Page 544 – GadgetByte Nepal

Huawei P40 Pro officially enters the Nepalese market with a silent launch

GadgetByte

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October 20, 2020

Huawei P40 Pro officially enters the Nepalese market with a silent launch

After Google revoked Huawei’s license to use the Android platform, it has been a difficult year for the Chinese tech giant. Since then, the market share of Huawei smartphones has dipped outside of China. In Nepal too, Huawei mobile division is pretty much non-existent. They have launched budget Y-series of phones with HMS (Huawei Mobile Services), but that has seen limited success. And now, Huawei has silently launched its latest flagship P40 Pro in the Nepali market. So let’s take a look at what the Huawei P40 Pro is packing alongside its specs, features, official price in Nepal & availability.

Huawei P40 Pro Overview

Like all the recent Huawei/Honor devices, this one lacks Google services too. But, the launch of this phone doesn’t have any sales or profit-making motive. Rather, they want to showcase Huawei’s latest innovation to Nepalese customers.

Design

Here, the Huawei P40 Pro is similar to its predecessor the P30 Pro. However, it comes with the new “Quad-curve Overflow Display” and has a glass back. Therefore, the device is slippery, just like the regular Huawei P40. On the other hand, the more premium: P40 Pro+ comes with a ceramic back but that’s not available in the Nepalese market. Getting back to the P40 Pro, it is IP68 rated against dust and water, as expected from a flagship phone.

Display

Compared to the standard Huawei P40, the P40 Pro has a much bigger screen. It features a 6.58-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2640 x 1200 pixels. Unlike the P40, it has a smoother 90Hz refresh rate panel, which also supports the HDR10 format. To note, both P40 Pro & Pro+ share the same display. This is great but falls some way short of its competing flagships that have 120Hz display, namely the Samsung Galaxy S20 series.

Cameras: #VisionaryPhotography

Huawei is marketing the phones under the P40 series with the tagline “Visionary Photography”, and rightly so. The camera setup on all these phones is simply outstanding. In terms of the P40 Pro, it comes with a 50MP primary lens, a 40MP ultra-wide lens, a 12MP periscope telephoto lens (supports super-zoom), and a ToF sensor. The super-zoom support refers to 5x optical zoom, while it also supports 10x hybrid zoom and 50x max zoom.

As for the front camera, this phone has a 32MP f/2.2 sensor placed inside a rather wide pill-shaped cutout. Unlike the standard P40, the Huawei P40 Pro (and P40 Pro+) have ToF sensors too. Nepal, get ready for the master mobile photography! The IR ToF sensor also facilitates a secure face-unlock, on top of creating bokeh effects for your selfies.

Also Read:
- Huawei Developer Conference 2020: HarmonyOS 2.0, EMUI 11 announced

Performance

Getting to the performance, all devices under the P40 family use Huawei’s own Kirin 990 5G chipset that has an integrated 5G modem. This is the same chipset powering last year’s Mate 30 series as well. Based on the 7nm+ process, Kirin 990 5G has an octa-core CPU with a heavy/medium/little core architecture. This has been paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.0 storage. You can also add up to 256GB to the onboard storage via Huawei’s own NM (Nano Memory) cards instead of an SD card.

Battery & Others

Huawei P40 Pro gets its juice from a decent 4200mAh battery. It supports 40W (wired) Huawei SuperCharge. Likewise, it also supports 27W fast wireless charging. I’ve already talked about the infrared face recognition but on top of that, P40 Pro’s OLED display is also the house to an in-display fingerprint scanner.

The phone ships with EMUI 10.1 (based on Android 10) out-of-the-box and runs on Huawei’s proprietary HMS instead of Google’s GMS and its suite of applications. Therefore, instead of the Google Play Store, it has Huawei’s AppGallery, and so on. Similarly, P40 Pro is soon scheduled to receive the EMUI 11 update as well.

Huawei P40 Pro Specifications:

Body: 6.23H x 2.86W x 0.35D-inches, 209gm, IP68, Glass Back, Aluminum Frame
Display: 6.58-inches OLED panel, Corning Gorilla Glass, 90Hz refresh rate, 91.6% screen-to-body ratio, HDR10, 441 PPI
Resolution: 2640 x 1200 pixels, 22:10 aspect ratio
Chipset: HiSilicon Kirin 990 5G (7nm+ mobile platform)
CPU: Octa-core (2×2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2×2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4×1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU: Mali-G76 MP16
RAM: 8GB RAM
Storage: 128/256/512GB UFS 3.0 storage (upgradeable using NM card)
Software & UI: AOSP + EMUI 10.1 (based on Android 10)
Rear Camera: Triple-camera (Leica Optics);
– 50MP, f/1.9 “Ultra Vision Camera” wide primary lens, PDAF, OIS
– 40MP, f/1.8 “Cine Camera” ultra-wide lens
– 12MP, f/3.4 “SuperSensing Telephoto Camera”, OIS, 5x optical zoom
– ToF 3D depth sensor
– LED flash
Front Camera: 32MP, f/2.2 selfie lens (with IR ToF 3D sensor)
Security: In-display fingerprint scanner (optical)
Audio: Loudspeaker, No headphone jack
Connectivity: Hybrid dual-SIM (Nano), WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS / A-GPS / Glonass / BeiDou / Galileo / QZSS / NavIC, NFC, USB Type-C, 5G
Sensors: Gesture, Gravity, Infrared, Fingerprint, Hall, Gyro, Compass, Ambient Light, Proximity, Color Temperature
Battery: 4200mAh, 40W Huawei SuperCharge, 27W Wireless Huawei SuperCharge
Colors: Deep Sea Blue, Silver Frost, Black, Ice White, Blush Gold

Huawei P40 Pro Price in Nepal and Availability

Huawei P40 Pro went live globally in April 2020 and is now available here in Nepal. The price of Huawei P40 Pro in Nepal is NPR 129,900 for the 8/256GB variant. You may not find the phone in digital/retail stores, but you can buy P40 Pro in Nepal by contacting the Call Mobility (Huawei authorized distributor of Nepal) representative at 01-424-886.

