United News of Bangladesh

Brand-new smartphones are expensive, and with global trade tensions—partly due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats—prices could climb even higher, especially for Asian-made electronics. To cut costs, many are turning to secondhand phones. The market for pre-owned smartphones is booming. In fact, it’s expanding faster than the new phone market, says U.K.-based tech research company CCS Insight. As people upgrade to the latest models, they often sell or trade in their old devices, which are still in good shape and have plenty of life left. If you're watching your wallet, a refurbished phone can be up to 50% cheaper than a brand-new one. These days, they often come with warranties, payment plans, and customer support, according to CCS Insight. Meanwhile, the price of a top-tier iPhone Pro Max could jump nearly 30%, rising from $1,200 to $1,550, according to UBS. But buying used isn't always simple. Here's a quick guide: What are the most in-demand models?Apple dominates the used phone market, making up 60% of it. Samsung comes next with 17%, and the rest is made up of lesser-known Chinese brands like Xiaomi. Where should you shop?There are plenty of online sources for secondhand phones—but also many scams. Stick to trusted sellers, read reviews, and avoid suspiciously cheap deals. Some good platforms to try include Gazelle, Backmarket, and major retailers like BestBuy or Amazon. Phone carriers often sell certified refurbished models as well. Even Apple and Samsung offer their own secondhand phones, refurbished by their teams. While these options are more reliable, the savings might not be as big, and the model selection can be limited—Apple, for example, currently only offers refurbished iPhone 13 and 14 models. Refurbished typically means the phone has been reset, tested, and repaired as needed. But a used phone could be anything from a barely-used gem to a beat-up device sold “as is” on Facebook Marketplace. These are cheaper, but riskier. “You’ll get the best deal if you’re comfortable with more risk,” says Simon Bryant, VP of research at CCS Insight. Safer peer-to-peer platforms like eBay or Swappa offer buyer protections, including refunds if the phone isn’t as advertised. What about battery health?Just because a phone is refurbished doesn't mean the battery has been replaced—it depends on the seller. Apple and Samsung say their refurbished phones come with new batteries and sometimes even new shells, plus a charger, a one-year warranty, and original packaging. Other sellers might only ensure the battery retains at least 80% of its original capacity. How do I assess condition?Most platforms have their own grading systems, like “Excellent,” “Very Good,” or “Like New.” But there's no industry standard, so ratings vary widely between sellers and can make comparison tricky. “It’s inconsistent,” Bryant explains. “One site’s 'Grade A' might be another’s 'Like New'—which complicates shopping.” How old is too old?Stick to phones that are no more than three generations old. Devices older than five or six generations may no longer receive software updates, which impacts performance and security. “Three generations back is the sweet spot,” Bryant says. “You get modern features, less wear, and solid support.” Could it be stolen?Reputable platforms have checks in place, but always verify the device's IMEI (serial number), which can be accessed by dialing *#06# on most phones. Swappa requires sellers to run an IMEI check before listing a phone. BackMarket works with certified sellers to avoid blacklisted devices but will assist if a stolen one slips through. Can I check for water damage?Newer phones resist water but aren’t waterproof. If buying in person, check for liquid damage. Apple and Samsung both offer guides on how to locate water exposure indicators on their devices. Do accessories come with it?Not always. Chargers, cables, or headphones may be missing, so factor those costs into your budget.

