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HP announces the new Envy 15: A worthy competitor for MacBook Pro 16?

GadgetByte

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April 17, 2020

HP announces the new Envy 15: A worthy competitor for MacBook Pro 16?

For years now, the Spectre lineup was HP’s premium laptop range. However, that is about change now. Today, the laptop manufacturer announced a host of laptops in its Envy lineup. There’s a redesigned Envy 13, Envy x360 15 and most importantly the Envy 15 2020. The new HP Envy 15 is a premium addition to the company’s usually affordable Envy lineup. Thus, it won’t come cheap, though the spec-sheet suggests that it will prove to be money well spent. I am excited about this device, so hopefully, the price of HP Envy 15 in Nepal will not be higher than its international price. We’ll get to the prices soon, but first, let’s see what this device brings to the table.

HP Envy 15 Overview

The HP Envy 15 has been retooled to cater to a very specific group of people, namely – content creators, videographers, photographers and so. This means that this laptop will be a competition for the likes of MacBook Pro 16 and Dell XPS 15. Now, these laptops that I just mentioned are some of the best out there. I mean the MacBook Pro 16-inch has been touted as the most powerful MacBook ever. Similarly, the Dell XPS 15 is said to be a monster of a laptop. So, it won’t be easy for the HP Envy 15 to compete with them. However, the specifications suggest that HP brings in its flare to the table and will probably be a worthy competitor for those two.

Design & Display

The design, for the most part, remains similar to the past Envy designs. It has a minimalist silver design with sharp corners and clear linings. This device weighs around 4.7 pounds and measures 14.1 x 9.3 x 0.7 inches. I have to say the uniform color does keep the aesthetics of the laptop pretty simple. Moreover, on the inside, there are silver keys that align perfectly with the single color tone of the laptop. And there are two Bang & Olufsen powered top-firing speakers on either side of the keyboard. Now, this design might remind you of the Razer Blade 15, which had a similar speaker and track-pad positioning.

Moving on, the display on the HP Envy 15 looks like a gem. It is a 15.6-inch 4K HDR AMOLED panel with narrow bezels. It has 100% DCI-P3 color calibration and Delta E < 2. This means the display will be excellent for its aimed customer group i.e. content creators. If the performance is as good as the specifications suggest, then it will probably end up attracting more customers than the MacBook Pro 16-inch.

Keyboard

As mentioned above, the color of the keys on the HP Envy 15 matches the overall tone of the device. It doesn’t have a Numpad. However, you do get dedicated keys for frequently used apps. The shortcut keys can be used to access the camera, HP Command Center, and more. Moreover, their placement of the fingerprint sensor on this one is also quite intriguing. It is now placed on the left of the arrow keys.

Meanwhile, check all the prices and specs of HP Envy laptops here

Performance & Graphics

The HP Envy 15 contains the latest Intel 10th Gen Core i9 processor. It is complemented by 32GB DDR4 RAM and 2TB of RAID 0 storage. As for the graphics, the device packs in the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q graphics.

It has an improved thermal design that helps to deliver the best performance even while using graphic-intensive apps. According to HP, this device will be 33% faster than the previous 15-inch MacBook Pro while editing videos via Adobe Premiere Rush CC. However, the Nvidia graphics will still not be enough to run every triple-A title fluidly at the max setting.

As the HP Envy 15 is going to be pitted directly against the MacBook Pro 16 inch, we’ve listed a spec-wise comparison between the devices down below.

HP Envy 15 & MacBook Pro 16 Specifications:

Device	HP Envy 15	MacBook Pro 16-inch
Display	15.6″, 4K AMOLED touch, 400 nits brightness, 100% DCI-P3, 282 PPI, HDR support	16″ IPS LED, 500 nits brightness, P3, 226PPI
CPU	10th Gen Intel Core i9-10980HK 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H	9th Gen Intel Core i9-9880H
Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q	AMD Radeon Pro 5500M
RAM	up to 32GB DDR4	up to 64GB DDR4
Storage	2TB PCIe SSD (max)	8TB PCIe SSD (max)
Ports	2 x USB-C (TB3) 2 x USB A HDMI Card reader	4 x USB-C (TB3)
Wireless	802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5.0	802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), Bluetooth 5.0
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11, b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0	Wi-Fi 802.11, a/ac/b/g/n/n 5GHz,, MIMO Bluetooth 4.2
Keyboard	Island-style full-size backlit keyboard	Chiclet style backlit keyboard
OS	Windows 10 Pro	Apple macOS 10.15 Catalina
Battery	83Wh	99.8Wh
Colors	Natural Silver	Silver, Space Gray

HP Envy x360 15

The other laptop that was announced today was the HP Envy x360 15. It is a much toned-down version of its standard Envy counterpart and as a result, will cost much less. The great thing about x360s is that they are convertible, i.e. you can bend them all the way and use it as a tablet.

The available CPU configuration for the lower end variant is either AMD Ryzen 4500U or Intel Core i5-1035G1. As for the higher end, you can fit it with either AMD Ryzen 7 4700U or an Intel Core i7-1065G7. The display can be configured with multiple 1080p options, however, the brightness level is a measly 250 nits as compared to the 400 nits of the standard version. The starting price of the HP X360 15 is $700 for the AMD version and $850 for Intel one.

HP Envy 15, Envy x360 15 Price in Nepal, Availability [Expected]

You can buy the new HP Envy 15 from the company’s official website and sites such as Amazon, Costco and more starting from June 2020. As for the pricing, the starting price, most probably for the Core i7 version, is $1349. We are still in the blind regarding the price of the higher-end variant.

With the lockdown in place for the foreseeable future, we can not exactly give a specific release date of the device in Nepal. But I guess that we should see this device in our market around late August. Talking about the cost, the price of the HP Envy 15 in Nepal should be around Rs. 180,000.