Smartphone Model	Price in Nepal (Official)
Huawei P40 Pro (8/256GB)	NPR 129,990

Watch: Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) explained.

Xiaomi announces 80W Mi Wireless Charging taking on OPPO’s 65W AirVOOC

Xiaomi

GadgetByte

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October 19, 2020

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Xiaomi announces 80W Mi Wireless Charging taking on OPPO’s 65W AirVOOC

Lately, we have seen smartphone companies introduce some of the fastest charging technologies. This year we saw the companies even surpass the 100W charging technology. And now the companies are focusing on speeding up the wireless technology. Earlier, Oppo announced 65W AirVOOC and now Xiaomi has topped it with 80W Mi Wireless Charging Technology. Let’s learn more about the new technology in more depth.

Xiaomi 80W Mi Wireless Charging Technology Overview

Three breakthroughs in a year

Xiaomi first introduced its 30W wireless charging solution dubbed the Mi Charge Turbo just last year during the launch of Mi 9 Pro 5G. In March of this year, the company announced its 40W wireless charging technology which charged a custom Mi 10 Pro with a 4,000mAh battery from 0 to 100% in 40 minutes. Again in August, Xiaomi introduced Mi 10 Ultra with a 50W wireless charging solution. However, it was mostly overshadowed by the fact that the device also brought 120W wired charging to the commercial market. And now the company has demonstrated its latest 80W wireless charging technology.

80W Mi Wireless Charging’s Performance

As per the company’s official press release, the new 80W Mi Wireless Charging Technology can fill a 4,000mAh battery from 0 to 100% in just 19 minutes. Even in the first minute of charging, the new tech can fill the battery up to 10%. Similarly, the battery is half-filled in just 8 minutes. The company also released a video to back up its claim. The video shows the 80W Mi Wireless Charging Technology in action on a modified Mi 10 Pro.

Wireless Charging: Xiaomi vs Oppo

With this announcement, Xiaomi has now taken a lead in the wireless charging technology. Prior to this, Oppo had announced its fastest wireless charging – 65W AirVOOC. The company claimed that it was capable of charging a 4,000mAh battery wirelessly in around 30 minutes. However, we are yet to any of the two technologies on a commercial phone. Still, Mi 10 Ultra’s 50W wireless charging solution beats Oppo’s 40W Super AirVOOC in the Ace 2.

Check out the 80W Mi Wireless Charging Technology in action.

Vivo Watch will soon be available in the Nepalese market

GadgetByte

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October 19, 2020

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Vivo Watch will soon be available in the Nepalese market

After the launch of V20, Vivo Nepal is now gearing up for the launch of Vivo Watch. In case you did not know, Vivo Watch is the first smartwatch from the company and it was launched just a few weeks ago in China. Let’s take a look at the specifications, features, expected price, and availability of the Vivo Watch in Nepal.

Vivo Watch Overview

Design and Display

Unlike recent smartwatches from Realme and Oppo that try to mimic Apple’s design, the Vivo Watch features a circular design like that of Samsung and Huawei. The watch is available in two sizes – 46mm and 42mm. The 46mm variant features a 1.39-inch AMOLED panel with 454 x 454 pixels. On the other hand, the 42mm variant sports a smaller AMOLED panel of 1.19-inch with 390 x 390 pixels.

Vivo has used stainless steel for the watch case. For the bezels, the company has opted for precision ceramics. Talking about the strap, one can choose between two materials – rubber and leather.

Features

Like the Oppo Watch, the Vivo Watch also features a dual-processor setup. The ST main processor is paired with the Appolo co-processor. The latter is a low-power processor that will be used for power-efficient tasks. The smartwatch has 2GB of internal memory where you can store around 400 songs. In terms of connectivity, Vivo Watch comes with Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and built-in GPS.

In terms of health tracking, it supports 24/7 heart rate monitoring. It can even keep track of your SpO2 level. The app analyzes your sleeping habit and gives scores accordingly. It also looks after your stress level and recommends breathing exercises to cool you down. The watch has 11 different sports mode that includes both indoor and outdoor activities. Vivo has collaborated with Firstbeat for a better analysis of your workout data.

Rest of the specs

The 478mAh battery on the 46mm variant is rated for 18 days of usage. Similarly, the 42mm variant has a smaller battery of 226mAh and it said to survive up to 9 days on a single full charge. Both variants come with a 5ATM rating as well.

One can connect the watch with both iOS and Android devices with the help of a companion app. It comes with the Jovi voice assistant built-in. Other features include music playback, NFC payment, Jovi Smart Agenda, Find My Phone, and remote camera shutter.

Vivo Watch Specifications:

Dimensions: (42mm: 42 x 42 x 9.7mm); (46mm: 46 x 46 x 10.6-mm))
Weight: (42mm: 35.6gm / 46mm: 46.8gm)
Body: 316L Stainless Steel, Ceramic bezels, Rubber / Leather strap
Display: (42mm: 1.19-inches AMOLED screen) / (46mm: 1.39-inches AMOLED screen)
Resolution: (42mm: 390 x 390 pixels); (46mm: 454 x 454 pixels)
Battery: (42mm: 226mAh) / (46mm: 478mAh)
Battery Life: (42mm: up to 9 days) / (46mm: up to 18 days)
Memory: 2GB
Chipset: ST + Apollo co-processor
Water Resistance Level: 5ATM
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 + LE, Built-in GPS (with A-GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO), NFC

Vivo Watch Price in Nepal and Availability

Vivo Watch is available in China where its price is 1,299 for both 42mm and 46mm variants. We expect the price of Vivo Watch in Nepal to be around NPR 25,000 when it launches here later this year.

