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Tecno Spark 9T Review: Technical Details and Key Specifications
As a subsidiary of Transsion Holdings, Tecno emerged as a smartphone and feature phone brand back in 2006. The company initially focused its market capitalization in the African region and slowly moved to the south Asian market. With over one and a half decades in the android industry, the company has steadily cemented its foothold as an affordable alternative. Mounting on that idea, the company is here with its latest offering, the Tecno Spark 9T, released globally on 28th July 2022. Let's have a detailed look.
Key Specifications of Tecno Spark 9T
Design and Build Quality
There is something about affordable android smartphones mimicking the look of the iPhone design. And the 9T is not immune to that. Whether it’s a good or a bad thing depends on the user. For the most part, the 9T resembles the iPhone 11 with a similar design and camera housing.
The phone is plastic built all around with an unrated glass front. The flat edges aren’t protruding which makes for a great hand feel while using. The power button and the volume buttons are placed as usual just like the previous generation. This time, the power button doubles as the fingerprint sensor.
Read Xiaomi POCO F4 Review: Get Optimized Gaming Experience
The phone itself is a dual sim one with a dedicated micro SDXC. The headphone jack stays in on the 9T which is surprisingly good news for many. As things stand, the headphone jack will stay around a bit longer in the budget category.
Overall, the build quality of the Spark 9T is satisfactory for the price.
The Display
The 9T of the Spark 9T might be a subtle nod to the fact that the device sports a 90 Hz refresh rate panel. Yes, even at an ultra-budget range, Tecno is offering a high refresh rate for a smoother user experience. However, that’s the only highlight and probably the saving grace for the display.
Read Samsung Galaxy M13 5G Review: The Budget Samsung for 2022
The panel is a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel with HD+ resolution. It can churn out up to 266 ppi. LCD panels are still the go-to choice for budget devices. While it's not comparable to AMOLED or OLED by any means, it still gets the job done somewhat.
If you look closely, you will be able to make out the individual pixels, though that was given with a 720P panel. The display looks relatively bright with good color reproduction and outdoor visibility.
However, it doesn’t have a good viewing angle. looking from the side will either create a distorting color shift or would go black. The cost-cutting on the display is very much evident with the 9T.
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The Camera
Traditionally, budget smartphones are all about camera gimmicks. We see 3 or even 4 sensors which don’t actually do much to add value other than being a marketing tool.
Thankfully, the Spark 9T doesn’t take that route. There are 2 sensors vertically aligned on the back of the device. The main sensor is a 13 MP wide-angle shooter and the secondary one is a 2 MP depth sensor.
The pictures from the main camera look sharp and decent. The images are true to real life but the dynamic range is a hit or miss sometimes. The camera doesn’t really live up in dark environments. Images have a noticeable amount of grain and noise in them.
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However, Tecno isn’t really selling the device for its back camera, but rather it's front. There is a 32 MP front-facing camera which performs significantly better than the back one. Why this weird choice you may ask? We believe it’s to facilitate content creators who make videos and reels. It can be a great starting point considering the price.
There isn’t much to talk about the videography other than it is rated at 1080P at 30 fps. The back doesn’t have any added stabilization other than the standard autofocus.
Processor and Performance
The Tecno Spark 9T uses Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 processor built on the 12 Nm architecture. At this price, we expected at least the G35 which is a bit more efficient in its class. The G37 is completely an entry-level processor with low performance.
Read Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Series: Leaks, rumours, everything we know so far
The octa-core processor has a chip design of 4 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 which should tell much about the performance.
In the test, the phone can handle day-to-day tasks very well. be it web browsing, media consumption, or light 2D gaming, the device felt fluid and smooth. The smoothness came in part from the 90 Hz refresh rate.
When it comes to graphics-intensive 3D gaming, the phone can't really keep up. You can play titles like PUBG and COD at very low settings. Even then the device heats up and shows frame drops every now and then. Overall, the experience isn’t very good.
Read Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition Review: Key features, advantages, disadvantages
The Spark 9T comes with Android 12 out of the box with HIOS 8.6. HIOS is still a very heavy skin on top of stock android. However, Tecno has significantly reduced bloatware this time around.
Battery and Charge Time
The Tecno Spark 9T boasts a standard 5000 mAh battery. Now 5000 mAh is a standard for entry-level to mid-range device phones so the choice isn’t surprising. However, there isn’t any fast charger with the device. And that might significantly prolong the charging time. The device can run for around 8 to 10 hours of continuous usage with a full charge.
Price of Tecno Spark 9T
Tecno Spark 9T hasn’t officially launched in Bangladesh yet. The device is available on a pre-order basis. The price for the single launch variant 4/128 GB is 14,990 BDT with some cool perks for the pre-bookers.
Read Google Pixel 6a Review: What’s special about it?
Final Words
The Tecno Spark 9T brings a few improvements from its previous generation while also taking a step back in some. With global stagflation looming around the corner, it's commendable on Tecno’s part to keep the price under the affordable limit.
