Realme Nepal officially launched the Realme C15 back in October 2020. It is a slightly premium version of the Realme C11 and Realme C12. It comes with fast charging and an ultra-wide-angle camera at a budget price. With Realme’s new C21 and C25 arriving soon, the company has decided to slash the price of Realme C15 in Nepal.
Realme C15 Overview
The device has features similar to that of the Realme C11 and C12. It uses the same chipset and even has the same display. The design is also very similar as all these phones feature a matte plastic back and a notch on the top of the display.
Design and Display
Upfront, the Realme C15 sports a 6.5-inch LCD panel with HD+ resolution. From the front, the two devices are indistinguishable with a similar waterdrop style notch and a relatively slim chin.
The back however tells a different story. Realme has gone for a different pattern on the rear panel. The square camera module remains in its original position, but this time it is housing not two but four cameras. As a result, the LED flash has been pushed out of the module.
Performance and Camera
The device runs on either a MediaTek Helio G35 SoC or the Snapdragon 460 chipset. It is available in two memory configurations – 3/64GB and 4/64GB, but only the 4/64GB variant is available in Nepal.
The Realme C15 has four cameras at the back. It includes a 13MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP monochrome shooter. Upfront, the notch houses an 8MP selfie shooter.
Battery and Security
The most talked about feature of the Realme C15 is its battery. It packs in a massive 6,000mAh battery; and for a better charging experience, the device supports 18W quick charging. However, the charging takes place over the dated micro-USB port. Realme C15 will feature a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner for biometrics, which was not present on C11.
It seems like Oppo has already started working on the next iteration of Reno devices. A new OPPO device has been spotted in different certification sites which is being referred to as the Reno 6. In this post, we will be taking a look at all the available information about the Reno 6 including all the rumors, leaks, and expected launch date.
Oppo Reno 6 Rumors Roundup
Here, the Oppo Reno 6 series will initially launch include three devices – Reno 6, 6 Pro, and 6 Pro+. These three devices will complete the original lineup, although we expect Oppo to add other monikers along the line. Out of three, the regular Reno 6 has been spotted in listings such as 3C and MIIT with the model number PEPM00.
Dimensity 1200 chipset
The standard Reno 6 will be powered by Dimensity 1200 chipset. It is the latest chipset from MediaTek based on a 6nm process. But it is no match against the Snapdragon 870 or the Snapdragon 888 that will be powering the Reno 6 Pro and Pro+, respectively. All three devices will ship with Android 11 out-of-the-box with ColorOS 11 on top.
Reno 6 will sport a 6.43-inch display with an FHD+ resolution. The AMOLED panel will also have support for a higher refresh rate. Whether it will be a 90Hz or 120Hz panel, we will find out later. The phone is said to be 7.9mm thick.
It will also feature a 4,200mAh consisting of two 2,100mAh cells. It will have support for 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 charging – the same as the Oppo Reno 5 Pro. The other two Reno 6 devices will also have the same charging capability.
Similarly, the TENAA listing also reveals some of the design aspects of the phone. As you can see in the picture, the Reno 6 will have a left-aligned rectangular camera module. It will house at least three camera sensors and an LED flash. According to the rumors, the primary camera will have a 64MP sensor.
Oppo Reno 6 Series Launch (Expected)
Though the company has not officially confirmed the existence of the devices, rumors suggest that the Reno 6 along with its Pro and Pro+ variant will be launched in May.
Smartphone Models
Availability (Expected)
Oppo Reno 6 series
May
Meanwhile, check out our unboxing and impressions of Oppo F19 Pro.
It’s time for some New Year’s shopping. And to add to the hype, Samsung Nepal has come up with an intriguing deal that everyone would love. On the occasion of the New Year 2078, Samsung has announced the “Suruwat Naya Utsaah Ko” offer. If you’re planning about purchasing new home appliances, now is a wonderful time to do so.
