We finally have the “official” confirmation about the Honor MagicBook Pro 2020 laptop. We already had a sneak-peek of the device as it appeared on the listing of a retailer last week. The listing has revealed some specifications and today’s official launch of the MagicBook Pro 2020 at the Smart Life Product launch has confirmed them. In many ways, this year’s iteration of the laptop is similar to its predecessor. However, there are some major changes under the hood. So, let’s get into what the Honor MagicBook Pro 2020 brings to the table.
Honor MagicBook Pro 2020 Overview
The Honor MagicBook Pro 2020 sports a similar 16.1-inch IPS LCD screen. Bezels on this device are super-thin, 4.9 mm to be specific. The thin bezels have resulted in the laptop achieving a screen-to-body ratio of 90%. Anyways, sticking to the display, it a 1080p panel and it covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut. Therefore, they should produce a vivid and immersive display. Moreover, it is a TUV Rheinland-certified. That means there will be no strobing and it emits a very low level of blue light.
Its chassis is built out of aluminum alloy. Thus, the device should feel robust. Moreover, it only weighs around 1.7Kg and measures just 16.9 mm in thickness. With its thin bezels and sleek design, the device is a lot compact than the most 15.6-inch laptops in the market.
Two speaker grills surround the keyboard and on the right one, you’ll find a fingerprint reader too. Furthermore, it has approached the placement of the webcam in a unique fashion. Well, you might have seen it on the higher-end Huawei laptops, but still, it is unique. It is a pop-up camera that is placed between the function keys on the keyboard itself.
Moving on, CPU configuration-wise, there are two options with the Honor MagicBook Pro 2020. The base variant comes with the 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U and the higher-end comes with the Core i7-10510U processor. These are 10th gen CPU based on 14nm Comet Lake architecture. Honor could have used the more energy efficient and newer 10nm IceLake CPUs instead. However, with both of them, you get 16GB DDR4 RAM,512GB SSD, and the Nvidia MX350 dedicated GPU. There are custom dual fans to take care of the thermals.
Furthermore, there are a few software-related changes on this year’s device. For instance, there is this multi-screen collaboration mode which helps to mirror and control supported smartphones. And there’s a convenient way to share files between the smartphones and the notebook (similar to Apple’s AirDrop). Moreover, a performance enhancement mode helps to increase the devices’ CPU and rendering performance by 8% and 15% respectively. As for the battery, it has a 56WHr battery that should last up to 14 hours given the low powered CPU.
Specifications:
Display: 16.1″ diagonal FHD (1920 x 1080)
CPU: Intel Core i5-10210U, Intel Core i7-10510U
GPU: Nvidia MX350
RAM: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 512GB SSD
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 822.11ac (2.4GHz and 5GHz), 2×2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0
Ports: 1 x USB Type-C, 3 x USB 3.0 (Type-A), 1 x HDMI
Battery: 56WHr
Weight: 1.7Kg
Honor MagicBook Pro 2020 Price & Availability in Nepal
The Honor MagicBook Pro 2020 will be available in China from May 19. The price of its base variant with the Core i5 processor is CNY 6,000 ($843). Similarly, the Core i7 model is priced at CNY 6,700 ($942). However, for a limited period, the devices will be available for CNY 5,499 and CNY 6,299 (for Core i5 and Core i7 respectively).
The smartphone market has become competitive like never before, be it in the budget, mid-range, upper mid-range, or flagship segment. With various brands bringing out competitive phones in the market, customers have a lot of options to choose from. In this article, we are going to list out the best phones that you can get for under INR 15000 in India. These are some Android phones that provide the price to performance in the given price segment.
7. Vivo U20:
Alright, the Vivo U20 has made it to our list at the very last spot. Although the Vivo U20 is some six months old, it still offers some good things to the table. For instance, you get 4GB RAM and 128GB storage for INR.12000. Plus the Snapdragon 675 is still a very good mid-range chipset, especially at this price, so the phone will not break down even with heavy gaming or other extensive tasks.
Now, another thing we like about the Vivo U20 is the cameras. It has a triple camera setup at the back and they perform quite well, as expected from a Vivo phone. Design-wise, it looks good and minimalistic, although it’s made up of plastic. The front of this phone is a Full HD IPS LCD panel with FullHD+ resolution which is okay for the price.
Something very impressive is the battery capacity which is a huge 5,000 mAh unit that gives good endurance for your daily activities. Plus the phone comes bearing 18-watt Fast charging support which is a good thing to have for the price. However, the micro USB port is a bummer here and I hope the next iteration of this device will upgrade to Type-C port instead. Overall, the Vivo U20 is a good offering for the price!
Vivo U20 Specifications:
Display: 6.53″ IPS LCD display with Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels)
Alright, the Redmi Note 7 Pro has made it to our list because it’s one of the cheapest offerings at this price. Yes, it is more than a year-old phone, but it still offers some good features to the table. For instance, you get 6GB RAM and 128GB storage for just Rs. 13000 Indian Rupees.
The Snapdragon 675 is still a very good mid-range chipset, especially at this price, so the phone will not break down even with heavy gaming or other extensive tasks. So, performance-wise, there is very little to complain about.
Likewise, another thing to like about the Note 7 Pro is the cameras. Although it doesn’t have a quad-camera setup like other phones on this list, the primary camera is quite good. It is in fact better than its successor Redmi Note 8 Pro. Talking of other aspects of the phone like design, it looks good and minimalistic. The front of this phone is an IPS LCD panel which is what most of the other brands are giving for a similar price.
The battery capacity is also a decent 4,000 mAh unit that gives good endurance for your daily activities. Plus, the phone comes bearing 18-watt Fast charging support. Although you have to buy a separate fast charger as Xiaomi hasn’t included one inside the box. Overall, despite being a year-old phone, and Xiaomi dropping its price, the Redmi Note 7 Pro is still a very good option.
Redmi Note 7 Pro Specifications:
Display: 6.3″ LTPS display with Gorilla Glass 5 protection
Resolution: Full-HD+ (2340 × 1080 pixels), 19.5:9 aspect ratio
The Nokia 7.2, initially, was launched for an exorbitant price, but it has undergone a series of price drops and hence makes much more sense now. Design-wise, this is the best-looking phone on this list. With its circular camera module & a matte finish back, the Nokia 7.2 looks very attractive and premium. Furthermore, the build is sturdy too.
However, it is powered by a 2-year-old Snapdragon 660 chipset which is its weak point. Hence, you can get much better-performing phones for this price. So, if you are someone who’s a priority is performance especially gaming, you should be looking somewhere else. That being said, one unique feature that the Nokia 7.2 offers is the Stock Android experience. Plus, you also don’t have to worry about updates on your phone because it guarantees at least 3 years of security updates.
Also, one today’s date, there are very few companies that offer Stock Android on their phones, so if you are a person who likes clean UI, the Nokia 7.2 will serve you well enough.
On the photography side of things, this one has a good enough triple camera setup on the back. It is nothing out of the ordinary but it’s not downright miserable too. So, overall, this phone gives us everything in moderation which is the reason it has got the fifth spot on our list.
Nokia 7.2 Specifications:
Body: 6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 inches; 180 gm
Display: 6.3-inches IPS LCD “PureDisplay” panel
Resolution: Full-HD+ (2280 x 1080 pixels); 19:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660; 14nm Mobile Platform
Connectivity: Dual-SIM (Nano), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, AGPS/GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/BDS, USB Type-C
Battery: 3500 mAh battery with 10W Charging
Colors: Cyan Green, Charcoal, Ice
4. Samsung Galaxy M21:
The M- series, as we are aware, is Samsung’s answer to the fierce competition laid out by Xiaomi and Realme. However, Samsung has made sure to differentiate its offering by giving something none of the other brands do at this price. Yes, the Super AMOLED display! So, if you are someone to whom display quality matters a lot, the M21 is just a perfect device.
Plus, you get a humongous 6,000 mAh battery in the M21 that takes on your use for 2 days even on medium usage. So, with a combination of a good-looking display and enduring battery, this one is a perfect multimedia device for the price.