The camera is still a weak point for the brand and it shows in the 9T. Then comes the performance and the display which is also lackluster but passable in its price range. The build quality is probably the only thing which can't be complained about. So, if you’re looking for a daily driver for light tasking, the Tecno Spark 9T could very well be a good choice.
Read Top 10 Upcoming Phones in August 2022 in Bangladesh
Xiaomi POCO F4 Review: Get Optimized Gaming Experience
The Xiaomi POCO F series is a mid-range phone from a Chinese manufacturer that is perfect for those who are looking for a smartphone with all the latest features. The F series has a design and build quality you can expect from top-notch options. POCO F series is available in different models, and recently the company has brought a new model Poco F4. The phone has already been released in India on June 23. Let's see the details of the Xiaomi Poco F4.
Key Features of Xiaomi Poco F4
Design
Poco F4 is an upgraded version of Poco F3. So, you will find some similarities in design, while there are some differences too. For the F4, however, Poco evolved the trend of releasing squared-off versions of devices with flat edges. In doing so, the brand took away some of the attraction of the preexisting F3 model while ensuring that, nonetheless, it integrated with the smartphone market rather than looking unique.
The camera on the back of the phone is neat enough, with a square component protruding from a rectangular base. The camera is located in the top left corner. As seen in most phones these days, F4’s, both the back and front cover are glass. Hence, nearly all of the front panel is taken up by the display, and you will find a tiny hole-punch camera at the top of the display.
Read Samsung Galaxy M13 5G Review: The Budget Samsung for 2022
Display
The full HD AMOLED screen on the Poco F4 is excellent for a device of this price. It is bright, reaching peaks of 1300 nits, and it supports refresh rates of up to 120 Hz. In addition to that, the phone support HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. All things considered, it's a highly dynamic screen. Needless to say, the 395 pixel-per-inch pixels offer plenty of detail.
When you think about the mix of clarity, brightness, and contrast on this model of midrange phone, it is easily among the top options in its class. The shades are somewhat cheerful and vivid, and the dark shade is very deep.
However, the display detail depends on how you set it up, as it offers multiple setting options. However, the default color scheme is Vivid, which, depending on the intensity, can sometimes make certain hues too strong. Reds, oranges, and pinks are among the colors that lose saturation under their influence.
Read Top 10 Upcoming Phones in August 2022 in Bangladesh
Sound
The Poco F4 contains two speakers on either end of the phone. The speakers create stereo audio together. However, the speaker on the top part of the phone is not strong enough like the bottom speaker. They get loud enough to sound great, and they are also powerful enough to stream in the sizable room. But they are not very clear enough at the higher fringes of the frequency spectrum.
Camera
Modern smartphones contain lenses for just about every situation, and the Poco F4 contains three lenses. The 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. With these lenses, you can take close-up, telephoto, and wide-angle images in pretty much any scenario.
The primary sensor is usually a color sensor of 64 megapixels, which distinguishes right down to a 16-megapixel picture and merges four pixels to make it one. With this feature, Poco F4 is able to grab worthy pics.
Read Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Review: Mid-range performance under premium price
The phone comes with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) feature. The camera's OIS feature gives you more control over how your phone takes photos, even for massive movements.
Those who have the proper skills for taking excellent photos can take full advantage of the high-definition camera on the phone. Among the options is a six-lens 4K cinematic camera with capabilities such as AI Skyscraping 4.0, AI Erase 2.0, Panoramic selfie, and more.
Performance
Poco F4, at its heart, is a mobile device with a gaming function and can easily be observed by examining its smooth-as-butter performance. The device's Qualcomm Snapdragon 870A chipset and UFS 3.1 LPDDR5 memory ensure that the data is transferred at a maximum speed on the phone. Once again, it affords a user a smooth and consistent transition from app to app.
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The only thing bothering me is that the phone gets very hot relatively quickly when playing video games at the top settings. However, it has a cooling system to prevent the phone from catching on fire, but you will definitely feel a small temperature increase on your hands.
The phone comes with different memory variations. It comes with 3 RAM variations 6GB, 8GB, and 12GM. For the storage, you will get two versions, 128GB and 256GB. However, Poco F4 doesn't come with external SD card options.
Optimized Gaming Experience
Part of the reason why the POCO F4 is exceptionally good with video games is that it includes a game optimizer called Game Turbo that can help you be more productive while playing. You can choose Classic Mode (default) or Pro Mode (for professional gamers). You can also adjust settings for initiating, accuracy, responsiveness, and graphical performance.
Read Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Series: Leaks, rumours, everything we know so far
Battery
The phone's Li-Pro 4500mAh battery comes with a 67W turbo-charging feature and takes only slightly over 38 minutes to charge from 0 percent to 100 percent, irrespective of how much battery power it has. The phone also comes with a power delivery 3.0 and 3+ quick charging features.
Price of Xiaomi Poco F4
The 6GB with 128GB variation is priced at 27,999 rupee, which is Tk. 33,730 (1 rupee= Tk. 1.20). The 8Gb with 128GB variation is 29,999 rupees or Tk. 36,139 (1 rupee= Tk. 1.20). However, the official price of Xiaomi Poco F4 in Bangladesh may vary due to tax issues and company policy.