Smartwatch Model	Price (China)	Price in Nepal (Expected)
Vivo Watch	1,299 Yuan	NPR 25,000

Also, check out our review of Realme Watch.

Coolpad N7 Plus with 20MP dual-camera now available in Nepal

Coolpad

GadgetByte

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October 19, 2020

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Coolpad N7 Plus with 20MP dual-camera now available in Nepal

Coolpad announced its return to the Nepali market with the launch of Coolpad Cool 6. It marked the global debut of the device. The company has quickly expanded its portfolio of products with the new N7 Plus. Let’s check out the specs, features, price, and availability of Coolpad N7 Plus in Nepal.

Coolpad N7 Plus Overview

Design and Display

Coolpad N7 features a 6.53-inch display that is based on in-cell technology. If you look at this Facebook post, the device is listed to have an FHD+ display. That, however, is not true. Like most of the device in this price range, this device sports an HD+ display with an aspect ratio of 19:9. The display has a waterdrop notch on the top that houses the front camera. According to Coolpad, the screen to body ratio on this device is 90.3%.

The device is also advertised to feature a “Double Side Glass Body”. The device is made up of polycarbonate material and the back of the panel features a glasstic build. On the back, there is a pill-shaped camera bump towards the top left corner. One can also notice the physical fingerprint scanner towards the middle.

Performance and Camera

Coolpad N7 Plus features MediaTek’s Helio P22 chipset. The chipset seems outdated and even phones like the Realme C11 and Redmi 9C in the same range offer MediaTek’s gaming-focused chipset from the Helio G-series. Talking about the memory, the device is available in a single memory configuration – 4GB + 64GB. The latter is expandable up to 256GB via an external microSD card.

Coolpad N7 Plus flaunts a dual-camera setup at the back. The primary camera here uses a 20MP rear camera. It is accompanied by a 2MP secondary camera for the Bokeh effect. Coolpad has included another 20MP sensor on the front for the selfie camera.

Rest of the specs

The device is backed by a 4,000mAh battery. It sports a Type-C port which is quite rare at his price range. A 10W power adapter is included in the box. For biometrics, the device features a physical fingerprint scanner on the back. However, users can also choose to unlock their device with the face unlock feature. The device comes with support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FM, and OTG.

Coolpad N7 Plus Specifications:

Display: 6.53-inches In-cell LCD panel
Resolution: HD+; 19:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: MediaTek Helio P22; TSMC 12nm FinFET process
Processor: Octa-core (8 x 2.0GHz Cortex A53)
GPU: IMG PowerVR GE8320
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB (expandable via a microSD card)
Software & UI: Android 10
Rear Camera: Dual-camera (20MP primary, 2MP depth), LED flash
Front Camera: 20MP
Security: Face-unlock, Fingerprint scanner
Audio: 5mm headphone jack, FM Radio
Connectivity: Dual Hybrid SIM slot, 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Type-C, OTG
Battery: 4000 mAh, 10W

Coolpad N7 Plus Price in Nepal and Availability

Coolpad N7 Plus is now available in Nepal with a price tag of Rs. 15,299. It is available via offline retail stores throughout Nepal.

Smartphone	Price in Nepal	Availability
Coolpad N7 Plus	Rs. 15,299	Offline Retail Shops

Check out our review of Infinix Note 7.

ICYMI: Mobvoi TicWatch and TicPods are now officially available in Nepal

GadgetByte

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October 18, 2020

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ICYMI: Mobvoi TicWatch and TicPods are now officially available in Nepal

Two weeks after the initial announcement, Mobvoi has finally landed on Nepal officially. As of now, Barun Enterprises (the official distributor of Mobvoi products in Nepal) is offering a total of 8 eight products, including smartwatches and wireless earbuds in the country. Let’s learn more about the specifications, features, official price, and availability of different models of Mobvoi TicWatch, TicPods in Nepal.

Mobvoi: Brand Overview

Mobvoi is a Chinese AI company founded by an ex-Google employee, Xhifei Li in 2012. The company now operates in over 40 different regions around the world. The company’s main focus is on advanced voice integration. Mobvoi’s voice search technology has already been used in Google’s and Volkswagon Group’s products in China. Similarly, the company has already worked with companies including Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Tencent, Baidu, and Amazon.

In the consumer electronics market, Mobvoi is known for its TicWatch line of smartwatches, and TicPods lineup of wireless earphones. Excluding the two, it also sells TicMirror (smart rearview camera), and TicKasa lineup of smart speakers.

Mobvoi Nepal

As mentioned earlier, Barun Enterprises is the authorized distributor for Mobvoi products in Nepal. Barun Enterprises, which is a subsidiary of Sharda Group, reserves the sole right to import and distribute Mobvoi consumer products in Nepal. As of now, the company has launched seven smartwatches and one wireless earphone in Nepal.

Mobvoi products in Nepal are Daraz-exclusive, which means they will not be available anywhere else than the e-commerce platform. Since both Mobvoi TicWatch & TicPods are online exclusive in Nepal for now, we would’ve liked them to bear a much lesser price tag than they do.

Mobvoi Ticwatch Lineup in Nepal

Starting with the intimal Mobvoi TIcwatch (2016), the Nepali audience can choose between eight different Mobvoi TicWatches. Currently, Mobvoi has nine different models under the TicWatch lineup, including the latest TicWatch Pro 3. The latter along with the TicWatch has been left out by the Nepali distributor.

Most of these TicWatches are already a year to two years old, except for the TicWatch Pro 2020 and TicWatch GTX which were launched this year. The latter is also an odd one in the lineup because it does not ship with WearOS by Google.

