Nubia was the first smartphone brand to launch a phone with a 144Hz screen, which was the Red Magic 5G. However, there have been several devices with similar refresh rates since then. As such, the President of Nubia, Ni Fei has announced the title of the highest refresh rate in a smartphone will once again go to the Nubia. The upcoming Nubia Red Magic 6 will exceed the 144Hz refresh rate.
Nubia Red Magic 6 Rumors Roundup:
Design and Display
Nubia is going to take the recent trend of a higher refresh rate even further with a screen exceeding the 144Hz mark. The company has not given out any exact number but the rumors suggest that the Nubia Red Magic 6 will feature a 165Hz panel. Other than that, we know little to nothing about the other details regarding the display of the device.
As for the design, a Tencent Games Edition of the Red Magic 6 appeared on the news. The phone featured a horizontal camera bump at the back. There is an X-shaped structure at the middle revealing the partnership with Tencent.
Processor and Cooling Setup
As the Red Magic series is the gaming-focused lineup from Nubia, we expect this phone to sport the latest Snapdragon 888 chipset from Qualcomm. It will also sport an equally impressive cooling system. Nubia’s latest cooling setup consists of active fan copper foil, vapor chamber, and graphite heat dissipation layer.
The vapor chamber is connected to the back of the motherboard with the help of thermal paste. At just 0.33mm thick, Nubia claims it to be the world’s thinnest vapor chamber. The active fans take in air from the ducts to keep the temperature down. Likewise, the copper foils cover the battery.
As a result, Red Magic 6 promises a prolonged gaming session lasting 2 hours and more without the device getting uncomfortably hot.
Battery
Fueling the device is a 4,500mAh battery that consists of two cells. The battery is not small by any means but you will have to wonder how much endurance Nubia can squeeze out of it given the 165Hz screen and gaming-hardware. Similarly, the phone will support 66W fast charging.
The Pro model, on the other hand, will feature a 120W GaN charger in the box that will take just 5 minutes to go from 0 to 50%.
Nubia Red Magic 6 Official Launch Date
Nubia will officially unveil the Red Magic 6 in China on March 4. We will have to wait for details about the pricing and international availability.
Gaming Smartphone
Official Launch Date
Nubia Red Magic 6
March 4
Also, check out our gaming review of the Exynos 2100.
Earlier this year, we reported on LG’s major plans for its TV lineup for 2021. This included the news of LG using OLED evo panels, the latest processors, and newer software. What was not announced back then was that the company would be licensing its proprietary webOS TV platform to other manufacturers. LG recently issued a press release stating that it will license its webOS TV to other TV brands.
LG to license webOS TV to other brands
webOS has been an integral part of the LG TV experience since 2014. In fact, it is among the defining characteristics of LG TV together with the Magic Remote and its OLED panel.
“The webOS platform is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to access millions of hours of movies and TV shows.” – Park Hyoung-Sei (President of Home Entertainment at LG Electronics)
LG says that the latest decision to license its proprietary webOS TV platform will disrupt the status quo in the TV industry where known brands have been using their own in-house software solutions. The best example would be LG’s rival in the OLED market – Samsung, which uses its own Tizen OS for smart appliances and IoT devices.
And now, LG can take feedbacks from and collaborate with fellow TV manufacturers for the development of webOS. Not only will it help the company have a better grip on the TV industry, but it will also help change the industry as we know it.
There are already over twenty TV brands that have committed to their partnership with LG for webOS TV. The most notable names in the list are RCA, Ayonz, and Konka. We will soon see webOS-powered smart TVs from these companies. These new partner brands will join the likes of Realtek, Nuance, Gracenote, CEVA, and Universal Electronics that are already working as supporting technology partners for this TV platform. And given the reputation of webOS TV, we can expect more OEMs to join in as well.
What is LG including in the webOS TV license?
“We look forward to bringing these new customers into the incredible world of webOS TV.” – Park Hyoung-Sei
The new partners can now make use of webOS TV’s interface and feature that LG has been working for more than half a decade. They will also be able to integrate cool features like voice control, AI features, and connectivity options from webOS to their respective models. In addition to services like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, the partners can also integrate sports streaming services like DAZN and LG Channels. And to top it off, LG is also giving its partners access to the beloved Magic Motion remote controller.
Is it too good to be true?
Different media outlets have reported that these new partner brands will only receive webOS 5.0. So, if you want the best of the software platform, it seems like you’ll still have to get an LG TV. In fact, LG TVs in 2021 will ship with the latest webOS 6.0. The latest iteration of the webOS has a new home screen design and a number of performance tweaks. LG will also be adding support for Google’s Stadia gameplay later this year.
Check out our review of the LG 55UM7300 4K LED TV [Nepali].