Cameras on the M21 perform well too as expected from a Samsung device. However, M21’s pictures look more vibrant and punchier which makes it look pleasing to the eyes when compared to Realme 6. In the selfie aspect too, I found the M21 doing a better job than the other two.
Another thing to cherish on the M21 is the OneUI 2.0 based on Android 10 which is my favorite skin on Android. However, the caveat here is the Samsung’s in-house Exynos 9611 chipset that’s powering the device. It does not perform as well as the others in this list do, so if you are a performance-centric person, the others in this list will serve you well.
Similarly, the M21 might not impress you visually with the plastic glossy back of the phone looks rather outdated. So, the M21, as I said before, is a good fit for a multimedia fanatic who can do with average performance and looks.
Samsung Galaxy M21 Specifications:
Body: 6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 inches; 188 gm
Display: 6.4-inches Super AMOLED panel
Resolution: FHD+ (2340 x 1080 pixels); 19.5:9 aspect ratio
Connectivity: Dual-SIM (Nano), WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS/AGPS/GLONASS/BDS, USB Type-C
Battery: 6000 mAh with 15W fast charging
Colors: Midnight Blue, Raven Black
3. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro:
Although the Redmi Note 8 Pro is a smartphone from late 2019, it absolutely crushes most of the other phones in and out of this list and hence proving that you always don’t need the latest phone.
The show-stealer aspect of the phone has to be the MediaTek Helio G90T chipset along with its base 6GB RAM. In fact, if raw performance is taken into consideration, it’s fair to say that it’s even better than the newer phones like Note 9 Pro or the Realme 6. You can go up to ultra-frame rates and smooth graphics in Pubg and still have almost stutter-free experience which is impressive for a phone of this price.
Likewise, the Android 10 update based on MIUI 11 is already available for the Note 8 pro and with that, the company has added HD video playback support for Netflix which all tells us how the Note 8 pro still rocks in 2020.
Camera-wise too, you get a fair deal with the Note 8 pro. As evident from these samples, the cameras on the Note 8 Pro do a considerably good job, especially when it comes to details and HDR. Only the selfies, in my opinion, are pretty average, otherwise, the quad rear cameras are decent for the price.
Battery- wise, you are getting a good-sized 4,500 mAh cell that will get you through a day’s use. The design of it looks modern even today, especially the white variant.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro Specifications:
Display: 6.53-inch IPS LCD screen with Gorilla Glass 5 Protection
Resolution: Full-HD+ resolution (2340×1080 pixels), 19.5:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: MediaTek Helio G90T; 12nm platform
CPU: Octa-core (2 x 2.27GHz Cortex A76 + 6 x 1.7GHz Cortex A55)
GPU: Mali G76 MC4
RAM: 6GB/8GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB; Expandable up to 256GB via SD card slot
Color Options: Halo White, Gamma Green, Shadow Black, Dark Blue
2. Realme 6:
The phone that sits in the second position is the Realme 6. Actually, it was very difficult to decide it should be in the number one position or not. Anyways, what Realme 6 offers here is the Helio G90T chipset and a fluid 90Hz refresh rate display. With this combo, the Realme 6 is without a doubt, the best gaming phone at this price range. On our gaming test, we faced no problem whatsoever.
And, with the recent update, the 4GB variant can even play PuBG in the ultra-frame rates at smooth settings. So, that’s really nice to see as well.
About the cameras, the primary 64MP and secondary 8 MP ultra-wide lenses are good enough too. The other two, macro and depth lenses, are just there for the marketing gimmicks like most brands do. However, I am quite satisfied with the first two lenses’ performance.
And something to applaud here is that the phone comes with 30-watt fast charging and you get the charger inside of the box itself. It takes just an hour for its 4,300 mAh battery to get fully charged and it provides an entire day of endurance, so things are good on that part too.
Now, about the looks of the phone, it looks and feels good on the hands but it is not glass like what Xiaomi offers, so it might feel a little bit cheap for some. The front of the phone has a small punch hole cut out for the selfie camera and it looks modern. And like mentioned earlier, it has a faster 90Hz panel which none of the brands are offering at this price.
Realme 6 Specifications:
Display: 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen with Gorilla Glass 3 Protection
Battery: 4300 mAh, USB Type-C port, 30W Fast charging
Color Options: Comet Blue, Comet White
1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro:
Topping the list is the Redmi Note 9 Pro that is available for a starting price of Rs. 15,000 in India. As compared to the Realme 6, with the Note 9 Pro, you are getting a better-looking glass design on the back and a minimalistic center lying punch-hole display.
Now, display-wise, you don’t have a higher refresh rate one or an AMOLED one for that matter. But, the IPS LCD screen that we get here has good quality nonetheless.
Similarly, you get a Snapdragon 720G chipset in here and although the Helio G90T is better in terms of benchmarks and gaming, the Snapdragon 720G offers better thermals and is more energy-efficient.
Talking of cameras, you get an infamous quad-camera here too but this time, the 2MP macro lens has gotten an upgrade to 5MP which means you get slightly better quality. Its primary 48MP camera and 8MP ultra-wide lens are also decent, with rich colors and ample details as evident by these samples.
The 5000mAh battery endurance is also great and will easily last you for 2 days. There is 18-Watt fast charging support too and yes you do get the charger inside of the box. Plus, you get some features that are lacking in many modern-day smartphones, like an IR blaster and a notification LED.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Specifications:
Display: 6.67-inch IPS LCD screen with Gorilla Glass 5 Protection
Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO has been launching some killer gaming phones. And now they have announced the iQOO Z1 which features the latest MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ Chipset with integrated 5G support. Let’s learn more about the IQOO Z1 along with its price and expected availability in Nepal here.
Vivo iQOO Z1 Overview
The Vivo iQOO Z1 has almost identical specifications as the IQOO Neo 3. Instead of the Snapdragon 865, this one has the Mediatek’s flagship chipset — Dimensity 1000+. It is based on 7nm architecture and has an integrated Helio M70 5G modem. Although the Dimensity 1000+ lacks a faster mm-Wave, it does offer the widely popular sub-6GHz 5G spectrum.
In terms of performance, Dimensity 1000+ has an octa-core CPU with a big.LITTLE architecture. Here, you get four high-performance ARM Cortex-A77 clocked at 2.6GHz and four low-power Cortex-A55 cores at 2GHz. In the GPU front, it should have the same Mali-G77 MP9. Although the Dimensity 1000+ is not as powerful as the Snapdragon 865, it is much cheaper among the two and in turn making the price of the phone lower.
On the front, the iQOO Z1 houses a 6.57-inch IPS LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The display houses a circular notch on the right top where sits a 16MP selfie snapper. On the back, there’s a triple rear camera of 48MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, and a 2MP macro lens.
The design of the phone is pretty standard with plastic frames and a glossy gradient back. There is a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, just like the Poco X2 and Realme 6 Pro. Battery wise, it has a decent 4500mAh battery with 44W fast charging support. IQOO says it can charge the phone from 0 to 50% in just 20 minutes and 100% in about an hour. Finally, the iQOO Z1 boots on Android 10 with iQOO UI 1.0.
What are the gaming features of the iQOO Z1?
The iQOO Z1 sports a new multi-turbo acceleration engine that improves the thermal performance of the mobile phone. It also has a super liquid cooling technology for better heat dissipation and keeps the phone cool even after prolonged gaming session.
To further enhance the gaming experience while playing online games, the iQOO Z1 features a Maxwell 5G antenna design for better reception.
iQOO Z1 Specifications:
Display: 6.57-inch LCD, Punch-hole, 144Hz response rate, HDR 10 support
Resolution: FHD+ (2408 x 1080 pixels)
Dimensions: 163.71H x 8.93D x 75.55W mm, 198.1 gram
Back Camera:
– 48MP primary camera with f/1.79 aperture
– 8MP wide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture,
– 2MP depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture
Front Camera: 16MP camera
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Audio: Dual Smart PA, Hi-Fi Audio, Dual Front Speakers
Connectivity: 5G, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm headphone jack
Color Options: Galaxy Silver, Space blue
Battery: 4500mAh with 44W FlashCharge
Vivo iQOO Z1 Price & Availability:
iQOO Z1 price for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage starts at CNY2,198 ($310). Similarly, the 8/128GB costs CNY2,498 ($350). and the higher end 8/256GB variant costs CNY2,798 ($395). This means we can expect iQOO Z1 to launch in Nepal for around the price of Rs. 40,000 for the base 6/128GB variant.
