Page 525 – GadgetByte Nepal

Nokia 1.4 launched in Nepal: Budget Phone with Google-powered Night Mode

Nokia

Pratima Adhikari

-

March 2, 2021

Nokia 1.4 launched in Nepal: Budget Phone with Google-powered Night Mode

Nokia has been doing well in the budget category. Although the specs are not on par with Xiaomi or Realme, Nokia has been offering a clean user experience in the form of stock Android UI. And now the company has launched its latest budget offering, the Nokia 1.4 for the Nepali market. Let’s take a look at the specs, features, official price, and availability of Nokia 1.4 in Nepal.

Nokia 1.4 Overview:

Design and Display

Coming from Nokia 1.3, the company has bumped the screen size from 5.7-inch to 6.51-inch. It’s an HD+ panel with a teardrop notch on the top for the selfie camera. The profound chin on the bottom of the screen has the company’s branding.

At the back, Nokia has replaced the pill-shaped camera bump with a circular bump that we find on more expensive offerings from the company. Just below it lies the physical fingerprint mount.

Performance and Memory

In terms of performance, the phone still packs the same Snapdragon 215 chipset as its predecessor. The base variant features 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. But the phone tops out at 3GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage. Users can expand the internal storage up to 128GB using an external microSD card.

Since the chipset used here is not that powerful, the Nokia 1.4 ships with Go Edition of Android 10. But you will be able to upgrade the phone to Android 11 eventually. The company is also promising three updates of security updates. The phone also has a built-in parental control feature that lets users manage downloaded contents from the Play Store.

Camera

The 8MP primary camera on the back has remained unchanged and now it is accompanied by a 2MP macro sensor. The phone comes with the Camera Go app powered by Google. Thus, you get Google’s AI features such as portrait mode and a dedicated night mode. There is a 5MP front-facing camera for selfies.

Rest of the specs

Nokia 1.4 is backed by a 4,000mAh battery which should last you longer considering the entry-level chipset and the toned-down Android version. In terms of connectivity, the phone supports LTE Cat 4, WiFi b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.2.

Also Read: Nokia Mobiles Price in Nepal

Nokia 1.4 Specifications:

Display: 6.51-inches HD+ panel, 20:9
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 215
RAM: 1/2/3GB
Storage: 16/32/64GB (expandable up to 128GB via a microSD card)
Software & UI: Android 10 Go Edition (Android 11 ready)
Rear Camera: Dual-camera (8MP primary, 2MP depth, LED)
Front Camera: 5MP
Security: Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted)
Audio: 5mm headphone jack, FM Radio
Connectivity: Dual-sim (Nano), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS/AGPS, USB micro USB
Battery: 4000mAh, 5W (5V, 1A) charging
Extras: Google Assistant Button

Nokia 1.4 Price in Nepal and Availability

Nokia 1.4 is now available in Nepal for a price of Rs. 12,899. Currently, only the 2/32GB configuration is available. You can buy Nokia 1.4 in Nepal from Nokia authorized retail stores across the country.

Nokia 1.4	Price in Nepal
2/32GB	NPR 12,899

Check out our review of the Nokia 3.4.

Vianet’s “Bhayankar Offer!” brings 20Mbps internet, ViaTV for Rs. 800/m

Vianet

GadgetByte

-

March 2, 2021

0

Vianet’s “Bhayankar Offer!” brings 20Mbps internet, ViaTV for Rs. 800/m

Extensive use of the internet among people means that ISPs have to bring forth better offers for their customers. After all, people have many options to choose from. Thus, in order to attract new customers and also to appease the existing ones, Vianet has brought the Vianet Bhayankar Offer. Let’s dive deeper into the details about what it is.

Vianet Bhayankar Offer Overview:

Under this, customers can subscribe to 20Mbps internet and ViaTV for just NPR 800 per month. However, there’s a catch. I mean, there’s always a catch, right? And the catch here is that this offer is applicable only if you get a subscription of 12 months. Furthermore, the price is subject to an additional 13% VAT too. Yet, the good thing is that both new and old customers can avail of this offer.

There are other packages for 30Mbps, 40Mbps, and 60Mbps internet along with ViaTV that users can subscribe to for different periods. Barring the internet speed and number of TVs usable, all these packages offer similar services. For instance, you get ViaTV, ViaSecure, Service Assurance, Ultraboost in all of them. Here, ViaTV includes 175+ channels, YouTube, Movie on Demand, Catchup TV, and TV on Mobile. Furthermore, no matter the package, users will have to comply with the fair usage policy.

Additional costs

Additionally, users will have to pay the installation charge for the internet and ViaTV too. The installation charge for the internet if you are going for the 12-month subscription is NPR 1,500. Similarly, the primary STB Activation for ViaTV (12-month package) is Re. 1. You can check out the detailed one-time installation charges for Vianet on their official website.

Vianet Bhayankar Offer Summary:

	Bhayankar 20 with TV+ (20Mbps)	Gun-Sampanna 30 with TV+ (30Mbps)	Gun-Sampanna 40 with 2TV+ (40Mbps)	Gun-Sampanna 60 with 3TV+ (60Mbps)
1 Month	N/A	NPR 1,550	NPR 1,850	NPR 2,250
3 Months	N/A	NPR 4,550	NPR 5,400	NPR 6,600
12 Months	NPR 9,600 (800/month)	NPR 15,000 (1250/month)	NPR 17,400 (1450/month)	NPR 21,600 (1800/month)

Check out our review of Realme X7 Pro.

