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.
Daraz’s new sales campaign, the Daraz Haat Bazaar commences from the 23rd of Feb (today). As with most of the sales campaigns, this one too offers customers great deals on products. Furthermore, there are games and other referrals vouchers too. Let’s see in detail what the Daraz Haat Bazaar is all about.
Daraz Haat Bazaar Overview
First and foremost, there are the referral and new user vouchers that customers can benefit from. Each new user will get Rs. 200 Daraz Voucher. Similarly, by sharing the daraz apps link with your friend and family, you can receive Rs. 500 voucher. However, this is applicable only if a new user downloads and creates a daraz account from the link that you shared.
Similarly, there’s the one rupee game where you get a chance to win a select product for just rupee one. And 0% EMI service on products is also being offered. Daraz has partnered with four different banks to bring out the no-cost EMI facility for customers.
Like Daraz’s other sale campaigns, this time too there are going to be free vouchers that customers can make use of. Also, via the Add-to-Cart and Win scheme, you can simply add products to your cart. And if you are lucky, you get that item for free. Moreover, there are other offers such as free delivery on select products, fatafat deals i.e low price on select products for a limited time. And Brand Utsav, where you get discounts on products from popular brands.
Hot Picks and Maha Deals
During the Daraz Haat Bazaar, there are going to be lots of deals that you can avail of. However, Hot Picks and Maha Deals will have items with the best discount. Here are some of the best deals on gadgets and home utilities that you may want to check out:
Daraz is probably the biggest online shopping platform in Nepal. Some of its success can be credited to the company’s ability to come with exciting new schemes and discounts every now and then. Now, its latest campaign called “Daraz Haat Bazaar” is scheduled to start from tomorrow. In this post, we will be taking a look at all the schemes and discounts under the Daraz Haat Bazaar.
Daraz Haat Bazaar Overview:
Daraz Haat Bazaar campaign will commence from 23rd February. There are over 5 lakh products for shoppers to choose from. Similarly, the company has announced multiple schemes to lure more customers. It also believes that this campaign will help all the new SME businesses in generating a new stream of income. That being said, let’s take a look at all the major schemes and discount policies under the Daraz Haat Bazaar.
0% EMI
The major talking point has been the 0% EMI service. Daraz has partnered with four major commercial banks – NIC Asia, Sunrise, Citizens, and Machhapuchchhre to offer EMI service at 0% interest and 0% down payment if you make purchases via their credit card during the campaign.
Daraz is also giving continuity to its Bank Days Discounts. If you are new to the platform, Daraz offers discounts on purchases made via cards depending on the day of the week and bank.
Day
Bank
Discount Rate
Max Discount
Sunday
Siddhartha
Up to 15%
Rs. 500
Monday
Sanima
Up to 10%
Wednesday
NIC Asia
Up to 10%
Friday
Nabil
Up to 10%
Saturday
Standard Chartered
Up to 10%
More Delivery Locations
Additionally, Daraz has also expanded its delivery service to cater to a larger audience. For the Daraz Haat Bazar, it has added 20 new locations outside of the valley. The newly added delivery locations are:
Bardibas
Devdaha
Kawasoti
Lumbini Sanskriti
Sainamaina
Bhimdatta-Mahendranagar
Gaidakot
Khairahani
Ramgram
Sunwal
Chhireswarnath
Kalaiya
Lahan
Rapti
Tilottama
Damauli
Kapilvastu
Lekhnath
Ratnanagar
Jaleswor
1 Rupee Game
Daraz has been including 1 Rupee Game in most of its campaigns for some time now. Through this game, buyers get a chance to win certain products at just Re. 1. Under the Haat Bazar campaign, Daraz is offering Motorola Moto G9 Play (worth Rs. 19,999), Honor Magic Watch (worth Rs. 15,990), and 3 Kamiliant Zaka Softside Spinner luggage (worth Rs. 21,725) as part of the game. To participate, you will have to use the voucher that will bring down the price to Re. 1 and pay it using your debit/credit. Daraz ensures that the payment is returned in case the user doesn’t win the product.
Daraz Haat Bazaar: Other assorted offers
Similarly, Daraz is also offering vouchers worth Rs. 200 for new users which can be cashed in while purchasing products worth Rs. 2,000 or more. Users can also win other vouchers from different in-app games. Shoppers will also be able to make use of free shipping, Add to cart to win, Daraz Sathi referral program, Daraz Brand Utsav, and many other schemes.