Samsung “Suruwat Naya Utsaah Ko” new year offer
With this, customers can save up to 35% on products such as televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines. Samsung Nepal shared its enthusiasm to bring more satisfaction to its customers with the announcement of this offer.
The company has a large range of some of the best TVs in the industry. It includes QLED TVs, 4K UHD TVs, and Full HD/HD smart TVs. With Samsung’s QLED TV, you can enjoy content in 4K resolution. It employs Quantum Dot technology as well as a Quantum 4K processor to offer 100% color volume. Similarly, Samsung’s HD and FHDs TV comes with a wide range of connectivity options and Samsung’s “HyperReal Engine” for maintaining colors, contrast, and motion rate at their optimal level.
Furthermore, the offer is valid on a variety of Semi-Automatic, Top Load, Front Load Washers, and Dryers with Eco bubble and hygiene steam technology that promises up to 99% allergen-free washing. With intelligent AI control features that offer a customized experience, Eco bubble technology ensures a new form of laundry experience.
Like I mentioned earlier, the “Suruwat Naya Utsaah Ko” offer is also available on Samsung refrigerators including the Curd Maestro.
On this occasion, the company has also offered a free installation facility on the purchase of specific products. This scheme will be in effect from the 19th Chaitra to the 11th Jestha of 2078. It can only be availed through the dealer network of Him Electronics and Triveni Byapar; the official distributors of Samsung electronics in Nepal.
Over the past weeks, Redmi 20X 5G has been getting a lot of buzz. And now, an alleged poster of the phone has leaked online revealing more about its design and the starting pricing. In this post, we will be taking a look at all the rumors and leaks surrounding the specs, features, price, and availability of Redmi 20X 5G.
Redmi 20X 5G Rumors Roundup:
The phone could turn out to be a rebrand of the newly launched Redmi Note 10 5G. The design looks the same and all the rumors point to the two phones having the same set of specs. It will feature a center-aligned punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera like all of the Note 10 series.
At the back, the rear camera setup features a triple camera setup. Two of them have a metallic enclosure that also borders the LED flash. Similarly, the third sensor lies just below them. According to the poster, the primary camera will use a 48MP lens. We expect it to be accompanied by a macro and a depth sensor.
Redmi 20X is expected to be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset. To recall, its predecessor came with Dimensity 820 chipset. The two silicons sport the same core arrangement though the performance cores on the 700 are under-clocked. Also, the Mali G57 on the 700 has fewer GPU cores (2<5).
Redmi will use an LCD panel with a 6.5-inch diagonal length and FHD+ resolution on this phone. The poster also confirms the support for a 90Hz refresh rate. Fueling the device will be a 5,000mAh battery which will support an 18W fast charging. The phone will ship with Android 11-based MIUI 12 out-of-the-box and will be available with up to 6GB of RAM.
Redmi 20X will be a China-exclusive device and the pricing will start at 999 Yuan for the 4/128GB variant. The company has not given a launch date but given the leak, it should take place soon.
Redmi 20X 5G
Price in China (Expected)
4/128GB
999 Yuan
Meanwhile, check out our review of the Redmi Note 10 (4G).
Courtesy of Indian tipster Mukul Sharma, the design and the key specs of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A82 has leaked online. It will be the most premium offering in the Galaxy A-series ahead of the recently launched A52 and A72. In this post, we will be rounding up all the rumors and leaks surrounding the specs, features, and launch of the Samsung Galaxy A82.
Samsung Galaxy A82 Rumors Roundup
Popular Indian tipster Mukul Sharma has spotted the upcoming Samsung A Quantum 2 in Google Play Console listing. After all, the first Quantum device was an A-series phone with advanced encryption for added security. This phone is supposedly based on the yet-to-be-announced Galaxy A82 smartphone. Thus, this listing should give us an idea of what A82 will bring to the table.
Design and Display
The listing has provided us the first look at the front of the device. The phone in the listing features a flat FHD+ panel with a center-aligned punch-hole cutout. However, Samsung can decide to go with an A80-like flip-camera module on the A82. At least, that is what all the rumors suggest.