European Union watchdogs fined Apple and Meta hundreds of millions of euros Wednesday as they stepped up enforcement of the 27-nation bloc’s digital competition rules.   The European Commission imposed a 500 million euro ($571 million) fine on Apple for preventing app makers from pointing users to cheaper options outside its App Store.   The commission, which is the EU’s executive arm, also fined Meta Platforms 200 million euros because it forced Facebook and Instagram users to choose between seeing ads or paying to avoid them. The punishments were smaller than the blockbuster multibillion-euro fines that the commission has previously slapped on Big Tech companies in antitrustcases.   Apple and Meta have to comply with the decisions within 60 days or risk unspecified “periodic penalty payments,” the commission said. The decisions were expected to come in March, but officials apparently held off amid an escalating trans-Atlantic trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly complained about regulations from Brussels affecting American companies.   The penalties were issued under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, also known as the DMA. It’s a sweeping rulebook that amounts to a set of do’s and don’ts designed to give consumers and businesses more choice and prevent Big Tech “gatekeepers” from cornering digital markets.   Both companies indicated they would appeal.   Apple accused the commission of “unfairly targeting” the iPhone maker, and said it "continues to move the goal posts” despite the company's efforts to comply with the rules.   Meta Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan said in a statement that the “Commission is attempting to handicap successful American businesses while allowing Chinese and European companies to operate under different standards.”   In the App Store case, the Commission had accused the iPhone maker of imposing unfair rules preventing app developers from freely steering consumers to other channels.   Among the DMA’s provisions are requirements to let developers inform customers of cheaper purchasing options and direct them to those offers.   The commission said it ordered Apple to remove technical and commercial restrictions that prevent developers from steering users to other channels, and to end “non-compliant” conduct.   Apple said it has “spent hundreds of thousands of engineering hours and made dozens of changes to comply with this law, none of which our users have asked for."   “Despite countless meetings, the Commission continues to move the goal posts every step of the way," the company said.   The EU’s Meta investigation centered on the company’s strategy to comply with strict European data privacy rules by giving users the option of paying for ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram.   Users could pay at least 10 euros ($11) a month to avoid being targeted by ads based on their personal data. The U.S. tech giant rolled out the option after the European Union’s top court ruled Meta must first get consent before showing ads to users, in a decision that threatened its business model of tailoring ads based on individual users’ online interests and digital activity.   Meta rolled out a third option in November giving Facebook and Instagram users in Europe the option to see fewer personalized ads if they don’t want to pay for an ad-free subscription.

Elon Musk says he’ll be spending less time in Washington slashing government costs and more time running Tesla after his electric vehicle company reported a big drop in profits. Musk said on a conference call with analysts Tuesday that “now that the major work of establishing Department of Government Efficiency is done,” that he will be “allocating far more of my time to Tesla” starting in May. Musk said he now expects to spend just “a day or two per week on government matters” Tesla struggled to sell vehicles as it faced angry protests over Musk’s leadership of DOGE, a jobs-cutting group that has divided the country. The Austin, Texas, company reported a 71% drop in profits and a 9% decline in revenue for the first quarter. “Investors wanted to see him recommit to Tesla,” said Wedbush Securities' Dan Ives. “This is a big step in the right direction." Investors sent Tesla shares up more than 5% in after-hours trading, although they are still down more than 40% for the year. The company reconfirmed that it expects to roll out a cheaper version of its best-selling vehicle, the Model Y sport utility vehicle, in the first half of this year. It also stuck with its predictions that it will be able to launch a paid driverless robotaxi service in Austin in June and have much of its fleet operating by itself next year. “There will be millions of Teslas operating autonomously in the second half of the year,” Musk said in a conference call after the results were announced. He later added about the personal use of autonomous vehicles, "Can you go to sleep in our cars and wake up at your destination? I’m confident that will be available in many cities in the U.S. by the end of this year.” Millions take to streets across US against Trump and Musk Auto analyst Sam Abuelsamid at Telemetry Insight said he doubts Musk's predictions. “The system is not robust enough to operate unsupervised. It still makes far too many errors,” he said. “It will suddenly make mistakes that will lead to a crash.” The planned rollout of the robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals comes as federal regulators still have open investigations into whether the technology that Tesla hopes will allow cars to drive themselves is completely safe. Tesla’s driver-assistance technology that can steer or stop a car but still requires humans to take over at any time — its so-called Autopilot — is being probed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for whether it alerts drivers sufficiently when their attention wanders. And the company’s Full Self-Driving, which is only partial self-driving and has drawn criticism for misleading drivers with the name, has come under scrutiny for its tie to accidents in low-visibility conditions like when there is sun glare. Another challenge to Tesla, which once dominated the EV business: It is facing fierce competition for the first time. Earlier this year, Chinese EV maker BYD announced it had developed an electric battery that can charge within minutes. And Tesla’s European rivals have begun offering new models with advanced technology that is making them real Tesla alternatives just as popular opinion has turned against Musk. The Tesla CEO has alienated potential buyers in Europe by publicly supporting far-right politicians there. Tesla said Tuesday that quarterly profits fell from $1.39 billion to $409 million, or 12 cents a share. That’s far below analyst estimates. Tesla’s revenue fell from $21.3 billion to $19.3 billion in the January through March period, also below Wall Street’s forecast. Tesla’s gross margins, a measure of earnings for each dollar of revenue, fell from 17.4% to 16.3% . Tesla has said it will be hurt less by the Trump administration's tariffs than most U.S. car companies because it makes most of its U.S. cars domestically. But it won’t be completely unscathed. It sources some materials for its vehicles from abroad that will now face import taxes. Tesla warned in announcing its results that tariffs will hit its energy storage business, too. Retaliation from China will also hurt Tesla. The company was forced earlier this month to stop taking orders from mainland customers for two models, its Model S and Model X. It makes the Model Y and Model 3 for the Chinese market at its factory in Shanghai. The company’s side business of selling “regulatory credits” to other automakers that fall short of emission standards boosted results for the quarter. Tesla generated $595 million from credit sales, up from $442 million a year ago. The company generated $2.2 billion in cash flow versus $242 million a year earlier. 'Hands Off!' protests against Trump and Musk are planned across the US Morningstar analyst Seth Goldstein said earlier reports of plunging sales that had tanked the stock made the quarterly results almost predictable. “They’re not particularly surprising given that deliveries were down,” he said. “It was good to see positive cash flow.”

