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Nintendo Switch & Switch Lite Price in Nepal [Updated: December 2021]

GadgetByte

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April 9, 2020

Nintendo Switch & Switch Lite Price in Nepal [Updated: December 2021]

So you finally narrowed down all the available options in the market and decided to buy yourself a Nintendo Switch? Well, you still have a choice to make. You can go with the standard Nintendo Switch or settle with Nintendo Switch Lite. Compared to the former, the latter comes with limited features. However, these limitations may not be as significant for some as they will be for the rest. So, we are going to compare the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite along with their price and let you know which one suits you better and form where you can buy them in Nepal.

Nintendo Switch – The History

Nintendo Switch was officially released on March 3, 2017, and it was followed by the Nintendo Wii U. The latter was a disaster in terms of sales figures and Nintendo didn’t want the subsequent release to follow the same fate. Instead of going head to head with the available home consoles and hand-held devices, Nintendo worked on an entirely new concept that would bridge the gap between the traditional home console and hand-held devices.

The “Switch” in the Nintendo Switch

The moniker Nintendo Switch was used only during the later period of its development, before that, the company called it the NX. For most people, it’s Nintendo Switch because cause it can switch between home console and hand-held device. But in a broader sense, it was meant to imply the switch to change the way people perceived entertainment through gaming. It’s also a switch from Nintendo’s tradition – A third-party SoC in a Nintendo console? No one saw that coming.

Nintendo Switch Lite, on the other hand, doesn’t switch like the original Switch. It is fairly a new console that went official in September of 2019. It is a handheld device that is meant to serve as a cheaper alternative to the Nintendo Switch for people who don’t want their console to switch.

Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite

Design

From far, the two consoles may look very similar but the Lite is actually smaller and lighter for added portability. The design also serves different functionality. The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console that you can play has a portable console as well as a regular console like the PS4 and Xbox One. The display on the Nintendo Switch is detachable and so is the Joy-Con (Switch’s game controllers).

In contrast, the Switch Lite is enclosed in a single body and it can’t be detached like the original Switch. On the contrary, the controller on the Switch Lite has an actual D-pad on the left side instead of four discrete buttons.

Also Read:

Display

Nintendo Switch comes with a 6.2-inch LCD panel with touch support. The resolution here is 1280 x 720 pixels. But the size of the screen shouldn’t be a problem as you can always detach the screen and dock it into a television with a larger screen.

The screen on the Lite is the same except for the size which is reduced to just 5.5-inch. The type of panel and the resolution remain the same but you won’t have the privilege of docking it into a larger screen. The color and the brightness level are the same on both the consoles.

Battery

Talking about the battery, Nintendo Switch comes with a bigger Lithium-ion battery of 4310mAh capacity compared to the 3570mAh Lithium-ion battery on the Lite console. But that latter has a smaller screen to power so let’s check the battery endurance in little more detail.

At the time of its release, the Nintendo Switch had terrible battery life. In the best scenario, it lasted only 6.5 hours and could be dead within 2.5 hours depending upon the game being played. However, it has been solved in the later releases and the newer Switch promises a battery life of between 4.5 to 9 hours. So, you would want to check the original packaging properly before you cash in your money for a second-hand Nintendo Switch. A small hint to help you guys check – newer batches come on red packaging instead of white. On the other hand, the Switch Lite battery run can last anywhere between 3 to 7 hours.

Game and Gameplay Modes

The Nintendo Switch Lite supports almost all of the games of the regular Nintendo Switch except for the multiplayer games or those that can only be played in television or tabletop mode. These include games like 1-2-Switch, Ring Fit Adventure, Mario Party among others. In order to play some of these games in the Nintendo Switch Lite, you will have to wirelessly connect another Joy-Con to the console. And even if you do so, it’s not guaranteed that the games will work so you would better not take that risk.

Specifications

	Nintendo Switch	Nintendo Switch Lite
Dimension	4 x 9.4 x 5.5 inch	3.6 x 8.2 x 5.5 inch
Weight	0.88lbs	0.61lbs
Screen	6.2-inch touch screen	5.5-inch touch screen
Processor	NVIDIA Custom Tegra Processor	NVIDIA Custom Tegra Processor
Storage	32GB	32GB
Connectivity	WiFi(IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1 Supports LAN Adapter in TV mode	WiFi(IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1/NFC
Controllers	Joy-Con with HD Rumble and IR Motion Camera	Integrated Joy-Con with D-pad
Switch Dock	Yes	No
Battery	4310mAh	3570mAh
Game Compatability	All Switch Games	Only Switch Handheld Mode
Game Modes	TV mode Tabletop Mode Handheld Mode	Handheld Mode

Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite Price in Nepal

The latest price of Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite in Nepal is Rs. 52,000 and Rs. 32,000, respectively. You can buy the two from Allure International, located at New Road Complex.

Nintendo Gaming Console	Price in Nepal	Availability
Switch (v2)	NPR 52,000	Allure International
Switch Lite	NPR 32,000	Allure International

So which one would you go for? If you are tight on budget, you should go for the Switch Lite. But even in that situation, we recommend you to wait and go for the regular Switch. It makes more sense to spend the additional 10K for versatility and extra features.

OnePlus announces Warp Charge 30 Wireless charging in the OnePlus 8 Pro

GadgetByte

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April 8, 2020

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OnePlus announces Warp Charge 30 Wireless charging in the OnePlus 8 Pro

It’s only a matter of a week before OnePlus unveils the much anticipated OnePlus 8 series via an online-only event. With rumors and confirmations surrounding the devices emerging on the internet every now and then, we have ideas about how the devices will look like when they will be unveiled. The latest news about the OnePlus 8 Pro is its support for Warp Charge 30 Wireless (a 30W wireless charging technology). Let’s take a deeper dive into the technology and understand how OnePlus has made it possible.