Realme India held an online event today to announce the launch of the Narzo 30 series alongside TWS earbuds and a couple of gaming accessories. As of now, the series comprises of two devices, where Narzo 30A is the cheaper one. Let’s learn more about the specs, features, expected price in Nepal, and availability of Realme Narzo 30A.
Realme Narzo 30A Overview:
Design and Display
Narzo 30A has a dual-tone finish at the back. Around two-thirds of the rear panel is covered with a diagonal stripe. The remaining portion on the top is home to the square camera bump, Narzo branding, and a physical fingerprint mount. It is available in two color options – Lazer Blue and Lazer Black.
On the front, the phone features a 6.5-inch HD+ display. It has a waterdrop notch for the selfie camera and boasts a peak brightness of 570 nits. The screen-to-body ratio here is 88.7% and the phone comes with an Eye Protection Mode that controls blue right emission.
Performance
Under the hood, the device packs the Helio G85 processor. It is a popular gaming chipset from MediaTek and the company claims that it is the first time it has been included in a phone of this price range. Well, that is true seeing how the Redmi Note 9 powered by the same silicon is expensive than Narzo 30A. The phone is available in two memory configurations – 3/32GB and 4/64GB variant. Unlike the Pro model, this one has a dedicated MicroSD card slot that users can use to expand the internal storage.
The phone ships with Realme UI based on Android 10. However, the company has confirmed that it will get the Realme UI 2.0 (Android 11) update quite soon.
There is a dual-camera setup on the back. Its 13MP primary AI camera has an f/2.2 aperture. It is accompanied by a Black and White portrait sensor. It comes with Super Nightscape mode and three Night filters – Flamingo, Modern Gold, and Cyberpunk. Other camera features include HDR, Panoramic view, Slo-mo, and portrait mode. On the front is an 8MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture. It has support AI beautification, HDR mode, Timelapse, and portrait mode.
Battery
One of the major highlights of the Narzo 30A is its battery. After all, Realme is advertising this phone as the “Battery Hot Hatch”. It is fueled by a 6,000mAh cell compared to the 5000mAh battery in its predecessor. The phone comes with Super Power Saving Mode which includes technologies like App Quick Freeze, Super Power Saving Mode, and Night Charge Protection. It also supports reverse OTG charging. An 18W Quick Charge adapter is included in the box.
Realme Narzo 30A will go on sale in India starting March 5. The price of the 3/32GB variant is INR 8,999 while the 4/64GB variant costs INR 9,999. If it launches here, we expect the price of the Realme Narzo 30A in Nepal to start at around NPR 15,500.
Realme has launched the Narzo 30 Pro as the first 5G smartphone in the lineup in India. Here, we will be taking a look at the specs, features, expected price, and availability of Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G in Nepal.
Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G Overview:
Design and Display
Realme has gone with the AG (Anti-Glare) coating process for the back of the panel for both aesthetics and durability. The AG surface is expected to result in fewer fingerprints and smudges. The phone is available in two color options: Sword Black and Blade Silver.
Narzo 30 Pro is also the first device in the series to feature a 120Hz refresh rate and touch sampling rate of 180Hz. This 6.5-inch FHD panel has a left-aligned camera cutout for the selfie camera. This results in a 90.5 screen-to-body ratio. The sunlight mode can push the peak brightness to up to 600 nits. In addition to this, the phone also has an Eye Protection Mode.
Performance
Realme is hailing Narzo 30 Pro as the 5G democratizer. The phone is powered by Dimensity 800U 5G chipset from MediaTek. As a result, the phone supports dual SIM dual 5G standby and Voice over New Radio (VoNR). Similarly, it also supports MediaTek’s 5G Ultrasave technologies. The dual-channel network acceleration superimposes 5G and Wi-Fi networks for better stability. Realme claims that the chipset can score 340,000 AnTuTu benchmark. The phone runs on Realme UI 1.0 based on Android 10 out-of-the-box.
Camera
Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G has a triple camera setup on the back. The primary camera uses a 48MP primary camera. It is accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide camera with a 119-degree FOV. The phone comes with popular features including Super Nightscape, Chroma Boost, and night filters. Completing the setup is a 2MP macro lens.
The camera can record 4K videos at 30fps and slow-motion videos at 1080p 120fps. It also has UIS Max Video Stabilization for stable pictures. There is a 16MP selfie camera on the front with over 8,00,000 beautification solutions.
Nazro 30 Pro 5G is powered by a massive 5,000mAh battery. Complementing the battery is the 30W Dart Charge. Realme claims that it can fully charge the device in just 65 minutes. Just three minutes of charging add up to 30 hours of standby.