2025 has successfully marked itself as one of the greatest years for video gamers, releasing multiple hits every month. The upcoming month is ready to heighten the excitement with a few big titles and a couple of potential Game of the Year contenders set for launch. Here is a detailed list of the most anticipated virtual games coming up this May. Top Video Games Awaiting Releases in May 2025 . Metal Eden Developed by Reikon Games, the Metal Eden is an adrenaline-pumped sci-fi first-person shooting game. Much to the thrill of fast and furious action lovers, the game teams up a few Hyper Unit soldiers and sends them off on a suicide mission to locate and retrieve the citizens’ COREs. The battleground is a vast, monolithic city named Moedbius, which machines have taken over. Players must fight powerful mecha troops and different elemental forces during their mission. Backed by blood-enraging background music and a colourful, futuristic setting, Metal Eden will be a dream come true for the genre-lover. It will hit PC, PlayStation, and Xbox on May 6, 2025. Read more: Top 10 Football Live Streaming Apps for iOS and Android in 2025 Revenge of the Savage Planet From the developer Raccoon Logic Studios Inc., Revenge of the Savage Planet is a two-player co-op sci-fi satire adventure game. Out of corporate stupidity and utter negligence, the players will find themselves abandoned by their space-exploring company in an alien world with few resources. Now, they have to explore several planets, scan plants, climb mountains, swim in lakes, and spelunk caves; fight alien beasts and creatures; collect resources; and upgrade crafts to finally get on their way home. The settings, narrative, and gameplay set into an upbeat motion, leaving players laughing and enjoying while struggling through challenges. The game will be available across multiple platforms on May 8, 2025. The Midnight Walk The Midnight Walk is unique, with bizarre characters resurrected to life long after the destruction of the regular world. Now the world is traversed by snarled-faced monsters and covered in darkness. Players will follow a lantern creature named Potboy and find their way in his light through the horror and wonder of the world. Read more: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Game Review: What’s New They have to outsmart and kill monsters lurking and rushing behind and after to eat the flame on Potboy’s head. The whole setting in the game is handcrafted with clay and later 3D scanned to a grainy detail. The game will come to players’ reach on May 8, 2025. Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade Re-establish peace, slashing through and destroying demon hordes and bosses in Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade. Developed by 7QUARK, the game, from its settings to its combats, reflects the original Japanese style. Set in the Edo period, the game narrates a time when the peace between demons and mortals breaks down under the influence of the rise of the nine-tailed fox. Players must choose among three characters—an immortal ninja, an oni emissary, and a demon samurai—distinct in combat style and rage, and confront demon forces to their eradication until peace remerges. Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade will launch on May 14, 2025. Read more: April 2025 Video Games: 8 Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch Doom: The Dark Ages Id Software’s searing first-person shooting title, Doom, returns with its third installment, prequelling the first two’s storyline. The new title, Doom: The Dark Ages, will plunge players into hell, amidst the damned and demons. Players will move in the blood-stained boots of the Doom Slayer, bursting and slashing the heads and bodies of creatures in hell to find their leader, the one who is ruling the underworld. Jampacked action sequences, heavy weaponry, moving background music, and cinematic visuals will all blend together, inviting players to the unworldly menace of the hellish battlefield. Doom: The Dark Ages will launch on May 15, 2025.