Model Name	Price in Nepal (Expected)	Availability (Expected)
HP Envy 15 (Core i7)	NPR. 180,000	August – September
HP Envy x360 15 (AMD)	NPR. 90,000	August – September
HP Envy x360 15 (Core i7)	NPR. 110,000	August – September

Lenovo’s Legion 7 gaming laptop has 10th gen Intel processor, RTX 2080 SUPER MAX-Q & more!

GadgetByte

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April 17, 2020

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Lenovo’s Legion 7 gaming laptop has 10th gen Intel processor, RTX 2080 SUPER MAX-Q & more!

AMD is creating a lot of buzz in the gaming world with its latest Ryzen 4000 mobile chipset series. Although devices like Zephyrus G14 are getting good reviews from reviewers worldwide, it seems like it will still take some time for other manufacturers to incorporate it into their flagship products. At least this is what we think after the recent revamp of its Legion laptop series by Lenovo. The top of the line Lenovo Legion 7 comes with Intel’s 10 Gen Comet Lake processor that was launched earlier this month. Let’s dive deeper into the specs of the latest Legion 7 and see what it has to offer.

Lenovo Legion 7 Series

Lenovo has changed the naming convention for its laptop so that the users can reference a particular model more effectively. The upcoming laptops will have simpler names consisting of one or two letters with or without an “i” suffix. The presence of the “i” suffix would mean the particular variant pf the laptop incorporates an Intel’s processor and vice versa.

After the revamp, the Legion 7 series will be the flagship line up of gaming laptops from the company. The series will incorporate the latest and the most powerful chipset and GPU in the market alongside cutting-latest technology from the brand itself.

Check out the review of Asus TUF FX505 DD

Lenovo Legion 7i Overview

Performance and Memory

Lenovo Legion 7i is the upgrade to last year’s Lenovo Legion Y740 and as of now, it stands as the best premium laptop under the Legion series. It is powered by the latest Intel 10th Generation Comet Lake mobile processor. The maxed-out variant of the laptop will come with i9 – 10980HK processor which the users can overclock for greater speeds. As for the GPU, you now have the option to get the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q over last year’s RTX 2070 Super Max – Q. It may not be as powerful as the standard desktop RTX 2080 Super but given the size constraints of the laptop, it is the best that Lenovo could go with. You can pair the processor with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM and 1TB of PCIe SSD storage.

The brand has tried to enhance the performance of the device by the use of Q-Control 3.0. It will help the system switch between Performance mode and Quiet mode. The former will boost the performance of the system while the latter will help reduce the battery drain and the fan noise. There is also a balanced mode which will automatically adjust the setting based on the tasks that the system is handling.

Check out our review of ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo

Display and Design

Lenovo Legion 7i sports a 15.3-inch display with FHD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The built-in 720p webcam resides on the top bezels whereas the bottom bezel shows off the Legion branding. Thankfully, the webcam now comes with a privacy shutter. The display in the base variant comes with a refresh rate of only a 144Hz but you can also opt for the 240Hz variant. The latter comes with NVIDIA G-Sync to avoid screen tearing and is Dolby Vision Enabled as well.

Legion 7 is also one of the first devices to feature NVIDIA’s Advanced Optimus which allows seamless switching between the integrated and discrete graphics depending upon the intensity of the application being processed. Also, the GPU is now more closely linked with the display which will help reduce lag and allow G-Sync to function more efficiently.

TrueStrike Keyboard

Another key feature of the laptop is the new TrueStrike Keyboard. Lenovo says it is designed for professional gamers and will yield better typing productivity. Lenovo has managed to include a full-sized keyboard along with the numeric pad and a trackpad. As if the 1.5mm key travel wasn’t enough, the company claims that the second transition curve design will contribute to a more tactile experience. And for the aesthetics, you can illuminate the keys in utilizing the Corsair iCUE system Lighting technology.

Battery and Other

The device is powered by an 80Wh which is an upgrade to 57Wh battery in the Legion Y740 which can be charged up to 50% in just half an hour of charging, thanks to the Rapid Charge Pro capabilities. Under non-gaming scenarios, Lenovo claims that the battery can last up to 8 hours. As far as the port goes, you get 3x USB Type-A ports, 2x USB Type-C ports, an HDMI port, an ethernet port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The device comes with support for WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5 and is lighter than its predecessor at just 2.1kg.

Lenovo Legion 7 Specifications:

Design & Build: 14.1W x 10D x 0.8H-inches; 2.1kg
Display: 15.6-inches FHD (1920 x 1080); up to 240Hz refresh rate, 100% Adobe sRGB
Keyboard: TrueStrike Keyboard with Corsair iCUE RGB support; 1.5mm key travel
Processor: Up to Intel 10 Gen Core i9-10980HK
RAM: 8 / 16 / 32GB DDR4 RAM
Graphics: up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q
Battery: 4-cell 80 Watt-hours battery
Storage: 256 / 512 / 1TB PCIe SSD
Webcam: 720p Webcam with privacy shutter
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 ax (WiFi 6), Bluetooth 5.0
Ports: 1x Thunderbolt 3 USB-C, 2x USB 3.1 Gen 2, 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2x USB 3.1 Type C, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x Audio jack, 1x DC-in, 1x Kensington Lock, 1x RJ45 Ethernet jack,

Lenovo Legion 7 Price and Availability

Lenovo Legion 7 will be available on sale from next month. As of now, the company hasn’t given any information about the price and availability of the device. The price of the Legion 7 will start from $1,599.99 for the base variant.