OnePlus Warp Charge 30 Wireless

Up until now, we have never seen an OnePlus device with wireless charging support. While the other major brands have been integrating the technology into their latest flagships, OnePlus has been sticking to its proprietary wired Warp charger. After years of development, the company believes it now has an exceptional wireless charging technology that can charge the upcoming OnePlus 8 Pro from 0 to 50% inside 30min.

While the wired 30W Warp Charger is rated 5V/6A, the company has raised the Voltage to 20V with the current at 1.5A in the Warp Charge 30 Wireless. When we talk about fast chargers, we need to keep in the heat produced into consideration because faster chargers produce more heat that can obstruct the charging process. To combat this, the charger will come with a fan. In an interview with The Verge, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has told that the charger will come with a night mode so that the fan, that could reach as loud as 30db, could be turned off at night.

Check out the OnePlus’s digital wallet system – OnePlus Pay

OnePlus Warp Charge 30 Wireless leaked renders oneplus 8 pro rumors — OnePlus Warp Charge 30 Wireless leaked renders

Check out the display technology in the OnePlus 8 series

OnePlus has also included two isolated charge pumps in the charger. They will stop the charging in events of abnormal current and voltage levels.

As with the other wireless chargers in the market, the Warp Charge 30 wireless will also be Qi-compatible. Any-third party Qi-compatible chargers can charge the OnePlus 8 Pro at 5W.

OnePlus’ New Haptic Motor

The new OnePlus 8 series will also feature a haptic motor. It will provide an improved 15% more vibration to the previous motor in OnePlus devices. The new and improved haptic motor was first teased by the OnePlus in the Weibo microblogging site.

So, how excited are you about the OnePlus 8 series official unveiling next week? What feature of the upcoming OnePlus 8 series has amazed you so far? Let us know with your comments.

Sony unveils the DualSense controller for PS5: Comes with improved haptic feedback!

GadgetByte

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April 8, 2020

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Sony unveils the DualSense controller for PS5: Comes with improved haptic feedback!

As the launch date of the PlayStation 5 nears (cause that’s what Sony claims), the company has begun revealing more and more about this new console. Initially, Sony had bragged about the ultra-high-speed SSD, custom AMD GPU and what not. However, multiple reports started emerging online. And they stated that the upcoming Xbox Series X will be much more powerful than the PlayStation 5. On the back foot from the beginning, Sony is not one to take that. They had to do something. So, Sony has now officially introduced, the new wireless controller for the PS5 – the DualSense. And this is something that I think will be a major part of the PS5 experience.

Sony PS5 DualSense Controller Overview

If I remember correctly, the DualShock 4 was launched in the year 2013, and it was a revolutionary controller. It had haptic feedback, a touch-pad, a light-bar and what not. Truly a revolutionary controller. However, users over time have grown bored of it. As a result, for a long time now, fans of PlayStation had been demanding an upgrade in the controller. And finally, we have it.

The new DualSense controller for PS5 seemingly builds upon the legacy set by the DualShock 4. It retains some of the features of its predecessor but does bring in a couple of huge improvements. First and foremost, there’s a change in design and the color tone of the controller. At first glance, the build of the controller seems similar to that of the Xbox One. The cut-angles are similar. However, thankfully the buttons and the analog stick still remain in the same position. This design is primarily because Sony has brought in a lot of improvements. They have improved the haptic feedback on this one. Obviously, the sense of touch is something that affects the gaming experience. I would say it is as necessary as the audio. Thus, it is great that they have incorporated improved haptic feedback on the new DualSense.

Moreover, they have fit in the adaptive triggers into the L2 and R2 buttons too. This, along with an improved rechargeable battery and an added built-in microphone array has forced them to change the design of the controller. Furthermore, this new design supposedly fits any type of hand. Well, that is something we’ll have to see for ourselves, but I do hope it’s true.

Moving on, the Share button from the DualShock 4 is now gone. It has now been replaced by a “Create” button. Now, Sony has not yet revealed more about what exactly this create button allows you to do. However, they have mentioned that it will allow gamers to customize the content that they share at a more personal level. But its exact functioning still remains a mystery. Oh, and they have re-positioned the light bar too. This is something they have added for legacy support and it now sits on either side of the touchpad.

The color tone of the controller has changed too. Previously, all the PS controllers used to be of a single color tone. However, this time around they have opted to go with a mixture of black and white. I did read some comments where people complained about the contrast, but I personally welcome this change. I mean it was getting monotonous. Now we have something that looks funkier. Anyway, do comment below about how you feel regarding this change in color tone.

Overall, as with everything, the new DualSense controller on the first look has its own set of positives and negatives. I personally am glad that they have incorporated a built-in mic and adaptive triggers for L2 and R2. The shape of the controller could have been more subtle, but I guess it is something that will grow on after usage. That’s that about the design and the features of the DualSense. How it feels to use this controller and whether or not it robust is another matter. Well, we can reach a decision regarding it only after using it. But for right now, I cannot wait to get my hands on this new controller.

Online shopping platforms offering deliveries of essential goods during the COVID-19 lockdown

Nikhil Shrestha

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April 8, 2020

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Online shopping platforms offering deliveries of essential goods during the COVID-19 lockdown

While the entire world is facing a serious threat, it is our duty as a species, to help out in any way we can. Especially in Nepal, where we’re dependent upon other countries for most of our basic requirements including foods & medicines, the outbreak of COVID-19 adds to the severity of impending doom.