The side-bezels and chin look slim. The volume rocker and the power button are on the side of the device. Like other recent premium A-series devices, this one too will feature an under-display fingerprint scanner.
On the performance side, the phone is listed with Qualcomm SM8150P. It is believed to be the Snapdragon 855+. But it could also turn out to be the Snapdragon 860 that recently debuted with the Poco X3 Pro. However, the two chipsets are almost similar. The phone will ship with Android 11 with OneUI on top.
We also expect the phone to feature at least four sensors at the back. According to the rumors, it will have Sony IMX686 sensor as the primary camera. It will be accompanied by an ultrawide, a telephoto, and a macro sensor.
Given the specs of the recently launched A52 and A72, we are confident that the phone will come with a higher refresh rate screen, Optical Image Stabilization, and an IP67 rating.
Samsung Galaxy A82 (Rumored Specs):
Display: Flat FHD+ AMOLED panel
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+
Camera: 64MP quad-camera setup
Security: In-display fingerprint scanner
Extra: Higher Refresh rate, IP67 rating
Samsung Galaxy A82 Expected Launch Date
Samsung is yet to confirm the existence of Galaxy A82. However, given the recent listing of the device, it could announce the device pretty soon.
Meanwhile, check out our initial impressions of the Samsung Galaxy A72.
Coolpad made a comeback in the Nepalese market after a long hiatus last year. The Chinese brand debuted the Coolpad Cool 6 in Nepal before anywhere else. And now, the phone has received a huge price cut. Let’s learn more about Coolpad Cool 6, along with its specifications, features, official price, and availability in Nepal.
Coolpad Cool 6 Overview
Design and Display
Coolpad Cool 6 features a 6.53-inch FHD display. The highlight of the device is that the screen is void of any kind of notches or cut-outs. Its predecessor, the Coolpad 5, on the other hand, featured a dew-drop notch. The front camera has been integrated into a pop-up mechanism. With this, the device promises an immersive viewing experience without any distraction.
The back panel of the phone sports a gradient design. A pill-shaped camera bump on the top right corner houses the triple camera setup. It also features a mount for the physical fingerprint sensor. Coolpad Cool 6 is available in two color options – Blue and Silver.
Performance and Memory
In terms of performance, the device packs in Helio P70 chipset. It’s an octa-core chipset from MediaTek with four Cortex A73 cores and four Cortex A53. It is certainly an upgrade to Helio P22 in the CoolPad 5. However, it’s already almost three years old and there are better mid-range chipsets now. At this price range, the company could have easily gone with the MediaTek Helio G-series chipset. Even the Helio G70 is available in much cheaper Realme C3 is more powerful than P70.
The device comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. You may not be able to play demanding games in the highest graphic settings on this device, but it will be enough for day-to-day tasks, light gaming, and multitasking.
Camera
Coolpad Cool 6 flaunts a triple camera setup at the back. It has some major upgrades in terms of megapixels compared to its predecessor. The setup is led by a 48MP camera setup which is accompanied by two other 2MP sensors for macro and portrait shots. It’s a bummer that the company could not accommodate an ultra-wide sensor in there. Coolpad Cool 6 supports Night Mode, HDR, UHD, Pro, Panorama, and Intelligent scanning, and other camera-centric features.
The 21MP selfie camera on the front is attached to a mechanical pop-up mechanism. Thus, it remains hidden from plain sight when not in use. The selfie camera also comes with multiple modes like the Night Mode, HDR, UHD, Pro Mode, Filters, and Beauty mode.
Rest of the specs
The device features a decent battery of 4,000mAh capacity. The company has not hinted at anything about the fast charging support, which makes me believe that Cool 6 only supports 10W charging via its USB Type-C port. For biometrics, there is a capacitive fingerprint sensor on the back of the device. The phone ships with Android 10 out-of-the-box.
Coolpad Cool 6 originally debuted in Nepal at a price tag of NPR 26,499. However, the company recently announced a price drop on the phone. The new price of Coolpad Cool 6 in Nepal is just NPR 19,995. You can buy the phone from Coolpad’s retail stores or Daraz.