Model name	Expected Price	Availability
Lenovo Legion 7 (i5-10300H, GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, 144Hz screen)	$1,599.99 (~NPR 2,00,000)	March 2020

Check out the best budget gaming laptop in Nepal!

ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 brings the multiscreen madness to portable gaming machines!

Nikhil Shrestha

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April 17, 2020

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Remember the ASUS ZenBook Duo/Pro Duo from last year? It had that crazy dual display integrated on the upper half of the keyboard deck, which to some extent, delivered on its promise of enhanced productivity. Having said that, the secondary screen was not free from compromises. Our two major complaints were how it lacked proper support from Windows and its visibility. Though the entire chassis would lift when opening the laptop but still, you’d have to reposition yourself to properly access contents on the smaller screen. Well, ASUS is not backing down on the dual-display trend as its new ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 improves upon the legacy of its ZenBook counterpart. Let’s check out how.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15

Design

Starting with the design, the Zephyrus Duo 15 comes in a premium all-metal chassis and the lid has that classic ROG logo as well. Though it’s a gaming-centered laptop, it doesn’t have that aggressive design approach compared to other high-end ROG Zephyrus laptops we’ve seen in the past. That actually maybe because of the potentials of this beast. It’s got the latest & greatest internals with an embedded secondary display that can come handy in use cases other than gaming. So, the company has been marketing the Zephyrus Duo 15 towards both: content creators and gamers.

Display

Obviously, the display is the most interesting thing about this laptop. There are two variants of the Zephyrus Duo 15; one with a 15.6-inches 4K UHD 60Hz LED-backlit IPS panel & 100% Adobe RGB, or a 15.6-inches FHD 300Hz IPS panel & 100% sRGB. These touchscreen supported primary screens have minimal bezels all around and surprisingly, a webcam is missing. Anyways, the secondary display is what we’re excited about so let’s talk about that instead.

It is a 14.1-inches 4K-ish (3840 x 1100) touchscreen panel in both variants, which is supported by a hinge that lifts the panel in the same motion as lifting the lid. The screen (ROG Screenpad Plus) is tilted at 13º for a more comfortable viewing than the one on the ZenBook Pro Duo. Similarly, ASUS has utilized the space underneath the 14.1-inch display by integrating a large 28.5mm air intake for which allows for the inflow of cool air and reduction of fan noise.

You may already have some ideas about how to utilize that ROG Screenpad Plus. Enjoy your game on the main screen and launch your Discord, Twitch or other apps on the secondary screen. It can also act as an extension of one single program like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, etc. for a larger & more comfortable working space. So many possibilities!

Performance & Memory

Seeing how the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 is a top-of-the-line gaming laptop, it is powered by the latest Intel processor & NVIDIA graphics. In terms of CPU, you can choose between two high-performance Intel Comet Lake processors – Core i9-10980HK or i7-10875H. Coming to the graphics, you get NVIDIA‘s latest Turing-based RTX SUPER cards; either RTX 2070 or 2080 SUPER, both with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM.

Getting to memory, the top-end configuration will have up to 32GB of DDR4 SDRAM clocked @3200MHz. However, depending upon the model, you can also choose between either 8 or 16GB of RAM with the same clock speed. Moving on to storage, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 can hold up to 2TB of SSD in RAID 0. Wait, are your eyes glowing with excitement? I kid, of course. ASUS is also particularly proud of how they put together all these components inside an ultra-slim gaming laptop. According to the company, its “easy-upgrade” design, as the name implies, lets you upgrade components like RAM without any unnecessary hassle.

Others

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 has a decent audio system as well. It supports Hi-Res audio, which is delivered by ESS Sabre HiFi DAC, for an immersive virtual surround sound. In terms of the speakers itself, it has 2x 4W speakers with Smart AMP technology. Moreover, it has two audio jacks, one of which is for plugging in dedicated mic for streaming, voice recording, and whatnot.

Also read: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 with Ryzen 4000 CPU launched

This laptop has a 90Whr battery and supports USB Type-C PD 3.0 (up to 65W) charging or via the good-ol’ fashioned power adaptor which is a 240W juggernaut. Though a 90Whr battery sounds amazing, given the 4K dual-display & other power-hungry components, the actual endurance may not be that exciting. Now the keyboard on the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 is a full-sized backlit chiclet keyboard with per-key RGB lighting & a 1.4mm travel distance. The device doesn’t skimp on connectivity options either, though I would’ve loved to see a separate SD card reader as well.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 Specifications:

Design & Build: All-metal chassis; 14.17W x 10.55D x 0.79H-inches; 2.4kg (5.29 pounds)
Display: Dual-display (both with touch support);
– Primary; 15.6-inches Non-glare 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) LED-backlit IPS panel, 100% Adobe RGB; 60Hz refresh rate; Nvidia G-SYNC compatible
or: 15.6-inches Non-glare FHD (1920 x 1080) LED-backlit IPS panel; 100% sRGB; 300Hz refresh rate/3ms response time, Nvidia G-SYNC compatible
– Secondary; 14.1-inches Non-glare 4K (3840×1100) panel
Keyboard: Full-size Chiclet ; Backlit (per-key RGB); 1.4mm key travel
Processor: Intel Comet Lake CPUs; Core i7-10875H or i9-10980HK
RAM: 8 / 16 / 32GB DDR4 SDRAM @3200MHz
Graphics: 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER or 2080 SUPER (Boost Clock: 1330MHz, 90W)
Battery: 90Whr; 240W power adaptor; USB Type-C PD 3.0 (up to 65W)
Storage: 1TB PCIe / 2TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD (RAID 0)
Audio: 2x 4W speakers with Smart AMP; ESS, Hi-Res, Array microphones
Connectivity: Intel WiFi 6 with Gig+ performance (ax), Bluetooth 5.0
Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C with DisplayPort 1.4 (Thunderbolt 3 & Power Delivery (PD) 3.0), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack, 1x 3.5mm microphone jack, 1x RJ45 (LAN) port

ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 Price, Availability

Having discussed all its high-end specs, you already know this thing is gonna cost a fortune. And it rightfully does. The most capable model with i9-10980HK, 4K main display, 32GB RAM, 2TB of storage, and RTX 2080 SUPER goes for $3,699. Similarly, the one with the same display, processor, & graphics but only 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage will retail for $3,499. Finally, the cheaper $2,999 configuration has the i7-10875H processor, RTX 2070 SUPER, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. ASUS will be bringing out the ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 from July 2020 in the market.