Google is confronting an existential threat as the U.S. government tries to break up the company as punishment for turning its revolutionary search engine into an illegal monopoly. The drama began to unfold Monday in a Washington courtroom as three weeks of hearings kicked off to determine how the company should be penalized for operating a monopoly in search. In its opening arguments, federal antitrust enforcers also urged the court to impose forward-looking remedies to prevent Google from using artificial intelligence to further its dominance. “This is a moment in time, we’re at an inflection point, will we abandon the search market and surrender them to control of the monopolists or will we let competition prevail and give choice to future generations,” said Justice Department attorney David Dahlquist. The proceedings, known in legal parlance as a “remedy hearing,” are set to feature a parade of witnesses that includes Google CEO Sundar Pichai. The U.S. Department of Justice is asking a federal judge to order a radical shake-up that would ban Google from striking the multibillion dollar deals with Apple and other tech companies that shield its search engine from competition, share its repository of valuable user data with rivals and force a sale of its popular Chrome browser. Google’s attorney, John Schmidtlein, said in his opening statement that the court should take a much lighter touch. He said the government’s heavy-handed proposed remedies wouldn’t boost competition but instead unfairly reward lesser rivals with inferior technology. “Google won its place in the market fair and square,” Schmidtlein said. ‘Flying taxis’ poised to revolutionise urban commuting The moment of reckoning comes four-and-a-half-years after the Justice Department filed a landmark lawsuit alleging Google’s search engine had been abusing its power as the internet's main gateway to stifle competition and innovation for more than a decade. After the case finally went to trial in 2023, a federal judge last year ruled Google had been making anti-competitive deals to lock in its search engine as the go-to place for digital information on the iPhone, personal computers and other widely used devices, including those running on its own Android software. That landmark ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sets up a high-stakes drama that will determine the penalties for Google’s misconduct in a search market that it has defined since Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded the company in a Silicon Valley garage in 1998. Since that austere start, Google has expanded far beyond search to become a powerhouse in email, digital mapping, online video, web browsing, smartphone software and data centers. Seizing upon its victory in the search case, the Justice Department is now setting out to prove that radical steps must be taken to rein in Google and its corporate parent, Alphabet Inc. “Google’s illegal conduct has created an economic goliath, one that wreaks havoc over the marketplace to ensure that — no matter what occurs — Google always wins,” the Justice Department argued in documents outlining its proposed penalties. “The American people thus are forced to accept the unbridled demands and shifting, ideological preferences of an economic leviathan in return for a search engine the public may enjoy.” Although the proposed penalties were originally made under President Joe Biden's term, they are still being embraced by the Justice Department under President Donald Trump, whose first administration filed the case against Google. Since the change in administrations, the Justice Department has also attempted to cast Google's immense power as a threat to freedom, too. In his opening statement, Dahlquist noted that top officials from the Justice Department were in the room to watch proceedings. He said their presence indicated that the case had the full support of federal antitrust regulators, both past and present. “The fact that this case was filed in 2020, tried in 2023, under two different administrations, and joined by 49 states demonstrates the non-partisan nature of this case and our proposed remedies,” Dahlquist said. Dahlquist also said that Mehta would be hearing a lot about AI — “perhaps more than you want, your honor,” — and said top executives from AI companies, like ChatGPT, would be called to testify. He said the court's remedies should include provisions to make sure that Google's AI product, Gemini, isn't used to strengthen its existing search monopoly. “We believe that Google can and will attempt to circumvent the court's remedies if it is not included,” Dahlquist said. “Gen AI is Google's next evolution to keep their vicious cycle spinning.” Schmidtlein, Google's attorney, said rival AI companies had seen enormous growth in recent years and were doing “just fine." Google guilty of ad monopoly, judge rules Google is also sounding alarms about the proposed requirements to share online search data with rivals and the proposed sale of Chrome posing privacy and security risks. “The breadth and depth of the proposed remedies risks doing significant damage to a complex ecosystem. Some of the proposed remedies would imperil browser developers and jeopardize the digital security of millions of consumers," Google lawyers said in a filing leading up to hearings. The showdown over Google's fate marks the climax of the biggest antitrust case in the U.S. since the Justice Department sued Microsoft in the late 1990s for leveraging its Windows software for personal computers to crush potential rivals. The Microsoft battle culminated in a federal judge declaring the company an illegal monopoly and ordering a partial breakup — a remedy that was eventually overturned by an appeals court. Google intends to file an appeal of Mehta's ruling from last year that branded its search engine as an illegal monopoly but can't do so until the remedy hearings are completed. After closing arguments are presented in late May, Mehta intends to make his decision on the remedies before Labor Day. The search case marked the first in a succession of antitrust cases that have been brought against a litany of tech giants that include Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms, which is currently fighting allegations of running an illegal monopoly in social media in another Washington D.C. trial. Other antitrust cases have been brought against both Apple and Amazon, too. Japan's anti-monopoly watchdog accuses Google of violations in smartphones The Justice Department also targeted Google's digital advertising network in a separate antitrust case that resulted last week in another federal judge's decision that found the company was abusing its power in that market, too. That ruling means Google will be heading into another remedy hearing that could once again raise the specter of a breakup later this year or early next year.