So, are you excited about the Daraz Haat Bazar? Let us know in the comment section.
Check out our review of the Motorola Moto G9 Play (Nepali).
WhatsApp has been facing criticism from tech enthusiasts and users following the announcement of its latest privacy policy. The company believes that all this happened due to misinformation so it has delayed its implementation. Instead, the messaging platform is more focused on explaining the terms of the new policy to the users. In the latest move, WhatsApp has started displaying an in-app banner that users can read at their own convenience to know about the upcoming policy changes.
WhatsApp In-App Banner for Policy Change Review
The announcement about the in-app banner was made via an official blog post. It is part of an updated plan which the app will use to ask users to review the upcoming changes. The company believes that it will help users clear up any confusion that has risen since the introduction of the new terms of service and privacy policy. Prior to this, the company has experimented with using Status and sending full-size notifications to inform users about the policy change.
The banner will appear on the homepage of the app directly above the messages. If you want more information about the new update, you can simply tap on the “Tap to Review” option. This will take you to a new page where WhatsApp discusses the changes that the new policy will bring. If you are convinced, you can click on continue from where you will be taken to another page. Here, you can accept the upcoming changes by hitting Accept.
You will have to make the decision by May 15. Otherwise, you may lose access to the app. However, that won’t happen instantly. Users will be able to receive calls and notifications for short time past May 15. Yet, you will have to accept the policy in order to read and reply to these messages.
WhatsApp is still stressing that it uses end-to-end encryption for private messages. It claims that no one will be able to see and read these messages. Here, the company is defending itself from the recent allegations that the new privacy policy will allow WhatsApp to share your private data directly with its parent company Facebook.
WhatsApp has also clarified that it doesn’t even keep logs of your messages, calls, and shared locations. It claims that the new policy will only change the way users interact with businesses via the app.
Also, the blog states that the “limited data” that WhatsApp collects from its users help the platform to be safer and more reliable.
“We believe people are looking for apps to be both reliable and safe, even if that requires WhatsApp having some limited data.”
The blog says that the company will continue to develop new ways of meeting responsibilities with less information.
Check out our take on WhatsApp’s latest privacy policy [Nepali].
Samsung Nepal launched the budget-oriented Galaxy M02s earlier this year. And now, the company has launched the regular M02. The device is now available for purchase in Nepal from the majority of mobile shops all over Nepal. In this post, we will take a look at the specs, features, and prices of the Samsung Galaxy M02 in Nepal.
Samsung Galaxy M02 Overview:
Here, the Galaxy M02s were very similar to the A02s that were announced last year. Similarly, the M02 shares most of its features with the recently launched A02.
Design and Display
The phone sports a 6.5-inch HD+ display. It has an Infinity-V notch that houses the front-facing camera. The bezels around the screen are quite thick, especially at the chin. At the back, Galaxy M02 has a pill-shaped camera module instead of the rectangular one in the M02s. An LED flash resides just below it. The panel has textured stripes for a tight grip. The phone is 9.1mm thick and weighs around 206grams. There are four color options to choose from– Black, Grey, Blue, and Red.
Performance and Memory
Powering the Galaxy M02 is MediaTek MT6739W, which is a quad-core CPU with subpar performance. It is definitely a downgrade from the Snapdragon 450 chipset from the M02s. The phone is available in two RAM variants – 2 and 3GB of RAM. Both variants come with 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded using an external microSD card. The phone ships with Android 10 with Samsung One UI Core on top.
Rest of the specs
Talking about the camera, there are two at the back and one on the front. The rear setup on the back consists of a 13MP primary camera accompanied by a 2MP macro lens. It lacks the 2MP depth sensor that is there on the M02s. On the front, there is a 5MP camera for the selfies.
M02 is fueled by a massive 5,000mAh battery and it can be charged using a micro USB port. There is no mention of fast charging support.
Samsung Galaxy M02 Specifications:
Display: 6.5-inches HD+ panel
CPU: MediaTek MT6739W (Quad-core)
RAM: 2/3GB
Storage: 32GB (expandable using microSD card up to 1TB)
Samsung Galaxy M02 Price in Nepal and Availability
Samsung Galaxy M02 goes on sale in Nepal for a starting price of Rs. 11,999. This price is for the 2GB RAM variant. The 3GB variant costs Rs. 12,999. Both the variant comes with 32GB of internal storage.