So here, we are listing out a bunch of online shopping portals that are still delivering goods in the time of lockdown. But remember, these platforms are only keeping their shop open for the most essential goods which include groceries, vegetables, fruits, and medicines. And sadly, in most cases, the radius of delivery is limited to the Kathmandu valley only.

Furthermore, you need not worry about a possible virus transmission because all of the companies in this list have been granted permission for operation by the Nepal government, and the delivery personnel will be equipped with all the safety gear (PPE) & other precautionary measures. Also, all of them accept online payment options like eSewa, Khalti, bank payments, etc. so you can stay worry-free about the spread of COVID-19 virus through physical currency.

Groceries & similar essential goods

1. Daraz (w/ Bigmart)

I don’t think I need to introduce Daraz to you guys. As the biggest e-commerce platform of the country, the company has now teamed up with Bigmart, which is a major player in Nepal’s brick and mortar shopping industry to deliver select essential items. These items include but are not limited to: rice, noodles, oil, sanitational utilities, etc.

On top of this, Daraz is also offering a bank discount of up to Rs. 500 when making payments using cards of banks like Nabil, Kumari, Sunrise, Sanima, NIC Asia, and Standard Chartered. In terms of delivery, Daraz is currently serving all areas inside Ringroad, plus following locations with free delivery on orders above Rs. 1,500:

Bhaktapur Area	Kathmandu – Outside Ringroad Area	Lalitpur – Outside Ringroad Area
Lokanthali	Golfutar	Nakhu
Gaththaghar	Budhanilkantha	Bhainsepati
Sano Thimi	Mandikhatar	Harisiddhi
Thimi	Boudha & Jorpati
Sallaghari	Gongabu
Kamalbinayak	Nepaltar
Suryabinayak	Sitapaila

You can place your order through Daraz’s website or app (Android | iOS).

2. Sastodeal

Sastodeal is another reputed online shopping platform in Nepal. Like Daraz, the company is also only dealing with delivering essential goods right now. Besides the food essentials, Sastodeal is also providing deliveries on items like sanitizers, induction cookers, personal hygiene essentials, etc. The minimum cart value of the order has been set to Rs. 1,000.

The company is currently delivering in select areas inside ring-road and about KM radius outside the ring-road too. In terms of payment, though the cash-on-delivery option is still available, Sastodeal has made the online payment more lucrative by introducing policies like:

15% of total purchase amount made through NMB Bank going to COVID-19 Aid fund
10 masks on every order using CellPay QR Payment on delivery
Rs. 250 on every payment made through IMEPay for the corona relief fund

For now, Sastodeal is delivering on the following locations:

Baghdole	ICIMOD Area	Nakhu
Bhainsepati (till Awas gate)	Imadole (KIST Hospital / United College)	Nayabazar
Dhapakhel (till GEMS school)	Kalanki (till certain range)	Sitapaila
Dhobighat outside Ringroad (till Sunrise Tower)	Koteshwor (till Pepsicola)	Soltee Dobato
Hattiban (till LA College)	Nakhipot	TU (till TU gate)

You can place your order through Sastodeal’s website.

3. Kirana

Next up is Kirana. Like others on the list, it is also accepting orders of essential products food, beverages, personal sanitation, etc. The company is only delivering for customers inside Kathmandu valley for now, which may take a couple of days. Also, the delivery charge is exempted for orders above Rs. 2,000, though a minimum order value hasn’t been set. Kirana customers can also enjoy discounts by making payments from mobile banking apps, or cards of select banks like Civil, NIC Asia, and Standard Chartered.

You can place your order through Kirana’s website or app (Android | iOS).

4. Nimbus Bazar

Nimbus Bazar is a relatively new venture that’s hoping to make a mark on Nepal’s grocery shopping. Currently, the system is in its beta stage and only offers its services inside the Kathmandu valley. You can order items like edible oil, flour, lentils, rice, masks, dog foods, etc. from the platform. So, something for your pet too! This one hasn’t set a minimum order value as well. In terms of the delivery charge, the company charges a whopping Rs. 200 for every order below Rs. 2,000.

You can place your order through Nimbus Bazar’s website.

5. SmartDoko

A product of IMS Group, SmartDoko is mostly known for electronic products, though it has been selling a wide variety of products. And right now, the company is only dealing with grocery and similar essential products. Like others on the list, the service is only available inside Kathmandu valley, with a minimum order value of Rs. 1,000. Moreover, people staying abroad can also have an order delivered to their loved ones in Kathmandu by making pre-payment using their Visa or Mastercard.

You can place your order through SmartDoko’s website or app (Android | iOS).

6. Thulo

Moving on, the next entry on this list is Thulo. Currently, the company is only accepting orders for grocery items like flour, rice, lentils, oil, poultry, etc. and certain electronic items like induction cookers. The minimum amount of order is Rs. 1,000, with free delivery. However, payment has to be made in advance. Talking about the delivery, Thulo currently delivers within Ringroad and 2km radius from the Ringroad and Kathmandu valley, on the same or next day.

You can place your order through Thulo’s website or app (Android | iOS).

7. Gyapu

Another online shopping platform offering its service during the lockdown is Gyapu. Like others, the company is also delivering food and other kitchen essential items during the lockdown. It includes goods like vegetables, flour, induction cooker, salt, biscuit, etc. Right now, they’re home delivering inside the Kathmandu valley; namely Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. Here, the company has set the minimum order amount at Rs. 1,000 with zero delivery charge and 24-hour delivery.

You can place your order through Gyapu’s website or call or WhatsApp them on 9801888268.