With the advancement of smartphone technology, the tablet industry has taken a hit; especially Android tablets. They aren’t as popular as they used to be but still, we can see some of them appear on the market from time to time. Many of them go unnoticed but not the new Tablet V6 by Honor. The Honor Tablet V6 is making headlines as it is the first tablet to support both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G. Let’s see what else the new Honor Tablet V6 brings to the table.
Honor Tablet V6 Overview
Design and Display
Honor Tablet V6 comes with a 10.4-inch display with a 2K resolution of 2000 x 1200 px. The bezels around the screen are quite visible and the screen to body ratio on V6 is at 84%. It ships with a stylus that has 4096 different pressure sensitivity levels. Touch the display with the stylus and the tablet will automatically enter into the memo mode. The display supports split-screen and screen sharing as well.
On the back, it features a rectangular camera module to house the single-camera setup. The tablet is available in three different color options – Wizard of OZ, Titanium Sky Silver, and Magic Night Black. The rear panel has an Honor logo on the center, which has a shiny finish to make it look like the light is constantly falling on it.
The tablet is powered by Hilisilicon Kirin 985. It is the third Kirin 5G chipset that fits between Kirin 820 and Kirin 990. Kirin 985 is based on TSMC’s 7nm manufacturing process and features one ARM Cortex-A76 clocked at 2.58 GHz, three ARM Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, and four ARM Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.84 GHz. It is paired with Mali-G77 GPU. The Tablet V6 comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
The tablet comes with an integrated 5G modem and support for Wi-Fi 6. It is the first tablet to support both connectivity options. Honor Tablet V6 boasts a bandwidth of up to 1600 MHz and the maximum connection rate of up to 2.4 Gbps.
Honor Tablet V6 comes with a total of two cameras – one on the front and one on the back. The 8MP camera on the front has an aperture of f/2.0. The front camera is capable of tracking people. Other than taking selfies, it could be handy for video calling, which has been on a rise since the lockdown. On the back, there is a 13MP camera with an aperture of f/1.8. It is enclosed inside a rectangular camera module, along with an LED flash.
Battery and Others
The Honor Tablet V6 comes with a massive battery of 7,250 mAh capacity. For faster charging, it supports up to 22.5W charging via a USB Type-C port. It runs on Android 10 with Magic UI on top. In terms of audio, the device features a quad-speaker setup with support for Histen 6.1 3D sound. The tablet will be without Google Play services and users will have to rely on Huawei Mobile Services instead. You can even connect a keyboard using Bluetooth.
Honor Tablet V6 5G Specifications:
Display: 10.4-inch display; 100% sRGB; 84% screen to body ratio
Resolution: 2K (2000 x 1200 pixels)
Rear Camera: 13MP Primary with f/1.8 aperture
Front Camera: 8MP with f/2.0 aperture
Processor: Hilisilicon Kirin 985; 7nm node
CPU: Octa-core (1 x 2.58 GHz ARM Cortex-A76 + 3 x 2.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A76 cores + 4 x 1.84 GHz ARM Cortex-A55 cores)
5G smartphones are the trend these days. At this point, almost every major brand has launched at least a few 5G-capable phones. However, looking at the price tag that comes attached to these phones, they aren’t cheap devices to get your hands on. But that is gradually changing as chipset manufacturers are now turning their attention to low-cost 5G chipsets. MediaTek, being a value-oriented SoC maker, has now launched the Dimensity 820 with 5G connectivity. It targets the upper mid-range SoC market and is a direct competitor to Qualcomm’s smash-hit, the Snapdragon 765G.
MediaTek Dimensity 820 Overview
MediaTek launched the Dimensity series of mobile chipset back in November 2019. Unlike its existing chipsets, these chipsets come with integrated modems for 5G connectivity. The newly announced Dimensity 820 is the fifth one under the series, and it fits in between the Dimensity 800 and Dimensity 1000L.
Dimensity 820 is an octa-core processor based on the 7nm FinFET manufacturing process. It comes with four Cortex-A77 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. The setup looks similar to that of Dimensity 800 except for the higher clocked Cortex-A77 cores. In terms of GPU, MediaTek has added an additional core to the 800’s ARM Mali G57. Additionally, it also supports HyperEngine 2.0, which is a collection of software tweaks for better performance, especially in the graphics. For AI, it has MediaTek APU 3.0.
Xiaomi devices with the codename “M2004J7AC” managed to score 644 and 2156 points in single-core and multi-core respectively, while the “M2004J7BC” managed to score 646 and 2634, respectively. And both these devices have the Dimensity 820 inside. It means that the new chipset is more closer to Kirin 980, Snapdragon 855 than the Snapdragon 765G.
It features an integrated 5G modem with support for both SA and NSA sub-6GHz networks. The modem aligns with 3GPP Release-15 requirements. The chipset also offers dual 5G SIM support. With the 2CC Carrier Aggregation, MediaTek claims better network speed and hassle-free switching between two 5G connection areas.
Display and Camera
MediaTek has also addressed another rising trend among mid-range and flagship smartphones – a higher refresh rate. The new Dimensity 820 supports up to 120Hz screens. MediaTek has also included MiraVision Video which OEMs can implement in their product for better viewing optimizations. With this, smartphones can adjust different parameters of the display based on what it is showing, upscale SDR contents up to HDR, support HDR10+ visuals, all while still being battery efficient.
Phones powered by Dimensty 820 can have up to four cameras, with support for up to 80MP single sensor. For portraits, it supports up to 32MP + 16MP cameras at 30fps. It can even capture and defuse frames at different exposure for multi-frame 4K HDR video.
MediaTek Dimensity 820 Launch
The first phone to equip the new MediaTek Dimensity 820 will be the Redmi 10X, which boasts an outstanding AnTuTu score of 415,277. Xiaomi’s M2004J7AC and M2004J7BC can also be launched as Redmi Note 10 and Note 10 Pro with Dimensity 820 later in the year.
Check out our comparison between Dimensity 1000 and Snapdragon 765G!
Apps are the soul of any smartphone. They are the ones that make a smartphone “smart.” Feature phones failed because the things we could do with them were limited. We are all surrounded by apps, but what makes an app great? While designing and developing an app, it should be clear who the target audience is. That way, the users will feel more at home, making them productive and engaged. Today, we are listing the best Nepali apps that, we think, are a must-have for all Nepalese.
Best Nepali Apps [2020 Summary]
Essential Apps
1. Hamro Patro
2. Hamro Nepali Keyboard
3. Nepali Patro
Educational Apps
1. Loksewa Nepal
2. Nepal License All in One
3. Likhit: Nepal Driving License Preparation
4. Edupatra
Food Apps
1. Foodmandu
2. Bhojdeals
3. Foodmario
4. FYMO
5. Toastman
Medical Apps
1. Nepills
2. DIMS Nepal
3. Jeevee
4. Hamro Doctor
Mobile Wallet / Payment Gateway
1. Esewa
2. Khalti
3. IME Pay
4. Prabhu Pay
5. Connect IPS
6. Cellpay
7. Q-Pay
Ecommerce
1. Daraz
2. Kirana
3. Hamrobazar
Tax /Law-related
1. Mero Adhikar
2. LexpertEase
3. Hamro Police
Telecom apps
1. NTC
2. Ncell
3. Smart
ISP app
1. Worldlink
2. Vianet
Best Essential Nepali Apps
1. Hamro Patro
Hamro Patro is an easy way of keeping track of dates in Bikram Sambat. The app also notifies users of upcoming festivals, events, and holidays. You can even add notes and reminders. It has made date conversion between Bikram Sambat (BS) and Iswi Sambat (AD) a lot simpler. And the features don’t end here. Today, Hamro Patro is more than just a “Patro.” This app can update you with the latest relevant news.
The app has sections for blogs, podcasts, games, and even videos. Hamro Community lets users with similar interest form networks. The best part? The app doesn’t look cramped. Everything is in the right place (even the ads).