Mobvoi TicWatch GTX

TicWatch GTX is the cheapest of the TicWatch lineup. It is the only smartwatch from Mobvoi since the original TicWatch to ship with the company’s proprietary OS. A metal body houses the 1.28-inch TFT screen (240 x 240 pixels). While it comes with a heart rate sensor, it does not have an in-built GPS. It can’t connect to Wi-Fi either. The main selling points of the device is the support for 14 different workout modes, IP68 rating, and up to 7 days of battery life.

Mobvoi TicWatch GTX Specs:

Body: 48.7 x 11mm; metal body
Display: 1.28-inch TFT (240 x 240 pixels)
Chipset: RLC8762C
RAM/ROM: 160KB/16MB
Sensors: Heart rate, Accelerometer
Water Resistant: Yes, IP68 rating
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
Battery: 200mAh
Battery Backup: 7 days (Normal usage) / 10 days (power saving mode)
Price in Nepal: Rs. 9,999

Mobvoi TicWatch E2

TicWatch E2 sports a 1.39-inch AMOLED panel enclosed inside a polycarbonate body. The interchangeable strap is made up of silicone. It does not have US Military Standard 810G certification as the C2. Other than that, things are fairly standard. It runs on Google’s Wear OS instead of the company’s own proprietary operating system.

Mobvoi TicWatch E2 Specs:

Body: 46.9 x 52.2 x 12.9mm; 35.0g; Polyamide and Glass fiber
Display: 1.39-inch AMOLED (240 x 240 pixels)
Chipset: Snapdragon Wear
RAM/ROM: 512KB/4GB
Sensors: Heart rate +Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Low Latency Off-body sensor
Water Resistant: Yes, 5ATM
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS+GLONASS+Beidou
Battery: 415mAh
Price in Nepal: Rs. 25,999

Mobvoi TicWatch S2

The watchcase of the TicWatch S2 is made up of Polyamide and glass fiber. The strap is made up of silicone. The 1.39-inch AMOLED display sports a resolution of 400 x 400 pixels. This one comes with Wear OS and Google Assistant. Similarly, Mobvoi has also launched its TicMotion technology. It comes with Wi-Fi connectivity and in-built GPS. Similarly, it comes with MIL-STD-810G and 5ATM certification.

Mobvoi TicWatch S2 Specs:

Body: 46.6 x 51.8x 12.9mm; Polyamide & glass fiber
Display: 1.39-inch AMOLED (240 x 240 pixels)
Chipset: Snapdragon Wear
RAM/ROM: 512KB/4GB
Sensors: Heart rate, Accelerometer + Gyroscope, Low Latency Off-body sensor
Water Resistant: Yes, 5ATM
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS+GLONASS+Beidou
Battery: 415mAh
Battery Backup: 2 days
Price in Nepal: Rs. 27,499

Mobvoi TicWatch C2

TicWatch C2 sports a polycarbonate body with stainless steel bezels enclosing a 1.3-inch AMOLED screen. Similarly, the interchangeable strap (18/20mm) is made up of genuine leather. It packs in Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100. The watch has an IP68 rating against dust and water. Another notable feature of the TicWatch C2 is the support for NFC payment.

Mobvoi TicWatch C2 Specs:

Body: 42.8 x 42.8 x 12.7mm; 35.0g; Polyamide and Glass fiber
Strap: interchangeable Genuine leather (18mm/20mm)
Display: 1.30-inch AMOLED (360 x 360 pixels)
Chipset: Snapdragon Wear 2100
RAM/ROM: 512KB/4GB
Sensors: Heart rate +Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Water Resistant: Yes, IP68
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS+GLONASS+Beidou, NFC (Google Pay)
Battery: 400mAh
Price in Nepal: Rs. 32,499

Mobvoi TicWatch C2+

For the most part, the TicWatch C2+ packs a similar specs sheet as the vanilla C2. However, it comes with a higher 1GB of RAM. Also, it has a wide range of watch faces to choose from and it comes with an extra strap for free.

Mobvoi TicWatch C2+ Specs:

Body: 42.8 x 42.8 x 12.7mm; 35.2g; Polyamide and Glass fiber
Strap: Interchangeable Genuine leather (18mm/20mm)
Display: 1.30-inch AMOLED (360 x 360 pixels)
Chipset: Snapdragon Wear 2100
RAM/ROM: 1GB/4GB
Sensors: Heart rate +Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Water Resistant: Yes, IP68
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS+GLONASS+Beidou, NFC (Google Pay)
Battery: 400mAh
Price in Nepal: Rs: 35,999

Mobvoi TicWatch Pro

The original Mobvoi Pro is now updated and Mobvoi has replaced it with Mobvoi Pro 2020 on its official site. However, it has now launched in Nepal, along with other Mobvoi watches. It features two screen modes – a high-resolution AMOLED screen and a power-saving FSTN LCD screen. Thus, the watch can switch between Smart Mode and Essential Mode.

Mobvoi TicWatch Pro Specs:

Body: 45.0 x 12.6mm; Polyamide and Glass fiber
Strap: interchangeable Genuine leather / Silicone (22mm)
Display: 1.39-inch AMOLED (400 x 400pixels) + FSTN LCD
Chipset: Snapdragon Wear
RAM/ROM: 512MB/4GB
Sensors: Heart rate +Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Water Resistant: Yes, IP68
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS+GLONASS+Beidou+Galileo, NFC (Google Pay)
Battery: 415mAh
Price in Nepal: Rs. 33,999

Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 2020

It is the 2020 iteration of the Mobvoi Pro. It now comes with 1GB of RAM, Military standard durability, and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection.

Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 2020 Specs:

Body: 45.08 x 12.6mm; 58.5g; Polyamide and Glass fiber
Strap: interchangeable Genuine leather / Silicone (18mm/20mm)
Display: 1.39-inch AMOLED (360 x 360 pixels) + FSTN LCD
Chipset: Snapdragon Wear
RAM/ROM: 1GB/4GB
Sensors: Heart rate +Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Water Resistant: Yes, IP68
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS+GLONASS+Beidou+Galileo, NFC (Google Pay)
Battery: 415mAh
Price in Nepal: Rs. 41,499

Mobvoi TicPods Lineup in Nepal

Mobvoi TicPods ANC

It is the only wireless earphone from Mobvoi to be available here. The highlight of the earbuds is its Active Noise Cancellation, which the company claims can cancel out up to 40dB of noise. TicPods ANC comes with silicone ear tips that offer passive noise isolation as well. Inside, the Mobvoi TicPods sport a 13mm sound driver. The company has also included touch control.

Mobvoi TicPods ANC Specs:

Driver: 13mm dynamic; 32 Ohm
Weight:5g (each earbud); 42g (power case)
Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth)
Battery capacity: 50mAh (each earbud); 400mAh (power case)
Charging Time: 2 hours (earbuds); 1.5 hours (power case)
Music time: 5 hours (ANC off), 4.5 hours (Quiet mode)
Power case charger: Type-C
Price in Nepal: Rs. 13,499

Mobvoi TicWatch, TicPods Price in Nepal and Availability

Here in Nepal, the cheapest smartwatch from Mobvoi, the TicWatch GTX costs Rs. 9,999 and it goes all the way up to Rs. 41,999 for TicWatch Pro 2020. If we compare the Nepal price tag with that of the US, you will notice that these Mobvoi TicWatch are heavily overpriced (by over 25% on each item) – and so is the TicPods ANC.

Mobvoi TicWatch	Price (US)	Price in Nepal
Pro 2020	$259.99	Rs. 41,499
C2+	$209.99	Rs. 35,999
Pro	$199.99	Rs. 33,999
C2	$149.99	Rs. 32,499
S2	$119.99	Rs. 27,499
E2	$159.99	Rs. 25,999
GTX	$59.99	Rs. 9,999

Similarly, the price of Mobvoi TicPods ANC in Nepal is Rs. 13,499.

Mobvoi TicPods	Price (US)	Price in Nepal
TicPods ANC	$69.99	Rs. 13,499

Anker Soundcore Rise Review: Great Earphone For Starters

GadgetByte

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October 18, 2020

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Anker Soundcore Rise Review: Great Earphone For Starters

Anker has launched the Soundcore Rise wireless earphone in Nepal. It is a neckband-style earphone for the masses. Check out if it worth your money in our detailed review of Anker Soundcore Rise Earphones. But let’s check out its specifications first.

Anker Soundcore Rise Specifications:

Weight: 35 grams
Sound driver: 8mm Full Range drivers
Impedance: 16 Ohms
Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth v4.1)
Wireless Range: 10m (33ft)
Response Frequency: 20Hz – 20kHz
Playback Times: Up to 12 hours
Charging Interface: Micro USB (5V, 1A)
Charging Time: 1.5 hours
Control: Physical Buttons
Waterproof rating: Yes, IPX5
Price in Nepal: Rs. 3,999
Buy Here

Anker Soundcore Rise Review:

Design

Rubber, plastic body
IPX5 rated against water splashes
Free ear tips, ear wings inside the box

The curve of the Soundcore Rise is built from a rubber-like substance and it is very elastic. It has a flat design, and the surface that rests on the neck has linear grooves that run along its length. The buttons and charging ports are on the left side of the earphones. Without the ear wing, the earpiece looks very tiny. It comes with a silicone tip. Anker ships four pairs of silicone ear tips and an equal number of pairs of ear wings. During my review of the Anker Soundcore Rise, the earphone did not get off my ear even without an ear wing. However, you can still use the wings if you are not convinced.

For a budget wireless earphone, the neckband is pretty tough. Even the wire, although being slim, is on the heavier side. Similarly, the wire has been reinforced where it enters the earbuds. That being said, the earphone is more slippery to my liking. It kept slipping even with light movement. Thus, if you are the kind of person that likes to groove to the music make sure to use the clipper to lock the neckband in place. If you wish to take it out for workouts, you should not forget to bring appropriate ear wings and the clipper along with it.

Connectivity

Bluetooth v4.1 (10m/33ft range)

For the initial connection, turn on the Soundcore Rise by pressing and holding the play/pause button for a second. Then enter into the pairing mode, by pressing and holding the same button for 4 seconds. The LED will start blinking blue. Search for Soundcore Rise and hit connect. Once connected, the LED will turn to steady blue. The earphone will automatically connect to the device from next time onwards.

The theoretical range of the earphone is 10m. However, for the same distance, I found that the connection is weaker than what the Redmi SonicBass Wireless Earphones offer. Maybe it’s because the Soundcore Rise supports outdated Bluetooth 4.1.

In case you want to disconnect the earphone from the connected device and pair it with another, press and hold the play/pause button for 3 seconds. The earphone will disconnect from the current device and will re-enter the pairing mode. You can confirm it by the blinking blue light which becomes steady once the Rise connects to a device successfully.

Control

Dedicated volume and multi-function button

As for controls, there are three buttons on the left side of the earphones. The aforementioned play/pause button is the biggest of them and is placed in the middle. It also acts as a power button while turning on/off the earphones. Long pressing the button will summon the default voice assistant of the connected device. It works smoothly with both Android and Windows devices. The remaining two buttons are for volume control. Long press the volume up button to skip to the next song. Doing this with the volume button will play the previous song. However, pressing and holding the button for 3+ seconds is not convenient.

Other than that, thanks to the engravings on top of each button, I could click the buttons with full confidence even without looking at them. Similarly, the volume control buttons are smaller than the Play/Pause button but are still clicky enough.