Samsung Galaxy F12 has been officially launched in India as a new mid-range device. In many ways, the Galaxy F12 is similar to theGalaxy M12 launched two weeks earlier in Nepal. Lets’s look into more detail about what Samsung Galaxy F12 has to offer including its specs, features, and expected price in Nepal.
Samsung Galaxy F12 Overview:
Design and Display
Galaxy F12 features a 6.5-inch Infinity-V PLS LCD screen with a smoother 90Hz panel. It has an aspect ratio of 20:9 aspect and a resolution of 720p (1600 x 720 pixels). The 8MP selfie camera is housed in the centrally aligned waterdrop style notch. At the back, we get to see an F62-like panel. The left-aligned rectangular camera bump houses the quad-camera setup while the LED flash resides just outside the bump.
Performance and Memory
The phone is powered byExynos 850 processor. It is Samsung’s in-house chipset built on an 8nm process. Fueling the device is a 6,000mAh battery that supports a 15W fast charge. Furthermore, it boots with One UI 3.1 on top of Android 11. The device is available with 4GB of RAM and 64/128GB of storage. You can expand the memory up to 512GB using a micro SD card.
Samsung is promoting the 48MP ISOCELL GM2 primary sensor as a “true 48MP camera”. Following the primary sensor, there’s a 5MP ultra-wide lens, and two 2MP macro and depth lens. Both the macro and depth sensor holds an aperture of f/2.4. On the front, there’s an 8MP snapper for selfies.
Rest of the specs
Besides the major specs, Galaxy F12 shares basic camera features like Photo, Pro, Video, Panorama, Filters, etc, and a 10x Digital Zoom. The unit, like the Samsung Galaxy F02s that was launched at the same event, enjoys a 3.5mm headphone jack. For biometric security, it features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Moreover, the device has a thickness of 9.7mm and weighs 221gm.
Samsung Galaxy F12 Specifications:
Dimension: 164 x 75.9 x 9.7mm; 221gm
Display: 6.5-inches 90Hz PLS IPS with 1600 x 720-pixel resolution
Samsung Galaxy F12 Price in Nepal and Availability
Samsung Galaxy F12 will be available in India starting April 12 at an introductory price of INR 9,999 for the 4+64GB variant whose actual cost is INR 10,999. Galaxy ‘F’ series is India-exclusive but if Samsung Nepal decides to launch it here, we expect its starting price to be around NPR 18,499.
nIn a sea of bulky mid-range phones, the Realme X7 sure is a breath of fresh air. After using the literal heavyweights like the Xiaomi Mi 10i and the Samsung Galaxy F62, the Realme X7 feels so much more comfortable with its smaller and ergonomic design. Let’s learn more about the Realme X7 in this review.
Sensors: Accelerometer, Proximity, Light, Magnetic Induction, Gyro
Battery: 4300mAh with 50W SuperDart Charge (65W charger inside the box)
Color options: Space Silver, Nebula
Price in Nepal: N/A (not launched yet)
Realme X7 Review:
Initially, I was a little skeptical about this phone because it is eerily similar to the Realme 7 Pro, which was launched in India about 6 months ago. But after using it for 3 weeks or so, I have grown to like it.
Design & Build
Glass front, plastic back/frame
Lightweight, ergonomic design
First off, the design of this phone is really good. Like I mentioned earlier, it’s one of the lightest phones on the market. At just 8.1mm, it is also quite thin as opposed to the Mi 10i and the F62.
Buttons, Ports
1 of 3
Ports
Power button
Volume rockers
The back panel is however made up of plastic. So, over time, you will see scratches and spots as we did with our Realme 7 Pro unit. So, I do recommend you put a skin instead of a case here.
