, the dedicated smartphone app gives riders an additional level of access.
Moving on, the Doohan iTank features a customized BOSCH motor with 1852W power, 120 Nm maximum torque, 15º elevation angle, and a 90% energy conversion rate. This e-scooter has 130mm of minimum ground clearance and a saddle height of 750mm.
Moreover, the iTank gets its “smartness” since it connects to your smartphone. With this, you can trail your routes or learn about other details like battery efficiency, charge level, device location, etc. You can also un/lock the scooter via the app. Unfortunately, it’s only available in App Store for now.
Specifications:
Dimension: 1780 x 730 x 1030mm (L x W x H)
Wheel Base: 1250mm
Track Front: 460mm
Standard Power Consumption: 1.7 kW/h
Range: Up to 62 miles
Top Speed: First Gear – 25 km/h, Second Gear – 45 km/h
Front Brake Model: 160mm Dual-piston Hydraumatic Disc Brake
* Doohan iTank is available in single/dual-battery version
Standard Charging Time: 6A ~ 7A
Charge & Discharge Times: 600 times
Doohan iTank Price in Nepal and Availability
In 2016, Doohan launched iTank as a $3,999 Kickstarter initiative. And the e-scooter is set to launch soon in Nepal. We expect the price of Doohan iTank in Nepal to be around NPR 450,000 when it launches shortly.
Smart Electric Scooter
Price in Nepal (Expected)
Doohan iTank
NPR 450,000
Meanwhile, check out the first look at Yatri’s Project One (P1) electric bike.