Key Features:
Nepali Patro
Nepali FM and Radio
News, Podcasts, Blogs, Personal notes
Foreign Exchange Rate
Gold and Silver Rate
Horoscope
Support for seven different languages
App Widgets, and more
2. Hamro Nepali Keyboard
Back in the day, Android keyboards didn’t have support for the Nepalese language. And it is where Hamro Nepali Keyboard excelled. It was among the first keyboard that was designed entirely for Nepali typing. Using the app, you can type in both English and Nepali. If you find it difficult to type in Nepali using the Nepali keyboard layout, the app also allows transliteration. You can use your Romanized Nepali skill, and the app will convert it to Nepali text. As you type, the keyboard gives suggestions based on what character you have typed. It even makes Nepali typing faster.
Key Features:
English and Nepali typing
Unicode Transliteration
Different keyboard layouts
Words suggestion
Customizable theme
Support for emoji and stickers
3. Nepali Patro
Nepali Patro is the second Nepali calendar app on this list. Like Hamro Patro, Nepali Patro is also slowly releasing other features like news, movies, etc. The homepage displays the current month with a list of upcoming festivals and events. Each event has a count of remaining days right beside it.
It even has a list of all the government holidays along with different sections for news, blog, movies, forex, etc. Hamro Patro or Nepali Patro? It all boils down to personal preference. The two apps differ in their layouts and the features that they pack. The one thing that bothers me about this app is the placement of ads.
Key Features:
Nepali Patro
Personal reminders
Suva Saits, Horoscope
Foreign Exchange, Date Conversion
Personal Reminders
Blogs
Best Educational Apps
1. Likhit: Nepal Driving License Preparation
Likhit is an app that is for people preparing for the license examination. The UI of the app is simple yet effective. Here, you can test your knowledge by taking the sample examination, which is time-bound. I didn’t stumble upon repeated questions (within a test) during the time I used the app. Questions are divided into different categories. This app isn’t ad-free. You will have to watch a 5-second watch every time you complete a sample examination.
Edupatra is a Nepali news portal system dedicated to education. It is powered by Edusanjal, which happens to be one of the biggest education portals in Nepal. Other than news, it also publishes notices, interviews, cartoons, and blogs – all centered around the education system.
Key Features:
Latest news and notices related to education
Featured stories and cartoons
Interviews and blogs
3. Programiz
Programiz is an app library that includes a variety of apps for various programming languages. You can choose any of them as per your preference. Every app in this library has a nearly identical and user-friendly interface. It walks you through each step of the programming process. With these apps, you can learn programming even if you are a beginner.
Key Features:
Dedicated app for every in-demand programming language.
Detailed step-by-step tutorial for each programming language.
Hundreds of challenges to test your programming skills.
4. mySecondTeacher Nepal
mySecondTeacher is a one-stop solution for students up to grade 12. This app includes every subject from the CDC curriculum, as well as text-based and video-based tutoring. There is also a collection of test papers available for students who want to put their knowledge to the test. However, in order to access the majority of the features, you must purchase a subscription.
Key Features:
Collection of various subject materials for up to grade 12.
Text as well as Video-based Tutoring.
A bunch of test papers is available for self-assessment.
5. MiDas eCLASS
This app is similar to mySecondTeacher Nepal, but with some improvements. Classes are available from Nursery to Masters level. The best part about this app is that it includes animated videos for each chapter. There are also options for live and recorded classes, tests, and so on.
Key Features:
Skills-oriented courses along with academic courses are available.
Animated videos for each chapter.
Students are awarded gifts based on their performance.
Best Food Apps
1. Foodmandu
If you want to enjoy meals from your favorite restaurant inside the comfort of your home, Foodmandu is the way to go. It is a food ordering and delivery service with over 170 restaurants. It delivers foods inside Ringroad, and the nearby areas from 11:00 am to 8:30 pm. Foodmandu doesn’t add cost to the table menu price of the partner restaurants. But you do have to pay a delivery charge. Moreover, it has a cash-on-delivery option too.
Key Features:
Over 170 partner restaurants
Service hours from 11:00 am to 8:30 pm
Cash on Delivery
Coverage inside Ringroad
Minimum Order Requirements
2. Bhojdeals
Bhojdeals is similar to Foodmandu in a way that it lets user order from the selection of restaurants and delivers it to their home. As of now, it can deliver foods to Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. The neat thing about this app is that the restaurant listing comes with user ratings, and there are no minimum order requirements. You can pay cash on delivery or use online payment methods such as Esewa. Bhoj also has its own wallet, which gives you credit for every payment made.
Key Features:
Restaurants listing with user ratings
Pay using Cash on Delivery, Esewa or Bhoj wallet
Coverage inside Ringroad
No Minimum Order Requirements
Dine-in service
3. Foodmario
Foodmario has a different approach to online food delivery service in Nepal. Instead of restaurants, Foodmario users order food from home chefs. This way, you can have homemade food even while you are away from home. As of now, Foodmario provides service within the Kathmandu Valley only. You can browse through food or nearby chefs. Once you select the food that you want to order, you can even drop a note for the chef.
Key Features:
100+ home-based chefs
Coverage over Kathmandu Valley
No minimum order requirements
Weekly and Monthly subscription are also available
4. FYMO
Unlike other apps on this list, FYMO doesn’t provide any food delivery services. It is like a social media platform for foodies. You can sign up using your Google account, and all you need to do is choose a unique username. Search for popular dishes and restaurants and apply multiple filters for the best result. You can discover places where you can earn FYMO coins by scanning the food bill. You can use the coins by browsing through spend in the deal section. Currently, it is limited to Kathmandu, Pokhara, and a few other cities in Nepal.
Key Features:
Search for popular foods and restaurants through the map.
Make your decision based on photos and reviews.
Connect with fellow foodies.
Earn FYMO coins by scanning food bills.
5. Toastman
Toastman is an app similar to FYMO. Upon logging in, the app automatically searches for nearby restaurants. You can use filters to get the result you want. Each result is equipped with user ratings, making it easy for you to make a decision. There is a featured section that displays popular restaurants. The app also has different sections for offers and events.
Key Features:
Automatic search for restaurants nearby.
Make check-in and post reviews.
Connect with fellow foodies and share your food journey.
Get notified about offers and events.
Best Medical Apps
1. Nepills
Nepills is an online pharmacy app. It supports manual search, but you can also upload your prescription. Each drug comes with a proper description. It includes medicine class, dosage, mode of action, indications, contraindications, side effects, price, precautions, and available substitutes. The app even allows users to set reminders, schedule refills, and keep track of child vaccines too.
Key Features:
Search and buy medicine
Upload prescription
Request blood or sign up as a donor
Same day delivery and Cash on Delivery
Minimum order of NPR 500
2. DIMS Nepal
DIMS Nepal is an offline database of medicines. You can search for drugs by brands, generic names, and classes. The app also allows you to bookmark any medication as favorites. Each medicine is listed with adequate details. They include indications, administrations, contraindications, side effects, precautions, and warnings. Users can contribute to the app by submitting any missing drug. The app has calculators for IBW (Ideal Body Weight), BMI (Body Mass Index), and EDD (Estimated Date of Delivery).
Key Features:
Offline database of medicine
A detailed listing of medicines
Search for medication using brands, generic, and class
Calculators for IBW, BMI, and EDD
3. Jeevee
Jeevee is an app similar to Nepills. Users can order medicines through manual search or prescription upload. Other than medicines, one can also buy medical equipment through the app. For any queries, you can call Jeevee’s trained pharmacists. You can also book appointments with doctors of your choice or opt for online consultation.
Key Features:
Search and order medicine and medical equipment.
Prescription upload.
Request for Blood.
Cash on Delivery.
Book Medical Appointment and Online Consultation (80+ doctors)
4. Hamro Doctor
Hamro Doctor is useful for making medical appointments and online consultation. Before you commit to a meeting, scan through available doctors, and compare them via their profiles. The app also has detailed records of hospitals, clinics, pharmaceuticals, health clubs, ambulances, and blood donors. It also has a feed section with health-related blogs and posts.