Final Words
The Xiaomi Poco F4 is an effective competitor as a smartphone and a gaming experience, which can meet your requisites the most for gamers. On top of that, the massive battery is good to go for a few days if you are a normal user. The vibrant screen and flawless performance make it an enjoyable gadget for anyone.
Read Tracking Lost or Stolen Smartphone: Some easy ways to follow
Samsung Galaxy M13 5G Review: The Budget Samsung for 2022
The world of Samsung smartphones is as diverse as their appliances and home solutions. It's huge and has something for everybody. In pursuit of providing something for everyone, Samsung launched their M series, an online exclusive budget Samsung line back in 2019. Standing in 2022, the 4th generation M13 looks every bit as promising as its previous three generations. Samsung Galaxy M13 5G offers essential features and is a total bang for the buck. The device was officially released globally on 23rd July 2022. Let's look at its in-depth review.
Key Specifications of Samsung Galaxy M13 5G
Design and Build Quality
Before we start, keep in mind that this is an ultra-budget device geared for the most basic user. As a result, you won’t find any out-of-the-ordinary specs or features. Rather it's an amalgamation of average specs and performance to create value over cost. With that aside, let's dig into the design and build the quality of the device.
The design of the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G is plain and straightforward. There is a plastic frame and back with a Gorilla glass 3 protection on the front. All the usual ports and buttons are present here. In addition to the dual sim slots, there is an additional dedicated port for the micro SDXC. The volume rocker and the power button are also present. Just like last year, the power button doubles as the fingerprint scanner.
Overall, the design and the build quality feel sturdy and relative to the price.
Read Top 10 Upcoming Phones in August 2022 in Bangladesh
The display
The display of the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G is a PLS LCD panel. Now PLS or LCD might sound outdated by the 2022 standard, but it's still the go-to choice for entry-level devices. The panel is a 6.5-inch HD+ resolution panel which is good for about 270 ppi.
With such average specs, one would think that the display isn't up to the par. But honestly given the price, it's hard to complain. Samsung is a market leader when it comes to displaying tech and even though the panel on the M13 5G is sub-par, it definitely stands above its competitors.
The display also gets relatively bright for an LCD panel. Outdoor legibility is pretty good. Users won't have to squint their eyes to figure stuff out in direct sunlight.
While this panel isn't exactly the best for media consumption, it still gets the job done. Usually, we don't see any rated glass protector in this price bracket. So, it's refreshing to see rated protection, even if it's a couple of generations older.
Read Tracking Lost or Stolen Smartphone: Some easy ways to follow
The Camera
Usually, we see a flurry of camera sensors in this price range. The main selling pitch is several lenses and a high battery capacity. But surprisingly enough, the M13 5G only comes with 2 sensors on the back.
The main sensor is a 50 MP f/1.8 wide-angle sensor and the other is a gimmicky 2 MP depth sensor. We are not sure whether the depth sensor does anything or not but the 50 MP main sensor does its job pretty well.
The pictures came out pretty good in outdoor conditions. Pictures looked sharp and crisp with high contrast and color pop. That's usually the case with Samsung post-processing. But the problem starts indoors and with artificial lights. Even though the sensor is a very capable one, the lack of processing power reduces the picture quality. Samsung night mode which is basically a longer shutter speed was consistent every time. We didn't notice any overexposure or underexposure issues.
The videography is clocked at 1080P at 30 fps. Again, the processing power is the limiting factor here. The front camera is a 5 MP one. It's a very basic sensor with basic performance. The front camera basically sums up the overall performance of the camera, it's nothing exceptional, but not bad either.
Read Nothing Phone 1 Review: Beyond the Hype and the Glyph
Processor and Performance
Samsung has partnered with MediaTek for the M series since its inception. The affordable chips have helped to keep the cost down over the years. The 4th generation M13 5G features MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 processor based on a 7 Nm architecture. The octa-core processor has 2 2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 chip designs with Mali-G57 MC2 as the GPU.
The specs confirm that the M13 5G is meant for entry-level and casual usage. This is not a heavy gaming device by any means. Rather it's best suited for social media and web browsing with occasional media consumption.
Even though it's not a gaming device doesn't mean it can't handle gaming. You will be able to play demanding titles like COD and Genshin Impact at low settings. The device does get heated after about 30 odd minutes of gaming and throttling kicks in. But that's what comes with gaming on a basic processor.
The device comes with One UI 4 out of the box based on Android 12. One UI has come a long way from its bloatware-filled days to being one of the best Android skins out there.
Read Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition Review: Key features, advantages, disadvantages
Battery and Charge Time
The Samsung Galaxy M13 5G features a 5000 mAh battery. The large battery combined with an efficient processor makes the device last for a long time. Users will be comfortably able to get around 9 to 10 hours of SoT out of the device. The large battery is also complemented by 15 W fast charging. It still takes around 2 hours to fully charge the device, so be aware of that.