Samsung Galaxy S20+ gets a Rs. 10,000 price discount in Nepal

Featured

Pratima Adhikari

-

March 1, 2021

0

Samsung Galaxy S20+ gets a Rs. 10,000 price discount in Nepal

Samsung Nepal is offering its last year’s flagship, the Galaxy S20+, for a discounted price. Launched back in March 2020 for Rs. 126,999, Samsung dropped the price of the phone by Rs. 22,000 in August. And now the Korean tech giants are offering further Rs. 10,000 cashback on the S20+. This means the effective price of the S20+ is now set at Rs. 94,999.

Samsung Galaxy S20+ Overview

The Galaxy S20+ is the flagship phone from Samsung in 2020. It comes with a big 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It features quad rear cameras of 12MP primary lens, 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 64MP 3X telephoto zoom lens, and a TOF DepthVision sensor. Likewise, there’s a 10MP selfie camera.

It is powered by the Exynos 990 chipset, which is the least favorite aspect of the phone. Although it’s a decent top-tier chipset, comparing it against Snapdragon 865 and Apple’s A14 Bionic, it falls short in sheer performance and thermal efficiency.

The S20+ has a 4500mAh battery with a 25W charger included inside the box. Samsung is also offering 1-year breakage insurance on the S20+. Memory-wise, the phone comes with 8GB of DDR5 RAM and 128GB of storage. You can expand the storage with a microSD card slot, which the newer S21 models lack.

Similarly, the S20+ comes with IP 68 rating, Gorilla Glass 6 protection, and a dual speaker setup. It runs on the latest version of Android 11 with One UI 3.1. It is expected to receive at least 3 more years of security update as per Samsung’s new 4-year update policy.

Samsung Galaxy S20+: Is it worth it in 2021?

The Samsung Galaxy S20+ is a decent deal for Rs. 94,999. It brings first-class camera quality, 120Hz smooth display, and premium design under 1 lakh. Also, it’s Rs. 15,000 cheaper than the regular S21.

However, Xiaomi Nepal is gearing up to launch its flagship Mi 11 smartphone in April. It brings better performance in Snapdragon 888, a faster 55W Gallium-Nitride charger, and a 108MP camera.

Samsung Galaxy S20+ in a Nutshell

Body: 6.37 x 2.90 x 0.31 inches; 186 gm; IP68 certification
Display: 6.7-inches 20:9 QHD+ AMOLED; 120Hz refresh rate; Gorilla Glass 6 protection
Chipset: Exynos 990; 7nm+ Mobile Platform
RAM: 8GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128GB (expandable up to 1TB via a microSD card)
Software & UI: Android 11 with One UI 3.1 on top
Rear Camera: Quad; 12 MP, f/1.8 primary, 12MP ultra-wide, 64MP 3X telephoto, ToF
Front Camera: 10MP
Security: Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner
Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital/Plus
Battery: 4500 mAh; 25W fast charging; 15W Fast Wireless Charging
Colors: Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cosmic Black
New Price in Nepal: ~~Rs. 126,999~~ ~~Rs. 104,999~~ Rs. 94,999

Alcatel Tablets Price in Nepal [Updated]

Nikhil Shrestha

-

March 1, 2021

0

Alcatel Tablets Price in Nepal [Updated]

With the rise of online-learning and work-from-home culture, the tablet industry is on the rise. Not just that, these are an equally good companion for artists or just about anyone who wants a bigger multimedia experience. While the par competition against Apple’s iPad lineup remains almost unattested, there are still a handful of manufacturers pumping out Android tablets. Alcatel is one such brand that specializes in budget Android tablets. And now Smart Talk Pvt. Ltd. has brought them to Nepal. In this post, we will be taking a look at all the available models of Alcatel tablets in Nepal including their official price.

1. Alcatel 3T8 4G

Starting our list of Alcatel tablets price in Nepal is the 3T8 4G. It is currently the cheapest among the ones available in Nepal. Measuring 8.2″ diagonally, it has a pretty compact body. Moreover, this tablet only weighs 290 grams so if you’re someone who frequently travels a lot, it’s easy on the bag as well. To make the device more appealing, Alcatel has applied a matte finish at the back. There is the company’s logo on the center and the solitary camera module on the top-left corner.

Talking about the camera, it’s a 5MP sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. Similarly, the front camera on the top bezel is a 5MP unit as well. Both these sensors max out at 720p/30fps recording. But, for regular video calls, their quality should suffice. In terms of display, the Alcatel 3T8 4G has an 8″ HD+ IPS panel. The lack of a sharper FHD resolution screen is to be expected from a budget tablet.

Performance

On the performance end, the device is powered by MediaTek’s MT8766B quad-core CPU. This is a budget-oriented chipset with all four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0GHz. Handling the graphics side of things is IMG PowerVR GE8300. Complementing the chipset is 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. You can even choose to expand the latter using a microSD card of up to 256GB.

Alcatel 3T8 4G runs on the Android 10 platform and supports hands-free Google Assistant. Other standout software features include Miracast, a dedicated Kids Mode, Reading Mode, and Eye Care Mode. As the name implies, you can also insert a SIM card on this tablet for making calls, browsing the web, etc. The device is fueled by a 4080mAh battery that charges via the USB Type-C connection.