Key Features:
Schedule Online Consultation and Appointment Booking
Doctor’s Profile
Details of Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulance services
Blood Donor List
Forum for discussion
Best Ride-Hailing Apps
1. Pathao
Pathao provides both bike and car-sharing services in Nepal. The app automatically determines your location after you grant it your location permission. Users have to select a destination in order to request a ride. As for the payment, it can be done using cash or other digital wallets such as Esewa and Khalti. Pathao sets speed limits for its riders, which is 15km/hr and 40km/hr during daytime and nighttime, respectively. For added security, every ride is tracked using GPS.
Key Features:
Car and Bike ride sharing
The speed limit for riders
Realtime GPS tracking
Payment using Cash or Digital Payment.
2. Tootle
Tootle rose to fame as a cheaper alternative to taxis inside the Kathmandu Valley. Using the app, users can book two-wheelers (motorcycle/scooter) for transportation. Users need to select the destination and departure time. Based on the details, available Tootle riders will approach the user. The app estimates the travel cost beforehand, which the user can pay using cash, Tootle balance, or other digital wallets. Tootle supports eSewa, SCT Moco, Khalti, and IME Pay.
Key Features:
Two-wheelers sharing platform
Coverage inside Valley
Realtime tracking
Gender preference for comfortable rides
3. Sarathi
Sarathi is a taxi-hailing app that users can use to book cab rides. The working mechanism of the app is no different than that of Tootle or Pathao. Users can request for a ride and get approached by interested drivers. Sarathi cab operates on rates determined by the government. Users can use cash, card, or digital wallet for payment.
Esewa is one of the pioneers of the digital payment system in Nepal. It offers a wide range of services and hence the most popular digital wallet in Nepal. The developer of Esewa, F1soft, is also behind most of the mobile banking app in Nepal, so it is super easy to load money into the wallet or transfer your Esewa fund to a bank account. You can make payments like recharging your phone, paying for electricity, drinking water, school/college fees, insurance premiums. You can even book tickets for transportation (airways or roadways), movies, different events.
Khalti was launched in 2017. In 2019, it was granted the license of Payment Service Provider. It offers similar services to that of Esewa; however, the range of services is limited. Since it is relatively new, it doesn’t have the number of partner merchants that Esewa has. But the wallet is quite popular because of its cashback and reward point system (Khalti points).
IME Pay is another digital wallet that is on the rise, thanks to its aggressive marketing campaign. Other than the utility payment services, it also provides remittance services. Like any other digital wallet, it also provides cashback and reward points for different transactions.
Key Features:
Remittance services
Utility payments
Ticket booking
Cashback and reward system
4. Connect IPS
To begin with, Connect IPS is not a digital wallet per say. Rather, it is a digital payment system that lets your linked bank accounts for payments. This way, you can make payments directly by utilizing funds from your account without having to load it into a separate digital wallet.
Key Features:
Payments to government institution
Utility payments
School/college fee
Insurance premium
5. Cellpay
Cellpay is a digital payment platform similar to Connect IPS, which uses your bank account for direct payments. But the list of the supported bank that is quite limited in this one.
Key Features:
Utility payments
Merchant payment
Fund Transfer between Cellpay users
6. QPay Nepal
QPay is a product of collaboration between UnionPay International and SCT. While other digital wallets try to connect customers to the service providers, QPay Nepal empathizes on creating a nationwide chain of QPay merchants. As of now, there are over 20 thousand QPay merchants that accept payment through the app.
Daraz is an app that doesn’t require any introduction. The digital marketplace is backed by Alibaba and hence the resemblance with Aliexpress. It is a platform where registered stores list their products for sale. Users can choose between a wide range of products before placing orders. Daraz has a team that picks up the item from the sellers and then delivers it to our doorstep. It accepts Cash On Delivery and Credit/Debit card payment.
Key Features:
Darazmall for authentic products
dMArt for groceries
Payment through Cash On Delivery and Debit/Credit Card
2. Hamrobazar
Hamrobazar is an online classified in Nepal that lets users sellers connect to potential buyers. Sellers list their item with adequate description and photos and wait for interested buyers to contact them. For buyers and sellers. Buyers and sellers determine all the terms of the deal. It includes the price of the object and method of delivery, and the app doesn’t intervene in any phase of the deal. The app doesn’t sell any products but acts as a meeting platform for buyers and sellers.
Key Features:
Online classified
List products for sale or product you are looking for
Buy, sell and rent stuff
Watchlist to review adds later
3. Kirana
Kirana is an online app for all your groceries need. One can browse through the listing or use search and filters for the product they are looking for. The app keeps track of all orders. Delivery inside the Ring Road is free, while users have to pay Rs. 50 if the delivery location is outside the Ring Road. The fee is waived if the order value is greater than Rs. 2,000.
Mero Adhikar is an app that makes you familiar with the constitution and citizen rights in the country. You can learn about legal provisions that are categorized according to nature. Each section has an introduction, publications, and contact details of offices. The voice-over feature reads out the text. But it isn’t free of bugs. There is no option to pause the feature in the notification panel.
Key Features:
Learn about the constitution
Legal provisions in Nepal
Voice-over feature
Support for both English & Nepali
2. LexpertEase
LexpertEase is a platform through which users can connect to lawyers and legal advisers. It has a forum where users can post their queries. Lawyers have their profiles included. Each profile has an option through which we can request service from them. There is also a resource section from where we can download different acts and relevant case laws.
Key Features:
Forum to discuss
Listing of lawyers
Resource section
3. Hamro Police
Hamro Police is a digital platform that lets people report suspicious incidents. Users can even locate stations and file complaints. There is a separate section for traffic violations, and women and children. Through SOS call and message features, users can contact the Police in case of an accident.
Key Features:
Report incidents
File complaints
Locate nearby stations
SOS message and SOS call
Notable Mentions (Bonus List)
The fact that you are viewing this list of best Nepali apps means that you have a working internet connection. You have subscribed to one of numerous telecommunication service provider or ISP. Some of these service providers have developed their own apps so that users can make better use of their service and be able to submit any issue effectively. Listed below are the best apps developed by telecom companies and ISP in Nepal.
Telecom Apps
NTC
Ncell
Smart
ISP Apps
Worldlink
Vianet
Did we miss any of your favorite apps? Do let us know in the comment section with the reason why you think the app should have included in the list.
Check out the list of phones that will land in Nepal after the lockdown!
The successor of last year’s desktop-class gaming laptop is here. Dell has refreshed with the Alienware Area 51-m R2 and this time it’s not just intel and Nvidia combination! Along with various versions of Nvidia GPUs powering the laptop, this time we have AMD’s Radeon RX 5700M debuting in the Area 51-m lineup. Furthermore, the highest spec Area 51-m R2 comes with an Intel Core 19- 10900k processor, 64GB of DDR4 RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER GPU. As mentioned earlier, there is another version of the laptop that features AMD’s Radeon RX 5700M GPU too that packs 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM.
Dell Alienware Area 51-m R2 Overview:
Performance
The Area 51-m R2 is stepping to Intel’s Comet Lake desktop platform. As mentioned above, it features the latest Core-i9- 10900K (supports overclocking). For the GPU, you can get a ton of options ranging from the top of the line RTX 2080 Super to RTX 2070 Super, RTX 2060, and GTX 1660Ti. Similarly, it has the Z490 Motherboard.
Ports & Connectivity
As for other updates from the previous model, this time we have the support for WiFi 6 with the killer WiFi6 AX 1650i as well as the Killer E3000 Ethernet Port with 2.5Gbps. This year’s model has RAID 0 boot drive options with PCIe M.2 drivers. Likewise, Input/Output options include threeUSB Gen 1 ports, a Thunderbolt 3 Type-C port, an Alienware Graphics Amplifier port, HDMI2.0b, Mini Display Port 1.4, and both microSD and SD card readers.
Display
For display, you get quite a few options too, four options to be more precise. First, we have a 144Hz 1080p IPS panel with and without G- sync, then we a 300Hz 1080p panel, and lastly, there is a 4K option with 100% Adobe RGB color gamut coverage.