Samsung Galaxy M02 Variant
Price in Nepal
2/32GB
NPR 11,999
3/32GB
NPR 12,999
Click here to check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy M02s.
Daraz Nepal has introduced a new feature in their e-commerce platforms to facilitate the customer’s shopping experience. Basically, it is introducing a 0% EMI facility. This service is available with select partner banks only. There are some other nitty-gritty details about the Daraz Nepal 0% EMI plan that you must be aware of. So, let’s dive into the details about this new facility from Daraz.
What is 0% EMI?
Before getting into Daraz’s new feature, let’s first talk about what 0% EMI means. This is also known as no-cost EMI (Equated Monthly Installments). And as the name suggests, you’ll be paying EMI at zero % interest. Therefore, you’ll be paying only the total price of the products over a period of predefined tenure.
For instance, if you purchase a product worth Rs. 20,000 at 4-month no-cost EMI, you’ll be paying Rs. 5,000 each month for 4 months. And at the end of 4 months, you’d have paid Rs. 20,000 with zero interest.
Daraz Nepal 0% EMI
Coming back to Daraz’s 0% EMI plan, customers will be able to purchase a product with a preferred payment plan if they own a credit card of select partner banks. There are no mark-up or processing fees from Daraz’s side. However, you’ll have to pay the credit card issuance fee to the bank.
This 0% EMI plan is applicable to all the products, given that they meet the minimum purchase amount. Moreover, this plan is not applicable to the total cart value. That means one has to have only a single product in their cart if they want to use the 0% EMI plan. And partial payments cannot be converted into EMI plans.
How to convert to EMI?
Basically, what you have to do is ensure that you only have a single product in your cart. And are going to pay with a partner bank credit card. The associated banks who support 0% EMI include:
Sunrise Bank
Machhapuchchhre Bank
NIC Asia Bank
Citizens Bank
Once that’s done, you’ll have to call your respective bank to convert to EMI. However, for NIC Asia, you can simply fill up the EMI request form. You’ll also have to make sure to note down the tenure for the EMI. After the bank converts your request you’ll be notified via an SMS. And it might take about 7 days for the plan to be activated.
Depending upon the associated partner bank, the minimum purchase amount, maximum cap, and tenure differ. These details are presented in the table below:
Bank
Tenure
Max. Cap
Min. Purchase
NIC Asia
3 months
Rs. 140,000
Rs. 15,000
Citizens
3 months, 6 months
Approved Limit
Rs. 10,000
Sunrise
3 months, 6 months
Approved Limit
Rs. 15,000
Machhapuchchhre
3 months, 6 months
Approved Limit
Rs. 15,000
Daraz Haat Bazaar
On a different note, Daraz Nepal is also starting a new shopping scheme called the Daraz Haat Bazaar. It will commence on 23rd February and includes lots of exciting programs.
For instance, there is the “Daraz Saathi” program. It is basically a referral program in which existing Daraz users can invite others and win vouchers up to Rs. 500. Similarly, there are other vouchers available for first-time shoppers too.
And like recent times, there is going to the Daraz 1 Rupee game as well. Here, customers can pick a product from the product of the day list on their Daraz app/website and add it to their cart. Then, you’ll be able to checkout the product for just Re. 1 if you make the payment through a valid credit/debit card. And if you’re lucky, you get the product for Re. 1. Else, even if you don’t win, the money gets refunded.
In the meanwhile, check out our review of the HP Envy x360 13 (2020).
You can say 5G is still in its infancy. It has not been implemented everywhere and it was only a year ago that 5G-capable smartphones started becoming mainstream. However, that has not stopped companies from working on the next-generation of mobile connectivity. Last year, Samsung published a white paper on its vision of 6G. And now, a job listing on Bloomberg has hinted at Apple is also working on 6G independently.
Apple and 6G
Apple doesn’t like to implement new technology in its infancy. The company likes to put time into research and development and only implement certain technology when it’s mature enough. For instance, Apple waited for 5G coverage in the US to grow and become more accessible before launching the 5G-enabled iPhone 12 lineup. However, the “let it mature” strategy seemed to have paid off as iPhone 12 Pro Max was recently named the most popular 5G phone in the US by PCMag.