The battery is also protected by five dimension charge protection. As a result, the charging temperature is always in check and kept under 38-degree Celsius. Other battery feature includes the Super Power Saving Mode.
There is a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometrics. The device has support for Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio.
Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G Price in Nepal and Availability
Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G will go on sale in India from March 4 with a starting price of INR 16,999 for the 6/64GB variant. Narzo lineup has been exclusive to India up until now but if the Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G were to launch in Nepal, we expect its starting price to be around NPR 30,000.
Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G
Price in India
Price in Nepal (Expected)
6/64GB
INR 16,999
NPR 30,000
8/128GB
INR 19,999
NPR 35,000
Also, check out our review of the Realme Narzo 20 Pro.
The post-COVID laptop market in Nepal has been a disappointing one for the local consumers. Because of the excessive demand and importers struggling to match the supply, the price of an average laptop has shot up. Well, we might have found a decent budget laptop that’s priced quite well. Here, the Dell Vostro 14 3400 is available at a really attractive price in Nepal. And it might just be the one you’re looking for.
Dell Vostro 14 3400 Overview:
Design
Starting with the design, this laptop sports a classic budget laptop look. That’s not to say that the Vostro 14 3400 looks cheap, absolutely not. It has a sleek design with chamfered edges to give an inviting look. The matte-like finish further adds to the beauty of this budget brilliance.
To keep the weight of the machine as minimum as possible, Dell has used a mixture of plastic and metal to build this device. As a result, it weighs just 1.58 kg and is therefore pretty comfortable to carry around. Pair this with the minimal 45W AC adapter, you’ll have no trouble taking it places.
Display
Getting to the display, the Vostro 14 3400 sports a 2-sided narrow bezels design. However, the top and bottom bezels are significantly larger, especially the latter. But I guess expecting a clean-cut design on a budget laptop is still a far-fetched idea for now.
Anyway, it’s a 14” FHD screen so contents should look sharp enough for everyday tasks. Dell hasn’t specified brightness nits or color space of this laptop and simply, vaguely puts it as “more brightness and vivid color”. Considering its inexpensive stature, I won’t be surprised if it struggles with visibility under an outdoor setting.
In terms of color reproduction, the Vostro 14 3400 will make do for general-purpose computing. This includes web browsing, using Microsoft Office Suite, or other lightweight applications. So, this screen will suffice the target audience’s requirements just fine.
Moving on, a webcam has been an absolute necessity in this Zoom-y world we live in right now. And thankfully, Dell has included a 720p HD camera right on the top frame of the display. I would’ve liked to see a dedicated privacy shutter as well but, ah well.
Performance is where this laptop shines the brightest. It is powered by the relatively new Intel Tiger Lake Core i5 processor. More specifically, the i5-1135G7. It’s a quad-core CPU with 2.4GHz of base and 4.2GHz of single-core turbo frequency.
We’ve been quite impressed with the Tiger Lake-U silicons from Intel and this is a starter entry in the roster. With this lineup of CPUs, Team Blue is delivering rather splendid performance—especially when it comes to single-core performance.
And we believe this is of utmost importance on a budget laptop. Yes, the i5-1135G7 still lags behind its direct competition from AMD’s Renoir processors with regards to multi-core loads, but that will not translate to much of an actual real-life benefit considering what inexpensive laptops typically go through.
You’ll obviously not be running video editing, rendering, or other applications that are more efficient with more cores here. So, having a solid single-core performance should be your top priority.
Plus, Intel’s integrated Iris Xe graphics is miles ahead of AMD’s Radeon graphics—like wayyy better. Therefore, you’ll be able to play some eSports titles like CS: GO with decent FPS. But remember, this is not a gaming laptop, and be sure to optimize the settings and manage your expectations to shoo the possible disappointment.
Likewise, complementing it all is 8GB of DDR4 RAM (2666MHz) and 256GB of M.2 PCIe NVMe storage. Thanks to the dual drive setup, for additional storage capacity, you can install a hard drive (up to 2TB) or bump the SSD up to 1TB as well.
Battery
On the battery front, the Dell Vostro 14 3400 is fueled by a decent 3-cell 42 Whr battery. The company promises up to 10 hours of endurance but that’s obviously going to fluctuate with how you end up using the device.
But if you’re low on power and in a hurry, there’s a bit of good news. Thanks to the ExpressCharge technology, this laptop can go from 0 to 80% in under an hour.
Keyboard
Here, its island-style keyboard isn’t backlit, unfortunately. So, it might invite slight struggle when using it in a dimly lit environment. Besides this, the keys are well spaced and offer decent key travel. Because of the compact form factor of the Vostro 14 3400, Dell hasn’t been able to include a dedicated Numpad here. But that’s something totally excusable.