8. SalesBerry

SalesBerry is a well-established retail store in Nepal. And because of the lockdown, it has closed shop in most of its branches, though a few of them are still open from 10 AM to 2 PM – SalesBerry Satdobato, Sitapaila, and Maharajgunj. However, we’re talking about home delivery options here. Using the company’s online portal, customers from Kathmandu and Lalitpur can order essential items like grocery, frozen food, snacks, dairy, etc. The minimum amount of order is set at Rs. 2,000 with Rs. 100 delivery charge levied on every order.

If possible, you can make your purchases visiting the open SalesBerry store, or place an order through its website.

Also read: Smartphone brands extend warranty period amidst the lockdown

9. Bhatbhateni

Bhatbhateni is one of Nepal’s largest retail chains with over a dozen stores spread throughout the country. As a result, it is one of the few companies delivering goods outside of Kathmandu valley too. Here, Bhatbhateni is also serving customers on Pokhara, Chitwan, Bhairahawa, Butwal, Biratnagar, and Nepalgunj. However, it isn’t exactly budget-friendly as only orders amounting to Rs. 5,000 or more are accepted with free delivery. Similarly, the company is providing a limited number of same-day deliveries of orders received between 9 AM and 4 PM. Therefore, if your order is not acknowledged on the same day, Bhatbhateni has stated that you should send a message the day after.

The company doesn’t have a web portal, so customers have been requested to place an order via text message, Viber, Instagram, or WhatsApp (only one) on the numbers: 9801241449 | 9801234861 | 9801246806 | or 9801118837.

10. Durbar Mart

Another online shopping platform delivering essential goods during the time of lockdown is Durbar Mart. You can find items like hand sanitizers, kitchen essentials (induction cooker), etc. on top of the regular grocery items. The company is only delivering inside Kathmandu for orders amounting to at least Rs. 1,000 or more.

You can place your order through Durbar Mart’s website.

Summary list of online shopping platforms delivering groceries and similar essential items during the COVID-19 lockdown

S.No.	Company	Minimum order value	Link
01	Daraz (w/ Bigmart)	Rs. 1,500	Website \| Android \| iOS
02	Sastodeal	Rs. 1,000	Website
03	Kirana	N/A	Website \| Android \| iOS
04	Nimbus Bazar	N/A	Website
05	SmartDoko	Rs. 1,000	Website \| Android \| iOS
06	Thulo	Rs. 1,000	Website \| Android \| iOS
07	Gyapu	Rs. 1,000	Website \| 9801888268 (WhatsApp)
08	SalesBerry	Rs. 2,000	Website
09	Bhatbhateni	Rs. 5,000	Instagram \| 9801241449, 9801234861, 9801246806, 9801118837 (Text / Viber / WhatsApp – only one)
10	Durbar Mart	Rs. 1,000	Website

Vegetables, fruits, & poultry

1. Foodmandu

Foodmandu is typically known for its on-demand ready-to-eat food delivery services from a wide selection of hotels and restaurants across the Kathmandu valley. However, the company has shifted its service to taking orders for vegetables, poultry, dairy, and bakery items right now under the “Foodmandu Fresh” banner. With the delivery period set within 4 days, Foodmandu is taking orders from 12 noon and has set the minimum order value at Rs. 1,500 while the delivery charges vary according to the customer’s location.

You can place your order through Foodmandu’s website or app (Android | iOS).

2. Bhojdeals (w/ KK Super Mart)

Like how Daraz partnered up with Bigmart, Bhojdeals (a well-established food delivery platform like Foodmandu) has teamed up with another popular retail chain in the country – KK Super Mart. The company is currently delivering essential items like food, groceries, personal sanitation, induction cooker, on top of fresh vegetables and dairy products. As of now, Bhojdeals is serving customers on Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur for orders amounting to at least Rs. 1,000. The company says delivery could take somewhere between 2 and 3 days with the first-come-first-serve rule applied. Rs. 100 is levied for each order.

You can place your order through Bhojdeal’s website or app (Android | iOS).

3. Kathmandu Organics

Kathmandu Organics is another company that deals with fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, poultry, and other local grocery items. Its operational area is within the Kathmandu valley. Right now, the company is taking orders for cart values of Rs. 1,500 or more with Rs. 150 added as the delivery charge. Kathmandu Organics says the delivery could take up to 4 days as they are operating with limited resources.

You can place your order through Kathmandu Organic’s website.

4. Kheti

Next up is Kheti. Dealing in locally produced fruits, vegetables, and vegan dairy items, Kheti has partnered up with Upaya:CityCargo for delivering those products to its consumers at the time of this crisis. The company is currently accepting orders valued at Rs. 500 and more with a delivery charge of Rs. 70. Moreover, Kheti is providing its services within select areas inside Kathmandu valley and Pokhara.

You can place your order through Kheti’s website or app (Android).

5. Farmers’ Market at Le Sherpa

As one of the most prominent farmers’ markets in the country, Le Sherpa is the home to some quality produce from local farmers. Though it is a local establishment operating at Lazimpat, you can now order items like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, honey, etc. The company is operating from 10 AM to 5 PM and is providing free delivery within 7km from Ringroad, with minimum order amount set at Rs. 1,500.

You can place your order through Le Sherpa’s website or via Viber/WhatsApp message on 9802028777 | or 9801159482.

Summary list of online shopping platforms delivering vegetables, fruits, and poultry items during the COVID-19 lockdown

S.No.	Company	Minimum order value	Link
01	Foodmandu	Rs. 1,500	Website \| Android \| iOS
02	Bhojdeals	Rs. 1,000	Website \| Android \| iOS
03	Kathmandu Organics	Rs. 1,500	Website
04	Kheti	Rs. 500	Website \| Android
05	Farmers’ Market at Le Sherpa	Rs. 1,500	Website \| 9802028777, 9801159482 (Viber / WhatsApp – only one)

Medicinal supplies

1. Jeevee

E-pharmacy is gaining a lot of buzz in Nepal and Jeevee is among the top players in it. With people unable to get out of their house due to the ongoing lockdown, the demand for medicinal supplies is through the roof. Though many local pharmacies are open for business, at the same time, many of them are not.