Alcatel 3T8 4G Specifications:

Body: 8.24 x 4.93 x 0.34-inches, 290 grams
Display: 8.0-inches HD+ IPS display (1280 x 800 pixels)
Chipset: MediaTek MT8766B SoC
Memory: 2GB RAM, 32GB storage (expandable)
Operating System: Android 10
Cameras: 5MP f/2.4 (Rear) | 5MP f/2.2 (Front)
Audio: Loudspeaker, 3.5mm headphone jack, single microphone
Battery: 4080mAh (Up to 20 hours 4G talk time)
Charging: USB 2.0 Type-C (5 hours 30 minutes)
Connectivity: SIM card (4G), Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.0, built-in GPS, Accelerometer
Price in Nepal: Rs. 16,490

2. Alcatel Kids TKEE MID 4G

Moving on, the next Alcatel tablet available in Nepal is the Kids TKEE MID 4G. One can tell that this device is intended for children from the name itself. If that somehow didn’t make things clear, the design sure will. It comes in a flashy, boxy, colorful build akin to a children’s toy. And just like a regulated kids’ toy, Alcatel has embedded precautionary features.

The first one is seen in the durability itself. Alcatel says that the Kids TKEE MID 4G has survived 1000+ drop-tests from a height of 100 centimeters. Plus, it also has a protective cover at the back that you can use as a stand too. Likewise, this tablet’s 8″ display is also TÜV Rheinland certified against harmful blue light. According to the company, its 20-patent display filters blue light and the software tweak even gives off a screen-time alert every 30 minutes.

Kids-centric apps

It also comes with a bunch of educational apps pre-installed. Alcatel has also thrown in 30 days of free-trial of Kidomi apps which contains a big library of games, books, videos, and other content designed for children. Besides this, there are also 25 kids’ apps that are absolutely free to use. Powering the Kids TKEE MID 4G is the same MediaTek MT8766B chipset.

And just like the SoC, it shares other similarities with the Alcatel 3T8 4G. It runs off of 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. It has a dual 5MP camera setup, one at the front and one at the back. Its 4080mAh battery is rated to last up to 20 hours of continuous 4G talk time. And yeah, you can also insert a SIM card on this tablet.

Alcatel Kids TKEE MID 4G Specifications:

Body:
- Tablet only: 8.24 x 4.93 x 0.34-inches, 290 grams
- Bumper case: 9.21 x 5.91 x 0.69-inches, 194 grams
Display: 8.0-inches HD+ IPS display (1280 x 800 pixels)
Chipset: MediaTek MT8766B SoC
Memory: 2GB RAM, 32GB storage (expandable)
Operating System: Android 10
Cameras: 5MP f/2.4 (Rear) | 5MP f/2.2 (Front)
Audio: Loudspeaker, 3.5mm headphone jack, single microphone
Battery: 4080mAh (Up to 20 hours 4G talk time)
Charging: USB 2.0 Type-C (5 hours 30 minutes)
Connectivity: SIM card (4G), Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.0, built-in GPS, Accelerometer
Price in Nepal: Rs. 17,990

3. Alcatel Aquaman 10 4G (3T10 2020)

Next up in our list of Alcatel tablets price in Nepal is the Aquaman 10 4G, which is also known as 3T10 2020. It is the most feature-rich of the three, all-the-while sharing a lot of commonalities with the two entries above. This is geared towards students, teachers, families, and even business professionals. However, at 475 grams, its added heft makes for a relatively less portable machine.

The design of this thing is premium too. Alcatel has opted for a painted texture at the back. Other than that, the company has minimized the bezels on all four sides of the Aquaman 10 4G. More specifically, the bezels measure 9.96 mm while the display enjoys an 80% screen-to-body ratio. Talking about the display, it’s a bigger 10.1″ screen. Yet, the resolution is stuck at HD+.

Big battery

Apart from the display, the other factor contributing to Alcatel Aquaman 10 4G’s bulky build is the battery. It has a bigger 5500mAh cell. Plus, the charging speed via the USB Type-C port is minimized from the tenous 5 hours and 30 minutes for the two tablets above to just 3 hours and 51 minutes. Still, Alcatel says this tablet is rated for 18 hours of 4G talk time which is 2 hours short of the one above.

Moving on, things are pretty much the same in other aspects. It is powered by MediaTek’s MT8766B chipset which is paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. Alcatel has used the same 5MP sensor at the front and back of this tablet. Yet, this one’s a better multimedia device. It has a dual speaker setup and consists of a multi-mic array for better voice calls.

Alcatel Aquaman 10 4G (3T10 2020) Specifications:

Body: 9.58 x 6.35 x 0.37-inches, 475 grams
Display: 10.1-inches HD+ IPS display (1280 x 800 pixels)
Chipset: MediaTek MT8766B SoC
Memory: 3GB RAM, 32GB storage (expandable)
Operating System: Android 10
Cameras: 5MP f/2.4 (Rear) | 5MP f/2.2 (Front)
Audio: 2 speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack, 2 microphones, +3m far-field
Battery: 5500mAh (Up to 18 hours 4G talk time)
Charging: USB Type-C (3 hours 51 minutes)
Connectivity: SIM card (4G), Wi-Fi a/b/g/n (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.0
Price in Nepal: Rs. 23,490

Alcatel Tablets Price in Nepal (Summary)

Alcatel Tablets Model	Price in Nepal
Alcatel 3T8 4G	Rs. 16,490
Alcatel Kids TKEE MID 4G	Rs. 17,990
Alcatel Aquaman 10 4G (3T10 2020)	Rs. 23,490

Where to buy Alcatel tablets in Nepal?

