iQOO has introduced a new addition to its Neo series with the launch of the iQOO Neo 10R 5G. In this article, we will discuss the specifications of the iQOO Neo 10R 5G and its expected price in Nepal.
iQOO Neo 10R 5G Overview
Design and Display
The iQOO Neo 10R 5G follows a design similar to the iQOO Neo 10 Pro, featuring a rectangular shape with squircle cameras, but the texture print significantly differs from its predecessor. It will have a 6.78-inch AMOLED display boasting a 144Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the device will be available in two color options: Blue White Slice, and Lunar Titanium.
Performance and Memory
The Neo 10R 5G will be powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process. This octa-core processor consists of one Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3GHz, four performance Cortex cores running at 2.8GHz, and three efficiency Cortex cores at 2.0GHz. Furthermore, for graphics, it is equipped with the Adreno 735 GPU.
The device comes in two configurations: 8GB RAM with 256GB storage and 12GB RAM with 256GB storage. Additionally, it supports UFS 3.1 storage for faster read/write speeds.
The iQOO Neo 10R 5G features a dual rear camera setup, consisting of a 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, and OIS, along with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The front camera is a 32MP wide sensor capable of 4K video recording at 30/60fps and 1080p.
The smartphone packs a 6,400mAh battery with 80W fast charging support, allowing users to charge quickly. The device runs on Android 15 out of the box, ensuring a smooth software experience.
The iQOO Neo 10 R starts at INR 24,999. If it ever makes it here, we expect its price in Nepal, we expect its price in Nepal to start at no less than NPR 45,999.
Xiaomi is reportedly working on the 15T and 15T Pro smartphones, which are set to succeed the 14T and 14T Pro models. Information about these upcoming devices has been spotted in the HyperOS 2.1 code, confirming that Xiaomi will continue its T series. Here’s what we know so far.
Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro Overview
Xiaomi 15T
The Xiaomi 15T is expected to feature the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 chipset. It will offer a solid mix of performance and efficiency, continuing the tradition of the T series. This model is expected to target users looking for a more affordable but powerful device.
Xiaomi 15T Pro
The Xiaomi 15T Pro will likely come with a more advanced MediaTek Dimensity 9400 or 9400+ chipset. This version will offer higher performance compared to the regular 15T model. The 15T Pro would be suitable for those who need more power for demanding tasks.
The Xiaomi 15T Pro shares its internal codename with the Redmi K80 Ultra, which is expected to be a China-exclusive device. This does not mean the 15T Pro is a rebrand, but it is expected to be based on the K80 Ultra with some changes, particularly in the camera department.
Codenames for the Devices
Xiaomi has given these devices the following codenames:
Xiaomi 15T: “klimt” (likely named after Austrian painter Gustav Klimt).
Xiaomi 15T Pro: “turner” (likely named after English painter J.M.W. Turner).
Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro Price and Availability
The expected launch for the Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro is around September. As of now, there are no official price details available. However, the pricing for these devices is expected to align with previous T-series models, offering a mid-range to premium price. Availability will likely vary by region, with the Pro model expected to be more widely available compared to any potential China exclusivity for the Redmi K80 Ultra.
Last October, the company launched the original Galaxy Buds FE with premium TWS features at an affordable price, and now Samsung is planning to release its successor soon. According to the latest leak, the Galaxy Buds FE 2 is in development. In this article, we’ll discuss the leaked specifications of the Galaxy Buds FE 2 and its expected price in Nepal.
Galaxy Buds FE 2 Expected Overview
GalaxyClub reportedly discovered signs of the Galaxy Buds FE 2’s development, including the earbuds’ firmware and model number (SM-R410). This will be great news for Samsung users, especially considering the price tags of the recently launched Galaxy Buds 3 series.
Design and Audio
These buds are still in the early stages of development, so we don’t know much about them yet. That is why, at this point, we can only speculate on the features of the upcoming Galaxy Buds FE 2. The original Galaxy Buds FE had a clamshell design with an in-ear, stemless shape and a silicone tip. While this design is not completely new, it’s a bit unique, so Samsung might stick with it. However, there’s a chance they could go with a different design this time. The original Galaxy Buds FE had powerful bass, deep sound, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and Ambient Sound, so we can expect similar features in the Buds FE 2.