Price of Samsung Galaxy M13 5G
The Samsung Galaxy M13 5G hasn't been officially launched in Bangladesh yet. The 6/64GB base variant comes in at 9,999 INR in India which roughly translates to 11,971 BDT (1 INR = 1.20 BDT). However, the price may vary depending on several factors when it finally launches in Bangladesh.
Final Words
The Samsung Galaxy M13 5G is an all-around capable entry-level device. The design, glass protection, and camera are its main selling point. The device also does a terrific job with optimization and offers a seamless experience even in an entry-level processor. The only noticeable drawback has to be the display. Other than that, the Galaxy M13 5G can be a great option for anyone looking for a daily driver at an affordable price.
Read Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Series: Leaks, rumours, everything we know so far
Capture the beauty of Night with vivo X80
Night isn’t referred to as bedtime for all. People enjoy it in their own way. Families use this time together and have some fun while friends share their hearts over delicious food and drinks. But it’s a time of magic for creative persons. It inspires poets and writers for generations to praise its beauty so extensively in all forms.
In the past, night photography was only possible with professional DSLRs, but the brand new Vivo X80 with its advanced camera features and processors is an example of such a smartphone, according to a media statement.
Providing stiff competition to photography cameras, the device was co-engineered with ZEISS, a leading lens manufacturer and pioneer in optics. It boasts impressive features such as the Zeiss superb night camera, the superb night portrait, super night video, and AI video enhancement along with several others.
Read: Vivo’s X80 5G offers superb gaming and outstanding performance
All lenses across the entire X80 series meet Zeiss T* coating standards, making them an excellent choice to capture images and videos during the dark, allowing you not to miss out on a single detail.
Backed by the unique Vivo V1+ chip, super night video delivers exceptional results even in extreme darkness.
AI Video Enhancement automatically detects scene changes and offers smooth transitions and no matter how dark the night is, you’ll be amazed at how seamlessly the camera adapts. With the super night portrait algorithm, you can take clear portraits even in low light, with bokeh that blends seamlessly with the background.
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The AI skin retouching and AI HD algorithms give you that studio-quality edge while maintaining your natural look and depth of complexion.
No matter how dark the night is, the Vivo X80 will offer you memorable photos with no blurriness behind them.
So, befriend this latest partner within the quickest time and capture the beautiful dark sky in all its glory.
Read Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Series: Leaks, rumours, everything we know so far
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Series: Leaks, rumours, everything we know so far
Xiaomi has been a global leader in affordable smartphone experience. One of the subsidiaries of the brand, Redmi started its journey in 2013. The company is now synonymous with the “Affordable flagship experience” tag. The company’s latest offering, the Note 12 series is expected to hit the market in late October in line with last year’s release of the Note 11 series. Here is everything known so far about the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Series lineup.
Leaked Features of Redmi Note 12 Series
Design and Build Quality
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 series launched with a plethora of options, each catering to a specific customer base. Last year we got the Note 11, Note 11 Pro, and the highest-endNote 11 Pro+. In line with this release, Redmi launched the T variant on May 24th this year. This leads to the speculation that the Note 12 series will be launched in October.
Notable leaker Digital Chat Station has confirmed that there won’t be a significant design overhaul with the Redmi Note 12 series. In fact, it will mostly be the same design and material with some aesthetic changes here and there.
Read Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition Review: Key features, advantages, disadvantages
Even with that, users will be getting a glass front and back device with an aluminum frame all around. The build quality of the Note 11 series was exceptional for its price and the same is expected to continue with the Note 12 series as well.
Last year, the headphone jack was present in all three models. This year, the headphone jack might be omitted for the Pro+ model. This is not a confirmed leak so take it with a grain of salt. The other physical features like the speaker, sim tray, and the buttons will all reprise in their previous positions.
Overall, the design isn’t really something to get excited about. It's the same tried and tested formula from Redmi and that isn’t a bad thing. The Note 12 series can be considered as an incremental update on the 11 series at least on the design front.
Read Google Pixel 6a Review: What’s special about it?
The Display
Last year, the Redmi series featured a 6.43-inch and a 6.67-inch display for the regular and the pro model. The 120 Hz Super AMOLED panel came with FHD+ resolution. Just like last year, Xiaomi will be using a flat display with a punch hole for the front camera.
The display tech won’t be noticeably different from the 11 series. Last year, Note 11 led the charge in the display department for all the smartphone releases. The same is expected to continue this time around as well. We might see some minor improvements here and there in terms of color calibration, viewing angles, and peak brightness. However, none of these features has been confirmed yet.
The size of the display is also expected to stay the same as the Note 12 is essentially a repacked version of the Note 11 series.
Read Nothing Phone 1 Review: Beyond the Hype and the Glyph
The Camera
Digital Chat Station also learned that this year, the triple sensor module on the back will feature a 50 MP main camera. Though the choice seems a bit odd considering the 11 series featured a 108 MP main sensor.