Apple and Next G Alliance
Just a few months ago, we got to know about Apple’s interest in the next-generation mobile connectivity when it joined the Next G Alliance. The Next G Alliance is a group of companies working to maintain North American mobile technology leadership in 5G evolution and early development of 6G. The group consists of leading telecom operators, vendors, and hardware manufacturers. At present, the North American companies seemed to lag behind in the development of the 5G infrastructure.
In addition to its contribution to the cause of the Next G Alliance, it looks like Apple is working on 6G on its own. Recently, Bloomberg reported that the company is looking for engineers and researchers to work on the development of 6G connectivity.
In the job posting, Apple has called individuals for job titles like “Wireless Research System Engineer – 5G/6G” and “RAN1/RAN4 Standards Engineer.” Selected candidates will take part in “research and design of next-generation wireless communication systems for radio access networks.” The candidates should also be willing to “participate in industry/academics forums passionate about 6G technology.”
Moving Forward
This could mean that Apple is looking to utilize its own technology and hardware when 6G eventually rolls out. Currently, Apple has been relying on Qualcomm for 5G modems. The Snapdragon X55 modem on 2020’s flagship Android phones is also on the iPhone 12 lineup. The company is also working on its own 5G modems. But there is still a long way for that to make its way into commercial products. According to the reports, 2021’s iPhones will use Snapdragon X60 while their successors will use the X65. Apple will be using its own modems only in 2023 and beyond.
In spite of all the research and developments, the next generation 6G mobile connectivity will be deployed in 2030 at the earliest. It is expected to be around 100 times faster than 5G.
Also, check out our review of the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Detel announced two new electric vehicles—the Detel Easy Plus and Easy Loader in India during the India Auto Show 2021. And now, Detel has announced to launch these two electric vehicles in Nepal at an aggressive price. In this post, we will be taking a look at the features of the new EVs.
Detel: Company Overview
Detel was founded back in 2017 by Yogesh Bhatia. The company’s motto is to bridge the gap between price and functionality. It caters to price-sensitive markets with its value-for-money products. For instance, the Detel D1 feature phone was launched in 2017 for INR 299. However, the company deals in a wide range of products including phones, home appliances, EVs, and helmets. Detel designs its own products and manufactures them using local or imported technologies.
Lately, the company has been putting its effort to fuel the electric vehicle revolution in India. Now, with the forthcoming launch of its EVs in Nepal it wants to do the same in Nepal. For Detel, it’s a step to establishing a strong foothold in the South Asian market.
Detel Electric Vehicles Overview:
Detel Easy Plus
Here, the Detel Easy Plus is a successor to last year’s Detel Easy. The latter was the most affordable EV in India but has since been discontinued. The company also claims Detel Easy Plus to be the most economical electric vehicle in the world. It can achieve speeds of up to 25km per hour only. Thus, it doesn’t feature a disc brake mechanism. It can support a payload of up to 150kg and comes in four different colors – Yellow, Red, Teal Blue, and Royal Blue.
Detel Easy Plus
1 of 2
Detel Easy Loader
On the other hand, the Detel Easy Loader is a B2B product. Thus, it won’t be available for the general public. It will be available in both single and dual-battery setup. Compared to Easy Plus, it will support heavier payloads. It will be available in White color option only.
Detel Easy Loader
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Double Battery
Single Battery
The batteries on either of them are removable and can be put back easily. You won’t need a driving license to take them to the road.
Applications
Detel looks to replace traditional bicycles with its latest electric scooters. These scooters are ideal for the distribution and delivery of products including newspapers, vegetables, fruits, and groceries. One can also use it to travel to schools, college, and even office.
Detel also promises these to be the most economical EVs. Each customer will also receive a personalized certificate as part of the Detel Green Nepal initiative. The company will plant a tree on the behalf of each customer. GeoTag of the tree will be included in the certificate.
Detel Electric Vehicles Price in Nepal
Detel has chosen Opal Multinational as its official business partner in Nepal. The company led by Mr. Nirajan Shrestha will oversee the company’s business in Nepal. Detel electric vehicles will soon be available in Nepal at a competitive price.
We will have to wait for the official confirmation regarding the pricing and availability of Detel Easy Plus and Easy Loader two-wheeler EVs in Nepal.
Also, check out our review of the NIU NGT EV scooter.