Battery and Rest
Talking about the battery, the Galaxy Buds FE offers up to 8.5 hours of playback with the earbuds and a total of 30 hours with the charging case. With ANC on, you get 6 hours of playback with the earbuds and a total of 21 hours with the case. With the Galaxy Buds FE 2, we can expect improvements in battery life or at least similar features to its predecessor.
This is all we know about the Galaxy Buds FE 2 so far. As I mentioned earlier, we’re still in the early stages of information. Since the original Galaxy Buds FE launched in October 2023, we expect the new model to arrive around the same time. As for the price, considering the predecessor’s price of $99, the Buds FE 2 likely won’t be much more expensive than that.
The Black Shark Ring was first introduced by the company around a year ago, and now the company has launched the successor as the Black Shark Ring 2. Compared to the first offering, it is lightweight and has better battery life. It’s getting a lot of attention for being a more affordable alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Let’s dive into what makes it stand out!
Black Shark Ring 2 Overview
Design and Battery Life
The Black Shark Ring 2 has a sleeker design compared to its predecessor. It’s lighter, weighing just 4 grams (down from 5.4 grams in the original), which should make it more comfortable to wear for long periods. However, it’s still a bit heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Ring (3 grams). For durability, it has an IP68 rating, meaning it’s dust and water-resistant.
Battery life is another area where the Ring 2 shines. The first-gen Ring lasted up to 5 days on a charge, but the Ring 2 can last up to 10 days, beating the 7-day battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Ring as well. And with the charging box, you can get up to 90 days of usage. That’s impressive, but just for perspective, the predecessor offered up to 180 days of total battery life, so it’s still a step back in that department.
Health Monitoring and Features
The Black Shark Ring 2 improves health monitoring with features like all-day heart rate tracking, real-time sleep tracking, and precise blood oxygen monitoring. For fitness lovers, it supports multiple workout modes, including walking, running, and cycling. A cool new feature is the gesture control, where you can switch between videos just by “shaking your fingers.” It’s a neat touch, but we don’t have all the details on how it works yet. It also offers all-day step counting and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Black Shark Ring 2 Specifications
Design: Sleek, minimalist design
Size: Available in sizes 7 to 12
Weight: 4 grams
Protection: IP68 rating
Battery: 10 days on a single charge, up to 90 days with the charging box
Health Monitoring: Heart rate, sleep quality, and blood oxygen tracking
Compatibility: Works with both Android and iOS devices
Black Shark Ring 2 Price in Nepal and Availability
Overall, the Black Shark Ring 2 seems like a solid upgrade, especially in terms of comfort and battery life. It was launched in China with a price tag of CNY 749. The device is not making its global appearance just like its predecessor. However, the expected price of the Black Shark Ring 2 in Nepal is around NPR 16,000.
HTC, a Taiwanese company, has presented a new budget smartphone called the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus. This handset comes with a large display and a solid camera for the budget range. In this article, we will get into the depth of the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus.
HTC Wildfire E5 Plus expected specifications
Build and Performance
The HTC Wildfire E5 Plus is designed for entry-level users. It has a 6.74-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate. Likewise, the phone includes face recognition and a fingerprint sensor for security. It is available in Grey and Blue.
Under the hood, the Wildfire E5 Plus runs on an octa-core Unisoc T606 processor. It has 2 Cortex A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and 6 Cortex A55 cores at 1.6 GHz. This setup is decent for everyday tasks and light gaming. Moreover, the phone is equipped with a Mali-G57 MP1 GPU. The phone includes 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which is expandable with a microSD card. While 128GB is more than enough for most users, the expandable storage is a great bonus for those who need more space. On the software end, it runs on Android 14.
For photography, the Wildfire E5 Plus has a 50MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor for bokeh effects. These cameras should work well in good lighting conditions, though the 2MP depth sensor might not be as impressive as higher-end models. In the front, this handset comes with a 16MP front camera notch.