Rest of the specs
Dell’s Vostro lineup has been a business-first device from the very beginning. On top of everything I’ve talked about so far, there’s one crucial feature that makes this machine deserving of its heritage. That’s a TPM 2.0 chip. Short for Trusted Platform Module 2.0, this is a hardware-based security solution for your device.
Basically, it stores all the sensitive data like passwords, encryption keys and keeps the machine free from external malicious attacks. Furthermore, TPM 2.0 also verifies if the device has seen unauthorized tampering before boot.
Moving on, you get a dual stereo speaker setup here. Vostro 14 3400 also supports Dell Mobile Connect protocol, thereby letting you transfer files and photos to/from your phone wirelessly. Finally, its port selection is pretty admirable for a productivity-focused laptop too.
Other than the expected presence of USB 2.0 and USB 3.2 Type-A ports, it also has an HDMI and 3-in-1 SD card reader.
I/O ports: 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x LAN (RJ45), 1x 3.5mm mic/headphone jack combo, 1x 3-in-1 SD card reader (SD, XC, HC), 1x wedge-shaped lock slot
Dell Vostro 14 3400 Price in Nepal and Availability
The price of Dell Vostro 14 3400 in Nepal starts at NPR 79,999 for the base Core i5 variant. You can configure the laptop to include a Core i7-1165G7, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD and it will cost you NPR 108,990. You can buy Dell Vostro 14 3400 in Nepal from trusted sellers like ITTI, LDS, and Zozo Hub.
Tecno POVA is a gaming-focused device in the budget price segment which is now officially available in Nepal. In this post, we will be taking a look at the specs, features, official price, and availability of Tecno POVA in Nepal.
Tecno POVA Overview:
Design and Display
The phone sports a 6.8-inch Dot-in display with an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1640 pixels. There is a circular cutout on the top left corner of the screen. The screen-to-body ratio and brightness level of the device is listed at 90.4% and 480 nits, respectively. Also, you can notice the two LED flashes on the top. Each one is placed on either side of the earpiece.
At the back, there is a rectangular camera bump housing the quad-camera setup. The rear panel has a glossy design and is available in three colors – Magic Blue, Speed Purple, and Dazzle Black. The Dazzle Black variant has a vertical red line at the middle that gives it a gaming look.
Performance and Memory
Tecno POVA is powered by the Helio G80 chipset. It is a budget gaming processor from MediaTek. We have seen this SoC in popular devices like the Redmi 9 (Prime) and Poco M2. The phone comes with a dedicated Game Space and Game Mode for a better gaming experience. It is available in a single memory configuration of 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
Moving on, the phone has a gimmicky quad-camera setup at the back. It consists of a 13MP primary camera with an f/1.85 aperture. It is accompanied by two 2MP sensors for depth control and macro shots. The fourth sensor is an AI lens whose purpose has not been mentioned explicitly. Tecno has also included a quad-LED flash on the camera module.
On the front, there is an 8MP selfie camera accompanied by a dual flash. It comes with AI beautification and portrait mode.
Rest of the specs
Fueling the Tecno POVA is a massive 6,000mAh battery. The phone has support for 18W dual IC flash charge which the company claims to be 20% more efficient than 18W single IC charging. The phone has a dedicated Google Assistant button on the right side just below the SIM slot. The button has a red accent with a textured finish.
Moreover, the device has a micro USB port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The earpiece on the front doubles as a speaker as there is no separate loudspeaker.
Tecno POVA Specifications:
Display: 6.8-inches Dot-in panel
Resolution: HD+ (1640 x 720 pixels)
Chipset: MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm mobile platform)
Tecno POVA is now available in Nepal with a price tag of NPR 20,490 for the 6/128GB variant. You can buy one for yourself from different Tecno authorized retailers across the country.
After months of experimenting, Netflix has finally launched the “Downloads for You” feature for Android users. The new feature automatically downloads content that it thinks you will like when the phone has access to Wi-Fi. In this post, we will be taking a look at the new feature and how you can make use of it.
Netflix “Downloads For You” Overview:
Evolution of Netflix Downloads
The new “Downloads For You” is an extension of the Download feature that was originally launched three years ago. Originally, it allowed users to download their movies and series of their choice for offline viewing. In 2019, the company updated it to a smart feature that deleted the episodes you have already watched and download the next episodes. Since then, it has been calling the feature Smart Downloads. The new Downloads For You is just an addition to the Smart Downloads. The Downloads For You under the Netflix app will automatically downloads recommended movies and shows.
Users need to manually activate the feature. For this, head to the Downloads tab and choose the Downloads For You option. Then, you will have to choose the amount of content that you want to download (represented in GB) and click on the turn on. After this, Netflix will download recommended content whenever your phone has access to a Wi-Fi network. Once you have gone through the downloaded titles, you can delete them to make room for other titles.