Though the choice would be understandable given the obvious cost-cutting needs. The 108 MP on the Note 11 series performed similarly to the standard mid-range 50 MP sensors because of the pixel binding tech. So the camera experience probably wouldn’t be much different than the Note 11. The front will feature a standard 16 MP shooter.
The other two sensors are expected to be an 8 MP wide angle and a 2 MP macro shooter. If last year is any indicator for the performance, users will be getting capable camera hardware that is definitely going to be a bang for the buck.
Read Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Review: Mid-range performance under premium price
The videography on Note 12 is expected to be 4K at 30 fps at max just like the Note 11 series.
Processor and Performance
Xiaomi has always stuck with MediaTek for its mid-range and budget options over the years. Snapdragon seems to be always reserved for the higher-end flagships. The same is expected to continue for the Note 12 series. However, a disputed claim also suggests that the recently released Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 might make a show on the 12 series.
If that isn’t the case, then users will be getting a refreshed version of MediaTek Dimensity 920. The chipset is built on 6 Nm architecture, making it one of the more power-efficient and balanced processors.
Read OnePlus Nord 2T Review: Know Pros, Cons
On the storage and RAM options, users will be getting a lot of choices like the Note 11 series. The 6 and 8 GB RAM options are expected to be coupled with 128 and 256 GB ROM options. And if rumors are to be believed, we might see a high-end 12 GB RAM capacity variant as well.
MIUI 14 is also expected to debut with Android 13 on board. This has not been confirmed yet and users may or may not get the Android 13 out of the box.
Battery and Charge Time
Last year, the standard Note 11 came with a 5000 mAh battery and the Pro variant came with a 5160 mAh battery. They also had 33W and 67 W fast charging respectively. This year Xiaomi might bump up the charging speed up to 80 W and that’s about all the change users will be getting in the battery department.
Read Vivo Y01 Review: Is it a worthy entry level budget phone?
Price of Redmi Note 12 Series
Last year, Note 11 debuted at 1244 CNY and the 11 Pro came at 1599 CNY. The Note 12 series is also expected to debut at the same price point. According to that, the price in Bangladesh should be around 17,371 BDT and 22,328 BDT for the base variants (1 CNY = 13.96 BDT). All of these are speculative prices. The price leak is expected to happen as the release date approaches.
Final Words
The ancestor Redmi Note series devices have been a fan favorite, especially in the Bangladesh mid-range market. The price-performance proposition of the series meant that these are the best-selling Xiaomi devices in Bangladesh. The upcoming Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Series is expected to continue this legacy.
Read Xiaomi Redmi Note 11: Customized Variant Exclusively in Bangladesh
Walton launches two Prelude laptops
Walton has launched two new Prelude laptops at affordable prices.
Prelude N41 Pro and Prelude N50 Pro are equipped with Intel's powerful CPU, RAM, and high-speed SSD storage.
Walton Computer Product Chief Business Officer Touhidur Rahman Rad said: "Priced at Tk39,750 and Tk41,950, the new laptops have been released in the market to cater to the entry-level customers, including students and youths."
Read Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Review: Mid-range performance under premium price
Prelude N41 Pro features a 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4120 quad-core processor and Intel's UHD Graphics 600.
Prelude N50 Pro features a 1.1 GHz Intel Pentium Silver N5030 quad-core processor and Intel's UHD Graphics 605.
Both devices have 8GB DDR4 2666MHz SODIMM RAM as memory and 256GM M.2 SSD as storage which is expandable up to 512GB.
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Also, the laptops feature a 14-inch FHD Matte LED-backlit display with 45 percent NTSC and 1920X1080 pixel screen resolution.
A powerful 36WH smart lithium-ion battery pack has been used in the laptops to ensure up to 520 minutes of power backup.
Both devices have a 1MP HD camera and 2X2W speakers along with a built-in microphone for clear video calls and conferencing.
Read Google Pixel 6a Review: What’s special about it?
realme launches 9 Pro+, 9 Pro, Pad Mini
Youth-centric brand realme recently launched three new devices – realme 9 Pro+, 9 Pro and Pad Mini.
Available in 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM, realme 9 Pro+ is available in Aurora Green and Sunrise Blue for Tk39,990 (excluding VAT).
Priced at Tk31,990 (excluding VAT), 9 Pro is available in Aurora Green and Sunrise Blue and comes with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM.
Read Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition Review: Key features, advantages, disadvantages
Realme 9 Pro+ is a smartphone in the 5G segment and the first mid-range phone with the Sony IMX766 OIS flagship camera.
The device comes with a flagship 6nm advanced 5G processor – MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G processor with an Antutu score of over 500,000. This processor improves gaming and allows users to capture 35 percent more details in their pictures, compared to previous generation Dimensity chips.
Realme 9 Pro+ also comes with a 90Hz Super AMOLED display, 60W fast charging, vapour chamber cooling system, dual stereo speakers and Gorilla glass 5.
Also read: Realme narzo 50, C31 available across Bangladesh
Realme 9 Pro is equipped with a Snapdragon 695 5G processor, 120Hz ultra-smooth display, 64MP nightscape camera, a 5000mAh battery and 33W dart charge support.