In terms of battery, the Wildfire E5 Plus is powered by a 5000mAh battery. The phone also supports several connectivity options, including 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
HTC Wildfire E5 Plus Specifications
Display: 6.74-inch HD+
Refresh Rate: 90Hz
Chipset: Unisoc T606
GPU: Mali-G57 MP1
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB (expandable via microSD)
OS: Android 14
Rear Camera: 50MP primary, 2MP depth sensor
Front Camera: 16MP
Battery: 5000mAh
Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C
Audio: 3.5mm audio jack
Color: Grey, Blue
HTC Wildfire E5 Plus Price and Availability
The HTC Wildfire E5 Plus is currently launched in Vietnam for 2,379,000 VND. It is expected to be released in Thailand later this month. The phone is exclusive to Southeast Asian markets like Vietnam and Thailand, so it is unlikely to be available in Nepal. However, if it were, the price would likely be around NPR 13,000.
Honor has introduced its new smartphone, the Honor X9c, with features designed for durability and enhanced usability. And this guy has officially arrived in Nepal. In this article, we will discuss everything about the latest Honor X9c, including its official price in Nepal.
Honor X9c Overview
Durability and Display
The Honor X9c is built for durability, featuring a rating that protects against drops from up to 2 meters (6.6 feet). The device tops SGS’ Comprehensive Reliability charts, thanks to its resilience under various tests. Additionally, its scratch-resistant exterior, tested up to 3,000 times with steel wool, and IP65 water resistance ensure added protection. The phone can also handle extreme temperatures, ranging from -30°C to 55°C.
The X9c comes with a 6.78-inch curved OLED display, offering a resolution of 1,224 x 2,700 pixels. This display also supports 10-bit color rendering and can reach up to 4,000 nits in brightness. Furthermore, the screen includes 3,840Hz PWM dimming.
Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, the Honor X9c supports 5G connectivity with 4x Cortex-A78 and 4x Cortex-A55 cores. It’s the same chip from Honor X9b, that last year’s smash hit phone. Honor Nepal offers a sole memory configuration: 12GB RAM + 256GB storage. As for the software, the phone operates on MagicOS 8.0, which is based on Android 14.
Battery with Faster Charging
In terms of battery, the Honor X9c includes a 6,600mAh cell, an upgrade from the 5,800mAh capacity found in its predecessor, the X9b. Additionally, the device supports 66W fast charging. However, there is no 3.5mm headphone jack; instead, the device includes stereo speakers with a volume boost feature
Camera
The rear camera setup on the Honor X9c is led by a 108MP main sensor. This sensor, with a 1/1.67” size and f/1.75 aperture, supports 9-to-1 pixel binning and 3x in-sensor zoom. It also allows for 4K video capture. Additionally, the phone includes a 5MP ultra-wide camera and a 16MP front camera with 1080p video capability.
The Honor X9c price in Nepal is NPR 48,999 for the 12/256GB with one year free breakage insurance. You can purchase this smartphone from an authorized store like Hukut and get Honor X7 Lite earbuds worth 5,000 rupees at just NPR 999.
Honor X9c
Price in Nepal (Official)
Bundle Offer
12GB + 256GB
NPR 48,999
Get Honor X7 Lite worth NPR 5000 at just NPR 999
Meanwhile, check out the review of the iPhone 16 / Pro
vivo has unveiled the Y300i in China, following the launch of the Y200i last year. This new device features 5G support, a large 6500mAh battery, and a 120Hz refresh rate display, among other specifications. The phone offers a solid mix of performance and design, targeting users looking for a reliable budget 5G smartphone.
vivo Y300i Overview
Display and Design
The vivo Y300i comes with a 6.68-inch HD+ LCD display that offers a resolution of 1608×720 pixels. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate, making for a smoother visual experience, especially when scrolling or gaming. The phone is available in three colors: Jade Black, Titanium, and Rime Blue, with a weight of around 205g for the Black and Titanium variants.