Dhaka, April, 21 (AP/UNB)---When the Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak, it will be spring’s first chance to see shooting stars. The Lyrids have surprised skygazers in the past with as many as 100 meteors per hour, but it’s not predicted to be as active this time around. Scientists claim discovery of 'new colour' never seen by humans During Tuesday morning’s peak, expect to see around six meteors per hour, said Thaddeus LaCoursiere, planetarium program coordinator at the Bell Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota. The waning crescent moon will be 40% full, meaning a decent level of visibility under clear and dark conditions. Viewing lasts until April 26. Here’s what to know about the Lyrids and other meteor showers.   What is a meteor shower? As the Earth orbits the sun, several times a year it passes through debris left by passing comets and sometimes asteroids. The source of the Lyrids is debris from the comet Thatcher. When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere, the debris encounters new resistance from the air and becomes very hot, eventually burning up. Sometimes the surrounding air glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail — the end of a “shooting star.” You don’t need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that flash across annually, just a spot away from city lights.   How to view a meteor shower The best time to watch a meteor shower is in the early predawn hours when the moon is low in the sky. Competing sources of light — such as a bright moon or artificial glow — are the main obstacles to a clear view of meteors. Cloudless nights when the moon wanes smallest are optimal viewing opportunities. And keep looking up, not down. Your eyes will be better adapted to spot shooting stars if you aren’t checking your phone. When is the next meteor shower? The next major meteor shower, the Eta Aquarids, peaks in early May. END/UNB/AP/MA  

The futuristic vision of gliding above traffic in an autonomous "flying taxi" is fast becoming a reality, thanks to the rise of low-altitude economy in China. At the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo, a dedicated exhibition zone for the low-altitude economy made its debut, featuring companies like EHang Holdings. Ehang, a global leader in urban air mobility (UAM), showed up at the event alongside three unmanned aircraft. These innovations highlight transformative solutions to urban congestion and offer a glimpse into the future of aerial consumption, Xinhua reports. Starring at the event was EHang's flagship EH216-S, the world's first and only electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to secure all four certifications required for commercial operation: Type Certificate (TC), Production Certificate (PC), Standard Airworthiness Certificate (AC), and Operational Permit. Having completed over 66,000 safe flights across 19 countries, including the United States, Japan, UAE and countries in Europe, the pilotless eVTOL is already driving real-world applications in passenger transport, aerial tourism, logistics, and emergency medical services. The EH216-S achieved a historic breakthrough in March when its affiliated operator received China's first airworthiness certification for crewed UAM services, accelerating global commercialisation. No sweat: Humanoid robots run a Chinese half-marathon alongside flesh-and-blood competitors He Tianxing, vice president of EHang, emphasized plans to expand into urban commuting and ultimately achieve fully autonomous low-altitude commercial operations. The company aims to launch air taxi services as early as this year. Operating from rooftops or designated vertiports, these eVTOLs promise to bypass ground traffic efficiently, doubling as air ambulances or emergency responders. EHang has already established more than 20 demonstration sites across 16 Chinese cities, including Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and is now eyeing Hainan's unique geography to pioneer low-altitude tourism, island-hopping routes, and intra-city aerial networks. As low-altitude economy takes flight, EHang's innovations signal a sci-fi-turned-reality era where the skies offer not just escape from gridlock, but a new dimension of smart, sustainable living, He said. Also at the exhibition, United Aircraft brought the TD550, which obtained the first type certificate for unmanned helicopters in China. "China is entering an era of rapid development of the low-altitude economy," said Zhou Xiaoyue, director of the firm's public relations. The exhibition aligned with China's broader strategy to advance the low-altitude economy, encompassing UAV, UAM, and other emerging sectors. The government work report released this March said China will carry out demonstration initiatives on the large-scale application of new technologies, products and scenarios, and promote safe and sound development of emerging industries, including the low-altitude economy. Many Chinese cities have been moving quickly to establish a foothold in the sector, considering it a new track of industrial development. Mianyang, a city known for its strong scientific and technological foundation in the country's vast western region, has just established a new low-altitude economy research institute. As China's low-altitude economy takes flight with impressive momentum, the Civil Aviation Administration of China has forecast a significant surge in market value, projecting that the sector would soar from 500 billion yuan (about 69.4 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023 to 1.5 trillion yuan in 2025, and that it could reach an astounding 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.