Model Name	Price	Availability
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 (4K primary display, i9-10980HK, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD in RAID 0, RTX 2080 SUPER)	$3,699 (~NRs. 452,400)	July 2020
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 (4K primary display, i9-10980HK, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, RTX 2080 SUPER)	$3,499 (~NRs. 427,940)	July 2020
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 (FHD primary display, i7-10875H, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD in RAID 0, RTX 2070 SUPER)	$2,999 (~NRs. 366,790)	July 2020

In terms of their Nepal availability, there’s no confirmation yet. However, the launch of ZenBook Duo/Pro Duo is a positive sign that the Zephyrus Duo 15 could hit the domestic market as well. But seeing the trend in pricing, we expect the base model to start at over Rs. 4 lakhs, if and when it launches in Nepal.

Check out our review of the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo!

Honor 30 series unveiled: Another set of Google-less flagship phones!

GadgetByte

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April 16, 2020

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Honor 30 series unveiled: Another set of Google-less flagship phones!

After the launch of Honor 30S, the company has now added three new devices to the Honor 30 series. The Honor 30, Honor 30 Pro and Honor 30 Pro+ are the top of line smartphones that feature a similar design and a similar set of specs with some tweaks in between them. Let’s take a deeper dive into what the latest additions to the Honor 30 series have to offer in terms of their specs, features, and pricing.

Honor 30 Pro, Pro+ Overview

Design and Display

Both the Honor 30 Pro and Honor 30 Pro+ feature 6.57-inch OLED panels with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. The screen is curved at both edges of the devices. While the Pro+ model supports a refresh rate of up to 90Hz and a response rate of up to 180Hz, the Pro model is stuck with the industry-standard 60Hz refresh rate. They both feature a pill-shaped cut-out for the dual selfie camera. An optical fingerprint sensor has been adjusted under the display of both the devices for biometrics.

Performance and Memory

The device is powered by HiSilicon Kirin 990 which is a flagship chipset based on the 7nm+ EUV²process. It is paired with Mali G76-MP16 GPU. It is a 5G ready SoC with support for both NSA and SA bands. For the Pro+ model, users can choose from 8GB and 12GB of RAM both of which will be paired with 256GB of internal storage. The Pro model is available with only 8GB of RAM which can be paired with either of 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. You can expand the storage using Huawei’s proprietary NM (Nano Memory) card technology.

Check out the specs of OnePlus 8

Camera

On the back, the devices flaunt a triple-camera setup. The primary lens in the Pro+ model is a 50MP sensor while it is a 40MP sensor in the Pro model. The RYYB filter promises better low-light photos on both devices. It is supported by an 8MP periscope lens that supports up to 5X optical zoom. There is also a 16MP ultra-wide-angle camera. The camera setup comes with support for OIS and can shoot RAW photographs. It can also record 4K videos at 60 fps.

On the front, there is a 32MP primary selfie camera paired with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens.

Battery and Others

The devices get their power from a 4000mAh battery which supports SuperCharge technology. Unlike the Pro model, the Pro+ comes with support for 27W wireless charging. Both the devices support WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 LE and are rated IP54 against dust and splash damage.

Check out the specs of OnePlus 8 Pro

Honor 30 Pro, Pro+ Specifications:

Body: 160.32 x 8.63 x 73.61mm ; 186 gm
Display: 6.57-inches Ultra-Curve OLED panel; 90Hz (Honor 30 Pro+)
Resolution: 2340 x 1080 pixels; 19.8:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: HiliSilicon Kirin 990 5G; 7nm+ Mobile Platform
CPU: Octa-core (2×2.86 GHz Cortex A76 + 3×2.36 GHz Cortex A76 & 4×1.95 GHz Cortex A55)
GPU: Mali-G76 MP16
RAM:
– 8GB (Honor 30 Pro)
– 8/12GB (Honor 30 Pro+)
Storage:
– 128/ 256GB (Honor 30 Pro)
– 256GB (Honor 30 Pro+)
Software & UI: Android 10 with Magic UI 3.1 on top
Rear Camera: Triple-camera;
– 50MP, f/1.9 primary shooter, OIS, RYYB filter (Honor 30 Pro+)
– 40MP, f/1.8 primary shooter, OIS, RYYB filter (Honor 30 Pro)
– 16MP, f/2.2 ultra-wide sensor
– 2MP depth sensor
– 8MP, f/3.44 telephoto lens, OIS, 5X optical zoom, up to 50X digital zoom
Front Camera:
– 32MP, f/2.primary sensor
– 8MP, f/2.2 ultra-wide sensor
Security: Optical in-display fingerprint scanner
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.1 LE, AGPS/GLONASS/BDS/Galileo, NFC, USB Type-C
Battery: 4000 mAh; 40W SuperCharge, 27W Wireless Charging (Honor 30 Pro+)

Honor 30 Overview

Honor 30 comes with a similar design. However, the screen here is a flat one which is also reduced to 6.53-inches. The OLED panel comes with a slightly bigger aspect ratio of 20:9. There is a single circular cut out on the top left corner of the screen and the fingerprint sensor is under the display.