Processor and Storage
Powering the Y300i is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm process. The octa-core processor consists of two high-performance A78 cores clocked at 2.2GHz and six energy-efficient A55 cores at 2GHz, paired with the Adreno 613 GPU. The device is decent for lightweight gaming and super reliable for everyday use. The device is available in two RAM variants: 8GB and 12GB LPDDR4x, with 256GB and 512GB UFS 2.2 storage options. It also supports extended RAM, up to 12GB.
Camera and Battery
For photography, the vivo Y300i is equipped with a 50MP rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture and an LED flash. The front-facing camera is a 5MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. The phone has a large 6500mAh battery, supporting 44W fast charging.
In terms of security, the vivo Y300i includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The device also comes with an IR sensor, which can be used for remote control functionality, and stereo speakers for audio output.
realme has officially launched its latest entry-level smartphone, the realme C75x, which brings several features to the budget-friendly market. This article will discuss everything about the realme C75x, including its expected price in Nepal.
realme C75x Overview
Display and Design
The realme C75x features a 6.67-inch LCD display with a 720p resolution. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate and can reach a peak brightness of 625 nits. The smartphone comes with drop resistance and an IP69 rating, ensuring protection against dust and water.
Performance
Under the hood, the device is powered by the MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra processor. It has an 8-core CPU configuration, with 2x Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2 GHz and 6x Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. This setup provides adequate performance for day-to-day tasks, such as social media browsing and content consumption. However, since it is a budget phone, users should not expect high-end gaming performance.
The realme C75x is equipped with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Users can expand the storage further with a microSD card.
Cameras
The rear camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor and a depth sensor for portrait shots. On the front, it features a 5MP selfie camera, designed for standard photo-taking.
The realme C75x is equipped with a 5,600mAh battery. It supports 45W fast charging, allowing users to quickly charge the device for extended use. For security, the smartphone offers a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Connectivity options include 4G support, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.0.
It’s 2025 and buying a budget laptop still sucks. You scour the internet looking for a…ll the options available but somehow they all compromise on a bunch of stuff. Including a couple of super important ones like display and performance. But the Lenovo V14 Gen 4 that I’ve got in for review today wants to change the way you look at budget laptops altogether.
‘Cause this thing has a nice display that you’ll actually want to look at, and its performance is equally powerful enough to keep up with pretty much everything you’ll do.
Lenovo V14 (Gen 4) review: Specifications
Dimensions, Weight: 12.76 x 8.47 x 0.78 inches (W x D x H), 1.43 kg
Keyboard: Full-size chiclet backlit keyboard, No backlighting
Security: No biometric option, TPM 2.0
Processor: Intel “Raptor Lake” Core i5-13420H
8C/12T, 4.6 GHz max turbo frequency, 45W base power
Graphics: Intel UHD graphics (48 execution units)
RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200 memory (non-upgradeable)
Storage: 512GB SSD (M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0)
Audio: Down-firing stereo speaker system
Battery: 45 Watt-hours with 65W charging
Webcam: HD (720p) camera with a physical shutter
I/O Ports: 2x USB-A (with one USB 3.2 Gen 1 and one USB 2.0), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x RJ-45, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1x power connector
And yes, the Lenovo V14 definitely punches above its class here. You’re looking at a 14” display with an IPS panel — instead of a TN panel with terrible viewing angles and terrible contrast — and nearly 400 nits of brightness.
Lenovo V14 Gen 4 – Brightness
I was actually quite surprised to see this guy hitting those brightness numbers since Lenovo’s official numbers say the V14 shouldn’t hit more than 300 nits. But even after I reran the test with a colorimeter, my unit of the V14 still bragged 396.7 nits at 100% brightness. Pretty awesome! However, I did find that it doesn’t have nearly sufficient brightness adjustment levels as I’d like because look at that table once again.
Notice anything… odd?
So while I’m more than happy that the Lenovo V14 has a fantastic peak brightness, it’s actually quite dim below 75%. And at lower brightness levels, the contrast ratio takes some hit as well. Neither of these is a dealbreaker, really, but just something to keep in mind.