The Infinix Note series has consistently delivered value-packed smartphones. Released in April 2025, the 50 Pro Plus, the latest addition to the Infinix Note Series, aims to take things up a notch. Let's check out the standout features, pros, cons, and pricing of the Infinix Note 50 Pro+ in Bangladesh. Key Features of Infinix Note 50 Pro+ . Design and Build Quality The Infinix Note 50 Pro Plus marks a significant step up in smartphone design, effortlessly combining style with durability. It features a premium build with a glass front and back framed by aerospace-grade aluminium, delivering both sturdiness and a luxurious feel.  Its dimensions are 163.4 x 74.5 x 8 mm, weighing about 209g. The slim profile, gentle curves, and RGB notification light on the back lend it a futuristic and standout appeal. Rated IP64, it is fully dust-tight and protected against water splashes—making it ideal for everyday environments.  Read more: vivo iQoo Neo 10R Review: What’s new? In comparison, the Infinix Note 40 Pro+ opts for a lighter build with a plastic frame and eco-leather back, lacking the same premium touch. OnePlus Ace 3 Pro offers a strong build with bulkier options, while Vivo S19 Pro excels in water resistance with IP68/IP69K. The Sony Xperia 10 VI is lighter (164g), compact, and water-resistant but feels less robust due to its plastic frame.  Overall, the Note 50 Pro Plus strikes an excellent balance between design, durability, and modern aesthetics.  Display Quality  Infinix did not hold back on display technology with the Note 50 Pro Plus, offering a top-tier visual experience that punches well above its price point. It features a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with support for 1 billion colours, a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, and 1300 nits peak brightness.  Whether you are scrolling through social media, binge-watching Netflix, or gaming, the experience is fluid and visually rich. Its 1080 by 2436 pixel resolution with about 393 ppi density ensures text and images remain crisp, and the always-on display is a functional and stylish bonus.  Read more: itel Power 70 Review: Another budget-friendly gem In contrast, the Note 40 Pro+ offers the same size, resolution, and brightness but is limited to a 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in slightly less fluidity. OnePlus Ace 3 Pro (LTPO AMOLED) and Vivo S19 Pro (LTPO) lead the pack with panels and an incredible 4500 nits brightness, ideal for direct sunlight use and richer contrast.  However, the Sony Xperia 10 VI falls short with its compact 6.1-inch OLED and just 60Hz refresh, making it less ideal for immersive media consumption. Despite strong competition, the Note 50 Pro Plus stands out with its vibrant, fluid, and highly responsive display, offering outstanding value for its price.  Camera Performance  The camera setup on the Infinix Note 50 Pro+ is remarkably versatile. Its triple rear camera includes a 50MP (f/1.9) wide lens with PDAF and OIS, a 50MP (f/2.4) periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP (f/2.2) ultrawide sensor.  The main sensor delivers balanced, sharp images with good dynamic range, while the telephoto lens provides impressive detail at zoomed levels, something rarely seen in mid-range phones. Video recording goes up to 4K at 60fps, with both EIS and OIS support ensuring stable footage.  Read more: Best 10 Smartphones Releasing in April 2025 Against the Note 40 Pro+, which features a 108MP (f/1.8) sensor but lacks telephoto or ultrawide quality, the Note 50 Pro Plus easily comes out on top in versatility. OnePlus Ace 3 Pro and Vivo S19 Pro both pack capable triple-camera setups with better tuning and low-light performance, though the S19 Pro stands out with dual 50MP sensors and superior HDR output. The Sony Xperia 10 VI offers a basic dual-camera layout — fine for casual users, but limited in features compared to the rest. Selfie lovers will appreciate the Note 50 Pro Plus's 32MP (f/2.2) front camera with 4K recording — a rarity in this range. Vivo S19 Pro edges out with a 50MP (f/2.0) autofocus front cam, making it the go-to for content creators. Still, the Note 50 Pro Plus offers strong performance and flexibility, suitable for any photo scenario.  