The biggest change is in the chipset. Unlike the other two, Honor 30 is powered by the latest Kirin 985 chipset. It is a 5G chipset based on the 7nm process. This time, Huawei has opted for 1+3+4 core configuration which is quite popular with other manufacturers such as Qualcomm and Samsung. Initial benchmark results have shown that the chipset performs better than the Snapdragon 765G. It is available in three memory configurations – 6/128GB, 8/128GB and 8/256GB.

Honor 30 features a quad camera setup on the back. The primary camera here is a 40MP sensor. Other camera sensors are the same including an 8MP telephoto lens, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera. Additionally, it also has a dedicated 2MP macro camera.

It features the same 4000mAh battery with support for 40W SuperCharge. Connectivity-wise, it will support both WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 LE. It ships with Magic UI 3.1 based on Android 10.

Check out all the rumors surrounding Motorola Edge

Honor 30 Specifications:

Body: 160.32 x 8.10 x 74.18mm ; 185 gm
Display: 6.57-inches OLED panel; 20:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: HiliSilicon Kirin 985 5G; 7nm Mobile Platform
CPU: Octa-core (1×2.58 GHz Cortex A76 + 3×2.40 GHz Cortex A76 & 4×1.84 GHz Cortex A55)
GPU: Mali-G77
RAM: 6/8GB
Storage: 128/256GB
Software & UI: Android 10 with Magic UI 3.1 on top
Rear Camera: Quad-camera;
– 40MP, f/1.9 primary shooter, OIS, RYYB filter
– 8MP, f/2.4 ultra-wide sensor
– 8MP, f/3.4 telephoto lens, OIS, 5X optical zoom, up to 50X digital zoom
– 2MP macro sensor
Front Camera: 32MP, f/2.0 1.0 µm primary sensor
Security: Optical in-display fingerprint scanner
Connectivity: Dual Nano-SIM slot, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.1 LE, AGPS/GLONASS/Galileo, USB Type-C
Audio: Huawei Histen
Battery: 4000 mAh; 40W SuperCharge

All the devices under the Honor 30 series are promising, especially with their camera prowess. However, we still have to wait to see how it fares outside of China since it doesn’t come loaded with Google’s GMS services.

Check out Huawei’s journey without GMS

Honor 30 Series Price and Availability

As of now, the Honor 30 series is only available for pre-order in China and will go on sale from April 21. The brand hasn’t committed to an international launch yet.

The Honor 30 Pro+ comes with a price tag of 4,999 Yuan for the 8/256GB variant and 5,499 Yuan for the 12/256GB variant. The price of Honor 30 Pro is 3,999 Yuan for 8/128GB variant and 4,399 Yuan for 8/256GB variant. Similarly, the Honor 30 is available for a price of 2,999 Yuan for 6/128GB variant, 3,199 Yuan for 8/128GB variant and 3,499 Yuan for 8/256GB variant.

Model Name	Price in Nepal [Converted]	Availability
Honor 30 Pro+ (8/256GB)	4,999 Yuan (~NRs. 86,550)	April 21 (China)
Honor 30 Pro+ (12/256GB)	5,499 Yuan (~NRs. 95,200)	April 21 (China)
Honor 30 Pro (8/128GB)	3,999 Yuan (~NRs. 69,235)	April 21 (China)
Honor 30 Pro (8/256GB)	4,399 Yuan (~NRs. 76,160)	April 21 (China)
Honor 30 (6/128GB)	2,999 Yuan (~NRs. 51,920)	April 21 (China)
Honor 30 (8/128GB)	3,199 Yuan (~NRs. 55,385)	April 21 (China)
Honor 30 (8/256GB)	3,499 Yuan (~NRs. 60,580)	April 21 (China)

Check out our long-term review of the Samsung Galaxy A51!

LG Folder 2 Flip Phone launched with 4G support, Emergency Keys, and more

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LG

GadgetByte

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April 16, 2020

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LG Folder 2 Flip Phone launched with 4G support, Emergency Keys, and more

If you thought that flip-phones are so 2000, then think again. Last year we saw the revamped Motorola Razr, and it successfully brought up some nostalgic feeling. Now, LG has decided to tap into the same market as they have launched the new LG Folder 2. No, it’s not some foldable all-screen smartphone, rather it looks much more of a retro device with smart features. And according to the company, it is designed for people on a tight budget who require a phone that’s easy to use.

LG Folder 2 Overview

Let’s jump into what this device has for offer. It has a 2.8-inch QVGA screen with 240 x 320 pixels resolution. There’s a secondary 0.9-inch screen on the lid, which will display notifications for text, calls, battery life, signal strength and time. This secondary screen is a monochrome panel.

A great feature of this device is the SOS key that is placed on the back beside the 2MP camera. This key allows you to pre-register a number that you’d want to contact in case of an emergency. All you’d have to do is press the button three times in quick succession within 1.5 seconds. And other than connecting you to the number, it also shares your with the number through a text message.

There’s another useful Hotkey upfront too. It’s placed right above the call button and can be used for AI voice service. This service basically allows you to ask questions about weather, time, simple calculations and so on. Moreover, LG Folder 2 also has a data security lock function that helps prevent unintentional data charges.

Under the hood, it has Snapdragon 210 SoC coupled with 1GB of RAM and 8GB storage. Furthermore, there’s a microSD slot that allows you to expand the memory up to 32GB. The device supports 4G, Wi-Fi, and GPS. And power-wise, it has a 1470mAh battery inside.