Display
6.4-inches FHD+ Super AMOLED screen
60Hz refresh rate, 180Hz touch sampling rate
On the front, Realme X7 has the same 6.4-inch display as that of the 7 Pro. The company has installed a really good AMOLED panel here. The colors are nice to look at, and the touch sensitivity is great as well. Brightness-wise, I wished it was a little brighter especially when using outdoors, but it’s nothing unsettling.
Yet, seeing how the recently announced Redmi Note 10 Pro series comes with a 120Hz AMOLED panel, this one now feels like a compromise with its regular 60Hz refresh rate. If not 120Hz, I think Realme should have at least given a 90Hz panel here.
But allow me to re-iterate, Realme X7’s display is still top-quality. And you also get a super-fast in-display fingerprint sensor. So, the unlocking experience, especially because of its small form factor, has been great. Comparing it side-by-side against the recently launched Galaxy A32, the fingerprint sensor is really fast here, which in my opinion adds to the premium experience.
Likewise, I’ve also liked the overall performance of this device. The Dimensity 800U chipset inside is on par with the Snapdragon 750G in terms of benchmarks, and it’s finally great to see a tough competition between MediaTek and Qualcomm in the midrange segment.
As for real-life performance, I am very satisfied with its performance so far. The UI feels optimized, apps load fast, and multitasking with recently opened apps is pretty swift.
Realme occasionally puts unused apps to sleep for enhanced battery endurance. So when you try to re-launch an app after some time, it will reload. Other than that, the performance is good for the price, and yeah it’s definitely better than the Snapdragon 720G or 732G-powered phones for sure.
Gaming experience
Moving on to the gaming performance, it’s quite identical to that on the Xiaomi Mi 10i. In PUBG mobile, you will get a stable 40fps in smooth graphics and ultra-frame rates with 100% stability. MediaTek chipsets are infamous for having a relatively poor thermal performance but I didn’t face such an issue here. Plus, the battery drain after the gameplay wasn’t that significant either.
I also played a lot of Call of Duty on this phone. And although its highest setting is slightly lower at medium graphics and high frame rates compared to what the Mi 10i and Galaxy F62 can hit, the gameplay didn’t lag or stutter. Similarly, I didn’t encounter any such while playing Asphalt 9 or the Critical Ops either.
Cameras
Triple cameras at the back
(64MP primary, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro)
16MP selfie camera inside the punch-hole cutout
Cameras
1 of 2
Back
Front
Anyways, let’s talk about the cameras. And for the most part, they don’t disappoint.
Normal Images
It’s not extra-ordinary, but still on par with the Mi 10i. As you can see from these images, they both look quite similar and the color science is similar in many scenarios too.
Normal
1 of 10
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
However, Realme X7 processes the HDR better than the competition.
Wideangle
1 of 8
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
The 108MP primary lens of the Mi 10i also struggles with the closeup shots and often comes out less sharp, whereas that’s not the problem with the Realme X7’s images.
Portrait Images
Similarly, portrait shots are also livelier and sharper on the X7.
Portrait
1 of 6
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Likewise, here too, Realme’s HDR is slightly better, but edge detection could use some work.
Selfie Images
Another area where Realme performs better is in the selfie department.
Selfie
1 of 8
Realme X7 - Selfie
Mi 10i - Selfie
Realme X7 - Selfie
Mi 10i - Selfie
Realme X7 - Portrait Selfie
Mi 10i - Portrait Selfie
Realme X7 - Portrait Selfie
Mi 10i - Portrait Selfie
Once again, the HDR is better on the X7, and portrait selfies look livelier than what you get on the Mi 10i.
Nighttime Images
However, like with any other mid-range phone, Realme X7 doesn’t do a very good job during videos or low-light photos either.
Nighttime
1 of 4
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Indoor images usually don’t come out sharp if your hands are not steady, and nighttime images are quite noisy.
Night Mode
1 of 6
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Realme X7
Mi 10i
Unlike what we see on flagship phones, the night mode shots aren’t that great either.
Videography
Like I mentioned earlier, its video-shooting capabilities are strictly average too. There’s no stabilization in 4K/30fps videos. And although the 1080p/60fps and 30fps recording options do improve the stabilization, it’s still not quite as good as 2-3 years old flagships from Samsung and Apple.