Smart Talk Pvt. Ltd. is the official distributor of Alcatel tablets in Nepal. You can buy them at Alcatel Nepal’s official Daraz page or other authorized stores. The company is providing 1 year of warranty on the tablet itself and 6 months on the accessories. Its sole service center in Nepal is located at CTC Mall, Sundhara, Kathmandu. We’ve listed the contact details of Smart Talk Pvt. Ltd. below:

Phone: 01-4218084
Email: [email protected]

You might also be interested in:

Samsung Galaxy Tablets Price in Nepal [Updated]

RedmiBook Pro 14/15 are a couple of ultraportable laptops with the latest Intel CPUs

Gaming
Redmi

Nikhil Shrestha

-

February 28, 2021

2

RedmiBook Pro 14/15 are a couple of ultraportable laptops with the latest Intel CPUs

RedmiBook is Xiaomi’s lineup of portable laptops that draw a major comparison to Apple’s MacBooks. And now, the company has added two new devices to this series. Here, the RedmiBook Pro 14 and Pro 15 emphasize on lightweight build quality, while being powered by the latest Intel Tiger Lake-U and Tiger Lake H35 processors. Let’s learn more about the RedmiBook Pro 14, 15 including their specs, features, expected price in Nepal, and availability.

RedmiBook Pro 14, 15 Overview:

Design

Let’s start with the design. Both these laptops have been engineered using aviation-grade aluminum alloy material. Besides adding to the lightweight build, the company also claims that it is 1.4 times stronger than 5-series aluminum alloy. Its hinge is benchmarked to last 30,000 flips with one hand too. Furthermore, the lid of RedmiBook Pro 14 and Pro 15 have been treated with ceramic sandblasted texture for that premium visual, tactile aesthetics. While Pro 14 measures 16mm in width, Pro 15 is slightly wider at 16.4mm. Similarly, these laptops weigh 1.46 and 1.79 kg respectively.

Display

On the display front, as the name implies, one’s got a 14” screen whereas the other has a 15” display. But the difference goes beyond the size of the panel. Here, RedmiBook Pro 14 features a 2.5K Super Retina screen contrary to the Pro 15’s 3.2K resolution display. Moreover, Xiaomi has restricted the 90Hz refresh rate on Pro 15 only. That makes it a more capable ultraportable gaming machine, which is further aided by its high-TDP processor. Let me get back to that in just a minute.

Other variations between these two screens can be seen in the form of contrast and screen-to-body ratio. RedmiBook Pro 14 comes with a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 88.2% screen-to-body ratio. On the contrary, the Pro 15 bumps the former to 1500:1, and the latter to 89.1%. Apart from all this, things are common between them. You get to enjoy a tall 16:10 aspect ratio on a screen that is TÜV Rheinland certified for low blue light emission. Plus, they also support DC dimming.

Performance

Okay, let’s talk about the performance now. And this is where the differences matter most when choosing between the two laptops. Even though both of them are powered by Intel’s 11th-gen CPUs, their actual power and possibilities vary a lot. First of all, the RedmiBook Pro 14 makes do with the Tiger Lake-U series of processors. As we know, these include relatively low-TDP silicons and are more suitable for low-end computing needs only. On the other hand, RedmiBook Pro 15 is powered by the newer Tiger Lake H35 CPUs.

Also Read:
- Redmi K40 launched: SD 870, 120Hz AMOLED, and a $310 price-tag
- Redmi K40 Pro, Pro+ with Snapdragon 888, 120Hz AMOLED launched

This is Intel’s new standard of processors for ultraportable gaming laptops. Remember how I said Pro 15 is the better choice for gaming besides its smoother display? This is why. Compared to 12W/28W cTDP up/down in Tiger Lake-U CPUs, the H35 series’ configurable TDP ranges between 28W and 35W. Likewise, the H35 processors come with a new Iris Xe-LP integrated GPU whereas Tiger Lake-U pack in standard Iris Xe graphics. While both of them are excellent integrated graphics, you can also opt for a dedicated GPU on the RedmiBook Pro 14 and 15.

But since these are thin-and-light laptops, don’t expect high-end GTX or RTX series of graphics solutions. Here, Xiaomi has gone with NVIDIA’s entry-level MX450 graphics on both options but it’s optional. The company has included an active cooling system with a single fan and dual heatpipe solution. Users can choose from three performance modes including quiet, balanced, and speed. In terms of memory, you get 16GB of dual-channel DDR4 RAM clocked at 3200MHz and 512GB of M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD. On the connectivity front, it supports Wi-Fi 6 (ax) and Bluetooth 5.1.

Battery

Getting to the battery, RedmiBook Pro 14 is fueled by a 56 Watt-hour battery that supports 65W charging via the included USB-C power adapter. On the other hand, the Pro 15 gets a bigger 70 Watt-hour battery which enjoys 100W fast charging. Xiaomi says both these laptops are good for 12 hours of local video playback and you can get up to 50% juice with just 35 minutes of charge.

Keyboard

RedmiBook Pro 14 and 15 come with a full-sized keyboard. These are also backlit and you can choose from two levels altogether.

The Pro 14 gets a narrower 1.3mm key travel whereas Pro 15 gets a 1.5mm key travel distance. There’s also a fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device which has been integrated into the power key.

Also Read:
- Redmi AirDots 3 brings aptX Adaptive audio, Bluetooth 5.2 for just $30
- Redmi MAX is the world’s cheapest 86″ TV, but it’s exclusive to China

Rest of the specs

Moving on, both these laptops have a dual stereo speaker setup. The two 2W speakers feature DTS Audio processing for a richer sound profile. For video calls, you get a standard 720p webcam void of any privacy shutter. In terms of port selection, you get 1x 3.5mm mic/headphone jack, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2x USB Type-C (one with Thunderbolt 4), 1x HDMI, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A.