Use Case and Limitations
Users will be able to download from anything from the catalog not just Netflix Originals under the Downloads For You. But as TechCrunch has pointed out in its report, there could be download limitations due to licensing on some titles.
The new feature will be helpful to people who are always on the run and sometimes find themselves in places without reliable internet access. You can say that the feature is targeted at emerging markets like South Asia. As of now, the feature is available for Android users only. iOS users will have to wait longer to use it.
So what do you think of the new Downloads For You feature from Netflix? Will you be using it? Let us know with your comments below.
Check out our take on OTT platforms and their scope in Nepal [Nepali].
Last year, Samsung announced that it will be providing up to three years of updates to its upper mid-range and premium Galaxy devices. And now, the company has confirmed that it will be extending security updates to a minimum of four years. In this post, we will discuss the latest security updates policy of Samsung and take a look at all the eligible Galaxy devices.
Samsung’s extended security updates
Over the years, Samsung has shown that it is committed to improving its software experience. From getting criticism for TouchWiz UI to praises for One UI – the company has lived it all. It has also been working on providing timely updates to its users. From last year, all high-end Samsung devices will receive at least three major Android updates. And to top it off, the company has promised a minimum of four years of security updates for its Galaxy devices.
“At Samsung, our number one priority is offering the best and most secure mobile experience to our users, and we’re constantly optimizing the security of our products and services.” – Seungwon Shin, VP & Head of Security Team
Eligible Devices
The security updates won’t be limited to premium and high-end phones. The majority of the phone launched in 2019 and onwards will be benefitted from this. The list of eligible devices spans across multiple lineups including the Z, S, Note, A, M, XCover, and Tab series. Following Galaxy devices (smartphones & tablets) will be getting security updates for four years since their initial introduction:
If you look closely, Samsung has excluded some of the budget devices under the A and M series from the list. We don’t get to see any phone with the 0x moniker. For instance, recent launches like the Galaxy M02 and M02s have not made the list. Similar is the case with Core-branded devices like the M01 Core.
Regular Updates
Another thing to note is that the company is promising regular updates for four years. In case you don’t know, Galaxy devices receive monthly, quarterly, and regular updates depending upon the model. The regular update here is the least frequent update among the three. Also, the availability of the update also differs according to the region, model, and carrier.
Move towards Right Direction
Nevertheless, the fact that Samsung has just announced extended security updates for over 130 models is big news. Right now, the South Korean tech giant is the biggest supplier of Android smartphones (and smartphones in general). This could cause the competing rivals to adopt a similar strategy in their products. At the end of the day, announcements like this work in the favor of the whole Android community rather than users of certain brands.
When it comes to TVs, Samsung is one of the best. About a year ago, we reviewed Samsung’s RU7100 55” 4K TV which was remarkable for the price. From its design, display, audio, to practically every aspect, it left a good impression. And here in Nepal, the company recently launched its successor in the form of the TU8000 series. Actually, there is TU7100 series in other markets in the world which is the proper heir to the RU7100. But that’s not available here. However, the good news is that the objectively superior TU8000 has been priced competitively coming from its predecessor. Allow me to discuss all about the Samsung TU8000 55″ 4K TV in this review.
Let’s start with the design. As one can tell, Samsung has really delivered a modern design on this TV. Because the bezels are marginally slim all around, the TU8000 ends up looking way more premium than the competition in this arena. Putting it side-by-side against Xiaomi’s Mi TV 4X 55, barring the bottom bezels, the remaining ones are almost non-existent here. Although this TV costs around 1 lakh here in Nepal because of customs, it falls under Samsung’s mid-range lineup. Nevertheless, this commitment towards a premium design language is exemplary.
Just like the RU7100, its frames are entirely made from plastic. Yet, the rear panel comes in this matte finish and doesn’t look that bland. But that’s neither here nor there since that portion of the TV doesn’t factor-in in your viewing experience. More on the design, we can’t ignore cable management. To ensure a cleaner setup, the back of the TV has 4 dedicated horizontal spaces where you can tug in the wires. And if you choose to install it table-top style, the included clips can be used to hold the cables onto the leg stand for a minimalistic look.
Moving on, on top of the table-top mount, you can also set it up on your wall for that seamless aesthetics. Because the Samsung TU8000 has such a sleek design, I’d advise on this installation method. Besides this, there’s one more reason to opt for a wall-mount fit, which I’ll get into in just a bit. Regardless, the V-shaped plastic legs are sturdy on themselves and can reliably hold the TV in place.