Audio
Loudspeaker, no 3.5mm headphone jack
What’s also average here are the mono speaker and the vibration motor. It doesn’t get a dual speaker like the Realme 7 Pro or the Note 10 Pro. As a result, you don’t get that immersive sound experience. However, the audio quality isn’t that bad and it doesn’t distort at the highest of volumes like we noticed with the 7 Pro.
And as you might’ve already known, you don’t get a microSD card slot and the headphone jack with this phone. As for microSD, well, I haven’t used it on a smartphone for years now. But the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack could be a letdown for gamers because they now have to live the dongle life or have to buy a low latency headphone, which doesn’t come cheap.
But since I am not an avid mobile gamer, I personally don’t mind getting myself a Realme Buds Air 2, which looks like a good value-oriented TWS.
Battery
4300mAh battery with 50W SuperDart Charge
Anyways, this brings us to the battery life. With its 4300mAh cell, which btw isn’t considered a big battery by today’s standard, I still managed to get a full day of endurance almost every day. And you know that I tend to use my phones rigorously. So, considering its smaller battery capacity, I am pretty surprised with its endurance.
Realme also ships the phone with a 65W fast charger, which takes the phone from 0 to 100% in around 50 minutes. However, the actual charging speed here is limited to 50W only, so it’s not as fast as the Realme X7 Pro which utilizes the full potential of the 65W charger and charges its 4500mAh battery in some 35 minutes.
Conclusion
To conclude this review, despite its shortcomings like the lack of a 120Hz screen, or the 3.5mm headphone jack, I really like the Realme X7. It’s quite the underrated phone, in a world of big, heavy, and specs-centric smartphone industry. It nails the basics… the five pillars of a great smartphone – the design check.. the display check.. performance check, camera check.. battery life check.
But, since the Note 10 Pro Max and the Realme 8 Pro will be available pretty soon, it is only plausible to wait and get that instead, or see if the company drops the price of the Realme X7 which will make it an even better value.
Samsung has launched the Galaxy F02s in India as the latest entrant in the Galaxy F series. The device is actually a rebrand of the Samsung Galaxy M02s which is already available in Nepal. In this post, we will be taking a look at the full specs, features, expected price in Nepal, and availability of Samsung Galaxy F02s.
Samsung Galaxy F02s Overview:
Display and Design:
Galaxy F02s is the latest entry-level smartphone in the F series. It comes with a 6.5-inch HD+ panel with an Infinity-V notch. The device has a resolution of 720×1600 pixels and an aspect ratio of 20:9.
At the back, it has a haze-and-matte design which is available on three different color configurations. In addition, the rear panel houses a rectangular camera cutout for a triple camera setup.
The phone is powered by the entry-level Snapdragon 450 chipset. It’s an octa-core chipset with a clock speed of up to 1.8GHz. Fueling the device is a massive 5,000mAh battery. Booting the device is Samsung’s own One UI on top of Android 10 which lets you navigate through every task effectively. Galaxy F02s is available on two memory configurations: 4+64GB and 3+32GB.
Camera
Similarly, the phone has a triple camera setup at the back with a 13MP primary sensor which is followed by two 2MP sensors for portrait and macro shots. The main camera can shoot video in 1080p at 30fps. The front display houses a 5MP lens in a waterdrop-style notch for selfies.
Rest of the specs
Moreover, the device utilizes Bluetooth 4.2 for connectivity. Plus, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack too. The device of built on a thickness of 9.1mm and weighs 196gm. A 5000mAh battery with 15W charging fuels the phone via a Type-C USB port.