Specifications:

Display: 2.8″ IPS LCD screen with 240 x 320 pixels resolution
Main Camera:2MP
Processor: Quad-core 28 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 210
GPU: Adreno 304
RAM: 1 GB
Storage: 8GB onboard, expandable
Battery: 1470 mAh
Colors: White, Platinum Gray

LG Folder 2 Price and Availability

The device will go on sale from April 17 and for now, it will only be available in South Korea. As far as the pricing is concerned, the LG Folder 2 will cost $160. As of now, there’s no information about the international availability of the device. Overall, this looks like a good device that mixes nostalgia and smart features just fine. However, I feel that the pricing could have been a bit less considering the offered specs. Because, you see the device more or less resembles the Samsung Galaxy Folder 2. And that one offered more, albeit at a slightly more price. So, pricing-wise, this phone is not convincing at all.

Motorola Edge: What we know so far…

GadgetByte

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April 15, 2020

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It has been a while since we last saw Motorola release a flagship device. The Motorola Razr did create a stir in the smartphone market earlier this year but at its best, it was purchasable proof of concept. This year looks to be the year Motorola goes all-in in the high-end market segment. Motorola will be launching the new Edge series later this month and the first under the premium series will be Motorola Edge. Let’s check what we know about the device so far.

Motorola Edge Rumors Round-up

As it stands, Motorola Edge won’t be the most affordable device under the new Edge series. The Edge series will mark a comeback for Motorola in the premium smartphone market segment.

Design and Display

The highlight of the device so far is its design. Motorola Edge will sport a waterfall display with the diagonal length of the screen estimated to be around 6.67-inch. To achieve the waterfall effect, the AMOLED panel has been heavily curved at both the edges. The display supports up to 90Hz refresh rate. Users can manually choose between standard 60Hz and 90Hz or let the device automatically adjust to the appropriate refresh rate based on the contents being displayed. The panel features a tiny circular punch-hole display at the top left corner of the screen which houses the front camera.

On the back, the linear camera bump looks quite thick. It houses the triple camera setup. Since the fingerprint sensor is integrated under the display, there is nothing on the back panel except the Motorola logo.

Check out the specs of Motorola Hyper One

Performance and Memory

Motorola Edge will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G SoC which comes with an integrated 5G modem. SD 765G’s popularity is now on the rise since smartphone brands are working on affordable 5G phones. The chipset will be paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Combine that with Qualcomm’s Elite gaming features and the 5G connectivity, it looks to be a performance beast.

Camera

The triple camera setup comes with a 64MP sensor as the primary camera. The 64MP output will be achieved using pixel binning techniques. It will be accompanied by a 16MP wide-angle camera and an 8MP telephoto lens. The device will also come with laser autofocus and dual-LED. On the front, Motorola has included a 25MP selfie camera.

Check out the specs of Motorola G8

Battery and Others

The device will come with a massive 4,500mAh battery. For a battery of such capacity, we expect support for fast charging of some kind. It will also equip a 3.5mm headphone jack. The company has managed to fit in dual stereo speakers in the device too.

Motorola Edge Specifications: (Rumored)

Display: 6.75-inch Waterfall AMOLED display, 90Hz refresh rate
Resolution: FullHD+
Rear Camera: Triple, 64MP primary lens + 16MP wide-angle lens + 8MP telephoto lens
Front Camera: 24MP camera
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
CPU: Octa-core (1x 2.2Ghz Cortex-A76 + 1x 2.4Ghz Cortex-A76+ 6x 1.8Ghz Cortex-A55)
GPU: Adreno 620
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 4500 mAh
Security: Fingerprint (under display)
Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack

Motorola Edge Launch Date and Availability

Motorola will unveil the Motorola Edge via an online event on April 22. We will know more about the memory configurations, price, and availability of Motorola Edge from the event.

Model Name	Launch Date
Motorola Edge	April 22

Redmi AirDots S launched: A subtle upgrade to Redmi AirDots

GadgetByte

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April 15, 2020

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Redmi AirDots S launched: A subtle upgrade to Redmi AirDots

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z was just announced yesterday and is gaining a lot of traction. However, it is not the only earbuds to have launched this week. Redmi, which is popular in the South Asian market, has quietly launched Redmi AirDots S in China. It comes with some minor upgrades to the already popular Redmi AirDots. Let’s check how the new Redmi AirDots differ from the vanilla AirDots in terms of specs, its expected price in Nepal and availability.

Redmi AirDots S Overview

What’s new?

Redmi AirDots S is a truly wireless headset and there is no connection between the left and right earbuds. What this means is that you can use both of them at once (stereo) or single one of them (mono) as per your convenience. Switching between the mono and the stereo modes doesn’t require repairing and thus is smooth and hassle-free.

Check out our review of Accurate TWS HX03

Like the Redmi AirDots, the AirDots S is also based on Bluetooth 5.0 technology. But even so, the latter offers up to 2x data transfer rate thanks to it’s improved chip. The connection is also claimed to be improved in terms of both speed and stability. The earbuds can connect a device within a 10-meter distance.

It now comes with a low latency game mode too. Just double-clicking the buttons will activate this mode which will allow smoother gaming experience. The mode will reduce transmission delay, and contribute to better sync of audio and video.

Check out our review of Redmi AirDots

Things unchanged

The rest of the specs are similar to that of Redmi AirDots. It is equipped with 7.2mm drivers and comes with DSP intelligent technology for ambient noise cancellation. The earbuds are light at just 4.1gram and Redmi has included two pairs of extra silicone tips in the box. On a single charge, the earbuds can last up to 4 hours which can be extended up to 12 with the charging case. It also comes with an IPX4 rating against splash damage.