Processor Performance Powering the Note 50 Pro Plus is the Mediatek Dimensity 8350, a 4nm chip that is no slouch. The octa-core setup with a prime Cortex-A715 core at 3.35 GHz ensures snappy responsiveness across the board. Compared to the Dimensity 7020 on the Note 40 Pro+, the 8350 offers a noticeable leap in performance. It is closer in power to the Dimensity 9200+ in the Vivo S19 Pro, though the Vivo chip is slightly more advanced in AI tasks. OnePlus Ace 3 Pro dominates with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, currently the flagship standard, delivering exceptional speed and efficiency. Sony’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is clearly the slowest of the bunch, suited for light to moderate use. Read more: Samsung Galaxy A36 5G Review: A Mid-range marvel with standard features In real-world usage, the Note 50 Pro Plus strikes an ideal balance — it is fast, efficient, and reliable for both daily drivers and power users, without the premium price tag. Gaming Performance Gaming on the Infinix Note 50 Pro Plus is a surprisingly fluid and immersive experience. With the Mali G615-MC6 GPU and a 144Hz AMOLED display, it smoothly runs fast-paced shooters, open-world games, and casual titles without breaking a sweat. Frame rates stay consistent, and the device stays cool even during extended play. The Bypass Charging feature is a smart addition, minimising heat while gaming and preserving battery health. While it does not outclass the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro with its elite Adreno 750 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it holds its own commendably. Vivo S19 Pro performs well but not as fluidly. In contrast, the Note 40 Pro+ and Sony Xperia 10 VI struggle to keep up. For its price, the Note 50 Pro Plus is a budget-friendly gaming powerhouse.  Battery Life  The Infinix Note 50 Pro Plus excels in battery performance with its robust 5200mAh silicon-carbon Li-Ion battery, easily lasting a full day of heavy use. It supports 100W wired charging, reaching 100% in just 32 minutes, and 50W wireless MagCharge, a standout feature in its price range. Reverse charging is also available—10W wired, 7.5W wireless, and bypass charging — ideal for powering other devices on the go.  Read more: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro Golden Saga Special Edition Review In comparison, the Note 40 Pro+ has a smaller 4600mAh (50% in 12 minutes) battery with the same wired charging speed but shorter endurance. The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro leads in capacity with 6100 mAh and matches 100W charging. The Vivo S19 Pro offers 5500 mAh with slightly slower 80W wired charging. The Sony Xperia 10 VI includes a 5000mAh battery but lacks fast charging capabilities.  Overall, the Note 50 Pro Plus combines strong battery life with industry-leading fast charging, making it ideal for power users and a top choice in its segment. Software and User Interface The Infinix Note 50 Pro Plus delivers a refined software experience with Android 15 (up to 2 major Android upgrades) and XOS 15. The UI is smooth, visually appealing, and highly customisable. Users can tweak themes and animations and utilise tools like AI Smart Scene, performance boosters, and game optimisations. The always-on display adds functionality, and two promised Android upgrades ensure some future-proofing. Compared to the Note 40 Pro+ with XOS 14 (up to 2 major Android upgrades) on Android 14, this version is cleaner and more responsive. While there are a few pre-installed apps, most can be removed easily. In the broader landscape, ColorOS 14 on the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro feels more polished with advanced multitasking features. Vivo’s OriginOS 4 is visually rich but heavier, while Sony Xperia 10 VI keeps it minimal with near-stock Android. Read more: realme P3 5G Review: Is it a value-for-money smartphone Overall, XOS 15 strikes a solid balance between features and usability. It is responsive and user-friendly, offering more polish than previous Infinix iterations and competing well against pricier rivals.  Storage Options Storage on the Infinix Note 50 Pro Plus is generous and future-ready. It comes with 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage paired with 12GB of RAM. The storage is blazing fast, ideal for large file transfers, quick app launches, and seamless multitasking. Plus, with UFS 4.0, users benefit from significantly improved read/write speeds over older formats like UFS 2.2 found in the Note 40 Pro+. Compared to the Note 40 Pro+’s 12 GB RAM with 256 and 512GB internal storage options, the Note 50 Pro Plus is leagues ahead in speed, though it lacks the extra 512GB variant.  The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro goes even further, offering up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage with an insane 24GB RAM option — true flagship territory.  Read more: Home Safety Digital Lockers and Vaults: Popular Models with Price Ranges in Bangladesh Vivo S19 Pro also provides several configurations up to 512GB and 16GB RAM with UFS 3.1, which is fast but slightly behind UFS 4.0 in performance. The Sony Xperia 10 VI lags here, offering just 128GB of slower UFS storage and 8GB RAM, though it supports microSD cards. So, for most users, while the Note 50 Pro Plus offers great storage performance, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is the absolute best among the five for storage capacity and speed.  