Storage
Like the display, the Area 51-m R2 has lots of storage configuration options starting from 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 4 TB OF RADIO or RADIO Plus storage. Similarly, you can choose RAM starting from 8GB DDR4- 2933 dual-channel to 32GB DDR4- 3200 XMP dual channel. The DDR4 3200 XMP storage is in an offer only for 16 or 32GB RAM variants.
Thermals
The Alienware Area 51-m is a desktop replacement laptop and it is not light given the specs. It weighs in between 4.1 kg and 4.7 kg. Hence, you will require a good table to sit it on. Similarly, for better cooling, it has new fans and even vapors chamber cooling on the higher tier models.
Killer WiFi6 AX 1650i 802.11ax 2×2 Wireless LAN & Bluetooth 5.2
Battery
Lithium-Ion (90 Wh)
Power Adapter Options
180W+180W
180W+240W
180W+330W
240W+330W
Dell Alienware Area 51-m R2 Price & Availability:
The Dell Alienware Area 51m R2 price starts from US$3050. This price is for the base variant with GTX 1660Ti GPU and Intel Core i7- 10700 CPU. The highest-end model will cost well over US$7000, when it’s available from June 9th. We can expect the Dell Alienware Area 51m to launch in Nepal for a price of around Rs. 4,50,000.
Quick, what’s the primary intent behind laptops juxtaposed to desktop computers? You’re right, portability. But if you were to look for one with a big screen real-estate and equally complementing hardware underneath, disappointments follow as they’re all but portable & lightweight in the most conventional sense of the word. The heft & bulk of the laptop itself paired with a sizeable power adapter and other accessories defeat the purpose altogether. In terms of screen size, modern laptops tap out at 17-inches; and that’s a niche group in itself. Well, the new Dell XPS 17 9700 is challenging the norm as it brings a big screen & powerful performance on a compact form factor. Let’s take a look at the specs, launch date, expected price in Nepal & more of the Dell XPS 17 9700.
Dell XPS 17 9700 Overview
Before you start making some false assumptions about the device, let me clear up something. While it is a pretty powerful laptop, it doesn’t compare to the performance from the most high-end & bulky alternatives. The main thing that it’s got going on for itself is its big 17-inch screen on a body akin to most 15-inch laptops.
Design
Like its new 15-inch counterpart, the Dell XPS 17 is also made from a single block of aluminum. Actually, the company already had a 17-inch XPS back in the day; almost a decade ago. With the new XPS 17, Dell says it’s the “smallest 17-inch laptop on the planet”. Thanks to its 4-sideInfinityEdge display, Dell has managed to cram in such a large screen on the laptop. In fact, the XPS 17 is “smaller than 48 percent of 15-inch laptops” according to Dell. Insane! More importantly, the XPS 17 only weighs between 2.11 and 2.51 kg depending upon the configuration. Because of this, it retains the sleek design XPS lineup of laptops are famous for; while also being the most powerful one of the bunch.
XPS 17 - Thermal Design
1 of 2
The next crucial breakthrough in XPS 17’s design is the thermal system. It includes a “vapor chambers” that covers the entire width of the laptop. Compared to the traditional heat pipes founding in cheaper laptops, vapor chambers have a very large (and usually flat) continuous area for a better thermal equilibrium (isothermalization) of the heat sink. Additionally, the XPS 17 has dual opposite outlet fans with big impeller & whirling blades. It can transfer much more air and thus get rid of the heat from the chassis more effectively.
Now let’s get to the main attraction of the Dell XPS 17 9700, which is the display. Before this, Apple’s MacBook Pro 16 had been able to establish itself as the go-to big-screen, powerful laptop. However, I’m sure the larger XPS 17 will be able to take the praise away from it now. Wait, I didn’t mean to imply that this is the only 17-inch laptop out there. As a matter of fact, Apple had a 17-inch MacBook Pro not so long ago and there are plenty of them from other manufacturers. But at the end of the day, none of them is as svelte and under a well-known lineup as the XPS 17.
Here, you can choose between two display options: a 17.3-inches InfinityEdge FHD+ (1920 x 1200) or 4K UHD+ (3840 x 2400) with touch support. Unfortunately, Dell has given up on OLED panel here, so no infinite contrast ratio & other goodies of OLED on the XPS 17. Yet, these IPS panels do come with 500 nits of peak brightness, 60Hz refresh rate, and what Dell calls “Eyesafe” feature on both models.
The FHD+ has 100% sRGB & 1650:1 contrast ratio, while the UHD+ variant comes with 100% Adobe RGB, 94% DCI-P3, 1600:1 contrast ratio, and HDR 400 support. Dell was able to deliver such an immersive display with a “new” 16:10 aspect ratio by completely cutting the bottom bezels. The XPS 17 thus achieves an incredible 93.7% screen-to-body ratio. Still, the top bezel still includes a 720p webcam alongside an IR blaster for Windows Hello login.
Performance & Memory
Though the large screen and vapor chamber cooling make a strong case for the XPS 17, it shares similarities with the redesigned XPS 15 in other aspects; like performance. You can choose somewhere from 10th-gen Intel Core i5-10300H, all the way to i9-10885H. Ever since the announcement of the device, people have already started nagging on how they would’ve preferred AMD’s Ryzen 4000-series CPUs instead. Maybe next time. Still, the top-end octa-core i9 variant can go up to 5.3GHz!
Getting to memory, the Dell XPS 17 9700 starts at 8GB of dual-channel DDR4 RAM clocked at 2933MHz. If that doesn’t seem sufficient, you can go all the way up to 64GB too. In terms of storage, the XPS 17 goes up to 2TB of PCIe SSD.
Finally, let’s talk about the graphics. Besides the integrated Intel UHD graphics itself, buyers can choose between a GTX or an RTX card; the first for XPS. Here, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti variant comes with 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM while the RTX 2060 model has 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM. According to Donnie Oliphant (Senior Director, XPS Product Marketing), the company was able to pack an RTX card inside the XPS 17 only because of its new thermal design discussed earlier. As a result, the XPS 17 is capable of breezing through 4K video edits, or even triple-A gaming.
Keyboard & Audio
Moving on, there’s a slight upgrade on the keyboard as well (compared to previous XPS laptops). The edge-to-edge backlit keys themselves are about 10% larger and have a minimal 1.3mm key travel. More importantly, the palm-rest area is made from carbon fiber, giving you a comfortable feel while adding to the chassis’ strength. The trackpad is also a lot larger and supports Windows Precision Drivers as well.
The sides of the keyboard also feature a powerful upward-facing quad-speaker design (1.5W x2 tweeters, 2.5W x2 woofers). More impressively, the Dell XPS 17 is also the first laptop featuring Waves Nx® 3D audio for speakers. It can track your head movement to deliver a varying quality of sound, based on your point of view. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio.
Battery & Connectivity
Battery-wise, the FHD+ variant has a smaller 56Whr cell and Dell claims it can give up to 20 hours of battery life. Similarly, XPS 17 UHD+ comes with a much larger 97Whr battery though the company hasn’t specified its expected endurance. Let’s get into ports now.
Dell has gone entirely committed to USB-C on the XPS 17. Here, you get 4x USB Type-C Thunderbolt 3 ports (including power delivery), 1x full-size SD card reader, and 1x 3.5mm headphone jack. Not a single USB Type-A, nope. Still, the company is reconciling its lack by bundling a USB-C to USB-A v3.0 & HDMI v2.0 adapter with the purchase of the XPS 17.
Dell XPS 17 9700 Specifications:
Design & Build: All-aluminum chassis; 14.74W x 9.76D x 0.77H-inches; 2.11kg (4.65 pounds) tp 2.51 kg (5.53 pounds)
Connectivity: Killer WiFi 6 AX1650 (802.11AX), Bluetooth 5.0
Webcam: 720p HD camera (on top)
Ports: 4x USB Type-C Thunderbolt 3 (power delivery + DisplayPort), 1x Full size SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack, 1x USB-C to USB-A 3.0 & HDMI 2.0 adapter (included)
Dell XPS 17 9700 Price in Nepal & Availability
Dell XPS 17 9700 will be available for order from summer 2020, where the price starts at $1,499.99 for the base variant. The exact launch date hasn’t been specified and Dell hasn’t revealed the pricing for other models either. We expect the Dell XPS 17 9700 to launch in Nepal with the starting price of NPR 2,20,000 later this year.