Sound Performance

8mm full range drivers
20Hz – 20kHz frequency response

Anker Soundcore Rise features 8mm drivers, which may not sound like much but it performs decently for the price. The thing that I like the most about this earphone is its music separation. Each instrument can be noticed and there is hardly any mixing between any two of them. Similarly, I won’t complain about the bass either.

However, there are downsides too. For instance, at times the high-pitched sound (both instruments and vocals) can come off as screeching. I also noticed periodic mechanical hisses when the earphone was not playing anything (while still being connected to my smartphone). Similarly, the vocals get distorted at higher levels of volumes.

Battery

Up to 12 hours of battery life
Micro USB charging

Talking about the battery, the company is claiming up to 12 hours of continuous playback time. I wanted to test the claim in this review of Anker Soundcore Rise. On a single full charge, I was able to get up to 10.5 hours of playback time. That is with the volume between 50 and 70%. Soundcore Rise features a micro USB port on the left side for charging.

However, it would have been better if it came with a covering of its own to stop dust from entering and piling up there. Talking about the charging process, it is pretty quick. It takes about 1.5 hours to get to 100% from 0%. Thankfully, the Soundcore Rise actually ships with a charging cable inside the box. A lot of accessories brands do not bother to include it in their budget products.

Conclusion

Anker Soundcore Rise is a well-build budget wireless neckband earphones. The brand has paid attention to the design and how it feels when being used. The earphone ships with multiple ear wings and clippers for a tighter fit and better wire management, respectively. Despite having smaller 8mm drivers, the music is well separated and the bass also feels nice. I just wished the company had done something about the occasional screeching and hissing sounds. Other than that, it is a great choice because of battery endurance and IPX5 rating.

Anker Soundcore Rise Review: Pros and Cons

Pros:

Nice, comfortable, durable design (IPX5)
Multiple ear tips, ear wings, and clippers for best comfort
Physical buttons with engravings on top
Decent bass and music separation
The mic is good enough for calls
Long-lasting battery life

Cons:

Bluetooth 4.1 is rather outdated
Takes 3+ seconds to register long press
Screeching sound at times
Weird hissing sound when idle
Micro USB Port

Fujifilm announces X-S10 mirrorless camera for first-time users

GadgetByte

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October 18, 2020

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Fujifilm announces X-S10 mirrorless camera for first-time users

Kenji Sukeno, the president of Fujifilm Corporation, has announced the launch of the company’s latest mirrorless digital camera. The new Fujifilm X-S10 is the latest member of the company’s X-series of compact and lightweight mirrorless camera. Let’s learn more about the specifications, features, expected price, and availability of Fujifilm X-S10 in Nepal.

Fujifilm X-S10 Mirrorless Camera Overview

Design and Display

The new Fujifilm X-S10 is a compact and lightweight camera that weighs just 465 grams. The grip on the X-S10 is bigger than what can usually be seen in a Fujifilm camera. It is made entirely out of magnesium-alloy and the company says it makes it more comfortable and stable to hold, especially when using a large telephoto zoom lens. On the top panel, the camera includes a Mode dial with four positions to which users can assign the desired settings.

Image Sensor and Processing

Talking about the image sensor, the Fujifilm X-S10 features an X-Trans CMOS 4” image sensor. It is a 26.1MP sensor with back-illumination. For the image processor, Fujifilm has included X Processor 4. This is not a new setup as it has previously featured in the X-T4. Fujifilm is claiming it can help the camera achieve accurate and high-speed AF performance in 0.02 seconds. The AF on the X-S10 can track subjects whether it is moving to or away from the camera. The camera supports Face/Eye AF for portrait shots.

It also features a new In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) with new materials and an optimized layout of the components. The IBIS mechanism on the X-S10 is 30% smaller than that on the X-T4 and is accompanied by Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) too.

Also Read: Sony Alpha 7C compact full-frame mirrorless camera announced

Color Presentation

Fujifilm X-S10 supports a total of 10 different Film Simulation modes for versatile color presentation. Each mode is provided with a detailed description, characteristics, and application to make it easier for first-time users. The camera also features the AUTO/SP (Scene Position) mode which automatically sets the settings according to the scene. It has access to settings like Color Chrome Effect, Clarity, and Dynamic Range Priority.

On an SD card, the X-S10 can record 4K/30P 4:2:0 8-bit videos. However, it can also output up to 4K/30FPS 4:2:2 10-bit videos on an HDMI cable. Similarly, it can record FHD videos at up to 240fps.

Fujifilm X-S10 Price in Nepal and Availability

Fujifilm X-S10 will be available starting from November with a starting price of $1000 (body only). Other option includes XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 R lens kit for $1400 and XF16-80mm F4 R OIS WR lens kit for $1500. We expect the starting price of Fujifilm X-S10 in Nepal to be around NPR 1,30,000 if it launched here.

Fujifilm X-S10 Model	Price (US)	Price in Nepal (Expected)
Body Only	$1000	NPR 1,30,000
XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R lens kit	$1400	NPR 1,80,000
XF16-80mm F4 R OIS WR lens kit	$1500	NPR 1,90,000

Watch: OnePlus 8T – Upgrade Does Not Guarantee Improvement!

Vivo V20 with AG Matte Design & 44MP selfie camera Launched in Nepal

Vivo

GadgetByte

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October 18, 2020

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Vivo V20 with AG Matte Design & 44MP selfie camera Launched in Nepal

Vivo Nepal has been teasing the launch of Vivo V20 through its social media handles. Newly appointed brand-friend Pradeep Khadka also starred in the count down video. The device is part of the V20 lineup that debuted at the end of last month. Though there are two more devices in the lineup, the company has only launched the vanilla V20 in Nepal for now. Let’s check out the specs, features, official price, and availability of Vivo V20 in Nepal.