Pad Mini features an 8.7-inch and 7.6mm ultra-slim display, and of 6400mAh battery.
Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition Review: Key features, advantages, disadvantages
The Xiaomi Redmi K series smartphone has been a popular choice for buyers looking for a budget phone with good features. The Redmi K series has a range of prices and features, from the budget-friendly Redmi K20 to the more expensive Redmi K50 Pro. Recently the company has introduced a new phone for gamers, the Redmi K50. It has already been released in April in India. Let’s see some top features, pros and cons of the Xiaomi Redmi K50 gaming edition.
Key Specifications of Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition
Design and Display
The K40 Gaming Edition’s metal frame and the frosted back glass show that it is similar to last year’s K40. The lens module changed from an oval to a rounded rectangle. The lightning-like flash and the RGB lights on the camera also have been retained from the Redmi K40 Gaming Edition. But, RGB lights if you get any message or plug in the charger. Hence, it will not light up when gaming. This might be a downside of the K50 gaming edition.
There is no headphone jack, which is typical among gaming phones. However, the phone has an extra microphone port on the side. Besides, you will also get the Xiaomi brand’s exclusive physical shoulder button.
Read: Google Pixel 6a Review: What’s special about it?
The IR transmission power of the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition has been enhanced, allowing it to be used to control devices up to ten meters away. If you liked the K40 Gaming Edition last year, it is evident that you will like the K50 Gaming Edition too.
The screen in this year’s Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition is from the same screen producer as last year’s, and the specs are also the same.
Adaptive Colors have been added to Options, and this enhances PWM dimming with 1920Hz high-frequency. This lets you say goodbye to the conventional dimming control technique.
The fifth-generation screen protection glass has been replaced with the updated Corning Victus Glass. This screen is well equipped for gamers.
Read: Nothing Phone 1 Review: Beyond the Hype and the Glyph
Cameras
Anyone who was expecting a lot from this version of Redmi’s K50 gaming phone in regards to photography will be in for a disappointment. In reality, it’s not as bad as you’d expect. While it does not use the same camera as the K40 Gaming Edition from last year, it does just fine most of the time. But you will get enhanced performance on night photography.
The camera on the ultra wide-angle camera provides generally good results but is not without flaws, particularly at the edges of the shot. The main camera can record 4k/60fps video. Further, the ultrawide camera supports up to 1080P 30fps. Also, it allows reducing the color sensor for the flicker sensor when shooting. However, you will not get much support for video recording. The flickering brightness of the lights will continue even if the schedule of the lights is different.
Overall, the phone offers a 64 MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide, and 2MP macro lenses. With these, you can capture HDR photos and videos along with panoramas. In addition to that, the camera also features a dual-led flash.
Read: OnePlus Nord 2T Review: Know Pros, Cons
On the front, you will get a 20 MP selfie camera with HDR capability. Besides, you will be able to record 1080P @30/60fps videos too.
Sound
The Redmi K50 gaming edition’s audio output is comparable to that of the Xiaomi 12 Pro, which also uses four units of speakers. It comes with two high-range JBL speakers for high-frequency sounds and the other for playing the lows. It’s an impressive device to try out when playing video games. The stereo loudspeaker and 3 mm jack give you 24-bit/192kHz audio.
The high-frequency section of the sound is played by the two speakers, while the low-frequency part is played by the other two speakers. Hence, it is a remarkable device for playing music too.
Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11: Customized Variant Exclusively in Bangladesh
Charging & Battery Life
You will get the charger in the box. It uses a Type-C cable which is L-shaped, and it is longer than other phones. The K50 Gaming Edition provides 120W charging capacity, allowing 19 minutes to full charge 43, ten minutes for 71%, and five minutes for 43% charging. Thanks to the exceptional heat dissipation design, faster charging is also possible while playing games. The extraordinary heat dissipation design allows the device to charge while gaming without being made the device hot.
With 120 watts of charging power, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is less than as powerful as the K50 Gaming Edition. The battery capacity is just 4700mAh, but it is not overwhelmingly small.
Performance
The Redmi K50 gaming edition features Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen, which is the most powerful for gaming phones. Equipped with an Adreno 730 GPU and Octa-core CPU, the phone can give you excellent gaming performance.
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However, the phone doesn’t come with any external SD card slot. It offers three variations to the buyers, 128GB+8GB RAM, 128GB+12GB RAM and 256GB+12GB RAM.
Price of Redmi K50 Gaming
The official price in India is 38,179 rupee or BDT, approximately 55,000 (1 rupee= BDT 1.18). However, the phone is yet to get an official release in Bangladesh. The official price in Bangladesh might be higher after paying the taxes.
Final Words
The Redmi K50 Gaming is clearly better than its predecessor, with numerous improvements in every area. It’s slightly below expectations in gaming for the pro gamers, but its performance for Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phones is great. Its audio and video quality is also very good.