Redmi AirDots S Specifications:

Dimensions: 2.66×1.64×2.16cm
Weight: 4.1 gram (Each earbud)
Driver: 7.2mm
Wearing type: In-Ear
Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth)
Battery Backup: 4 hours (up to 12 hours with charging case)
Bluetooth Version: V5.0
Controls: Physical button

Check out our list of best wireless earbuds in every price range in Nepal

Redmi AirDots S Price in Nepal & Availability

As of now, Redmi AirDots is available only in China with a price tag of 99 Yuan. We expect the Redmi AirDots S to launch later this year with its price in Nepal to be around Rs 3,000.

Model name	Expected Price in Nepal	Availability
Redmi AirDots S	~NPR 3,000	Late 2020

Check out our review of Redmi AirDots!

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z goes official alongside the OnePlus 8 series

GadgetByte

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April 14, 2020

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OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z goes official alongside the OnePlus 8 series

OnePlus has finally lifted the curtain off its Oneplus 8 series. Though we would have loved to see OnePlus 8 lite along with the devices that were announced, OnePlus seems to have saved it for later times. However, the launch event wasn’t only about the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. The company also unveiled the latest OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z which comes with a lasting battery endurance. Check out the complete specs of Bullets Wireless Z along with its expected price in Nepal.

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z Overview

OnePlus first introduced its wireless neckband aka the “OnePlus Bullets Wireless” alongside the OnePlus 6. In 2019, OnePlus succeeded it with OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2. And now, the company has unveiled the Bullets Wireless Z as the latest in the lineup.

Drivers

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z comes with a 9.2mm dynamic driver in each of the earbuds. To recall, Bullets Wireless 2 comes with 10mm dynamic drivers in each earbud. The company has also included a super bass tone for a richer sound experience and superior tonality. There is a magnet on the back of each earbud that you can use to clip them together when not in use. And at just 28 grams, the earbuds are light and the weight won’t bother you when you hang it on your neck.

Check out our review of Accurate TWS HX03

Magnetic Controls

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z comes with a wide range of control options. You can use it to quickly switch between paired devices (Quick Switch), change volume levels, skip contents or even summon the voice assistant. All these are possible due to the magnetic controls. There is also a Quick Pair and a Tap to Connect feature to let you connect the earbuds to your device without hassle.

Check out our list of best wireless earbuds available in Nepal

Battery Endurance and Others

The wireless earbuds support Bluetooth 5.0 and it can connect to devices within a distance of 10 meters. It also comes with a low latency mode. The highlight of the device is the battery endurance. On a full charge, the company claims that the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z will last around 20 hours. The best part? It also supports Warp Charge that provides a whopping 10 hours of playback time with only 10 minutes of charge. It’s also IP55 rated against sweat and water damage. It is available in four different color options: Black, Blue, Mint, and Oat.

Check out the upcoming bean-shaped Galaxy Buds

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z Specifications:

Type: In-ear audio
Weight: 20g
Driver: 9.2mm Dynamic driver
Controls: Magnetic
Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
Charging: Type C port with support for Warp Charge
Sweat & Water Resistance: IP55
Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Range: Up to 33ft (10m)
Color Options: Blue, Black, Mint, Oat

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z Price in Nepal, Availability

OnePlus Bullets Z comes with a price tag at $49.95 (~NRs. 6,090) which makes it a cheaper alternative to Bullets Wireless 2 which is priced at $99. As of its availability in Nepal, we expect OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z to launch in Nepal with a price tag of around NPR 8,500.

Model Name	Expected Price in Nepal	Availability
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z	~NPR 8,500	Late 2020

Check out our long-term review of OnePlus 7T!

LG Velvet announced with 3D Arc Design and Raindrop Camera

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LG

GadgetByte

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April 14, 2020

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LG Velvet announced with 3D Arc Design and Raindrop Camera

LG is a huge name in the consumer electronic market. However, in recent times, the brand is failing to make an impact in the smartphone market. During the CES 2020, the company’s CEO Kwon Bong-Seok hinted that the brand is working on new releases which will hopefully help the company turn the tide to its favor. The first of those releases looks to the upcoming LG Velvet. LG recently announced this phone will come with a “radical” new design. Let’s learn about all the rumors, and leaks surrounding the upcoming LG Velvet.

LG’s New Smartphone Lineup

At CES 2020, CEO Kwon Bong-Seok not only promised steady new releases but also added that the new devices will come packed with woo factors to woo the customers. The woo factor in the LG Velvet is its design. When we talk about smartphones today, the specifications takes the center stage. However, all the recent devices look similar in terms of specs with only a few tweaks separating them.

LG’s solution to the problem is a new smartphone lineup that will focus on design factors that will distinguish it from the rest. LG promises that the new lineup, which includes the LG Velvet, will come with tactile elegance that will be unique to itself. Also, the devices under this new lineup will not be distinguished with alphanumeric designation but with expressive monikers that capture the essence of the device better.

Check out the specs of Oppo Ace 2

LG Velvet: What we know so far

LG Velvet is the first device to adopt the company’s new philosophy. The “Velvet” is for the lustrous smoothness and premium softness of the device. It will feature a 3D curve design and the symmetrical flowing form factor is said to be pleasing to the eyes.

Check out the specs of LG V60 ThinQ

On the back, the cameras are arranged in a setup which the company is calling Raindrop. The sensors aren’t enclosed inside a single module and are arranged vertically in descending order in terms of size. The LED flash resides at the bottom of the setup. While other brands are experimenting with practically all types of geometrically shaped modules, the raindrop camera does look unique.

Leaks and Rumors

Even with the official announcement, LG hasn’t revealed any live images of the LG Velvet. It released some design sketches before the announcement and the logo on the day of the announcement. But thanks to Ice Universe, we now know how the device will look in reality. Ice Universe leaked live images of the Velvet in the twitter.