RedmiBook Pro 14, 15 Specifications:

Body:
- Pro 14: 12.43W x 8.68D x 0.68H-inches, 1.46 kg
- Pro 15: 13.78W x 9.54D x 0.70H-inches, 1.79 kg
Display:
- Pro 14: 14-inches 2.5K (2560 x 1600) Super Retina screen, 60Hz
- Pro 15: 15.6-inches 3.2K (3200 x 2000) Super Retina screen, 90Hz
Display properties: 16:10 aspect ratio, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light
Keyboard: Full-sized backlit keyboard (1.3 / 1.5mm key travel)
Touchpad: Multi-touch supported PTP touchpad
Processor:
- Pro 14: Intel Tiger Lake-U Core i5-1135G7 / i7-1165G7
- Pro 15: Intel Tiger Lake H35 Core i5-11300H / i7-11370H
RAM: 16GB DDR4 (dual-channel) RAM @3200MHz
Storage: 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD
Graphics:
- Integrated: Intel Iris Xe / Iris Xe-LP
- Discrete: NVIDIA GeForce MX450 (2GB GDDR5)
Audio: 2x2W stereo speaker setup, DTS Audio
Battery:
- Pro 14: 56 Whr, 65W USB-C power adapter
- Pro 15: 70 Whr, 100W USB-C power adapter
Webcam: 720p HD camera
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 6 (ax), Bluetooth 5.1
I/O ports: 1x 3.5mm mic/headphone jack, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2x USB Type-C (one with Thunderbolt 4), 1x HDMI, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A

RedmiBook Pro 14, 15 Price in Nepal & Availability

RedmiBook Pro 14 and 15 are available for pre-order in China at a starting price of CNY 4,499 and CNY 4,999 respectively. These will be available starting March 4th. If Xiaomi was to launch them in Nepal, we expect the price of RedmiBook Pro 14 and 15 to start at NPR 90,000 and NPR 100,000 respectively.

Laptop configuration	Price in China	Price in Nepal (Expected)
RedmiBook Pro 14 (i5-1135G7, Iris Xe)	CNY 4,499	NPR 90,000
RedmiBook Pro 14 (i5-1135G7, MX450)	CNY 5,299	NPR 105,000
RedmiBook Pro 14 (i7-1165G7, MX450)	CNY 5,999	NPR 120,000
RedmiBook Pro 15 (i5-11300H, Iris Xe)	CNY 4,999	NPR 100,000
RedmiBook Pro 15 (i5-11300H, MX450)	CNY 5,499	NPR 110,000
RedmiBook Pro 15 (i7-11370H, MX450)	CNY 6,299	NPR 125,000

Check out our review of the Alienware M15 R3.

Redmi AirDots 3 brings aptX Adaptive audio, Bluetooth 5.2 for just $30

Redmi
TWS

Nikhil Shrestha

-

February 28, 2021

1

Redmi AirDots 3 brings aptX Adaptive audio, Bluetooth 5.2 for just $30

Xiaomi recently held an event to unveil the Redmi K40 series in China. While these are killer smartphones for the price, the company unveiled a couple of other affordable products too. We now have a successor to last year’s super-affordable AirDots 2 TWS earbuds. Let’s take a look at what the new Redmi AirDots 3 is packing including its specs, features, expected price in Nepal, and availability.

Redmi AirDots 3 Overview:

Design & Build

Starting with the design itself, there’s nothing of a radical upgrade here. It follows the same minimalistic build quality with an in-ear fit as its predecessors. Now weighing 4.6 grams per earbud, this is slightly heavier than the AirDots 2. But more importantly, it is now IPX4 certified, meaning unlike the ones before it, splashes of water will do no harm to the Redmi AirDots 3.

Similarly, the case doesn’t see any design overhaul either. It is still as compact as ever, but the charging port has been upgraded from Micro USB to USB Type-C. There’s also a battery indicator LED up front, and a button on the inside for quick connection/reset. You can choose from 3 color options, which include starry blue, magnolia white, and pink.

Audio

In terms of audio, Redmi AirDots 3 is powered by Qualcomm’s QCC3040 chipset and supports aptX Adaptive audio codec. Now, this isn’t a high bit-rate streaming codec, but instead is a dynamic (or better yet, an adaptive) one. What this means is that the bit-rate is automatically adjusted depending upon the audio quality. This promises a glitch-free and premium listening experience.

Moving on, this codec also embeds a low-latency mode for improved gaming. And while Xiaomi does mention reduced latency on the product page, it doesn’t specify the actual latency period. So, I’m betting that it’s still far from ideal for competitive gaming. Anyway, Redmi AirDots 3 uses dual ring-iron sound units for producing high and low-frequency audio. Thanks to the built-in infrared sensor, it also supports wear detection.

Also Read:
- Redmi K40 launched: SD 870, 120Hz AMOLED, and a $310 price-tag
- Redmi K40 Pro, Pro+ with Snapdragon 888, 120Hz AMOLED launched

When it comes to voice assistants, this pair of TWS earbuds supports three of them. There’s Xiaomi’s own Xiao AI on top of Apple’s Siri and the Google Assistant. Its MIUI integration means that supported phones will also support pop-up window connection. On the connectivity front, the company has bumped to Bluetooth 5.2 standard for better stability and high-bandwidth data transfer. Likewise, both earbuds feature touch controls using which you can control playback, summon the voice assistant, or accept/reject incoming calls.