Samsung Galaxy F02s Specifications:
Display: 6.5-inches IPS panel
Resolution: HD+ (720 x 1600 pixels); 20:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: Snapdragon 450 (12nm)
Memory: 3/4GB RAM, 32/64GB storage (expandable)
Software& UI: One UI 3 on top of Android 10
Rear Camera: 13MP primary lens, 2MP depth lens, 2MP macro lens, and a LED flash
Front Camera: 5MP sensor (notch)
Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack
Battery: 5000mAh with 15W charging
Colors: Diamond Blue, Diamond Black, Diamond White
Samsung Galaxy F02s Price in Nepal and Availability
Samsung Galaxy F02s will be available in India starting April 9 at a starting price of INR 8,999. The higher 4/64GB configuration costs INR 9,999. Galaxy F02s is an India-exclusive device but if Samsung Nepal decides to launch it here, we expect its starting price to be around NPR 14,999.
Samsung Galaxy F02s
Price in India
Price in Nepal (Expected)
3/32GB
INR 8,999
NPR 14,999
4/64GB
INR 9,999
NPR 15,999
Meanwhile, check out our review on Samsung Galaxy M02s.
Elon Musk’s Starlink has not rolled out commercially yet but it already has a rival in the form of OneWeb. The latter is working on its own constellation of internet satellites to provide a fast and reliable internet connection to average consumers. The company recently deployed 36 new satellites into space for the same. In this post, we will be taking a look at OneWeb’s approach to space internet and how it differs from that of Starlink.
OneWeb Overview:
Back from the bankruptcy
OneWeb is being developed as a European alternative to Starlink which is based in the USA. While the latter is backed by Elon Musk, the former was revived by the British government last year. The joint investment of the UK government and the Bharti Global Group saved the company from bankruptcy. Since then, it has managed to secure additional investment from companies like SoftBank Group and Hughes Network System. In January, the company reported its total funding to be at $1.4 billion.
OneWeb Internet Satellite Constellation
OneWeb plans to deploy a total of 648 satellites into the lower orbit of the Earth for its internet service. However, only 146 of them are currently in space.
The number is significantly less than the 1,200 active Starlink satellites and there’s a reason for that. The OneWeb satellites operate at a higher altitude (1,200km > 550km) and thus can cover a larger area.
On the other hand, it also means that the signal will take longer to travel between the satellite and the user terminal. As a result, the 50 – 100 ms theoretical latency of OneWeb falls short compared to Starlink’s 25 – 35ms latency.
Still, the company believes that its gradualist approach is a more responsible way forward than what Starlink is doing.
We’re beginning to think less is more.
Market coverage
Also, the lower number of satellites means OneWeb’s services will not be readily available as Starlink. While Starlink has already expanded its service to six countries, the company is currently targeting a smaller market that includes Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Russia, and northern Europe. It will be available in rest of the Europe by mid-2022. Still, OneWeb plans to make it available to select African regions around the same time although nothing has been said about the Asian market.
Another difference between the two companies is their target customers. OneWeb is targeting governments, marine, and airforces while Starlink focuses more on the consumer market. Also, Starlink has already encompassed 10,000 users in the beta-phase from six countries while OneWeb is expected to start its service in UK and Alaska later this year.
Satellites and Equipment
The satellites for the project are developed by OneWeb Satellites which is a joint venture between OneWeb and Airbus. The washing machine-sized satellites are manufactured in a factory at Exploration Park. OneWeb has struck a deal with Arianespace for the launch of its satellites. Along with the antennas to connect to terminals at the ground station, these satellites feature Xenon-fed ion thrusters which take them to their ultimate destination once they are in space.
According to the company, the user terminal on the consumer’s end will be a lot less complicated to install and use.
We are not going down the “send you a box and tell you to install it’”route.
Business-to-Business model
Unlike Starlink, OneWeb won’t directly deal with the customers. It is going for the business-to-business model where it will provide services to existing telecom companies which will then deliver it to the end customers. The telecom companies will also have the privilege to fix the pricing of their respective consumers. As a result, the pricing may not be uniform in all the markets. To put it into context, Starlink users are currently paying $99 monthly on top of the $499 one-time initial payment.
Watch: Free Wi-Fi all over Nepal with Worldlink Mobility (Nepali)
