Walton NexG N74 Review: A Competitive Budget-friendly Smartphone Worth Considering

November 21, 2024, 08:56 AM
by Farhana Afrose Rini

UNB News
Publish- November 21, 2024, 08:56 AM
Farhana Afrose Rini
Update- November 21, 2024, 09:12 AM

Walton NexG N74 Review: A Competitive Budget-friendly Smartphone Worth Considering

Walton, a leading Bangladeshi electronics brand, has been making waves with its NexG smartphone series. The Walton NexG N74, launched in October 2024, offers features at an affordable price. Packed with a vibrant display, solid cameras, and decent gaming capabilities, it stands tall in its price bracket. Here is an in-depth review of its key features, compared to others.

Key Specs of Walton NexG N74

.
Design and Build Quality

The Walton NexG N74 has a sleek and modern design with a premium finish available in Black, Purple, and Green colours. The device feels sturdy in hand despite its plastic body. Its dimensions and weight strike a balance, making it slightly lighter than the NexG N73 but bulkier than the Vivo Y18t.

Compared to the Vivo Y18t and Infinix Smart 8 Pro, the NexG N74 offers a more polished look. While the Vivo Y18t’s IP54 rating adds dust and splash resistance, the Walton NexG N74 is a solid contender for users who prioritise aesthetics without compromising durability.

Display Quality

The Walton NexG N74 features a 6.8-inch IPS LCD display with 1080 by 2400 pixels resolution. With vibrant colours and sharp details, it is a clear step up from the 720p display of the ancestor NexG N73. The 90 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and gaming, like the Vivo Y18t and Infinix Smart 8 Pro.

However, the NexG N74 lacks HDR support, which is offered by some competitors. This makes the Vivo Y18t slightly better for streaming content. However, the overall quality of the Walton device's display remains impressive for everyday use.

Camera Performance

Equipped with a triple-camera setup (52 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP), the NexG N74 delivers solid performance for its price. Daylight photography produces sharp and detailed images. Its LED flash helps in low-light conditions. But still, it struggles compared to Vivo Y18t’s slightly superior image processing. The 8 MP front camera offers decent selfies but lacks the dynamic range of some competitors.

The Walton NexG N74’s camera is an upgrade from the NexG N73’s dual 50 MP + 2 MP setup. However, the Vivo Y18t’s camera featuring a larger aperture and the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s Ring-LED flash please photography enthusiasts seeking versatility.

Processor Performance

The NexG N74 runs on an octa-core processor powered by MediaTek’s Helio G99 chipset. This is a significant improvement over the NexG N73’s Unisoc T606 processor. Everyday tasks like social media browsing, video playback, and multitasking are handled with ease. The G99 also provides better efficiency and moderate gaming performance.

When compared to the Vivo Y18t and Infinix Smart 8 Pro, the NexG N74 holds its ground well. While the Vivo Y18t’s Unisoc T612 performs admirably for general usage, the Helio G99 in the Walton NexG N74 outshines it in raw processing power.

Gaming Performance

For gamers, the Walton NexG N74 offers a smooth experience for games like PUBG Mobile and Free Fire at medium settings, thanks to its Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. Its thermal management ensures extended gaming sessions without overheating. But resource-intensive games like Genshin Impact reveal the limits of the chipset.

Compared to the NexG N73, the NexG N74 is a noticeable upgrade in gaming. However, it faces stiff competition from the Infinix Smart 8 Pro, whose PowerVR GE8320 GPU provides similar gaming experiences but with slightly better battery optimization.

Battery Life

The 5,000 mAh battery on the NexG N74 ensures a full day of use, whether for gaming, streaming, or multitasking. Unfortunately, the 18W charging speed feels slow compared to modern standards, especially when competitors like the Vivo Y18t and Infinix Smart 8 Pro offer faster charging.

While the ancestor NexG N73 had a larger 6,000 mAh battery, its heavier weight and lower charging speed often hampered usability. In this regard, the NexG N74 strikes a better balance between capacity and efficiency.

Software and User Interface

The NexG N74 ships with Android 14, offering a clean and intuitive user interface with minor customizations by Walton. The updated software ensures better security, new features, and improved app compatibility. This is a significant improvement over the NexG N73, which runs on Android 13.

Compared to the Vivo Y18t’s Funtouch 14, which is feature-rich but slightly bloated, Walton’s approach feels simpler and more user-friendly. The Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s XOS 13, though functional, comes with pre-installed apps that may detract from the user experience.

Storage Options

The NexG N74 offers 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, which is expandable via microSDXC. This setup provides seamless multitasking and plenty of storage for apps, games, and media. It matches the storage options of both the Vivo Y18t and Infinix Smart 8 Pro.

Compared to the NexG N73, which supports up to 256 GB of external storage, the NexG N74 focuses on balancing internal storage with RAM performance for better efficiency.

Pros and Cons of Walton NexG N74
.

Pros

- 6.8-inch Full HD+ display with 90 Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals
- 52 MP main camera delivers sharp photos in daylight
- Face unlock and fingerprint sensor
- 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal memory, expandable via microSDXC
- 5000mAh battery capacity
- 18W fast charging.

Cons

- Struggles in poor lighting conditions
- 5G network not supported
- Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset
- No premium materials like glass or metal are used in construction
- Lacks water or dust resistance, unlike some competitors

Price of Walton NexG N74

The Walton NexG N74 is priced at 13,499 Tk in Bangladesh.

Verdict

The Walton NexG N74 is a commendable budget-friendly smartphone with an excellent display, capable cameras, and reliable performance. Its software experience and gaming capabilities make it appealing to casual users. However, power users and hardcore gamers might want to explore alternatives with faster charging and better gaming capabilities. For those seeking a balanced device at an affordable price, the NexG N74 is worth considering.