Ever wondered which is the Best Telecom Service Provider in Nepal? When one thinks of Telecom service providers in Nepal, we can name only three: NTC, Ncell, and Smart Telecom. And the latter is in the dark for many, still. However, Smart Telecom has grown to the young generation of Nepalese audience with its affordable voice and internet packs. But there are actually three more such service providers in Nepal: Nepal Satellite Telecom, UTL, and CG Telecom. Of course, due to the lack of proper infrastructures and some regulations, these three don’t really come into the light. In fact, UTL is no longer operational in the country.
Therefore, we play with the major three; which was quite a break from the duopoly of NTC & Ncell. And even these major players were not able to meet the Quality Assurance Tests from NTA. Anyways, among the top players, these service providers vary from one another on many things.
Telecom service mainly depends on these things:
Coverage – The geographical areas from where the service (2G/3G/4G) is accessible and the difference of speed in various geographical locations
Cost – The cost of the service provided including regular tariffs, and cost of various offers inclusive of taxes
Speed – The connectivity of regular phone calls and the speed of the internet on mobile data
Offers – How often the company provides various offers and schemes for data plans and voice packs for cheap
To note, whenever I’m referring to any stat throughout this article, unless explicitly mentioned, it will be from the NTA MIS Report (Jan 2020).
Some users value cost, while speed matters the most for others. And of course, for those frequently on the travel, coverage is of utmost importance. According to the aforementioned report, there are 41,580,399 voice-based telephone service subscriptions in Nepal. That is roughly 40% more than the total population in the country. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at our pick for the best telecom service providers in Nepal.
Best Telecom Service Provider in Nepal [2020]
1. Nepal Telecom
Nepal Telecom, or properly called Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited (NDCL) is the first mobile telecom operator in Nepal established in 1960 AD. It was only in 2004 when Nepal Telecommunications Corporation (NTC) transformed from a corporation to NDCL. With 91.49% government share, Nepal Telecom is the go-to name in terms of telecommunication services in the country. It was also the most preferred service provider in 2017 (according to you guys). And well, it’s for good reason.
Services
In terms of services, Nepal Telecom provides all types of telephony services. These include GSM, CDMA, PSTN, WLL, and VSAT. However, the company is preparing to discontinue CDMA (Sky Phone) adhering to NTA’s directive by 2022. As of late, there are a total of 22,328,879 subscriptions to Nepal Telecom’s voice telephony services:
GSM (Global System for Mobile): 19,865,286
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access): 1,679,201
PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network): 664,863
WLL (Wireless Local Loop): 118,948
VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal): 581
Moreover, Nepal Telecom was also the first to launch the 4G/LTE service (1800MHz neutral frequency band) in the country on January 1, 2017. While it was exclusive to Kathmandu and Pokhara in the initial days, the service coverage has since reached the entire 77 districts of the country. To check if your NTC SIM card supports 4G/LTE, you can dial *444# (and activate it if your SIM is compatible).
Now, let’s talk about the real-life performance & quality of voice calls and mobile data. An NTA-conducted test revealed that NTC has an acceptable level of call connection/setup and call drop; though exactly not up to the standard. NTC is also known for its cheap cost on calls & data, compared to Ncell. As of late, the company has also been able to come up with some really attractive data packs, including the “Zero Balance Package” for the needy.
e-Shikshya Package
Data Volume
Price
Validity
Subscription
6GB [3GB all time + 3GB (5 AM – 10 AM)]
Rs. 260
28 days
*1441#
15GB [9GB all time + 6GB (5 AM – 10 AM)]
Rs. 500
28 days
*1441#
StayConnected Package
Data, Call time Volume
Price
Validity
Subscription
1GB (All Network) + Bonus 3GB (4G)
Rs. 100
5 days
*1415*10#
2GB (All Network) + Bonus 8GB (4G)
Rs. 200
7 days
*1415*10#
40 minutes + Bonus 20 minutes
Rs. 25
1 day
*1415*10#
190 minutes + Bonus 95 minutes
Rs. 100
7 days
*1415*10#
All-Time Data Package
Data Volume
Price
Validity
Subscription
60MB
Rs. 15
1 day
*1415*1*1#
250MB
Rs. 25
1 day
*1415*1*1#
300MB
Rs. 60
7 days
*1415*1*1#
700MB
Rs. 100
7 days
*1415*1*1#
2000MB
Rs. 260
28 days
*1415*1*1#
6000MB
Rs. 500
28 days
*1415*1*1#
14000MB
Rs. 700
28 days
*1415*1*1#
Other Assorted Packages
Data, Call time Volume
Price
Validity
Subscription
Social Media – 70MB
Rs. 10
1 day
*1415*2#
Social Media – 250MB
Rs. 35
3 days
*1415*2#
Social Media – 600MB
Rs. 65
7 days
*1415*2#
Night Data Unlimited (11 PM – 6 AM)
Rs. 18
1 day
*1415*3#
Night Data Unlimited (11 PM – 6 AM)
Rs. 90
7 days
*1415*3#
1GB Per Day (1GB)
Rs. 45
1 Day
*1415*6#
1GB Per Day (7GB)
Rs. 250
1 Day
*1415*6#
1GB Per Day (28GB)
Rs. 850
1 Day
*1415*6#
1 Hour Unlimited (Voice + SMS + Data)
Rs. 20
1 Hour
*1415*8#
100 minutes voice (5 AM – 5 PM)
Rs. 10
24 Hours
*1415*9#
Unlimited voice call (5 AM – 5 PM)
Rs. 15
24 Hours
*1415*9#
80MB (6 AM – 6 PM)
Rs. 10
24 Hours
*1415*9#
200MB (6 AM – 6 PM)
Rs. 15
24 Hours
*1415*9#
All the above-mentioned prices are inclusive of taxes. You can also check the available volume of data in any package by dialing *1415*55# or use the app. The app has all kinds of information and also lets you subscribe to packages from there itself.
NTC might be the first, but Ncell has quickly managed to become one of the largest telecom service provider in Nepal. Though it is mainly popular among the younger generation of audience, I won’t be surprised if many of them don’t know that the company was originally called “Mero Mobile”. Established in 2004, Ncell became a part of the Axiata Group Berhad since April 12, 2016. With its wide coverage and fast data, Ncell is popular even though it’s considerably expensive.
Services
Unlike the government-regulated NTC, Ncell only offers GSM voice telephony service. To make it more clear, every other telecom service provider except NTC only offers GSM. So much for ending the monopoly, huh? Anyway, Ncell’s number of GSM customers has gradually increased over time. Yet, it still comes second to NTC with 17,157,358 subscribers.
Additionally, Ncell also launched its 4G/LTE services since June 1, 2018, in the Kathmandu valley. And now, that service has reached all 7 provinces in the country. In terms of speed, Ncell was dubbed the one with the fastest internet by NTA. So, if speed is what you’re going for – you know where to look. To help its customers during the trying times of the ongoing lockdown, the company recently introduced the “Use Service, Pay Later” offer. This is a low-cost bundle of data, voice calls, and SMS. Let’s look at some other Ncell data packs.