Pros and Cons of Infinix Note 50 Pro Plus . Pros  - 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate- Powerful Dimensity 8350 processor with 12GB RAM- Fast UFS 4.0 storage for smooth performance- Triple rear camera setup with dual 50MP sensors- 32MP selfie camera with 4K video support- Stereo speakers tuned by JBL for rich sound- Supports NFC, infrared port, and bypass charging- 100W wired and 50W wireless fast charging- Premium build with aluminum frame- RGB notification light adds a cool design touch. Read more: Samsung Galaxy F15 5G Review: Decent budget-friendly smartphone with large battery Cons  - No 3.5mm headphone jack- Low peak brightness level- No expandable storage (no microSD slot)- Lacks full waterproofing- Some pre-installed bloatware in the software- Limited internal storage options- Limited RAM capacity Price of Infinix Note 50 Pro+ in Bangladesh The Infinix Note 50 Pro Plus (12/256GB variant) is available at around BDT 55,000 in Bangladesh. However, the price may vary depending on the retailer. ​ Takeaways The Infinix Note 50 Pro Plus offers a premium design, vibrant display, strong performance, and versatile cameras at a great price. However, it lacks a headphone jack, SD card slot, powerful RAM, 500GB/1TB storage options, and full waterproofing. Ideal for gamers, media lovers, and budget-conscious power users — but not for those needing expandable storage or rugged outdoor durability. Read more: Samsung Galaxy A56 5G: Know the pros and cons

In one small step for robot-kind — thousands of them, really — humanoid robots ran alongside actual humans in a half-marathon in the Chinese capital on Saturday. The bipedal robots of various makes and sizes navigated the 21.1-kilometer (13.1-mile) course supported by teams of human navigators, operators, and engineers, in what event organizers say was a first. As a precaution, a divider separated the parallel courses used by the robots and people. While flesh-and-blood participants followed conventional rules, the 20 teams fielding machines in the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon competed under tailored guidelines, which included battery swap pit stops. AI robots become a major trend in China’s consumer market The Sky Project Ultra robot, also known as Tien Kung Ultra, from the Tien Kung Team, claimed victory among the nonhumans, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds. Awards were also given out for best endurance, best gait design and most innovative form.

NASA’s Lucy spacecraft is gearing up for a close encounter with a small asteroid this weekend, offering scientists a glimpse into the early days of the solar system—and a test run for a bigger journey to come. Launched in 2021, Lucy is on a 12-year mission to study a total of 11 asteroids, including a rare group known as the Trojans that orbit near Jupiter. Sunday’s flyby marks the second asteroid encounter for the spacecraft and will serve as a trial ahead of its first Trojan asteroid rendezvous in 2027. AI-enabled drone deployed in Germany to accelerate wildfire detection and response   This weekend, Lucy will pass wihin 596 miles (960 kilometers) of an asteroid named Donaldjohanson, located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The asteroid is roughly 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long, though its exact dimensions and shape remain uncertain—a mystery Lucy aims to help solve as it speeds by at over 30,000 mph (48,000 kph). Donaldjohanson is believed to be a fragment of a much larger object shattered in a cosmic collision around 150 million years ago. Unlike typical round space rocks, scientists suspect this one could have an unusual shape—possibly elongated like a bowling pin or snowman, similar to Arrokoth, the distant Kuiper Belt object NASA explored in 2019. There’s also a chance it could be two separate elongated asteroids. “We don’t know what to expect. That’s what makes this so cool,” said Hal Levison, the mission’s lead scientist at the Southwest Research Institute. “It’s not going to be a basic potato. We already know that.” Lucy will power up all three of its science instruments during the flyby to collect images and data. But because the spacecraft must rotate its antenna away from Earth to track the asteroid, no live communication will be possible during the encounter. Scientists at Lockheed Martin’s Mission Control in Colorado expect to begin receiving data roughly 12 minutes after it’s transmitted across the 139 million miles (223 million kilometers) separating Earth from the asteroid. Among those watching closely will be Donald Johanson, the paleontologist for whom the asteroid is named. He discovered the famous human ancestor “Lucy” in Ethiopia 50 years ago—after whom the spacecraft is named—and plans to be at Mission Control for the flyby. If all goes as planned, Lucy’s brief encounter with the asteroid will offer valuable practice and insights before it moves on to its ultimate target: the mysterious Trojan asteroids near Jupiter, remnants from the solar system’s formation more than 4 billion years ago.