The device comes with a glass back which curves at both edges symmetrical to the curve of the display panel. Overall the design looks both sleek and slim. The device comes with a tiny circular cut-out on the front and will likely feature an AMOLED display with an optical fingerprint sensor integrated under the screen.

Check out TCL 10 series

As far as the specs are concerned, LG hasn’t dropped even a single hint. But analyzing the press release, the device won’t be way off the recent trend in the smartphone world. In 2020 we have seen a lot of devices that incorporate Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 5G chipset and now brands are shifting towards more affordable Snapdragon 765G. The latter seems to align with initial rumors regarding the device. However, we need to wait for the official confirmation regarding other details about the device.

LG Velvet Launch & Availability

Given the official announcement, the launch date of the LG Velvet must be within the reach. If the rumors are to be believed, the brand will be unveiling the device through an event on May 15.

Check out our long-term review of Realme 6 Pro!

Oppo Ace 2 unveiled with the fastest wireless charging in a smartphone

GadgetByte

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April 13, 2020

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Oppo Ace 2 unveiled with the fastest wireless charging in a smartphone

It hasn’t even been a year since Oppo unveiled the Reno Ace and now the company is has lifted the curtain off its successor. However, this time the company is making Ace a series of its own by the introduction of the Oppo Ace 2. Let’s check out the full specs, price, and availability of Oppo Ace 2.

Oppo Ace 2 Overview

Since its predecessor was introduced under the Reno series, the upcoming Oppo Ace 2 will be the first in the series if Oppo decides to continue the new Ace series further down the line. With the new device, Oppo looks to build on the Reno Ace particularly in the wireless charging technology.

Design and Display

Screens with higher refresh rates are on the trend these days and it looks like Oppo doesn’t want to miss out. The 6.5-inch AMOLED panel in the Ace 2 will come with a screen with support for up to 90Hz refresh rate. There is a circular cutout on the top left corner to house the selfie camera. To top it off, it comes with a 180Hz response rate. The panel boasts a peak brightness of up to 800nits. The company claims that the screen covers over 96% of the DCI-P3 colors and is effective at reducing eye strain.

On the back, the device flaunts a 3D curve design. The quad-camera setup is housed inside a circular camera bump. The LED flash resides outside the bump. Since the fingerprint sensor is integrated under the screen, the rear panel looks clean with only the camera module and the company’s logo.

Check out the specs of the Oppo Find X2

Performance and Memory

Like every other flagship devices this year, the Oppo Ace 2 will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 SoC. The chipset will come with Snapdragon X55 modem for 5G connectivity. Users can choose between three memory configurations – 8/128GB, 8/256GB, and 12/512GB. The internal storage on the device is based on UFS 3.0 technology respectively. The 8GB variants are all based on LPDDR4x whereas the 12GB is based on the LPDDR5 technology. For gamers, the device will come with 4D haptic gaming vibration 2.0 and 4D constant cooling technology. With HyperBoost 3.0, the brand claims that users can enjoy Peace Elite at 90fps for prolonged periods.

Camera

As with the majority of the gaming smartphones out there in the market, the camera setup on the Oppo Ace 2 isn’t anything extraordinary. The quad-camera setup on the back comes with a 48MP IMX586 as the primary sensor. It is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide sensor with 119-degree FOV, a 2MP portrait camera, and 2MP Black and White sensor. On the front, Oppo has included a 16MP selfie camera inside the punch-hole.

Check out the price of Oppo Reno 3 in Nepal

Battery and Others

The highlight of the Reno Ace was its 65W Super VOOC 2.0 Flash Charge support which is still the fastest wired charging available in a smartphone. Its successor retains the technology for the 4,000mAh battery. It also comes with support for 40W Super AirVOOC wireless charging. You can squeeze out an hour of usage with only 5 minutes of charging. In a recent battery test, the device lasted 12hours on continuous video playback and 7 hours on gaming. The test was conducted with the brightness level maintained at 50%. It also supports 10W reverse charging technology. The device has dual stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support.

Check out OnePlus Warp Charge 30 Wireless

Oppo Ace 2 Specifications

Display: 6.5-inches AMOLED display
Resolution: Full-HD+ (2400 × 1080 pixels), 20:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: Snapdragon 865; 7nm+ Mobile Platform
CPU: Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 585 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 585)
GPU: Adreno 640
RAM: 8GB (LPDDR4X) / 12GB(LPDDR5)
Storage: 128GB / 256GB UFS 3.0
Rear Camera: Quad-camera – 48MP f/1.7 sensor, 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens, 2MP portrait camera, 2MP Black and White camera
Fingerprint sensor: On-screen
Audio: 3.5mm audio jack, Dual stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos
Battery: 4000 mAh battery, 65W SuperVOOC Flash Charge 2.0, 40W wireless charge, 10W reverse wireless charging
Color: Black, Silver, Purple

Check out the price of Oppo F15 in Nepal

Oppo Ace 2 Price and Availability

Oppo Ace 2 will go on sale in China starting from April 20. The Oppo Ace 2 comes with a price tag of 3999 Yuan for the 8/128GB, 4399 Yuan for 8/256GB and 4599 Yuan for 12/512GB variant. However, we will have to wait for the official information regarding the price and availability of Oppo Ace 2 in the international market.

Model Name	Price	Availability
Oppo Ace 2(8/128GB)	3,999 Yuan (~NPR 70,000)	April 20 (China)
Oppo Ace 2(8/256GB)	4,399 Yuan(~NPR 77,000)	April 20 (China)
Oppo Ace 2(12/512GB)	4,599 Yuan (~NPR 80,000)	April 20 (China)

So, what features of the device are you excited you? How do you think about the 40W fast charging technology? Share your opinions with us.

Check out our long-term review of Realme 6 Pro!