Get More on 4G Offer
Validity
Price
Volume (all-time / 4G / night time)
Total Volume
1 Day
Rs. 11.49
35MB
105MB
1 Day
Rs. 19.15
75GB
225MB
3 Days
Rs. 37.03
120MB
360MB
3 Days
Rs. 44.69
200MB
600MB
7 Days
Rs. 88.11
300MB
900MB
7 Days
Rs. 95.77
500MB
1500MB
30 Days
Rs. 343.49
1300MB
3900MB
30 Days
Rs. 453.30
3GB
9GB
Data Pack with Video Offer
Validity
Price
All-time Volume
Video (1hr/day)
Nighttime Volume
Total Volume
1 Day
Rs. 49.80
750MB
1 Day
750MB
1.5GB
3 Days
Rs. 126.41
2GB
3 Days
2GB
4GB
7 Days
Rs. 254.10
4GB
7 Days
4GB
8GB
30 Days
Rs. 1020.24
16GB
30 Days
16GB
32GB
Mero Plan (weekly)
Price (per week)
Available Data
Free YouTube
Total Volume
Ncell to Ncell call rates (per minute)
Rs. 95.77
2GB
–
2GB
Rs. 1.28
Rs. 191.54
4GB
2GB
6GB
Rs. 1.28
Mero Plan (monthly)
Price (per week)
Available Data
Free YouTube
Total Volume
Ncell to Ncell call rates (per minute)
Rs. 254.10
1GB
1GB
2GB
Rs. 1.28
Rs. 381.79
3GB
3GB
6GB
Rs. 1.15
Rs. 637.17
6GB
6GB
12GB
Rs. 1.02
Rs. 1020.24
15GB
15GB
30GB
Rs. 0.89
Rs. 1275.62
25GB
25GB
50GB
Rs. 0.64
Likewise, all the prices mentioned in these packages are inclusive of taxes. You can dial *17123# to subscribe to them or use the Ncell app.
Established on July 1, 2008, Smart Telecom is the third largest mobile network service provider in Nepal. Though the company has been in operation for very long, it hasn’t been able to penetrate the entire region of the country. However, Smart Telecom has become very popular among the younger crowd because of its aggressive pricing and value-oriented offers & schemes.
Services
Like Ncell, Smart Telecom also provides GSM services only. Its latest GSM-subscriber count has reached 2,091,257, ranking it behind NTC & Ncell. It started with the 2G network connectivity, while the company also launched 4G/LTE since October 28, 2017. At its inception, Smart’s 4G/LTE was limited to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. And now, it has reached 19 districts in the country, while the company’s total nationwide presence remains in 45 districts in Nepal.
Unfortunately, Smart Telecom performed quite poorly in NTA’s test for call setup and call drop; way worse than NTC & Ncell. Therefore, if you need a stable connection wherever you go, this might not be a wise choice. But as I mentioned earlier, Smart has lots of affordable voice and data offers; the primary reason for its sudden outburst of popularity in the past couple of years. Let’s take a look at some of them:
Smart Data Packs
Data Volume
Validity
Price
Subscription
200MB
1 Day
Rs. 11.49
*141*3*1*6#
500MB + 500MB
1 Day
Rs. 37.03
*141*3*1*1#
1GB + 1GB
7 Days
Rs. 88.11
*141*3*1*2#
1GB + 1GB
15 Days
Rs. 113.64
*141*3*1*2#
2GB + 2GB
30 Days
Rs. 254.10
*141*3*1*4#
5GB + 5GB
30 Days
Rs. 407.33
*141*3*1*5#
20GB
30 Days
Rs. 509.48
*141*3*2*1#
Smart Voice Packs
Pack Name
Validity
Price
Subscription
Voice Unlimited – 1 Day
1 Day
Rs. 11.49
*141*1*2*3#
7 Days Unlimited Voice
7 Days
Rs. 37.03
*141*1*2*2#
Voice Unlimited – 30 Days
30 Days
Rs. 126.41
*141*1*2*1#
Daily Rental Voice Pack (All local calls @ Rs. 0.90/min)
1 Day
Rs. 3.83
*141*1*1*1#
Smart Recharge Packs
Recharge Amount
Main Balance
Additional Benefits
Validity
Rs. 100
Rs. 98.04
200MB + 200MB data, 10 min. talk time, 10 SMS
*141*1*2*3#
Rs. 200
Rs. 196.08
400MB + 400MB data, 20 min. talk time, 20 SMS
*141*1*2*2#
Rs. 500
Rs. 490.20
1.5GB + 1.5GB data, 100 min. talk time, 100 SMS
*141*1*2*1#
Rs. 1,000
Rs. 980.40
3GB + 3GB data, 200 min. talk time, 200 SMS
*141*1*1*1#
As you can see, Smart Telecom has quite a many attractive data and voice packs; including bonuses on regular recharge. That’s something you don’t get (or at least nowhere near this extent) with other telecom service providers. Also, all the prices are inclusive of taxes and these packs can also be subscribed to through its app.
We had to wait for almost two years, but we finally have a successor to Poco F1. POCO took the world by storm with the introduction of Poco F1 back in 2018. Since then, the fans have been on their toes, waiting for its successor. The new POCO F2 Pro is the new flagship device from the company. But it isn’t a brand new phone as it is a rebranded Redmi K30 Pro that was launched some months ago in China. Let’s learn more about the POCO F2 Pro with its specs, features, and expected price in Nepal.
POCO F2 Pro Overview
Xiaomi had spun-off POCO as an independent brand in India a couple of months ago. But the tie between the two seemed too keen to get rid off entirely as the POCO X2 turned out to be rebranded Redmi K30. It led people to believe that the company will be releasing the Redmi K30 Pro as POCO F2, which the Poco India denied. That was correct though; it is actually the POCO F2 Pro that turned out to be the rebranded version of Redmi K30 Pro.
Design and Display
The phone comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen. Compared to the predecessor, F2 Pro doesn’t feature any notch. For this true full display experience, POCO has moved the front camera on the top. Thanks to the motorized mechanism, you can summon it when you need it. The fingerprint sensor is now under the display. The screen supports HDR+ content and can be as bright as 1200 nits. It has a refresh rate of just 60Hz, which is a disappointment when cheaper POCO X2 has a 120Hz screen. Because of the 60Hz display, the 180Hz sampling rate on the POCO F2 Pro seems more like a consolation than an actual upgrade.
Performance and Memory
POCO F2 Pro has Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 under its hood. The SoC is bundled with an X55 modem for 5G connectivity that is on-trend these days. The device is available in two memory configurations – 6GB LPDDR4x RAM with 128GB UFS 3.0 storage and 8GB LPDDR5 RAM plus 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. Interestingly, the company claimed that can the new POCO F2 Pro can outperform both Samsung S20+ (Exynos 990) and OnePlus 8 Pro (SD 865). To keep the device cool during intensive gaming sessions, the device comes with LiquidCool 2.0 Super Large VC. The chamber has a surface area of 3,435 square millimeters.
Camera
The phone flaunts a 64MP quad-camera setup on the back. The primary camera utilizes Sony IMX686 sensor. It is accompanied by a 13MP ultra-wide sensor, a 5MP telephoto-macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. The four cameras are housed inside a circular camera bump on the back. On the front, there is a 20MP selfie camera attached to a pop-up mechanism.
Battery and Others
Poco F2 Pro has comes with a 4,700mAh battery with support for 30W charging. It s available in four different color options – Neon Blue, Phantom White, Electric Purple, and Cyber Gray.
Talk of India-exclusive Poco Device
Last month, popular tipster Xiaomishka claimed that the device that is set to launch in India would be different than what the brand will launch elsewhere. It was also said that the global variant of the device wouldn’t have 5G connectivity. Since then, POCO F2 has appeared in TKDN certification with 4G (and without 5G) in Indonesia.
Xiaomishka initially claimed that the Indian version would be a lot like the new Redmi Note 9 series but then corrected it with the next tweet, which said it would be a “truly unique” POCO phone.
Sensors: Fingerprint (in-display), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity, IR blaster
Other features: Wi-Fi 6, NFC, 3.5mm headphone jack
POCO F2 Pro Price in Nepal & Expected Availability
POCO F2 Pro is already available for pre-order from AliExpress and Gearbest, where its price is 499 Euro for 6/128GB and 599 Euro for the 8/256GB variant. The company will start delivering the order from May 19.
There is no official distributor for POCO products in Nepal yet. Still, we expect POCO F2 Pro to be available in Nepal for a price of Rs. 76,000 for the 6/128GB variant and Rs 86,000 for the 8/256GB variant via unofficial sources.
Model Name
Expected Price in Nepal
POCO F2 Pro (6/128GB)
€499 ~ NRs.73,000
POCO F2 Pro (8/256GB)
€599 ~ NRs.86,000
The POCO F2 (Indian variant) won’t launch anytime soon, given the recent Coronavirus outbreak. Numerous launches have already been withheld, and we will have to wait for the situation to get healthy for new smartphone launches, including the Nepalese market.
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