Battery

The battery department sees somewhat of an upgrade too. While the Redmi AirDots 2 promised up to 4 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, Xiaomi is claiming up to 7 hours of music playback on the AirDots 3.

Each earbud comes with a 43mAh battery while the charging case hosts a 600mAh cell. And with this combo, you can enjoy up to 30 hours of playback from AirDots 3. Charging up the earbuds takes 1.5 hours while twice as much with the case.

Redmi AirDots 3 Specifications:

Body: 28 x 16 x 21mm (earbud) | 65 x 42 x 32mm (case)
Weight: 4.6 grams (per earbud) | 51 grams (including case)
Water resistance: Yes, IPX4 splash-proof
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2 (10 meters effective range)
Bluetooth profile: HFP / A2DP / HSP / AVRCP / BLE
Audio: Dual ring-iron sound units, aptX Adaptive codec
Features: Wear detection, Xiao AI, Siri, Google Assistant
Battery: 43mAh (per earbuds) | 600mAh (charging case)
Battery life: 7 hours continuous music playback, 5 hours continuous phone call (earbuds), 30 hours (with case)
Charging: USB Type-C (1.5 hours earbuds, 3 hours case)
Color options: Starry Blue, Magnolia White, Pink

Redmi AirDots 3 Price in Nepal & Availability

Redmi AirDots 3 is available for pre-booking in China for the price of CNY 199 (~ USD 30.72). The actual sales will begin on March 4. We expect the price of Redmi AirDots 3 TWS earbuds in Nepal to be around NPR 4,500 when it launches later on.

TWS Earbuds	Price in China	Price in Nepal (Expected)
Redmi AirDots 3	CNY 199	NPR 4,500

Check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro.

Redmi MAX is the world’s cheapest 86” TV, but it’s exclusive to China

Nikhil Shrestha

-

February 28, 2021

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Redmi MAX is the world’s cheapest 86” TV, but it’s exclusive to China

Xiaomi’s Redmi division has become almost synonymous with ridiculously affordable smartphones and other assorted electronic accessories. And just a couple of days ago, the company launched the world’s cheapest 86” TV. Beyond being budget-friendly, it also packs a lot of premium features you’d expect from a high-end TV. Let’s learn more about the Redmi MAX 86” TV including its specs, features, expected price, and availability in Nepal.

Redmi MAX 86″ 4K TV Overview:

Design & Build

Starting with the design, Xiaomi has opted for a full-metal build here. From the TV’s base to the frame, it offers a premium look-and-feel. Well, if you’d want to install it table-top style, the two leg stands on the side might irradiate opposing aesthetics. And personally, I would’ve preferred a centered stand instead, just like on the Mi TV Q1. Anyway, for an even cleaner installation, one can choose to wall-mount the Redmi MAX 86” too.

Moving on, this TV brings a healthy selection of I/O ports as well. From the latest HDMI 2.1 standard to eARC, it’s all here. HDMI 2.1, if you didn’t already know, is a relatively new HDMI standard that brings a much larger bandwidth carrying capacity compared to HDMI 2.0. Technically, it was announced all the way back in 2017 but the consumer-grade hardware capable of making its use is only recently going mainstream. For instance, HDMI 2.1 can hit up to 10K videos at 120Hz. Insane!

Yet, its full potential remains unutilized here since the Redmi MAX 86″ maxes out at 4K/120fps. This particularly matters the most for those with the new consoles or the latest graphics cards. Both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 can reach 4K/120fps, while NVIDIA’s top-of-the-line RTX 3090 is capable of the monstrous 8K gaming! Besides this, Redmi MAX 86” has 2x USB Type-A, 1x Antenna (in), 1x LAN (RJ45), and 1x S/PDIF optical audio (out) port.

Display

Let’s now talk about the display. This is an 86” 4K LED-backlit LCD TV. In terms of HDR content, it features the premium Dolby Vision standard, on top of HDR10 and HDR10+. As a result, Redmi is promising clear images with excellent colors, contrast, and saturation. Likewise, this panel covers 92% of the DCI-P3 Wide color gamut and boasts an impressive ∆E~2. This combined with Dolby Vision HDR that works with dynamic metadata, the Redmi MAX 86” adjusts pictures on a scene-by-scene basis.

Moreover, there’s also the 120Hz refresh rate to appeal to the gaming community. To make sure traditional videos shot under 24/30 fps don’t look choppy, Xiaomi has included a MEMC chip that adds frames throughout the content using an interpolation algorithm for smoother playback. But just adding frames isn’t optimal for high-end gaming. If the game fails to render at the same FPS as the TV’s refresh rate, one might notice screen-tearing. To prevent this, this TV incorporates VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology that dynamically syncs the refresh between the game and the TV.

Also Read:
- Redmi K40 launched: SD 870, 120Hz AMOLED, and a $310 price-tag
- Redmi K40 Pro, Pro+ with Snapdragon 888, 120Hz AMOLED launched

But a TV should serve a purpose beyond gaming, right? While Xiaomi hasn’t explicitly mentioned if there’s a way to disable this, I seriously hope there is. Because watching regular shows, movies at an unnaturally high refresh rate will result in the infamous “soap opera effect”.

Performance, Audio

Powering the TV is a quad-core Cortex-A73 processor. This is complemented by 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. On the software side of things, Redmi MAX 86” runs on Xiaomi’s own MIUI for TV 3.0 and has presets like office mode. Similarly, the company’s own AI assistant—Xiao AI also makes its presence here using which you can control the TV settings using your voice.