Vivo V20 Overview

Design and Display

Vivo V20 sports a 6.44-inch FHD+ panel like the one in the Pro variant. It is an AMOLED panel with a pixel density of 408PPI. It is a tall device with an aspect ratio of 20:9. The contrast ratio of the panel is listed at 2000000:1. However, there is one difference that separates the front of the vanilla and Pro model. While Vivo V20 Pro features a traditional iPhone-like notch, the vanilla V20 has a waterdrop style notch instead. Other than that, the device sport a 2.5D curved design and has a thickness of around 7.38mm. Similarly, the phone weighs around 171 grams.

From the back, both phones look the same. Vivo V20 also features AG Matte Glass back panel, which is chemically etched to reduce scratches and make it feel better on hand. Vivo has added an AF coating on the top to make the panel less prone to smears and fingerprints as well. The device will be available in three color options – Midnight Jazz, Moonlight Sonata, and Sunset Melody.

Performance

Under the hood, Vivo has included Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G in the Vivo V20. It is clearly a step down from the 5G enabled 765G in the Pro variant. Still, 720G is a gaming-focused mid-range chipset and it supports limited features of Qualcomm’s Elite Gaming Technology. The device will be available in a single memory configuration – 8GB RAM paired with 128GB of internal storage.

To further boost the performance, Vivo has also updated the multi-turbo engine with ART++ Turbo. However, we don’t get to see the Vapor Chamber Colling system that is in the Pro model.

Also Read: Vivo V20 SE with 48MP triple cameras, 33W charging launched.

Camera

At the back, we get to see the X50-inspired rectangular camera bump that houses the triple camera setup. The camera specs are the same as that of the Vivo V20 Pro. We are talking about a 64MP primary camera accompanied by an 8MP multi-function camera. The latter is capable of taking wide-angle with FOV of 108-degree (after considering the distortion). Users can also use it to take macro shots of objects as close as 2.5cm. The third senor is a 2MP monochrome sensor. The device uses it for the Art Portrait Video in which the background is turned into black and while the subject still remains in colors. The rear camera supports Super Night Mode, Tripod mode, Smart Zoom, and Motion autofocus.

On the front, the device features a 44MP selfie camera with the ability to focus from 15cm. Users can record 4K videos using the selfie camera as well. Other supported features include Steadiface Selfie Video, Dual-View Video, Slo-Mo video, and multi-style portrait.

Rest of the specs

The battery specs also remain the same. Like the Pro variant, the vanilla V20 comes with a decent battery of 4,000mAh battery while retaining the 33W fast charging support. It ships with Funtouch OS 11 based on Android 11. An optical fingerprint sensor is placed under the AMOLED screen for biometrics as well.

Vivo V20 Specifications:

Body: 161.30x 74.20 x 7.48 mm; 172 gm
Display: 6.44-inches AMOLED panel; Capacitive multi-touch panel
Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels); 20:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G; 8nm Mobile Platform
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB (expandable)
Software & UI: Android 11 with Funtouch OS 11 on top
Rear Camera: Triple-camera;
– 64MP, f/1.89 primary shooter, AF
– 8MP, f/2.2 ultra-wide sensor, 108º FOV
– 2MP, f/2.4 monochrome lens
– LED flash
Front Camera: 44MP, f/2.0 primary shooter, AF
Security: Optical in-display fingerprint scanner
Audio: Hi-Res Audio
Connectivity: Dual Nano-SIM slot, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB Type-C
Battery: 4000mAh; 33W (11V/3A) Fast Charging

Vivo V20 Price in Nepal and Availability

Vivo Nepal launched the Vivo V20 in the Nepali market for a price of Rs. 47,990. However, it is now available for Rs. 44,990. This price is for the 8GB RAM, 128GB variant.

Smartphone Model	Old Price	New Price in Nepal
Vivo V20 (8/128GB)	NPR 47,990	NPR 44,990

Check out our review of the Realme 7.

Infinix announces Note 8 series with Helio G80 and a quad-camera setup

Infinix

GadgetByte

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October 16, 2020

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Infinix announces Note 8 series with Helio G80 and a quad-camera setup

Infinix has finally launched the Note 8. It is the successor to the Note 7 that was recently launched here in Nepal as well. Accompanying it is the cheaper Infinix Note 8i. Let’s take a look at the specifications, features, expected price, and availability of Infinix Note 8 and Infinix Note 8i in Nepal.

Infinix Note 8 Overview

Design and Display

Talking about the display, the Infinix Note 8 sports the same 6.95-inch IPS LCD display as its predecessor. We would have liked it if the company had opted for an FHD resolution but that is not the case here. Infinix is still sticking with the HD+ resolution of 720 x 1640 pixels. For a change, the new device comes with not one but two cameras on the front. The dual-camera setup has been enclosed by a pill-shaped cutout.

At the back of the device, Infinix has replaced the circular camera bump with a rectangular one. It is placed on the top left corner. Other than that, we get the Gem Cut design as in all other Infinix smartphones. Basically, the rear panel forms different patterns based on the angle of light falling on it.

Performance

For the Note 8, Infinix has opted for a MediaTeks’ Helio G80 chipset. It is an upgrade to the Helio G70 that was in its predecessor. It features two Cortex A75 cores clocked at 2.0GHz paired with six Cortex A55 cores clocked at 1.8GHz. Infinix claims the inclusion of the new chipset results in 14% better GPU performance than the Infinix Note 7. The device is available in single memory configurations. With 6GB of RAM, there will be no hiccups during normal tasks and light multitasking. The device comes with 128GB of internal storage which can be expanded using an external microSD card.