Here, Jeevee offers a wide selection of medicines, equipment, wearables, child-care items, and more. For prescription medicines, the user is required to scan and upload the prescription for further processing. The company also facilitates online counseling and setting appointments with NMC (Nepal Medical Council) verified doctors. In terms of orders, there is no minimum order value set and the company is delivering on Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur. The delivery charge, on the order hand, is Rs. 50 for customers inside Ringroad, Rs. 100 for outside Ringroad and free on orders above Rs. 500.

You can place your order through Jeevee’s website or app (Android).

2. EPharmacy

Another online shopping company fulfilling your medicinal needs during this lockdown is EPharmacy. Though the company has a great selection of medicinal supplies from medicines, fitness supplements, beauty care products, etc. EPharmacy says that it’s currently only taking orders for medicines. Customers from Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur can place their orders, whose delivery could take up to 48 hours (between 1 PM to 4 PM). There is no minimum order amount set, but a delivery charge of Rs. 50 (inside valley) and Rs. 100 (outside valley) is applied.

You can place your order through EPharmacy’s website or app (Android).

Summary list of online shopping platforms delivering medicinal supplies during the COVID-19 lockdown

S.No.	Company	Minimum order value	Link
01	Jeevee	N/A	Website \| Android
02	EPharmacy	N/A	Website \| Android

Final words

With demand for essential goods soaring high like never before, a need for effective utilization is at hand. The online shopping platforms can only do so much during the time of this lockdown. Many wards (वडा) throughout different districts of the country have already started distributing rations which include rice, salt, onion, beaten rice, cereal, and potato. Such donations should only go to the ones most affected by the lockdown, people and families who depend on daily wage for their livelihood. I appeal to every one of our audience to not exploit the system and thus if you are financially capable of affording commodity purchases this time around, maybe consider imparting your half of the ration to someone needy instead.

Smartphone brands in Nepal extend their products’ warranty period amidst the lockdown

GadgetByte

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April 7, 2020

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Smartphone brands in Nepal extend their products’ warranty period amidst the lockdown

The spread of the COVID-19 has taken a toll on our daily life. As a precautionary measure, the whole nation has been under lockdown for weeks now which has just complicated the way we handle problems that were normal otherwise. Say, you have a broken phone whose warranty ends during this lockdown. It’s a frustrating situation to be in and that is why the major smartphone brands have now extended the period of warranty of smartphones whose initial period will end during this lockdown.

Samsung

Samsung is among the leading brands in Nepal, not just in the smartphone market but the whole of consumer electronics. I assume Samsung has been receiving a good number of calls from confused consumers who are worried about their warranty ending during the lockdown period. That is why Samsung has extended the warranty period of all consumer electronic and mobile products whose warranty expires/has expired in this lockdown period.

So, if you have a Samsung product whose warranty is due to expire between the period of March 24 and 20th April 2020, the new expiry date after the extension is 20 May 2020. It has also provided two toll-free numbers for users seeking any assistance.

NTC users: 166001-72667
Ncell users: 98015-72667

Check out the upcoming bean-shaped Galaxy Buds

Oppo

Considering the present situation of the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown, Oppo Nepal decided to extend the warranty period of its product till May 22, 2020. As part of this scheme, all the products whose warranty has expired or will expire between March 22 and May 21 will be eligible for warranty till May 22, 2020.

In case of any confusion, you can contact Oppo Nepal through [email protected].

Nokia

TeleTalk Pvt. Ltd, the authorized distributor of Nokia phones in Nepal, has announced to extend the warranty period by 45 days. If your Nokia device’s warranty date was due to expire between March 15 and April 15, the warranty will count for an additional 45 days. This scheme is available for both features phone and smartphones.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi is on a rise these days, especially in the budget and the mid-range market segment. But since the lockdown, all of their service centers have been closed. And the brand is trying to solve the problems of users by taking in complaints through Whatsapp and Viber. For this, you need to send a text to + 977-9843281581 in the format mentioned below.

You can claim your warranty using the same method which will be addressed after the lockdown ends.

Vivo

In another announcement, Vivo Nepal has extended the warranty period for smartphones until May 23. It is applicable for all the Vivo smartphones (bought from Nepal) with warranties ending on March 22. All of the Vivo’s service centers have been closed due to the ongoing nation-wide lockdown. So, if you need any assistance you can contact Vivo Nepal via the following contact details :

Phone: 01-4257420/4267231
Email: [email protected]

Realme

Realme is comparatively a new name in the Nepalese market but its popularity is on a rise. With recent releases such as that of Realme X2, it has gathered quite a number of users in Nepal. In this state of crisis, Realme Nepal has extended the duration of all the smartphones whose warranty expires during this lockdown. The warranties of all those affected devices will be valid for 30 additional days from the end of the lockdown.

So, were you worrying about your device’s warranty period? Did the news bring a feeling of relief to you? What else can the brands do for the convenience of the users? Let us know with your comments.

Don’t forget to check our PSA on preventing oneself from COVID-19.

Vivo Y50 launched with an “Ultra O” screen and a 5,000mAh battery

GadgetByte

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April 7, 2020

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Vivo Y50 launched with an “Ultra O” screen and a 5,000mAh battery

The one thing the COVID-19 has not been successful in slowing down is the rate at which the new smartphones pop up in the market. Every now and then we hear about new devices from different brands. Recently, Vivo unveiled Vivo Y50 which we expect the company to launch here in Nepal under the 40,000 price range in upcoming days.