On the audio front, Xiaomi has included a dual bottom-firing stereo speaker setup. Each rated at 12.5W of power, this audio system is also fortified with Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD processing.

Redmi MAX 86″ 4K TV Specifications:

Display: 86-inches LED-backlit LCD panel, 92% DCI-P3
HDR: Yes, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+
Refresh Rate: 120Hz with MEMC
Viewing Angle: 178-degree
Resolution: 4K Ultra-HD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Sound: 2x 12.5W Speakers
Audio Decoder: Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD
OS: MIUI for TV 3.0
Processor: Quad-core Cortex-A73 CPU, Mali-G52 MC1 GPU
Memory: 2GB RAM, 32GB storage
Power: 220V ~ 50/60Hz (450W)
Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.0
I/O Ports: 3x HDMI (1x 4K/120Hz, 1x eARC), 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x AV (in), 1x LAN (RJ45), 1x ATV/DTMB, 1x S/PDIF optical audio (out)

Redmi MAX 86″ 4K TV Price in Nepal & Availability

Redmi MAX 86″ 4K TV is now available for pre-order in China where its price is just CNY 7,999 (~ USD 1,235). This TV is exclusive to China for now but if Xiaomi were to launch it here in Nepal, we expect the price of the Redmi MAX 86″ 4K TV to be around NPR 200,000.

TV Model	Price in China	Price in Nepal (Expected)
Redmi MAX 86” 4K TV	CNY 7,999	NPR 200,000

In the meanwhile, check out our review of the Realme X7 Pro.

Sting operation at Nepal’s biggest mobile hub uncovers the truth of grey market

Featured

Nikhil Shrestha

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February 27, 2021

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Sting operation at Nepal’s biggest mobile hub uncovers the truth of grey market

The smartphone industry in Nepal is continually on the rise. The pandemic rattled the rise but it’s back to normal now. But there’s something interesting (or rather incriminating) that’s been going on in the domestic smartphone market. Because of the open border with India and other loopholes, for years, the Nepali market has been absolutely flooded with illegal imports. And just a couple of days back, the team at Avenues Khabar in collaboration with Nepal Police ran a sting operation in multiple mobile shops at New Road, Kathmandu.

Avenues Khabar sting operation:

Based on information from a reliable source, the team conducted the undercover operation in more than 20 mobile shops in New Road’s Tamrakar House. Some of them include shop number 4, 13, 24, and 33. First posing as regular buyers, the shopkeepers were surprisingly open about the illegal imports. Including why they couldn’t provide an authentic VAT bill to the customers when buying such an item. But after the curtains came a-falling, the same sellers start recanting their earlier statement.

Also Read: The severity of the smartphone grey market in Nepal

With this raid, Nepal Police managed to seize 43 iPhones and 140 smartphones from different brands like Samsung, OPPO, Xiaomi, Vivo, etc. Alongside this, the authorities also took control of 8 people involved in selling illegally imported smartphones. According to the existing provision, importers need to pay 13% VAT and 2.5% excise duty.

Department of Customs Nepal — Image credit: Khabar Express

However, smartphone smugglers have been bringing in volumes of phones through the open border. What’s even more horrifying is that a certain percentage of them are straight-up stolen units. Similarly, people returning to Nepal from abroad can bring in a couple of phones for personal usage. But ultimately, even this facility is being exploited to contribute to the grey market.

Import numbers

Let’s talk numbers. According to the Department of Customs, a total of 4.3 million 68 thousand mobile phones worth Rs. 24 billion, 68.43 million, and 68 thousand have been imported in Nepal until Magh of 2077 B.S. Last year under the same time period, phones worth only Rs. 13 billion, 3.3 million, and 35 thousand entered the country. This massive gap is more than likely filled by smartphone smugglers.

Likewise, Nepal Mobile Distributors Association claims that the grey market makes up almost a quarter of the entire smartphone market in Nepal. As a result, imports from official sources are dropping steadily, all-the-while the demand is booming and there’s enough supply to meet it.

Furthermore, Nepal’s telecommunication companies are also recording an increase in the number of their subscribers. So, the math is pretty clear here. The smartphone grey market in Nepal is bleeding money from the government in the form of taxation. Plus, it is also discouraging the official business.

In order to prevent this, Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has been working to bring in the Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) for 2 years. Without going into too much detail, this system will effectively prevent an illegally imported phone from functioning in Nepal with the help of IMEI registration and other techniques. Thankfully, the system will soon go live. More specifically, within 3 months.

In the meanwhile, check out our review of the Realme X7 Pro.

Redmi K40 launched: 120Hz AMOLED display, SD 870, and a $310 price tag

Redmi

GadgetByte

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February 26, 2021

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Redmi K40 launched: 120Hz AMOLED display, SD 870, and a $310 price tag

Redmi K series is home to the company’s best smartphones. Starting with the K20 series, the lineup has been focused on providing a premium experience at a fraction of the cost. And on 25th Feb, Redmi unveiled its latest K40 series in China. Along with its flagships K40 Pro and K40 Pro+, Redmi has also launched a midranger K40 with a starting price of $310. It brings top-tier performance, 120Hz AMOLED display, and improved design at a mid-range price tag.

Redmi K40 Specs Overview

While the Redmi K40 Pro and K40 Pro+ feature a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 888 chipset, the Redmi K40 settles for the Snapdragon 870 chipset. It is still a flagship chipset and yields better performance than last year’s Snapdragon 865.