Display
55″ 4K UHD LED-backlit LCD (VA panel)
HDR content compatible (HDR, HDR10+, HLG)
60Hz refresh rate, Motion Rate 120, ALLM
In terms of display, this is a 55” 4K LED TV from Samsung with a VA panel. At this point, it’s safe to say that Samsung knows how to make a good display and that tradition follows suit with the TU8000. You may know that to simplify a TV’s quality, the company rates its UHD or higher model TVs a PQI (Picture Quality Index) value. Based on different factors like colors, contrast, saturation, dimming, motion blur, etc., one can infer a brief idea about the quality of a certain Samsung TV.
Coming from RU7100’s 1400 PQI, 2020’s TU8000 boasts a 2100 PQI. The main factors contributing to this bump are colors, contrast, and motion rate. In terms of colors, TU8000 is infused with Samsung’s Crystal technology that emphasizes making adjustments in secondary colors to produce as close-to-natural hues as possible. Disappointingly, just like 2019’s RU7100, you’re still not getting Wide Color Gamut (WCG) here and I think Samsung has missed a mark in this area.
Usually, this color-enhancing feature comes bundled with HDR technology but the company seems to be fixated on exclusivizing it on higher-end TVs only. More specifically, WCG is capable of producing over a billion colors, thereby delivering an even more immersive viewing experience. Still and all, unless you put the TU8000 alongside one with WCG, it’s hard to tell the difference to an untrained eye.
Contrast Enhancer
Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, this TV uses a VA panel. As a result, it has excellent contrast, and watching HDR content is a blast. Taking it a step further is a feature called “Contrast Enhancer” that delivers even darker darks. While we’re talking about HDR, it’s also worth mentioning that TU8000 automatically recognizes HDR content and changes the picture quality to HDR mode. This switch can be visualized under the picture mode settings.
For a dynamic use case, you can choose from 5 different picture modes – dynamic, standard, natural, movie, and Filmmaker. The latter’s an interesting one. Usually, high-end TVs enable motion-smoothing settings by default without an explicit way to disable them. While this feature is plenty useful when watching fast-paced content like sports, regular 24/30fps programs, sitcoms, movies come off looking abnormally smooth—ruining the experience altogether. So, Samsung alongside other TV manufacturers collaboratively developed this standard which disables a TV’s inherent motion smoothing.
This is a blessing for casual users who don’t tend to mess around the settings. Because OEMs don’t provide a clear-cut option to switch it off, most people might simply adjust to the discomfort. Plus, it doesn’t help that general consumers aren’t aware of a TV’s motion rate or judder settings. So here, enabling the Filmmaker mode disables the Motion Rate 120 on TU8000, while also dimming the backlight and minimizing the contrast by a bit. But if you want to turn off motion smoothing under other presets, that’s possible too. Simply bring down the judder value to your level of comfort in the selected picture mode.
Gaming mode
Likewise, if you’re a console gamer and would like to use your TV as the output, Samsung TU8000’s ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) is also something to cherish. Basically, it automatically optimizes settings like input lag, motion blur, and judder whenever the TV detects a viable input source. Therefore, you’ll be able to enjoy smoother gaming on this TV.
If you end up installing the TU8000 in a bright room that enjoys plenty of ambient light, then I’d suggest you opt for the dynamic picture mode. Compared to the rest, this one bumps brightness to the max, while also offering a cooler color science. But then again, you can customize each of those settings as you’d like. From brightness, contrast, sharpness, color tone, to tint level, you can really customize your TV. What’s more impressive is that all of this is possible with a live preview of the effect—meaning you don’t need to make rounds to the settings menu for each tweak to see how it ends up looking.
Power Supply
Besides this, brightness and sharpness are excellent on this TV as well. It does have a semi-glossy panel so you’d want to place it in a room with a relatively less light source. I didn’t notice any sort of backlight bleeding on the Samsung TU8000’s display either. However, I do have one complaint on the display front, which is the viewing angles. Looking at it from the side, one will notice a noticeable drop in saturation and contrast levels. Even when sitting about 2 – 2.5 meters apart, there is a slight dip in the aforementioned aspects. As a result, maintaining central seating is crucial for the optimal viewing experience on this TV.
Audio
2CH speakers with 20W (RMS) output
Let’s get to the audio now. Like the RU7100, Samsung has gone with a 2CH down-firing speaker setup which has a 20W RMS output. And I must say, I really like its sound quality. It also supports uncompressed Dolby Audio but for that, you’ll need a 5.1/7.1 channel Dolby Audio compatible soundbar or a home theater system that takes an HDMI ARC connection. Unfortunately, we didn’t have one lying around and couldn’t test it out.