Vivo Y50 Overview

Display and Design

Vivo Y50 has a 6.53-inch IPS LCD panel that comes with Full HD+ resolution. The device comes with a plastic body and plastic frames. It features a circular cut-out on the top left corner to house the front camera.

The device flaunts a shiny gradient panel at the back. There is also a rectangular camera bump that accommodates the quad-camera setup. A capacitive fingerprint sensor is mounted on the back.

Read: Vivo V19 with 6 cameras launched

Performance and Memory

Thought Vivo hasn’t confirmed anything, the device is said to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665. The graphics department is handled by Adreno 610 GPU. The processor is coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. If you find it insufficient, you can expand it using the dedicated microSD card slot.

Camera

Vivo Y50 flaunts a 13MP quad-camera setup on the back. The primary camera is accompanied by an 8MP super wide-angle lens with 120-degree FOV, a 2MP macro lens with a 4cm focal length and a 2MP portrait camera. Vivo hasn’t disclosed any information about the sensor on the front of the device.

Check out the all-new TCL 10 series

Battery and Others

The device gets its juice from a massive 5,000mAh battery which comes with as support for 18W fast-charging technology. Vivo Y50 ships with Vivo’s Funtouch OS 10 that is based on Android 10. There is a capacitive fingerprint sensor mounted on the back for biometrics.

Vivo Y50 Specifications:

Display: 6.53″ Ultra O display with Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels)
Rear Camera: Quad, 48 MP primary lens with f/1.8 aperture & PDAF + 8 MP Ultra-wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture + 2MP macro lens with f/2.4 aperture + 2MP depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture
Front Camera: 32MP with f/2 aperture + 8MP f/2.28 aperture
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (Not-confirmed)
GPU: Adreno 616 (Not-confirmed)
RAM: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB,expandable
Battery: 5000 mAh, 18W Fast Charging
Sensors: Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity,
Colors: Black, Black

Vivo Y50 Price in Nepal & Availability

As of now, the Vivo Y50 is available for pre-order in Cambodia for a price tag of $240. Vivo Combodia will start delivering the orders from April 11. In the present condition, we don’t think the device will have a Nepal launch anytime soon, however, after the lockdown ends we expect Vivo Nepal to launch the Vivo Y50 in Nepal with a price tag of around Rs NPR 39,000.

Model Name	Expected Price in Nepal	Availability
Vivo Y50	NPR 39,000	Mid-March

Is it a good price? We will have to wait till Vivo unveils the device with complete specs.

Check out our review of Vivo S1 Pro

TCL 10 5G, 10 Pro, and 10L go official: Can these be 2020’s breakout mid-rangers?

GadgetByte

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April 7, 2020

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TCL 10 5G, 10 Pro, and 10L go official: Can these be 2020’s breakout mid-rangers?

After announcing its “10” series of smartphones at CES 2020, TCL had promised a stellar set of midrange devices, with 5G capability, under $500. And now, it looks like the company has kept its promises after unveiling the spec sheet and the respective prices of the new TCL 10 5G, 10 Pro, and 10L. Well, not every entry under TCL’s 10 series has 5G connectivity but are impressive mid-range phones regardless.

TCL 10 Series

Though you may not have heard of TCL, the name itself isn’t anything new in the consumer electronics market. They have a wide portfolio of gadgets from TVs to soundbars. In fact, it has been one of the leading companies when it comes to display-panels and its Roku-powered 4K TVs have received worldwide recognition because of their inexpensive yet quality offering.

TCL didn’t have much going for it as far as the smartphones are concerned. It has worked for many smartphone brands including Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus and others. Most of it has been behind the curtains. The company has also released a good number of phones under brands such as Alcatel and Blackberry, but none of them were meant to overtake the existing smartphone leaders. At best, these phones were entry-level smartphones. Last year, TCL announced the first phone under its name – TCL Plex. And now, the new TCL 10 series look to present themselves as a competitive option in the mid-range smartphone market.

TCL 10 5G

The TCL 10 5G as the name implies, is the only 5G-capable device in this list, which is powered by the Snapdragon 765G. It is among the latest processor from Qualcomm to come with integrated 5G support. Though it has a lot of stuff in common with Snapdragon 765, it has been further enhanced and optimized with the gaming needs in mind. In terms of memory, it has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage with SD card support available too.

Getting to the cameras, the TCL 10 5G has a quad-camera setup with a 64MP primary lens, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 5MP macro sensor, and finally a 2MP depth sensor. I wish OEMs would dismiss macro and depth sensors for a telephoto lens instead, at this point but the trend is still going on. The 16MP front camera finds its place inside a punch-hole cutout at the top left corner of the display.

Talking about the display, it’s a 6.53-inches FHD+ LCD panel. That right there could be a little problematic as Xiaomi’s newly announced Mi 10 Lite 5G which has a very similar spec-sheet compared to the TCL 10 5G, has a much more desirable AMOLED panel instead. Battery wise, it’s got a sizeable 4500mAh cell with 18W Quick Charge 3.0 support.