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Apart from its less camera performance, the Xiaomi Redmi K50 gaming edition is an excellent value. This year, it also finally supports Google Mobile Services without incompatibility concerns. This phone is recommended to anyone who is looking for a high-performing gaming phone. But if you are someone who needs a phone for high-quality images, this phone is a big No.
Google Pixel 6a Review: What’s special about it?
Google launched the first Pixel series phone in 2016. Since then several successors have been released. The Google Pixel 6A is expected to be released on July 21, 2022. This phone comes with many outstanding features at an affordable price. In this review of the Google Pixel 6A, you can find a detailed examination of the features that are special about it to help you decide if this phone is right for you. Let’s dive in!
Key Features of Google Pixel 6a
Design and Display
Google has verified that the display on the Pixel 6a measures 6.1 inches, making it somewhat more compact than the screen on the Pixel 6, which is 6.4 inches. For the Pixel 6a, we anticipate Google will employ an OLED display with a resolution of 1080p. However, the screen of the Pixel 6a only has a refresh rate of 60Hz, which is a significant decrease from the 90 Hz screen on the Pixel 6.
Images released by Google revealed that the design of the Pixel 6a is identical to that of the Pixel 6. There is a large camera bar, a color scheme with two tones, and many more features. Strangely enough, the construction of the phone is made of glass and metal. The majority of low-cost electronics are made of plastic. On the other hand, the Pixel 6a has a display made of Gorilla Glass 6 and a battery that has a capacity of 4306 mAh. Gorilla Glass Victus and a 4614mAh battery are included in the base model of the Google Pixel 6.
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Green, black, and white are the three-color options for the Google Pixel 6a (or silver). AT&T has said that its measurements are 2.8 inches by 6.0 inches by 0.35 inches. Google has not shown any cases or other accessories that may be used with the smartphone.
Performance
The Google Pixel 6a, as was to be anticipated, makes use of the same tensor chip as the Pixel 6. This indicates that it has a large number of features that are driven by AI, such as Live Translate and the Magic Eraser. What's more noteworthy is that it's a clue that the Pixel 6a will deliver premium performance at a very cheap price.
Obviously, the Pixel 6a does not perfectly match the technical specifications of the Pixel 6. For instance, according to AT&T, the Google Pixel 6a only offers 128 gigabytes of internal storage space. That is one-half of what you get with the Pixel 6 in its regular configuration.
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Other specifications, such as the amount of RAM, are not yet known. However, the base model of the Pixel 6 is equipped with 8 gigabytes of RAM, so it's probably reasonable to believe that Google won't go much lower.
It is expected that the Pixel 6a will get three operating system upgrades to Android 15 and security patches until the summer of 2027, according to Google Tensor. This would provide the Pixel 6a with an absurdly extended shelf life for a phone in its price range.
It will come preinstalled with Android 12, which will provide it access to Material You as well as improved privacy features. It will also get Android 13 in the autumn, which will provide it access to improved theming as well as some minor UI adjustments, in addition to a great deal of other brand-new features.
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Camera
The main sensor in almost every Pixel phone is a 12-megapixel Sony IMX363, however, Google broke this pattern with the introduction of the 50-megapixel lens on the Pixel 6. The Pixel 6a has an outdated 12MP sensor, which is a bummer for photography enthusiasts. However, the "downgrade" is not a major concern for the average person.
The quality of a pixel photograph is not determined by the hardware. The computational photography techniques used by Google are very cutting-edge, which enables the company to produce high-quality images with equipment that should be obsolete. Even if this 12MP lens won't be able to beat the 50MP lens on the Pixel 6, it will absolutely dominate any other phone camera that costs less than $450.
Given that we have not yet had the opportunity to evaluate the Google Pixel 6a, you should take this conclusion with a grain of salt since it is only an informed assumption.
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Take note that the Pixel 6a has both a front-facing camera with 8 megapixels and a rear camera with 12 megapixels and an ultra-wide lens. These cameras are probably the same ones that are included in the Google Pixel 6 device.
Price of Google Pixel 6a
The price of Google Pixel 6a phone is Rs. 34,790 which converts into TK 40969.52. The conversion rate for the prices is 1 RS = 1.18 BDT. However, the price may change in Bangladesh due to tax and other issues.
Conclusion
The Pixel 6A to join Google's lineup is one that won't break the bank, and its feature set is tantalizingly similar to that of the company's full-fat versions, despite its lower price. The Google Pixel 6a is equipped with a camera that is inferior to that of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, although it is powered by the same Tensor chipset as is found in those two devices. It will first launch in the United States, with EE, a network based in the United Kingdom, being the first to announce that contracts would be available on this side of the Atlantic.
Read Nothing Phone 1 Review: Beyond the Hype and the Glyph
Nothing Phone 1 Review: Beyond the Hype and the Glyph
Founded by the ex-OnePlus CEO Carl Pei, ‘Nothing’ company first came into the tech scene with their Ear 1 last year. Over the last six months, the company has slowly teased an android smartphone which eventually built the hype train around it. This hype game is nothing new for Carl Pei as he has basically laid the foundation of OnePlus in a similar manner. The company’s first phone, the Nothing Phone 1 launched globally on 12th July 2022. Here’s a take to see whether Nothing can actually offer something.