Anyway, I also love how Lenovo went with an anti-glare coating here. Which means if you mostly use this laptop somewhere with a lot of ambient light or harsh light sources, then those annoying reflections are gonna be mu…ch less annoying to deal with.
Lenovo V14 Gen 4 – Color Gamut
And I gotta say the Lenovo V14’s color reproduction isn’t that terrible either. I mean… 65% sRGB is pretty good for a budget laptop. Not that good for color-sensitive works like photo editing but perfectly good enough for everything else.
Performance
Intel Core i5-13420H (45W base power)
8 cores / 12 threads, 4.6 GHz max turbo frequency
16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD
And like I said in the very beginning, the performance side of things is equally impressive on this thing. That’s because instead of those “U” class processors (with frankly subpar performance), the Lenovo V14 has a much more powerful “H” series CPU inside.
More specifically, you’re getting Intel’s 13th Gen Core i5-13420H processor with four performance and four efficiency cores. What’s even better is that Lenovo has managed to ship it with 16GB of DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration alongside 512GB of PCIe 4.0 SSD! With some of the best read/write speeds I’ve seen on a laptop so far. Not just of the budget kind mind you.
Lenovo V14 Gen 4 – CrystalDiskMark
That means I basically had no problem going by my everyday work on the Lenovo V14. Including browsing Chrome with at least 10 – 12 tabs open (sorry Arc, I’ll meet you back on my MacBook Air), while also streaming music in the background on Spotify, and occasionally making some designs on Photoshop.
Whereas that combo of a powerful processor + plenty of memory and storage makes it a great fit for students who are just getting into programming as well.
And all that is with the “Adaptive Power Mode” by the way, which keeps the thermals and the noise from its single fan under control just fine. I could always switch to the “Performance” mode from the Lenovo Vantage app when I need that extra pinch of power at the expense of louder fan noise and hotter temperatures… which is exactly what I did when I tried playing a few games on this guy.
But here’s the thing.
The Lenovo V14’s integrated GPU is pretty weak. Weaker than what you get on Intel’s “U” series processors because this one has Intel’s UHD graphics instead of the newer, more powerful Iris Xe graphics. So… what you gain in that CPU horsepower, you will be losing a little in terms of GPU power.
That wasn’t much of a problem in CPU-bound games like Valorant although I actually had to lower the resolution to 720p to somewhat enjoy Counter-Strike 2.
Design and build
12.76 x 8.47 x 0.78 inches (W x D x H)
1.43 kg, All-plastic build
Let’s move on.
So it’s pretty clear that Lenovo V14’s display and performance are a step above what you’d find on a typical budget laptop, right? What about the build quality then?
Well… this is where its budget roots start to show ‘cause the V14 is completely made of plastic. The lid and the keyboard deck here have a nice, polished finish to sell you the illusion of something more expensive — and I’m also digging its minimal visual aesthetics + the 180° hinge — but yeah. The rest of the laptop, including the side I/O frames, the bottom deck, and the keys themselves, have this sorta gravelly, plasticky feel to them.
And if you’re someone with a habit of hitting the keyboard real hard when typing, you might wanna dial it down a notch on the Lenovo V14. Since I definitely noticed some flexing with its keyboard deck with frankly not a lot of pressure.
Lenovo V14 (Gen 4) - Ports
1 of 2
Left
Right
The port selection on this thing is pretty good though. There are a couple of USB-A connections (one with a faster USB 3.2 Gen 1 spec and the other with a slower USB 2.0 speed), one RJ-45, one full-sized HDMI 1.4, and one USB-C port with 3.2 Gen 1 speed. The V14 charges via a barrel-pin connector but the good news is that the one available in Nepal comes with a 65W USB-C adapter instead. Or you can even fill it with any 65W USB-PD charger.
Battery
45 Watt-hour battery
65W power adapter (USB-C)
Then again, I found the Lenovo V14’s battery life to be strictly average. It’s got a tiny 45Wh battery inside which was only giving me 4 – 5 hours of screen time under my usual, casual usage. Even when I’d kept the performance mode to “Adaptive” and battery mode to “Balanced”.