TCL 10 5G Specifications:

Body: 6.44 x 3.01 x 0.36 inches; 210 gm
Display: 6.53-inches “NXTVISION” IPS LCD panel; 91% screen-to-body ratio
Resolution: FHD+ (2340 x 1080 pixels); 19.5:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G; 7nm Mobile Platform
CPU: Octa-core (1×2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1×2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
GPU: Adreno 620
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB UFS 2.1 (expandable up to 1TB via a microSD card)
Software & UI: Android 10 with TCL UI on top
Rear Camera: Quad-camera;
– 64MP, f/1.9 primary Samsung GW1 sensor
– 8MP, f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle lens
– 5MP, f/2.2 macro lens
– 2MP, f/2.4 depth sensor
– Dual-LED flash
Front Camera: 16MP, f/2.2 aperture
Security: Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted)
Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack, FM Radio, LDAC, aptX codec
Connectivity: Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), MicroSD card, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS/AGPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/QSS, USB Type-C
Battery: 4500 mAh battery with 18W Quick Charge 3.0 support (9V2A)
Colors: Chrome Blue, Mercury Gray

TCL 10 PRO

Next up is the TCL 10 Pro. Boasting a curved 6.47-inches AMOLED display and a few camera upgrades compared to the 10 5G, the company has given this one a “Pro” title. The display also supports the HDR10 standard for better colors and contrast. But looking at its performance, it’s hard to justify that decision. Powered by the dated Snapdragon 675, it is not comparable to the mighty 765G in any way. Still, it’s a good enough chipset for a mid-range smartphone, with a 6/128GB memory configuration.

Besides performance, the TCL 10 Pro also has a similar quad-camera arrangement with a 64MP primary lens, a 5MP macro lens, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 16MP ultra-wide-angle lens. Moreover, TCL has gone with a traditional ‘U’ shaped notch instead of a punch-hole cutout for its 24MP camera. But because it’s an AMOLED panel, there’s an in-display (optical) fingerprint sensor instead of a physical one.

What’s more confusing is that the TCL 10 Pro is costlier than the 10 5G. If it had shared the same chipset, then I could see it. But since that’s not the case, I feel like the TCL 10 5G is a better choice, especially for customers abroad, as they can make use of its 5G prowess too.

TCL 10 Pro Specifications:

Body: 6.24 x 2.85 x 0.36 inches; 177 gm
Display: 6.47-inches “NXTVISION” curved AMOLED panel; HDR10; Always-on Display; 93% screen-to-body ratio
Resolution: FHD+ (2340 x 1080 pixels); 19.5:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 675; 11nm Mobile Platform
CPU: Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)
GPU: Adreno 612
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB UFS 2.1 (expandable up to 256GB via a microSD card)
Software & UI: Android 10 with TCL UI on top
Rear Camera: Quad-camera;
– 64MP, f/1.8 primary Samsung GW1 sensor
– 16MP, f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle lens
– 5MP, f/2.2 macro lens
– 2MP, f/2.4 depth sensor
– Dual-LED flash
Front Camera: 24MP, f/2.0 aperture
Security: In-display fingerprint sensor (optical)
Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack, FM Radio, LDAC, aptX codec
Connectivity: Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), MicroSD card, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS/AGPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/QSS, USB Type-C
Battery: 4500 mAh battery with 18W Quick Charge 3.0 support (9V2A)
Colors: Forest Mint Green, Ember Gray

TCL 10L

Last but not the least, there’s the TCL 10L. It is the most affordable of the bunch with pretty admirable hardware of its own. The TCL 10L features a 6.53-inches LCD panel with a punch-hole cutout at the top left corner just like the TCL 10 5G. Similarly, there’s a quad-camera setup here as well, with a 48MP primary lens, accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens.

In terms of performance, the TCL 10L is powered by the Snapdragon 665 and is coupled with 6GB of RAM and either 64 or 128GB of internal storage. It’s got a slightly smaller battery as well, standing at 4000mAh that doesn’t support fast charging either.

TCL 10L Specifications:

Body: 6.24 x 2.85 x 0.36 inches; 177 gm
Display: 6.53-inches “NXTVISION” IPS LCD panel; 91% screen-to-body ratio
Resolution: FHD+ (2340 x 1080 pixels); 19.5:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665; 11nm Mobile Platform
CPU: Octa-core (4×2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
GPU: Adreno 610
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 64 / 128GB UFS 2.1 (expandable via a microSD card)
Software & UI: Android 10 with TCL UI on top
Rear Camera: Quad-camera;
– 48MP, f/1.8 primary Samsung GM1 sensor
– 8MP, f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle lens
– 2MP, f/2.4 macro lens
– 2MP, f/2.4 depth sensor
– Dual-LED flash
Front Camera: 16MP, f/2.2 aperture
Security: Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted)
Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack, FM Radio, LDAC, aptX codec
Connectivity: Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), MicroSD card, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS/AGPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/QSS, USB Type-C
Battery: 4000 mAh battery
Colors: Arctic White, Mariana Blue

TCL 10 Series Price and Launch Date

Finally, let’s talk about their prices & availability. The TCL 10 5G is priced at €399 (~$435 or NRs. 53,000) and will be available later this year, though the specific date hasn’t been confirmed yet. TCL 10 Pro will cost you €449/$449 (~NRs. 59,640). And yes, that’s €449 in the European and $449 in the US market. TCL 10L will go on sale in Q2 2020 at €249/$249 (~NRs. 33,080).

TCL 10 Series – Model Name	Price	Availability
TCL 10 5G	€399 (~NRs. 53,000)	Later this year
TCL 10 Pro	€449 (~NRs. 59,640)	Later this year
TCL 10L	€249 (~NRs. 33,080)	Q2, 2020

And for our Nepalese audience, if you wish to get your hands on one of these phones, bad news because they certainly won’t be launching here. However, the TCL 10 series of smartphones may enter the country through unofficial channels at varying prices.

Xiaomi AIoT Router AC2350 and AX3600 announced

GadgetByte

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April 7, 2020

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Xiaomi AIoT Router AC2350 and AX3600 announced

The global launch event of the Xiaomi Mi 10 series brought a lot of surprises for the global fans. First was the affordable 5G phone in the form of Mi 10 Lite and the other was the announcement of Mi TV 4S 65-inch. During the same event, Xiaomi launched Mi AIoT Router AC2350 and AX3600. Let’s look at what these new routers have to offer.