Key Specifications of Nothing Phone 1
Design and Build Quality
From the outside, the Nothing Phone 1 looks like a Cyberpunk version of the iPhone 12. Whether it’s the camera position, frame, or button, everything looks like a direct inspiration from the iPhone 12. And the choice is also understandable. Carl Pei has repeatedly said that Nothing only considers itself a rival of Apple. The company’s first step to challenging Apple is to re-innovate its own design language.
Beyond the obvious design choice, the phone is made from 100% recycled aluminum and 50% bio-recycled plastic. The aluminum frame with a glass front and back gives the device a premium hand feel. Not to mention, the transparent back which is unlike anything we’ve seen before.
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The power button and the volume rocker have been placed on two opposite ends with the sim slot being next to the Type-C port. There’s also dual stereo support on the device but no headphone jack unlike other mid-range devices in this segment. All in all, the design can be easily termed the android of iPhones.
But there’s one more thing that separates the Nothing Phone 1 from any device out there. Let’s talk about that.
The Glyph Interface
Nothing has aligned 900 LEDs on the back of the device to create a distinctive lighting pattern. These LEDs light up to provide notifications, ringtones, and a myriad of other options. We have seen the use of light in the likes of the ASUS ROG phone. But that is mostly a complete gimmick.
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What Nothing has tried to do is incorporate functionality in an otherwise gimmicky design choice.
The glyph interface is mostly like a new toy that is sure to turn heads. While Nothing has put a host of customization on the lighting, it will ultimately come down to the user preference and using habit to determine its relevance.
The Display
The Nothing Phone 1 uses a 6.55-inch OLED FHD+ 120 Hz panel. The display also supports HDR 10+ as well as Widevine L1 codecs. If the overall design wasn’t reminiscent of iPhone enough, the front will remind the users of the same as well.
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Phone 1 uses a single punch hole display with a uniform bezel all around. Typically it's not seen in android because it overruns the cost of using a flexible OLED panel.
Nothing has gone the extra mile to ensure the uniformity of design aesthetics and it honestly delivers. The front and the overall consumption experience feel much superior to its price point.
The Camera
One of the major complaints with any mid-range androids is the camera gimmicks. You’ll see a triple or even quad camera setup with one or two sensors being completely useless. These additions are made simply as a marketing stunt.
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Fortunately, Nothing has come out of that bubble and included only two sensors on Phone 1. A 50 MP main shooter and a 50 MP wide-angle lens also double as a macro lens. This is an excellent choice as it keeps the back minimal all the while retaining functionality.
Speaking of camera performance, both lenses shine in bright outdoor conditions. Pictures look crisp with a high dynamic range and great details. But the problem starts with artificial lighting as there are noticeable grains and noises in the picture. The glyph lighting comes in handy where flash might be an overkill like in most macro shots. The 16 MP front shooter also suffers from the same issues.
The videography can go up to 4K at 30 fps. The OIS and EIS do a decent job but it's not perfect. It is expected that Nothing will address the existing camera issue with the running updates.
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Processor and Performance
Many people expected that the Nothing Phone 1 would be a flagship or at least sport the latest 7 Gen 1 premium mid-range chipset from Snapdragon. However, the steady leaks from Nothing itself leading to 12th July suggested that the Phone 1 will feature a Snapdragon 778G+ processor. The 778G+ is an overclocked version of the usual 778. The octa-core processor features 1 2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 and 3 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 chips along with Adreno 642L GPU.
Speaking of in-hand performance, the phone feels nothing less than a proper flagship. The NothingOS is a completely stripped-down stock android OS that runs smoothly thanks to the 120 Hz panel. The only noticeable difference can be seen in gaming where high-intensity games like PUBG and COD run in medium graphics settings.
There’s no point in discrediting the device because of its mid-range processor. Instead, the bare OS and high optimization make the device a perfect daily driver even for heavy users.
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Battery and Charge Time
The Nothing Phone 1 is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery. The 4500 mAh battery is good enough to make the device last for an entire day. The battery is coupled with a 33 W fast charger. An hour of charge will take the device from zero to 100% in about an hour.
Price of Nothing Phone 1
The Nothing Phone 1 launched in three variants. The 8/128 GB variant is priced at 31,999 Rs while the 8/256 GB and 12/256 GB are priced at 34,999 Rs and 37,999 Rs. The price translates to roughly 37,620 BDT, 41,147 BDT and 44,647 BDT respectively (1 INR = 1.18 BDT). But the price may vary depending on the availability and import policies.
Verdict
The Nothing Phone 1 is much like the company claims. It’s a breath of fresh air in an otherwise increasingly boring smartphone design. The glyph interface looks like a gimmick but it can be a handy little feature for those who are into futuristic light shows. The design is complemented well by the display, processor, and battery. The only drawback might be the price which is a bit more than similar ranged devices.
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