Webcam
HD (720p) camera
Physical privacy shutter
And like every other budget laptop, I’m not impressed with the webcam quality on the V14 either. It has a typical 720p sensor with a physical privacy shutter that’s passable when you’re somewhere with good lighting but that’s about it. Expect a lot of blown-out highlights and digital artifacts like noise when attending a video call with this guy.
Oh and before I forget, the Lenovo V14’s downfiring stereo speakers are what I’d like to call “the good kind of bad”. They sound quite thin, hollow — and with absolutely zero bass — but it kinda reminds me of one of those old-timey radios. Is this the… “bittersweet symphony” thing that I keep hearing about?
Keyboard and trackpad
Full-size keys without Numpad
No backlight
Plastic multi-touch trackpad
Anyway, I gotta say the keyboard and the trackpad on this budget laptop are just about average as well. This plastic trackpad is a bit too small whereas this keyboard isn’t backlit to begin with. Not that I struggled to maintain my usual typing speed or anything, but the lack of a backlight and the gravelly feel of the keys I talked about before did rub me off the wrong way here.
Lenovo V14 (Gen 4) review: Conclusion
Alright.
So to wrap up this review, I think the Lenovo V14 (Gen 4) is easily the best budget laptop in Nepal right now. This thing is very much your run-of-the-mill cheap laptop in a lot of ways, although its display and powerful performance easily sets it apart from the rest of the herd. Which means if you’re a student, a small business owner, or just about anyone looking to buy a nice, affordable laptop under NPR 80,000, this is it.
Our video review of Lenovo V14 (Gen 4) is coming up pretty soon
Lenovo V14 (Gen 4) review: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
• Good value for money
• A bit flimsy build quality
• Powerful performance with Intel’s “H” series CPU
We have already heard that the two biggest wallet platforms of Nepal Khalti and IME Pay are going to merge soon. If this turns out to be true, it will definitely give a head-to-head competition to eSewa, which is currently leading the wallet market in Nepal. In this article, let us discuss how the combination of Khalti and IME Pay will benefit users and how (and if) this will be a threat to eSewa.
Khalti and IME Pay Merge
What is a Digital Wallet?
So, we’re diving into the world of Khalti, IME Pay, and their big merger buzz today. But before we get lost in the juicy details, let’s start with the basics of digital wallets in Nepal.
A digital wallet is like your trusted friend, safely holding your payment information like credit cards, bank details, or other digital credentials. It’s fast, it’s easy, and, honestly, it’s a game-changer. Nepal’s wallet story started off with eSewa way back in 2009, and since then, it’s been a wild ride.
Is it better than Mobile Banking?
Now, here’s the fun part of my own life. I’ve tried mobile banking. Yup, those apps my bank keeps pushing, but I keep running back to wallets like Khalti and eSewa. This is because Wallets pack the exact features I need, like paying my electricity bill, sending cash to my cousin, settling a loan, or even ticketing to concerts or shows, all in a few taps. Mobile banking, on the other hand, is like a grumpy uncle. It is slow, it is stingy with features, and I will have to spend 11. 3 extra while transacting between two different mobile banking apps. This is not the case with digital wallet transactions. Furthermore, Wallets charge lower fees, do not have annoying yearly renewal costs (banks love sneaking those in), and they just feel more… me. In Nepal, I’ve noticed (on Reddit, I mean) that most folks agree that wallets are a better option compared to mobile banking.
Khalti and IME Pay teaming up
Okay, let’s talk about the hot gossip. Khalti and IME Pay might be tying the knot! As per the rumors, the companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 16, 2025, tentatively named “IME Khalti.” No official announcement has been made yet, but the news is flowing like monsoon winds. As someone who uses both apps, I’m kinda excited about this big news. Could this merger shake things up? Here’s what I think.