Nevertheless, the internal speakers on the TU8000 are more than enough to rock your average-sized living room. Now I know this experience doesn’t compare against a home theater system when it comes to immersiveness. However, contrary to the centered audio projection in ordinary TVs, this one has a more distributed implementation. I don’t mean to draw comparisons to a 360-degree audio system but I strongly feel like its internal speakers suffice the needs of non-audiophiles.
Multiple audio presets
For added immersiveness, you can also select the “Adaptive” audio preset which optimizes the sound quality on a scene-by-scene basis. If you want to drown out the ambient noise, then “Amplify” mode is what you’d want. Additionally, there’s also the option to mess around with the equalizer settings for fine-tuned audio. But this is available under the “Standard” sound profile only. In terms of bass, I wasn’t expecting much, to begin with, but hints of mild thump every-now-and-then was a surprise. Because of this, the audio quality isn’t entirely flat compared to other TVs.
Moreover, the vocals and mids sound clear and crisp too. Also, if you’re mostly into TV shows, sitcoms, and movies, or similar contents, the “Dialog Enhancement” feature makes sure that the vocals sound a lot clearer as well. Even cranking up the loudness to the max doesn’t distort the audio by much which is fantastic.
Connectivity
Decent wired connectivity options
SmartThings, Apple AirPlay compatible
On the connectivity front, Samsung TU8000’s input/output port selection is pretty decent. There are 3 HDMI ports altogether that support 4K resolution throughput at 60Hz. As I mentioned earlier, one of those is ARC (Audio Return Channel) compatible which lets you route uncompressed audio to/from compatible devices. Besides this, you get two USB 2.0 Type-A, one AV in, one RJ45 (LAN), and one digital audio out (optical) connection.
Ports
1 of 2
Shifting our gears to wireless connectivity, this TV is equipped with Wi-Fi ac and Bluetooth 4.2. If you mostly tend to stream 4K contents, then the wired route is the one to go. That’s because streaming high-bandwidth content over a wired connection is usually riddled with frequent buffers. If you have a solid Wi-Fi setup, this is not a problem but in most Nepali households, that’s not the case. Here, you can even stream music from your phone on the TV via something called “Music System/ Two way sharing”. This basically transforms your TV into a speaker and you can even turn off the screen altogether to just enjoy the music—while also saving up on power consumption.
If you’re own a Samsung smartphone, the TU8000 is also better optimized for such devices. Using the SmartThings app, you can easily cast the content of your phone to the TV by enabling the “Tap view” option. Simply tap your phone to the TV, and voilà. And to those in the Apple ecosystem, its AirPlay support means you can stream audio, video from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to this TV.
Software
Samsung Tizen OS
Multiple voice assistants
Okay, let us now get into the software side of things. Samsung TU8000 is a smart TV but unlike most of those in the market, it doesn’t run on the Android platform. Rather, it operates on Samsung’s own Tizen OS which is really well designed and optimized. It is powered by the new Crystal Processor 4K that further enhances the UI/UX. Plus, thanks to the floating window, getting through the system menus and settings is void of any hassle as well.
The home button on the remote opens up different items like installed apps and other assorted settings. Netflix, YouTube comes pre-installed and can’t be uninstalled. You can download other necessary apps from the app store but unfortunately, the app selection isn’t quite as extensive as the ones on Android TV. Having said that, the most fundamental TV apps like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube Kids are readily available here so it won’t be much of an issue to everyone.
If you recall, I’d praised how you get a live preview of any-and-all display settings you changed on the TU8000. This contrasts with how Android TVs have this stiff menu layout where it requires you to revisit the settings menu in case you don’t like the new change. In terms of a digital assistant, there are 3 options altogether. Samsung’s own Bixby handles most operations ranging from volume control to browsing the web, whereas it also includes support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
The Frame’s Ambient Mode
Another exciting software feature on this TV is the “Ambient Mode”. Remember how I said you’re better off wall-mounting it? Yeah, this is why. Borrowed directly from the company’s “The Frame” lineup of art TVs, it lets you remold the TU8000 into an art décor. It’s not that this feature doesn’t work under table-top mount, but it’s just that the execution looks much more seamless under the wall-mount state. So, how do you use it? That’s pretty simple.
Just press the dedicated ambient mode on the remote or select it from the home menu. You can choose from different artworks, background themes to best reflect your taste in art—or just have something that blends with the room. You can also adjust the brightness level, saturation, RGB tone, and other settings to personalize the ambient mode experience. Because it minimizes the backlight level by a significant level, you won’t have to worry about the added energy cost of having the TV turned on at all times either.
Remote
Minimalistic Samsung One Remote
Finally, allow me to discuss the remote. Compared to the one from 2019’s RU7100, Samsung’s One Remote hasn’t seen a considerable change in design language. It is still as minimalistic as ever and the tactile feedback is incredible too. The One Remote is comfortable to hold and also gains a bit of heft with the battery installed. With this, it doesn’t end up feeling too light and cheap.