Camera

Infinix Note 8 features a bigger sensor of 64MP. Other than that, the rest of the camera setup has been left unchanged. We are talking about a 2MP macro lens, a 2MP depth sensor, and an additional AI camera. Honestly, these secondary camera makes little to no impact on the camera experience and are there for the sole reason of marketing. On the front, there is a 16MP selfie camera paired with a depth sensor.

Rest of the specs

The battery size has also been extended from 5000mAh to 5200mAh with 18W SuperCharge technology. Infinix is using a dual engine setup which the company claims results in 8-degrees cooler charging. Another talking point here is the transition from the micro USB port to a USB Type-C port. The device has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for biometrics. The dual speaker setup supports DTS audio with up to four modes. The device ships with Android 10 with XOS 7.1 on top.

Infinix Note 8i Overview

Infinix Note 8i is a cheaper alternative to the vanilla Note 8. Compared to its sibling, it features a smaller display with a single punch-hole cutout and an inferior camera setup.

It features a 6.78-inch IPS LCD panel with a single circular cutout for the selfie camera. Other than that, the panel retains the HD+ resolution and brightness level, and contrast ratio. Another difference between Note 8 and 8i is on the camera. The rear camera setup on the Note 8i is led by a 48MP primary camera. On the front, we don’t get to see the portrait lens.

Infinix Note 8, 8i Specifications:

Body: Plastic body with a gem-cut finish
Display: (6.95-inches / 6.78) IPS LCD panel; 480 peak brightness, 1500:1 contrast ratio
Resolution: HD+ (1640 x 720 pixels); 20.5:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm mobile platform)
CPU: Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
RAM: 6GB RAM
Storage: 128GB (expandable)
Software & UI: XOS UI 7.1 on top of Android 10
Rear Camera: Quad;
– (64MP/48MP) primary lens
– 2MP macro lens
– 2MP depth sensor
– AI lens
– Quad-LED flash
Front Camera: 16MP + depth sensor (Note 8)
Security: Physical fingerprint sensor (side-mounted)
Audio: Dual speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, Type-C
Battery: 5200mAh with 18W SuperCharge

Infinix Note 8, 8i Price in Nepal and Availability

Though Infinix has listed the Note 8 and 8i on its global site, these listing don’t reveal anything about the price and availability of the phones. Lately, Infinix has been active in the Nepali market and we can expect the Infinix Note 8 and Note 8i to have a Nepal launch though we will have to wait for the official confirmation regarding their price & availability.

Check out our review of Infinix Note 7.

Samsung opens pre-order for two new QLED 4K Smart TV with exciting gifts

GadgetByte

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October 15, 2020

0

Samsung opens pre-order for two new QLED 4K Smart TV with exciting gifts

After the launch of the TU8000 series TV last month, Samsung Nepal is launching another TV in Nepal. This time, the company has announced the pre-order of two new QLED 4K Smart TVs. Let’s check out the specifications, features, expected price, and availability of Samsung Q60T, Q70T QLED 4K Smart TV in Nepal.

Samsung Q60T, Q70T QLED TV Overview

Design and Display

The Samsung Q60T QLED 4K UHD Smart TV (2020) sport a 3-side boundless design. The bezels have been kept minimum for a more immersive cinematic experience. As the name suggests, Q60T QLED TV is based on Samsung’s Quantum Dot Technology and it covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Though Samsung has quite an option under both the Q60T and Q70T lineup, only one of each is coming to Nepal as of now – QA85Q60T (85”) and QA75Q70T (75”).

Video and Audio

As far as the picture engine goes, the QA75Q70T packs in Quantum Processor 4K, while it’s Quantum Processor Lite in the QA85Q60T. As a result, the former has a better motion rate (200 > 100) and Picture Quality Index (3400 > 3100), compared to the latter. Other than that, both the model support Quantum HDR, and HDR formats like HDR 10+ and HLG.

In terms of audio, both TVs feature 2CH speakers with an RMS output of 20W. They come with Dolby Digital Plus and Dialog Enhancement. Other features include Bluetooth Audio and Multiroom Link.

Smart TV

As usual, these TVs run on Samsung’s Tizen operating system. As a result, the default voice assistant is Bixby. However, Samsung also offers multi-voice assistant in select markets such as India. Similarly, the TVs come with Samsung’s SmartThings App support. Thus, users will be able to control SmarThings compatible devices using their TV.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the upcoming QLED TVs feature up to 4 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, and one AV IN. There is also an Ethernet port, Digital Audio Out jack, and Cable input. Wi-Fi 5 is built-in and the TVs will also support Bluetooth 4.2.

These TVs come with two years of warranty. On top of that, Samsung is offering a “10 Year No Screen Burn-In warranty” on the QAQ5Q70T.

Samsung Q60T, Q70T QLED TV Specifications:

Display: 85-inches / 75-inches QLED panel; 100% DCI-P3
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160)
Sound: 20W RMS Output; Dolby Audio
Operating System: Tizen
Picture Engine: Quantum Processor Lite / Quantum Processor 4K
Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2
I/O Ports: 4 HDMI (3 in QA8560T), 2x USB, 1x LAN, 1x AV

Samsung Q60T, Q70T QLED TV Price in Nepal & Availability

Samsung has opened the pre-orders for Q60T and Q70T QLED TV in Nepal till October 31. You can pre-order the Samsung Q60T, Q70T QLED TV with a pre-payment price of NPR 10,000 in Nepal from here. With pre-order of QA85Q60T and QA75Q70T, users will receive Galaxy Note10 Lite and Galaxy A71 as gifts, respectively.

Samsung QLED TV	Pre-payment	Gifts	Pre-order Period
QA85Q60T	Rs. 10,000	Galaxy Note10 Lite	Until 31 October
QA75Q70T	Rs. 10,000	Galaxy A71	Until 31 October

Check out our review of the Samsung RU7100 4K TV.