So, what’s in it for me and you? Imagine all my bill payments, money transfers, and online shopping combined in a single “IME Khalti” platform! No more hopping from this app to that for different payments. Khalti’s always been my go-to for paying my phone bill; meanwhile, IME Pay’s my hero for remittances. If they blend Khalti’s smooth tech with IME Pay’s remittance magic, we might get the best of both worlds. Nepal’s migrant workers would cheer, too.
Plus, with eSewa dominance the spotlight, this merger could light a fire under everyone’s butts. More competition means better goodies, lower fees, cooler features, and maybe even friendlier customer support. I think that this merger might cut their costs, and if they’re nice, they’ll pass the savings on to us.
eSewa: The OG that’s still got swagger
But hey, everything I said earlier does not come that easily. Now, let’s chat about eSewa, the OG of Nepali wallets. Is this merger a threat to its crown? Honestly, I don’t think eSewa’s sweating bullets just yet. I’ve been an eSewa user since forever (it’s the first wallet I ever used), and it’s practically family for me now. After 15 years (born in 2009), it’s a name I trust, like my favorite chiya spot. With 80% of the market and 8+ million users, it’s got a fan base that’s tough to crack. Convincing someone to switch is a hard pass unless Khalti and IME Pay are coming with some insane games (offers) that people cannot just ignore.
There are places where Khalti and IME Pay fail to match eSewa. Back in 2018, the company teamed up with Nepal Airlines for domestic and international rights in the app. On the other hand, Khalti’s stuck with just local flights.
Not just that, eSewa has the cross-border feature from 2024, which means Indian tourists can pay the merchant with PhonePe or Google Pay via eSewa’s QR codes. Khalti’s got something similar, but eSewa’s 425,000 merchants make it king here. IME Pay? Not even flexing that muscle.
Oh, and eSewa also has eSewa Pasal, which is like a mini online mall in the app where you can buy items easily. Khalti and IME Pay don’t have that yet. Plus, in village areas, eSewa’s SMS feature (no internet needed) has saved many when Wi-Fi’s a myth. And what’s even cooler is that I can even enter an ATM and pull cash from my eSewa balance (from NIC Asia).
Here’s the cherry on top: eSewa’s rumored to launch an IPO soon. Not because F1Soft’s broke (haha, they’re loaded!), but to let us regular folks buy shares. I’d love to own a piece of eSewa, I mean if I got lucky enough to get allocated (I have hard luck getting). That’s a loyalty hack I don’t think IME Khalti is planning on adapting anytime soon. Well, it’s not that perfect- picture as I just made it sound. eSewa’s app glitches sometimes (ugh, those lags!), but let’s hope they will fix this soon. There are some major features eSewa lacks.
Khalti-IME Pay’s attack
As I already told you, eSewa’s not perfect, and I’ve felt the sting. The bank transfers usually cost NPR 5-10, and some merchant payments come with charges, too. This is because of the dominance thing. Likewise, Khalti gives you some cash back on top-ups or bills. IME Pay’s even sweeter with zero fees under NPR 10,000, plus 3% interest on the balance if you have got at least NPR 1,000 there. If both of these features got mixed, I might ditch eSewa for cheaper thrills.
Remittances are another core spot. Even though eSewa has agents (112,000+), it’s IME Pay that leads in the remittance part. While eSewa handles remittances via eSewa Money Transfer with a lot of agents, it’s not as laser-focused or trusted as IME Pay. Nepal’s huge remittance market (25% of GDP) craves specialized service, and IME Pay just feels right. Khalti’s user-friendly app could polish this strength. Post-merger, IME Khalti might dominate remittances, pulling users who prioritize sending money from abroad over eSewa’s broader.
My Final two cents
So, here’s the thought from my side. eSewa’s is no doubt still the wallet king of Nepal, sitting pretty on its throne with years of trust and loaded money. But Khalti and IME Pay merging is like two underdog teaming up to tease the giant with a stick. With cheaper fees, remittance feasibility, and better feel, IME Khalti could make eSewa sweat buckets. But one thing is for sure: it won’t happen overnight. eSewa’s got numbers of loyal fans, and breaking that will take time. Let’s see how marketing will go. For that, we will have to wait for the official confirmation and app launch with new features.