There are 14 buttons altogether whose feedback is equally impressive and not-at-all plasticky. For quick access, you get a dedicated Netflix, Amazon Prime, and web browser buttons too. There are two buttons that can be pushed up/down for changing volume and channel. Although it doesn’t have a separate mute button, you can shush the volume by pressing the volume toggle button. On top of this, it has a separate microphone button to interact with the voice assistant as well.
The only difference between One Remote on RU7100 and TU8000 is the ambient mode button, which was missing in the former. All in all, this remote is really handy and is quite easy to operate. Also, if you accidentally happen to misplace it, then you can even use your phone as a remote via the SmartThings app.
Conclusion
Wrapping up this review, the Samsung TU8000 55” 4K TV is an excellent option for those who are looking for a premium TV experience. From its design, display, UI/UX to the audio quality, everything is top-notch here. And it’s quite commendable how the company has tried to embed premium features on this mid-range TV. As usual, Samsung TVs cost a pretty penny compared to the ones from other brands. However, I feel like spending a little more on a premium TV is always going to be worth it; considering how a TV is a long-term investment.
A few weeks ago, Huawei officially teased the arrival of its second-generation folding smartphone, the Mate X2. To recall, 2019’s Mate X was the first foldable from the company. There was the Huawei Mate Xs as well but it was not that big of an upgrade from the first-gen Mate X. In this post, we will be talking about the new Huawei Mate X2 along with its specs, features, price, and availability.
Huawei Mate X2 Overview:
Design
The new Huawei Mate X2 has been designed from the ground up. Its wedge design means the thickness of the phone is not uniform. At its thinnest part, the phone measures just 4.4mm. Huawei claims that the new design makes the phone light and more comfortable to hold.
Its hinge is made from zirconium-based liquid metal and carbon fiber panels. Because of the new hinge, the phone can be folded seamlessly. That is, you won’t see any gap between the two half when folded.
Moving ahead, Mate X2 has an inward folding mechanism. Both the Mate X and Mate Xs before it had an outward folding screen. In order to make the phone usable in the folded state, Huawei has included a secondary screen on the outside.
Display
The internal screen measures 8-inches and sports a resolution of 2480 x 2200 pixels. On the other hand, the secondary screen is 6.45-inch in diagonal length and sports a 2700 x 1160 resolution.
The external screen has a higher pixel density (456 PPI) compared to the internal screen (413 PPI). Both displays use AMOLED panels and they have support for a 90Hz refresh rate. However, the external screen may feel more responsive because of the 240Hz sampling rate compared to the 180Hz sampling rate on the internal screen.
Also, the internal screen is void of any kind of notch and cutouts whereas the secondary screen has a pill-shaped cut-out for a dual-selfie camera.
Performance and Memory
The phone is powered by Huawei’s in-house Kirin 9000 5G SoC. This chipset is based on a 5nm process node and features over 15 billion transistors. The graphics and image processing is handled by the 24-core Mali-G78 GPU. It chipset also has an improved NPU for AI tasks.
As for the software, the phone will ship with Huawei’s EMUI 11.0 based on Android 10. Users will have to do without Google Mobile Services. The Chinese audience may not have a problem with it but if the phone were to launch elsewhere it will turn out to be a deal-breaker for many. The phone will be among the first to receive the HarmanyOS update starting next month.
Camera
At the back, the rectangular camera bump is housing the Ultra Vision Leica Quad Camera setup. It features a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.9 aperture. For ultra-wide shots, the phone has a 16MP Cine Camera. It also doubles as a macro lens (2.5cm). Completing the setup is two zoom lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom respectively. The latter even supports AF. Every sensor except the ultrawide features optical image stabilization.
There is a 16MP selfie camera enclosed by the pill-shaped camera cutout on the secondary screen. You can even use the rear camera sensor to take selfies. Huawei recommends doing so while taking group selfies and under low light condition
Rest of the specs
Fueling the device is a moderate 4500mAh battery. The phone supports 55W Huawei SuperCharge for faster refilling. In terms of connectivity, you get support for Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB 3.1 Gen, and NFC. It has a stereo sound setup tuned by Histen. The phone has a smart 5G Antenna system that promises good network reception irrespective of how you hold the phone.
Huawei Mate X2 will be available in China starting February 25 for a starting price of 17,999 Yuan for the 256GB variant, while the 512GB option costs 18,999 Yuan. As of now, there is no news about the international availability of Huawei Mate X2.
Huawei Mate X2
Price in China
8/256GB
17,999 Yuan
8/512GB
18,999 Yuan
Check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2.