Xiaomi Mi AIoT Router AC2350

Xiaomi Mi AIoT Router AC2350 is the cheaper of the two. It comes with a Qualcomm processor inside which the company claims will help for better stability in the network. There are seven external amplifiers and an equal number of independent antennas. These antennas help deliver the WiFi speed of up to 2183Mbps. AC2350 also comes with dedicated AIoT antennas that implement Artificial Intelligence techniques for efficient and effortless connection of IoT devices. The router can automatically discover new devices. It uses the more expensive Multi-User MIMO technology for better stability in-network when a lot of devices are connected.

Also, check out the specs of Redmi Note 9 Pro

Xiaomi Mi AIoT AX3600

Xiaomi Mi AIoT Ax3600 comes with support for WiFi 6 and therefore is priced higher. It comes with Qualcomm’s 6-core chipset. It is coupled with 512MB of RAM and 256MB of storage. Up to 248 devices can be connected to the router at a time. The router comes with support for automatic IoT device detection and one-click configuration. It comes with a dedicated AIoT antenna and a 583M dual-band Wi-Fi chip.

Also, check out the specs of Redmi Note 9 Pro Max

Xiaomi Mi AIoT Routers Price & Availability

Xiaomi Mi AIoT AC2350 comes with a price tag of 49.99Euros (~NPR 8,000) while the price of Mi AIoT Router AX3600 is 119.99Euros (~NPR 18,000). As of now, the device is only available only in select markets in Europe. We are yet to hear from the company if these AIoT routers will ever make their way into the South Asian markets like India, and Nepal.

Model name	Price	Availability
Xiaomi Mi AIoT AC2350	49.99 Euros (~NPR 8,000)	Select European Markets
Xiaomi Mi AIoT AX3600	119.99 Euros (~NPR 18,000)	Select European Markets

So, what do you guys think of the Xiaomi Mi AIoT AC2350 and AX3600 router? Do you think it should be available in wider markets? Comment down below.

A large-screen Dell XPS 17 could be coming in 2020

GadgetByte

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April 7, 2020

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A large-screen Dell XPS 17 could be coming in 2020

Dell XPS series is one of the most sought after laptop series in the world. The reason being the success of XPS 13 and XPS 15 lineup of ultraportable laptops that are popular among the professionals. However, a recent listing of a benchmark tool suggests that Dell might bring an XPS 17 device dubbed Dell XPS 17 9700 alongside further updates in the XPS 15 and XPS 13 lineup.

Dell XPS 17 9700 Rumors Round-up

Many have forgotten but Dell also had laptops with 14-inch and 17-inch form-factor under the XPS lineup. However, the two weren’t that popular with the audience and they were later discontinued. In 2019, however, a leaked roadmap of Dell’s upcoming launches in 2020 revealed two new devices – a Dell 17 7700 laptop and the Dell XPS Dual Screen Maximus. But sadly, we don’t have any official information about the authenticity of the roadmap.

Also, check out the price of Dell XPS 13 7390 (late 2019 model) in Nepal

And now the recent listing of Dell XPS 17 9700 has got all excited. According to the listing, the device will come with a display of 3840 x 2400 pixels and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The listing also hints at Intel’s Core i7-10750H processor with 32GB of dual-channel DDR4-2933 RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. The list doesn’t reveal any dedicated graphics card.

Also, check out the latest price of Dell XPS 15 7590 in Nepal

If Dell is really working on Dell XPS 17 laptop we can expect the device to come in different variants. At 17-inch, it won’t be most portable of the XPS series and Dell will likely develop it as a workstation.

So, what do you think of the news? Will you buy a 17-inch Dell XPS laptop? Let us know with your comments below.

Check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy A71!

Leaked renders of Galaxy Buds Bean appear: A kidney bean for an earphone?

GadgetByte

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April 6, 2020

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Leaked renders of Galaxy Buds Bean appear: A kidney bean for an earphone?

Rumors are swirling around the internet about a successor to Samsung’s hugely successful Galaxy Buds+. This recently launched iterative upgrade from the Galaxy Buds of 2019 was certainly a great successor. Longer battery life, Spotify integration, and more. It had all the things that one could ask from a truly wireless earphone. However, most people were not impressed with its design. This feeling was mostly because the design was the exact same as that of the original Galaxy Buds. Well, I guess Samsung heard its customers plea and thus has decided to bring out the Galaxy Buds “Bean”. Yup, the successor to the Galaxy Buds+ is reportedly in the making.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Bean Rumors

The design of the new Galaxy Buds Bean is radical, to say the least. As the name suggests, the earphones are shaped like a bean. According to the famed tipster Roland Quandt, each earphone is 2.8cm tall. This compact size means that the earphones will fit in much smaller ears too.

Leaked images of the device show that there are no silicone attachments in these earbuds. Thus, it seems that the Galaxy Buds Bean won’t have any sort of noise cancellation. The lower portion of the earbuds is where the loudspeakers are located and it most probably has three built-in microphones.

For me, I don’t think to change the size of the Galaxy Buds+ was an absolute necessity. They fit in just fine right now and there was not much to complain either. But hey, if it helps more in the ergonomics side of the things and battery-life, then who am I to complain.

Talking about the batteries, how this change in size will affect the battery of this new Galaxy Buds Bean is yet to be known. The Galaxy Buds Bean, by the look of it, should release alongside the Note 20 line up. So, there’s still a lot of time left before they launch. Thus, I am hopeful that we’ll get to hear more about this device in the upcoming days.

Check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy A71!