However, you still get a smooth 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen with a 360Hz touch sampling rate. The display has the DCI-P3 color gamut with HDR10+ and boasts a peak brightness of up to 1300nits.

As for the camera, the Redmi K40 sports a triple camera setup at the back. The three cameras are enclosed by a pill-shaped protrusion that itself rests on top of a wider base. The base also houses the LED flash and the camera branding. Specs-wise, it has a 48MP f/1.79 Sony IMX582 primary lens, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 5MP telephoto macro lens. The main camera can record in 4K 30fps videos.

Like the K40 Pro, the K40 also packs a 4520mAh battery with a 33W fast charging support. As for memory, it comes with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. Redmi is also preparing a bunch of gaming accessories along with the K40 series. Among the products being launched are add-on shoulder buttons and a cooling fan that attaches to the backside of the phone.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mobiles Price in Nepal

Redmi K40 Specifications:

Display: 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED 20:9 HDR10 + display with MEMC, 120Hz refresh rate, 1300nit brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection
Chipset: Snapdragon 870 (7nm)
RAM: 6GB / 8GB / 12GB LPPDDR5 RAM
Storage: 128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1 storage
OS: MIUI 12 based on Android 11 (MIUI 12.5 coming soon)
Rear Camera: 48MP primary lens, 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, 5MP tele macro lens
Selfie Camera: 20MP
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face-unlock
Others: 5G, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS (L1 + L5), NavIC, NFC, Hi-Res audio, Dual speakers, Dolby Atmos, Infrared sensor
Dimensions: 163.7mm x 76.4mm x 7.8mm
Weight: 196gms
Battery: 4520mAh with 33W wired QC3 +/ PD3.0

Redmi K40 Price in Nepal and Availability [Expected]

The Redmi K40 is available in 4 configurations and the base 6/128GB variant costs just ¥1999 ($310) in China. We can expect the base variant of Redmi K40 to launch in Nepal for a price of Rs. 45,000.

Redmi K40 Variant	Price in China	Price in Nepal
6/128GB	¥1999	Rs. 45,000
8/128GB	¥2199	Rs. 50,000
8/256GB	¥2499	Rs. 55,000
12/256GB	¥2699	Rs. 60,000

Also, check out our review of the Xiaomi Mi 10i.

Redmi K40 Pro & K40 Pro+ with SD 888, 120Hz AMOLED display Launched!

Redmi

GadgetByte

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February 26, 2021

0

Redmi K40 Pro & K40 Pro+ with SD 888, 120Hz AMOLED display Launched!

The successor to the Redmi K30 series has been launched in China. This follow-up series consists of the K40, K40 Pro and K40 Pro+. All of them come with an updated design. Changes have been made in terms of the design. The camera module has been shifted to the sides. And there’s a small punch-hole in the display. Let’s check out in detail what the Redmi K40 Pro and Pro plus offer including their price in Nepal.

Redmi K40 Pro, K40 Pro+ Overview

Both the devices sport a 6.67-inch E4 AMOLED screen. They offer FHD+ resolution and 1300nits peak brightness. Furthermore, they also sport a 120Hz refresh rate. As mentioned earlier, the display has a tiny punch-hole for the selfie shooter. As a matter of fact, this time all the devices in the K40 series sport this punch-hole. Both of them sport a front-facing camera of 20MP. Not to forget, the bezels are pretty thin on both devices.

Around the back, the camera module has been shifted to the sides. The new camera module is similar to that of the Mi 11. It’s a triple camera setup this time around. K40 Pro’s camera setup consists of a 64MP Sony IMX686 primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 5MP tele-macro sensor.

K40 Pro+, however, has the best camera setup of the lot. Its primary lens is the 108MP Samsung HM2 sensor. Other sensors are similar to that of the Redmi K40 Pro.

Major upgrades have been done under the hood too. Both of them are powered by Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 888 processor. The K40 Pro comes with 8GB or 6GB RAM. And it can be paired with either 128GB or 256GB storage. K40 Pro+, however, comes in a single 12GB/256GB variant.

The devices pack in a huge 4520mAh battery. Moreover, they support 33W fast wired charging too. And this one is true for all the devices in this series. Other notable features include Wi-Fi 6E, stereo speakers, and MEMC.

Redmi K40 Pro & K40 Pro+ Specifications:

	Redmi K40 Pro	Redmi K40 Pro+
Display	6.67″ AMOLED; FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) resolution; 120Hz refresh rate; 360Hz touch sampling rate; 1300nits peak brightness; HDR10+; MEMC
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
GPU	Adreno 660
RAM	6GB, 8GB	12GB
Storage	128GB, 256GB	256GB
Software	MIUI 12 on top of Android 11
Rear Camera	64MP Primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP tele-macro	108MP Primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP tele-macro
Front Camera	20MP selfie shooter
Battery	4520mAh; 33W wired fast charging
Security	Fingerprint (side-mounted)
Colors	Black, White, Aurora

Redmi K40 Pro, K40 Pro+ Price in Nepal [Expected]

The devices have been launched exclusively in China for now. The price of the Redmi K40 Pro is CNY 2,799 (6/128GB), CNY 2,999 (8/128GB), and CNY 3,299 (8/256GB). Similarly, the price of the K40 Pro+ is CNY 3699 (12/256GB). There’s no word about the international availability of these devices yet. However, the speculation is that the devices will be rebranded and launched as POCO phones in the global market.

Thus, if they were to arrive in Nepal, the price of the base variant of Redmi K40 Pro and K40 Pro+ would be around Rs. 55,000 and Rs. 70,000 respectively.